LOGINBella's POVThe first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was how unusually quiet the room was.I slowly sat up, pressing a hand against my forehead. My body still felt weak, and there was an uncomfortable soreness in my back and legs.I looked down at my wrist.The strange mark was still there. I rubbed my thumb over it, watching the faint silver lines beneath my skin."You're awake."One of the palace healers stood beside the bed, holding a small tray of medicine."How long have I been asleep?""Almost a day, my lady. Your body went through an unusual transformation, so you need enough rest to recover."I frowned."His Majesty instructed us to monitor you closely. We have also been asked to report any unusual changes in your condition.""I'm not sick. I just transformed."The woman lowered her head."I'll inform His Majesty that you're awake."She hurried out of the room.I closed my eyes.You're awake.I immediately opened them.That voice again. It was soft, feminine, and seemed
Peony's POVWho was this person, and how did they know what I wanted?I glanced over my shoulder, making sure nobody was watching me.Before I could decide whether to respond, my phone began ringing. The same unknown number appeared on the screen.I hesitated before answering."Hello?"A deep male voice came through the speaker."You're Peony Maxwell, aren't you?"My expression immediately hardened."Who is this? And how did you get my number?"The man chuckled quietly."Straight to the point. I like that. I know quite a lot about you, Peony. I know about your hatred for Bella, your connection to Alpha Jaxon, and how the Lycan King has suddenly made your stepsister the center of his attention.""What do you want?""I want my throne back.""Your throne?""My name is Kade Voss. I am Theoren's older brother."My eyes widened."What?"I remembered the rumours surrounding the former heir. Kade had attempted to overthrow his younger brother years ago. His rebellion had failed, and he had ei
Bella's POVI couldn't understand what was happening.The glowing mark on my wrist continued to shine, and Theoren was staring at it as though he had just witnessed something impossible."My true mate."Those were the words I heard him whisper.What did he mean by that?Before I could ask, another wave of warmth moved through my body. My wolf began retreating, and my bones shifted painfully as I returned to my human form.My knees gave way."Bella!"Theoren caught me immediately, pulling me against his chest.I grabbed his shoulders, trying to steady myself, suddenly aware that I was completely naked in front of everyone."Oh, Moon Goddess!"I quickly covered my chest, my cheeks burning."Can someone give me something to wear?"Theoren immediately took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, making sure it covered me properly before helping me stand."Are you alright?""Do I look alright to you?"A faint smile appeared on his face."You're still finding the strength to argu
Bella's POVFor several seconds, I couldn't move.I stood in the middle of the battlefield, staring at Jaxon as he slowly rose from his knees. His face was bruised, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, but the hatred in his eyes remained unchanged.He had finally accepted my rejection.After three years of being trapped in a marriage that made me feel unwanted, I was finally free.I should have felt nothing but relief. Yet, his final words kept repeating in my head.One day, you'll understand why I couldn't let you go.I frowned.What was that supposed to mean?He had spent years treating me like I was nothing. Why would he suddenly act as though losing me meant something more?I watched him turn toward his warriors. He didn't look like a man who had simply lost his mate. He looked like someone who had lost something he desperately needed."Stop staring at him."I turned at the sound of Theoren's voice.He was standing beside me, his chest rising and falling heavily. There wa
BELLA'S POVJaxon launched his attack first.He approached Theoren with a sureness that indicated he had victory already in his sights. His punch landed with such force that Theoren had to retreat several steps back.There was a murmur among the Northern fighters.Theoren regained his footing swiftly, but I noted the brief pause before he stood up straight again. His movements were not as flawless as before, having been impaired by Kade's poison.Jaxon had noticed this as well.He kept pushing, throwing his punches one after another. Theoren parried the first, evaded the second, and grabbed Jaxon's wrist before the third landed. I thought for a moment he had managed to get an advantage.But then Jaxon pulled free and threw another punch.It wasn't just about winning the fight. Jaxon was gauging how much abuse Theoren's weakened body could withstand.The shouts of the Moonstone warriors got louder as each punch made contact.I squeezed my fists tighter.Another punch connected with The
POV: BELLA"No."The word slipped out of my mouth before the messenger could finish.Theoren turned toward me. "Bella—""I refuse to meet with him."No need to tell me Jaxon's name more than once; it brought up the dungeons, Peony's sick grin, my father telling me how my mother had died, and the river consuming me when I'd fallen off the cliffs.It would take too many deaths for me to allow myself to fall into his grasp once again.Theoren studied my face before he answered the messenger."Tell the Alpha of Moonstone that he does not have the right to call for someone from my territory. If he wishes to speak with me, then he can say what he wants from across the border."The messenger bowed quickly and hurried away."He's not going to go," I said."Are you sure enough to know?""Sure enough."But Theoren didn't push me on it any further.For a little while, everything returned to normal in the palace, but the air was different now. Everyone knew an Alpha had showed up at the border wi







