SEBASTIANThe morning begins with tension in the air…thick, unspoken, and waiting to snap.I stand in the training yard, the weight of the pack pressing on my shoulders like chains. Warriors spar behind me, their grunts and clashes filling the silence. But my focus is elsewhere.A storm’s coming.Not one of thunder and wind…but of memories, of blood, of someone I buried long ago.A guard hurries toward me, his scent sharp with nerves.“Alpha,” he says, panting slightly. “Crimson Crest has arrived.”The words stop me cold.I turn, slowly.“What?”He nods, lower lip trembling. “Their Alpha requests an audience.”The name still burns: “Caleb”.“You’re sure?”“Yes, Alpha. He waits at the southern border.”Of course he does.He knows the rules. He helped *make* them.I march to the border with fire in my veins. The warriors around me fall silent. They remember the stories. They remember the last time Crimson Crest and our pack stood face to face.I see him before I smell him—tall, lean, st
AVAThe coldness in my bones hasn’t faded, even as the warmth of the Luna lounge tries to soak into my skin. My wet clothes have been replaced with dry ones, thanks to Jatine’s quick thinking. But nothing can replace the lingering ache in my chest, or the fire in my thoughts.I wrap the fur blanket tighter around me, even though the trembling inside isn’t from the cold anymore.Sebastian is heartless.He watched me struggle in the water, hesitating. I saw it in his eyes…the same storm I’d seen during the coronation. But this time, it was worse. That moment where life hung by a thread, and all he did was stare. If Caleb hadn’t jumped in... I don’t even want to think about it. Caleb saved me. Just minutes ago. Risked his life to pull me from the depths. Not last night. Not hours ago. Just now. The scent of river water still clings faintly to him.I hate Sebastian. I hate him for what he is, for what he pretends to be, for what he took from me…and what he failed to give. Protection.Ja
CALEBShe clings to life in my arms, soaked, shivering, and silent. When I pulled her from the water just moments ago, I wasn’t thinking. I moved.Instinctively. Something about her compels me…and it’s not just duty. It’s something deeper, something I don’t yet understand. But I’m no fool. Just because I saved her doesn’t mean I trust her.Her lips are pale, but her pulse is steady. For someone barely breathing minutes ago, she recovers fast.Too fast.My suspicion sharpens.A rogue doesn’t usually bounce back like this. Especially not one that the Alpha himself claimed as Luna. There’s something she’s hiding.I step outside, signaling one of my men. "Find everything you can about the new Luna. I want records, whispers, rumors. Now."He bows and leaves swiftly. I don’t usually interfere in Sebastian’s affairs, but this isn’t just any woman. This is the same female who walked into this pack with fire in her eyes and a silent man by her side. They were caught together. As rogues.No blo
SEBASTIANIt was past midnight when the knock came."Alpha," the guard said, eyes cast down, "we saw her. Ava. She was seen sneaking toward the old abandoned house at the east ridge."I didn’t say a word.Just grabbed my coat, slipped into my boots, and drove.No lights. No backup.Just rage.The kind that burns quiet and deep.The road was dark, mist curling along the path like ghosts. The house came into view soon enough, forgotten by time, barely standing. I parked far off, moved like a shadow.I didn’t expect what I saw.Ava. And him.Dante.My hands curled into fists before I even took a breath.They were arguing. She was speaking fast, voice low but desperate. "I can’t leave now. Don’t you understand? Someone wants me dead. I need to find out who before it’s too late."His voice was sharp. "I don’t care, Ava. I came here for you. You were supposed to be mine. This was never the plan."He pushed her, not gently but with force.She stumbled back, I clenched my fists furiously, I c
AVAI sit stiffly on the couch, the first aid box still lying by my feet. My fingers tremble a little as I bandage the small scratch on my hand. The silence around me is loud, pressing on my chest.Dante's face flashes in my mind—the way his hands wrapped around my neck, the coldness in his eyes. I shiver.That was not the Dante I knew.Not the boy who once swore to protect me. Not the man I gave everything to.Tonight, he didn’t even care when I told him someone tried to kill me. He didn’t listen. All he wanted was for me to run away with him. His hands... they had no mercy. His grip, so tight, so cruel.I shake my head.I should feel grateful that Sebastian came for me. That he stopped Dante before he could finish what he started. But all I feel is a mess of emotions. Fear. Confusion. Anger. Gratitude.And somewhere deep down... a wish that it was Caleb who saved me.When Sebastian dropped the first aid box in front of me and said, *"Don't expect me to be your hero,"* I almost rolle
SEBASTIAN I can’t sleep. It’s already morning, and I’m still lying in bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling like it holds the answers to life.My chest is tight, and my head is heavy. Not from stress..no, no..it’s from whatever nonsense I muttered last night."You make me insane."Seriously? Out of all the things I could have said, that’s what my mouth decided to come up with? I throw the covers off me with a groan and sit up, running a hand through my hair."Why did I say that?"She doesn’t make me insane. I make myself insane. Me. Just me.I only wanted to get the damn picture back. I didn’t want her to see it. Not because it’s something shameful, but because it’s mine. Mine and Dove's. Personal. But no, instead of calmly asking, I ran at her like a man possessed, screamed "Don't," tripped, and landed on her.Lips. Touched.I slap my hand over my face and let out a sound that’s a mix between a groan and a dying whale."No, nope, nothing happened," I mutter to myself.My heart’s
AVAI wake up slowly, blinking against the soft morning light streaming through the window. My head feels heavy, my body even heavier. For a second, I can’t place where I am. The mattress is firm yet soft, and the sheets smell like pinewood and something masculine. Familiar.My eyes dart around, and it hits me.Sebastian’s room.My heart leaps into my throat. I sit up sharply, clutching the blanket against my chest. I’m still in my clothes from yesterday. Everything’s intact. No marks. No weird gaps in memory.I wasn’t touched.Relief rushes through me so fast it leaves me dizzy. But something else simmers beneath it..confusion, embarrassment… and a weird kind of warmth.I swing my legs off the bed and tiptoe across the room, careful not to wake anything or anyone. The place is quiet, still. The air carries the faint smell of old books, leather, and him. I push open the door slowly and step into the living room.That’s when I see him.Sebastian.Asleep.His head rests on the edge of
CHAPTER ONE | DENIED AVA HAYES “Oh, come on, Daddy. Don't be like this. I really love Dante and you know he loves me too. Getting married to him would be the best thing in the world." I say, folding my hand across my chest and stomping my feet on the ground like a bratty 8 year old pup asking her mother if she could have a makeover. “No, Ava. It's still a no. I know you love Dante and I'm sure he loves you very much but getting married to him wouldn't end well. Sooner or later, you'll find your mate and your marriage with Dante will become complicated. I don't want you doing something you'll regret, princess." My dad says with a tired sigh. I know he is exhausted because of the rogue attack we've been getting but I don't care. I want something and I want it now and nothing else matters until I get what I want. “I will reject him whenever he shows up. I'm madly in love with Dante and not even the moon goddess can stop me from being with the man I love with the toxic mate paring shi
AVAI wake up slowly, blinking against the soft morning light streaming through the window. My head feels heavy, my body even heavier. For a second, I can’t place where I am. The mattress is firm yet soft, and the sheets smell like pinewood and something masculine. Familiar.My eyes dart around, and it hits me.Sebastian’s room.My heart leaps into my throat. I sit up sharply, clutching the blanket against my chest. I’m still in my clothes from yesterday. Everything’s intact. No marks. No weird gaps in memory.I wasn’t touched.Relief rushes through me so fast it leaves me dizzy. But something else simmers beneath it..confusion, embarrassment… and a weird kind of warmth.I swing my legs off the bed and tiptoe across the room, careful not to wake anything or anyone. The place is quiet, still. The air carries the faint smell of old books, leather, and him. I push open the door slowly and step into the living room.That’s when I see him.Sebastian.Asleep.His head rests on the edge of
SEBASTIAN I can’t sleep. It’s already morning, and I’m still lying in bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling like it holds the answers to life.My chest is tight, and my head is heavy. Not from stress..no, no..it’s from whatever nonsense I muttered last night."You make me insane."Seriously? Out of all the things I could have said, that’s what my mouth decided to come up with? I throw the covers off me with a groan and sit up, running a hand through my hair."Why did I say that?"She doesn’t make me insane. I make myself insane. Me. Just me.I only wanted to get the damn picture back. I didn’t want her to see it. Not because it’s something shameful, but because it’s mine. Mine and Dove's. Personal. But no, instead of calmly asking, I ran at her like a man possessed, screamed "Don't," tripped, and landed on her.Lips. Touched.I slap my hand over my face and let out a sound that’s a mix between a groan and a dying whale."No, nope, nothing happened," I mutter to myself.My heart’s
AVAI sit stiffly on the couch, the first aid box still lying by my feet. My fingers tremble a little as I bandage the small scratch on my hand. The silence around me is loud, pressing on my chest.Dante's face flashes in my mind—the way his hands wrapped around my neck, the coldness in his eyes. I shiver.That was not the Dante I knew.Not the boy who once swore to protect me. Not the man I gave everything to.Tonight, he didn’t even care when I told him someone tried to kill me. He didn’t listen. All he wanted was for me to run away with him. His hands... they had no mercy. His grip, so tight, so cruel.I shake my head.I should feel grateful that Sebastian came for me. That he stopped Dante before he could finish what he started. But all I feel is a mess of emotions. Fear. Confusion. Anger. Gratitude.And somewhere deep down... a wish that it was Caleb who saved me.When Sebastian dropped the first aid box in front of me and said, *"Don't expect me to be your hero,"* I almost rolle
SEBASTIANIt was past midnight when the knock came."Alpha," the guard said, eyes cast down, "we saw her. Ava. She was seen sneaking toward the old abandoned house at the east ridge."I didn’t say a word.Just grabbed my coat, slipped into my boots, and drove.No lights. No backup.Just rage.The kind that burns quiet and deep.The road was dark, mist curling along the path like ghosts. The house came into view soon enough, forgotten by time, barely standing. I parked far off, moved like a shadow.I didn’t expect what I saw.Ava. And him.Dante.My hands curled into fists before I even took a breath.They were arguing. She was speaking fast, voice low but desperate. "I can’t leave now. Don’t you understand? Someone wants me dead. I need to find out who before it’s too late."His voice was sharp. "I don’t care, Ava. I came here for you. You were supposed to be mine. This was never the plan."He pushed her, not gently but with force.She stumbled back, I clenched my fists furiously, I c
CALEBShe clings to life in my arms, soaked, shivering, and silent. When I pulled her from the water just moments ago, I wasn’t thinking. I moved.Instinctively. Something about her compels me…and it’s not just duty. It’s something deeper, something I don’t yet understand. But I’m no fool. Just because I saved her doesn’t mean I trust her.Her lips are pale, but her pulse is steady. For someone barely breathing minutes ago, she recovers fast.Too fast.My suspicion sharpens.A rogue doesn’t usually bounce back like this. Especially not one that the Alpha himself claimed as Luna. There’s something she’s hiding.I step outside, signaling one of my men. "Find everything you can about the new Luna. I want records, whispers, rumors. Now."He bows and leaves swiftly. I don’t usually interfere in Sebastian’s affairs, but this isn’t just any woman. This is the same female who walked into this pack with fire in her eyes and a silent man by her side. They were caught together. As rogues.No blo
AVAThe coldness in my bones hasn’t faded, even as the warmth of the Luna lounge tries to soak into my skin. My wet clothes have been replaced with dry ones, thanks to Jatine’s quick thinking. But nothing can replace the lingering ache in my chest, or the fire in my thoughts.I wrap the fur blanket tighter around me, even though the trembling inside isn’t from the cold anymore.Sebastian is heartless.He watched me struggle in the water, hesitating. I saw it in his eyes…the same storm I’d seen during the coronation. But this time, it was worse. That moment where life hung by a thread, and all he did was stare. If Caleb hadn’t jumped in... I don’t even want to think about it. Caleb saved me. Just minutes ago. Risked his life to pull me from the depths. Not last night. Not hours ago. Just now. The scent of river water still clings faintly to him.I hate Sebastian. I hate him for what he is, for what he pretends to be, for what he took from me…and what he failed to give. Protection.Ja
SEBASTIANThe morning begins with tension in the air…thick, unspoken, and waiting to snap.I stand in the training yard, the weight of the pack pressing on my shoulders like chains. Warriors spar behind me, their grunts and clashes filling the silence. But my focus is elsewhere.A storm’s coming.Not one of thunder and wind…but of memories, of blood, of someone I buried long ago.A guard hurries toward me, his scent sharp with nerves.“Alpha,” he says, panting slightly. “Crimson Crest has arrived.”The words stop me cold.I turn, slowly.“What?”He nods, lower lip trembling. “Their Alpha requests an audience.”The name still burns: “Caleb”.“You’re sure?”“Yes, Alpha. He waits at the southern border.”Of course he does.He knows the rules. He helped *make* them.I march to the border with fire in my veins. The warriors around me fall silent. They remember the stories. They remember the last time Crimson Crest and our pack stood face to face.I see him before I smell him—tall, lean, st
AVAMorning finds me beneath layers of silk, drowning in the weight of roses and responsibility. Light spills through the tall windows, golden and soft, but it doesn’t warm me. I’m Luna now.And I feel like a prisoner in a crown.There’s a sharp knock at the door. Before I can even call out, it opens, revealing a girl with thick black hair twisted into a braid down her spine. Her movements are fluid, practiced. She bows low.“My name is Jatine. I’ve been assigned as your personal maid, Luna.”Luna.It still sounds like a lie.I nod, eyes scanning her for hidden motives. Everyone here smiles too easily, speaks too softly. Like every sentence hides a blade.Jatine begins her tasks with silent precision…folding clothes I haven’t worn, arranging shoes I didn’t choose, tidying a room that isn’t mine. I watch her quietly, my hands curled into fists beneath the sheets.“I want a tour,” I say, finally.She glances up, startled. “Of the pack?”“Yes. All of it.”She hesitates. “The Alpha prefer
SEBASTIANThe night air presses against my skin like a second layer, cold and unrelenting. I stand beneath the shadows of the trees outside the Luna’s mansion, arms folded tightly, as if that could contain the chaos roiling inside me. The celebration is over. The laughter, the toasts, the charade. All that’s left now is silence. And her.Ava.She’s in there, behind those walls. Alone.I see the dim flicker of candlelight in her chambers. I see her shadow move occasionally behind the silk curtains. And I do nothing. I don’t knock. I don’t enter. I just stand here like some ghost of a man who doesn’t know how to be what he’s supposed to be.Luna and Alpha.King and Queen.Duty and bond.When her father approached me earlier today, just before the ceremony, he said four words."Take care of her."Simple. Quiet. But they slammed into me like a blade to the ribs. He didn’t threaten. He didn’t roar or puff his chest like most Alphas would. He just looked me dead in the eye and placed the we