Se connecterI didn't flinch. Instead, I strolled toward Stellan confidentally.
“Alpha, we’re alone, so there’s no need for the fake jealousy,” I teased with a wink. “Anyway, I just stopped by to remind the Gamma about my request to take over the female warrior training.”Even if he didn't buy my sloppy lie, Stellan didn't let a hint of doubt show on his face. I looped my arm through his, and we walked together to the dining room in a comfortable silence.We were the first to aRoseI clenched my fists, digging my nails so deep they drew blood, biting my lip to keep from screaming. Again — again — that bitch Leona had come out of the trap victorious. Rebecca had her cornered; she'd stolen some contract proving Leona and Alpha Stellan's relationship was fake. I'd been waiting for the day I'd hear that Leona had crawled out of North Storm, humiliated and completely ruined. Instead, my cousin brought sad news: somehow Leona had been marked by her king and raised higher than ever.It made my blood boil. The veins at my temples pulsed, my vision blurring with fury. I closed my eyes, forced my breath to steady, and wiped the blood from my lip and palm with a white handkerchief.My hand slid to my still-flat belly — not with tenderness, but with the quiet satisfaction of a gambler covering her winning card. This was my guarantee. Erik could mourn Leona all he liked; no Alpha in the North could refuse to make the mother of his heir his Luna. The pup was the one chip
Leona"Rebecca, that won't be necessary," Stellan said sternly, then looked out at the crowd. "There is one mistake I made seven months ago. And now it's time to correct it."His expression was unreadable, and the audience gasped, utterly confused.I watched Stellan's eyes sweep through the hall, searching for Sybilla — and his face darkened."Leona. Come to the stage. What has to be done needs to be done. No time to waste." Each of his words landed like a slap.So this was it. We'd agreed he couldn't let the contract go public — that it would destroy all of us — and that if Sybilla failed, we'd fall back on plan B: rejection. But even knowing that, I'd still nursed a fragile hope that in the end he'd choose me. Over the pack. Over the crown. Neither of us would rule anything after a humiliation like this, but we could still be together, even stripped of our titles. Our love just wasn't enough against power.I exhaled and began to climb the stage, my chin high. I would not let myself
StellanSunlight streamed into the room. Leona was still asleep, her hand resting possessively on my abs as if to declare ownership, and I smiled.Yesterday, once we'd finally hatched a plan and Sybilla had left, we made love. And it was an out-of-this-world feeling — even though we'd done it countless times before, it had never felt so good. For the first time, there were no regrets. No guilt. No clock counting down over the bed. I could be with Leona openly, and I lay there a moment longer than I should have, just watching her breathe, letting myself have it — this ordinary, impossible thing, a morning that belonged to us.Skoll purred like a docile, fluffy cat, and I suppressed a chuckle. Though honestly, it wasn't time to laugh yet — we still didn't know if our plan would hold. Everything rested on Sybilla. She'd slipped away before dawn to do the one thing none of us could: reach what Rebecca had hidden by means the rest of us simply didn't possess. All I had to do was keep the p
LeonaThe door opened and Stellan entered without knocking. His face was pale as a sheet, his eyes darting between me and Sybilla — the two of us casually clutching wine glasses like old friends."Care to join us?" Sybilla said, raising hers."I definitely need something stronger than that," he mumbled, lowering himself into the armchair.Was he this worked up over the whole situation of me leaving? I hated seeing him miserable — and yet, somewhere deep inside, a flicker of satisfaction ignited. He cared. He loved me.I poured him a glass of whisky, and he downed almost all of it in one go."Stellan, there's something I have to tell you," Sybilla began."And there's something I need to tell both of you," he replied, his tone making it clear nothing good was coming. "But go ahead first, Sybilla.""I've decided to release you from your promise to mate me. I do love you — but I won't stand between you and Leona. And frankly, I see myself as a witch, not a Luna. Maybe it was fate that pul
Leona"Leona, I may look naive, but I'm not. I can see exactly how Stellan looks at you, and how you look at him — even though you both try so desperately to hide it. Even behind your composed mask, I saw the way your hand trembled when he covered it with his. The pain in your eyes while you forced those fake smiles. I know everything."I set my glass down slowly. If she wanted a confession, she'd be waiting a long time. "And what exactly do you want me to do with that?""Nothing. I'm not accusing you." Sybilla sipped her wine, unbothered by the ice in my voice. "I dreamed about the day I'd see Stellan again. How ecstatic he'd be. The moment he'd drop to one knee and propose. I imagined it countless times — walking down the aisle in a pearl-white gown, Stellan waiting there with the face of the happiest man alive. But dreams and reality aren't the same. I came home only to find my place already taken, my man already standing beside another woman.""Then say what you came to say," I cu
Leona I sat on the bed in the guest room, glancing at my luggage, standing neatly against the wall. There was no point unpacking — I'd have to leave soon anyway. The scent of cleaning detergent mixed with the fresh lilies by the bed filled the room. But the one scent that could have soothed my aching nerves was missing — Stellan's. I hated that I craved him. Even with Erik I'd always stood on my own two feet, but with Stellan I'd lowered my guard and leaned on him, and now I felt like I was falling — deep, hard — and not into an abyss of betrayal this time, but into a trap set by my own stupidity. And yet, the only thing I yearned for now was the warmth of his touch. "Go to him. Tell him how much you love him. Fight for him," Alma pleaded. "There's no point fighting when the battle was lost from the very beginning. I always knew Sybilla would come back. This whole thing with Stellan was just convenience — a perfectly staged Luna story, propped up by good sex and mutual understan
Curiosity peaked, and I bolted out to find Alpha Caleb and see what was going on. But before I could reach the doorknob to exit the packhouse, a strong hand grabbed my wrist and spun me around."Babe, it's not safe out there," Erik said, his voice laced with concern."Shouldn't you be worrying abou
I grabbed my silk robe and tied it swiftly."And why shall we postpone our mating ceremony?" I asked sternly, crossing my arms.Erik was dressing with such speed you’d think the room was on fire. "Baby, please understand. Rose is sick. She has Moonshade disease. Have you ever heard of it?" His voic
“I hope you do not mind Rose coming with us. I want my sister and mate to become friends,” Erik announced, opening the passenger door for me.But Rose chimed in before I could step toward it. “I am sorry, but I feel so sick in the back. The motion makes my head spin. Could I please take the passeng
Erik mumbled to Rose, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. “You’re so pale. I will take you to the infirmary.”“That won't be necessary. Luna Mia can handle it,” barked Erik’s father. His voice was a whip of authority, slicing through Erik’s panicked haze.Luna Mia stepped







