Tristan’s POV
Even hours after the guards hurled Reya out of my office, I still felt rage boiling inside me. The nerve of her to sever the same bond that I sacrificed my happiness to create. Who the hell did she think she was?
I glanced at the shot of tequila I held in my hand then looked up at the sky. I had resulted to alcohol to stabilize my emotions but it wasn’t working. Reya had made so worked up I was sure I will stay up all night like this.
Fuck that woman.
“Why am I still sensing anger coming from you, Lycan?” the voice of my beta echoed from behind me. “Don’t tell me you’re drunk.”
I growled, rolling my eyes when his face came into view. “Where is Chloe? I was hoping I could meet her and welcome her back personally.”
I growled again, displeased with the flirtatious tone he was using when referring to the love of my life. “She left to meet up with a few of her old friends.”
I answered bitterly. I wished she had stayed, maybe I won’t be so upset. But she wanted me to sort out my feelings by giving me some space. Gosh, I missed her. She was always so considerate. It was just one of the reasons I had fallen in love with her...
“What did you find? I stood up straight, suddenly recalling why my beta was not here to welcome his soon-to-be Luna. That was because I had sent him on an errand.
His face suddenly sobered up and he shook his head. “I found Reya’s father dead in his living room when I got there. It looked like he was already dead for a few days because when I arrived, his body was decomposing.”
He scrunched his nose, disgust marring his face, as he recalled whatever he saw. My mind immediately travelled to Reya and the fact that her father was the only remaining member of her family and the only reason why she accepted to become my Luna other than the fact that she was my fated mate.
“Keep this from her,” I ordered. “At least till we finalize all arrangements with Alpha Wyvern. You don’t know what she’ll do once she finds out the only leverage we have on her is gone.”
Isaac nodded. “You’re right.” He paused. “And his body? What do we do with it?”
“Leave it in our morgue until we tell Reya. She should decide what she wants for her father.” I answered.
We both looked up as the door to my office opened and Richard, my gamma stepped inside. His eyes roamed the office before stopping at me and Isaac at the balcony. With long steps, he walked towards us.
“Alpha Wyvern just sent words,” he announced, bowing his head slightly as a form of respect for his Alpha.
I nodded, taking a step away from the railing and into my office. “And what did he say?”
“He wanted you to know that he arrived safely. Once he’s done with preparing his pack for Reya, then he will come back and take her.”
My heart clenched painfully but I dismissed it. If the bond wanted to act up, that was its business but I was done with Reya. Still, I was still surprised that an Alpha like Wyvern wanted her.
How did he know her and what did he want with her? I had been curious, but despite all my investigations, I couldn’t find anything remarkable about the woman. If they wanted her, then they could have her.
At least, I got something back from the whole arrangements. My mind wandered to Chloe and how majestic she looked when she walked into my pack house a day ago. It’s only been two years since the last time I saw her but it looked like a lot changed about her.
She had grown into an even more beautiful woman with delicate curves and a body that could send even the strongest men to their knees and now, she was mine.
I had Reya to thank for that.
Nodding at my beta and gamma, I excused myself, my legs carrying me to the prison room where she was in.
As soon as I stopped in front of the door, her familiar scent of flowers assaulted my senses and my wolf stirred to the surface. Even after two years and despite all our arguments. Reya was the only woman he would accept.
I shoved him into the deepest and darkest part of my mind. He will learn to accept Chloe whether he liked it or not. She was the only woman for us, no one else.
Deep in thoughts, I did not realize the door was open until I saw Reya’s bloodshot eyes staring back at me. Her nose flared and she stood to her feet, scuttling to a corner of the room like I was a beast about to pounce on her.
The gesture made me wince and hurt squeezed at my heat but I ignored the emotion. It was her scent, I told myself. Our bond was strong and being around her always drove me crazy.
Stepping into the room, I closed the door behind me and took over the single bed in the room.
“Strip!” I ordered.
As usual, I expected her to tremble with fear and longing as she did for the past tow years and obey my order, but to my surprise, she met my gaze without flinching and uttered the one word I never thought I will ever hear from her.
“No!”
Whether it was because it was my first time hearing that word from her or because I didn’t expect to see the defiance that flashed in her eyes, my mind was unable to comprehend it.
I could hear Rex, my wolf, laughing from the darkness I pushed him into.
“What was that, mate?” I asked, infusing my voice with every atom of challenge and authority I could gather. “Did you just say no to me?”
She inhaled sharply, averting her gaze and she stepped further back into the corner. Good, I said to myself. That was how she was supposed to react to me.
“Do I need to repeat myself, mate?” I growled impatiently. My wolf longed for her. I had a need and she was the only person capable of satisfying it. Just this last time, I promised myself. One last time before I claimed Chloe as mine and gave myself to her forever.
I was doing this for my wolf, because after today, he might not see his mate again. I needed to give him this closure, or else he’ll never let me hear the end of it. So, for the last time, I was going to indulge in this sweetness.
I stood to my feet and walked over to my mate, grabbing her jaw with my hand. Her eyes widened but I could already smell her arousal even as she tried to fight me off.
She wanted me just as much as my body yearned for her. She was saying something but I wasn’t listening. My wolf was eager for control and I let him have all of it. I swept her off her feet, throwing her on the bed.
My eyes ravaged her body and, in my mind, I registered that she had a beautiful body, she always did have a beautiful body. Much curvier than Chloe’s, but I’ll never admit that to her. Her long legs tried to kick me away but I was faster.
I tugged at her feet yanking her towards me and then flipped her over. My eyes dilated instantly, goddess. This woman was going to ruin me, but I will not let her.
“Stay still,” I groaned and she obeyed instantly. I ripped her dress away as I whispered nonsense – even I couldn’t understand – into her ears.
Goddess, she was so sweet and honestly, it was hard letting this sweetness go. I devoured her. Pumping her with every bit of desire that I felt. I wanted to punish myself for wanting her this much when my heart belonged to another woman.
But I also wanted to punish her for being so intoxicating that letting go was hard. We both orgasmed at the same time and my wolf was consoled. Once I was done, he retreated to the back of my mind and I collapsed beside Reya on the small bed.
She soon dozed off and I used that opportunity to slip out of the prison room. By tomorrow, she will be nothing to me and by the time Wyvern returned to take her, Chloe and I will be together.
Reya’s POV"It’s spreading like wildfire," Lydia muttered, her fingers twitching at the hilt of her dagger. "Three packs have already sent envoys to confirm the rumors."Rumors. Lies wrapped in truth, bleeding into every crevice of our world. The Luna who lived. The traitor. The ghost. Me.I stood at the center of the Lycan guard’s courtyard, my chest heaving with rage and confusion as warriors dropped to their knees before me. Recognition burned in their eyes—some in awe, others in fear.Xander’s voice cut through the air like a whip. "Get them up. We bow to no myths. We fight beside legends."But even his commanding tone couldn’t stamp out what had already taken root.My name.My title.My return."They know," I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice. "He knows."Xander gave me a grim look. "Tristan won’t let this stand."RIVERDALE PACK – TRISTAN"It’s a damn lie!" Tristan’s voice thundered through the council chamber, making the glass chandeliers tremble. "She’s dead. I buried
Reya’s POVMy knees hit the stone floor.Hard."Reya!" Xander's voice boomed behind me, but I couldn't answer.Pain ripped through my chest like claws dragging through flesh. My wolf whimpered, recoiled, then howled in a pitch I’d never heard before. The world spun. My lungs shrank to half their size. My bones trembled as if lightning danced inside them."Get the healer! Now!"Everything blurred. My fingers clawed at the floor. Black veins crawled up my wrists.This wasn’t just sickness. This was a curse.No. Worse.This was a bond breaking—but not mine.Something was poisoning it.Tristan.“No,” I gasped. “Don’t let them see me weak.”Xander crouched beside me. “Screw your pride. You’re dying.”"Then let me die on my feet," I choked out, gripping his shirt.He lifted me, holding me like I weighed nothing. "Not a chance."My head lolled against his shoulder as he carried me past stunned guards, past wide-eyed warriors, past rumors forming behind every stare.She’s the Luna.That’s the
Reya's POV. As the sun set below the horizon, tension in air was felt, and long shadows cast across the Lycan Kingdom.... The storm cloud was like a heavy raindrop on our faces, and I could feel the weight of it against Riverdale's very being. The council of King Xander was called out, and I found myself standing beside him, my heart racing. Each of the kingdom's most influential leaders was seated in the room, shouldering the responsibility for all future decisions. Xander's voice echoed through the chamber, "Riverdale has gone beyond their limits," and his words were spoken. We need to be ready for war."The room was filled with murmurs of agreement, but I could sense the tingling emotion of fear. War was never a simple choice, and the consequences would be far-reaching. With a determined look, Xander turned to me and said, "I want you to lead our troops.". Your bravery and determination have earned you a spot on this team, as I trust you to be the right one. "His words caught
Reya’s POV"You haven't given me your answer," Xander said, voice low, the weight of the Lycan king pressing into each syllable.I didn't flinch. Not this time. Not when my blood still burned from the offer.Become his Luna.I stared past the cold windows of his war chamber. Below, the pack trained under moonlight, blades clashing like thunder. It should’ve calmed me. But every inhale felt like a war."I don’t belong to anyone," I said.He stepped closer. "It’s not about belonging. It’s about surviving. You, your twins, this pack. All of it hinges on the strength behind you.""You mean you.""Yes."I turned to him. "You want a soldier or a queen?""A weapon," he said without shame. "One that rules beside me. They fear you. I want them to kneel."My laugh was hollow. "And if I say no?"Xander smiled, slow and dangerous. "Then I keep protecting you anyway. But I won't pretend I don't want more."Before I could answer, the war doors flew open. A scent hit me like wildfire.Tristan.He st
Reya's POV. The crowd in the grand hall was filled with eagerness. With a blank stare, I watched as Xander approached the dais. His presence was imposing, every move imperceptible, each action commanding. All eyes were on him as the crowd ceased to move. Xander began, "I am not your monarch, but a guardian of righteousness and truth."Murmurs rippled through the assembly. Holding my fists, I sensed the storm was approaching. "Rules and whispers have been circulating that are intended to diminish Luna Reya's honor," Xander stated....". Any criticism of her character is a challenge to the crown's legitimacy."Gasps echoed. My heart pounded. The argument was not solely defensive, but also a declaration of loyalty. My gaze remained fixed on the ground as I advanced. We shook off each other before reaching Xander's eyes. We were a strong community, one formed through fire and hardship.' As Tristan rose from the darkness, his voice whispered: "What do all of you know?". People who exhi
Tristan’s POVThe moment her scent hit me, it was like fire in my lungs—wild jasmine and smoke. Reya.She stood on the training grounds like she owned the earth beneath her. Drenched in sweat, her blade slick with crimson, eyes hard and unyielding. Not the girl I left. Not the Luna who wept for me. This was a weapon.Mine.The word thundered through my chest before I could stop it.She hadn't even looked at me yet, but my wolf Liam clawed to the surface, restless. Furious. Desperate."Control it," I muttered, my voice gravelled with restraint as my claws began to lengthen.Beside me, Isaac, the Riverdale Beta, gave me a wary glance. "You sure coming here was a good idea?"I didn’t answer. Because it wasn't about good ideas. It was about survival. Mine. Hers. Ours.Reya turned.Her eyes locked with mine across the bloodied arena.Time shattered.All the years. All the pain. All the guilt. Gone.For one breathless moment, the mate bond surged alive. Like it had never died.And then—She