_Zarek’s POV_The wind howled as our convoy rolled into Valerian’s territory, kicking up dust like a warning. But I wasn’t here to make peace. Neither was Zade. Behind us, a fleet of black SUVs came to a stop, each one packed with trained guards, armed and ready.Zade and I stepped out simultaneously, our eyes locked on the grand but ugly building ahead. Valerian’s pack house. It always looked like something out of a horror movie to me, dark bricks, tall towers, and cold steel gates. And yet… music was playing.I exchanged a look with my twin. “Indeed, a wedding,” I said, tightening my jaw.“That’s what it looks like,” Zade muttered, already walking ahead.We stormed through the gates without permission. Nobody stopped us. Nobody dared.Inside, the hall was decorated with white flowers and golden ribbons. Guests were scattered in confusion. An altar stood at the center, lit candles melting slowly beside it. But there was no bride.Valerian appeared at the top of the steps, his express
_Astrid’s POV_“Do you, Astrid, take Alpha Valerian to be your husband, your Alpha, your protector, your king—”I barely heard the elder’s voice.My ears were ringing. My hands were cold. My heart thudded so loud it drowned out everything else.I stood frozen at this altar, surrounded by strangers in dark, formal clothes. The place was quiet except for the sound of torches and the low sound of ceremonial chants. The altar was high, polished with bloodwood, and decorated with black roses. There was a faint smell in the atmosphere, one I couldn’t quite place. But it reminded me of terrible death.Valerian stood next to me, smiling like he’d won the biggest prize. His teeth gleamed, and his eyes sparkled with something unhinged. The way he looked at me made my stomach twist. He was proud. Proud to have me standing here in a dress beside him. Proud to make me his third wife.Because the first and second one? They were dead.And yes, I recently found out. I didn’t know how. Or why. Or wha
“Did you reach him yet?” Zarek asked as Zade called Gideon repeatedly without a response from him. Zade shook his head saying no. “He’s out of reach,”“Where the hell did he go off to? The punk wouldn’t even answer his damn phone.” Zarek ran a hand through his hair, feeling frustrated. He glared at Cassia, who was busily crying at the corner after what happened at the Blackwood mansion. Deep down, he was happy, hell, she deserved worse. “Can you at least get your shit together and go back to your brother’s pack?” He asked, a brow coming up annoyingly. He hated the crocodile tears she was shedding. Cassia could never change, no matter what the reason was. And he knew the tears were most definitely fake.Cassia sniffed and returned the glare. “I’ll never leave, I’m not selfish.” She quipped stubbornly.Zare smirked, “That’s quite rich coming from you.”Zade ignored him as usual and focused on driving them home. A part of him tried to figure out where the hell Gideon was and why he was
_Astrid’s POV_I stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying not to cry.The maids had spent hours painting my face with shimmers and brushing my lips with deep crimson. My hair was curled into elegant curls, pinned with stones that gleamed under the light. The white gown I wore was smooth and silky, too pretty for something that felt like a funeral to me.I didn’t recognize myself.I looked like a bride but I felt like a sacrifice.I blinked fast. I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t ruin the makeup the Lycan maids had done so proudly. They kept calling me “His Majesty’s Luna.” I didn’t correct them. What was the point?The truth was a curse I couldn’t speak.I was about to be married off to Alpha Valerian.And the worst part?The twins never came for me.Not Zarek. Not Zade.They really didn't come. They were probably with Cassia and planning their wedding or something. Even after everything we’d been through. After every word, every look, every moment of madness and closeness… they still
The car pulled into the driveway of the Blackwood mansion and Zarek alighted from the vehicle before anyone else.Just at the entrance of the mansion, three figures stood, two in all-black suits and the other in a white flowery dress.The woman had the same facial features as the twins and it was enough to prove that she wasn’t just a relation, but their birth mother. The moment her gaze met her son’s dark ones, a smile appeared at the corners of her lips. Zade slowly climbed out as well, refusing to help Cassia out of the car.For someone who was going to become their future Luna, they didn’t even care about her. Cassia begrudgingly pushed her door open and climbed out of the car, at the same time smoothening her facial features to avoid a negative reaction from her future in-laws.“Zarek, Zade, you came!” Luna Hinary smiled at her children, taking a step forward. But her steps faltered when her gaze landed on the woman that just climbed out of the car. “What is she_”“My Luna, pl
Zarek groaned with each passing minute as time ticked by. He glanced at the entrance of the mansion again, wondering what the hell was keeping that woman in there. Today was a very unfortunate day, why? Because their father, Alpha Vincent, had requested that the twins bring their future Luna to him. The moment he heard that the boys chose a wife, he had informed his wife happily, thanking the goddess for finally touching their hearts. He had urged them, together with their mother, to settle down with one of those women they kept moving around with. Also, they could settle with anyone, except for the human girl they brought home. He had heard so many stories about them already.Zarek’s foot tapped a furious rhythm against the gravel as he leaned against the black SUV again, arms crossed, jaw tight.“She’s been in there for a goddamn hour,” he growled again, glaring at the front doors of the mansion like they personally offended him. “What the hell is she doing in there, applying a