LOGINThe hall was filled with nothing but the grating sound of Falcon and Julia's pitiful sobs. After a long moment, I finally set my cup down.The crisp clink of porcelain meeting wood sliced through the air, prompting both of them into quietness. They stared at me with eyes full of dread, but more than that, desperate hope.I smiled faintly, though there wasn't any emotion in my voice when I spoke. "If my brother hadn't shown up in time that day, would either of you have spared me?"The question hit them like a slap. They froze, faces draining of color, their mouths opening but no words coming out."Julia," I said, turning my gaze to the woman who had once looked down on me like I was dirt. "Isn't your dream to become a Luna?"She nodded before she could stop herself, a flicker of delusion still glimmering in her eyes."And you, Falcon." I shifted my attention to him, remarking with an amused undertone, "You went against your arranged mate and let her lay a hand on me, all out of sh
Donovan and I were having coffee in the Silvermoon pack's council hall. The air was heavy with tension, while Walter stood off to the side, motionless like a statue.Time dragged until the sound of footsteps broke the silence. Two Gamma warriors entered, dragging out what was left of Falcon and Julia.For a moment, a trace of sorrow crossed Walter's face when he saw his son, but it was gone just as quickly, replaced by cold fury and fear.He didn't move to help him. Instead, he strode forward, grabbed Falcon by the back of the neck, and forced his head down toward me."Your disgrace," he hissed. "Apologize!"Then came the sharp, echoing sound of slaps landing one after another on Falcon's face. It wasn't a father's correction, but a sentence being carried out."Do it! Apologize to Ms. Luneborn now!" he barked.The utterly broken Falcon no longer had the strength to resist. He could only passively endure Walter's wrath.Once Walter finished venting his fury, he turned toward us,
After sending off the two pack leaders, the hall finally regained its peace.I was just about to go back to my book when one of the guards came in again, looking a little uneasy. "Ms. Luneborn, the clerk from the jewelry shop is outside. He says he's come to confess his sins and begs to see you, no matter what…"I blinked, then remembered that snobbish clerk.Donovan glanced at me with an amused smirk. "Let him in. I'm curious to hear what kind of 'confession' he has."Moments later, the clerk stumbled in, practically crawling across the floor. As soon as he reached me, he dropped to his knees and sobbed uncontrollably."Forgive me, Ms. Luneborn! I was blind not to recognize you! Please, you're kind and merciful—spare my worthless life!"He fumbled out a heavy pouch from his coat and held it up with both hands. "This is everything I've saved over the years. I offer it all to you. Please forgive me!"Watching him grovel so pitifully on the floor made it hard to believe this was t
A week later, I completed my recovery at the Moon Goddess Temple and returned to the Silvermoon pack.By then, nearly every werewolf in the country had heard about the story of an Alpha committing the worst mistake imaginable. He had offended the beloved sister of the Lycan Chairman, the highest authority in the entire werewolf world.For days, everyone had been watching the situation with bated breath, afraid to make the wrong move.Donovan and I were temporarily working out of the Silvermoon pack's council hall, which had, for all intents and purposes, become the country's temporary center of power.That afternoon, I was sitting by the window with a book in hand when a Gamma warrior entered and bowed. "Lycan Chairman, Ms. Luneborn, the leaders of the Bloodmoon and Darkmoon packs request an audience."I glanced at Donovan, who sat at the head of the hall with his eyes cold, looking completely at ease. Without even opening them, he said lazily, "Let them in."Soon, two imposing f
After seeing the murderous intent in Donovan's eyes deepen by the second, I felt my heart clench. I was afraid he might really kill Falcon there. I quickly stepped forward and grabbed his arm. "Don…"He seemed to catch the worry in my voice. Drawing in a long breath, he forced the fury in his gaze back down, the killing edge dimming just enough.He turned, gave my hand a reassuring pat, then looked coldly at those sprawled on the floor. With a flick of his wrist, the Gamma warriors behind him stepped up and dragged Falcon and Julia away like lifeless sacks."Lock them in Silver Cell," Donovan ordered with utter command.The mention of that place prompted Falcon, who had already been half out of his mind, into a violent struggle. Silver Cell was where the Lycan Chairman punished the most vicious criminals.It was a cage made entirely of pure silver, burning both flesh and soul without pause. Even the strongest would be driven insane. Legend had it that no werewolf had ever lasted
I was not a saint. After what Julia did to me today, I wasn't about to let her get away with it.Donovan shot me a look. "Do it, Sloane. Make them understand that no one in our family gets bullied."My eyes were fixed on Julia. I picked up the scissors she had used on my hair and slowly walked toward her. She trembled all over, stammering, "If you touch me, the Alpha will never forgive you…"I didn't bother arguing. I grabbed a handful of her hair and, amid her frightened screams, quickly snipped it into a ruined mess.She shrieked, "My hair!"I leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Didn't you say you wanted to ruin my face earlier? To the point that no werewolf will ever look in my way again?"Julia's eyes snapped wide as color faded from her face. She tried to scramble back in terror.I took the crown box and opened it slowly right in front of her. The silver crown glittered under the lights, a cruel contrast to how disheveled and pathetic she looked.Then, I placed the c







