All Chapters of Too Late, Alpha — She’s a Queen Now: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I stayed in contact with the frontlines until deep into the next night. Darius joined the war council, too, and on the screen, we spoke calmly about the shifting battlefield, even heatedly debating tactics and firepower.But it was nothing more than that. Like colleagues–No, like two soldiers bound only by duty. Always keeping our distance, crossing paths only where the work demanded it. And the cruelest part was that he was my mate, yet he felt no different from a stranger.The sunset bathed the lawn in warmth–reds, oranges, yellows, and purples that set the treetops ablaze and cast long shadows that stretched like secrets. A familiar black SUV rolled up the driveway, its headlights slicing through dusk. My breath caught as I stood behind the second-floor curtain, my nails biting into the velvet fabric. The car stopped. Lyra tumbled out first, still tugging at Darius’s cloak with one hand, while the other barely held onto her brother’s wrist. Her face was scrunched in annoyance, her

Lyra bolted upright in bed, her golden eyes flashing with excitement. “Wait, really? We’re going back to Moon Claw Pack?!”“Yes,” her father replied calmly over the phone. Lyra’s entire face lit up. “Then why didn’t Aunt Emma say anything?”“She doesn’t know yet. We just finalized everything.”Lyra squealed and rolled across the bed like a wolf pup shedding its first coat. “Then don’t tell her yet! Let’s surprise her, okay?” “Alright,” her father chuckled. “It’s our secret.” “Dad, you’re the best! I love you to death!” Outside the door, Luca stood in silence. The moonlight filtering through the window painted a pale glow across his slight frame. His expression was unreadable, but beneath his sleeves, his fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned white. Inside, Lyra ended the call, still buzzing. She began humming the old Moon Claw morning song—a tune once reserved for pack runs and sunrise rituals. It used to make her feel connected. But just as the melody left her li

The next day, I ran into Darius at the Alliance’s Central Research Tower. It hadn’t been long since the full moon passed, yet it was as if nothing had happened at all. He was still the same—cold, distant, untouchable. The cruelest part was that my body still remembered him. The weight of him lingered, a trace I couldn’t shake off—damn it.I hadn’t known he and Lyra were already back from Ironvale Ridge’s capital. I was turning the corner with a stack of neural logs in hand when I caught sight of him, his boots echoing against the polished floors. My steps froze. For a brief second, I forgot how to breathe. Darius saw me, too. His expression shifted ever so slightly in surprise, but it was gone so quickly that I almost doubted it had been there at all. He must’ve assumed I had just returned from a branch office trip, like before. No concern. No questions. Just... nothing. He brushed past me without a word. Once upon a time, I would have lit up just seeing him—would’ve rushed to gr

“What’s wrong?” One of the Betas beside him asked casually. Darius tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. “I thought I caught a familiar scent.” The other men exchanged looks. These weren’t just colleagues; they were his inner circle. Pureblood wolves, raised together in the same brutal training camp. They knew exactly who I was: the once Luna-heir of Moon Claw Pack and the woman who had once devoted everything to their Alpha. And yet, I was always the outsider. By human standards, I was beautiful—soft brown hair, rich brown eyes, and a quiet, graceful demeanor. But I wasn’t the bold, icy blonde he gravitated toward. I wasn’t Emma. To Darius, I had always been... convenient. Present. But never enough to let his guard down. Even after we bonded—officially, under the full moon—he remained distant, polite, and cold. His friends barely masked their indifference, addressing me as “Luna” only out of obligation. I could’ve been invisible, and to most of them, I was. So even if I had

Darius probably assumed I was back at my family’s estate. But clearly, he didn’t dwell on it. Just as he was about to step into the bathroom, something clicked. Every time I went back to Moon Claw Ridge before, I always took Lyra with me. But not this time. David’s words from yesterday floated back into his mind. “She had something special to handle.” He frowned, a shadow of doubt clouding his face. But in the end, he didn’t pursue it. He never did. ——— The next morning, Darius sat on the kitchen island, sipping a fresh Americano. Lyra sat across from him, idly picking at a bowl of cereal. “Your school registration is done,” he said coolly, “Orientation starts tomorrow morning.” Lyra scrunched her nose. “I know.” Then she looked up at him with hopeful eyes. “So… can you take me?” “I might not have time,” he replied without looking up. Lyra didn’t pout. She just blinked slowly, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. “Then I’ll just call Emma,” she said cheerfully, “She’ll ta