บททั้งหมดของ LUNA OF ASHES [THE MOON GODDESS RISES AGAIN]: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

NIKOLAI VOLKOVI watched Dominic Vale storm out of my courtyard, he had threatened that war was inevitable. A shameless threat that meant absolutely nothing. Let it come, For years his pack had poisoned the blood between Lycans and wolves. The first Alpha of their pack had sabotaged my father, Killed him in a war he had gone with trust. Unharmed. For years I had waited for the right opportunity to strike back and take every single thing from them. Waited patiently for the perfect blade to use and now she stands before me. Katherine Ashford. Not my fate mate, the moon's be damned. I felt nothing when she walked through those doors. I scented nothing, It was all a calculated move from the very moment I picked her body right before she would've died. She was perfect for my game. Broken by Dominic and her people. I gave her my mark not out of pity or love, but of strategy. With her as Luna every wolf who ever saw Dominic for his strength would see a weak bastard who couldn't keep his

NIKOLAI VOLKOV I stepped into the war room and watched curiously. Dominic's threat is still on my mind. My Beta, Ronan, broad-shouldered, scarred, loyal since we were boys, stood across the heavy oak table, fingers tracing the border lines where Dominic's territory bled into ours like an open wound.“We expand east first,” Ronan said, voice low. “Push into the neutral forests, fortify the river crossings. Dominic’s wolves are stretched thin after that failed raid. We pull them deeper, let them think they’re winning ground then snap the trap. Cut off their supply lines, starve the outposts. When they come howling for blood, we’ll have them surrounded.”I nodded, eyes on the map. “Good. Make it look like weakness. Let scouts ‘leak’ false reports of low morale. Dominic’s arrogance will do the rest, he’ll charge in blind, thinking he’s avenging his pride.”Ronan smirked. “And Luna? She’s already fracturing his alliances just by breathing. His own people are whispering. One more public di

NIKOLAI VOLKOV The doors closed behind Katherine with a soft click after she left, leaving me with Cassian. IHe leaned against the frame, arms crossed, that same infuriating half-smile playing on his lips. The same smile he’d worn the night he’d been dragged out of this palace in chains, banished for crimes even the council hadn’t dared name in full. Cassian has always been trouble, the bastard son who enjoyed bringing trouble to the pack and our family. “Cassian,” I said, both hands tucked in my pocket l. “You were told never to return.” He smirked. “And yet here I am. Funny how blood calls louder than exile decrees.” I didn't miss the mockery behind those words. “You’re no longer welcome in these halls. Not after everything you've done to this pack. The pains you've caused our people.” I spat angrily. Cassian laughed, low, carelessly. “You always were so good at pretending the rules apply to you. But we both know why I’m here. Word travels fast. The great Lycan King

NIKOLAI VOLKOV The council chamber was filled up with members of the court who had come to have a meeting with me. Twelve pairs of eyes bored into me from the long obsidian table. Elders in their embroidered robes, generals with scars on their faces and my Aunt at the far end, her thin lips curled in the same disdain she’d worn since the day Father died.They had been circling for weeks. Now this was the best time to hit the nail on the head. Elder Thorne stood up first. “The girl is an outsider, Nikolai. Rejected by Alpha Dominic marked by you in haste, paraded as Luna before the full moon even rose. The pack's members are angry, they question her worth.”Murmurs rippled down the table. I kept my emotions in check. “She wears my mark,” I said, low and even. “That is worth enough.”Aunt Elena's laughter made everyone turn. “A mark can be given. It can be taken. The packs need stability, not a discarded bitch who might fracture us further when Dominic comes howling at our borders.”

AUTHOR'S POV The air in Dominic's chamber was thick with the scent of sweat, bed sheets tangled around their bodies as Sapphire lay sprawled beside him, her hair spread across the pillows, chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. Her skin glistened with beads of sweat, marked with the faint red trails of his claws, gentle enough not to scar, but possessive enough to remind her who she belonged to. Dominic propped himself on one elbow, tracing a finger lazily down her spine. She arched into the touch with a contented sigh, her eyes half-lidded as she turned to face him. "Again?" she murmured softly and he chuckled, low and rough, pulling her closer until their bodies pressed against each other. His mouth found hers in a lingering kiss, teeth grazing her lower lip just hard enough to draw a gasp. One hand slid between her thighs, fingers teasing with expert precision, reigniting the fire they'd only just quenched. Sapphire moaned into his mouth, hips bucking against his palm