Confessions Alesana Novels & Stories

"This is part of your penance. To shed the layers, to reveal the truth of your desires, to be utterly vulnerable before God… and before me, His instrument. Do you truly wish for absolution, Sister Agnes? Do you truly wish to be cleansed of these 'filthy thoughts' you confessed?" His words were a silken trap, tightening around her. He was right. She had confessed. She had yearned. And now, the path to release, however terrifying, was being laid bare. Her fingers, trembling, went to the small, pearl buttons at her throat. Each one felt like a monumental effort, a betrayal of everything she had ever known. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence of the booth.

This was a career-ending sermon. Confessions were just as bad. As a priest, I obviously could not judge them, but it was quite something. “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. I lusted after my neighbor’s wife with desire in my heart,” the man confessed. I nodded sagely, trying to focus. “And how many times—” “But she looks just like that dangerous-hot looking Norwegian ex I had. Her ass is round and perfect and…” I coughed to get him back in order.

“You were the person recorded before the cameras went dark.” “I didn’t go anywhere!” My voice cracked louder than I intended. I was so frustrated and scared at the same time. I felt confused too. All of it mixing inside my chest. “I was asleep " I insisted. Dante studied me again. Longer this time. Like he was trying to decide something. Then he said quietly— “Were you?” The question hit harder than any accusation. “What does that mean?” His voice dropped lower. “Is there anything you want to tell me, Alessia?”

So I didn’t hesitate when I answered. “Don’t worry, Lucien,” I promised softly. “If you leave, I’ll leave too.” Now I understood—it had all been a trap, a game he had carefully orchestrated to deceive me. One of his friends laughed openly. “You pretended your wolf hadn’t awakened just to trick her into transferring with you.” “She’s practically devoted to you. Aren’t you worried she might meet someone else once she’s out there?” Lucien’s reply came without hesitation, dripping with confidence.

“That is her.” “She tried to kill Talia.” “She is rogue-born. What else did they expect?” My stomach twisted. At the far end of the court sat the Alpha with the Luna beside him. Four elders sat near them. My father and mother stood below. Leon was there too, dressed in dark clothes, his face unreadable. Talia sat beside him. She looked pale and weak. The pack doctor stood nearby. The guards forced me onto my knees in the center of the hall. The Alpha spoke first. “Anya Taylor, you stand before this court accused of poisoning Talia Taylor, daughter of the Beta, and attempting to harm the future Luna of the Silvercrest Pack. What do you say in your defense?”

I parted my lips about telling him—not just my father trying to sell me out but everything, my horrible experience and the trauma I went through growing up. “I… 'Don't do Eliana,’ Alessia stopped me. ‘Why?' I was already determined to tell him. ‘I think you should know him better first,’ Alessia had replied. ‘Something about him doesn't sit well with me.’ As ready as I was to confide in Axel, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Alessia's concerns were valid—she was incredibly perceptive and good at reading people. I scrambled to come up with a convincing explanation, something to deflect his piercing gaze. He seemed to see right through me, his eyes sparkling with a knowing glint that made

“We can’t keep playing half-truths, Gianna. I need you all in. Full transparency, and I’ll give you the same. Deal?” Her heart raced, Alessio’s order a weight in her chest. Transparency meant confessing, risking their alliance, but his eyes—icy yet warm—pulled at her. She nodded, her voice soft. “Deal.” The lie burned, but she held his gaze, her loyalty to him stronger than her fear.

**ELENA'S POV** I knew something was wrong the second the champagne hit my throat. It was too sweet—cloying, almost syrupy. The music around me started to sound distant, like I was underwater. The chandelier lights overhead blurred into long streaks of gold. Shit. I blinked hard, forcing a smile when Alessandro’s eyes flicked toward me. He was too busy talking to one of his men to notice the way my hand trembled against the glass.

“You are pure inside, no matter what toxic things that you’ve been through and no matter the bullshit, you are pure inside to the point where I find myself wondering what I did to deserve a woman like yourself. An angel who was sent to me of all people when I know for fact that I don’t deserve such a blessing.” “Alessandro, what does that have to do with anything that I am telling you right now?” I asked, and he smiled, taking my hand in his. “It has everything to do with it. One part, you look at things in a different way than others. You find yourself questioning those who lie or those who choose to play others.” He said, making my eyes widen at the fact that he actually noticed that. But