VERENANixie replies with a light smile, “But a charming man like you can get anyone you set your eyes on, General. I'm sure many women are eager to share the floor with you,” she flutters her fake eyelashes, her voice flirtatious.My nose wrinkles, and I inwardly grimace at her behavior. I don’t know what she’s up to, but she literally has Elijah, her mate with her at the moment, and yet she’s trying to flirt with another man she met a few seconds ago."Love Story" by Indila starts to play on the speakers, the lyrics creating a dense, somewhat melancholic yet haunting atmosphere in the hall. Why did they choose this music?Cyrus smirks at Nixie, “Can’t agree more. After all, I have the charm to have anyone as my dance partner here,” his eyes flit to the single, unmated ladies who are eyeing him seductively across the hall. He does have that kind of charm to woo any woman here, especially because of holding the most powerful position in the hall at the moment. Even I fangirled over hi
VERENA He smiles, “Relax, I am just teasing you. You don’t have to answer that,” I gasp as he suddenly pulls me closer and whispers into my ear, “I’d like to keep our interactions incomplete so that we have something to talk about later.” I frown as I look at him. Later? Is he trying to insinuate that we’ll meet again? Something changes in his eyes as he stares at me with an intensity that makes me nervous. “Hmm. Why do I feel like I have seen you somewhere before? Your face looks… familiar.” “I can assure you this is our first meeting,” I reply with a stern look. He smiles, “And our first dance,” his brows furrows as he observes me, “I am serious though. I have seen you somewhere or perhaps someone with a similar face.” I am about to respond when my eyes fall on Elijah who’s dancing side-by-side holding Nixie. Something tugs at my heart on seeing them but I push it away. Nixie looks at me and glares. I look back at Cyrus who smirks, “Seems like they have come to take back th
VERENAMy legs tremble as I quickly walk towards the entrance door, not paying attention to the whispers behind me. Cold air hits my face as soon as I step out into the garden. I take a deep breath and let the tears stream down my face. Love can be so complicated. Despite hating him, a part of me hurts because of seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears and decide to not pay attention to my emotions. I am not going back to him. Sighing, I take off my heels and look for a place to sit. But the loud sound of water splashing makes my head whip towards the right side of the garden. What was that? I walk towards the source of the sound, and end up at the back of the building. My eyes widen when I see a huge pool. A man is drowning in it. Without a second thought, I surge forward, my long dress billowing around as I dive into the pool. The icy water envelopes my senses, sending a shock through my body. I swim through the water beneath the surface and reach the sinking man. My heart pounds w
VERENAMy face blanches as recognition slams into me. Alpha Rayn Valentino? I just lectured the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack!Bowing my head in respect, I blurt, "Alpha Valentino, please forgive my earlier behavior."He frowns, tilting his head in confusion. "Eh?""I should have asked who you were before I spouted off like that," I mumble, my gaze glued to the white tiles.Instead of reprimanding me, Alpha Valentino throws back his head and laughs. "There's no need to apologize, Verena. You did nothing wrong," he replies. I cautiously lift my head, a frown creasing my face. "Actually, I should be thanking you for saving me." He turns his gaze towards the pool, his expression darkening. "Somehow, your words sparked a flicker of hope within me. Now I can move forward."He must be referring to the attack that killed his pregnant wife, the pack's Luna. But I wonder if that's the whole story behind his suicide attempt. Perhaps there's more to it."Thank you, Verena. You saved me today," Alp
VERENABefore the guns can be fired, Elijah disarms them and knocks them to the ground. He weaves through the attackers like a winter wind, his movements a blur of white. He deflects a blow from one with a flick of his wrist, using the attacker’s own force to send him sprawling. As the men crumble under his powerful attacks, Elijah stands straight, the moonlight highlighting his muscular frame. A frustrated groan escapes my lips as I watch. Why him? “Rena, are you hurt?” his deep voice cuts through the chaos. "No need to worry about me," I scoff, beating the two men holding my arms captive unconscious with one attack. It irritates me to know that he's the one to save me. He didn't need to jump in. I could have handled it. I did it for so long, without him.But the words die in my throat as his gaze meets mine. It's that look he has, the one that sends shivers down my spine. Calm, composed on the surface, but with an underlying intensity that speaks volumes of his anger. This isn't
VERENAAlpha Valentino stares at me, jaw on the floor. "How?" he stammers, taking a shaky step closer. He leans in, voice gruff. "You said your name is Verena?" He stops, eyes darting down like he's missing something.Before I can figure it out, he's crushing me in a hug. His voice, shaky with a ton of emotions, rumbles in my ear. "Verena! My daughter, Verena! You're finally home!""What?!" Carlisle yells, eyes wide like saucers as he stares at me. Elijah stays quiet, but his face is pale with shock.What is he talking about? Tears fall down Alpha Valentino's face as he holds me like a statue. The whole world feels like it's spinning."Now I get it!" the Alpha yells, his voice suddenly clear. "That's why you look so much like Charlotte! You have her face!"Cyrus smirks and nods. "Yeah, the resemblance... that's why I felt like I knew you from somewhere. It all makes sense now."Alpha Valentino lets go of me gently, his hands shaking as he cups my face. A giant smile, mixed with disbel
ELIJAHMy brain feels like mush on hearing what Rayn just said. Rena, the quiet girl I thought was just a human orphan, turns out to be Alpha Valentino's daughter, a powerful she-wolf no less! But that news fades next to the knot twisting in my gut. I never had an issue with what her rank was. But there is one thing I need to confirm. I can't hold it in any longer. "If Verena's the true heir," I fire at Rayn, heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs, "why doesn't she have a wolf yet?"Rayn looks calm as he answers smoothly. "Our family's shifters are special. The wolves we have are blessed by the Goddess, giving us unique powers. We don't shift like regular werewolves. For Valentino bloodlines, the shift usually happens after the age of twenty, sometimes even thirty. It all depends on the kind of wolf waiting to come out of us."A cold dread washes over me. My body stiffens, every muscle locked tight with worry. I force out the next question, voice barely a whisper. "What ar
ELIJAHMy muscles scream in protest as Rayn approaches. Will he banish me? Or maybe warn me to stay away from Rena?He claps me on the shoulder, a relieved grin splitting his face. "Thanks for looking out for Verena, Elijah." He glances between me and Carlisle. "Both of you saved her life." His brow furrows as he mutters to himself, "Why would anyone want to hurt her? I'll get to the bottom of this."Relief washes over me, but Rayn's cheerful demeanor twists the guilt in my gut. "I don't deserve your thanks, Rayn," I mumble, voice heavy. His frown deepens. I take a step back and bow respectfully. "My apologies for everything. Thank you for inviting me. The Moonlight Pack can always count on me for help."Rayn blinks, confusion swirling in his green eyes, the same color as Rena's. "Uh, but—" I cut him off, striding out into the cool night. The day he learns the truth, his hatred will be swift and unforgiving."Hey you!" That skunk, Carlisle, stops me cold with a yell. "Playing the remo