Kiera POV
"You would be so weak to allow your chosen to take another!" Athena, my wolf, growled in my head. "I can't, Athena. Please don't make me," I pleaded silently, my heart heavy. Athena's rage threatened to unleash a war within my pack, but I refused to succumb. "Are you okay?" Devon's voice cut through my haze of sorrow, concern etched in his brow. I struggled to breathe, tearing my teary eyes away from Jackson. He was my closest companion since childhood, the man I loved more deeply than words could express. Yet, I knew I would have to let him go. "Kiera! What is wrong?" Devon's hand rested on my shoulder, grounding me as my body trembled. "Jackson... his fated..." I whispered, the weight of realization pressing down on my chest. "His what?" Devon growled, his head swiveling as he searched for Jackson. My eyes darted frantically, searching for any sign of Jackson or the woman who had captivated him. But they were nowhere to be found. "Kiera..." Devon's voice softened, tinged with pity. I couldn't bear being pitied or cast aside. "It's okay. I'll be okay," I reassured him, masking my turmoil with a facade of calm. "Let Jackson meet his fated mate and make a decision without my interference." I jutted my chin in the air to show confidence, but I felt my soul draining away. Jealousy clawed at my insides, but I couldn't act on it. If I allowed Athena to take control, she would unleash her anger on everyone. My eyes scanned the room, everyone laughing and chatting as if life was fine. But nothing was fine. I needed to get away from here. "If you'll excuse me. Please tell Jackson I wasn't feeling well," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Kiera, I'm sorry," Devon said as I turned away. I was sorry too. I was a fool to think life could be perfect. As I hurried out of the hall, tears streamed down my cheeks. Athena remained silent, but I could sense the storm raging inside, fueled by Jackson's perceived betrayal. Athena never understood the profound love Jackson showered upon me. She didn't feel the pain of my childhood abandonment, but she shared the scars. Now, grappling with this upheaval, I felt the same loss and confusion again. The fear of being abandoned gnawed at me. Lost in thought, I turned the corner, seeking solace in my bedroom. But a figure loomed in my path, blocking my way. A man built like an ogre with murky green eyes held an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. His face twisted into a cruel sneer. "What have I stumbled upon here?" His voice oozed darkness, his sinister grin making my skin crawl. I didn't recognize him, but I knew he had no good intentions. He closed the distance with predatory steps, his eyes gleaming maliciously. "A pretty little Luna? All for me?" He taunted, laughter echoing chillingly. His thick fingers crudely grasped my long blonde braid. I looked defiantly at his hand clutching my hair, took a deep breath to steady myself, and calm my enraged wolf. I wasn't weak and I certainly wasn't in the best mental state. This man had chosen the wrong person to toy with. Athena surged forward, ready to defend us. "I will never be yours!" I declared, my voice filled with righteous anger. Everything inside me burst into a white-hot rage, and Athena was ready to take control. The man's eyes gleamed with twisted excitement. "You've got a spark in you. Mmmm, the power inside you is exhilarating." "I got a lot more than a spark, and I'm pissed!" I replied, my voice hard and deep. "I'm sure I can help you relieve all that tension," he said casually, oblivious to his imminent danger. Athena laughed scornfully at his arrogance, irritating the man. I showed no fear of him. Suddenly, his enormous hand gripped my jaw, slamming me against the wall. "Don't be foolish enough to mock someone like me," he snarled, inches from my face. I should have called for help, but the primal urge within me craved satisfaction. "Don't... ever... touch... me!" I growled, each word punctuated with a knee to his groin and a twist of his arm until it snapped, followed by a swift kick to his knee, forcing him to kneel. "I'm having a terrible night. Apologize," I warned, my voice low and dangerous. "I'm sorry, please, release me," he pleaded, his tone quickly shifting to desperation. "Better," I replied, satisfied as I released him. The blind rage settled, but the fury burned within me. I needed to find Jackson; I needed to know I wasn't being abandoned again. A familiar voice shattered the tension. "Luna! What is going on?" Andy, a close friend and Delta, rushed down the hall. His light brown hair swayed as he hurried, his tall, lean frame cutting through the air with urgency. "Oh, goddess!" Andy sighed, running a hand over his face. "Did this idiot try to touch you?" "He did, and he failed. Lock him up for me. I'll deal with him tomorrow," I ordered, exhaustion in my tone. After witnessing Jackson meet his fated mate, I had enough to deal with. My mind spiraled, my stomach dropped. Jackson was off somewhere with that woman. What were they doing? Would he choose her over me? "Of course, Luna. I've got a special cell just for him," Andy replied with a cynical look at the man. The man showed palpable fear but then smiled, confusion Andy and myself. What was this disgusting man up to? Then a loud bang echoed from the grand hall, causing us to turn in alarm. He chuckled darkly. "I think I'll be showing you my special cell, one fit for a pathetic Second Luna like yourself." My eyebrows furrowed. "Second Luna" indicated lesser status within the pack hierarchy. I was Jackson's only wife. I was a Luna! Another bang echoed, accompanied by vicious growls. My heart began racing in fear of what had happened, what was coming. "The Dark Wolves are here!" I whispered in pure fear. The arrival of our sworn enemies meant only one thing: chaos and bloodshed.Kiera POV "Luna?" Andy's voice trembled, fear evident in his eyes, snapping me back to the urgency of the moment. My pack was in danger, and I had to protect them. "Find Devon, save as many as you can," I commanded, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. Andy nodded sharply and dashed away, his form disappearing into the chaos. "Jackson!" I called out desperately through our mind link, momentarily forgetting the haunting image of him with that woman. Silence greeted me, a thick, impenetrable cloud that blocked me out completely. Fury boiled within me, mixed with a deep-seated fear. "Forget that pathetic Alpha!" Athena, my wolf, snarled within. "We are the true strength of this pack." "Athena, we need our Alpha," I scolded quietly, my eyes scanning for any sign of attackers amidst the chaos. "Not so tough anymore," the man I had subdued mocked from the floor where I had left him. Ignoring his taunts, I grabbed a nearby candlestick and knocked him out cold. "Jackson!" I tr
Drake POV Night after night, I prowled the woods of the Nightmare pack, always just a whisper away from their border. As the Alpha of the North, I had no business here, yet something kept me tethered to this enemy territory. I wasn't sure what I was searching for, but I knew I'd find it soon enough. The pack house was bustling, a large gathering in full swing. Hundreds had come from miles around to celebrate, blissfully unaware of the chaos about to unfold. An explosion shattered their revelry, sending the pack into a frenzy. I remained hidden in the shadows, a silent observer. Three unknown wolves crept from the woods, stalking six women around a fire. I watched, uninterested in their fate but curious about the attackers' audacity. The Nightmare pack was the strongest in the South; only fools would challenge them. Then, a scent hit me—rich, sweet, with a burst of citrus and a hint of honey vanilla. My wolf stirred, an undeniable pull drawing me toward it. My mate was here, in this
Kiera POV Sleep dragged me into a realm of twisted dreams and dark visions. In the murky depths of my subconscious, a little girl in a red dress danced around, her red bows fluttering as she waved for me to follow. Her voice was a distorted echo, leaving me unnerved. "You're being foolish, Aunty. I thought more of you." "Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling. "That is not important. The question is, who are you?" "I don't understand. Why am I here?" "Because you wished to escape, to understand." "That doesn't make sense." "Nothing rarely does," she giggled, a sound too innocent for the malevolence in her eyes. "You are being fooled, and deep down, you know it." A deep, menacing voice called out, "Kiera!" My head whipped around, searching for the source. "Jackson?" I asked, recognizing the growl in his voice, yet it was tinged with something darker. "Kiera!" he shouted again, his tone now furious. I stumbled back, knocking into the little girl. "Don't go to him; he doesn
Kiera POV As sleep enveloped me, my mind drifted between the realms of dreams and deep slumber. Darkness seeped into my thoughts, signaling the onset of a long night filled with vivid night terrors.A blurry vision of a little girl in a red dress with red bows pranced before me, her voice muffled and hands waving for me to follow. I stepped carefully, knowing I was in a dream, but not why or how I knew."You're being foolish, Aunty. I thought more of you.""Who are you?" I asked nervously."That is not important. The question is, who are you?'""I don't understand. Tell me, why am I here?""Because you wished to escape, to understand.""That doesn't make sense.""Nothing rarely does." The little girl giggled demonically. She was adorable, but creepy. "You are being fooled, and deep down, you know it." Her words left an uneasiness inside me.A dark voice called for me. My head spun, searching for who it came from. "Kiera!" He called again."Jackson?" I asked, recognizing his tone, but
Kiera POV For weeks, I tirelessly rallied support to clear more land in our territory. Jackson, often absent, had been negotiating with the Green Forest pack to join our alliance. Tonight, I planned a celebration for our territorial expansion, and Jackson had promised he'd be home for it. I had enlisted the help of the Second Lunas, women we provided sanctuary to. Despite the brewing internal conflicts, I hoped the festivities would be a welcome distraction. At least, that was my intention until the gossip began. "Have you seen poor Karen today?" Becky asked, her mischievous smile betraying her love for drama. "Just at breakfast. She looked utterly miserable," Sandra responded, eliciting a chorus of sympathetic tsk-tsks from the other women hauling logs to the bonfire. Curiosity piqued, I couldn't resist asking, "What happened with Alpha Marcus and his mates?" Becky, always eager to spill secrets, walked beside me, grinning. "Last month, Alpha Marcus was visiting other packs. Hi
Kiera POV I had intended to confront Jackson, but as I stormed down the street, my eyes caught sight of Devon disappearing into his house, a large bag slung over his shoulder. It had been days since I'd seen him, and I needed answers about everything—Marcus, the Second Lunas, and especially Jackson. My heart pounded as I marched up to his porch and banged on the door. "Kiera!" Devon's voice rang with surprise as he opened the door. "You're still here?" "Where else would I be?" I snapped, my patience worn thin. Devon glanced nervously around before speaking, his unease palpable. "Do you know what the other Alphas are doing to these women? What Jackson has done?" I demanded, my words sharp as knives. "Calm down, Kiera. Come in." He opened the door wider, ushering me inside. Anger and sorrow coiled within me, memories of Jackson's betrayal threatening to unleash Athena's fury. I struggled to keep control, my wolf howling for vengeance. "I know things are bad, but Kiera, we have to
Kiera POV After a night of restless running, hunger gnawed at my stomach as I stumbled upon a quaint inn in a small town. Its weathered cobblestone exterior exuded charm, and as I entered, the nostalgic scent of aged wood and the faint aroma of a crackling fireplace welcomed me. I collapsed onto a creaky bed, finally allowing exhaustion to overtake me. Hours later, I reluctantly powered on my phone, only to find over fifty missed calls from Jackson. Anger surged within me at the thought of hearing his excuses or seeing his face again. Memories of our shared past, from childhood friends to Alpha and Luna, tormented my mind. How could I have been so blind? I believed him for so long, feeling like a naive idiot. Then, the realization that I would never feel his arms around me again weighed heavily on my chest. I had never loved anyone like Jackson, and the thought of a life beyond him was unimaginable. It was always Jackson and Kiera; then we became Alpha and Luna. As I contemplated t
Kiera POVThe dark man grabbed my ass and lifted me to wrap around him. His body was so wide that I felt like a small girl in his massive embrace. The second our bodies melted to the other, I was done thinking about anything other than letting go tonight. I was a little intoxicated, and definitely not in the right mind. Right now, I felt good though. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was just living for me. No responsibilities, no precautions, and no preplanned steps. I was just a young woman needing to release her deep-rooted frustrations."I'm not a gentleman, Doll." He broke our kiss and threw me to the bed. The dangerous glimmer in his eyes made me even more wet to have him."I wouldn't be at this shitty club if I was looking for a man to take care of me. I want you to fuck me, and that's it.""You want me to make you forget about this disgusting man who dared touch what is mine." His nails scrapped my mark, sending more pain through my body. I didn't like pain, but kno