Ariana
My head was pounding as I slowly opened my eyes, squinting against the unfamiliar brightness that seeped through the thin curtains. The room spun around me, and I blinked, trying to clear the haze that clouded my mind. Panic surged as I realized I wasn't alone.
A gasp escaped my lips, and my heart raced like a frightened rabbit. Lying right beside me, his bare form illuminated by the soft morning light, was a man—no, a male wolf—a stranger, and yet, somehow, not entirely unfamiliar. His sculpted features were relaxed in slumber, his dark hair tousled across the pillow. My gaze dropped, and my eyes widened in shock as I took in the sinewy muscles that adorned his form.
My mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of last night. It felt like a distant dream, a haze of laughter, music, and too many drinks. My friends had convinced me to attend the notorious birthday party of the Blood Moon Pack Alpha, against all my better judgment. And now, it seemed, the consequences of my recklessness had come crashing down.
I groaned softly, feeling a dull throb behind my temples. As my memories began to resurface, I recalled the fiery liquid burning down my throat, the dizzying sensation of losing control, and the reckless choices that followed. Closing my eyes, I whispered a fervent prayer that this was all a terrible nightmare.
As I moved to sit up, the white linen sheets rustled, and my breath hitched. He stirred, the male wolf's eyelashes fluttering before his dark eyes met mine. Time seemed to stand still as our gazes locked, an unspoken understanding passing between us. His grip tightened around my wrist, his touch surprisingly gentle, considering the rumors that surrounded him.
A surge of panic shot through me, and I tried to tug my hand free, but his grasp was firm. "Wait," he rasped, his voice a deep timbre that sent shivers down my spine.
My pulse raced, my breath coming in short gasps as I met his intense gaze. Fear and confusion warred within me, a maelstrom of emotions that threatened to overwhelm my senses.
His gaze flickered to my back, and I instinctively shifted, feeling the soft brush of my hair against my shoulder blades. My fingers traced the skin of my lower back, and then it hit me like a lightning bolt. The moon mark. The symbol that marked me as an Omega—a wolf without a pack, without a true place in this world. The mark that had been a constant reminder of my place, of my worth—or lack thereof.
"You're not…" His voice trailed off, disbelief and a hint of realization dancing in his eyes.
My cheeks burned as I tore my gaze away, unable to bear the scrutiny any longer. "No," I whispered, my voice almost drowned in shame. "I'm not what you think."
His grip on my wrist loosened, and I pulled away, wrapping the sheet around me as if it could shield me from his judgment. The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating, as the weight of my actions settled over me like a crushing boulder.
Beside me, the man stirred, his eyes flickering open. Panic surged through me once more, and I instinctively scooted away from him, my heart pounding in my chest.
"What's the rush, sweetheart?" His voice was rough with sleep, and his lips curved into a lazy smirk that sent a shiver down my spine.
I stumbled over my words, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I-I have to go. I can't believe I let this happen."
His gaze sharpened as he propped himself up on one elbow, studying me intently. "You regret it?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but my voice caught in my throat. Did I regret it? Yes, the answer should have been an unequivocal yes. But as I looked at him, a tangle of emotions swirled within me—fear, regret, shame, and an inexplicable curiosity.
Before I could form a coherent response, he reached out and grabbed my wrist with a grip that was surprisingly gentle yet unyielding. "Wait."
My heart raced as his touch sent a jolt of electricity through my veins. I tugged against his hold, my eyes pleading with him to let me go.
"Let me explain," he said, his voice softer now, his eyes searching mine.
I bit my lip, torn between the desire to flee and the need to understand how I had ended up in this situation. With a reluctant nod, I settled back onto the bed, clutching the sheets around me as if they were a shield against the reality of what had transpired.
He released my wrist, and I rubbed the spot where his fingers had left an imprint. "I'm listening."
He sighed, his gaze dropping to the sheets before meeting my eyes once more. "Last night, you were drunk. We were both drunk. Things got out of hand."
My cheeks flamed at the memory of our reckless abandon. "I know," I mumbled, my voice barely audible.
"I didn't mean for this to happen," he continued, his tone tinged with an unexpected sincerity. "But there's something else."
My heart skipped a beat as he leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face. "I saw the mark."
Confusion knitted my brows together. "What mark?"
He reached out, his fingertips brushing against my cheek before trailing down to my shoulder. "The moon mark. You have it."
I froze, my heart pounding. How did he know about the moon mark on my back? Panic flared within me, and I shifted away from his touch.
"How do you know about that?" I demanded, my voice trembling.
He looked away for a moment, as if lost in thought. "I've seen it before. In a dream."
My confusion deepened. "A dream?"
He nodded, his gaze locking onto mine once more. "I dreamt of a silver wolf under the moonlight. And then I saw you. You have the same mark."
My mind whirred with a jumble of emotions and questions. How was it possible that he had dreamt of me before we had even met? What did this mean for us?
Nodding jerkily, I pushed myself up from the bed, my heart still hammering in my chest. Before he got up, I threw the quilt over his head. I stumbled towards the door, desperate to escape the suffocating confines of the room and the overwhelming weight of my own mistakes.
As I slipped out into the corridor, the door clicked shut behind me, and I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes and drawing in a shaky breath. My mind whirled with a maelstrom of emotions—guilt, regret, and the sinking realization that my life had just taken a sharp and dangerous turn.
I was a lone wolf, entangled in a web of secrets and lies, and the notorious male wolf I had just shared a bed with was the last person I should have been involved with. And as I stood there, the weight of my past and the uncertainty of my future crashing over me, I couldn't help but wonder if this was the price I had to pay for my reckless pursuit of freedom.
A/N: The setting of this book is a bit similar to my another book, but they are two different books:)
ArianaThe morning light trickled through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow across my room. I lay still for a moment, my mind a swirl of conflicting emotions and tangled memories from the night before.Last night's escapade was a secret I held close, concealed like a fragile treasure hidden away from prying eyes. I had slipped away from the security of our pack's territory, the lure of adventure and a taste of freedom tugging at my heartstrings. With my friends as willing conspirators, we had attended the infamous birthday celebration of Lucas, the enigmatic Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack.As the night had unfolded in a whirlwind of laughter, music, and the electric buzz of anticipation, I found myself drawn into a world I had only dreamed of. And then, there was him—Lucas. Charismatic and dangerous, his presence commanded attention in a way that both intrigued and unnerved me.We had talked, danced, and laughed, the connection between us growing stronger with every passing mome
ArianaA month had passed since that fateful night, when my world had shifted and shattered under the weight of secrets and desires. The memory of Lucas—the notorious Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack—still lingered in the recesses of my mind, a constant reminder of the choices I had made and the path I now walked.The days had blurred together, each one marked by a sense of longing and regret that seemed to coil around me like a vise. I moved through the routines of pack life, my actions a carefully orchestrated dance to keep my secrets hidden. Yet, despite my efforts, news of a looming engagement managed to penetrate the walls I had built around myself.Whispers of the engagement between Lucas and my sister Seraphina reverberated through the Silver Moon Pack, sending ripples of excitement and anticipation throughout our territory. The union between our pack and the powerful Blood Moon Pack was seen as a triumphant alliance, one that promised strength and unity against any threat that mig
LucasThe meeting room of the Blood Moon Pack was shrouded in an air of tension and authority, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of important decisions and strategic discussions. As Alpha, my responsibilities often demanded my presence here.Beta Marcus, a trusted and reliable member of our pack, stood before the assembled leaders, his voice carrying a mixture of excitement and incredulity. "Alpha, esteemed pack members, I bring news that will surely pique your interest. It concerns none other than the youngest daughter of the Silver Moon Pack."My attention sharpened as the room fell into a hushed silence. The Silver Moon Pack had always been a thorn in our side, a rival whose presence demanded vigilance and caution. But now, it seemed their youngest daughter had become entangled in our affairs in a most unexpected manner.Beta Marcus continued, his expression carefully neutral. "It appears that the young Omega from the Silver Moon Pack, Ariana, had quite the eventful evening at o
ArianaThe rain beat against the windowpane in a steady rhythm, a somber backdrop to the turmoil that churned within me. I stood outside the imposing doors of the Blood Moon Pack's meeting room, my heart pounding in my chest as I fought back the waves of anxiety that threatened to engulf me.Beta had delivered the message, a cold directive that I leave immediately, that I was not welcome in this place. The sting of rejection had cut deep, but I couldn't simply accept it. I couldn't let Lucas's misunderstanding stand, not when it held the potential to shatter the fragile connection that had formed between us.Determination burned within me as I pushed open the heavy door, stepping into the dimly lit room. My gaze landed on him—Lucas, the notorious Alpha, who sat at the head of a grand table, his expression a mix of intrigue and irritation as he regarded me.The air was charged with tension as I approached, my footsteps echoing through the vast space. I met his gaze head-on, my voice s
ArianaRain, relentless and unforgiving, seemed to mirror the tempest that raged within my heart. I stood at the edge of the Blood Moon Pack's territory, drenched to the bone, my soul heavy with the weight of rejection. The memory of his cold laughter reverberated in my mind, a cruel reminder of the chasm that separated us.With every raindrop that fell upon me, I felt a surge of pain, each one a tiny prick that added to the growing storm of emotions within. I had sought understanding, clarity, even a glimmer of compassion, but all I had received was mockery—mockery that cut through my resolve like a blade.As the rain soaked through my clothes and chilled my skin, I felt a deep sense of despair settling over me. The world around me seemed to blur, my vision clouded by both the physical rain and the tears that had begun to flow freely down my cheeks. I sank to my knees, my hands gripping the wet ground as though seeking solace from the earth itself.The heartache was almost unbearable
ArianaThe words were like a dagger to my heart, a stark reminder of my own perceived insignificance. I knew she didn't mean to hurt me intentionally, but the impact of her words cut deep, leaving a wound that seemed to widen with each passing moment.Before I could respond, my parents entered the room, their faces beaming with pride. "Darling, we've been so caught up with the wedding preparations that we almost forgot to check on you," my mother exclaimed, her voice filled with concern.My father nodded in agreement. "How are you feeling, my dear?"I offered them a small, tired smile, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll be alright. Just need a bit more rest."My sister's laughter rang out once again, a sound that grated against my already frayed nerves. "Resting as usual, I see. Well, don't worry, Lucas will be able to take care of you once he's officially a part of the family."Her words were a mixture of teasing and mockery, a reminder of my own perceived inadequacies. I felt a
LucasThe night hung heavy with tension as I paced the dimly lit room, the storm outside mirroring the tempest that raged within me. Damn, I got the wrong wife. How stupid."You fool! Do you not see what you've done?" The voice that erupted from within me was not my own, but that of the wolf that resided within my very being. Its anger was palpable, a violent force that surged against the barriers I had erected to keep it at bay.I clenched my fists, my jaw tight with frustration. "This is not the time, wolf. I need to think, to figure out how to fix this."The wolf's laughter was a chilling echo in my mind."Think? You dare to speak of thinking when you've jeopardized our mate, our Luna?" The wolf's growl was ferocious, a guttural sound that sent shivers down my spine. My wolf is very irritable, its strength is very strong, sometimes it can even control my body when my consciousness is weak, that's why I seal it.I gritted my teeth, my patience wearing thin. "You know nothing of wha
ArianaI left a farewell letter to my parents, which is just beside my bed, I don't know if they have seen it or not.The days wore on as I journeyed through unfamiliar lands, seeking refuge in various hostels along the way. Each night, I found myself surrounded by the laughter and intimacy of loving couples, their affectionate gestures a stark reminder of the companionship I had lost. In the hostels, I watched as couples shared tender glances and whispered sweet words, their closeness a testament to the warmth of their bond. This relieved my loneliness of traveling alone.One evening, as I sat alone in the common area of a hostel, lost in my thoughts, a gentle tap on my shoulder roused me from my reverie. I turned to see a couple standing before me, their smiles kind and welcoming. In their hands, they held a small cake, its soft scent of vanilla and sweetness filling the air."We noticed you've been alone," the woman said, her voice soft and compassionate. "We wanted to share a lit