Norella Pov
I blinked open my eyes, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like a mere second had passed. But the familiar surroundings told a different tale. How could it be? The walls of Madame Maggie's room closed in around me, a stark reminder that I was back in the pack. No, no, this couldn't be happening. How was I supposed to make sense of this?.Panic surged through me as I leapt from the bed. I was dead, wasn't I? Yet here I was, trapped in this infernal place, and I knew the torment awaiting me would be far worse than any hell I'd imagined. A swift end, that's what I yearned for—to be freed from this cruel world with the quickness of a falling guillotine.Frantically, I rifled through the drawers, searching for anything that could grant me escape. I'd rather embrace death than continue in this pack, especially when my connection to my wolf is so weak. The room yielded nothing, fueling my desperation.I needed to act before anyone would come in. Weakness gripped me, dizziness clouding my vision. And then, there it was—a blade, lying innocently beneath the bed. Grasping it, I knew it was time to sever the lifeline in my wrist, to end it all.But as I poised to make the cut, the door swung open, and I concealed the blade behind me. "Thank the goddess you're awake," the pack nurse, clad in white, exclaimed as she approached. She checked my temperature, oblivious to the turmoil within me. As she turned to leave, I clutched at her wrist. "Please, don't call anyone yet," I pleaded, fear lacing my voice.Her smile was gentle, yet it offered no comfort. "Don't worry, you will be fine," she assured me before departing. Alone once more, I steeled myself to finish what I'd started, but my resolve crumbled inexplicably.Then he entered—Alpha Lowell, flanked by a man whose presence dwarfed the room. If I had once believed Tyrell was handsome, then I was sorely mistaken. This man was a paragon of beauty, his physique sculpted to perfection, his attire the epitome of royalty. Our eyes met, and the intensity in his gaze forced mine away."Thank the goddess you're alive. I was so worried about you," Alpha Lowell's voice enveloped me as he pulled me into an embrace—an embrace I hadn't anticipated. I braced myself for blows, not this feigned tenderness. Was it all because of the man standing beside him?"Why did you leave the pack, my sweet Norella?" he asked, his words dripping with a concern that didn't reach his eyes. "Don't worry, everything is going to be fine. We were hell worried about you." His lies spun a web around me, and confusion took hold. Was he playing the benevolent leader for the benefit of this stranger?The man's gaze was fixed on me, intense and probing. A scent wafted through the air, sweet as strawberries, the unmistakable fragrance of a mate. But that was impossible, wasn't it? My mind raced with doubts.He stepped closer, and our eyes locked in a silent exchange. I felt exposed, as if he could see right through me. I averted my gaze, but he gently lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes again. In that moment, I felt a strange vulnerability, a question lingering in his touch.Then, with a swift motion, he reached behind me and retrieved the blade I had hidden. Was it really necessary to stare at me that way because you knew I hid a blade? I said to myself."Can I have a moment with her?" he requested, turning to the nurse and Alpha Lowell. The nurse exited promptly, and Alpha Lowell leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. "Don't you dare tell him anything," he hissed, a threat veiled behind a smile. With a pat on my back, he left the room.Alone with the stranger, I was awash with questions. Who was this man that even Alpha Lowell feared? Could he be the Alpha King? But his youthful appearance, no older than mid-twenties, belied the title.He drew nearer, the weight of his presence felt with each step he took towards the bed. Before he could utter a word, I cut him off, "Did you attack me in the woods?" His smile was enigmatic, a silent acknowledgment of the chaos he had rescued me from. "You were attacked by rogue wolves, but I saved you," he revealed.A part of me wanted to express gratitude, yet another part wished he had left me to the mercy of the rogues, sparing me the return to this dreaded pack. "Thank you," I managed to say, but my words hung in the air, unacknowledged.His next words caught me off guard. "Aren't you aware we are mates, or didn't you feel the connection, Norella?" The scent of strawberries—that was him. My mate? Confusion swirled within me. "Mate? I don't even know who you are. I've never seen you in my life. I really don't know..." My voice trailed off as he interrupted."I am King Jason."The name struck me like a bolt of lightning. King Jason? "I'm sorry, Your Majesty," I stammered, bowing my head, not daring to meet his gaze.He moved closer, As he drew nearer, my heart quickened, anticipating his touch. I readied myself for his kiss, knowing deep down I wouldn't be able to resist. I closed my eyes, longing for his lips to meet mine. But instead, his hand gently landed on my shoulder, tracing the scars that adorned my skin. "What's all this?" he asked softly, his voice filled with worry and care.The marks on my body are simply the scars of the beatings I've endured from Alpha Lowell, and indeed, the entire pack, particularly Luna Desi.I quickly covered my shoulder, a flush of embarrassment spreading across my face. "Nothing," I whispered.A knock at the door interrupted us. "Who's that?" King Jason's authoritative tone filled the room."Can I speak with you for a minute?" Alpha Lowell's voice was unmistakable, even through the barrier.King Jason stepped away, leaving me with a heart racing and thoughts scattered. They conversed outside, likely believing their words were beyond my hearing. Little did they know, my senses were sharper than they anticipated.Norella Pov King Jason's voice cut through the tension, "What's so urgent?"Alpha Lowell's reply was laced with a feigned concern that didn't sit right with me. "It's about Norella. I know she might have said some things, but I want you to be aware of her condition, Your Majesty.""Somethings like what?" King Jason's tone was sharp, demanding.I strained to hear more, my heart pounding against my chest. What was Lowell plotting now? The urge to burst out and reveal everything to King Jason was overwhelming, but fear rooted me to the spot. Would he cast me aside, leaving me to the mercy of this pack?Their voices became distant murmurs, my imperfect hearing betraying me. Then, Lowell's voice pierced through, clear and cold. "It's not possible; she can't be your mate. She has mental issues ever since her parents died. She's so aggressive we have to feed her wolfsbane so she wouldn't be harmful. Think about it, she could even kill the pups she will bear."His lies stung like venom. How
norella pov He opened the passenger door with a chivalrous flourish, yet his brow was furrowed in a frown. As I settled into the seat, Alpha Lowell emerged, his voice laced with caution. “Think about what you’re about to do, Your Majesty,” he implored King Jason. But Jason might as well have been alone for all the attention he paid, sliding into the driver’s seat, igniting the engine, and accelerating away with a determination that rendered the world outside a blur The drive was a silent movie, with me playing the mute damsel in distress. Words failed me, lodged in my throat by the intensity of his gaze—so stern, so unyielding. It was a look that spoke of storms and battles, of a man who had seen too much yet dared to hope. His belief in me was a novel sensation, a fragile gift no one had ever bestowed upon me before. My gaze was drawn to the trees whipping past, their forms melding into a green streak as we sped on. The urge to plead with him to ease his pace was there, but fear he
norella PovBlinking awake, I was swaddled in the crisp linens of a hospital bed, the room a canvas of clinical white. King Jason was there, standing guard like a statue with a furrowed brow. A nurse zipped around, her presence as brief as a summer breeze, her eyes bouncing from me to Jason and back again."Thank the stars, you're back with us," Jason's voice cut through the haze, each syllable heavy with worry. My throat was scratchy, my voice a faint echo of itself, "What happened to me?". "You gave us quite the scare," he said, "But you're tougher than you look. You're gonna bounce back from this." As the nurse slipped away, Jason closed the distance between us, perching on the edge of the bed, his hand enveloping mine—It felt like we'd been here before, a replay in a place where echoes bounced off the walls.. "How long have you been fed wolfsbane?" he asked, his voice a low rumble of seriousness.Confusion reigned as I grappled with his question. Who had let that secret slip? "Th
norella povWeeks have slipped by, and yeah, I'm feeling stronger physically, but emotionally? It's like I'm hanging by a thread. What does the goddess have in store for me? No clue, but hey, at least I'm outta the Blue moon pack. Now, I'm about to hitch my life to someone whose love for me is as clear as mud. Not exactly the fairy tale I had in mind.Lying here, staring at the ceiling that seems to be aiming for the stars, I can't help but roll over on this bed that's too big for just me. He never crashes here with me, and I haven't even gotten a sneak peek of his room. Weren't we supposed to be mates? And tomorrow, it's D-day. I gotta make the call—stick around in this slice of heaven with a guy who might not give a hoot about me, or hit the road and go rogue. Tomorrow's supposed to be all about the happy, but here I am, a hot mess of feelings. if only my parents were around, or if Mia could toss me a bone here...Is it love, or am I just head over heels for the Jason's looks and s
Jason povStanding before the mirror, I take in the sight of my reflection. The deep navy of the finely tailored suit enveloped my form, the woolen fabric soft to the touch. Intricate stitching traced along the lapels, catching the light in subtle glimmers of silver. Each seam was a testament to the craftsmanship that went into its creation, a symbol of the care and attention to detail that defined my outward appearance. The crisp white shirt beneath adds a touch of elegance, and the dark tie is the final flourish to this polished ensemble. Despite the nerves that gnaw at my insides, I can't deny it—I look every inch the alpha king I'm meant to be. But beneath the surface, turmoil churns."Jarl, this doesn't feel right. Taking a mate vow with Norella... it's like I'm betraying Amber," I confess to my wolf Jarl. His response is immediate, "That's not true, Jason. Norella is good for us—she's kind, and she loves us." But his words only stoke the fire of my anger. "How can you be so sure
Jason povJarl's silence hangs heavy in the air, a tangible sign of his anger he has blocked me from communicating with him. He's right to be upset; I've been harsh with Norella, but it was a necessary cruelty. I can't let her fall for me—not when I have nothing to offer, I have no love to give her. I should've been clear from the start: her role is to be Luna, nothing more. The pack needs her strength, her leadership with mine, and in time, an heir. But my heart remains entwined with Amber's memory, her absence a void that refuses to be filled.Skipping breakfast, my appetite a casualty of my guilt, I put on my training gear and head to the grounds. There, to my surprise, stands Norella. She's not cloistered away in sorrow as I expected; instead, she's suited up for training, looking more like a vision of cuteness than the warrior she's meant to embody."If you keep standing there, how am I going to get trained?" she calls out, her voice steady, betraying no hint of yesterday's pain.
norella povMy eyelids fluttered open, and I was greeted by a world out of focus, a jumble of colors and shapes. I felt lost, trying to piece together where I was. Jason's presence was the only thing that made sense in the blur.I narrowed my eyes, attempting to bring the room into clarity. Doctors in white coats were bustling around, their voices just a distant buzz. The sharp, clean smell in the air was a dead giveaway—I was in a hospital.Jason was deep in conversation with a doctor who had a bald head and a white beard. Their words were just a low hum in the background. I tried to listen, but it was like trying to understand a foreign language.Suddenly, a familiar voice inside my head broke through the noise. It was Mia, my inner wolf, speaking to me after a long silence. "Welcome back, Norella," she said, and it felt like a wall inside me had crumbled.I was flooded with emotions as I realized Mia was back. The fear and doubt that had been haunting me started to fade away. With
norella povThe room was a mess of confused looks. Eyes kept flicking back and forth from me to the doctor, who was just freed from my hold. King Jason broke the silence, "What's going on, Norella?" How could I spill it all? That voices were buzzing in my head and I had no clue where they were coming from? Admitting that would just prove Alpha Lowell right—that I'm off my rocker."He tried to give her medicine, but she got upset and grabbed his wrist, not letting go and wanting to hurt him," Doctor Gabriel said sounding like he didn't like me. Before he could talk more, Jason said firmly, "enough." Then he looked at me like he wanted me to explain."I don't know," I managed to say to Jason, trying to keep it together."Just take a break, get some rest," he said, patting my back like it was no big deal.The doctor was down on the floor, his eyes wide with fear. I was torn. If I let him go, who's to say he wouldn't come at me again? The tension had died down, and Jason was about to leav