Alina's POVAs I walked back into the house, leaving my parents to handle the aftermath of my rage, I felt a small sense of satisfaction. I could hear my father calling on to his men to come and clear the body, and I was reassured that everything was in control.I smiled to myself as I walked back into the house. The slate was clean now. I could start all over again and continue in my quest to bring Nora down.At least the last person who knew my dark secret was now gone and gone forever. She had been silenced, and her threat was extinguished forever. It was a necessary action, nothing but a sacrifice to protect my plans and my family.Who did she think she was anyway, I thought. Did she really think I would care about her sister? Dalia had been merely a means to an end, just another way I could attempt to have Nora removed as the Luna.Vengeance burned within me, fueled by the troubles Nora had caused me. I couldn't wait to take everything from her, pound for pound. My heart seemed t

Nora's POVMy chamber was filled with a sense of restraint and suffocation as I sat before the mirror. My eyes caught the dead stare from my reflection: the tired face and those lips that hadn't smiled in days.Lily was standing behind me, diligently weaving my hair into intricate, beautiful braids. Her skilled hands gently worked through my hair, but my mind was far from her actions or the hair itself.I continued to stare at my reflection, feeling an overwhelming sense of disconnection. It had been approximately a week since that failed coronation dinner, and shortly after that Alpha Chester had imposed a strict confinement upon me. Not once had I been allowed to step beyond the walls of the pack house. I was beginning to accept that my moment of freedom had been nothing more than a fleeting illusion.In my heart, I loved Alpha Chester deeply, but his excessive protectiveness had become stifling—too stifling for me. I could not contain my yearning for freedom, for that one chance to

Nora's POV:After Alina left my room, I was overwhelmed with profound sadness. I did not know what to expect, but it felt as though everyone I ever loved was turning their backs to me. I could not help but get the feeling that things were not alright.In fact, it felt as though things would never be alright.In one sad heap, I collapsed before the ornate mirror, sitting on the stool that Alina had previously occupied.I stared at my reflection, examining the reflection of a new and beautifully dressed Luna. I saw a well-attired Luna of one of the greatest wolf packs around. But deep within, I felt peaceless. To any observer, I looked the perfect picture of strength and beauty, but deep within, I was a fractured and unsettled soul.As I gazed into the glass, I couldn't help but wonder when the rift between me and those around me would finally mend. Would I ever get the one thing I wanted? Would both sides of my existence ever come together and resolve their differences?My deepest wish

Nora's POVI kept my eyes shut for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The shadow of Alpha Jacob's presence was looming over me like a portentous shroud. His piercing gaze still felt like an icy touch on my skin. It was like a regular reminder of that incident on the balcony during my coronation ceremony. Do not forget my words, he seemed to say with his eyes.Do not forget me. I am coming for you, Nora.His stare, then on the balcony and even now in this ball, had felt like a thousand feathers caressing my spine and causing uncontrollable shivers.That night, he had leered at me, making me feel exposed and vulnerable. I could still remember his proposition, offering to make me his Luna. It had left me feeling violated and unsafe. How could I think of forgetting it?I wanted to tell Alpha Chester about that encounter, but I couldn't bear the thought of his fiery temper flaring up once more. I knew well and good that he had a tendency to react violently, and I didn't want

Nora's POVMy heart thudded heavily like a tribal drum, as Chester led me out of Alpha Jacob's pack house. I could not help but feel the weight of several gazes from the guests upon us. The curious eyes of the pack members bore into me, and a blush of embarrassment crept up my cheeks. I could hear their whispees trailing me like poison, their silent accusations and wary expressions.They were probably judging me right now, I thought. They most likely thought I was cursed for two different men, alphas for that matter, to throw hands against each other because of me.I knew what they were thinking – that I had somehow caused this confrontation between the two Alphas. It felt as if every event I attended was destined to be disrupted simply because I was there.My thoughts drifted to the poisoned food at my coronation ceremony. How could I forget that single event that had left our pack house in disarray for days? It had taken weeks to fully recover from the chaos that unfolded that night