Nora's POV"You shouldn't be out here," he growled, his voice low and authoritative. His eyes flicked to the guards, who stood at attention, awaiting his orders. "Why the hell is she out here?!""Because I want to take a walk in the garden!" I retorted, closing the distance between us. "What, is that forbidden too?""Yes, it is!" Alpha Chester closed the distance between us, and I caught his cinnamon scent again. Heady, I thought.Focus! A voice screamed in my head."It is not safe for you to walk around free, for now." He snarled. "I think it's best you stay inside. It's safer."I scoffed, my voice edged with defiance. "What are you trying to protect me from this time? I can handle myself—""No, you cannot. Listen to me!" Alpha Chester's voice suddenly thundered, echoing through the corridor, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. I could hear his heartbeat and mine, thundering like rocks rolling down a single hill.His eyes smoldered as I stared deep into them

Nora's POVWith those final words, I turned my back to him.But Alpha Chester was swifter."Come here!" He growled, reaching out for my arm. His fingers wound around my upper arm, his skin warm and almost comforting. I couldn't let him get to my head.How I struggled within his grasp. How I twisted and turned, pushing out all my wolf strength, but Alpha Chester was obviously stronger than me. He turned me around to face him using his grip on my arm. One minute I was standing away from him, and the next minute I was three inches away from his face, with my hands splayed on his taut chest.My instincts screamed at me to break free from Alpha Chester's grasp, to flee from the maddening turmoil he stirred within me, but he seemed to hold me captive both physically and emotionally.I groaned in frustration and turned, trying to walk away from him, to put some distance between us. But his fingers closed around my wrist like an unbreakable shackle, stopping me in my tracks again."Where can

Nora's POVSilence hung heavily in the room as I stared at the ornately written invitation scroll. My hands were trembling as I stared at the scroll in my hands, the writing and the family seal of Alpha Chester staring up at me. I felt trapped, suffocated by the expectations that came with my new role as Luna.Jonas seemed to sense my hesitation. He coughed loudly, then prompted me gently, "Luna, what do you think about the invitation?"His words snapped me out of my thoughts, my head jerked upwards. Frustration and anger coursed through me as I stared at his expectant face. What did he expect me to say? That I was thrilled about trying on dresses for a ball I never wanted, in a life I never asked for?I couldn't contain my anger any longer. With an exasperated sigh, I snapped at Jonas, "What do you expect me to say, Jonas?" My voice was laced with frustration as I flung the scroll toward him, not caring if it hit him or not.Jonas caught the scroll deftly, his expression remaining ne

Nora's POVThe hooded figure stopped, then turned.And as he locked eyes with Alpha Chester, a startled yelp slipped from his lips.Alpha Chester moved swiftly with all the power of an Alpha Wolf. He seemed to blend with the slanting moonlight streaming from the window, so that one minute he was standing by the window, and the next he was directly behind the hooded man.Predictably, the intruder tried to run. He turned sbd deftly sidestepped Alpha Chester, making his way towards the open window. But in no time, Alpha Chester had him by the scruff of his neck and was pressing hin against the wall, claws at his neck"Move an inch, and risk losing your throat to my claws." The Alpha growled.The tension in the room was palpable as Alpha Chester held the hooded intruder firmly by the neck, his growled threat sending a shiver down my spine. He kept the man against the wall, his eyes locked on the intruder's with a fierce intensity that dared him to make a move.I, too, remained pressed aga

Alina's POVHours had crawled by, and I was slowly losing it.The hours seemed long and hard, their passage marked by the torturous ticking of the clock on the wall. I could hear the incessant ticking, almost as though it was a dangerous time bomb about to go out.Tick tock, Alina. Your time is up.I sat by the window, staring out at the garden below, my mind on the one thing I desperately craved – news of the mission's success. The sun was slowly setting already, painting the sky an ochre-red hue.Slowly I pried my eyes away from the window and stared into the drawing room. What had changed? My father was no longer in his seat by the corner; he'd retired for his midday nap and hadn't woken since. My mother was sipping yet another little cup of tea and staring at the needlework on her laps like it was a living, breathing thing.And I—I was still sitting in the same spot, my behind aching with the pressure of sitting still in the same place.My anticipation gnawed at me, making every m