Lila's Victory
Her name tasted like heaven on his lips, his wolf growling possessively as she stopped before him, her head tilted, her eyes warm. “Thank you... for letting me stay here... for giving me a chance...”
His chest tightened, his heart pounding as he fought the urge to touch her, to hold her, to never let her go. “You’re part of this pack now... no one will ever hurt you again.”
Her eyes softened, her lips curving into a gentle smile, her body relaxing as she looked up at him. “I... I feel safe here... with you...”
Damian’s breath caught, his heart racing as her words wrapped around him, filling him with warmth, with hope, with a longing he couldn’t deny.
Mate... his wolf growled, his body trembling with desire, his instincts roaring to claim her, to protect her, to love her.
But before he could say anything, a shout echoed across the clearing, breaking the spell. “Alpha! Urgent news!”
Ella’s eyes widened, her body tensing as she stepped back, her walls slamming down. “I... I should go...”
Before he could stop her, she turned and ran, her form disappearing into the trees, her scent lingering in the air.
Damian’s chest ached, his fists clenching as he watched her go, his heart pounding with frustration, with longing, with confusion.
But the shout came again, more urgent this time. He turned, his eyes narrowing as his Beta approached, his face pale, his eyes wide. “Alpha... there’s trouble... it’s about Ella...”
Damian’s heart sank, his blood running cold as the words echoed in his mind. Trouble... about Ella...
His wolf snarled, his body tensing as fury ignited within him. Whoever dared threaten her would pay.
\-----
Lila’s Victory
Lila stood by the Luna’s bedside, her eyes cold, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. The old woman’s breathing was shallow, her face pale, her body trembling as the poison ate away at her from the inside.
“L-Lila...” the Luna gasped, her eyes glazed, her hand reaching out, desperate and weak. “H-help... me...”
Lila’s smile widened, her heart racing with triumph as she leaned in, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Don’t worry... you’ll be at peace soon...”
The Luna’s eyes widened, panic and realization dawning as her body convulsed, pain twisting her face, tears slipping down her cheeks. “Y-you... m-monster...”
Lila’s face darkened, her eyes gleaming with malice. “You were in my way... you were never meant to be Luna... that title belongs to me.”
She watched coldly as the life faded from the Luna’s eyes, her body going limp, her hand falling to her side.
It was over.
Lila’s heart pounded with exhilaration, her body tingling with power, her lips curving into a wicked smile. She had won.
With the old Luna gone, no one could oppose her. Kaden would need a new mate... a new adviser.
And she would take her rightful place by his side.
Her eyes gleamed with victory, her mind spinning with plans, her body trembling with anticipation. Ella was gone, banished, forgotten. The Luna was dead, out of her way.
Nothing could stop her now.
But she didn’t know that Ella was alive... stronger... growing closer to Damian...
And she would be back....
\-------
Shadows of Doubt
Damian stood in the dimly lit study, his fingers tracing the jagged letters on the crumpled parchment. Kaden’s second letter... it words echoed in his mind, heavy with accusation, dripping with malice.
“She poisoned my Luna... she betrayed her own pack... she’s dangerous...”
His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the letter again, looking for inconsistencies, for lies, for anything that would prove Kaden wrong.
He had ignored his first letter, why then is he still so persistent in this matter...?
But doubt crept in, cold and insidious, whispering in his ear. What if it was true? What if she really was dangerous? What if she had betrayed her pack?
His heart clenched, his fists tightening as he remembered the fear in her eyes, the pain in her voice, the way she trembled whenever he got too close. She was terrified... broken... fragile.
But was it all an act?
He shook his head, fury boiling within him as he slammed his fist onto the desk, the wood cracking beneath his strength. No. He wouldn’t believe it. Not without proof.
I’ll find out the truth... one way or another.
He had already sent scouts to Blood Moon territory, his most trusted warriors tasked with gathering information, with digging up the past, with discovering the truth about Ella.
But he couldn’t wait. He needed answers now.
He needed to hear it from her.... again...
\-----
Lessons in Trust
Ella’s heart raced as she stood in the clearing, the forest around her whispering with the soft rustle of leaves, the air cool against her skin.
She could feel his eyes on her, piercing, intense, watching her every move, every breath. It made her nervous... it made her heart flutter... it made her feel alive.
“Relax,” Damian’s voice was deep, steady, soothing as he stepped behind her, his presence commanding, overwhelming. “You’re too tense. You need to let go.”
Ella swallowed, her body trembling as his warmth surrounded her, his scent intoxicating. “I... I can’t... I’m scared...”
He moved closer, his chest brushing her back, his voice low and firm. “Your wolf is strong... she just needs to be set free.”
His words wrapped around her, his confidence, his strength, his belief in her sinking into her bones, chasing away her fears.
She took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she closed her eyes, reaching out to her wolf, to the voice that had been quiet for so long.
I’m here... her wolf’s voice was soft, hesitant, a whisper in the back of her mind. I... I want to be free...