For three years, I waited to become the perfect Luna for my pack and give the Alpha an heir. Three years of lies, being the intruder in someone else's love. Three years to suffer the death of my baby and seek revenge against the man who disfigured my face and destroyed my womb. Dying captured by my own pack or escaping and surviving—those were my only two paths. I chose to hide and live. The Lycan King, Aldric Thorne, the most bloodthirsty and ruthless ruler who led the werewolves with an iron fist—I became his personal maid, the most dangerous position, where I could lose my head at any moment for the slightest mistake. But no one from my past would ever look for me here. "Always submissive. Don't speak, don't listen, don't see anything, don't bother the Lycan, or you'll die." Simple rules to follow. I thought I was doing well until the day the King made me an offer I couldn't refuse. "You want me to save those people? Then surrender to me tonight. Be mine. I desire you, and I know you feel the same. Just once, Valeria... only once." But it wasn't just once. And passion turned into love. That cold, untamable man conquered my heart as well. However, when the past comes back to haunt me and the truth of my birth is revealed, I must make a choice once again—flee from the Lycan King or wait for his mercy. "I'm sorry, but this time, I won't lose my pups again. Not even for you, Aldric." My name is Valeria Von Carstein, and this is my complicated love story with the Lycan King.
Ler maisVALERIA
"Are... are you sure, Esther?" I ask with a broken voice.
My heart races, filled with happiness.
"Very sure, Luna. You're pregnant."
"Why haven't I been able to smell it, or his father?" I ask, worried.
"It's very recent, perhaps that's why. Give it a few more days and you should be able to sense the pheromones."
She replies, and I nod, my eyes blurred with tears.
I am the Luna of the "Autumn Forest" pack.
Three years ago, I married the man I love madly, despite not being destined mates, my Alpha Dorian.
I've given everything to be the perfect Luna, the pillar he can lean on. However, a shadow looms over my marriage—the topic of an heir.
I've never been able to get pregnant, and I admit I don't share the bed with Dorian as often. But I know his duties as Alpha keep him extremely busy and stressed.
"Please, don't tell anyone in the pack. I want to surprise my husband."
"Don't worry, Luna, I won't say anything. Congratulations!" She smiles at me, and I return the smile, overflowing with excitement and happiness.
Despite being a foreigner, not originally belonging to this pack, ever since my parents died and the previous Alpha took me in, I've never felt rejected or looked down upon.
That's why I've devoted myself fully to my duties as Luna.
I'm grateful for my life and the wonderful man I'm married to.
*****
"What's with all this food? Is there going to be a party?"
"Hands off!" I swat away the greedy claws of Sophia, my best friend, who sneaked in through the back kitchen door.
"But wow, puff pastry tart and everything!" she says, sitting on a stool.
Honestly, I may have gone a bit overboard with the dishes, but I'm so happy I want everything to be perfect.
All my Alpha's favorite foods are ready!
"Well, today is Dorian's and my anniversary. I want to celebrate with an intimate dinner," I say, turning back to the caramel on the stove.
I don't hear her respond, so I turn halfway, curious.
"What's wrong?"
"N-nothing, nothing... I just heard the Alpha had an emergency today. Didn't he tell you?" she asks, and I frown.
Actually, Dorian doesn't usually explain much about his work.
I guess it's to avoid worrying me.
"No, but he'll come back anyway. He knows today is special."
I respond, completely convinced.
She looks at me strangely.
Lately, I can't quite understand her, but she's the first person who approached me in this pack and has always supported me.
I value her greatly as a friend.
"Sophie, there's something I want to tell you, but... I'll tell you tomorrow. It's very important to me," I say suddenly, wanting to share the good news with her, but not before confessing it to Dorian.
"Really? Can't you tell me now?" she asks, gossip-mode activated, leaning over the counter while munching on a homemade cookie.
"No, no. Tomorrow. I promise you'll be the second to know," I reply, and I can feel my happiness radiating from every pore.
"Fine, I'll leave you with your mystery then. I've got things to do. Happy anniversary night," she grumbles, frustrated I didn't spill the secret, and leaves the same way she came.
I check the clock. There's still time.
I take off my apron and head to the second floor to shower and get dressed nicely.
Everything has to be perfect tonight, celebrating with my beloved mate.
*****
I glance at the clock for the thousandth time, sitting on the sofa. It's past midnight, and Dorian hasn't arrived.
I look at the cold dishes on the dining table and get up, resigned to reheating them again.
I'm in the middle of that task when I hear the front door open and close.
His delicious scent tingles my nose, warming my stomach.
I glance at my burgundy dress, smoothing it out and fixing my hair in the hallway mirror.
My jet-black hair is tied in a high ponytail, and my intensely blue eyes, highlighted with makeup, stare back at me.
I step into the foyer, watching my imposing Alpha enter the door.
"My love, how was your day? Lots of work, right?" I grab the coat he's holding to hang it up.
I see him clutching some documents, but I assume they're pack matters.
I move closer to kiss him, but he steps back.
"I'm sweaty and dirty from the road. Don't contaminate yourself," he says, his piercing honey eyes staring at me—eyes I adore despite their constant coldness.
It's just part of his nature.
He carries too many responsibilities after inheriting the role so young when his father died.
His blond hair is messily sexy, and for some reason, damp.
I can even catch the scent of an unfamiliar shower gel.
Why would he shower before coming home? And he said he was dirty, yet it's clear he just bathed.
"S-sure, give me a second to reheat dinner. You must be hungry..."
"I'm not hungry. Valeria, we need to talk."
"But the dinner—"
"Forget dinner. Let's go to the living room. I need to tell you something," his authoritative voice makes me tense.
I follow him, starting to feel deeply worried.
My hand slips into my skirt pocket, clutching the folded document stating I'm pregnant.
"Why was the table so full of dishes? Were you planning a party?" he asks, glancing at the dining room. My heart clenches.
"Love, I know you've been busy with pack duties. But... don't tell me you forgot our anniversary? Today marks three years since we mated," I say, sitting on the couch.
I expect him to sit beside me, but instead, he chooses the armchair opposite.
Dorian has never been overly affectionate, but tonight he's too distant. Too cold.
An alarm goes off inside me.
"Of course, I remembered. You have no idea how long I've been waiting for our third anniversary," he replies, but I don't see a trace of joy in his expression.
I know everything will change with my news.
Our relationship hasn't been great because of this. The pack elders keep pressuring him for an heir.
When I tell him about the baby, he'll be happy.
"I'll be quick because I can't stand this any—"
"Wait! Wait, Dorian. Let me show you something first, and then you can tell me what you wanted to say," I interrupt him, feeling a strong premonition I won't like his next words.
Lowering my head, I take out the folded paper and hand it to him, my heart racing with emotion.
He takes it, reading silently as I watch him, anxious, waiting for his joy to match mine.
"I'm pregnant! I'm carrying your pup! We'll have an heir for the pack. I'm sure the Goddess has blessed us with a son!"
I can't hold back and blurt it out directly.
Tears in my eyes, I rise and move toward him, wanting to embrace him.
But as in love as I am, even I can see this isn't the reaction I expected from the father of my child.
"Are you sure about this, or is it just a trick to keep me tied to you?" he suddenly says, rising and pushing me away when I try to hug him.
"Dorian... Of course, I'm sure. Look, that's the midwife's handwriting. Why would I lie about something so important? My love, what's wrong? What's happening, my Alpha?"
"No, no. Damn it!" I watch him pace like a caged wolf around the living room. "This can't be happening. Not now!"
"Dorian..."
"Did you tell my mother? Anyone else?!" he asks suddenly, approaching me and gripping my shoulders tightly.
"N-no, love. I was waiting to tell you first. I thought... you'd be happy. I know they've been pressuring you. Alpha, you don't have to be tense anymore. We'll have our family."
I raise a trembling hand to caress his cheek, but he just stares at me with those golden eyes, silent.
I can't figure out what's going on in his head.
"You're right... I've been very stressed. I'm sorry," he suddenly pulls me into his arms, and I finally sigh, relieved, hugging him back tenderly.
For a second, I feared he wasn't happy.
"We'll get through this together, my Alpha. I'll be the perfect Luna so no one will judge you," I whisper, lifting my head.
I want him to kiss me, to make love to me like we haven't in a long time.
"Let's go for a run. A wild, unrestricted anniversary night."
He suddenly suggests it, taking my hand and pulling me toward the back of our house, which borders the pack's forest.
"Shift into your she-wolf," he commands, and I watch him undressing.
He's so sexy and strong.
His hair glows under the moonlight, and I begin the transformation into my "she-wolf," one of the greatest lies and secrets of my life—something not even Dorian knows.
*****
We run freely across the pack's lands.
But I notice how we keep going farther and farther, even crossing the borders, yet I just follow Dorian's massive white wolf racing wildly ahead of me.
We reach a remote place, at the edge of a deep cliff, but above us, the moon shines intensely, and the forest landscape stretches far below.
"Where is this? We're outside our pack's territory... Aren't we trespassing on someone's land?"
I gaze into the distance from the edge, mesmerized by the view, having already shifted back into human form, but no one responds.
I feel uneasy and start to turn around. However, something inside me stirs with alarm. A crow caws in the distance—but it's already too late.
"Do... Dorian, wha—?! Aaaaaahhh!" I scream as I feel wolf claws tearing into my abdomen, deeply ripping through me.
Terrified and shocked by the sudden attack, I try to run.
I attempt to shift back into my wolf to escape into the forest, away from whatever is happening, away from this rabid Alpha wolf whose blood-red eyes glare at me with pure hatred—but it's impossible to flee.
"Ahhh! Let me go! Dorian, what are you doing?! What are you doing?! Ahhh! Help! Help!" I scream as he jumps on me when I try to escape.
NARRATOR"Did she pay someone to heal you with their blood?" Ághata asked, raising an eyebrow full of suspicion.They had just heard the maid’s story."Yes, ma’am, but I don’t know who it was. I think it was one of the guards… I was unconscious," she answered with her head down, looking submissive."What did he ask you about me? If you said anything…!""I didn’t say anything, Miss Celia! I didn’t even accept her offer!" she dropped to her knees on the floor, shaking, just like always."Calm down, girl, calm down," Ághata grabbed her hand before she could hit the maid."Come here," she pulled her into a corner. "Didn’t you tell me she was dying? It’s impossible to recover that fast, even if it was the blood of a strong warrior.""Well… now I don’t know, she looked really bad to me," Celia avoided her gaze.Whether her maids lived or died wasn’t something she particularly cared about.Ághata sighed and thought about the girl’s words."I think we have a great opportunity here. That vampi
NARRATOR"There was a war in this fortress, and a lot of bodies were buried… we’ve got plenty of material.""But still, you can’t do it alone. You’ll have to tell the Lord...""No!" Meridiana suddenly interrupted. "You can’t tell the Lord anything, he won’t believe you!""Why not? I’m his mate. Even though he’s grateful to those elders, Dracomir listens to me, he might...""You can’t," Meridiana reached for her anxiously."I don’t know why, but I saw it in that girl’s memories… if you speak to the Lord against that family, he won’t believe you… he… there’s something… I don’t know..."Victoria fell silent, her chest tight.Of course she believed Meridiana. She had felt it herself.She understood Dracomir’s gratefulness, but a man as sharp as he was… it was like he was blind when it came to those people.Celia slaughtered her maids left and right, and he brushed it off as childish antics.Dracomir wasn’t like that. He was just, even with his grudge against vampires.But with that man an
NARRATORNow everything made sense in the fragmented memories Meridiana had stolen from the young mage.One specific spell kept repeating in that witch’s mind like a loop.She didn’t want to forget it, so she recited it over and over again.Meridiana learned it from her: the way to slowly extract the dangerous energy from this crystal.It was just a fragment, stolen by the imprisoned witches.They managed to pass it on—at great cost—to the girl who served as Celia’s slave.She was their hope, because she had the chance to escape the fortress and steal the crystal’s magic to grow stronger.Find more witch clans, plan their rescue…Obviously, she hadn’t been able to do any of that.She even had to get rid of the crystal during a checkpoint search or they would’ve caught her."This is clearly something important..." Rousse reached the same conclusion, pulling out a handkerchief to wrap it up.He felt uneasy, didn’t want to touch it anymore."We can’t let it fall into the hands of any wol
NARRATORA few days earlier...Outside the protective walls of the fief, Rousse had arrived at the refuge of Marius and his people.He didn’t trust vampires, but he acknowledged they were alone in this world.Enemies were everywhere, and allies were scarce.Now… it remained to be seen if the vampire walking ahead of him was truly a loyal friend."Are you sure it was at the exit of the outer wall?" Marius asked Meridiana again.Apparently, she had been the only witch they found, and honestly, she didn’t look like much.Of course, Marius had no idea about the powers of the little witch.He was also pretty disappointed not to see Victoria, but according to his servant, she had infiltrated the wolves’ fortress.They kept walking ahead, with Rousse and Meridiana holding a torch that lit up the gloomy underground tunnel.His boots splashed through the muddy waters of the sewer.The stench rose and clung to their noses.Only one pair of tiny feet remained completely clean, perched on the gen
VICTORIAHe kept telling me about the past…« Dracomir had been lured into this room ever since he was a pup.When he realized they weren’t just harmless games in exchange for forbidden candy for slave boys, he went to tell his mother.He believed she could protect him.I still remember the day I found him crying and shaking in the hallway.He’d followed his mother’s trail and found her in the general’s chambers. He saw her darkest secret and the twisted things she did to keep him safe.Dracomir learned early on about the sacrifices it took to survive inside this monster of stone and iron.And he kept quiet, hid it, and endured the abuse as a blood slave.Until one day, when he was around twelve… it was his mother who caught him… in this very room.»His words dragged me into gut-wrenching memories.I don’t even know how Draco has been able to accept me, knowing I’m a vampire.Now I understand why he panics every time I try to feed from him.“His… his mother… what happened to her?” My
VICTORIAI knew it right away, if I didn’t tread carefully, I’d be blamed for the maid’s death.“Hello, Mr. Fenir, I came to return a piece of clothing Celia lent me last night,” I said, flashing my best fake smile.“But she’s not here, and neither is her maid. I found the door wide open… how careless,” I said loudly, even pushing the door open wider.“And do you usually go into rooms when the owner isn’t around?” he raised an eyebrow with a sneer of contempt.Deep in his eyes, I could see the disgust he felt for me.But the fact that he didn’t show it openly, and how well he faked his attitude, told me I had to be very careful with this man.“Well, the Lord asked me last night to get along with Celia. He sees her as his sister, I’m just following orders,” I replied, stepping into the hallway.“If you want to check, look, I’m not hiding anything,” I said, spinning around and swaying my dress.Accusing me of that girl’s death was absurd.Not only did they have no proof, but I had been
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