A Soul's Redemption

"This is so beautiful," Nora said, grinning from ear to ear, as she admired the ring she'd be wearing on her wedding day.

The joy and excitement of a bride to be was evident on Nora, as her wedding day approached, her emotions had been a mix of anticipation, happiness, and sometimes a touch of anxiety.

"I might be wolfless, but I'm grateful that I found someone who loves me for who I am," she giggled.

The Cinderella story, where a maiden meets her prince charming, had been sold to her, and she couldn't wait to start this new chapter of her life with her prince charming.

Nora is deeply grateful to the moon goddess for Ryder, her husband to be. Knowing that he is committed to spending forever with her, she feels loved, and cherished.

It's three days to their wedding, and she wanted to rehearse her vows with Ryder, she couldn't imagine the embarrassment she'd feel if she ever forgets her vow.

She picks up her phone to call Ryder.

"Hi, this is Ryder, I am unavailable at the moment, you can leave a message for me, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

"Not again," Nora lets out a loud hiss as the call went straight to voicemail, she had been trying his phone number since she woke up in the morning, and now it's late in the evening, only to keep getting to his voicemail.

"Could something terrible have happened to him? Is he sick?" she wondered, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

She decides to call Mira, her foster sister and bestfriend, to tell her that she'd be spending the night at Ryder's place, but couldn't get through to her.

Nora, who was worried sick about her husband-to-be, hastily headed over to his house which was just ten minutes walk from her place of work.

She finally gets to Ryder's house, she pressed the doorbell but got no response, her heart began to thump hard against her chest, beads of sweat trickled down her face, she had the spare key, and so she quickly opened the door.

Her heels clicked on the marble floor as she approached Ryder's bedroom door. She had meant to rehearse her vows with him, but is now more worried about not being able to reach him.

As she got close to the door, she heard sounds coming from inside the bedroom, she decided to pay rapt attention to the sound, but couldn't make sense of what she was hearing, and so she pushed open the door.

The scene that unfolded before her eyes shattered her heart into a million pieces, Ryder, her husband to be, lay naked in bed, entwined with Mira, her best friend and foster sister.

Nora's eyes widened in shock as she tried hard to come to terms with what she had just seen. The room's atmosphere was thick with sex and betrayal, while Ryder, and Mira slowly opened their eyes to meet Nora's menacing gaze.

"How...how could you?" Nora's voice trembled with hurt and disappointment.

"Have you ever heard of the word, "privacy"? I guess not, 'cause why would you even come to my house without calling me first?" Ryder brows furrowed.

Instead of remorse, Ryder, and Mira exchanged a lazy, guilty smile. Mira stretched lazily while Ryder rubbed the sleep from his eyes, his expression not remorseful.

"You were so busy, and blinded with the wedding preparations, and Ryder here, needed someone to keep him company, in which I obliged," Mira's smile faded into a smirk, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

Tears streamed down Nora's face, her world had crumbled around her, the only person she had loved with the whole of her being had betrayed her. She felt like she had been punched in her gut, unable to catch her breath, she felt suffocated by the pain of the heartbreak.

"This doesn't change anything though," Mira snickered, still playing with her hair, "You can still go on with the wedding plans, just see this as a favor from me," she added with a dismissive shrug.

Nora wanted to talk, but couldn't, it was all too much for her, Ryder was supposed to be hers, and hers alone, she couldn't bear the thought of sharing her 'supposed' prince charming with another woman, talk more of her best friend and foster sister.

"I'll... I'll report you to Dad," Nora stuttered, her threat barely above a whisper.

"You mean my Dad?" Mira paused, and lets out a hysterical laugh before continuing, "How could you be so delusional, to think my father, who found you abandoned by the riverside, would choose to side with you over me- his flesh and blood? How?" she taunted, her voice dripping with malice.

Nora felt a sharp stab of anger within her gut, her anger boiled over and she stormed towards Mira, and gave her a resounding slap- the one that was able to reset her brain. The force of the slap sent Mira's head jerking to the side.

Mira's eyes flashed with rage, as she launched herself at Nora, they both clashed, and began to struggle. Ryder watched them as they both exchanged slaps and blows, and when he saw that they were not ready to stop fighting, he rushed towards them and pries them apart with a firm grip.

"Enough!" Ryder barked, his voice firm. "Both of you should go home, we'll talk about this tomorrow."

"If there is anyone that's supposed to leave, it should be her," Mira's chest heaved with ragged breaths, as she points at Nora.

Ryder turned towards Nora, "You know how stubborn Mira can be, I think you should go first, she'll meet you at home."

"This is the last day you'll ever set your eyes on me. The wedding is off, you insolent bastard!" With a final venomous glance at Ryder, Nora spun around and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

As Nora left Ryder's house, the thought of suicide crept into her mind, facing the Pack to tell them that the wedding was off seemed like an impossible task to accomplish.

Darkness crept in, and her mind swirled, the weight of her shattered dreams crushing her, she continued walking, and walking till she got to an old bridge just at the outskirt of the Pack.

"This will put an end to my misery," she climbed onto the railing with a sense of hopelessness. The wind swooshed past her face, and she closed her eyes, ready to let go.

But just as she was about to take a leap, she heard a voice in her head, "what do you think you are trying to do?"

The voice was familiar, one she had heard lots of times, the voice of hope and resilience. Nora opened her eyes, "There's nothing left for me in this world,"

"Get it together!" This time, the voice showed no mercy, "Do you think someone will bat an eye if you die? Don't be ridiculous. In this world, people that are more miserable than you die every day,"

"There are tons of people everywhere who are far more unfortunate than you. I'll say this again, your death won't change a thing. Don't seek a way out of your misery with a meaningless death. Try to stay alive until the very end. Do you understand?"

With this, Nora's eyes snapped open, and she slowly climbed down the rails, and she was determined to stand up for herself If anything came up, after she announced the cancellation of the wedding.

Reminiscing on the lovely moments she had with Ryder, did nothing but break her heart the most, and brought tears to her eyes. She was so deep in thought as she walked down the road that she didn't notice the speeding vehicle that sped towards her until he slammed into her with a great force, and her head hitting the pavement very hard.

"Help me," she muttered weakly, with tears streaming down her face, but the driver didn't stop, and she watched as the car sped off, leaving her bleeding.

"Moon Goddess, I beg you to please save me," her voice trailed off as she closed her eyes, and darkness enveloped her, with her body giving in to the pain.

"Wake up, my child," a soothing voice called out to her, but it felt so distant.

"It's time to wake up child," The voice called out again, and this time it echoed loudly in Nora's ears that she slowly opened her eyes.

She looked around to see the face behind the voice but found none. This was totally different from the voice that had always sounded in her head.

"I must be dreaming," she thought to herself, but her eyes soon widened in horror when the voice replied to her inner thoughts.

"You are not dreaming," the voice replied.

Convinced that it was a dream, since there was no way an ordinary voice would hear her inner thoughts, Nora decided to go back to sleep.

But a luminous figure appeared before her. The illumination that came from the direction of the voice, pierced her eyes like a thousand needles, and sent a shooting pain through her skull- it was like staring directly at the heart of the moon.

"Who are you? And Where am I?" Nora's curiosity piqued, avoiding a direct gaze with the mysterious luminous figure that stood before her.

"This is the spirit world, and you're here because of your plea to the moon goddess, shortly before your death," The voice is gentle, yet firm.

"Shortly before my death? Am I dead?" a pang of sadness washed through her as she remembered that she was hit by a vehicle on her way home, "But who are you? And how come you have so much information about spirits? Are you also a spirit? And why are..."

"Child, I am not here to play the game of question and answer with you, I am here to grant your last wish," the luminous figure interrupted her abruptly.

"The last wish I had was for the moon goddess to save me, but here I am, already dead, so what wish could you possibly want to grant?" Nora responded wryly.

"I could give you another chance at lifeShe said, her voice ethereal.

Nora's heart skipped a beat. "How can you do that? desperation clawing at her.

"I can make you live for one hundred and eighty days, But there's a condition- you must uncover a hidden memory from your past life," the luminous figure replied.

"A hidden memory from my past life?" Nora's mind reeled "for just one hundred and eighty days?" frustration creeping in her voice.

"If you find the hidden memory within the timeframe, it holds the key to your redemption, which will allow you to live beyond one hundred and eighty days." The mysterious figure assured her.

Elated by the hope of living beyond the initial 180 days this mysterious woman mentioned, Nora nodded and accepted.

"Okay, I accept,"

She could imagine the woman's gaze piercing her soul, as there was a brief moment of silence. "Are you sure? Many have made this promise before, only to get distracted once they return to life."

With unwavering determination Nora responded. "I won't be like that. I promise."

Instantly, Nora fell into a deep, restorative sleep.

And then her eyes fluttered open again, the bright lights above her pierced through her eyes like thousands of needles, and she quickly shielded her eyes with her arm. She felt disoriented as she looked around, trying to figure out where she was. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her head, forcing her back to bed.

She didn't know where she was, the smell of antiseptics and machines beeping filled her head- A hospital room. But how did she get here? She was just talking to the mysterious woman about a certain condition she must meet within a timeframe, and now she wakes up in a hospital bed.

Nora gazed down at her body, and noticed the IV tube inserted into her wrist and the hospital gown she had on. She tried to talk but her voice was not audible enough, so she cleared her throat and tried again.

"Where am I?'' she asked as fear and confusion gripped her soul, but she got no response.

"Where am I? Damn it!'' she barked, with a surge of desperation. She had used all the strength she had left to say that, and it worked, because the door busted open, and a nurse hurried in, concern etched on her face.

The nurse quickly checked the beeping machines, and checked Nora's vitals as well. She checked her eyes and examined her pupils to confirm that she was okay, but Nora's impatience grew, her frustration simmering just below the surface.

"Can you please tell me where I am? I don't seem to remember how I got here," Nora's voice firm, yet dripping in frustration.

The nurse's explanation only deepened Nora's confusion. "You were brought here two days ago, after you slipped and fell on the staircase, where you hit your head hard," the nurse explained gently.

"You... you must be mistaken, I'm sure that I didn't fall down any stairs," Nora shook her head in disapproval of the nurse's explanation.

Nora's mind reeled as she struggled to process the nurse's explanation. The last thing she remembered was being hit by a speeding vehicle, and the encounter with the mysterious woman- which she still believed was a dream.

"You suffered a heavy blow to the head when you fell, so I think that's why you can't remember," the nurse placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "I'm sure with time you'll remember."

This nurse had just added to Nora's confusion, by saying she fell down the stairs, Nora's thoughts reeled, she didn't know what was real anymore, she feels like she's losing her grip on reality.

Millions of thoughts ran through her mind, leaving her disconcerted. But a man soon walked in, and jolted her out of her thoughts.

Nora froze at the sight of Alpha King Derek, the shivers that went through her spine felt like ice, she blinked rapidly to ensure that she could see properly, she pinched herself again to confirm that she was not dreaming, the pain she felt from the pinch caused her to confirm that it was not a dream.

"What could he possibly be doing at the hospital?" Nora's gaze fixed on him.

He stands tall, around 6ft , with a strong, athletic build, His black hair is perfectly brushed, with subtle waves that add to his effortless charm. His eyes are a deep, azure blue that seem to see right through her, yet sparkle with warmth and kindness.

He exudes an aura of quiet confidence, as if he's aware of his stunning good looks but doesn't feel the need to flaunt them. But his presence at the hospital seemed like a puzzle piece that didn't fit.

But his presence was not as shocking as the name he called Nora.

"Daphne," he paused, and heaved a sigh of relief, "all thanks to the moon goddess for reviving you. You've been unconscious for the past two days," Derek's voice is gentle, yet firm.

Nora's gaze drifted, she knew Alpha King Derek, who is married to the first daughter of Lord Damon (Her foster father, and the biological father of Daphne, Mira, and Marock).

But why would Derek address her as Daphne?

"Because you are Daphne of course," Nora heard a voice in her head, low yet daring, responding to her thoughts.

I'm

"Who are you? What are you? How can you hear my thoughts? Are you the mysterious woman from my dream?" Nora asked the voice in her head, without saying the words out.

"Permit me to introduce myself, I am Kaira, your wolf." the beast growled.

"Does this mean that I am no longer wolfless?" Nora's brow furrowed in surprise.

"Is she okay? 'Cause she doesn't look like the picture of health," Derek asked the nurse, who was about to leave the room.

But the nurse assured Derek that she'd get better with time.

"I am no longer wolfless," a smile plastered across Nora's face, as her thoughts remain inward.

Nora looked into his eyes with an aching wave of desire, as she felt his warm breath on her neck. Derek had been married to Daphne for two years and in those two years love making had always felt like a duty, more like a chore for them both, since she was not his fated mate, he only married her to strengthen the kingdom. But the attraction Derek now felt towards Daphne was beyond his control, she had become irresistible to him overnight.

The Doctor had told him that she needed to rest well, but his below-the- belt faculty is saying otherwise, he kept sniffing her, her scent-Lavender and apple, seemed intoxicating because all Black, Derek's wolf kept ranting was "Mate! Mate!"

Derek didn't understand the sudden attraction he felt, but he knew that something about Daphne had changed, the way she looked at him, he could feel her hunger for him, and he couldn't wait to give her the exact thing they both wanted.

His mouth hurriedly descended on hers, as he kissed her lips passionately, then moved to her neck as he stroked her hair, caressing every inch of it, his fingertips gently caressing her ears, she let out a soft moan which made Derek harder. Nora felt her world spinning before her eyes as he pulled down her lingerie exposing her bare erect tits, his soft wet lips sucked on her left nipple seductively, cupping the right breast, fondling it gently.

Nora moaned softly, and wrapped her arms around him. He then moved his other hands to her thigh till he got closer to her entrance.

"Fuck!" he muttered, as he felt the wetness of her clit, he then touched it and caressed it slowly, sending trails of irresistible want all over Nora.

"Awww!" Nora moaned loudly, aching for him to go completely into her, which he finally did, after exploring and stroking every inch of her body, grinding his hard cock into her pussy, thrusting in deeply, and gently until they both climaxed hard, with Nora gripping his hair with intense pleasure.

"That was amazing," Nora said seductively, grinning from ear to ear. She didn't Know Derek too well, she had seen him just once- when he came over to the Wolfsburg pack to marry Daphne, but it was brief, although she believed he was handsome, she never knew that a day that she would be making love to him would ever come. As she gazed into Derek's eyes, expecting to see a reflection of her emotions, she was met with a cold unyielding expression.

It was as if all he cared about was fulfilling his desires, and once he did, nothing mattered to him anymore.

"Stand up," he barked, his voice devoid of emotion, "are you not supposed to go and wash off? Why are you still on the bed?"

Nora's eyes flashed with indignation. "Excuse me, but I won't tolerate you speaking to me like that, like some kind of tramp you picked up on the roadside to satisfy your urge."

Derek's expression faltered, surprise etched on his face. He was not used to anyone, especially Daphne, speaking back to him. Daphne had always been compliant, always obeying his every command, and never questioning him, just to win his heart.

"Anyway, I have something to tell you," Nora's expression unwavering, "I can't seem to remember anything since I returned from the hospital, I think the fall from the stairs messed with my head a lot."

Derek's eyes widened, understanding dawning on him. "That explains it."

"Explain what?" Nora asked curtly.

"It explains why you're talking back to me, well I have to fill you in on some details, it's enough that you can't have pups, I can't have the whole kingdom knowing that you no longer have your memory," his gaze locked on Nora's

"I am as blank as a page awaiting its first word, I can't perform my duties as the mother wolf of the kingdom if I don't have my memories, so I need you to tell me the things I need to know, before I get my memories back," Nora's voice dripping with desperation.

The only thing she didn't know anything about was Daphne's personal life since she got married to Alpha King Derek, other than that, she knew everything about her, since they were brought up under the same roof.

Derek's voice cut through her thoughts. "Your name is Daphne, and you are the first child of Lord Damon, we have been married for two years, and there are no pups yet, you have two best friends..."

"Best friends?" Nora interrupted Derek, as her curiosity piqued, she knew all about what he was saying about Daphne, except that she had best friends, "who would ever choose to be friends with Daphne, with all of her bad attitudes?" she thought within her.

"Yes, Cara and Kylie," Derek's brow furrowed into a frown, it was obvious that he didn't like them.

But as Derek continued, A knock interrupted them. "Who is that? He yelled.

Tara's voice came from the other side of the door. "It's me Tara, I have come to collect the Queen's laundry."

Derek told her to return in five minutes, needing time to freshen up, and Daphne to do the same. After quickly freshening up, Alpha Derek went downstairs to get something to eat. Meanwhile Tara entered the room after confirming that there was no one besides the queen in the room, she had a discreet look which made Nora uncomfortable.

But before Nora could say anything Tara reached out for an envelope which she had hidden under her blouse, and handed it over to Nora.

"What's this?" Nora wore a puzzled look.

Tara's expression remained normal, "It's a message from your father, he instructed me to deliver it to you alone, and to caution you to be careful with it," Tara's voice was barely above a whisper.

What could Lord Damon have wanted to say to Daphne, that he couldn't say over the telephone, why did he have to send a discreet letter to her?