COME BACK TO ME DEAR LUNA

Noleen's POV

"Please..." she whispered, her voice wavering and pleading, eyes wide with fear.

The silence shattered as the door swung open. I spun around, anger bubbling up, but the sight of Adel standing there stalled my reaction.

I clenched my jaw, stepping back from Shivani, who stumbled forward with palpable relief, clutching her clothes as she struggled to her feet.

"Hah!" she gasped, breaths uneven as she scrambled to cover herself. Without a second look, she fled, her hurried footsteps echoing down the hall.

I pulled on my trousers, anger simmering beneath the surface.

"Next time, knock, Adel," I snapped, pouring a drink, ice clinking as it hit the glass. "You know I don't tolerate interruptions."

Adel stepped in, shutting the door behind him.

"You almost killed her," he noted, his voice calm but with a quiet undertone of judgment, his steady gaze unfazed by my glare.

"None of your business adel." I drained the whiskey in one go, feeling its burn settle, though it did little to ease the irritation gnawing inside me, one I didn't care to understand.

Adel's calmness bordered on insolence. He was the only one who could speak to me like this and live.

Anyone else wouldn't be so lucky. But he knew how to push just enough - a trait I admired, occasionally.

"Are you aware," he began, his tone steady, "that your pack was attacked last night? Two of your betas are missing."

I didn't react. "Of course I know." My voice came out harsher than intended, but I forced a smirk, deflecting the tension gnawing beneath the surface. "I'm already handling it."

Adel remained unmoved. "It's Melinda again. She won't stop, Noleen. Her mission is to see you fall."

"She's been trying for years," I muttered, a cold smile tugging at my lips. "Let her try. I've prepared a surprise for her."

Adel raised an eyebrow, intrigued but smart enough not to ask further. We both understood there were things he'd rather not know. He paused, then crossed his arms.

"I'm actually here for another reason today."

I raised an eyebrow, waiting. He rarely wasted time, but something was different, something he was holding back.

"Time's running out, Noleen," he said quietly. "You need an heir. Someone to continue the line after you're gone."

The absurdity of it almost made me laugh. An heir? I'd avoided that idea for years, yet now it was staring me down, heavy with inevitability.

"You think I don't know that?" My voice dropped, tinged with bitterness. "What do you suggest? You know none of the she-wolves here can give birth. The curse made sure of that."

Adel met my gaze, unwavering.

"That's why we need to go somewhere else. A place where the curse doesn't touch the women. A bride."

The word felt foreign, even absurd, yet... something in it held a strange allure, though I resisted the pull.

"A bride," I echoed sarcastically, turning away as I finished my whiskey. The idea of letting anyone that close - of sharing my life, even temporarily - was something I'd cast aside long ago. But if it meant an heir...

"And where exactly would I find this bride?"

"There's a place," he replied, his tone calm, but his gaze held a warning, daring me to dismiss it.

"The Brothel Hotel. The women there aren't bound by our curse."

I froze, the name jarring me, disdain flickering across my face.

"A brothel?" I repeated incredulously.

"Yes Alpha." He said

"You think I'd father a child with a prostitute?"

He met my gaze, unshaken.

"You nearly killed one tonight," Adel replied, steady, his jaw clenched and his words tight..

He wasn't just my friend right now; he was challenging me, something no one dared to do.

But the truth of it struck harder than I wanted to admit.

"Adel," I warned, voice low and dangerous.

He didn't flinch, but inclined his head slightly.

"Apologies, Alpha." A pause hung between us, acknowledging the line he'd crossed, yet he held his ground.

"But consider it. You don't have to keep her. Just long enough to secure an heir. After that, you're free to do as you please."

The silence that followed his words dared me to deny the practicality of it.

I tightened my grip on the glass, envisioning it - bringing someone in just long enough to serve my purpose, then letting her go once she'd fulfilled her role. No ties. No vulnerabilities. Just a body, a vessel.

I'd never intended to share my life with anyone, but if this could mean the survival of my pack, one less weakness for Melinda to exploit... maybe Adel's plan had some merit.

"I'll be leaving for Australia tomorrow," Adel continued, his voice now calm, his usual edge absent. "We can stop by the hotel first thing in the morning."

I let the silence linger, the whiskey's burn still on my tongue. My mind raced. A bride. An heir. The pack's future. It all balanced on this, demanding something I'd sworn never to give.

Finally, I nodded slowly, a cold smile curving my lips. "Fine. We leave in the morning."

Adel inclined his head, perhaps relieved, before he turned toward the door. Just before leaving, he glanced back, something lingering in his eyes - a silent understanding, maybe even pity.

I met his gaze, unflinching.

"Be ready." And with that, he left.

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Part B

Melinda's POV

"We've located her, Alpha," he announced, voice low and reverberating off the high stone walls.

Joshua entered, head down, shoulders slouched, a hint of fear rippling through him - a reaction I savored.

I felt a spark of excitement. "Then bring her here," I replied, a grin tugging at my lips, though I kept my tone measured.

He hesitated, his gaze flickering as he remained bowed. "Alpha Noleen is already on his way to claim her."

A surge of anger flared up, and I was on my feet before he could react. My fury must have been evident because he stumbled back, nearly tripping.

"Are you dense, Joshua?" I growled, my voice low but forceful enough to make him flinch. "If Noleen takes her, you're as good as dead. Understand?"

He swallowed hard, Adam's apple bobbing. "I won't fail you, Alpha. I swear-"

"Save it." I cut him off, dismissing him with a wave. "Now go. And don't come back without her."

He bolted, the door slamming shut behind him, but silence didn't last long.

Morris burst in, breathing heavily, his face pale and streaked with dried blood. He dropped to his knees, urgency clear in his movements.

"Alpha... It's Landon," he said, voice strained, body hunched under the weight of his words. "He's dead."

A coldness settled over me, freezing me in place. "What did you just say?" My voice was a venomous whisper.

"Landon is dead," he repeated, voice trembling.

Landon. Loyal, skilled, my best warrior. Gone. The finality of it crashed over me like a wave, and under the grief, anger simmered, growing hotter with each moment. I narrowed my gaze, seeking answers in Morris's eyes.

"Who did this?" My tone was icy, deliberate, brimming with barely restrained fury.

"The rogues - they ambushed us on the training grounds. They attacked ruthlessly, but we managed to capture one," Morris said, desperation clear in his face. His shoulders shook, barely upheld by the pride he once wore like armor.

I narrowed my eyes, calculating, anticipating.

My hands clenched into fists.

"Take me to him."

Melinda's POV

"Aaaaaargh!" His scream tore from his throat, raw and hoarse. His body trembled, muscles straining as he hung, chained with arms outstretched like a broken-winged bird.

I stood close to him, watching his face twist in pain each time the electric whip struck.

My blood boiled.

He was utterly trapped, and he knew it.

I watched his shallow breaths, the flicker of defiance still burning in his eyes, though it would fade soon enough.

"For the last time," I said, my voice low and steady, a warning laced in every word, "Who sent you?"

He looked up at me, his gaze unfocused and hazy with pain. "No one," he rasped, barely managing to get the words out.

His defiance stirred a dark anger in me. "Then you don't deserve to live." My words were sharp and cold, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he choked out a bitter laugh.

"No amount of pain will make me talk," he whispered, narrowing his eyes.

A shiver crept up my spine. This was no ordinary thief. There was a hardness in his gaze, a familiarity with suffering. But that didn't matter.

"Then I'll get it out of you," I said sharply. I turned to Morris, the head guard, who was standing by the door. "Take him to the lion's den."

The man's bravado vanished as his eyes widened in fear. He was silent for a moment before he began to tremble, his voice breaking as he spoke.

"No... please... don't." His voice cracked, the desperation breaking through his once-steely resolve.

I paused, watching as the guards unhooked his wrists from the chains and dragged him towards the door.

He stumbled and struggled, his feet scraping against the stone floor, each step a testament to his fear.

I let out a slow, measured breath, letting the tension build around us.

I wanted him to feel every second ticking by, each one bringing him closer to his end.

"Please... don't throw me in there!" he pleaded, voice barely a whisper. "I'll talk... I'll tell you everything."

A small smile tugged at my lips, but I hid it. I turned, meeting his fearful gaze.

The defiance was gone, replaced by terror. And something more-vulnerability, a pleading look.

"Speak," I commanded, keeping my expression calm even as anticipation stirred within me.

"It was... Melissa..." he breathed, voice breaking. He dropped his gaze to the floor, as if saying her name was a betrayal in itself. "Enchantress Melissa... she sent me."

A chill shot through me. The name echoed like a bell. Melissa. My sister.

Once my closest ally, bound by blood. And now? She had betrayed me.

She'd risked this man's life to spy on me, or worse. The realization settled over me like a dark cloud, bitter and heavy.

I clenched my teeth, willing myself to stay composed, to keep my expression neutral, though a torrent of emotions surged within.

Melissa. She had once been the calm to my fire, the sister I had saved, who had been my support through war and famine.

But now? She was my enemy.

I took a deep breath, swallowing the bitter twist of betrayal tightening in my gut.

I would not show weakness.

The man watched me closely, studying my reaction, hoping perhaps for some hint of hesitation or mercy.

But mercy was a luxury, and family ties had long since become chains in my world.

"So," I murmured, keeping my voice icy and calculating, "even my own blood would betray me for ambition."

The man looked down, unable to meet my gaze any longer.

"Take him away," I ordered. "He's given us all we need." Morris and the guards lifted him, his shoulders sagging, his pride shattered.

He didn't resist this time, didn't struggle as they dragged him from the room, leaving a trail of blood and desperation on the cold stone floor.

Alone, I clenched my fists, thoughts swirling like dark clouds. I had always known this day might come.

That family ties meant nothing to those driven by power, and that loyalty was just a word.

"What! Melissa, Maria's mother..."

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Part B

Maria's POV

I kept my head down, my face hidden by my hair, trying to stay invisible. In this place, every movement had a purpose-to attract attention or avoid it, to sell yourself or shield yourself. I didn't want anyone looking my way, but here, getting what you wanted was never a guarantee.

I was here, trapped in a role I'd never chosen-a body for sale, a product. I wasn't Maria anymore. Just flesh, just a commodity.

I wove through the crowd of dancers and customers, nerves on edge as I brushed past strangers. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Carol.

She was grinding against a man, her eyes sharp and amused as she shot a glare my way, though I'd done nothing to her. Her grin was all teeth, flashing like a threat. Trouble seemed to radiate from her.

"Watch it!" she hissed, whipping her head towards me.

I knew better than to react. Swallowing hard, I kept my eyes forward, walking away from her taunts and the laughter of her friends.

Carol had a way of turning a look into a weapon, making others feel small with one condescending glance.

It worked on most of the girls, but not on me. I'd been here two days-long enough to know who to avoid but not long enough to feel lost in this dark, suffocating world.

The dressing room reeked of cheap perfume and stale powder. I found my locker and pulled out my costume, steadying my hands as I changed.

Just another night. Another night in this nightmare. As I adjusted my clothes, I heard them-Carol and her crew whispering in the corner, just loud enough for me to hear.

They wanted me to listen. They wanted to unsettle me.

"Did you hear? Alpha Noleen is coming tomorrow," one of Carol's friends whispered.

Her voice carried a mix of excitement and dread, as if she were telling a ghost story.

"Alpha Noleen?" Carol's eyes went wide. "The Alpha Noleen?"

"That's what they're saying. He's coming to pick a mate. Rumor is, it'll be one of us."

I clenched my jaw, feeling my pulse race. Alpha Noleen-the most ruthless werewolf in the kingdom.

The thought of him coming here, choosing one of us... choosing me-it made my stomach twist. A chill ran down my spine.

As they continued their gossip, I barely listened. I knew Noleen's reputation. Cruel. Merciless. The stuff of nightmares.

If he even glanced at me, he'd know who I was-Maria Kindeyheston, daughter of the wolves' most notorious enemy.

My mother, the infamous Moon Luna, had fought to destroy the werewolves. She died in that cause, leaving me alone in a world full of her enemies.

And now, one of them might choose me as his next... possession. My stomach churned.

I slammed my locker shut, the sound echoing in the room, and Carol's friends glanced at me with mocking smiles. "Aww, scared?" Carol taunted in a syrupy voice.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm sure he'll look at you and pick someone else."

"Yeah," one of her friends laughed. "Maybe if you beg, you'll get to stay here."

Their laughter was sharp and grating.

I forced myself to look at them, holding back the anger boiling inside.

If they knew what I was capable of, what my mother had taught me-no, I couldn't show it. Not here. Not in front of them.

Alpha Noleen-the ruthless wolf king who'd love nothing more than to claim the daughter of his greatest enemy.

Ignoring their taunts, I pushed past them, my heart racing as I headed towards the exit.

Just as I reached for the door, it swung open, and one of the club's assistants stepped inside.

Her face was flushed, eyes wide.

"Girls! He's here!" she gasped, her voice a mix of awe and fear.

Carol and her friends let out excited, anxious gasps, adjusting their makeup and outfits to look as appealing as possible.

Carol's face lit up in disbelief. "What? He's here-now?"

For a moment, time froze. Alpha Noleen was here. Not tomorrow. Now.

Panic surged through me, icy and electric.

Now? Today? My hands went cold as the blood drained from my face.

If he saw me, if he recognized me-

Maria's POV

"What? He's already here? Alpha Noleen is here!" a girl beside me gasped, clutching her friend's arm, wide-eyed with surprise.

Here? Now? But... wasn't he supposed to arrive tomorrow?

The other girls bolted for the hall, tripping over each other in their rush, giggling with excitement. I reluctantly got up, a heavy feeling sinking in my chest, knowing there'd be consequences if I didn't show. I almost wished he'd ignore me, just focus on the others-each girl was dressed to impress, radiant, practically buzzing with anticipation.

In the hallway, more girls were still adjusting their outfits, making last-minute preparations. I quietly joined the back of the line, hoping to fade into the background, praying I'd be invisible.

We finally reached the hall, lined up like... I don't know, cattle? It felt like some silent audition in a twisted game. My stomach churned with dread. I despised every moment of this, every reminder that this man held so much power over our lives, while each girl seemed desperate for even a glance from him.

"Please, ladies, keep still. He's almost here," Miss Lavender commanded, her tone sharp, as she cast a watchful eye over the fidgeting line.

Six guards stood by, their gaze unwavering. Every girl looked perfect, polished-each one seemingly more eager than the last. I bit the inside of my cheek, stealing myself.

A hush fell over the room as he entered, capturing every gaze in the room. Alpha Noleen.

"Oh my goddess..." the girl beside me whispered, barely breathing.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I looked up, feeling my heart skip a beat. He walked in with a powerful presence, as though he owned every inch of the space. His muscular build was evident, and his intense gaze held an unnerving edge.

But... was that gray?

His aura seemed almost inhuman, like a mist. His eyes were sharp, as if he could see right through us.

And that necklace-a gold chain with a simple "N" pendant. Bold and unmistakable. I shivered, wondering what that "N" might mean for all of us now.

Miss Lavender offered a small, measured bow. "Welcome to Becktonson Hotel, Alpha Noleen." Her smile was careful, her words chosen with precision.

"Thank you," he responded smoothly, though his voice carried an edge of impatience. "So... these are the ladies?" His gaze swept over us like a storm.

"Yes, Alpha. All of them," Miss Lavender affirmed, following close behind as he walked down the line.

I lowered my gaze, hoping he would just pass me by. He stopped in front of each girl, studying each one carefully.

The room was thick with tension. Though silent, the weight of his presence was deafening.

When he paused in front of a girl named Seren, he asked quietly, almost icily, "And this one?"

"Seren," Miss Lavender replied crisply. "A human girl. Abandoned by her family."

His gaze lingered on her just a moment too long before moving on, leaving her visibly shaken.

Then he paused in front of Taina, a half-human with haunted eyes, though he barely paused before moving past, as if he could sum up each of us with a single look.

But why did Miss Lavender seem so uneasy? Her voice trembled slightly with each response. What was it about him?

The silence grew deeper with each girl he passed, each holding their breath.

He paused in front of Carol, the girl who always dreamed of finding her "prince," and let his gaze longe a bit too long, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Her hands trembled, a fragile hope radiating from her.

But he moved on, and her face fell, her hands clenching as if trying to ground herself.

And then... he stopped in front of me.

My breath hitched as an unexplainable charge tingled through me. The air around us felt electric.

I could feel my pulse race, my skin prickling as though drawn into his orbit.

He inhaled deeply, his gaze darkening, and a flicker of something almost... hungry crossed his expression.

"Mate." The word slipped from his lips, reverent, almost like a prayer.

I couldn't breathe. My legs felt heavy, my body frozen under his stare. I wasn't like the others-polished, perfect, or ready for his scrutiny. And yet... he stopped here.

His eyes lingered on me, not unkindly, but with a look that was almost... wonder? I swallowed hard, trying to tamp down the panic.

"And this one?" he asked, his voice softer as he lifted a hand toward my face. His fingers barely brushed my chin, yet it sent my heart racing.

I was terrified he'd see through the mask I wore.

Miss Lavender cleared her throat, visibly tense. "This is Maria," she said with care. "Daughter of Melissa."

His brow arched slightly, a trace of amusement in his eyes. "Melissa's daughter... the Moon Luna's child?"

I flinched, my mother's name echoing through me. She was gone, but her enemies were relentless.hauntin me

"Yes, Alpha," Miss Lavender said, glancing at me with pity. "We found her two days ago in the forest. She's been with us since."

A cold chuckle escaped him. "So... the Moon Luna's daughter stands before me?" His voice dripped with irony.

My face flushed, shame and dread prickling beneath my skin. He could see it all-my fear, my weakness.

His hand lifted again, this time touching my cheek with an unexpected gentleness, tilting my chin until I met his gaze. His eyes probed deeply, as if seeking every secret I held.

The intensity of his gaze left me shaken, unable to look away. I could sense that he'd already made up his mind.

"Well then," he murmured, a slight smile crossing his lips, "it seems I've found my bride."

And I was caught.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

MARIA'S POV

"On your knees."

His cold gaze pinned me down, silencing any thought of resistance. I could feel his eyes on me, his voice a harsh command as he moved behind me.

My body responded instinctively, dropping to my knees before I could process it. The bruises from last night's torment stung as they met the hard floor. Every nerve felt raw, a reminder of what defiance would bring.

"Maria," he said, his voice feigning gentleness as he moved closer, his fingers grazing my shoulder. I tensed, expecting pain.

"You're not just here as my wife. You belong to me. From now on, you will address me as Master. Understood?"

I wanted to scream, but forced out the words, each syllable tasting bitter. "Yes... Master."

A cruel smile crossed his face as he moved in front of me, savoring the submission he had extracted. My fists pressed against the floor, nails digging into my palms.

"Are you a virgin, Maria?" His tone was casual, like he was asking about the weather. My heart skipped a beat.

"Yes, I-" The lie slipped out before I corrected myself. "No, Master."

A dark satisfaction flickered in his eyes as he leaned forward, his fingers tracing my jaw with calculated cruelty. I shivered, instinctively pulling back.

"A virgin," he sneered. "And yet you think you can play games with me."

I swallowed, my throat painfully dry. His gaze felt as though it was dissecting every ounce of my remaining defiance.

"Take off your clothes." The command fell like a stone, final and inescapable.

My heart pounded. "Please... don't," I whispered, my voice breaking.

His eyes darkened, anger rising within them. Without warning, his hand struck my face.

Pain flared as my head snapped to the side, blood pooling at my lip.

He leaned closer, his breath hot on my skin.

"Did you really think your pleas would change anything?" he growled, every word cutting deep.

I turned back, tears in my eyes, my spirit battered but not entirely broken.

"Adel!" he called, and his beta entered. There was a flicker of something in Adel's expression-pity? Disgust? It vanished quickly.

"Tie her to the bed. Whip her," Noleen ordered, his tone sharp, anticipating my suffering. Adel hesitated, glancing between us.

"Noleen, this... this isn't-"

"Do as I say!" Noleen's voice was icy. Adel swallowed, nodding in reluctant submission.

He approached, eyes filled with a sadness I couldn't understand.

They bound me to the bed, my wrists and ankles chained. The silver cuffs burned into my skin.

A guard unraveled a whip, drawing it back.

The first lash seared across my back, and I couldn't hold back a scream.

Pain exploded, each strike worse than the last.

I tried to retreat into my mind, to remember happier times, but the agony kept pulling me back.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Noleen's voice cut through the haze. "Enough."

I slumped, my body trembling, each breath jagged. But there was no comfort-only the grim knowledge that this was far from over.

"Bring me Britney," he ordered.

Adel's face went pale. "Alpha... she's... she's your mate. You can't-"

Noleen's glare silenced him. Adel's shoulders sagged as he turned to leave.