Chapter 5
ck across my face.
The moment the words left my lips, Lucas’s hand struck
Pain exploded through my body. My check swelled instantly, burning with fire.
“Remember this, Willow,” he spat. “Hurt Maxie, and you’ll pay the price. This slap is just the beginning. I’m not like my brother, indulge you like that. If you dare try anything again, I won’t let you off so easily!”
Before I could recover, his boot slammed into my ribs. Agonizing pain spread through my chest, for a terrifying second, I thought my bones had shattered
I curled into a ball on the floor, vision going hazy, body trembling as consciousness slipped away. One thought lingered in my mind:
At last, we’re even. A decade of family bonds and friendship, was all settled now.
Later, a beta carried me to the pack hospital. Once the doctor confirmed nothing vital was broken, I left with my face bruised and swollen. Without a single look back, I went straight to the airport and boarded a plane.
The very next day, news blazed across the entire werewolf realm: King Griffin, the new Alpha King, had entered a whirlwind mate bond. Xander and Lucas flooded my phone with messages.
Lucas: “Willow, you ran away again? Fine, forget it. I won’t make you apologize. Just come back.”
Xander: “Willow, where are you? Why is King Griffin’s Luna named the same as you?”
1 blocked them both.
Then I sat back on the couch, pulled up the bond–sealing deal in my hand, and without hesitation posted it on my social page for the entire realm to see.
My bridesmaids, who had come early, stared at my battered face with heartbreak. One pressed an ice pack gently against my cheek and scolded softly.
“Look at you, how did you let yourself get hurt like this? The bonding ceremony has to be postponed. Thank goodness the royals were understanding. Otherwise…”
I couldn’t tell them the truth about what had happened in the Bloodstone Pack
Living under someone else’s root wasn’t the hardest part. The hardest part was falling from heaven straight into hell.
I forced a smile, nestled among my bridesmaids.
“It’s fine. Everything will be okay.”
Wounds heal. Memories fade. The endless web of grudges and betrayals was too tangled to sort out. Better to leave it all behind and welcome a new life.
The royals even arranged for a healer to give me a full examination.
When my mother arrived for the bonding ceremony, relief softened her face after confirming I was safe. She took me to meet King Devon, Griffin’s grandfather and the Alpha King from two generations back.
The royals” history stretched back through centuries, their legacy heavy with power. On the way there, my mother reminded me of etiquette and caution, her words careful and steady.
Sering King Devon eased my tension. He was vigorous despite his age, with a kind smile. His Joy was genuine when he sawine. “Well, well, finally I get to meet the new Luna Queen!” he exclaimed warmly. “For years I begged your mother to let you stay in our wolf castle so I could see more of you, but she always said you were too attached to your pack.”
I bowed politely. “Hello, King Devon. I’ve been frall since childhood and mostly stayed in the pack to recover, I’ll be in your care from
now on.
“Take it easy,” he chuckled. “It’ll be Griffin’s job to take care of your health now. He’s just taken the throne, and so many matters need his attention. You may not see much of him in the next few days. But after the bonding ceremony, he’ll take you on a honeymoon. That’s
a promise.”
In truth, I had yet to meet my supposed husband.
Even when the bond–sealing deal was signed, Griffin hadn’t appeared. He had simply sent his beta to collect my documents, and half an hour later, the completed deal was delivered to me. to me.
King Devon must have mistaken my silence for grievance. He immediately summoned an attendant, who brought forth a family heirloom crown. He placed it into my hands with reverence.
“We only have Griffin as our sole heir. You marrying into our family is no small sacrifice. This is our heirloom. Keep it safe. With this, no one will dare mistreat you.”
The words struck something deep inside me, stirring memories I thought I’d buried.
Years ago, Xander and Lucas had said the same. Young and mischievous, they had stolen their mother’s heirloom bonding ring and gifted me as a token of their love..
When Alpha Victor found out, he hadn’t scolded me. Instead, just like Devon now, he had smiled warmly and placed the ring in my hand.
“Take it. From now on, you’ll be our pack’s Luna.”
That ring was lost years later, misplaced during a move
And the three of us, once inseparable, drifted apart, step by step, until we became strangers.
Looking back now, maybe the first hint of our parting had always been there.
And with that thought, I finally smiled, free and unburdened.
