Luna Zadre

“Cedrica! Hurry up, we’re late!” I called out, standing near the front door with my keys in hand, already feeling the pressure building in my chest. The sun was barely up, and yet, everything seemed to be moving too slowly.

We couldn’t afford to be late, not today.

“I’m coming, Mom!” she yelled back from upstairs. I could hear her footsteps getting closer.

I sighed, glancing at the clock.

“We need to go now, Cedrica. The driver is waiting.”

“Relax, I’m almost done!”

She sounded distracted, but I knew my daughter well enough by now. She was always lost in her own world, and I couldn’t shake the feeling something was off with her lately. Her sharp gaze, her icy silence, it was all so... unsettling.

Finally, she appeared at the top of the stairs, her long brown hair flowing behind her. At 16, Cedrica had blossomed into a beautiful young lady, but it wasn’t just her looks that grabbed attention.

There was a fire in her eyes, an undeniable strength that made people uncomfortable, myself included. She was my daughter, but sometimes, I felt like I didn’t fully know her anymore.

She didn’t say anything as she walked past me and out the door, her footsteps quick but deliberate. I followed her, locking the door behind us. As we got into the car, I caught a glimpse of Ethan, the driver, through the rearview mirror. His eyes were already on Cedrica.

“Ethan,” I said sharply, his name a warning.

He snapped his gaze away, quickly focusing on the road. “Yes, Luna. Sorry.”

Cedrica slid into the backseat without a word, her face expressionless as always.

. I couldn’t help but watch her, noting the way she carried herself, so grown, yet so distant.

I glanced at Ethan again, catching him looking at Cedrica once more, and I clenched my jaw. He had been acting strangely lately, more than usual, and I wasn’t sure why.

“Ethan,” I said again, my voice colder this time. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

He stiffened, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “No, Luna. Nothing at all.”

I narrowed my eyes. Something wasn’t right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

The drive was short, but every second felt like an eternity. When we pulled up to Cedrica’s school, she got out without a word, barely acknowledging me.

I watched her walk toward the entrance, her back straight, her head held high. Something about the way she moved made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. She was no longer the sweet little girl who needed protection.

She was turning into someone... else. Someone I didn’t fully recognize.

“Be careful, Cedrica,” I called out, my voice barely audible as she walked away.

She didn’t respond.

Ethan cleared his throat from the driver’s seat. “Luna, is everything alright? You seem... tense.”

“I’m fine,” I said, but my voice lacked conviction. “Just drive to Amira’s place. We’re having lunch there.”

Ethan nodded, his eyes flickering briefly to the rearview mirror. I had to remind myself not to read too much into it. He was just the driver. Nothing more.

Amira's Place

Amira greeted me with her usual warm smile. “Zadre, you look like you need a drink.”

I forced a smile back, letting her pull me into a hug. “I’m fine. Just a little... restless.”

“You always are,” she teased, leading me inside. “Come on, let’s have lunch.”

I barely had time to sit down before Amira’s son,

Edward, walked in. He was tall, built like an Alpha, and though I had known him for years, there was something about him today that caught me off guard. His presence filled the room, and when his eyes met mine, there was a brief moment of recognition.

A flicker of something I wasn’t sure I was ready to acknowledge.

He smiled, a knowing smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Luna Zadre, it’s been a long time."

“Edward,” I said, forcing a smile, trying not to show how unsettled I felt by the weight of his gaze.

He stepped closer, his eyes lingering a little too long. I couldn’t ignore the way his energy seemed to intensify whenever he was near me, and it made my heart race.

My daughter was still so young, but I could feel the pull of fate already whispering in the air around them. She didn’t even know yet, and neither did he.

They were meant to be together, but the time wasn’t right. Not yet.

“Where’s Cedrica?” Amira asked, breaking the tension.

“She’s at school,” I replied quickly, trying to steer the conversation away from the uncomfortable silence.

“But I’m sure she’ll join us soon.”

Edward didn’t say anything, but I noticed him staring at the door like he was waiting for her to walk through it.

The conversation flowed, but my thoughts kept returning to that moment in the car. Ethan’s strange behavior,

The front door creaked open, and I saw Cedrica standing there, her face unreadable. My breath caught in my throat. She was so much more than I’d ever expected her to be. There was something... darker in her now. Something that made her seem older, too old for her age.

“Mom,” she said, her voice steady but cold, “can we go home now?”

Before I could respond, Edward stood up. “Cedrica,” he said, his voice low, almost too intimate. “I... I’ve been waiting for you.”

I froze, a chill running down my spine. I could feel the energy shift in the room, like something primal was awakening. Something neither of them was ready for.

But before I could say anything, there was a loud crash from outside, followed by a growl that shook the walls.

Cedrica’s eyes went wide, and in an instant, she was alert. “What was that?”

I looked at Amira, whose face had turned pale. “I’ll check it,” she said, rushing toward the door.

But I didn’t need to follow her. I already knew what it was.

The enemy pack was here.

The loud crash sent a chill down my spine. I didn’t need to look outside to know what it was. The enemy pack had arrived.

“Cedrica! Edward!” I shouted, panic creeping into my voice. They were already running toward the window, their movements quick and determined. My heart raced as I stepped forward, locking eyes with Amira.

“Amira, get everyone inside now! Ethan’s still outside.” I didn’t wait for her response, turning to grab my phone. I needed to make sure my driver was safe, too.

Amira nodded, her expression tense. “I’ll handle it.” She rushed to the door, calling for Lina her maid to follow her.

I moved quickly toward the window, watching as Cedrica and Edward stood side by side, their eyes scanning the grounds. The silence in the house was suffocating.

“Do you see them?” I asked, my voice strained.

Cedrica didn’t answer. She simply turned, her eyes colder than before, and walked away from the window. Edward followed,

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but just as I was about to check on them, the door swung open with a creak, and in walked Deryan.

Deryan. The Alpha of the pack.

Amira’s husband.

His presence filled the room, commanding and full of power. As soon as his eyes met mine, my breath caught in my throat.

There was something about him, something so magnetic. He was tall, broad-shouldered, his dark hair falling messily around his sharp features.

I have to admit, Amira was lucky. Deryan was handsome, dashing, even. Not like my own Alpha, who spent his days hopping between women and causing chaos in our pack.

“Luna Zadre,” Deryan said with a calm, yet powerful voice,

“It’s good to see you again. Please, stay for dinner.” His words had a warmth to them, an invitation I couldn’t refuse.

I hesitated for a moment, but something in his gaze, the way he said my name, made it impossible to say no. “I’d be happy to stay,” I said, trying to mask the sudden flutter of my heart.

Amira’s eyes sparkled with joy. She rushed toward her husband, throwing her arms around him. “You’re finally back!” she exclaimed.

I watched them for a moment, before turning my attention back to the door. Cedrica and Edward were gone.

“Amira, have you seen Cedrica and Edward?” I asked, my voice tight.

Amira glanced at me over her shoulder, then at the door where her son and my daughter had disappeared.

“They’re probably fine. Let them be for now,” she said with a carefree tone.

“Come let’s just get the kitchen sorted. Nina’s in there too, come , let's cook.”

I nodded, trying to push the unease aside. I followed her into the kitchen,

The chatter and clinking of utensils helped distract me, but my thoughts kept drifting back to my daughter.

Where had she gone?

Time seemed to slow as we moved through the motions of setting the table and preparing the meal. Finally, the door to the dining room opened, and Edward walked in. Alone.

My stomach dropped. I had been expecting Cedrica to walk in with him, not just him. He looked at me, and there was something off about the way his body was stiff,

“Where’s Cedrica?” I asked, trying to mask the panic rising in my chest. “I thought she was with you.”

Edward shifted uncomfortably. “I thought she was with you,” he replied. His tone was strange, like he was confused, or maybe... lying?

I stared at him for a moment, trying to gauge the situation. My mind raced. Where was Cedrica? Why wasn’t she here?

“I’ll go check on her,” I said, pushing back from the table. My heart was pounding now,

But before I could move, Deryan’s voice stopped me.

“Don’t worry, Luna,” he said, his voice commanding. “I’ll go out and find her. The pack can handle this.”

I hesitated. Something in Deryan’s tone made me want to trust him, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

“I’ll go with you,” I said, but Deryan held up a hand.

“No. Stay here with Amira,” he insisted. “You’ve had a long day.”

But I didn’t want to stay. I didn’t want to be here, not while my Cedrica was missing.

Deryan’s eyes softened for a split second, like he understood my worry,

“We’ll find her. I promise.”

I watched him leave,

Amira, sensing my unease, placed a hand on my arm. “Don’t worry, Zadre,” she said softly. “Deryan will bring her back.”

I nodded, though I didn’t believe her words.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Every noise outside made me jump. Every flicker of movement made my heart race. Finally, the door swung open again, and this time

It was Deryan. Alone. Again!.

I froze. The air around me thickened with tension. I didn’t even have to ask. I could see it in his eyes, something had happened. Something was wrong.

“What happened?” I demanded, my voice barely a whisper.

He swallowed, his jaw tightening. “We couldn’t find her,” he said, his voice low. “She’s gone.”

Gone!!

A chill swept over me. My body went cold, the room spinning around me. “What do you mean, gone?” I whispered.

He met my gaze, his eyes wide. “She’s not at the school. She’s not anywhere. We... we don’t know where she is.”

My mind raced, the panic now flooding my veins. “We need to find her,” I said urgently, turning to Amira. “Amira, we need to.......”

But Amira wasn’t there.

I turned to “Edward, where was she? You were the last person with Cedrica, right?”

He nodded, looking uncomfortable.

“Yes, Luna, we walked downstairs together. She said she needed to grab something from the car. I waited for her, but she never came back up. I thought she’d be right back. That was the last time I saw her.”

I didn’t let him finish before I spun on my heels and rushed towards the door. My head was a blur of thoughts, and I could barely think straight.

“I’ll deal with this now,” I muttered under my breath as I hurried down the stairs.

I needed answers. I needed to know where Amira had gone, where Cedrica was. Why were they both gone without a trace?

As soon as I stepped outside, I spotted Ethan, my driver, leaning against the car. He looked up at me in surprise, probably thinking we were about to leave.

“Ethan,” I called, my voice sharp, “Have you seen Cedrica?” I could hear the desperation in my tone.

Ethan looked confused.

“No, Luna,” he replied. “She hasn’t been out here. I thought you were going out, so I started the engine, but I didn’t see anyone.”

I frowned, feeling a sudden pit in my stomach. Where was my child? What was going on?

I stepped closer to Ethan, keeping my voice low. “Have you seen Cedrica?” I asked again , my words rushing out. “Is she with Amira?”

“No, Luna,” he said, shaking his head. “I haven’t seen Amira either. Are you sure she’s... missing?”

My heart skipped a beat. Was it possible that Cedrica was still here and just... hiding?

I was about to ask more questions when, suddenly, I saw her. Cedrica. She walked calmly down the stairs, her expression neutral, like nothing had happened.

I froze. She was alive. She was here.

“Cedrica!” I called, rushing towards her. “Where were you? Why didn’t you come back inside?” I needed answers, and I needed them now.

Cedrica glanced up at me, her face a mask of indifference.

“I’m fine, Mom,” she said flatly. “I just went outside for a while. No big deal.”

I didn’t buy it. Something was off. My daughter didn’t just disappear and act like nothing happened. “Are you sure?” I pressed, my worry turning into suspicion.

She nodded, but I could see something in her eyes that unsettled me. I had to know more. But before I could ask another question, she turned and walked toward the car.

“Cedrica, wait!” I called after her. “I need to get my bag. Stay here.”

She didn’t answer, just kept walking, and I had to hurry to catch up.

As I reached the car, I noticed something strange in the air, an unease, like something was out of place. But I pushed it aside for now, focusing on my next step.

I held her hand, “Let me quickly grab my bag, then we’ll leave,” I said, trying to reassure myself more than anyone else.

“Did you hear anything strange, Ethan?” I asked as I turned to my driver, my voice trembling slightly. “Any sounds, any signs of a pack or attack?”

Ethan shook his head, looking around the yard nervously. “No, Luna. I didn’t see anything unusual. But I heard some noise, like... rustling. It was probably just the wind, though.”

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. The enemy pack was close, and I could feel it in my bones. But where were they? Why hadn’t they attacked yet?

“I’m going inside,” I said quickly. “I need to grab my bag.”

I barely heard Ethan’s reply as I dashed back toward the house. My feet moved faster, but the unease gnawing at my gut only grew with every step. There was something wrong, something I couldn’t put my finger on.

As I stepped into the hallway and turned toward the stairs, I froze.

There, standing at the top of the stairs, was Daryan.

My pulse quickened. My body tensed as I tried to gather myself. There was no telling what he would say, what he would do next.

Daryan wasn’t just the Alpha of the pack. He was... dangerous. Even with Amira by his side, his power alone could change everything.

I tried to keep my composure, but there was no mistaking the sudden jolt in my chest.

As I stepped forward, Daryan looked at me, his gaze deep and knowing. He took a step toward me, his presence filling the hallway. Without a word, he reached out, taking my hand in his.

Before I could pull away, he gently drew me closer, his voice a low murmur in my ear.

“You’re not leaving yet, Zadre,” he said softly.

A shiver ran through me, and I couldn’t breathe. Something about his touch made everything inside me go still. I needed to break free, but his grip tightened, not painfully, but firmly.

“Daryan,” I whispered, my voice shaky. “I, I need to go get my bag. Cedrica is...”

His eyes met mine, and there was something dark, something I couldn’t understand.

“Everything is about to change,” he said, his voice almost... soothing. “But not yet, Luna. Not yet.”

My heart pounded as he held me there, his gaze never leaving mine.

And then, without a word, he pulled me even closer. I didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what to do.

This wasn’t just about Cedrica anymore.

.

Luna, Rose

Daryan’s hands were warm against my skin as he pulled me closer. His breath was steady, but I could feel the weight of his presence in every inch of my body. I tried to step back, but his grip tightened gently, holding me in place.

“Lina Zadre,” he murmured, his voice low, his breath brushing against my ear. “I’ve always known you felt it too.”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure, but the words he spoke sent a wave of heat through me. This wasn’t just the Alpha, the man who commanded attention with a single look. This was Daryan, the man who had always been just out of my reach.

“You’re right,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve always felt it. But it doesn’t matter now. You chose Amira.”

He chuckled softly, his lips brushing my cheek. “I chose her because I thought it was the right thing to do. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t felt what’s between us.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I pulled away just enough to look at him. “You can’t just... say that, Daryan. You made your choice. Amira is your mate, not me.”

He sighed, his eyes darkening with something I couldn’t place. “Yes she is my true mate. You know that. I had to honor what was expected of me.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with the years of regret he hadn’t said out loud. I couldn’t help but remember the first time I’d met him, so young, so full of promise. We had been inseparable back then, my heart filled with dreams of a future together. But it was a future that had never come.

“We were supposed to be together,” I said softly, my voice trembling. “I thought we would be.”

His gaze softened, and for a moment, it felt like the world around us faded away. “I know, Luna. I know. But fate... it has a way of changing everything. And I was too blind to see it.”

I wanted to say more, to tell him everything I had buried for so many years. But before I could gather my thoughts, his lips brushed mine, gentle at first, as if testing the waters. The world seemed to stop in that moment, every doubt, every worry I had, evaporated.

But the reality of the situation quickly slammed back into my mind. I jerked away, pulling back sharply.

“No,” I whispered. “This isn’t right. Not now. I can’t do this.”

His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I saw something in them, something that mirrored my own struggle. But he didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded, releasing me from his hold.

“Go,” he said, his voice soft. “But know this, Luna, I’ll always be here, if you ever change your mind.”

I didn’t answer him. I couldn’t. I turned quickly and ran toward the car, where Cedrica and Ethan were waiting.

As soon as I reached the vehicle, I didn’t hesitate.

“Ethan, drive us home,” I said, my voice steady but filled with urgency.

Ethan didn’t ask questions. He just nodded, and we drove off, the silence in the car making my thoughts feel even louder. Cedrica sat in the back, staring out the window. She hadn’t said a word since we left. Her silence was unnerving.

The drive back to the mansion felt longer than usual, the weight of everything pressing down on me. When we finally arrived, Sydney was waiting for us in the grand hall, his face lighting up as he saw Cedrica.

“There’s my girl!” Sydney called, his voice booming with pride. “Look at you. You’re growing up so fast.”

Cedrica didn’t smile. She didn’t even respond right away. She just nodded, her eyes cold.

Sydney didn’t seem to notice. “Come here, Cedrica,” he said, his arms wide as if she was still that little girl he used to spoil. “You’re my legacy. The one I’m proud of.”

I watched the exchange closely. This wasn’t the Cedrica I knew. She was... different. Her usual confidence was gone, replaced by something distant, something I couldn’t reach.

I took a step forward, trying to break the silence. “Cedrica, what’s wrong?” My voice was soft but filled with concern. “Why are you acting like this?”

She didn’t answer right away. Her gaze flickered to Sydney, then back to me, her eyes unreadable. “I’m fine, Mom,” she finally said, her voice flat, emotionless.

Sydney wasn’t paying attention. He continued talking about his wealth, about his pride in Cedrica. “You’re going to inherit everything, you know that? You’re going to be the one to carry on my name.”

But Cedrica didn’t react. She just turned, her shoulders stiff, and walked toward the stairs without another word.

Sydney’s enthusiasm dimmed. “What’s going on with her?” he muttered to himself, but I could hear the concern in his voice.

I didn’t know what was happening with Cedrica. I couldn’t get through to her. It was like a wall had been put up between us.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. This wasn’t just about me anymore. Cedrica was slipping away, and I didn’t know why.

I turned to Sydney, frustration bubbling up. “Do you see it?” I asked, my voice rising. “Do you see how she’s acting? This isn’t just a phase. Something’s wrong.”

Sydney gave me a dismissive wave. “She’s a teenager, Luna. You know how they are. They get moody.”

I didn’t believe him. I couldn’t. There was something deeper happening, something I couldn’t understand.

As I stood there, my thoughts racing, I suddenly heard a loud bang from the other side of the house. The unmistakable growl echoed once more, deep and menacing, sending a chill down my spine.

I turned to Sydney, my heart pounding. “The enemy,” I whispered. “They’re here.”

Sydney’s face went pale, and he turned toward the door. “What do you mean, the enemy? Who’s out there?”

I didn’t have an answer. I just knew that whatever was happening, it was bigger than I could handle on my own.

Before I could say anything else, I heard the door creak open. My body went rigid as a figure stepped into the room...,