I staggered forward. My legs felt like they no longer belonged to me, but I forced them to move. I couldn\u2019t stop. My breaths came fast, my vision blurring, but I pushed through the haze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I did it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I really did it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I escaped death.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even though I was still bleeding, broken, hanging by a thread, I knew if I got treatment, I could make it. I could heal, and live. The thought made a faint smile tug at my lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked up and saw the gates of the castle. My home. It was guarded by familiar men in armor. Relief flooded me so hard it nearly dropped me to my knees.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018We did it, Mira. We\u2019re almost home.\u2018\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mira didn\u2019t answer. My wolf had been silent since the battle. She was a white wolf, one of the strongest in existence, yet when I needed her most, she had vanished just like every other time in my past lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, I knew she was there, watching, helping in her own way. If not for her, I would already be dead. I didn\u2019t understand her silence, but I told myself that once I was healed, she\u2019d come back to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My body swayed as I stumbled toward the gate. One of the guards narrowed his eyes, then shouted, \u201cHuh? Something\u2019s approaching! Raise your arrows!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you?! State your business!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I threw up a trembling hand, my voice hoarse. \u201cHold! Don\u2019t shoot. It\u2019s me, I\u2019m Luna Selene.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The men froze, blinking at me in shock. I couldn\u2019t blame them. I must\u2019ve looked nothing like myself, covered in blood, staggering like a beggar at death\u2019s door instead of the graceful Luna they were used to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I braced my hands on my knees, gasping for air, then forced myself upright. My eyes locked on them. \u201cWhat are you waiting for? Open the gates. Tell Adrian I\u2019m back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The guards didn\u2019t move. Instead, they exchanged looks with one another. And then, slowly, they lifted their bows and aimed them at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked, disbelieving. My heart stumbled in my chest. \u201cW\u2013what are you doing?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared at the men, my body swaying, my chest burning with every ragged breath. One of them stepped forward, his voice hard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOn your knees. You\u2019ve been ordered to be taken into custody.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
into custody?\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes widened. \u201cW\u2013what do you mean, taken into custody? What are you doing? Can\u2019t you see I\u2019m injured?\u201d My voice cracked. \u201cI\u2019ll die if I\u2019m not treated. Call Adrian this instant! If Adrian knew what you were doing, he would never tolerate this disrespect!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A guard scoffed, his lips curling into a mocking smile. \u201cYeah, right. On your knees, Selene Bloodrose.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The full name hit me like a slap. No one dared call the Luna by her full name. I frowned, confused. This was wrong. They knew who I was. They knew my title. And yet, they dared point arrows at me?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I opened my mouth to demand answers, but the gates creaked open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned, relieved to see Adrian stepping out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked as breathtaking as always, long black hair tied back neatly, his red robes flowing, a golden crown glinting atop his head. My Alpha, my mate. The reason I fought this war to begin with.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At his side walked my twin sister, Sienna. She was one of the few people who had always stood by me, supported me, and loved me no matter what. Walking behind them were more guards.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adrian\u2019s steps were slow. He stopped in front of me. My knees nearly buckled, but I exhaled in relief.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thank god.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled. \u201cA\u2013Adrian\u2026 thank god you\u2019re here. These men are talking nonsense. They won\u2019t let me in, they say I\u2019m to be taken into custody. I know it must be a mistake.\u201d I clutched at my bleeding side. \u201cBut I don\u2019t mind, I\u2019m just so tired, Adrian. I need treatment. Please, just-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped when something caught my eye.\u00a0<\/p>\n
08:13 Tue, Dec 23\u00a0<\/p>\n
<2| Alpha Damien doesn\u2019t spare anyone\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cW\u2013what\u2026 what is this?\u201d My voice was no more than a whisper. I forced my gaze to Adrian, searching for reassurance. \u201cWhy is she wearing that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t move, didn\u2019t even react to the state I was in. He only stood there, eyes unreadable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My lips trembled as I licked them, tasting blood. \u201cAdrian\u2026 what\u2019s going on?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adrian\u2019s eyes met mine. \u201cHow did you manage to survive?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked. My breath caught in my throat. \u201cW\u2013what?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did you survive, Selene? And where are the troops that were sent with you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My mouth went dry. I swallowed hard, my body swaying on my feet. I didn\u2019t know what to say. My thoughts were muddled, spinning with exhaustion and blood loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna\u2019s voice rang out beside him. \u201cSister, the Alpha asked you a question. Why are you so quiet? Do you not have an answer?\u201d She tapped her chin as if in thought, her lips curving. \u201cOr\u2026 could it be that you used your troops as a distraction and escaped by yourself?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes widened. I stared at her in disbelief. \u201cW\u2013what are you saying, Sienna?\u201d A distraction? I would never do that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the guards sneered. \u201cWhat? You mean she abandoned them? Used her own soldiers to cover her retreat?\u201d He spat at the ground. \u201cCoward.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shook my head desperately. \u201cNo! I said that\u2019s not true! I didn\u2019t use anybody to escape!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adrian\u2019s voice was merciless. \u201cThen how did you escape? Why would that cold\u2013hearted demon let you live?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to scream at him that I was dying, that he could at least let me rest before forcing me to answer, but I bit the words back. All I could do was force out the truth through trembling lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u30ab\u30e9\u00a0<\/p>\n
ww\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026 I don\u2019t know,\u201d I whispered. \u201cHe just let me go. Everyone else is dead, but he didn\u2019t kill me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna laughed. A mocking chuckle that didn\u2019t sound like my sister at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u3055\u3059\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut why would he let you go, sister? From what I\u2019ve heard, Alpha Damien doesn\u2019t spare anyone. He kills everyone who stands in his way. Oh, unless\u2026\u201d She gasped dramatically, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. \u201cUnless you let him and his men inside you. Is that why he let you go?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My blood boiled at her vile remark.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough!\u201d I snapped, my voice thundering with my Luna command. Sienna stumbled back, her smug smile faltering. Even in my state, I could still put her in her place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t make such disgusting assumptions!\u201d I roared, my chest heaving. \u201cI would rather die than let them touch me!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned toward Adrian, my gaze desperate, and pleading. \u201cYou have to believe me, Adrian. That\u2019s what happened.\u201d For a moment, he only stared. His cold green eyes searched mine, but there was no warmth there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My breath hitched. \u201cW\u2013what?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what happened out there. What matters is that you weren\u2019t supposed to make it out alive, Selene.\u201d The ground tited beneath me. \u201cWhat are you saying\u2026?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I was sparing you, he continued, \u201cI thought it would be kinder to let you die in battle than to reject you before the entire pack and bury you in shame. But you didn\u2019t die in battle. So I have no choice but to do this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1, Adrian Blackthorn, Alpha of the Mooncrest Pack, reject you, Selene Bloodrose, as my mate.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 2 I staggered forward. My legs felt like they no longer belonged to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-ruthless-tycoons-obsession-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27796"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27796\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}