Chapter 9
Asher walked in, bringing a chill with him. His expression was grim, shoulders tense with barely restrained fury.
“What happened?” I asked, my voice no more than a whisper.
“Leon sent men to kill you,” he said, each word sharp and cold like a blade.
I knew Leon well. Eighteen years in the same pack taught me what he was: ruthless, calculating, utterly without conscience.
“What happened to them?” I asked again, dread knotting in my stomach.
“I captured them. They confessed everything.”
He stepped forward, crouched in front of me, and took my hand in his. His touch was warm and steady, grounding. His thumb brushed gently across my skin.
“Pauline, listen to me.”
His eyes burned, a fierce light smoldering behind the silver.
“You are the future Luna of Ashborn.
And that Beta, Leon, will pay for everything. I’ll show him no mercy.”
His voice was firm, filled with rage and protection. Through our bond, I felt it all: his fury, his resolve, the sheer force of his instinct to keep me safe.
My heart pounded. A wave of warmth spread through me from his touch, chasing away the cold that had lived in me for too long.
Tears welled up. He reached up and wiped one away, awkwardly tender.
“Don’t cry,” he murmured. “Your tears should only ever be for joy.”
I looked into his face–strong, striking, impossibly close. His eyes held nothing but fierce devotion. I felt seen. Chosen.
Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed him.
A second later, he cupped the back of my head and took over, deepening the kiss.
It was possessive and powerful, yet restrained, like a storm that chose to shelter rather than destroy.
The spark between us ignited fully. I trembled as warmth and pleasure surged through me, stronger than anything I had felt
before.
We held each other tightly, the kiss binding us further, solidifying the bond.
Unbreakable. Eternal.
Later, the healer returned to examine me.
“The toxins are gone,” she said with relief. Then her tone shifted. “Alpha, there’s more.”
She looked at me, then back at Asher.
“Pauline’s body shows signs of more than poisoning and a broken mate bond. Her first shift… it was violently interrupted.”
Asher’s expression darkened.
A first shift is sacred–a rite of passage marking a werewolf’s true coming of age. Mine had been overshadowed, stolen by Mia and Leon’s ceremony.
“Interrupting the first shift damages both the body and the wolf,” the healer said. “And when she tries again, the pain will be
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twice as intense.”
She paused before adding, “Unless her true mate is there to anchor her. With your power and presence, Alpha, she’ll stand a better chance.”
“The full moon rises the day after tomorrow. It’s her best window.”
Asher’s jaw tightened. His eyes met mine, filled with concern and unshakable resolve.
“I’ll be there. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Warmth spread through my chest, fierce and bright.
“I trust you, Asher. As long as you’re with me, I’m not afraid.”
Mia, Leon, did you really think you destroyed me?
I survived. And I found my true mate.
The Moon Goddess never forsook me.
She was preparing me for something greater.
And everything you did to break me?
I’ll return it all with interest.
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.
