|| *Rachel Montemayor* ||

The air was imbued with a wild scent, a fresh fragrance that carried with it the subtle nuances of the forest that surrounded me. With each step, the rustling of dry leaves echoed in the silence of the night, as I ventured towards the back of the cabin. From there, echoes of laughter and festive melodies filtered into the atmosphere, creating an enveloping melody that intertwined with the distant howls of wolves in the darkness. The full moon, radiant and splendid, spilled its silver light over the clearing, where a pack celebrated in full swing. However, my presence there was not out of a desire for fun or company. I had a single motive: him.

Desmond. My alpha. He was the man who had conquered my heart with his arrogant smile and his carefree lifestyle. Every laugh of his and every gesture seemed to tie my soul to him in an unbreakable way. But tonight, my heart was in a sorry state, like a handful of cold, empty ashes, devoid of the warmth I used to feel when he was near.

Arriving at the entrance, the bustle of the event hit me like an impenetrable wall. In the center of the scene was Desmond, surrounded by a group of she-wolves who danced around him, laughing and flirting with him in a seductive game. His eyes, of a deep and mesmerizing blue, shone with the light of the moon, but that luminosity was not for me. From the beginning, his gaze had never rested on me.

"Rachel!" His voice resonated above the noise. I turned around and my heart stopped when I saw his expression. "What are you doing here?"

"I looked for you," I murmured, feeling the air escape my lungs.

"A pity," he said almost carelessly. "I can't play with you today. I have... obligations."

"Obligations?" Rage bubbled inside me. "Obligations that exclude me?"

He shrugged, as if showing disinterest, and his eyes unexpectedly turned to a blonde she-wolf who was slowly approaching. "Rachel, you are beautiful, I admit it. But I can't have you. Not with your... humble lineage."

The impact of his words was like a strong punch to the stomach. I felt all my energy suddenly vanish. I stood paralyzed, unable to assimilate what he had just said. "Is that why you reject me? Because of my blood?"

Desmond smiled, but his smile lacked warmth. "It's simply a fact. You are... charming, but you are not what I need. Maybe if I send you to make a deal with Harend, everything could turn out better. His group is more powerful, and if we join forces, we could secure our position more effectively."

"Are you selling me?" Incredulity filled my voice. "As if I were an object?"

"You see it that way because you don't understand the game, Rachel. Every she-wolf who dies in my bed is a risk. And you... could be a good alliance."

The air became heavy. "I don't want to be an alliance. I want to be your mate."

"You can want what you want. But I can't give you that." He turned to the pack, dropping his last word like an axe. "Harend will come for you tonight. Be prepared."

With each step he took, I felt my heart break a little more. The cheerful melody and the laughter that used to surround me began to fade, becoming a distant echo of despair that resonated within me. The festive atmosphere turned somber, and the joy that had previously enveloped me dissolved like a whisper, leaving only the emptiness of sadness around me.

"Desmond..." I called, but he was already gone, lost among the shadows of his conquests.

I let myself fall to the ground, feeling the cold texture of the earth embrace my thighs. An intense mixture of rage and sadness fought relentlessly deep within my being, like two opposing forces in an endless conflict. The strident laughter of the she-wolves, along with the bustle of the pack, gradually transformed into a distant echo, as if they were trapped in their dream that seemed far away.

I stopped in the clearing, surrounded by the tranquility of the forest, but inside I was a mess. Rage and sadness intertwined in my chest, turning my heart into a whirlwind of emotions. Desmond's words echoed in my mind, striking my thoughts like whiplashes. Despite the storm that invaded me, I knew I couldn't give up; I had to stay strong.

Tomorrow, Desmond would assume leadership of the pack, an event anticipated by many. However, his attitude and speech, full of bravado, raised doubts about whether he was ready for that role. The expectation grew, but so did the uncertainty about his ability to lead with wisdom.

That night, as the pack gathered to celebrate the ceremony, I decided to take refuge in my cabin, seeking a moment of peace. But tranquility did not come. Suddenly, the door burst open and a wolf burst into my space, with a malicious look that I instantly recognized. He was a lackey, and I suspected that only someone close to my sister Sarah could do something like that. Sarah had always resented me for my connection with Desmond.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, stepping back.

"I'm just following orders," the wolf replied, approaching with an unsettling smile. "Behave and act like an obedient wolf, and you'll live a night you won't forget."

Panic invaded me, but I wasn't going to let myself be intimidated. With a quick gesture, I raised a leg and kicked him in his private parts. His expression changed from surprise to pain, giving me the opportunity to dodge him. Without thinking about the consequences, I ran into the forest, which welcomed me with its dark cloak. I didn't stop until I was sure I had left my pursuer behind.

The next morning, when I thought nothing could get more complicated, I realized that news of the incident had spread quickly. Suddenly, the door burst open and Desmond entered the room. His face, full of emotions, seemed to express more than any words.

"Rachel!" he shouted, his voice resonating. "How dare you bring dishonor to our pack? You are shameless," he affirmed, lifting me up with one hand.

"Please, Desmond, let me explain, the situation is not as you think," I said, trying to catch my breath.

"Aren't you ashamed to have tarnished my reputation? Did you really want to ruin my succession ceremony?" he growled. "How can a wolf from such a vile lineage as yours be my moon?" he added, squeezing my neck.

"I haven't done anything wrong," I exclaimed. "A wolf broke into my room and tried to take advantage of me. I promise you I wouldn't do anything that would affect your reputation. All this was Sarah's idea."

Desmond looked me up and down, and contempt appeared on his face. It was as if he saw me not as a person, but as a worthless object.

"Do you dare point to your sister as responsible for your actions?" he said, tightening my throat more. "Kneel down and beg her for forgiveness, or you will regret it."

I stared at him, determined not to submit. Holding my head high, I faced him. I couldn't let his distorted perception affect me.

"I'm not going to kneel before you, Desmond, because I haven't committed any wrong," I replied firmly. "Why should I apologize for something that is completely false?"

Desmond suddenly released me, causing me to fall to the ground. He took a step back, creating distance between us, and began to pace around the room, reflecting frustration. Then, with a gesture of discouragement, he brushed the hair from his forehead and, when he looked at me again, his expression became intense.

"Oh, damn you, Rachel!" he exclaimed, hitting the wall. "I give you a second chance to retract. I want you to beg me, on your knees, to spare your life."

"I have already given my answer and I have no intention of retracting; I am convinced of my innocence."

...|| *Desmond Morris* ||...

I stared at Rachel, while my mind was in a whirlwind of confused thoughts. Her decision not to kneel and beg for forgiveness left me bewildered. How could she be so stubborn and convinced of her innocence? A wave of frustration and rage washed over me, but there was something about her courage that impressed me.

Her conviction left me speechless, as if what she said nullified my entire internal argument. I was caught between the responsibility of maintaining order in the tribe and doubts about whether she was really guilty. A flood of disturbing questions assailed me: What if I was making a mistake? What if she was innocent and being accused unfairly? These reflections clashed with my sense of duty.

"Since you leave me no choice, Rachel Gruden Montemayor, I, Desmond Morris Sildenafil, reject you as my moon, ending any relationship we may have shared."

Rachel faltered, as if my words suddenly hit her. I looked at her closely; her face reflected a deep sadness, and her eyes seemed to wait for a noble knight to rescue her from her anguish.

"Are you sure about what you've decided, Desmond?" she asked, avoiding looking me in the eye. "Is it really what you want?"

"You disgust me, Rachel. I couldn't rule the tribe with someone like you by my side. You've already passed your ninth birthday and haven't summoned your inner wolf once. I doubt you ever will."

"So that's all it is," she whispered, covering her face with her hands. "Understood. I, Rachel Gruden Montemayor, accept your rejection. From now on, I am disengaged from you."

What the hell is going on? How could she accept my rejection so nonchalantly? I found it impossible to accept that someone like her, who had always professed her love for me, could let me go like that. I couldn't accept it! How wasn't she fighting for what she feels?

I was about to let her go, but my inner wolf, hurt by her arrogance, cried out to be released. Instead of joy, a storm of emotions washed over me.

"How dare you talk to me like that?" I yelled at her. "Do you know how many she-wolves have lost their minds wanting to be my mate? Do you think you're so valuable that you can despise what I offer? You're crazy to question what many would give everything to have!"

Rachel remained silent, motionless as a statue. Her eyes, full of pain and defiance, launched a silent challenge. Inside me, the wolf stirred with fury, wishing to dominate her and force her to face the consequences of her audacity. It was an internal struggle between my basic instinct and the part of me that knew I should restrain myself.

"Guards!" I shouted. At that moment, five wolves entered the chamber, their eyes shining intensely. "Destroy this insolent woman's clothes and lock her in the dungeon, while she reflects on her actions. And if anyone dares to help her, cut off their head!" I ordered in a firm voice. The atmosphere filled with tension at my announcement, and the wolves prepared to carry out my orders.