THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 93_When The Moon Hides Her Crown

Chapter 93 Rage, Reined In By Her

 RONAN

 I climbed back up the jagged cliff edge, boots soaking, hair dripping, muscles aching from the violent current: but all of it dulled under the weight of the voices I overheard near the fire.

 A group of Alphas, soaked and defeated, were grumbling amongst themselves, their shirts half–dried as they huddled for

 warmth.

 “Can you believe Ryker? one of them scoffed.

 “Yeah, the guy just appeared with that damn pearl ring. Gave it to Grace like it was nothing”

 “And then that Seth guy? He just dragged her off. Like he owned her or something.”

 My steps slowed.

 Seraphina took Grace away?

 My brows drew together as I stared into the firelight, the unease in my chest rising sharply. She would never have shown. much interest in Grace like other male wolves here.

 I rubbed a hand down my wet jaw, droplets flicking off. Something wasn’t right.

 I turned, intending to head toward the path away from the cliffs, where the trees thickened and the crowds thinned when I saw her.

 Grace.

 She was walking slowly, her dress slightly ruffled, heels dragging more than clicking. The brightness in her usually luminous. eyes had dimmed to something quieter. More guarded.

 But when her gaze found mine, her smile instantly bloomed. Perfectly practiced.

 I stepped forward.

 “Why are youing from there?” I asked, but my eyes flicked toward the trail behind her, searching.

 For Seraphina. Had not both gone that way together?

 Grace snapped her fingers in front of my face, a yful smirk tugging at her lips. “I’m here,” she drawled, “and waiting. Should I feel offended that you’re more interested in the shadows than me?”

 I didn’t answer.

 Instead, I reached into the pocket of my drenched pants and pulled out a small, broken string of white pearls, a delicate anklet, a piece of it I’d found lodged in a rock crevice deep below the waves.

 Her eyes widened, lighting up with genuine emotion for the first time since she arrived 

 “My anklet.” she sighed, stepping closer. “You found it?”

 I wordlessly held it out to her even though it seemed broken to me. She took it gently, her fingers brushing mine as if it were made of ss

 “This means a lot to me,” she whispered, cradling the broken pearls in both hands. “It returned to me again.” Her voice Trailed off but the paused before she would say something that she did not want me to hear. She looked up with something soft in her eyes. “Thank you”

 Iremained silent and just nodded

 Then abe tilted her head, soulingg again, this tune with muschief. “Sauce you already have a lover, I won’t be bold enough to ask you to tie this around my ankle she teased, “but you still went diving into the sea to find it. Don’t tell me you’ve suddenly fallen for me. Alpha Roman I mught just swODEL”

 +8 Pearls

 Chapter 93 Rage, Reined In By Her

 I chuckled faintly, the corner of my mouth twitching. “Don’t tter yourself.

 Herughter rang out, rich and amused. “So then?” she asked, arching a brow. “If you didn’t do it for love, what do you want?

 Direct. Confident. She didn’t beat around the bush.

 I respected that.

 “I want information,” I said simply

 Grace blinked, taken aback for the briefest second before curiosity flickered in her gaze. “Information?”

 I nodded. “Earlier, you said something about Ryker. That you’ve seen him before.”

 A shadow passed through her expression. The amusement faded. “Right…”

 I stepped closer. “Where?” 

 “I’m not sure.” she admitted after a beat. “It wasn’t personal, I would’ve remembered. But that face she clicked her tongue. “Too unforgettable to ignore. He has the kind of handsomeness that bites.”

 Her fingers curled tighter around the pearls.

 “Nevermind that aura,” she added. “He’s not just strong, he’s got dangerous blood. The kind that makes even proud Alphas stand a little straighter when he enters the room 

 “You’ve met him at one of the ceremonies?”

 Grace shook her head. “Not directly, but I’ve attended dozens of Luna ceremonies, Alpha balls, and council events with my mother since I was thirteen. If he was there, even once…I’d recognize the aura, if not the name.”

 I frowned. “But no personal introduction?”

 “No” she paused, eyes narrowing slightly. “Which means he’s either very secretive…or very protected. His pack must be one of the ancient ones hidden, rich, and powerful enough to avoid gossip.”

 That tracked Everything about Ryker screamed secrecy, dominance, and danger.

 But Grace wasn’t finished.

 “You want to know who he is,” she said slowly, piecing it together. “Because you don’t trust him.”

 I didn’t deny it

 Slur studied me carefully. “Is it because of Seth?”

 Istilled Behind that yful tone…this girl was sharp. Sharper than anyone gave her credit for.

 “Seth has nothing to do with it,” I muttered and stepped past her.

 “Oh, really?” she casually said “Then I suggest you don’t go looking for him. You might interrupt something.”

 Her words made my steps halt.

 I turned to face her gaze cold. “Interrupt?”

 Star only smiled and walked away pearls clutched tightly in her hand.

 That struir My woll bristled beneath my skin, unsettled

 My woll was deeply unestled by that stude of hers My head snapped back towards the woods. The next thing I knew was 1

 cling for Seraphina since she had pertuine un 1 voi

 her presence

 air you into mend Asher a voice encred

 never pick up her scent, this time was no diferent but sull but she was not alone.

 11:15 AM P

 Chapter 93 Rage, Reined in By Her

 – Pearls

 My feet froze in ce at seeing Asher and Seraphina together and so close. My mind went nk. What were they doing: For how long? Why? My wolf growled aggressively and furiously, fighting for control over my sanity that was close to snapping

 But then…

 Seraphina’s amber eyes locked on mine.

 At that moment, the storm inside me stopped.

 “I am not into men. Alpha Asher” she softly replied. She pulled slightly away from Asher, her voice steady. “But I’m definitely into the wild, but restrained kind.”

 She walked past Asher, every step measured, and as she passed me she looked up.

 “Possessive, but thoughtful she added, her gaze unwavering. “Crazy and jealous..but respectful enough to trust me.”

 The jealousy in my chest turned to smoke. My fingers brushed against hers as she moved by me–light as air, but enough to ground me.

 A small smule curved my lips.

 Send Gifts

 When The Moon Hides Her Crown

 48 Pearts

 Chapter 94 The Fifth Task

 SERAPHINA

 The clearing echoed with thunderous shouts and hollers, voices rolling like waves through the thick twilight air. Alpha energy pulsed all around, sweat, ego, and adrenaline. The fourth task had just ended, and the Alphas were aze with anticipation for what they had been witnessing with their own eyes. Something that they considered pure luck if they could achieve it themselves. Their eyes burned with one goal, Grace.

 She sat elegantly–no, provocatively–on thep of one of the winning Alphas from thest task, giggling as she plucked fruit from a designer bowl and fed it to him like he was some spoiled prince. That Alpha was so proud to be treated this way by her and to have the others jealous gaze focused on him that he was in nine clouds. Grace’s crimson dress bunched dangerously high along her thighs, the silky slit revealing far more than any respectable she–wolf would dare in front of a pack of Alphas. But Grace? She looked entirely at ease. No hesitation. No shame.

 She tilted her head as she offered him another bite, her fingers brushing his lips, and the Alpha grinned like he’d conquered the world. 

 It was the fourth time today she had rewarded someone like this.

 Everyone here was fighting for it.

 I stayed back, partly concealed by the trunk of a wide tree, letting the shadows cover my stare. judgement but confusion.

 v muscles tensed, not from

 Because the truth was…I didn’t understand her. The Grace that was in front of me was very different when we first talked, then she was different when she snapped at me over Ryker and now she was a </bpletely different person.

 After the pearl task, when Ryker returned her ring and Ronan gave her the anklet, I thought I had some vague idea of what kind of woman Grace was.

 Obviously, I was wrong. I did not understand this woman at all.

 The winner of the second task had been called to the center of the clearing, only for Grace to saunter forward and brand his bare chest, leaving a bold red lipstick mark like a trophy. He wore it with pride, howling like a pup as the others jeered and cheered.

 Then, the third task. I remembered how she leaned in,ughing as she looped her arms around the victor’s neck and kissed his throat, slowly, deliberately, leaving a vivid hickey. He looked like he was about to copse from the honor of it.

 A pole dance in the first task.

 A lipstick brand in the second.

 A luckey in the third.

 And now, feeding grapes while sitting on his </bp like a she–wolf in heat?

 My eyes flicked towards Grace again. Sheughed as the Alpha whispered something into her car, the kind of <bugh that would’ve made any man believe he was the center of her universe.

 But I noticed lier eyes kept flickering toward somewhere else. It was not the first time I noticed it. It has happened many times already. Who was she looking at?

 My gaze followed her line of sight but there were many Alphas. Was I reading into it too much?

 when I noticed Roman. He sat quietly near the edge of the clearing, arms resting over his bent knees, watching the up like a king above a chessboard. His wet clothes had dried into something ruggedly tousled, his hair windblown and wild. The sea had leit salt on his jawline his sharp features cast in twilight shadow.

 After what happened back in the woods I had been once again abiding looking at him. Asher’s doubtful question had caught me of guard, that could actually expase may disguse it he would have thought deeper and then Ronan witnessed us together. I did out want any argument or fight between friends because of some nonsense misunderstanding so I said all of that. I actually still could not believe I say such words. And then when he brushest our fingers. This memory still made my

 i

 11:56 AM P P 

 Chapter 94 The Fifth Task

 +8 Pearls

 I studied my breathing, forcing myself to not think about it and focus back on Grace. Who was now back to sitting between Finn and Asher. They hadn’t participated in thest few tasks. They didn’t need to. Grace had already dered them hers. They were hers with just a touch, a nce, a secretugh in the shadows. Even Ryker had stoppedpeting after the pearl ring. As for Ronan he hadn’t moved since giving her the anklet.

 So why was she still ying this game?

 Why was she tempting more and more men?

 Was this her version of power?

 Was this fun for her?

 But why had I been feeling that there was something about Grace no one was able to see?

 “Fifth and final task for the day!” Grace’s voice rang across the clearing like a bell, drawing every Alpha to stillness. She stood now, a little flushed, hair a touch messy but still breathtaking. “This one,” she smiled, “is my personal favorite.”

 The crowd leaned in.

 “The Blindfold Battle,” she announced.

 A chorus of excitement swept

 through the crowd.

 “That already sounds fucking exciting!!” one of the Alpha yelled.

 Grace listened to all of them andughed, ‘Of course it is,” she smirked, “The rules are simple,” she exined. “Each participant will be blindfolded and ced inside the arena with an opponent of my choosing. You can tap out, you can be eliminated if you fall on the ground for more than five seconds, and of course this fight will continue with no time limit. An Alpha will fight only the person chosen by me until the end. Thest one standing wins!”

 Several Alphas exchanged gleaming looks. A test of instinct. Of raw, primal strength. No scent. No vision. Just pure wolf and

 will.

 “Also the Alpha who wins this task will make his way to

 he nk scroll like more than eighty percent!!” she announced

 I pursed my lips. These games only sounded simple but they were not a piece of cake. She seemed toe up with her own. No wonder she was Alpha Gideon’s daughter.

 The Alphas started stepping forward to participate enthusiastically. I even saw Ryker stepping in this time. No wonder, he waned that scroll. That power. But Ronan also stepping in to participate shocked me. He had not been active in thest three tasks but now he was there and had already confirmed his participation with Grace’s Omega.

 Phina whispered in my mind, “Could he be participating because he wanted to win the scroll for us?”

 I froze listening to her. Something curled in my chest that I feared to name, realizing his motivation to participate. Suddenly he locked eyes with me and I found myself unable to look away from him.

 Then Grace held up her hand, silencing the murmurs.

 “Seeing the excitement of the Alphas and how hard they are working. I have a special reward for the winner of this blind battle task,” she paused for effect Then, softly, seductively, she said. “A kiss from me.” she touched her pink lips.

 A collective gasp appled through the clearing. One Alpha actually stumbled to his feet like he couldn’t believe his luck. The uproar that her kiss as a reward was louder than any other rewards so far.

 My stomach flipped and my eyes immediately went to Ronan

 No our could beat him. Not in a blindfolded battle. Not when it came down to instincts, strength, and control.

 It means he would win Not only the task but also. Grace’s kiss?

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THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 93