Discover Novels Library Profile

Beyond redemption - Chapter 9



Chapter 9

Alpha Edward’s POV

I had already told my guards to secretly find out who poured oil on the stairs. Whoever did it in my own mansion would regret it.

When I checked the clock, I saw it was already late. The whole place was dark. I had stayed too long in my study and forgot to check on Kora, though I knew Alina was with her.

I stretched my body, feeling tired, and walked out. Dinner time had passed, and I wasn’t even hungry. I just wanted to rest.

Opening the door to my room, I stopped. Kora was fast asleep, taking up the whole bed like it belonged to only her. I had almost forgotten that I had moved her things here.

A small smile came to my lips. She slept like a child, as if nothing could disturb her. The blanket was wrapped around her, and her arms were spread out like the bed wasn’t enough for her.

I locked the door quietly and went to the bathroom for a quick bath. The warm water relaxed me.

When I returned, she was still sleeping deeply, not even noticing me. I didn’t want to wake her, so I lay down on the couch instead. My wolf was unhappy, wanting me closer to her, but I ignored it and closed my eyes. Soon, sleep pulled me in.

At first, I thought it was morning when I heard movement in the room. But when I opened my eyes, the window was still dark. The moonlight barely touched the walls. It couldn’t be morning yet.

I pushed myself up from the couch and froze. Kora was moving slowly toward the door.

My first thought was that she needed something. Maybe water, or maybe she was feeling sick. I quickly stood up to follow her. But as I got closer, I noticed something strange.

Her eyes were closed.

She wasn’t awake—she was sleepwalking.

“Kora...” I whispered, reaching out carefully to stop her before she hurt herself. But the moment my hand touched her arm, she shoved me so hard I flew backward, slamming into the wall.

“What the hell?” I muttered, stunned.

No one had ever thrown me like that. I wasn’t just any man—I was Alpha. My wolf stirred inside me, growling in disbelief.

I stared at her, my chest heaving. She stood there, still asleep, still walking toward the door like nothing had happened.

What is happening to her?

I shook my head and rushed forward again. This time, I wrapped my arms around her tightly, trying to hold her still. But she fought against me, struggling with a strength that didn’t belong to someone like her. She was small, fragile-looking... yet she was forcing me to use my full strength just to keep her from breaking free.

“Kora, stop,” I said firmly, trying to shake her awake. “It’s me. Edward. Wake up.”

But she kept mumbling—words I couldn’t understand. Broken whispers, almost like she was calling for someone, or fighting with someone in her dreams.

Finally, after what felt like forever, her body went weak. She collapsed against my chest, her breathing heavy, her head falling onto my shoulder.

I held her tightly, staring down at her pale face. She looked so peaceful now, as if nothing had just happened.

Carefully, I carried her back to the bed and laid her down, pulling the blanket over her. I sat at the edge of the bed, still in shock.

What was that? Where did that strength come from?

No ordinary woman could push me like that. Even some trained warriors wouldn’t dare to.

My wolf paced inside me, restless. She’s not ordinary, he growled. Something is different about her.

I watched her sleep, her lips moving slightly as if she was still whispering those strange words. I leaned closer, trying to catch them, but they were too faint.

Who exactly was Kora?

I went back to the couch and tried to sleep, but my eyes refused to close. No matter how many times I turned, the image of Kora pushing me across the room kept replaying in my head. Her strength... her strange whispers... none of it made sense.

My wolf was restless too. She’s different, he kept growling. You can’t ignore this.

I sighed, pressing a hand over my face. The night dragged on slowly, and I barely caught a wink of sleep.

By morning, exhaustion weighed on me, but what finally woke me wasn’t the light streaming through the curtains. It was the feeling of warm breath against my skin—and something heavy resting on my chest.

Confused, I cracked my eyes open. Kora.

She was curled up against me, her head resting on my chest as if it belonged there, her arm loosely draped across my waist. For a moment, I just stared at her, unable to move. Her soft hair tickled my chin, strands falling over her face.

I couldn’t stop the low chuckle that escaped me. “How did you end up here, little troublemaker?” I whispered under my breath.

Carefully, I reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. My fingers lingered a second longer than they should have. She stirred at the touch, her lips parting slightly before she slowly blinked awake.

Her eyes met mine.

For a heartbeat, everything went still.

Her gaze locked onto me, wide and searching, like she was trying to piece together how she had ended up in my arms. I saw confusion, surprise—and something else she quickly tried to hide.

I raised an eyebrow, amused. “Don’t look at me like that. You were the one who came here, not me.”

Her lips parted as if she wanted to argue, but no words came out.

The corner of my mouth curved upward as I watched her struggle with herself. “What? Don’t tell me you don’t remember,” I teased lightly.

Her cheeks flushed with color, and she quickly looked away, but the tension in her body betrayed her embarrassment.

I smirked. “Relax. I didn’t touch you. You just... found your way here on your own.”

Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken thoughts. I could feel her heartbeat racing against my chest, even though she tried to stay calm.

The truth was, I didn’t mind her being there. My wolf purred in satisfaction, loving the way she fit perfectly against me. But I kept that thought to myself.

Instead, I leaned my head back on the pillow and closed my eyes again. “Since you’re already here, you might as well let me get a little more sleep. Don’t move.”

I felt her stiffen slightly, but she didn’t pull away. Slowly, she settled back down, her head resting against me again.

And for the first time that night, sleep finally came.





Chapter 10

Kora’s POV

The next morning, I woke up feeling weak, my body heavier than usual. Slowly, I pushed myself up, rubbing my eyes before turning my head. My breath caught.


Alpha Edward lay beside me, his face calm, lips slightly parted as he slept.


For a moment, I just stared.


I understood now why every she-wolf threw themselves at him. He was dangerously handsome, the kind of man who could make anyone forget their name with just one look. His strong jaw, the curve of his lips, even the way his lashes rested against his skin—he was perfect. Too perfect.


Not just them... if I wasn’t careful, even I might do something reckless.


I leaned down a little, lowering my head so I could see him more closely. My heart thudded against my ribs, my wolf stirring restlessly inside me.


Before I could stop myself, a smile tugged at my lips.


“Am I that good to look at?”


His deep voice startled me. His eyes opened slowly, catching me red-handed.


I gasped and tried to move back quickly, but his hand shot out, firm and unyielding, pulling me back against him.


My words tumbled out in a rush. “I wasn’t staring! I was just... looking.”


The moment the nonsense slipped out, I wanted to slap myself. What’s the difference between staring and looking?


His eyes locked on mine, sharp and amused, not letting me escape. Heat rushed up my neck as I fumbled for words, but none came.


“Have you gotten enough?” he asked softly, his voice low and teasing.


I swallowed hard, lost in the weight of his gaze. Seconds stretched like hours.


Finally, he released me. I scrambled up, putting distance between us, but I could still feel the burn of his stare on my skin.


He didn’t stop watching me, his expression unreadable, almost as if he wanted me to explain myself.


I fiddled with my fingers nervously. “I... I’m sorry. I think it must have been when I woke up to use the bathroom. Somehow I... ended up by your side.”


Even as the words left me, I knew how unbelievable they sounded. His brow arched slightly, but he said nothing.


The silence wrapped around us, heavy and unspoken. My heart hammered louder and louder, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes again.


Flustered, I hurried into the bathroom. I didn’t even know what I was doing—there was nothing I needed in there, but I just needed to get away from his piercing eyes.


Behind me, I heard a low chuckle rumble from Alpha Edward. Heat crept into my cheeks, and I tried to shake it off with a small smile, even though he couldn’t see me.


When I lifted my head to the mirror, something caught my attention. My hand. I froze.


A thin line of blood trailed across my skin. The wound looked fresh, raw. Slowly, I lifted my fingers and touched it, wincing at the sting.


“How...?” I whispered. “When did I even get hurt?”


I didn’t remember. Not last night. Not this morning. Nothing.


The longer I stared, the stranger it felt. My chest tightened with unease.


“Kora, are you okay?” Edward’s deep voice called from the room, breaking my thoughts.


“Yes!” I answered quickly, maybe too quickly. My voice sounded shaky even to my own ears.


Almost on instinct, my hand moved from the wound to my neck. My breath caught as my fingers brushed against the place where he had marked me. A dull heat pulsed beneath my skin, the mark alive as if it remembered something I didn’t.


I pressed harder, feeling the strange warmth throb under my fingertips.


What is happening to me? I thought, staring at my reflection. My hand still ached, and the fresh wound made no sense.


I splashed cold water on my face, trying to clear my head. My skin tingled where his mark was, and I didn’t want to think about what it meant. I had already been in the bathroom too long, so I forced myself to step out.


The moment I opened the door, Alpha Edward’s eyes were already on me.


“Thought you didn’t want to come out,” he said, his voice calm but with something underneath, like he was watching me too closely.


I forced a weak smile. “I... just needed a moment.”


He tilted his head. “Why? Did something happen?”


I hesitated, my heart racing, then asked, “Did something happen yesterday night?”


His reaction made me pause. His brows shot up, and for a second, he looked genuinely shocked.


“Why would you ask that?” he replied slowly, his tone sharper than before.


I lifted my injured hand, showing it to him. “Because... I got hurt, but I can’t remember how. I don’t remember hitting anything or doing anything that could leave this mark.”


“Oh, just that?” he said lightly, like it was nothing. But his eyes betrayed him. They flickered, dark and unreadable, like there was something more—something I wasn’t supposed to know yet.


“Yes, just that,” I insisted, staring at him.


He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “It must have been when you went to the bathroom last night. You don’t even remember when you came to sleep beside me. You were so restless.”


His words hit me. He wasn’t wrong—I didn’t even remember how I ended up next to him. Maybe... maybe it was true. Maybe I had hurt myself without realizing.


“That’s true,” I murmured, though a part of me wasn’t convinced. “Sit down,” he said firmly, pointing to the chair near the bed.


I obeyed, still confused, while he pulled out a small first aid box. My eyes widened. “It’s not much of a wound. I can handle it.”


“I know,” he said, kneeling in front of me, “but it still needs to be treated.”


I looked down at him, stunned by his calmness, the way his strong hands were so careful as they cleaned the cut. His touch wasn’t rough like I expected—it was gentle, almost protective.


My chest tightened. Only if Alpha Aaron was like this...


If Aaron had ever shown me even half of this care, maybe my heart wouldn’t be carrying so many scars.


But this wasn’t Aaron. This was Alpha Edward—the m

an I didn’t trust, yet the same man whose presence was pulling me closer no matter how much I resisted.





Chapter 11

Alpha Edward’s POV

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching Kora carefully. She looked so lost, so unaware of the truth. I still couldn’t believe she didn’t remember what happened last night. A part of me wanted to push her, to make her recall everything, but I stopped myself. Some things were better left unsaid—at least for now.


With a quiet sigh, I stood up. “Rest,” I told her, though my voice came out more like a command than a suggestion. In truth, I was giving her space, excusing myself so she could bathe and gather herself.


But even after leaving the room, I couldn’t shake the strange restlessness crawling under my skin. My wolf was uneasy, pacing inside me like something wasn’t right. I clenched my fists, trying to steady the feeling, but it refused to leave.


I decided to use the guest bathroom instead of waiting. I couldn’t linger around her—if I did, I might not be able to keep my composure. After a quick shower, I dressed sharply, pulling on the dark suit that marked me as who I was: Alpha Edward. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, tightening my tie. Power wasn’t just about strength—it was about how you carried yourself, and I carried myself like a man who would never be questioned.


There was no time for breakfast. I had already delayed long enough. The driver was waiting outside, the car engine humming softly as if it knew my impatience. I slid into the back seat, my mind already shifting toward the meeting ahead.


As the car pulled out of the estate, my thoughts drifted back to Kora. Her innocence, her stubbornness... and that mark. My mark. She had no idea how much her life had already changed.


We arrived at the council hall within the hour. The grand building stood tall, guarded by warriors at every corner. Several luxury cars were already parked out front, and my eyes immediately found the one I despised most—Alpha Aaron’s.


The sight of his car alone made my blood heat. My jaw clenched, and my wolf growled low inside me, urging me to strike. To punish him for everything. For her.


But I forced myself to breathe. Not here. Not yet.


The moment I stepped out of the car and entered the hall, silence followed. One by one, the Alphas stood, their gazes dropping slightly in respect. Every single pair of eyes was on me.


Yes. Wherever I go, respect follows. Not just because of my position, but because I’ve earned it. Because they know what I am capable of.


Even Aaron stood, though I could see the hatred in his eyes. He tried to mask it with a polite expression, but I knew better. I always knew.


I walked forward slowly, each step measured, deliberate. Let them all feel it—the weight of my presence, the reminder that I was not a man they could afford to underestimate.


The meeting began, and I took my place at the head of the table. Discussions flowed—territories, alliances, trade, and security. On the surface, it was business as usual, but I could feel it.


Aaron’s eyes.


He sat across the table, his gaze sharp and heavy, like a wolf waiting for the right moment to strike. I ignored him at first, keeping my voice calm and steady as I spoke, but the weight of his stare pressed on me throughout. My wolf growled low inside, itching for a fight.


When the meeting finally ended, I was relieved to stand. I straightened my suit and prepared to leave when one of the older Alphas approached me. At first, I thought he only wanted to pay respect, but then he slipped an envelope into my hand.


“An invitation,” he said with a polite smile. “A dinner party for the Alphas and their Lunas.”


I nodded and took it, though I made no promise to attend. “I’ll consider it.”


I turned toward the door, ready to leave, but before I could step outside, voices rose behind me.


“Alpha Edward,” one of them called.


I paused, my jaw tightening. “Yes?”


“When will you have a Luna?” another asked.


“Yes,” a third joined in. “You know, it is something every Alpha must have. The bond of a Luna strengthens the pack.”


I froze for a moment, then slowly turned to face them. Their curious eyes burned into me. I could see Aaron watching too, waiting for my answer.


“I already have a Luna,” I said calmly, my words dropping like thunder in the hall. The room fell silent. Their eyes widened in disbelief.


“You have?” they asked together, their faces a mix of shock and doubt. “Yes.” My voice left no room for question.


Aaron’s lips curved into a smirk. “Are you trying to deceive us, Alpha Edward?” His tone was mocking, sharp enough to make my wolf bristle. A low growl rumbled in my chest before I caught myself.


“I am not,” I answered, keeping my voice steady, polite even.


Aaron leaned forward in his seat, his eyes glinting with challenge. “Then you won’t mind bringing her to the dinner party.”


The others nodded eagerly, as if they had been waiting for someone to say it.


“That’s true, Alpha Edward,” one said. “We would all like to meet your Luna.”


“Yes, you must bring her,” another added with a smile.


I looked around the room, their expectant faces surrounding me. For a second, silence filled the air. Then I gave a small nod. “Definitely.”


They seemed satisfied. One by one, they bowed and left the hall until only Aaron remained. He didn’t move, didn’t leave. He just stood there with that arrogant smile playing on his lips.


I turned on my heel and walked toward the exit, ignoring him. I had nothing more to say to him. My hand was already on the door when his voice came, sharp and cutting through the air.


“You have her, don't you?” he said slowly, his tone laced with venom.


And what is that? I asked, pretending not to understand what he said.


He chuckled. “Because secrets never stay hidden for long,” he replied instead.


I stopped. My shoulders stiffened, but I didn’t turn around. His words echoed in my head, heavy with meaning.


Without replying, I pushed the door open and entered the car, my wolf raging inside me.





Chapter 12

Kora’s POV

I finished with the small chores I was supposed to do and decided to step outside for some fresh air. My stomach grumbled, so I headed toward the dining hall for breakfast.


Since Alpha Edward left the room earlier, I hadn’t seen him. Strangely, the thought made me uneasy. I told myself it wasn’t because I cared, but deep down I couldn’t deny it—I felt restless not knowing where he had gone. At least he could have said something.


On my way, I spotted one of the guards walking by. I quickly stopped him. “Have you seen Alpha Edward?” I asked, trying to sound casual.


He bowed slightly before answering. “He has gone to a meeting, Luna Kora.”


“Oh!” I said with a small smile, pretending not to care. “Alright. Thank you.”


The guard continued on his way while I walked into the dining hall. The table was already set, and I wasted no time digging in. I stuffed bread and eggs into my mouth like I hadn’t eaten in days. The more I ate, the hungrier I felt.


Halfway through, I paused and frowned at my plate. What is wrong with me these days? My body felt different—restless, needy, and full of strange cravings.


I sighed and grabbed my phone. Without thinking much about it, I typed out a quick message to Alpha Edward: Get me ice cream when you’re coming back.


As soon as I hit send, I dropped my phone on the table and buried my face in my hands. “What is wrong with me? Ice cream? Really?”


But deep down, I knew exactly what it was—my hormones were going crazy, and there was nothing I could do about it.


I leaned back in my chair, patting my full stomach, and let out a long sigh. Maybe once Alpha Edward got back, everything would make sense. Or maybe not.


Either way, I couldn’t stop the small smile that formed on my lips when I thought of him returning with ice cream in his hand.


After I was full and satisfied, I pushed my plate aside with a sigh of relief. My stomach felt heavy, but in a good way. I stretched my arms lazily before standing up and walking to the sitting room.


The big couch was too comfortable to resist, so I dropped myself into it and grabbed the remote. With a click, the television lit up, and I switched it straight to my favourite channel.


At first, I sat upright, fully focused on the show. But the longer I watched, the more my eyelids began to droop. The voices from the TV soon became a soft background noise, almost like a lullaby. Without even realizing it, I drifted off to sleep right there on the couch.


I don’t know how long I slept until a sound pulled me back into reality—the faint hum of a car engine outside. My ears perked immediately, and I sat up quickly.


My heart raced as excitement rushed through me. There was only one person I wanted it to be. “Alpha Edward,” I whispered, a happy smile spreading across my face.


Before I could stop myself, I was already on my feet. My hands automatically went to my stomach as I hurried toward the door.


I pushed it open and stepped outside, the cool breeze brushing my face. The black car rolled into the driveway, sleek and powerful, just like its owner.


My chest tightened with a strange mix of relief and happiness. I didn’t even know why I was smiling so much, but I couldn’t help it. The sight of him returning home felt... comforting.


I stood there waiting, my hand still resting gently on my stomach, as if it gave me an excuse for how restless I had been without him.


But when I looked around, I didn’t see him outside. My smile faded, and a small wave of disappointment washed over me.


“Could it be... it wasn’t him?” I whispered to myself.


For a moment, I stood there awkwardly, staring at the car as if I had imagined everything. With a sigh, I turned around, ready to head back inside. My shoulders slumped. I tried to convince myself it wasn’t a big deal, but deep down, I felt something heavy—like I had been waiting all day for nothing.


Just when I was about to step inside, his deep voice called out. “Waiting for me?”


I froze. The sound of his voice made my heart skip a beat. Slowly, I turned back, and the next thing I knew, my legs were moving on their own. I ran straight into his arms, my chest pressed against him, his familiar scent wrapping around me.


I hadn’t even planned to hug him, but it felt natural—like I belonged there. He chuckled softly, holding me steady. “Did someone miss me?”


I quickly pulled back a little, tilting my head up at him. “No! The baby missed you,” I said, placing my hand protectively over my stomach with a playful pout.


He laughed, his eyes filled with amusement. “Is that so?”


“Yes!” I insisted, my face heating up. “I’m not lying. The baby really did miss you.”


“I didn’t say you’re lying,” he replied calmly, his voice so gentle it made my cheeks burn even more.


For a moment, his eyes lingered on me, soft yet unreadable. My heart pounded faster, and I didn’t know if it was because of his closeness or because of the way he was looking at me—as if he could see right through me.


Then my eyes caught something behind his back. A nylon bag.


I gasped, pointing at it like a little kid. “My ice cream!” I screamed, almost jumping up and down.


Edward raised his brow, clearly amused. He quickly turned his back so I couldn’t see it properly. “Who said it’s ice cream?” he asked, pretending to hide it.




Chapter 13

Kora's POV

I pouted and ran around him, trying to peek. “Don’t play with me, Alpha Edward! I know that’s my ice cream. You promised!”


“I don’t remember making any promise,” he said with a smirk, holding the bag high above his head so I couldn’t reach it.


I stood on my toes, stretching my hands toward it. “Give it to me! You don’t understand, the baby has been craving this all day.”


“The baby, huh?” He leaned down slightly, teasing. “Or is it you?”


Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Both of us!” I shouted stubbornly, trying to snatch the nylon again.


He chuckled, clearly enjoying how desperate I looked. “You’re too stubborn, Kora.”


“And you’re too wicked!” I shot back, narrowing my eye at him, though my lips were already twitching into a smile.


Finally, after letting me struggle for a while, he lowered the bag and placed it in my hands. “Fine. But don’t finish it all at once.”


I hugged the nylon like it was treasure. “You’re the best!” I said happily, already peeking inside to see the different flavors.


Edward shook his head with a soft laugh, his eyes never leaving me. For some reason, the way he looked at me made my stomach flutter more than the ice cream ever could.


He was about to go inside when Edward suddenly stopped and turned to me. “You’ll be following me to a dinner party,” he said just like that.


My stomach dropped. A dinner party? My mood changed right away. Not like I don’t want to go out, but I know what that means—alphas, their lunas, people staring at me. What if I embarrass him? What if they disgrace me?


“Are you okay, Kora?” Edward asked.


I forced a smile and nodded. “I’m fine.” Liar. I wasn’t fine at all. But what could I say? I can’t hide inside forever. One day, I’ll have to step out. Might as well start with this.


“Alright then. I’ll get your clothes ready,” he said. Then he smirked a little. “Or do you want to take your ice cream outside?”


That actually made me laugh. “No, I’m good.”


I walked behind him until we got to the sitting room. I dropped myself on the couch. I wasn’t going inside the bedroom with him—I knew he’d want to shower and change. Better to stay here and act like I wasn’t nervous, even though my stomach wouldn’t stop turning.


I sat there in the sitting room, tapping my fingers on my lap. The thought of that dinner party wouldn’t leave my head. What if they don’t like me? What if they laugh? I bit my lip and shook my head. No, I shouldn’t think like that.


After a while, one of the maids walked in, holding a dress. She smiled at me. “Luna Kora, Alpha said you should wear this tonight.”


I took the dress from her and looked at it. It was beautiful, way too beautiful for me. My hands started sweating just holding it. “Thank you,” I said quietly.


She left, and I just stared at the dress on my lap. I don’t even know how to walk properly in something like this. What if I trip in front of everyone?


I sighed, stood up, and carried the dress to the guest room. No way I was changing in his room. Not now. I locked the door and slowly started dressing. My belly felt weird again. Maybe it was nerves. Maybe it was the baby. I don’t even know anymore.


When I was done, I looked at myself in the mirror. For a moment, I almost didn’t recognize myself. Maybe I could pass as a Luna tonight. Maybe.


I grabbed my small bag that matches with the cloth and held it tight like it was the only thing giving me strength. Then I stepped out, ready to see Edward again. My heart was beating fast, but I told myself—I can’t let him down tonight.


When I got to the sitting room and didn’t see him, I sat down. I thought it’s only ladies that take long to get dressed, but it looks like Alpha Edward is the one taking forever.


After a while, my eyes started closing. Sleep was calling me, but I forced myself to fight it. I can’t sleep now. These dinner parties are not my thing anyway, because it’s always around the time I’m supposed to be sleeping.


Then I heard a maid’s voice. “Luna Kora, Alpha Edward has been waiting for you.”


I jumped up. “Which one is he has been waiting for me?” I muttered, holding the gown a little so I could walk properly.


When I stepped outside, I looked around for him until my eyes landed on Edward. He was staring at me, his mouth slightly open.


My heart skipped. I almost laughed. Am I too beautiful? I thought, biting my lip as I stood there, pretending not to be shy.


“Stop biting your lips, someone might think you are seducing me,” he said, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.


Seriously, this man really knows how to make me smile. If someone told me before that Edward could be this kind, I’d never believe it. Everyone knows him as a scary man, but to me, he feels completely different.


Even if I only get a year here, I swear I’m going to make it the best year of my life.


He opened the car door for me, bowing his head dramatically.


“Enter, my Luna,” he said.


I rolled my eyes but smiled, lifting my gown a little as I got inside. “You’re so dramatic,” I whispered, and he only grinned as he went around to the driver’s side.


The drivers aren't going with us? I asked, looking at him through the mirror. Just want it to be me and my Luna.



Please Log In or Sign Up to continue reading.

No account? Sign Up

Unlock all Chapters with $5.00

Proceed to payment to unlock all chapters and continue reading.

Tags:
Previous Post Next Post

You Might Like 😎

See All