Ezekiel’s POV I was getting ready. Kailey had already left. She had to, because there were still things I needed to settle before I could leave.I sat in my office, my pen scratching against the parchment as I signed off the last of the festival preparations. The money budgeting had taken longer than expected, but it had to be done before the end of the day. My brows were furrowed in concentration, the candlelight flickering against the stack of documents in front of me.A knock came at the door."Alpha," James' voice was firm but cautious."Yes?" I answered without looking up, my focus still on the parchment."Some elders are here to see you."I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Tell them I’m really busy, James." I gestured at the documents in front of me. "I have to finish this up before I leave."James hesitated, and that made me look up. His expression wasn’t his usual calm. There was something else there—something that made my gut twist."They said it’s urgent."I set the pen down slo
Ezekiel’s POV As they left, the door slammed shut behind them, the sound echoing through the room. My blood was still boiling, my fists clenched so tight that my knuckles turned white. I took a deep breath, but it did nothing to calm me. My wolf was pacing inside me, restless, furious.James stepped in almost immediately, his eyes scanning my face, reading my anger like an open book. He hesitated at the door, then sighed as he walked closer."Alpha," he said, voice low but firm. "I’m sorry about what just happened. Cecilia… she’s becoming something else entirely. This is getting out of hand."I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "Getting out of hand? James, she’s been a problem for years. Now she’s just getting bolder because these damn elders are letting her."James ran a hand through his hair, his frustration clear. "Maybe we need to reconsider things, Ezekiel. Maybe—""Maybe what?" I snapped, turning to face him fully. "Maybe we let her get away with this? Maybe we bow our h
Ezekiel’s POV Cecilia laughed even as she sat down, crossing one leg over the other, her movements slow and deliberate. Her smirk was wide, her eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and arrogance."Since you refuse to have Kailey and her son out of my way, I’ll make sure the entire pack turns against you," she said, tilting her head slightly, her voice laced with venom. "Everything you hold dear? I will burn it to the ground."I scoffed, shaking my head as I leaned back against my desk. "Is that so?"She leaned forward, her fingers tapping against the armrest of the chair. "You don’t get it, do you, Ezekiel? I am your Luna. Not Kailey. Not anyone else. Me. And I will fight tooth and nail to make sure that stays true."I chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "I would love to see you try."Her jaw clenched for a split second before she masked it with another smirk. "You think this is funny?""Oh, I think it’s hilarious." I pushed off the desk, taking slow steps toward her. "You, sitting
Kailey’s POV I paced back and forth, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched Ezekiel’s guards approaching. The sun was setting behind them, casting long shadows over the dirt road. My stomach twisted with unease. Why were more guards coming? I had already left ahead of Ezekiel because he had things to take care of. Now he was sending more men after me?Something wasn’t right.James rode at the front, his expression unreadable. The moment he got down from his horse, I rushed towards him, grabbing his arm.“James, what’s going on? Why are more of you here?” I demanded, my voice sharp with worry. “Is everything okay back home?”James sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Kailey, we need to talk.”I folded my arms, trying to steady my breathing. “Then talk.”James glanced at the other guards, then back at me. “Not here.”I frowned but nodded. “Fine. Over there.” I pointed to a quieter spot near the edge of the packhouse. As soon as we were alone, I turned to him, my patience wearing
Cecilia’s POV As the chains fell from my wrists, I let out a slow, shaky breath. My fingers trembled as I rubbed the raw skin where the cold metal had bitten into my flesh for over a week. A whole week locked in that filthy cell. Me. The Luna.I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palms. "I will make Ezekiel pay for this."The Pack Elders had finally decided my fate in his absence. And of course, with the right words, the right persuasion, and the right influence, I bought my way out. They thought they were making the decision. Fools. I had them wrapped around my finger before they even realized it.I looked down at myself, disgust curling in my stomach. My arms had shrunk, my once flawless skin now bruised and dirty. My dress hung loosely, no longer fitting the way it used to. They had made me look weak. Powerless.That would change. Immediately.I turned to the guard who had hesitated before unlocking my chains. "Where is Evelyn?"He bowed his head slightly. "She’s waiting fo
Cecilia’s POV "So," he drawled, his voice low and taunting. "You want Ezekiel’s heir gone."I took a step forward, locking eyes with him. "Not just gone, Damon. Dead. Gone forever. No traces, no chances of rescue. I want Auren wiped from existence."He chuckled, shaking his head. "You don’t ask for much, do you?"I pulled a rolled parchment from inside my cloak and held it out. "This is the blueprint of the packhouse. Every room, every passage, every weak spot. Study it. You’ll need it."Damon raised a brow but took the parchment, unrolling it slowly. His eyes scanned over it, flicking from one section to another."This is detailed," he admitted. "Where’d you get it?"I smirked. "I was Luna, Damon. This was my home. I know every inch of that place. I know where the guards stand, where they slack off, and where they think they’re safe. They aren’t."He traced a finger over the main entrance. "The packhouse is heavily guarded. Getting in won’t be easy."I stepped closer, pointing at a
Ezekiel’s POV The room was filled with voices clashing against each other, one Alpha trying to speak over the other. The council chamber was heavy with tension, frustration rolling off every man in waves. Some were standing, others still seated but barely holding back their irritation. Fists pounded on the table, deep growls echoed in the large space, and more than once, I caught the sharp glint of fangs as tempers flared. "This is unacceptable!" Alpha Gerard snapped, his fists pressing into the table. "The Full Moon Festival is in three days, and nothing has been arranged! Do you think our packs will stand for this level of disorganization? We are Alphas! We should be leading by example." "Agreed," Alpha Marcus interjected, arms crossed over his broad chest. "The festival is not just a celebration; it is tradition, a time of unity among packs. If we fail to organize it properly, it will be seen as a sign of weakness. We cannot afford that!" "Then who is responsible?" Another Alph
Ezekiel's pov. The meeting with the different alpha's didn't go as I had expected. However I knew there would be uproar and misunderstanding. I hadn't expected them to bring the issue of my house to the table. It might have felt like nothing at the time, but it had hit deep, however I would not allow it get to me so much. This was all Cecilia's fault, if she had been a good Luna, all this wouldn't have happened. I still remembered the look on Marcus' face when he mocked my house, asking why they should listen to me when I haven't put my household in order yet. My teeth grinder together as I paced in my chambers, hands running through my hair. There was a sudden knock on the door which made me frown slightly, wondering who that was. The door is open” The door pushed open and a maid stepped In with her hand to her back. “Breakfast is served, Alpha” I sighed, “I will be there shortly, you may leave”. The maid nodded and then after a slight bow l, she walked out of the r
.Kailey’s POV The sun was setting low in the sky, painting the whole courtyard in orange and red hues, I stood beside Ezekiel, holding Auren tightly in my arms. My heart was heavy, this was a day I had both waited for and dreaded.Ezekiel stepped forward. His face was hard, his shoulders straight. He was not my mate at this point, He was the Alpha, and today, he had to act like it.Cecilia stood before us, her hands chained, her beautiful hair messy and dirty now.Beside her, the captured rogues and Roy knelt on the ground, their heads lowered. The whole pack was gathered around, watching in silence.Ezekiel’s voice rang out strong and clear over the courtyard.“For treason against the pack, for working with our enemies, for trying to kill my son and destroy our home” he said, “I, Alpha Ezekiel, sentence Cecilia, Roy, and their allies to death.”There was no noise. No one cheered. This wasn’t a happy moment. It was a sad, painful necessity.Cecilia looked at him, her eyes burning wi
Kailey’s POV The sun was setting low in the sky, painting the whole courtyard in orange and red hues, I stood beside Ezekiel, holding Auren tightly in my arms. My heart was heavy, this was a day I had both waited for and dreaded.Ezekiel stepped forward. His face was hard, his shoulders straight. He was not my mate at this point, He was the Alpha, and today, he had to act like it.Cecilia stood before us, her hands chained, her beautiful hair messy and dirty now.Beside her, the captured rogues and Roy knelt on the ground, their heads lowered. The whole pack was gathered around, watching in silence.Ezekiel’s voice rang out strong and clear over the courtyard.“For treason against the pack, for working with our enemies, for trying to kill my son and destroy our home” he said, “I, Alpha Ezekiel, sentence Cecilia, Roy, and their allies to death.”There was no noise. No one cheered. This wasn’t a happy moment. It was a sad, painful necessity.Cecilia looked at him, her eyes burning wit
Ezekiel's pov. The room was quiet as I sat beside Kailey at the head of the long conference table, a heavy silence hanging over us.The evening light was slipping through the tall windows, painting long shadows across the floor.Kailey’s hand rested over mine. I could feel her shaking, though she tried to hide it.We were both tired, still confused by the whole thing. I knew she must have gone through alot find the relic in the forest. Right now, We were waiting for news. News about our son, about James, about Lydia.My heart twisted every time I thought of Auren’s little face.Where was he? Was he safe?Suddenly, the heavy doors of the conference room burst open with a loud BANG.I jumped to my feet, ready to fight. But it was Cecilia.She stormed inside, her hair wild, her breathing heavy like she had been running. Her eyes widened when she saw us sitting there.“You!” she gasped, stumbling to a stop.Her face twisted for a second, like she wasn’t sure whether to be scared or angr
Kailey’s POV. As I stood there, looking at Ezekiel, standing in front of me, I couldn't believe my eyes.“Is this really you?”I asked, tears gathering in my eyes already.“It's me,” he answered, walking towards me. “You saved me. Suddenly I heard a voice, it was the voice I recognized, the couch of the forest spirit. “you have saved him. He would have lived as the Withered Stag for the rest of his life.” I glanced around and could see the warriors all on their horses around.I frowned, looking toward the mist “What about the relic.?” “There is no relic, the solution was your blood, the only way to save him was the blood of his mate.” the spirit muttered. After a while, there was a snap from the spirit and then it looked like we were all teleported from that area of the forest as the next thing I saw was Ezekiel and I, together with the rest of the warriors standing at a familiar road that leads out of the forest.The road that was once confusing now looks really familiar, of cour
James pov. The next morning, we decided to head north just as the message Lydia had dropped indicated. We moved fast through the trees. My boots hit the ground hard as I ran, sword in hand. Jon was right beside me, and the rest of our warriors followed close behind.We had tracked them here finally. Lydia and Auren were close. I could feel it, I don't think they were far off anymore. We had increased our pace the very moment we stepped out of the cave, ready and motivated to find Lydia. She had dropped the message and it was to show us that we are on the right track. Suddenly, we burst into a clearing, and there they were.Cecilia stood proudly in the middle, her long red cloak flapping in the wind. Beside her was Damon, the rogue leader, tall and strong, his arms crossed like he didn’t have a care in the world.Roy was there too, along with a handful of rough-looking rogues. They had Lydia and Auren held at the back, tied up and guarded by two rogues with knives.My heart slam
Lydia's pov. After passing the night in the cave, I knew it would be safe if I move on, the cave was too open, But before that, I had come up with a plan by carving some clues on the wall. Right now I was already on the move with Auren. The Morning light slipped through the tall trees as I hurried through the forest, I held Auren's hands. Every step I took felt heavier, every breath harder. We had been moving since before dawn, and my legs were tired, but I couldn’t stop. Not yet.“We're almost there, baby,” I whispered to him, even though I didn’t know where there was. I only knew we had to keep going north. Away from the pack house. Away from Cecilia.The forest was cold and damp. My boots squished in the soft ground, and twigs snapped under my feet. I tried to move quietly, but it was hard, I glanced over my shoulder. No one. Only the endless trees.I hugged Auren closer and kept moving.Then, up ahead, I heard something, it was a rustle in the bushes. I froze.My heart hamme
James pov. We have been in the forest for a long time but still there was no sign of Lydia and Auren.However the sun was starting to sink behind the hills when we finally saw it, a large, dark hole in the side of a rocky hill. I slowed my horse and raised my hand, signaling for everyone behind me to stop.“That’s it,” I said, staring at the cave. I didn’t know how I knew. I just... did. My heart was pounding in my chest. My instincts were screaming at me, Lydia was here.Jon rode up beside me. His face was serious, his dark eyes scanning the entrance. “You sure?” he asked quietly.I nodded. “I can feel it. She’s been here. I know it.”Jon didn’t argue, he trusted me, the same way I trusted him.The rest of the warriors waited behind us. Some of them looked nervous. Others just looked tired. We had been searching all day, riding hard through the forest and hills. However now, standing here, I felt a new rush of energy.“She’s close,” I said, tightening my grip on the reins.Jon l
James pov As we rode, I kept thinking about Lydia. I remembered the way she had smiled, the way she had looked at Auren like he was her whole world.I wasn’t going to let anything happen to them. Not on my watch.We had both promised Kailey and Ezekiel that we would protect and keep Auren safe. Though Auren wasn't safe, there was still a chance he was with Lydia and all I needed to do right now was find them and bring them back home to the pack house safe and sound.The tracks led us over hills and through narrow valleys. More than once, we had to stop and search when the trail grew faint.Each time, Jon was right there beside me, helping me pick up the scent again.“They’re moving fast,” Jon said after a while, wiping sweat from his forehead. “But not too fast. They’re slowing down.”I nodded. “They’re tired. Hungry, probably.”“And scared,” Jon added quietly.I didn’t like hearing that. Fear could make people careless. Lydia was smart, but if she was tired enough, scared enough, s
James pov. The whole place have already been cleaned up l, the warriors, guards and maids have done a very good job, the pack wolves too have put heads to getter in helping to make sure the pack house was back to the way it was before Although there was no way it could go back to the way it was in just a day of cleaning, it had improved.The blood on the walls of the pack house has been cleaned, the casualties l, dead bodies had been taken away, the whole place now looked like there was neve a battle at the pack house. However, the only thing that gave away the fact that there had been a battle, was the broken walls of some of the buildings around including the pack house. That was something that had already been looked into and should be in order in three to five days. Right now, I stepped out of the pack house, the cool air hitting my face. The sun was already high, but it didn’t do much to warm the uneasiness sitting heavy in my chest. Oh yes,I had a lot in my chest m, a whol