VIKTORKnock.Knock.Knock.“Are you going to answer that or do I have to kill someone this morning?” Rowan grunts from over my chest, her eyes still closed in sleep.“I might settle for the killing,” I tell her grumpily as I slowly blink open A glance at my alarm clock tells me it is just past five.In the goddamn morning.Death, it is.Knock.Knock.Knock.With an annoyed growl, I get off the bed and stall toward the door.“What?!” I snarl as I pull it open. Andre rears back from me with a wide eyed look.“Whoah!” He says. “Calm down. Why are you in such a mood?”“It is barely five in the morning and you are asking me that?” I growl at him“You have been up earlier than this before!”“Well, I didn't have my beautiful mate sleeping by my side before, did I?!”“All right, fair point. I am sorry.”“Just tell me what was so urgent that it couldn't wait.”“Ah, right. Dominic is here.”It is… beyond annoying how almost all my problems and issues seem to revolve around that man.“What do
ROWANUnfortunately for Luna Kaylee, we were not able to leave immediately.We still had to wait for the other wolves to arrive and she had to get back into her car, to drive into the territory, some of them including our favorite three.Sven had given us an exasperated glance as his car drove in and I couldn't help but chuckle at him.And while the convoys drove in, I and Viktor followed at a more sedate pace.“I want him dead today,” I tell him. “There can be no leniency or mercy. I want him dead.”“And you will have it,” he says as he takes my hand in his. “And I believe you are right.”“About what?”“About the wolf being a trusted person of Dominic,” he replies. “Look at how frantic and desperate he is. He must have a lot of secrets about Dominic in that head of his. Do you think he will tell us if we torture him some more?”“Nah. He is too loyal to do that. He would rather die.”“Yeah, you are probably right. Wait- what if we get Dominic to turn on him? The betrayal. might get hi
ROWAN“Dominic.”I watch in delight as he visibly flinches at the mention of his name.His eyes flit from one person to the other as he tries to rally his words.“What… I… he doesn't…”“You mean alpha Dominic had his wolf kidnapped you and …what?” Alpha Maxwell asks.“I don't know what it was they had planned,” Donald responds. “All I knew was that the wolf was insistent on bringing me to his alpha. That he would be pleased with his catch.”“Catch?!” Kaylee snarls, her dark gaze fixed on Dominic“This is unbelievable!”“I don't even understand what is showing!”“What kind of a game is this?!”“How are we supposed to believe this?” An alpha speaks up, one that I recognized as Dominic's ally from the last council.“It is one alpha's words against another,” he continues. “And let's be honest, we all know that Alpha Donald can be quite… impressionable.”“How dare you?!” Kaylee snarls as she lunges at him and the man narrowly escapes her claws by sheer luck. “I am just telling the truth,”
VIKTOR“Alpha Donald,” Maxwell calls. “Can you please tell us the events that led up to this trial?”“Um… okay,” Donald says before taking a breath. “I… I as well as some other wolves, including Alpha Viktor had gone on what was said to be a fact finding mission about the Winter Wolf Coalition but what was in actuality an ambush. When he, I mean alpha Viktor found out the truth, he tried to leave and a fight broke out. His wolves were… impressive and with him managed to take down all of us.“I… I had fallen into a ditch in an attempt to escape and had later woken up in some human’s house. I thanked them and began making my way back to my pack when this wolf over here,” he says pointing at Tommy. “... Came across me. I recognized him as a wolf from the Obsidian pack and he also recognized me. At first, he had said he was going to help me back to my pack but when I had refused, he… he knocked me out.”“When I regained consciousness, I was tied up and under a tree. He had stopped for th
ROWANI watch as the body is efficiently cleared away before looking back at Dominic.He is pale, and his eyes trail after the wolves lugging the corpse.Since he was killed in a trial, he won't be afforded the right of a proper burial. His body would be cremated and his ashes tossed in a trash can.A final disgrace.“And that brings us to the end of this trial,” Maxwell calls out with a sigh. “We can all return now.”As if waiting for those words, everyone sort of unwinds and begins moving towards the mansion.Everyone except DominicHe doesn't even bother to say anything as he turns away and heads towards the gates.The thought crosses my mind to trail after him but I am not ready to be alone in the same place as him.He is sure to try to attack him and I am not certain I would be able to hold myself back.I and the coalition might be accepted but we still have a long way to go.And killing an alpha, even a disgraced one, will not do us any favors.“Rowan?” Viktor calls and I hurry
ROWAN“Why do you hate him?” I return the question.“Hmm, that is a loaded question,” she replies.“So was yours.”“Fair enough. Putting it simply, Dominic is responsible for my sister's death.”Oh oh.“Um… can you explain?”“Well, my sister was one of our patrol wolves and during one of her… patrols, she came across Dave, her mate. Who was from the Obsidian pack.”“Wait- isn't the herring pack located over the mountains? How did a wolf from the Obsidian pack get over there?” I ask.“Because their alpha is a sneaky, snake, always spying or at least trying to spy on other packs. Not that they did a good job of it.”“Hmm. Go on,” I urge her.“Dave wasn't a bad guy,” she says before taking a sip of her wine. “I mean, after I got over the fact that he was from the Obsidian pack and was sent to snoop on us, I kind of saw him as a good guy..a great guy. Truly honorable. And thinking about it he couldn't exactly go against his alpha's orders to go spy now, could he?”“I suppose not.”“Anywa
DOMINIC I am silent as the car drives into my territory.In fact, I haven't said a word since I left the Vale pack.I have not been able to.I keep seeing the wolves at the front of the car sending me blank looks when they think I am not watching.They must think I am pathetic.They can't understand that the game was already rigged.There was just no way to save him and protect the pack.Tommy understood that.That is why he didn't mind dying.For me.For the pack.He was a good wolf.It is a pity his life was cut so short.It would be tough to find someone like him.What a bloody mess, this is.And it is because of those two wretched creatures.Viktor and Louisa They are out to get me.Why can't everyone just see that?“Alpha,” one of the wolves calls out, bringing me out of my thoughts. “We are here.”I look out through the window to see that we have packed at the front of the mansion“Hmm,” I say as I get out.I watch as the car drives away, before turning to look back at the man
WARNING: GROSS AND VIVID DESCRIPTION OF VIOLENCE AND DEATH.DOMINIC.There are shouts.Screams really.That is what brings me back to the present.“Oh my goddess, he killed her!”“He killed his Luna!”“Shit!”“What are you waiting for? Run!”“He killed the Luna!”“He killed her!”“He has gone mad!”I look down at myself, where I am covered with several cuts and brushes healing, my claws are stained and dripping with blood and guts.Clarisse.“Clarisse!”I turn around, my eyes wild and frantic as I search for her only to come to a screeching halt at the sight I see.Cla… Clarisse?There Is a wolf on the floor.A wolf's corpse to be precise.A familiar wolf.Contrary to the wolf's usual appearance, its fur is no longer the smooth and clean, gray coat. Now, it is covered in… in blood, and… other things. There are cuts and bruises, and deep wounds all over its body. Its ears have been torn off, and its… her eyes… they are cloudy, which just looks severely unsettling with its snout that
ROWAN“Mummy looks like a princess!”I laugh at the remark as I stand in front of the full-length mirror, fingers trailing over the delicate fabric of my mating dress. The soft white folds cling to my body like a second skin, flowing down in elegant waves to pool around my feet. The intricate gold embroidery along the bodice and hem catches the soft light, making it glimmer like stars across a night sky. The dress is modeled after ancient Greek designs, and yet it feels uniquely mine, as if it were made for this exact moment. Which it was.“You are right,” Lisa tells Jhenells as she adjusts the waist, while Rina’s fussing over my hair, placing small white flowers into the delicate braids. “But a queen instead. You are the princess.”Kaylee stands off to the side, smiling at me like she already knows what I am thinking.“You look... perfect, Rowan,” she says softly, her eyes filled with warmth. “Viktor won’t know what hit him.”I let out a small laugh, a nervous tremble in my chest
DOMINIC The world narrows down to just Viktor and me, as it was always going to be. This fight has been a long time comingHis eyes burn into mine from below, and I snarl down at him from the balcony. All the noise, all the chaos around us fades into nothing. Just him. Just me. My pulse thunders in my ears as I leap from the ledge, muscles coiling, ready to tear him apart.In mid-air, the change rips through me. Bones snap, skin stretches, and fur bursts from my skin. The transformation into my wolf form is savage, overwhelming. And in the space of a heartbeat, I am no longer a man but a beast. I barely register Viktor doing the same, his massive body surging upward to meet mine.We collide like thunder.Teeth flash, claws slash, fur and flesh tear. I drive him to the ground, snarling, biting, desperate to tear out his throat. But he fights back just as viciously, his teeth sinking into my shoulder with a brutal snap. The pain is white-hot, but I don’t feel it. Not really.
DOMINICThe fight surrounds me the moment I step into the clearing, chaos, mouse, bloodshed, everything swallowing up the night. Wolves… mone and outsiders…they are everywhere. It is impossible to tell who is who at first, just teeth, fur, and blood under the slivers of moonlight. They… Viktor and Rowan, they were ready for us. That much I expected, but what I didn’t count on was the sheer number of them.I should have been warned. I should have seen this coming. But no one told me. Not even Calvin.I can see Viktor and Rowan through the mayhem, cutting through my wolves like they knew every move we would make. Like someone had informed them of my protocols When I find who that fucking traitor is, he or she would wish their parents had never met.How the hell did they get so close? I wonder as my pulse quickens with anger, as I push through the bloodied mess to get to them.But then I see the others- Maxwell, Fin, Sven, Kaylee and her weakling husband, Donald. Traitors.Wha
DOMINIC“Let me out! I hate you!”Jhenelle’s voice rings out again, shrill and desperate, making the fragile peace I had hoped for, to be nothing more than a dream Her words slam into me, causing a visceral reaction that surprises even meHer small fists bang against the door, over and over, relentless. Each hit feels like a direct assault on my patience. She doesn’t understand. No.She refuses to understand. I stand just outside the door, my hands pressed against my temples, trying to drown out her cries. But no matter how hard I press, her voice breaks through, each shout like a blade carving away at my restraint. I have given her everything, more than Rowan ever could, more than anyone could. A life free from struggle, safety, power, a future in her rightful place by my side.As the future Alpha of the obsidian pack.What more could she possibly want?Why does she keep rejecting me? Why does she keep fighting me like this?“Jhenelle, stop!” I snap, but my voice is lost bene
ROWAN They say the truth always finds a way to come out.And that is better you let it come from your own mouth than anotherI just hope that is true.Especially now.The tension in the air is so thick, I can almost taste it. This the first time the settlement has been this packed, with wolves from all over have gathered, and it is like the entire place is holding its breath, waiting for an explosion. Their eyes are on me, waiting for answers. You can differentiate my wolves from the others.They are angry, confused, a little scared because of the foreign pack wolves but more than anything, they are restless. Dominic has crossed a line, touched their little wolf and they want blood.The other wolves are just curious about why they have been summoned and are waiting for an explanationIt is Kaylee that first steps forward first, her mate, Donald, right behind her.“What are we doing here, Rowan?” She asks, her voice cutting through the low murmurs of the other wolves. “You have e
ROWAN SLAM!The door to my study bursts open, crashing against the wall with a force that sends a shudder through the room, making me whirl around, heart racing only to see Alden dragging a trembling wolf behind him. A familiar wolf.Martin.One of the deserters.Oh, I knew it!I knew I shouldn't have accepted these scums into the Coalition Martin's face is ashen, his eyes wide with panic, darting around the room like a trapped animal. I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. "Alden, what is this?" My voice is steady, but there is a hint of rage that I can't hide.Alden says nothing at first, simply steps aside to let two others enter. A young woman and a young man, both wolves from the obsidian pack, step forward. Their faces are tense, their eyes locked on me.Lisa, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, rises to her feet, her eyes narrowing as she takes in the scene. Viktor, standing by the window, moves closer, his presence commanding the room while Rina
ROWANEverything is moving too fast, yet not fast enough. Wolves are running, voices are shouting, and I feel trapped in a slow-motion nightmare, each second dragging on while the urgency inside me screams for action. My heart is racing in my chest, fear gripping every part of me, and I know -I just know- that Jhenelle is no longer here. Dominic… he was here.He must have taken her out of the park.The bastard. "She is not here," I whisper, more to myself than to anyone else. But Viktor, standing close, hears me."Rowan, we are doing everything we can," he says firmly. His voice is calm, but I can see the tension in his eyes. He is scared too. But that fear, it is not enough. It will not bring her back. We have to do something. I have to do something. Sitting here, waiting for others to find her, is not an option. It just will not work."No," I say louder now, my throat tight as I turn to face him. "No, Viktor. You do not understand. She is not in the settlement. He would
DOMINICThe audacity!That fucking bitch!I can't help but seeth as I stand at the edge of the clearing, just beyond the flickering light of the bonfire, cloaked in shadow. The night air is heavy with the scent of pine and smoke, mingled with the sharp tang of burning wood. Wolves are scattered around the fire, their faces lit with joy and warmth. The air hums with celebration, laughter ringing out into the night as if they have nothing to fear.But they should fear me.I watch them, my eyes narrowing on the center of the celebration. There, in the glow of the fire, are Rowan and Victor, laughing together as if they have won. My chest tightens, a bitter taste rising in the back of my throat as I watch how her hair catches the light, gleaming like embers in the dark, her smile that should have been mine is now directed at that bastard, ViktorI clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. Louisa. How dare she get another mate after being rejected by me?How can the fucking goddess
DOMINICA DAY AGOThe crackling of the fireplace is the only sound in my study as I sit behind my desk, fingers drumming against the polished wood. The flickering flames cast long shadows across the room, but they do little to dispel the cold that has settled into my bones. It is taking too fucking long.How hard is it to get such simple Intel.This is what I get when I work with incompetents.My phone buzzes against the desk, bringing me out from my thoughts and I glance at the screen. It is Martin. It is about time.I bring the phone to my ear, answering in a curt manner “Speak,” I say, my voice calm but laced with the authority that makes sure nobody disobeys me.“Alpha,” Martin’s voice is quiet, like he is whispering, and there is an urgency behind it. “There has been a development.”“What is it?”“Alpha- Viktor Thorn is here. He arrived today. And then Ro- Louisa annoyed that there will be a bonfire party. They are holding it tomorrow night. Everyone’s going to be there.”I