It wasn't as if I had much of a choice.It wasn't as if I was going to tell Thorran no. Not when he has been so kind to me, and not when I know he is my mate. Maybe on this trip I can find out how to tell him. First, I need to know how I'm going to deal with it, since being the Luna of the Discipline Pack doesn't appeal to me so much.I'm not going to lie about being nervous about how Thorran will react, either. He doesn't seem like he wants a companion, despite how nice as he's been to me. Maybe he will cast me out, or send me back to the prisons to hide me and my secret from the public.The thought makes me shiver. EIther way, I have to face this problem one way or another. There is no escaping a mate bond.It's my fate, after all.Thorran crosses the room in front of me after I agreed. I'm hoping to prove to him he can trust me. That I'm not going to go out and tell anyone about his mother, and the fact that she is still alive. That means as curious as I am about why she went missi
We departed that afternoon, ready for however many days we might be out there.Looke didn't agree to come right away until Thorran demanded it and he noticed Alpha Archer was also coming. Naturally, he wants to impress the other Alpha, putting his hatred toward me aside. If hatred is even the right word. It sure seems like he feels that way, with the way he ignores me and almost seethes in my presence.Drayton seems nervous about coming, but would never disobey Thorran. Neither of the two Assassin's know anything about what we are doing. All Thorran told them was that they were tracking something, and they were there for backup only.I'm just pleased Thorran trusts me enough to bring me along. It's important he trusts me. Especially since we are mates, and I'm planning to tell him on this trip.Hopefully, we will get some time alone.Archer walks at the front of the group, tracking in a way I don't understand and he hasn't been willing to talk about yet. Looke is behind him, avoiding
Thorran's reaction wasn't how I expected it to be.It wasn't admission, to be true, that I know we are mates and that I'm revealing it to him right now. It was a simple question that may have taken him off guard for a moment, considering the time I'm asking it, however, he doesn't look as if he is coming to a realisation about what I'm insinuating."Oh, well, if we were mates...I feel like it's fairly evident," Thorran tells me, looking at me earnestly. I'm not sure what he means by that. Is that him telling me he would continue trying to find his mother for his entire life and not worry about me?"You'll have to explain," I says cautiously. He's an Alpha, and a busy one at that. Why would he even have time for me?Just thinking about to sinks me into sadness."Believe it or not, I've always wanted a mate. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that being alone is something I asked for. In fact, I hate it, so if I had a mate is would make my life so much better. I would be happy,"
By the time Thorran and Archer arrived, I was beyond fuming.It was stupid of me to bring Looke along. Here I was, convinced I would be able to get on Looke's side, so we could have a friendship despite how he feels about me. He helped me get here, to meet my mate. I can understand why he is so spiteful, however, his bitterness has gone too far.I sat down on a warm rock, trying to enjoy the sun as far from Looke as I could when Archer and Thorran emerged from the bush, Archer looking beyond pleased within himself. "We found some footsteps up ahead.""It's not definitive but it's the only clue we have," Thorran says, trying to remain realistic. It's obvious he doesn't want to be let down again.I give him a soft smile, which he returns warmly.We set off on our walk not long after. Archer is keen on the track of Thorran's mother, however, it seems everyone else is disheartened. I walk in front of Thorran, looking over my shoulder every few minutes to whisper something reassuring, or t
None of us had another choice.Shinee has some kind of magical grip on me I cannot escape. He is going to take me away with or without Thorran. I should have known how serious he was about me not seeing Thorran when he told me, but I couldn't help it. He must have somehow known we were mates, and were trying to keep me from finding out."You don't have to do anything stupid Shinee, I'll come with you. Just leave Aerys behind, she doesn't need to come," Thorran tells him calmly, looking between both me and the Immortal. Shinee doesn't seem too impressed by his reasoning.I shiver as Shinee's soft fingertips run gently down the side of my cheek before wrapping a strand of my hair around his finger."No, I think I want her to come."Thorran gritted his teeth. I can see the shift in his eyes, as he realises he doesn't have another choice. Shinee's hand drifts down to my lower back, and I shiver. I can feel his power, and no just what is streaming through my veins right now. He isn't like
I feel guilty seeming so relieved.Shinee lets me go, and I fall into Thorran's arms. When I look up at him, he smiles down at me, as if he isn't regretful, however, I know It can't have been easy to completely disregard ever being able to commit to finding his mother again. I'm going to have to make it up to him, however, I doubt anything will come close to that."Noble of you, Thorran," Shinee says, and for a moment, when I turn back around to glance at him, I see a hint of sadness. Maybe it's because he knows his mate would never do the same for him. As much as I despise him, that even makes me feel somewhat sad."Not noble, but it was an easy decision," Thorran comments, not removing his arm from around me, which I'm grateful for.Shinee watches us pointedly."Considering your mother doesn't want anything to do with you, I would say that was the best decision," Shinee mutters, walking to stand behind us. He puts his hands on both of our shoulders, ready to transport us both back t
Thorran never left my room that night.We sat up all night, talking to each other about almost everything that we could. By the time dawn flooded through the windows, it was too late for us to get any sleep. I don't even want to get up. I just want to lie next to my mate, still naked, my head resting on his chest while he plays with my hair."Can we just stay in bed all day?" I ask. I don't think I want to face the reality of our lives yet. I don't want to see Blue, I don't want to deal with the fact Thorran might still pursue his mother against both her and Shinee's wishes. It's all so much.Thorran loosens a breath, rolling over to look over me. "If it's with you, I'll stay in bed forever. I don't want to be anywhere else right now."I smile. "Neither do I."Thorran twists a piece of my hair around his finger, deep in thought. I don't want him to leave this room. I don't want him to go back to his Alpha duties. I know when he does, he will be back commanding his Assassin's to do hor
It feels good to have no worries.Thorran and I had a swim in the sea and a walk down the beach as the sun began to set. As dusk falls me, we moved to a restaurant on the beach. It's surprisingly busy here, people laughing and talking amongst each other as they drink and eat. Everything here feels so calm, the people enjoying themselves with no worries on their shoulders.Naturally, everyone stares blatantly at Thorran, whispering between each other as they try to decipher whether Thorran is actually the Alpha of the Discipline Pack or not. Luckily, no one comes up to him to ruin our meal."This place is so nice," I comment once Thorran and I got our drinks. He sits opposite me, looking incredible. His skin his glowing under the lights above us, his dark eyes warm and twinkling."It's a facade.""What do you mean facade?" I question, nearly choking on the water I was sipping. Facade? This place looks so easy going, the people here polite having not even come up to Thorran yet. No one
As dawn’s first light crept over the horizon, casting long shadows across the Stonevale forest, an unearthly silence settled over the camp. Rayka and Sylvester could feel the weight of Bael’s betrayal bearing down on them. Their alliance with Stonevale was more fragile than ever, and the threat of the Steelclaws loomed dangerously close. Just as they were about to join Thorne for a strategy meeting, an elder wolf, bent and cloaked in heavy robes, shuffled into their path. “Alpha Rayka, Alpha Sylvester,” the elder rasped, her voice as brittle as dry leaves. Rayka blinked, taken aback. She hadn’t seen this wolf before; her fur was a grizzled silver, and her eyes were clouded with age. She leaned heavily on a twisted cane, her steps slow but deliberate. Sylvester tensed, recognizing her as a seer—a figure of reverence and mystery among the packs, rumored to carry glimpses of the past and future. The elder’s gaze fixed on them, though her eyes seemed to look beyond, as if she saw things
The atmosphere in the Stonevale territory was tense, the air filled with the weight of recent battles and hard-won alliances. Rayka and Sylvester had just returned from a skirmish with the Steelclaws, the relief of victory tempered by a newfound alliance with Stonevale. It had taken all their strength and diplomacy to secure this partnership, and now that they had it, they knew the cost of failure was even higher.Rayka sensed the underlying unrest even as they met with Thorne and his senior advisors, sitting around a council fire deep within the Stonevale woods. Stonevale’s warriors watched with wary eyes, their trust in the Moonshadow Pack still fragile, and rightly so. Only days earlier, their neutrality had been threatened, and whispers of betrayal still lingered.As the meeting began, Thorne addressed the tension, his voice somber. “It has come to my attention that some of my own pack members are not entirely pleased with our alliance. Their discontent runs deeper than I realized
As dawn broke over the Moonshadow territory, a renewed sense of purpose filled the air. Rayka and Sylvester had spent the last few days recovering from the battle, but they knew that rest would have to wait. The Steelclaws’ persistent threat lingered, and they had only narrowly managed to hold their ground. Now, they needed something more—a definitive edge that could help them secure the future of their pack.Rayka looked at Sylvester as they stood on a ridge overlooking the northern forest. “We can’t keep fighting like this, Sylvester. We need allies—someone strong enough to counterbalance Mordaen’s forces.”Sylvester nodded, his gaze scanning the horizon. “Agreed. The question is, who can we turn to? Most of the nearby packs have already chosen a side, either with us or the Steelclaws.”Rayka's eyes sharpened with resolve. “Then it’s time we approach a neutral pack.”There was only one group that had the power and resources to truly tip the scales in their favor. Known as the Stonev
The day had dawned with a clarity that brought both hope and trepidation to Rayka and Sylvester. As they prepared to leave for the council meeting with the neighboring packs, the weight of their responsibilities pressed down on them, thicker than ever. The looming threat of the Steelclaws remained, but today was a pivotal moment—one that could shape the future of the Moonshadow Pack and their allies.Rayka paced the small tent that had become a temporary command center for their operations. Maps sprawled across a table, markers indicating pack territories and possible routes of Steelclaw incursions. Sylvester stood by the entrance, scanning the horizon as if anticipating trouble. “We need to ensure that our presence is felt at this council,” Rayka said, her voice steady but charged with urgency. “If we can unite our packs against the Steelclaws, we can show them that they’re outnumbered and outmatched.”Sylvester nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. “But
The first light of dawn filtered through the dense forest surrounding the Moonshadow Pack’s territory, casting a soft, golden glow over the settlement. After the tense confrontation with Gareth, Rayka and Sylvester felt the enormity of their responsibilities settle more heavily on their shoulders. The betrayal, while quelled for the moment, had shaken the foundation of trust within the pack. As leaders, they were expected to restore stability and protect the pack’s future, yet they knew it wouldn’t be easy.For days, the atmosphere was tense but hopeful. The pack’s loyalty had been tested and reaffirmed, but the whispers of unrest and doubt hadn’t entirely vanished. The Steelclaws, though momentarily pacified by Gareth’s removal, were a looming threat. Everyone sensed that the balance of power was fragile, and one misstep could bring everything crashing down.Rayka awoke that morning with a quiet resolve. She gazed over at Sylvester, who was already awake and watch
The tension following Gareth's bold challenge hadn’t yet dissipated. The air in the Moonshadow Pack's clearing was still charged with the emotions from the confrontation, with every pack member on edge, their loyalty now a silent declaration that spoke volumes. Rayka and Sylvester knew they had to act fast to prevent Gareth’s divisive rhetoric from gaining more traction. But amid the turmoil, an unexpected turn of events brought a ghost from their past back into their lives.That night, as Rayka and Sylvester retired to the strategy room, Calder and Lara followed close behind. The four of them had spent the past few days planning every angle, every possible step they could take to neutralize Gareth’s influence without alienating the pack members who had started listening to his promises. But as they were poring over the details, there was a soft knock at the door, a knock that resonated oddly in the quiet of the stronghold. Rayka exchanged a look with Sylvester be
The cool night air was thick with tension as Rayka and Sylvester paced outside the stronghold, each lost in thought, the echoes of Gareth’s defiance still ringing in their ears. The sparring display was more than a challenge to their authority—it was an open invitation to rebellion. It was only a matter of time before the pack’s younger, more ambitious members began questioning the leadership they had fought so hard to secure. Sylvester clenched his jaw, his hand reaching out instinctively to rest on Rayka’s shoulder. “We can’t let Gareth’s influence spread any further. He’s planting seeds of dissent, and they’re taking root faster than we anticipated.” Rayka nodded, her gaze fixed on the dark expanse of trees stretching beyond their territory. “He’s smart, I’ll give him that. He knows exactly what to say to stir doubts, especially with the younger wolves. They haven’t seen the battles we’ve fought or the sacrifices we’ve made. To them, Gareth’s promise
The sun bathed the vast expanse of the Moonshadow Pack’s territory in a golden glow as Rayka and Sylvester stood on the ridge, overlooking their home. The once-constant tension of leadership and impending danger had subsided for now, replaced with the quiet hum of daily life. It had been months since the final confrontation that secured their leadership and family’s future, yet the journey ahead remained far from simple. Rayka placed a gentle hand on her stomach, where the last remnants of her pregnancy had passed into memories, and now a small, healthy child awaited them at the stronghold. She could hardly believe how much had changed. The responsibilities of parenthood had transformed her, as much as it had strengthened her bond with Sylvester. Together, they had led the pack through political upheaval and personal sacrifice, and now they faced a new era—a balance of power and family, peace and vigilance. “Are you ready for another day of juggling diplomacy and diaper changes?” S
The first rays of dawn broke over the mountains, casting a golden hue across the landscape as the Moonshadow Pack stirred to life. The morning chill hung in the air, but within the stronghold, a different kind of cold had settled in—one borne of uncertainty and lingering tension. Rayka stood at the window of their chambers, watching the sun creep over the horizon, her thoughts a tangled web of worries and plans.In the weeks since the scout had returned with news of a rival pack forming alliances, Rayka and Sylvester had been tireless in their efforts to fortify the pack, both in strength and strategy. Every move they made now was crucial—one misstep, and everything they had fought for could come crashing down. The safety of their child, their leadership, and their future hinged on how they navigated this delicate time.Behind her, Sylvester stirred awake, his arm reaching out instinctively for Rayka before he realized she was already out of bed. "You’re up early,"