"Thane, you are really cured!" River repeated, as if trying to convince herself that her efforts truly paid off.River's tears flowed like a river, joyous and unbridled, as Thane's arms enveloped her in a warm, comforting embrace. The air was filled with the sweet scent of her tears, and the soft, gentle sound of her sobbing. Thane's chest was a solid, reassuring presence against her cheek, his heartbeat a steady, soothing rhythm that seemed to calm her very soul."River, what is it?" Thane asked, his voice a gentle, soothing balm that seemed to ease her distress. His words were a soft whisper in her ear, his breath a warm caress against her skin. "What is wrong, my love?" he pressed, his voice filled with concern and compassion.River shook her head, a soft smile spreading across her face as she gazed up at Thane. "Nothing is wrong, my love," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I am just happy that you are healed!" The words spilled out of her like a joyful confession,
River Ravenwood wiped tears and snoot from her face. It was her twenty-first birthday as a wolfless wolf. She had spent the previous night in the forest, under the full moon, begging the Moon Goddess for a wolf, all to no avail. Now with swollen eyes, she stared at the mirror, envisioning her hopeless future as a wolfless first daughter of the pack’s alpha.Suddenly, the door of her room burst open without warning and River quickly sat up on the bed. Her step mother, Cecilia strutted in, with Lily, her nineteen year old daughter.“It’s your twenty-first birthday River. Did you get your wolf?” Cecilia asked.Before River could answer, Lily moved to River’s bed and yanked the cover off her. She checked River’s body, chest, arm, thigh and hair. Lily hissed and shook her head.“No wolf, Mother.”“You never cease to disappoint me, River.” Cecilia said in a triumphant tone.River bowed her head in shame as she awaited more insults from her stepmother.“I had my suspicions about you before,
River quickly freshened up and put on her favorite dress, its blue patterns matched her eyes. She rushed down to the throne room where her father usually hosts guests. Nothing seemed out of place until her eyes landed on a stranger sitting beside her father.“What took you so long, River? Come closer.” Cecilia, her step mother, rushed up to meet the hesitating River, whose steps had faltered as she looked at the seventy year old wolf, on the right side of her father. She wondered if he was the one they wanted her to marry.“Come sit here, Daughter.” Her father, Alpha Raymond, lovingly beckoned to her as he patted the seat to his left. River started sweating, her heart in her mouth, she felt like fainting but willed herself against it. Something was terribly wrong. Her father had never called her daughter in public, he definitely had never have her sit beside him. Was she being sold? She tightened her fists, swallowed hard and focused on her father, as she quickly obliged.“River, gree
Thane Thunderhoof, successor of the Lunar Pack, sat within his room staring at the moonlight filtering through his window. The outside world was once his battleground. He had been the perfect warrior: strong, fast, ruthless. Now, his legs, shattered by a brutal rogue battle, were glued to a wheelchair. His pride was gone, his confidence gone, his strength gone.This once mighty warrior, the future Alpha of the Lunar Pack, was no more than a ghost of what he used to be: broken and useless, he felt. The future of his pack seemed so bleak. The rogues; those no-good, damned creatures, were once more on the rise. It wasn't the pain of the wounds that troubled him.; it was the pain of abandonment and helplessness that was tearing at his heart.Axel was a fated mate who had left him for dead in that loneliest cold corner of his mind, and now everything associated, even with the memories of their love, was bitter, taunting remarks as far as his frailty was concerned.“What's the point of bei
“Is this a joke or a mockery? Why did nobody tell me you’re wolfless?”Thane growled at River, his red hair standing on end, his grey eyes turned yellow as his wolf strived to come out.“No wonder, I could not smell you. You really are wolfless?”Enthralled by Thane’s bright red hair and his eyes that changed colors, River was giddy at his beauty, showing even in his anger and in spite of his disability. Her heart melted a little more at the sound of his voice, though angry, it was music to her ears.“I will call off this insulting alliance.” Thane declared.River placed her hand on his and smiled at him.“Your father said you don’t need an energetic mate presently, just a good companion. How about we try out this companionship for some time? If it doesn’t work, we can always nullify the alliance. I can run away to the capital, if it will make you happy.” River suggested, determined to stay in Lunar pack and unravel the mystery of her lineage. There was a task waiting for her, which s
River put her worries aside and went to the dining room. It was a quiet, wordless breakfast where neither of them spoke much, only occasional politeness and response to Thane’s father, who ate with them. Afterward, River went outside, walking in the garden. The air was brisk that morning, full of flowers and the earthly smell of wet soil. Peaceful, a contrast to the turmoil in her head. She needed space; a space to think, to breathe, and figure out what was to come.Outside, the walk into the garden was suddenly a blur of flowers and trees and sunshine, but her mind weaved its way back to what was found in the attic: old journals, books, and letters, her mother's, written before she died. River had been too young when her mother died, and she remembered little, only whispers, rumors: most from her father and her stepmother, Cecilia.They told her that her mother was a healer, a Luminari, but from the manner in which they spoke, it would have seemed as if she was some sort of mistake t
Thane slumped in his cushioned chair, surrounded by the familiar walls of his room. The window's gentle sunlight streamed in, highlighting his confinement and mocking his lost freedom. His gaze drifted to his legs, once strong and sure, now limp and useless.He had dreamt of Axel again, his first love and fated mate. in his dream, they were hunting together under the full moon, they snuggled and kissed as they chased their prey, shifting from wolf to human forms and back again. Thane wished he never woke up from the dream.How could Axel leave him, when he needed her most? Didn't their bond mean anything?He recalled their first hunt together, their first kiss under the full moon. The memories now taunted him, a bittersweet reminder of what he'd lose.Thane's thoughts darkened. What if he couldn't recover? What if he was stuck in this wheelchair forever?Axel's words echoed in his mind: "I don't know if I can see my future with a mate in a wheelchair."Was he no longer worthy of love?
“Young Alpha?” Thane heard the hesitant voice of his maid, Zara. Theresa got up and patted Thane on the shoulder. “I just returned from Bloomberry pack. I will go freshen up and give Father the reports. Be good, Brother.” Thane nodded as Theresa opened the door and went out of the room, letting in the hesitant Zara. Zara, his loyal maid, attended to his needs, her gentle touch a comforting solace. To take his mind off his troubles, he decided to chat with the maid. “Zara, how are things in the pack?” He asked. Zara hesitated, not knowing how much of the activities going on to talk about, in order not to worry her master. “Normal daily pack life, Young Alpha.” She eventually replied. “Give me the details.” Thane insisted. “Ryker trains the warriors every day. The guards go on patrol, the tutors train the pups. They are preparing for another age group rite of passage.” Zara concluded. That pained Thane. He was the one in charge of decisions on such things. Normally, he would
"Thane, you are really cured!" River repeated, as if trying to convince herself that her efforts truly paid off.River's tears flowed like a river, joyous and unbridled, as Thane's arms enveloped her in a warm, comforting embrace. The air was filled with the sweet scent of her tears, and the soft, gentle sound of her sobbing. Thane's chest was a solid, reassuring presence against her cheek, his heartbeat a steady, soothing rhythm that seemed to calm her very soul."River, what is it?" Thane asked, his voice a gentle, soothing balm that seemed to ease her distress. His words were a soft whisper in her ear, his breath a warm caress against her skin. "What is wrong, my love?" he pressed, his voice filled with concern and compassion.River shook her head, a soft smile spreading across her face as she gazed up at Thane. "Nothing is wrong, my love," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I am just happy that you are healed!" The words spilled out of her like a joyful confession,
River's lashes fluttered, her eyes slowly opening to reveal a weak but reassuring smile. Her whispered words were barely audible, but they sent a wave of relief washing over Thane. "I am okay, Thane."Thane's hands cradled her face, his touch tender and loving as he gazed into her eyes. His love for her shone brightly, a beacon of warmth and devotion that seemed to envelop her very being.River's gaze met Thane's, and she was struck by the wonder still etched on his face. His eyes sparkled with a mixture of awe and gratitude, and his smile was radiant with joy.As Thane helped her sit up, River took a sip of water, feeling the cool liquid revive her parched throat and revitalize her exhausted body. The water seemed to trickle down her throat like a gentle stream, quenching her thirst and restoring her vitality.Thane stared unabashed at River, his eyes drinking in the sight of her, as if searching for answers to questions he did not even know how to ask. "What is the cause for that
His nerves sparked, renewed connections firing like a network of tiny, glowing synapses. Strength surged through his limbs, revitalizing his muscles and tendons, infusing him with a sense of power and vitality that he had not felt in years. Thane's heart swelled with emotion, his mind reeling with the implications of this transformation. He felt reborn, remade, his body and spirit renewed by the healing power of River's love.Thane's eyes locked onto River's, his gaze drinking in the sight of her serene, peaceful face. Awe, gratitude, and love shone brightly in his eyes, as if the very depths of his soul were overflowing with emotion.River's hands remained on Thane's knees, channeling the last remnants of her healing energy into his body. Her light began to dissolve, her energy spent, but her face remained aglow with a soft, peaceful smile."You are healed, Thane," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the quiet hum of the candles. "You are made whole again."Thane's voice tre
River's hands danced across Thane's skin, her gentle touch igniting soothing warmth that seeped deep into his muscles. Her fingers moved with a deliberate, calming rhythm, each massage stroke releasing a tiny tremor of tension from his body.As her hands worked their magic, a soft, golden light began to emanate from her fingertips, casting a warm glow over Thane's skin. The light was like a balm to his weary soul, soothing his pain and calming his mind.Thane felt his body relax, his muscles releasing their pent-up tension as River's gentle touch coaxed him into a state of deep relaxation. His pain began to ease, the ache in his knees and shoulders gradually receding as River's healing light infused his being.His eyes never left River's face, drinking in the sight of her serene, focused expression. Wonder, gratitude, and love shone brightly in his gaze, his heart overflowing with emotion as he watched River work her magic.As her light infused his being, Thane's heart swelled, his so
A few hours later, River's eyes fluttered open, her gaze soft and serene. A gentle smile played on her lips, a testament to the peaceful slumber that had wrapped her in its soothing embrace. Beside her, Thane stirred, his chest rising and falling with the slow rhythm of deep sleep.River's gaze drifted, lost in the lingering haze of a dream that had left her feeling warm and cherished. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, shone with a soft, ethereal light, as if the moon itself had left a piece of its gentle glow within her. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the quiet intimacy of the moment, the gentle rise and fall of Thane's chest, and the soft, peaceful beating of River's own heart.In her dream, River's mother, Catherine, stood before her, radiant with a warm, loving light that seemed to emanate from the very core of her being. Her eyes, shining with a deep, maternal love, gazed into River's, as she spoke in a gentle, melodious voice. "River, my child," she said, "T
As they stayed there, wrapped in each other's arms, Thane and River felt like they were floating on air. Their love for each other was like a bubble that surrounded them, protecting them from the outside world and keeping them safe in their own little world of happiness.After a few moments of just holding each other, Thane pulled back and looked into River's eyes. "I have one more surprise for you," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.River's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Thane smiled and gestured to the door of the music room. "Look outside," he said, his eyes shining with excitement.River walked to the door and opened it, revealing a hallway filled with people, all of whom were smiling and holding candles. The candles cast a warm, golden glow over the scene, making it feel like a dream come true.At the front of the hallway, River saw a large banner that read "Congratulations, Thane and River!" in big, bold letters. S
River's gaze lingered on Thane's face, drinking in the warmth and compassion that radiated from him. Tears glistened in her eyes, but they were no longer just tears of pain. They were also tears of gratitude, of relief, of feeling seen and heard."Thank you, Thane," River whispered again, her voice cracking with emotion. Thane's face softened, his eyes filling with love and adoration."My love, you never have to thank me for being here for you," Thane said, his voice low and husky. "I will always be here, waiting for you, loving you, no matter what."As Thane spoke, his words wrapped around River's heart like a warm blanket. She felt a sense of safety, of security, that she had never felt before. And in that moment, she knew that she could trust Thane with her deepest secrets, her darkest fears.A few minutes later, Thane wheeled into the music room, the soft creak of the wheels echoing through the space. River followed closely behind, her curiosity sparkling like a firefly on a summe
Thane's eyes sparkled with excitement as he spoke, his voice filled with promise. "We could not have our lunch date because of your duties at the infirmary. No offense. I know you are doing this for me." River's heart swelled with emotion as she realized the depth of Thane's understanding and appreciation for her sacrifices."Tonight, I will make it up," Thane continued, his voice low and husky. "A candlelit dinner in the garden, just us." The words painted a picture of romance and intimacy, and River's face glowed with anticipation."Perfect, Thane," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. The thought of a quiet, candlelit dinner with Thane in the garden was almost too wonderful to bear. River felt her heart flutter with excitement, her senses coming alive at the prospect of a magical night with the man she loved.The garden, once a serene oasis, transformed into a romantic haven, its beauty heightened by the soft, golden candlelight that danced across River's radiant face. T
Their banter wove a spell of warmth, laughter, and love, wrapping them in a cozy cocoon of intimacy and connection. In this quiet, peaceful moment, their hearts beat as one, their love and affection for each other shining like a beacon of hope and happiness. The world outside receded, and all that mattered was the two of them, lost in the joy and wonder of their love.River's eyes sparkled with mischief as Thane feigned helplessness, his playful dynamic with her shifting seamlessly into tender, heartfelt moments. Thane's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes shining with gratitude and love, as he spoke words that came from the very depths of his soul. "River, you bring light into my life," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.River's cheeks flushed softly, a delicate pink hue that spread across her face like a sunrise. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she replied, her words trembling with feeling. "You are my home, Thane," she said, her eyes locked onto his, her heart beati