EMAL I have never enjoyed a day as much as I’m enjoying this one—thanks to Little Lily. She takes me to the cottage, carefully cleans my wounds, and dresses them neatly. A part of me is scared of where this friendship might lead, but like she said, I want to give it a try. After finishing with my wounds, I ask her, "Why do you always wear a hoodie? It’s not even cold." She smiles, shrugging. "It helps me keep a low profile when I’m out." "Isn’t it bad that we’re skipping school?" I ask, suddenly feeling nervous. This is my first-time leaving school without notice an entire day, yet somehow, I like it. "Hey, dude, we’ve got to clean this place since it’s going to be our little hideout." Lily pours water into a bowl, holding an old, tattered cloth. It feels like she had all this planned beforehand. I pause for a moment, watching her. Who is she, really? The thought lingers in my mind, but I shake it off. She can’t possibly be someone to spy on me. For the first time, I have so
MARCUS The day has been exhausting. Being an Alpha King isn’t just about authority. It comes with immense responsibility. Protecting the pack is one thing, but ensuring the welfare of Alacia’s people is another. I strip off my royal regalia, changing into my nightclothes. Of course, they’re not just any nightclothes for a common being; they’re made of the finest materials, meant only for royals. I’m about to retire for the night, but I just can’t. Not yet. My mind is too restless. Too many things are troubling me. I close my eyes and send a message to Aldrien—my Beta and confidant. "What?" His voice reaches me like a growl, low and rough, mixed with a muffled moan. I smirk, already knowing exactly what he’s doing. It’s late, and I expected him to be busy with something, but I still need him by my side. There are urgent matters to discuss. I almost tease him. "Screwing a pussy?"—but I hold back. His voice tells me enough. He’s always been a sex-driven bastard, and his mate is so
EMAL "Your Highness." A guard bows slightly as I step through the castle gates. I offer him a small smile before continuing my walk toward the palace. The silence is nearly deafening, the kind that allows even the softest sounds to echo, until I reach the royal block. Here, my older brothers sit together, laughing and exchanging stories with one another, except for Matilda. She never joins them. She despises their conversations, and I can't blame her. They rarely speak of anything meaningful. Their topics revolve around the women they’ve conquered, the figures of those they desire, and the ones who shamelessly throw themselves at them. "Do you need anything?" the guard behind me asks again, noticing my hesitation. I force a polite smile. "Oh no, don’t worry about me. You can go ahead." I step closer to the castle, and suddenly, their attention shifts to me. "Oh, so you finally decided to come back, huh?" Shawl scoffs, his eyes glinting with something dark. It’s as if he’s w
EMAL The sudden creak of the door startles me, yanking me out of my thoughts. I bolt upright from my laying position, a bit scared out of my wits. And then, standing in the dim glow of my room’s light, is the last person I expected to see at this hour; my father, the Alpha King. I dare not react. I dare not show any sign of weakness. Slowly, despite the dull throbbing in my knees, I try to stand. "Welcome, Father," I greet him formally, my gaze locked on the floor. Eye contact with him is something I’ve long learned to avoid. He watches me for a moment without saying a word, then gestures for me to sit. I obey. It’s not like I have the strength to stand for long anyway. Hands clasped behind his back; he steps closer. He’s hesitating. Choosing his words carefully. But I know better. I see right through him. He’s not here out of concern. He’s just playing his role, pretending to be a father. "How are you doing?" His voice is smooth, calculated. He lifts a hand and brushes his
MARCUS Emal finally returns to the castle, and an odd sense of relief washes over me, as if a heavy weight has been lifted off my chest. It’s not easy watching him struggle, but I have to keep up the act. I can’t let him think I care. If I indulge him, he’ll grow weak. And weakness is not an option for the next Alpha King. Not that I have a choice in the matter. Changing the crowned heir at this stage would make my pack a laughingstock across the kingdom. But enough about that. It’s time to enjoy my evening. I make my way to the Luna’s chamber, moving swiftly through the halls. Soon, I’m standing behind her as she undresses for the night. She seems busy, just like always. I often wonder what exactly keeps her occupied since most of the pack’s responsibilities fall on me and Aldrien. She removes her necklace, setting it on the wardrobe in front of her standing mirror. As she studies her reflection, her gaze shifts, meeting mine through the glass. "Do you like what you see?" s
EMAL The voices of my father and Blake echo relentlessly in my head, fueling the storm of emotions raging inside me. The pressure is unbearable—I need to release this pent-up frustration, or I might explode from suffocation. For a moment, I consider sneaking out of the castle again to clear my mind, but I know the guards are on high alert. After what happened yesterday, I’m certain Father has given them strict instructions to keep an eye on me. My thoughts drift to Matilda. Maybe she can soothe me, calm me enough so I can sleep tonight. I head straight for her chamber, but upon arrival, her maid informs me she’s in the bath. Bad timing. I should have thought this through. With no other option, I let my feet carry me aimlessly. Soon, I find myself outside the castle, wandering with no destination in mind—just searching for some kind of peace. As I cross the empty field far behind the castle, a faint sound catches my attention. Footsteps. And something being dragged along the gr
MARCUS I wake up abruptly, allowing myself to be fully stable as I hear the guard’s voice outside my chamber. Sitting up, I call him in. He bows respectfully before speaking. “My Alpha, I came to ask about the guests we received last night.” It takes me a second to recall his reference—the Arctic Howlers. The representatives of the Arctic Howlers that I put on hold due to the shock I received from the report and the severity of the report they brought was what he was referring to. My feedback to their Alpha has been put on hold for too long and sooner or later, I will have to attend to them. “It’s alright. You may go. I will attend to them as soon as I finish my morning duties,” I tell him, dismissing him with a nod. As he exits, I summon my Beta, Aldrien, through our mind-link. “Meet me in the throne hall. We need to discuss the Arctic Howlers’ matter.” “Understood,” he responds. While waiting, I decide on something else. It’s time for Emal to start stepping up. “Before
EMAL Instead of answering Lilly’s question, I just stand there, silent, locked in her embrace as minutes slip by. There’s something about the warmth of her hug that reminds me of Matilda’s—the only comfort I’ve ever known. She pats my back gently before pulling away, her eyes scanning my face with concern. “Sit,” she says, nudging me into a nearby chair. “Now tell me—what happened?” So, I tell her. Everything. The things I heard, the confusion twisting inside me, the fear of facing the possible truth. When I finally finish, she lets out a long sigh. “That’s… a lot,” she says. “What are you going to do now?” I shake my head. “I don’t know, Lilly. I don’t even know where to start. I want answers, but I—I don’t think I’m ready for them.” My voice breaks. She studies me for a moment, then hesitates before asking, “Wait… did the Luna actually say you had another mother?” “Not exactly,” I admit. “She just said she could never be my mother. That my face reminds her of ‘that woman
EMALThe outdoor celebration soon begins as ordered by the Alpha.The sun casts a warm, amber glow over the courtyard, where silk banners ripple in the breeze—each one bearing the royal sigil: a silver wolf howling beneath a crescent moon with touch of an irregular design I actually didn't take interest to know what it means.The nobles who are only for the outdoor event are already arriving, dressed in their finest silks and ceremonial armor. Guests are laughing with the distant tune of flutes and lyres, and warriors perform blade dances at the prepared spot for them.At the far end of the courtyard, a raised platform has been arranged for the royal family. Elegant, high-backed chairs are ready for the Alphas and royal figures of our pack and other packs. Just below the platform, the rest of us—royal-borns, nobles, pack warriors of the White Fur Pack—stand in place, waiting to begin the ceremonial rite.Despite the lively atmosphere, I can't shake the chill running down my spine. It i
EMALThe Luna's Birthday.After days of preparation, it is finally the D-day. As scheduled, the events are divided into two major participations. Starting off will be the indoor event taking place in the throne hall which includes prayers, gifting, and small dances from dance troupes. Then, the outdoor event is scheduled for later in the day, in the open field of White Fur Pack. The throne hall is a grand, intimidating place; high ceilings adorned with ravelled carvings, golden chandeliers, and brown banners hanging in deep earth-like colours, bearing the symbol of our pack. The room is filled with the scent of fresh lilies, the Luna’s favorite, arranged meticulously along the walls and on the long banquet table. People from the royal family are around already and also esteemed guests invited for the indoor event.The Luna sits beside the Alpha on the elevated dais, poised and elegant in her embroidered silver gown. Her dark hair is pulled back in a crown of woven braids, and desp
EMALMaster Aldrien intertwines his fingers, resting his hands on the desk. His gaze darts to the book I placed before him, but he says nothing at first."Can you tell me more about power sharing?" I ask.His brows crease, and he leans back in his chair, studying me with curiosity and caution. "Power sharing?" he echoes. "What exactly do you mean by that, Emal?"Wordlessly, I flip open the book, turning to the page that caught my attention earlier. I slide it toward him, tapping the passage with my finger. "This. It talks about someone who used power sharing to win a fight. But it doesn’t explain how."Master Aldrien exhales slowly, his shoulders visibly relaxing as he takes in the words on the page. A long, unreadable silence stretches between us before I break it."So," I press, watching him closely. "Do you know how to take power from your opponent?"His eyes snap to mine, and his expression hardens. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."Liar.I recognize the way his eyes twitc
EMAL I can't stop thinking about what Father said in the throne hall. Everyone has dispersed, but I remain outside, waiting for him. I need to talk to him—perhaps he will change his mind. "Don't waste your time, Emal," Matilda advises before leaving. "In times like this, he never goes back on his word." She's right. I know she is. But it's worth a try. Minutes later, Master Aldrien walks out of the throne hall, documents in hand. "What's wrong, Emal?" he asks, concerned. I shake my head. "It's nothing." "You're still here to see the Alpha, aren't you?" "Yes," I answer reluctantly. Talking to him is worth a shot. "Master Aldrien, I know my father listens to you more than anyone. If there's anyone who can talk to him right now, it's you. I can't take up the task he's given me. How does he expect me to go up against strong warriors? Everyone knows how dangerous the Blood Reckoning is." Master Aldrien places a hand on my shoulder. "Calm down, Emal," he says, tilting my face toward
EMAL By the time we step into the throne hall, the heavy double doors closing behind us, I already sense the weight of the stares. The grand chamber, with its towering pillars and the ever-present scent of burning cedar, feels more suffocating than usual. Father seats on the large, power exuding throne, his piercing gaze sweeping over us the moment we enter. At his right stands Master Aldrien, his Beta. His arms are crossed, expression unreadable, but there’s no mistaking the sharp edge in his eyes. Asides Father and Master Aldrien, our three older brothers are equally seated on the lined chairs down the throne. "Finally," Shawl drawls. "Norla delivered the message earlier. What took you both so long?" I barely part my lips before Matilda moves slightly forward, ready to respond. But before she can, our father raises a hand. "Let it be, Shawl," he says, firmly. "What matters is that they are here." Matilda spares him a grateful smile. If he notices, he doesn’t react, merely shi
EMAL I know my sister all too well—her curiosity, her persistence, and her inability to let a mystery rest. The moment I sensed someone had entered my room in my absence, I had my suspicions. Now, as Matilda stands before me, feigning innocence, I piece everything together. She must have had a reason for sneaking into my room earlier. A part of me wants to confront her immediately, to demand why she was here and what she was searching for. But I hold back. There’s no need to cause unnecessary tension—not yet. Instead, I choose patience, knowing that sooner or later, she’ll come to me with questions. She always does. As night falls, I sense her presence even before she knocks. "Come in, you don’t need to create a noise," I call out. She steps inside, scanning the room. Her gaze falls on the vellum, exactly where I left it. "I guess you’ve returned," she says casually. "Not too long ago," I reply. She moves toward my desk, glancing at the vellum once more before turning to m
MATILDA Wait! What? How in hell? I replayed the scene I heard in my head. Did I hear that correctly? Emal... my little brother… isn’t actually my blood sibling? A shiver runs through me as reality crashes down, shattering the foundation of everything I once believed. I’ve always loved Emal like my own—protected him, played with him, stood by him. And now, in an instant, everything has changed. My fingers curl into fists, my breath shallow as emotions swirl in a chaotic storm. Betrayal. Confusion. Anger. How could they? How could my parents keep such a life-altering secret? Why was this hidden from me, from everyone? And who… who is Athena to him? The innocence of my bond with feels tainted, and I can't help but wonder about the woman who gave birth to him and what her place is in our lives. Tears stream down my face, and I'm paralyzed by a sense of betrayal, not just from my parents but from the very concept of family itself. I don't know how to confront them, or if I even sh
MATILDA I move swiftly through the hallway, my heart pounding. My mind races with thoughts of Emal, the vellum, and the secrets I’m so close to unveiling. But as I round a corner, I freeze in place. Standing just outside Emal’s room is the last person I expected to see—my father. The Alpha. His sharp gaze locks onto me, his expression unreadable. Time stands still and I can feel his eyes assessing me, taking in my slightly disheveled state. He knows something is off. "Matilda," he calls, his voice deep. "What are you doing here?" I force a calm expression and meet his gaze. "I was looking for Emal, Father. I thought he might be in his room, but he wasn’t. I wanted to ask him something." His brows furrow slightly, as if trying to see through my lie. "You seem flustered," he notes, stepping closer and cupping my face in his hands. I steady my breathing. "I must have just been in a hurry. Nothing to worry about." His suspicions linger, but after a moment, he nods. I rele
MATILDA Returning from school, I'm eager to hear what the guard I sent to trail Emal has discovered about Emal's activities. I can't shake off the feeling that there's more to the whole issue than meets the eye. Just when I am about to call for his presence, he steps in. "Good evening, my lady," he greets, bowing in respect. "Did you find anything?" I ask, knowing how cautious Emal can be. He might have noticed he was being followed and changed his plans. "Yes, my lady. I observed the Crowned Prince Alpha throughout the day, just as you instructed. He didn’t leave for school as early as usual. Instead, he went into Her Ladyship’s chamber shortly after she left the castle." I frown slightly. "Are you saying he was in my mother’s room?" "Yes, Your Highness. He stayed there for quite some time. When he finally emerged, he was holding a vellum, clutching it as if it were of great importance. But I couldn’t determine what was written on it." My curiosity deepens. "And after tha