Nyra's POVDespite what I overheard, I did not storm in and tear Selene to shreds. Not yet. I held myself back. Barely.Every word that slipped out of her mouth was like oil to the fire burning inside me, but I reminded myself why I came here in the first place: I came to check for threats, and not to get distracted by petty plots.Not that her scheme was petty. I knew Selene well enough, had suffered enough of her manipulations, to know she was not all bark.Behind her face of loyalty and falsification, lays the heart of someone who would burn down kingdoms to get what she wanted. The soft quickness in her voice could not mask the deadly intention behind her words.She could be dangerous, and with the loyal dogs still sticking to her heels, waiting for her command like the obedient pawns they were, I needed to stay one step ahead.To anticipate her next move before she even conceived it. But there would be time for that. A time when she would not see me coming, when her fake smile wo
Nyra’s POVThe dusty scent of the old library was still on my fingertips as I made my way back down the corridor.Despite the heavy truths whispered in that isolated room, Selene's threats, their conniving plans, and the mean slander against Auren, had not let my anger overtake me.Not yet. I needed to be smart and calculated. Continuous anger would only serve their purposes, not mine.I had to speak to Draven quickly. But first, I had to check on my son. Auren. That name alone fixed me, made me to purpose when everything else threatened to turn into chaos.The training grounds were in the opposite direction, but I felt the familiar stir in my chest. Or maybe it was just fear. I sensed something that was not right, but I did not know what it was.My steps quickened, boots barely making a sound against the stone floor. The hallway stretched on endlessly, like the walls were trying to trap me.I turned to the corner, heading toward the exit that led to the southern field, the scent of f
Nyra’s POVI did not know how I would make it to the training grounds without tearing down half the pack house in my anger. My wolf clawed under my skin, desperate to seek revenge for the humiliation we had endured.Every breath burned in my chest like fire. Every step felt heavier than the last one, my skull pounding where they hit me so hard. But none of that mattered.I needed to see Auren, to confirm with my own eyes that my son remained untouched by the hatred that had entrapped me.The late afternoon sun had moved down behind the ancient trees, reaching shadows across the southern fields.From my position on top of the hills where the old stone path curved, the same path I had run along as a child, I could see the outline of the warriors training below.Steel clashed with steel, grunts rang out, and occasional laughter echoed in the air, so casual and ordinary. And there he was.Auren stood in the middle of it all, his golden hair looking so bright in the sunlight. He was not fi
Nyra’s POVThe morning air was cold when I stepped out, the sting of last night's threats was still fresh on my skin.My head was still hurt where they had hit me, and this was a reminder that I was not just fighting shadows from my past anymore. Now, I was fighting ghosts with faces I knew. Faces hidden behind masks, but voices that nagged at my memory like bad dreams I could not quite remember.But I would not rush in without thinking. Not yet. My anger wanted me to act now, but I knew better.Before I did anything, before I confronted Draven, or turned Crescent Moon upside down looking for answers,I needed to know what we were up against. The Blood moon Plague. A name that has scared wolves to their core for generations. I had heard it mentioned, whispered by the elders, stories meant to scare pups into behaving, but I never thought it would come back, especially not now, when Auren had finally found some peace. When I had finally started to hope again.I did not go to the libr
Nyra's POVBy the time I got back, my arms were already aching from the weight of the books, the house was silent.I didn't hear any guards, no servants whispering in corners, no soft clangs of armor echoing through the halls. Good. That meant I could breathe for a while—just me and my son.I dropped the bag on the counter and started pulling things out one by one, the way I used to back to our small cabin. Dried elk jerky, bundles of fresh vegetables, tubers with bits of dirt still clinging to their roots, sweet berries I knew Auren loved, and the honey biscuits I almost didn't buy because they were too soft to survive the walk home. But they had.Just like us.The market has been busier than usual today. Vendors calling out prices, children weaving through the crowds, and that persistent feeling of being watched that never quite left me these days. I'd spent more time than necessary at the herb stall, pretending to debate between rosemary and sage while scanning the faces around me.
Nyra’s POVI served the food quietly. The aroma brought back memories of my childhood home, where meals were moments of family connection. The familiar process of serving food had always been thoughtful for me, a process that grounded me even when everything else felt uncertain.Auren had set the table while I cooked. He somehow managed to put the utensils in the right places this time around.The forks rested on neatly folded napkins, and the knives were placed at the edge of each plate.The napkins were slightly arranged, and one of the glasses stood upside down, but it was a sign of significant progress from his previous attempts. Last week, he had placed all the spoons in a stack at the center of the table, saying it was more efficient that way.He looked at me from across the room like he had planned a royal feast rather than simply arrange tableware for our modest dinner."You did well," I said to him with a little smile as I set the last plate down. His attention to detail wa
Draven’s POVThe sun was brutal today. Not in the way it burned the skin, but in the way it illuminated every flaw, every breathless gasp Auren took trying to keep up with me."Faster, shift with the breath not against it," I called out, running ahead before slowing down so he would not lose heart.Auren grunted in frustration, pushing himself harder, his limbs trembling from effort, but his eyes locked onto me like he was chasing more than just a lesson. He wanted to prove himself. He reminded me of Nyra.It was a cruel kind of gift, training with him like this. Day after day, watching him stumble and rise again with grit I had not seen in anyone since her.Every time he shifted, every time he fell, every time he clenched his jaw and tried again, I saw the warrior in him. But I also saw the boy. My boy. Even if he did not know it.Even if he still called me "Draven" like as if I was just a trusted mentor that happens to live next door. And gods, it hurt. Like swallowing broken glass.
Draven’s POVShe stood there framed by the door we used to cross without hesitation. Back then, when I was a fool wrapped in power and guilt, her presence was something I sought. Now, it made my stomach twist.Selene.Gone was the sharp-tongued, cold-eyed woman who had once ruled beside me like a queen carved of marble and steel. In her place stood someone smaller. More fragile. Almost human.But I did not let my guard down."Selene," I said, my voice flat. "Why are you here?"She stepped inside without waiting for permission.The scent of her perfume still clung to my memory—lavender and crushed hibiscus—but tonight it smelled wrong. Like desperation, masked in sweetness."I just wanted to talk," she whispered. Her voice trembled, and she looked down at her hands like she did not know what to do with them. "Please, Draven."I did not answer. I shut the door behind her and crossed my arms, watching. Waiting.She walked a few paces, then stopped. Her fingers traced the edge of the side
Draven’s POVShe stood there framed by the door we used to cross without hesitation. Back then, when I was a fool wrapped in power and guilt, her presence was something I sought. Now, it made my stomach twist.Selene.Gone was the sharp-tongued, cold-eyed woman who had once ruled beside me like a queen carved of marble and steel. In her place stood someone smaller. More fragile. Almost human.But I did not let my guard down."Selene," I said, my voice flat. "Why are you here?"She stepped inside without waiting for permission.The scent of her perfume still clung to my memory—lavender and crushed hibiscus—but tonight it smelled wrong. Like desperation, masked in sweetness."I just wanted to talk," she whispered. Her voice trembled, and she looked down at her hands like she did not know what to do with them. "Please, Draven."I did not answer. I shut the door behind her and crossed my arms, watching. Waiting.She walked a few paces, then stopped. Her fingers traced the edge of the side
Draven’s POVThe sun was brutal today. Not in the way it burned the skin, but in the way it illuminated every flaw, every breathless gasp Auren took trying to keep up with me."Faster, shift with the breath not against it," I called out, running ahead before slowing down so he would not lose heart.Auren grunted in frustration, pushing himself harder, his limbs trembling from effort, but his eyes locked onto me like he was chasing more than just a lesson. He wanted to prove himself. He reminded me of Nyra.It was a cruel kind of gift, training with him like this. Day after day, watching him stumble and rise again with grit I had not seen in anyone since her.Every time he shifted, every time he fell, every time he clenched his jaw and tried again, I saw the warrior in him. But I also saw the boy. My boy. Even if he did not know it.Even if he still called me "Draven" like as if I was just a trusted mentor that happens to live next door. And gods, it hurt. Like swallowing broken glass.
Nyra’s POVI served the food quietly. The aroma brought back memories of my childhood home, where meals were moments of family connection. The familiar process of serving food had always been thoughtful for me, a process that grounded me even when everything else felt uncertain.Auren had set the table while I cooked. He somehow managed to put the utensils in the right places this time around.The forks rested on neatly folded napkins, and the knives were placed at the edge of each plate.The napkins were slightly arranged, and one of the glasses stood upside down, but it was a sign of significant progress from his previous attempts. Last week, he had placed all the spoons in a stack at the center of the table, saying it was more efficient that way.He looked at me from across the room like he had planned a royal feast rather than simply arrange tableware for our modest dinner."You did well," I said to him with a little smile as I set the last plate down. His attention to detail wa
Nyra's POVBy the time I got back, my arms were already aching from the weight of the books, the house was silent.I didn't hear any guards, no servants whispering in corners, no soft clangs of armor echoing through the halls. Good. That meant I could breathe for a while—just me and my son.I dropped the bag on the counter and started pulling things out one by one, the way I used to back to our small cabin. Dried elk jerky, bundles of fresh vegetables, tubers with bits of dirt still clinging to their roots, sweet berries I knew Auren loved, and the honey biscuits I almost didn't buy because they were too soft to survive the walk home. But they had.Just like us.The market has been busier than usual today. Vendors calling out prices, children weaving through the crowds, and that persistent feeling of being watched that never quite left me these days. I'd spent more time than necessary at the herb stall, pretending to debate between rosemary and sage while scanning the faces around me.
Nyra’s POVThe morning air was cold when I stepped out, the sting of last night's threats was still fresh on my skin.My head was still hurt where they had hit me, and this was a reminder that I was not just fighting shadows from my past anymore. Now, I was fighting ghosts with faces I knew. Faces hidden behind masks, but voices that nagged at my memory like bad dreams I could not quite remember.But I would not rush in without thinking. Not yet. My anger wanted me to act now, but I knew better.Before I did anything, before I confronted Draven, or turned Crescent Moon upside down looking for answers,I needed to know what we were up against. The Blood moon Plague. A name that has scared wolves to their core for generations. I had heard it mentioned, whispered by the elders, stories meant to scare pups into behaving, but I never thought it would come back, especially not now, when Auren had finally found some peace. When I had finally started to hope again.I did not go to the libr
Nyra’s POVI did not know how I would make it to the training grounds without tearing down half the pack house in my anger. My wolf clawed under my skin, desperate to seek revenge for the humiliation we had endured.Every breath burned in my chest like fire. Every step felt heavier than the last one, my skull pounding where they hit me so hard. But none of that mattered.I needed to see Auren, to confirm with my own eyes that my son remained untouched by the hatred that had entrapped me.The late afternoon sun had moved down behind the ancient trees, reaching shadows across the southern fields.From my position on top of the hills where the old stone path curved, the same path I had run along as a child, I could see the outline of the warriors training below.Steel clashed with steel, grunts rang out, and occasional laughter echoed in the air, so casual and ordinary. And there he was.Auren stood in the middle of it all, his golden hair looking so bright in the sunlight. He was not fi
Nyra’s POVThe dusty scent of the old library was still on my fingertips as I made my way back down the corridor.Despite the heavy truths whispered in that isolated room, Selene's threats, their conniving plans, and the mean slander against Auren, had not let my anger overtake me.Not yet. I needed to be smart and calculated. Continuous anger would only serve their purposes, not mine.I had to speak to Draven quickly. But first, I had to check on my son. Auren. That name alone fixed me, made me to purpose when everything else threatened to turn into chaos.The training grounds were in the opposite direction, but I felt the familiar stir in my chest. Or maybe it was just fear. I sensed something that was not right, but I did not know what it was.My steps quickened, boots barely making a sound against the stone floor. The hallway stretched on endlessly, like the walls were trying to trap me.I turned to the corner, heading toward the exit that led to the southern field, the scent of f
Nyra's POVDespite what I overheard, I did not storm in and tear Selene to shreds. Not yet. I held myself back. Barely.Every word that slipped out of her mouth was like oil to the fire burning inside me, but I reminded myself why I came here in the first place: I came to check for threats, and not to get distracted by petty plots.Not that her scheme was petty. I knew Selene well enough, had suffered enough of her manipulations, to know she was not all bark.Behind her face of loyalty and falsification, lays the heart of someone who would burn down kingdoms to get what she wanted. The soft quickness in her voice could not mask the deadly intention behind her words.She could be dangerous, and with the loyal dogs still sticking to her heels, waiting for her command like the obedient pawns they were, I needed to stay one step ahead.To anticipate her next move before she even conceived it. But there would be time for that. A time when she would not see me coming, when her fake smile wo
Nyra's POVThe morning light reflected through the stained-glass windows. I had been awake for hours. Sleep has become a luxury since our return to the pack lands. Too many memories, too many threats remained in every corner."Be good, Auren," I murmured as I knelt down before him, fixing the slightly bent hem of his coat.The fabric was rich and thick, bearing the pack's status, a privilege he was only beginning to understand. "Do not run off or cause trouble. And no jumping into striking rings."He gave me an exaggerated eye roll, a gesture he had perfected in recent weeks. His golden eyes, so like his father's own, sparkled with mischief and anticipation. "I will not. Draven said I could try the weighted strike. Just to lift, not throw."My eyes turned to Draven, who stood tall behind Auren, arms crossed and a flash of amusement dancing in his stormy eyes. "Did he now?"Draven raised a brow, pretending to be innocent. The corner of his mouth moved, a smile he was trying to hold. "O