LIRAFalling for Caius came with consequences.One: His pack finally stopped looking at me like I was the enemy. Two: Elias and Ronan now smirked at me whenever I was near Caius, as if they had been expecting this all along. And three? I wanted to wipe that smug look off his face.Which is exactly why I found myself in the training fields at dawn, stretching my arms over my head as the morning chill settled into my bones. The sky was streaked with hues of pink and orange, the sun slowly rising over the treetops as the pack gathered for their daily training.I had been training with the general pack for a while now, and while it had been helpful in rebuilding my strength, I was growing restless. The sessions were structured, repetitive, and focused more on endurance and discipline than actual combat. While the other wolves seemed content, I found myself wanting more.Today's session started with a long run through the forest. The cold air burned my lungs as my feet pounded against the
LIRA I had sparred with some of the best warriors in Duskborne. I had beaten them all. But here, in the Northern Territory, I wasn’t fighting just any warrior. I was fighting Caius. The Alpha. The man who had single-handedly taken down a rogue army without breaking a sweat. The man who now stood before me, arms crossed, silver eyes gleaming with amusement.This is a terrible idea, I thought to myself.This is the best idea, my pride countered.Elias and Ronan stood at the edge of the sparring ring, leaning against the wooden fence. They looked way too entertained."Alright, lovebirds," Elias called out, smirking. "Give us a good show."Caius shot him a glare. "You can run laps after this, Elias."Elias just grinned. "Worth it."I rolled my shoulders and assumed my stance. Balanced. Ready.Caius tilted his head. "You’re serious about this?"I smirked. "What, scared?"A low growl rumbled in his chest. "Not even a little.""Then let’s begin."We circled each other.I was fast. I had al
CAIUSI led her out of the training hall, the warmth of the stone corridor a welcome relief after the icy chill of the training room. The dining hall wasn’t far, and it didn’t take long to reach the long wooden table where the evening meal had already been laid out. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting a soft glow over the room. The aroma of roast meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation.“After that workout, I could eat a whole feast,” Lira said as she sat down, rubbing her hands together in front of the warmth of the fire.I grabbed two plates, piling them high with food before sliding one toward her. “I think you’ve earned it,” I said, smiling.We ate in a comfortable silence, the occasional clink of utensils punctuating the otherwise quiet morning. I watched as Lira tucked into her meal, her appetite as sharp as her swordplay.“So,” I said after a while, setting my fork down and leaning back in my chair, “I’m taking you somewhere tod
LIRAWe stayed there for hours.And as I watched Caius, the way the light reflected in his eyes, the way he looked at this place like it was a secret he had finally shared with someone, I knew.This wasn’t just about the mate bond.This was him.I had fallen for Caius.Completely.When he turned to me, his expression soft, I knew he saw it too.He lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "Lira."I swallowed. "Yes?"His gaze flickered down to my lips for just a moment, and my breath caught in my throat. The way his eyes darkened, the intensity that simmered beneath the surface of that gaze—it was like he was unraveling me. My heart raced even faster."Do you regret it?" he asked, his voice a low murmur, as if the question had been sitting on his tongue for far too long.I furrowed my brow in confusion. "Regret what?"He took a step closer, and the air between us seemed to crackle with something unspoken, something heavy. He didn’t need to say it for me to understand. He wa
LIRAI was not used to being the center of attention.But it was impossible to ignore the way the entire Grimhowl Pack was staring at us right now.Or rather—staring at Caius.Because their Alpha, their fierce, brooding, terrifying Alpha, was grinning like an idiot.And that grin was directed at me.We had just returned from the hot springs, the steam still clinging to our skin despite the cold bite of the mountain air. The moment we stepped onto the training grounds, Caius didn’t let go of my hand. His grip was warm, possessive, unyielding. Like he was making a silent declaration.Worse?He kept doing little things—tucking my hair behind my ear, pulling me into his side, pressing random kisses to my forehead.I was dying.The warriors of the pack tried to act like they weren’t watching. They swung their swords, flexed their muscles, and practiced their footwork with an intensity that screamed forced distraction. But the omegas? They weren’t even pretending.They whispered and giggled
CAIUSTwo days.That was all the time we had before meeting Elder Aldric.The oldest and most powerful of the Elders.And the only one who could answer the questions that had been plaguing me ever since I met Lira.She should have had her wolf by now.But she didn’t.And yet—she was stronger than any unshifted wolf I had ever seen.I knew there was something about her.Something more.And soon, we would find out what.The thought unsettled me, a deep, gnawing sensation in my gut. I was not a man prone to fear, but uncertainty had a way of burrowing deep, needling at the edges of my resolve. And Lira—Lira was the one thing I couldn’t afford to be uncertain about.I watched her now, standing by the balcony of my office, staring at the moonlit snow that blanketed the mountains. The cold wind ruffled her dark hair, strands dancing across her face, but she didn’t seem to notice. There was something different about her since our return from the hot springs. A softness in the way she held he
LIRAI barely slept.For the first time in a long time, I was afraid of what was coming.What if Elder Aldric told me I was weak?What if he told me I would never shift?What if—?The thoughts circled endlessly in my mind, twisting and turning like a storm I couldn’t calm. I had never let fear consume me before. I had faced battles, endured pain, and survived more than most wolves ever would. And yet, this uncertainty—the possibility of knowing the truth—unsettled me in ways I couldn’t explain.A knock at the door startled me from my thoughts. I froze, the sound echoing in the stillness of the room. My heart leaped to my throat as I quickly wiped away the trace of a tear that had escaped down my cheek. I didn’t need anyone seeing me like this—not now.“Come in,” I called, forcing my voice to sound steady, stronger than I felt.The door creaked open, and Caius stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. His presence was solid, grounding—like an anchor I hadn’t realized I needed. His broad
CAIUSThe air was cold as we prepared for departure. A biting wind swept through Grimhowl, carrying the scent of pine and snow. The sun had yet to rise, leaving the world in a hushed twilight, but my pack was already awake, gathered in the courtyard to see us off.Lira stood by my side, bundled in a thick cloak lined with fur, her golden eyes flickering with uncertainty. Her breath curled in the crisp air as she clutched the edges of her cloak tighter around herself. The tension in her posture was impossible to miss. She had been quiet since last night, lost in thought, and I knew the weight of what lay ahead was pressing down on her.I reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll be there by nightfall,” I murmured, keeping my voice low so only she could hear. She nodded, but I could feel the tension in her grip. She was trying to be strong, but the uncertainty of what awaited us at Elder Aldric’s dwelling gnawed at both of us. His invitation had raised more questio
Lira had never felt this alive.She raced through the forest, the cool night air rushing past her, her paws barely making asound against the frozen ground. Each step was effortless, her body moving with a fluid gracethat felt almost otherworldly. Her senses were heightened beyond anything she could haveimagined—every smell, every sound, every shift in the wind was as clear to her as though itwere happening inside her own body.Beside her, Fenrir ran with equal speed and precision, his powerful form flowing through thetrees like a shadow. His dark fur contrasted beautifully with her radiant white coat, and hisgolden eyes glinted in the moonlight, watching her with an intensity that made her heart race."You’re incredible," his deep voice rumbled through the bond between them, the words vibratingthrough her as if they were spoken directly into her chest.She shot him a playful glance. "You’re just saying that because I’m your mate," she teased, hertail swishing behind her as she
The night air was crisp, the sky stretching vast and endless, illuminated by countless stars. Agentle breeze whispered through the towering pines surrounding Grimhowl’s training grounds,carrying with it the electric anticipation of the wolves gathered. Tonight was the night.Lira stood at the center of the clearing, barefoot on the frozen earth, feeling the energy pulsingaround her. The pack was silent, their collective presence a quiet yet steady supportsurrounding her like an invisible shield. Each breath she took seemed to magnify the moment,the weight of everything leading up to this night pressing down on her shoulders. But there wassomething else that grounded her, something more solid and real than anything else—Caius,standing beside her, his presence like an anchor. His steady gaze never wavered from her, andthe strength in his eyes made her heart hammer in her chest.“You’re ready,” he murmured softly, his golden eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that madeher p
Lira woke up to the softest kiss on her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered open, and sheimmediately felt the warmth of Caius beside her."Caius?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep, her mind still tangled in the hazy remnantsof dreams."Wake up, love," he whispered, his voice low and warm. "I have something planned for youtoday."Lira blinked, the sleepiness clinging to her like a blanket. "What...?" Her voice was slow,reluctant to shake off the drowsiness."You’ll see," Caius replied with a teasing smile that she could feel even though her eyes werestill half-closed.Later That Evening…Lira walked into the main hall, her steps slow as she took in the space around her. There wassomething off about the atmosphere. It was too quiet. Too still.Then, suddenly—"SURPRISE!"The doors swung open with a dramatic flourish, revealing a breathtaking sight. The entireballroom sparkled, glittering with gold and silver decorations that shimmered under the soft glowof fairy lights strun
Lira barely had a moment of peace before Kora barged into her room, her usual energetic self,arms crossed and dark curls bouncing with every step."LIRA!" Kora practically shouted, making Lira jolt in surprise. She blinked at the suddenintrusion, her heart racing for a moment before she realized it was just Kora being Kora."You are officially few days away from your birthday!" Kora’s voice was loud enough to shakethe walls, her eyes sparkling with mischief.Lira stared at her, still processing the words, a frown forming on her face. “Uh… yes?”Kora’s grin grew wider, and she threw herself onto Lira's bed dramatically, landing with a bouncethat made the entire mattress shift. "Do you realize what that means?"Lira gave her a blank look. "That I’ll shift for the first time?" she asked cautiously, unsure if thiswas leading to something she wasn’t ready for.Kora rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t pop out. "That too, but also…" Shesat up with exaggerated excitemen
Lira stood at the edge of the training grounds, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, as shewatched the warriors spar. The icy wind of winter nipped at her skin, but it was nothingcompared to the tension that was coiling tighter and tighter inside her chest. She could feel thepressure, the expectation, and it had been growing stronger every day. Only a week remainedbefore her birthday, and with it, the moment she had both dreaded and anticipated her entirelife.Her first shift.And four days after that—the full moon.Lira’s fingers clenched into fists at her sides as she thought about it. It had been a constantworry in the back of her mind for as long as she could remember. There was so much she hadto prepare for. The full moon would be the moment when everything changed. She would stepinto the world as a fully realized wolf, something she’d been dreaming about for years, but alsosomething she was terrified of. What if she wasn’t ready? What if she failed? There was no way
Lira sat on the log, staring blankly into the crackling fire before her. The flames danced in frontof her eyes, but she saw nothing. Her mind was a void, her thoughts nothing more than atangled mess of confusion, exhaustion, and pure embarrassment.She was numb. Emotionally, spiritually, mentally scarred.Her eyes were glazed, as though nothing in the world could pierce through the haze that hadsettled over her like a heavy fog. Last night’s events replayed in her mind over and over like anightmare she couldn’t escape.Caius sat beside her, an amused glint in his eyes. He wasn’t one to shy away from trouble—hewas the source of much of it, after all. His deep chuckle vibrated through his chest as hewatched her, obviously trying to suppress the amusement bubbling inside him. “You alright,love?”Lira slowly turned her head toward him. Her face was blank—empty, devoid of the usual spark.“I need therapy,” she muttered, her voice flat and devoid of any life.Caius raised an eyebrow,
*WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS R-18 SCENES*Lira was exhausted.The past few days had been a blur of non-stop training—magic training, combat training,strategy sessions. It was more than she could keep up with, especially with Caius constantlypushing her limits in ways she never thought possible. He was relentless, and while the resultswere impressive, she was starting to feel the weight of it all.Her muscles ached with every step, her mind heavy with exhaustion. All she wanted—no,needed—was a long, uninterrupted sleep. It had been days since she’d truly rested, and herbody was screaming at her for a break.She shuffled toward her room in the guest house, dragging her feet, rubbing at the tension inher shoulders. The cold air from outside nipped at her skin, but she didn’t care. She just neededto get inside, strip down to her pajamas, and crawl into bed.As she reached for the door handle, she heard it.A sound so wrong, so utterly nightmare-inducing that her soul nearly left
Lira stood in the middle of the training grounds, arms crossed tightly over her chest, watching asCaius and Ronan sparred. Their movements were a blur of speed and strength, fists connectingwith precision, growls echoing in the crisp air. The power behind each strike resonated throughthe ground, the thud of their feet against the earth punctuating their ongoing battle fordominance.Normally, Lira would have been fully immersed in their movements, analyzing each of theirtechniques, mentally planning her own training sessions, and preparing for the future. Buttoday?Today, she couldn’t focus. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the way Caius had kissed her lastnight—no, the night before that, too. She could still feel the heat of his lips against hers, the wayhis hands had pulled her closer, his touch igniting something deep inside her. Her bodyresponded to him in ways she couldn’t ignore. The warmth of his hands on her skin, the fire thatburned between them every time their ga
Later that evening, Lira sat in the pack house, exhausted from the day's training. The cracklingfire in the hearth provided a bit of warmth against the chill that still clung to her bones. Sheleaned back in her chair, savoring the quiet, a rare moment of peace amid the chaos that hadbecome her life.Then, it hit her.A scent, rich and familiar, so strong that it sent a rush of emotion through her chest. It wasunmistakable.Her heart stopped.No. It couldn’t be...Footsteps echoed down the hall, getting closer, until they stopped right outside the door.“Did you miss me, or did you forget about me completely?”Lira’s breath caught in her throat, and she turned sharply, her eyes widening in pure shock.“Kora?” she gasped.The blonde-haired, hazel-eyed she-wolf stood in the doorway, a grin spreading across her face,radiating the same confidence and energy that Lira had missed so much.“Oh my Moon Goddess,” Lira exclaimed, her voice cracking slightly as she surged forward. Shethrew