LIRA Roaming around Grimhowl always gave me a sense of peace. It was different from Valenwood—larger and more structured, yet still filled with warmth. The towering pines, the fresh scent of snow, and the laughter of pack members going about their daily routines made this place feel like home.As we walked through the heart of the pack, enjoying the cool breeze, something caught my eye. There, beneath a massive oak tree, stood my father and grandfather—Alpha Tobias and Alpha Thoren—along with three Valenwood warriors.And they were hammering away at a wooden structure nestled in the thick branches of the tree. I stopped in my tracks, blinking in surprise before letting out a laugh. "Are you seriously building a treehouse?"Tobias, my father, wiped his brow with the back of his hand before turning to me with a smirk."What? You think just because we’re Alphas, we can’t do a little carpentry?"Grandfather Thoren, standing beside him, chuckled. "I wanted to do something with my hand
LIRA The night air was crisp, carrying the distant howls of wolves through the trees. Stars glimmered above like scattered diamonds, casting a soft glow over the vast Grimhowl territory. Wrapped in a thick blanket, I sat on the balcony of our room, my thoughts tangled in the weight of what was to come.Three days.Three days until the full moon.Three days until my fate was sealed.I tightened the blanket around me, my chest heavy with the uncertainty of it all. Would I be strong enough? Would I truly become the Luna and Alpha I was meant to be? And what if the Dark Lord reached me before then?The door behind me creaked open, and I felt a familiar presence before he even spoke. “You’re thinking too much again.”Caius.I turned my head slightly as he stepped onto the balcony, draping a fur-lined cloak over my shoulders before settling beside me. His warmth, his scent—earthy pine mixed with something uniquely him—eased some of my tension.“How can I not?” I whispered. “Everything cha
CAIUSThe sky had just begun to lighten, soft golden hues bleeding into the dark horizon as the sun prepared to rise. Inside our room, warmth still lingered from the night before, the scent of Lira and our mating thick in the air.I turned to look at her, still asleep beside me, her breathing soft and even. Strands of her dark hair were splayed across the pillow, and her lips were slightly parted. She looked peaceful, unaware of the storm of thoughts running through my mind.I could feel it in my veins, in the way my muscles thrummed with unyielding energy. But there was something else—something I couldn't quite put my finger on. A lingering presence at the edge of my consciousness.Leaning down, I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. She stirred slightly but remained asleep. Smirking, I quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake her, and pulled on a pair of sweatpants before making my way outside.The cold hit me instantly, a sharp contrast to the warmth inside the Alpha mansion,
CAIUSBy the time I returned to the Alpha mansion, the sun had already risen, casting long golden streaks across the snow-covered ground. The crisp morning air still carried the remnants of winter, but the approaching spring was evident in the way the frost slowly retreated beneath the sun’s growing warmth. Birds chirped faintly from the treetops, a soft melody that accompanied the gentle crunch of snow beneath my bare feet.My body hummed with leftover energy from the run. Fenrir was unusually silent now, as though he too was digesting what we had felt—what we had become. A part of me wanted to call it a blessing, the natural result of a completed bond. But deep down, a whisper in the back of my mind reminded me it was something more. Something not meant to be awakened.I ascended the grand staircase of the mansion, each step echoing through the still halls. The fourth floor was quiet, the soft light filtering through the tall windows casting shadows across the stone walls. My hand re
LIRA The sun barely kissed the horizon when I stepped onto the training grounds. The morning air carried the scent of damp earth and pine, mingling with the faint crackle of magic in the air. I stood across from Ivy, her green eyes sharp with focus. The young witch had been training with Morgana for years, and though she was still learning, her magic was already formidable. “Again,” Morgana instructed, her voice calm but firm. I took a deep breath, feeling the energy surge through my veins. Ever since my first shift, the power within me had grown stronger. It was no longer a whisper but a steady pulse, waiting to be wielded. Ivy raised her hands, a soft golden light forming between her fingertips. “Ready?” I nodded. “Go.” She flicked her wrist, sending a pulse of energy toward me. I barely had time to react before the blast hit my shield, a shimmering barrier that flickered in and out as I struggled to maintain control. Morgana hummed. “Better. But still unstable.” I clenche
LIRAThe sun was warm against my skin as we stepped out of the Alpha mansion, but even its golden light couldn’t ease the unease settling in my chest.It hadn’t just been a trick of the light. I had felt someone watching me, their presence thick and oppressive in the air. And then, just as quickly as I’d seen it, it had vanished. My wolf, Sylara, had bristled, urging me to remain on high alert, but there had been nothing—no scent, no lingering energy—just the eerie silence of the morning.I glanced at Caius beside me as we walked, his fingers brushing against mine as if sensing my tension.“You’re still thinking about it, aren’t you?” he murmured.I nodded. “I know what I saw, Caius. There was someone watching us.”His jaw tightened. “I don’t doubt you. But whoever it was, he disappeared before I could sense him. That’s what bothers me.”We took our time heading toward Morgana’s cottage, walking at a relaxed pace. The usual chatter surrounded us—Elias and Ronan discussing the best com
LIRAThe sun had barely set, but the entire pack was already buzzing with anticipation. Tonight was the full moon, the night Caius and I would finally complete our bond. I should have been excited—this was something I had dreamed of, something I wanted—but a strange unease settled deep in my chest, like a whisper of warning I couldn’t quite hear.Morgana, Ivy, and Kora were in my room, helping me prepare. The ceremonial dress I wore was a deep crimson, the fabric flowing around me like a river of blood—bold, untamed, and alive. It clung to my form like it knew me, fitted at the bodice with delicate embroidery that shimmered like flame when the light caught it. Intricate patterns of gold thread traced ancient runes across the sleeves and neckline, symbols of unity, strength, and fate. The skirt fanned out in layers of silk and velvet, trailing behind me like a royal shadow, commanding attention with every step.The color wasn’t just for show. It was symbolic—red for power, for passion,
CAIUSThe full moon stood high above us, bathing the clearing in its silver glow. The night was still, the only sounds were the hushed breaths of the wolves surrounding us, waiting, watching. This was the moment we had been waiting for—the moment Lira and I would complete our bond.She stood before me, her crimson ceremonial dress shimmering in the moonlight, her eyes locked onto mine. A wave of possessiveness surged through me. This woman—this fierce, powerful Luna—was mine.Fenrir stirred within me, his voice filled with pride. Make her ours, Caius. The bond will be unbreakable.I took a step closer, my hand gently caressing Lira’s cheek before sliding down to her neck, feeling the rapid pulse beneath my fingers. She wasn’t afraid, but there was tension in her body—a mixture of anticipation and something else.I lowered my head, pressing my lips to her shoulder before whispering against her skin, “Are you ready?”Lira let out a soft breath, tilting her head slightly, baring her neck
THOREN The girl’s name was Elianna. A quiet strength pulsed in her steps as she led us deeper into the woods, through a narrow trail flanked by thick underbrush and twisting roots that reached like hands from the forest floor. The silence of the village had followed us, replaced now by the occasional crackle of twigs and the distant hoot of an owl, despite the sun still shining overhead. Ronan walked close, eyes scanning the shadows. Elias brought up the rear, her steps light but cautious, her hand never far from the hilt of her dagger. The rest of our warriors followed closely behind. Eventually, Elianna paused in front of a large outcropping of moss-covered stone. She placed her hand on its surface, whispering something in a tongue I didn’t recognize. The stone shimmered, then split down the center with a soft groan, revealing a narrow entrance, just large enough for one person at a time to slip through. "After you," she said, offering a small smile. Inside, the passage wa
THOREN The dirt path that led away from Grimhowl wound like a lazy river through the thick woodland, eventually opening up to reveal a sight that should’ve brought comfort—quaint homes, flowering vines curling over wooden fences, laundry lines swaying gently in the breeze. But as we stepped past the old stone sign that marked the village of Enoménos, unease settled heavily over my shoulders. It was too quiet. Not the peaceful kind of quiet, the kind you find in a small village taking an afternoon nap. No birds, no dogs barking in the distance, no chatter of children or clang of pots in kitchens. Just... nothing. Ronan, walking beside me, scanned the rooftops with narrowed eyes. His fingers flexed at his sides, brushing the hilt of his blade. “This place is dead,” he muttered.“No,” Elias said behind us, his voice low. “It’s not dead. It’s hiding.” He wasn’t wrong. The village wasn’t destroyed. There were no signs of struggle—no broken doors, no burn marks or blood on t
CAIUSI stood near the edge of the dining hall, leaning slightly against one of the carved wooden beams, my arms folded across my chest. Around me, the low hum of conversation continued—tearful reunions, long-overdue laughter, names spoken with awe and reverence. But I only had eyes for her.Lira.She was glowing in a way I hadn’t seen before. There was a joy on her face so radiant, so fiercely pure, that even Fenrir stirred inside me, watching her through my eyes with silentreverence. I felt it—the happiness that surged through her like warm spring water after a long frost. A daughter was finally reunited with her mother. A family mended after years of silence and pain.And yet, underneath that joy, I felt her sorrow too. A quiet grief pulsed in her chest, one that clung to the edges of her smile. Her heart ached for Deanna, for Elowen, for the twenty years robbed from them. Lira’s empathy ran so deep that it swallowed everything. The walls of her heart had never been built to keep
LIRAThe dining room had never felt so full.Laughter mixed with the sound of soft weeping as arms reached across the table, pulling loved ones close after years of separation. My mother, Seraphina, hadn’t let go of my hand since I entered the room, and I didn’t mind. I didn’t think I ever would. Sixteen years. She had been gone for sixteen years, and yet the warmth in her embrace was as familiar as it had always been in my dreams.But she wasn’t the only one who had returned.Dain—her loyal Beta, our protector in Valenwood—stood at the other end of the table, tears slipping silently down his weathered cheeks. In his arms was a young woman, probably the same age as me, teary eyes—his daughter, Elowen. Beside them stood Deanna, Dain’s sister, holding them both as if letting go would break her all over again.They were real. Here.Alive.“Where… where have you been?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I couldn’t stop staring at my mom. She looked older than I remembered—there wer
TOBIASThe atmosphere in Grimhowl was tense, a constant hum of alertness. After the news of strange occurrences in the surrounding lands, security had been heightened. Every patrol, every guard, every shadow in the forest was now something to watch closely. The last thing we needed was an unexpected threat.Dain had volunteered to patrol the northeastern gate. I trusted him with my life, but I still felt the need to check in, especially now. I found him standing by the entrance, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, his posture that of a seasoned warrior ready for anything."You good?" I asked as I approached him, stepping into his line of sight.He turned, giving me a nod. "I’m good. Nothing to report yet. But we both know that can change in an instant.""You need anything? Extra reinforcements? Supplies?" I offered, glancing at his weapons and the space around him.Dain shook his head. "I’m fine for now. Just keeping watch. We need to be prepared, but we’re not going to let our
SERAPHINASixteen years.It felt surreal, standing here now, breathing in the air of freedom after so many years spent behind cold, stone walls. I could hardly believe it. The chains, the darkness, the suffocating loneliness—those memories seemed so distant now, as if they belonged to someone else. But they didn’t. I had lived it, endured it, and now, I was free.I took a deep breath, letting the scent of fresh earth and the cool breeze that swept through the trees fill my lungs. The prison walls, those oppressive structures that had confined me, felt like a lifetime away. I had no idea what awaited me in Grimhowl, but right now, none of that mattered.What mattered was Tobias. My Tobias. And my baby, Lira. She was just five years old when I had been taken, and I had missed everything—her first steps, her first words, her growth. I had missed her entire childhood. I had no idea what she was like now. Was she still my sweet little girl? Or had she changed into someone unrecognizable, h
CELESTEThe moment Lucien spoke the words that I had hoped for, the words that cracked open the door to the man I had loved, I didn’t hesitate. Time was of the essence. I could feel the shift in the air, a subtle stirring of hope rising amidst the darkness that still clung to him. But that hope needed action.Without a word, I turned on my heels, determined to act swiftly. Lucien didn’t want to come with me—he couldn’t face the guilt, the shame of facing his sister, of confronting the wrongs he had committed. I understood that. But the weight of his past wasn’t something he could simply bury. He had to confront it, even if it was just a small part of it. But for now, I couldn’t wait for him to find the courage. I had to do this for him, for us.I made my way to the prison with purpose, my mind racing as I prepared for the task ahead. The walls felt suffocating as I neared the cold, damp cells. I had seen too much suffering here, too much darkness. The air was thick with the remnants o
CELESTEThe weight of the moment settled heavily around me. I could feel the deep ache in Lucien's voice, the rawness in his words. But I also felt something else—a flicker of hope, a spark of the man I had fallen in love with all those years ago.I had always known that the darkness had not completely consumed him. There were flashes of the Lucien I had known—the protector, the fierce leader, the one who had once cared for his pack as much as he cared for me. But somewhere along the way, that man had been buried beneath the shadows, the ambition, the anger. And yet, in this vulnerable moment, it felt like I could almost touch him again.I had hoped for this. I had believed in this. But now that it was real, now that I could feel the faint glimmer of the Lucien I had once known, I had to act quickly. The darkness was still lingering, gnawing at him, waiting for a moment to pull him back in. And that moment was coming soon, especially with Malakar’s influence slowly creeping into every
LUCIENThe black crystal pulsed softly, its shadowed depths revealing fragments of voices and stories I had no business hearing. But I listened anyway, because the truth, no matter how twisted, was all that mattered now.I could hear Morgana’s voice, her words reverberating in my head as she spoke of Malakar’s daughter and the blood that ran through Caius. The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning—Caius was the vessel. He was the one that carried the dark magic, the legacy of Malakar.It made sense. It explained the strange stirrings within me, the shadows that followed me like a distant storm, threatening to engulf everything I touched. I had always known there was something inside me, something dark and ancient. But I had never understood what it was, or how to control it.If Caius was the vessel of Malakar, then… perhaps there was a way to fix this. If Caius could be cleansed, maybe the same could be done for me. But how? How could I rid myself of the darkness that was growin