Chapter 4

The Starlight Pack

A tall, imposing figure stood in the dimly lit throne hall of the Starlight pack’s stronghold, his hands folded against his face as he paced back and forth.

The flickering torches cast shadows on his sharp features, highlighting the rage and worry simmering beneath his cold exterior.

The air was thick with tension when suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway.

A man rushed in, panting heavily, sweat trickling down his forehead.

“King Zeth!” he gasped.

The alpha’s piercing golden eyes snapped toward the intruder. “Where is my son?” he thundered, his deep voice reverberating through the vast chamber.

King Zeth was not known for his patience. As the leader of the strongest werewolf pack in the city, he had built his reign on fear and ruthlessness.

No one dared to defy him—except perhaps his own son, Prince Melvin, who inherited his father’s cunning and thirst for dominance.

Oliver, Melvin’s trusted friend, clenched his fists before forcing himself to speak. “We were attacked on our way back. Prince Melvin ordered me to return here and alert the warriors.”

“Attacked? By who?” Zeth’s growl sent shivers down Oliver’s spine.

“They wore the masks of the lowest-ranked pack—the same one Prince Melvin defeated last.”

Zeth’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “So they dare seek revenge?”

As the discussion continued, a pair of soft footsteps approached.

The heavy wooden doors creaked open, and two women stepped inside—Queen Amora, regal and poised despite the concern on her face, and Kiara, the only daughter of the king.

Kiara, a Beta werewolf with a sharp tongue and an even sharper mind, crossed her arms.

“Father, you don’t need to be so worried. This isn’t the first time Melvin has been attacked, and it won’t be the last. He always returns in one piece.”

King Zeth’s eyes narrowed. “Kiara, you know how dangerous the human world is. What if he exposes himself?”

“I agree,” Queen Amora said. “A single mistake could reveal his identity. He shouldn’t have been in the city in the first place.”

Kiara rolled her eyes. “How about I go find him? That way, you two can stop panicking.”

Zeth studied his daughter’s confident stance. “And how do you intend to track him?”

Kiara smirked. “Father, I’m a Beta. I have the gift of scenting other werewolves. I know Melvin’s scent as well as my own. Finding him won’t be difficult.”

“It’s getting dark,” Zeth pointed out. “Are you sure you’ll be able to find him tonight?”

“She can’t,” Oliver interjected. “Tonight is the full moon, and only Alphas have the strength to endure its pull. Any other werewolf caught outside will suffer unbearable pain.”

Kiara shrugged. “Fine, I’ll wait until morning. But Oliver, you’re coming with me. You need to take me to the place where he was last seen.”

Oliver nodded. “Understood.”

Ariana’s Restless Night

The night was quiet, but Ariana couldn’t sleep. Something deep within her stirred—an unsettling pull she couldn’t ignore. Her wolf form howled inside of her, restless and unsatisfied.

She sighed, sitting up in bed. “What is wrong with me?” she muttered. “Humans have it easy. No mates, no primal instincts pulling them in random directions… I wish I could live that freely.”

Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. Her body felt wired, alert. She swung her legs over the bed and decided to take a walk through the packhouse.

As she strolled past the guest chambers, she suddenly heard a faint noise from inside the room where she had left the wounded werewolf. Her brows furrowed. Was he awake already?

Curious, she pushed the door open, only to find him standing by the window, staring outside.

The moonlight illuminated his figure, highlighting his broad shoulders and muscular frame. His long, dark hair cascaded past his shoulders—a rare sight for a man.

“Are you trying to escape?” she asked, stepping further inside.

He didn’t turn to face her. His voice was deep and firm. “I don’t need to escape. I go where I want.”

She scoffed. “Shouldn’t you at least thank the person who saved you from dying before planning your next move?”

Finally, he turned around, and she got a full view of his face. His golden eyes locked onto hers, intense and unreadable. Ariana stiffened, realizing she wasn’t wearing her mask.

His eyes narrowed slightly. “You’re a werewolf.”

She smirked. “Surprised? You shouldn’t be. And a fierce one, too. I’m not the type you want to mess with.”

His expression remained unreadable. “I didn’t think I’d find another strong werewolf in the city.”

Ariana leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “You don’t seem as powerful as you think you are. If you were, you wouldn’t have ended up nearly dead in my territory.”

His jaw clenched. “I wasn’t weak. I was outnumbered.”

“Oh, really?” She tilted her head. “Then why didn’t you teleport away?”

His eyes flashed with something unreadable. He hesitated before answering. “I was too injured.”

Ariana chuckled. “So, you do have limits.”

“I should have let you die,” she teased, watching for a reaction.

He exhaled sharply. “I can’t die.”

“An Alpha,” she noted, studying him. “Interesting. Do you think that makes you special? You’re not the only Alpha here.”

His gaze darkened. “And you think I should be afraid?”

“No, but you should understand that you’re in my territory now.” She took a step closer. “I have questions, and you will answer them.”

His lips curled into a smirk. “And what if I refuse?”

Ariana’s expression didn’t change. “Then you can leave.” She gestured toward the window. “Go ahead—step outside. It’s a full moon tonight. Let’s see how well you handle the pain.”

His smirk faltered. He knew she was right. Only Alphas had the strength to withstand the full moon’s wrath.

He wasn’t in peak condition, and he had no energy left to fight against it.

“Fine,” he muttered. “What do you want to know?”

Ariana’s voice hardened. “Which pack are you from, and what is its ranking?”

His golden eyes flickered, cautious. “Why do you need to know?”

“Because I asked.”

His mind raced. He couldn’t risk revealing the truth—not when he didn’t know if she was friend or foe.

“I don’t have a pack,” he lied smoothly. “I was born a wanderer. No siblings. No home.”

Ariana studied his face carefully, searching for any sign of deceit. But he was good—too good. His expression remained unreadable, his heartbeat steady.

She sighed, stepping back. “Useless,” she muttered under her breath. “You know nothing.”

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

The man sat back down on the bed, exhaling.

“I hope Kiara picks up my scent,” he thought. “And comes for me soon.”