“Izzy, stop.” Kimmelly’s voice was sharp behind her.“He’s alone.” Izzy lifted the baby into her arms, cradling him against her chest. He was warm, alive. His tiny fists curled in the fabric of her jacket.“We can’t just take him.” Kimmelly stepped forward, eyes darting around as if expecting someone to appear. “What if he belongs to someone?”“Then where are they?” Izzy shot back. “Who leaves a baby in the middle of the night by a river?”Silence.From the shadows, a lone Buddha watched. She stood partially hidden behind the trees, unseen by the others, her face unreadable. She had known this moment would come. She had seen it in the stars.Luna would take the child.It was meant to be.Izzy held the baby closer, pressing her lips to his forehead. “He’s mine now.”Kimmelly exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “I don’t like this.”Izzy ignored her. She turned and walked back toward the monastery, the baby safe in her arms.HOURS LATERThe monastery was quiet, the air thick with the scen
The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air, mingling with the crisp morning breeze. The pack grounds were alive with celebration—wolves laughing, music playing, voices overlapping in a steady hum of festivity. The night before had been heavy, suffocating, but now, everything was different.Now, they had a reason to celebrate.Kieran stood at the center of it all, his broad shoulders squared, his presence commanding. The baby rested in his arms, swaddled in a dark cloth, tiny and still. His expression was unreadable, but there was a weight in his eyes, something deeper than the pride he projected.He lifted his gaze, scanning the gathered wolves before him. “Today,” he announced, his voice carrying through the clearing, “we welcome a new member into the pack. A child blessed by the moon, strong in both spirit and blood. From this day forward, he will be known as Ronan.”A howl rippled through the crowd, wolves tipping their heads back in unison. The sound echoed through t
KARA SIX YEARS LATER I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my voice steady. “Trevor, don’t bring this up again. And don’t ever mention your father.”His small hands curled into fists, his dark eyes burning with frustration. “You’re lying.”My breath hitched.“I heard you,” he said, voice shaking. “You prayed to the moon. You asked for him to change his mind. You wanted him to find you in the woods.” He stepped closer. “Why does he hate us? What did you do to him?”I turned away, my chest tightening. “I have to get some meat so I can make you food. Stay here. Don’t get into trouble.”But Trevor wasn’t listening.I returned to an empty house.The fire in the hearth had burned low, the silence pressing in on me like a heavy weight.Something was wrong.“Trevor?” My voice echoed in the small space.No answer.The air left my lungs. I turned sharply, scanning the room. His scent was faint, but I knew.He was gone.The door was slightly ajar. The moment I stepped outside, the cold wind hit m
KARA The wind howled through the trees, carrying the scent of wolves and blood. Rain poured in relentless sheets, soaking through my clothes, but I didn’t move. I couldn’t. My arms were wrapped around Trevor’s lifeless body, his warmth fading with every second.Then, footsteps. Slow. Purposeful.A presence loomed behind me. Strong. Commanding. Dangerous.“Sorry for your loss,” a deep voice murmured.I looked up sharply, my vision blurred by rain and tears. He stood tall, his presence overwhelming. His dark hair clung to his forehead, wet from the storm. Sharp, chiseled features. Cold, piercing eyes that held the weight of someone who had seen death and welcomed it.He was beautiful in the most terrifying way.“Who are you?” I rasped.“Zarek.”My heart stilled.Zarek. The Alpha of all Alphas. A legend whispered in the darkest corners. A ruler who bowed to no one.“You’ve been watching me,” I accused.Zarek didn’t deny it. His gaze flickered to Trevor’s still form, then back to me. He
KARALinda’s eyes locked onto mine, sharp with disdain. “I don’t like you, I wish you could just disappear and leave this pack” she said bluntly, arms crossed. “But I can’t defy the Alpha’s orders.”I smirked, adjusting the fitted black dress she’d chosen for me. It was elegant but deadly—like armor disguised as silk. “At least you dressed me now, even though you don’t like me. So keep treating me well just as your Alpha wants, Linda. There’s nothing you can do about it.”Her nostrils flared. In a flash, her hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my throat as she slammed me against the cold stone wall.“You seem bold,” she sneered. “Too bold for my liking.”I didn’t struggle. I didn’t plead. I just smiled.That made her angrier.Her grip tightened, but before she could push harder, the door burst open.A low growl filled the air.Aria.In one swift motion, she charged forward, her strength knocking Linda back. Linda barely had time to react before Aria’s fingers wrapped around her thr
KARA“No, you won’t, I don’t need you to fight because the way I see you, you are talented.” Zarek said, his gaze locked on Aria.Aria chuckled softly. “I am not talented, I am only trying and besides Linda is going to take me down so easily.” Aria said and turned to Linda. “Isn’t that what you want?”Linda smirked, stepping closer to me with venom in her voice. “Your son was killed, you were chased away by a lowlife lady, and here you are—standing so weak.” Her words cut through the air like a blade, dripping with cruel satisfaction.My hands curled into fists, but I didn't move. My eyes darkened, rage flickering beneath the surface, but I swallowed it down. I wouldn’t give Linda the satisfaction of seeing me break.Aria’s amused expression faded. “That’s enough, Linda.” Her voice was firm, but Linda only scoffed.“Oh, please,” Linda sneered, crossing her arms. “I’m just saying what everyone else is thinking. A woman who couldn’t even protect her own blood has no place standing here
KARA“Who is she?”Delilah’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. She stood at the entrance of the training grounds, arms crossed, eyes burning with something between rage and disbelief. She was one of the most respected members of the pack—and the most relentless when it came to Zarek.Zarek barely spared her a glance. “She is Kara.”Delilah’s expression twisted, and before he could say anything else, she stepped forward, her voice sharp.“The former Luna of the Storm Claw pack? You brought her here? Did you even think for a second about what the Alpha of that pack did to you? He betrayed you, Zarek. And now you’re standing here, training his woman?”My stomach twisted. Betrayed? Mymind spun at Delilah’s words.“What?” I turned to Zarek, demanding answers. “What is she talking about?”Delilah let out a cold laugh. “You want to know? He would never tell you but let me do the talking for him.”Before she could continue, Aria took a step forward. “You talk too much.” Her tone was
KARAThe vampire lunged.I barely had time to react before a black blur slammed into him, sending him flying backward.Zarek.He landed between us, his eyes glowing gold, his entire body radiating power.His gaze flickered to me for half a second. “Stay behind me.”I didn’t argue.Zarek turned back to the vampire, his expression dark. “You should have stayed dead.”The vampire grinned, wiping blood from his mouth. “Missed me, did you?”Zarek didn’t reply.He moved.The fight was brutal, fast.Zarek fought like a predator, every movement precise, lethal.But the vampire wasn’t weak. He met every attack with equal force, matching Zarek’s speed.Then more vampires emerged from the trees.A dozen. Two dozen.My stomach dropped.This wasn’t just an ambush.It was an invasion.Linda’s voice rang out from a distance. “They’re trying to break through the eastern wall!”And then a figure showed up.“Leo?” I muttered under my breath.“Kara.” His voice was calm, steady—too steady. He knew exactl
“She wasn’t always like that,” Leo snapped. “You didn’t see the version of her I did.”“I saw enough,” Zarek said. “And I made the call no one else would.”“You made the call,” Leo repeated, voice quiet now. “You didn’t hesitate. You didn’t even try to talk to me.”“What would I have said?” Zarek’s voice rose now, the calm breaking. “That the woman you loved planned to turn half the supernatural world into slaves and the other half into corpses? That she used you as a weapon and you didn’t even realize it?”“I did realize it,” Leo said, fists clenching. “Too late. But I did.”“And what would you have done?”Leo met his eyes. “I would’ve stopped her myself.”Zarek’s breath hitched for half a second.“I loved her,” Leo continued, his voice cracking. “But I loved you too. And I hated you for making me choose between the two.”“I didn’t give you a choice,” Zarek said.“No, you didn’t.” Leo’s voice was calm now, too calm. “You gave the order, then buried me like I was the one who started a
Micah stepped out of the trees slowly, hands at his sides, not threatening. He looked older now, more tired, but the sharp edge of sarcasm hadn’t dulled in his voice.“I’d say I missed you, but that’d be a lie.” Micah gave a half shrug. “You look like hell, by the way.”Leo let out a dry chuckle. “That’s because I’ve been there.”Micah studied him in silence for a moment. “You don’t look like him anymore. The Leo we knew.”Leo finally looked over his shoulder. “That Leo died in a pit and crawled out a vampire.”“You crawled out something, alright,” Micah said. “But I don’t think it’s too late.”“I do,” Leo said. “I should’ve died down there. Would’ve made things easier for everyone.”“But you didn’t.”“Yeah. I didn’t.” Leo turned, his eyes darker now, but no longer glowing. “And now what? You’re here to convince me to come back to the pack? Ask for forgiveness? Be the brother again?”“I’m not here to convince you of anything,” Micah said simply. “I’m here because I wanted to see for m
KARAThe moment we stepped out of the woods, Leo vanished. One second he was there—forehead still resting against mine, fingers wrapped around mine like he was afraid of letting go—and the next, gone like smoke in moonlight.I stood there for a second, staring into the trees, not sure if I’d imagined it all. But my heart was still racing. My wrist still bore the shape of his grip. And my mind—my mind was full of things I didn’t know how to say out loud.We returned to the packhouse in silence. Delilah flanked me on one side, her expression carved in steel. Aria moved behind us, not saying a word. I could feel their eyes on me, like they were waiting for me to fall apart. I didn’t.Linda was already waiting on the porch, arms crossed, brows pinched with worry. She didn’t ask questions. She just looked at me—and somehow, she already knew.Inside the packhouse, Zarek was pacing the length of the main hall like a caged animal. The moment he saw us, he stopped. His eyes scanned me, then De
KARALeo didn’t flinch. His eyes locked on mine, feral, glowing faintly gold under the moon. But this was not the Leo we knew. Not anymore. Something inside him was wrong—off. He was supposed to be dead. Buried. Gone.And yet, there he stood. Breathing. Smirking.Delilah edged closer beside me, her voice low. “He shouldn’t be alive. We saw him die.”“Then we buried the wrong body,” I whispered.Leo’s gaze shifted. “Touching reunion. Too bad it won’t last.”I stepped forward. “Let go. Zarek loves you. He did everything to save you.”Leo laughed—harsh, broken. “Save me? He killed the one I loved.”“That girl,” I said, voice firm, “wanted to destroy the world.”“You don’t know what love is,” Leo spat.“And you don’t know what she was planning,” I shot back. “She used you, Leo. You were her puppet.”He flinched. Just for a second.“I don’t care,” he said, voice lower now, bitter. “I would’ve burned everything for her.”“And she would’ve let you.”“I chose her.”“No. You followed her. That
“You heard what?” Kieran asked, turning sharply.Izzy’s hand trembled, the silver wine goblet clinking against the table. “Leo is dead.”The words hung heavy in the hall, louder than the music playing in the background, louder than the laughter echoing from the guests.Mark straightened from where he was tying the last of the birthday banners. “Are you sure?”Izzy nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “It was her. Kara did it.”Kieran’s jaw tensed. “Of course she did.”“But today is—” Izzy glanced around. “Today is Ronan’s birthday. We don’t need this now.”“Doesn’t matter,” Mark muttered. “If Kara killed Leo, she won’t stop there.”“She's coming, isn't she?” Kieran asked, looking toward the window.Izzy’s silence was the only answer he needed.They didn’t invite the Golden Wolf Pack. Kara wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near their borders. But somehow, deep down, Kieran knew she was already on her way.The music played louder now. Guests were arriving, exchanging gifts, and laughi
KARAMy throat burned from screaming his name.Zarek.For a second, everything went still. The cave. The cold. Even Leo.He tilted his head slightly, like he’d heard it too.“Still clinging to hope?” he asked.I spat at his feet. “You should be afraid.”Leo chuckled, slow and cold. “Your mate’s too late. He always is.”The hooded woman dragged me forward, but I yanked my arm back, digging my heels into the stone floor. “I swear, Leo, if you do this—”He stepped forward and pressed two fingers to my lips. “Shh.”I bit him.Hard.His blood hit my tongue like fire. I spit it out and shoved him with both hands. “Touch me again and I’ll kill you.”He looked stunned for a second… then smiled. “That’s more like it.”I turned to run. Anywhere. Anywhere but toward the altar glowing with red sigils and cursed candles.The woman caught me by the hair.Pain shot down my spine as she yanked me back. “You’ll walk, or I’ll break your legs and drag you.”“I’m not afraid of you,” I hissed.“You should
KARA"I told you, you will be my queen,” Leo said without looking back, his voice cold and indifferent. “But don’t expect mercy.”“Leo, I would never—”My voice caught.Everything around me cracked and warped. The blood, the stone floor, Izzy’s lifeless body—all of it shattered like glass.And I jolted upright, heart hammering.My breaths came in sharp gasps, my hands clutching the bedsheet like it was my only lifeline. My skin was damp with sweat, and the room was dark, except for the pale moonlight pouring in through the window. The scent of cedar and pine filled the air, grounding me. I blinked, trying to make sense of where I was.A warm hand slid across my back.“Kara?” came a deep voice, groggy but concerned.I turned my head slowly. Zarek. He was here. His brows were furrowed, eyes still foggy from sleep. But alive. Breathing. Real.“Oh goddess…” I whispered, voice cracking.Before he could speak, I flung myself into his arms. My body trembled as I clung to him, burying my face
KARAI knelt on the cold stone floor, feeling the weight of every breath I took. My body trembled, but it wasn’t from the cold. No, it was something far deeper. A sense of loss, of devastation, surged within me. Zarek was dead. The love of my life, the Lycan King, was gone, and now… I was alone.The wolves outside howled in mourning, their voices echoing through the darkened night. They were lost too, leaderless and broken. The sound shook the very foundation of the packhouse, and I couldn’t breathe through the crushing weight of it all. I couldn’t think.Delilah was dead. My closest friend. My protector. She had died for me, and there was nothing I could do to bring her back. The memory of her frantic attempts to save Zarek, of her rage, of her scream that had shattered my soul, replayed in my mind over and over.And now Leo stood before me, his presence as cold as the grave. He had destroyed everything.“I will take care of her,” Izzy’s voice cut through the silence, sending a chill
KARAI sat in my study, staring at the open book on my desk, but the words blurred together. My hands felt cold, my body oddly light. The exhaustion had been creeping in for days, but today, it was worse.A soft knock came at the door before Linda stepped inside, a small tray in her hands.“You haven’t taken your medicine today,” she said, setting the tray down. Her sharp eyes scanned my face, her brow furrowing. “Kara, why do you look so pale?”I blinked at her, confusion flickering in my mind. “I look pale?”Linda turned to Delilah, who had followed her in. “She looks pale, right?”Delilah crossed her arms, concern etching into her face. “Pale and lean. You don’t look good.”I forced a smile, trying to ease their worry. “Maybe it’s just the pregnancy hormones.”Linda knelt beside me, her fingers pressing against my wrist as she checked my pulse. “Your heartbeat is steady. The baby’s fine.” She looked up at me, eyes narrowing. “Then why aren’t you eating?”I hesitated. I had been eat