That got his attention.Leo stilled. His gaze sharpened, and for the first time, real emotion flickered across his face.“What did you say?”“Zarek is alive. My brother is alive. He would never let you touch her.” Izzy took a step closer, pressing forward. “But I can give him to you. And Kieran. The leaders of two of the strongest packs. I can pave the way for you to kill them both or act as your spy.”Leo exhaled slowly, leaning back. The flickering torches on the cave walls cast shadows across his face, making it impossible to read his expression.Then, finally, he spoke.“I don’t need you for that. I can take them down on my own.” His voice was calm, but firm. “And do not touch my girl.”Izzy tilted her head, studying him.Then, she smirked.“Your obsession is going to destroy you again.”Leo’s fingers twitched against the armrest of his throne.Izzy took another step forward. “Tell me, Leo… does she remind you of her?”Leo’s expression darkened.Bullseye.“Your mate.” Izzy’s voice
GOLDENWOLF PACKKARAZarek stormed into my room without knocking.I sighed. “You should at least knock.”He ignored me, his golden eyes locked onto mine with a glare so intense it made my skin prickle.“What is wrong with you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.He took a step closer. Then another.“I thought I saved you for a reason,” he said, his voice low, dangerous.I tilted my head slightly. “And?”“Now is the time to pay me back.”I crossed my arms, raising a brow. “You want money? Because I’m broke.”His jaw clenched. “Kara.”“What?” I threw my hands up. “You want me to cook? Because that’s also a bad idea unless you enjoy food poisoning.”His glare deepened.Then, he said it. “I want you to be my Luna.”For a second, I thought I misheard him. Then I laughed. Not just a little chuckle. A full-blown laugh.Zarek didn’t look amused.“You’re serious?” I asked between breaths.“Yes.”I laughed again. “Oh, that’s funny. Really, really funny.”His expression didn’t change.I c
KARAI woke up to warmth.For a second, I didn’t know where I was. The bed beneath me was softer than anything I was used to, and the scent surrounding me was familiar—woodsy, dark, with a hint of something untamed.Then I realized—Zarek’s arm was draped over my waist.I stiffened.Slowly, I turned my head.He was still asleep. His breathing was steady, his face relaxed in a way I’d never seen before. The sharp edges of his features were softer like this. Peaceful.I blinked.Holy shit.I was in bed with Zarek.Fully clothed, sure. But still.What the hell happened last night?Memories flashed—being drenched in the fountain, Zarek carrying me inside, wrapping me in blankets… I must have fallen asleep before he left.Except—He never left.I carefully tried to move his arm off me, but the second I shifted, his grip tightened.Great.I swallowed. “Uh, Zarek?”No response.I poked his arm. “Zarek.”Still nothing.Was he really that deep of a sleeper?I hesitated—then made the mistake of
“Delilah, leave Kara alone.”Delilah’s fists clenched at the sound of Linda’s voice. She hadn’t even noticed her Beta approaching, but now she turned slowly, narrowing her eyes.“Why should I?” Delilah spat. “She’s just a human, and she’s here to claim the Luna title. I’ve been by Zarek’s side for years, and what have I gotten? Nothing.”Linda crossed her arms. “Zarek cherishes you, Delilah. Don’t ruin it by going after Kara. You can see it, can’t you? Zarek loves her.”Delilah’s eyes darkened. “Loves?” The word tasted bitter on her tongue. “He doesn’t love anyone. He’s an Alpha. Alphas don’t love.”Linda exhaled, but before she could walk away, Delilah grabbed her wrist.“And you?” Delilah’s voice was lower now, almost conspiratorial. “You’ve been with him even longer than I have. Is this really all you deserve? Just being his Beta? You should be greedy, Linda. You should fight for what you want. You love him, don’t you?” Her lips curled into a smirk. “So do I. We both do. Why should
KARAIzzy went still. Her fingers twitched slightly, betraying the only hint of emotion she let slip. “Why are you telling me this?”“Because I know what you are, Izzy,” Delilah said, stepping closer. “I know what you did to Kara before. You ruined her life once. And I want you to do it again.”Izzy stared at her for a long moment. Then, slowly, a smile curled on her lips.“That makes us partners.”GOLDEN WOLF PACKI sat in Zarek’s office, my arms crossed, staring at the stack of papers in front of me.“Sign them,” Zarek said from his desk, barely looking up from his own work.I scoffed. “You really think I’m going to sign a bunch of legal documents without reading them? I don’t wanna get into trouble”“They’re your official Luna responsibilities.” His golden eyes flicked up, locking onto mine. “Or do you want me to read them to you like a bedtime story?”I scowled. “Hilarious.”He smirked.I reached for the first document, skimming the words. “So, let me get this straight… I have to
KARAI sat on the couch in Zarek’s office, my fingers absently tracing the edge of the documents he had forced into my hands earlier. The tension in the room was thick, pressing against my chest like a heavy weight.Linda stood near the doorway, arms crossed, looking like she was debating whether to say something.“What’s going on?” I asked, breaking the silence.Linda hesitated. Her gaze flickered toward Zarek, who was leaning against his desk, his expression unreadable.“You can go. I’ll tell her,” Zarek said, his voice calm but firm.Linda let out a slow breath. “Alright.” She shot me a quick glance before walking out, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her.I frowned. “Tell me what?”Zarek sighed, running a hand through his hair. He looked… uneasy. That was never a good sign.“I have a brother and…” he said finally. “I also have a sister.”I blinked. “Okay…”“We are three siblings,” he added, almost like an afterthought.I tilted my head. “Why do I feel like this isn’t just a f
KARA“It’s so wonderful to have you here.” I said with a warm smile and then she hugged me again.I could feel it in the way her fingers lingered on my back, the way her breath ghosted against my ear as she whispered, “I look forward to getting to know you… Luna.”I pulled away smoothly, my expression unreadable. “Likewise.”Liz and Aria stood beside me, their presence grounding me. Aria was watching Izzy closely, her jaw tight, while Liz’s usual playful expression had dulled into something more serious.Zarek, oblivious to the tension, clapped a hand on Izzy’s shoulder. “I knew you two would get along.”Izzy smirked. “Oh, we’ll be very close.”A chill curled down my spine, but I didn’t let it show. I couldn’t afford to.Instead, I turned to Liz. “I think it’s time we started the ceremony.”Liz nodded quickly. “Yes, of course.”Zarek signaled to the pack, and murmurs of excitement spread through the crowd. This was my official welcome as the Luna of the Golden Wolf Pack—a night that s
KARA“It’s so wonderful to have you here.” I said with a warm smile and then she hugged me again.I could feel it in the way her fingers lingered on my back, the way her breath ghosted against my ear as she whispered, “I look forward to getting to know you… Luna.”I pulled away smoothly, my expression unreadable. “Likewise.”Liz and Aria stood beside me, their presence grounding me. Aria was watching Izzy closely, her jaw tight, while Liz’s usual playful expression had dulled into something more serious.Zarek, oblivious to the tension, clapped a hand on Izzy’s shoulder. “I knew you two would get along.”Izzy smirked. “Oh, we’ll be very close.”A chill curled down my spine, but I didn’t let it show. I couldn’t afford to.Instead, I turned to Liz. “I think it’s time we started the ceremony.”Liz nodded quickly. “Yes, of course.”Zarek signaled to the pack, and murmurs of excitement spread through the crowd. This was my official welcome as the Luna of the Golden Wolf Pack—a night that s
“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
KARAAnd we all walked away before Zarek could notice.We reached the mansion, and Liz approached me with a cautious expression.“You have a visitor,” she said.“A visitor?” My voice barely rose above a whisper.Liz nodded.I stepped into the pack hall and settled onto the chair with Linda, Liz, Aria, and Delilah by my side. The moment I looked up, I saw a woman standing at the entrance, dressed in simple robes.A monk.My brows furrowed. “A monk?”The woman stepped forward, her head bowing slightly in respect. “Luna.”I studied her carefully. She was older, her face lined with age and sorrow. Something about her presence unsettled me.“How may I help you?” I asked.She lifted her gaze, eyes filled with something that looked dangerously close to fear. “I came here to tell you a secret, Luna.”A chill ran down my spine. “What secret?”Her voice was steady, but there was an urgency in her tone. “It’s about Izzy, the Lycan King’s sister.”At that, I rose to my feet and took a step closer
KARAThe Lycan King was carried in, his body limp, a pool of blood staining the floor beneath him. His death had shaken everyone in the room to the core, but the show must go on. The celebration continued, albeit with heavy hearts.Zarek stood by the throne, eyes blank, as the pack members murmured amongst themselves. “Zarek,” one of them said, “You should stay. You’re next in line now.”I watched him for a moment, but he didn’t show any sign of grief, only cold determination.“I’ll help,” I said quietly, stepping toward him.He didn’t respond. Instead, he just nodded, his gaze distant.Later, after the body had been bathed and the mansion was in disarray, we all gathered in the main hall for the next phase. The air was thick with anticipation.Linda glanced at Zarek, her voice quiet but curious. “Never knew your father was the king.”Zarek forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “This mansion, everything here… it’s all yours now.”No one smiled back. His words felt hollow, and t
KARAIzzy’s voice was raw with rage, her eyes burning with fury as she stood at the gates of the Golden Wolf Pack.Delilah didn’t move, her posture relaxed, almost bored. “And?” she said flatly.Izzy’s hands curled into fists. “Let me in,” she demanded, her voice shaking.“No,” Delilah replied simply.Izzy let out a sharp breath and moved to shove past her—only to be met with a firm grip. Delilah caught her wrist effortlessly, twisting it just enough to make Izzy stumble. And then, without hesitation, she shoved Izzy back.Hard.Izzy hit the ground, her palms scraping against the dirt. Her head snapped up, her expression livid.“How dare you!” she shouted.Delilah smirked. “How dare you come here and make demands?”And then I stepped out.Izzy’s eyes locked onto me, hatred pouring from her gaze like venom. Without thinking, she lunged.I didn’t flinch.Delilah moved first. She caught Izzy’s wrist mid-air before the slap could land, her grip like steel. With one sharp motion, she wrenc
Delilah stepped out of Zarek’s room and walked straight to the balcony, where she saw me.Her eyes, once filled with contempt, held something else now. Something unfamiliar.“I used to hate you,” she said suddenly. “But now, I like you.”Before I could respond, she grabbed my shoulders and gave me a firm shake. Then, just as quickly, she turned on her heel and walked away.Linda spotted her at the gate. “Where are you going?”Delilah didn’t stop. Her voice was calm, yet laced with cold determination. “To kill Kimmelly. Let me start from there.”Linda’s eyes widened. She stepped forward to block her path. “Delilah, wait—”Delilah’s head snapped up. Her brown eyes darkened, glowing like molten gold. “Don’t try to stop me.” Her voice was low, threatening.Linda hesitated.Delilah didn’t.She pulled out her phone and dialed Kimmelly’s number.“I know how to kill Kara,” she said when Kimmelly answered. “Meet me in the woods. Far from the pack. Alone.”A pause. Then Kimmelly’s eager voice.