Rylan's POVThe journey had been long and exhausting. The rogue lands stretched endlessly, and the rough terrain tested even the strongest of us. We needed to move quickly, but the landscape offered little mercy. The only way forward was through the gates of the WhiteMoon Pack.I had heard stories of this pack. Their Alpha, Darius, was known for his cruelty. He cared nothing for his people and ruled with an iron fist. Yet, we had no choice. The other paths were blocked by large rocks, impossible to scale without losing precious time.Not to talk of the fact that the young ones and the old ones among us would not make it across the mighty rocks.As we approached the gates, the sight before me confirmed the rumors. The walls were tall and heavily guarded. The men stationed there looked tired, their faces pale and thin. They were not warriors; they were prisoners of their own pack.I stepped forward, calling out to the guards. “We seek passage through your land. We mean no harm.”The gua
Rylan's POVTaking over the WhiteMoon Pack was one thing. Turning it into a place where people could truly live was another.When the battle ended, the people were cautious around us. They didn’t trust easily, and I didn’t blame them. They had suffered under Darius’s rule for so long that hope was almost foreign to them.The first thing I did was call a meeting. I gathered the remaining guards, the elders, and anyone willing to speak. Lyra stood by my side.“Your merciful nature is going to get them to trust you, eventually.” She'd said repeatedly as I tried to make the pack members cooperate with me.“We’re not here to harm you and I'm sure you know that,” I began, addressing the crowd. “Darius is gone. His rule ends today. From now on, this pack will be different.”The crowd murmured, a mix of curiosity and disbelief.“You will no longer live in fear,” I continued. “No one will be executed for speaking out. No one will be forced into slavery. And no one will go hungry while others
Lyra's POVThe days were long, but they were fulfilling. After everything we had been through, it felt strange to be in a place where we weren’t running or fighting to survive. The WhiteMoon Pack was now ours, and I was determined to help make it a home—not just for the pack members but for the rogues who had followed Rylan for so long.I spent most of my time helping people settle in. The pack members were cautious around us at first, but as they saw the changes Rylan and I were making, they started to trust us more. I worked with the women, organizing food supplies and setting up spaces for the children to play safely.The rogues, too, were adjusting. Many of them had not lived within pack walls since after the war that claimed their pack. The children had never known what it meant to be in one place. They were used to the freedom of the wilderness, but I could see how much they appreciated having a roof over their heads and food they didn’t have to aggressively hunt.One afternoon
Lyra's POVThe days passed quietly as we settled into the WhiteMoon pack. The changes Rylan made were starting to show. The people seemed happier, and there was peace in the air. I spent most of my time helping where I could, making sure the rogues fit in and that the pack members felt safe.One afternoon, I was walking through the halls of the packhouse when I heard voices. Two maids were talking in hushed tones near the kitchen. At first, I wasn’t paying much attention, but then I caught something that made me stop.“They say Lyra and Rylan are married,” one maid said.“Great.” I whispered.“Yes,” the other maid replied. “And with Lyra expecting a baby, it means the pack will have strong heirs. It’s good for everyone.”I leaned closer, my back pressed against the wall, listening to every word.“True,” the first maid said. “The last thing we’d want is Darius's bloodline to continue. His children would have been just like him, cruel and selfish. But Rylan’s child… that’s different.”I
Lyra's POVI stood outside Rylan’s chambers, my mind filled with thoughts of the maids’ gossip. They believed Rylan and I were together, and that this baby I carried was his. Their words had followed me all day, growing louder in my mind until I couldn’t ignore them anymore. I needed to talk to Rylan. Again.Perhaps, he hadn't understood the gravity of the situation the Last time. And I wasn't sure I was going to be able to keep up with the pretence that he was my husband and I had his child in my womb.I knocked lightly on the door.“Come in,” Rylan’s deep voice called out.Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. Rylan was standing by the window, looking out over the pack’s training grounds. The evening sunlight cast a golden glow over the room, making him look almost serene. His dark hair had the look of dusk over it and his broad back made my throat dry.Rylan was attractive in every sense. It didn't matter how much I tried to ignore it. It was there. Always. The thought of him. T
Rylan's POVLyra looked at me with curiosity as we walked toward the concealed corridor. Her brows furrowed slightly. "What is it you want to show me, Rylan?""You’ll see," I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips.When we reached the corner of my chambers, I stopped. Running my hand along the wall, I found the hidden latch. With a soft click, the panel slid open, revealing a narrow corridor shrouded in shadows.Her eyes widened. “What’s in there?”“You’ll like this,” I said, stepping inside and motioning for her to follow.The corridor was dark and musty, the air thick with the smell of aged wood and stone. Lyra stayed close behind me as I led the way, the sound of our footsteps echoing softly.At the end of the corridor, we reached a heavy door. I pushed it open, and her sharp intake of breath made me grin.Inside the hidden chamber were chests upon chests, stacked high and gleaming faintly in the dim light from the small lanterns on the walls. I walked over to one of the chests
Lyra's POVMoving into Rylan's chambers felt strange. I told myself it was only temporary, something we were doing for the sake of appearances. The pack believed we were together, and if I stayed elsewhere, it might raise questions. Still, stepping into his room with my belongings made me feel… like I wanted more from him.The space was distinctly Rylan, rugged yet tidy. His scent lingered in the air, warm and earthy, and it made my wolf stir inside me. Snow didn’t say much, but I could feel her watching, waiting.I set my things down near the bed, hesitating for a moment. The bed was large, easily big enough for more than two very large people, but sharing it wasn’t something I had planned for. I tried to focus on settling in, arranging my clothes and a few personal items. Rylan wasn’t in the room, giving me some time to adjust.As the evening stretched on, I found myself standing by the window. I simply stared below into the dark night. I placed my hands on my stomach absentmindedly
Damian's POVThe thought of Eloisa with the young Kaius gnawed at me. I had no proof, nothing solid, but the way they spoke to each other, the way her eyes lingered on him when she thought no one was watching—it was enough to make me wonder. My wolf, Roy, growled softly in the back of my mind, restless and uneasy.“Are you going to accuse her?” Roy asked. His tone was sharp, almost mocking.“I need to be sure,” I replied aloud, pacing my chambers. The stone walls seemed to close in on me, the silence growing heavier by the second.I didn't care who she slept with, but she was bound to me as my Luna and there was no way she could disrespect me that way by letting her knowledge of another man known to me. I'd sworn to myself that I was never going to touch Eloisa again, I knew she would want to satisfy her sexual desires elsewhere, but she couldn't do it within the royal pack house where she knew I was bound to find trails even if I was not looking.“Maybe you could summon her and find
Lyra's POVThe room was silent except for the soft rustling of the bedding and the quiet hum of Olivia and Mildred as they worked, moving about the room with the same gentle care they always gave the babies. I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands resting in my lap, fingers nervously twisting the fabric of my dress as I stared at the floor. My mind wouldn’t settle.Damian was on my mind."No," I whispered to myself, shaking my head in frustration. "It’s not true. You don’t feel anything for him anymore.""It is true," Snow, my wolf, replied in a calm but insistent voice inside my mind. "You’re still drawn to him. Stop trying to deny it."I bit my lip, trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to spill over. "I don’t," I muttered, more to myself than to Snow. "It’s only because he’s the father of my babies. And my former husband. That’s it.""Lyra," Snow said, her voice soft but firm. "You know that’s not the whole truth. You still have feelings for him. You’re still attract
Damian’s POVAs I left the nursery, I couldn’t help the anger simmering beneath my skin. My fists clenched at my sides as I stomped down the hallway, my chest tight with frustration. The image of Lyra leaning into Rylan, her trust in him so clear, replayed in my mind like a taunt. It stung more than I wanted to admit.It wasn't just a knowledge that he was in love with her. I could see it now. It didn't make it hurt less. If anything, the more I thought of it, the more exasperated I got over the knowledge of it.The way he looked at her, the way he hovered protectively—it was obvious. But seeing Lyra respond to him like that, seeing her find comfort in his presence, was a slap in the face. I’d hoped, prayed even, that she hadn’t fallen for him. Yet, what I saw in that room spoke volumes.They were already a pair, weren’t they? A couple.They are running the pack together after all. What did I expect?The thought tore at my heart, and I felt a pang of jealousy so sharp it almost brough
Rylan's POVLyra didn't ask for me to keep Damian away from the babies. Later when she said she was calm enough, she asked for Damian to come take a proper look at the babies.But I wasn't sure she'd completely gotten over her anger like she said she had.Standing near the door, I watched Lyra’s body tense, her anger sharp and clear as she confronted Damian again. The same thing she'd said she would not do. She looked so strong, but I knew the pain behind her cold words. I took a deep breath and walked to her side.“Lyra,” I said softly, draping my arm over her shoulders. “You don’t need to do this. Forget that terrible night. Forget what he did. You’re in a better place now.”Her body relaxed against me, just slightly. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for me to feel her leaning into me. I kept my hand there, steady and firm, silently reminding her that she wasn’t alone.Damian turned then, his eyes catching the way we stood together. His jaw tightened, and a frown spread across his
Lyra's POVThe room was calm, quiet except for the soft voices of Mildred and Olivia as they talked about the babies. I listened, nodding along, but my mind wandered. The boys slept peacefully in their cot, their tiny chests rising and falling, oblivious to the chaos around them.The door creaked open.I looked up sharply, my body immediately tensing. Rylan stepped inside, his expression unreadable, but before I could ask him what he was doing, someone else appeared behind him.Damian.My breath caught, and my chest tightened. The sight of him made my stomach churn. His gaze found mine, and I felt my anger flare instantly. I gripped the arm of my chair, willing myself to stay calm, but it was nearly impossible.“He needed to see the babies, Lyra,” Rylan said, his voice steady.Those words knocked the wind out of me. I felt my anger dissolve, but only slightly. I couldn’t let it fade entirely—not when Damian was standing there, looking at me as if nothing had happened. I clenched my ja
Eloisa's POVDamian wanted to get his babies. And of course their mother too. There was no way he would bring back babies without their mother.He left me behind. He doesn’t care about me or my position here. He’s going to see Lyra. If he brings her back, she's going to take back her place and I will be kicked out of this pack that I’ve worked so hard to take control of. That’s what I’m worried about. What if he comes back with her? What if she manages to worm her way back into his heart?No. Maybe she didn't want him. But what if he found a way to convince her that she still wanted him?What if she takes revenge on me for what I did? I’ve stolen her place, her title. She’s going to hate me for it. And I don’t know if I can handle it. She was always a threat to me, and now, with Damian gone, she could very well come back and take everything. She could ruin all my plans, and I would be left with nothing.I curl my fingers into a fist, clenching them tight as I try to control my breath
Damian's POVI stand in the royal pack house, looking around the room they’ve given me. For a moment, I feel a rush of anger. This is not where I belong. I shouldn’t be here, stuck in this foreign place with Rylan in charge. I’m an Alpha. I should be calling the shots. But as I scan the room, the fact that I’m being treated like an Alpha here is hard to ignore.They’ve brought me food, fitting for someone of my status. A roasted leg of lamb, vegetables cooked to perfection, and bread that’s warm, soft, and fresh. It's not what I would have chosen for myself, but I can’t deny that it’s well prepared. It’s almost as if they’ve tried to remind me of my former standing. I hate Rylan, but even I can’t argue with the care they’ve taken to serve me.The food is good. The treatment is what I’m accustomed to. But still, this isn’t my home. This is Rylan’s home. He’s the one with control now, not me. It burns me to think about it. I’ve spent years leading my pack, the Blood Nest Pack and it's a
Lyra's POV I sat alone in the nursery, staring at the two little faces that were resting peacefully in their cribs. The door to the nursery creaked open, and I turned toward it. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Rylan step into the room. His expression was serious, and there was a weight to his steps, like he was carrying something heavy that he needed to share."Rylan," I greeted, my voice steady but cautious. "What’s going on?"He didn’t answer immediately, his eyes flicking over to the babies, before he met my gaze again. "I need to talk to you about something," he said, his tone firm but calm.I already knew what this was about. There was no need for him to tell me. But I also knew that Rylan had never been one to leave things unsaid, so I didn’t interrupt. I just folded my arms over my chest and waited for him to continue."If it’s about Damian that you let into the pack," I said, trying to keep my voice even, "then you should know by now that I’ve heard. It’s not a secret."R
Rylan's POVThe grand hall of the pack house was empty, save for a few of my trusted men who had been ordered to stand guard. They glanced up as we passed, their expressions serious but unreadable. I was sure they were as alert as I was. Damian had always been a wildcard, and there was no telling what kind of trouble he might stir up if left unchecked.When we reached the center of the hall, I stopped and turned to face him."Damian," I said, my voice firm, "I’m only letting you into the royal pack house because you claim you’re not here for trouble. You’ve made your intentions clear, and I’m choosing to believe you.”He didn’t speak right away, just watched me, as if sizing me up. It was clear he wasn’t intimidated by me, and why should he be? We had been enemies for years, and yet there was still some mutual respect between us."But let me make something very clear," I added, making sure my words cut through the silence. "I’ve already sent men to comb the woods surrounding the pack.
Lyra's POVI was pacing back and forth in my room when Olivia pushed the door open. Her face looked tense, and I could tell something was wrong. The air in the room felt heavy, and I could feel my pulse quickening as I turned to face her.“What is it?” I demanded, unable to hide the impatience in my voice.Olivia hesitated, like she was trying to figure out how to deliver the news. That only made me more anxious.“Alpha Damian’s in the pack,” she said finally, the words tumbling out like they had been too heavy to hold back.For a moment, it was like the floor had dropped out from beneath me. Damian? Here? That didn’t make any sense. My heart pounded as a wave of anger rose in my chest.“What do you mean Damian’s in the pack?” I snapped. “How could that even happen? And why would Rylan let him in?”Olivia flinched slightly at the edge in my tone, but she stood her ground. “From what I’ve heard, he came to see the babies,” she explained quickly. “He told Alpha Rylan he’s here for peace