Rylan’s POV“I'm excited. She's going to face the consequences of her actions and there's nothing sweeter than seeing that happen!” It was my wolf, Lee. I didn't respond. It kept prancing about inside me. Too excited to stay still. Yet I didn't give it the attention it wanted. “Aren't you excited you're doing what must be done? Your expression is grim. It shouldn't be.”“Am I supposed to walk around the pack laughing because I'm about to mete out punishment on someone?”As I made my way to the underground cells, I passed several pack members who greeted me respectfully but quickly averted their gazes. The tension among them was palpable. They were waiting for me to decide her fate, and I wouldn't hesitate to do so. If not that Lyra had not given the word, Alexis would have been standing for a death execution. I didn't know how threatened Lyra felt by her presence and I'd wanted Lyra to simply say the word. Of course, it'd be unusual that I reached a conclusion with the elders only
Lyra's POVThe hallway was l quiet as I made my way back to my chambers. The soft padding of my footsteps was the only sound in the stillness. My conversation with Rylan and the elders echoed in my mind. Agreeing to banish Alexis had felt like the right decision at the time, a necessary step to maintain peace in the pack. But the unease in my chest refused to settle.“Something might go wrong. There's a chance she'll return. But there's no way I'd be the one to ask for her head. She's still part of the rogues,” I told myself in a whisper.Reaching my door, I slowed. A faint murmur of voices stopped me in my tracks. Tilting my head, I recognized Mildred and Olivia speaking inside. Their hushed tones carried through the partially closed door, and though I knew it wasn’t right to eavesdrop, I found myself listening.“Do you see how the Alpha looks at her?” Olivia’s voice was a soft whisper, tinged with awe. “He adores her, Mildred. It’s obvious. The way he always includes her in the coun
Rylan's POVThe morning was quiet, but it carried a heavy weight. The pack gathered in the central clearing, standing shoulder to shoulder. The air buzzed with tension as everyone waited for the punishment to be delivered.I stood on the raised platform, my arms crossed, my face set in a firm expression. My wolf, Lee, stirred uneasily.“You're too kind. You don't even like doing this,” he said. I sighed. “If I could give the verdict from my chambers and have it carried out, it would be fine. But everywhere, the tradition demands that I stay and proclaim the verdict where everyone is present.” I said silently. I had fought and killed men in their hundreds. Blood didn't make me uneasy but at the same time, I hated when it had to be about someone who was a part of me. And Alexis was of course a part of me. She'd always been. She'd known about the rogues way more than anyone else did. She'd even influenced certain decisions I made in the past concerning the welfare of the pack. Alexis
Damian's POV My days were dull and slow and everytime, I was faced with making a new decision that would benefit the pack. I knew there were decisions to be made, but all I felt was exhaustion, both physical and mental. My thoughts drifted between the pack’s future, the betrayal of my past, and the ever-looming uncertainty of where everything was headed.The last few days had been a blur. I had spent more time pacing and thinking than actually doing something useful. The weight of the decisions I had to make was crushing, but I couldn’t bring myself to act. Every time I tried, the image of Lyra’s eyes, filled with that quiet sadness, haunted me. The babies—our babies—were a part of this too, and that made things even more complicated. I didn’t know what to do anymore.As I walked, I heard hurried footsteps behind me. I turned to see one of the guards approaching, his face serious.“Alpha,” the guard said, bowing slightly as he spoke. “There’s someone here from the Rogues Pack who ins
Eloisa's POVThe news reached me late in the evening. Alexis, the rogue werewolf woman who'd always been a part of Rylan's pack and his strong beta was here in the Blood Nest pack. Damian had allowed her to spend the night, something I didn’t agree with, but I kept my thoughts to myself. The Blood Nest Pack was my home now, and I had worked hard to secure my place as Luna. Still, this rogue’s presence piqued my curiosity.When the house grew quiet, I slipped away to where she had been given a room. I knocked softly, then pushed the door open without waiting for a reply. Alexis sat on the edge of the bed, as alert as she usually was, being the warrior she was known to be.“Eloisa,” she said, her voice wary. “What are you doing here?”“I want to know why you’re here,” I said simply. “Why did the WhiteMoon pack kick you out? And what happened to Rylan?”Her expression darkened, and she motioned for me to sit. I chose a chair by the corner, crossing my arms as I waited for her to speak.
Damian's POVThe morning was calm, but I felt restless. The rogue woman, Alexis, had stayed the night, which I didn’t like. Rogues were dangerous, unpredictable. They brought trouble wherever they went. Just one night, I had said. And now it was time for her to leave.I walked toward the quarters where Alexis was supposed to be. My steps were steady, but my mind was troubled.As I neared the quarters, I stopped a guard who was patrolling nearby. “Where is the rogue woman? Is she still inside?” I asked, my voice firm.The guard looked nervous. “No, Alpha. She’s not there.”“What do you mean she’s not there?” My voice rose slightly, and the guard flinched.“She left with Luna Eloisa early this morning,” he explained quickly. “They went behind the pack house, toward the trees.”I felt a spark of anger flare in my chest. Why was Eloisa getting involved with this rogue? We had agreed Alexis would leave. I didn’t like it when people went against my decisions, not even Eloisa. Without saying
Eloisa's POVAs soon as Damian was completely out of sight, I let out a soft laugh. Alexis turned to me, her face curious. I couldn’t help it. The way Damian had believed my story so easily was almost funny. He thought he was strong, but he was too trusting. It was a weakness, one I knew how to use.“I didn’t think it would work,” I said, shaking my head. “That story about you saving me as a child—I made it up on the spot.”Alexis blinked in surprise. “You lied to him and he believed that easily?”“Of course, I did. You saw it with your own eyes” I replied, smirking. “Damian likes to think he’s always in control, but he’s too soft sometimes. A little bit of emotion, and he’ll believe anything.”Alexis stayed quiet for a moment, her face thoughtful. Then, a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Why did you do it? Why defend me like that? Why go the length to makeup a story?”I turned to her, folding my arms. “Because I see potential in you. You’re not like the others in this
Damian's POV I sat alone in my room, surrounded by memories. Old photos, trinkets, and notes lay scattered across the table in front of me. Each piece reminded me of Lyra. Her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes lit up when she was happy. My hands trembled as I picked up a small locket she had once worn. It had been mine to give, and she had cherished it—for a time, at least.The early days of our mating had been beautiful. We'd wanted to do everything together. We'd loved each other deeply and then we'd had a son together. Lyra had been the woman of my dreams and I the man of her dreams.“Until I gave Eloisa a chance to tear me apart,”Roy, my wolf, stirred inside me. He had been restless all day. “Damian,” he said, his voice gruff yet steady, “you’re spiraling. This isn’t healthy.”I didn’t answer him. Instead, I stared at a photograph of Lyra and me from years ago. We had been happy then, or at least I had thought so. My chest ached, and my throat felt tight. I wanted her back. I
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