Laura remained pressed against the cold stone wall, her breath coming fast and uneven. Her heart wouldn't slow down. Dante's words still echoed in her mind, his presence lingering like a shadow she couldn't shake off."Everything's a game," he had said. "And we've just started playing."The corridor was silent now, but the weight of their encounter clung to her skin. Her body still tingled where he'd been so close, though she hated to admit it even to herself.She pushed herself away from the wall, trying to calm her racing heart. "Get it together," she muttered, angry at her own weakness.Just as she began to steady herself, a familiar sensation crept down her spine—the feeling of being watched. Again. The hairs on her arms stood up straight. She turned around quickly, anger and irritation evident in her eyes, as she bit down a curse."You've got to be kidding me," she hissed.Across the dimly lit corridor, Nikolai leaned against the wall. His smirk was barely there, just a hint of a
Laura unable to stay in the quarters assigned to her finally cracked and stormed out down the hallway, her mind buzzing with the encounters she'd just had. Her boots clicked against the stone floor, each step fueled by her growing anger while she walked aimlessly.As she rounded the corner, a group of warriors in gleaming silver armor passed by. Unlike before, they didn't look through her as if she was nothing. Instead, they offered small nods of acknowledgment.One warrior even stepped aside, making way for her. The respect in his eyes was still new to her despite it happening days ago, all because she'd defeated Garrick in combat. The memory of that victory was still fresh, the shocked faces of the Bloodfang warriors when she'd stood over their champion, bloodied but unbeaten.Laura barely returned their nods, too caught up in her thoughts about the four men who seemed determined to break down her walls."At least someone around here knows not to mess with me," she muttered to herse
The silence stretched between them, thick and charged. Laura stood her ground, refusing to back down despite facing four of the most powerful Alphas in the territory.Zephyr rose from his seat, his movements fluid like water. He stepped toward a wooden chest tucked in the corner of the room that Laura hadn't noticed before."Since you're so determined to prove yourself," he said, his voice soft yet carrying throughout the chamber, "perhaps you'd be willing to face a different kind of challenge."Lucian's head snapped toward him. "What are you doing?"Zephyr ignored him, opening the chest and pulling out an ornate wooden box. It was small enough to fit in his palm, its surface covered with intricate carvings that seemed to shift in the torchlight."This is the Riddle Box," Zephyr explained, holding it out for Laura to see. "An ancient test of wit and will that's been in my pack for generations.""This is not the time," Lucian growled, standing up so quickly his chair scraped loudly aga
Laura's fingers trembled as she fastened the silver clasp at her throat, the small thing fighting against her usually steady hands. In the fancy mirror before her, a woman stared back, looking proud but unsure. Her reflection seemed almost like a stranger now, watching her with those blue eyes that once shined with strong spirit but now had shadows of worry."Just nerves," she whispered to herself, smoothing her dress, something she picked so carefully for tonight's gathering.Kieran's gathering. The thought twisted in her heart like a knife. Her mate had grown cold these past months, pulling away more each day. Laura had told herself it was just the weight of being a leader pressing on him, that being Alpha to the Silver Moon pack asked for things even she couldn't understand.She touched her flat stomach, feeling that same old pain bloom inside. Where a baby should have grown, there was only emptiness. Three years as Kieran's Luna, and still no child. Though he never said the words
Something old and forgotten stirred inside Laura's chest. The warrior she had buried years ago clawed to break free, scratching at her insides with growing fury. Her wolf, once quiet and yielding, now howled with a rage that shook her to her core.Fight back! Fight back NOW! Let me tear into the bastard!But the chains of years spent in submission weighed heavy on her shoulders. She had played the perfect Luna for so long. She had been silent, dutiful and never questioning. The role had now become a cage she had built around herself.Her hands shook as she stared at Kieran, his arm wrapped tightly around Elise's waist, his smug smile cutting into Laura's soul like a knife."Is this what I deserve?" Laura found her voice at last, though it emerged softer than she wanted. "After everything I gave up for you?"Kieran's eyes narrowed. The pack hall grew so quiet she could hear the crackling of the hearth fire."You gave up nothing I didn't ask you to give," he said coldly, his voice filli
Laura stumbled through the forest, her hand pressing against rough tree bark as she moved. Her other hand clutched at her chest where the broken mate bond left a burning hole. Each breath hurt like knives in her lungs. Her legs nearly gave out with every step, but still, she pushed on.The pain was worse than anything she'd ever felt. She could handle cuts and wounds just fine - she had been a warrior once. But this? This felt like her very soul was being torn apart."Keep moving," she told herself, her voice rough. "Just keep moving."Her wolf cried inside her mind, a sad, painful sound that shook her whole body. It was the howl of an animal who had lost its other half, who couldn't understand why this had happened. The wolf wanted to give up, to let the pain take over both of them.But Laura said no.A strong wave of pain hit her, knocking her to her knees. She tried to throw up, but her stomach was empty. Cold sweat soaked her dress, the pretty gown she'd worn for the gathering now
The deeper Laura went, the darker the forest became. The Silver Moon Pack's borders faded behind her, leaving her utterly alone. With each step she took, it took her further from everything she had known, everything she had ever been. The mate bond's absence throbbed like an open wound in her chest, an ache that threatened to swallow her from within.The trees loomed over her, looking like they were giving her a sentence. Gnarled branches reached out like bony fingers, catching at her torn dress, as if the forest itself was trying to hold her back. Twigs snapped beneath her shaky steps, but despite all these she pushed forward with grit."Just... keep... moving," she gasped, each word was a battle against the pain she was feeling.The cold of the night seeped into her bones sending a numbing chill that spread through all her limbs. Her bare feet were cut and bleeding, leaving bloody footprints on the forest path. She had begun to feel tired as her body shook with the effort of each st
Through the darkness and pain, Laura saw something move behind the rogues, a shape hidden in the night. At first, she thought death had come for her.Her heart stopped. Was this it? The end of everything?Then a deep, scary growl cut through the air, louder and stronger than any sound the rogues could make. The growl shook the forest, making everything tremble. The leaves rustled, and the very ground seemed to shake beneath them.The rogues stopped, their heads turning quickly toward the sound."What was that?" one whispered, fear making his voice shake.Laura felt Vex's fingers loosen around her throat. Just a bit, but enough to draw in a painful breath. His eyes darted around the darkness, no longer focused on her."Who's there?" he shouted, his voice not as strong as before. "This is our land! You hear me? Our territory!"Another growl answered him, closer now. The sound made Laura's skin tingle. The rogues holding her arms glanced at each other, their grips becoming weak as they l
The silence stretched between them, thick and charged. Laura stood her ground, refusing to back down despite facing four of the most powerful Alphas in the territory.Zephyr rose from his seat, his movements fluid like water. He stepped toward a wooden chest tucked in the corner of the room that Laura hadn't noticed before."Since you're so determined to prove yourself," he said, his voice soft yet carrying throughout the chamber, "perhaps you'd be willing to face a different kind of challenge."Lucian's head snapped toward him. "What are you doing?"Zephyr ignored him, opening the chest and pulling out an ornate wooden box. It was small enough to fit in his palm, its surface covered with intricate carvings that seemed to shift in the torchlight."This is the Riddle Box," Zephyr explained, holding it out for Laura to see. "An ancient test of wit and will that's been in my pack for generations.""This is not the time," Lucian growled, standing up so quickly his chair scraped loudly aga
Laura unable to stay in the quarters assigned to her finally cracked and stormed out down the hallway, her mind buzzing with the encounters she'd just had. Her boots clicked against the stone floor, each step fueled by her growing anger while she walked aimlessly.As she rounded the corner, a group of warriors in gleaming silver armor passed by. Unlike before, they didn't look through her as if she was nothing. Instead, they offered small nods of acknowledgment.One warrior even stepped aside, making way for her. The respect in his eyes was still new to her despite it happening days ago, all because she'd defeated Garrick in combat. The memory of that victory was still fresh, the shocked faces of the Bloodfang warriors when she'd stood over their champion, bloodied but unbeaten.Laura barely returned their nods, too caught up in her thoughts about the four men who seemed determined to break down her walls."At least someone around here knows not to mess with me," she muttered to herse
Laura remained pressed against the cold stone wall, her breath coming fast and uneven. Her heart wouldn't slow down. Dante's words still echoed in her mind, his presence lingering like a shadow she couldn't shake off."Everything's a game," he had said. "And we've just started playing."The corridor was silent now, but the weight of their encounter clung to her skin. Her body still tingled where he'd been so close, though she hated to admit it even to herself.She pushed herself away from the wall, trying to calm her racing heart. "Get it together," she muttered, angry at her own weakness.Just as she began to steady herself, a familiar sensation crept down her spine—the feeling of being watched. Again. The hairs on her arms stood up straight. She turned around quickly, anger and irritation evident in her eyes, as she bit down a curse."You've got to be kidding me," she hissed.Across the dimly lit corridor, Nikolai leaned against the wall. His smirk was barely there, just a hint of a
Days LaterLaura's body screamed in protest. Every muscle burned, her limbs shaking with each breath she took. But she wouldn't fall. She couldn't. Not in front of the cocky male in front of her.Sweat trickled down her back, soaking her torn training clothes. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air, lifting her trembling arms to block whatever came next.Lucian moved around her in slow circles, like a wolf eyeing wounded prey. His breathing was calm, his stance strong and sure. For hours, he'd pushed her past every limit she thought she had.Yet somehow, she still stood."Again," he ordered in a rough voice.Laura bit her lip hard and raised her arms higher. Pain shot through her muscles, but she locked her knees firmly."I said, again!" he barked.The command made her heart race, and not just from fear. Something about his dominant tone sent an unexpected heat through her body.Before she could blink, Lucian moved in a blur of movement making her panic as she lost sight of him. Befor
The words hung in the air, pressing down on Laura like a heavy weight.The scent of the Primordial Mate.She hugged herself, trying to make sense of it all. Her mind raced, her heart pounding against her ribs like it wanted to break free.She barely understood what it meant, but the way they were looking at her—like she was something rare, something theirs—made her stomach twist. This wasn't just a title. This was about power.Her power.Her hands curled into fists at her sides. Every part of her rebelled against the idea. She had spent years as Kieran's Luna. Trapped and controlled. A possession disguised as a partner. And now, she was supposed to belong to them?No.A familiar slow burn of anger crawled up her spine. Her skin felt hot, her pulse too loud in her ears."I don't care what this scent means," she said, voice sharp, steady. "I am not yours."Silence.The tension in the room was suffocating.It wasn't just the weight of their stares, it was something deeper. Something that
After Nikolai had said his piece, he walked off, leaving Laura alone with his words hanging in the air. "What does he mean?" she whispered to herself, her fingers trembling slightly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She glanced at them, seeing they were standing like they were waiting for something. Then there was silence. A silence that felt heavy. Laura felt it before she saw him, she could feel the difference in the air. Another predator had entered and everyone knew it. What the hell was happening? The werewolves surrounding them stiffened. Some bared their fangs, low growls escaping their throats. But they didn't move. They didn't act. "Stand down," Lucian murmured, his voice barely audible. They obeyed, Lucien's order was the only thing keeping them in check. Dante, who usually radiated aggression, didn't speak. His shoulders were tight and his stance controlled. His jaw clenched so hard Laura could see the muscle twitching. Nikolai, who seemed to find am
The ground trembled before she even saw him.Laura felt it first—a slow, rolling vibration through the stone floor, like something massive was approaching. The air thickened, charged with an unseen force that made her breath hitch.Then, he stepped in. She recognized him immediately even though this was their first meeting.Dante Stormborn.She knew the name. Everyone did. He was a legend whispered about in fear, an Alpha who had built his power through war and blood. They said he was more beast than man, that he had never lost a battle, that mercy was not in his vocabulary.And now, he was here.Laura swallowed hard, forcing herself to stand still as he entered the room.He was taller than she expected and towering, his body built of raw strength and thick with scars. His golden eyes burned, sharp and unreadable, scanning her like she was nothing more than a speck of dust in his path.Lucian leaned lazily against the wall, arms crossed, his smirk unwavering. He didn't interfere. He s
The chant washed over her like warm rain. Her legs shook, not from fear anymore but from pure shock. These people, who minutes ago had mocked her, laughed at her were now cheering for her.She closed her eyes for a moment, letting it all sink in. The pain. The victory. The realization that she had found something she thought was lost forever.Herself.Her split lip stung. Her ribs screamed with every breath. But none of that mattered now.When she opened her eyes again, she saw Garrick staring up at her, confusion and something else, maybe respect, in his gaze."How?" he asked again, voice rough. A thin line of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. His golden eyes, once so full of mockery, now looked lost. "No one's ever—" He stopped, shook his head. "You're different.""Yeah," Laura said with a small smile. "I am."He studied her for a long moment, then gave a small nod. It wasn't friendship. It wasn't even acceptance. But it was acknowledgment. And for now, that was enough.A
Laura swayed on her feet, her breath coming out in short gasps. Every inch of her body screamed in pain. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, warm and metallic on her tongue. Her vision blurred, but she forced herself to stay upright.*Don't fall. Don't you dare fall.*Garrick stood a few feet away, completely unfazed. His arms hung loose at his sides, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. He wasn't even trying.Because he didn't have to.The crowd around them murmured, their whispers cutting through the air like knives."She should just stay down.""This is so pathetic.""She was never a real warrior, anyway."Laura's heart sank with each cruel word. They were right. She was losing. Badly.Garrick rolled his shoulders, shaking his head. "Look at you." His voice was smooth, mocking. "You really thought you could fight here? With us?" He let out a low chuckle. "Know your place, girl."Laura didn't answer. She couldn't. She was too busy breathing, too busy thinking through the