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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
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
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 he
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
The world stopped spinning, and Laura felt solid ground beneath her feet again. She blinked several times, trying to get her bearings after the disorienting portal travel. "First time through a portal?" Zephyr asked, his deep voice tinged with amusement. Laura straightened her shoulders, not wanting to show weakness. "Is it that obvious?" "Most people throw up their first time." "Lucky me," she muttered, taking in her surroundings. The Shadowfang territory was nothing like Lucian's. Where the Bloodfang lands had been all stone and fire, intimidating and powerful, Zephyr's domain felt... different. The air itself seemed charged with energy, but not the aggressive kind. It was alive with thought. They stood in a massive open chamber with ceilings that stretched so high Laura had to crane her neck to see where they ended. Bookshelves lined the walls, reaching from floor to ceiling. People moved about purposefully, some carrying scrolls, others engaged in quiet but intense conversati
As they walked, Laura noticed how people nodded respectfully to Zephyr but also looked at him with genuine admiration rather than fear. It was a stark contrast to the intimidation tactics she'd seen in Lucian's territory.Selene stayed close to Zephyr, occasionally touching his arm or shoulder when explaining something—which she did often, interrupting whenever Zephyr began to speak directly to Laura."Our territory extends beyond these halls," Zephyr explained as they walked through a series of interconnected chambers, each devoted to different subjects of study. "But the heart of our power is here, in knowledge preserved and expanded upon for generations.""Knowledge without application is useless," Laura said, remembering something she'd read once.Selene laughed lightly. "How quaint. But I assure you, we apply our knowledge quite effectively.""I'm sure you do," Laura muttered.They passed through a room where young wolves were engaged in what looked like a strategy game using a t
Laura pushed open the door to find a surprisingly comfortable room with a large window overlooking what appeared to be training grounds below. Wolves moved in coordinated patterns—not fighting, but something that looked almost like a dance.She sank onto the bed, suddenly exhausted. What was she doing here? Spite was a terrible reason to follow a stranger to his territory.The Riddle Box sat heavy in her thoughts. What kind of test was it really? And why did she care about passing it?Because she was tired of being underestimated. Tired of being seen as nothing more than a former luna, a weakened wolf, a prize to be claimed.Laura closed her eyes, steeling herself for dinner with Selene and whatever mind games awaited her there.---Two hours later, Laura stood outside the dining hall, gathering her courage. She'd found clean clothes laid out for her—simple but elegant black pants and a deep green top that fit surprisingly well. Her hair was still damp from the bath, but she felt refr
The ceremonial chamber was larger than Laura expected, with high ceilings and windows that let in the silvery moonlight. Pack members lined the walls, their faces solemn and curious. Selene stood near the front, her silver dress gleaming like liquid metal in the dim light.And there, in the center of the room, sat the Riddle Box on a stone pedestal.It looked smaller than Laura had imagined—about the size of a jewelry box—but something about it commanded attention. Its silverwood surface seemed to shift in the moonlight, the carvings moving like shadows dancing across water.Zephyr stepped forward, his face now serious and formal. "Laura, former Luna of the Eastern Packs, you stand before the Riddle Box of the Shadowfang. Are you prepared to face its challenge?"Laura swallowed hard, suddenly aware of every eye in the room. "I am.""The box tests not just intelligence, but character," Zephyr continued. "It will look into your mind, your heart, your past. Not everyone is meant to solve
As the dinner wrapped up, Laura felt a strange mix of dread and excitement swirling in her stomach. The whispers around her had grown louder, and the stares more obvious. Everyone was curious about the outsider who dared attempt the Riddle Box challenge.Zephyr stood, his chair scraping against the stone floor. "It's time."Three words that made Laura's heart skip. She took a deep breath and rose from her seat, ignoring Selene's icy smile."Follow me," said a young woman who introduced herself as Mira. "We need to prepare you."Laura followed Mira down a dimly lit hallway, leaving the buzzing conversation of the dining hall behind."Has anyone from outside the pack ever tried this before?" Laura asked.Mira glanced back at her. "No. Never.""Great. No pressure," Laura muttered.They entered a small room with stone walls covered in intricate carvings. A basin of clear water sat in the center, steam rising from its surface."The ritual cleansing," Mira explained. "The Riddle Box connect
Laura pushed open the door to find a surprisingly comfortable room with a large window overlooking what appeared to be training grounds below. Wolves moved in coordinated patterns—not fighting, but something that looked almost like a dance.She sank onto the bed, suddenly exhausted. What was she doing here? Spite was a terrible reason to follow a stranger to his territory.The Riddle Box sat heavy in her thoughts. What kind of test was it really? And why did she care about passing it?Because she was tired of being underestimated. Tired of being seen as nothing more than a former luna, a weakened wolf, a prize to be claimed.Laura closed her eyes, steeling herself for dinner with Selene and whatever mind games awaited her there.---Two hours later, Laura stood outside the dining hall, gathering her courage. She'd found clean clothes laid out for her—simple but elegant black pants and a deep green top that fit surprisingly well. Her hair was still damp from the bath, but she felt refr
As they walked, Laura noticed how people nodded respectfully to Zephyr but also looked at him with genuine admiration rather than fear. It was a stark contrast to the intimidation tactics she'd seen in Lucian's territory.Selene stayed close to Zephyr, occasionally touching his arm or shoulder when explaining something—which she did often, interrupting whenever Zephyr began to speak directly to Laura."Our territory extends beyond these halls," Zephyr explained as they walked through a series of interconnected chambers, each devoted to different subjects of study. "But the heart of our power is here, in knowledge preserved and expanded upon for generations.""Knowledge without application is useless," Laura said, remembering something she'd read once.Selene laughed lightly. "How quaint. But I assure you, we apply our knowledge quite effectively.""I'm sure you do," Laura muttered.They passed through a room where young wolves were engaged in what looked like a strategy game using a t
The world stopped spinning, and Laura felt solid ground beneath her feet again. She blinked several times, trying to get her bearings after the disorienting portal travel. "First time through a portal?" Zephyr asked, his deep voice tinged with amusement. Laura straightened her shoulders, not wanting to show weakness. "Is it that obvious?" "Most people throw up their first time." "Lucky me," she muttered, taking in her surroundings. The Shadowfang territory was nothing like Lucian's. Where the Bloodfang lands had been all stone and fire, intimidating and powerful, Zephyr's domain felt... different. The air itself seemed charged with energy, but not the aggressive kind. It was alive with thought. They stood in a massive open chamber with ceilings that stretched so high Laura had to crane her neck to see where they ended. Bookshelves lined the walls, reaching from floor to ceiling. People moved about purposefully, some carrying scrolls, others engaged in quiet but intense conversati
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 he
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