The sound of the bell rang out across the Shadowclaw castle like an alarm in the night continuously, a sharp, relentless call to action. The tension in the air was palpable as Dorian stormed out of his chambers, fury written across his face. His mind was racing, but his body moved with a singular purpose.As he stepped into the courtyard, guards immediately rushed toward him, their breath heavy with anticipation. The soldiers lined up in perfect formation, their faces a mix of fear and readiness, waiting for their Alpha’s command.“Alpha!” the head of the guards called out as he rushed toward Dorian. “We’ve spotted wolves, ones that doesn't belong to our clan, roaming near the borders. They’re moving fast and it looks like they’re on a mission.”Dorian’s eyes darkened, his body vibrating with fury. “How many?” he growled, his voice sharp like a blade.“At least six, but there could be more. They’re fast, and we couldn’t catch them. We think they’re scouts.”Dorian’s eyes darkened agai
The trees twitched violently, their branches trembling as if in fear. Dorian and his pack stood firm, their eyes scanning the dark woods. From out of nowhere, a group of wolves landed in front of Dorian with menacing growls, while others circled around them. Dorian’s golden eyes gleamed with cold amusement as he observed the intruders.A low, sinister chuckle escaped Dorian’s throat. “Finally,” he growled, his voice carrying a cruel edge. “You’ve come out of your hiding.”The lead wolf from the unknown pack sneered, his dark fur bristling in the moonlight. “Hiding?” His voice was thick with disdain. “We don’t hide from weak alphas like you. You’re nothing but a pawn, cleaning up after those who are truly powerful.”Dorian’s grin widened, showing his sharp teeth. “And you’re just another fool who thinks he can challenge me. Tell me, which clan do you crawl from?”The wolf remained silent, his yellow eyes burning with hate. He didn’t flinch, didn’t blink. Dorian raised an eyebrow, waiti
The room was dimly lit, and shadows flickering against the stone walls as Alpha Valen sat alone, his hands resting on the edge of the dark, and ancient table. The air around him hummed with energy, a low, vibrating pulse that seemed to throb with every breath he took. In front of him, a swirling orb of mist and shadow hovered, reflecting the scene in the woods where Dorian and his pack were gathered.Alpha’s lips curled into a dark smile as he watched Dorian’s frustration mount. “You think you’ve got control, don’t you, Dorian?” Alpha murmured under his breath. “But I’m always one step ahead of you.”A low chuckle echoed through the room as the relic.hidden and unseen by Dorian.glowed faintly in the woods. Vendetta’s magic had done its work. The Shadowclaw would never know the true source of their fear, nor who had been pulling the strings from behind the veil.“Let him suffer,” Alpha whispered. His voice, though soft, was dripping with venom. He clenched his fists as the swirling mi
The midday sun filtered through the castle’s tall windows, casting pale shadows across the stone floors. Irwin’s heart pounded as she fastened her cloak, her hands trembling with a mixture of defiance and desperation. Her breath was quick, her chest tight, as if every breath she took was borrowed air in this suffocating place."Irwin," Ashina’s voice broke through the thick tension, her tone pleading. "You can’t go to the human city. You know how dangerous it is out there. We still don’t know what that strange pack of wolves wanted when they attacked us. You’ll be vulnerable, Irwin."Irwin spun around, her eyes blazing with frustration. "I know what you think, Ashina. You’ve always thought I was fragile, that I needed protection. But I’m not a prisoner here Ashina, Because I'm weak like you people said doesn't mean I will need to stay indoors for the rest of my life. I deserve to live my life like a normal person, not some fragile thing hidden away."Ashina took a step forward, her vo
The trade fair was alive, bursting with energy. Laughter echoed off the stalls, merchants haggled with customers, and the air smelled of roasted meats and fresh fruit. Irwin moved through the crowd, her senses heightened but her mood surprisingly light. It was rare to feel so free, so detached from the weight of the world outside this bustling market.“I know you’re hiding, Ashina. Come out already. It's very obvious, come on” Irwin called out, her voice tinged with amusement.From behind a fruit cart, Ashina appeared with a smirk, brushing back her auburn hair. “You’re too sharp. I can never sneak up on you peacefully?”Irwin chuckled. “Maybe you should stop trying. You’re terrible at it, Ashina.”Ashina laughed, shaking her head as she stepped closer. “ But That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Keep you on your toes.”The two of them wandered through the market, weaving through crowds of people as they observed the scene around them. Children played in the streets, vendors loudly adver
Dorian’s fists clenched tighter with each step as he paced back and forth in the great hall of his castle, his body trembling with barely controlled fury. His mind raced, thoughts tangled in a storm of frustration and guilt, the weight of every decision bearing down on him.The midday light flooded the room, warm and golden, yet it felt suffocating against the heaviness in his chest. He could hear the faint shuffle of guards retreating, their fear was palpable as they moved out of range. They knew better than to stay close when Dorian was like this.Across from him, Leo sat with his legs crossed, observing with an unnerving calmness. He made no attempt to move or speak, simply watching his best friend unravel before his eyes. After a long pause, Leo finally broke the silence, his voice calm but cutting.“Tell me, Dorian, what's the point of all this anger?” Leo asked, leaning forward slightly. “You were the one who let her go, Dorian.”Dorian stopped dead in his tracks, turning to fac
“It wasn’t always like this, you know,” Ulva murmured, her eyes distant as she gazed out of the grand window. The warmth midday sun bathed the room in soft, and golden light, but the weight of their discussion cast an invisible shadow over the space. Her fingers traced the delicate edge of the porcelain teacup she held, even though she hadn’t taken a sip since she held the cup.Adolphus sat across from her, his broad shoulders still carrying the pride of a former Alpha, even though time had softened the sharpness of his once imposing presence.“No, it wasn’t, my dear ulva,” he agreed, his voice deep and laced with nostalgia. His hands rested on the arms of the leather chair, but there was tension in his posture, something unresolved.Ulva glanced at him, a flicker of sadness crossing her eyes. “Do you think we might have pushed him too hard? You know Dorian never wanted to follow the path we laid out for him. He was always so… different. Strong, yes, but independent in ways we couldn’
"Nice to meet you, Valen," Irwin said, her fingers brushing against his as they shook hands. The bustling trade fair around them seemed to blur, the distant hum of voices fading into the background as her gaze locked onto his. His hand was unexpectedly soft, as his touch lingering just a little longer than necessary, sending an unsettling ripple through her. Valen’s voice was calm, smooth like a river. “The pleasure is mine, Lovethe,” he replied, using the name she had given him in their earlier exchange. His eyes, deep and unreadable, held hers as if searching for something beyond the surface. For a brief moment, Irwin forgot everything. Ashina, the fair, even Dorian. It was as if Valen’s presence pulled her into a different space entirely, one where nothing else mattered.Irwin’s breath hitched slightly as his thumb traced a gentle line across her palm. A strange connection seemed to form between them, though she couldn’t quite place what it was. His presence was both comforting an