It was getting late, and the sun had begun to cast a soft yellow glow over the horizon, signaling the end of the day. Irwin and Ashina walked in silence toward the towering gates of Shadowclaw. The air between them was thick, weighed down by the argument they’d had earlier at the trade fair. Every step they took back home was quiet, filled with tension neither of them could shake.Ashina, her voice quiet but laced with frustration, tried once again to spark a conversation. "Irwin, we can’t stay like this," she said, glancing sideways at her friend. "You have to understand that I only told you about Valen to protect you. I didn’t want..."But Irwin wasn’t listening. Her mind was spinning, replaying everything Ashina had said earlier. Why was Ashina so intent on making Valen seem like a villain? What was the real reason behind her warnings? Valen hadn’t done anything suspicious in Irwin’s eyes, yet Ashina seemed determined to paint him in the darkest possible light. Irwin’s thoughts swi
The castle seemed to breathe with an unspoken tension as Irwin walked down the long corridors toward her room. Her footsteps echoed faintly, a rhythmic reminder that she was, as always, alone.The day had been long, too long. Her body ached from the weight of everything she’d carried today. And now, as she neared the familiar comfort of her chambers, all she wanted was to strip away the layers of expectation and obligation and find a moment of peace.But peace had become a rare thing for her in Shadowclaw. It was a kingdom built on power, strength, and loyalty, qualities that Irwin had never felt like she truly possessed. Here, she was nothing more than a hybrid, barely tolerated and rarely acknowledged by those who mattered. Even Dorian, the Alpha she had been bound to, treated her like a burden more than a mate.She felt a wave of frustration building within her, but quickly suppressed it. Now wasn’t the time to break. As she reached her door, she paused for a brief moment, her ha
The question hung in the air, unanswered, as the weight of the moment settled over them both like a suffocating blanket. The tension between them was palpable, every breath shared, every second longer than the last. Irwin’s heart raced as her eyes met Dorian’s darkened gaze, filled with a hunger she couldn’t escape.As Dorian stepped forward quietly, the servants hurried out of the room, sensing the change in the air. Their footsteps faded, leaving only the sound of Irwin’s shallow breathing and Dorian’s steady, deliberate movements. His eyes never left her as the silence thickened, and Irwin could feel the heat rising in her chest, spreading like wildfire Dorian’s gaze lingered on her body, as though he were memorizing every inch of her. Her skin, soft as silk, gleamed in the low light, tempting him with its warmth. The sight alone was enough to make his heart pound, his breath hitching in his throat Irwin’s knees weakened under the weight of his stare, her body betraying her with
Ashina stood at the door, her breath caught in her throat as soft moans echoed from within. She pressed her ear against the door, trying to make sense of the strange sounds. It wasn’t like Irwin and Dorian were that... close. Yesterday, they'd barely exchanged civil words, and now this?Just as she was about to push the door open, a voice interrupted her thoughts."Ashina," Leo’s voice dripped with sarcasm. He leaned against the wall at the end of the hallway, arms folded. "You really think standing here and eavesdropping is going to get you anywhere?"Ashina whipped around, scowling at him. "What are you doing here?"Leo pushed off the wall and shrugged, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Same thing you're doing. Wondering why you're so interested in something that's none of your business.""None of my business?" Ashina narrowed her eyes. "Dorian is my friend. Whatever happens between him and Irwin... it's worth knowing, atleast."Leo raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh please, don't pret
“Is this really happening or am I only dreaming?”Irwin’s voice was barely carried over the wind that whipped around them, howling through the barren trees. She stood still, her heart pounding as she faced the heavy iron gates of the Shadowclaw compound.Cain, who was standing beside her, glanced at her sharply. He's the shadowclaw gate keeper, and he has been waiting for Irwin. His lips curled in something between amusement and impatience. “Why do you ask questions you already know the answers to?”Irwin's throat tightened. The cold breeze of the night seeped through her cloak. But the chill she felt around her, came from the inside. “ But Why me? Why does the shadowclaw choose me for this” she whispered, more to herself than to Cain.Cain snorted. “Why not you?” His boots crunched on the gravel as he moved ahead, pushing to open the gate. The sound echoed in the stillness. “It’s not in my place to know why the Alpha chose you, hybrid. But if I had to guess, I think you were the eas
“Move along,” barked the guard behind her. She was a little bit frightened off because she thought the council are never done with her. The guards voice was sharp, his nudge just as harsh. Irwin stumbled forward, catching her footing as they passed through the towering iron gates of the Shadowclaw stronghold. Her heart raced, each beat heavy with dread. She knew she was walking straight into the den of wolves. The eyes of the pack members followed her every step, glaring, and unwelcoming. She could feel their disdain burning into her." The hybrid", they whispered. "The outsider. ""The one chosen to marry Alpha Dorian." The whispers continues.They moved deeper into the stronghold, the path winding toward the main hall. The stone walls loomed high above her, casting long shadows that seemed to close in on her. She could feel the weight of it all. The stares. The whispers again continued. The sheer hostility. “Is that her?”“I don’t like this one bit.”“She’ll bring trouble.”Irwi
The sharp knock on the door startled Irwin from her fitful sleep. She blinked against the early morning light filtering through the small window, her heart thudding in her chest. Her mind had been consumed by the thoughts of the impending ceremony all night. The uncertainty. The fear. It all swirled in her head like a storm she couldn’t escape.“Lady Irwin,” a deep voice called from outside the door. “It’s time.”The words hit her like a punch to the gut. "It’s time." The ceremony. The binding. The event that would tie her fate to Dorian, the man who barely spared her a glance, and the pack that already resented her presence.Irwin sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. She could feel the weight of everything pressing down on her. There was no avoiding it now. She had no choice.The door creaked open, and two guards stepped inside, their faces as impassive as ever. Behind them, two servants entered, bowing slightly before speaking."Lady Irwin, we’re here to help you prepare," one of the se
Irwin gasped softly, her whole body jolting as a surge of energy shot through her. Her eyes widened, and she instinctively tightened her grip on his hand. It was like a wildfire spreading through her veins, intense and overwhelming.Dorian’s eyes widened too, just for a moment, but he quickly masked his surprise. His grip on her hand remained firm, but his expression didn’t change.He felt it too, Irwin realized. There was no denying it."What... what was that?" she whispered, her voice shaking." You better, Stay calm," Dorian muttered through gritted teeth, his voice low enough that only she could hear."I can’t," she whispered back, her heart racing. "You felt it too, didn’t you?"Dorian’s grip tightened slightly, as he rolled his eyes away from her. "Don’t make a scene, Irwin."Irwin’s head spun. She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to demand answers to, but now wasn’t the time. She could feel the eyes of the pack on them, watching, and judging. Dorian was right, s