She looked at Derek. His own eyes, still burning with determination even though he was hurt, reflected her own horror and shock. They both felt that moment of wordless comprehension that every second now counted.The stranger went on, "Three days from now, judgment will be upon you. Until then, you need to prepare and gather your spread light. Only thus can you try to overcome the darkness that will cover you.".Diva's brain went haywire. Three days. The countdown has begun. Each second was a precious, clockwork moment that could rescue her or nothing. Her heart thumped with adrenaline and utter terror. "And what is your price?" she snarled, voice steady over the tempest raging within her.The stranger's eyes clenched and he gave no swift reply. He extended his handโa gesture in silence full of potential and threat. The air was charged with tension.Diva hesitated, hand hanging between the palmar calluses of destiny and trembling skin. She knew that to take it would reverse everything
Diva's heels pounded the wet road as she rushed down the winding corridors of the citadel. The bewildering events of last night still echoed with every inhalation. She was driven by bitter betrayal and fear of an uncertain tomorrow. Chapter 81's cryptic warning haunted herโthe ominous warning that success earned with blood and toil was vulnerable and shadows clung only at an arm's distance. Behind her, the ferocity of battle receded into the distant, persistent humโa reminder that there were still threats out there, waiting just beyond reach. Her heart racing in her chest, she gripped her sword tightly, every step the result of raw desperation. The pack had regrouped after the last attack, but suspicion and wariness seethed beneath their hides. Every wolf's eye showed the tension, the underlying fear of the unseen threat. Diva's mind remembered Derek's wretched, desperate face as he had promised to live. His heart-rending voice which had once given them a future now was besmirched
Diva closed her eyes and breathed. The process was agonizingโa flood of memories, loss, grief, images, and love threatened to overwhelm her. She wept, the anguish running through her like an arrow. With each tear she wept, something else retreated into hiding. Finally, her heart and spirit opened to show a seething, raw energy that ran through her, full to brimming from the depths within. As she opened her eyes, they glowed with focus and determination. "I am ready to fight for our future," she murmured. As if on cue, the war horns of the enemy rang in the distance. The pack was getting ready to make one final push. Time was short. Diva stepped into the room, moving with slow determination. Derek stood waiting, his gaze sweeping hers with a silent vow and a fear. For a moment, as the initial light of morning sliced through darkness, their union stood whole and unbroken amidst all the earlier trials. "Both of us," Derek whispered, voice soft and obstinate. "Together," she repeated once
The eyes of Diva flew wide as war disappeared into heavy silence. She shuddered in released energy everywhere she looked out over Chapter 83's field of war. The walls of the fortress reverberated with the din of old wars, and broken stone at every splintered pillar reverberated with the history of pain and suffering. But here in the heavy stillness, another noise eruptedโa thudding, pounding boom out of the depths of darkness. Her own heart boomed like a mad drum as she moved ahead, her bare feet squelching through rain-sodden passage. Memory of betrayal surrounded her, of hope betrayed that still smoldered beneath. For every step there was the wordless cry of rage and fierce hope that had driven her this far.His resolute and confident eyes now sparkled with uncertainty. She could feel the unspoken anguish from his eyesโa mix of frustration and helplessnessโas if their mutual burden of fate had finally begun to break him from the pretence. Each spasm of the enemy lurking in the darkne
Diva's heart thudded in her ears as she sprinted through the broken gate of the devastated courtyard. Dawn light fought through the dark clouds to cast a deserted battlefield strewn in chaos. Wolvesโher loyal packโpoured rapidly around her, their eyes blazing with determination, but in their trail, a wire of tension crackled like lightning. Every step echoed with the urgency of a last stand. Abruptly, without precursor, a low, rasping bellow shredded the air. From ruin and wreckage, the foe appearedโfaces twisted by shadow and terror. In this instant, Diva seized her sword in white-knuckled resolve. She rushed forward like a flood, fluid and untamed in action. Her cry, tempered from sheer will, rang out, "For the light and for our future!" The voice itself was a vow that the very darkness looming could not consume. Derek, bloody and marred but with the flame of a true Alpha still burning fierce inside him, stood beside her. His battle-worn eyes blazed like a guardian's whenever they c
Diva Crest, the weakest wolf in her pack, was used to being overlooked. No one expected anything from herโnot strength, not leadership, and certainly not a future worth talking about.Tonight would be no different.The annual werewolf gathering was in full preparation, the grand hall was alive with chatter, but to Diva, it felt empty. She lingered at the edge of the crowd, her eyes sweeping over the alphas, betas, and omegas, all dining and conversing as if this event actually mattered."It's always the same. Never lively. Always boring," she muttered under her breath.Still, she forced a smile and approached her packโs section, the Silverfangs."Hi, everyone," she greeted, her voice bright with a forced cheerfulness.No one responded.A few glanced at her, unimpressed, before returning to their conversations.She sighed. โWhy do I even try?โThe atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted. A chilling stillness settled over the crowd. Murmurs died. Conversations halted.The Soothsayer had
"Do you want to take on a challenge with me?" Derek asked, his voice calm but laced with an edge.Divaโs eyes narrowed. "Iโm good at winning challenges.""Then letโs see if you can survive here without following my rules," he said smoothly.She smirked. "Iโm sure youโre going to fail."Derek chuckled, low and dark. Without another word, he turned and walked out, shutting the door with enough force to make the walls tremble."Do you want to break down the door?" Diva yelled after him, but he was already gone.The next morning, a sharp knock startled her awake."Who is it?" she grumbled, rubbing her eyes."Itโs meโthe maid," a voice answered.Diva sighed. "What do you want?""Alpha Derek has asked for you to join him for breakfast."Her stomach tightened. She barely had time to process her new reality, and now Derek was already summoning her?Still, refusing meant starving, and she wasnโt about to let hunger win.When she entered the grand dining hall, Derek was seated at the head of th
Late in the night, Diva roamed the halls of the mansion, unable to sleep. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the creaks of the old floors. She stopped abruptly when a soft, haunting melody reached her ears. It was faint, as if coming from a distance, yet it sent shivers down her spine. She looked around her. Following the sound, she found herself standing in front of a door she hadnโt noticed before. The air around it felt colder, and unease settled in her chest. Slowly, she pushed the door open, revealing a room cloaked in dust and memories. The room was dimly lit by moonlight shining through the window. It was richly furnished, but everything seemed untouched, as though time itself had forgotten the room. On the far wall, a large painting caught her attention. It was a portrait of a strikingly beautiful woman with soft golden hair and piercing blue eyes. Her gaze was both serene and sorrowful, and Diva felt a pang of sadness. โHer name was Lillian,โ a voice came fr
Diva's heart thudded in her ears as she sprinted through the broken gate of the devastated courtyard. Dawn light fought through the dark clouds to cast a deserted battlefield strewn in chaos. Wolvesโher loyal packโpoured rapidly around her, their eyes blazing with determination, but in their trail, a wire of tension crackled like lightning. Every step echoed with the urgency of a last stand. Abruptly, without precursor, a low, rasping bellow shredded the air. From ruin and wreckage, the foe appearedโfaces twisted by shadow and terror. In this instant, Diva seized her sword in white-knuckled resolve. She rushed forward like a flood, fluid and untamed in action. Her cry, tempered from sheer will, rang out, "For the light and for our future!" The voice itself was a vow that the very darkness looming could not consume. Derek, bloody and marred but with the flame of a true Alpha still burning fierce inside him, stood beside her. His battle-worn eyes blazed like a guardian's whenever they c
The eyes of Diva flew wide as war disappeared into heavy silence. She shuddered in released energy everywhere she looked out over Chapter 83's field of war. The walls of the fortress reverberated with the din of old wars, and broken stone at every splintered pillar reverberated with the history of pain and suffering. But here in the heavy stillness, another noise eruptedโa thudding, pounding boom out of the depths of darkness. Her own heart boomed like a mad drum as she moved ahead, her bare feet squelching through rain-sodden passage. Memory of betrayal surrounded her, of hope betrayed that still smoldered beneath. For every step there was the wordless cry of rage and fierce hope that had driven her this far.His resolute and confident eyes now sparkled with uncertainty. She could feel the unspoken anguish from his eyesโa mix of frustration and helplessnessโas if their mutual burden of fate had finally begun to break him from the pretence. Each spasm of the enemy lurking in the darkne
Diva closed her eyes and breathed. The process was agonizingโa flood of memories, loss, grief, images, and love threatened to overwhelm her. She wept, the anguish running through her like an arrow. With each tear she wept, something else retreated into hiding. Finally, her heart and spirit opened to show a seething, raw energy that ran through her, full to brimming from the depths within. As she opened her eyes, they glowed with focus and determination. "I am ready to fight for our future," she murmured. As if on cue, the war horns of the enemy rang in the distance. The pack was getting ready to make one final push. Time was short. Diva stepped into the room, moving with slow determination. Derek stood waiting, his gaze sweeping hers with a silent vow and a fear. For a moment, as the initial light of morning sliced through darkness, their union stood whole and unbroken amidst all the earlier trials. "Both of us," Derek whispered, voice soft and obstinate. "Together," she repeated once
Diva's heels pounded the wet road as she rushed down the winding corridors of the citadel. The bewildering events of last night still echoed with every inhalation. She was driven by bitter betrayal and fear of an uncertain tomorrow. Chapter 81's cryptic warning haunted herโthe ominous warning that success earned with blood and toil was vulnerable and shadows clung only at an arm's distance. Behind her, the ferocity of battle receded into the distant, persistent humโa reminder that there were still threats out there, waiting just beyond reach. Her heart racing in her chest, she gripped her sword tightly, every step the result of raw desperation. The pack had regrouped after the last attack, but suspicion and wariness seethed beneath their hides. Every wolf's eye showed the tension, the underlying fear of the unseen threat. Diva's mind remembered Derek's wretched, desperate face as he had promised to live. His heart-rending voice which had once given them a future now was besmirched
She looked at Derek. His own eyes, still burning with determination even though he was hurt, reflected her own horror and shock. They both felt that moment of wordless comprehension that every second now counted.The stranger went on, "Three days from now, judgment will be upon you. Until then, you need to prepare and gather your spread light. Only thus can you try to overcome the darkness that will cover you.".Diva's brain went haywire. Three days. The countdown has begun. Each second was a precious, clockwork moment that could rescue her or nothing. Her heart thumped with adrenaline and utter terror. "And what is your price?" she snarled, voice steady over the tempest raging within her.The stranger's eyes clenched and he gave no swift reply. He extended his handโa gesture in silence full of potential and threat. The air was charged with tension.Diva hesitated, hand hanging between the palmar calluses of destiny and trembling skin. She knew that to take it would reverse everything
The beat of Diva's heart was a war drum pounding as she led the pack into the ruined courtyard of the stronghold. The sunrise on the horizon-painted with red and goldโa bitter reminder that even a morning plucked from the darkness had horrors yet Chapterunimagined. Every step a battle cry, every breath a challenge of the shadows that would consume them.Diva's gaze scanned the horizon, where morning's earliest light and smoke from burning fires were combined. The enemy was advancing again. From that chaos, the Void awoke from slumberโits strength always on standby, devouring at her whim. She gripped her sword firmly, with brute strength flowing through her, a skill she'd had pounded into her veins and given.By her side, Derek strode with desperate circumspection, his gold eyes blazed hot though welts on his battered frame testified to a struggle of another sort. His hand is still fast around hers, a promise that they should never be parted, no matter what. They had fought for this fl
Diva paused in the doorway of an enormous room. The ground was strewn with shards of broken mirror, each with partial reflections of the pastโa past of love, loss, and endless struggle. In the center of the room, balanced atop a pedestal, sat a glowing fragment of mirror. Its beam was peaceful, nearing in upon her.Varin invited them in. "That is the Fragment of Light," he said to them. "It holds in it the promise of rebirth, but at a price. To claim it, you have to let go of that which binds you to your sorrow."Diva's stomach pulled in. Every memory, every sob, every whispered promise was hers. To let it goโฆwas like erasing her very being.She looked at Derek. His eyes silently pleaded with herโa mix of love and sadness that nearly shattered her determination.She closed her eyes for a moment, drawing a jagged breath. When she opened them again, they burned with a fierce resolve. "I choose our future," she whispered. "Not the pain of the past."A brilliant light poured out of the sh
Diva's heart thrummed as she sprinted down the stronghold stone corridor. Every step echoed like a rebellious drumbeat. Wind sliced across her cheek, mixed with the foam and purpose. Before her lay the dark threat beating like a living shadow; behind her lay the pack's warriors in a wall of growls and biding talons.Derek charged at her side, his golden eyes afire with a fierce determination that belied his battered body. His eyes, usually steady and reassuring, now blazed with urgency. During the fleeting interludes between battles, their eyes spoke all that needed sayingโa silent vow to hold on, to fight on, no matter the cost.The enemy was no longer dark threat. Mutters had evolved to bellowing. The Voidโthe hoary, amorphous monster described in halcyon recollection of old mythโcame into being. Its presence squeezed against the ramparts of the fortress like a hug of vengeful haze, distorting reality in fiendish, chaotic ways.A slam from the outside wall jarred the fortress brutal
Diva's heart pounded against her ribcage as she sprinted down the fortress corridor, blinded by the black-outs. Every step a frantic trot through the silence of the aftermath. The devastation of the previous day's battleโscorched dirt and acrid shreds of broken vowsโremained etched on the walls. Every burst of torchlight made her jump, every figure vanishing into the shadows reminded her of decisions now weighing on her conscience.She gripped her side where the bruise pulsed with pain, but not pain that hindered herโit was betrayal, the cold sting of doubt in her veins. Her mind whirled back to Caelan's words moments before, a poisonous truth that questioned her who she was. Even as the pack bayed her name in triumph, she felt a void gnawing in her chest, as if something was ripped away from her.Derek's dark form emerged from the corridor down the hall. His gait was uneven; each step a tell-tale for a man fighting the battle against fatigue and hidden grief. When his gaze met hers,