Victor's expression was stone. "Enough, Cynthia.""The matter will be settled according to both our packs' laws," I interjected, unwilling to see her executed despite everything she'd done. "As the wronged party, I'll have a say in her fate."Aleksander's eyebrows rose again. "Mercy from an omega. How... unexpected.""Justice," I corrected. "Not revenge. That's the difference between leadership and tyranny."Something flickered in his cold eyes—not warmth, exactly, but perhaps a reluctant reassessment. "We'll see if you maintain that philosophy after spending more time as an Alpha's mate." He gestured to his pack members. "We return to our camp. The formal meeting will proceed tomorrow as originally planned."As they turned to leave, Cynthia was firmly escorted between two of Aleksander's guards—clearly now his prisoner rather than his informant. She twisted to look back at me, her expression a complex mixture of hatred and fear."This isn't over," she hissed.I met her gaze steadily.
The formal welcoming ceremony for Aleksander's pack was a masterpiece of carefully orchestrated pageantry. Every detail had been planned to demonstrate our pack's strength while honoring our guests—a delicate balance struck between power and hospitality.I stood at Dalton's side before the great stone archway that marked the entrance to our central compound, dressed in ceremonial garments that blended traditional pack symbols with subtle elements that marked me as Dalton's mate. As promised, I wore no magical protection, though Dalton had insisted on having Eliza work subtle strengthening spells into the embroidery of my jacket—"Not protection," he'd argued when I'd raised an eyebrow, "just enhancement of your natural abilities. Even Aleksander can't object to that."The distant sound of drums announced the Winter's Edge pack's approach. They moved with military precision, Aleksander at their head, his tall figure imposing even at a distance. Behind him marched his highest-ranking pac
The room fell silent, all eyes shifting between me, Cynthia, and Aleksander. His expression revealed nothing as he considered my judgment."Mercy," he finally remarked, "can be mistaken for weakness.""True mercy requires greater strength than vengeance," I countered calmly. "To heal rather than destroy, to rebuild rather than discard—these are not the actions of the weak."Something flickered across his face—not quite approval, but perhaps reassessment. "The judgment seems... appropriate," he conceded. "Though I would add one condition."I raised an eyebrow, waiting."During her year of service, she will spend one month in my territory, assisting our healers with the spring birthing season. She will see firsthand how packs can differ yet still respect each other's ways."The proposal surprised me—it was both a punishment and an opportunity, a chance for Cynthia to expand her understanding beyond the narrow confines of her prejudice.I glanced at Dalton, who gave a subtle nod, then at
Being the daughter of an alpha isn’t some glamorous, fairy-tale life. It’s hell. Or at least it is for me. I’m Olivia Archer, the only child of Alpha Drake Archer of the Nightfall Pack. Sounds impressive, right? Like I should be the spoiled princess of the pack, adored and respected by everyone. But reality doesn’t care about what should be. My father doesn’t see me as his legacy or his daughter. To him, I’m nothing but a mistake—a problem he can’t wait to forget. My mom was different. She was my safe place, my light in the suffocating darkness of my father’s cold indifference. She used to tell me that I was her world, that I’d grow up to be someone incredible despite everything. She loved me with her whole heart, even though I could see the pain in her eyes every time my father ignored her. She wasn’t his fated mate, you see. She was his chosen mate, who stood by him when his fated mate rejected him. That should have meant something. It should have been enough. But it wasn’t. T
Being me means surviving one day at a time, hoping today isn’t the one that breaks me. The morning sun filtered through the trees, golden light dappling the forest floor as I stood before Luna Celeste. Her sharp eyes pinned me in place, her smile a thing of venom wrapped in silk. "In two days, we’ll have guests. Important ones," she said, her tone dripping with a menace she didn’t bother to hide. "Make sure the packhouse is spotless. Not a speck of dust, Olivia. You know the consequences." I clenched my fists to keep them from shaking. "Yes, Luna." Her lips curled into a smirk, satisfaction oozing from her perfect features. Without another word, she turned and jogged into the woods, her athletic form disappearing among the towering trees. Only when I was sure she was gone did I let out the breath I’d been holding, my chest heaving as I fought to calm the frantic rhythm of my heart. For now, I’d dodged her threats, but the weight of her words pressed heavy on my shoulders. Coll
The morning light sliced through the towering windows of my study, casting fractured reflections across the polished floor. I stood at the edge of the room, one hand gripping the cold sill, my eyes trained on the sprawling grounds outside. The sight of it—a kingdom built from blood, sweat, and unwavering dominance—should have brought satisfaction. Today, it didn’t. Behind me, the soft shuffle of footsteps broke the silence. I didn’t have to turn to know it was Drusilla. Her presence was like the faint brush of wind: gentle, yet impossible to ignore. “What do you see?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, but the impatience was real. She hesitated, as she always did. "It doesn’t work like that, my king,” she replied, her words slow and deliberate. “Make it work,” I snapped, turning just enough to catch her eyes—pale, stormy gray that seemed to pierce through me. Drusilla sighed, stepping closer until she stood beside me. She peered out the window, though I doubted she s
It started like any other day—until the dean’s announcement turned it on its head. Lessons were canceled early, and while most students celebrated their unexpected freedom, I trudged toward the gates, feeling the weight of dread settle over me. A part of me wanted to savor the towering trees and vibrant flowers lining the academy grounds—normally my solace from the suffocating confines of the packhouse—but even their beauty felt mocking today, carefree and untethered to the worries plaguing me. “Catch you tomorrow, Zenny!” Cole called out with a wave, his boyish grin a little too bright. I forced a smile, lifting my hand in a half-hearted farewell. "Yeah, see you." As soon as he was out of sight, my mask slipped. My pace slowed, and I sighed. The idea of going home hours earlier than usual wasn’t a relief; it was a punishment. Five extra hours at the packhouse meant five extra hours avoiding Sid. My stepbrother never needed a reason to torment me, and if he caught me before dinn
The sting of Sid’s words still lingered in my chest as I crouched behind the shrubs outside the packhouse, my heart thudding like a drum. My father’s face filled my mind—a man I’d once idolized, now etched with disdain. My nails dug into the dirt, grounding me against the betrayal unfolding just feet away. I should have burst into the room, exposed Sid for the liar he was. But when I imagined my father’s reaction, the fury in his eyes, I froze. Would he even believe me? The answer came too soon. “She’s nothing but a disgrace,” Celeste’s voice cut through the stillness like a blade. “A shameless little brat who has no honor or decency.” For a fleeting moment, I held onto hope that my father—my Alpha—would defend me. But his reply shattered it. “To think my blood runs in her veins…” His words dripped with loathing. “I cannot believe I birthed something so foul and petty. I should never have chosen a mate. I should’ve waited for you, Celeste. I feel nothing but shame.” My bre
The room fell silent, all eyes shifting between me, Cynthia, and Aleksander. His expression revealed nothing as he considered my judgment."Mercy," he finally remarked, "can be mistaken for weakness.""True mercy requires greater strength than vengeance," I countered calmly. "To heal rather than destroy, to rebuild rather than discard—these are not the actions of the weak."Something flickered across his face—not quite approval, but perhaps reassessment. "The judgment seems... appropriate," he conceded. "Though I would add one condition."I raised an eyebrow, waiting."During her year of service, she will spend one month in my territory, assisting our healers with the spring birthing season. She will see firsthand how packs can differ yet still respect each other's ways."The proposal surprised me—it was both a punishment and an opportunity, a chance for Cynthia to expand her understanding beyond the narrow confines of her prejudice.I glanced at Dalton, who gave a subtle nod, then at
The formal welcoming ceremony for Aleksander's pack was a masterpiece of carefully orchestrated pageantry. Every detail had been planned to demonstrate our pack's strength while honoring our guests—a delicate balance struck between power and hospitality.I stood at Dalton's side before the great stone archway that marked the entrance to our central compound, dressed in ceremonial garments that blended traditional pack symbols with subtle elements that marked me as Dalton's mate. As promised, I wore no magical protection, though Dalton had insisted on having Eliza work subtle strengthening spells into the embroidery of my jacket—"Not protection," he'd argued when I'd raised an eyebrow, "just enhancement of your natural abilities. Even Aleksander can't object to that."The distant sound of drums announced the Winter's Edge pack's approach. They moved with military precision, Aleksander at their head, his tall figure imposing even at a distance. Behind him marched his highest-ranking pac
Victor's expression was stone. "Enough, Cynthia.""The matter will be settled according to both our packs' laws," I interjected, unwilling to see her executed despite everything she'd done. "As the wronged party, I'll have a say in her fate."Aleksander's eyebrows rose again. "Mercy from an omega. How... unexpected.""Justice," I corrected. "Not revenge. That's the difference between leadership and tyranny."Something flickered in his cold eyes—not warmth, exactly, but perhaps a reluctant reassessment. "We'll see if you maintain that philosophy after spending more time as an Alpha's mate." He gestured to his pack members. "We return to our camp. The formal meeting will proceed tomorrow as originally planned."As they turned to leave, Cynthia was firmly escorted between two of Aleksander's guards—clearly now his prisoner rather than his informant. She twisted to look back at me, her expression a complex mixture of hatred and fear."This isn't over," she hissed.I met her gaze steadily.
My stomach dropped at the sight of her. She looked different—her usual polished appearance replaced by something harder, her blonde hair pulled back severely, her posture rigid with purpose. Her eyes found mine immediately, a small, triumphant smile playing at the corners of her mouth.The two groups halted a respectful distance apart, the morning breeze carrying scents between us—the unfamiliar, pine-and-snow smell of the Winter's Edge pack mixing with our own forest-and-earth scent.Protocol dictated that as the junior Alpha's representative, I should speak first, acknowledging Aleksander's status and thanking him for agreeing to this meeting. But before I could open my mouth, Cynthia stepped forward."This is the one I told you about," she said to Aleksander, her voice carrying clearly across the clearing. "The omega who ensorcelled our Alpha."A ripple of tension went through my escort. Victor's hand twitched at his side, his expression unreadable as he watched his daughter.Aleks
As the room cleared, Dalton maintained his grip on me, silently indicating I should remain. Once we were alone, his carefully controlled expression cracked, revealing the turmoil beneath."You can't seriously be considering this," he said, his voice low and intense."It's our best option," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "If I face him directly, on my terms—""He could kill you," Dalton cut in harshly. "Do you understand that? This isn't just pack politics, Oliver. Aleksander considers omega males an abomination. In his territory, they don't survive presentation."I swallowed hard. "I know. But that's exactly why this might work. He's expecting me to be weak, to hide. If I show strength—""He might respect it," Dalton acknowledged reluctantly. "Or he might see it as a challenge to his worldview that must be eliminated."I stepped closer, placing my free hand against his chest, feeling the strong, rapid beat of his heart. "Then we make sure elimination isn't an o
"Aleksander's pack approaches," Dalton began once we were seated, Dalton at the head of the table and me to his right. "And Cynthia has fled, likely to join them with false accusations against my mate.""False according to whom?" Victor challenged, his voice tight with barely controlled rage. "My daughter has served this pack loyally for years. She was raised to be your mate, to stand at your side as Alpha female. Instead, you publicly humiliate her for—" His eyes flicked dismissively toward me, "—this."A low growl rumbled from Dalton's chest, a sound that made the hairs on my neck stand on end. "Choose your next words carefully, Victor."The older wolf didn't back down. "The pack has a right to question your judgment in this matter. Aleksander certainly will.""My judgment is sound," Dalton replied, his voice dangerously even. "And your daughter attempted to kill my claimed mate. She's lucky exile is all she faces."Murmurs spread around the table at this. Exile was one of the harsh
Chapter"To check my injuries," I explained. "And to warn me about Aleksander."Dalton's expression darkened. "What exactly did she say?""That sometimes love isn't enough. That it takes strategy, too." I moved to the window, looking out at the pack grounds bathed in the day's fading light. Members were already moving with purpose, responding to what must have been Matteo's alerts. "She's right, Dalton. If we face Aleksander head-on about this, we risk everything—the alliance, the pack's safety, your authority.""What are you suggesting?" His voice was cautious.I turned back to him, an idea forming—one I wasn't sure I had the courage to voice. "What if... what if Aleksander doesn't see me as your mate when he arrives?"Dalton's eyes narrowed. "Absolutely not. I won't hide you, Oliver. I won't pretend our bond doesn't exist.""Not forever," I clarified quickly. "Just until the alliance is secured. Until we can find a way to introduce the idea more... gradually.""Deception isn't my wa
He turned to me, his golden eyes fierce. "Their opinions don't matter. I am the Alpha.""But their cooperation does matter," I pointed out gently. "Especially with the Northern Alliance meeting coming up."Dalton's expression darkened. "Matteo told you.""Cynthia did, actually," I corrected. "Right before she tried to cut my throat with a piece of broken glass."He winced, setting down the plate he'd been holding and moving closer to me. His hands came to rest on my shoulders, thumbs brushing against the fabric of my borrowed shirt."I should have told you," he admitted, his voice dropping. "I just... I didn't want to taint what we have with pack politics. Not yet."I leaned into his touch despite myself. "I need to know what we're facing, Dalton. All of it."He sighed, then nodded toward the dining table. "Let's eat. This conversation requires sustenance."We settled at the table, the domesticity of sharing a meal together still novel enough to send a ripple of warmth through me desp
I spent the rest of the day in a state of anxious anticipation. After cleaning up the broken glass and attending to my bruises—which were already fading thanks to my werewolf healing—Dalton had reluctantly left to deal with Cynthia and inform the pack council about the incident. He'd been hesitant to leave me alone again, but I insisted. I needed time to process everything that had happened.The Northern Alliance. The treaty negotiations. The fact that our relationship might trigger political consequences I hadn't even considered when I'd surrendered to the bliss of our claiming.I paced the length of Dalton's quarters—our quarters—trying to organize my thoughts. The initial euphoria of being chosen, of finally belonging, had been tempered by the harsh reality of what our union might cost the pack. Cost Dalton.A knock at the door interrupted my spiraling thoughts."Come in," I called, half-expecting it to be Dalton returning.Instead, Eliza—the pack's healer and one of the few who ha