Alec turned away from her, his posture rigid as he moved toward the small window that overlooked the rogue village. “The rogues are loyal to me,” he said quietly, his back still to her. “But loyalty doesn’t mean they’ll accept you. They see you as an outsider, and in their eyes, that makes you dangerous.”
Elara frowned, crossing her arms as she leaned back against the bedframe. “Why would they see me as dangerous?”
Alec’s shoulders tensed, and for a moment, she thought he might ignore the question. But when he turned to face her again, his silver eyes were sharp, the intensity in them almost overwhelming.
“They’re afraid of change,” Alec said simply. “They’ve been outcasts for years—rejected, abandoned, and forced to survive in a world that doesn’t care about them. Trust doesn&
Elara let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, her heart still racing. Alec had defended her, but she knew better than to think that meant she was safe. The rogues still didn’t trust her, and any mistake could cost her dearly.“Thank you,” she said quietly, glancing at Alec.He didn’t respond right away, his silver eyes still focused on the group of rogues. “Don’t thank me yet,” he said finally, his voice low. “You’re not out of danger.”Elara nodded, the weight of his words pressing down on her. She had survived another day in Alec’s world, but the path ahead was still fraught with danger. The rogues didn’t trust her, and Alec’s protection could only go so far.But she wasn’t going to give up.She had a
As the scout left the room, Luka’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. His entire body trembled with the effort of holding back his rage, of keeping his wolf in check. He had always known it would come to this—always known that one day, he and Alec would face each other in battle. But he had never expected that Elara would be the catalyst for their final confrontation.She’s mine, Luka thought, his jaw tightening. She’s always been mine.The bond between them still lingered, faint but present, like a distant pulse in the back of his mind. He could feel her, even now, though she had tried to sever the connection. She could run as far as she wanted, but she would never truly escape him. The mate bond was unbreakable, and Luka would use it to bring her back to him—whether she wanted to come or not.And when he had her back&
As Marcus turned to leave, Luka’s gaze drifted back to the forest. Somewhere beyond those trees, Alec was preparing for war, likely thinking he could outmaneuver his brother, that he could hold onto what he had taken. But Alec didn’t understand what Luka was capable of, what he was willing to do to bring Elara back.I’ll kill him, Luka thought, his heart pounding with the force of his conviction. I’ll kill him and anyone who stands in my way.He had already sent word to the other packs—those loyal to Crescent Moon—calling for reinforcements. They wouldn’t be needed, not for this battle, but Luka wanted to send a message. He wanted the world to see what happened to those who defied him, who dared to challenge his authority.Luka’s fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as his wolf surg
The Crescent Moon wolves burst from the shadows, their massive forms tearing through the rogue camp with terrifying speed. The rogues barely had time to react. Panicked shouts and snarls filled the air as the Crescent Moon warriors ripped into them, claws and fangs flashing in the dim light of dawn.Luka charged forward, his powerful legs propelling him toward the heart of the camp. His wolf growled in anticipation, its single focus driving him—find Alec. Kill Alec.He barreled through the camp, rogue wolves leaping at him in a desperate attempt to stop his advance. Luka tore through them with ease, his wolf stronger and faster than any of the pathetic rogues that tried to stand in his way. His fangs sank into flesh, his claws raking through fur and skin, but he didn’t linger. He was searching for one thing and one thing only.Where are you, Alec?
Luka’s wolf clawed at the surface, desperate for blood. Desperate to fix this. He couldn’t let her go. He wouldn’t.“You don’t understand, Elara,” Luka said, his voice strained with the effort of holding back his wolf. “You’re my mate. The bond between us... it’s stronger than anything. You belong with me.”Elara’s expression softened, but there was sadness in her eyes now, a sadness that only fueled Luka’s desperation. “The bond is real,” she said quietly, “but it’s not enough. Not when it’s built on control, on fear. I won’t be a prisoner, Luka. Not yours. Not Alec’s. I want my freedom.”Freedom.The word echoed in Luka’s mind, clashing violently with everything he believed, everything he had fought
Alec’s hand tightened slightly on her arm, his eyes flashing with something she couldn’t quite place—concern? Frustration? “Luka’s good at making you feel like you’re the one who’s hurting him,” Alec said, his tone sharper than before. “But don’t forget what he’s done, Elara. He’s not the same person you used to know.”His words were true, but they didn’t bring the comfort she had hoped for. Luka had changed. He wasn’t the boy she had once loved, but the bond between them hadn’t changed, and neither had the memories of the life they were supposed to share. She could still feel it—the connection pulling at her, reminding her that no matter what, Luka was still her mate.And the bond wasn’t so easy to break.The following days passed in a blur for Elara. She
With a frustrated sigh, Elara sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Moonlight filtered through the small window, casting a soft glow over the cabin. Outside, the rogue camp was quiet, the sounds of the forest whispering in the distance. But the silence offered no comfort, only a reminder of the war raging inside her.She hadn’t expected the bond to remain so strong after everything that had happened. Luka’s anger, his possessiveness, his need to control her—that had been enough for her to leave. But now, as the days passed, the bond wasn’t weakening. If anything, it felt stronger, as if the distance between them only magnified it.Elara buried her face in her hands, her mind spinning. She thought she had made peace with her decision, thought she had done what was necessary to protect herself. But now… now she wasn’t so sure. Luka had been a monster i
Elara’s heart ached at Alec’s words. She could feel the bond between them, just as she could feel the bond with Luka. But now, she realized that she didn’t want to choose. Not between them. Not like this.“I don’t know if I can,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I don’t know if I can choose.”Alec’s grip tightened slightly, his eyes searching hers for an answer she couldn’t give. “You have to,” he said softly. “You can’t keep running, Elara. You have to decide.”Elara’s chest tightened with the weight of his words. He was right. She couldn’t keep running, couldn’t keep avoiding the choice she had been dreading for so long. But the thought of choosing—of committing to one mate, one life—terrified her.Because no
The sun rose over the lush expanse of the forest, its golden light filtering through the towering trees and bathing the camp in a warm, peaceful glow. Birds chirped in the distance, and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze carried the gentle hum of a community waking up to another day of joy and purpose.It had been years since the battles, since the bloodshed that had nearly torn them apart. Now, the camp was alive, thriving with laughter, love, and unity. The rogues who once lived on the fringes of survival had grown into a strong, proud pack—one that no longer lived in fear or isolation. Under Alec and Elara’s leadership, they had created a home where wolves of all backgrounds were welcome, where every member mattered, and where the scars of the past had been healed by the bonds of trust and love.Elara stood at the edge of the training grounds, her golden hair gleaming in the sunlight as she watched two young wolves sparring in the dirt. Her son, Kael, was fast and cunning, h
With a roar, Luka charged at them, his body a blur of rage and strength as he launched himself forward. Elara moved to intercept him, her movements quick and calculated as she dodged his attack, her body fueled by a mixture of adrenaline and determination as she fought to keep him away from Alec.Alec joined her, his strikes precise and powerful as he pushed Luka back, their movements a brutal dance of strength and skill as they fought together, each of them drawing strength from the other as they faced the darkness that Luka represented.The battle was intense, each of them pushing themselves to their limits as they clashed in a desperate struggle for survival. Elara’s body ached, her wounds burning with each movement, but she refused to back down. This was her home, her family, and she would defend it with everything she had.Alec fought with a ferocity that was almost terrifying, his body a force of power and control as he met Luka’s attacks with equal strength, his strikes landing
Alec blocked a savage blow from Luka, his body twisting as he countered with a powerful strike that sent Luka staggering back. But Luka recovered quickly, his snarl deepening as he lunged forward, his claws slashing through the air as he struck with a ferocity that was almost feral.Elara’s heart raced as she watched, her chest tightening with fear and desperation. She wanted to run to Alec, to help him, but she knew that this was a battle he had to face alone—a final reckoning between two brothers who had been divided by ambition, by betrayal, by a darkness that had driven them apart.The battle continued, the clearing filled with the sounds of snarls and growls, the scent of blood heavy in the air. Elara fought with everything she had, her body aching and her muscles burning, but she refused to give in. This was her family, her home, and she would protect it with everything she had.As the fight drew on, Alec began to gain the upper hand, his movements precise and powerful as he pu
The camp awoke to a dawn that felt heavy, as if the very air carried the weight of an approaching storm. The sky was overcast, muted shades of gray stretching endlessly above, and the light that filtered through the clouds was dim and cold. Elara could feel the unease settling over her skin, prickling at her senses, as if the world itself was holding its breath.Alec was already awake, moving through the camp as he checked on each member, offering words of encouragement and reassurance. His silver eyes were sharp, his expression a mask of determination as he prepared for whatever was to come. The previous day, they had received word from Kellen’s team: two neighboring packs had agreed to an alliance, sending scouts to deliver their message of support. It was a victory, a sign that they were not alone, but even the reassurance of allies had done little to dispel the tension that filled the camp.Elara moved to Alec’s side as he spoke with a small group of scouts near the edge of the ca
As evening approached on the third day of preparation, Elara was checking supplies in one of the storage shelters when Alec approached, his expression serious. She looked up, catching the intensity in his gaze, and set down the roll of bandages she’d been inspecting.“We need to talk,” he said, his voice steady but grave. “There’s something I’ve been considering, and I want your thoughts.”Elara nodded, her curiosity piqued as she followed him to a quieter corner of the camp. He led her to a small clearing near their cottage, away from the noise and activity, where the gentle sound of the wind rustling through the trees provided a momentary reprieve from the tension that had gripped the pack.Alec turned to face her, his silver eyes searching hers. “Luka won’t stop until he’s either taken the pack back or destroyed it in the process,” he began, his voice laced with a hint of weariness. “He’s angry, humiliated, and he won’t let go of his power so easily.”Elara’s heart tightened at the
The moment they arrived, Alec’s lieutenant, a young wolf named Kellen, stepped forward, his expression grim. “Alpha,” he said, his voice steady despite the tension in his posture. “The patrols have spotted movement near the southern border. It’s a group of wolves—half a dozen, maybe more. They’re not making any attempt to hide themselves.”Alec’s jaw clenched, his gaze hardening as he processed the information. “Luka,” he murmured, the name a low growl on his lips. “He’s here.”Kellen nodded, his expression filled with a quiet resolve. “We believe he’s leading them himself. They’re holding at the edge of the border, but they’re watching us. Waiting.”Alec’s eyes flicked to Elara, his gaze filled with unspoken concern. She met his gaze with a nod, a silent assurance that she was ready to face whatever came their way. She could feel the tension radiating from him, the weight of responsibility that pressed down on his shoulders, but she knew he would not let Luka intimidate him or the pa
The peace lasted for several more weeks, the camp thriving under Alec’s leadership as they settled into a routine. The wolves became more comfortable with their new roles, their newfound freedom bringing a sense of unity and purpose to the pack. Elara found herself busier than ever, tending to the pack’s needs as she worked alongside Alec to build a life that was rooted in trust and cooperation.But just as she had feared, the shadows of the past were never truly gone.One morning, Elara was helping a group of young wolves gather herbs in a nearby clearing when she noticed a faint rustling in the underbrush. She tensed, her senses sharpening as she strained to hear, but the sound faded quickly, leaving only the soft chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze.She shook her head, dismissing the noise as an animal passing through. But as the day wore on, she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that settled over her. She glanced around the camp, her eyes scanning the shadows,
One of the older wolves, a grizzled man named Garin, approached them with a respectful nod, his gaze filled with admiration as he addressed Alec. “Alpha Alec,” he began, his voice filled with respect. “We’re all grateful for what you’ve done. You gave us our freedom, and for that, we’ll stand by you. But… there are some of us who still have questions. Questions about what kind of leader you’ll be.”Alec nodded, his expression serious as he met Garin’s gaze. “I understand,” he said calmly. “And I welcome those questions. This pack has been ruled through fear for so long, it’s only natural to have doubts. But I promise you this—I will lead with honesty, with respect, and with the wellbeing of every wolf in this pack in mind.”Garin nodded thoughtfully, a flicker of approval in his eyes. “We’re not used to this… freedom,” he admitted. “But I think, under your leadership, we’ll learn. We’ll grow.”Alec placed a hand on Garin’s shoulder, a gesture of solidarity and reassurance. “We will,”
As the celebration continued, Elara felt Alec’s hand slip into hers, his fingers intertwining with hers as he pulled her close. She looked up at him, her heart racing as she met his gaze, filled with a tenderness that took her breath away.“We did it,” he murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper.Elara smiled, her eyes shining with tears of joy. “You did it, Alec. You gave them hope. You gave them freedom.”Alec shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Elara. You gave me the strength to keep fighting, to believe that this was possible.”Elara felt a blush rise to her cheeks, her heart pounding as she looked up at him, her love for him overwhelming her. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands as she whispered, “I’m so proud of you.”Alec’s eyes softened, and he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “And I’m so grateful for you.”They stood together, wrapped in each other’s arms, as the pack continued to celebrate