_Alina's POV_That night, after the statue unveiling and the warm congratulations from the pack, Alaric had one more surprise planned for me. He had been secretive all day, hinting at something special. As the evening settled in, he led me through the pack grounds. There was a playful glint in his eyes."Where are we going?" I asked, curious and excited."You'll see," he said with a smile, holding my hand tightly. His touch was warm and reassuring and this made me feel safe and loved.We walked for a while until we reached a secluded garden, hidden away from the rest of the grounds. It was a place I had never seen before, and as we stepped through the archway, my breath caught in my throat. The garden was bathed in soft, warm light from lanterns hanging in the trees. Fragrant flowers bloomed everywhere, filling the air with a sweet, intoxicating scent. It was like stepping into a fairytale."Alaric, this is beautiful," I whispered, overwhelmed by the scene before me. He had decorated
_Alina's POV_Everyone was busy with the preparations for Alaric's coronation ceremony. The entire pack was buzzing with excitement, and I could feel the energy in the air. Alaric was to be crowned King, and as his mate, I would be recognized as the Luna Queen. It was an honor that filled me with pride and a sense of responsibility.On the day of the coronation, the air was crisp and clear. The pack grounds were beautifully decorated, with banners and flowers adorning every corner. Alaric stood tall and regal in his royal attire, a dark, intricately embroidered cloak draped over his shoulders. The crown he would soon wear glimmered in the sunlight. He looked every bit the leader he was meant to be, strong and confident.I stood beside him, dressed in a silver-white gown that flowed elegantly around me. The dress was simple yet elegant, with delicate lace detailing that added a touch of sophistication. My hair was styled in soft waves, a silver tiara resting on top. I felt both excited
_Alina's POV_The joyful atmosphere froze instantly. Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire. Alaric's grip tightened on my hand, and I could see the anger flashing in his eyes. He turned to the guards, his voice firm and commanding. "Take her away," he ordered, pointing to the trembling servant.The guards moved to obey, but the servant shrieked, her voice desperate. "Alaric, don't you see? She's bewitched you! It's her fault—the plague, the sickness—it's all because of her!" Her voice echoed in the courtyard, and I could feel the weight of her words pressing down on me. The murmurs grew louder, with a few voices shouting out in agreement.Tanya's infiltrators, strategically placed among the crowd, began to stir up anger and fear. "She's right! The Luna can't be trusted!" one shouted. "How can we follow a leader who brings death?" another chimed in. The crowd's mood shifted rapidly from confusion to suspicion, then to open hostility.I felt a lump in my throat and swallowed h
_Alina's POV_The chant of "Shift now! Shift now!" echoed in my ears, a relentless demand from the crowd. I felt a storm of emotions swirling inside me. The agitated faces of my pack members were a mix of fear, anger, and confusion. I knew that they were innocent and caught in Tanya's web of deceit. But their hostility cut deep and I felt very sad.As the noise grew, I heard Athena's voice in my mind. "Alina, it's time. Show them the truth. It's the only way to break this prejudice against moon wolves."I hesitated, torn between my principles and the reality of the situation. I didn't want to give in to their demands, to be forced into proving myself in such a way. Yet, I could feel the urgency in Athena's words. The prejudice against moon wolves had been festering for too long, poisoning the minds of even the most reasonable pack members. This was an opportunity to shatter those misconceptions.Alaric sensed my internal conflict and stepped forward. His face was stern, his eyes blazi
_Alina's POV_I had to go to Caleb’s pack and find Caspian. But before I could face whatever lay ahead, Athena insisted that I first visit the Moon Wolf's trial grounds. She said I needed to gain true power, the kind that could defeat the witch and Caspian. There was no way around it.Athena’s voice was calm in my mind as she guided me through the dense forest. "We must travel north, beyond the known borders of our land. The path is dangerous, but it’s the only way to the trial grounds."The forest grew darker the deeper I ventured. The trees were ancient, their twisted branches forming a thick canopy above me, barely letting any light through. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and something else—something older, more powerful. I could feel the presence of ancient magic in the air, as if the forest itself was watching me.After hours of walking, the forest suddenly gave way to a steep cliff. The sight stopped me in my tracks. The cliff was jagged and ominous, shrouded in
_Alina's POV_I moved closer to the murals. I was drawn to the symbols etched into the stone. They weren’t just random carvings; there was a pattern, an order to them. The symbols seemed to pulse with energy, and I could feel a connection to them, like they were speaking to me in a language older than words.“Pay attention to the symbols,” Athena advised, her voice guiding me. “They hold the key to unlocking the power you seek.”I reached out and touched one of the symbols. A faint warmth spread from my fingertips, and I could feel a subtle energy humming beneath the surface. It was as if the stone itself was alive, responding to my touch. I traced the lines of the symbol and I could feel the flow of power beneath them.As I examined the mural, I noticed a specific illustration tucked away in one corner. It depicted a ritual, the figures on the stone moving through a series of steps. Each figure held an item—herbs, minerals, fresh water—all gathered from the forest. The instructions w
_Alina's POV_The phantom wolf attacked first. I could see a blur of motion that struck with the force and speed of black lightning. There was no time to think, only to react. Instinctively, I leapt to the side, feeling the rush of air as its massive jaws snapped shut inches from where I had just been. The ground trembled beneath me as the phantom's claws dug into the stone floor. I could hear its growls echoing through the ancient ruins.I had known that this trial would be a test of strength, but I hadn’t expected the sheer ferocity of the attack. This wolf wasn’t just an opponent; it was a manifestation of the Moon Wolf's power, a force of nature. I could feel its energy, raw and untamed, filling the space around us. The air crackled with it, and for a moment, I started to doubt my abilities. Could I really defeat something so powerful?“You can do this,” Athena’s voice rang clear in my mind. “Trust in your instincts, Alina. Trust in the power within you.”I couldn’t afford to hesi
_Alina's POV_I took a moment to catch my breath after the battle. I leaned against the cool stone of the ruins. My body still vibrated with the power I had gained, but the exhaustion was starting to set in. The phantom wolf had been a formidable opponent, and I knew that passing the trial was just the beginning. I needed to rest, to gather my strength for whatever lay ahead.As I rested, I started to feel a strange sensation. The air grew heavier, and I noticed the walls around me beginning to tremble slightly. A low, ominous hum filled the air, vibrating through the stone and into my bones. I stood up. The ruins, which had been still and silent moments before, now seemed to pulse with energy. The ancient symbols on the walls began to shift and change, as if they were alive, moving in dynamic patterns that I couldn’t quite comprehend.“Athena, do you feel that?” I asked.“Yes,” Athena responded. “Something is happening. Be ready.”Before I could react, a beam of light shot up from th
A few days had passed since the burning in the square and the capital had begun to return to a semblance of normalcy. The people felt safer and their faith in Alina and Alaric was stronger than ever. To mark the victory and bring hope back to the kingdom, Alina and Alaric decided to hold a celebration.The square, where the execution had taken place, was transformed. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and tables were set up, filled with food and drink. Music filled the air and the people danced and laughed. Their fear was replaced by joy.Alina stood on a balcony overlooking the square, watching the festivities. She smiled, seeing her people happy and at peace. Alaric came to stand beside her, his arm brushing against hers."They needed this," he said softly, his eyes on the crowd below."They did," Alina agreed. "And so did we."Alaric turned to her, his gaze searching her face. "You seem different," he said, his voice gentle. "Is something on your mind?"Alina hesitated. She had been
Alina stood over the witch and watched the last of the dark magic fade from the room. This battle was over but she needed to make sure there would be no more from Tanya or the witch.Alaric came to her side. "What do you want to do with her?" he asked."We need to send a message," Alina said firmly. "To everyone. They need to see what happens to those who use dark magic against us."Alaric nodded. "We’ll take them to the capital. We’ll burn them in the square for all to see."Caleb, who had been leaning against a wall, slowly walked over. His face was pale, and he looked exhausted, but there was a fire in his eyes. "I’ll help," he said.Alina looked at him. She was grateful for his support. "Thank you, Caleb," she said. She turned back to Alaric. "Let’s get them ready. We need to do this quickly."The warriors moved quickly. They tied the witch’s lifeless body and carried her out of the ruins. Tanya, still bound and furious, was dragged along. Her eyes were filled with hatred and fear
Caleb looked up at Alina. He felt relieved. He hadn't expected her to find him but now that she was here, he knew that they had a chance."Alina..." Caleb started to say, but she shook her head, her focus entirely on Tanya."You can't win, Tanya," Alina said, taking a step forward. "Surrender now, and maybe we'll show you mercy."Tanya snarled. "You think you can just walk in here and take me down? You're nothing, Alina! Nothing!"Alina didn't flinch. She raised her hand, and the palace guards moved forward, their weapons ready. "This is your last chance, Tanya," Alina said. "Give up, or we'll make you."For a moment, it looked like Tanya might fight back, but then she glanced around, realizing that she was outnumbered. With a frustrated scream, she lashed out with one final burst of dark magic, but Alina was ready. She raised her hands, and a barrier of shimmering light formed in front of her, deflecting the attack.The palace guards rushed forward, surrounding Tanya before she could
Caleb walked through the dimly lit streets. The night was heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. He knew that Tanya was somewhere nearby, hiding in the shadows, but finding her was no easy task. Dark magic hung in the air like a thick fog making it hard to track her scent.His mind raced as he thought about what had happened in the square. Alina had been strong, stronger than he’d ever seen her before. She had saved the werewolves from the dark magic and proved herself as a true leader. But now, they were facing a threat even more dangerous than the chaos in the square. Tanya was still out there and her power was growing. Caleb had to find her before she caused more harm.Suddenly, he heard a soft sound, like a whisper on the wind. He paused and listened. There it was—a low, almost inaudible chant. It was Tanya. She was close.Caleb followed the sound, his steps quickening as he made his way through the narrow alleys. The chanting gr
_Alina's POV_As the door closed behind us, the weight of everything that had happened finally began to lift. For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe, to let go of the tension that had been building up inside me. Alaric was still holding my hand and I could feel the warmth of his presence enveloping me like a comforting blanket.He turned to me. “Alina,” he said quietly. “I missed you so much.”“I missed you too,” I whispered. The truth of it hit me hard. We hadn’t had a moment like this in so long—just the two of us.Alaric stepped closer, closing the small distance between us. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin. “I was so worried about you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Every moment you were gone, I was terrified that something would happen, that I wouldn’t be there to protect you.”I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes as I savored the feel of his hand against my skin. “I know,” I whispered. “But I’m here now. We’re together
_Alina's POV_Tanya was somewhere inside the Capital and I had to find her before it was too late. As Caleb and I entered the city, the signs of chaos were everywhere. The streets were empty but the air was filled with darkness.We made our way to the heart of the city where I knew Alaric would be waiting. As we approached, I could feel his presence growing stronger in my mind. He was nearby and I needed to reach him before the situation spiraled out of control.“Alina!” Alaric’s voice echoed in my mind. “I’m at the main square. Hurry!”“We’re on our way,” I replied while quickening my pace.When we arrived at the square, the scene was worse than I had imagined. Werewolves were on the brink of tearing each other apart, their eyes wild with fear and rage. The dark magic was strong here. Alaric stood in the center and he was trying to keep order, but even he was struggling against the overwhelming force of Tanya’s influence.“Alaric!” I called out as I reached him.He turned to me. His
_Alina's POV_As Caleb and I moved swiftly along the dark road, my mind was focused on what lay ahead. The capital was in danger, and every second counted. The night was quiet, the only sounds were our footsteps and the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. But I knew that this calm was deceptive. Something dark and terrible was waiting for us.We traveled in silence for a while, each of us lost in our own thoughts. But then, I felt a familiar presence in my mind. It was Alaric, reaching out to me through our mind link. His voice echoed in my heart, urgent and filled with worry.“Alina,” he called out. “I’ve found evidence of Tanya’s involvement. She’s here, in the capital, but the people… they’re blinded by fear and rumors. They refuse to believe that she’s the one behind this. Her influence is spreading and it’s causing chaos. Some of the werewolves have started to riot. The city is on the brink of losing control.”His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I could hear the desp
_Alina's POV_I knew that I had to return to the capital immediately. The urgency in Alaric’s voice echoed in my mind like a warning bell that wouldn’t stop ringing. The plague had returned and there was no doubt in my heart that this was the work of the witch. Tanya wasn’t dead, as I had once believed. She was still out there, and her influence was spreading like poison. The thought of her dark magic wreaking havoc sent a chill down my spine and I knew I couldn’t afford to waste any time.I turned to the rogues who had gathered around me. Their eyes were filled with concern and a newfound admiration. They had just been freed from the clutches of dark magic and they were still recovering from the ordeal. I could see the exhaustion in their faces, the lingering fear that had yet to fully fade. But I didn’t have the luxury of time to explain everything to them. They needed to rest and regain their strength. They had fought their own battles and now I had to fight mine.“Stay here,” I to
_Alina's POV_I stepped out of the room. My heart was still pounding from the battle with Caspian. As I moved into the open air, a chaotic scene unfolded before my eyes. The rogues, twisted by dark magic, were attacking each other in a frenzy. Snarls and growls filled the night as they bit and clawed at one another, their eyes wild with the madness that had taken hold of them.For a moment, I stood frozen, watching the carnage. These wolves, once proud and strong, were now reduced to mindless beasts, slaves to the dark magic that had consumed them. But then, I remembered the mission that had been entrusted to me by the moon wolf. I had the power to purify them, to free them from the darkness that held them captive.But I knew what I had to do. Closing my eyes, I reached deep within myself, calling upon the power that I had gained in the ruins. I felt it surge through my body. My mind and body merged with my wolf and I could feel her strength and courage flowing through me.When I open