MADELINE'S POV "Louisiana of all people!!!" She was the last person I wanted to see showing up at my front door. But here she was, leaning casually against the frame like she had all the time in the world. For a moment, we just stood there, staring at each other in silence, both of us determined to hold our ground. Then, finally, she spoke. "Meet me at the pack training grounds, now!!!" My pulse kicked up a notch, her timing was suspicious. The last thing I wanted was her knowing that her presence made me uneasy. I swallowed back the urge to argue, but I wasn't going to let her get her away easily. "Why? It is late, and there's no reason for this," I replied. Louisiana chuckled dryly." I am your leader and your superior, she said gritting her teeth. Anything involving the warrior wolves is my business. And I will call anyone for training whenever I see fit." "Oh, wow!!!" I whispered under my breath. Arguing with her was pointless. "Fine," I replied with a reluctant shrug
MADELINE’S POV It was a chilly morning, and I stood at the edge of the pack training grounds, watching my breath turn into visible puffs in the cold air. I pulled my coat tighter around me, my thoughts random as I replayed the conversation I’d had with Louisiana days ago. I had told her about Alpha Novare's ridiculous demands. She had been unusually quiet since then, which wasn’t like her at all. But now, I needed her help. The plan I had in mind was simple but risky. Louisiana despised me, especially where Alpha Novare was concerned. If I could use her hatred to my advantage, I could get Novare off my back and maybe—just maybe—set myself free. As I waited, Louisiana approached, her sharp features set in a scowl. “What do you want from me, Madeline? You want another fight you can’t win?” she snapped, her tone dripping with irritation. “I need your help, Louisiana,” I said qu
MADELINE’S POV The room grew eerily quiet. All eyes snapped to Louisiana, her voice cutting through with an unexpected force. “Why don’t we let her finish?” she snapped, her words very sharp like a whip. “The general pack meeting is about addressing grievances. I, too, have something to air.” I noticed the pack elders exchange quick, uneasy glances, as their expressions tense. They hadn’t expected this. Their faces were filled with a mixture of concern and annoyance. Alpha Novare, usually calm and collected, seemed confused, his eyes locked on Louisiana. I could see the questions running through his mind, but he was waiting. Louisiana, however, didn’t falter. She stood tall with a very sharp gaze as if she were daring anyone to challenge her. “I need to clear the air about something,” she began with a cold tone. “I know what people say about me. You all think I’m a fake, don’t you?” She allowed the words to hang in the air, watching the pack’s reaction. “That I’m not
MADELINE’S POVToday is Louisiana’s Luna ceremony. I wasn’t surprised when I got a message from her, early in the morning. I wasn’t eager to go, but ignoring her wasn’t an option.Her room was bustling when I arrived. Servants swarmed around her, fixing every detail of her outfit—the rose pink dress that hugged her in the right places, the heavy gold necklace on her neck, even the tiniest strand of her hair. Louisiana stood in front of the full-length mirror, soaking up the attention. She was born for it, anyway.“Everyone out,” she commanded suddenly.The maids stood, unsure if they heard her right, before scurrying out like frightened nice. I stood near the door, watching her, until the last servant left. Finally, she turned to me smirking.“What do you think?” she asked, gesturing to her dress.I glanced at the dress. It was beautiful, no doubt, but there was something about the way she asked that made it feel more than a question.“It looks…nice,” I replied cautiously.Her laug
MADELINE’S POV It was time. Time to return back to Oceanwolf pack. Three years had passed, yet it felt like as if i had spent a lifetime here. Memories of Oceanwolf pack came rushing back, and with them, it was a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite name. Nostalgia. Fear. Anger. Courage. It was all tangled together in such a way that made my heart heavy. But I was no longer the same girl. The same naïve, servant girl that everyone could trample on. I had grown past that. I had changed. I had molded myself into something stronger. But still, the thought of walking back to Oceanwolf pack made me tremble, leaving me with uncertainties, and there was one last chain I needed to break. Alpha Konan. He was my final prison, the one tie to the person I used to be. I don’t know what would happen when I saw him again, but I did know one thing. I wasn’t going back to serve him or anyone. I thought back my time here in Crescent pack. From the first day I came in, to the Stealth and Stalk t
ALPHA KONAN’S POV"It's been a long time since we both went for a run. Something is bothering you, isn't it?" Rosaline asked, panting heavily.It wasn't often I ran with Rosaline. Only when I needed to clear my head or when something bothered me enough to seek her sharp advice. Today, the problem is the former."Madeline is bothering you, right?" Rosaline asked.I leaned against the tree, staring out into the dark woods, saying nothing."I assume you've read Novare's letter," Rosaline pressed on."I have," I replied curtly.I had expected Novare to pull a stunt like this. I knew he wasn't going to let Madeline go completely, tying her to both packs as a diplomat. It was clever, it gave him leverage while making it look fair.But, he didn't know me well enough. What he thought was his move, was mine."She's back in your territory, but not under your control, Rosaline said. You shouldn't behave like the asshole you were once before. Use this time well.""I am not going to control Madeli
MADELINE'S POVIt was late afternoon when I finally closed the last document. A tired yet satisfying smile played on my lips. The pile of papers seemed impossible at first glance. Each page was filled with diplomatic jargon that made my head spin. But as I read through them, I began to understand the importance of my task.The words written in the documents were not just ordinary papers. They were the foundation of trust and cooperation between both packs. Alpha Konan wasn't wrong when he said there would be chaos at the slightest mistake.Alpha Konan stepped into his study room."What did you find, little diplomat? he said casually.This was new, his time was too casual.I have identified different issues, but there are three major ones. If they aren't addressed, they could cause serious problems for both packs.He raised an eyebrow and I took it as a cue to continue."The first issue is the issue of overseeing each pack's resources. Right now, the clause gives Crescent Pack control o
GODFATHER'S POV"Madeline has returned to Oceanwolf pack," I informed Alpha Gritus."Madeline?" he asked, his interest piqued."Yes," I affirmed. Not only has she returned, but she's now placed in a key role. She's been appointed diplomat between Crescent Pack and Oceanwolf Pack. She's now part of an integral part of their pack politics."A slow smile crept across his face. This is very convenient, Alpha Gritus murmured. Alpha Konan allowed this?""Not willingly. Alpha Novare might have forced his hand, I replied. Madeline's new role is the perfect bridge between the two packs, and if we play this right, it could also be a perfect tool to turn Crescent Pack away from Alpha Konan and Oceanwolf Pack. Her position is very delicate. She's new to politics. A single mistake on her part could bring chaos. If we can push her into making such a mistake or make it appear as though she has, it will make our work easier.""Konan is a fool, isn't he? Keeping his weakness by his side. He allowed Ma
ALPHA KONAN'S POVThe journey to Crescent Pack is now confirmed, Rosaline said. Everything is in place.I just gave her a knowing, short nod.Sera's memory has improved faster than we expected, compared to the last time I reported to you.That was a relief, but I stayed silent.Also, Godfather now pressurizes Sera to bring him the new pack agreement. He can't wait much longer.I released a slow breath, reached into my desk drawer, and pulled out the document, then slid it to her. She picked it up and went through the pages. A slight frown emerged. "Are you giving Godfather the original agreement?" she asked."Yes," I replied.She lifted her gaze, scrutinizing me. "You are actually giving it to her?"I rested my back on my seat. "She needs something real. Something with Oceanwolf Pack seal. Godfather should never suspect anything. If not, he will tear through every lie she tells. He needs to believe Sera is not compromised. The more he trusts her, the more reckless he will become."Ro
MADELINE'S POVThe moment we were far enough from Alpha Konan, I yanked my hands away from Damien's grip.He stopped, tilting his head with a mockingly amused expression. "That's a weird way to say thank you," he mused."Thank you? For what?""For saving you from that conversation with Alpha Konan," he said smoothly. "I saw how much you wanted to get away from him. Now you need to make it up to me. We have a lot of catching up to do."I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "What do you want, Uncle Damien?""A date," he blurted.I blinked. "A what?""A d-a-t-e," he stressed, as if I had difficulty hearing. "We are going to have a date, in public, where the whole pack sees us. His eyes shining with mischief. I want us both to be a thing."A laugh bubbled up from my throat. I shook my head, letting it spill out, filled with ridicule."That can never happen between us Uncle Damien. We can never be a thing."I turned on my heel, ready to walk away."If that's all, then I—But then he spoke, and his w
MADELINE’S POVRelief settled in my chest. I wasn’t the only one Alpha Konan had summoned. Rosaline, Dan, a few high-ranking warriors, and the pack elders were all here. That meant this meeting wasn't personal, but important. I exhaled quietly. At least it wouldn’t just be me and him.Still, I couldn’t stop my eyes from drifting toward him. He looked… different. His sharp, commanding face was rougher, etched with deep worry lines, and he lacked the composure he always carried. Then my gaze moved lower.His left hand was wrapped in bandages, messily done, with only his fingers peeking out. The rumor floated through my mind—the one about him losing control, destroying things. Maybe it was true. Maybe he had really spiraled, hopefully not because of me.My hands curled into fists, nails digging into my palms. Whatever pain he was feeling now, it was nothing compared to what he put me through. And yet… my wolf didn’t listen to reason. My heart did its own thing, tugging in a way I wished
GODFATHER'S POVI was in Alpha Gritus's den. He was seated in his usual place, and his presence always carried an edge of danger. It was something I was already used to, but I never forgot to act cautiously."She's doing exactly what I asked. She reports Madeline's activities to me promptly. So far, there has been no slip-up because I always double-check whatever information she brings to me."Alpha Gritus tilted his head slightly. I could see he was interested in the results I brought. Encouraged, I pressed on."She's also close to better her hands on the new agreement between Oceanwolf pack and Crescent pack. Once she does, we will sabotage it according to plans. The alliance between the two packs will crumble, and with it, alpha Konan, Madeline, and Oceanwolf pack will be finished."I saw a slow, satisfying smile spreading across Alpha Gritus's face, and I felt a surge of pride. It was this approval I was waiting for.But then, nurse Maude had to open her mouth."How can you be so
MADELINE'S POVEven though I had done everything to the wound, it wouldn't stop bleeding. There was no other option than to send him to the Pack Hospital.As soon as we entered, it unfolded into chaos. Doctors and nurses rushed towards him. Without a word, they whisked him away leaving me standing in the hallway, my hands still sticky with his blood. I stayed outside the door as I waited for him to be treated.Finally, the door creaked open, and the pack doctor stepped out. His face was calm, and I rushed to meet him halfway."How is he?" I asked."He is stable now. If it were a normal human, he would have died," the doctor said flatly. "But surely, it will take time to heal. You can go in and see him now if you want to."Did I want to? I wasn’t sure. My feet stayed rooted to the spot even as my mind screamed for me to turn around and go back to my quarters. After all, he had others who would come to check on him. He didn’t need me.Yet, my feet betrayed me, carrying me toward the doo
MADELINE'S POVAlpha Konan had been gone for weeks. I hadn't seen him since the day I rudely told him off at the Pack hospital.Those words had come from a raw place inside me, and once they were out, there was no taking them back. In fact, I didn't want to take them back. I thought they would make me feel better, and make him distance himself away from him, but all it had done was leave a bitter taste in my mouth.And then, he was nowhere to be found.At first, I noticed his absence in small ways—empty study, his commanding voice during pack meetings. But as the days stretched into weeks, the emptiness became worse. My wolf was always restless, pacing inside me like a caged animal.I tried to ignore it, to shove the ache down and focus on my daily life and life as a diplomat, but it didn't work.I couldn't stop thinking about him. One day, curiosity got the better part of me and I asked Rosaline about him. I tried to sound normal, though I doubt I pulled it off."He's out of the pack
MADELINE'S POVThe air in the pack hospital felt unnaturally still. Since I woke up, Alpha Konan hadn't left my side. At first, I thought nothing of his presence, but as time went on, it became overwhelming.Every time I opened my eyes, he was there, watching as if I might disappear if he blinked. The sight of him sleeping in that uncomfortable chair, head tilted awkwardly, warmed my heart and displeased me at the same time. I needed to make him leave."Alpha Konan," I called softly.His head shot up immediately, scanning my face."You are awake," he said in a groggy voice. "Do you need anything? Water? Or should I call the pack doctor?" He asked intermittently."I need nothing," I replied. "I am fine, better actually. You don't need to be by my bedside all the time."He frowned."I am not leaving, Madeline, until I am sure you are fully rested."His words sent shudders of unease through me. The last thing I wanted was to be a burden to Alpha Konan."I will be very fine on my own. Yo
MADELINE'S POVI couldn't listen to Sera's confessions anymore. I left the room. As soon as I stepped out, the impact of what she had said hit me. When I reached the end of the corridor, I could barely focus.I didn't realize that I had wandered so far. I hadn't escaped my past. It still haunted me, as clear as day. Everything around me blurred. It was like I was hearing double.The world tilted.I tried to steady myself, but it was no use, and everything went dark.When I opened my eyes again, the sterile white ceiling of the pack hospital greeted me. The scent of antiseptic increased my headache. I tried to sit up, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me."Don't push yourself," Alpha Konan's deep voice said beside me.I turned my head slightly and found him sitting on a chair by my bedside, his gaze fixed on me.I rolled my eyes. Why would he sit here? Doesn't he have anything or any pack documents to review?""You slumped, came his voice. The doctor said it was fatigue. You are going
MADELINE’S POV I was struggling to keep my eyes open, as I adjusted to the rhythm of the border patrol. I had just shifted my focus back to the task at hand, when I was told that the messenger was here for me. It’s about Sera, the messenger had said, offering no further explanation. I didn’t bother to ask. I fell into step behind him as we trudged the road that led to the pack mansion. “Why Sera? What had happened to her? What could she have done that required me to be pulled out from border patrol?” When we got to the park mansion, we stopped in front of the interrogation room. Why here? Rosaline stood waiting, her arms crossed, her gaze very serious. “Go in, she said with an edgy tone. Sera’s waiting for you.” I wanted to question her, but her expression silenced me faster than any command could have period I turned toward the door, my fingers turning the door knob. Pushing the door open, I was met with Sarah sitting on her chair in the centre of the room period