MADELINE'S POV "...And Madeline!" The sound of my name forcefully brought me out of my thoughts. Everyone's face held ripples of surprise, their faces betraying their curiosity. Freya nudged me on the side with her elbow. "She's trying to spite you, Madeline. Refuse it—no offense." "Refuse what?" I asked, confused. Louisiana's voice rang out, commanding attention. "Does anyone have any objections with the Warrior Wolves enlisted for this border patrol mission?" There were murmurs within the crowd, but no one objected. "Good. This marks the end of today's training. We are to gather here before dawn to begin our journey." As the crowd dispersed, Freya turned to me with a worried expression. "Why didn't you say anything? You could have objected. This mission is very dangerous. The terrain isn't one to be trifled with. We encounter dangers that leave us with serious injuries. Worst case? Death. You're not even qualified yet, to be part of this mission. And we never know how lon
MADELINE'S POV Freya was right. The terrain was unforgiving as Louisiana herself—jagged rocks that seemed to rise out of nowhere, twisted roots snaked around the paths, gnarling at my boots making every step a challenge. I occasionally glanced back at Sera to check if she was keeping up, but it was very obvious she was struggling more than the others. Her small frame shook. Her breaths came in short, sharp gasps, her face pale and strained. But yet she made tremendous effort to keep up—refusing to fall behind. Freya fell into step beside me, her brows furrowed as she glanced at Sera. "She's visibly flagging, Madeline. Leaving her behind in the Pack would have been the best for both of you. I don't think she can last longer than this." I nodded, letting out a tired sigh. "I know. But there's no going back. Is there?" "Louisiana isn't going to slow down for you or anyone," Freya muttered, trudging ahead. "Keep up, or you will be left behind!" Louisiana called back, her tone tinte
MADELINE'S POV As the night deepened, the air around the camp grew colder. The campfire crackled, casting shadows on the faces of the Warrior Wolves present. Sera sat in a corner, her arms wrapped around herself, while Freya chatted with a group of other Warrior Wolves. I kept glancing at Sera, sensing that something went wrong when she went to gather firewood. "Everyone, gather up!" Louisiana commanded. Immediately, everyone pulled together. Once satisfied, she divided us into two groups. One group, headed by Freya, would remain behind to monitor the camp, manning the perimeter to ensure no threats crept up unnoticed. The other group, which included me, led by Louisiana, would push forward into the dark, rough terrain to patrol for any signs of threat or danger. I wasn't surprised that Louisiana put me in her group. It was exactly the kind of thing she would do—dragging me along, testing me without respite, waiting to see if I would break under her command. Freya gave me a sympat
MADELINE'S POV My eyes stung as I blinked them open, the dull ache in my head throbbed at every slight beat of my pulse. Darkness hovered around me. The air was thick and stale, carrying the scent of damp earth and rot. My body felt heavy, as if I had been dragged through the forest for miles. And yes, I remembered being dragged before I blanked out. It wasn't until I tried to move that I realized my wrists were bound tightly behind my back. My vision cleared immediately. The more I struggled, the more the coarse rope bit deeply into my skin. It stung so sharp, weakening my limbs. I winced, feeling the painful strain on my shoulders. A familiar scent clung to the bindings, nagging at my memory. Coming from the rope. Then, recognition struck—wolfsbane. The ropes were laced with it. Our captors were definitely our kind. That's when I realized I wasn't alone. My back pressed against someone else's. Louisiana. The memory came rushing back—the border expedition, the heated argument,
MADELINE'S POV "They are coming. Our captors are coming," I whispered loudly. "Shit!" Louisiana huffed in frustration. The poison had seeped deep into our system, making it impossible to shift into our Wolf forms. "What are we going to do?" I asked softly but loud enough for Louisiana to hear. "We have no choice but to fight them off physically." The surrounding flickered with a faint light from a worn-out, old lamp. In its faintness, it exposed three bulky men, thrice our size with hardened expressions filled with cruel confidence. They towered over us, making me shrink. The odds were stacked against us, but that didn't matter now. "Seems they broke free. Feisty. Just how I love my women," the lead captor sneered, folding his arms across his chest. "Do you really think you can take the three of us on?" He gestured lazily between himself and his companions. "Why don't you come and try," Louisiana dared. Fear overcame me. I drew Louisiana closer and whispered, "We are outmatch
MADELINE'S POV I winced as Freya dabbed the wet antiseptic cloth against the wound on my arm. I could feel her eyes on me, glancing up from time to time to where Louisiana sat at the far end of the camp with someone tending to her wounds. "You got something on your mind?" I asked Freya. "Beats me," she exhaled. "But there's something different about Louisiana. What happened between you two?" "Nothing," I said. I didn't want to talk about it—or talk about the mission either. "Maybe she's still rattled from the fight," I added. Freya narrowed her eyes. "You are telling me that Louisiana is rattled because of a fight? The same Louisiana who never misses a chance to remind us that she's the toughest in the pack? Sure, Louisiana behaves like an asshole, but she isn't one to run away or be rattled because of a fight. You make a terrible liar, you know that?" I didn't answer right away. I knew the words I said to Louisiana had struck a chord—either of reflection or, more likely, intense
MADELINE'S POV Ever since my confrontation with Louisiana, I hadn't seen her—but I could feel her anger hovering around like a storm cloud. I could sense it in the way the others looked at me—quick glances, whispers behind my back. No one said anything to my face. The moment those words left my mouth, I knew there was no going back. I was in for shit, and Louisiana would be out for my blood. "You gave Louisiana a hit," Freya said. "You were the only one bold enough to confront her about the rumors in such a manner. You've changed, Madeline. You've finally removed the cloak of naivety. Congratulations... but don't get too comfortable." Just as I had thought to rest, a knock came at the door. Alpha Novare had summoned me. My heart leaped in terror, but I followed obediently. On my way, I met Madam Apricot. She stared at me squarely—her sharp eyes missing nothing. She walked past me without a word, but I knew she'd come for me sooner than later. Alpha Novare was in his private traini
MADELINE'S POV Maybe it was all manipulation sprinkled with his touch of mischievousness. Maybe it was one of his many tactics to drag me to the abyss. Maybe this was my form of punishment for prying into his private affairs. ".....What?" I whispered out in confusion. "Why what? You didn't hear me right?" he asked. "Listen and listen attentively. I will repeat myself again just once." "I like you Madeline." That was it. I wasn't mistaken. I heard right. I sat there, my heart hammering in my chest. My mind went for a spin. He likes me? "Cat got your tongue," alpha Novare asked casually, with a grin evident on his face. The tug of shock and amusement deepened on my face and it was damn obvious. I stared at him, trying so hard to guage his intentions. His expressions began to shift back to the cold authority I was accustomed to. The casual grin he had flashed moments ago had disappeared. It was like watching him reverting to the alpha Novare I knew, but I couldn't help but b
MADELINE'S POVThe new pack agreement was finally approved and put into effect immediately.We had all returned to Oceanwolf Pack.Alpha Konan and I hadn't spoken to each other since that day in Crescent Pack.Grandma Catherine and I sat in front of the pack mansion, watching as the sun dipped low into the horizon.Alpha Konan approached from the side path of the Pack Mansion, with Rosaline and a few warrior wolves trailing behind him. His face still carried the bruises from that fight.Everyone bowed in respect, including me. He just nodded, as expected of an Alpha. No words. His eyes caught mine briefly. Rosaline, swift as she was, glanced between us as if reading us both.I held my chin high, ignoring the sting our little misunderstanding had brought.After they were gone, Grandma Catherine's voice broke through like a soft bell."You had a fight with Alpha Konan," she stated.I didn't pretend. "Yes," I replied. And we started walking.She hummed for a while, then asked, "Why?"I l
MADELINE'S POVThe silence that followed was drawn thin like a bowstring aiming for its target. Warrior Wolves on both sides grew rigid. It was as if the earth stopped its rotation to watch.I met Alpha Konan and beckoned to him not to do this. Instead, he ignored me like I was some trash to be disposed."Really? Konan. A duel?" Alpha Novare said, tightening the piece of cloth on his wrist.Alpha Konan didn't waste time. He stalked to the sparring circle and peeled off his shirt as if it offended him.Both of them were now shirtless, carved from pure grit and bloodlines, sweet and moist like candy. This was not the first time I had seen them shirtless, but the warm rising sun was unforgivingly honest, highlighting their Greek god features.It wasn't just me. Other women around. Even the male warrior wolves pretended to be unaffected, but I could feel the temperature spike.Still, in my own realm, the fight started. It didn't just start, it detonated.They didn't move like men. They mo
ROSALINE'S POVMy body morphed back, skin stinging from the shift. My clothes hung in tatters, but I cared less.Gabriel, on the other hand,, stood there, staring with an infuriating grin."That same scent..." he said dramatically, inhaling like an idiot. That same lithe, bossy little frame—but today...I swear, you look stunningly sexier, even in your tattered clothes.I hissed between my teeth. "Why did you follow me into the woods?"He shrugged. "Saw a rogue wolf tearing through Crescent Pack lands. Wanted to make sure it wasn't some rogue.""You wish, don't you? I questioned curtly. Why weren't you at the meeting?"He cocked his head, his infuriating grin, spreading wider now to his nose and ears. "Some strategist missed me. You did, didn't you?"His words slithered cunningly through the forest air. Rose moved aimlessly and restlessly within. Always perfidious when it came to Gabriel."There are other capable male wolves out there, ones who surpass your abilities all around, one wh
MADELINE'S POV I was still reeling. Everything had happened so fast. As the two Alphas left, everyone began to trickle out. Some scoffed, while others glanced at me with a newfound curiosity. The rumor about my subtle disrespect was already making rounds like dry, winter fire, twisting through both packs. My body aches for rest. I made my way towards the guest quarters, and a familiar shadow stood like a wall, waiting on the path. Louisiana, always the same, ready to mock me at any turn, asked with a profound derision. "What are you doing back here? Still can't get enough of Crescent Pack? Why are you back here as a damn diplomat?" I forced out a confident smile. Why don't you ask your Alpha? He still keeps crucial information from you, Luna?" She rolled her eyes dramatically and hissed. "The proposals about the new pack agreement are solid. It's a good plan, peace between Packs." I was thrown over the roof for a second. I wasn't expecting acknowledgement from anyone,
ALPHA GRITUS POVI paced the room continuously, like a caged beast. My mind was a battlefield, torn between rage and helplessness.The words kept replaying in my mind. "Godfather has been captured."Captured. I could see it all clearly—him bound and shackled, bleeding from the hands of Alpha Konan and Oceanwolf Pack bastards.Godfather wasn't the kind of man to beg. They would torture him, humiliate him, drag out every bit of useful information he had, I knew that much. He wasn't going to talk easily, but they would stretch him, until he would spill out every damn secret we had, jeopardizing our plan.The rage bristling within me, a force that made me want to reach out and strangle the life out of the world around me.Nurse Maude stepped in, moving with a gait that irritated me, like she could not see the storm brewing.I took deliberate steps towards her. She didn't flinch at the fury in my eyes when I locked it onto hers. She looked too calm, so calm. Instead, she spoke, straight to
ALPHA KONAN'S POVAs I neared my study, the scent of something familiar, innocent and sweet, struck me.Madeline. And she was a stark opposite what her scent represented.She just stood outside the door; tense, fidgety, her shoulders slouched. Even in the thin light, I saw the shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes.I breathed out slowly. I had expected this, this confrontation. I had given the instruction that no one allowed Madeline see godfather. And consider how stubborn she was, she would go see him.Seeing him would only reopen her wounds. Keeping her away was the only way to protect her."I heard you captured him... godfather," she said, her voice strained with frustration.I didn't reply. I reached for the study door and pushed it open. She followed, hot on my pursuit."I need to see him," she said as soon we were inside."No," came my reply.She paused, wide eyed, as if my response had struck her like a gavel striking judgement."Why not?" She retorted.I turned to face her full
ALPHA KONAN'S POV I took a look at Godfather's body, hung upright, his arms stretched above his head. His wrists and ankles were bound in thick, silver chains laced with painful shift serum. The serum was already working its magic as usual, keeping his wolf weak and on the edge of madness, but not enough to let him slip. I stepped closer and took in more of his sorry features. His head dropped forward, his chin, resting just above his chest. He was unconscious. Behind me, Kellan asked. "What do you want to do with him, Alpha?" I didn't take my eyes off the bastard. "Wake him up." Kellan got into action immediately and drove his balled fist hard into the godfather's stomach. A strangled grunt escaped from godfather's throat, his body jerking forward against the chains. His eyes opened slowly, and then realization struck. He struggled against the chains, but they held firm. He just winced, in pain. The serum had seeped deep into his system, making his every movement dr
ALPHA KONAN'S POVRosaline and Dan were in my study, talking about border patrols, pack issues and upcoming new pack agreements, yet none of it truly registered.My mind was somewhere else.I could still feel her warm, supple skin against my own, the way her body arched underneath me as my mouth explored her. Her soft whimpers, her hitching breath. And those hard, reddish peaks that pebbled under my touch—all of her responding to me so perfectly.And the taste of her... so heavenly.I became aroused just replaying the moment I had her squirming under my relentless touch, how I didn't stop even after I pushed her over the edge. The blissful exhaustion in her eyes.Sleeping beside her, in my arms. Waking up to see her eyes flutter open. I had waited so long for this and now that I had experienced this , I was never letting go.A small smile tugged at my lips.She was for real, a dangerous little wolf.Rosaline's voice cleared the fog in my head. I snapped back to the present.I found bo
MADELINE'S POVSilence wrapped around us like a heavy blanket. Alpha Konan collapsed beside me, his bare chest, rising and falling.I watched him from the corner of my eyes. My body still tingled, my mind still spinning from everything that had just happened, but still hungry with need.For a while, neither of us spoke. Not that the silence was uncomfortable.Then, he turned his head to look at me, in a very soft way."Did this just happen?" He murmured more to himself. He let out a slow breath. "This is like a dream come true."I didn't know what to say. A part of me couldn't believe it either.Then, he shifted onto his side, facing me fully. "I have done grave things to you, things that scarred you. Forgiving me won't be easy, but I want to try, one step at a time, I will fix things. I will treat you rightly, the way I should have done from the start."I swallowed nothing, unsure on how to respond. This honesty...his openness."About Damien—"He hushed me gently before I could finis