Beatrix was a commander and skilled soldier admired for her exceptional expertise, and she was obsessed over Thane, as if that wasn’t competition enough, there was the elder too. How many more were in line, and where did that leave me? Somewhere below. I was of no use to him. I didn’t want to think about how exactly he wooed the elder into going along with him on this plan.“Seems like everyone has a thing for Thane,” I muttered silently to myself.I hated the fact that I felt so insecure, but Thane had never once admitted that he loved me; he was with me only because of the situation of things, and after that... then what? Beatrix had told me how good a player he was, and so I was always left doubting, yet this was the wrong time to be distracted by my many insecurities.“I’m sorry, Thane’s life is on the line, and all I could do is get jealous; that is selfish and unreasonable of me. I apologize.”“You can’t control your emotions; this is not your fault,” Axel says, and maybe he wa
Thane was severely injured but still alive. That was all that mattered.“He would be fine,” Axel assured me once again, but I couldn’t stop pacing up and down the hallways; why couldn’t they let us see him yet?I wasn’t the only one worried. Beatrix sat on one of the waiting benches; her only visible sign of nervousness was the constant tapping on her thigh.Finally, the door was pulled open, and I rushed to Bailey. I had learned that she was also a healer, though she didn’t really specialize in that, but she was the only one who could help him at this moment, so I had to swallow down the jealousy. All that mattered was that he was fine and alive. “Is he alright?” I asked the elder.“He is healing well." Bailey responded“I have to see him, Elder.”“He had asked only for a certain Beatrix.” Bailey says, and Beatrix herself looked surprised at that.“And I am his Luna,” I said, furious at her, at myself, and at everything.“Then I apologize,” Bailey says, letting Beatrix alone in. “Yo
I was done keeping silent; now we had to talk, and I was no longer going to keep all my insecurities to myself.“I thought you didn’t want me there because... I was no longer of use to you,” I admitted.“Why would you think that?” He questions, genuinely curious.“Maybe because you hadn’t bothered to tell me about the plan. I know it was all intentional; you thought my little act would fool the elders even more, but I was worried sick Thane, and you said nothing, but Beatrix knew about the plan. But then why wouldn’t she? She is stronger and better at everything, and, oh, there is also your Ancient Lover; I heard she also had a thing for you. Is like I am always left out on everything and no one cares how that makes me feel? I am always being used like the pawn, but I have feelings too, and you don’t seem to care. I feel like this is all one-sided; all I feel for you... you don’t feel the same, and you have every right to because I was the one who fell in love. You did warn me that I
“Wine?” Thane offered, and I gave a nod. He poured me a glass, passing it to me. Our fingers came into contact, and every nerve in my body seemed to come alive. He poured another glass for himself, taking it all in one go. He placed the glass back down before slowly stalking towards me. “What are you doing?” “You don’t know what it feels like to be starved for this so long,” he says, his voice low and deep... hungry. He took the almost empty glass from my hands, tossing it away, not caring that it shattered to pieces when it came in contact with the bare floor. “You’ve become like some addiction to me, and without you, I face this... withdrawal symptoms.” He says he was cornering me till I was against the wall. “Let’s check how ready you are,” he says, splitting my legs open. His hands travelled up my skirt, sliding my panties to the side. He dipped a finger into me, and of course I was soaking wet. One thrust and my legs gave out, but his weight against me held me firm. Very ready
Thane had carried me all the way to the car, not minding the stares we were getting; I was still sore, and I needed more than hours to heal.The smile on my face disappeared when I saw Bailey."Alpha,” she says, addressing him and pretending like I wasn’t there. “I am glad to see you are all set; I didn’t expect you to bring her along.”“You will refer to her as the Luna, or my mate, Elder.”Bailey’s eyes finally met mine; she looked young, as if in her early twenties; she had dark hair cut into a bulb framing her tiny face; her eyes were the only unsettling thing about her; never had I seen her look more human than she did now in the brown elegant dress. I once believed that the elders had lived so long that they had all turned cold and numb to natural feelings, but I had been wrong. Bailey had a ‘thing’ for Thane, and it wasn’t shocking; Thane was capable of making a girl weak in the knees—even very ancient ones too.“Luna, we haven’t officially met,” she says, and I remembered vivi
I never thought of myself as beautiful, and maybe he was just saying that out of courtesy.“I... I will show you around,” Felix says as if in loss of words, and Thane gives a nod. I knew Thane didn’t really need a tour; he knew his way around the packhouse; maybe it was more for my benefit.The pack members stopped to stare every time we passed by, bowing as a sign of respect, that was more welcoming than I expected, seeing as Thane had killed their Alpha. They must have hated Slade.Felix talked about everything—from the painting on the wall to the rooms and who they belonged to.“This part of the packhouse belongs to the commander and high- rank,” Felix droned on. I only caught half of what he had said.“I think I would take over from here,” a woman—not just any woman, but Bailey says. I had been lost in thought; I didn’t realize her heading towards us. “I am Elder Bailey,” she introduced as if Felix didn’t know that already.“Welcome back Elder.” He responds.“You could leave us no
Thane was in a red cloak; his amber eyes seemed a shade darker. I hadn’t realized how tall and intimidating he was till now; there was something about him that was... Threatening.I had this feeling that something bad was about to happen. Maybe it had to do with the fact that Thane, who I had shared the same room with for the past months, hadn't even stared at me once; I might as well have been invisible. I could sense the aura around him, forcing my wolf to bow in submission. Tonight he was indeed different.Bailey led us to the underground structures that had good resemblance to a cave. All the while, I couldn't shake away that feeling that something was off. I was about to walk forward, but Axels’ hand on my shoulder restrained me.“What?” I questioned.“We wait here,” Axel informed me.Bailey and Thane walked forward, leaving us behind, her hand wrapped around his, and my chest tightened. They stopped in the middle of the room.“Alpha Thane of the Nightshade pack, you’ve met all th
One by one, the pack members went down on their knees at the sight of Thane with the crown on his head. He was in nothing but the red robe, yet he looked intimidating as ever. He was an epitome of pure power. He came to a stand on the Dias, Bailey by his side, just about where I was supposed to be.“Today a new king emerges, chosen by the moon. He gives you an option for each and every member of this pack. Knowing your Alpha is dead, would you return back to the Nightshade pack, as it had been, or would you prefer a new leader elected to rule this pack?” Bailey presented.Commander Felix walked forward.“If I may, my king,” he began with a bow. “The Newblood pack could run into total poverty if not presented with a good leader with influence, and we have none of that. We agree to become a part of the Nightshade pack, as it had been before the split.”“And do you all agree to that?” Bailey questioned.There was a chorus of yesses, almost like they had planned it out.“We would become o
1KADIA’S POVWhen I discovered the news of my pregnancy, I had been so happy. But I knew a lot would have to change.I had to be more cautious—for the baby. That meant I wouldn’t be able to keep training the pack soldiers for much longer. Of course, I’d have to give up that duty eventually and it had become a part of my life. I would have to watch my diet, too. And then there were other things. Like the fact that I would grow big, and I might not look the same. My toned stomach which I had spent years working on would be no more.This had been the type of life I once abhorred, but everything was different now—I wanted this. I could see a future with Alexander, filled with laughter and little kids running around, and the thought made me smile.Lara was the first person to find out I was pregnant.After I discovered the pregnancy test was unmistakably positive, I was as scared as I was excited.Lara happened to be visiting the pack, and we kind of bumped into each other. She was all s
KAIDA’S POVThe flesh-eaters were all gone. Packs that had been destroyed were slowly rebuilding; the chaos had finally settled. But there were still many things to attend to—like the few humans who now knew that dangerous supernatural beings lived among them.The human president had reached out to us; He was ready to pay whatever sum was needed to keep creatures like the ‘flesh-eaters’ away, as they could cause civil unrest among the people. He was willing to pay even more so things could return to the way they were when humans and supernatural beings lived separately.Alexander sent a letter back, assuring him that the ‘creatures’ were gone and that things would continue as usual. What they didn’t realize was that many werewolves and supernatural beings already lived among humans. They owned major companies and enterprises worldwide. From popular clothing brands to tech products, much of it was secretly controlled by the werewolf community.One constant worry lingered on my mind —
JADE POVEarlierI had chosen to spend my final hours in the little underground lair just beneath the small house I owned.At the other side of the room, trapped behind a magical wall, was a flesh-eater. I had captured it and brought it back here. If Aliyah does go through with her words, then the creature wouldn’t last until the next day.Hours passed, and the beast remained caged—still alive, still stupidly trying to push through the magical barrier I had created to contain it, no matter how many times it got scarred from trying.I wouldn’t blame the girl if she backed out; she had every right to make that decision. She was young and in love—it wasn’t easy to let go of everything for people who were mostly strangers.Beside me was a picture of Ralph. The only one I had, and the only thing that had accompanied me through the years. Many would say I lived a lonely life, but that was the only way I knew how to live—though it hadn’t always been that way.I thought back to when Ralph wa
DAEMONAliya was in the same silk white nightgown she’d slept in. A soft breeze blew through her silver hair. She looked surreal, like an angel. “I have to do this.” She said, and I could see the determination in her eyes.“No, you don’t have to do this. I told you I would find a way…”“There is no other way.” she said, cutting me off. “This is the only way. I can end the war, and this is what I have to do to end it.”I’d remember those words in the dream I had. She’d told me how she could “end the war.”Those eyes stared at me like she could read exactly what I was thinking.“Do you love me enough to let me go?” she whispered—and that’s when it hit me: it was never a dream. “The undead would be gone if Solene died. The war would end if I took my life—with this dagger.”“Tell me one thing, Aliyah. If you were in my place, would you let me go?” I asked. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She didn’t answer, maybe because we both knew what that answer was. “Why in the hell do you think
ALIYAHI stood watching the lake.The memory of what had happened here resurfaced, and I smiled. There were still so many things I had yet to do, so many adventures waiting out there.I looked down at the dazzling diamond on the engagement ring Daemon had given me. It must have cost a fortune, but that wasn’t why I thought it was beautiful. It would always be my most prized possession because of what it signified.Now I could see the truth—Daemon would have given up his title to be with me.I didn’t deserve his love. I didn’t deserve him. And yet, I wanted him.The best days of my life were the ones I spent with Daemon. Truly, he was the greatest gift life had given me, and I would always be grateful for that.But I had to make a decision.**FLASHBACK**“I need to speak to the girl alone,” Jade said, and I watched the others walk away, leaving me alone with the sorceress.“I remember it all,” I confessed. “I remember how many people died because of me… how many others I killed.”“That
“What did I taste like?” Aliyah asked.“Different… better.” If that was even possible.“That’s because I still have her powers. Even if she’s locked away, she’s still in there.”“You feel her?” I asked.“I hear her. She never stops reminding me that my time is ticking.” Aliyah said.“I will make her pay for what she did to you,” I promised.“She will pay.”…In moments like this, we truly see the vanities of life. Wealth, power, titles—none of them hold any true value. What truly matters are the small, fleeting moments shared with the people you love. Those are the things that endure.Time, too, is a precious thing. It belongs to no one, and no one can stop it. Aliyah walked out of the bathroom.“This is the best bath I’ve had in a really, really long time.”“Would have been better with me in there.”“Maybe, but I’m sore, and we both know you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”“You’re right about that. Now take a seat.”“Why?”"Or stand, if you prefer," I said, watching her raise an
DAEMON’S POVThis wasn’t a dream.It was real; Aliyah was back.All I wanted to do was apologize, over and over again, for every wrong I’d done to her. I wanted to beg for forgiveness, but we only had a single day, and I wasn’t going to waste a second of it. I just wanted to make her happy and give her something to hold onto.“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?” I asked, and she smiled.“Yes, you have, but hearing it a few more times wouldn’t hurt.”I’d decided to take her away from this pack—to somewhere far from all the chaos and everything that had been happening these past few days.“How did it feel?” I asked, and I didn’t need to say more, she understood exactly what I meant.“Awful. I was there, and yet… not. I couldn’t see what was happening, couldn’t control anything—but I could hear. I heard everything.” She looked up at me. “I did hear when she tried seducing you. And I felt her embarrassment when you turned her down.”Her smile widened.“She might have your body, y
KADIA’S POVTwo packs had been attacked by the flesh-eaters; only a few survivors escaped.The other packs were strengthening their security to avoid being caught off guard. Humans weren’t exempted; many had reportedly gone ‘missing.’ Though their government was doing its best to cover things up, it wouldn’t be long before they could no longer dismiss it as a ‘serial killer attack,’ the work of ‘kidnappers,’ or even ‘wild animal attacks.’We continued to receive a flood of messages from packs allied with us, requesting aid and weapons. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t help them all. The Nightshade Pack was under curfew—only patrollers and soldiers were allowed outside after nightfall. It was a necessary safety measure, even though the flesh-eaters still lingered to the south.I watched as Alexander opened an envelope and pulled out a letter.“What’s that?” I asked.“A letter requesting aid. What’s the pack’s financial situation?” he asked, and I pulled out the file.“It’s the
DAEMON’S POVDemons didn’t need sleep to function. In fact, we only did it out of mimicry.I usually never had dreams; all that existed until I awoke was black emptiness. But this time, it was different.I was dreaming about her. Aliyah. I knew it was her with just one look.“Daemon!” she called, throwing herself into my arms, her smile so bright. I knew this was a dream, but a part of me wanted to stay in it forever. I hugged her tightly, breathing in the scent of her hair, her skin.“I’m sorry. None of this would’ve happened if I’d made the decision. This is all my fault, and that’s why I’ll fix it,” I said, even knowing it was only a dream.“This isn’t your fault. It’s mine. I should never have let you go, but I was about to correct that… when they took me.”For a moment, I wondered if this was more than just a dream—if it was something else. A vision maybe.“I knew I’d never love anyone the way I love you and so I went after you to let you know that. But I want you to stop blaming