I knew Julia was going to pay me a visit—I had anticipated it. But as the hours passed, I began to hope I had been pardoned. That hope shattered when I awoke from my slumber to find her seated in the chair facing me.“Empress.” I acknowledged, about to rise to my feet.“There would be no need for that,” she says.I looked up to see Trian standing there, his gaze hard.“I’m so sorry; I disrespected the Empress, but I didn’t mean to.”“I hear you are tired of learning.”“I never said that.”“Are you calling her a liar?”“No… of course not. It was simply a misunderstanding.”“I’ve already been tasked with learning so many languages; I fail to see the use in learning more.” She quoted the very words I had spoken. "When I was little, I had so many questions—why did strange things always happen to me? I asked myself, why me? But as I grew older, I realized that every single ‘strange’ thing that happened was meant to push me toward my destiny.The god of light speaks, but no one knows the ex
I walked into Julia's chambers. The soldier escorting me waited behind. “You may come in,” she called out to me, and I stepped into the private room, finding her naked. Trian stood nearby with a glass of wine, dressed only in his pants.“Hey there.” He said to me with a smirk.I couldn’t help the sudden anger I felt. I shouldn’t be angry; I should be happy that he was totally fine and I was, but he seemed a little… too fine. One would think he was one of the High Regents, given how relaxed he looked. He fit perfectly into luxury. I had been worried for no reason, but that wasn't the real cause of my anger; I knew it. I looked away from him.“You called for me, Empress.”“Yes, I did. Empress Cynthia has decided to ignore your foolishness and engage you in lessons as previously arranged. You’ll be wise not to mess this up. I might not be as merciful next time.”“Thank you for giving me another chance; I promise not to speak out of turn or disrespect her in any way.”“Of course,” she sa
ALEXANDER’S POVIt was a risky plan, but I had always had a taste for danger.I could spot about a hundred rogues, not counting those lurking in the bushes and trees. This could either be a clever move or a very reckless one.I stepped forward, and the rogues followed. Some moved silently, slipping easily through the shadows, while others didn’t bother hiding. None of them attacked—they knew better. The deeper I went, the more of them I saw.“Alpha King.” The familiar voice belonging to Edna called.Edna was one of the rogue’s leaders.I smiled. “We meet again.”“I wasn’t expecting your visit. Brave of you to come here with no backup.”“I came to talk.”Edna smiled wide, exposing his fangs. “Of course. Come with me, you must meet the other leaders.”Edna walked ahead, and I let him lead me to the lone building standing in the middle of practically nowhere. It was a small, abandoned structure with thick wooden doors. He banged on them, and after a moment, a tiny man with huge curious e
“Why are you really here, Alpha King?” Edna asked.“As I’ve said, I am here to talk. Your people attacked my Luna; an attack on her is an attack on the pack. I have come to you with my peace terms.”“And what if we don’t give a shit about your ‘peace terms’?” Brad asks.“What if you don’t give a shit about my ‘peace terms’?” I repeated, “Then there would be a war.”“You are here, unarmed, with no backup. We could easily kill you. Yes, you will bring many of us down, but it will be worth it.”“Brad.” Edna called, and the fool finally fell silent.“You will make sure you and your rogues stay very far from my pack and what remains of the Dawn Pack. You will hold your grudges to yourself. If any of your rogues are spotted near my borders, I'll consider it an act of war against the Nightshade pack and I can assure you, you will lose sorely.”“Rogues are untamed creatures, I cannot control where they go and where they do not.”“Then you better get to work, because it’s either my way or the
"You've been standing here for too long; don't you want to rest? I could escort you to your room" Aric said. “Don’t treat me like that” “Like what?” Aric asked, his smile widening. “Like a… Queen. I don’t like it and no, I am not tired. But I have something more interesting in mind to do and I think now is the best time.” “Sounds like fun; I’m up for it.” “You don’t even know what I want to do.” “Anything that is ‘interesting’ to you, would most definitely be fun for me.” “I’ll be paying a visit to the Pack Quarters; I think it's also called the Outpost.” “Then I must come with you.” “No, you’ll stay here.” “Kaida. Many of the pack members are yet to see you in person; in the Outpost, some might not even know you—especially the Nightshade members and… You don’t dress like a queen—no offense, I like your choice of clothes, but you get what I mean.” “None taken. I think it is better this way; if they don’t know me, it’s easier to blend. I need to see how the Dawn members are
I came to the Pack's Quarters to check how the Dawn Pack members were settling with the change, but I hadn’t bothered with the Nightshade members who also had to adjust. They had to welcome a new Luna and Queen—one raised to fight and protect her own people—and accept new members into their pack without having any say in it.Perhaps I was being unfair.The soldiers approached cautiously."I don't want to hurt any of you; don't force me.""There doesn't have to be any kind of violence." Seth agreed. "Just come willingly; you will be placed in the dungeons, but I assure you, you will get your chance to explain your actions to the Alpha King, and he will give the final verdict.""I am your Luna and Queen; I will not be placed in the dungeons.""Then you leave us with no other choice."The soldiers surrounded me, but none of them reached for their guns, of course, they were aiming for a clean capture.I dodged a punch aimed at me and landed a kick to the soldier's knee, and he lost balanc
I lost track of time, but I estimated it had been over two days since I had been locked down here.Alexander should have returned by now. He should have come for me, but instead, I'm left here alone, seething with fury.Perhaps the idea of me being down here entertained him; perhaps this was another fun game...My thoughts were cut off when I heard footsteps approaching.It wasn't Alexander as I had expected, it was Aric."I should have visited earlier, but a few of the council members didn't want me in here. I need to know what happened.""I killed a man." I admitted."Seth had no right to lock you down here, none of them do.""Actually they have the right. The Council is next in command after the Alpha; it's been that way for years.""Fuck the Council.""You aren't going to ask why I killed the man?""No. If he is dead, then he most likely deserved it." Aric said, and I couldn't help but smile."He did deserve it, and if time was taken back, I would have stabbed him over and again,
I climbed up the stairs and stood right in front of my mate, Alexander."The man was not innocent..." I began, but my words were cut off as he pulled me onto his lap and kissed me. The kiss was passionate, raw, and full of need."Hush. You need not say a word."There was complete silence in the hall.Alexander rose, gently setting me down before walking over to Seth."You placed your Queen Luna and my mate in the dungeons. Who gave you that authority?"Seth fell to his knees. "I apologize. I meant her no harm...""It seems I need to set more examples, and you'll be the unlucky one I use to make them.""But I am your advisor; I have been by your side ever since you were only a boy.""I haven't forgotten that," Alex said, his claws tearing through his skin. "But you forgot your place."I watched in complete astonishment as Alex ripped Seth's head off his body and tossed it aside, the lifeless body crumpled to the floor, blood pooling around it."The soldiers who had been stupid enough
ALEXANDER’S POVMy blurred vision slowly cleared, and I realized I was in what looked like a small, empty room.The wall facing me was made of thick, transparent glass.I couldn’t tell how they managed to get me in here—there was no window or door, only a narrow slot likely meant for passing food and letting in just enough air to keep the ‘prisoner’ alive.I could only assume there was some kind of hidden entrance.My hands and ankles were bound with thick silver chains.The chains felt excessive—I could barely move a muscle.More wolfsbane than I’d ever consumed in my entire life had been pumped into my system, completely immobilizing me and filling me with this nauseating, sickly feeling. I hadn’t realized I was shivering until I noticed the tremble in my fingers.The room was chillingly cold, and with the wolfsbane suppressing my werewolf abilities, I was no exception to the cold. I tried to summon flames. Nothing.Maybe I was just too weak to summon the flames. The crushing feeli
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