Back at the safe house—a dilapidated stone building hidden deep within the forest—Diego and his pack finally found a moment of respite. The adrenaline of the Citadel assault still pulsed in their veins, and exhaustion mingled with the bitter taste of blood and uncertainty. In a sparsely lit common room, the survivors huddled around a scarred wooden table, patches of moonlight seeping through the narrow windows.
Diego sat heavily in a rickety chair, his mind a jumble of victorious flashes and looming dread. He rubbed a hand over his bruised face, trying to reconcile the chaos of the previous night with the silent calm that now enveloped them.
Alessandro broke the heavy silence, his voice low and resolute. “Alpha, we did what we could. But this was only the first blow.”
Diego’s eyes flicked over the faces of his pack—Pippo’s steady gaze, Aristide’s determined frown, Sofia’s quiet assurance, and Lucia’s al
The night was a cloak of darkness as Diego’s group pressed toward the palace gates. Cloaked in heavy, dark fabrics that hid their gleaming armor and weapons, Diego led his pack through the throng of angry citizens gathering outside the Citadel. The crowd’s chant—“We want justice! No more deaths! We want justice!”—swept around them like a rising tide, a volatile mixture of hope and rage.As they moved with practiced stealth, Diego’s sharp eyes caught movement among the people. Emerging from the crowd, a familiar face stepped forward— Tristan. His expression was a mix of concern and disbelief, and he glanced around nervously.“Diego! What are you doing here, man?”He leaned in close, ensuring no one else overheard. “It’s brave of you to show up, but it’s not wise. You must get out of here before the guards see you.”Diego’s jaw tightened. His voice dropped to
It was Erika’s fifteenth birthday, and the air outside was crisp with the promise of late autumn. As she stood in the doorway of the small house she’d grown up in, Erika waved to her mother, who was seated at the kitchen table, sorting through papers.“I’m heading to the park to meet Emily and the others,” Erika called over her shoulder. “I’ll be back before dinner.”Her mother looked up, her face softening with that familiar maternal affection. “Sure, it’s your birthday. Enjoy it with your friends. But there’s something I need to talk to you about later, when you get back, okay?”Erika nodded, distracted by the thought of meeting her friends. She'd planned to spend a fun evening with them, maybe swing by the ice cream shop afterward. As she stepped out into the cool afternoon, the world felt alive—unaware of the impending storm. Erika was different, though. She knew it. Her family was different. But she didn’t let that show when she was with her friends. Living in a small town, surr
Six years later.The morning sun spilled through the stained-glass windows of the Abbey’s dining hall, painting the long wooden tables with soft hues of amber, crimson, and jade. Erika sat at the corner table with Ursula, her only true friend in this secluded sanctuary. The faint aroma of baked bread and chamomile tea lingered in the air, though Erika had barely touched her plate.Ursula grinned, leaning forward on her elbows. Her auburn hair caught the morning light like fire. “So, today’s the big day. Off to your grand adventure, Lady Luna-to-be.” Her voice was playful, but her hazel eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.Erika stirred her tea absentmindedly. “I wouldn’t call it an adventure,” she murmured, glancing at her reflection in the steaming liquid. “I don’t even know this Diego person. What if he’s…” She hesitated, trying to find the right word.“A monster?” Ursula teased, though her smile faltered. “Relax, Erika. He’s an Alpha, not a troll. I bet he’s tall, dark, brooding—just l
The grand entrance to the mansion loomed before Erika as two servants pulled open the towering oak doors. The foyer was immense, with marble floors polished to a mirror-like gleam, gilded railings that spiraled upward to a grand staircase, and chandeliers dripping with crystals that caught and refracted the flickering light of candles. It was breathtakingly beautiful, but Erika couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d stepped into a cage, no matter how opulent its bars.Hugo ushered her forward with a gesture, his usual stoicism intact. “This way,” he said, his voice reverberating off the high ceilings. Erika clutched her bag tightly as they passed through halls adorned with oil paintings of Lycans in regal poses, their golden eyes seeming to follow her.At the end of the hallway, double doors opened to a study bathed in warm, golden light. A tall figure stood by the fireplace, his back to her. He wore a dark suit tailored to perfection, and his posture was rigid, exuding power.“Alpha,
The garden was unrecognizable beneath the silvery gaze of the full Hunter’s Moon. Once vibrant flowers now drooped and curled as though wilting under the weight of Erika’s apprehension. Clouds rolled sluggishly across the sky, dimming the moonlight. Rows of darkly clad Lycans gathered, their golden eyes gleaming like embers in the shadows. The air was thick with expectation, and Erika’s skin prickled with an uneasy awareness of every gaze trained on her.She shivered, though the night wasn’t cold. She stood in the center of the garden, her delicate gown billowing faintly in the breeze.Diego stood beside her, his presence as imposing as ever. His suit was sharp, his movements effortless, but there was a detachment in his posture, a distance that Erika couldn’t ignore.The officiator, a wiry man with a voice like gravel, began the ritual. Erika’s fingers trembled as Diego’s hand closed over hers, cold and firm, for the handfasting. His grip was perfunctory, devoid of affection, as thou
The golden light of dawn filtered through the heavy brocade curtains of Erika’s chambers, bathing the room in warmth that felt at odds with her aching body and unsettled mind. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she shifted under the weight of the silken duvet. Her shoulder throbbed where Diego’s mark lay, a constant reminder of last night’s ceremony—unfinished, hollow, and far from what she had dreamed.A soft knock broke her thoughts. The door creaked open, and a young woman in a neatly pressed gray uniform stepped inside. Her hair was pulled back in a tight braid, and she carried an air of quiet efficiency."Good morning, Luna," the maid said, bowing her head. "I am Astrid, your personal chambermaid. I’ve been instructed to assist you as you begin your duties here."Erika pushed herself up slowly, the motion stiffening her sore muscles. “Thank you, Astrid. It’s… nice to meet you.” She offered a faint smile, hoping to find some companionship in the rigid structure of her new li
Erika stepped into the sprawling hallway beyond the sunroom, Dunia’s parting words still ringing in her ears: “A Luna’s strength comes not from bending, but from knowing when to stand tall.” She inhaled deeply, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. This place—this gilded cage—was now her home, and she needed to know every inch of it.The mansion was a labyrinth of cold marble and ornate woodwork. Sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows, casting fleeting patterns of color on the floor. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen waterfalls from high ceilings, their brilliance unable to warm the air of the Di Rocco estate. The silence was palpable, broken only by the occasional sound of distant footsteps or the faint rustle of fabric as servants moved about.Erika’s sandals echoed softly as she walked through one hallway after another, marveling at the grandeur while feeling a creeping sense of unease. Doors lined the corridors, many of them locked. One in par
The faint hum of a hairdryer filled the lavish dressing room as Erika sat before the mirror, her reflection a picture of serenity that belied the flutter of nerves beneath her composed exterior. The hairdresser worked deftly, sweeping her dark locks into an elegant updo accented with delicate silver pins shaped like crescent moons. Dunia stood behind her, hands clasped in front of her, her sharp eyes appraising every detail.“You must stand beside your alpha at all times,” Dunia said, her voice calm but firm. “When he walks, follow two paces behind. It’s the standard.” She leaned closer, her gaze meeting Erika’s in the mirror. “I trust Mathilda drilled this into you, but I don’t take chances.”“Yes, Mother Luna. I’ll remember.” Erika smiled faintly.“You’ll do more than remember,” Dunia corrected with a sly arch of her brow. “You’ll embody it. Grace, composure, and elegance at all times. They’ll be watching for cracks, my dear. Don’t give them any.”Erika inclined her head. “I shall b
The night was a cloak of darkness as Diego’s group pressed toward the palace gates. Cloaked in heavy, dark fabrics that hid their gleaming armor and weapons, Diego led his pack through the throng of angry citizens gathering outside the Citadel. The crowd’s chant—“We want justice! No more deaths! We want justice!”—swept around them like a rising tide, a volatile mixture of hope and rage.As they moved with practiced stealth, Diego’s sharp eyes caught movement among the people. Emerging from the crowd, a familiar face stepped forward— Tristan. His expression was a mix of concern and disbelief, and he glanced around nervously.“Diego! What are you doing here, man?”He leaned in close, ensuring no one else overheard. “It’s brave of you to show up, but it’s not wise. You must get out of here before the guards see you.”Diego’s jaw tightened. His voice dropped to
Back at the safe house—a dilapidated stone building hidden deep within the forest—Diego and his pack finally found a moment of respite. The adrenaline of the Citadel assault still pulsed in their veins, and exhaustion mingled with the bitter taste of blood and uncertainty. In a sparsely lit common room, the survivors huddled around a scarred wooden table, patches of moonlight seeping through the narrow windows.Diego sat heavily in a rickety chair, his mind a jumble of victorious flashes and looming dread. He rubbed a hand over his bruised face, trying to reconcile the chaos of the previous night with the silent calm that now enveloped them.Alessandro broke the heavy silence, his voice low and resolute. “Alpha, we did what we could. But this was only the first blow.”Diego’s eyes flicked over the faces of his pack—Pippo’s steady gaze, Aristide’s determined frown, Sofia’s quiet assurance, and Lucia’s al
Across the sprawling city, the revelation of damning evidence displayed on every screen sent shockwaves through the hearts of Lycans and humans alike. In bustling marketplaces, somber faces turned toward flickering displays, while loyalists of The Board exchanged horrified glances as records of corruption, bribery, and clandestine orders—painfully detailed in ink and parchment—unfurled before them.Deep within the inner sanctum of The Board’s Citadel, chaos reigned. In a vast council chamber adorned with opulent tapestries and gilded accents, high-ranking officials scrambled in frantic whispers and hurried footsteps. The polished marble floor, once a symbol of order and power, now echoed with the panicked clatter of advisors desperate to scrub away the truth.At the head of the chamber, seated upon an imposing throne of darkened iron and gold, the Lycan King glared at a massive screen where the evidence continued to scroll relentlessly. His eyes, burn
The evidence lay before them— a damning collection of ledgers, secret communications, and unspeakable transactions that painted The Board as the true architects of their oppression. For weeks after escaping Blackthorn, sleepless hours had been spent poring over these documents. Now, as dawn broke over the Citadel, the weight of truth charged the air like electricity.In a concealed antechamber near the Citadel’s heart— a labyrinth of twisting corridors and shadowed betrayals—the group gathered around a battered wooden table. Malrik presided over the meeting as they reviewed their next move.Their objective was clear: infiltrate the central communications hub of The Board and release the evidence for all to see. It was a plan born of desperation and hope— a final blow meant to shatter the foundation of the corrupt regime.Diego’s gaze was resolute as he scanned the map spread out
The Citadel’s inner corridors stretched out before them, a labyrinth of cold stone and whispered secrets. In the aftermath of the fierce battle outside, every step now was heavy with both hope and danger. As she led the small team deeper into the fortress, Erika could feel the pulse of history in the very walls, and with it, the weight of a future she had vowed to reclaim.Even in the tense silence of those shadowed passageways, the sounds of the ongoing struggle echoed in the distance—shouts, clashing steel, and the rhythmic thud of determined feet. Diego’s pack was with them. The faces of Alessandro, Pippo, Aristide, Sofia, and Lucia were etched with resolve despite fresh wounds from Blackthorn. Their presence bolstered her spirit, a reminder that she was not alone in this fight.They emerged into a wide antechamber where dim torchlight danced across rows of ancient ledgers and scattered parchments. The walls, heavy with the scent of dust and time,
The night was near absolute darkness as Erika crept along the outer perimeter of the Citadel. Every step was measured and silent, her heartbeat the only sound in the void. The Citadel—an imposing fortress of cold stone and iron—loomed ahead, its high walls nearly blending with the starless sky. She clutched her dagger tightly, her senses heightened not just by adrenaline but by a deep, unyielding resolve.Inside her mind, memories of the rebellion’s cause stirred: the harsh truths Malrik had revealed, the corruption of The Board, and the painful loss of her family. Though she fought for justice, a part of her still ached with longing for the life she’d once known—a life now replaced by duty and the weight of a new life growing inside her.From the shadows, she saw movement—a group of guards, patrolling the wall like silent wraiths. She pressed herself against the cold stone and drew a slow breath. If we’re going to infiltra
The battlefield was no longer just a stretch of land soaked in blood—it was the precipice of history. Their war was reaching its breaking point, and with it, so were they.Diego stood atop the ridge, surveying the battlefield with Gabriel and Hugo at his side. The remnants of Malrik’s rebellion were preparing for the final offensive against the King’s forces, and the air was thick with tension.The soldiers below moved with quiet determination, securing weapons, reinforcing defenses, and bracing themselves for what was to come. Beyond them, in the valley, the Lycan King’s army gathered, their banners rippling like shadows in the wind.Erika was somewhere in the settlement, rallying the civilians, ensuring the wounded were tended to, preparing for the worst.Diego still hadn’t fully processed the revelation from the night before. A child. His child. Their child.It changed everything.And yet, here he was, still marching toward war."They’ll strike at dawn," Gabriel said, drawing Diego
The stench of scorched earth and blood clung to the air, thick and suffocating. The battle had quieted, but the tension was far from over.Diego stood at the edge of the ruined courtyard, his body aching from the sorcerer’s last attack. Blackthorn’s fortress loomed before them, its ancient stone walls now cracked and marred by battle.They had taken Blackthorn.But the victory felt hollow.Malrik sat on a broken column, still regaining his strength. Erika stood nearby, silent, staring into the shadows where the sorcerer had disappeared.Diego wiped the sweat and blood from his brow. "We need to regroup," he said. "Now."Malrik let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "You think?"Diego ignored him, turning to Erika. "What was that back there? That magic—I've never seen anything like it."Erika didn’t answer right away. When she finally did, her voice was quiet but certain. "He wasn’t fighting to wi
The night howled with the promise of war.Diego’s boots pressed into the damp earth as he moved through the underbrush, his senses sharpened by the pulse of approaching violence. The air carried the metallic scent of sharpened steel, the musk of Lycans shifting into their true forms. In the distance, beyond the hills that sloped toward Blackthorn’s walls, torchlight flickered—a fortress on the brink of being torn apart.Behind him, Malrik’s warriors crept like living shadows, their eyes gleaming in the dark. Gabriel stood to Diego’s right, fingers twitching, ready to weave sorcery into the battlefield. Erika was just behind them, poised yet unshaken, her dagger glinting under the pale moon.Diego exhaled, steadying himself. "We do this fast and hard. No second chances."Malrik, crouched beside him, smirked. "You sound like you’re giving orders, Alpha."Diego didn’t rise to the bait. "You brought me here for a reason. Let’s get it done."A low growl rumbled through Malrik’s chest, but