Chapter 53Zuri’s POVThe evening air was heavy with tension, the kind that seeped into your bones and made it hard to breathe. I could feel it in every glance exchanged between pack members, in the hurried steps of patrols along the borders. The rogues weren’t just a threat—they were a storm gathering on the horizon, and we were the ones in its path. I stood at the edge of the camp, watching the forest with narrowed eyes. The shadows seemed to shift and move, but I knew better than to trust my senses. The rogues were cunning, and they thrived on fear. A rustling sound behind me made me turn, my body instinctively tensing. It was Hart, his face illuminated by the faint glow of the campfires. “You’re going to wear yourself out if you keep this up,” he said, his tone light but tinged with concern. “I can’t just sit around and wait,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. I softened it quickly. “Sorry. I just... I don’t know how to stay still when we’re so close to another
Chapter 54Zuri's povThe stillness of the night was deceptive, masking the unease that had settled over the pack. My body ached from the relentless training sessions, but I couldn’t stop. The rogues were still a looming threat, and I needed to be stronger. The pack relied on me, and I wouldn’t let them down. Donavon had noticed my exhaustion earlier and tried to persuade me to rest, but he didn’t understand. Rest was a luxury I couldn’t afford—not with the elders circling like vultures, ready to rip apart everything we had built. A sharp knock on my door startled me. When I opened it, Kira stood there, her face pale and her eyes wide with worry. “It’s Donavon,” she said, her voice trembling. “The elders are challenging him again. You need to come.” I followed her to the gathering hall, my heart heavy. This wasn’t the first time the elders had questioned Donavon’s leadership, but each confrontation left him more isolated. The weight of their doubts was beginning to show in the
DnnlChapter 55Zuri’s POVThe weight of Donavon’s words pressed heavily on me. "Then it’s not just the pack they’re after. It’s you." His voice was filled with tension, and the air between us seemed to crackle with unspoken fear.I couldn’t fully grasp what it all meant yet. All I knew was that the symbol carved into the tree was no coincidence—it was connected to my past. The past that was slowly being revealed to me in fragments, each one like a shard of glass cutting through the veils of my memory. But what did it mean for me, for Donavon, for the pack? Was there any way to stop the storm that was coming?The moment felt suspended in time, the forest around us eerily silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something to happen. Donavon stepped closer, his gaze locked on mine. His hand reached out and cupped my cheek, his touch warm against the cold air. The intensity in his eyes was enough to make my heart race. “You don’t have to face this alone,” he whisper
Chapter 56Zuri’s POVThe howls from the distance seemed to grow louder each night, echoing across the camp and through the thick trees surrounding us. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake the sense of impending doom that clung to the air. The rogues were closer than we had anticipated, and every minute felt like a countdown to a battle we weren’t prepared for.I could hear Donavon’s heavy footsteps approaching, his presence a familiar comfort. He opened the door without knocking, his eyes scanning the room before landing on me."You're still awake," he said quietly, stepping inside. "We need to talk."I sat up, the weight of his words pulling me from my restless thoughts. "About what?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. There was no escaping the tension between us. Donavon ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening. "The elders have made their decision. They want you gone. They think you’re a liability, that your past is going to bring the rogues straig
Chapter 57The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a pale glow over the pack house. Deep within the elders’ chambers, a secret meeting was underway. The air was thick with whispers and plotting, their voices hushed but laced with venom. “This is the only way to protect the pack,” Elder Tobias declared, his hand slamming down on the table for emphasis. His eyes were sharp and calculating. “Donavon is blinded by his emotions. If we don’t act now, Zuri will destroy everything we’ve worked for.” Elder Miriam nodded, her expression equally grim. “We must sever their bond. Zuri’s presence is the cause of these attacks. The rogues won’t stop until she’s gone.” “And how do you suggest we do that?” another elder asked. Tobias smirked, a glint of malice in his eyes. “We make Donavon doubt her. Turn his love into fury. If he believes she’s deceived him, he’ll have no choice but to cast her out.” Elder Miriam leaned forward. “And the pregnancy?” “That will be our weapon,” Tobias
Chapter 58The atmosphere in the pack was tense as the morning sun peeked through the horizon. The previous night's chaos still lingered in the air, casting a shadow over the warriors and the pack members who dared not speak openly about the upheaval caused by Zuri’s sudden disappearance. Donavon, however, seemed colder than ever, his once fiery demeanor replaced by a hardened resolve. The rogues had been spotted again—this time at the northern border. Their persistence was unusual, but their motives had always been clear: they wanted Zuri. Now, with the elders’ whispers planted firmly in his mind, Donavon’s view of her had shifted, clouded by betrayal and rage. As the warriors prepared to face the rogues once more, Donavon strode out to the training grounds where they were gathered. His presence commanded silence, his voice cutting through the quiet like a blade. “No more half-measures. We confront them directly this time.” Kira watched from the shadows, her heart heavy. She ha
Chapter 59The council chamber was cloaked in shadows, reflecting the darkness brewing within the elders’ hearts. They sat in a semicircle around Tobias, whose steely gaze commanded the room. The air was heavy with tension as they plotted their next move, emboldened by their recent success in shattering Donavon’s relationship with Zuri. “This is the perfect moment,” Tobias began, his voice low and measured. “Donavon is at his weakest. His fated mate has turned out to be a lie, and the pack knows he has no heir. We’ve sown doubt about his leadership, and now it’s time to finish what we started.” Miriam nodded slowly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “The pack has already begun questioning his decisions. Without a mate or a child, what future does he offer the pack? His infertility is proof that he’s unfit to lead.” Gideon leaned forward, his sharp features glinting in the dim light. “But how do we convince the pack to act against him? Despite his faults, Donavon is stil
Chapter 60The forest seemed endless, a maze of towering trees and tangled undergrowth. Each step Zuri took felt heavier than the last, her body and heart weighed down by exhaustion and despair. Hart walked beside her, his eyes darting around for signs of danger, his protective instincts on high alert. They couldn’t afford to stop for long, not with the pack’s hunters possibly on their trail. When they finally came across an abandoned cabin hidden deep within the woods, Hart pushed the creaky door open and ushered Zuri inside. The small space was dusty and worn, with cobwebs in the corners and broken furniture scattered across the floor. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do. Zuri sank onto an old chair, her hands trembling as she cradled her belly. The reality of her situation hit her like a tidal wave. Just days ago, she was Donavon’s mate, standing at his side as they planned their future together. Now, she was on the run, labeled a traitor and carrying a child that the pack
Chapter 60The forest seemed endless, a maze of towering trees and tangled undergrowth. Each step Zuri took felt heavier than the last, her body and heart weighed down by exhaustion and despair. Hart walked beside her, his eyes darting around for signs of danger, his protective instincts on high alert. They couldn’t afford to stop for long, not with the pack’s hunters possibly on their trail. When they finally came across an abandoned cabin hidden deep within the woods, Hart pushed the creaky door open and ushered Zuri inside. The small space was dusty and worn, with cobwebs in the corners and broken furniture scattered across the floor. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do. Zuri sank onto an old chair, her hands trembling as she cradled her belly. The reality of her situation hit her like a tidal wave. Just days ago, she was Donavon’s mate, standing at his side as they planned their future together. Now, she was on the run, labeled a traitor and carrying a child that the pack
Chapter 59The council chamber was cloaked in shadows, reflecting the darkness brewing within the elders’ hearts. They sat in a semicircle around Tobias, whose steely gaze commanded the room. The air was heavy with tension as they plotted their next move, emboldened by their recent success in shattering Donavon’s relationship with Zuri. “This is the perfect moment,” Tobias began, his voice low and measured. “Donavon is at his weakest. His fated mate has turned out to be a lie, and the pack knows he has no heir. We’ve sown doubt about his leadership, and now it’s time to finish what we started.” Miriam nodded slowly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “The pack has already begun questioning his decisions. Without a mate or a child, what future does he offer the pack? His infertility is proof that he’s unfit to lead.” Gideon leaned forward, his sharp features glinting in the dim light. “But how do we convince the pack to act against him? Despite his faults, Donavon is stil
Chapter 58The atmosphere in the pack was tense as the morning sun peeked through the horizon. The previous night's chaos still lingered in the air, casting a shadow over the warriors and the pack members who dared not speak openly about the upheaval caused by Zuri’s sudden disappearance. Donavon, however, seemed colder than ever, his once fiery demeanor replaced by a hardened resolve. The rogues had been spotted again—this time at the northern border. Their persistence was unusual, but their motives had always been clear: they wanted Zuri. Now, with the elders’ whispers planted firmly in his mind, Donavon’s view of her had shifted, clouded by betrayal and rage. As the warriors prepared to face the rogues once more, Donavon strode out to the training grounds where they were gathered. His presence commanded silence, his voice cutting through the quiet like a blade. “No more half-measures. We confront them directly this time.” Kira watched from the shadows, her heart heavy. She ha
Chapter 57The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a pale glow over the pack house. Deep within the elders’ chambers, a secret meeting was underway. The air was thick with whispers and plotting, their voices hushed but laced with venom. “This is the only way to protect the pack,” Elder Tobias declared, his hand slamming down on the table for emphasis. His eyes were sharp and calculating. “Donavon is blinded by his emotions. If we don’t act now, Zuri will destroy everything we’ve worked for.” Elder Miriam nodded, her expression equally grim. “We must sever their bond. Zuri’s presence is the cause of these attacks. The rogues won’t stop until she’s gone.” “And how do you suggest we do that?” another elder asked. Tobias smirked, a glint of malice in his eyes. “We make Donavon doubt her. Turn his love into fury. If he believes she’s deceived him, he’ll have no choice but to cast her out.” Elder Miriam leaned forward. “And the pregnancy?” “That will be our weapon,” Tobias
Chapter 56Zuri’s POVThe howls from the distance seemed to grow louder each night, echoing across the camp and through the thick trees surrounding us. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake the sense of impending doom that clung to the air. The rogues were closer than we had anticipated, and every minute felt like a countdown to a battle we weren’t prepared for.I could hear Donavon’s heavy footsteps approaching, his presence a familiar comfort. He opened the door without knocking, his eyes scanning the room before landing on me."You're still awake," he said quietly, stepping inside. "We need to talk."I sat up, the weight of his words pulling me from my restless thoughts. "About what?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. There was no escaping the tension between us. Donavon ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening. "The elders have made their decision. They want you gone. They think you’re a liability, that your past is going to bring the rogues straig
DnnlChapter 55Zuri’s POVThe weight of Donavon’s words pressed heavily on me. "Then it’s not just the pack they’re after. It’s you." His voice was filled with tension, and the air between us seemed to crackle with unspoken fear.I couldn’t fully grasp what it all meant yet. All I knew was that the symbol carved into the tree was no coincidence—it was connected to my past. The past that was slowly being revealed to me in fragments, each one like a shard of glass cutting through the veils of my memory. But what did it mean for me, for Donavon, for the pack? Was there any way to stop the storm that was coming?The moment felt suspended in time, the forest around us eerily silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something to happen. Donavon stepped closer, his gaze locked on mine. His hand reached out and cupped my cheek, his touch warm against the cold air. The intensity in his eyes was enough to make my heart race. “You don’t have to face this alone,” he whisper
Chapter 54Zuri's povThe stillness of the night was deceptive, masking the unease that had settled over the pack. My body ached from the relentless training sessions, but I couldn’t stop. The rogues were still a looming threat, and I needed to be stronger. The pack relied on me, and I wouldn’t let them down. Donavon had noticed my exhaustion earlier and tried to persuade me to rest, but he didn’t understand. Rest was a luxury I couldn’t afford—not with the elders circling like vultures, ready to rip apart everything we had built. A sharp knock on my door startled me. When I opened it, Kira stood there, her face pale and her eyes wide with worry. “It’s Donavon,” she said, her voice trembling. “The elders are challenging him again. You need to come.” I followed her to the gathering hall, my heart heavy. This wasn’t the first time the elders had questioned Donavon’s leadership, but each confrontation left him more isolated. The weight of their doubts was beginning to show in the
Chapter 53Zuri’s POVThe evening air was heavy with tension, the kind that seeped into your bones and made it hard to breathe. I could feel it in every glance exchanged between pack members, in the hurried steps of patrols along the borders. The rogues weren’t just a threat—they were a storm gathering on the horizon, and we were the ones in its path. I stood at the edge of the camp, watching the forest with narrowed eyes. The shadows seemed to shift and move, but I knew better than to trust my senses. The rogues were cunning, and they thrived on fear. A rustling sound behind me made me turn, my body instinctively tensing. It was Hart, his face illuminated by the faint glow of the campfires. “You’re going to wear yourself out if you keep this up,” he said, his tone light but tinged with concern. “I can’t just sit around and wait,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. I softened it quickly. “Sorry. I just... I don’t know how to stay still when we’re so close to another
Chapter 52Zuri’s POVThe sun rose over the camp, its light barely warming the chill that had settled in my bones. Morning was supposed to bring hope, but today, it felt more like a countdown. The rogues were regrouping—Javi had confirmed it. We didn’t know how long we had, but the energy in the camp told me it wasn’t much. I walked through the camp, my eyes scanning the scene. Everywhere I looked, pack members were busy. Some were reinforcing barriers with sharpened stakes; others were checking the traps laid along the northern and eastern borders. Healers moved swiftly, tending to the wounded from the last attack, their faces a mix of exhaustion and determination. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. The people here had fought for me, bled for me—and it still didn’t feel like enough. The rogues weren’t just after the pack; they were after me. Their hatred wasn’t just for Donavon’s leadership but for the power I was still learning to control. “Zuri,” Hart called, his voice