Raven’s POVA slow, satisfied smile curled on my lips as I stared into the crackling fire before me. The flames danced, twisting like spirits caught in an eternal waltz, their glow casting flickering shadows across the stone walls of my stronghold.It was almost too easy.I leaned back in my seat, resting my elbows on the armrests, fingers steepled in amusement.The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the dim chamber. I didn’t need to turn around—I already knew who it was.Gregor.He moved with urgency, his heavy boots thudding against the floor. When he reached me, he bowed slightly before straightening, his face alight with triumph.“My lord,” he said, his voice tinged with barely restrained excitement. “It has happened. The Lunar Clan has exiled Elara. She and Kael were cast out by the Elders. I heard they were having an affair.”A soft chuckle escaped my lips. I tilted my head, regarding him with an amused glint in my eyes.“ Fools. They did it themselves?” I asked, savo
Elara's POV The forest stretched endlessly before me, a sea of shadows and shifting moonlight. Every step I took felt heavier than the last, each breath laced with the bitter taste of rejection. I kept my gaze forward, refusing to let the weight of what had happened slow me down. Beside me, Kael walked in silence, his usual confidence replaced by an uncharacteristic stiffness.We had been cast out. Banished. Declared unworthy.The Council of Elders—the same people who had once sworn to guide and protect us—had turned their backs on us. And for what? Because I refused to deny what I felt? Because I chose to stand by Kael instead of betraying him to save myself?I clenched my fists. If I could go back, I would make the same decision again.Kael, walking just a few steps behind, let out a long breath. “We need to find shelter before dawn.”I didn’t respond. I knew he was right, but part of me didn’t care. What was the point of stopping? We had nowhere to go, no home, no allies. The Luna
Luca’s POV The night smelled of blood before the first attack even landed.I stood at the highest watchtower of the First Clan’s fortress, the cool wind whipping through my hair as I scanned the dense forest beyond our borders. A heavy silence stretched over the land, thick and unnatural. The usual sounds of night creatures had faded, replaced by an eerie stillness that sent a chill down my spine.I knew what has come.The warning horn had sounded moments ago, its deep, mournful echo sending a ripple of unease through the pack. The warriors were already moving into position, their armor glinting under the moonlight, their faces set with grim determination. But no matter how well-trained or disciplined we were, I knew the truth.We were not ready. Not without her.Not without Elara.I clenched my jaw as the thought burned through me. The Council’s decision to exile her had been a mistake—one we were about to pay for with our blood.A growl rumbled in my chest as I turned to the warrio
Elara's POV The cave was damp and smelled of earth and decay. It wasn’t much, but it was shelter, and right now, that was all we needed. My legs ache from running, and every breath felt like fire in my lungs. The night air outside carried the thick scent of damp moss and something far worse, death. A warning that danger still lurked beyond the stone walls shielding us.I sank to the ground, pressing my back against the rough cave wall. "This isn’t sustainable," I muttered, dragging a shaky hand through my hair. "They’re not stopping."Kael stood near the entrance, his body tense, his sharp gaze flicking over the darkness outside. He barely looked winded, but I knew better. He was just as exhausted as I was."No," he agreed, voice low. "And they’re getting stronger."A chill crept down my spine. I had sensed it too. The Shadowborn had always been a threat, but never like this. "Something’s changed," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Kael finally turned to look at me, his expres
Raven's POV I stood atop the high balcony of my fortress, the cold wind whipping against my face as I looked down at the darkened land below. My heart thundered in my chest, not from fear, but from anticipation. Power was within my grasp—I could taste it, feel it thrumming through my veins. The scent of blood and decay clung to the air, but beneath it, I smelled something far sweeter.Victory.A slow smirk curled on my lips as I turned to Dorian, now my most trusted second-in-command. He stood rigid, arms crossed, his dark eyes locked onto mine with that usual unreadable expression. I could feel his skepticism, though he did not speak it aloud. He never did.“Luca barely escaped with his life,” I mused, rolling my shoulders. My body still hummed with the adrenaline of battle. “Next time, I won’t let him crawl away like a wounded dog.”Dorian’s jaw tightened slightly. “He’s strong,” he admitted. There was no admiration in his tone, only cold analysis. “You underestimate him, and you c
Dorian’s POVThe fire crackled in the dimly lit chamber, casting flickering shadows along the stone walls. I sat alone, elbows resting on my knees, fingers laced together in silent contemplation. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood, but beneath it, something darker lingered—the pungent stench of the Shadowborn.Those creatures… they unsettled me.I had fought in countless wars, seen men torn apart by fangs and claws but nothing—compared to them. They weren’t just weapons. They weren’t just beasts. They were something beyond our understanding. Something that didn’t belong in our world.Yet Raven had chosen them.And I had chosen to follow Raven.I exhaled slowly, pressing my palms against my face. Doubt was a weakness I couldn’t afford. Not now. Not when we were so close to taking everything we had fought for. But still, the thoughts gnawed at me, refusing to let go.The Shadowborn were unpredictable. They could turn on us the moment we lost control. And if that happened,
Lyanna’s POVThe air smelled of blood and herbs. A sharp contrast, one that always made my stomach tighten. I dipped the cloth into the basin of warm water, squeezing it before pressing it against Rowan’s wounded side. He winced but said nothing, his jaw clenched in quiet suffering.“You should have been more careful,” I muttered, dabbing at the gash along his ribs. “This could have been worse.”Rowan let out a short, humorless chuckle. “ I was but you of all people know the shadowborn are of no match for us.”I stilled for a moment before continuing my work. I thought of Elara. The name had been forbidden in our halls since he sent her away. But now, spoken in his voice, it felt heavier.The power of the moon is inside Elara. She alone can help.“ They would’ve had my head for this,” Rowan admitted, watching me with tired eyes.“ They should have,” I replied without looking at him.A silence settled between us, filled only by the distant crackling of the fire. I could feel his gaze o
Elara's POV We journeyed to a small village, we had sighted from afar.The village was nothing like I had expected.Nestled between towering trees and rolling hills, it was a world untouched by the darkness we had left behind. The air smelled of fresh bread and wildflowers, laughter echoed through the narrow dirt paths, and the sight of children playing freely made my chest tighten with emotions I couldn't name.It was safe. Safe from the shadowborns. Safe from the chaos and bloodshed.Kael and I had been traveling for days, exhaustion clinging to our bodies, but as we stepped into the heart of the village, something shifted. The tension in Kael’s frame eased, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I saw a glimmer of peace in his eyes."We should stay here," he murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear.I turned to him, searching his expression. "You really think it’s safe?"His lips curled slightly. "Safer than anywhere else right now."I exhaled, glancing ar
Elara's POV Finally, Peace ReignedThe land, once drenched in blood and shadow, now shimmered under the soft light of the moon. The scent of fresh earth filled the air, and the trees, once whispering with fear, stood tall, their branches rustling with a sense of peace. The howls of war had faded into the night, replaced by the steady rhythm of nature reclaiming what had been stolen.I stood at the river’s edge, watching the water ripple gently under the silver glow. My reflection stared back at me—hair loose, face no longer hardened by battle, but not quite softened yet either.The weight of vengeance, of loss, of relentless struggle—it had lifted.I was free.And I was finally mated to the one I loved.A presence stirred beside me, familiar and grounding. His scent—warm cedar and something unmistakably him—wrapped around me like a tether, steady and real.“Lost in thought?” His voice was quiet, careful, as if he knew I still carried the weight of everything we had endured. Of everyt
Elara’s POVThe morning sun bathed the land in golden light, illuminating the Lunar territory that had once been ravaged by war. Now, peace had settled over the werewolf clans, the air thick with the scent of fresh earth, blooming flowers, and the lingering energy of victory.I stood on the stone platform at the heart of the sacred grounds, my chest rising and falling as I took in the sight before me. The once-divided werewolves now stood united, their heads bowed in reverence. They weren’t just looking at me. They were acknowledging me.The weight of it all settled on my shoulders.I, Elara, the outcast who had been shunned and betrayed, was now standing at the pinnacle of power. The Moon Spirit had guided me through darkness, and now, I stood in the light.But before my ordination as Lunar Alpha, there was one last piece of unfinished business.Footsteps echoed behind me, hesitant yet steady. I turned to find Luca approaching, his head lowered, his expression riddled with guilt. His
Rowan’s POVThe battlefield was silent.For the first time in decades, there were no screams of agony, no clash of steel, no howls of war. Only the whisper of the wind as it carried the scent of blood and ash through the ruined land.I stood at the edge of what remained of our once-proud territory, his aged eyes scanning the remnants of a battle that had reshaped the very foundation of their world.Bodies of Shadowborn creatures lay scattered across the field, their twisted forms dissolving into nothingness under the first light of dawn. The ground beneath them, once tainted by darkness, now pulsed with the energy of renewal. The war was over.And Elara had won.I exhaled deeply, my breath shaky. I had lived through many wars, many rulers, and many sacrifices. But never had i6 witnessed something like this.The werewolves, the scattered Clans, the warriors who had once been divided—now knelt in reverence before the silver-haired woman who stood at the center of it all.Elara.The girl
Elara’s POVThe battlefield was drenched in blood and moonlight, the air thick with the scent of ash and death. Shadows twisted and curled like dying serpents, their inky tendrils dissipating into the night as I stood amidst the carnage. My body ached, my muscles screamed, but I didn’t stop.I couldn’t stop.The Shadowborn had plagued our kind for too long. They had taken too much—our homes, our people, our future. I had vowed to end them, and now, that promise would be fulfilled.A low growl echoed through the ruined valley as the last of Raven’s creatures lunged toward me. Its soulless black eyes glowed with malice, its twisted form shifting between smoke and flesh. But I did not flinch.I raised my hand, feeling the power of the moon surge through me. My veins pulsed with silver fire, my claws shimmering as I met the creature head-on. With one swift movement, I tore through it, my energy colliding with its essence. It shrieked, writhing as its form shattered into nothingness.Silen
Elara’s POV The wind howled outside the encampment, whispering secrets through the trees. The fire before me flickered as I sat cross-legged, my fingers pressed against the cool stone at my chest. The night stretched endlessly, but my mind wasn’t in the physical realm—it was drifting beyond, into the veil of the spirit world.A dark force tugged at me, a pull I couldn’t ignore. I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply. The air in the spirit realm was thick, charged with an unnatural energy. Shadows twisted around me, curling like serpents.And then, I saw him.Raven.He stood before me, his form hazy yet unmistakable, shrouded in the dark mist of his power. His silver eyes glowed, filled with a cold amusement.“I wondered when you’d come,” he drawled, his voice echoing unnaturally.I clenched my fists. “You called me here. What do you want?”His smirk deepened. “To end this foolish war. You and I both know this cannot last forever, Elara. Come to me—face me at the Black Hollow. We will
Elara’s POVThe night air was thick with tension as Kael and I moved swiftly through the dense forests surrounding the First Clan’s stronghold. The tall spires of the stone fortress loomed ahead, dark and imposing against the moonlit sky. My heart pounded in my chest, not from fear, but from the anticipation of what was to come.Luca.Once my closest friend, now a prisoner of his own choices. He had betrayed me because of his emotions, which gave Raven a chance, stood against me when I needed him most. And yet, despite everything, we were here to save him.Kael moved beside me, silent but alert. His presence was a steady force, grounding me in the chaos that brewed inside me. “Are you ready for this?” he murmured.I exhaled, gripping the daggers at my belt. “I don’t know. But I have to be.”We crept toward the fortress, using the cover of darkness to slip past the outer guards. The First Clan had once been a proud force, but since Raven’s rise, they had become nothing more than a sha
Elara's POV The night air was cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and healing herbs. The soft glow of the moon bathed the clearing where we had stopped, and all was still except for the slow, labored breathing of the woman lying before me.I knelt beside her, my hands trembling as I traced the bruises on her wrists—remnants of the shackles that had bound her for far too long. My mother—who had once been so strong, so fearless—now lay before me, fragile and exhausted. Yet, even in her weakened state, her silver eyes, identical to mine, held warmth, relief, and something else.Love.A lump formed in my throat. I had dreamt of this moment for months, of the day I would see her again, but not like this—not broken and battered.Taking a shaky breath, I placed my hands gently over her wounds. A soft silver glow radiated from my fingertips, warm and soothing. The power of the moon surged through me, flowing into her, knitting torn flesh, dissolving bruises, easing pain.She gasped as the
Raven’s POVThe room was suffocating with silence. Not the kind that brought peace, but the kind that smothered, thick with unspoken rage. The moment I sensed it—felt the severance of my connection to the Shadowborn—I knew.Elara had escaped.A single word echoed in my mind, ringing like a war drum.Unacceptable.My fingers clenched around the arms of my throne, dark power crackling through my veins. The flickering torches along the chamber walls burned lower, their flames bending unnaturally under the force of my fury.I turned my gaze to the trembling guard kneeling before me. He had dared to deliver the news.“They... they are gone, My Lord,” he stammered, his forehead pressed against the cold stone floor. “We lost them in the trees.”Lost them?I let the words settle, my grip tightening. The shadows around the room thickened, curling like serpents waiting to strike.The guard swallowed hard. “The Shadowborn—”“They failed.”My voice cut through the air, cold and lethal.The man f
Elara’s POVThe night stretched before us like a never-ending abyss, filled with uncertainty and the weight of what we were about to do. The Lunar Territory was where Raven conquered. It has turned into dangerous places in the realm, and it was where Raven had taken Lyanna.She was trapped there, locked away in a prison built for those who dared to defy him.We couldn’t leave her behind.Sitting by the dim fire in our temporary hideout, Kael and I studied the map spread between us, the lines and markings glowing faintly under the flickering flame. The stronghold was heavily guarded, its towering walls nearly impenetrable. Getting inside wouldn’t be easy—but it wasn’t impossible.Kael exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. “Even if we do get past the outer walls, we’ll still have to face the elite guards inside. They won’t hesitate to kill us.”I traced the path on the map with my fingers, calculating the risks. “We can’t go in with brute force. It would be suicide. But if we move like