RhysFear couldn't begin to describe what I felt last night. I'd been hunting Marcus down when they informed me that Dawn had disappeared. I immediately skidded to a stop. I couldn't understand what they were talking about. How on earth had she gone missing? To make matters worse no one recalled seeing her. Her scent wasn't anywhere but in her room. I would have waived it off and continued my pursuit of my dubious uncle who remained elusive, but I already knew that for Kaden to inform me, it was getting out of hand.I split up with my hunting team and doubled back to the Packhouse. The triplets were already combing the forests. Lex was checking the pack boundaries for possible signs of trespassing. It was going to be difficult for anyone to track her since we had yet to bind her to Golden Crest.Kaden was certain that she was abducted. He believed it had something to do with Marcus or the Crest. Princess, however, was quiet and pensive. As soon as I stepped into Dawn's room, I und
DawnInstead of turning out to be the punishment that I thought it was, spending a week in my room became a blessing. It meant I stopped going for the Luna lessons which I'd come to despise. It was obvious that I was never going to have or completely copy the poise and etiquette that the noble females embodied and exuded. Frankly, I was tired. So instead of dragging myself to their daily insufferable lessons, I lay in my room and was supplied daily with books about etiquette and history to read.Sure, I missed the lab more than anything, there were a few concoctions I was supposed to make but reading was fun.According to Lex, who enjoyed policing me around from outside my door, Rhys was out of Golden Crest for important business. And so he was in charge. He threatened me daily and promised that he wouldn't take my nonsense.Most of the time, I blocked him out and ignored him.I hadn't even known that my punishment included no interactions with anyone but him. I hadn't seen either P
DawnFrustration was the least way to describe what was simmering in my gut.The training ground was a bustling hive of activity. Pack members sparred, and barked instructions at each other. The pack members of Golden Crest emanated an air of effortless strength. I felt their individual and collective strength that thrummed through the air. It was what made them so great.Meanwhile, I felt like a sparrow stumbling into a den of wolves. I didn't fit. The worst part was that I noticed a few omegas glancing my way. They were struggling too and they seemed to be looking at me for guidance. Not only did it multiply the pressure I was already feeling but made me question Marcus's decision to bring me here once again.We began with simple stretches. And even that was a struggle. Muscles I didn't know existed screamed in protest. When we moved on to basic stances, sweat beaded on my forehead and my breath came out in ragged gasps. Nothing was more embarrassing.How could I be struggling to ho
RhysNothing was more satisfactory than seeing Marcus looking beat up. “That's what you get for stirring commotion,” I said smugly.My uncle who was healing slowly chuckled and adjusted on his chair. “Why are you here, Alpha? Shouldn't you be back at your pack enjoying your wedding bliss? You're defeating the purpose of my mission.” He said with his tired voice.“What mission? The one I sent you on or the one you created for yourself?” I snapped.“I was supposed to be a decoy.” He shrugged.“Yet you couldn't keep yourself from poking your head where it didn't belong. Who asked to pretend to be a representative of me and spew nonsense to the Alpha in the North.”He looked away. “That didn't go quite as I'd planned.”“What exactly had you planned, Marcus? Why'd you keep meddling with things that don't concern you?”He groaned and adjusted. “You've become so pompous that you can barely see ahead of you.”“I don't know what's going on in that head of yours,” I growled. “Frankly, I don't
Dawn“Great. Now the whole pack knows how he feels about me.” I mumbled as I sped to the pack house. I wanted to scream. I wanted to shout down the heavens. But if I did, I'd be letting everyone know how much he affected me. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction. I would never let them know how my daydreams mostly consisted of Rhys and I together. Of how I'd somehow conjured a charming image where I was obsessed with him. No one needed to know how I consistently thought of our night together. Of how it seemed like my whole existence was revolving about him.All they needed to know was that I was having a horrible week and he'd just hit the last nail that sealed the coffin. He'd given the snots ammo that they'd been digging for. No matter what Kaden or anyone said. After now, I was never setting foot in that etiquette lesson, ever. Maybe it was time I set my foot down about something.“Wait up!” One of the triplets called. It was probably Layla, but I was too angry to care. I was no
DawnI slumped on my bed. My body was still buzzing. We just kissed and he proceeded to tell me that meant nothing. How was I supposed to absorb that information now? I rolled on the bed and groaned. He never should have come closer to me or kissed me twice. He should have continued pretending that my existence irritated him. I needed to open the door soon and let Princess in. She deserved an explanation. But I didn't want to because I didn't have any explanation to give.I rolled from one end to the other before I finally stood up. I took a quick shower and then headed to the door. Thankfully they weren't waiting at the door. I found them in the game room engrossed in what happened to be a serious discussion.“There she is. Our little celebrity Luna.” Layla purred.Kaden nudged at her and then gave me an apologetic look. The triplets had weird smiles. Princess looked pensive.“Don't tell me you were discussing me.”“Not just about you. But the current situation in the Pack.” Kayla
RhysI paced around my den with my fingers balled into fists and my wolf's rampage was a second from being unleashed.Many Alpha's are running with Marcus' claims. They are currently teaming up with our allies. They are having meetings and trying to find our weakest link.I slammed my fist on my desk. Confinement wasn't good enough for my uncle. I ought to have him skinned alive at least or do something that would hurt him. Maybe it was the only way it would learn.Reroute the enforcers again. Tell them to visit our allies and remind them of their agreements. I need them to be as domineering as possible. I bellowed in my head.There have been so many sightings of rogues sniffing around my borders. It's getting on my nerves. Why are they using rogues? Are they too scared or is something up somewhere?Marcus! This is all his fault! If he’d just kept to the plan and stopped trying to upstage me at every given opportunity, none of this would be happening. The door to my den swings open a
DawnIn the past two days, I've had to walk around like a princess of some sort. They put me in the most ridiculously fancy attires ever and made me do incredibly obscene things, and yet the woman they've been prattling about didn't show up.I was getting angrier by the minute. Sure my life depended on whatever I was to learn from her, but at the same time, I didn't want to be put in such a situation. Because I wasn't going to be Luna of Golden Crest. In less than 2 months, I would be set free from here and left to live my life. But I didn't have a choice. I never did. “Let's go with that, today,” Princess said, pointing at yet another formal gown. I grimaced and the triplets cringed on my behalf. “Can't we find something more functional?” I grumbled. “These clothes are not suitable for practice at all. I'm always making a fool of myself in them.”Princess groaned, “I know. But we are trying to impress someone here.”I slumped back on my bed, wishing I could stay in today or be con
Epilogue RhysNine months had passed since the chaos that plagued us finally ended. Despite a few arguments with disgruntled Alphas and the pressure of ruling the pack, we were okay. Dawn and I found and now, she was in labor. The most terrifying and exhilarating moment of my life was happening, and I was completely out of my mind.I paced outside the room, my heart pounding against my ribs. The sounds of Dawn’s pain-filled cries tore through me. My stomach twisted with every sound, and it was taking every ounce of strength not to burst into the room and demand to know if she was okay."Alpha, please, sit down. It’s going to be fine." Nadia tried to calm me down, but I shook my head, running a hand through my hair."Fine?" I growled, the word coming out harsher than I intended. "She’s in pain, Nadia. What if something happens? What if—"Nadia smiled gently, cutting me off. "It’s normal, Rhys. You’ve seen her overcome worse than this. Trust in that strength."I wanted to believe her,
RhysThe day Alex attacked Golden Crest, I was ready. His desperation had become so obvious that it was almost pitiful. Word had spread quickly, his forces gathering at the edge of our territory, preparing for what he likely thought would be a grand invasion. Fool. He didn’t know who he was dealing with.I scanned the forest line where his men were hiding. "Hold your positions," I commanded. My Deltas and warriors growled in anticipation. They were eager to spill blood, to protect their home. Alex’s forces weren’t as ready as they thought. From within them, someone gave an order and they charged. A ragtag group of rogues and fools ran straight into the open field where my warriors were waiting. "Take them down," I ordered calmly. My men moved like shadows, fast and lethal, cutting through Alex’s forces like they were nothing. I barely needed to lift a finger. His men fell one by one, their screams echoing through the trees. While none of my warriors were even touched.It was almos
DawnI couldn't believe it. My head spun as I tried to absorb the words that had been thrown at me. Sofia. Lex. A maid. They had all conspired together to poison me. My skin prickled with anger. The worst part was the confirmation that I had been right about Lex all along. The discomfort I’d felt around him wasn’t just paranoia; it was instinct. He had changed, and not for the better. They caught up with him soon enough. There was nowhere he could hide. There was no place where Rhys' wrath wouldn't get to him. Rhys assured me that everything was under control. Lex and Sofia were being tortured in the dungeon. He didn't want to think about it or stress myself.But I couldn’t rest. Not with this burning need for answers clawing at my insides. The doctors had told me to take it easy, to rest for the baby’s sake, but how could I? My life had been turned upside down by people I thought were part of my world. I needed to confront them.First, I went to Lex.When I saw him sitting there,
RhysThis had to be the worst type of fear I'd ever experienced. Why did she collapse again? Watching Dawn unconscious with her skin pale and chest barely moving was torture. My mind was racing, grasping at anything, trying to make sense of how this could have happened. The moment she collapsed the first time, I lost control.It was as if my greatest fear was manifesting before me."Move back, Alpha!" someone shouted at me, but I couldn't. My legs felt like they were glued to the ground. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her as they wheeled her into the emergency room. A hand gripped my shoulder, snapping me out of the daze. It was Kaden, his face grim, but his grip steadying. “She’ll be okay, Rhys.”"I swear to God, Kaden if anyone had a hand in this..." I couldn’t finish the sentence. I didn’t know if I was going to break down or tear the whole world apart. He nodded, his jaw clenched. “We’ll find them.”But finding them wouldn’t change the fact that Dawn was lying there unconsci
DawnThe celebration after our return from Creekside was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The entire pack came alive with joy. Music echoed through the night and laughter bounced off the trees. Lights twinkled, and tables were piled high with food and drink. It was as if the very air had shifted and was filled with the energy of victory. Pack members danced, cheered, and toasted to Rhys and me, the new Alpha and Luna Prime. I felt so much pride and acceptance from them. This was our moment, and nothing could ruin it.Rhys kept me close the entire night, his hand never leaving mine, as if he were afraid I’d disappear if he let go. I could see the love and admiration in his eyes, but I also caught the worry. He hadn’t said anything yet, but I knew he felt something was off with me.To be honest, he wasn’t wrong. For days, I’d been feeling strange—this odd sense of imbalance in my body. It started with a bit of nausea, then evolved into random waves of dizziness. I chalked it up to stress,
DawnThe day had finally arrived, but something about me felt off. It wasn’t the usual jitters before a mission or even the creeping anxiety of walking into enemy territory. This was different, like a knot twisted deep in my gut that I couldn’t unravel. But I knew better than to let it show. Not in front of Rhys.He’d been on edge all morning, pacing around like a caged wolf, his eyes constantly flicking to me with worry. I could feel the weight of his gaze, even when I pretended not to notice.“Dawn, are you sure you’re okay?” he asked for the third time, his voice tight with concern.I forced a smile, keeping my tone light. “I’m fine, Rhys. Just... thinking about everything that’s about to happen.”He studied me, his brow furrowing. I could see the doubt in his eyes, but I didn’t give him a chance to press. If he knew how unsettled I felt, he’d scrap the whole plan in a heartbeat. He’d always been overprotective, but this time it wasn’t just annoying—it could ruin everything.Maybe
RhysI watched Dawn, her eyes shut in concentration, as she attempted to summon one of the pack members to us. Her brow furrowed in frustration as she reached out with her mind, trying to compel them to come. She was struggling, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. I was making it harder for her, intentionally distracting her with my presence, but I couldn’t stop myself.She was more powerful than she realized. But that wasn't what terrified me.The thought of her walking into enemy territory unarmed, trusting those wolves who had already proven themselves traitors, made my blood boil. The plan was dangerous. Too dangerous for her. I wanted her safe, by my side, not out there pretending to be vulnerable when I knew she was anything but. And what if they figured her out? I couldn't stand the thought of that bastard Alex standing next to her.Yet, the more she struggled, the more I felt that guilt creep in. It wasn’t fair to her. She deserved my support, not my fear. Suddenly,
DawnI stood at the edge of the training grounds. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside me. The plan was set, and I was a key part of it. But before that, I needed to test the full range of my abilities by infiltrating enemy territory. My role was simple, at least on the surface. I’d summon the Lunas from the enemy packs, make them think I was naive enough to trust them, and then walk right into their territory, unarmed and unassuming. The idea was for them to believe they had me, and in doing so, we’d get the upper hand.But none of this felt simple. The truth was, I’d have to go back to Creekside, the same place I swore I’d never return to. Just thinking about it reminded me of the memories that haunted me. They were the same ones I had tried so hard to bury. Yet here I was, about to walk right back into that darkness.I glanced over at Rhys, who was watching me carefully as we stood together. We had been testing out ab
RhysI was sitting in the Den with Marcus and Kaden, and my thoughts were all over the place. It was frustrating. The immediate danger had passed, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something darker was brewing. I could feel it. Ever since I’d accepted my role as Alpha Prime, my instincts had sharpened. I knew exactly which Alphas were plotting against us. Their plans and strategies weren't as mysterious as they thought.They were having meetings now, those Alphas. They were discussing all possible methods and entry points to get to Dawn. It was funny how they were yet to discern or reason about my possible position as Alpha Prime. All their focus remained on Dawn.They wanted what they believed was her power. They were getting desperate now and trying to sneak up on us with a disjointed alliance, each one more eager to stab the other in the back than to actually attack me.But there was one name that stuck in my mind like a thorn—Alex. That bastard. The thought of him was enough t