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
DawnI woke up alone in my room. The pain had disappeared. I jumped up and ran to find a mirror. After throwing off the suffocating gown I'd worn, I checked my back for scar marks. There was none. I sighed and stepped into the shower. The old alpha had warned me but it wasn't enough to prepare me for what I'd just experienced. Still weary, I threw on my normal clothes and headed out to find Princess. I wished I was connected to them in some way, so I could just mind-link them. As I walked down the corridors, I kept on receiving awkward stares. I thought I could get used to them, but it seemed impossible. Finally, I found Princess alone in one of the libraries.She was startled at the sight of me. “Have you eaten?” She asked.I shook my head. I didn't feel hungry, just tired. “You should eat,” she murmured and began replacing the books she was holding on the shelves.I nodded. “Where are the triplets?”“Rhys is back. He's maddeningly angry at something that he doesn't want to sha
RhysShe ignored me totally. She didn't even acknowledge me as she walked in nor even after I grunted to show dissatisfaction.I didn't know what bothered me more, the lack of acknowledgment or Nadia giving her my last name. I was fuming. Dawn exchanged looks with everyone in the room except me. A whole me! Now she was in the arms of Nadia who cradled her like a baby. I wanted to rip them apart and hold Dawn’s face so I could stare her in the eyeballs and ask what gave her the audacity to disregard me.It then occurred to me that I may have done something to warrant the treatment I was getting. But what? What happened? What had she heard? Was it because I wasn't there for her last episode? Why would she even be mad at that? I was off in Silver Moon, fighting for my life against a deranged Alpha. If Dawn could only stare at me, even for a brief moment, then I'd know what was going on in her pretty little head.When did you start wearing your heart on your sleeves, Alpha? Nadia’s voic
DawnI didn't know what to do with him. He followed me everywhere, carefully guiding me like he had an inbuilt map of the forest. It was exhilarating as well as suffocating. Within me, I stewed about the near kiss we had. What was it about Rhys Hallowvern that unraveled me so?My former mate’s presence never made me feel like this. I was always happy to see him and wanted to be close to him at all times. It was like floating on the clouds. With Rhys, it was a different matter altogether.We were not bound except by a scam marriage that our fates depended on. We had a one-night stand and that was it. Yet, I couldn't breathe properly when I was around him. His presence bore down on me, completely burning me up from inside. It was like I was addicted to the pressure. Only a whiff of his scent had my body on edge. There were no clouds with Rhys. It was pure unadulterated desire. A combination of Lust and what seemed like an obsession. I became something else.We didn't say much to each
DawnThe torment seemed never-ending. I was either standing on the tip of my toes and proclaiming something that I believed was utter nonsense or immersing myself in Ice. Nadia’s lessons got worse & weirder with each day. The worst part was that she didn’t seem to be interested in teaching me anything that actually made sense. Princess was worried. Kaden was confused and the triplets were yet to return from wherever they went. I was losing faith in Nadia at each second. It didn’t help that neither Princess nor Kaden could remember being trained in any of the things she’d taught me so far. My wolf was angrier than it had ever been. Recently, it had no tolerance for disrespect and deceit. I didn't even understand it. What was making it so bold? Did it have to do with what the old Alpha said about suppression or was I really drawing strength from Rhys? Sometimes when Nadia spoke I wanted to bark at her and instruct her to teach me properly. It took a lot of self-control to control an
RhysI sat in another meeting barely listening as the council yapped about current developments. A large group of rogues were on the way. We were yet to find the traitor amongst us. The triplets were yet to send word or return from the secret mission I sent them on. These were the things I should have been concentrating on. However, I could only think of one person. Dawn.Walking with her late at night was oddly calming. She was hiding something and maybe afraid but just being around her erased all my worries. I could only focus on her and nothing else.I wanted another opportunity to do the exact thing. We didn't need to talk, just walked together under the moon while she picked her precious herbs. I wanted to be only worried about something pricking her nimble fingers or her being too close to a shrub that could potentially kill her. And then I could pull her away and scold her properly about it.I didn't want to be anywhere but at the meeting. I wanted to be with her.“What's th
Dawn“I see you haven't learned much,” a voice I'd come to recognize said through the pitch-black darkness.I couldn't respond. My mouth was sealed as pain reverberated through my being. What I felt was worse than what I felt when I was conscious.“You thought you could escape it by coming here?” He asked.I whimpered. I didn't think I could escape anything. It was too much and I needed relief. I wanted it to stop.“I cannot help you,” the old Alpha sighed. “You're the only one that can help yourself. It's high time you realize that.”Most of what he said sounded like gibberish. I could hardly process anything. Not when it felt like my back was being pulverized.“Help,” I croaked. I felt weak. Like if my soul was slipping away from me.“You're killing yourself. Set your wolf free. Become one with it. The pain cannot be stopped but it'll be reduced,” He said softly.“Is there no other way?” I said through gritted teeth.I could feel him shake his head. “There is, but it's impossible fo
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