With my eyes narrowed, I scanned my surroundings, trying to pinpoint where the spear had come from. My gaze followed its trajectory, and then I saw them—a line of guards standing atop the walls of the Ivory Kingdom. They weren’t alone. More guards filled the walls, their sheer number exceeding anything I had imagined.“Impressive,” I muttered to myself, though I couldn’t ignore the faint smirk tugging at my lips.The guards shouted down, their voices sharp and clear: “Intruder!”“Intruder?” I thought, bemused. That’s not the warmest way to introduce someone like me.Before I could respond, the massive gates of the kingdom began to shift, their mechanisms groaning under their weight. The sound reverberated through the air as the gates opened with a heavy thud. From within, a man emerged, flanked by an intimidating number of guards. His golden armor gleamed under the sunlight, a clear mark of authority.He strode toward us with confidence, his gaze sharp and calculating as it flicked be
The man stared at me, his expression wary. He wasn’t entirely convinced by my words, but I could see the hesitation in his eyes. I knew he’d be tough to sway, but I had my ways of persuasion if he chose to refuse.Just as I braced myself for his rejection, his answer took me by surprise.“Fine, I’ll become your ally and join in the war.”I blinked, caught off guard. My eyes widened for a split second before I masked my surprise. That was… easy. Too easy. Shaking off the thought, I gave him a curt nod.“Well, it’s settled then,” I said, standing up. My voice was firm, my confidence unshaken. As I turned to leave, heading for the door, a voice stopped me in my tracks.“Wait.”It was Calvin. I glanced back over my shoulder. “What is it?”“When is the war?” he asked, his tone sharp but curious.A smirk tugged at my lips. “You’ll know when the time comes. I’ll send a message when the time is near.” Without waiting for a reply, I turned on my heel and walked out, Luca falling into step besi
Each step Luca and I took closer felt like a challenge, the kind that could only end in blood—or submission.“This would be a good time to bring out your wolf,” Luca said, his voice steady but his fingers flexing, ready for a fight.I shook my head. “No.” My tone left no room for argument. “We’re here to talk to their Alpha, not destroy everything in our path. My wolf…” My gaze flickered to the wolves ahead, their snarls growing louder. “...would do more damage than we need.”“They’re not giving us a choice,” Luca muttered, his jaw tightening.I squared my shoulders, my voice firm. “Then we won’t give them one either. We’ll speak to their Alpha—peacefully if they allow it, or forcefully if we must.”A wry grin tugged at Luca’s lips. “Well, I’m ready whenever you are.”The wolves surged forward, their snarls erupting into full-throated roars. My heart thudded in my chest, but I didn’t flinch. Raising my hand, I let the power simmering beneath my skin rise to the surface. A faint glow s
As the Alpha charged towards us, he leaped and was about to strike me. I was startled for the first time, not knowing what to do, and just when I thought I was going to be struck, I felt someone shove me aside. Crashing to the ground, I turned and saw that it was Luca, and before I could process anything that had happened or try to save him, he had already received the blow. He was struck with the Alpha's claw on his chest. "Luca!" I screamed. The Alpha turned towards me. "I will never make an alliance with an enemy like you—not after what you did to my people. Not after all the bloodshed. Not after all the wars." "pain fleshed out." Inside me, rage bubbled up. It was as if I should burst out. I stared at him as my eyes began shining red. I began shaking, trying not to lose myself to my anger and my rage. Because from it drew my power, but I couldn't control it. I stood up, standing my ground. As I kept shaking, my eyes red. Each step felt like I should destroy everything, and ju
Just then, another thought ran through my mind—Luca. Could he be in danger? My chest tightened at the possibility. Without hesitation, I sprinted back toward the room. My heart hammered with every step. If those women had done anything to him, I wouldn’t forgive myself. I’d make sure they paid with their lives, and I’d drag Alpha Calvin down with them. The door loomed ahead, and I shoved it open, stepping inside. My gaze darted around, expecting the worst. But it wasn’t what I thought. The woman inside, startled by my abrupt entrance, turned to me with a serene smile. "We’re all done. You can stay with him now," she said, her voice soft. I didn’t trust her. My glare pinned her as I moved toward Luca. He lay still, his face pale, but peaceful. Ignoring the woman’s watchful eyes, I sat beside him and leaned close, holding my breath as I placed a trembling finger under his nose. A faint, warm breath touched my skin. Relief washed over me, and I let out a shaky exhale. "You ca
Just then, I heard footsteps behind me. My heart skipped, and I spun around, unsure what to expect. My breath caught as Drake stepped into view.“Drake!” I exclaimed, relief washing over me like a tidal wave. I bolted toward him, throwing my arms around his sturdy frame. His warmth was a small comfort in this chaos.“How are my kids?” I blurted, gripping his arms as if to anchor myself. “Are they fine? Are they safe?”Drake nodded, his face grave but steady. “They’re safe. I promise you—they’re safe.”His words steadied my racing heart, but only for a moment. “What about Maximoff?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Is he okay?”Drake hesitated. He dropped his gaze, his silence louder than any answer. “Follow me,” he said at last, his tone low and heavy.A knot formed in my chest. “Drake…” My voice broke. Tears blurred my vision. “Tell me he’s okay.”“I can’t,” he said, his words sharp and final. “You’ll have to see for yourself.”Drake turned and started walking. I stood frozen, glancing
Huh, huh. I was breathing heavily as I crashed to my knees. My horse had grown exhausted, and I had to continue the journey on foot while dragging it.We were in the middle of the desert at this point. Turns out that our rival pack was on the other side of the world.My eyes caught a glimpse of the Kingdom mere meters away, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I arrived.With determination, I forced myself to my feet and began walking, holding the rope of my horse while leading it.We kept walking in the desert, struggling to move as the wind became another obstacle in our path. Dust covered everything, but I kept pushing and struggling.Just then, I heard a noise behind me. When I turned, at first, I didn’t see anyone because of the dust carried by the wind. But soon enough, as the person approached, I got a glimpse of him.He had a cloth tied from his chin to his nose and a turban that extended to his forehead, leaving only his eyes visible. Those grey eyes seemed to impre
I stared at Kyle in shock, my heart pounding in my chest. This was the last thing I had expected. To discover that Kyle had been the Alpha all along was overwhelming enough, but everything that followed felt like a blur, almost dreamlike.The crowd that had gathered around us held their breath, waiting for my response. My palms were clammy, and shame pricked at my skin like needles. I felt small under their judgmental stares.“I can’t accept Kyle’s offer,” I thought, struggling to keep my composure. “Even though he’s kind and has always been there, my heart belongs to Luca. He’s the father of my child. But if I reject Kyle in front of everyone, it’ll only make things worse between us.”Closing my eyes to block out the sea of faces, I took a deep breath. My answer came out clear and steady, though it felt like a weight pressing against my chest.“No,” I said firmly, my voice cutting through the silence. “I can’t marry you.”The murmurs from the crowd grew louder, filling the hall like
Two days had passed since the battle, but the grief in my heart felt as raw as the moment Kieran fell into the chasm. The sky was a muted gray, the sun hidden behind heavy clouds, as if mourning alongside us. We gathered in the heart of the Moon Shadow pack's territory, wolves and humans standing side by side in solemn silence. It wasn’t just a memorial—it was a moment to honor a hero, a leader, and a brother. As I stood beside Luca, my heart ached for him. Kieran wasn’t just the previous Alpha; he was his brother, his blood. The loss had carved a wound so deep it would take a lifetime to heal. Luca stepped forward, his face a mask of stoic determination, though I could see the pain in his eyes. His voice carried over the crowd, firm yet tinged with sorrow. “Kieran was more than a brother to me,” he began, his words measured. “He was my challenger and although he did wrong in the past, he proved himself worthy of being called an alpha. And though he’s no longer with us, his spirit
Damian stretched his hands forward without a word, and his army surged toward us like a relentless tide.Ahead of my army, Luca and I didn’t hesitate. With a shared glance, we charged into the fray, breaking through Damian’s men with swift, brutal efficiency. The sounds of battle roared around us—clashing blades, howling wolves, and cries of pain—but none of it mattered. My focus was singular: Damian.His soldiers came at us from all sides, but we carved a path through them, our movements a deadly dance. My claws slashed through flesh and bone, my senses heightened as the red energy burned through me. Beside me, Luca fought with unmatched ferocity, his strikes precise and lethal.Damian stood in the distance, unmoving, his eyes cold and calculating. Flanking him were his two dark priests, their presence radiating a dark, oppressive energy. He didn’t flinch as we cut through his wolves, his confidence unshaken.The ground beneath us trembled as the battle raged on. My army clashed with
I stood frozen, my knees weak and my heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest. Tears blurred my vision as the weight of Damian’s words settled over me.“I can’t go against them,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. Even as I spoke, I hated myself for saying it.Damian’s sharp eyes locked onto mine, and his lips twisted into a cruel smile. He didn’t need to hear me—he had read my lips. That wicked grin of his made my stomach churn.He turned and strode toward my mother, who was bound and broken in those heavy chains. The sound of them scraping against the cold, hard ground sent shivers down my spine.“You give me no choice, Cathrine,” he said, his voice loud enough to cut through the silence.I wanted to scream, to fight, but my body refused to move. I could only stand there, trembling, as Damian grabbed my mother’s chin with his hand.“Out of my generosity,” he said with a mocking smile, “I’ll offer you one last chance to speak. Any final words?”My mother, he
I stood frozen, my knees weak and my heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest. Tears blurred my vision as the weight of Damian’s words settled over me.“I can’t go against them,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. Even as I spoke, I hated myself for saying it.Damian’s sharp eyes locked onto mine, and his lips twisted into a cruel smile. He didn’t need to hear me—he had read my lips. That wicked grin of his made my stomach churn.He turned and strode toward my mother, who was bound and broken in those heavy chains. The sound of them scraping against the cold, hard ground sent shivers down my spine.“You give me no choice, Cathrine,” he said, his voice loud enough to cut through the silence.I wanted to scream, to fight, but my body refused to move. I could only stand there, trembling, as Damian grabbed my mother’s chin with his hand.“Out of my generosity,” he said with a mocking smile, “I’ll offer you one last chance to speak. Any final words?”My mother, he
I took a cautious step forward, my army moving as one behind me. The earth beneath my boots seemed to pulse with the weight of the moment. The tension was suffocating, the distance between us and Damian’s army feeling like a fragile thread ready to snap. My gaze never left Damian’s face, though my peripheral vision picked up the shifting forms of his wolves. They were restless, teeth bared, waiting for the command to strike.But then, Damian raised a hand, and his wolves parted once again. This time, another figure emerged from their ranks—a man I knew all too well.“Dennis,” I whispered, my chest tightening.He walked with measured steps, his head bowed slightly, a gleaming sword clutched in his hand. His shoulders were stiff, and his movements lacked the usual confidence I remembered. My heart ached as I saw him stop just a few paces from Damian, the blade in his grip trembling ever so slightly. He turned his head just enough for me to see his face—teary-eyed, conflicted, and filled
After days of relentless marching, we arrived at the border of Damian’s territory. The dense forest seemed darker here, the trees more twisted and suffocating. Each breath felt heavier, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and something foul I couldn’t place. My heart pounded, though I kept my expression cold, my head held high. I couldn’t let the others see even a flicker of doubt.But when we broke through the tree line, I froze. Damian was already there.He stood at the head of his army, a wall of snarling wolves behind him. His presence was as commanding as ever, broad shoulders squared, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. Beside him, his generals stood tense, their claws glinting in the faint light. Every one of them was poised to strike.For a brief moment, I questioned everything. How had he known we were coming? Had someone betrayed us? Or was Damian just that arrogant, so confident in his rule that he expected us to challenge him eventually? It didn’t matter now.I
The air was crisp, filled with the scent of damp earth and anticipation as we assembled for the battle that would change everything. I stood at the forefront, my horse shifting beneath me, its energy mirroring my own. To my left and right stood the leaders of the allied packs and kingdoms, their faces set in grim determination. Behind us stretched an army of thousands—wolves, warriors, and mages united under one cause. I turned slightly, catching the gaze of each leader beside me. No words were exchanged, but the weight of their nods was louder than any speech. They were ready. Drawing in a deep breath, I raised my arm, signaling the march forward. The first step was mine to take. My horse moved, and as I rode forward, the thunder of hooves and the rhythmic beat of footsteps followed behind me. We were a single force, moving as one, ready to meet our destiny. ************* Meanwhile… Damian stood atop a high stone platform, overlooking the sea of his men. The dark fortress loomed
I walked into the grand hall, the echo of my footsteps bouncing off the towering marble walls. The air buzzed with a tension so thick it felt almost alive. Around the long, ornate table sat kings, alphas, and leaders from every corner of the lands I had visited. Their faces bore the weight of the decision we were about to make—a decision that could either unite us or spell our doom. Taking my seat at the head of the table, I felt the gravity of my position settle over me. This wasn’t just about leading; it was about ensuring survival. I exhaled slowly, allowing a moment of silence to gather everyone’s attention. “This war isn’t one we sought,” I began, my voice steady yet commanding. “But it is one we must win. Today, we finalize our strategy and set the course for victory.” I gestured for the maps to be unfurled. The intricate details of the enemy’s strongholds, their troop placements, and the surrounding terrain were laid bare before us. My finger traced the map as I spoke. “Our
Now that I had forged an alliance with all the kingdoms, I carried their hopes and fears with me as I led them to the Shadow Pack’s territory. This was where we would prepare for the battle of our lives.The journey took two days. Each step felt heavier than the last, not because of the distance, but because of the responsibility pressing on my shoulders. I was no longer walking alone; I was leading an army of strangers bound together by a fragile trust and a shared goal.It was only when we paused for a break that I realized how far we’d come. The trees and skies were different here, unfamiliar yet oddly welcoming. I had never ventured this far in my entire life.At night, we camped in the woods. The fire crackled softly, throwing shadows on the faces of humans and werewolves sitting together. For the first time, they laughed, shared stories, and passed around food like old friends. I stayed on the edge, watching them. This was the future I dreamed of—a world where the past didn’t ma