After what felt like miles of walking, they finally arrived at the palace. The grand structure loomed before them, its towering walls casting long shadows as the sun began to set. Cathrine took in the sight, her legs aching from the long walk, but something about the place made her uneasy. It wasn’t just the grandeur or the eerily quiet surroundings—it was something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on.Luca, who had been carrying both his and Cathrine’s bags, trailed behind them in silence. His eyes were fixed on the path ahead, but Cathrine could sense the tension in his steps. Dylan, was leading them with brisk strides, his expression unreadable.Dylan finally spoke, his voice cutting through the stillness. "This way," he said, gesturing towards the palace entrance.Luca glanced around as they walked in, his gaze lingering on the ornate carvings on the walls. The place was old, ancient even, but well-preserved. There was something about it that unsettled him, though he couldn'
Cathrine’s footsteps echoed in the dark as she approached them, her eyes glowing, burning with a rage that couldn’t be contained. Her body moved with purpose, each step filled with the promise of destruction.One of the men, clearly the bravest or the most foolish of the group, raised his gun, aiming directly at her. His finger barely touched the trigger when Cathrine blurred into motion. In a heartbeat, she closed the distance between them, grabbing the gun from his hands and crushing it as if it were made of plastic. The man’s eyes widened in shock, disbelief etched on his face. He hadn’t even had time to process what happened before her fist connected with his jaw. The force of the blow sent him stumbling backward, his balance lost as he crashed to the ground.The other men stood frozen for a moment, shock rippling through them like a wave. But shock quickly turned to anger. They charged at her, their expressions twisted in fury, but it was a mistake. These men didn’t stand a chanc
"It's because I love you, Cathrine," Luca finally admitted, his voice trembling with emotion as the words spilled out. He stepped closer to her, his gaze intense and unrelenting. "I love you. I always have."Cathrine’s breath caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat at his confession. She blinked, trying to process his words. He loves me? It was a surprise—one she hadn’t anticipated. For so long, she had suppressed her own feelings, burying them beneath the weight of everything else happening around them. She liked him too, but she had always kept it within her, hidden beneath layers of doubt and uncertainty.“I know it may sound strange because I’m not your mate, but…” Luca’s voice faltered, as if the next words were too difficult to say.Before he could finish his sentence, Cathrine acted on impulse. She closed the gap between them, crashing her lips against his with an urgency that took them both by surprise. She kissed him fiercely, silencing whatever hesitation had lingere
“Interesting. So, who’s this wolf you say was spotted at the warehouse?” Orchard’s voice was calm, yet a glint of intrigue sparkled in his eyes as he turned to Dylan. The tension in the room was thick, and everyone seemed to lean in slightly, awaiting the response.“His name is Luca,” Dylan replied. “And… he’s in the palace.”Orchard’s expression shifted, his lips pressing into a thin line. He wasted no time, turning to face two guards who stood stationed nearby, their faces tense and alert.“Go find him,” Orchard ordered, his tone hard and unforgiving. “Dylan, you’ll show them exactly where this wolf is hiding. Catch him. Bring him to me—alive.” The last word echoed through the room, cold and sharp. The guards nodded, a flicker of determination in their eyes as they followed Dylan.*************Meanwhile, Luca sat silently, his eyes fixed on the bathroom door as he waited for Cathrine. The minutes stretched out like hours, each one slower than the last. He could hear the faint sound
Just then, Dylan walked toward her, trying to put on his most sincere expression. He thought comforting her would be the best way to win her over, to become the person she would turn to for solace. But he didn’t realize that her heart had already been taken—taken by Luca, the very man he had just betrayed. He stepped closer, moving with careful intent, and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. The touch seemed to break something within her. Catherine turned to him, her eyes blazing, and slapped him across the face. “You monster! How could you let them take Luca away?” she yelled, her voice trembling with fury. Dylan winced but tried to keep his composure. "Catherine, calm down. It’s not what you think. It’s… it’s not my fault,” he stammered, clearly rattled by her rage. "How is it not your fault?” Catherine screamed, pushing him back as her fists pounded against his chest, fueled by raw anger and pain. "It’s not my fault, Catherine!" Dylan shouted back, finally losing his pati
They were under attack. The warning came in a blare of trumpets that echoed through the air. Before Cathrine could fully grasp what was happening, the crowd erupted into chaos, with people scattering in every direction, fleeing as fast as their legs could carry them.Cathrine watched in confusion, her eyes darting around, taking in the frenzied scene. Her heart pounded, her mind reeling as she tried to understand why everyone was running. But amid the terror, one thing caught her attention and brought her a strange sense of relief: Luca’s execution had been interrupted. Even the executioner, who only moments before had stood ready to take Luca’s life, had dropped his weapon and joined the panicked crowd, desperate to escape whatever threat loomed over them all.She glanced toward the royal platform and spotted the king himself, hurriedly making his way through the grand hallway that stretched toward his private chambers. She saw him disappear into the shadows, likely seeking refuge wi
Dennis plunged downward, all his strength directed into the fierce strike, his sole intention to drive the knife into Luca. But Luca reacted fast, his hands shooting up to catch Dennis’s wrists, and for a moment, the two men were locked in a desperate struggle.Dennis pressed down harder, his muscles straining as he bore his weight into the blade, pushing it mere inches above Luca’s chest. Luca gritted his teeth, fighting back with all his might, but he was starting to weaken under Dennis’s unyielding force. The blade wavered, inching closer to his heart with each passing second. The struggle between them was silent but filled with deadly intent, the air thick with the tension of a battle that could end in a heartbeat.But then, from the corner of his eye, Dennis noticed Cathrine edging closer. Her presence disrupted his focus, breaking his concentration for just a moment. Seizing the opportunity, Dennis tore himself free from Luca and turned on Cathrine with cold intent. Without a se
"Argh!" Luca’s scream echoed through the night, sharp with pain. His muscles strained, every nerve on fire, but he refused to back down. Weakness threatened to overtake him, but he fought against it. Determined, he reached down, fingers brushing against the cold metal of the knife tucked at his side. With a quick movement, he pulled it free, the steel glinting in the dim light, and plunged it straight into Damian’s knee.Damian's grip on him slackened as he let out a harsh, guttural groan, staggering back from the blow. His eyes widened with shock and pain, disbelief flashing across his face.As Damian pulled away, Luca stumbled, his own strength slipping away. He sank to the ground, knees hitting the dirt before his entire body gave in. Exhausted and injured, he collapsed onto his stomach, blood trickling slowly from the corner of his mouth, staining the dirt beneath him.“Luca!” Cathrine’s voice sliced through the darkness. She ran towards him, fear woven into every step, her gaze f
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