“Lower, lower, lower,” Luca commanded, his voice firm, echoing slightly in the open space of the training ground. The early morning air was cool, but beads of sweat dripped from Cathrine’s brow as she strained to maintain the awkward position Luca had her in.“How much lower do you want me to go, Luca?” she groaned, her legs shaking under the strain. “I can’t squat any lower than this! It feels so strange.”Luca chuckled, amused by her discomfort. “Strange but helpful,” he said, circling her like a predator observing its prey. “This will help increase your stamina.”Cathrine’s thighs burned, her muscles screaming for relief. She had been holding the squat for what felt like hours. Exhaustion weighed on her, and the burning sensation in her legs was becoming unbearable. “I think my stamina is strong enough,” she panted. “Please, Luca… Can I stand up now?” Her voice was laced with desperation.Luca smirked, shaking his head slightly. He enjoyed pushing her to her limits. “Alright, lazy
“Tell me more,” Damian said, his voice low but filled with intensity.The priest before him smirked, his eyes glinting with dark promises. “Well, if you want to have all the power to make you undefeatable, you'll have to join forces with the darkness.”Damian’s jaw clenched as his thoughts churned. He had spent so long trying to find a way to end Cathrine once and for all. If this was what it took, he was ready. “I'll do anything to defeat that Null Wolf, Cathrine.”The priest smile widened, a darkness in his gaze that seemed to consume all light around them. “Then let the darkness consume you.”**********Back at the hut, Cathrine and Luca were locked in combat, their movements fluid and precise. Cathrine threw punches, quick and calculated, but Luca dodged them with practiced ease. Their fight carried on, intense and unrelenting, until both were panting heavily from exertion.Cathrine’s lips curled into a playful smile as she glanced at Luca. She suddenly launched forward again, thr
“There’s no way I’m meeting Cathrine,” Kieran said, his voice sharp as he clenched his fists. The tension in the room was suffocating. His words echoed off the stone walls, and for a moment, silence fell between them like a heavy weight.The priest stared at him with calm, knowing eyes. “I knew you wouldn’t do it,” he said softly, but there was a weight behind his words, as though he had expected this all along. He took a step closer, his gaze never wavering. “But I want you to know this—keep it at the back of your mind. Only Cathrine, the purest of heart, can save your father.”Kieran's jaw tightened. He took a deep breath, trying to push down the anger bubbling up inside him. How could the priest speak with such certainty?. He shook his head, the frustration evident in his voice. “I still don’t get how Cathrine will heal my father. I don’t understand how she’ll help him in any way. I mean, there’s a possibility she’s not even a wolf! She doesn’t have any powers, so tell me—how is s
"Slowly... careful. We don’t want it running," Luca said, his eyes narrowed as he focused on the antelope in the distance. The two of them had been tracking it for nearly an hour now, moving quietly through the forest, making sure to stay downwind so the animal wouldn’t catch their scent.Cathrine crouched beside him, glancing at Luca with an amused expression. His intensity made her smirk. "Come on, quit it already, Luca! I know what I’m doing," she said, a bit louder than she meant to.Luca shot her a warning look, but it was too late. The antelope's ears twitched. It raised its head, eyes wide, and in an instant, it bolted, leaping through the underbrush with surprising speed.Cathrine groaned in frustration, her sharp gaze following the fleeing animal. "You see, Luca? You scared it off.""Me?" Luca straightened, turning to her with a raised eyebrow. "I scared it off?" He pointed at her with an exaggerated motion. "That was all you, Cathrine.""Yeah, right," Cathrine replied, rolli
"What?" Damian exclaimed, his voice echoing off the stone walls. His eyes blazed with fury as he slammed his fist onto the table. "How could you lose her?" His face contorted with rage, and he stood abruptly, glaring at Dennis. His Beta cowered, taking an involuntary step back."I-I'm sorry, Alpha," Dennis stammered, his heart racing in his chest. He wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers, trying to steady himself. "She hasn’t been steady yet. I’ve been tracking her, but she’s unpredictable. I’ll find her, but it will take a week or two," he added, his voice trembling."A week or two?" Damian's eyes narrowed, his hands curling into fists by his sides. "That’s too much time!" he spat, stepping closer to Dennis, who shrunk under the intensity of his Alpha’s gaze. "I have to find that Cathrine, that Null Wolf, and end her before she becomes too powerful and ends me." His voice dripped with malice, and the air around them seemed to grow colder.Dennis gulped, his throat dry. "I’m sorry, A
As Cathrine and Luca entered the village, the world seemed to stretch out before them, completely different from what Cathrine had expected. Her mouth dropped open in surprise as she took in the scene. It wasn’t like the quiet, empty places they had passed on their way here. The village was alive—thriving, even.Small houses lined the narrow streets, with thick crowds of people moving in every direction. Children ran around playing, traders shouted their prices, and the clatter of wooden carts against the ground mixed with the sounds of laughter and conversation. It was a lot to take in, and Cathrine had to blink several times to process it all.“How’s this a village, Luca?” she asked, her voice filled with awe.Luca glanced at her with a small smile. “It’s a village,” he said simply. “The safest place for ordinary humans. They’ve called it a village for as long as anyone can remember, and that’s still its name. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s home for these people.”Cathrine’s eyes scan
Just as Cathrine’s unease grew deeper, she felt a sudden, unexpected tap on her back. Her breath caught in her throat as her heart raced, and she spun around, startled. Her mind was already racing with the worst possibilities, wondering who could be behind her in this unfamiliar place. When her eyes finally landed on the person standing there, her shock was undeniable.The King's son."Hi," the man said with a calm, almost casual smile, as if he hadn’t just given her the fright of her life.Cathrine blinked, trying to steady her breathing, her hand pressed to her chest. "Hi," she responded after a beat, her voice shaky as she exhaled slowly, relieved it wasn't anyone dangerous. She couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her, more from nerves than anything. "You startled me.""Sorry about that," he replied, his tone apologetic but lighthearted. "I'm Dylan. We saw each other earlier."Dylan. The name hit her like a wave as she remembered catching a glimpse of him when they had arriv
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'
A howl erupted, echoing in the distance. My chest pushed forward involuntarily, and I felt my bones shatter into a million pieces.Pain radiated through me as my hands twisted unnaturally, bones protruding through my skin. A scream escaped my lips as my structure began to change."It's going to be okay," I heard Luca’s voice behind me, but it sounded distant and muffled.Hairs sprouted from my skin, and before I could process it, everything changed. I stood shakily on my feet, feeling a strange, primal energy coursing through me.I glanced at the priest, noticing the fear in his eyes. Why was he so scared? Turning around, I faced Luca, and even he looked shocked.Why were they all staring like that? Confused, I stepped toward the mirror with trembling legs. What I saw made my heart pound.Standing before me was a massive, furry wolf. Its presence sent chills through me—until I realized it was me. My wolf.Its eyes glowed red, and its fur was a striking mixture of black and brown. I to
My eyes widened in shock, heart pounding as I saw Kieran lift his hand, aiming for Luca’s neck. I’d always known Kieran was a man without dignity or integrity, but to stoop so low? This was beyond anything I could have imagined.Adrenaline surged through me as I launched myself at him. My shoulder collided with his side just as his hand began its descent. The impact sent both of us crashing to the ground, a sharp gasp escaping my lips. The metallic scent of dirt and sweat filled the air as I scrambled to regain my footing.The heavy thud of our fall drew Luca's attention. He turned toward us, his face frozen in shock. For a moment, the battleground fell silent. The crowd that had been roaring moments before now held their breaths, their collective tension thick in the air.I glanced up at Luca and saw the disbelief in his eyes. It was as if he couldn’t reconcile the betrayal he had just witnessed—the man he had spared trying to stab him in the back.I pushed myself off the ground, bru
Luca raised the sword high, his muscles taut with tension. The crowd held its breath, the arena falling deathly silent. All eyes were on him as the blade glinted in the moonlight.With a guttural roar, Luca brought the sword down.Gasps rippled through the crowd. But instead of piercing Kieran, the blade slammed into the dirt, embedding itself mere inches from his face.Kieran froze. His heart thundered in his chest as the dust from the impact clouded the air around him. Slowly, his trembling body gave way, and he collapsed backward, his arms weak beneath him.A moment passed before Kieran squeezed his eyes shut, his breath coming in rapid, shallow bursts. His body shook uncontrollably, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop the tremors. Fear gripped him, cold and unrelenting, like chains pulling him down into the abyss.The metallic tang of sweat filled his mouth as he forced himself to open his eyes. His gaze landed on the sword, its edge still gleaming dangerously close
Bang! The swords met with a deafening clash, sparks flying as the blades collided. Luca’s arms trembled from the force of the strike, his body slick with sweat. He had been fighting Kieran for over an hour, yet the man showed no sign of tiring. This can’t be right, Luca thought, his muscles screaming, but Kieran still fought with the same unyielding strength.Luca’s legs wobbled as he dodged another strike, the weight of his sword growing heavier with each swing. His breathing was labored, his chest rising and falling in quick bursts, yet Kieran didn’t seem to be slowing down. The smirk on Kieran’s face only seemed to grow, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that sent a chill down Luca’s spine. He shouldn’t be able to do this. I’m stronger than him. But something was wrong. Something Luca couldn’t explain.Cathrine watched from the sidelines, her eyes narrowed in disbelief. Her heart pounded in her chest, but it wasn’t just from the intensity of the fight. It was Kieran. His energy w
"Fine, it’s a deal. If you accept it, then I’ll give you the support you need," Maximoff said firmly, his voice echoing across the tense room."Dad, how can you? You’re practically sending people to die!" Kieran cut in, his tone sharp with disbelief."He’s someone with sense, Kieran," Luca replied before Maximoff could respond. "He’s not like you. He pictures a better future, not one destroyed by Damian’s chaos.""Shut up, Luca! You’re nothing. You have no right to decide what happens here," Kieran shot back, his eyes blazing with anger. "You’re not even worthy of the position given to you. That’s why I, Kieran Maximoff, challenge you to a showdown at sunset. A battle to the death. The winner keeps the throne.""Kieran, are you out of your mind?" Maximoff exclaimed, his face tightening in shock.Before he could say more, Luca raised a hand, signaling him to stop. "You want to fight, huh?" Luca said, his voice calm yet menacing. "Fine. I accept your challenge. If you’re man enough to f
Luca Maximoff.The atmosphere of the pack shifted as Maximoff announced his decision. A murmur rippled through the crowd, spreading like wildfire, voices hushed but thick with shock. No one had expected this—least of all the people who had devoted their lives to Kieran, believing he would be Maximoff’s successor.Kieran’s expression was unreadable at first, but his eyes soon betrayed him. Shock, anger, and disbelief flashed across his face, each emotion sharper than the last. He had grown up his whole life believing this role would one day be his. Now, to hear that the title would go to someone else—someone he barely knew as a brother—was a blow he could hardly comprehend.Even Cathrine, standing off to the side, was stunned. She could hardly believe it. Luca is Maximoff’s son? she thought, her heart pounding as her mind raced through the implications. She hadn’t known. None of them had.Kieran’s eyes burned as he stared at Luca, his once-familiar gaze turning hostile and venomous. Th
Luca stared at Maximoff for a moment, letting the silence linger between them. He finally cracked a smile, though there was no humor in it. Shaking his head, he muttered, “That’s a really nice coincidence.”“I’m not sure that’s a coincidence, Luca,” Maximoff replied, his voice unusually serious. “What if—”“It can’t be,” Luca snapped, cutting him off, a defensive edge creeping into his voice.“You have to face the truth, Luca. I’m your father.” Maximoff’s tone was steady but filled with something deeper, something almost…regretful.“No.” Luca’s voice was barely a whisper, but each word carried an undeniable force. “You’re not. You’re Kieran’s father. My real father…he died a long time ago. He fell in a battle I led.” The memory of that day flickered in Luca’s mind—a day filled with blood, loss, and the pride of knowing he’d avenged his fallen father.Maximoff shook his head slowly, his gaze unwavering. “He wasn’t your real father, Luca. I am. The man you called ‘father’…he only took
“Answer me, Luca. Did you look her in the eye?” the priest yelled, his voice echoing sharply against the chamber walls. The room was tense, shadows flickering in the dim candlelight that seemed to dance in his eyes.“Yes, I did,” Luca shot back, his tone laced with a mix of defiance and regret. “There was no other way! She told me that if I wanted to save Cathrine, I’d have to lose my wolf.”His fists clenched as he took a steadying breath, struggling to keep his emotions in check. “I did it. I did it for Cath… for everyone. Cathrine is the only one who can stop Damian. She can’t die, not now—not when we need her the most.”The priest’s face softened, his anger fading into something like sympathy. He let out a long, heavy sigh, shaking his head. “You shouldn’t have done that, Luca. That’s a heavy price to pay. You should have tried to convince her, or looked for another way.”Luca’s face twisted with frustration, his voice breaking slightly as he spoke. “I tried. She was persistent, a
“What brings you before the Moon Goddess?” The voice echoed through the dark void, deep and calm yet carrying a strange weight that pressed against Luca’s chest.Luca, on his knees with his head bowed, felt the pull of her presence and took a steadying breath. He had prepared himself for this moment, yet now that he was here, his voice wavered. “Dear Goddess of the Moon,” he began, forcing himself to speak clearly, “I have come to ask something of you.”Silence stretched, thick and tense. Then, after a pause that seemed to last forever, the voice answered, cool and almost amused, “And what is that?”Luca’s throat tightened as he fought to keep his composure. “I have come to plead… to save the one I care about.”A low, mocking hum filled the air, almost like a bitter laugh. “Ooh, I see. So, you’re here to save your love. But what makes you think you’ll convince me to spare her when you are not worthy of her?”The accusation stung. Luca flinched, and his heart ached as her words landed