“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'
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