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'
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
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
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
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
Time flew, and before I knew it, the meeting was over. The council had come to a decision: Luca and I would visit three kingdoms to convince them to become our allies and assist in the impending war. Two of these kingdoms were ruled by humans, and the third belonged to a rival wolf pack.As much as it pained us to approach the rival pack, we had no choice. "An enemy of my enemy is a friend," the elders had reminded us. The rest of the kingdoms would be handled by other pack leaders.After the meeting, Luca and I stepped out of the grand hall, both of us burdened by the weight of our mission. Yet, before leaving, we went to see our children, holding them close as if this would be the last time we’d feel their warmth.Kissing their foreheads, I whispered, “We’ll be back soon.”Luca’s voice was steady as he promised them, “Stay strong for us.”Once our farewells were over, we mounted our horses and began our journey. The first destination was the kingdom of the common villagers. It took
TWO DAYS LATERMy babies had grown faster than I thought possible. Their tiny hands, once clumsy, now confidently gripped mine as we walked down the corridor. Their steps were unsteady but determined, a testament to their rapidly developing skills. Though they were still small, their energy made them seem bigger.They looked up at me with wide, curious eyes, babbling in their adorable language. It was a mix of barely formed words and sounds only they could decipher. Each giggle, each stumble tugged at my heart. It was moments like these that made me wish I didn’t have to leave them behind.We reached Maximoff’s room, and I knocked softly. The door swung open, revealing him with his usual smirk plastered across his face. His relaxed posture and slightly raised brow told me he was already curious about my visit.“What brings you here, Cath?” he asked, his voice teasing. His gaze shifted to the two little ones clutching my legs. “And I see you’ve brought your little damsels, too.”The tw
I crumbled to my knees, clutching one of my babies to my chest. My voice trembled as I pleaded, my eyes fixed on Drake’s cold, unyielding face.“Drake, don’t do this! My child has nothing to do with this. Please, I beg you—spare its life. Don’t hurt my child!”Drake tilted his head, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “Oh, so you care about your child now?” His voice was sharp, each word cutting deep. “But you didn’t think twice before taking someone else’s life.”Tears blurred my vision as I shook my head desperately. “Please, Drake. Spare my child’s life.” My arms tightened around the baby, as though I could shield it from his wrath with sheer willpower.From behind, Luca’s voice broke through the tension. “Drake, listen to me,” he said, his tone firm but calm. “This child has nothing to do with your feud. Don’t kill it.”Drake turned slightly, his smirk fading into something darker. “Oh, I won’t kill it, Luca,” he said with a sneer. “I just wanted to prove a point. You think you’r
I shook off the thought. Maybe Luca's just playing a silly prank on me.But the look in his eyes told me otherwise."Luca," I said, my voice trembling, "this is not a good time to play games with me. Please, tell me what you just said isn't true. Tell me Paige isn't dead. Tell me all of this is just a silly play.""I'm afraid I can't, Cath," Luca replied, his voice barely above a whisper. Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. "Everything I just said... it's true."The words hit me like a punch to the chest. My knees felt weak, and my breath hitched as I tried to process what I had just heard.I couldn’t hold myself anymore. Tears streamed down my face, hot and uncontrollable. I covered my face with my hands, trying to stifle the sobs, but they broke free anyway."This is all my fault," I whispered hoarsely. "I'm responsible." My voice cracked as I repeated the words like a mantra. "I’m responsible.""Hey, hey, hey," Luca said softly, walking toward me. "No, it's not
My screams echoed in the dimly lit room, bouncing off the walls like a haunting melody. I clutched my swollen stomach, writhing in agony. “Oh gosh, I think it’s coming! Priest!” I managed to shout, my voice raw and trembling. The priest stood beside me, his face pale but determined.“It’s okay, Cathrine,” he said, his voice steady. “You’re strong. You can do this.”The memory of Luca’s push flashed in my mind, his force sending me spiraling into labor. Now, the pain was unbearable, clawing at every fiber of my being. My body trembled as another wave of agony surged through me. “Ahh!” The sound ripped from my throat, raw and unrestrained.The priest knelt and checked beneath me, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he stood and met my desperate gaze. “The baby’s head is in place,” he announced firmly. “Cathrine, you need to push. Summon all the strength you have.”I nodded weakly. Strength? Where was I supposed to find that? Every part of me was begging for this torment to end. M
We had long arrived at our territory, and I sat on my bed, staring blankly at the wall. The silence around me was heavy, yet my mind roared with noise. Just then, the door creaked open, and Luca stepped into my room. I didn’t flinch. I didn’t even spare him a glance.“Cath,” he called softly, his voice hesitant, almost pleading. I pretended not to hear him, keeping my gaze fixed on the same spot as though it would anchor my spiraling thoughts.I heard his footsteps, slow and deliberate, echoing in the stillness as he approached. He stopped a few steps away. “Cath,” he said again, closer this time. His hand landed gently on my shoulder, but I shrugged it off, the contact feeling like a betrayal.“Don’t,” I said sharply, my voice cold. The word sliced through the silence like a blade.But Luca didn’t give up. He leaned in, his face too close, his intent unmistakable. He tried to kiss me. Anger flared in my chest, and I pushed him away with more force than I intended. “Can’t you see I’m