I jolted awake, my entire body drenched in sweat as though I had been submerged in water. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and vivid flashes of the dream I'd had moments before relentlessly replayed in my mind. Each scene clung to my consciousness, haunting me until, at last, it faded away. The fever that had gripped me was gone, the trembling ceased, and the disturbing flashes stilled. It was then that I noticed my surroundings. I was no longer in the woods."Where am I?" I whispered, my voice barely audible as panic gnawed at the edges of my thoughts.I slowly rose from the mat beneath me, and to my surprise, I felt stronger and better than I had in a long time. The weakness that had weighed me down was gone, and with a newfound sense of clarity, I stepped outside, hoping to find Luca.But he wasn’t there."Where would Luca be?" I murmured, scanning the surroundings for any sign of him.Panic gnawed at me as I rushed back inside, calling his name. "Luca!" My voice echoed off the w
“You, you monster,” Cathrine said, her voice trembling with rage. “You killed my mom.”“Ooh, someone is angry,” the man replied, smirking. “Yes, I killed your mom,” he continued, his tone dripping with malice. “And I’ll do the same with you.”Cathrine's eyes glowed brighter as she shot back, “I’d like to see you try.” This time, she was no longer the meek mommy's girl he had encountered years ago; she was something else—something he would regret challenging.No longer acting on her own accord, it was her powers that surged within her. The man smiled, leaning into the tension. “I won’t fight you first,” he said. “Your boyfriend will.”She turned to Luca, who stood frozen in shock. His beautiful green eyes suddenly turned red, mirroring hers as he morphed into the terrifying werewolf he had become. It was as if he were charmed, and he lunged at her with a ferocity that sent chills down her spine.He charged toward her, leaping to strike, but she dodged the first attack. “Luca, don’t do
"You don't understand, Catherine! You can't take them all alone. They're too strong," Luca said, his voice laced with frustration. "I once thought I could, but it turns out I couldn't. What I'm saying is in your best interest.""I do understand, Luca, but there's no harm in trying," Cathrine replied, her voice steady but determined.Luca heaved a heavy sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. After a brief pause, he finally said, "Okay, but if you're going to face them, you need to train to your fullest potential. And you won’t do it alone.""Fine. I’m ready. Let’s begin," she said without hesitation."It’s too late. We’ll start tomorrow morning," Luca said, turning his back on her as he began to walk away.Cathrine stood there for a moment, her mind drifting back to what the creature had told her earlier. The words echoed in her thoughts, chilling her to the bone. She quickly pushed those thoughts aside and hurried to catch up with Luca. Together, they entered the small, worn-out hut."Ge
"Who's this Luca?" Catherine asked, her mind swirling with worry.Luca smiled, a knowing grin that softened the tension in the room. "You won't believe this, Catherine," he said, his voice light and teasing.I felt a surge of curiosity and nervousness. Luca was always calm, but this...this felt different."It's my father's friend," he began, his voice taking on a serious tone. "Since I was little, both he and my dad taught me everything I know. They raised me, made me who I am today."I watched as Luca’s eyes grew misty, emotion tugging at the edges of his usually controlled demeanor. He pulled the man standing before us into a warm embrace, holding him like he hadn’t seen him in years. My own unease began to dissipate, but a question lingered in the back of my mind: Why now?The man had a presence that was hard to describe. He radiated authority, and yet there was something guarded, even suspicious, about him. His sharp gaze flicked to me. I didn't know what to do, so I managed a sma
As I walked toward the bathroom, a faint dripping sound echoed through the room. The cold air brushed against my skin, making the silence feel even more unsettling. I pushed the door open slowly, holding my breath as if expecting something—or someone—to leap out at me. But there was nothing. Only the steady drip of water from the faucet, each drop hitting the porcelain sink in rhythmic beats.I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "Never mind, Luca. It's nothing," I called out, shaking my head as I turned back toward the room.Luca was sitting on the edge of the bed, his eyes downcast, clearly weighed down by something. As I began pulling on my shirt, his voice broke the silence."I'm... I'm sorry, Cathrine. I got out of control," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.I stared at him for a moment, seeing the tension in his posture, the regret in his eyes. "It's alright," I said softly, trying to reassure him. "Don't beat yourself up too much."I moved across the ro
"Hello, Cathrin."His voice slithered through the air like poison, sending an icy chill down my spine. He stood across from us, his form cloaked in shadows, but his presence felt like a tangible weight pressing against me. "What do you want?" I shot back, forcing myself to meet his gaze. My heart pounded in my chest, the blood rushing to my ears so loudly I could barely hear my own words. But I couldn't show fear. Not now. Not with Luca beside me, too weak to fight.The man laughed, his voice dripping with cold amusement. The sound was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. "Nothing much," he said, his lips curling into a cruel grin that sent a shudder down my spine. "Just your life."The words hung in the air, sinking deep into my chest. My life.Luca, who had been beside me, stirred. His breathing was labored, and I could feel his body trembling from exhaustion. He shouldn’t have been standing, let alone preparing to fight. Still, he pushed himself up, using every last bit o
I launched at Damian with all the strength I could muster. My muscles coiled, and in one swift movement, my foot connected with his face. The impact sent a shockwave up my leg, and the satisfying crunch of bone echoed in my ears. Damian stumbled back, his body jerking as he struggled to maintain his balance. For a moment, I thought he might fall. But no—his strength was impressive. He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and looked at me with a twisted smile.“You little null wolf… want to fight, huh?” His voice was like gravel, each word dripping with disdain. “You may have killed our priest with that power you possess, but not me. I’m more powerful than you could ever imagine.”His words struck a nerve, but I pushed the fear aside. There was no time for weakness. Not now. Not with Luca lying injured behind me, barely clinging to life. Damian’s smile deepened, his eyes glowing with malicious intent. Without warning, he lunged at me.We collided, the force of the i
Crack! The sound echoed through the clearing as Luca’s bones snapped and reshaped, forcing him back into his human form. His transformation complete, he collapsed to the ground, his body trembling, drained of strength. The sight was gut-wrenching—his once powerful form now reduced to weakness.Damian, however, stood tall. The air around him thickened with menace as he rose to his full height, towering over me with that same malicious grin stretching across his face. He had always looked at me this way, like a predator who enjoyed toying with his prey."Surprised?" His voice dripped with mockery. "I guess you’re not the only Null Wolf around here, huh?" His words hung in the air, taunting me, daring me to react.I clenched my fists at my sides, every muscle in my body tensing with fury. My vision blurred at the edges as anger surged through me. I had no words, only rage—pure, seething rage. Without thinking, I began walking toward him, each step deliberate, each movement a promise of v
Slowly, I stood up from the floor and walked outside the chamber. My eyes were still red from crying. The cold air hit my face as I stepped out, but it didn’t do much to calm the storm inside me.Once I was outside, I froze. The sight before me was overwhelming. Dead bodies littered the ground, their lifeless eyes staring up at the sky. Blood had stained the floor, pooling around the fallen like a grim reminder of what had just taken place. Some of our men were lying motionless, while others, though battered and bleeding, stood tall. They had survived, but their injuries showed the cost of the battle.The men who had fought for Damian were all dead. But in the end, the victory didn’t feel like one. It felt empty. Worthless.Suddenly, the cheers and shouts of my men broke through my thoughts. They were celebrating, hailing themselves as if they had won something grand. But I stood there, quiet, unmoving.I could feel Kieran walking toward me, his footsteps slow and cautious. But I didn
I walked closer to Damian, my boots echoing against the stone floor of his throne room. He didn’t flinch, not even a little. Instead, he sat there, calm and composed, as though my presence amused him."I must say, you're pretty strong," he said smoothly, his lips curling into a grin. His words were meant to flatter, but his tone dripped with mockery.I didn’t respond. My glare was the only answer he’d get."I'm not here to chit-chat or play games with you, Damian," I said, my voice sharp as a blade. "I'm here to end you for good."He leaned back on his throne, unbothered. "Oh, come on, darling, don’t be too serious," he replied with an infuriating smirk. "You’re one of the most powerful people on this planet. Don’t you want to know why?"My glare deepened, but he chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the dark chamber."Look around you, Cath," he said, gesturing with his hand. "This whole place has been cast with the darkest of magic. No Null Wolf can use their power here. But you can.
I stood frozen, unable to move, as I stared at the figure before me.This isn’t possible, I thought, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. How can she be alive?Paige.My mate, Paige, was alive. I thought she was long gone, lost to the cruel twists of fate. But now, this—her presence here, breathing, speaking—proved me wrong.I stumbled back a step, my knees threatening to give way.“This isn’t possible,” I muttered, gripping my head as confusion engulfed me. The world spun. My mind raced with a thousand questions, each one louder than the last.Then, her voice broke through the fog clouding my thoughts.“Luca, help me! They plan on taking me away. Please, help me! I beg you, Luca!”Her words shattered whatever composure I had left. She took a hesitant step forward, her trembling voice echoing through the eerily quiet room.I looked up at her, my vision blurred by unshed tears. Was this real? Was she truly here?Before I could answer my own question, a shadow moved behind her. Dennis
There were five men posted in this corner instead of ten, and I knew this was where we would strike first. The air was tense, filled with the faint scent of damp earth and pine. Shadows danced under the dim moonlight, masking our movements as we crouched low, preparing to attack.I lunged at them without hesitation, with Luca and Kieran close behind me. The men were sluggish, their exhaustion evident in their slumped postures and dull gazes. They barely had time to react. We moved quickly, each strike precise and deliberate. This position was perfect—hidden from prying eyes, we couldn’t be easily spotted.We crept closer with every step, each movement calculated and silent. The cool night air brushed against my skin, sharpening my senses. By the time the men realized something was wrong, we were already within striking distance. Panic flashed in their eyes as they attempted to shift, but I felt my power surge, suppressing their wolves.Not tonight.Without giving them a chance to reco
Standing before me were men and beasts—archers, swordsmen, and those who fought with their bare hands. Their faces, a mix of determination and fear, reflected the gravity of the moment.I stood on the raised platform, my heart pounding in my chest. This wasn’t just a crowd; it was an army prepared to risk everything. They were looking to me, their leader, for guidance and hope. I couldn’t let them down.I took a deep breath and glanced at the banners fluttering in the wind, each bearing the mark of a united force. The air smelled of leather, sweat, and the faint tang of iron from polished weapons.Despite my nerves clawing at me, I shook them off, breathing deeply to steady myself. No time for doubt now, I told myself. They need strength, not hesitation.With one last look at the chamber behind me, I stepped forward. The murmurs of the crowd fell silent. Even the wind seemed to pause, as if waiting for me to speak.The silence stretched, heavier with every second. A ripple of uncertai
“Cath, are you okay?” Luca called out, his voice edged with concern as he ran toward me. His steps were quick, purposeful, stirring up the dirt beneath him. Without hesitation, he stretched out his hands and pulled me up with ease.“I’m fine,” I said, brushing off the dust clinging to my clothes. My legs wobbled slightly, but I ignored it. “Let’s try again.”“No, Cath. That’s enough for today,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “You need to rest—you’ll need your strength when the time comes.”I looked up at him, meeting his piercing green eyes, which held equal parts concern and determination. He wasn’t just saying it to be kind; he believed I was pushing myself too hard. With a resigned sigh, I relented. “Fine, Luca. I’ll rest.”He nodded and placed a steadying arm around me as I limped. My body ached from the relentless training, and every step sent a dull throb up my leg. The sound of grunts and clashing weapons filled the air as we passed the fields where the others were still t
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