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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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