Her words hung in the air like smoke. And somewhere in the back, Rowan's eyes narrowed. Celeste leaned forward ever so slightly in her seat, a ghost of satisfaction brushing across her features.Eirlys's breath caught. She stood frozen as her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her heart pounded in her chest but she knew better than to speak. She wasn't wanted in the pack in the first place. She had no voice in the presence of the elders. Still, she couldn't stop staring at him—at Ryker. And Ryker hadn't moved since Aria confessed. He didn't flinch. He stood still. He stood there like a statue. He already pieced every scene together. He already was sure she was a spy and had been the one feeding his rival with information about his pack. But she knew him. The stillness wasn't calm—it was conflict. He was thinking, weighing, unraveling . And that scared her more than anything. Eirlys also knew what came with treason. The punishment is death. She wanted him to look at her—just onc
Ryker sat on the edge of his desk, one of his hands resting loosely over his knee while the other gripped the edge of the polished wood as if anchoring himself there while staying quiet and thoughtful. His eyes were pinned on a single, invisible point beyond the room's walls. The silence was welcome by him but it didn't last long, as a knock came through the door.“Come in,” he said, not lifting his head.Rowan stepped in, his usual grin softened into something more serious. “She's locked up—just like you asked,” he said, referring to Aria. “The guards are posted. She's not going anywhere.”Ryker gave a small nod of acknowledgement but he didn't say a word.Rowan lingered around a few seconds longer. Then he crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway, his eyes tracing his Alpha's expression. “You were impressive back there. You had everyone wrapped around your finger. Even Micheal couldn't push further. You turned the whole thing around.”Ryker exhaled slowly through his nose,
Eirlys still stood frozen, his question echoing in her chest like a distant thunder, aching in places she had long tried to forget. Her lips parted slightly in a thin line but there was nothing. Just the soft tremble of breath caught in her throat as her eyes searched Ryker's, unsure of what to say.“I thought as much you'd ask that,” she finally whispered, her voice a little bit hoarse. “But you should know I wasn't going to answer.”She turned her gaze away, her hands balling into trembling fists at her sides. But before she could take another breath, Ryker stepped forward. His presence was sudden and his warmth enveloped her before she could move.His hands rose—though hesitated for only a breath—before settling gently on her shoulders. His grip was neither firm nor possessive, but there was a little pressure in it. Maybe it was a plea. Or maybe it was a kind of desperation that came not from dominance, but regret.“Eirlys,” he said quietly, and then—stronger— “do I deserve a secon
Micheal folded his arms behind his back as he walked further into the room.“You've done well, Ryker,” he began. “To survive what you did… to still stand tall after the betrayals, the spy of a thing; the injuries you sustained, the loss of your men. Not many could rule with such unwavering confidence after all that.” he paused for a moment and then continued. “Marcus would have been proud of you.”Ryker let out a breath through his nose, the corner of his mouth lifting into a small smile—but it faded almost instantly. And when he spoke up, it was direct.“Is that all you came here to say?”Micheal smirked, the lines around his eyes squeezing with a hint of amusement. “Of course not.” He gave a half shrug, like the next words were merely casual suggestions. But Ryker knew better.“I believe,” Micheal continued, glancing briefly at Celeste. “I think… no I'm sure that now is the time you stop calling your upcoming Luna… and make her your Luna officially.”Ryker's eyes dashed between the
Celeste sat in silence long after Ryker dismissed them. Her arms were tightly crossed over her chest and lips parted like she wanted to say something but couldn't find the strength to speak. Her eyes, usually Sharon with confidence, now held a dullness that refused to leave—just like a flame slowly dying out. The gravity of Ryker's words lingered in her chest, pressing down on her pride with a heaviness she couldn't shake.Micheal stood beside her, his fingers wiggling at his sides as if he was debating whether to comfort her daughter or motivate her. But in the end, he sighed and placed a firm hand on her shoulder.“He's shaken, that's all,” Micheal said, patting her back. “He'll come around… he's just all worked up with what 's been going on.”But Celeste's pupils didn't settle. It just scanned the air like she was searching for something she'd lost as her expression faltered and her eyes eventually settled on nothing in particular, like the walls were speaking more than her father
Rowan stepped into the room with Aria trailing behind him. She looked almost unrecognizable—her skin scrubbed and clean and her hair pulled back. She had also been clothed in simple garments that didn't carry the face of her recent torment. Her eyes, however, still held the echo of fear, like smoldering embers beneath ash.Ryker turned from the desk, his gaze sweeping over her as if studying a stranger. “Are you ready?” he askedAria swallowed hard, her throat visibly working before she gave a single nod. “Do I have a choice?”A ghost of smirk touched Ryker's lips. “You always have a choice… someone said that to me… and if you want to live, you know what you have to do.” He stepped closer, his gaze fixed on hers. “Remember, don't blow your cover. You act the way you always have. No hesitation. No smiling up. If you run into the Tyrant or his men, you play your part.”Aria lifted her chin. It was defiant—just an unspoken agreement passing between them. She said nothing, but the way she
Dim was the moon but anyone could see through the darkness as torches were lit, their rays shining across the field. Indistinct chatter filled the air across the open space as the prisoners uttered words in low tones while some laughed out loud.They didn't laugh because of something funny but rather, because they had lost hope as their laugh was followed by a loud cry after beating up themselves.The Dreadhowl pack wasn't a place anyone would dream to be. Once you're enslaved, there's no escaping and every single one knew that was the end of the road for them.The only time they have a sense of freedom was when they were freed from their cells to roam around in the free space. None could fight back as their wolves had been suppressed by a collar locked around their necks. “Hey! Hey!” One of the prisoners crawled on his knees, referring to another. “You're always sitting alone… Don't you have any friends… you can make one with me, don't you think?”Eirlys shook her head but kept mute
The whole pack was silent such that anyone could hear the sound of a fallen pin. Just a few guards on watch were awake. The rest, asleep. Eirlys saw an opportunity and the best time to execute her plans. She tiptoed on the cemented floor of the big hall after which she escaped from her cell. Everyone was snoring and fast asleep from the day’s work, so no one could have noticed her. She made way for the field, the only place all the prisoners felt a little sense of freedom. She peeped through the iron door and noticed the guard, though was fast asleep, sitting at the other end, his head bent and resting against the wall. She took a deep breath, hoping not to draw attention to herself. “You can do it, Eirlys. Yes you can.” She whispered, nodding her head and breathing out with her mouth. She unlocked the door and opened it slowly. She rushed towards the other gate at the end of the fence without looking back. It was way out. She got there faster than she could imagine. She grabbed it
Rowan stepped into the room with Aria trailing behind him. She looked almost unrecognizable—her skin scrubbed and clean and her hair pulled back. She had also been clothed in simple garments that didn't carry the face of her recent torment. Her eyes, however, still held the echo of fear, like smoldering embers beneath ash.Ryker turned from the desk, his gaze sweeping over her as if studying a stranger. “Are you ready?” he askedAria swallowed hard, her throat visibly working before she gave a single nod. “Do I have a choice?”A ghost of smirk touched Ryker's lips. “You always have a choice… someone said that to me… and if you want to live, you know what you have to do.” He stepped closer, his gaze fixed on hers. “Remember, don't blow your cover. You act the way you always have. No hesitation. No smiling up. If you run into the Tyrant or his men, you play your part.”Aria lifted her chin. It was defiant—just an unspoken agreement passing between them. She said nothing, but the way she
Celeste sat in silence long after Ryker dismissed them. Her arms were tightly crossed over her chest and lips parted like she wanted to say something but couldn't find the strength to speak. Her eyes, usually Sharon with confidence, now held a dullness that refused to leave—just like a flame slowly dying out. The gravity of Ryker's words lingered in her chest, pressing down on her pride with a heaviness she couldn't shake.Micheal stood beside her, his fingers wiggling at his sides as if he was debating whether to comfort her daughter or motivate her. But in the end, he sighed and placed a firm hand on her shoulder.“He's shaken, that's all,” Micheal said, patting her back. “He'll come around… he's just all worked up with what 's been going on.”But Celeste's pupils didn't settle. It just scanned the air like she was searching for something she'd lost as her expression faltered and her eyes eventually settled on nothing in particular, like the walls were speaking more than her father
Micheal folded his arms behind his back as he walked further into the room.“You've done well, Ryker,” he began. “To survive what you did… to still stand tall after the betrayals, the spy of a thing; the injuries you sustained, the loss of your men. Not many could rule with such unwavering confidence after all that.” he paused for a moment and then continued. “Marcus would have been proud of you.”Ryker let out a breath through his nose, the corner of his mouth lifting into a small smile—but it faded almost instantly. And when he spoke up, it was direct.“Is that all you came here to say?”Micheal smirked, the lines around his eyes squeezing with a hint of amusement. “Of course not.” He gave a half shrug, like the next words were merely casual suggestions. But Ryker knew better.“I believe,” Micheal continued, glancing briefly at Celeste. “I think… no I'm sure that now is the time you stop calling your upcoming Luna… and make her your Luna officially.”Ryker's eyes dashed between the
Eirlys still stood frozen, his question echoing in her chest like a distant thunder, aching in places she had long tried to forget. Her lips parted slightly in a thin line but there was nothing. Just the soft tremble of breath caught in her throat as her eyes searched Ryker's, unsure of what to say.“I thought as much you'd ask that,” she finally whispered, her voice a little bit hoarse. “But you should know I wasn't going to answer.”She turned her gaze away, her hands balling into trembling fists at her sides. But before she could take another breath, Ryker stepped forward. His presence was sudden and his warmth enveloped her before she could move.His hands rose—though hesitated for only a breath—before settling gently on her shoulders. His grip was neither firm nor possessive, but there was a little pressure in it. Maybe it was a plea. Or maybe it was a kind of desperation that came not from dominance, but regret.“Eirlys,” he said quietly, and then—stronger— “do I deserve a secon
Ryker sat on the edge of his desk, one of his hands resting loosely over his knee while the other gripped the edge of the polished wood as if anchoring himself there while staying quiet and thoughtful. His eyes were pinned on a single, invisible point beyond the room's walls. The silence was welcome by him but it didn't last long, as a knock came through the door.“Come in,” he said, not lifting his head.Rowan stepped in, his usual grin softened into something more serious. “She's locked up—just like you asked,” he said, referring to Aria. “The guards are posted. She's not going anywhere.”Ryker gave a small nod of acknowledgement but he didn't say a word.Rowan lingered around a few seconds longer. Then he crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway, his eyes tracing his Alpha's expression. “You were impressive back there. You had everyone wrapped around your finger. Even Micheal couldn't push further. You turned the whole thing around.”Ryker exhaled slowly through his nose,
Her words hung in the air like smoke. And somewhere in the back, Rowan's eyes narrowed. Celeste leaned forward ever so slightly in her seat, a ghost of satisfaction brushing across her features.Eirlys's breath caught. She stood frozen as her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her heart pounded in her chest but she knew better than to speak. She wasn't wanted in the pack in the first place. She had no voice in the presence of the elders. Still, she couldn't stop staring at him—at Ryker. And Ryker hadn't moved since Aria confessed. He didn't flinch. He stood still. He stood there like a statue. He already pieced every scene together. He already was sure she was a spy and had been the one feeding his rival with information about his pack. But she knew him. The stillness wasn't calm—it was conflict. He was thinking, weighing, unraveling . And that scared her more than anything. Eirlys also knew what came with treason. The punishment is death. She wanted him to look at her—just onc
Ryker stood still, his jaw was locked for a moment as the weight of the room settled on his shoulders. He could feel every gaze resting on him—waiting, judging and all at once, curious. Celeste remained seated and she was poised like a queen.Ge cleared his throat, once and quietly. His voice soon came out. And it was confident.“I hadn't intended to bring this matter before the council,” he began, his eyes scanning the elders seated on the other side of the hall. “It was a security breach. A few of our men were ambushed and killed at an isolated post. It was a hidden location. And no one outside of my trusted circle should have known about it.”He let the words hang in the air for a moment. Aria, still kneeling with her head bowed low, trembled slightly but said nothing.“I was attacked before then, at my father's grave. No one could have known save for Celeste and my Rowan… I had help, though I was injured.” Celeste let out a dry laugh but Ryker didn't glance her way this time. He
The hall was silent at first—so silent, it felt like even the walls were holding their breath. Ryker sat on his chair meant only for him. It wasn't just a seat—it was a symbol. One that was heavy with power. With burden. The weight of a hundred decisions carved into the wood beneath him.He leaned forward, his forearms resting on his thighs and his eyes also were locked on the girl before him. Aria knelt in the middle of the open space. Her head was so far that her forehead nearly touched the floor. Her arms trembled and her fingers twitched as if her own body didn't know what to do—either to run—well that's actually impossible. The best she could do was to beg for her life. But then, she said nothing. Not yet. Maybe she couldn't.Only Rown stood at his side. His arms were crossed and his jaw set. Eirlys was near the edge of the hall, her hands fidgeting at her sides, and her eyes flicking from Ryker to Aria who was on the floor. He could've done this in his chamber. That was the or
“Ryker,” she called again. “Calm down.”But there was no response. The fire in his eyes burned hotter and his expression was dark with fury. He didn't even acknowledge her words. His grip only tightened more like a noose around Aria's throat.Aria's body jerked weakly, her fingers slipping from his wrist as her strength drained.Eirlys swallowed hard, creating a crunchy sound with her throat as she fought back the instinctive fear that curled in her stomach.“She can't talk if you crush her windpipe,” she reasoned, keeping her tone calm. “If you want answers, you have to let her breathe first.”Still, he ignored her. And instead of easing his grip, Ryker pressed Aria harder against the wall, his fingers dipping deeper into her skin. And a low growl rumbled in his chest.Eirlys inhaled sharply, her frustration evident on her face as it was already flaring. This wasn't just anger—this was the wolf inside him taking control, demanding retribution without thought or hesitation. And if she