CHAPTER 12: Restricted RoomPyra’s POV:It's been weeks since I joined the Fireheart Pack. It was so surreal, but yet, everything I had dreamed about for a normal life. I wasn’t bullied by everyone in the pack, I wasn’t called a freak, and I wasn’t beaten or maltreated.My new future had been navigating the grand castle-like pack house, which never seemed to have any end as it stretched far beyond. I was both thrilled and intimidated by the opulence of the Fireheart Pack and how they respected each other, irrespective of your status. Well, most of it anyway. I had only visited the castle when summoned by Luna Verona, though, most of the time escorted by a pack guard or by Beta Thane. The inside of the pack and also the pack house was too large for me to memorize within only a few weeks. Everywhere felt like uncharted territory, and no matter if I hated saying this, I relied on the escort of Beta Thane and his ever-so-watchful eagle eyes through the labyrinthine halls. It really i
CHAPTER 13: The Cloaked Figure PYRA’s POV:My breath hitched in my throat, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe or what it even meant to breathe. Her voice sent shivers down my spine as she spoke my name. I couldn’t close the velvet curtains due to being frozen in shock. I felt like I had been caught red-handed, which was what was happening. And I couldn’t help but wish I was only hallucinating that I heard my name being called. "Pyra." Luna Verona repeated. My heart sank. I was in trouble—big trouble. What should I do? Run or faint? I ranked my thoughts for a reasonable escape plan, but nothing substantial seemed to come to mind. I hesitated, unsure of what to do. I was about to open the velvet curtain and reveal myself since she had detected I was there, but I paused. Not from fear of being caught or how Luna found out I was here, but from where her eyes were directed. She was looking directly at the red box and not at me any longer. She approached the red box, standi
CHAPTER 14: The Healing SmilePyra’s POV:I grappled for air, my breath utterly escaping me, leaving me gasping in desperation. Everything was moving too fast—too quick to get a concept of a thought. The cacophony of rushing blood filled my ears, deafening me, and I trembled with the utmost fear that gripped me like a second skin, my heartbeat thundering like a stormy night, threatening to shatter my chest, its ferocious deep contraction threatening to burst through my rib cage any moment now. My whole body shook from the intense fear that engulfed me. I couldn’t breathe, staring at the figure as if it had shown me my worst fears. I couldn’t stand up, no matter the amount of force I applied or how much I tried; I simply lost control of my being. I had nothing else to do but stare at the figure as it watched me in silence. “Rhaella.” It called again, and I was finally able to understand everything. That name was the same as what the red-headed man in my dream called me. “Blood wa
CHAPTER 15: The Game Of Lunas Natalie’s Pov“Where the hell is he?” My voice came out in a short gasp, pacing back and forth in the hidden meeting place.My anger and frustration simmering just below the surface, threatening to explode like a volcano. I could barely contain the anger I was feeling, and if this idiot didn't come here right this instant, I’d kill him. It wasn't that I had been waiting here for over an hour for him, but the main reason I was angry was because of Luna Elodie. That witch!She destroyed all my plans. I was so close— too close to achieving my dreams and all I’ve ever dreamed of—only for her to come to spoil everything and even dare curse me. I almost laughed, knowing what she did to even get to the position she was in right now. I had the power to bring her down, but I need defenses. She was the Luna anyway. My words would be treason, and I would be punished, or worse, banished, if I were to accuse her without evidence. My head snapped in the direction
CHAPTER 16: Potion Making Pyra’s POV My mind drifted into the far distance, further than I ever thought. It was consumed by so many thoughts, but few stood apparent, threatening to destroy whatever sanity I had left: the mysterious figure in the restricted west wing. What was it? Why did it show me those visions? What was the blood war? And why were there so many deaths? And why did it call me by that same name that has been called by that red-headed man in my dream, always? Why does everything feel so mysterious? Rhaella! That name. Who does it belong to? Maybe, just maybe, the red-headed man in my dream is the same as that cloaked figure in red in that west wing. That could only be the explanation, right? Questions racked in my mind, threatening to explode the little sanity I had left as I was lost in thought, unaware of my surroundings. I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, but I didn’t react to it. I was too engrossed in my mind-questioning to reply. “Pyra…”
CHAPTER 17: The Flicker Luna Verona’s POVI walked towards them as they stood dressed in white overalls. Their heads were slightly bowed to show respect and their hands which were covered in white latex gloves, clasped in front of them. One thing I hate about hospitals is the smell of medicines, antiseptics and the cries of infants; they reminded me of my dilemma. But, I had to be present today to be certain that Pyra was in the hospital, working and being useful. I was informed by Thane on how she saved the life of a warrior poisoned. I was surprised but it still didn't quench the suspicions I have of her. “As you may,” I told them.They both turned to their respective posts, mixing herbs and recording figures on their clipboards. I saw how Pyra effortlessly followed up with the instructions given by Veronica. The way she handled the tubes and how she twirled a bottle around to examine a potion intrigued me, like she had worked here for a very long time.“I see you have taken a
CHAPTER 18: The Council Meeting Luna Verona’s POVAs I walked the halls leading to the conference room, I stopped, causing Beta Thane to halt abruptly behind me. “Thane?” “Yes, my Luna,” he answered, his voice laced with concern and confusion. With my back to him, “If you ever interrupt me like that again, I will have your head.” I turned my face to look him in the eyes in which he averted his gaze immediately, “Am I clear?” I asked.“Yes, my Luna.” “Good.”The large doors to the meeting conference room opened as I got a few feets to them. I swept into the council meeting, my head held high as my presence commanded respect and silence reigned the room immediately.My eyes swept through the nine men each seated around the large table, scrutinizing and daring any of them to demean my power. The men all rose to greet me, their faces a mix of respect, and inches into their wrinkled faces was wariness. They should be worried, for I will never heed their demand and let someone take wh
CHAPTER 19: A Crimson Throne And Crimson EyesPyra’s POV"That was intense," Veronica said, cutting my train of thought. “Uh-huh, Yeah...” I trailed off, my gaze still locked on the door where Luna Verona had just left.“Why was she staring at you that way?” Veronica continued, this time I turned my attention from the door and focused on her. “Yeah…” Was the only word that escaped my lips as I had a tough time processing what had just happened.Veronica gave me a look which I interpreted to be a ‘Huh’. “I know, right?” I muttered, my voice barely audible. “Ever since I came to the pack, Luna has been watching me so closely. I don’t understand.” I groaned, my shoulder slouch as I face-palmed. “Like, why put me in Beta Thane’s custody if she’s just going to trail me herself?” I was getting uncomfortable. Veronica agreed, her expression wary and concerned. "Yeah, that’s what I've noticed too, Pyra. It's weird, actually really weird. Anyone who ever comes to the pack, even the royal
CHAPTER 151: A Grimy Past AffairLuna Elodie’s POVI chuckled, tilting my head slightly, disbelief colouring my tone. “I fail to understand you, Alpha Sam. What did you just say?”There was no smile on his lips, the usual constant smirk all but history, but his eyes held something deeper—calculated curiosity, or perhaps something far more dangerous, but I also saw—truth. He leaned back in his chair, swirling the remaining wine in his glass. “Excuse me?” He asked smoothly, “Is it about the part where Alpha Thomson had a son of such age or what were you talking about?” He chuckled a little, staring at his glass. “Maybe I took a little too much wine.”I narrowed my eyes, studying him. Was he playing games? Or was he being truthful? Sam was many things—a strategist, a manipulator, a man who never let his guard down—but a liar? No. Not unless it fully benefits him, and from what I could think of, this won’t benefit him even in the slightest; I would make sure of that. “And here I was fla
CHAPTER 150: The Luna In BloodMoonLuna Elodie’s POV:The line went dead and I dropped the phone, my fingers lingering over the screen as confusion settled in my chest, a small crease forming around my brows. What is actually going on? Maverick never takes an interest in things without reason, but this… This felt different. It felt deeper. I shifted in my chair, trying to find a comfortable position to think, but unease had already seeped into my bones and muscles, causing taunting and discomfort. My office—the Alpha’s office, usually a place of comfort since Maverick’s trip to the FireHeart pack, now felt like a space filled with unanswered questions. “He’s taking this man—Steven Stoneclaw’s case—to another level,” I muttered, placing my chin in my hand, my elbow resting on the desk. My mind scaled through many possibilities, trying to piece together the fragments of information I had. “What did this man do that could drag Maverick’s attention this way?”Steven StoneClaw. The na
CHAPTER 149: The Luna In BloodMoonLuna Elodie’s POV:The line went dead and I dropped the phone, my fingers lingering over the screen as confusion settled in my chest, a small crease forming around my brows. What is actually going on? Maverick never takes an interest in things without reason, but this… This felt different. It felt deeper. I shifted in my chair, trying to find a comfortable position to think, but unease had already seeped into my bones and muscles, causing taunting and discomfort. My office—the Alpha’s office, usually a place of comfort since Maverick’s trip to the FireHeart pack, now felt like a space filled with unanswered questions. “He’s taking this man—Steven Stoneclaw’s case—to another level,” I muttered, placing my chin in my hand, my elbow resting on the desk. My mind scaled through many possibilities, trying to piece together the fragments of information I had. “What did this man do that could drag Maverick’s attention this way?”Steven StoneClaw. The na
CHAPTER 148: Pathetic Reflection Maverick’s POV:I felt the familiar softness of her lips against mine, and in that fleeting moment, I wanted nothing more than to be forever trapped here—lost in her warmth, her fire, her everything.But the moment barely lasted.Before I could even deepen the kiss, let my lip dance against hers, before I could pull closer and let myself drown in her, Pyra shoved me back with enough force to send me stumbling.The warmth I felt disappeared, replaced by the cold of the atmosphere.Then—crack.A sharp painful sting erupted across the left of my chin as her palm connected with my skin, the sound of the slap echoing through the kitchen like a gunshot.My head snapped to the side due to the force of the slap, and for a brief second, all I could register was the biting, sharp and painful feeling left in its wake.Slowly, I turned to her, and she was fuming. Her breath came out sharp as her chest rose and fell in quick, furious breath, her crimson eyes glowi
CHAPTER 147: A Not So Blissful Morning Pyra’s POV:The first ray of the morning sun streamed through the large windows of my chambers, bathing the room in its golden glow and hence stirring me awake. I stretched on my bed, a strange yet exhilarating warmth filling my chest.I opened my eyes to stare at the ceiling, the beautiful intricate design of the dense carving so perfect that I only just noticed it now. A smile spread across my lips, and I raised a hand to touch it, confused by the cause of it. For some weird reason, I felt light.It was rare for me to wake up feeling this light, this… happy. And just thinking about it now, I knew exactly why.The smile that tugged at my lips spread even wider as I sat up. It wasn’t something I had planned or even wanted, but knowing that someone genuinely cared—someone who saw me beyond the title, beyond the responsibility, beyond any flaws and still gave a damn—made my heart soar.A giggle left my lips as I stood up, a burst of energy and adr
CHAPTER 146: A Mystery To Unravel Luna Elodie’s POV: The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth as I stepped onto the winding path that led through the heart of the pack that bore the pack house. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of forest trees above, casting long golden streaks over the ground. This was peaceful. The peace I wanted after the small stroll I’d done. The pack was already stirring—warriors returning from their night patrols, doors opening as mothers ushered their pups toward the training grounds, and other pack members busy with their daily schedules. I walked at a steady pace, my boots crunching against the gravel path. My mind, however, was far from the serene morning scene around me. Everything weighed on me now. Since Maverick had decided to continue staying at FireHeart pack, I had been preoccupied with pack matters, navigating the fragile balance of leadership until my son returned. As I approached t
CHAPTER 145: A Villainous Meeting Third person’s POV:Maverick strolled through the streets as the sun set in the horizon, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he was coming back from his evening run. The cool evening breeze carried the distant hum of the pack, but his focus sharpened the moment he spotted Pyra walking ahead of him. He watched her move with a thrilling urgency, her red hair catching the glow of the setting sun. Maverick’s brows furrowed as he continued to watch her, but his face morphed into annoyance when he saw the direction she was headed.Steven StoneClaw’s guest house.Without hesitation, he followed.The front door of Steven’s guest house was slightly ajar, making him pause. Turning around to see if anyone was watching and making sure he was truly alone, Maverick pushed open the door just enough to step inside, careful to stay silent. The room was impeccably neat, owing to the scent of expensive cologne and something he couldn’t quite place. Voices drifte
CHAPTER 144: Clasp Of Lips Pyra’s POV: It was late in the evening, the golden sun setting its glow on the makeshift office I had the maids set up in the garden. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the uncompleted workload in front of me. The space was nothing like a traditional office—it was something far more serene, yet equally commanding.The soft cushion-like chair, carved with intricate floral patterns, sat beneath a white canopy that billowed slightly in the evening breeze. Flowers climbed up the posts, weaving through the fabric like nature itself had decided to decorate my workspace. A glass lantern hung from one of the beams ahead, casting a warm golden glow amidst the glow of the evening sun. I must say, the maids had outdone themselves. This was exactly what I needed but yet, I couldn’t seem to focus on the work at hand. My mind was still far from being at ease. I hadn’t truly spent the past few hours working—I had spent them thinking. Steven’s words still echoed in
CHAPTER 143: PTSDPyra’s POV: I sat on the chair, closely watching everyone seated around me, satisfied there was no unnecessary drama today. It was as if everyone sensed my mood and wasn’t prepared to stir the beast within. I took another bite of my perfectly cooked bacon, my eyes giving a round check of everyone seated at the table. They all focused on the meal but I knew they could sense the growing tension, it was suffocating but I thrived in it. Mother stirred, adjusting In her seat as she continued chewing. Our eyes met for a brief second, but it was more than enough to see the glint of joy and pride in her eyes. She was enjoying this; making those around her swim. A soft chuckle left my parted lips as I slowly shook my head. “Mothers would always be mothers.” My voice was small, almost silent. After the meal, I stood up and left, wanting to recollect my thoughts as the fresh wind of the garden caressed me. I even told the maids to set up a mini office for me back there in