CHAPTER 125: Steven StoneClaw Pyra’s POV: The sound of tires screeching and footsteps coming from miles away reached my ears. The Alphas and their ministers are arriving, their commanding presence already thickening the air of the arena. From the shadows of the private chamber overlooking the gathering, I glanced down at the tables and chairs arranged with military precision. One by one, they began to take their seats, their expressions a mix of curiosity, suspicion, and barely veiled arrogance. But my duties are first to my children. My arms cradled one of my triplets as Lior stirred against me, his tiny hands curling against my chest as I adjusted his position for better sucking. The soft tug of his latch grounded me, reminding me that I was now more than just an ordinary girl, nor even the Queen of Alphas; I was something more. I was a mother. Lior’s bright, crimson, curious eyes fluttered open briefly, and I brushed a kiss against his soft forehead. “Drink your fill, my b
CHAPTER 126: To Be The ShieldMAVERICK’s POV: The murmurs spread wide and far, growing louder with every second that ticked by. Their whispers filled the room, swirling around like a storm.“Who’s that?”“Was he attacked?”“I don’t recognize him; maybe a member of some pack!”“Maybe a member of the StoneClaw pack. I can’t seem to find any of their members here in this meeting!”The Alphas and ministers’ whispers grew louder, their unease palpable. I couldn’t help but stare at the lone figure standing in the center of the open space. He looked like he would collapse at any moment. The tension was suffocating, and the air seemed to grow heavier with every passing second. “Enough!” Pyra’s sharp voice sliced through the noise, silencing the crowd instantly. Her fiery eyes swept over the gathered crowd, daring anyone to speak out of turn. Her presence was magnetic, and for a moment, I could only watch as she took several steps forward, her expression unreadable. “This is no time for ba
CHAPTER 127: A Call From The Dungeon Third person’s POV:The open clearing emptied slowly, the heavy tension lingering in the air even as the Alphas and Ministers departed. Their murmured conversations echoed faintly, a mix of anxiety and unease woven into every word. As the soon to be Alpha of StoneClaw, Steven, passed by Alpha Duncan, there was an eye-to-eye exchange, a glint shining in their eyes as if they knew and acknowledged each other. With a trade of nods, Alpha Duncan turned away and left. Maverick, who stood at the center of the clearing, his arms crossed, his sharp eyes vigilant as they followed the exchange between Steven and Alpha Duncan. His eyes narrowed in skepticism as he continued to watch the Alpha of the ruin pack, StoneClaw.‘Why would there be an exchange between them when they have never met each other?’ Maverick questioned silently, his suspicion growing even greater. ‘There’s something amiss, and I intend to find it. Moreover, Steven looked too familiar,
CHAPTER 1 PYRA's POV: I was in the middle of an open forest, encircled by towering trees that seemed to stretch up to the sky. The moon cast an ethereal glow, illuminating the fog that spread around me, making it hard to see beyond two arm's length. “Rhaella, my beautiful girl.” A gentle voice spoke behind me, and I veered sharply to the whimsical presence standing a few feet away from me. His face was obscured, but that didn’t hide the crimson-red eyes that shimmered despite the fog that shrouded his face. But what was most prominent was his fiery red hair, so similar to mine, except a darker shade that moved in a synchronized manner like that of the calming ocean as the wind blew against it. “W-who are you?” I stammered out. My heart rate, which was once elevated, suddenly became calm in his presence. I felt my legs move on their own accord and got closer to the strange man. “My pride, my Rhaella... Remember who you are.” He stretched his arms towards me, exposing a
CHAPTER 2PYRA’s POV:Alpha Maverick came to halt in front of him. His bright blue eyes locked into my red ones. His broad figure almost dominated the whole kitchen as his skin shimmered in the small sunlight that entered the kitchen. His hair, dark and messy.He stared down at me silently while I shook and shivered on the floor from Natalie’s brutal attack. I wondered what I had ever done wrong to deserve all of this. I emitted a soft, pitiful snuffle and picked myself up, my movement hesitant and awkward, and bowed respectfully.“Thank you, Alpha,” I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper. Alpha Maverick grunted, his voice firm but not unkind. "You shouldn't let other people bring you down; you need to stand up for yourself, Pyra. There is no room in my pack for weak omegas.”His words stung, but he was right. But I couldn't stand up for myself, even if I tried. Only pain came the last time I tried. So now, I did what anyone would have done if they were in my shoes; lay low an
CHAPTER 3PYRA’s POV:It's been two days since I got rejected and I've been trying to avoid crossing paths with Alpha Maverick. A few times, he was close to discovering me, but I had experience with escaping people, and I knew every place within the pack, so it was easy to run from him.As I got dressed for the day's chores with the pain of his rejection still looming over my entire being, a knock sounded at the door. A few seconds later, the door opened, one of the other maids piped in as she glared at me.“The headmistress demands our presence now,” she said before I could say anything. Another normal day in the pack house, and by normal day, I meant filled with chores and having to not bump into Alpha Maverick, Natalie, or Connor, which was always hard considering I worked on the same floor they lived on and I had to serve them their food. I didn’t want to get up, but I knew what would happen if I miss today's briefing. We all gathered in the servant quarters, which was an ext
CHAPTER 4 PYRA’s POV: I rushed out of the alpha's wing, feeling the tears flow freely down my cheeks. I thought for a second that he had finally come through, that everything would be fine. The way he held me so closely convinced me, although I could smell the alcohol on him. The mate bond tricked me and my delusional mind into thinking that he wanted me. He didn't; it was all a mistake, and none of it was real. With my clothes in my hand and only my underwear for cover, I raced back to my room. It was still dark out, and everyone should have still been in bed. It was easier to run back to my room without being seen, and it would be easier for me to leave in the cover of darkness. I was never even going to stay after what had happened; I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that we had sex, and I later found out he never wanted me to begin with. I had been banished. Where I would go was the question I would figure out when I was out of the pack. I stuffed my
CHAPTER 5PYRA's POV:I groggily struggled to open my eyes, feeling the cold sink deep into my bones.No matter how much I tried to open them, to move an inch of my eyelid, they refused to bulge. It was as if they were heavily weighed down by an invisible force like a thousand bricks pressing down on them. 'Was I dead?' I wondered.Was this how the afterworld felt?I felt like a prisoner, imprisoned in my own body. I could remember unquestionably falling to my death off the cliff, the crashing impact with the water's surface, and the excruciating pain that still lingered vividly in my mind.I knew I was dead at that moment since no one could have ever survived that impact.But… the persistent throbbing of my heart and the feeling of the blood mixed with anguish coursing through my veins told me a different story.I realized I wasn't dead after all. The pain and coldness after my rejection were too real and intense to ignore.But where was I? Why was it so cold here?"Wake up, goddam
CHAPTER 127: A Call From The Dungeon Third person’s POV:The open clearing emptied slowly, the heavy tension lingering in the air even as the Alphas and Ministers departed. Their murmured conversations echoed faintly, a mix of anxiety and unease woven into every word. As the soon to be Alpha of StoneClaw, Steven, passed by Alpha Duncan, there was an eye-to-eye exchange, a glint shining in their eyes as if they knew and acknowledged each other. With a trade of nods, Alpha Duncan turned away and left. Maverick, who stood at the center of the clearing, his arms crossed, his sharp eyes vigilant as they followed the exchange between Steven and Alpha Duncan. His eyes narrowed in skepticism as he continued to watch the Alpha of the ruin pack, StoneClaw.‘Why would there be an exchange between them when they have never met each other?’ Maverick questioned silently, his suspicion growing even greater. ‘There’s something amiss, and I intend to find it. Moreover, Steven looked too familiar,
CHAPTER 126: To Be The ShieldMAVERICK’s POV: The murmurs spread wide and far, growing louder with every second that ticked by. Their whispers filled the room, swirling around like a storm.“Who’s that?”“Was he attacked?”“I don’t recognize him; maybe a member of some pack!”“Maybe a member of the StoneClaw pack. I can’t seem to find any of their members here in this meeting!”The Alphas and ministers’ whispers grew louder, their unease palpable. I couldn’t help but stare at the lone figure standing in the center of the open space. He looked like he would collapse at any moment. The tension was suffocating, and the air seemed to grow heavier with every passing second. “Enough!” Pyra’s sharp voice sliced through the noise, silencing the crowd instantly. Her fiery eyes swept over the gathered crowd, daring anyone to speak out of turn. Her presence was magnetic, and for a moment, I could only watch as she took several steps forward, her expression unreadable. “This is no time for ba
CHAPTER 125: Steven StoneClaw Pyra’s POV: The sound of tires screeching and footsteps coming from miles away reached my ears. The Alphas and their ministers are arriving, their commanding presence already thickening the air of the arena. From the shadows of the private chamber overlooking the gathering, I glanced down at the tables and chairs arranged with military precision. One by one, they began to take their seats, their expressions a mix of curiosity, suspicion, and barely veiled arrogance. But my duties are first to my children. My arms cradled one of my triplets as Lior stirred against me, his tiny hands curling against my chest as I adjusted his position for better sucking. The soft tug of his latch grounded me, reminding me that I was now more than just an ordinary girl, nor even the Queen of Alphas; I was something more. I was a mother. Lior’s bright, crimson, curious eyes fluttered open briefly, and I brushed a kiss against his soft forehead. “Drink your fill, my b
CHAPTER 124: The StoneClaw’s Dust Third person’s POV: Deep in the heart of the woods lay a small clearing, a seemingly ordinary patch of land surrounded by a dense mass of forest.The moonless sky seemed to be a harbor of dangerous looking men as the clearing was filled with lines of warriors, all ready and at attention, their faces devoid of emotions. For appearances were deceiving and mostly misleading, as the seemingly empty clearing bearing the Warriors of Redclaw pack, bears within a hidden underground lab, covered by leaves and moss, leaving only a small door that has been exposed due to the entry of their Alpha. The edges of the door show its sleek design, showcasing cutting-edge, ultra-sophisticated technology that bared a scanner, only allowing a few people to have access to the chamber. Inside, an underground facility came into view. Men and women clad in lab coats moved with purpose, their eyes glued to iPads or clipboards. But they weren’t the main focus of the lab. A
CHAPTER 123: For The CrimsonsPyra’s POV:Different emotions crossed through my mother’s eyes and tears brimmed in her cornea, wanting to spill but she didn’t let it out. “Really?”I nodded, squeezing her hands for comfort. I knew how hard this must be for her and as her daughter, I shall stand with her to the very end. “I-I knew I wasn’t crazy.” The tears finally fell from her eyes. “For years since he left, I had always felt him. The bond remains in my heart, even though it is not as strong as before.” She touched her chest, the pain in her voice too much for me to bear. I hugged her, sharing in her pain. “Everyone thinks I’m clinging on to a loose thread even as I’ve searched for him. He’s alive.”I nodded, my eyes now traveling to Maverick who stood by the corner, frozen like a snowman during the winter. His eyes shifted from mine to the babies and I knew what he was thinking at the moment. “Alpha Maverick,” I called, my voice weak after the events of today. “Do you want to?” I
CHAPTER 122: Back To LifeMaverick’s POVThe cold, tiled floor bit into my thighs as I squatted by the door, but I didn’t care. My hands massaged my hair, hoping it could ease the tension but to no avail. I stared blankly at the white floor, regretting everything I’d ever done. It was late—or maybe it was early. Time had no meaning anymore. This was only just a loop of regret, like a noose tightening around my throat.I am a fool! I cursed at myself, rubbing a hand down my face as the ache gnawed in my chest, intensifying with each passing second. I could still feel the bond, but barely, like it was fading away and fading fast. If only I could take her place, I would do so without missing a heartbeat. I had messed up—no, I had destroyed everything. I rejected her. I rejected my mate. The words echoed in my head, slicing through me like a blade. I abandoned her, and…. And she thought I sent someone to kill her. I never did. I regretted my rejection ever since that day, and no matte
CHAPTER 121: Tape And The First Checkmate Luna Elodie’s POV:I stormed into Beta Derick’s office, my heels clicking furiously against the marble floor as I reached his office. With a strong force, I slammed my fist against the door and it gave way to a disgusting sight. There he was, leaning casually against his desk, his arms spread apart and shirt half undone, while some scantily dressed woman perched on him, her legs draped over his lap as she rhythmically bounced on him. Both of them turned sharply to me, their expression one of shock. The woman immediately jerked away like a startled doe, fumbling to wear her underwear and straighten her dress while Derick fixed his buttons. “Luna,” he drawled, coughing as he ran a hand across his hair. I watched the woman run past me, leaving me alone with this disgusting Beta. “I see the apple doesn’t fall far away from the tree, hmm.”He didn’t reply, only staring at the ground in shame. “My son left the pack in your hands until he retur
CHAPTER 120: The Realm In-between Third person’s POV:Pyra stood motionless with widened eyes as she took in her surroundings. Before her stretched a boundary unlike anything she’d ever seen before—a vast, shimmering expanse of mist that pulsated like it had a life of its own. It was neither dark nor was it entirely bright, and right there Pyra knew she was no longer in her realm. This was the realm between life and death. The entire atmosphere was heavy with faint whispers and cries that came from everywhere and nowhere, as if tugging at the edges of her sanity. The unnatural breeze swayed her crimson hair gently as if forcing her to stay, but how could she? She wasn’t even sure how she’d ended up here. With a heavy heart, she prepared to take a step forward into the mist and the never-returning land of the dead, but a voice stopped her. “And where do you think you’re going?”Pyra stiffened, turning sharply towards the source of the voice, her amber eyes scanning but seeing no
CHAPTER 119: Slipped Away Maverick’s POV:“Sometimes I don’t just understand you, Maverick. You just act like… like, urgh,” Natalie groaned in annoyance, gripping her hair like she was about to pull it out. I crossed my arms, leaning against the soft chair prepared in one of the hospital’s waiting areas, far from the private area where Luna Verona and other pack members waited. Natalie's words trailed off into an irritated groan. Her hands flailed in the air, a gesture she always made when she was too frustrated to form coherent thoughts. I remained silent, my expression blank for she was the least of my worries now. “See!” She snapped, pointing a finger at me like I was some unruly child. “This is what I mean but you say I am a damn talkative. You just stand there! No reaction. No movement. Nothing! It’s like talking to a damn wall, Maverick!”I sighed, my mind trailing back to the event of today as Rhella was rushed to the hospital. I chuckled, it was funny how I had started call