Hello my esteemed readers, What do you think is going on here? Steven StoneClaw? Who exactly is he? The first reader who gets the answer will be given an honor. Let's go! 😁
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 128: Natalie’s Apology Maverick’s POV:Back in my lodge, I sat on the couch in the living room, massaging my temples as the stress of the day began to weigh me down. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, the only sound in the otherwise silent room. Small shadows danced on the walls, but none of them brought me the comfort I so desperately sought.“I don’t know, Mother. I’ve had a stressful day, and all I need now is a good rest.” I yawned for the hundredth time this evening, weakly holding the phone to my ear. “Maverick, I wanted to tell you something of utmost importance, but hearing how tired you are, I think you should rest. How was the meeting of Alphas, though?”I sighed, breathing deeply. “It was… well, I think. Everything was perfect, and finally, they were listening to my words. That was until a strange visitor interrupted the meeting.”“Strange Visitor?”“Yes, mother. According to him, he is the son of the Alpha of the StoneClaw pack, and they were attacked by tho
CHAPTER 129: Deep In The WaterMaverick’s POV: I was still staring at the ajar door as my phone rang. I picked up on the first ring, placing the phone to my ear. “Natalie is gone. She has escaped.”She chuckled, and I could feel her smile from where I stood. “Finally. Her facade has broken. Find Natalie, son. Chain her up and bring her back to Fangborn to await her trial, one I would personally pick for her.”I nodded, walking into the room as my eyes scanned the entire space. Natalie left most of her things; she must have been in so much of a hurry as not to pack. “Okay, mother.”“You see why I told you to always listen to me! I have more experience than you could fathom; I’ve seen things you can only imagine. Maybe this will—““Mother, this is not the time to lecture me,” I interrupted, my voice sharper than I intended. “Natalie’s gone, and we need to act fast before she gets too far. Save the ‘I told you so’ for later.” I felt hurt that the two people I trusted most could betray
CHAPTER 130: The Show Of Dominance Pyra’s POV:I stood in the middle of the pack house door, unable to tell my people to calm down. The alarm’s deafening wail echoed through the air, waking everyone as they walked around confused about what the alarm was for. My heart raced just as fast as theirs, and they looked at me—their Alpha—for reassurance, but no words left my mouth.I tried to speak, to shout over the chaos, to tell them that the alarm was now a drill as everything was being taken care of, but it was as if my throat had sealed itself shut. It was like I was back to my old self, unable to utter a single word for fear of being punished. I clenched my fist at my side, gritting my teeth as I forced myself to remain calm; Calm down, calm down, let the pain of the past be in the past, and let thy future commence! I thought to myself, but it wasn’t working. “What is happening?”“Are we being attacked?”“Oh, my Goddess. It’s by those weird wolves that have been taking down packs.
CHAPTER 131: Karma Is A Bitch Third person’s POV:As Maverick left the living room, Steven StoneClaw angrily watched him leave. Pyra demanded everyone to go back to rest as the tension in the room grew unbearable. Her voice, sharp yet calm, carried an air of authority that even Steven couldn’t ignore. “We have much to discuss, but not tonight. Go rest. Now.”As Pyra stood in the living room of the Packhouse, she watched Maverick from a distance before turning her gaze to Steven, who walked to his assigned room; a crazy thought went through her head. “Are these men trying to fight for my validation?” Strangely, the very thought of that thrilled her as a small smirk appeared at the corners of her lips. If anything, she knew she was going to enjoy making Maverick so jealous that he would lose it. Steven coming at this time seems more like a blessing, Pyra thought, her gaze still focused on the retreating men, planning on how to use them both. “And what are you smiling at?”Pyra’s th
CHAPTER 132: The Night Messenger Luna Elodie’s POV:As Maverick hung up, a sly smirk appeared on my lips and I crossed my legs, resting comfortably on the couch. “Seems like I won this game,” I chuckled, the sound low and filled with satisfaction. The tension from earlier still lingered in the room like a thick fog, but now it worked in my favour. My fingers brushed over the armrest as I replayed every word he said.Natalie is gone, beautiful. Those words echoed in my mind, sharp and clear, causing the smirk on my lips to widen. I stood up, letting the luxurious silk of my gown slide against my skin, and I crossed the room to the wardrobe, retrieving my long black cloak. The elegant fabric hung on my figure, providing the aura of mystery that I needed for a simple conversation I was about to have that night. After I was done, the cold stones of the floor beneath my bare feet grounded me as I moved to the door and towards the dungeon. I walked without a care in the world. I no lo
CHAPTER 133: A Breakfast TalkPyra’s POV:The sun’s rays seeped through the gaps in the heavy curtains of the large window, casting golden streaks across the concrete floor of the FireHeart pack. The faint warmth kissed my skin, pulling me out of my thoughts as I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the bright light of the hallway. Today was going to be a long day, and specifically a long breakfast. Everyone was invited to dine with me at the dining table. I should have dreaded and demanded that I had my food delivered to my room, but for some unknown reason, I looked forward to this. I must have been so lost in thought that I didn’t notice someone greeting me. “Greetings, my Queen.”I turned in shock to see Maverick standing there in the hallway, his clear eyes staring intently at me. He was just one of the subjects of my thoughts; why do I have to pass by him of all people? “Greetings.” I acknowledged and continued walking, keeping my focus ahead, but I heard the unmistakable sound of h
CHAPTER 169: Boxed FlowersMaverick’s POVThe morning air was crisp, carrying the lingering scent of pine and damp earth as I made my way toward the penthouse. The sun had barely broken past the horizon, casting long shadows over the quiet roads. It was rare for me to be up this early in the morning, but yesterday was restless, leaving me with no other choice.We were meant to eat breakfast with Alpha Rhaella, and the prominent figures of the pack but for a while now, Alpha Rhaella has stopped that act. Instead, everyone eats their meals in their own private space. Sure, I do understand her for the last few meetings we had in the dining room and it turned out to be disastrous. As I continued walking down the narrow road, I felt vibrations in my pants and fished out my phone, answering the call without looking at the caller ID. I knew who it was before her voice could pierce through. “Mother!”Why would she have called this early? Was there a problem or did she find out what I wanted
CHAPTER 168: Green Intruder Third person’s POV:The river roared through the heart of FireHeart Pack’s land, its currents swift and relentless, reflecting the fiery hues of the setting sun. This was the exact place where the infamous Alpha Rhaella, the Queen of Alphas was found half-dead. This place was the beginning and the birth of a legend. Beyond the river, the pack’s territory was vast, a stretch of dense pine forests and towering cliffs that cladded a well tiled road but yet, the sweet scent of damp earth and wild musk filled the air.This late in the evening, the riverbank was not a place of peace and serenity. No, it was far from that. It was alive with the sound of footsteps wading through the waist-deep water, their breath heavy, and eyes scanning the depths for a single object—the lost necklace of Alpha Rhaella. Steven StoneClaw stood in the waist-deep water, his powerful frame tense as he watched the flowing water with keen, vigilant eyes. The necklace was no ordinary
CHAPTER 167 : A Call Hindrance Luna Elodie’s POV:After Minister Scott, made sure he continued his investigations. I didn’t tell him much knowing if there was anyone who could tackle this problem, it would have to be me. I dug into my pocket, fishing my phone and instinctively dialing a single number. I watched the phone ring, the screen brightness doing nothing to deter my resolve. I waited for the call to be answered, standing from my seat due to restlessness. Now that I think about it, why would Maverick ask me to find out about someone? I’ve asked this question more times than I could count since given this mission, yet no answer played forth before me. Does he mean he doesn’t trust that person, or the person was a great danger?Steven StoneClaw! The name is foreign yet carries a weight of foreboding along with it. The call ended yet no one picked up the call. I paced around, watching the pack through the large window for several minutes, enjoying the peace that reigned today.
CHAPTER 166 : To Be Real Luna Elodie’s POV: Following the instruction given to me by my son, I called in Minister Scott for a deeper investigation than I could provide. As I waited for his arrival, I took a few minutes to check the news. One would be surprised just how much information could be acquired from what others deem useless or not crucial. I, on the other hand, get all the information from whatever source was provided to me. The minutes passed quickly as I scrolled through the news, my mind processing each tidbit of information. The headlines were filled with the usual chaos: political unrest, corporate scandals, and the ever-present shadow of global tensions. But I wasn’t looking for any of that. I needed something different, something that was of great importance. Lunaria has always been filled with political wars for decades. I need not hear of them now. What I needed was something specific, something subtle that would give me an edge, something others might o
Chapter 165 : The Sweat Feelings Pyra’s POV:I approached the gym, wanting to work out. The air was crisp, and the sky was painted in hues of pink and orange. As I stepped into the gym, the familiar scent of rubber mats, metal weights, and the faint trace of sweat hit me and my eyes locked on a figure seated on the floor. Steven turned towards the door, his eyes locked on mine as he put away his phone. I frowned. Who was Steven talking to by this time? And who does he know to communicate with seeing that he was completely alone since he came to the pack?“Alpha Rhaella, greetings.”I nodded, acknowledging his presence. “Who were you speaking with?” I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me. Steven shrugged, looking nonchalant. “And why do you want to know? Is the Queen of Alphas that curious to know everyone I speak to?”“Maybe…” I said, sitting across from him. “But I know that you know no one else but I and several others here at the pack. For you to know someone and even go
CHAPTER 164 : The Call Of EmberThird person’s POV: .The smell of sweat lingered in the large space, the sound of hard breathing rebounding the heavy walls of the room. Loud panting came forth, and then the colliding sound of fist to punching bag reigned supreme. A few drops of sweat fell from Steven’s face as he punched the bag with all his might, his muscles contorting against the pressure but it wasn’t enough. He wanted more, something more challenging but his mind kept whispering words to him:“No one looks up to me for anything important.”Punch!“I’m just another ordinary person here at the pack.”Punch!Steven gritted his teeth as he punched even harder than before, knowing even Alpha Rhaella didn’t want him for things of great value. “I will always be the second choice.”Punch!The thought of it made him rage. He knew now he was nothing but a tool to be used and when used, to be disposed of. Steven thought of Maverick and how that bastard is leading a pack to greatness. A
CHAPTER 163 : Smoke To The Heavens Pyra’s POV:For three days I’ve been locked up in the penthouse, deep in thought. Three days since the death of minister Elais and no amount of thinking could bring forth an answer to what he wanted to tell me, the night before his unexpected demise. Was what he wanted to tell me the reason behind his death? Did someone cause his death to hide something from me?No! I shook my head, sure it wouldn’t be close to that. None could betray me and it was a chronic heart attack that killed him, according to the forensic investigators, not that someone was trying to hide something. But could it be that he called because I was the closest to help him? Was he in danger? I held my head, furiously scrubbing my skull and hoping something logical would pierce out of my brain. This is how I’ve been for the past few days. Even when Mother said she had everything under control, I couldn’t help but think. The gaps in this case were too much to ignore and it was
CHAPTER 162 : The Stubborn Pretense Natalie’s POV:The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft beams across the room. I stirred slowly, blinking against the warmth that seemed to envelop me. I popped into a sitting position only to feel friction against my bare body. I frowned, moving the blanket and looking down only to find myself completely naked. My frown deepened as I tried to recall what happened that led to my current state. I suddenly felt a soft stir beside me and slowly turned to see a lump under the blanket. I stared at the middle of the raised blanket for the longest time as the memory of last night resurfaced. Slowly, my eyes trailed up and met the face of the person lying next to me. My breath caught in my throat, but that was it. I couldn’t panic, nope; I wouldn’t. I reached out my hands to touch his face, feeling the roughness of his beard as I massaged the gray present, a thought running through my mind. Never in my entire life did I think I’d get e
CHAPTER 161 : Pointy Fingers Maverick’s POV:I watched as Alpha Rhaella got into her SUV, the door shutting closed. But even with that, I saw how downcasted she was. Through the half-closed tinted window, I could see her head bent sadly, her mouth sealed shut. Minister Elais' death really must have had an impact on her. She turned and our eyes jammed and the SUV’s engine roared to life. Her eyes lingered on me for a split second, the silent tension between us thick, as if there was something unsaid, something unresolved. But then, the window slid up completely, cutting off the brief connection we had.I couldn’t move. Only stood there, frozen for a moment as I watched the SUV slowly drive off. The air suddenly felt a whole lot heavier, the weight of the moment pressing against my chest. I turned towards the slowly desolating conflict. The ambulance was long gone but the drama still unfolded as different Ministers came out to watch, their whispering dominating the whole place. The