CHAPTER 21: Bad BoyAlpha Maverick’s POV:I stood at the edge of the grand balcony, overlooking the moonlit courtyard of my pack’s stronghold. I could feel the cool night air carrying the scent of damp wet earth, the sound of crickets and other night creatures present. It was truly a remarkable sight to behold. But my mind wasn’t focused on its beauty and serenity. I gazed into the darkness, my mind plagued with the thought of one redhead—Pyra. It has been four weeks that leisurely passed since she vanished, only leaving sweet whispers in her wake after her departure. There have been rumors, but I seized it immediately when it started. No one in the pack knew that I had rejected Pyra, or even that Pyra was my mate, and I intend to keep it that way. No one has to know I was mated to a slave. I wanted to hate her, really. But the mere thought of seeing her again made my heart grow fonder. I had secretly tasked my beta, Derick, with finding her, but so far, there was no sign.He ha
CHAPTER 22: Stunts?Natalie’s POVI smiled seductively, enticing him with all of my charms. “Hello, bad boy,” I cooed, hoping to spark some passion in his eyes. A passion I had so missed but disappeared ever since that bitch came into his life. I pushed my chest out, showing more cleavage through the small bra I was currently on. I opened my legs slightly, just as he liked it, and batted my lashes at him. I had specially dressed up for him. Or rather, undressed for him. I want him, and I must get him. No matter what it took. I seductively opened my legs wider, breathing heavily while pushing my cleavage higher, my legs stretching wider for his eyes to see. But as I locked eyes with him, intending to see that passion and desire within his orbs, I saw annoyance. And disgust. “What are you doing here, Natalie?” Maverick growled, his voice firm and tired, while stepping deeper into his chambers. He closed the door behind him in a loud bang before silence reigned in his chambers. “I
CHAPTER 23: In Fours She CamePyra’s PovI stood in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by an endless expanse of dark, misty mountains that seemed to have no end nor beginning, stretching out as far as my eyesight could go. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying yellow leaves, and the faint moonlit cast an eerie shadow on the ground. But what was most shocking was the color cast by the moon; instead of a silvery white color, it was a pale red, the color of Crimson that shone, casting everything its light laid in a bath of red. I glanced around nervously, my eyes darting around in fear. “What is this place,” I whispered, but the sound of my voice was swallowed in by a familiar silence. I couldn’t hear my own voice again; its echoes were completely gone. “How did I get to this place ?” I stood there, frozen in uncertainty. The mist surrounding the place began to spread, swirling around me, forming tendrils of vapor that curled around my ankle like ethereal finger
CHAPTER 24: The Painting Alpha Maverick’s PovMy phone rang loudly, earning a growl from deep within my chest. I turned towards the phone; its shrill in the silence of the night shattered it. I knew who it was without even looking at the phone—my mother, Luna Elodie. I didn’t bother answering, instead, I left Natalie alone in the room and made my way towards my mom’s chambers.The walk to her place was short, and I knew her favorite hobby room. I knew she’d be there, lost in her world and arts, just like every night. I stood in the corner of the room, its door open, as I watched her paint, her brushstrokes bold and confident as she portrayed her mind into the image of a portrait. I knew that she was lost in her world, filled with numerous colors and creativity that only the imagination could produce. I smiled at her features, a sense of peace washing over me. “You know that’s the exact way your father used to watch me,” she called out, her voice low and soft, as if not wanting t
CHAPTER 25: The Luna Is Hurt Pyra’s Pov I jolted awake, my heart raced like a wild beast set on a prey. I was drenched in sweat. I glanced around as I gasped for air, tears streamed down my face as the remnant of the nightmare lingered in my mind. My head hurt, but one voice kept echoing in my ears: “You are the Blood...” The cloaked figure’s words resounded in my head, louder by each second. The room was darkened, shadows cast by the moonlight making me feel even more alone. I glanced towards the digital clock on the reading table beside my bed, and it read 3:45 AM. Letting out a huge sigh, my eyes darted around for the source of foreign eyes. I felt like I was being watched, and the fear that gripped me was suffocating. I touched the tears that had plastered my face and realized that I had been crying for real even when I wept in the dream. Suddenly, I felt a chill and goosebumps sprouted all over my body. It was as if someone was indeed watching me, lurki
CHAPTER 26: 4:00amPyra’s Pov“How did you get here?” Mr. Blackthorn asked as we made our way to his car. “I ran,” I said, not thinking of my answer as I was currently trying to catch up to their walking speed. We approached the huge SUV that sat several feet away from their house. Mr. Blackthorn pressed a button on his keys, causing the car to flash several colors of lights before it made a clicking sound. We entered the car, making me pause outside. I had seen cars before but never had the luxury to enter one, as Natalie once said. “You’re not worthy to step foot in affluence and only meant to stay in the gutter.”“Enter!” I heard Veronica’s hurried voice making me struggle against the door’s handle Finally, I pulled the door open and hoisted myself up into the car, my eyes widening as I took in the luxurious interior. The seats were soft and warm as it was leather-bound. The dashboard gleaned with sleek technology. In such luxury, I felt out of place with my worn-out shoes an
CHAPTER 27: The GlowPyra’s pov:Everywhere shone with the crimson light from the moon and I knew immediately that I was back in the same dream.I felt I wasn't alone and so I turned, just to gasp at what beheld me. The red-cloaked figure stood in front of me, its hands clasped together and its face shrouded in endless darkness. It was quiet, staring at me. I refused to back down from its stare; instead, I remained quiet and watched. Slowly, it dropped its head and I frowned at this movement, confused as to why he gave up easily on our ‘Staring Game.’ But then, it raised its head, the light illuminating its face and I gasped with shock. In place of the darkness, my own face stared back at me. I was still not used to seeing this even after last time. But now, it is different. Blood streamed down my eyes, and my skin was deathly pale. It tried to open its mouth but blood trickled out too and it smiled at me. There was something sinister about it and all of a sudden, the smile di
CHAPTER 28: The Charade Going Luna Verona’s PovMy mind was consumed by the incident that led to my injury as I lay on the soft hospital bed. My blood boiled with anger as I recalled the confrontation with the challenger, his words fueling my fury. When I received the letter, at first, I thought it was only a mere jest, a russell trick under my skin. But then I saw the seal of Alpha Sam of the Moonblood pack, and my heart skipped a beat. He had sent two letters; one bearing a marriage of agreement and the other, a seal for war. I thought back to the previous encounter of subtle threats and jabs. I had dismissed them as mere posturing, just like others who had come to seek the throne, but now I realized that Alpha Sam was more cunning than I gave him credit for. I tore the letters. Especially the one bearing the marriage agreement. It was a clever move, a way to gain control of my pack without appearing overly aggressive. But the particular seal of war was the extent of his inte
CHAPTER 99: Friends Pyra’s POV:It had been two weeks since I’d confessed to Luna Verona that Alpha Maverick was the father of my unborn children. To my surprise—and of course, relief—she had promised to keep the revelation between the two of us, honouring my plea for secrecy. She had probed for more details about how the event went, wanting to know everyone to the point where I was found by the shore, but I had refused to say much, unwilling to relieve the pain of my past. But after some persuasion, I told her most of it. Now, nestled in the luxurious penthouse, while lying on an impossibly soft bed I’d never dreamed of, I found myself struggling with a different kind of burden. The doctors, along with Madraya, had insisted on strict bed rest. “It’s for the health of the babies,” they said. While I appreciated the care, I couldn’t help but feel restless.I glanced at my protruding abdomen, now noticeably larger than it was before. I couldn’t believe just how much I’d grown in just
CHAPTER 98: End The Bad BloodMaverick's POV:“This is something we should have done a long time ago, Maverick.” Mother’s voice followed after the initial silence. “Collaborating with the FireHeart pack and joining our forces as one should have been our first and top priority; maybe none of this would have happened.”I sighed, instinctively rubbing my palm over my face in frustration. As much as I would hate to deny it, my mother was telling the truth. It was all my fault. If I had not been too stubborn, too headstrong to believe I could handle everything in and out of my pack, then those wolves, or if I could even call them that, would have been stopped. I fear we are too late now. “But there’s bad blood between our opposing pack, Luna.” Derick’s worried voice pierced through as the ministers who sat around the meeting room all nodded in agreement, most whispering amongst themselves. “It’s been far too long. Our pack would speak to them now, since after the Great War, spark their in
CHAPTER 97: No Death ScareThird person’s POV:The laboratory was still filled with tension and the smell of chemicals and antiseptic. Alpha Duncan laid rigid on the edge of the examination table, his teeth gritted against the waves of pain that surged through his body. His normally imposing and staring frame was slumped, weakened, his healing slower than expected. The Crimson’s power still eluded him.Alpha Duncan turned to Caspien who watched his father with curious eyes. “There is someone I have kept locked up in the car’s trunk. Get him out.”“Father,” Caspien began, his voice hesitant and brows furrowed from the strange command, “What kind of—“ Duncan cut him off with a guttural growl, his voice commanding and unyielding. “Do as I say, Caspien. Now.”Caspien’s jaw tightened, but he nodded, his defiance swallowed by duty. He turned and left the lab, his boots crunching against the steel ground before exiting to the gravel path outside. The forest surrounded the facility, dense a
CHAPTER 97: No Death ScareThird person’s POV:The laboratory was still filled with tension and the smell of chemicals and antiseptic. Alpha Duncan laid rigid on the edge of the examination table, his teeth gritted against the waves of pain that surged through his body. His normally imposing and staring frame was slumped, weakened, his healing slower than expected. The Crimson’s power still eluded him.Alpha Duncan turned to Caspien who watched his father with curious eyes. “There is someone I have kept locked up in the car’s trunk. Get him out.”“Father,” Caspien began, his voice hesitant and brows furrowed from the strange command, “What kind of—“ Duncan cut him off with a guttural growl, his voice commanding and unyielding. “Do as I say, Caspien. Now.”Caspien’s jaw tightened, but he nodded, his defiance swallowed by duty. He turned and left the lab, his boots crunching against the steel ground before exiting to the gravel path outside. The forest surrounded the facility, dense a
CHAPTER 97: No Death ScareThird person’s POV:The laboratory was still filled with tension and the smell of chemicals and antiseptic. Alpha Duncan laid rigid on the edge of the examination table, his teeth gritted against the waves of pain that surged through his body. His normally imposing and staring frame was slumped, weakened, his healing slower than expected. The Crimson’s power still eluded him.Alpha Duncan turned to Caspien who watched his father with curious eyes. “There is someone I have kept locked up in the car’s trunk. Get him out.”“Father,” Caspien began, his voice hesitant and brows furrowed from the strange command, “What kind of—“ Duncan cut him off with a guttural growl, his voice commanding and unyielding. “Do as I say, Caspien. Now.”Caspien’s jaw tightened, but he nodded, his defiance swallowed by duty. He turned and left the lab, his boots crunching against the steel ground before exiting to the gravel path outside. The forest surrounded the facility, dense a
CHAPTER 96: A New SourceThird person’s POV:Caspian paced the pack’s common room, his restlessness was evident in every taut movement he made. The common area was filled with silence and tension as everyone waited. Warriors sat or stood in small groups, their gazes flickering toward the door every second with anticipation. Four hours. A whole four hours had passed since their Alpha had left without a word to Caspien or anyone, and every minute stretched endlessly.“Where is he?” Caspian muttered, his voice low and simmering with frustration. “It’s been hours, and he hasn’t returned.” His patience was wearing thin, his worry masked by irritation. After he came back from his successful mission, he expected to see his father waiting for him. Beta Alaric, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, turned to him. “Patience, boy,” he said with a calm authority that only deepened Caspien’s scowl. “Our Alpha wouldn’t delay unless it was necessary.”Boy? That single word was like a spark
CHAPTER 95: Kicks Of JoyPyra’s POVI was still shaken a bit from the events of the day as I stood in the throne room, the air thick with the lingering echoes of the Wanderer. Madraya stood beside me, her voice a soothing balm against the storm inside.“Do not stress, Pyra,” she murmured, her hand rubbing gentle circles on my back. “You need rest. Such stress isn’t good for your unborn children. Remember, the gestation period of crimson wolves is far shorter.”Her words caught me off guard, my brow furrowing in confusion. She must have seen my confusion and furrowed brows as she smiled, explaining further. “It takes five to seven months for crimson wolves,” she continued, her tone soft. “And you’re already five months along.”I blinked, processing her revelation. “But I don’t feel like I’m close to giving birth. I’m not even that big.”Madraya smiled faintly, “Things are strange now, child. The awakening of a crimson wolf is something I can never understand, for it shifts everything.
CHAPTER 94: A Different AlphaMaverick’s POV:“Hey, hey, wake up.” I rushed over to Natalie, shaking her shoulder. She must have fallen unconscious after I faced off that mysterious man. Natalie twitched, groaning slightly. Her head shifted to the side as her eyes fluttered open, unfocused. “Huh-uh?” She murmured incoherent words, her words a slurry of confusion. She squinted at me, before her eyes darted around the destroyed penthouse, to the window and back to meet my gaze. “W-where’s the bastard?” She asked, her temple stained with blood, a thin crimson trail tracing the curve of her cheek. “Gone,” I said firmly, gripping each side of her face. “Are you okay?” I asked, feeling her skin cold against my palm. Her eyes squinted, becoming even smaller, as if trying to make sense of me, of everything. “Maverick?” she gasped. A faint, bitter laugh escaped her. “So I’m alive. But you... look different.”“He must’ve hit your head pretty hard to say such a thing. I look the same,” I mut
CHAPTER 93: The Black Hood Attack Maverick’s POV My hands tightened on the steering wheel as the car sped through the emptying streets, the engine growling under the speed as if mirroring the chaos brewing from inside me. I could see the penthouse from this distance, and its destruction was evident even from the afar, but my focus was razor-sharp. Natalie sat stiffly beside me, her voice cutting through the tension. “Minister Blackthorn and Daemon are still inside.” I gritted my teeth, my knuckles white as I gripped the steering wheel tighter. I stopped the car as the penthouse loomed ahead, its once-pristine exterior marred by cracks and shattered glass. I didn’t need to ask what happened. The carnage spoke for itself. My heart slammed inside my chest, but not out of fear but out of anger. How dare anyone attack my private holding?! When we entered the building, it was unrecognizable. Furniture lay shattered, walls were gouged with deep claw marks, and the acrid scent of