CHAPTER 72: If Only…Third person’s POV:Three days…It's been three days since Chief Commander Connor was thrown into the dungeon. It was an obvious stark fall from grace, for a man who once commanded armies with unshakable authority to nothing more than a lowlife.The stone walls of his cell reeked of damp rot, and the prison’s air hung heavy with fetal waste and urine. Living on stale bread, scraps of barely any dry meat, and dips of water barely distinguishable from his concentrated urine, Connor’s body felt weak; a testament to what he’s been fed, but yet, his body was sharper than ever. He knew what they were doing; Keeping him fed so little—just enough to keep him alive and he knew just why. It was for the questioning, broken by the time of his trial. He clutched his stomach as hunger clawed at him. As he slumped against the stone cold wall, the sound of approaching footsteps, one of heavy boots echoed down the corridor. Connor lifted his head, his hollow empty eyes narrowin
CHAPTER 73: RiftMaverick’s PovThe gentle breeze and morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting warm beams of light onto the long oak dining table. The smell of freshly baked bread, brewed coffee, and scrambled eggs filled the air, but my appetite wasn’t the cause of my satisfaction this morning. Just sitting beside me was Beta Derick, and just across from me, sat my mother, seated at the head of the table, her mouth moving, mumbling about something I wasn’t paying much attention to, with Derick nodding along. Natalie sat beside her brother with a small smile on her face, almost as if the storms that had raged within her for weeks had finally settled. It was… unexpected.She looked different, glowing with an unusual light, her smile—no longer one of those tight, strained smiles she used to offer, but a genuine one. Looking at her now, it softened her sharp edges. She’d been so volatile ever since I ended things between us, her anger and resentment palpable. I didn’t b
CHAPTER 74: Not The Author But The EndLuna Elodie’s POV:I watched as everyone filed out of the dining room, leaving only the echoes of their footsteps in their wake, mingling with the faint clatter of silverware left abandoned on the plate. An unsettling silence filled the room, the lavish food on the table long forgotten. I sighed, my gaze shifting to the chair where Maverick had once sat. His behavior hasn’t gone unnoticed, the way his eyes lingered on Natalie more than they should have—studying her, questioning her. Maverick has always been stubborn, but now, even more. I let out a soft sigh, my hands folding neatly on my lap as I focused on nothing in particular. There were too many variables at play lately—too many cracks. What could have killed Connor?‘Who’ could have killed him? This is getting out of hand. Someone is covering their tracks carefully. I didn’t know why but my gaze shifted toward where Natalie sat moments ago. She wasn’t so bothered about Connor’s death, a
CHAPTER 75: The Body Of Commander Connor Maverick’s POV:The sound of heavy footsteps followed behind me, echoing off the walls. The heavy iron door of the dungeon groaned as it swung open, revealing the dim, damp corridors of the place I loathed the most. I scrunched up my nose in disgust, the stench of decay mixed with damp stone assaulted my senses, making my stomach churn. This was one of the reasons my father hated this place. He had always avoided keeping prisoners locked here, instead, preferring banishment or death as a form of justice. I never understood why, but now that I was here, I affirmed he was right.The dungeon was no place for the living or the dead.As I walked into the corridor, my mind replayed an earlier event. I had never personally known this Commander, but his death weighed heavily on my mind. If father's methods were followed, Commander Connor would still be alive now. Banishing him would have been a suitable and fitting punishment for his crimes if need
CHAPTER 76: Oblivious ThanePyra’s POV: I couldn’t get over how beautiful my new room was. It was a startling neon green, brighter than anything I would have chosen for myself, but it still had an odd charm to it. Finally, a place of comfort. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed my stay in the pack house, but the constant new faces I see everyday, and not being able to enjoy an entire large room like this to myself as it would be shared with other maids, it was like I was in a whole different world. My fingers traced the edges of the book I was reading on my lap, its pages filled with advice on motherhood. As I read, each word felt foreign, like it was meant for someone else and not for me. Still, I forced myself to read, hoping the words would somehow sink into my soul and make me believe I was ready for this new chapter and episode of my life. I finished page seventy-two and flipped to the next page to continue when the faint hum of conversation outside the room caught my attention. I
CHAPTER 77: Oblivious Thane 2Pyra’s POV: The suffocating tension lingered in the air, the once so large room I had admired felt like an enclosed space, the walls closing in on me. Veronica rushed to Thane, her movements jerky with hesitation. “That’s what I wanted to tell you, Thane, but you gave me no chance!” She said, her voice trembling slightly but slowly regaining its edge. Thane’s sharp blue eyes darted between us, confusion etched into his features as he grimaced slightly. His orbs finally locked on me as he asked the question I had dreaded. “Pyra is pregnant?” His tone was incredulous, each word carrying the weight of disbelief.Even hearing it out made me freeze, my breath hooked in my throat as I struggled to respond. My gaze locked onto his, and I felt utterly exposed. Sitting on the bed, I was like a statue, powerless against the storm swirling in his expression.“Are you pregnant, Pyra?” Thane repeated when he didn’t hear my reply, his voice firmer this time, demandi
CHAPTER 78: The Game Of Truths Luna Elodie’s POV:It was still early as the morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the dining hall, illuminating every corner of the vast space. The soft clicks of my fork against the gold plate echoed through the large room, reverberating and bouncing off the wall, louder than I had expected. I glanced around the table—so many seats, so many spaces, all unoccupied. I sighed, trying to push back the familiar ache of loneliness that crept into my chest. “Well,” I muttered in a matter-of-fact, slicing a piece of bacon, “This is the best time to finally have some peace,” I said, munching on the bacon. Who was I lying to? It wasn’t peaceful; hell, it was suffocating. My eyes betrayed me, drifting toward the head of the table. The most important one, which wasn’t occupied right now. A chair sat there, perfectly in place, but its emptiness weighed heavier than anything else in the room. I didn’t care if Natalie, Beta Derick, or the other
CHAPTER 79: The Red Thing Maverick’s POV:Attack? My pack is under attack?I wasted not even a second and left the office like it was on fire. What pack would dare attack the Fangborns?My pulse quickened, my instincts taking over as I headed for the door and out into the hallway. Behind me, I heard my mother’s voice calling out, her words urgent, but I ignored them. I had no time for explanations or any of her drama and self-righteousness. My people were in danger and they needed me. Just as I was about to leave the office door and race out into the pack yard, a hand grasped my arms, stopping me from med-stride. “What?” I snapped, turning to see my mother’s worried face. “I have no time for a dead commander and your self-righteousness. I have a pack—““Just be careful, son,” she said softly despite my rude words. Her words grounded me for a moment as I stared into her familiar sweet and kind eyes. My gaze softened, guilt creeping in for the way I’d spoken to her earlier. I no
CHAPTER 101: The Recording Luna Elodie's POV:The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the curtains of my chamber, illuminating the thoughts swirling in my mind. I’ve been wracked by the mere thought of everything falling out of place. To this day, nothing has been spoken much about the maid’s disappearance. There has been no report of a trace, a scent, or a trail. Nothing. Maverick has lost all focus on that; he has been too focused on the pack—on protecting them, rebuilding, and mourning the fallen. That left me. I was the only one with enough time and determination to continue the investigation. But the problem now was, where could I possibly start?I crossed my legs, tapping my fingers on the armrest of my chair. The humming tune I let escape my lips did little to spark any inspiration whatsoever. I had one confidant, and that was Minister Blackthorn. He had been my closest ally in these matters, and now… he was gone. Goddess blesses his soul. I rose from my chair, br
CHAPTER 100: Intermission Third person’s POV:The heavy diamond double doors of the FireHeart Pack’s throne room creaked open, their ancient carvings glowing faintly under the golden light spilling from above the chandelier and open skylights. Wolves, moons, and runes whispered stories of battles fought and alliances forged that were engraved in the stone walls. For more than a decade, the doors had remained sealed, the throne room shrouded in mystery that only the elderly could remember its former glory. Yet now, for the first time in a long while, the room was alive with the presence of the FireHeart pack members. Hundreds of pack members filled the grand chamber, their voices hushed in awe. Stone pillars loomed overhead, while the arched ceiling glistened. All eyes turned to the Crimson throne at the heart of the room. Nothing could compare to its beauty; it was a masterpiece, its crimson surface shimmering like blood in the sunlight pouring through the high windows.Standing be
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.