«CLARA POV»I don’t know how to process this.No, no. How could this be?How could it be that I have just given birth to Adrian’s child?Why is the Moon Goddess so cruel?How could I be pregnant for a man who shattered my heart, who left me to die without a second thought?My whole body trembles, my fingers tightening around the soft fur cloth wrapped around my son. My son… but not Lusaka’s.A sick feeling curls in my stomach.I have failed.I have made a deal with Lusaka—to give him an heir in exchange for my revenge. And now, I have broken that promise. I have brought another man’s child into this world, a child who shouldn’t even exist.I can’t keep him.I can’t keep this child, not when he is a reminder of everything I have lost. A reminder of the man who has cast me aside.A reminder of a love that should have died long ago.No.I still want revenge. I still want to see Adrian suffer the way he has made me suffer. I can’t let this child tie me to him.Taking a deep breath, I lift
«ADRIAN POV» I lock myself in my office for days, drowning in paperwork, trying to distract myself from the storm raging in my mind. But no matter how hard I work, I can’t escape the memory of seeing Clara again—standing before me, stronger than ever, leading an army of rogues against my pack. And then, the worst part. She is pregnant. With Lusaka’s pups. The thought sends a sharp pain through my chest. I tell myself I don’t care, that I have moved on too. But deep down, I feel… betrayed. Has she really loved me at all? Has she already known Lusaka before I banished her? Or has she run into his arms the moment she left? I hate these thoughts. I don’t want to believe she cheated on me when she was still my Luna. But the questions won’t stop. I clench my jaw and push those thoughts away. Now isn’t the time to dwell on the past. My pack is in danger. The calamity that started with Dark Howl is spreading fast, and the other packs—both neighboring and far away—ar
«ADRIAN POV» Alpha Bennet’s face pales. His body jerks back, and he staggers before crashing into his seat. His throat bobs as he gulps hard, his arrogance disappearing in an instant. The courtroom is silent for a moment. Then, like a pack of hungry wolves, the other Alphas pounce. “Alpha Adrian, Bennet is right. Clara should have been executed the moment she was found guilty of being the wolf cursed by the Moon Goddess!” one barks, slamming his fist on the table. “This is all your fault, Adrian!” another accuses, his voice harsh with anger. “You spared her, and now look at what she has become—the Queen of Rogues!” A murmur of agreement spreads across the room. I sit still, my face unreadable, my hands still clenched into fists beneath the table. I let them speak. I let them spew their rage. “She attacks our packs!” a deep voice roars. “She takes our land! Steals from our people! My warriors died at the hands of those damn rogues she commands!” “And if that wasn’t eno
«ADRIAN POV» The pack witch turns to the elders, addressing them like I’m not even in the room. “I ask you all,” she continues, “how long will we let this calamity destroy us while we wait for an Alpha who refuses to act?” Whispers erupt around the room. Some of the council members nod in agreement. Others hesitate, their gazes glancing toward me. She stands and takes a step forward. “Our packs are suffering, just like the rest of the other packs too. Our people are dying. Yet our Alpha,” she pauses, her lips curling, “hesitates.” I clench my fists. She turns to face me directly, her eyes filled with false concern. “This is not an easy decision, Adrian, I understand that,” she says, her voice low but loud enough for everyone to hear. “But an Alpha must make sacrifices for the good of his pack.” I stare at her silently, but deep inside, I know what she’s doing. She wants me to crumble. To break. To give in and accept Clara’s death as the only way to keep my title
A faint smirk appears on the side of my mouth as I drum my fingers playfully on the table while watching them display their foolishness. “Come on, Adrian,” Ryan quickly walks back to my side, speaking with urgency. “For goddess fuckin’ sake, say something,” he mutters through gritted teeth, his voice tight with anger. However, I remain quiet, my cold eyes calculating as I observe the council while they drown in their own feat. I let the weight of the moment sink in. I look intently at Uncle Marcus, then at Andromeda, then at the elders who have stood by my side for years… And now? They have all turned their backs on me, and I immediately feel something churn inside me… Something that makes me question everything. The prophecy. Clara. Is it even real, or have I been played all along? Is Clara really the curse, or is the real curse sitting right in front of me? A slow, bitter realization settles deep in my bones. I have been lied to, and that has made me betray my mate.
«ADRIAN POV»The court meeting is over. The Alphas have returned to their packs, and the council of elders has left, but their words still echo in my head. They want Clara dead. I step out of the courtroom, taking a deep breath as the cool evening breeze hits my face. My feet carry me toward the village town, away from the suffocating weight of politics and betrayals. As I look around my pack, I see the destruction spreading. The once-thriving land looks cursed. Burnt patches of earth stretch across the territory. Houses are cracking, falling apart. The air smells of smoke and decay. The people pause when they see me, and I feel their cold stares. Some talk among themselves. Others turn away, as if my presence disgusts them. I know why. Someone has told them about my decision in the courtroom. Someone has twisted the truth, making me look weak, like a traitor to my pack. Making it seem like I’m not concerned about their well-being. My suspicion leads to Andromeda and M
«THIRD POV»Marcus strides into his Andromeda home, the weight of his discussion with his nephew still hanging over him. As he closes the door behind him, his eyes land on Andromeda. She sits comfortably on his bed, one leg crossed over the other, her black robe draping loosely around her shoulders. In one hand, she holds a glass of dark red wine, swirling it lazily, while a young pack maid stands behind her, massaging her shoulders with extreme care. Gone is the gentle smile she once wore. Now, her eyes glimmer with sly amusement. The moment she sees Marcus, she raises a single finger, “Leave now!” The maid bows and immediately scurries away, disappearing through the door without another word. She sighs, stretching her arms before speaking. “How did it go?” she asks, her voice adulterated with amusement. Marcus walks toward the window, smirking as he stares at the sun setting. “It won’t take long,” he says confidently. “Adrian will give in.” The pack witch giggles, a
>But Marcus quickly regained his composure, lifting his head with an air of superiority. He has no time for these women’s games.With a dismissive smirk, he leans in slightly, lowering his voice just enough for only Tiara and Ophelia to hear."You should worry more about your daughter, Tiara,” he murmurs in a low voice. "Because once I am Alpha, I won’t tolerate… dead weight." Marcus’s gaze hovers over Ophelia, and his eyes grow dark with lust.Ophelia’s heart slams against her ribs.Marcus pulls away, grinning foxily at the way Ophelia visibly stiffens.Satisfied, he turns and walks away with prideful strides, leaving Tiara and Ophelia standing frozen in the corridor.Ophelia feels her stomach churn. Her skin crawls under his stare, and she grits her teeth to stop herself from shuddering.The moment he’s gone, she lets out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.“That man is disgusting,” she mutters, wiping her hands against her dress as if trying to rid hersel
«CLARA’S POV»It was a fresh morning, I sit in the garden for breakfast with Savanna, Ravenanna, and Brandon. Sweet roses smell in the air, but I still feel trapped in my chest. The last few days have been too much and worse, I keep remembering the image of Adrian and Jasmine kissing, and it hurts me.I hated it. I hated he always affected me this much. Why? Why can't I seem to forget this man? For a moment, the atmosphere suddenly turns quiet. Savanna and Brandon stop speaking, and I threw a look at them, raising my brow, silently asking them what’s wrong.But none could answer. They could only lower their eyes in unease and apprehension. Then Ravenanna leans forward, anger swimming on her face. “What is he doing here?! Don't tell you guys settled the scores last time?” She hisses.What? I frowned. What the hell is she saying? I was confused. So, I followed the directions behind my back where she was pointing. It was then I saw him. Adrian was walking toward us. He was in all
«THIRD POV»She stood still, her face slowly her smile slowly fading.The warm feeling in her chest turned cold and heavy. That was it?That’s why he grabbed her?Her hands shook a little as she stared down at Lusaka. Her heart beat fast, not with love, but with bitterness. She wanted to shout. She wanted to ask why it was always about Clara! But instead, she gave a fake smile, a cold and tight one that it almost hurt her cheek. “Of course,” she said, pretending to be calm. “It’ll be our little secret.”Even though deep inside, it made her blood boil.Lusaka looked at her, his eyes sharp and cold like ice. “Jasmine…” he said slowly, as if warning her.That made her snap.“What?! Huh?!” She yelled, her voice shaking with anger.She picked up the bowl beside the bed and threw it hard. It hit the floor and water splashed everywhere. But she didn’t care. She didn’t even look at it. Her eyes were only on him now, burning with pain and rage.“Lusaka told me to seduce Adrian!” she shouted
«THIRD POV»“Bastard!” Adrian roared, his voice dark and guttural, not entirely human anymore.Without hesitation, his form exploded into his massive black wolf, Magnus, fur shimmering like obsidian, eyes burning like molten gold. Lusaka, in his brown wolf form, lunged toward him in response, snarling ferociously.The clash was violent. Two powerful wolves with too much hatred, too much fury, and too much to lose. They collided with a sickening crash that sent vibrations through the ground, sharp claws slicing the air, fangs gnashing and tearing. The sounds of snarls, snapping jaws, and bone-jarring impacts filled the air, drowning out even Jasmine’s terrified cries. “S-stop!” She shrieked, scrambling backward, tripping over herself as blood sprayed across the floor. Both men pounced violently, wrestled, and slammed each other into the walls, the stones cracking beneath the weight of their savage bodies. Deep fissures split the walls as dust and debris fell like rain.Magnus w
«THIRD POV» After Clara stormed away, Savanna and Ravenanna hurried after her, worried about her. Ravenanna was calling her name frantically as she disappeared around the corner. “Clara, wait!” The tension left behind in the packhouse was suffocating, thick enough to choke the air from anyone who remained.Adrian stood rooted in place, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned bone-white, his chest rising and falling with ragged, furious breaths. His jaw clenched it hurt, his amber eyes burning with a dark rage as they settled on Jasmine.She was trembling now, her face pale and terrified under his lethal glare. Staggering, she took a cautious step back, her lips quivering as if she wanted to speak, to beg, but no words came. Her whole body shook visibly.“You just signed your death warrant!” Adrian snarled lowly, his voice like gravel, rough and sharp. Then he seized Jasmine’s arm roughly, yanking her forward with such force that she gasped aloud and eyes wide with fea
«CLARA’S POV»When I woke up in the hospital ward, the first thing I felt was pain. A dull, throbbing ache that seemed to pulse with every beat of my heart. My belly hurt the most, a sharp, stinging reminder of what Ophelia had done to me. I winced, my hand moving instinctively to the spot where she stabbed me. The bandages were tight, and the skin beneath it felt tender, raw.But thanks to whatever pain relief Brandon had given me, it was bearable. I could breathe without wanting to scream.The last thing I remembered was Adrian catching me just before everything went black. His arms around me, the sound of his voice–panicking, desperate, calling my name. It should’ve been Lusaka in my mind, but it wasn’t. It was Adrian. And when I opened my eyes, hoping—maybe even expecting—to see him sitting beside me, all I found was Lusaka.I don't know why but a wave of disappointment which I hadn't expected hit me. Meanwhile, Lusaka was smiling so wide, his eyes glistening with disbelief as
«ADRIAN’S POV»I was stunned when my eyes landed on Jasmine. She was standing at the doorway of the packhouse entrance, half-hidden in the shadows behind the elder woman like she wanted to disappear. But it was too late, our eyes met. And I saw it. That look. Fear. Guilt. Panic. She was terrified of me. What the hell is she doing here?! My gut twisted. It was then I realized she must be living here, in the rogue packhouse. Only the high ranking wolves gets to live in the packhouse. Does that mean she knows Clara? That was very much possible and I had this foreboding feeling building inside of me. Jasmine wasn’t just some ordinary she-wolf like I once assumed. Fuck! I should’ve known. I should’ve followed my instincts when I first sensed something off about her at the bar last night. But before I could even move toward her, a voice pulled my attention.“Alpha Adrian,” The older woman in front of me spoke, her voice familiar, it was soft and gentle. I took a step closer to her
«ADRIAN’S POV»“We have to stop them!” I growled low, my voice rough and frantic as I spoke into the phone. “Do anything, Ryan. I don’t care how, you have to stop Marcus! Delay him. Sabotage the damn trucks, blow their weapons stash, fake a threat, I don’t care!” “Adrian…” Ryan was hesitant. I knew he was scared of being caught. But I fucking don't care. I can't sit and watch Marcus and the rest of the alpha attack the rogues and take Clara. I would be damned if that should happen! “Ryan,” I sighed and spoke intensely into the phone. “The rogues aren’t prepared. Clara… Clara’s hospitalized.”There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. “What?!” Ryan’s voice cracked in shock and he blurted out. “Hospitalized? What happened to Clara?!”I sighed heavily again, dragging a hand down my face, the weight of everything crushing against my chest. “She’s currently injured, Ophelia attacked her.”There was a long, thick silence. I could hear Ryan’s breathing shift,
«ADRIAN’S POV»The first thing that hit me was the headache. A splitting pain that made me groan deeply, my hand instinctively going to my head. The bright ray of morning streamed through the car windows, making the space feel like it was spinning. I slowly opened my eyes, blinking against the harsh light, only to be greeted by a bare naked image that froze me in place. What the fuck?I was half-naked, sprawled across the front seat of my car, my hairy chest exposed and covered in sweat. Turning my neck beside me, a woman lay there, her hand resting boldly on my chest. A soft, content smile played on her lips as if we were some kind of lovers. I could barely breathe as my mind raced to understand what had happened… Fuck! The reality of the situation slammed into me like a freight train. What the hell was going on?“Hey!” I growled in disbelief, pushing her away with more force than I meant. Her body jerked as she fell to the other side of the car, a surprised cry escaping her
«ADRIAN’S POV»I glared at her. “Not interested, Jasmine.”She threw her head back and laughed, eyes twinkling as she rested her elbow on the bar, eyes never leaving mine.“Why Alpha Adrian?” She drawled, trying to act sexy enough to tempt me. I gave her a sharp glance, my voice flat. “How do you know me?”She shrugged, taking a sip. “Everyone knows who you are. The big bad Alpha. Killer of kings. Breaker of rules. Heard a lot about you.”I huffed, downing the rest of my drink. “Well… ‘they’ clearly don’t know shit.”Jasmine leaned in again flirtingly, her perfume too strong it gave me a headache. “I dunno… you look exactly like the stories say. All brooding, dark, and tragic.” She grinned playfully. “But… I see it in your eyes. You’re not as heartless as they think.”I scoffed, motioning at the bartender for another drink. “Don’t pretend you know me.”She raised a brow. “I don’t have to. It’s obvious. Men don’t drink like that for no reason.” She tipped her head at me with curious