« CLARA » Adrian’s voice is cold, booming with anger. A thick vein bulges from his neck, his eyes burning with disdain. "I can already see it that you're not the person I thought you were." I stagger backward, my blood runs cold. His towering frame swallows my small body when he comes closer, tilting his neck as he bares his teeth at me with disappointment. "How could you let jealousy blind you this much, Clara? Or has the evilness in you finally taken over, turning you into someone who would harm her own sister when all she ever did was care for you?" His words slam into me, knocking the air from my lungs, my eyes wide with disbelief. How could he think this of me? We've spent our entire lives together, growing up side by side since we were children. No one knows me better like he does. So how can he possibly believe I'm capable of something so vicious? "How... how can you say that to me, Adrian?" "Then prove me wrong." He chuckles, his voice rumbling across our bedro
« CLARA »"Thank you for the twenty years together. I hope we never meet again!” I glared hatefully at him before turning to the doorway. From the corner of my eyes, I notice Adrian's eyes grow darker as it lowers to the floor. I can't tell what he was thinking and I don't wish to know. Adrian watches me silently, I could feel he wants to say nothing but was holding himself back. Bastard. How did I fall for someone like him? In a commanding voice, Adrian calls for the Delta pack warriors and almost immediately, they come rushing in, their huge bodies filling the room. “Take her.” The Delta pack warriors bows at Adrian before grabbing me roughly by the arms. I didn’t resist. I didn’t fight back. I was too exhausted to do anything. What's the point? Outside, the entire pack gathered outside the pack house. Waiting for me. Their eyes burn with disdain and hatred, their voices clashing in an angry storm.‘She tried to kill Luna Ophelia!ʼ‘Why doesn’t the Alpha just have her execute
« ADRIAN » After Clara finally left the pack, I thought I would feel relieved, but I didn't.Instead, it feels as though a part of me has been ripped out, leaving only an emptiness that I can hardly ignore. It is as though I lost something important, a part of me. The early morning sunlight pours in through the window, brightening the spacious walls of my office.I've been here all night after Clara left, finding it difficult to sleep.The vivid images of the Rogues prowling just near the territory, waiting for her to step out, while she, in turn, tries to bravely hide her fear –haunt me all night.Surprisingly, I’d have to admit, I was worried sick about her. Sitting behind my massive mahogany desk, I flip through the paperwork in front of me, thumbing the words distractedly without really seeing them.Magnus, my wolf, stirs uneasily inside me.He is restless, agitated.Pacing like a caged beast, he keeps growling at the walls of my mind.*Bastard, don’t tell me you’re already reg
«ADRIAN» The door cracks open, and Ophelia steps inside, her body clad in a tight body-con dress that hugs her slender curve. Her brown eyes gleam with excitement as they land on me, I know she must have taken her time primping herself up to impress me, judging from her choice of dress and the way her hair was stylish delicately, her bangs flowing down her narrow shoulders. But the moment Ophelia spots a third party in the office. Ryan. Ryan’s sitting in the far corner of the office, arms crossed, smirking, his posture exuding disdain as he looks back at her contempt. She froze. Her face drained of colors, and the smile on her face vanished. She was not expecting to see him there. Her confidence begins to shift as she quickly lowers her head. She suddenly looks timid and small as she fidgets with her fingers nervously. “Goddess! Who am I seeing? Is that really you, Ophelia? Did you come back from the land of the dead?” Ryan exclaims but his voice drips with mockery and O
« CLARA » It’s been two weeks since I was banished from the Dark Howl Pack. Lost, hungry, and broken, life in the Outlands has been nothing but a harsh struggle. Each day fades away into the next as I search for a way to survive, with no pack willing to take me in. Each pack terrority I come across, would either throw objects at me, cursing me, and wishing me death. I am tired, worn down by it all. At a point, I feel like committing suicide. My once-delicate frame is now covered by mud, bruises, and scars, each one a testament to the rogues I have faced in recent weeks. I fought them with nothing but my bare hands, and it is truly a miracle that I am still alive, breathing. My hair is a tangled mess, dirty and unkempt, even a bird nest is better. I was tired of everything, hunger has become my constant compassion, gnawing at my insides like a ravenous beast. Food is scarce. The few fruits I manage to find hardly keep me going, and the nights are the hardest, cold, lon
« CLARA » I try to move my body or to open my eyes but I couldn't, all I felt in response was pain. Pain. A dull, aching pain that spread through my body. Why can't I seem to move? Suddenly I begin to hear unfamiliar voices in my head, eliciting my body to tense in panic. “How is she?” A deep voice speaks, I could feel the concern in his voice. “Why hasn't she woken up?” “I have tried all my best, Lusaka,” the voice of an elderly woman replies. Her voice is soft and soothing, like a mother speaking to her child. ”We can only place our hope in the Moon Goddess.” Somehow, their voices calmed me down and my muscles slowly relaxed. If they were bad people, they wouldn't have sounded so concerned and worried about me. My body, so weak, gives in to exhaustion and I let myself drift back into the deeper part of the darkness. ~~~~~~~ “Ah,” A groan slips out of my lips as I slowly open my eyes, my brows fluttering, I stare at the ceilings, my vision blurry at fir
« CLARA » For a moment, I forget where I am. Savanna was my best friend’s mother and also the pack seer of the Dark Howl pack before she was accused of treason and was banished from the pack a month after I became Luna. She had been more like a second mother to me. To see her here, alive and well, was almost too much for me to process. How is this possible? What is she doing here, and how was she able to find me? Noticing my bewilderment, Savanna chuckles softly. "You remember me," she says gently, shifting on the edge of my bed. Her wrinkled pale hands gently grabbed mine, and for the first time in weeks, I felt a sense of comfort. "I knew you would." "But... how?" I croak, my voice hoarse and somewhat curious. She smiles warmly, brushing a strand of hair off my face. "That’s a story for another time, dear. Right now, you need rest. Your body has been through so much." "No, I’m fine," I insist, stubbornly. "I know my own body well." Savanna laughs, pinching my
« CLARA » I woke up groggily, my head pounding and my body feeling heavy. I don’t know when I fell asleep again or how long I’d been out. Holding my head while staring at the white ceilings, the last thing I remembered was Savanna giving me a bitter herb to drink before Brandon, carefully re-dressed the wound in my shoulder. After that, darkness pulled me under. Slowly, I glance around the familiar hospital ward, expecting to see Savanna or Brandon. However, I catch the sight of a brunette sitting closer to my bed with worry written on her face while she sleeps with her head positioned on the edge. She looked just as I remembered, her chocolate brown hair which spills over her face matches with her warm brown eyes. But her once chubby body now appeared slender. "Ravenanna?" I gasp in shock, my throat feels dry so it comes out low and raspy. Hearing her name, her body jolts awake and she lifts her head fast to look at me, her brown eyes goes wide with bright smil
«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
«ADRIAN’S POV»I meet his glare, his eyes full of fury and grief, and for a second, I don’t recognize myself. The man I used to be would’ve fought him, would’ve claimed what he thought was his.But now…“I’m not here to take her, Lusaka,” I grind out, my voice rough, my throat tight. “I just… I need her alive.”The rogue king scoffs bitterly. “You didn’t care about that before, did you? Back when you left her bleeding the first time.”His words are a blade in my chest. I stagger back a step, guilt heavier than anything I’ve carried before.“I made mistakes,” I admit hoarsely, my voice breaking, “I made the worst fucking mistake of my life. And I’ll regret it until the day I die. But don’t you dare think I don’t want her breathing right now.”Brandon curses again, working faster as he checks her pulse frantically. “Come on, Clara… stay with us, girl. Don’t give up now.”I can’t take it.I move closer, just a step —Magnus howling, desperate to touch her, to feel her heartbeat, to know s
«ADRIAN’S POV»I quickly catch Clara before she can fall, her body limp against mine, and my heart nearly stops when I see the blood pouring from her abdomen. It’s everywhere, staining her clothes, my hands, the tilted floor beneath us.“Clara… don’t… don’t close your eyes,” I beg her, my voice trembling, shaking her shoulders gently… no, roughly too, because I’m panicking. I watch helplessly the way her eyes flutter, opening and closing, like she’s slipping away right in front of me. “A-Adrian…” She gasped painfully, holding me closer, and her face squeezing in pain I wish it was me. “Clara! Stay with me—damn it, don’t you dare close your eyes!” I shout at her. “She’s bleeding!” Brandon gasp with his eyes wide. “Clara!” Lusaka panick, dropping down beside us, his face pale with fear. He touches her cheeks, patting them frantically, his hand trembling as he checks the terrible wound on her abdomen. His lips tighten. “Shit,” he curses, the word punching the air like a gunshot.“W
«CLARA’s POV»“Where is Ophelia now?” I grit and turn to Ravenanna. “Being dragged towards the pack hospital like a sack of potatoes,” my best friend chuckles dryly.I’m not happy to hear about Ophelia.In fact, I’m downright angry.Standing on the training grounds, my eyes still watching my warriors who are resting, I can't push away the anger that boils inside me. My mind keeps drifting back to the news Ravenna just delivered: Ophelia has been caught in one of my traps.My first reaction? I don’t care. Not even a little bit.Ophelia has been a curse in my life for as long as I can remember. She and her mother, Tiara, are the ones who have torn my world apart.I don’t even feel a single ounce of sympathy for her. I don’t care if she’s hurt or even dead. Ophelia is nothing but trouble. Like I said, she and her mother have ruined my life. If anything happens to her, good.But then, my eyes snap to Adrian, who has been standing silently. Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem moved by the news
—CLARA—The sun burned high above, its heat scorching the dusty ground beneath my boots. My throat was dry, and sweat clung to every inch of my skin like a second layer. Yet I stood tall, refusing to show any sign of weakness. Around me, the rogue warrirors, my warrirors, pushed themselves to the edge under my commands. Muscles strained, bodies dropped into the dirt, and grunts of effort echoed across the training ground. But no one gave up—not today, not under my watch. Because I wasn’t going to let them.I couldn’t.If we were going to survive the war Marcus and the other alphas were planning… if I was going to protect my people, my home, I had to push harder. Train smarter. Build warriors who were not only fierce but unbreakable.My voice rang out over the yard. “Push-ups! No slacking! Do you think Marcus will show mercy because you’re tired? Again!”Their groans only fueled my drive. I didn’t want pity. I wanted strength.Two hours passed, maybe more. My body screamed in exhaust
«THIRD POV»With Marcus gone, Ryan’s fists were still clenched when he was about to turn the corner of the pack house. His heart was racing, the air in his lungs thick with rage after what that old Fox had just said. Every bone in his body screamed for a fight, but he knew better. Now wasn’t the time. But then, another block.In front of him was the last person he wanted to see… “Move!” He snapped. Ophelia. She was standing right in front of him, arms crossed on her breasts, eyes narrowed with suspicion. She didn’t even have to speak; her body language alone said it all.“I said move away,” Ryan gritted, frustration bubbling inside of him. He just wanted to be left alone.But she didn't move, her lips twisting. “What do you want?” Ryan growled, clearly not in the mood.But Ophelia didn’t move. Instead, she narrowed her eyes even further, her gaze piercing through him. “Where is Adrian?” she asked, her voice colder than the air around them.Ryan raised an eyebrow, biting back the
«THIRD POV»Ryan stepped out of the pack house, his hands in his pockets, trying to clear his head. It was fully morning and the sunlight spread the Dark Howl pack. If one looked closely, one would notice the dark circles in his eyes. He barely slept last night. He had been thinking a lot about Adrian lately. His best friend wasn’t the same. There was a pain in his voice that he tried to hide, but he felt it.Much worse, the enemies had taken over the ruling of the pack. He didn't know the future of the Dark Howl pack anymore. He missed those days when everything was in control when Adrian was still the Alpha. Everything had seemed perfect until now. Just as Ryan reached the stairs, a familiar voice of an elder stopped him.“Ryan,” Marcus said, standing behind him with a smug look on his face.Ryan stiffened but turned around slowly. “Alpha Marcus,” he greeted with forced respect.Marcus grinned wide like an old fox as he took a slow step toward him. “Where’s my lovely nephew?” he
«ADRIAN POV»I walk through the woods, slowly, alone while drowning in my thoughts. The moonlight filters through the trees above, casting shadows all around me. The wind is gentle, brushing against my face, but I don’t feel calm.Not tonight. Not after what I saw.I didn’t mean to see it. I wasn’t following her, I swear I wasn’t.But maybe I was. Maybe a part of me was hoping to see her one more time… even if I didn’t deserve to.And now I wish I hadn’t.Clara.In his arms.Laughing.Smiling.Kissing.My blood boiled.My vision went red.I wanted to burn the world to ash. To tear through trees, howl at the moon, and destroy everything that reminded me of him… of them. But no matter how angry I felt, there was another voice—one that whispered like poison in my ear…. ‘She doesn’t belong to you anymore.’ She chose him.He’s her king. Her husband. My chest felt tight, I couldn’t breathe.I know Clara saw me, I know she did. Her eyes widened just a little. Her body tensed.But she did
«CLARA POV»Jasmine turns, her eyes flashing with rage. She opens her mouth, probably to scream at me, but before she can raise her hand to strike me back, Lusaka steps forward fast, a blur of motion, and grabs her wrist, holding it tightly. His eyes flash with something darker than I’ve ever seen before—something that sends a chill down my spine.He growls, a deep, low sound that rattles the air.“Don’t. Touch. A hair. On her.”His voice is cold, but there’s an edge to it. An edge I’ve never heard before.Jasmine freezes, her body stiff. She looks at him like she can’t believe what she’s hearing, her eyes wide with shock.Even I was surprised. “Lusaka, y-you—” she starts, but her words falter as she looks at him.Lusaka doesn’t loosen his grip. His gaze doesn’t leave her.“Don’t.” His voice is low and dangerous, like a warning.Jasmine flinches, her expression twisting into a mix of confusion and pain. She takes a step back, her mouth opening like she wants to say something, but no