ValkyrieThe moment I stepped into the grand hall, the temperature seemed to drop. The Luna Dowager sat at the far end, draped in her usual regal black, sipping her tea as if she hadn’t just summoned me with urgency.The guards who had led me in silently retreated, leaving the two of us alone.Her lips curled, gaze sharp as she set her cup down with a soft clink. "Ah, Valkyrie. Our luna. . How poetic that you stand before me again, alive and well. I must say, the Moon Goddess does have a peculiar sense of humor."I stiffened but refused to let her see the way her words unsettled me. "You called for me, Mother. I'm here. Say what you need to say."She tilted her head, studying me with amusement. "Such boldness. It’s almost endearing. Tell me, do you enjoy defying death, or is it simply a talent of yours?"I clenched my jaw, keeping my voice steady. "If you think you can get rid of me through deceit, you’ll have to plan much better than that."The Luna Dowager let out a small, mirthles
Valkyrie“Don’t speak nonsense to me,” I spat.But the Luna Dowager only giggled, as if my anger was nothing more than an amusing little performance.“Oh, Valkyrie,” she mused, swirling the tea in her cup. “You react so… predictably.”I clenched my fists. “You’re trying to provoke me.”“And you make it so easy.” She tilted her head, watching me with a catlike satisfaction. “I see you still carry that childish possessiveness over my son.”I exhaled sharply through my nose. “Possessiveness? Is that what you call a mate bond?”She sighed as if I’d disappointed her. “Oh, darling, the mate bond is a delicate thing. It can be severed, twisted, forgotten… especially when a woman like Seraphine steps into the picture.”I stiffened.She noticed.Her smirk deepened. “You know it, don’t you? You know what Seraphine is capable of.”“I know exactly what she’s capable of.” My voice was steady, but my pulse hammered in my throat. “Which is why I won’t let her become a problem.”The Luna Dowager lean
ValkyrieI sighed, feeling the burden in my chest. But then Nancy moved, pouring two cups of steaming herbal tea from the kettle by her bedside. The aroma of chamomile and mint filled the room, but it did little to ease the tension tightening around my chest.“She hasn’t even set foot in the territory yet, and already she has you on edge,” Nancy observed, handing me a cup.I took it with a quiet nod, wrapping my fingers around the warm ceramic. “Because I know what she’s capable of. And you do too.”Nancy exhaled, sitting across from me. “I don't know, Val. We used to grow together, but… of course, I'm in a different league.”Yes, she’s correct.While I'm an adopted child who turned into a maid, Nancy was a maid from the start. Of course, her encounter with Seraphine didn’t affect her as much as mine did.“She’s a snake.”“More than Tasya?”“The worst of them all.” I exhaled sharply. I had never felt so beaten like this. With this severed bond, I didn't know how fate could play its cr
ValkyrieThe silence stretched between us like an unspoken chasm. I willed myself to breathe, to stay strong, but my body betrayed me. My hands trembled, my heart pounded, and no matter how much I tried to steady myself, the weight of Seraphine’s return pressed down on me like a storm cloud ready to break.“Honey…”Suddenly, his strong arms wrapped around me from behind, firm yet gentle, pressing me against the solid heat of his chest.I stiffened, my breath catching as Ragnor’s scent surrounded me—earthy pine, the faintest trace of leather, and something purely him. A scent that once meant safety, love… but now, it tangled with uncertainty, with questions I wasn’t ready to voice.His warmth seeped into my tense muscles, but I refused to relax, even as his breath fanned against the shell of my ear.“Hey, Love,” he murmured, his voice low, rough, but undeniably tender. His grip tightened just enough to keep me close. “What’s wrong? Did I upset you?”I swallowed, willing my voice to b
ValkyrieI never thought a week could pass in the blink of an eye. The anticipation, the preparations, the endless discussions about every little detail—it all led to this moment.I looked every bit the Luna I was destined to be.My hair was woven with delicate pearls, cascading in loose waves down my back, a silver circlet resting against my forehead. The dress, a masterpiece of ivory and silver, hugged my form before flowing into a soft cascade of silk. It was regal, breathtaking… and unbearably heavy. Not just in weight, but in what it symbolized.Nancy adjusted the folds of my gown with a critical eye before stepping back, nodding in satisfaction.“You look like a queen.”I let out a nervous chuckle, brushing my palms over the smooth fabric. “I feel like I can’t breathe.”Nancy smirked, folding her arms. “That’s just the excitement. And maybe the corset.” She winked. “This isn’t just any ceremony, Val. This is history in the making.”I exhaled slowly, my chest rising and falling
Valkyrie"What is the meaning of this?" Ragnor stepped forward with a low growl, his anger simmering beneath the surface—just as mine was.Seraphine’s smirk widened. “A decree from the King himself.” She lifted a rolled parchment and let it unfurl. “By royal order, the laws governing our kind have changed. Mates chosen by the Moon Goddess are no longer the sole deciding factor in unions of power. Political alliances will take precedence.”A stunned silence followed. The weight of her words pressed against my chest like an iron vice.“That is sacrilege!” I hissed, stepping forward. “The Moon Goddess’s will is absolute!”Seraphine let out a soft, almost pitying chuckle. “Oh, Valkyrie, how quaint. Still clinging to old myths as if they hold any real power in the world we live in.” She waved the parchment slightly, as if shaking off dust. “The Moon Goddess doesn’t sit on the throne. The King does. And he decides what is absolute.”Ragnor’s hands clenched at his sides, the tendons in his a
Valkyrie “How can we handle this?” I looked up at Ragnor, my voice barely a whisper. The weight of the King’s decree, the looming war, the uncertain future—it all pressed down on me like a suffocating fog. Ragnor cupped my face gently, his calloused hands warm against my skin. His grey eyes, usually fierce and unyielding, softened as he gazed down at me. “Valkyrie,” he murmured, his voice steady, reassuring. “You are not alone in this. I won’t let anything happen to you. To us.” I exhaled shakily. "It’s not just us, Ragnor. It’s the pack, the elders, the warriors. If we resist, we put everyone in danger." His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my ear was a comforting lull, grounding me. "I know," he admitted, his voice a low, steady whisper against my hair. "I know the weight of what we carry, the lives entwined with ours, the future that hangs in the balance. But Valkyrie, my love, we cannot live in fear. We cannot k
Valkyrie Ragnor’s grip on my hand remained firm, his warmth anchoring me in the storm brewing around us. His presence was unwavering, a pillar of strength that steadied not just me but everyone in the hall. Lifting his chin, he addressed our people, his voice steady and commanding. “Then we must be ready. We cannot afford hesitation. We cannot afford fear.” His grey eyes swept across the gathered wolves, lingering on the Elders who had once fought for our way of life. His voice was steel. “We will not act recklessly. But we will not submit.” A hush fell over the room. The weight of his words settled into every chest. This was no longer just resistance. This was war.“Baby…” My voice was barely above a whisper, a plea wrapped in uncertainty. Ragnor turned to me, his grip tightening. "We must take the risk.” His tone softened for only a moment before hardening again. “This is not just about the mate-bond fight. This is about our freedom—our right to exist without a leash around
Valkyrie The ride was relentless. I barely had time to register what was happening before I was pulled onto the horse, my body pressed against the firm, unyielding chest of my captor. His arm was solid around my waist, not constricting, but unmoving. Holding me there. Keeping me against him. I should have struggled. I should have fought. But my body betrayed me—tense, uncertain, yet frozen in place as the horse galloped through the darkened woods. The wind howled past us, whipping my hair around my face. The scent of damp earth and pine filled my lungs, mingling with something else—something unfamiliar but strangely… warm. It was his scent. Not like the usual rogue musk or the sterile scent of court warriors. It was richer, deeper. Like firewood and something faintly spiced. Who was he? Why did he feel— I shook the thought from my head. No. I was a prisoner. Again. My pulse pounded in my ears. The night stretched on, shadows slithering between the trees as we
Valkyrie I sucked in a sharp breath, forcing my expression to remain unreadable, but inside, my mind was spinning. Aetherin wasn’t bluffing. The King’s decree had sealed my fate, and worse—Ragnor’s. They were playing a game I hadn’t even realized I was a piece of. And if I wasn’t careful, I’d become their perfect trap. Aetherin studied me with satisfaction, as if he could see the war raging inside me. "Ah, you’re starting to understand now, aren’t you?” His voice was almost gentle, patronizing. “Ragnor has two choices: obey the King’s decree or lose you forever.” " What if he refuses?” Aetherin chuckled, his grip tightening. “Oh, Valkyrie, our little luna. Do you think I’d be dragging you through the mud just to have you tossed aside? No, no, my dear.” His smile widened. “You’re far too valuable for that.” I didn’t like the way he said that. “What do you mean?” “If Ragnor refuses to obey, you won’t simply disappear. You’ll belong to the King’s court.” "As what?”
Valkyrie Nancy’s grip on my arm turned bruising. “No!" Orin stepped closer, his eyes wild. “Luna, think this through—” “I have,” I cut in. “If I don’t, he’ll kill you all.” Aetherin smirked. “How refreshingly reasonable.” Nancy shook her head violently. “No! That’s not how this works. You don’t just—” “It’s the only way,” I said, forcing my voice to stay calm. “If we fight now, we lose.” Orin gritted his teeth. “And if you go with him, we still lose you.” I turned to him, pressing my hand to his chest. “Not forever.” I prayed that was true. Aetherin clapped his hands once. “Enough sentimentality. Come, Luna.” Nancy moved in front of me. “You’re not taking her.” Aetherin’s gaze darkened, and with a flick of his wrist, a wave of force slammed into her, sending her skidding back. Orin lunged for him, but the rogues closed in, weapons drawn, stopping him in his tracks. Aetherin sighed. "I grow tired of this. Walk, Valkyrie. Or I’ll make you.” I took a sh
Valkyrie We were ready to strike. Because, ready or not, we had to. Nancy tightened her grip on her dagger, her breath steady despite the chaos unraveling around us. The warrior beside us cursed under his breath, shifting his stance as more glowing red eyes emerged from the darkness. A guttural snarl ripped through the air, and then—movement. The first attacker lunged. I barely had time to react before sharp claws slashed through the space where I had been standing just seconds ago. I twisted my body, dodging the blow, and in the same breath, I struck back. My blade sliced through fur and flesh, a sharp yelp following as the creature staggered back. Nancy was already moving, her dagger flashing under the torchlight. She drove it deep into another attacker’s side, using the momentum to kick off a tree and land behind them, positioning herself for another strike. The warrior fought beside us, his sword cutting through the air with precision. But there were too many. For
ValkyrieNancy’s fingers twitched at her sides and I barely breathe normally.We didn’t stand a chance if it came down to a fight.Maybe. The taller of the two guards took another step forward. His eyes narrowed as he studied us. “What do we have here?” His voice was laced with mild amusement, but there was no mistaking the authority in his stance.The second guard scoffed. “A couple of omegas sneaking out to the market?” He folded his arms over his chest. “You do realize there’s a curfew, don’t you?”Nancy stiffened beside me, but I reached out, grabbing her wrist in warning. Not yet.I lowered my head slightly, keeping my hood pulled forward to hide my face. “We—” I hesitated, schooling my voice into something softer, weaker. “We just needed to get some supplies.”The taller guard let out a sharp breath, clearly unimpressed. “The market’s closed. Whatever you think you need, you can get in the morning—with permission.” His gaze flicked between us. “Now, turn around and go back
ValkyrieNancy snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Oh no, don’t you dare let that venomous snake get inside your head.”I blinked, forcing myself to shake off the lingering chill of the Luna Dowager’s words.“I’m fine,” I muttered, though my grip on the chair’s edge said otherwise.Nancy scoffed. “Liar. You’re standing there, brooding, exactly how she wants you to.”I exhaled sharply and turned away, pacing to the other side of the room. “I just—” I shook my head. “She’s trying to get in my head.”“And you’re letting her,” Nancy shot back, hands on her hips. “Come on, Valkyrie, you’re smarter than that.”I dragged my hands through my hair. “She’s Ragnor’s mother, Nancy. She knows him better than anyone.”Nancy rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. “And? That doesn’t mean she knows what’s in his heart. She just knows how to manipulate people.”I sighed, frustration twisting inside me. “I need to go after him. We don’t have time for this.”Nancy perked up. “Final
ValkyrieIt had been three days since Ragnor left for the capital. Three long days of silence. No messages. No news. Nothing.I kept telling myself it was normal—that he was busy, that things were complicated—but deep down, something felt off. A gut-wrenching unease that refused to leave me alone.I stood by the window of my chambers, staring out at the dense forest stretching beyond the pack’s borders. The wind carried the scent of damp earth and pine, but it did nothing to settle my nerves.A knock at the door startled me.Nancy stepped inside. She had been watching me these past few days, no doubt noticing how restless I had become.“You’re brooding again,” she said, crossing her arms. “That’s never a good sign.”I sighed. “I can’t shake this feeling, Nancy. Something’s wrong.”She arched a brow. “You don’t know that.”“I do.” I turned away from the window. “Ragnor should’ve sent word by now. If he were fine, he would have.”Nancy hesitated, then walked over and perched on the edge
Ragnor The guards tensed as I shifted back, their grips tightening on their weapons. My body ached from the wounds Phanos had inflicted, blood dripping down my side, but I kept my posture firm. The captain’s gaze flickered over me, assessing. "Complicated, huh?" His tone was dry, but his wariness was clear. "Explain. Now." Seraphine stepped forward, her crimson eyes flashing with irritation. "We were ambushed, Captain. Do you not see the blood? The arrows?" She gestured at the shattered quiver still lodged in the carriage. "Your enemy is out there, not in here." The captain studied her, then turned his attention back to me. "And you? Who are you?" I smirked, though my ribs protested. "You really don’t know?" Alistair sighed beside me. “Ragnor—” I ignored him and spoke for myself. “I’m the Alpha of the Bluefire Pack. You’ve heard of me.” The captain crossed his arms, unimpressed. “I’ve heard of Alpha Ragnor. But you? You’re just a half-naked man covered in blood,
RagnorI growled as Phanos nocked another arrow, his aim unwavering.I lunged, but his shot was faster."What kind of werewolf fights with a bow?" I barked, dodging to the side.He didn't answer. Another arrow whistled past, grazing my ear. Pain flared, warm blood trickling down my neck.I bared my fangs. "You coward!"Phanos snorted, unimpressed."Coward? No. Just practical. A beast like you isn’t worth wasting my claws on."I narrowed my eyes, assessing him. He was strong, fast—but something was off. His stance, his expression... He didn’t look at me like a rival. He looked at me like I was just another enemy.It clicked.He didn’t know who I was.Phanos thought I was someone else.His next words confirmed it."The King’s dogs are persistent, I’ll give you that," he sneered, lowering his bow slightly. "Tell your master his orders mean nothing here."The King’s dogs.So that’s what this was. He thought I was working for the crown.Amusement flickered beneath my fury."You have no ide