Ragnor "Guards!" I yelled, my patience wearing impossibly thin. Two guards appeared almost instantly, their heavy boots thudding against the stone floor. "Yes, Alpha?" I didn’t take my eyes off Heather. "Open the cell." Valkyrie tensed beside me. "Ragnor—" I lifted a hand, silencing her. "She knows more than she’s saying. And I’m done waiting for answers." One of the guards hesitated. "Alpha, are you sure? The shaman—" "I don’t need your questions," I snapped. "I need her to talk. And if pain is the only language she understands, then so be it." Heather’s lips curled into a tired, knowing smile. "Do you really think I fear pain, Alpha?" I stepped forward as the guards unlocked the door. "No. But everyone has a limit. And I intend to find yours." Valkyrie grabbed my arm, her grip tightening. "This isn't the way." I met her gaze, my voice low but firm. "Then tell me a better one. She’s pretending she doesn’t know anything, but the truth? I believe she knows plenty." "No, Ba
Ragnor Heather’s scream wasn’t just pain—it was unnatural, something that didn’t belong in this world. Her body arched violently, her limbs straining against the chains as if something inside her was trying to tear free. But beneath the agony, there was something else—desperation. She was trying to say something. Trying to warn us. “What’s happening to her?” I stepped back, wary. Valkyrie stumbled, her eyes wide. “Ragnor, something’s wrong.” I didn’t need her to tell me that. The temperature in the cell had plummeted, my breath turning to mist in the flickering torchlight. A guttural, otherworldly growl rumbled from Heather’s throat. Her head snapped back, then jerked forward, her gaze locking onto me—black, endless, soulless. She wasn’t Heather anymore. “Guards!” I barked, instinct taking over. “Get back! Now!” But it was too late. The chains binding her shattered like brittle twigs, iron shards clattering against the stone floor. The blast of force sent the
Ragnor I couldn't risk Valkyrie any longer. Enough with calculations. “Let’s go!” I shouted, grabbing Valkyrie’s wrist and pulling her toward the exit. The Hollow snarled, its grotesque smile widening. “Run if you like, Alpha. It won’t matter.” “Shut the fuck up!” Valkyrie yanked her arm free. “Ragnor! We can’t just leave Heather!” “She’s gone!” My voice came out harsher than intended, but there was no time for softness. “That thing inside her—she’s not coming back.” “She fought it!” Valkyrie shot back, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “She tried to warn us. She’s still in there somewhere!” "Argh!" I couldn’t argue with her right now. The Hollow lunged, attacking me. I barely managed to shove Valkyrie behind me before slamming my boot into its chest. The creature skidded back but only for a second. It righted itself with an unnatural snap and grinned. “One more step, and you’re done,” I warned, gripping the iron bar tightly. But the Hollow only smirked. “Brave words,
Ragnor The battlefield trembled. Shadows slithered, hissing like vipers as they encircled us in a suffocating grip. The stench of decay and blood clogged my senses. I tightened my stance in front of Valkyrie, fire coiling around my hands. We were cornered. Outnumbered. But I wasn’t letting her die here. Heather sneered. "Look at you. A mighty Alpha, yet powerless against me.” She raised a hand, and the darkness thickened, forming monstrous, clawed abominations that pulsed with unnatural hunger. “Beg,” she taunted. “Beg, and maybe I’ll let you watch while I rip her apart.” “Go to hell!” I growled. Valkyrie’s breath hitched, but she stepped forward, her blade tight in her grip. “If we’re going down, I’m dragging you with us.” Heather laughed—a grating, hollow sound. “Then die screaming.” The creatures lunged. I shoved Valkyrie back, fire meeting darkness in a violent clash. The force sent shockwaves through the cavern, cracking the stone beneath us. One of th
RagnorThe battlefield, once ablaze with fire and steel, had fallen into an eerie stillness. The void had swallowed Genna whole, and with her, a piece of Valkyrie’s soul.“Babe…” I called to her, but she remained motionless. She stood frozen, staring at the empty space where her wolf had been.“Genna… my other half, Ragnor. They took her,” she whispered, her voice breaking into a sob.I pulled her close, holding her tightly as she cried into my chest. Pressing a kiss to the back of her head, I let her grief pour out, wishing I could take it away.I had seen Valkyrie fight, bleed, and endure, but never had I seen her break like this. Not until now.A choked sob tore from her lips, and her legs gave out. She dropped to her knees.“Valkyrie.” I knelt beside her, grasping her shoulders. “Everything is going to be okay.” My voice was firm, steady—meant to soothe her. “Look at me.”She didn’t move. Her eyes were locked on the space where Genna had been, as if willing her to return.“Honey,”
Seraphine The resounding crack of my palm against the table echoed through the chamber, rattling the crystal glasses and sending a tremor through the air. My pulse roared in my ears, the weight of the news pressing down on my chest like a vice. “What did you just say?” The messenger flinched but held his ground, though the way his throat bobbed betrayed his nerves. The sight of him sickened me. “Valkyrie survived, My Lady.” A cold chill slithered down my spine, sinking its claws into me. My nails dug into the polished wood of the table, the sharp sting grounding me for only a moment. "Valkyrie… survived?" My voice was little more than a whisper. She was supposed to be dead. How could my plan have failed? “And Heather?” I demanded. The messenger hesitated. A subtle shift in his stance sent a sickening wave of dread curling in my gut before he even spoke. “She… survived too.”"Noooo!" A roar of frustration ripped from my throat. My hand flew to the goblet be
SeraphineRagnor tensed, his breath hitching in quick, uneven gasps. Whatever news the messenger bore, it was significant—so crucial that, for the first time since barging in, he faltered.That hesitation thrilled me.“What the hell is going on here, Sera?” he demanded, his voice sharper now, edged with something close to desperation.I let out a soft, amused hum, folding my arms as I leaned against the edge of my desk.“Do you think I’m a mind reader, darling?” I mused, feigning innocence. “I may be talented, but even I have my limits.”His nostrils flared. “You expect me to believe you don’t know what’s in that message?”“Why should I?” I arched a brow, my lips curling. “You’re the one who looks like he’s about to be handed a death sentence.”Ragnor didn’t reply, but the way his shoulders tensed, the way his fingers twitched, said enough. He was dreading whatever was in that sealed letter.I turned my gaze toward Gamma Dwayne, who was still standing by the door like a loyal hound.“
Valkyrie It had been several hours since Ragnor left for his office. I didn’t know what had gone wrong. A creeping unease had settled in my chest with each passing minute. The packhouse had been unusually quiet all morning—not the peaceful kind of quiet, but the kind that felt like the calm before a storm."Where is he?" I muttered, uneasy. I stood at the balcony with a heavy breath. My fingers gripping the cold railing while staring out at the lands stretching beyond the fortress walls. The sky was a dull gray. Not that kind of morning I expected.. Even the wind had stilled, as if the very world was holding its breath. “Luna!” Nancy’s voice broke through the silence.I turned to see her waving from below, a bright smile on her face sending a warmth I didn't expected. She carried a small basket, its contents hidden beneath a cloth. “I brought you something,” she called up. I managed a small smile, though my mind was still burdened with worry. “What is it?” “Freshly picked st
ValkyrieSeveral months had passed, and the pack had begun to heal. The scars of war, betrayal, and loss remained, but they no longer defined us. Ragnor and I had dedicated ourselves to rebuilding—training warriors, strengthening alliances, and ensuring that no remnants of the darkness' influence remained.Yet, even as we rebuilt, I knew the darkness hadn’t disappeared. It still lingered, waiting for an opportunity to strike back. But I had come to understand something vital. Darkness and light would always exist. The world had never been about one triumphing over the other—it had always been about balance. And we stood in the middle, neither bound by one nor fully belonging to the other.And that… that was our greatest strength.One Year LaterDespite the uncertainties that still loomed, life moved forward.And today, as I held my son in my arms, I knew with every fiber of my being—no darkness, no past, no lingering curse could steal this moment from me.He was beautiful.His t
Valkyrie My voice broke as my wolf stepped forward, her silver fur gleaming under the dim light, eyes glowing with the fire of our shared soul. She let out a soft, knowing whimper before bounding toward me. The moment she pressed against me, I felt whole again, as if a part of me that had been lost was finally back where it belonged. "I thought—I thought I lost you forever." Genna nuzzled against me, her warmth seeping into my skin. 'You fought for me. You never gave up on me.' I swallowed hard, my throat thick with emotion. "Neither did you." Behind me, Ragnor let out a breath of relief, his strong hand resting on my shoulder. "Looks like fate isn’t done with you yet." The Dark Queen crossed her arms, watching us with something unreadable in her expression. "Consider it a parting gift. A second chance, if you will." I stood, wiping at my eyes before turning to her. "Why help me?" Her smirk returned, but there was something almost… fond in the way s
Valkyrie A soft breeze brushed against my skin, warm and comforting, unlike anything I had ever felt before. The scent of wildflowers filled the air, and as I opened my eyes, I was met with an endless expanse of golden light. The sky stretched endlessly above me, not blue, not dark—just a vast, peaceful glow that seemed to pulse with life. I sat up slowly, my body strangely light, as if the crushing weight of pain and exhaustion had been stripped away. My hands roamed over myself, expecting wounds, expecting the lingering sting of death—but there was nothing. No pain. No darkness. Was I… dead? "You finally woke up." "Who… are you?" My own voice sounded distant, fragile. A gentle voice welcomed me, drawing my attention. I turned to find a woman clad in flowing white robes, her presence radiating a soft, ethereal glow that blended seamlessly with the world around us. Her hair shimmered like spun silver, cascading in waves that caught the light, and her eyes—va
Valkyrie "Dark… Queen?" I murmured, barely believing what I was seeing. "Hello again, Little Creature," she mused, her voice wasn’t loud, yet it echoed through the vast hall as if the walls themselves whispered her words back. The King’s growl rumbled deep in his chest. His eyes blazed with fury. "Get back to where you belong, or you will regret this!" He lifted a hand, summoning a crackling wave of energy. It surged forward, the force so strong it made the air tremble. But she didn’t flinch. With a flick of her wrist, the shockwave shattered midair, dissolving into nothing. The effortless display of power made my stomach twist. She laughed with a mocking sound. "Weak." The king’s snarl ripped through the space between them. "What have you done?" "Nothing." The queen’s voice was laced with amusement, yet there was something deeper—something cold and calculated. Fury overtook him. His body twisted, bones cracking, shadows surging as he shifted midair. Mu
Valkyrie A sharp pulse of energy surged through my veins, and I gasped, doubling over as an unbearable heat spread beneath my skin. It was awakening against my will. The king watched me with rapt fascination, his golden eyes gleaming like victory has already his by now. "That's, My Dear. The last remnants that inside you." I forced myself upright, my breaths ragged. "I don't care whatever it is. But, one thing for sure... it doesn’t belong to you!" "Oh, but it does." He raised a hand then darkness radiated around like a mist. "You were never meant to keep it, Valkyrie. You were merely a vessel—a temporary holder of something far greater than yourself." I clenched my fists, fighting against the unseen force that pressing down on me. "If... if you think I’m just going to let you take it, then you’re even more delusional than Elyra was!" He chuckled. "Ah, but unlike Elyra, I do not intend to ask for it." A sudden wave of pressure slammed into me, stealing my bre
Valkyrie The darkness which swallowed me before now turned into something solid. The moment my feet touched it, o felt the suffocating presence of dark magic pressing against my skin like an unseen weight. It was everywhere, clinging to the very stones of the palace walls, seeping into the floors, the torches, the very fabric of this cursed place. "What the hell..." I muttered, barely audible. The cold biting into me despite the warmth of the flickering firelight that lined the grand hall. "Shhh... Valkyrie. Just enjoy the very moment." The king’s hand remained firm around my wrist, his grip unyielding, but not cruel. It was a claim. A reminder. "You feel it, don’t you?" His voice was smooth, almost amused, as he watched me take in my surroundings. "What have you done?" I shot back. I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling of this strange energy. I remembered something. Back when Elyra has overcome her power and attacked me back then. "It's an art." "No! It's not!
Valkyrie “Ragnor!” I lunged toward him, but the crushing force only grew stronger, pinning me in place. It felt like a thousand invisible hands clawing at my limbs, pressing me down as if I were nothing more than an insect beneath the king’s gaze. Ragnor's body trembled, his hands clawing at the ground as if he were fighting something within himself. His breath came in short, ragged gasps. The king chuckled, stepping closer. “Such resistance. Admirable, really. But pointless.” Ragnor lifted his head, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might shatter. "You…” he growled through gritted teeth, “will… never… control me.” The king sighed as if bored. Then, with a mere flick of his hand, an invisible force wrenched Ragnor off his knees, lifting him into the air. "Oh, how easily they break. Even an Alpha." His voice was smooth, taunting, as he watched Ragnor struggle against the invisible force crushing him to the ground. His smirk deepened, enjoying the way Ragnor’s bod
Valkyrie My pulse thundered in my ears, drowning out everything else. The worn leather of my sword hilt bit into my palm as I tightened my grip. The Lycan King. For the first time, I stood before him—not as a whisper of prophecy, not as a hunted shadow, but face to face. And I was not ready. Ragnor tensed beside me, his breathing sharp and controlled, but I could feel it—his barely restrained fury. His wolf burned just beneath the surface, clawing to break free. The king’s golden eyes swept over us, calm, assessing, as if he had all the time in the world. His lips curled slightly—not quite a smirk, not quite a sneer. Just the insufferable confidence of someone who had already won. “I must admit,” he mused, his voice smooth as silk. “I expected you to be dead by now.” Ragnor let out a low growl. “Disappointed?” The king chuckled. “Not at all. I do enjoy a challenge.” My throat felt dry. My body screamed for rest, wounds throbbing with every breath, but weakness was
Valkyrie Phanos cursed with a hoarse voice. "Damn it, Ragnor!" But Ragnor didn’t slow. His grip on my wrist was unyielding, his pace relentless as he pulled me away from the slaughter. I twisted back. "Phanos—!" He stood his ground, bloodied and breathing hard, a savage grin splitting his face. "Go!" A wave of corrupted warriors lunged at him. He met them head-on, claws tearing into flesh, his defiance a final, burning ember in the darkness. Ragnor yanked me forward. "We can’t—" "We have to!" His voice was raw. I fought against his grip, against the instinct clawing inside me to turn back, to fight. But there was no fight left to win. The cliff’s edge loomed closer. The moonlight shimmered off the abyss below—a sheer drop into nothingness. I realized what Ragnor intended a second too late. "Ragnor, no!" His arms locked around me, and then— We jumped. The world tilted, the roar of the wind swallowing my scream. The last thing I saw before darkness took us was Phanos—st