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, Ragnor Howard, Alpha of the Blue Fire Pack, reject Valkyrie as my mate.” His words cut through me like a blade, sharp and unrelenting. Today was meant to be the happiest day of my life. My eighteenth birthday. The day I was told I’d find my mate, the one person who would make me whole. “No! It can’t be! The Alpha’s mate is just a lowly servant?” someone shouted in disbelief, echoing my own thoughts. I had never dared to dream of becoming the Luna. How could I? I was nothing more than a maid in this pack. “A–Alpha...” My voice faltered, my breath catching in my chest. Ragnor’s crimson eyes bore into me, like seething with disgust, as if the thought of being tied to me was a curse. “I’m... sorry...” “Just accept it.” His command was cold and absolute, devoid of any trace of mercy. I dared not defy him, though my heart shattered under the weight of his words. Luna Dowager stepped forward then, her presence as icy and unyielding as her voice. “Valkyrie.” I tilted my
Valkyrie I sank to the floor, trembling, my back pressed against the cold, unforgiving wall. My cheek still stung from the slap, but it was the ache in my chest that felt unbearable. Tasya's words echoed in my mind, each syllable a shard of glass cutting through the fragile remnants of my spirit. But beneath the sorrow, something else began to stir—a flicker of anger, faint yet insistent. I didn’t ask for this bond. I didn’t choose Ragnor as my mate, nor did I choose his rejection. Why must I bear the weight of their hatred for something I had no control over? A soft knock at the door jolted me from my spiraling thoughts. This time, the voice that followed was a balm to my frayed nerves. “Valkyrie? It’s Nancy.” I wiped at my eyes quickly, trying to mask the vulnerability etched into my face before opening the door. Nancy’s expression was filled with concern, her gentle presence a stark contrast to the storm that had just torn through my world. “I heard what happened. Are yo
Valkyrie I couldn’t move, though every instinct screamed at me to do so. Ragnor’s claws sliced through the air, time seeming to stretch, his fury pressing against me like a suffocating weight. The air crackled with power, thick and heavy, but he didn’t strike. Instead, his claws halted mid-swing, trembling as though something unseen held him back. The tension was palpable, a razor’s edge between control and chaos. “Ragnor,” I whispered, my voice barely a breath but filled with fragile hope. His crimson eyes snapped to mine, wild and unrecognizable. Beneath the feral glow, a flicker—a trace—of the man I once knew. “Stay back!” Duncan’s voice was sharp, commanding. But I couldn’t obey. I stepped closer, ignoring the enforcers who struggled to hold him down. Their breath was labored, each of them feeling the weight of his thrashing strength. My body screamed at me to run, but my heart betrayed me, pulling me closer, urging me to bridge the chasm between us. “Let me try,” I
Valkyrie The Luna Dowager stood in the doorway, her eyes dark with barely concealed judgment, her presence as cold as the walls around us. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, as her gaze bore into me like an unspoken reprimand. “Luna… I—” I began, my voice faltering, but I couldn’t find the right words. “Well, whatever you were trying to do, it seems the madness has passed,” she said flatly, her tone distant, clinical, and cold. The words, instead of offering praise, felt more like a chastisement—an acknowledgment that I had simply been a tool, a means to an end. A strange form of praise that hit me harder than any insult. “Didn’t you care about what—” I started again, my heart pounding in my chest, desperate to understand her indifference. She cut me off with a sharp flick of her wrist. “I didn’t see anything except treatment for my son.” Her voice was dismissive, as if I were no more than an errant servant. She turned toward the door, her every movement deliberate and co
Valkyrie My world had ended—or so I thought. But when the morning sun filtered weakly through the frosted windows, I realized life would continue, whether I was ready or not. Last night, I barely remembered reaching the servants’ quarters. The moment my body hit the bed, exhaustion pulled me into oblivion. My birthday was ruined. My mate was gone. And Ragnor... he had gone mad. What a day. The chill in the room forced me to shiver as I hurriedly stood and pulled on my plain gray uniform, the coarse fabric scratching against my skin. "Time to work, Val," I whispered to myself, forcing my legs to move. The scent of cleaning supplies and stale air greeted me as I stepped out, a stark reminder of my place within the pack hierarchy. Being a maid in the Blue Fire Pack wasn’t glamorous, but it was survival. I had long since resigned myself to the monotony—scrubbing floors, laundering clothes, and ensuring every surface of the grand mansion gleamed under the ever-watchful eyes of t
Valkyrie I froze, torn between the undeniable pull of his presence and the sharp ache of everything we’d lost. “What do you want, Alpha?” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Why act like you care now?” His jaw tightened, his gaze dropping to where his hand held mine. “Because I do,” he said, the words raw and unguarded. The air between us crackled with tension, the kind that begged to be broken. He stepped closer, so close I could feel the heat radiating off him. His thumb brushed the inside of my wrist, a small, almost reverent touch that made my breath hitch. “Tell me to stop,” he said, his voice a husky plea. I opened my mouth, but no words came. My body betrayed me, leaning into him instead of away. And then his lips were on mine—warm, insistent, and filled with a desperation that matched my own. The kiss stole the air from my lungs, igniting a fire in my veins that I hadn’t felt in so long. His hands moved to my waist, pulling me against him as if afraid I might disappear.
Valkyrie I stood up, smoothing out my askew uniform. A faint smile lingered on my lips. I almost had sex with Ragnor! Oh, my God! The thought was overwhelming. How could he do that after rejecting me just yesterday? My mind spiraled into a whirlpool of chaotic thoughts. For a fleeting moment, I felt happy, but then confusion overtook me. What does he want from me? I murmured to myself, unable to answer. I tied my blonde hair into a ponytail, trying to focus. Stepping over to his desk, I began sorting through the scattered documents Ragnor had left behind. My hands moved mechanically, but my thoughts were anything but calm. Every intimate moment replayed in my mind—the way his lips had captured mine, the raw intensity of his touch, and the quiet, pleading desperation in his voice when he said he couldn’t let me go. I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. "It meant nothing," I whispered, trying to convince myself. "It wasn’t love, though I wish it was." I sighed,
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