Ragnor I stormed out of the office, the note still crumpled in my hand, my heart hammering in my chest. The halls were quiet—too quiet. Every step I took echoed like the pounding of war drums in my ears. "Valkyrie!" I called, my voice breaking through the oppressive silence. Nothing. Panic clawed at my chest like a caged animal desperate to break free. I raced down the corridors, checking every corner, every shadowed alcove where she might have hidden. But she was nowhere to be seen. The morning sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting long streaks of light on the polished floors. Normally, the brightness brought a sense of calm, but now it only amplified the emptiness. The kitchens were bustling, the clatter of pots and chatter of the staff filling the air. I barged in, causing the room to fall silent as all eyes turned to me. "Did anyone see Valkyrie?" I demanded, my voice sharp enough to cut glass. A young maid hesitated before shaking he
Valkyrie I waited patiently in Ragnor’s office, trying to steady my nerves as he spoke, but the nagging sensation that something was terribly wrong refused to leave me. The weight of the situation was suffocating. The council—those cold, calculating wolves—would not hesitate to strip him of his power if they sensed the slightest weakness. I was lost in my thoughts when the door suddenly creaked open, and without warning, the last person I wanted to see appeared in the doorway. "Oh, our little omega is here, apparently," Tasya’s voice sliced through the tension in the room, smooth and condescending. I felt my body tense, unable to stop myself from clenching the fabric of my skirt in my hands. "What do you want?" I demanded. Tasya’s lips curled into a smirk, her eyes glinting with something dark. "For a lowly servant like you, you’ve probably never heard of politics, have you? How to survive in this world with power..." She let her words hang in the air like poison, but I
Valkyrie "Val! What are you doing? How’s everything going?" Nancy asked as I hurriedly searched for the basket in my chamber. "Um... everything’s fine, Nans. Sorry, I need to go right now. Talk to you later, okay?" I waved my hand as I spotted the basket under my cot. "Hey, what's going on?" "I'm in a rush, okay? Talk to you later!" I dashed out of the chamber, heading for the back doors. I had to get to the southern woods and find the herbs before the sun set. "Hello, Val, where are you headed?" A guard stopped me as I tried to cross the pack's border. "I need to collect something, Larry. Please let me go," I smiled and pretended everything was alright, though it was far from it. My heart was pounding. "Okay, just be sure to get back before sunset, will you? After the rogues' attack yesterday, everyone should stay alert," Larry warned me, and I knew that was his job to do. He opened the gate, and I threw him a warm smile. "Thanks, Larry. I will." *** I pushed forward, my f
Valkyrie I was so happy to finally find the herbs, and now I was good to go. But before I could turn toward the packhouse, a sudden growl startled me. "No... it can’t be..." I held my breath, only to find a massive dark wolf with crimson eyes glaring at me. "STAY BACK!" I barked, trying to regain my composure. Though my knees wobbled, I knew I couldn’t let the wolf think I was its prey. The growl grew louder. I took a step back, my muscles screaming for me to run, but I forced myself to stay still. The wolf's crimson eyes burned with intensity, its sharp teeth bared in a snarl. The growl deepened, vibrating through the air around me. I clenched my fists, gathering every ounce of courage I had left. I had to stand my ground. "Don’t make me do this," I said, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my insides. I could feel the weight of the herbs in my hand, but there was no time to think about them now. My focus was on the wolf—every movement, every breath, every twitch. T
Valkyrie Ragnor shifted into his wolf form, allowing me to climb onto his back. The journey back home was quiet, the day slipping into evening. The herbs I had collected were nothing more than common remedies for a fever, Ragnor had said. I felt a wave of shame wash over me for trusting Tasya so blindly, but... I had no other choice. "Next time you want to do me a favor, please let me know first. Don’t just disappear like that. My heart dropped when I saw you leaving," Ragnor's voice was low, his growl like a warning. I reached down, brushing my fingers through his thick fur, feeling the warmth of him beneath me. "I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice trembling with the weight of his words. "I didn’t want to worry you." Ragnor’s pace slowed as we moved through the forest, his eyes scanning the path ahead, but his attention clearly on me. “Worrying me is an understatement, Val,” he said, his tone softening. “You’re the last thing I want to lose.” I could feel the tension between u
Valkyrie Ragnor didn’t let me return to my chamber. Instead, he took my hand, his grip firm yet gentle, and guided me to his room. My pulse quickened, and the air between us felt charged with unspoken words and desires. The heavy wooden door closed behind us with a soft thud, enclosing us in the dim glow of moonlight filtering through the windows. My heart raced. “You’re staying with me tonight,” he said, his voice low and commanding. There was no room for argument, no space for hesitation. My cheeks burned at the thought, and I averted my gaze, though a part of me relished the idea. “Are you sure that’s… appropriate?” I murmured, my voice barely audible. Ragnor’s lips quirked into a teasing smirk, and he reached out, gently cupping my chin and tilting my face up to meet his eyes. “I don’t care what’s appropriate, Val. You’re mine. And I’m not letting you out of my sight.” The conviction in his words sent a shiver down my spine. I nodded hesitantly, unable to resist
Ragnor I walked into the hall, my head high, my hand brushing against Valkyrie’s back protectively as we entered the lions’ den together. The council chamber was a sea of wolves in their shifted forms—a deliberate insult to me and my mate. Wolves snarled and growled, their glowing eyes reflecting disdain and judgment. My grip on Valkyrie tightened. My mate may have been wolfless, but her worth was far greater than these creatures could comprehend. If they thought they could intimidate her—or me—with this display, they were sorely mistaken. Tasya stood at the center, draped in pale silk that contrasted with her teary eyes. Beside her was my mother, the Luna Dowager, wearing an expression of composed sorrow. It was a lie, every bit of it, but I had no doubt most of the council would lap it up like starving pups. “Ragnor,” my mother began, her voice carrying the weight of judgment. “We’ve gathered to discuss the future of this pack.” “By whose authority?” I asked coldly, my v
Ragnor The rogues' attack wasn’t as deadly as before, but our warriors were still exhausted from the sudden intrusion. “All done?” I asked, wiping the blood from the corner of my mouth. It had been an easy fight, yet my focus was far from sharp. Valkyrie was still in my chamber, guarded by my trusted enforcers. I hadn’t allowed anyone to approach her—not even my mother. "All done, Alpha." I nodded and finally felt relieved. The metallic tang of blood lingered in the air, the remnants of the skirmish staining the clearing. Lifeless bodies lay scattered everywhere, and the sight disgusted me. After ensuring everything was under control, I returned to the hall. The wolves had already shifted back to their human forms, their eyes flicking to me as I entered. “Escort Valkyrie here safely,” I commanded Gamma Dwayne. He nodded and left without hesitation. The hall was silent save for the murmurs of the council seated at the long table at the front. The Luna Dowager—my mother—s
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
Valkyrie Phanos gritted his teeth. “We need to move. Now!” Ragnor didn’t hesitate. He grabbed my wrist, yanking me forward. His grip was firm but careful, guiding me through the maze of ruins. Phanos flanked my other side, his breath ragged but determined as we sprinted. Our boots kicked up dust, the scent of blood and decay really overwhelming.. “We need to shift!” Phanos shouted. “I can’t!” I gasped, frustration burning in my chest. Genna was gone. I could not shift in any other form. “You don’t need to, Honey. I’ve got you.” Before I could protest, Ragnor hoisted me into his arms, his strength effortless, his hold unshakable. Then he surged forward, moving with unnatural speed. Phanos shifted mid-stride, his massive wolf form hitting the ground with a heavy thud before bolting ahead. He tore through fallen stone and debris, carving a path as the ruins trembled behind us. A guttural snarl echoed through the night, followed by the chilling scrape of claws against r
Valkyrie The battlefield was a nightmare. The blood-magic warriors were relentless, their eyes glowing red, their bodies moving with unnatural speed. I had fought beasts before, but these creatures—these corrupted soldiers—were something else entirely. "It's part of the Hollow!" I shouted to Phanos, who rode beside me, his bow drawn. "The Hollow?" He loosed an arrow, piercing one of the warriors through the chest. The creature barely faltered. "Yes! A revelation of dark magic," I panted, parrying a blade aimed at my neck. "They’re dangerous!" Phanos cursed under his breath. "No kidding! These bastards won’t die." Another warrior lunged at me, its dagger coated in a dark, sickly glow. I dodged, slashing at its neck, only to watch in horror as the wound sealed within seconds. "This is impossible!" Phanos growled. "What kind of magic is this?" "A curse," I said, breathless. "One that twists warriors into something… else." "We need to fall back!" But even as he spoke
Valkyrie "Okay, now... let's get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a big day." Phanos turned away, his posture stiff. He didn’t look back, but I heard the crack in his voice. I took a step forward before he could disappear into the shadows. "Phanos." He stopped, his back still facing me. "What?" "You think we’ll survive this?" My voice was steadier than I felt. A heavy silence settled between us. Finally, he exhaled. "We don’t have a choice." I frowned. "That’s not an answer." At last, he turned to face me. His piercing blue eyes gleamed under the moonlight, cold and unreadable. "If you’re looking for reassurance, you won’t find it here, Valkyrie." His lips curled into something that might have been a smirk—if not for the emptiness behind it. "Get some rest. You’ll need it." Then he was gone, swallowed by the darkness. I let out a slow breath, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my sword. Sleep? As if that were possible. The King’s army was vast. Organized. I
ValkyriePhanos exhaled sharply and stepped back.“Enough for tonight. Go rest.”I blinked. “What?”“You heard me.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “Tomorrow, we ride to the central camp. We need more warriors.”I hesitated. “Phanos, I—”He turned away before I could finish. “You need to be at full strength.”That wasn’t what I meant, but the exhaustion in his voice told me there was no point in arguing. Still, unease curled in my stomach.“Phanos.”He paused but didn’t look at me.“What if… what if this war isn’t the answer?” My voice was quiet, but the weight of my words hung heavy between us."Then what is?”I opened my mouth, but no words came. Because I didn’t know."Tell me, Valkyrie. What’s the alternative? Let the king rip apart lives? Steal mates? Decide our fates like we’re nothing but pawns?”“No… it’s not necessarily like that—”“There is no other way, Val.”“Yeah… but…” I struggled to imagine how much blood would be spilled in this game of power."And I
Valkyrie My body was still trembling, still remembering Phanos’ touch, even as I tried to bury the mistake beneath layers of regret. "I'm sorry..." I rasped, tears blurring my vision as I watched him take a step away from me. His body went rigid. I saw the shift in his expression—the way his features twisted, the way something dark and wounded flickered in his gaze before it was buried beneath pure, unfiltered rage. “Sorry?” He let out a sharp, humorless laugh, but there was nothing amused about it. His fists clenched at his sides, his claws still extended, as if he couldn’t stop himself from reacting. “You’re sorry?” I flinched at the sharpness in his tone, at the way the words came out like a snarl. He took a step back from me—just one. And somehow, that single step felt colder than if he had grabbed me and shaken me. “Fuck.” His voice was hoarse, raw. His head tipped back, his jaw tightening as though he was physically holding himself together. I swallowed the knot in my
Valkyrie Phanos claimed me. There was no hesitation, no restraint left in him. The moment I surrendered, something inside him snapped—something raw, primal, unstoppable. His mouth devoured mine, his kiss so fierce and consuming that I forgot everything else. Ragnor. The war. The pain. Nothing existed beyond this moment, beyond the way Phanos’ body pressed into mine, pinning me against the rough bark as if he couldn’t stand even an inch of distance between us. His hands were everywhere—roaming down my sides, gripping my hips, possessive as they explored, daring as they teased. I moaned against his lips, and his answering growl sent a delicious shiver through me. “Say it again, Valkyrie,” he murmured, his voice like smoke and embers against my skin as he dragged his lips down my throat, claiming, tasting, marking. A sharp gasp tore from my lips as his teeth grazed over my pulse, not quite biting, but threatening to. “Say what?” I barely recognized my own voice—breathless, wr
Valkyrie The words settled between us. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his confession press against my ribs. I wanted to say something—anything—but my thoughts tangled with everything unspoken. Phanos’ red eyes never wavered, burning into me as if he were trying to strip me bare, to see beyond my words, beyond my choices. Finally, he exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “You should go inside,” he said, voice taut. “Rest before the battle.” I hesitated. That’s it? He had pushed, provoked—and now he was just letting it go? But there was something in the set of his jaw, the way his hands curled into fists at his sides, that told me this wasn’t surrender? This was restraint. And that, more than anything, made me take a step back. I turned, walking toward my tent, but his voice stopped me at the entrance. “Valkyrie.” I stilled. “I meant what I said.” Slowly, I glanced over my shoulder. His red eyes had softened, but they hadn’t faded. “If Ragnor were