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 “What’s happening?” I stepped toward the door, where Ragnor and Gamma Dwayne stood, their faces shadowed by the dim torchlight. Ragnor’s body was tense, every muscle coiled as if bracing for impact. Something was wrong—terribly wrong. “Val... that’s…” Ragnor rubbed his temple, hesitating. His hesitation only heightened the unease in my chest. “Go on,” I urged, my voice steady despite the growing dread. “What is it?” “The trial…” My eyes widened in disbelief. I swallowed hard, waiting for him to finish. “What about it?” “It’s starting tonight.” The words hit me like a blow. My heart raced. “Tonight? Are you sure?” Ragnor nodded weakly, his fear and worry evident. The weight of the task hung heavy in the air. But I couldn’t show weakness—not now. I forced a smile, masking my own frustration. “Don’t worry, Alpha. I’m ready.” My words were steady, a promise I wasn’t sure I could keep. But I wouldn’t back down. Never. If this test had to be done, then so
Valkyrie The light faded, and for a moment, I felt weightless, caught in a void where time seemed to stand still. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Ragnor—his piercing gaze burning with a mixture of anger, worry, and relief. “Valkyrie,” he breathed, his voice rough and trembling as he knelt beside me. I blinked, disoriented, realizing I was lying on the forest’s edge. The murmurs of the council echoed in the background, distant but judgmental. My hand instinctively tightened around the pendant, its solid weight anchoring me to the moment. “You did it,” Ragnor said, his fingers brushing damp strands of hair from my face. I tried to sit up, but the sharp ache in my ribs forced a wince from my lips. His hand shot out to steady me, his grip firm but careful. “Don’t push yourself,” he muttered, his jaw tight with suppressed frustration. “I’m fine,” I rasped, though every inch of my body screamed otherwise. “No, you’re not.” His tone was clipped, his emotions
Valkyrie The circle felt like a cage. The council stood at its edges, their stares piercing and judgmental. Ragnor’s gaze burned into my back, an unspoken plea to stop this madness, but I didn’t dare turn around. My pride wouldn’t allow it—not after everything I’d already endured. The elder, a wiry man with streaks of silver in his hair, stepped forward. His expression was cold, unreadable, as he began to shift. Bones cracked, skin stretched, and fur sprouted in a grotesque yet mesmerizing transformation. The elder stood before me, a massive wolf with fur as gray as storm clouds. His yellow eyes glowed with ancient power, locking onto mine. “This is your last chance to back out,” another council member warned, her voice sharp. “I won’t,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. The wolf stepped closer, his massive paws sinking into the dirt. My instincts screamed at me to run, to flee from the predator bearing down on me, but I held my ground. “Valkyrie, kneel,” the council
Valkyrie The winds howled as I stood at the edge of the Lunar Cliff, the sacred ground bathed in the cold, silver glow of the full moon. Below me, the pack waited in tense silence, their murmurs carried on the icy breeze. My shoulder throbbed from the Bite of Truth, but I held my head high. This was my moment—not just to prove myself to them, but to prove I belonged. “Valkyrie,” the youngest council member called, his voice sharp and unwavering. “Welcome to your final trial.” Every trial had brought a new face to deliver their decrees, but their tone was always the same: cold, impartial, and merciless. The rest of the council watched from below, their expressions hard with skepticism. Among them, Ragnor’s eyes burned into mine, steady and unwavering. His silent plea was clear: Don’t do this. Don’t risk yourself for them. But I couldn’t back down. This wasn’t just about the pack—it was about me. “I’m ready,” I said, forcing my voice steady. “The Luna Rite requires yo
Valkyrie One day earlier *** My last cold war with Ragnor left me hollow. The silence between us had stretched like an unspoken goodbye, and now the emptiness echoed in every corner of my being. I sat by the window in my room at the packhouse, the cool moonlight spilling across the floor, bathing me in its indifferent glow. The world outside was restless—wolves patrolling the borders, whispers of rogues in the shadows—but inside, my battle was far more insidious. I pressed a hand to my belly, the faint flutter beneath my palm grounding me. The life growing within me was the only reason I hadn’t shattered completely. But it wasn’t enough to erase the ache of his absence or the sharp pang of uncertainty clawing at my sanity. Nancy entered quietly, her usual energy subdued as she set a steaming cup of herbal tea on the table beside me. “You need to rest, Val,” she urged gently, her eyes filled with concern. “I’m fine,” I murmured, though my hollow tone be
Ragnor The figure outside the packhouse didn’t move. Their glowing violet eyes were locked onto mine, unblinking. My body tensed as the beast inside stirred, its growl low and menacing, like a warning drumbeat reverberating through my chest. “Alpha!” Dwayne called from behind me, his voice sharp. “Who is it?” I didn’t answer, my eyes fixed on the figure. Something about them was wrong—unnatural. The way the shadows seemed to cling to their body, shifting like smoke, set my nerves alight. “I’m going out there,” I said, my voice like gravel. “You’re barely standing,” Dwayne snapped. “If this is another threat, you can’t face it alone.” I turned to glare at him, my claws extending in a show of dominance. “Stay here. Protect the pack.” Dwayne didn’t back down, his green eyes flaring with challenge. “Not this time. If you’re walking into a trap, I’m coming with you.” A low growl escaped my throat, but I knew arguing would waste time. Without another word, I turned and headed for
Ragnor The footsteps were strange—a melody that echoed unnaturally through the ruins of the village. My breath came in ragged bursts, the metallic tang of Garran’s blood still fresh in my mouth. My claws ached from the transformation, and the beast within me stirred with satisfaction, though I felt no relief. The ruins around me were silent, save for that haunting melody. It wasn’t the sound of prey fleeing or the rush of an enemy—it was something else entirely. A song that seemed to reach into the marrow of my bones, pulling me toward it. The beast within me, usually a storm of rage and hunger, hesitated. I froze, my claws curling against the blood-soaked ground as my vision sharpened. The melody wound its way through my mind, soothing and coaxing. My instincts screamed to ignore it, to run, but my body betrayed me. Step by step, I followed the sound, drawn deeper into the crumbling heart of the village. The daylight painted everything in shades of bright yellow, turning th
Ragnor I finally left at dusk as planned, alone. The forest greeted me with a bitter chill, the air heavy with the scent of earth and decay. No warriors trailed behind me, and Dwayne’s objections still echoed in my ears. He had pleaded to accompany me, but I refused. This was my journey. My burden to bear. The beast within me growled low, restless and impatient. It had grown louder these past weeks, a constant presence in my mind, scratching at my sanity. No one knew this, and why should they? I could carry this curse on my own. “Damn… It’s far,” I muttered, the words barely audible in my wolf form. Every step I took into the forest felt like a step closer to the abyss, but I couldn’t turn back now. Not when Valkyrie and the pup depended on me finding a cure. Or so I thought. The trees thinned as I approached the edge of a desolate village, its skeletal remains standing like monuments to a forgotten time. Buildings were weathered, their walls fractured and cr
Valkyrie I could still feel the weight of his gaze as I walked away. My heart thudded painfully against my chest, and there was a crushing disappointment threatening to drown me. He didn’t want me. Not really. Not the way I wanted him. The halls of the mansion felt colder now, the once-familiar stone walls pressing in as though they were trying to squeeze the breath from my lungs. I didn’t know where I was going, only that I needed to escape the suffocating tension in that room. I needed space, distance from him and his unreadable silence. Ragnor said he was handling things, but his words felt hollow. I had waited for him to explain, to open up, to tell me what was wrong. But each time, he shut me out, leaving me with more questions than answers. He had always been distant, but tonight, it felt like an impenetrable wall had gone up between us, one that I couldn’t break through, no matter how hard I tried. "How... could you... Ragnor...." I sobbed, my feet pausing at the end
Ragnor My earlier meeting with Dwayne brought a small sense of relief as I planned to finally talk to Valkyrie. Maybe, just maybe, I had the nerve to confront this fear with her. The fire crackled faintly in the hearth as I sat in the darkened study, my gaze fixed on the documents spread before me. Maps, handwritten notes, and a single bloodstained journal—the remnants of my father’s obsession with the curse—were scattered across the desk. My chest tightened as I traced the faded ink with trembling fingers. This curse had stolen so much already. I wouldn’t let it take Valkyrie or our pup. I was determined to see that promise through, but it meant leaving the pack—and Valkyrie. It was a tough decision, but I couldn’t ignore it. Yet, I believed Dwayne and my warriors were strong enough to protect everyone in the pack while I was away. “I have to do this,” I murmured, so sure I would find a way to make things work. The night was eerily silent, but I could hear the sound
Ragnor The night pressed heavily on my shoulders as I strode through the dense forest surrounding the packhouse, the crisp winter air biting at my skin. I couldn’t go back to the packhouse just yet. I needed to calm my nerves. “Valkyrie…” I whispered her name like a spell, hoping to ease the storm within me. But, of course, I couldn’t. I was too afraid to confront the dark reality of my bloodline—the curse that now ran inside her and the pup she carried. “Damn you, Ragnor.” The words came out as a bitter curse. I felt like a shadow of the man I once was—no longer the commanding Alpha I used to be. The news of Valkyrie’s pregnancy had been both a miracle and a curse. When the doctor had whispered it to me days ago, I should have run to her, held her, and promised her the world. Instead, I had retreated, letting fear and guilt fester. The curse. It was always the curse. It gnawed at my mind, a dark specter that refused to be ignored. The thought of passing that burden to
Tasya I never thought I’d find myself here, leading the filthiest of animals on my own—the rogues. "Who’s taking her head tonight?" I shouted, my anger rising as I referred to Valkyrie, the target of my plans. None of them dared to speak. That’s what made them idiots—disgusting wenches. "You’re all fools!" "Tasya! My daughter..." My father’s voice cut through my frustration. "They need to know their worth! They never succeed, Father! It's been two weeks now, and no results!" "We need to be patient..." Father closed the distance between us. "And watch your words. They may be fools and disgusting, but they're stronger together. We won’t be the prey here, Tasya." I gulped, his words sending chills down my spine. Though we provide everything here in our secret Beta's territory—food, clothes, and shelter—the rogues are still beasts themselves. How could I forget? "Now, what's the plan? I need to get back to Blue Fire and become the Luna, Father! They need to know they're weak wi
Valkyrie “Do you really think Tasya could lead the rogues?” I broke the silence, my voice softer than I intended. “How would she even—why would she betray us like this?” “She has her reasons,” Ragnor answered, his voice sharp, his gaze unfocused as he stared at something far beyond the room. “Her imprisonment… it was a punishment she couldn’t bear. I should have seen this coming.” I frowned, stepping closer to him, trying to catch his eyes. “Her punishment is almost over. Why not wait it out?” Ragnor raked a hand through his hair, the motion tight and frustrated, revealing his exhaustion. “Revenge doesn’t wait, Val. She blames me for everything. And now she’s using the rogues to settle the score.” I studied him, noticing the tension in his face, the way the firelight danced across the hard edges of his features. He looked like a man torn between battlefields—one against the world and the other within himself. “You’re exhausted,” I said softly, stepping closer, drawn to him.