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 “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
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