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 The winds howled, carrying the councilwoman’s venomous words across the cliff. My heart stuttered in my chest, and for a moment, the glow around me seemed to dim. Another challenge? After everything? My body ached, my limbs trembling beneath the weight of exhaustion. Yet their doubt persisted. “The Alpha’s Challenge remains,” the councilwoman repeated, her voice as sharp as broken glass. “Valkyrie must fight to solidify her claim.” “No!" Ragnor’s voice boomed through the stillness. It was a growl, low and dangerous, vibrating through the air like thunder before a storm. The council turned toward him in unison, their faces a mix of surprise and calculation. The pack murmured below, the tension climbing like an approaching tempest. Ragnor stepped forward, his eyes glowing with the amber light of his wolf. “She’s proven herself. The Moon Goddess acknowledged her. What more do you want?” The councilwoman smirked. “Tradition demands—” “Enough!” Ragnor roared, his
Valkyrie: Last night’s battle still lingered vividly in my mind, yet I couldn’t remember how I ended up on this massive, plush bed, surrounded by the familiar scent of oud wood. “Ragnor’s chambers?” When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in a room bathed in the amber hues of twilight. The soft light filtered through the curtains, casting long, golden shadows across the lavish furnishings. For a moment, I didn’t recognize where I was. But the scent—intimate and familiar—stirred my memories. This wasn’t the cold, cramped maid’s quarters I was used to. This was his room. “Ragnor’s...” I whispered, the realization sinking in. And then I felt it—strong arms wrapped around me, holding me close. His warmth was a barrier against the lingering chill of the night before. “Valkyrie,” Ragnor’s deep voice rumbled softly in my ear. I turned my head slightly, my gaze meeting his intense gray eyes. His face was etched with concern, the sharp lines of his jaw softened by an unm
Valkyrie A week had passed, and life in my new home had taken on a surprising rhythm. It suited me more than I’d ever imagined. The towering walls of Ragnor’s mansion, once intimidating, now felt protective. For the first time in years, I didn’t bow my head to anyone, and the weight of servitude had finally lifted. Nancy ensured I was never alone; her presence was grounding and comforting. And Ragnor? He was everything I never dared to hope for—gentle when I needed softness, strong when shadows of doubt tried to creep in. Together, they helped me heal, not just physically but in ways I hadn’t realized I needed. I recovered quickly, though there were moments when I caught Ragnor watching me with quiet concern, as if afraid the fragile peace we’d found might shatter. “You need air,” he announced one crisp morning, walking into the study where I sat with Nancy. “We’re going out.” “Out?” I raised a brow, curious. “For a picnic,” he clarified, a small smile tugging at his li
Valkyrie My last laugh and fleeting happiness had shifted into unease. I never imagined such a place could exist in this isolated area. “Don’t wander too far from me,” Ragnor said, gripping my hand tightly. His tone was firm, his golden eyes scanning the shadows ahead. “It’s an old settlement, and we don’t know what might be lurking here.” “How long has it been here, I wonder,” I murmured, trying to steady my nerves. “Long before my father’s reign,” Ragnor replied grimly. “I didn’t know it still existed.” As we moved deeper into the eerie stillness, the sharp creak of wood broke the silence. A cottage door swung open, and an elderly man stepped out. His sharp, calculating eyes fixed on Ragnor, his expression a mix of recognition and suspicion. “Alpha,” the man greeted, his voice steady but tinged with something unspoken. “Who are you?” Ragnor asked, his stance unwavering yet respectful. “I am the last of the old pack,” the man replied, his gaze briefly flicking to me. “And I kn
Ragnor "What the hell are you talking about?" I barked, my patience wearing thin. I couldn’t let this old wolf spew nonsense and disturb Valkyrie. She had only just begun to recover, and this could undo everything. “I speak no nonsense, Alpha,” the old man said calmly, his eyes flickering with an otherworldly glow. “It’s clear from her aura—something none of us dared to imagine.” “Enough!” My growl rumbled through the clearing. “I’ve had enough of your riddles. We didn’t come here to listen to your fabricated tales.” “Howard descendo,” the old man intoned, his voice steady but laced with gravity. The name hit me like a punch to the gut. “What did you just say?” I demanded, my chest tightening. “King Howard, your grandfather,” he continued, stepping closer. “He ruled with an iron fist and an obsession for eternity. Surely, you’ve heard of his quest.” “How do you know this?” My voice wavered despite my best efforts to sound strong. He chuckled dryly. “Because we were once part
Valkyrie The forest blurred around us as we raced through it, Ragnor’s wolf form moving with an urgency that spoke of his turmoil. His powerful strides barely touched the ground, as if he didn’t want to waste a single moment lingering. “Ragnor...” I called softly, stroking his fur with a gentle hand. My touch was meant to soothe, to reassure him, though I could sense the storm brewing within him. Something about what had happened in the village—something about the old man’s words—had unsettled him deeply. He responded with a low growl, not of anger but of frustration, and quickened his pace. Tightening my grip on his thick fur, I clung to him as we dashed through the trees, but my thoughts were heavy with the weight of everything we’d just learned. We could feel it. The curse, the prophecy—it was closing in on us. By the time we reached the packhouse, its familiar walls looming before us, my legs felt like jelly. But it wasn’t just exhaustion—it was everything. The curse
Ragnor The fire crackled behind me, its warmth doing nothing to thaw the cold knot of dread tightening in my chest. Valkyrie’s words echoed in my mind: "Together—always." She believed in me. Even after everything I’d confessed, she still stood firm. Her faith was intoxicating yet terrifying. If she truly understood the darkness that followed me, would she still stay? I clenched my fists and took a steadying breath. No matter how much I wanted to shield her from the curse that had plagued my bloodline for generations, the truth was already seeping into her life. And now, I needed answers. “I have to speak to my mother,” I said, breaking the silence. Valkyrie looked up, her embrace loosening. “Your mother? Is that wise? You know she—” “She knows more about the curse than anyone else alive,” I replied, brushing a disheveled strand of hair from her forehead. “I know she can be cunning, but... she’s still my mother.” She sighed, nodding weakly. “I just don’t want you t
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