Valkyrie I stormed through the packhouse corridors, my bare feet slapping against the cold stone floor. Anger boiled hotter with every step, a tempest roaring inside me, threatening to spill over. My wolf, usually quiet and subdued, stirred within me—a wild, unrelenting force that was both unfamiliar and exhilarating. How dare he? The image of Ragnor flashed through my mind: his haunted eyes, the whiskey bottle clutched in his hand, and that broken, tortured expression on his face. It was as if he dared me to walk away. To give up on him. To let him drown in the misery he seemed so determined to embrace. But I wasn’t going to let him. Not because of the mate bond, or because I craved his approval. No, this was something deeper—primal and unyielding. My wolf growled low in my mind, her energy surging like a rising tide. 'We are not weak,' she whispered. 'We are not his prey.' I shoved open the door to Dwayne's office without knocking. The heavy wood slammed
Valkyrie Ragnor’s expression darkened, shifting from confusion to disbelief, and finally to something raw and unguarded. His towering presence filled the room, his aura stifling, as though the air itself grew heavier with every passing moment. “You heard what, Valkyrie?” His voice was dangerously quiet—the calm before the storm. I met his gaze head-on, refusing to cower under his intensity. “Don’t play innocent, Ragnor.” My voice trembled, not with fear but with the rage I had kept bottled for far too long. “The whispers, the rumors—they said she was here. A woman. And she never left. Did you hide her?” His amber eyes widened briefly before narrowing, his jaw tightening as if to bite back words that could wound us both. “You think I would betray you?” His words were clipped, each one cutting like a shard of glass. “You already have!” I shouted, my fists trembling at my sides. “Maybe not with her, but every time you push me away, every time you drown yourself in guilt and self-
Valkyrie The tension between Ragnor and me stretched taut, like a storm waiting to break. The knock at the door shattered what little peace remained. “Come in,” Ragnor commanded. The door creaked open, revealing Dwayne. He stepped inside, his gaze briefly flickering between us before settling on Ragnor. “Apologies for the interruption, Alpha,” Dwayne began, his tone steady despite the weight of his words. “We’ve found traces of the spy—the one who fled earlier. Anna.” I froze, the name sending a chill down my spine. Anna. That woman. “What about her?” Ragnor demanded, his posture rigid, his authority filling the room. “She was sighted near the southern border,” Dwayne reported. “Our scouts picked up her trail, but someone helped her cover her tracks before we could intercept her. There’s more.” He hesitated, glancing at me as if debating whether to continue. “Speak freely,” Ragnor barked, his patience visibly thinning. Dwayne nodded. “The trail didn’t just lead to her escape.
ValkyrieRagnor’s words were fierce, resolute, but there was a shadow of fear in his voice. It wasn’t like him to falter—not even for a moment—and the crack in his composure unsettled me.“I want to believe you, Ragnor,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. “But trust isn’t something that can be given—it has to be proven. If you want me to stand by you, to fight with you, I need more than just promises.”His jaw tightened, and for a fleeting second, a flicker of hurt crossed his face before he masked it with his usual stoicism. “What do you need from me?”I hesitated, my heart hammering in my chest. “The Reclaiming Ceremony.”He stiffened, his eyes narrowing with an edge of apprehension. “Valkyrie—”“No,” I interrupted, cutting him off before he could continue. “No more delays, no more excuses. If you want to prove that you’re committed to me and to our bond, then stand before the pack and claim me as your Luna. Publicly. Without hesitation.”His gaze locked onto mine, the inten
Valkyrie The rest of the ceremony unfolded in a blur. Smiling faces surrounded me, cheering voices filled the air, and Ragnor’s steady hand in mine was a comforting anchor. Yet, beneath the surface, unease gnawed at me, a hidden predator waiting to strike. I forced a smile, nodding and murmuring polite responses as pack members approached to congratulate us. My hands trembled slightly, and the ghost of that haunting voice continued to echo in my ears. “Are you all right?” Ragnor leaned in, his deep voice low enough that only I could hear. “I’m fine,” I lied, the smile on my lips brittle. “Just... overwhelmed.” His sharp eyes studied me, his brow furrowing slightly. For a moment, I thought he might press further, but instead, he nodded. “Let’s enjoy tonight. You deserve this.” “Yes... yes, of course,” I stammered. “You go ahead. I’ll join you in a moment.” Ragnor hesitated but eventually nodded, releasing my hand and stepping away to mingle with the pack. The celebration continu
Ragnor The sudden tension in the air snapped me out of the haze of desire, my chest tightening as the weight of my emotions shifted in an instant. Valkyrie pulled away from me, her brow furrowed, concern lacing her voice. “Ragnor, what’s wrong?” she asked again, her eyes searching mine. I didn’t want to worry her, but I could feel something deep within me stirring—something that wasn’t my own. Something insistent. “I…” I started, but my words faltered. I glanced toward the window, toward the vast expanse of the packlands that lay beyond the walls of the packhouse. My senses stretched, reaching for something I couldn’t quite grasp. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and then I felt it. Her presence. Elyra. The nymph’s call had echoed in my mind like a pulse, sharp and demanding, a beckoning I couldn’t ignore. She had always known how to reach me—how to pull me in with her wiles, her beauty, and the strange, dangerous power she wielded over me. I clenched my j
Ragnor I didn’t return to the packhouse immediately. In the silence that followed Elyra’s departure, I stood at the edge of the clearing, staring into the darkness. The night felt colder now, as though the very air had shifted in response to her presence. Elyra’s touch still lingered on my skin, an oppressive reminder of how easily she could break me down. “Fuck!” I cursed under my breath. No matter how strong her pull, I couldn’t go back to her. I couldn’t—not after everything that had happened. Everything I had fought for. Valkyrie. She was my heart, my future. And Elyra? She was a mistake—one I should never have made in the first place. “What should I do now?” I muttered to myself, but no answer came. “Break the bond, you idiot!” Walden, my wolf, snapped at me. “As if it’s that easy, Walden!” I shot back. “You just don’t want to find another way,” he retorted sharply. “Shut up, Walden!” I yelled, though I knew his words stung because they were true. His bit
Ragnor I clawed at the ground, my breaths ragged and shallow. The beast inside me roared, desperate for freedom, but I held on—barely. Every ounce of willpower I had left was spent clinging to the man I used to be. For Valkyrie. Her face flickered in my mind—a fleeting moment of warmth in the cold, consuming void. But even that thread of hope was slipping through my fingers. Elyra’s laugh echoed through the clearing, sharp and mocking, slicing through my resolve like a blade. “Oh, Ragnor,” she crooned, her voice thick with mockery. “Why fight it? You can’t escape what you are.” I snarled, baring my teeth, but the sound that escaped me wasn’t human. It was raw, guttural—born of rage and pain. “It was a damn mistake to trust you!” I growled, though my voice sounded foreign, warped by the beast clawing its way to the surface. Elyra’s smile widened, satisfaction dancing in her eyes. “Trust? Oh, Ragnor, I never asked for that. I offered help. But perhaps you should surrender no
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
RagnorAlistair’s cryptic remark sent a surge of irritation through me.I clenched my fists around the reins, my wolf stirring uneasily beneath my skin. The smug look on his face made me want to tear into him, to demand answers—but I knew better than to play into his games."Don't be so upset. It’s not that bad," he added, his voice laced with amusement.I shot him a glare. "Shut the fuck up, fat man!"Then, without waiting for a response, I urged my horse forward, widening the distance between us. The less I had to hear his nonsense, the better."Excuse meee?" he bellowed.I smirked but didn’t bother looking back. Let him fume."Hey, Alpha!"Seraphine's voice rang out from the carriage. One problem barely left, and another arrived.I exhaled sharply, gripping the reins tighter as the wheels of the carriage rattled over uneven terrain."Alpha," Seraphine called again, her tone smoother this time, but I didn't care.Of course, I ignored her. The last thing I needed was another headache
Ragnor Valkyrie’s face softened at my words. That was enough for now. I needed to convince her—not make things worse. "Chop chop! Off we go!" Seraphine’s voice cut in, sharp and impatient. I exhaled harshly, resisting the urge to snap at her. There was no point in delaying any longer. "Baby, I need to go," I whispered, pressing a lingering kiss to her lips. "Right now?" Her voice trembled, her fingers clutching onto me as if she could hold me in place. "Yes," I murmured, my heart aching with the weight of it. Valkyrie’s breath hitched, and she shook her head, her grip tightening on my cloak. “Not yet… Just a little longer.” Her desperation made my chest ache. I cupped her face, my thumbs tracing the curve of her cheekbones. “If I could stay, I would.” Her lips parted, but no words came immediately. She was fighting it, swallowing down the emotions threatening to spill over. “You always say that, but you always leave.” Guilt hit me like a fist to the ribs. "I have
Ragnor "I'm sorry, Honey," I whispered, trying to calm Valkyrie down, but she was still trembling. I knew this was just as hard for her as it was for me. Her fingers clutched the fabric of my shirt, her body shaking against mine. "How am I supposed to do without you?" she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. I held her tighter, pressing my lips against her hair. "You are strong, Love. Stronger than you know." She shook her head against my chest. "Not without you. Not when I know she’ll be there." I exhaled, my grip tightening. "Seraphine means nothing to me, Valkyrie. You have to believe that." "But she wants you," she choked out, her voice laced with pain. "And she’ll do anything to get between us." I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, cupping her face between my hands. "Let her try. It won’t change the fact that my heart, my soul—everything I am—belongs to you." Her lips quivered, tears welling in her eyes. "Then take me with you. Please, Ragnor."
ValkyrieI couldn't wait any longer. I could feel that something was off inside. I had to help him.I took a step forward before, suddenly, a sharp voice shattered my resolve."Luna!"I spun around only to see Dwayne standing at the end of the corridor, his expression grim."Dwayne?" My voice was barely above a whisper.He strode toward me with purpose, his eyes sharp with concern. "What are you doing here?"I furrowed my brows. "I'm going inside. Something's wrong, isn't it?""Yes, Gamma Dwayne. We're here to help—""No!" Dwayne shot out harshly, his jaw tightening. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping in front of the doors, blocking my path."With all due respect, you can't go inside."The guards exchanged gazes as Nancy and I gasped in shock."Why not? Are you kidding me?"Dwayne shook his head, gritting his teeth as if he was about to say something awful."Luna, this isn’t your fight. Alpha Ragnor will handle it. Just... trust him, okay?""He... what?" I scoffed
Valkyrie It had been several hours since Ragnor left for his office. I didn’t know what had gone wrong. A creeping unease had settled in my chest with each passing minute. The packhouse had been unusually quiet all morning—not the peaceful kind of quiet, but the kind that felt like the calm before a storm."Where is he?" I muttered, uneasy. I stood at the balcony with a heavy breath. My fingers gripping the cold railing while staring out at the lands stretching beyond the fortress walls. The sky was a dull gray. Not that kind of morning I expected.. Even the wind had stilled, as if the very world was holding its breath. “Luna!” Nancy’s voice broke through the silence.I turned to see her waving from below, a bright smile on her face sending a warmth I didn't expected. She carried a small basket, its contents hidden beneath a cloth. “I brought you something,” she called up. I managed a small smile, though my mind was still burdened with worry. “What is it?” “Freshly picked st
SeraphineRagnor tensed, his breath hitching in quick, uneven gasps. Whatever news the messenger bore, it was significant—so crucial that, for the first time since barging in, he faltered.That hesitation thrilled me.“What the hell is going on here, Sera?” he demanded, his voice sharper now, edged with something close to desperation.I let out a soft, amused hum, folding my arms as I leaned against the edge of my desk.“Do you think I’m a mind reader, darling?” I mused, feigning innocence. “I may be talented, but even I have my limits.”His nostrils flared. “You expect me to believe you don’t know what’s in that message?”“Why should I?” I arched a brow, my lips curling. “You’re the one who looks like he’s about to be handed a death sentence.”Ragnor didn’t reply, but the way his shoulders tensed, the way his fingers twitched, said enough. He was dreading whatever was in that sealed letter.I turned my gaze toward Gamma Dwayne, who was still standing by the door like a loyal hound.“
Seraphine The resounding crack of my palm against the table echoed through the chamber, rattling the crystal glasses and sending a tremor through the air. My pulse roared in my ears, the weight of the news pressing down on my chest like a vice. “What did you just say?” The messenger flinched but held his ground, though the way his throat bobbed betrayed his nerves. The sight of him sickened me. “Valkyrie survived, My Lady.” A cold chill slithered down my spine, sinking its claws into me. My nails dug into the polished wood of the table, the sharp sting grounding me for only a moment. "Valkyrie… survived?" My voice was little more than a whisper. She was supposed to be dead. How could my plan have failed? “And Heather?” I demanded. The messenger hesitated. A subtle shift in his stance sent a sickening wave of dread curling in my gut before he even spoke. “She… survived too.”"Noooo!" A roar of frustration ripped from my throat. My hand flew to the goblet be