Willa’s POV I moaned as he glided into me. Kael, the love of my life, was the first man to ever touch me intimately. Under the full moon, I loosened myself to his ministrations, us alone in the woods. His groans were music to my ear, until they turned into sudden coughs. Something wet and warm splattered on my face. I touched it and under the pale moonlight, I saw that it was blood. “Kael?” I pushed his shoulder. He had stopped moving, rigid and tense. Panic climbed into my throat, erasing any hint of pleasure that lingered by. “What's wrong—” He coughed again, pushing himself off me. The sight was one I could never forget. Not in a million years. Not after the mountains have been ground into dust, and the woods are dry and barren. Nothing could have prepared me for this. Kael was bleeding from every orifice on his face. He was choking, trying to say something but all that poured out was more blood. The sounds that left him were gurgled animal sounds. Like a
Willa’s POV “Enough of your stalling, witch!" The guard grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me back. Out in the open, there was a mighty crowd parting to let the guards through. People were screaming for my head. Two men had died at my hand, they would not allow a third death. “She's cursed! Put her to death!” A woman shrieked. They were throwing all sorts of things at me. Rancid fruits, rotten eggs, even rocks. I guarded my head against the onslaught, but the guards did nothing to stop the unruly crowd. After Kael's death, whispers had spread like wildfire that any man who had anything to do with me would face the same fate. I was cursed, they say. But why? What have I done? Why would the goddess curse me with such fate? The rumors chased off any potential suitors, much to my uncle's displeasure. The man was scared of my existence, and the older I grew, the more likely it was that I could take back my birthright. He had arranged for a man from another pack to marry
Willa’s POV The sight of the heavy shackles had me screaming, kicking, and fighting. I could not understand why they were blaming me for things I knew nothing about. I was terrified beyond my wits, especially when the cold metal bit into my sore wrists, ankles, and around my neck. I was a prisoner once more. I was not sure what I was expecting, but what happened next sent me to new heights of agony. A grunt, the leader grabbed the end of my chains and began to drag me along the thorn-riddled ground. I cried, trying to scramble to my feet, but I was weighed down by the shackles. The guards took turns dragging me down the rocky terrain, my screams roaring. Eternity passed, and I had retreated somewhere extremely dark and ugly in my mind. Until a voice cut through my bloodied daze. “We caught the wench, Alpha!” I was thrown across a distance, sliding across surprisingly smooth floors. “With all that dried blood from escaping previously, we smelled the filth from a mile away!
NOX’s POV A voice stirred near my heart, the familiar snarl of my beast. ‘What are you hoping to gain?’ It judged, as it always did. But whatever thoughts churned within, I alone oversaw what was shown to the world. A slight smirk tugged at my lips as they dragged her away. She didn’t resist, her submission almost poetic, as if she’d accepted her fate. But then, they all do, eventually, when I'm pulling the strings. The thought should have amused me, but I merely watched with detached interest until she vanished from sight, leaving only her lingering scent. ‘Another one of your sadistic schemes, you narcissistic bastard.' This time, it was my Beta's voice invading my mind. Even as he fought for his life in some poison-induced coma, he still found a way to needle me. Not even toxins could silence his endless nagging. The scent that permeated the room at the time the coffee was brought wasn't the same as this which meant, my dear captive wasn't the one I was looking fo
Willa’s POV I hated that he just watched. And I didn't care if these were his men, I was going to kill any who dared touch me. A white-hot flame went through me. Even if I had a curse, I wasn't going to wait for them to molest me before ripping off their throat. I gritted my teeth when he pounded my arm so hard on the concrete floor. He breathed into my face, the reek of alcohol shoving down my throat. I gagged. I didn’t think. Not once about the wolfsbane in my veins. I grabbed the hilt of the knife peeping from his boot and slammed it into his thick throat. My mouth and face were soon covered with his blood. I choked. The guard slumped back. “You bitch!” The other snarled. I scrambled up before the remaining one could pin me, but something rock hard hit my face. I tasted blood and dirt before I hit the wall. Stars danced in my vision, and I stumbled to my feet again out of instinct, grabbing the hunting knife. Not this time, not here, I won’t allow i
Willa’s POV I entered the room alone, immediately struck by the odd sound of humming. Alpha Nox stood by a grand window, fingers tapping against the sill as he hummed a jaunty tune. As if he were genuinely enjoying himself while I was plucked. In the corner, a telescope gleamed, its brass fittings catching the daylight. My gaze darted to a laden tray nearby, the aroma immediately hitting me like a slap in the face. My stomach growled loudly, and I cursed it silently. It had been weeks since I’d had anything close to a decent meal. The melody cut off abruptly as his gaze fell upon me. "Dear heavens," he drawled, a smirk playing on his lips. "You clean up rather nicely. Almost passable as a normal pack member now." I bristled at his casual tone. "Why did you have them clean me up?" He chuckled, sauntering closer. “Don't flatter yourself. You reeked of blood and filth. I simply wouldn't want my throne room suffocating when you're brought in for..." he paused. “My utmos
WILLA’S POV The water had a glitter to it, like the stars themselves lay within it, unlike anything I had ever seen. It was mesmerizing, making me forget—if only for a moment—how desperate my situation was. The pack must have been named after this lake, I thought, as I watched it twinkle. Unlike what I’d expected, the tunnel had no guard lingering around, which was good … a small miracle in a night full of dread. I had imprinted every nook and crony of it into my brain for when it will come in handy. But what now? What was my next move? I had no plan beyond finding the tunnel and where it lead. Maybe I do have to hope another guard finds me and locks me up in a different cell, because I hadn't thought about what I would do after finding out about the tunnel. But then, I haven't crossed anyone, though and the night was peaceful for once— So, I didn't think as I took off my clothes and reached for the shimmering lake. It was cold, freezing, but I wadded in, despite the ob
NOX’S POV I stared out the window, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across the grounds. The scar on her chin, I'd noticed, wasn't as fresh as I'd first thought. It was an old wound. With the grime and blood washed away, she looked almost fragile. Hard to believe she was the same woman who'd taken a guard's eye and killed another. The sound of rustling fabric broke my reflection. Hunter was dressing behind me, his reflection ghostly in the glass. "You look oddly entertained,” Hunter said as if mocking me. “How long are you planning to keep it up?” I ignored him, humming to myself. I wonder why the bastard didn't die. “Will you let her stay another night in the cell?" He asked. I didn't turn, keeping my gaze planted on the horizon. "She can survive more than a night there," I mused. "Perhaps she'll have a little surprise for me when she's finally out." Hunter continued dressing, buttons clicking softly. "I'd like to see her," he said, an edge to his voice.
Nox’s POV My body coiled tight, steel cables ready to snap, every sinew screaming to tear Eamon apart. Rage crackled deep in my chest like electricity—one heartbeat, two— I didn’t even realize I’d moved until Eamon’s voice stopped me cold. “Not. Another. Step." Eamon's voice was glacial. My claws ached to sink into his flesh, my wolf howling in frustration. Willa’s wide eyes met mine, and I saw the fear there—the fear I never wanted to see on her face again. But beneath it, there was anger too, a fire that hadn’t been extinguished. It made my chest tighten, a sick mixture of fury and helplessness. “Let her go,” I growled, my voice raw and guttural. Eamon smirked, his claws flexing against her skin. “Oh, I don’t think so. You make one wrong move, and I’ll slit her throat right here.” Willa winced as his grip tightened, and my entire body tensed, the mate bond hammering through me like a second heartbeat. My wolf pushed harder against my control, despe
Nox’s POV The night pressed down like a curse, sharp and unforgiving. The air was thick, heavy with ash, and carried the weight of a thousand untold stories. It reminded me of sharp fangs sinking deep into flesh—relentless, excruciating, and unyielding. Rest was a luxury we couldn’t afford, and complaints felt pointless now. Once this ends, Willa will learn the truth about what indeed happened to the second man she had been accused of killing. Draven was on it already, and I'm certain she would get the hang of it quickly. Maybe there was a bright end to this after all. My eyes swept across the maw of the mountain. The Ash Eyes Pack. Once, they were revered. Legends spoke of their lands—a paradise enriched by volcanic soil that made their harvests plentiful and their people untouchable. But that was all gone now, like ash falling from the sky and disappearing into the wind. No one spoke of what had happened. It was as if an unwritten rule had silenced their me
Willa’s POV The Blood Moon would be here soon, I thought, tightening my grip on the hilt of my dagger. If we survived this night, perhaps we'd celebrate it at last, instead of merely surviving under its light. Maybe this time, it would bring renewal, not more bloodshed. I tore my eyes from the heavens to face the land before me: Gerald’s Way. “What is this place?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, though the tension crackling through the air ensured everyone heard me. “This,” Nox replied, his voice smooth, almost indifferent, “is where it all started for Eamon.” Vad’s lips twisted into a smirk that made my wolf bristle. “This is his true home,” he said, gesturing grandly to the crumbling castle perched on the volcanic mountain. “Where he was born.” The small castle loomed, its jagged towers stretching into the ashen sky. Steam hissed from cracks in the earth, the very air heavy with heat and sulfur. “It’s massive,” I murmured, scanning the da
Astridl’s POV How did I end myself in this situation? I could just punch him and get this over before I regret my next action. But I couldn't bring myself to say the word, to act like I used to. His eyes were still on me, waiting. Gods, he was waiting, and the thought that his eyes were this focused on me, the thought of what my answer would do to my body made me nearly curse out. “Say it, Astrid.” Goddess, why can't he just… “Give me more.” I couldn't care about what we were doing—who he was. “I am at your service,” he grunted, and then he reached between us, his finger snagging the latch of my carry-on and he yanked them off. Metal met the floor. And then the one on my thigh. More daggers off. Then he reached for my pants. He pulled on them hard enough to lift my hips. Buttons popped free, tossing onto the floor. “Goodness,” I murmured. He barked out a short, harsh laugh as he shoved my pants down until one leg was completely free, and
Astrid’s POV Once this was over, my family could finally rest, knowing the man who destroyed their lives would breathe no more. A part of me dreamed of escaping with Asher, finding a home beyond the sea—somewhere far from this chaos. This wasn’t home. It never had been. But first, there was work to be done. Willa would get her pack back. That was why I’d joined the fight, after all. And if I wasn’t mistaken, her relationship with the Alpha might not end, not even when the war ended. I knew the dynamics shifting around me. Willa would likely become the Alpha's Luna, and the tension between Starfall and Moonviel might dissolve into an unexpected alliance. Maybe even merge. Packs up north had done it before. Not that it mattered to me. My focus was singular: kill Eamon and complete my revenge. Then I'd be gone. Everything else—the alliances, the titles, the futures of others—was irrelevant. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. I c
Willa’s POV Justin's lifeless body lay crumpled on the floor, a pool of crimson spreading beneath him. Astrid didn’t so much as glance at her handiwork as she secured the bloodied fabric back onto her hip—a lethal weapon I'd only just witnessed—gleamed with a deadly shimmer, the embedded daggers barely visible against the rich fabric. She stepped away from the mess, spitting outside the open window like it had been nothing more than a chore. I’d seen that fabric with her but never known it to be a weapon, or so. Vad, on the other hand, seemed invigorated, the gleam in his golden eyes unsettling. His gaze landed on the man who’d called Nox his cousin and that smirk of his grew. "The people you hoped would help you crawl onto the throne are nothing but weaklings," Vad snickered. He stepped over Justin’s corpse without hesitation, his boots smearing red across the floor. "You should’ve stayed in the shadows where you’ve been hiding all these years…” Vad turned.
Willa's POV The air, already heavy, seemed to grow denser as the council members filed in behind the Deacon whose face had gone several shades paler, his composure crumbling like wet paper. The unfamiliar man—their uncle, I guessed—looked utterly stunned, his disbelief written across every line of his face. My gaze flicked to Vad, who was watching him with that infuriating smirk, as if savoring the man’s discomfort. He looked like one who already regretted his move too late. But how will I know, judging that he was one of their bloodline, who knows what could exactly come off them? Only a few guards remained inside—Marcus and two others. I pulled at my sleeve. So, this had been the brothers’ plan all along? How? When? Was I kept in the dark again? Not that it mattered now. What a family dynamic. “What is the meaning of this?” The Deacon's voice cracked with indignation, like a man who'd just discovered he was nothing more than a puppet.
Willa’s POV It wasn’t that I was used to Vad’s presence—far from it. But recently, my wolf had stopped baring her teeth every time he was near. That shift meant something, though I wasn’t entirely sure what. The room felt charged, and I couldn’t tell if it was the tension or just Vad’s inherent ability to turn a space into a pressure cooker. I had come in looking for Nox, expecting a quiet moment. Instead, I found Sylvia, and to my surprise, Vad. Hunter had acted strange earlier, avoiding my gaze when he told me where to find Nox. But soon it made sense. Astrid’s expression gave it all away the moment I walked in on her. The rumor. Of course, there was always a rumor when it came to me, but this one didn’t sting. This one was different. My wolf purred at the thought, and I cursed myself as a flush crept up my neck. My sweater sleeve became an anchor as I pulled it over my palm, pretending to focus on something—anything—other than the weight of Nox’s gaze.
Nox’s POV "How do you know?" I prompted, my voice low and measured. Her lips curved—not quite a smile, more a razor's edge of knowing. "Because I can still feel that cold, shivering stare on me since I arrived. It's a sensation you don't forget.” “Unbelievable," Vad muttered, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before throwing a few into his mouth. “What?" Sylvia's eyebrow arched, a challenge wrapped in silk. "You find something amusing?" “No?” Vad drawled. “It’s always something with you. Ever so dramatic." I watched the interplay, my wolf prowling beneath my skin. Something was off. Vad's unusual calm wasn't lost on me. My twin had always been the type to unravel spectacularly when things didn't align with his vision—a mirror of my own younger self, only I'd learned to temper that rage into something more surgical. "Forgive my brother," I said dryly, rubbing my temple, feeling the beginnings of a headache. "He was dropped on his head enough tim