ElaineHearing the question, Tristan sat stiffly. The lively chatter around us faded into the background. His jaw clenched as he stared blankly at the table.Almost immediately, a subtle tension lingered in the air. I could sense his discomfort from across the table as he took a heavy sigh. His fingers tightened around the cup in front of him. “Travis Hale defeated me in a fair battle for the Alpha seat,” Tristan finally said. This statement made me, Trevor, and Jared pause. Alpha Earl’s brows lifted slightly, revealing his surprise. Perhaps, he had not expected this to be the root of Tristan’s troubles. But out of respect, he stayed silent and just waited for him to continue. “I know I deserved that defeat,” he said as he wiped the side of his mouth with a napkin. “I was too weak to keep my throne. So I did the only thing left to do; I faced Travis Hale, took my defeat like a warrior, and accepted the consequences. I was ready to die at that moment. After all, the alpha challeng
ElaineI blinked, certain I had misheard.Wait, what? What did Alpha Earl just say?I was shocked. We were all shocked. How could a simple bond determine who won or lost an Alpha challenge? It made no sense. Strength came from training, strategy, and willpower, not from the presence of a mate. Right?I glanced at Trevor, whose jaw had tightened slightly. His usual unreadable expression cracked just enough to reveal the same disbelief churning inside me. Beside him, Jared had paused mid-sip. His wineglass hovered just inches from his lips. His sharp gaze locked onto Alpha Earl. On the other hand, Tristan was quiet but his expression didn’t hide the chaos he was feeling inside. Then, in a calm but firm voice, Alpha Earl continued.“Alpha Tristan, you could have won the fight if only your mate was there to support you. Her presence would have given your wolf some advantage.”Trevor and I exchanged another look. This time, I saw the same silent question burning in my own mind. Could t
It didn’t make sense.How could my mere presence change the outcome of that fight?I had never thrown a punch in my life. I had no power, no training, nothing that could have helped Tristan in that fight. How could simply being there have made a difference?Was the mate bond truly that strong? Doubt twisted inside me, but so did something else.Guilt.Had I cost Tristan the Alpha seat by staying away? Had my hatred been the very thing that cost him everything?The thought made my stomach churn. I had always blamed Tristan for everything wrong between us. I convinced myself that rejecting him was the only way for me to have a peaceful life. But now, Alpha Earl was telling me that my absence had done more than just getting rid of him from my life.It had weakened him.The guilt I was feeling made it hard for me to breathe. I had brought us to this point, hadn’t it? I had turned away from fate, and now that choice brought us to this mess.Was this really my fault? Was Wolfsilver suffer
TristanI could hear Callum growling in frustration inside my head. I didn’t mind him, until we left the dining table.“What the hell is wrong with you?” Callum confronted me. “Why did you allow Trevor to sleep beside your mate? Why did you let him have her? It was your chance, you fool! Your chance to mark and claim her as yours!”I scoffed, hearing this from him. My lips curled into a smirk at his frustration. I already knew where this was going.“Have you always been like this? You’re acting strangely, Callum.”Our argument continued as I followed the tracker leading us to the cabin.“Before, you wouldn’t stop blabbering about how I don’t deserve Elaine. Do you remember your advice? You told me to give Elaine time to see my worth as her mate.”Callum grew even more upset. His loud voice pierced my skull.“I haven’t changed, Tristan! You’re still a worthless brat who doesn’t deserve Elaine.”Then his voice suddenly turned calm.“However, as much as I hate to admit it, things are dif
ElaineTrevor and I were ready for bed. It was almost 10 p.m., and the Silver Rose Pack had settled in for the night. Outside, the only sounds were the distant hoots of owls and the soft chirping of crickets.The palace was far from our apartment, but Alpha Earl had put effort into making it as cozy as possible.“I remember the cabin I went to when we had a fight,” Trevor suddenly said. “It looks similar to this. Nature is just outside the window, and it’s quiet.”I didn’t fully catch what he said because my mind was drifting away. The conversation we had with Alpha Earl still lingered. I thought about the people of Wolfsilver. Everything stirred up inside me.“Elaine?” Trevor’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Are you okay?”I barely registered his concern at first because I was still lost in my own worries.“What was that?” I murmured, blinking. “Say that again, Trevor.”Trevor looked at me for a moment, then repeated himself. “I said this place reminds me of the cabin I went to wh
ElaineA warm breeze drifted into my room, carrying the fresh scent of morning. A beam of sunlight streamed through the window and gently touched my skin. The cheerful chirping of birds filled the air as I slowly opened my eyes.“Good morning, honey,” I murmured. I stretched my arms and let out a big yawn.Still half-asleep, I turned over and reached for Trevor. My fingers searched for the warmth of his body, but all they found was the blanket. My arm stretched farther, tracing the bed to its edge. And yet, Trevor wasn’t beside me.I sat up and blinked away the drowsiness as I looked around. The bed was empty. Trevor was nowhere to be seen.“Honey?” I called out, feeling a slight pang of panic. But then, as my mind fully woke up, I remembered where we were.I took a deep breath and grounded myself. We’re still in the Silver Rose Pack. He must be out somewhere.With that thought, I decided to tidy up the bed. I folded the blankets and arranged the pillows. Once everything was in order
ElaineHis eyes locked onto mine. It looked like he was searching for something deep. It felt like he could see something inside me, something that even I didn’t know about. And though all of these, he still didn’t let go of my arm.“Silvermare…” he whispered again.He stepped closer. His wrinkled eyes shone with surprise and excitement. His grip was firm but not painful, as if he had found something precious.I didn’t know what to say. The way he looked at me felt strange, almost as if he knew me from long ago. His gaze was full of wonder, like a child seeing something magical for the first time.“Yes…” His voice trembled, but his words were sure. “I am certain now… You are a Silvermare.”Then, suddenly, he shouted—“A SILVERMARE!”His voice was loud and full of emotion. The sound echoed across the training ground.The word spilled from his lips repeatedly, almost like a chant. His loud declaration caught the attention of the warriors nearby. One by one, they turned toward us. Their
ElaineWhen I turned my gaze back to the old man, he seemed lost in his own world and stared off into the distance.“Please take Alpha Eddie back to the packhouse,” Warrior Ken ordered.One of the warriors stepped forward and carefully assisted the former Alpha. But just a few steps away, he suddenly froze and turned to look at me again. This time, I offered him a small smile.The old man showed no reaction. Without another word, he continued on his way.His behavior didn’t bother me much. It wasn’t fear that I felt. Rather, just surprise. His outburst had caught me off guard, and I hadn’t known how to react. He had grabbed my arm so suddenly but it hadn’t been anything to be wary of.I turned to Trevor and explained everything. His concern faded as he listened.“I see… Yeah, Warrior Ken is probably right,” Trevor said thoughtfully. “Maybe he was reminded of someone from his past when he saw you.”Warrior Ken then turned to address the gathered warriors.“All right, guys! Training is
TristanAlpha Earl and I sat at his table inside the packhouse, enjoying a morning tea served by his attendants. The tea was freshly picked from their garden. Its aroma perfectly suited for morning meetings like this.At the very least, a cup of tea helped lighten the weight of our problems. Somehow, we could discuss the greatest conflict facing Wolfsilver over a simple drink.“So, Alpha Tristan… what’s your next move?” Alpha Earl asked, taking a sip from his cup.I held my own cup, the heat of the fresh tea rising to my nose as I took a careful sip. Jared sat with us as well. After all, he was the only warrior I could truly rely on from my pack.“I only have one thing in mind: to train and grow stronger,” I said firmly. “I can’t reclaim my throne with my current strength. That’s why I wish to train here, under your guidance.”My grip on the cup tightened, my hands shaking slightly as the mere thought of Travis filled me with rage.“I will beat him. I will send Travis back to where he
ElaineWhen I turned my gaze back to the old man, he seemed lost in his own world and stared off into the distance.“Please take Alpha Eddie back to the packhouse,” Warrior Ken ordered.One of the warriors stepped forward and carefully assisted the former Alpha. But just a few steps away, he suddenly froze and turned to look at me again. This time, I offered him a small smile.The old man showed no reaction. Without another word, he continued on his way.His behavior didn’t bother me much. It wasn’t fear that I felt. Rather, just surprise. His outburst had caught me off guard, and I hadn’t known how to react. He had grabbed my arm so suddenly but it hadn’t been anything to be wary of.I turned to Trevor and explained everything. His concern faded as he listened.“I see… Yeah, Warrior Ken is probably right,” Trevor said thoughtfully. “Maybe he was reminded of someone from his past when he saw you.”Warrior Ken then turned to address the gathered warriors.“All right, guys! Training is
ElaineHis eyes locked onto mine. It looked like he was searching for something deep. It felt like he could see something inside me, something that even I didn’t know about. And though all of these, he still didn’t let go of my arm.“Silvermare…” he whispered again.He stepped closer. His wrinkled eyes shone with surprise and excitement. His grip was firm but not painful, as if he had found something precious.I didn’t know what to say. The way he looked at me felt strange, almost as if he knew me from long ago. His gaze was full of wonder, like a child seeing something magical for the first time.“Yes…” His voice trembled, but his words were sure. “I am certain now… You are a Silvermare.”Then, suddenly, he shouted—“A SILVERMARE!”His voice was loud and full of emotion. The sound echoed across the training ground.The word spilled from his lips repeatedly, almost like a chant. His loud declaration caught the attention of the warriors nearby. One by one, they turned toward us. Their
ElaineA warm breeze drifted into my room, carrying the fresh scent of morning. A beam of sunlight streamed through the window and gently touched my skin. The cheerful chirping of birds filled the air as I slowly opened my eyes.“Good morning, honey,” I murmured. I stretched my arms and let out a big yawn.Still half-asleep, I turned over and reached for Trevor. My fingers searched for the warmth of his body, but all they found was the blanket. My arm stretched farther, tracing the bed to its edge. And yet, Trevor wasn’t beside me.I sat up and blinked away the drowsiness as I looked around. The bed was empty. Trevor was nowhere to be seen.“Honey?” I called out, feeling a slight pang of panic. But then, as my mind fully woke up, I remembered where we were.I took a deep breath and grounded myself. We’re still in the Silver Rose Pack. He must be out somewhere.With that thought, I decided to tidy up the bed. I folded the blankets and arranged the pillows. Once everything was in order
ElaineTrevor and I were ready for bed. It was almost 10 p.m., and the Silver Rose Pack had settled in for the night. Outside, the only sounds were the distant hoots of owls and the soft chirping of crickets.The palace was far from our apartment, but Alpha Earl had put effort into making it as cozy as possible.“I remember the cabin I went to when we had a fight,” Trevor suddenly said. “It looks similar to this. Nature is just outside the window, and it’s quiet.”I didn’t fully catch what he said because my mind was drifting away. The conversation we had with Alpha Earl still lingered. I thought about the people of Wolfsilver. Everything stirred up inside me.“Elaine?” Trevor’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Are you okay?”I barely registered his concern at first because I was still lost in my own worries.“What was that?” I murmured, blinking. “Say that again, Trevor.”Trevor looked at me for a moment, then repeated himself. “I said this place reminds me of the cabin I went to wh
TristanI could hear Callum growling in frustration inside my head. I didn’t mind him, until we left the dining table.“What the hell is wrong with you?” Callum confronted me. “Why did you allow Trevor to sleep beside your mate? Why did you let him have her? It was your chance, you fool! Your chance to mark and claim her as yours!”I scoffed, hearing this from him. My lips curled into a smirk at his frustration. I already knew where this was going.“Have you always been like this? You’re acting strangely, Callum.”Our argument continued as I followed the tracker leading us to the cabin.“Before, you wouldn’t stop blabbering about how I don’t deserve Elaine. Do you remember your advice? You told me to give Elaine time to see my worth as her mate.”Callum grew even more upset. His loud voice pierced my skull.“I haven’t changed, Tristan! You’re still a worthless brat who doesn’t deserve Elaine.”Then his voice suddenly turned calm.“However, as much as I hate to admit it, things are dif
It didn’t make sense.How could my mere presence change the outcome of that fight?I had never thrown a punch in my life. I had no power, no training, nothing that could have helped Tristan in that fight. How could simply being there have made a difference?Was the mate bond truly that strong? Doubt twisted inside me, but so did something else.Guilt.Had I cost Tristan the Alpha seat by staying away? Had my hatred been the very thing that cost him everything?The thought made my stomach churn. I had always blamed Tristan for everything wrong between us. I convinced myself that rejecting him was the only way for me to have a peaceful life. But now, Alpha Earl was telling me that my absence had done more than just getting rid of him from my life.It had weakened him.The guilt I was feeling made it hard for me to breathe. I had brought us to this point, hadn’t it? I had turned away from fate, and now that choice brought us to this mess.Was this really my fault? Was Wolfsilver suffer
ElaineI blinked, certain I had misheard.Wait, what? What did Alpha Earl just say?I was shocked. We were all shocked. How could a simple bond determine who won or lost an Alpha challenge? It made no sense. Strength came from training, strategy, and willpower, not from the presence of a mate. Right?I glanced at Trevor, whose jaw had tightened slightly. His usual unreadable expression cracked just enough to reveal the same disbelief churning inside me. Beside him, Jared had paused mid-sip. His wineglass hovered just inches from his lips. His sharp gaze locked onto Alpha Earl. On the other hand, Tristan was quiet but his expression didn’t hide the chaos he was feeling inside. Then, in a calm but firm voice, Alpha Earl continued.“Alpha Tristan, you could have won the fight if only your mate was there to support you. Her presence would have given your wolf some advantage.”Trevor and I exchanged another look. This time, I saw the same silent question burning in my own mind. Could t
ElaineHearing the question, Tristan sat stiffly. The lively chatter around us faded into the background. His jaw clenched as he stared blankly at the table.Almost immediately, a subtle tension lingered in the air. I could sense his discomfort from across the table as he took a heavy sigh. His fingers tightened around the cup in front of him. “Travis Hale defeated me in a fair battle for the Alpha seat,” Tristan finally said. This statement made me, Trevor, and Jared pause. Alpha Earl’s brows lifted slightly, revealing his surprise. Perhaps, he had not expected this to be the root of Tristan’s troubles. But out of respect, he stayed silent and just waited for him to continue. “I know I deserved that defeat,” he said as he wiped the side of his mouth with a napkin. “I was too weak to keep my throne. So I did the only thing left to do; I faced Travis Hale, took my defeat like a warrior, and accepted the consequences. I was ready to die at that moment. After all, the alpha challeng