Kael’s POVI couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly as I watched Tesla agree to come along with me to the festival. I never really expected her to go along with it so easily. But here we were, heading into unknown territory, trying to act like a married couple. I had to admit, it felt strange even pretending. The idea of being publicly recognized as a husband was a role I never envisioned for myself, but now it was real. And now, more than ever, I needed to make sure we pulled it off smoothly.After washing the dishes, I noticed Tesla was ready, her hair tied back neatly, and the baby nestled comfortably in her arms. The morning light made her look calm, yet determined, as if she had already accepted the role she was thrust into. I grabbed my cloak and made sure my axe was within reach, though I’d prefer not to show it off in front of everyone.As we stepped out of the house, I took a deep breath of the crisp air. There was a hint of excitement in the atmosphere, the kind that only a fest
“Competition?” I replied, raising an eyebrow. I was still trying to make sense of everything that was happening. Between pretending to be married and navigating this strange human festival, I wasn’t sure where things were heading.Jarek gave me a playful shove. “Oh, come on, man! You can’t be serious. You must’ve heard about the Couples’ Contest!”I glanced over at Tesla, who had a confused look on her face. She shook her head lightly, equally clueless.“The what?” I asked, now more curious than ever.Before Jarek could answer, the booming voice of an announcer echoed through the street, cutting through the laughter and music.“All couples, please get ready! The Couples’ Contest is about to begin!” the announcer shouted, sending a ripple of excitement through the crowd.I turned back to Jarek, my confusion deepening. “What contest?”Jarek grinned widely, his excitement palpable. “Oh, it’s a fun one! The males have to carry their wives—” he gave Tesla a teasing glance “—and walk barefo
Tesla's POVThe sun was relentless. It beat down on us as we trudged forward, bare feet pressing against the hot ground. I couldn’t help but glance around, noticing how some of the other couples were already beginning to falter, surrendering with tired sighs and grimaces. A few of the men had already dropped their wives, unable to continue. I could see their faces, dripping with sweat, their steps dragging.But then there was Kael.His face was set in that unyielding expression he always wore, like nothing could break his focus. Despite the heat, despite the grueling trek up the mountain, he carried me as if it was the easiest thing in the world. His steps were steady, and his jaw was clenched, but his posture was perfect—like he was born for this.I couldn’t help but admire him more with each step. Every time my eyes flicked to his face, I saw no sign of fatigue, no sign of pain. It was as if nothing could touch him. His focus was entirely on the path ahead, but there was a soft inte
Kael's POV:Dinner at Jarek's house was a warm, satisfying affair. Tesla and I sat at the wooden table, the steady hum of conversation swirling around us. The food was simple but delicious, and the atmosphere relaxed. We had long since gotten past the point of awkwardness with Jarek and his family. It felt nice to be in such good company, to eat, laugh, and simply enjoy the moment. Even the little one, our child, seemed to settle in without much fuss, which was a relief.I glanced at Tesla, a soft smile tugging at the corner of my lips. She was talking to Jarek's wife, laughing at something she had said, and there was an undeniable warmth in her eyes. The kind that made my chest tighten with something I couldn’t quite place. Something beyond love. Something deeper.The clink of silverware pulled me back to the moment. I looked down at my plate, pretending to focus on my food, but my mind was elsewhere. Tesla. Our child. The future."You two should stay the night," Jarek's voice broke
The room was quiet, save for the soft breathing of Tesla beside me. She had fallen asleep not long after we settled in, her face relaxed in the peaceful slumber she so often deserved. I couldn’t help but glance at her in the dim light, her features softened and serene in a way I rarely saw. Her dark hair was spread across the pillow, and the faintest smile tugged at her lips. She looked so at ease, so far from the constant chaos we had known, that it made my chest tighten with something unnameable.I smiled, but it didn’t quite reach my eyes. I was still adjusting to this new version of us—this life we were trying to carve out of the fragments left behind by everything we had endured. There had been so much loss, so many moments that seemed to stretch on endlessly, but now… now, for the first time in a long while, I could feel something different. A sense of calm, of stillness. It was tempting to hold on to this feeling, to imagine that maybe, just maybe, this was all we needed. A qui
Alpha Henry pov The cold morning air bit at my bare scalp as the servant carefully continued shaving my head smooth. The blade scraped against my skin with a precision I had demanded. My reflection in the polished steel bowl of water before me stared back, a sharp, unyielding figure. Yet, beneath that exterior, my thoughts churned with a storm of anger and humiliation. Lies. My entire existence now felt entangled in deceit, one string of dishonesty pulling at the next until it threatened to suffocate me.Nine months—no, nearly ten now—and Serena had still not delivered the child she had sworn she carried. I clenched my fists against the armrests of my chair, the aged wood groaning under the pressure.“Nine months of deceit,” I muttered, the venom in my voice barely masking the hurt underneath. The words felt sour in my mouth, each syllable cutting as deeply as the betrayal I had uncovered. The memory of the doctor’s hesitant confession was still fresh, like an unhealed wound. She
Kael’s POVThe morning light filtered through the cracks in the wooden shutters, nudging me awake. My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the dim light. I sat up, rubbing my face. My legs, heavily bandaged, reminded me of yesterday’s struggles. The sharp, dull ache was still there, but it wasn’t unbearable.I looked over at the bed beside me, expecting to see Tesla. Empty. Frowning, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood, testing my weight. It held. My steps were slow but steady as I limped toward the window.Outside, Tesla stood talking to Jarek’s wife, her laughter light and carefree. She looked radiant, the morning sun catching her hair, making her seem...different. Peaceful. Beautiful.I sighed, shaking my head. “Get a grip,” I muttered to myself, pulling on my shirt.I headed for the door, my stomach grumbling softly. As I stepped out into the hallway, I nearly collided with Jarek, who was brushing his teeth.“Finally awake, huh?” Jarek said through a mouthful of foam. “
Tesla’s POVI paced the small living room, my arms crossed over my chest. The child sat in the middle of the floor, babbling to herself, her little hands waving in the air. Despite her cheerful demeanor, unease gnawed at me. Kael had been gone for hours now, and I had no idea where he’d gone or why.Jarek’s wife, Ana, had been her usual reassuring self. “They probably just went out for a stroll,” she had said with a wave of her hand when I’d asked. But something about Kael’s abrupt departure nagged at me. He wasn’t one to wander off without saying anything.I glanced toward the window, catching a glimpse of the sun dipping lower in the sky. “He should’ve been back by now,” I muttered under my breath.“What was that?” Ana called from the kitchen.“Nothing,” I replied quickly, forcing a smile as she peeked around the corner.Ana wiped her hands on her apron and smiled warmly. “Kael’s a grown man, Tesla. He can take care of himself. Stop worrying so much.”I nodded absently, though her w
The old man’s smirk widened at Kael’s accusation. His sharp, calculating eyes gleamed in the dim firelight, reflecting the carnage around them. His hands, still clasped behind his back, twitched slightly—just enough for Kael to notice. Tesla’s trembling grew more violent. “You…” Kael’s voice was low, almost a whisper, but filled with restrained fury. “You did this to her.” The old man inclined his head, as if entertained by Kael’s discovery. “Indeed.” Kael clenched his fists. His body ached from the battle, but rage burned through him stronger than pain. “You turned her into… *this*.” A slow, amused chuckle rumbled from the old man’s throat. “Turned her?” He shook his head. “No, no, boy. I simply *unleashed* what was already there.” Tesla snarled, her body still locked in place, trembling, fighting something unseen. Her silver eyes flickered between recognition and complete void—between her and the monster clawing for control inside her. Henry gritted his teeth. “We’re s
The battlefield was still. Only the crackling of burning trees and the heavy breaths of wounded wolves filled the night. Scar, now in his monstrous wolf form, towered over Tesla, his golden eyes gleaming with malice. He took slow, deliberate steps toward her, his massive paws sinking into the bloodstained ground. Kael and Henry stood at a distance, watching tensely, their bodies aching from battle. “This isn’t good,” Kael muttered. Henry growled lowly. “She’s strong… but Scar is something else.” Tesla’s white wolf didn’t move. Her silver eyes burned with something primal, something ancient. She stood firm, shoulders squared, her fur bristling as the wind swept through the clearing. Scar bared his fangs. “You think because you unlocked some hidden power, you can stand against me?” His voice was deep, laced with arrogance. “I am your end, little wolf.” Tesla didn’t respond. She lunged. The force of her attack sent shockwaves through the ground. She was fast—unnaturally
The air grew tense. The moment Henry and Kael heard the snapping of branches behind them, they knew—Scar had caught up. A low, guttural growl rumbled through the darkness. Kael barely had time to shift before something massive slammed into him, knocking him sideways. Henry roared, his body already shifting mid-motion. Bones snapped, muscles expanded, fur sprouted along his skin. By the time he landed on all fours, his white fur gleamed under the moonlight. Scar’s men came like a storm, their snarls ripping through the night. Shadows moved fast, fangs flashing, claws striking. Kael barely had time to dodge the first attack before another wolf lunged. He twisted, kicking off a tree trunk, launching himself into his enemy with deadly force. His jaw clamped down on the wolf’s shoulder, his claws raking down its side. A yelp. A thud. But there was no time to breathe. Another came at him—then another. Henry was already deep in battle, his powerful form tearing through en
The night stretched long and cold, the air thick with the scent of blood and damp earth. The battle had ended, but the war was far from over. Scar emerged from the shadows, his towering frame moving with deadly grace. His fur, a deep shade of charcoal, gleamed under the moonlight. Scars littered his body, marks of past battles, proof of his dominance. His golden eyes flickered with something unreadable as he stopped in front of the crumpled figure on the ground. Aldric. He was barely conscious, his breaths ragged, his body sprawled in the dirt, the wooden shard still embedded in his ribs. Blood pooled beneath him, dark and thick. He had lost. Scar tilted his head, a slow, measured movement. Then, without a word, he crouched down, gripping Aldric’s throat with one clawed hand. “Where are the others?” His voice was low, dangerous. Aldric’s lips curled into a weak snarl. He was in no condition to fight, no strength left to even lift his head. But he still had his pride. Sca
The wolves lunged. A blur of furs clashed under the moonlight, fangs bared, claws tearing at the earth as they collided with bone-crushing force. A snarl ripped through the air. Henry struck first, fast and brutal, his jaws snapping dangerously close to Aldric’s throat. But Aldric was faster. He twisted at the last second, his massive paws striking Henry’s side, sending him skidding across the dirt. Lina let out a small cry behind me, but I didn’t turn. I couldn’t. My eyes were locked on the battle unfolding before us. Henry recovered in seconds, his white fur now streaked with dirt and blood, but he didn’t hesitate. He launched himself at Aldric again, jaws snapping— Aldric dodged, but Henry was relentless. He struck again. And again. Each attack more brutal than the last, his fangs sinking into Aldric’s shoulder— Aldric snarled in pain, but it didn’t slow him down. If anything, it only made him angrier. With a vicious growl, he twisted, his claws sl
The blade came down. A sharp gasp lodged in my throat, but before I could make a sound, something clamped over my mouth. A hand. Strong. Unrelenting. I thrashed, my fingers clawing at the grip, but Aldric’s hold was ironclad. "Shh," he whispered against my ear, his breath cool, his voice eerily calm. "You don’t want to wake them just yet." The old man lay still. Unmoving. For a moment, my chest seized with fear, but then I saw it—his shallow, uneven breaths. He wasn’t dead. Not yet. Aldric must’ve realized he didn’t finish the job because his grip on me tightened, his frustration seeping through. I bit down. Hard. He let out a sharp curse, his hand jerking away just enough for me to suck in a deep breath— But I didn’t get the chance to scream. Because before I could, he yanked me backward, dragging me toward the barn doors with inhuman strength. I kicked, elbowed, fought— But he was faster. Stronger. I barely registered the doors swinging open b
The forest had a way of making you feel small. The towering trees, the endless darkness stretching beyond where the eye could see—it swallowed you whole, made you feel like you were nothing but a fleeting presence in a world that had existed long before you and would continue to exist long after. I sat with my back against the rough bark of a tree, Lina curled up beside me, her breathing deep and even as sleep finally claimed her. I wished I could rest as easily. But exhaustion was a weight on my shoulders, pressing down, dragging me toward unconsciousness, yet my mind refused to let go. I wasn’t the only one. Kael sat a few feet away, sharpening a blade absentmindedly, his eyes trained on the trees, as if daring something to step out. Henry was on the other side of the clearing, lying down but not quite asleep, his arm resting over his eyes, lost in thought. Aldric sat against another tree, silent, unmoving. He hadn’t said much since earlier, and I wasn’t sure if I preferred
TeslaOur footsteps were quiet, barely rustling the undergrowth as we moved through the forest, but the silence between us was louder than words. I kept my focus ahead, keeping close to Lina, who clung to my hand. Henry walked on my right, his jaw set in quiet determination, while Kael led the way with an unshaken confidence that made it seem like he always knew exactly where we were going. Aldric was behind me. Not too far. Not too close. Until he moved forward. I tensed. “I know you don’t trust me,” his voice was calm, even. “But you have to believe me—I didn’t do anything.” I didn’t answer. Didn’t even look at him. But he kept walking, his presence drawing closer, his voice lower now, just enough for me to hear. “I don’t expect you to trust me, Tesla,” he murmured, as if reading my mind. “But at least don’t see me as an enemy.” My fingers curled into a fist. “I never said you were my enemy.” Aldric exhaled softly. “But you think I could be.” I didn’t
TeslaScar’s growl echoed in the night as he ran off, his wounded pride as deep as the gash across his chest. His brother limped beside him, their figures disappearing into the darkness like ghosts, leaving behind only the scent of blood and bitterness. I watched them go, my breath still uneven, my muscles aching from the fight. But there was no time to dwell on it. Henry shifted back into his human form beside me, his skin still marked with the traces of battle. Without hesitation, he crouched down, lifting the blind old man onto his back. “We need to move,” Henry said, his voice firm. Aldric gave a small nod, silent as ever. We left without looking back. Kael took the lead, moving through the darkness with his usual quiet precision. Aldric walked beside me, his senses sharp, still wary of another ambush. I kept my eyes ahead, my mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions, lingering doubts, and the weight of everything that had just happened. But the moment we stepped int