Tiana POVI was in shock. It felt like a fever dream. Adrian, the Lycan King, was kissing me right in front of my house. Panic welled up within me as I worried that someone might see us, but I couldn't resist the intoxicating sensation of his lips on mine.His strong hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss. His lips were warm and demanding, and it felt so good that I couldn't bring myself to stop him. He kissed me passionately, and it was like a fire ignited within me.When he finally released me, he smirked, his words sending shivers down my spine. "A guard will arrive at your door later. You are moving to the castle."And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, stunned and breathless. Adrian had always been a man of few words, but what the actual fuck just happened?As the reality of the situation sank in, excitement bubbled up inside me. Did he regret rejecting me? Did this mean I was going to be accepted back into society? C
Selene's POVThe sun had barely kissed the horizon when I, began my morning training. The dew on the grass was still fresh, each droplet reflecting the dawn’s early light like scattered diamonds. My muscles ached from the previous day’s exertions, but there was a fire within me that no amount of physical pain could extinguish. Caleb and Ethan like usual had made fun of my efforts. Which I have gotten used to, there is nothing The dawn was just a whisper of light as I stepped onto the dew-laden grass of the training field. My hair packed behind me, my eyes scanned the area as I stretched my back. I swear I think I heard something crack inside of my back as I clutched it. Gosh, why did I sign up for this. I wanted to cry. The world was hushed, the only sounds were the soft rustling of leaves and the distant call of a waking bird. I was early, too early for the sword training that had become my daily ritual, but the anticipation of mastering the blade pulled me from my bed with the s
Leo sat at the head of the long, polished table in the meeting room, the sun streaming through the large windows behind him. His court members, dressed in their finest, were presenting the quarterly financial reports, their voices droning on about shares, profits, and market expansions. But Leo’s mind was elsewhere. It kept drifting back to Selena.He remembered the way her hair had caught the light during training, the determination in her eyes as she tried to keep up. A part of him admired her spirit, her tenacity. But then he’d catch himself, reminding himself that he had Tiana. Beautiful, strong Tiana who had been by his side for years. He couldn’t let himself be distracted by Selena, not when he was meant to lead his pack and uphold his responsibilities.He muttered to himself, “No, focus,” but then he realized everyone at the table had stopped talking and were staring at him. He must have looked like a madman, caught up in thoughts about a woman during an important meeting. Cle
I needed a job as soon as possible.The outfit I was wearing—a combination of an old T-shirt of Caleb’s and some random clothes from girls they had slept with—was washed, but still disgusting. I tugged at the hem of the oversized T-shirt, which barely covered my thighs, and sighed. It was a step up from my usual wear, but it wasn’t enough. I ran a hand through my fried hair, still damp from my rushed attempt at washing out the dirt and sweat from training. My chestnut hair fell in better waves now, but it still needed a lot of care.Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and walked out to find Ethan and Caleb. I found them in the living room, both engrossed in conversation about something that seemed important.“Hey,” I said, my voice a little hesitant. They looked up, their eyes immediately drawn to my outfit. Caleb’s eyebrows shot up, and Ethan’s lips twitched.“What’s up?” Ethan asked, trying to keep his expression neutral.“I need to get a job,” I said, stepping forward. “I
I was busy with my new job at Ethan's mechanic shop. The next day, as I was settling in, Ethan introduced me to the team. Most of them were polite, but I could sense a certain coldness from one of the mechanics, a tall guy with a surly expression. “This is Mark,” Ethan said, gesturing to him. “He’s been with us for a while and knows his stuff.”Mark barely acknowledged me, giving a curt nod before turning back to his work. I didn’t let it bother me. I had a lot to prove, and I wasn’t going to let anyone’s attitude get in my way.Ethan showed me around the shop, explaining the layout and introducing me to the rest of the team. I felt a mix of excitement and nerves, but I was ready to get started. The garage was bustling with activity, the sound of tools and machinery filling the air. The smell of oil and metal was strangely comforting, reminding me of my previous life.“Alright, Selena,” Ethan said, handing me a set of tools. “Let’s see what you can do with this one.”I nodded and got
Sweat beaded on my forehead as my arms felt strange with the bow and arrow. After years of not practicing, my body felt like a heavy block. The weight of the bow was unfamiliar, and the tension in the string seemed to mock my every effort. I could hear Caleb's words echoing in my mind, Ethan's laughter ringing in my ears. They thought I couldn't do it, that I would fail. But their doubts only fueled my determination—I needed to try, to win, to prove them wrong.As I struggled to find the right stance, a shadow fell over me. I looked up to see Leo, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Your form is great," he said, "but your position is a bit off."I cocked my head, my frustration momentarily forgotten. "Alright then, master," I challenged, "why don't you teach me as well?"Leo stepped closer, his presence commanding yet comforting. He adjusted my legs first, setting them apart with a firmness that left no room for argument. Then he stood behind me, his hands guiding my arms into positio
Selene's POVAhh!!!A voice sounded through the house, making me gasp awake. I needed the sleep for the competition tomorrow, but the scream jolted me from my drowsiness. Maybe it was just Caleb and Ethan messing around.Until it sounded again.I threw off the covers and rushed out of my room, my heart pounding. The scream was coming from Ethan's room. Without thinking, I pushed the door open and rushed in.Ethan was on his bed, thrashing violently, drenched in sweat, his face twisted in fear and agony. I grabbed his shoulders, trying to calm him down. "Calm down, Ethan. What's going on?"He didn't seem to hear me at first, his eyes wide and unseeing. Then, with a surge of strength, he pushed me away. I stumbled, struggling to regain my balance, when he grabbed me and lifted me up, his eyes wild and filled with terror. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice hoarse.I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to steady my breathing. "It's just a nightmare. I just wanted to help."Ethan's body wa
Claire's POVEthan had wasted no time in grabbing me. He was a psychopath. That's the only conclusion I could draw from the way he acts. Leaning on the table, cleaning his gun, all while I felt weak and disorientedThe room felt tight, I don't know what date or time it was. He had tied me against my will, left me here for the past three days. I had no one to rescue me. I was alone. Tired and weak. It felt like weeks though. I haven't seen the sun in a while, the only decency he had given me was to be able to use the bathroom but I was followed by one of his workers. A lady. There was no escape route though, just a right cubicle. The lady was strong muscular and always had a baton. I felt weak whenever I was with her. Weak and useless. My throat was parched, and my tongue felt dry. I muttered, "Thirsty. I am thirsty."Ethan gave me a look then he mockingly laughed, his amusement evident, and he replied, "Sorry, darling, I can't hear you."I took deep breaths, gathering my streng
The world around me was hazy, the sharp pain in my chest stealing my breath. Darkness encroached, but somewhere in the distance, I could hear voices—familiar ones—calling my name. Eli, Noah... their shouts pierced through the numbness. I clung to that sound, refusing to let go.This couldn’t be the end.With a herculean effort, I forced my eyes open, my body feeling like it weighed a thousand pounds. Above me, the sky stretched endlessly, a deep and inky black, but the shadows that had once loomed so large were gone. The dark force was defeated—or at least, it should’ve been.I felt a hand on my arm, tugging me back to the present. It was Noah, his face pale, his usually calm eyes wild with fear. "Lily! Stay with me!"Eli crouched beside him, his expression a mix of fury and anguish. "Don’t you dare die on us, Lily. Don’t you dare!"My vision swam as I tried to sit up, but the pain ripped through me again. My hand went to my chest, feeling the warm slickness of blood where the final s
The pack gathered at the edge of the forest, their faces grim. The air buzzed with tension as everyone prepared for the battle that would determine their future. I stood at the front, trying to keep my nerves in check. This was it—the final stand. The moment I had trained for, fought for, bled for.Leo, my father, approached me, his expression unreadable. Despite the trials, the betrayals, and the pain we’d endured, his presence always carried the weight of leadership. But today, he wasn’t the Alpha. Today, the pack looked to me."You’re ready," Leo said, his voice steady.I looked up at him, my heart swelling with emotion. "I hope so."He placed a hand on my shoulder, the gesture more tender than I expected. "We all trust you, Lily. I trust you."Selena stepped forward, her usual sharp demeanor softened by the gravity of the moment. She didn’t say anything, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes. She trusted me too, and for the first time, I felt the full weight of my responsibility
The air in the sacred chamber was heavy with anticipation. My footsteps echoed on the stone floor as I walked toward the center of the room, my heart racing in my chest. This was it—the final Luna trial. Everything I had fought for, everything I had endured, had led me to this moment. But I wasn’t prepared for the weight of it, the crushing pressure of what was at stake."You’ve got this," Rose said quietly from beside me. Her voice was soft, free of the usual bite that accompanied our exchanges. Ever since the battle with the traitor, she had changed. Maybe it was seeing Eli hurt, or maybe it was the realization that we were all in this together. Either way, Rose was standing by me now, for the first time in years, and that meant more than I could put into words.I gave her a small nod, grateful for her presence, even though fear gripped my chest like a vise.Noah stood just behind us, his arms crossed as he surveyed the chamber. He had been distant since the battle, quieter than usu
"After them!" I shouted, my heart pounding as I sprinted forward, Noah and Selena close behind. The traitor had disappeared into the shadows of the hall, slipping away like a ghost. We rushed through the narrow corridors, the weight of betrayal pressing down on us.The traitor—a former ally, a trusted figure—had turned against us. My father, Leo, the man who had built this pack from the ground up, was now in danger. I couldn’t allow them to succeed.As we turned a corner, a loud crash echoed from up ahead, followed by the unmistakable sounds of a struggle. I picked up the pace, the urgency pulling me faster than my legs wanted to go.When we burst into the central chamber, chaos greeted us.Eli was already there, locked in a brutal fight with the traitor. Blood stained his shirt, and his movements were sluggish. My heart lurched. He was injured.Leo stood behind him, trying to defend himself with whatever strength he had left. But he wasn’t the man he once was. Age had slowed him, and
The figure reached out, fingers curling around the edge of their face, pulling the skin away as if it were a mask. I gasped, my throat tightening in shock, but no sound escaped. Where Rose had stood moments ago, a stranger now stared back at me. Dark eyes glittered with satisfaction, a sneer twisting their lips. My heart hammered in my chest, but I couldn't move, rooted in disbelief. "You’ve been deceived, bitch," the stranger spat, the familiar warmth of Rose’s voice replaced with something cold, mocking. I blinked, my mind racing. Who was this? My pulse thrummed in my ears, drowning out everything around me. "Where’s Rose?" I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt. The stranger grinned, baring teeth like a predator toying with its prey. "Closer than you think." Noah stepped forward, his presence grounding me. His eyes flickered over the figure, suspicion darkening his features. "Who are you?" The stranger chuckled, the sound hollow. "Someone who’s been watching this pack f
The early morning sky was bruised with dark clouds, heavy and foreboding. The distant rumble of thunder blended with the cacophony of preparation in the pack’s camp. The pack members scrambled to their positions, their faces etched with grim determination. I stood at the edge of the camp, watching the horizon, my heart pounding in my chest. The rogue army was almost upon us.The scent of rain mixed with the tang of adrenaline, and the air was charged with tension. I tried to focus on the task at hand, forcing myself to take deep, steady breaths. Our defenses were set, but the traitor’s sabotage had thrown our plans into disarray. We had already lost precious time repairing breaches and reinforcing weak points.“Lily!” Rose’s voice cut through the din, and I turned to see her running toward me, her eyes fierce. “The scouts reported that the rogues are just minutes away. We need to be ready.”“I know,” I replied, nodding. “Everyone’s in position. We just have to hold the line until rein
The sky was overcast, the heavy clouds pressing down as if to mirror the gravity of our situation. The atmosphere around the pack's central gathering area was tense, a low hum of worried voices mingling with the clatter of preparations. The rogue army was advancing, and time was running out. I stood on a makeshift stage at the center of the clearing, the weight of the pack’s fears pressing down on me like a physical force. I needed to rally their spirits, to inspire them to face the threat head-on.The pack members were assembled, their faces a mix of fear and determination. I took a deep breath and stepped forward, trying to push aside the doubts that gnawed at me. Rose stood beside me, her expression guarded, while Eli and Noah flanked me from either side. The tension between them was palpable, but there was no time to address it now.“Everyone, listen up!” I called out, raising my voice to be heard over the murmurs. “I know that many of you are scared. I am too. But we cannot let f
The pack’s council chamber was a vast, echoing space, its high ceilings and ancient stone walls bearing witness to countless decisions made for the safety and future of our pack. Tonight, it felt more like a labyrinth of secrets and shadows than a place of governance. The atmosphere was thick with tension as Eli and I stood before Councilor Whitman, who had agreed to meet with us under pressure.Councilor Whitman, a tall man with graying hair and a stern demeanor, sat behind his large oak desk. His eyes, though weary, held a sharpness that made me wary. Eli stood beside me, his expression serious as he prepared to question Whitman about the troubling clues we’d uncovered.“Councilor Whitman,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady, “we have reason to believe that there’s a traitor among us, and that this traitor is providing information to the Blackthorns.”Whitman’s eyes narrowed. “This is a serious accusation, Lily. I would appreciate it if you had concrete evidence before making s
The moon hung high and heavy in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows over the pack’s territory. The night was quiet, but the stillness felt oppressive, as if the very air was thick with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The betrayal I feared was not just a whisper in the dark—it was a tangible threat, and it was close.I paced the length of my bedroom, trying to sort through the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that had taken hold of me since the meeting with the Blackthorns. Noah’s words echoed in my mind, growing louder with every passing hour. Someone from within our own pack was working with Killian Blackthorn, and it wasn’t just a matter of figuring out who—it was a matter of finding them before it was too late.Rose had been insistent that I was letting paranoia cloud my judgment. She’d accused me of letting the stress of leadership consume me, and while her words were sharp, I could see the underlying jealousy and frustration. I had a purpose now—one she felt had been