The waiting area is dimly lit, the air thick with unspoken tension. Cain sits in one of the leather chairs, legs spread wide, arms draped over the armrests like he owns the place. His smirk is lazy, arrogant, completely unbothered by the enforcers stationed around him.They stand like statues, unmoving, but I can see the way their eyes track his every breath. They know what he is. What he’s capable of. The two rogues with him sit on the ground, engaged in a casual muted conversation. Theo is missing from the group.Caspian and I watch from a distance. He hasn’t spoken much since we got back. His gaze is fixed on Cain, silver eyes unreadable.“I don’t like this,” I murmur, crossing my arms.Caspian sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Delilah—”“I mean it,” I cut in. “Something feels off.”He turns to look at me, exhaustion clear on his face. “You’re exhausted. You should go back to bed.”I scoff. “Yeah, because I can totally sleep while Cain is sitting there like the world’s smug
Something is wrong.The feeling grips me tight, gnawing at the edge of my consciousness as I step into the packhouse. There’s a subtle shift in the air, something almost imperceptible, but Aries senses it before I do."Something reeks." His voice slithers into my thoughts. "And it’s not just the rogues this time."My eyes sweep the waiting area, where enforcers stand guard, their backs straight, their eyes locked on the two rogues who accompanied Cain. The men sit stiffly on a bench, their gazes lowered, but there’s a restless energy about them—coiled tension beneath the surface.Cain is nowhere in sight. He must already be inside the study, speaking with the king.Ethan stands in front of the doors, arms crossed, the weight of his duty evident in his stance. When he notices me, his expression softens, and he offers a small, knowing smile. I return it, forcing a semblance of calm, even as the uneasy feeling in my gut refuses to settle.Then I notice someone.An Omega, lingering ne
I step out of the waiting area, my heart still steady but my mind spinning. The weight of Aries' power lingers in the air, crackling like a storm that hasn't fully passed."Did you see them?" Aries hums in my head, practically purring with satisfaction. "The way they dropped like dead leaves in a winter storm? And I barely even touched them."I roll my eyes. "Barely?""Mmm," he muses, stretching lazily within my consciousness. "That was less than five percent of my power, sweetheart. Just a little nudge."I pause mid-step, eyebrows shooting up. "Five percent?""Five," Aries repeats smoothly. "The rogues are barely more than skin and bone. Their bodies are weak, their spirits even weaker. Of course, they fell apart." He scoffs. "But did you see the enforcers? The well-fed, highly-trained Lycans? They looked like they were about to crumble, too. Imagine if I had used even ten percent. It would’ve been a massacre."A laugh bubbles up before I can stop it. "You’re impossible.""No, darlin
The air is charged, thick with tension. I feel it humming beneath my skin like an untamed current, the weight of something dark and violent pressing against me. The rogues are close. Too close.Aries is pacing inside me, restless, his energy crackling through my bones. "They’re coming," he growls, his voice deep, rich, and filled with anticipation. "I can feel them crawling toward our gates like the vermin they are."I tighten my grip on the windowsill, staring out into the night. There’s nothing yet, no visible threat, but I know he’s right."Let me out," he demands, practically vibrating with impatience. "Let’s hit them first. Wipe out the first wave before they even know what’s happening."I close my eyes, inhaling deeply. "We wait for Caspian’s command," I say evenly."Command?" He scoffs. "You think I need a command to do what I was born for?""Yes," I deadpan.He lets out a frustrated snarl. "You’re impossible. They’re close enough to taste, Delilah. I can already hear their ra
The tension in the grand hall is suffocating, a thick, oppressive weight that presses down on every soul present. The air is heavy with the scent of fear, determination, and the faint metallic tang of weapons being readied. Every face holds a different shade of emotion—some pale with terror, others set in grim acceptance, and a few burning with fierce resolve. The entire pack is here, gathered in the heart of the estate, waiting, listening. The silence is deafening, broken only by the occasional shuffle of feet or the clink of armor.Caspian stands at the center of it all, his presence commanding the room like a storm waiting to break. King Damon stands to his right, his regal bearing unshaken despite the gravity of the moment. To Caspian’s left is Queen Rhoda, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd with a mixture of sorrow and steel. Beside them stands Ethan, his broad shoulders squared, his jaw clenched tight. Together, they form an unyielding wall of authority, but the weight of t
“Get the archers up! Now! They need to be in position before the first torch is thrown! And reinforce the eastern wall—there’s a weak spot near the—”“Relax, Ethan.”King Damon’s voice cuts through Ethan’s barking orders like a blade—calm, effortless, but impossible to ignore.Ethan spins, looking like he’s about to snap back, but when he meets the king’s cool gaze, he exhales sharply and drags a hand through his dark hair. “This isn’t the time to be telling me to relax, Your grace.”King Damon’s lips curve into something that might be a smirk, but his eyes remain unreadable. “If you don’t relax, you’ll be too tense to react when it really matters.”Ethan lets out a quiet growl but doesn’t argue. He rolls his shoulders, muttering something under his breath before turning back to the enforcers.I watch them from the high wall, my fingers curling around the rough stone. Beyond the barrier, torches flicker in the darkness, swaying in the hands of rogues and Moonhaven enforcers. Their s
The wind carries the acrid scent of smoke and blood, thick and suffocating. The ground beneath us trembles with the weight of a hundred battles fought at once."Ethan! Keep your focus!" King Damon's voice cuts through the chaos like a blade, calm and commanding. "You're barking orders like a madman."Ethan huffs, eyes locked on the advancing rogues. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, now is not the time for leisure."Damon chuckles, barely sparing Ethan a glance. "And yet, you're still flapping your mouth instead of shooting arrows."Ethan scowls but turns back to his men. "Loose!"A rain of arrows slices through the night, the whistle of their flight drowned by the agonized cries of the rogues they pierce. Some drop instantly, bodies hitting the dirt in sickening thuds. Others stagger, blood pooling from wounds that won't keep them down for long."Again!" Ethan roars. The archers obey without hesitation.The ground shifts beneath my feet. At first, I think it’s my own unsteady pul
The Hybrid lunges.It is pure destruction—fast, merciless, ripping through Goldencrest’s forces like they are nothing. Warriors are thrown aside like ragdolls, their screams swallowed by the chaos of battle.The tide turns against us.Smoke thickens in the air, a suffocating, blinding force. Fire spreads wildly, consuming everything in its path, turning the battlefield into a burning graveyard.Aries is relentless.He dodges, rips, and slashes, his massive silver body moving like a phantom in the haze. But no matter how many rogues he cuts down, more come. And then—King Damon moves."Aries! Stop him!" I scream in his head.But it’s too late.The king charges the Hybrid.His sword sings through the air, slicing across the beast’s thick hide. It howls but does not falter. Instead, it turns on him, its claws swiping with deadly precision.Aries snarls, surging forward—Too late.The beast’s massive hand collides with Damon’s side, lifting him clean off his feet. The sound of bones c
The music swells around us, soft yet powerful, the perfect melody for a moment like this. My hand rests in Caspian's, and my other rests lightly on his shoulder as we glide across the ballroom floor. The golden chandeliers overhead bathe us in warm light, making everything shimmer—my silver gown, the golden embroidery on Caspian’s regal suit, the crown atop his head, and the one newly placed upon mine.The ceremony was breathtaking, a moment forever etched in my soul. I was not just Caspian’s mate now—I was his queen, standing beside him in every sense of the word. And now, at the reception, with laughter and celebration all around us, I finally allow myself to breathe, to feel the joy that tonight has brought.Caspian pulls me closer, his breath teasing my ear as he murmurs, “I have half a mind to steal you away from all these people.”I smile, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “And risk the wrath of Cassidy? She’s spent a week planning this. I don’t think even you, King of Gol
The war is over. The crown is ours. And now, we plan a mating ceremony that will shake the very foundation of Golden Crest.Or at least, that’s what Cass claims as she takes absolute control of the preparations.“I don’t care what anyone says,” she declares, pacing the grand hall of the packhouse. “This needs to be spectacular. No, beyond spectacular—legendary.”Alma, standing by the massive oak table covered in fabric samples, rolls her eyes. “Puppy, it’s a mating ceremony, not a royal parade.”Cassidy whirls around, hands on her hips, her tiny but noticeable baby bump pressing against her flowing tunic. “Excuse me? It is a royal parade. Delilah is going to be queen. My best friend. And if you think for one second that I’m going to let this be anything less than breathtaking, you don’t know me at all.”I suppress a laugh, exchanging a glance with Caspian, who lounges in one of the chairs, watching the chaos unfold. He’s wisely staying out of it.Smart man.Aries snickers in the bac
Moonhaven is quiet.Not the kind of peaceful quiet that settles after a long day, but the heavy, suffocating quiet of absence. Of loss.I step through the gates to the pack my boots crunching against the gravel. The pack is intact, the buildings standing strong, but there’s a hollowness to the place. A pack without its Alpha. A kingdom without its heir.It's strange that I once considered this place home. It's strange I grew up here, twenty one years.It doesn't feel anything like it. No, not really. It feels cold...empty, even though nothing changed except the death of Rowan and Theo and the enforcers that went along to war.It's a ghost of a place. I'm looking around and I'm picturing Theo leaning on the walls, arms either folded or tucked into his pockets. Just observing.We pass by the garden and I'm picturing him laying on his back, arms around his head, eyes closed... just...lost outside of reality.Even the air begins to smell like him. I'm just manufacturing it, I know. B
The grand hall is alive with energy.Golden Crest has seen its share of destruction, but tonight—tonight is about rebirth. About new beginnings. It's been a little over a month since the war and the pack is almost fully recovered. Burned buildings are almost complete, although, the pack still grieves for the enforcers we lost.Brothers, mates, sons, daughters. Their lives mattered.The chandeliers above cast a warm glow over the gathered pack members, their faces brimming with anticipation. The air is thick with emotion, a blend of excitement and pride.At the front of the hall, King Damon and Queen Rhoda stand tall, their regal presence unwavering. But tonight, they do not stand as rulers. Tonight, they relinquish their power.And they give it to Caspian and I.I still can’t believe it.Once, I was the rejected, the unwanted. A human among wolves, an outcast in my own skin. Now, I stand beside Caspian, my mate, the Lycan that kidnapped me and brought me to see my destiny.My finge
Delilah:The world feels distant, like I’m floating in a foggy dream. I can’t see anything, but I hear voices—muffled, as if they’re speaking through water. One voice stands out, deep and familiar, calling to me. Aries. He’s been calling for a while now, but I can’t find my way back to him. My thoughts are scattered, tangled in memories of fire, blood, and Theo’s lifeless eyes. I don’t want to remember. I don’t want to go back.But Aries doesn’t stop. His voice is a constant pull, a lifeline I’m too afraid to grab. "Delilah," he says, his tone softer now, almost pleading. "You can’t stay here. They need you. Caspian needs you."I don’t answer. I don’t know how.******Aries’ PerspectiveThe sun is setting, casting a golden glow over Golden Crest. The air smells of ash and fresh pine, a reminder of the war that nearly destroyed us. Cassidy walks beside me, her fingers absently running through my fur. She’s quiet, but I can feel the weight of her thoughts.“How long do you think s
Cain smirks.It’s not a smirk of arrogance. Not amusement.It’s the smirk of a man who knows he has lost but refuses to kneel.Aries doesn’t hesitate.The moment stretches, the sounds of battle fading into nothing but the roar of his own fury.He lunges, claws gleaming, teeth bared. Cain braces himself, but in his red eyes, Aries sees a reflection.He doesn't see Cain's red eyes, no. He sees a pair of hateful brown eyes.He is seeing Lucian.The man who betrayed him. The man who slaughtered his mate. His son.The weight of centuries of hatred crashes into Aries, feeding the fire of his rage. He will give Cain no mercy, just as there was none for him in that past life.Cain swings first, a desperate strike. Aries sidesteps with ease, claws slicing across Cain’s exposed side. Blood sprays into the air, but the rogue king barely flinches. He moves again, aiming for Aries’ throat, but it is a mistake.He is fast. Aries is faster.The next blow is brutal.A clawed hand grips Cain by the t
Caspian coughs, blood dripping from his lips, but his smirk remains, stubborn as ever. His breathing is ragged, his body trembling from the loss of blood, but his eyes remain sharp. Unyielding.“I’m fine,” he rasps, waving Aries off like it’s nothing. “I’m okay.”Aries growls lowly, displeased.“Liar.” His voice, deep and rough, rumbles through me.But Aries still moves, using his jaws to haul Caspian up to his feet. The weight of the prince is nothing—Aries is strong enough to carry him, to take him to safety."Take him to the packhouse," I whisper in our mind. "He’s losing too much blood. He won’t last if he stays out here."Aries tenses, ready to obey, but Caspian suddenly wrenches himself away, staggering but steadying before Aries can grab him again.“No.” His voice is hoarse but firm. “I can’t leave.”Aries’ eyes narrow. “You’re injured.”Caspian straightens, wiping at his bloody mouth. “I’m the prince,” he says, his tone laced with something unreadable. “My father is already h
The battlefield hums with the aftermath of carnage, the air stained with the scent of blood and burning debris. Bodies litter the ground, some still twitching, others forever still. The hybrid is dead, and yet, the fight rages on, the remnants of Rowan’s forces still clawing at whatever victory they can scavenge.Aries moves with predatory grace, weaving through the chaos. Every muscle in his body thrums with unspent energy, his blue eyes sharp, scanning. Searching.And then—Cain.He stands in the center of the battlefield, unbothered, untouched. A smirk curves his lips, arrogance radiating from his very stance. And then, he winks.Something is wrong.The air shifts, thickens with the weight of unseen danger. Aries’ fur bristles. My gut tightens. There’s something more to that look, something sinister lurking beneath Cain’s smirk.Aries’ gaze snaps to Caspian. He’s locked in combat with a rogue, movements swift and precise. The rogue is losing, barely holding his own against Caspi
The Hybrid lunges.It is pure destruction—fast, merciless, ripping through Goldencrest’s forces like they are nothing. Warriors are thrown aside like ragdolls, their screams swallowed by the chaos of battle.The tide turns against us.Smoke thickens in the air, a suffocating, blinding force. Fire spreads wildly, consuming everything in its path, turning the battlefield into a burning graveyard.Aries is relentless.He dodges, rips, and slashes, his massive silver body moving like a phantom in the haze. But no matter how many rogues he cuts down, more come. And then—King Damon moves."Aries! Stop him!" I scream in his head.But it’s too late.The king charges the Hybrid.His sword sings through the air, slicing across the beast’s thick hide. It howls but does not falter. Instead, it turns on him, its claws swiping with deadly precision.Aries snarls, surging forward—Too late.The beast’s massive hand collides with Damon’s side, lifting him clean off his feet. The sound of bones c