ValeriaAs we arrived at the packhouse of the wolf pack, a strange blend of familiarity and unease washed over me. The towering structure with its rustic stone walls and heavy wooden doors felt like home, yet beneath that comfort lay an undeniable sense of danger, as if unseen eyes were watching me. My heart pounded, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong. I don’t know what it was about but the feeling wouldn’t shake off my mind. It was as if the dangers were lurking in the shadows, waiting for me to make a mistake or for me to come to it, almost like that undeniable pull I felt as it drew me back to the wolf pack on that night I came back here.The moment I stepped out of the car, I was greeted by the comforting presence of Rylan and Aiden. Their faces were solemn but kind, both of them exuding a warmth I clung to. Their faces weren’t masked with stern expressions unlike Kade who looked like he had just finished fighting in a war. “Valeria,”
ValeriaI couldn’t shake the chill that crept up my spine as I watched one of the cloaked figures disperse into the shadows. Had they seen me? My heart was racing, and I could barely keep my breaths steady as I stayed hidden in the darkness. But then, just as I was about to turn and slip back into the packhouse, something caught my eye. One of the figures had broken off from the group, disappearing into the woods behind the courtyard.The other person had disappeared out of sight just before I could poke my head out again.I hesitated for a moment. I knew it wasn’t wise to follow someone into the forest, especially someone I suspected was involved in the Alpha King’s death, but my curiosity burned hotter than my sense of self-preservation. Without thinking, I found myself stepping into the moonlit path, trailing behind the cloaked figure at a safe distance.Each step was calculated, my feet moving as silently as possible on the dirt path. The figure ahead of me moved swiftly, like they
Valeria My legs ached with every step, the soreness from the fight with the rogue gnawing at me, but I forced myself to keep going. The sight of the packhouse brought a rush of relief, but it was fleeting. As I drew closer, I saw Kade standing outside, his eyes scanning the darkness. There was an unmistakable look of worry etched into his features. It was a look I hadn’t seen from him before, and for some reason, it made my chest tighten.The moment he spotted me, he rushed toward me, his brows furrowed in concern. “Where have you been?” he demanded, his voice sharp with worry. “You disappeared from your room all of a sudden. I thought—”“I just needed to get some fresh air,” I interrupted, forcing a small smile, though it was nowhere near convincing. There was no way I was going to tell him the truth—not about the rogue, the fight, or the strange power that had burst out of me again. He wouldn’t believe me anyway.Kade’s eyes roamed over me, taking in my disheveled appearance, the c
Valeria The next morning arrived with a thick, heavy cloud of sorrow hanging over the wolf pack. The air itself seemed to mourn the loss of the Alpha King and his family. As I dressed for the funeral, a somber chill ran down my spine. There was a hollowness in my chest, a strange ache that throbbed with every breath. I couldn’t explain it, but the closer we got to the time of the ceremony, the more unsettled I felt.Rylan had insisted on accompanying me, and I was grateful. As much as I tried to stand strong, something about this day made me feel as if I might crumble at any moment. We walked in silence, and I found myself unconsciously leaning into his side, seeking comfort in his presence. He didn’t say anything about it, but his arm brushed against mine, and it was enough to ground me.When we reached the ceremonial grounds, my heart clenched. The sight of the Alpha King and his family being laid to rest was overwhelming. A strange familiarity swept through me, as if I knew them,
ValeriaWith Kade gone, the packhouse felt strangely quieter, more still than usual. I spent most of my day with Rylan, trying to distract myself from the weight of everything looming over me: the trial, the prophecy, the questions swirling in my mind about the rogue, and my growing connection with my mates. Rylan, as always, was steady and reliable, his calm presence offering a kind of solace I desperately needed.We took a walk through the woods in the afternoon, and I found myself laughing more than I had in days. Rylan had a way of making me feel lighter, as if the world wasn’t quite so heavy when he was around. We talked about everything and nothing—the trials he’d been through as a pack warrior, my childhood memories, and even mundane things like our favorite foods. I appreciated that he didn’t bring up the trial or the prophecy, choosing instead to focus on the present, on just being with me.By the time night fell, the air had cooled considerably. We returned to the packhouse,
Valeria The early morning light seeped through the curtains as I forced myself out of bed, already feeling the warmth of the day ahead. I hadn’t slept well after everything that had happened with Rylan the night before. My mind was still tangled with thoughts of the mate bond, the trial, and the strange prophecy Jeric had mentioned at the funeral. I wasn’t sure what to make of any of it, but I knew I didn’t have time to dwell on it now. A pack member had come to my door with a summons from Jeric. Great. Just great.I sighed, pulling myself together, and headed to Jeric’s office, preparing myself for another round of accusations or smug remarks. As I entered, I kept my expression neutral, waiting for whatever new insult he had in store for me.But to my surprise, Jeric didn’t launch into any tirade. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, a curious expression on his face. “Valeria,” he began, his tone strangely calm, “do you know anything about the prophecy of the coming Luna Queen?”I
KadeThe ride back to Shadowfang’s packhouse felt longer than usual. Every mile stretched on, weighed down by thoughts of Valeria. Leaving her behind felt like tearing a part of me away—like there was something vital missing. But I couldn’t let myself stay, not after everything that had happened. Not with everything I still carried.Callan, my beta, glanced at me from the driver’s seat. I could feel his eyes on me, though I kept mine on the passing trees. “You sure leaving her like that was the right move?” he asked, breaking the silence.I exhaled slowly, trying to rein in the storm of emotions swirling inside me. “I don’t know, Callan,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “What’s the right move in a situation like this?”“She’s your mate, Alpha,” Callan said. “You can’t keep acting like she doesn’t matter. She needs to know where you stand, and so far, you’ve shown her nothing but nonchalance, reticence and closed-off.”“She’s still under suspicion, Callan, don’t forget,” I
Kade “You should learn to lighten up, boy,” he chuckled deviously. “Want some smoke?”His eyes were sharp as ever, studying me with a cold, calculating gaze. The room felt like it shrunk the moment I had stepped inside, my heart pounding in my chest as the familiar tension between us settled like a thick fog.“I didn’t know you were in town,” I replied instead, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. My stomach twisted in knots. The last time we’d spoken, things hadn’t ended well. It was a conversation that still haunted me, one filled with harsh words, threats, and ultimatums.“Business,” he said simply as he lit up his smoke, as if that was what mattered to him the most. But of course, I knew more than anyone that he could only come back to the pack for a reason… and what that reason could be, scared me. I stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. He never showed up without an agenda, and I wasn’t about to play into whatever scheme he had planned. My father had always been a ma
KadeThe dawn came too soon. The faint light filtering through the curtains signaled the beginning of another battle, another fight for survival. But for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t dreading it as much as I usually would. Valeria was still asleep beside me, her body curled against mine, her steady breathing the only sound in the room. It was a rare moment of peace, one I knew wouldn’t last.But I didn’t want to wake her yet. She’d fought so hard to bring our packs together, to show everyone, including me, that she was the Luna we all needed. And I’d fought her at every turn, believing I knew better. But now, holding her close, I realized how wrong I’d been.I’d spent so much time worrying about protecting Shadowfang and keeping it separate that I hadn’t seen the bigger picture. Valeria’s strength wasn’t just in her leadership—it was in her ability to unite, to make people believe in something greater than themselves. Including me. I had to stop thinking that my way was the
KadeThe fire crackled in the pit, casting shadows across the stone walls of the meeting chamber. The air was thick with the tension that lingered after every battle, a kind of pressure that sat heavy on my chest. I could feel the eyes of Valeria’s council on me, their judgment hanging in the balance. It wasn’t just Shadowfang’s future that rested on this alliance—it was my own relationship with Valeria. And after all the mistakes I’d made, I wasn’t sure I had the right to ask for their trust.But I had to try. Not just for Shadowfang, but for her.I straightened in my seat, forcing myself to meet the gaze of the man across from me, Valeria’s Beta, Torin. He’d always been suspicious of me, ever since I’d stepped into Valeria’s life. I couldn’t blame him. I hadn’t exactly been forthcoming, especially when I kept Shadowfang’s independence at the forefront. But that was over now. I needed to show them all that I was committed to this alliance.“Shadowfang is prepared to stand with you,”
KadeThe air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat, the sounds of battle echoing around me as I fought through the chaos. Malachai’s forces had come at us harder than I anticipated. Shadowfang’s warriors, Valeria’s pack—everyone was giving their all. But it wasn’t enough. Not yet.My wolf growled inside me, restless, urging me to push harder, to protect them all. But more than anything, I had to protect her.I caught sight of Valeria at the center of the battlefield, her movements fierce and precise as she took down an enemy rogue with a single, brutal swipe. Even now, she was magnificent—strong, commanding, everything a Luna should be. My heart clenched as I watched her, a surge of protectiveness roaring through me. I’d been holding back for too long, distancing myself under the excuse of duty, of responsibility to my pack. But seeing her now, in the midst of battle, I knew there was no more running.She was my Luna. And I was hers.Another rogue lunged toward her, and before I
KadeThe weight of the prophecy hangs over me like a shadow I can’t shake.It’s a prophecy that warns of a “dark king,” a figure who will bring ruin and devastation to those around him. It doesn’t name anyone outright, doesn’t point to me specifically—but I can’t help but feel its claws digging into my conscience. Every decision I’ve made, every step I’ve taken away from Valeria, away from fully embracing our bond, has begun to feel like a pathway toward that destruction.And I’m the one walking us straight into it.I’ve always been devoted to Shadowfang, to my pack. My life, my entire being, has revolved around protecting them, making sure that we stand strong no matter what threats come our way. But as the days go by, as tensions mount and the threat of Malachai grows more pressing, I’m starting to wonder if my loyalty to the pack has been misplaced—if, in my pursuit of keeping them safe, I’ve been dooming Valeria to struggle alone.I’ve failed her.I should be the one standing at h
KadeI didn’t mean for it to get this bad.I stared at Valeria, her eyes ablaze with fury, her fists clenched at her sides. The tension in the room was palpable, thick enough to cut through, and I knew—I knew—that I had crossed a line. But I couldn’t take back the words I had said. Couldn’t undo the damage they had caused.“This isn’t about control,” I snapped, though even as the words left my mouth, I knew they weren’t entirely true. “This is about keeping us safe. Keeping you safe.”Valeria’s laugh was sharp, bitter. “Don’t try to spin this into something noble, Kade. This is about you thinking I can’t handle my role. That I can’t lead without you micromanaging every decision I make!”I winced at the bite in her voice, but I held my ground. “I’m trying to protect Shadowfang. The pack is my responsibility.”Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer, her presence commanding the space between us. “Our responsibility. I’m the Luna, or have you forgotten that?”I hadn’t forgotten. Of
KadeThe air was thick with tension as I stood in the center of the war room, staring at the map in front of me. Every detail had been meticulously planned—our defenses, the patrols, the routes we’d take to safeguard Shadowfang from Malachai’s rogues. And yet, something felt off. I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling crawling up my spine.I trusted my warriors, every single one of them. They were brothers and sisters to me. My lieutenants had fought alongside me for years. We’d faced countless battles together, survived countless threats. The idea that one of them could be a traitor… I didn’t want to believe it.But I couldn’t ignore the reports. There had been small signs, whispers of strange behavior, subtle shifts in communication patterns. Information we should have kept tight within our pack had been slipping through the cracks. Someone was leaking details—strategic details—to Malachai. And now, it was clear that the ambush was more than just luck on his part.I gritted my teeth, g
Kade The report in front of me felt like a weight pressing against my chest, each word sinking deeper into my thoughts. Malachai’s presence was growing, his rogues testing our borders more frequently, and his attacks becoming bolder. This wasn’t just a random series of strikes—he was probing, searching for our weak spots. Every time we fought them back, they retreated, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he found the chink in our armor.Shadowfang had always been prepared, always vigilant. It was my job to ensure we stayed that way. The safety of the pack was my first and only priority, and Malachai was becoming an ever-present threat I couldn’t afford to ignore.I scanned the intelligence report again, noting the details—movements near the eastern border, rogue sightings near our supply routes, a pattern in their retreats that suggested they were mapping our defenses. I clenched my fist, the muscles in my jaw tightening. We couldn’t let this go on much longer.“Alpha?” Ro
Kade The sounds of training filled the Shadowfang camp as I watched my warriors spar under the midday sun. The rhythmic clang of steel on steel, the grunts of exertion, and the sharp commands of our combat instructors were a familiar comfort to me. This was where I belonged—leading, strategizing, ensuring that Shadowfang remained the powerful force it had always been.My pack looked to me for leadership, and I gave them everything I had. Every decision, every battle plan, every word spoken at council meetings was weighed with the same question: how does this protect Shadowfang? I couldn’t afford mistakes. Not with Malachai’s forces lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.But lately, the tension between Shadowfang and Valeria’s pack had been growing, and it was weighing on me more than I wanted to admit. My bond with Valeria should have made things easier—two powerful packs standing united, with their Alpha and Luna stronger together than apart. Yet, the real
KadeAs I stood at the edge of the Shadowfang pack’s territory, surveying the forest that stretched out in every direction, the familiar weight of responsibility settled in my chest. Shadowfang had always been my life—my first priority, my last thought before sleep, and the one thing that kept me going, even in the darkest of times. I’d fought tooth and nail to keep this pack safe, to strengthen it, and ensure that we could hold our own in a world full of enemies. My devotion to Shadowfang ran deeper than blood. It was my legacy, and I had no intention of ever letting it fall.But lately, that sense of purpose had been fractured. Not by an enemy, not by a rival pack or a threat from within, but by something far more intimate. Valeria.She was my mate. The bond between us was undeniable, a connection that hummed beneath my skin every time she was near. It should have been simple—claiming her, building a future together. But nothing about our situation was simple. She was the Luna of he