Valeria I wanted to believe Kade when he warned me to stay away from his father, to avoid him at all costs, but Kade himself wasn’t being completely honest with me. His warnings were vague, too protective, as if there was more he wasn’t telling me. And I was starting to wonder if he was keeping something from me on purpose. The more I thought about it, the clearer it became—Kade and his father were both hiding something.The unease in my chest wouldn’t settle, even as I paced back and forth in the dimly lit corridor. The air in Shadowfang felt heavy, oppressive, like there were secrets swirling all around me. I couldn’t just sit and wait for something terrible to happen. I needed answers, and I needed them fast.But I couldn’t ask Kade directly. He would either dismiss my concerns or give me more cryptic warnings about his father. No, I needed to figure this out on my own.I slipped out of the packhouse, careful not to draw attention. The cold night air stung my skin as I made my way
ValeriaFor the next few days, I avoided Kade and his father as much as possible. There was a tension in the air I couldn’t shake, and every time I saw Kade’s father’s dark eyes watching me, I felt like prey being stalked. His presence lingered like a shadow, always near enough to remind me that I was never truly alone, never out of his reach.I stayed on my guard, but it wasn’t easy. Shadowfang was Kade’s territory, his home, yet somehow, I always felt like I was trespassing, especially now. My suspicions about Kade’s father were growing by the day, but the more I tried to avoid him, the more he seemed to find ways to corner me.One evening, I was wandering through the woods near the packhouse, trying to clear my head. The trees provided some comfort, their towering presence grounding me as I processed everything that had been happening. But my peace didn’t last long. I felt a prickling at the back of my neck—the unmistakable sensation of being watched.I stopped, turning slowly. The
ValeriaI wandered through the quiet halls of Shadowfang, my thoughts still spinning from my encounter with Kade’s father. His words had rattled me more than I cared to admit. There was truth to what he’d said—about the power inside me, about the uncertainty of who I was becoming. But the idea of trusting him? That was out of the question.As I walked, trying to clear my mind, I felt a strange pull—something almost instinctive leading me toward the outskirts of the pack’s territory. I didn’t know where I was going, but something told me I needed to follow it.The path led me deep into the woods, where the trees grew denser, their shadows casting long stretches of darkness. Just when I began to question if I was making a mistake, I saw him—a figure standing by a small, flickering fire. His back was turned to me, but something about him seemed familiar. He radiated an aura of calm and wisdom, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me.“Valeria,” he called out without turning, his voice
ValeriaThe night was quiet as I made my way back toward the house, my thoughts still lingering on everything Alaric had told me. The partial revelation of my so-called destiny hung heavily over me, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was still stumbling in the dark, unsure of where to turn next.But one thing was certain—I needed more answers. And those answers, at least some of them, were with Kade. The more I thought about, the more I felt like he knew more than he was letting on.I hesitated outside the door to his room, the cool night air swirling around me. My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of anxiety and anticipation coursing through me. Despite everything, despite the secrets and the uncertainty, there was something undeniable between us. A pull I couldn’t ignore, no matter how hard I tried.I raised my hand, knocked softly, and waited.“Come in,” came his voice, low and steady, sending a shiver through me.I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Kade stood by the win
ValeriaThe next morning, I woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the window. Kade lay beside me, his arm draped over my waist, his face peaceful in sleep. But my mind was anything but calm.The events of the past few days spun around in my head like a storm. The uncertainty, the secrets, the prophecy—everything seemed to be spiraling out of control, and at the center of it all was Kade’s father. There was something dangerous about him, something that sent chills down my spine every time he was near. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something much darker than we could have imagined.I slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Kade. Pulling on my clothes, I tiptoed out of the room, needing a moment to gather my thoughts. As I descended the stairs, a sense of unease settled over me. There were too many questions, too many things that didn’t add up. And I was determined to find out the truth.Kade’s father had been evasive, to say the least. He’d dropp
ValeriaThe unease lingered long after Kade’s father left the room. I couldn’t shake the chill that settled deep in my bones, the knowledge that he was plotting something far more insidious than I’d ever imagined. His words echoed in my mind—his alliances with the rogues, his hunger for power. It all felt too big, too dangerous, and we were running out of time.Later that afternoon, I found myself pacing the small study, unable to sit still. Kade was out handling some pack business, but even that seemed like a diversion compared to the storm brewing just beneath the surface. I couldn’t stop thinking about the implications of what we’d uncovered.We knew now that Kade’s father was the mastermind behind rogue activities, but there was more to it than just his control over one faction. I had overheard conversations, picked up on subtle hints during my own discreet investigations. Kade’s father had been meeting with other rogue leaders, making deals, solidifying alliances. It wasn’t just
ValeriaI couldn’t shake the frustration that gnawed at me after my search for Alaric led to nothing. Days had passed, and I had scoured the pack lands and beyond, seeking any trace of the man who had once seemed to have all the answers. He had warned me, given me cryptic advice, and then disappeared without a trace. Now, I was left to face the looming threat of Kade’s father and the second trial alone.Eira found me near the edge of the forest, pacing as my thoughts spiraled out of control. The trees swayed gently in the wind, the sounds of nature doing little to calm the turmoil in my chest.“You’ve been looking for him again, haven’t you?” Eira asked softly, her voice carrying a weight of knowing.I stopped pacing and turned to face her. “I thought I could find him. Alaric. He seemed to know so much, and I… I need answers. But he’s vanished.”Eira shook her head, her expression both gentle and firm. “Valeria, I’ve asked around. No one here has seen or heard of a man like the one yo
RylanStanding at the edge of the balcony, I stared into the distant horizon, where the sprawling forests of Blackridge met the sky. The pressure in my chest was growing tighter by the day. It wasn’t just the constant demands of the pack—it was the relentless pressure from my father and now my mother, too, to marry Seraphina. I thought coming back home would give me some peace, a chance to regain control, but I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Valeria. She was still in Shadowfang, with Kade, of all people. My every instinct screamed at me to go back and protect her, but my father was not giving me that choice.“Rylan,” my mother’s soft voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the moment. “You need to think about the future, the pack. Seraphina is a good match.”I clenched my jaw. This was the same conversation we’d had for days now, and I was tired of repeating myself. “I’ve already told you, Mother. I’m mated to Valeria. I can’t marry Seraphina.”“You’ve also told u
RylanThe biting cold of the Blackridge mountains was unforgiving, but I barely felt it. The weight of the occasion pressed down on my shoulders far heavier than any winter chill could. Today was the day my father would be officially crowned Alpha of Blackridge, a position he’d essentially held in practice for years, but this was the formal acknowledgment of his power. I stood just behind him, my breath clouding in the cold air as I observed the pack gathered around us.We were a smaller pack, but Blackridge’s strength was undeniable. Every member was hardened by the unforgiving landscape, disciplined by our strict hierarchy. To outsiders, we might have seemed cold and ruthless, but to us, power and loyalty were everything. No one questioned the strength of my father, Eryx, and no one dared to defy him. He had earned this moment through blood, sweat, and countless battles. But as I watched him, standing tall and unyielding, I couldn’t shake the tension that gnawed at me from within.T
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