ValeriaThe whispers had started as little more than a faint hum, an annoyance I could ignore in the grand scheme of things. But as time passed, they grew louder, turning into a roar that followed me wherever I went. It was as if every step I took was shadowed by the doubt and fear of those who didn’t believe I deserved the title of Luna Queen.It wasn’t just a few anymore. The dissenters were gathering strength, forming secret factions in the dark corners of the pack. They spread rumors like wildfire, fanning the flames of suspicion until even those who had once supported me began to question my intentions. I’d walk through the halls, and I could feel the eyes on me—glaring, watching, waiting for me to slip up, to prove their worst fears true.It hurt. More than I wanted to admit, it hurt that they thought I had manipulated the trial, that I had somehow used my power to control the bull and steal the title. I had never wanted any of this. I didn’t ask for the power, the responsibilit
Valeria I sat by the window, staring out into the darkness beyond the trees, the weight of everything pressing down on me like a suffocating fog. No matter how hard I tried to push through, to keep my head up, the doubts kept creeping in. Would I ever be enough for them? Could I ever earn their trust, or would I always be the outcast, the one they feared more than they respected?My thoughts were interrupted by the soft creak of the door behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. His presence was like a pulse in the air, steady and strong, filling the space with a kind of warmth I’d come to crave.Aiden.“You’re brooding again,” he said quietly, his voice low and comforting.I didn’t respond at first, still lost in the storm of my own thoughts. But I felt him move closer, his steps light on the wooden floor until he was standing just behind me. I could feel the heat radiating off his body, and it sent a shiver down my spine.“It’s hard not to brood when the world see
Valeria As the night grew darker and quieter, I found myself wandering the grounds of the packhouse, trying to make sense of the chaos that had become my life. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale glow over the trees, and the crisp air filled my lungs, helping to clear my head. I needed this. A moment to breathe, to think, to figure out what the hell I was going to do next.Returning to Shadowfang with Kade felt like my only option. With the council and half the pack against me, staying here was too dangerous. And yet, the thought of going back to Shadowfang didn’t exactly fill me with relief either. Kade had lied to me. He had kept the truth about who I was hidden, and while I understood his fears, it didn’t erase the betrayal I felt. I didn’t know how to feel about him now.And then there was Rylan. I sighed, rubbing my temples as I remembered the confrontation earlier.“Do you still want to reject me?” Rylan had asked, his voice raw with emotion. His piercing eyes searched
ValeriaThe journey to Shadowfang pack was shrouded in a thick, uncomfortable silence. I glanced at Kade from time to time, his profile hard and unreadable as he drove us through the dense forest that separated the two territories. The tension between us was palpable, almost suffocating, but I wasn’t ready to break it just yet. There was so much left unsaid, so much I didn’t know how to address. His betrayal still stung, the fact that he had kept such a monumental secret from me,my identity, my powers,made it difficult to trust him fully again.I crossed my arms and leaned back against the seat, staring out the window at the blurred scenery. My mind was swirling with thoughts about everything that had happened,the council’s dissent, being named the Luna Queen, the mysterious figure from last night who claimed to know more about my power than I did. And then there was Rylan, whose question still echoed in my mind: Do you still want to reject me?I sighed softly, trying to clear my head
ValeriaThe night air felt thick as I stood before Malachai, my heart pounding with the weight of his words. Valeria Nightshade. The name echoed in my mind, unfamiliar and unsettling. I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at him, trying to keep my composure.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said firmly. “I’m Valeria Blackthorn. The Nightshades are… they’re dead. The royal family was wiped out… the Alpha King and his entire bloodline.”Malachai’s lips curled into a smile, dark and knowing. His eyes, gleaming with amusement, seemed to pierce through me. “Is that what you think?” he asked, his voice low and mocking. “Do you really think that’s the whole story? Or do you just believe whatever you’ve been fed by those around you?”I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap at him. His arrogance grated on my nerves, but there was something else there, something unsettling, as if he knew more than I could comprehend. He was toying with me, playing on the doubts that had alread
Valeria The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the forest as I shifted into my wolf form, my fur rippling under the cool night breeze. The events of the day weighed heavily on me… Mikaela’s incessant jabs, the constant whispers of doubt from those around me, and the looming threat of Malachai’s words still echoing in my mind. I needed space, a moment to breathe away from all of it.The ground beneath my paws was soft, the familiar earth giving me comfort as I ran through the woods. The wind rushed past me, and for a brief moment, I felt free… free of expectations, of doubt, of the burdens that had been placed upon me. It was just me and the wild, a part of me that no one could take away. But as much as I wanted to lose myself in the peace of the night, something in the air felt off, like the shadows themselves were watching.Suddenly, I caught a scent. It was faint at first but unmistakable, Malachai. A low growl rumbled from deep within my chest as I slowed my pac
Valeria The trek back to the packhouse was slow and heavy, my limbs aching with fatigue after the confrontation with Malachai. The adrenaline that had kept me going now seeped away, leaving me drained, both physically and mentally. His threat echoed in my mind, and no matter how hard I tried to push it away, I couldn’t shake the dread creeping into my chest.When I reached the packhouse, the familiar stone walls no longer felt as safe as they once had. The night was still, but it was the kind of stillness that promised a storm. I walked through the doors, the weight of Malachai’s words pressing on my shoulders. His admission of killing the Alpha King and his family played over in my head. The horror of it, the cruelty, was something I couldn’t comprehend. And his determination to destroy me—destroy everything—made it worse.As soon as I entered the main hall, I caught sight of Kade standing near the fireplace, speaking quietly with Callan, his beta. Their faces were drawn, concern ev
ValeriaThe first sign of trouble came with a gust of wind that sent a shiver down my spine, colder than any breeze I’d felt before. I was standing by the window, watching the patrols make their rounds just outside the packhouse. The doubled defenses Kade had ordered were in place, and everyone was on high alert, but somehow, it didn’t feel like enough. There was an undercurrent of unease, a feeling that something was brewing just beneath the surface, waiting to strike.I had barely turned away from the window when the attack began.The ground trembled beneath my feet, a low rumble that quickly escalated into a violent quake. The air filled with a thick, oppressive energy, the kind that made it hard to breathe, as if the very atmosphere had shifted under Malachai’s dark influence. I raced toward the door, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew without a doubt that this was him—Malachai had come.Shouts and snarls erupted outside, and as I threw open the door, I saw chaos unfold before
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