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
Valeria The next morning, I awoke to the sound of soft murmurs outside my room. My body ached from the events of the previous day, and my mind was no better—rattled by the lingering darkness of Malachai’s attack and his chilling threats. I dragged myself out of bed, feeling like a weight had settled on my chest, making it hard to breathe, let alone think clearly.As I made my way downstairs, I found Kade, already deep in conversation with his beta, Callan. They were discussing last night’s defenses and the extent of the damage Malachai had caused. But before I could ask any questions, the doors to the packhouse opened, and Jeric walked in, followed closely by Rylan and Aiden.Their presence brought a sense of relief and anxiety all at once. Aiden’s eyes found mine instantly, his face a mixture of concern and frustration, while Rylan looked equally tense. The tension in the room shifted the moment they entered, like everyone was waiting for something to happen.Aiden was the first to
Valeria The night we left Shadowfang, the air was thick with tension. Aiden and I rode in silence for a while, the dark woods surrounding us like a veil, hiding the uncertainty of what was to come. I could feel Aiden’s eyes on me now and then, checking on me, probably trying to gauge how I was feeling, but I didn’t have the energy to offer much.My mind was spinning with thoughts of Kade and his pack—left behind to deal with whatever hell Malachai would undoubtedly unleash.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kade standing at the entrance of the packhouse, his strong silhouette illuminated by the dim light from inside. He had tried to be strong, assuring me that everything would be fine, that he and Callan would handle things. But I knew better. I knew that leaving them behind meant putting them in more danger than ever before.“Aiden,” I finally broke the silence, my voice barely above a whisper, “do you really think leaving was the right choice?”He glanced at me, his brow furrowing
MalachaiI returned to Shadowfang under the cover of darkness, the chill in the air matching the cold determination coursing through my veins. I had given Valeria time, allowed her the opportunity to see reason and join me in my conquest to claim what was rightfully mine. But as I approached the packhouse, something felt off. There was no sign of her presence—no flicker of her power lingering in the air, no subtle tug that always drew me to her.I stepped through the doorway, the shadows swirling around me as I scanned the empty hall. The air was thick with tension, but it wasn’t from Valeria. She was gone.Before I could fully process the implications, a voice cut through the silence. “Looking for someone?”Kade’s presence emerged from the shadows like a taunt. His expression was hard, his body tense, and for a brief moment, I considered ripping him apart. But instead, I smiled, cold and calculated.“Where is she?” I asked, my voice low, but the threat clear.Kade crossed his arms ov
Valeria The air in Stormclaw had a different feel to it—less stifling than in Shadowfang, and certainly less tense than I’d felt back in Lycora. Despite the looming threat of Malachai and the chaos in my life, Aiden’s pack had an almost calming effect on me. It was as if, for a brief moment, I could breathe. But still, the weight of what was happening gnawed at me. I couldn’t forget that I had left Kade behind, and that Malachai was out there, searching for me.That night, after settling in for what was supposed to be a quiet evening, Aiden surprised me. He knocked gently on my door, the soft sound breaking through my racing thoughts.“Valeria,” he said, leaning against the doorframe, his usual playful smirk in place. “I was thinking… how about we get out of here for a while?”I arched a brow, curiosity piqued. “What do you mean, ‘get out of here?’”Aiden pushed off the frame and took a few steps closer, his golden eyes shimmering in the dim light of the room. “There’s a place not fa
Valeria The past few days had been the most peaceful I’d experienced in months. Here in Aiden’s pack, Stormclaw, there was a serenity that wrapped itself around me, quieting the storm that usually raged inside. The constant tension that had followed me seemed to dissipate, allowing me to breathe without the weight of the world pressing down on my chest. I could almost forget about Malachai’s threat and the lingering danger that loomed on the horizon.Aiden had been a constant source of comfort. Every day, he found new ways to make me feel safe, and though I had my moments of doubt, being with him made it easier to believe that things could turn out okay. He even went out of his way to bring me books from the pack’s library—one in particular caught my attention.“This one looked like something you’d enjoy,” Aiden said, handing me the book with a grin. His golden eyes sparkled with mischief, but there was an earnestness to the gesture that made my heart warm.I took the book, examining
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