RylanThe moon was high, casting a cold glow over the trees as I slipped out of the packhouse at midnight. My steps were quiet, deliberate, as I made my way through the shadows, avoiding any attention. It had become routine to meet in secret like this, but tonight, something felt different. The weight of the decision we were about to make hung heavily over me, even as I tried to shake the unease that had been building.When I arrived at the clearing, Kade, Aiden, and Jeric were already there, their figures barely visible in the dim light. Kade gave me a nod, and Aiden leaned against a tree, arms crossed as he always did when he was lost in thought. Jeric, however, was pacing, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jacket.“We need to move fast,” Jeric said the moment I stepped into the clearing, not wasting any time with pleasantries. “I’ve already started the campaign for Valeria’s coronation as Luna Queen. There’s strong opposition, of course, but I’ve handled worse. People a
RylanThe night was thick with shadows as I moved through the dense trees, the silence broken only by the soft crunch of leaves beneath my boots. It had taken time to make the necessary arrangements, to ensure that no one would notice my absence from the packhouse. This was a dangerous meeting, one that would raise too many questions if anyone found out. But I didn’t have a choice. The stakes were higher than anyone realized, and I had to take control of the situation before it spiraled beyond our grasp.The rogues had agreed to meet me at the edge of the forest, far from any patrol routes or prying eyes. It was neutral ground, but there was always an underlying tension when dealing with rogues. They weren’t bound by the same rules or codes that governed the packs. They thrived on chaos, on breaking the very order I was sworn to uphold. But tonight, I needed them.As I stepped into the clearing, I saw them waiting. Three rogue leaders, each with their own reputation for violence and c
KadeThe room was quiet except for the soft scratching of pens on paper. I glanced at Jeric across the table, his brow furrowed in concentration as he scribbled notes in the margins of the coronation agenda. His dedication to Valeria’s future as Luna Queen was unwavering, a quality I both admired and relied on. He believed in her, just as I did. Her ascension was not just about securing the future of the pack—it was about standing strong against the threat Malachai posed to all of us. If Valeria could unite the packs under one banner, we’d have the strength we needed to crush him.“We need to make sure the northern pack leaders are on board,” Jeric said, not looking up from his notes. “Without their support, it’ll be hard to get the others to fall in line.”I nodded, leaning back in my chair. The coronation was less than a week away, and the opposition was growing. There were those who still questioned Valeria’s capability, who whispered that she wasn’t ready to lead. But I knew bette
KadeThe sun was setting as I stood by the window, staring out at the training grounds below. Pack members moved with purpose, preparing for Valeria’s coronation. Despite the outward display of unity, I could feel the tension simmering beneath the surface. It was subtle, but it was there—whispers, side glances, moments of hesitation when Valeria’s name was mentioned. Some still doubted her, questioning whether she was strong enough to lead us, to unite the packs and face Malachai’s growing threat.I shook my head, pushing those thoughts aside. Jeric and I had come too far to let doubts derail our plans now. We had the support of most of the key leaders, and once the coronation was done, Valeria would have the authority she needed to solidify her position. Still, something gnawed at me. Seraphina’s presence lingered like a shadow, always on the edge of things. She was no longer openly defiant, but I knew better than to trust her sudden silence.“Something’s not right,” I muttered to my
The night air was thick with anticipation as I made my way to the meeting point. The moon hung low, casting a pale glow over the forest clearing. The coronation was less than twenty-four hours away, and every muscle in my body was coiled tight, ready to spring at the slightest hint of danger.I hated this feeling—the gnawing uncertainty that had settled in my gut over the past few days. I tried to push it down, but the closer we got to Valeria’s coronation, the louder that inner voice became. Something wasn’t right. I could feel it.As I approached the clearing, I spotted Jeric standing by the fire we’d set up for these late-night strategy sessions. His silhouette was tall and steady, the flames casting shadows across his face as he rifled through some papers. Jeric, ever the politician, ever the confident leader, always looked so damn composed.“Kade,” he called out, not looking up from his notes. “You’re late.”“Had to check on security,” I replied, coming to stand beside him. “You
KadeJeric’s body had barely gone cold, and already I felt the weight of the world pressing down on me. My heart was shattered, and my mind spun in chaotic loops. Jeric—my best friend, my brother in arms—was gone, ripped from this world by an assassin’s blade. I hadn’t been able to save him, and that failure sat heavy on my chest like a boulder.But even in my grief, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just an attack. It was a deliberate, calculated strike meant to unravel everything we’d been working for. The timing, the location, the swiftness of the blow—it was all too perfect. Jeric’s death was designed to stop Valeria’s coronation and plunge us into chaos. And I could already feel the noose tightening around my neck.The moment I stepped foot back into the pack’s territory, the whispers began. Eyes followed me with suspicion, and the once-familiar faces of my pack members now seemed hostile, accusing. I gritted my teeth, trying to hold it together as I made my way to the heart of th
Valeria Sitting on the stone ledge of the balcony, I watched the sky above me, dark and heavy with clouds that threatened rain but never delivered. The stars were barely visible through the blanket of gray, and it felt as though the world was mirroring my internal turmoil. The night air was cool, biting against my skin, but I didn’t care. I had too much on my mind to even notice.Jeric was dead. Kade was being accused of his murder. And now, just days before I was supposed to be crowned as Luna Queen, everything felt like it was falling apart.I rested my head in my hands, my chest tightening as the weight of it all pressed down on me. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. Jeric was supposed to be by my side, helping me navigate the political minefield, guiding me through the challenges of leadership. And Kade—how could anyone think that Kade would kill him? It didn’t make sense. Kade and Jeric had been brothers in everything but blood. To believe that Kade would betray him, be
Valeria The morning of Jeric’s funeral came far too quickly. The air was heavy with the weight of loss, and as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the simple black dress I had chosen for the day, a dull ache settled deep in my chest. The Beta of our pack—Jeric, my friend and one of my most loyal supporters—was gone. It still didn’t feel real.I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Today was not about me; it was about honoring Jeric and his service to the wolf pack. But deep down, the growing storm of uncertainty and betrayal gnawed at me. Who could have done this? And why?A soft knock sounded at my door, pulling me from my thoughts. I opened it to find Rylan standing there, his face a mixture of concern and determination. His presence always brought a strange comfort, though today, I couldn’t shake the tension that seemed to hang in the air between us.“Valeria,” he said softly, stepping into the room. “I wanted to check on you before the funeral. Are you alright?”I f
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