KATRINA“The Alpha King’s verdict is as follows…” he paused for a second before he continued. “The Snow Pack’s Alpha, Jonathan Snow, was a great hero. The male members of the Snow family all died defending our borders, leaving only Katrina Snow, their only surviving daughter. Therefore, the responsibility and authority to rebuild Snow Pack now rests with Katrina, and the mate she chooses can take over as Snow Pack’s newest Alpha.”The words echoed in my head as if they were spoken in slow motion. My knees felt weak, and I dug my nails into my palms to hold myself. The tears that rolled down my cheeks were uncontrollable and I didn’t bother to wipe them away. There was no shame in crying for the family I lost. For the first time in years, I felt something close to pride—a bittersweet pride. It felt surreal hearing my father’s name spoken with so much honour, his sacrifices acknowledged by the very people who had turned their backs on us when we needed them the most.Now that the legac
XAVIER “I will wait. I will take care of your mother and the pack.” Those words kept replaying in my head over and over again. She had said those words to me before we mated. She had said it, while lying in my arms. Now as I sat in my room, staring at the shadows dancing on the walls, I couldn’t get off the thought of everything replaying in my head. It all feels like they are happening right now. The rejection especially, it struck a blow in my heart, leaving a hollow space inside me that I couldn’t quite place. I had told myself it was for the best. I had rationalized it a hundred different ways. As much as I tried to drown it out–her voice, her words–but they’re just all in there, haunting me like a nightmare. I didn’t realize when Bianca stepped in until she said, “Hey.” I turned to look at her, and she had this welcoming smile on her face. “Hey,” I forced a smile in return. “Are you done rejecting her?” She asked. “Did you manage to take away at least half of her assets?”
KATRINA I was stunned, more like a shock. The wedding hall wasn’t at all what I had imagined it to be. It was supposed to be grand–Blackwood’s chance to show off its might and prosperity under Xavier's leadership. Instead, it felt incomplete, almost empty. The decorations looked rushed, the lighting dimmer than it should have been, and the tables… mostly empty. The only people that filled the hall was the Blackfang soldiers, which was even more unusual than anything else. There were no prominent Alphas from neighboring packs, no allies or powerful figures that would usually grace a wedding blessed by the Alpha King. It was a mockery of what should have been a celebration of strength and union. What was even more striking was the absence of the bride and groom.Therma and I stayed at one side, I glared around, searching for someone–anyone familiar to me.Then, I heard a familiar voice call my name. “Luna Katrina?” I turned and saw Amy, the Beta’s wife. She had once spoken up fo
KATRINA“Your invitations were all delivered to my house. I have a clear conscience, so what’s there to be afraid of?” I kept my voice calm, but my gaze was fixed on her as I stared directly into her eyes, daring her to say something worthwhile. Xavier, on the other hand, lowered his head, avoiding my gaze, like he was hiding from something or worse... shame. That was what I called it. He had every reason to be ashamed.I didn’t bother looking at him again. Whatever pain he felt was his burden to carry, not mine. My attention was just on Bianca, who looked like she was ready to explode. She was furious at my mere presence, and if by any chance she was definitely going to explode.“Since Xavier and I will be getting married today, I expect you to call me Luna Bianca,” she said as a matter of fact.I glared at her for a long while, silently. “Only you seem eager to claim the Blackwood’s Luna title,” I replied evenly, letting the faintest smile tug at my lips. “No one else cares. I trul
KATRINA“Your claims are not convincing enough for me to act, Miss Snow. If I were you, I’d act carefully. Spreading such accusations could lead to dangerous consequences and you know that.”The air around me felt so suffocating with the weight of his anger that I could barely hold my ground under his fiery gaze. My heart kept hitting hard against my chest, hoping that somehow, he’d find truth in my words and believe me. “I swear to the Moon Goddess,” I pleaded, “I am willing to vouch for the reputation of my family with the truth of this information. Please, just hear me out! I would never lie about something so important.”He slammed the letter onto the desk, the sound reverberating through the room like a gunshot, causing me to flinch. He threw me a deadly look, those eyes burning with anger and disbelief. And if eyes could kill, I would have been dead a long time ago. “Nonsense!” he barked, stepping closer. “Do you hear yourself, Miss Snow? The Snow Pack is already gone. Your fa
KATRINAThe guards didn’t leave their posts. They've been standing there all night, like statues, watching every move as though if they blinked, I’d vanish into thin air. I hated the fact that I was watched like I was some kinda prisoner or something. In my own home for crying out loud.I understand Therma's concern, though. And I don't blame her for being so cautious. After what happened between the King Alpha and I last night, anyone in her shoes would feel the same.“Luna, I… I don’t understand. W-what’s going on?” She asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper, but there was a hint of concern in her voice. Therma wasn’t just a maid or a confidant—she was one of the few people in the Pack who truly cared for me. Her brown eyes shimmered with worry as she looked at me from where she stood near the door, clutching the fabric of her dress like it was her confidence.I couldn’t sit still, pacing the length of my room as I tried to gather my thoughts. The sound of my footsteps
KATRINA Xavier flinched when I addressed him formally. It was subtle, the way his brows drew together for just a second, but as usual, he quickly masked it, his face smoothing into its usual calm, unreadable expression.“Don’t call me that, Kat. You know I hate it.”I leaned back slightly, crossing my arms over my chest as I looked at him. “I don’t know what you hate or love anymore,” I replied coolly. “So forgive me if I’ve forgotten how to address you.”For a second, I saw pain flash across his face, but it disappeared just as quickly. “Kat,” He rushed towards me with a pale face. He reached out as though to grab my hand, but I avoided him, stepping back and gripping my coffee mug instead.“Whatever it is you came here for, just say it and leave.” I said, avoiding his gaze.He froze, his hand hovering in the air before he dropped it. “Why are you like this, Kat?” He demanded, almost like he was pleading. When he saw I wasn't giving him the attention he needed, he said. “I came beca
KATRINAI had been free for only a few days, but already I felt more alive than I had in years. The Luna life had felt like a prison, suffocating me with duties and expectations I never wanted. Now, I was in the wild, rediscovering the parts of myself that had been lost. The road ahead was rough and lonely. My car had run out of fuel miles ago, forcing me to continue on foot. The night was pitch black, the kind of night where the sky was black and starless, with no moon to guide my way. The forest around me was eerily silent except for the crunch of my boots on the gravel road, and the occasional rustling of leaves in the cold wind. I pulled my coat tighter around me, but it did little to chase away the cold chill. I was heading for the Crescent Pack’s camp, deep in the Southern battlefield. It was dangerous, maybe even foolish, but I had no choice. I carried information that could change everything. And I wasn’t going to let anything stop me, not even the fear gnawing at my stoma
KATRINA I stood in the middle of the camp with my arms crossed tightly over my chest, trying to stay calm as the questions kept coming at me from every direction. The captains surrounded me, their faces stained with a mixture of confusion and sadness. I could feel their eyes boring into me, demanding answers I didn’t have the strength to give.“Kat, why didn’t you tell us about such an important matter?” one of them asked. It was Captain Thomas, an older man who used to visit my father when I was a child. I remembered how he would sit at our table, laughing with my father, drinking ale, and patting me on the head. Now, his gaze held nothing but pity.I was still processing an answer to his question when another asked. “How could you carry on all by yourself? After everything that happened?”How could I carry on all by myself? What was I supposed to say to that? Honestly, it wasn't easy at all. And just when I had hoped that everything would be alright regardless, it turned out worse.
ALEXANDRO I really didn’t expect things to turn out like this. The camp was supposed to be a place of focus and strategy, but it had turned into a battlefield of egos. The moment I announced Katrina would command the elite warriors, I knew trouble would somehow find its way to the surface. And it did. Katrina had earned her place, but there were always those who couldn’t see beyond their own pride. Bianca, of course, was at the forefront of this rebellion. She was too proud and too quick to assume she was being slighted.I watched from where I sat as the both women argued among themselves. I knew where this misunderstanding was heading to, but I preferred to observe before I took any action. Katrina stood at her spot, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. She looked calm, but I could see the anger burning behind those eyes. Bianca, on the other hand, was practically trembling with anger, ready to pounce on her.However, she lunged at Katrina like a wild beast. I couldn't let t
KATRINA I marched forward, anger burning through me. My fists stayed clenched at my sides, my nails digging so hard into my palms and it felt like they might break the skin. My chest felt so tight, and my breathing grew heavy, I was so angry. And I was done holding it in.“Alpha Xavier,” I blurted. “If you don’t want your Luna to make a fool of herself like a clown, you’d better take her away now.” I kept my eyes locked on Xavier, but my hand lifted to point straight at Bianca.Bianca’s face darkened, and she rolled her eyes in disdain. “Katrina Snow, I think the only clown here is you." She pointed at me. "Don’t you see? You’re out of place, out of your league.”“You think so?” I asked, tilting my head slightly, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Funny, because I seem to remember the last time you underestimated me, it didn’t end well for you.” Alexandro stood beside me like a silent guard, his arms folded tightly across his chest. He didn’t interrupt, but the look in his eyes was unpred
KATRINA Xavier’s cold eyes bore into mine as he stepped forward, pulling Bianca protectively behind him. It was almost like he thought I was some kind of threat, which was laughable considering the mess they had both made of things.“Why are you even here, Katrina?" He asked. "What are you trying to prove? Or are you just clinging to your father’s old connections, hoping someone will fight your battles for you?” His question grated my skin and I wanted every chance to slap the expression on his face.I knew he was only asking so everyone would assume he wasn't the weak Alpha they all think. Not like I was even surprised at how weak he had become lately, in fact, that was one reason I had to leave him. I've always thought he was a man, he was someone bold and courageous enough to stand his ground and defend those he loves–no. I was wrong, Xavier was the typical opposite. He hasn't even gotten the nerves of a lady. And here he was, trying to sound all mean and… what will I even call
KATRINA I was so vexed that I wouldn't mind causing a scene here. What the hell was she trying to prove right now? That I'm the bad one here? Like she could even sit comfortably with the fact that another woman was going to take her mate?I did what any other woman would have done. I saved myself from getting any further heartbreak, but here she was, trying to prove a point from her own stupidity."You’re the ones who traded war merits for the Luna Duet, leaving me no choice but to accept the rejection and let you two happy lovebirds have your way."All eyes were on us, and I hated the way both my men and Alexandro men stared at me like I was a criminal or something. She had planted the seed of discord, now she seems happy she's won, right?She clasped her hands in front of her, feigning and innocent face. “Why are you so angry? Did I lie? You agreed to the rejection, didn’t you? It was your choice.”“It’s been a while, Bianca, and you’re still so good at twisting the truth,” I added
BIANCA “Alpha Xavier, Luna Bianca, we’ve finally met your reinforcements. Good for you!” The woman who greeted us was Katrina Snow. She looked just as she always did—the confident and unbothered bitch, with a quiet strength that irritated me to no end. And it was clear that even the seasoned warriors around us were drawn to her.I stared at her, taken aback. "Why is she here?" My wolf growled low in my chest, I couldn’t hide the brief flicker of annoyance in my eyes, though I quickly masked it with a smile. "She looks so confident, so comfortable among them." My wolf, Gina, growled low, not liking how her aura seemed to overshadow mine, even for a moment.I glanced at the gathered warriors. They were all looking at her with admiration, some even with awe. Then it hit me. They think Katrina is still Xavier’s Luna? The earlier compliments, they weren’t meant for me, were they? They were for her. The brave and skilled Luna they’d praised wasn’t me, Bianca, Xavier’s fated mate. It
KATRINA "Oh no, it's Xavier! We have to hide!" My wolf was the first to pick up the scent.Xavier and Bianca were here? Why? Could they be the reinforcement?I didn’t need to be told twice. The moment I caught the faint scent of pine and cedar, his scent, I froze for a split second before my instincts took over. Without thinking, I sneaked my way into the crowd, letting the tall features of the men cover me.Alexandro’s eyes scanned the room, and more than once, his gaze landed on me. I knew he wanted me to come out and face Xavier, but there was no way I could do that. Not now. We've had our differences, and nothing about him concerns me now."Don't listen to him, Kat." Jinx echoed in my head. "We aren't going to that betrayal."After the rejection, Jinx had suddenly picked hatred on Xavier. Everything about him pisses her off, and with Bianca by his side, it only made things worse."I'm never thinking of going there, Jinx." I assured her. "We'll remain here until they are gone. So,
Alexandro We were gathered in the pack camp, sitting around the long table in the center of the meeting tent. By this time of the week, we'd always gather to discuss how to go over the strategic plans for the next week.It wasn't an easy one, but it was part of what we do. Without a plan, we wouldn't have conquered the war. Without a plan, we wouldn't have been what we are now. I stared at the map before me, mentally calculating strategies and likewise comparing every strategy my men had offered for the next plan. Somehow, I wasn't buying any of the ideas, they felt weak in a way.I tried so hard to come up with a better idea, but the noises from the brief argument they were having seemed to be making it a lot difficult for me to focus. “That's enough!” I half yelled, but that didn't stop them from yelling at each other.I rubbed my forehead in frustration, fighting the urge to roar, but I had to do something to stop this noise from distracting me or it will definitely turn into a
CASSIAN“Alpha.” Xander called as he walked into the study room. “Kat is truly the daughter of Alpha Snow!” He said almost excitedly, I could tell he was even more proud than I was. “Katrina even burned the supplies of the Crescent Pack with just a small team!” I leaned back in my chair, holding the report from Alexandro in my hands. The corners of my mouth twitched into a smile as I read the details. It was a rare one these days. It wasn’t just pride that I felt, though. There was something more to it.“Has Alexandro informed her already?” I asked after a moment, dropping the report on my desk. “From now on, she’s an official warrior in the army. Make her a first-class captain. Once she helps Alexandro banish the Crescent Pack from the south, she’ll be promoted to a full Pack Warrior.” Xander nodded, clearly pleased with my decision. “Um… I'm not sure, but I'll send him a message as soon as I'm done.” I nodded.“Well, I'm pretty sure Katrina will be happy when she learns of the