AilithThe world felt heavier beneath the weight of blood and ruin. Each breath scraped against my ribs, thick with the scent of ash and iron. The battle was over—at least for now—but the cost lingered in the air, pressing against my chest like something tangible.Garrick carried me through the stronghold, his grip unyielding, though his fists trembled where they clasped me. The anger, the fear that had driven him through the battle had not left but it had shifted. Twisted into something darker, colder.Around us, the remains of our warriors staggered through the ruins, their faces hollowed by exhaustion, their movements slow, weighted beneath the magnitude of what we had endured. The fires still flickered low in the braziers, casting trembling shadows across crumbled stone and broken bodies.Grief crackled in the quiet. It was not loud. Not yet. Not while survival still took precedence.Sin moved through the courtyard, silent as moonlight, her hands streaked with blood as she helped
Ailith Pain was a living thing, wrapping around my ribs with every inhale, every slight movement. It pulsed with the slow rhythm of my heartbeat, a reminder that I was still here—still breathing—despite how close I had come to losing everything.The infirmary was quiet save for the hushed murmurs of healers, the faint rasp of sharpened blades being cleaned of blood and viscera. The air was thick with the scent of burnt wood, iron, and the sharper edge of healing herbs. It clung to my skin, refusing to be washed away, much like the memory of Kael’s smirk drifting through the battlefield fog.I lay still, the worn furs beneath me soft but unyielding. My mind felt distant, an echoing thing struggling to piece together what had happened and what it meant.I had used my power.And Kael had seen.My hands trembled slightly as I traced them over my abdomen, my fingertips skimming the rested curve of my stomach where new life was growing. It felt impossibly fragile now, in the wake of all we
AilithPain was a living thing, wrapping around my ribs with every inhale, every slight movement. It pulsed with the slow rhythm of my heartbeat, a reminder that I was still here—still breathing—despite how close I had come to losing everything.Sleep had been fleeting, edged with the echoes of battle, the scent of blood and smoke still lingering in my thoughts despite the crispness of the dawn air filtering through the infirmary. The steady hum of distant voices drifted in, blending into the sound of crackling firewood and the occasional low murmur of mourning.Beyond the infirmary walls, the clearing was filled with pack members gathered in a solemn ritual. Flames flickered over the bodies of our fallen, their faces forever etched in memory but already returning to the earth. The whispers of prayers and the soft howl of the wind carried grief through the ruined stronghold.Lorak, the eldest of the fallen, had trained countless warriors, his wisdom often buried beneath sharp wit. Ket
AilithThe first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of soft gold and pale pink as we stepped out of the stronghold. The air was crisp, a chill that whispered of the journey ahead. The pack gathered around us, their faces a mosaic of worry and hope, etched with the lines of countless battles fought and yet to come. I could feel their eyes on me, heavy with unspoken fears and fervent wishes for our success.Garrick stood beside me, his presence a steady force that I clung to as we prepared to leave. My thoughts drifted back to the vision from the night before—the mysterious man with storm-silver hair and eyes like mine. His warning echoed in my mind, a haunting refrain: Not all alliances bring salvation. Some bring only ruin. The weight of it settled deep in my chest as we set out, the path ahead shrouded in the mists of uncertainty.We moved quickly through the rugged terrain, the landscape shifting from dense forests to open plains. The trees stood sentinel, their branches reaching
AilithThe air hung heavy with the scent of smoke and ash as we approached the Emberfangs' territory, the landscape a testament to the ferocity of the warband that called this place home. The ground, scorched from the fires that had once raged here, bore the marks of their relentless nature. Tension coiled within us, a silent acknowledgment of the peril that lay ahead.As we neared the camp, scouts emerged from the shadows, their eyes sharp and wary. They led us to a clearing where the Emberfangs' warriors gathered, their gazes fixed on us with suspicion and hostility. Their distrust pressed against me like a physical force, a barrier we would need to break through if we hoped to secure their alliance.Fenris, the leader of the Emberfangs, stood at the center of the camp, his presence commanding and unyielding. His eyes, dark and piercing, assessed us as we approached, a silent challenge in his gaze. Garrick stepped forward, his posture confident yet respectful, a bridge built over th
AilithThe night was alive with the whispers of the ancient forest, its shadows dancing under the soft glow of the moon. We had set up camp a safe distance from the Emberfangs' territory, the air still tinged with the scent of smoke and ash. The relics I had discovered weighed heavily in my pack, a constant reminder of the mysteries they held. As the others settled down for the night, I pulled out the scroll and the artifacts, eager to delve deeper into the secrets they promised to reveal.The scroll, with its illustrations of figures intertwined in fire and shadow, seemed to pulse with a life of its own. I traced the lines of the drawings, feeling a surge of energy coursing through me, a connection that was both exhilarating and daunting. The text spoke of a lineage of warriors who could harness the primal forces of nature, their abilities tied to the very heartbeat of the earth. It was as if the words themselves were a key, unlocking something deep within me.As I studied the relics
AilithThe wilderness unfurled before us like a tapestry woven from the very sinews of the earth, its towering trees standing sentinel over paths that whispered of ancient secrets. Garrick and I pressed forward, our steps a testament to the resilience that bound us, the weight of our journey a cloak that clung to our shoulders. With each mile, our bond deepened, a silent vow that no matter the trials ahead, we would face them as one.The air grew thick with the scent of damp earth and moss, a living breath that seemed to pulse with the heartbeat of the land. The path was treacherous, a labyrinth of hidden crevices and sudden drops, but Garrick's hand in mine was a constant anchor, guiding me through the uncertainty with a steadiness that belied the turmoil within.Our journey led us to the banks of a swift-moving river, its waters shimmering with an otherworldly glow, as if the very essence of the moon had been captured within its depths. It was there that we encountered the River Cla
AilithThe Crimson Moon hung low in the sky, its blood-red light casting an ominous glow across the Whispering Woods. I stood at the edge of the Moonstone Clearing, my hands trembling as I gripped the enchanted silver pendant that marked me as Luna. The forest - once my sanctuary - now seemed to close in around me, the ancient trees groaning with foreboding.Kael had called an emergency pack gathering, and the air crackled with tension. My mate, my Alpha, the man I had loved for over a decade... and the one whose gaze now chilled me to my core."Ailith?" Lena's voice, barely a whisper, made me flinch. My childhood friend emerged from the shadows, her eyes wide with concern. The intricate pack-bond tattoos on her arms pulsed with a faint blue light, reflecting her unease. "What's happening? Why did Kael summon the Bloodmoon Council?"I opened my mouth to respond, but the words stuck in my throat. How could I explain the coldness that had seeped into Kael's eyes? The hushed conversations
AilithThe wilderness unfurled before us like a tapestry woven from the very sinews of the earth, its towering trees standing sentinel over paths that whispered of ancient secrets. Garrick and I pressed forward, our steps a testament to the resilience that bound us, the weight of our journey a cloak that clung to our shoulders. With each mile, our bond deepened, a silent vow that no matter the trials ahead, we would face them as one.The air grew thick with the scent of damp earth and moss, a living breath that seemed to pulse with the heartbeat of the land. The path was treacherous, a labyrinth of hidden crevices and sudden drops, but Garrick's hand in mine was a constant anchor, guiding me through the uncertainty with a steadiness that belied the turmoil within.Our journey led us to the banks of a swift-moving river, its waters shimmering with an otherworldly glow, as if the very essence of the moon had been captured within its depths. It was there that we encountered the River Cla
AilithThe night was alive with the whispers of the ancient forest, its shadows dancing under the soft glow of the moon. We had set up camp a safe distance from the Emberfangs' territory, the air still tinged with the scent of smoke and ash. The relics I had discovered weighed heavily in my pack, a constant reminder of the mysteries they held. As the others settled down for the night, I pulled out the scroll and the artifacts, eager to delve deeper into the secrets they promised to reveal.The scroll, with its illustrations of figures intertwined in fire and shadow, seemed to pulse with a life of its own. I traced the lines of the drawings, feeling a surge of energy coursing through me, a connection that was both exhilarating and daunting. The text spoke of a lineage of warriors who could harness the primal forces of nature, their abilities tied to the very heartbeat of the earth. It was as if the words themselves were a key, unlocking something deep within me.As I studied the relics
AilithThe air hung heavy with the scent of smoke and ash as we approached the Emberfangs' territory, the landscape a testament to the ferocity of the warband that called this place home. The ground, scorched from the fires that had once raged here, bore the marks of their relentless nature. Tension coiled within us, a silent acknowledgment of the peril that lay ahead.As we neared the camp, scouts emerged from the shadows, their eyes sharp and wary. They led us to a clearing where the Emberfangs' warriors gathered, their gazes fixed on us with suspicion and hostility. Their distrust pressed against me like a physical force, a barrier we would need to break through if we hoped to secure their alliance.Fenris, the leader of the Emberfangs, stood at the center of the camp, his presence commanding and unyielding. His eyes, dark and piercing, assessed us as we approached, a silent challenge in his gaze. Garrick stepped forward, his posture confident yet respectful, a bridge built over th
AilithThe first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of soft gold and pale pink as we stepped out of the stronghold. The air was crisp, a chill that whispered of the journey ahead. The pack gathered around us, their faces a mosaic of worry and hope, etched with the lines of countless battles fought and yet to come. I could feel their eyes on me, heavy with unspoken fears and fervent wishes for our success.Garrick stood beside me, his presence a steady force that I clung to as we prepared to leave. My thoughts drifted back to the vision from the night before—the mysterious man with storm-silver hair and eyes like mine. His warning echoed in my mind, a haunting refrain: Not all alliances bring salvation. Some bring only ruin. The weight of it settled deep in my chest as we set out, the path ahead shrouded in the mists of uncertainty.We moved quickly through the rugged terrain, the landscape shifting from dense forests to open plains. The trees stood sentinel, their branches reaching
AilithPain was a living thing, wrapping around my ribs with every inhale, every slight movement. It pulsed with the slow rhythm of my heartbeat, a reminder that I was still here—still breathing—despite how close I had come to losing everything.Sleep had been fleeting, edged with the echoes of battle, the scent of blood and smoke still lingering in my thoughts despite the crispness of the dawn air filtering through the infirmary. The steady hum of distant voices drifted in, blending into the sound of crackling firewood and the occasional low murmur of mourning.Beyond the infirmary walls, the clearing was filled with pack members gathered in a solemn ritual. Flames flickered over the bodies of our fallen, their faces forever etched in memory but already returning to the earth. The whispers of prayers and the soft howl of the wind carried grief through the ruined stronghold.Lorak, the eldest of the fallen, had trained countless warriors, his wisdom often buried beneath sharp wit. Ket
Ailith Pain was a living thing, wrapping around my ribs with every inhale, every slight movement. It pulsed with the slow rhythm of my heartbeat, a reminder that I was still here—still breathing—despite how close I had come to losing everything.The infirmary was quiet save for the hushed murmurs of healers, the faint rasp of sharpened blades being cleaned of blood and viscera. The air was thick with the scent of burnt wood, iron, and the sharper edge of healing herbs. It clung to my skin, refusing to be washed away, much like the memory of Kael’s smirk drifting through the battlefield fog.I lay still, the worn furs beneath me soft but unyielding. My mind felt distant, an echoing thing struggling to piece together what had happened and what it meant.I had used my power.And Kael had seen.My hands trembled slightly as I traced them over my abdomen, my fingertips skimming the rested curve of my stomach where new life was growing. It felt impossibly fragile now, in the wake of all we
AilithThe world felt heavier beneath the weight of blood and ruin. Each breath scraped against my ribs, thick with the scent of ash and iron. The battle was over—at least for now—but the cost lingered in the air, pressing against my chest like something tangible.Garrick carried me through the stronghold, his grip unyielding, though his fists trembled where they clasped me. The anger, the fear that had driven him through the battle had not left but it had shifted. Twisted into something darker, colder.Around us, the remains of our warriors staggered through the ruins, their faces hollowed by exhaustion, their movements slow, weighted beneath the magnitude of what we had endured. The fires still flickered low in the braziers, casting trembling shadows across crumbled stone and broken bodies.Grief crackled in the quiet. It was not loud. Not yet. Not while survival still took precedence.Sin moved through the courtyard, silent as moonlight, her hands streaked with blood as she helped
Ailith The battlefield surged with chaos, shadows and fire entwining in a vicious dance of war. The scent of blood thickened the air, along with smoke and something else—something unnatural. The mist still writhed, sentient and relentless, pressing against my skin with an almost invasive force. My breath came fast, but I held my ground, golden light pulsing from my palms like a second heartbeat.I could feel everything. The energy around me, the warriors fighting and falling, the hesitation rippling through Kael’s forces as they faltered—staring at me, at the glow coiling around my limbs. Uncertainty bled into their ranks, and I seized on it.Sin lunged past me, cutting down a soldier who had drawn too close. She pivoted, golden eyes sharp, tracking my every move. “Ailith—get it under control. Now.”I knew I should have been more cautious but at the time, I didn't feel like I had the time to be. Now my power was unfurling like a living thing, reacting on instinct rather than reason.
AilithThe mist felt alive, twisting and curling between warriors, slithering like a serpent with whispered intent. It clung to my skin, cold and damp, crawling into my lungs like a foreign presence. My instincts screamed danger. It was not just a veil of concealment—it was Kael’s will, a living force meant to unnerve us, to break our resolve before the true fight began.The first attack came with the eerie silence of ghosts.Shapes moved through the void, half-seen figures darting between the gaps of sight. Wolves and warriors, steel and claws. A sudden clash echoed through the courtyard, followed by a sharp, guttural scream as Kael’s soldiers breached the outer defenses.From above, Orin’s archers struck like reapers, their silver-tipped arrows piercing the mist with deadly precision. Against the backdrop of flickering torchlight, my pack fought tooth and nail, shifting between human and beast, defending our walls with everything they had. The sound of battle was a tumult of steel r