Chapter 36: Traitor in the ShadowsKael’s POV: The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the pack’s settlement. I sat in my chamber, a goblet of wine in my hand, my mind clouded with thoughts of the pack’s unrest. The famine, the whispers of rebellion, and the visions of Aria—they all weighed heavily on me. As I sipped my wine, a knock echoed through the room, startling me from my reverie. “Enter,” I commanded, my voice echoing off the stone wall. An elder stepped into the room, his hood pulled low over his face. He moved with a quiet grace, his presence both unsettling and familiar. I narrowed my eyes, trying to discern his identity.“Alpha,” he greeted, his voice a low murmur. “Who are you?” I demanded, leaning forward in my chair. “And what do you want?”The elder chuckled softly, the sound sending a chill down my spine. “I am but a shadow, a whisper in the night. I come with a message, a warning.”“A warning?” I repeated, skepticism lacing my tone. “Yes,” the e
Chapter 37: SchemesAria’s POV: The night was crisp and cold, the moon casting a silver glow over the landscape. Lyraeus and I stood at the edge of the Shadow Fang Pack’s territory, our breath visible in the frigid air. Ryker had reluctantly agreed to let us go, knowing the importance of this mission. The Blood Moon Pack needed to be observed, their movements tracked. We had to know what Kael was planning. “Are you ready?” Lyraeus asked, his voice soft but firm. I nodded, my heart heavy with anticipation and dread. “Let’s do this.”We moved silently through the forest, our senses heightened and alert. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, sent our instincts into overdrive. We were close to enemy territory, and any mistake could be fatal. As we approached the Blood Moon Pack’s settlement, the sight before me made my heart ache. The once thriving community was now a shadow of its former self. The famine had taken its toll—homes were in despair, and the people looked gaunt a
Chapter 38: Fragile BondAria’s POV: The moon hung low in the sky as Lyraeus and I made our way back to his hideout. The mission had been a painful reminder of the suffering my people endured, and the tension between us had only grown thicker. We walked in silence, the weight of our unspoken words pressing down on us like a heavy shroud. When we finally arrived, it was well past midnight. The area was quiet, the flickering light of the dying fires casting long shadows. Ryker was waiting for us, his keen eyes taking in every detail of our return. “You’re late,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “We had to be careful,” Lyraeus replied, his tone curt. “There was a lot to see.”Ryker nodded, his gaze shifting between us. “I can sense something’s off between you two. What happened?”Before I could speak, Lyraeus stepped forward. “It’s nothing, Ryker. Just…differences of opinion.”Ryker raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Differences of opinion? You two are supposed to be a team. If
Chapter 39: Instincts Lyraeus’ POV: As consciousness crept back in, the fog of inebriation slowly began to lift. I blinked blearily, my vision clearing to reveal the figure draped over me. Confusion twisted my gut as I realized the person in my arms was not Aria. Kaida’s face, smug and predatory, came into sharp focus. “What the hell are you doing here?” I growled, pushing her off with more force than intended. Kaida stumbled back, a look of surprise quickly masked by a feigned pout. “Don’t you want me, Lyraeus? After all, Aria doesn’t appreciate you the way I do. Why can’t we just be like old times, Lyraeus?” she purred, attempting to regain her composure. “We are done, we were done years ago, Kaida,” I snarled, rising unsteadily to my feet. The wine had filled my reflexes, but my mind was clearing. “Get out. Now.” Kaida’s eyes flickered with anger, but she did as commanded, slinking out of the room with a final contemptuous glance. I sank back onto the bed, my mind whirlin
Chapter 40: Indiscretions Kael’s POV: The sun had barely risen when I received the urgent message from my intel. The words scrawled on the parchment were enough to make my blood run cold: “Aria is alive. I’ve seen her face to face.” I crushed the note in my fist, my mind racing. Aria, the girl I had once loved and betrayed, had somehow survived the attack I had orchestrated. She was a threat to everything I had built. She had to be dealt with—again. I strode through the castle hills, my steps echoing ominously. The scent of power and fear clung to the air, a testament to the grip I held over the Blood Moon Pack. But now, that grip was being threatened. As I reached my chambers, my mind replayed the message over and over. Aria’s survival complicated everything. If she had allies, she could rally them against me. And with her knowledge of the pack’s weaknesses, she could strike us where it hurt the most. I needed to act quickly. Aria’s presence meant she was likely plotting her
Chapter 41: Shattered IllusionsKael’s POV: The throne room was dimly lit, the flickering torches casting an intimate glow on the stone walls. I sat back on my throne, savoring the power that surged through me. The young maid beside me trembled, a mix of fear and desire in her eyes. Her hands hesitated, but I guided them, enjoying the control I held over her. “Come closer,” I whispered, my voice a command wrapped in velvet. She obeyed, her breath hitching as I pulled her onto my lap. My hands roamed freely, her soft gasps echoing in the silence. The thrill of domination coursed through me, blinding me to the sound of the door creaking open. Eliana walked in, her face pale as she stared at us with shock in her eyes. My initial surprise quickly shifted to cold indifference. “Kael!” she shouted, her voice echoing off the stone walls. I looked up, my expression impassive. “Eliana,” I said flatly. “Care to join us?”The maid leaped off my lap, her face flushed with embarrassment. She
Chapter 42: GambitEliana’s POV:The whispers started as soon as dawn broke, spreading like wildfire through the pack. Everywhere I turned, I could see the sneers, hear the hushed conversations. Kael humiliated me in the worst possible way, and now I was a public disgrace. The very people I had once commanded with an iron fist now looked at me with a mix of pity and scorn. I sat in my chambers, my mind racing. Kael’s betrayal was a wound that cut deeper with every passing moment, but it also ignited a fire within me. I felt used, discarded, but I would not let him have the last laugh, nor would I let this smear the image I’ve worked hard to build. “Milady,” a timid voice called from the doorway. It was one of the younger maids, her eyes wide with fear. “The Alpha requests your presence in the Great Hall.”I stood, smoothing down my dress and composing myself. I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing me break. As I walked through the corridors, heads turned, and the whispers
Chapter 43: Rift. Aria’s POV: The news of Kael and Eliana’s issues reached me through Elder Ravenwood, who claimed to have an insider feeding him information. I listened intently, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions. Kael’s downfall brought a twisted sense of satisfaction, but the news of Eliana’s disgrace stirred something unexpected within me.“Are you sure this information is reliable?” I asked, my eyes narrowing at Ravenwood. He nodded, his expression solemn. “My source is close to Kael. They have no reason to lie.”I paced the room, my thoughts racing. Eliana’s betrayal still stung, but I couldn’t ignore the opportunity this presented. Kael’s pack was fracturing, and if Eliana was turning against him, then perhaps there was a chance to exploit that weakness. “We need to act,” I said finally. “If Eliana is looking for revenge, we can use that to our advantage. But we must be cautious. Kael is still dangerous.”Lyraeus, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward. “We nee