Axel POV I had been staying away from the pack for days; that was the best I could do in my situation anyway, keeping my distance not just from Lorraine but from everything that reminded me of the chaos she brought into my life. The training grounds had become my escape, a place where the world couldn’t reach me—where the grueling, relentless grind of drills, sparring matches, and runs through the forest left my muscles aching with exhaustion and kept my mind off Lunette, off Lorraine, and off the mess I’d tangled myself in. No one bothered me here. It was just me, my wolf, and the quiet solitude of the woods. My muscles burned, but I welcomed the ache. Pain was better than thinking about anything tonight. I was just finishing another brutal set of drills, sweat dripping down my back, as I landed another punch against the training dummy; its burlap form swayed precariously from the impact when I caught the scent of something that made my stomach churn.It was faint at first, but i
Axel POV I needed a break, and I needed one now before I went crazy and rampaged on everyone in the room. I made to cross the room when Zarek approached me, cornering me by the kitchen."Is it going that well?" he asked, and I sighed. "Don't start with me, brother," I hissed, and he grunted. "I don't mean anything by it, except maybe if you want me to kill her first," he huffed, and I smiled wryly, sipping at my drink. "That would be nice, but I'd like to avoid bloodshed." "How long do you expect this to last?" he asked, and I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't want to think about that." "But you have to," he hissed, and I tossed back my drink, reaching for another glass. "No, I don't. Now drop it," I muttered, walking to the door, and this time I was cornered by my father. "Axel, what's wrong with you?" he asked, and I huffed. "What is this, intervention night?" "If that makes you feel better to think about it like that, then fine.""I don't need my father int
Lunette POVThe cold air nipped at my face as I walked away from Axel, my vision blurring with tears that I couldn’t seem to stop. Not when my chest felt like it was about to cave in, each breath harder to draw in than the last. His words echoed in my mind, the pain it caused as sharp and deadly as it was when he had said the words.“I’m dating her now.” I had watched him come in with her at the feast, and it felt like my heart just stopped for no good reason. I had tried to ignore them both; after all, there was no reason I should be affected—not when I was there with my own mate—but that hadn't helped.So K had followed him outside and confronted him, and that had been his response. How could he say that to me? How could he choose Lorraine of all people? I was no longer the type to crumble just because someone didn’t choose me. But Axel wasn’t just someone. He was different; he was my mate. I stumbled as my legs carried me away from the forest line and back toward the glow of
Alpha Cormac POV Early morning dew clung to the grass as I stepped into the training grounds, my muscles already tense with anticipation. The sun was still rising, casting soft shadows over the field, and the soft thud of fists against sandbags and the rhythmic grunts of warriors in training already filled the space.It had been far too long since I had sparred with someone, far longer since I had sparred with Axel, and I wanted to see how he was holding up, both as a warrior and as my son. I didn't like the fact that he was going out with that Lorraine girl, but I had no say in it, so I was planning to keep my mouth shut. Life as Alpha often left little room for personal matters, even with my own sons, but today I had carved out time. Axel was a strong fighter, and I hadn't been in the game for very long, so I knew that I had strong competition from him, but I was looking forward to it. Axel was already waiting when I arrived, his stance steady and his eyes sharp. He looked ever
Lunette POVIt was morning; it had been for over four hours, and I hadn't been asleep for almost five. I got out of bed and made to get dressed. I tugged on a shirt and some pants.I was in no mood to cook or work in the garden, so I wandered down the hallway, breathing deeply; it was cold, the air crisp and heavy, carrying the faint scent of freshly turned soil, grass, and pine as I stepped into the training ground.I stood at the edge of the training grounds. My eyes fixed on the sparring circle where Alpha Cormac and Axel seemed to be doing exactly what the name implied.Their movements were a full blend of power and precision, with their facial muscles rippling as they traded blows with a speed that left me breathless.Alpha Cormac was a force of nature; his strikes were all calculated, each movement showing off the raw power honed by years of experience.Axel matched him as well because he was
Zarek POVThe moon was dying of that was a term I could use , it hung low just behind the trees its pale glow over the dense forest making it brighter.I made my way back to the pack house eager to get out of my wet clothes, patrols had been grueling tonight, every muscles I'm my body ached, and the lingering scent of blood and dirt clung to my clothes. All I wanted was to collapse in bed, maybe grab a drink first if I could muster the energy. But as I crossed the courtyard, the shadow moving in the corner of my vision told me that I would not get any rest tonight.“Zarek!” I heard a voice call out, it didn't sound familiar besides no one was supposed to be out right now.. I tensed, instincts kicking in, until Axel stepped into the light. “Axel?” I said, frowning. “What are you doing out here?” He looked like hell, his hair disheveled, his shirt wrinkled and damp a wild desperation in his eyes,that I didn’t like one bit “I need your help,” he said, his voice low but urgent h
Lunette POVI was up early; the excitement and nerves had made it too hard to sleep all night, so here I was almost thirty minutes early, walking to the training grounds. I was looking forward to this. If I was ever going to hold my own in this pack—or any pack—I needed to be stronger, faster, and better.I reached the clearing, expecting to see Axel waiting for me, the usual impatient scowl he had plastered on his face most of the time when he saw me.Instead, there was someone else standing in the middle of the field, arms crossed, his sharp features set in an unreadable line.Zarek!I remembered what I had said to him that night at the Harvest feast. My throat closed up, my stomach dancing with nerves all of a sudden.“Zarek?” I said, my voice filling with surprise.“What are you doing here?”He turned to face me, his amber eyes locking ont
Zarek POVI stood in the training field the next day, waiting with the thoughts running through my head like a washing machine left on.Maybe it was a bit of an exaggeration, but that was how I felt. I was here earlier than she was again! I was glad for that, though it gave me time to think and at least get my thoughts in order.Lunette arrived a few minutes later; she looked exhausted from our last session.She smiled at me, her wide, curious eyes looking for mine, and I forced myself to look away.The memory of her touch, her scent, and the way she moved, her brows wrinkling when she tried to copy a move I showed her, haunted me.It was infuriating..I was furious with myself for feeling this way, for letting the mere sight of her pull at desires I had no right to have.It was wrong. Every damn part of it was wrongI had no right to want her—not when she was
Lunette POV The moment that Varda fired that bolt I had been sure it would hit Axel. So sure in fact that the world had slowed around me, my breath caught in my throat as I braced for the worst. But then Lorraine had stepped in. While she quarreled with her mother all I could feel was relief—until Varda struck again, until I saw the bright red blood spreading across her clothes as she crumpled to the floor. Varda had tried to kill her own daughter. For a second, all I could do was stare. I stood frozen, watching in horror as Axel caught Lorraine before she hit the dirt. Lorraine’s body trembled, her hands pressing against the wound, her lips parted in shock. Varda turned back to Axel but before I could react, Zarek moved. A low, guttural growl ripped from his throat as his body twisted and grew, his Lycan form bursting free. He lunged at Varda, his teeth bared in a snarl. Varda barely had time to turn before his fangs sank deep into her neck. Her scream was cut off as he to
Zarek POV They attacked us first, or they tried to anyway, after our escape we made plans to draw them out, it would be the best way to even our playing field and she was pissed when she discovered we were missing. She had brought her men in immediately,"Kill them all!" She roared and the battle that followed afterwards was pure chaos. Snarls and screams filled the night air as blood soaked the dirt beneath my feet. My muscles burned, but I couldn’t stop. Not now. Not until Varda was dead. The Lycan curse poured through my veins like fire, pain following it and pushing me past my limits. My body twisted, the monstrous power within me taking over. My claws lengthened, my teeth sharpened, and a guttural roar tore from my throat. Varda’s men hesitated at the sight of me. Good. They should be afraid. With a single leap, I tore into the nearest warrior, my claws ripping through armor and flesh like paper. The scent of blood thickened in the air as another wolf lunged at me his
Axel POV The weight of Curtis’s death still hung heavy in the air, but we had no time to grieve. The dungeon might have been cold and suffocating, but the fire of rage burning inside me made it bearable.We had to escape, and we had to bring Varda down. Zarek sat against the wall, arms crossed, jaw clenched. He hadn’t spoken much since Curtis died. I could see the storm brewing inside him, the need for vengeance, for blood. I felt it too, and it wasn't just the curse, to know that our mother had died at the hands of such a man. But Lunette—Lunette was different. She stood between us, but she didn’t cry anymore, the tears from earlier seemed to have dried up. "We have to kill her." Zarek hissed and shook his head "No." “We have to be smart,” he continued, voice steady. “We can’t just rush into a fight. Varda is dangerous. If we attack without a plan, we’ll lose.” “She killed our mother,” he growled, his voice raw. "She killed our father. She has to pay for it.” Lunette,
Lunette POV I couldn’t move, I couldn’t breathe. To have Varda standing before me, tall and proud no hint of remorse in her eyes, her golden hair catching the flickering light of the candle in the cabin we had run to, and her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she looked down at me, at all of us. "You look surprised, darling." She purred, stepping closer, the scent of death clung to her, or was that Curtis blood pooling over the floor making my stomach churn. "Surely, you knew this day would come." I shook my head, willing myself to speak, but nothing came out. “Where’s Alpha Slade?” Axel asked, his voice low and dangerous. His hands curled into fists at his sides, barely restrained fury radiating off him. "He has to know that this won't end well for him." Varda sighed dramatically. “He's outlived his usefulness honestly it was such a burden waiting for him to kick the bucket" My father… dead? My legs nearly gave out, and I staggered back. “No,” I whispered, my voice ba
Axel’s POVThe council chambers were suffocating me, and Lorraine standing beside me was not doing me any favors to be honest, her face composed but I saw the glint in her eyes. She had me wrapped around her fingers and the council was helping her squeeze. They had all but declared, Lunette, Curtis and Zarek traitors to the pack. “We cannot allow them to run free,” Lorraine said, her voice dripping with false concern."If Zarek and Lunette are left unchecked, they’ll bring ruin to Grey Moon. We have to act before it’s too late.” I clenched my fists at my sides, barely containing my anger because I knew she didn’t care about the pack, only her own ambitions but her performance was flawless and the council bought it, murmuring their agreement,“Alpha Axel,” elder Fred addressed me. "You must send your soldiers to apprehend them. For the good of the pack.” I had gotten used to those words over the last few days, even more than I had gotten used to my own father's death. Maybe it wa
Varda POV I heard the news about Alpha Cormac's deathly injury, while I was cleaning up my new room, it had been one of the best news I had in a very long while.I knew it was time.When I had sent the assassins to finish off Lunette, it had never occured to me that I would catch bigger fish in my endeavor.The alpha Cormac, the biggest alpha om our coast and the most respected, it was a coup. A storm of satisfaction had spread through me, filling me, this was good. I needed this chance now, cold determination settled over me as I leaned back in the ornate chair in Slade's–my study now. The Grey Moon pack was vulnerable. Their leadership in shambles this was the time for me to get more than I had wanted with the chaos that was no doubt already starting to spread. I had my opening.And while Lunette wasn't dead yet, that wasn't something I couldn't solve later.Lunette. The name was a bitter taste on my tongue, that little brat was a thorn in my side. She was a loose thread, the la
Zarek POV "Have you lost your mind?” I snarled, at my brother my voice low and dangerous.“You think locking Lunette up is going to solve anything? She didn’t kill Father, Axel.” The tension in the room was suffocating and I really didn't need to be pissed, Axel stood at the head of his table, his arms crossed over his chest, his jaw set tight, I stood across from him bracing my hands on the surface of the table, it was barely enough to keep myself from reaching across and shaking some sense into him. “I didn’t say she did. But until we know for sure who’s behind this, I can’t take any chances.” “Chances?” I barked, slamming my fist on the table.“You’re not just taking a chance, you’re condemning her. The council will see this as an admission of guilt. Do you understand what you’re doing?” Axel’s lips pressed into a thin line. “What I understand is that the council is already breathing down my neck. If I don’t handle this carefully, we risk losing everything.” “Losing wha
Lunette POV My whole body ached from hours of training with Zarek, each and every muscle group screamed in protest as I settled into the chair beside Alpha Cormac’s bed. With the room dimly lit, the only light coming from the faint glow of the monitors tracking his vitals.The steady beeping was oddly comforting, I could at least hold on to the fact he was still with us. I watched him breath in and out guilt gnawing at my insides. He looked a bit better today, not so pale, maybe soon he would wake up. He had nearly died protecting me. He shouldn’t have risked himself for someone like me. I slumped into the chair by Alpha Cormac’s bed and I told myself I’d only rest my eyes for a moment, just long enough to catch my breath. “I’ll make it right,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I’ll find a way to fix this, to protect your pack... your family.” But the steady rhythm of the machines and the quiet hum of the room lulled me into sleep.I didn’t even realize when my eyes closed,
Lorraine’s POVIt was dark outside and quiet wrapped around the pack house like a shroud, it had never been this quiet in a long time the stillness was broken only by the occasional creak of the old walls or the distant howl of a wolf. This was a perfect time for what I had to do, it was the perfect cover.I slipped through the hallways, keeping my footsteps as silent against the wooden floors as possible, my heart pounded in my chest, but it was not from fear. No, this wasn’t fear. This was anticipation. Alpha Cormac’s injury had given me the perfect opening because now with him bedridden and Zarek too preoccupied with training that brat girl Lunette, Axel was the only one fit to step up as acting Alpha. And if Axel became Alpha, well... I would ensure that I was by his side as Luna. It was time to act. Time to turn the chaos to my advantage, meaning there was no room for error tonight. I tightened my grip on the small syringe hidden in my sleeve. The attack had been... unex