I stood among the scattered remnants of Derek's pack, now in my human form.“Stand down,” I commanded. The defeated rogues, stood back up in silence, trembling and waiting for my judgment.Zone and Rachel approached me, I could sense the pride and respect they felt toward my transformation. My wolf mother’s strength had clearly astonished them, and while they remained unsure of the rogues, their relief was evident. I had chosen mercy over vengeance."Thank you," Zone murmured as his eyes met mine. "You've given them hope."I nodded, grateful for their support. Then my thoughts turned to Derek’s former beta. If anyone knew where my mother’s relic could be found, it would be him.I called out to him, and after a few tense moments, Derek’s former beta, a wolf with a scar stretching across his eye, stepped forward. He looked wary and his shoulders were hunched as though prepared for punishment. My commanding presence made him nervous and he kept his eyesight low.“I’m not here to punish y
I stood at the edge of the clearing, watching as the pack gathered before me. Taking a breath, I spoke. “You’ve all come through a dark time,” I began, meeting their eyes one by one. “You’ve all lost, endured, and fought to survive. But now you have a chance to rebuild, to become something stronger—something united.”I could feel the crowds hesitation, the remnants of pain that Derek’s reign had left in each of them. They’d learned to look out for themselves, to trust no one. I needed to show them that a different way was possible.“To do this,” I continued in a steady tone, “we’ll need to work together. We’ll need food, supplies, and defences so that no threat can ever leave us so vulnerable again.”The tension in their faces began to ease as I laid out the plan, explaining that we’d form hunting parties, repair our homes, and organise patrols to protect us. I described the look out system I envisioned, with rotating shifts and a rapid response team to ensure no one could strike with
The first light of dawn cast as I gathered a few loyal wolves away from the pack. They listened intently as I laid out my plan. Each of them understood the gravity of my departure. I’d only just begun to lead them, to help rebuild their broken lives, and now I was asking them to take on the burden I was leaving behind.“You all know what we’ve accomplished so far,” I said, setting my eyes from one to the next. “And I trust you to keep it going in my absence. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I’ll come back as soon as I can.”The beta nodded in acceptance. “We’ll protect the pack and continue your work, Alpha. You don’t need to worry.”I was filled with both pride and sadness. These wolves were ready to fight, to stand firm despite everything they’d been through. I had to leave them now, but their loyalty and dedication gave me strength.“Thank you,” I mur
If the guards’ rumours were true, Zone was in chains for “colliding with a witch,” and I could only imagine what they’d done to Gilly, who was already vulnerable. If there was even a chance they were in the dungeons, I had to find them.“We’ll get them out, Serena,” my wolf promised. Her confidence became mine.Soon, I sighted the thick door to the dungeon, guarded by a lone guard. I timed my movement. I waited for him to shift his attention momentarily and then I moved past him swiftly. His flickering torchlight casted only a slight glimpse of me.I hadn’t been in these dungeons in ages. I remembered how prisoners were brought here under Ardan’s orders, criminals as well who had chosen the wrong side. But this was different. Ardan had always been just. To think of Zone and Gilly down here, locked in these cells, made my blood boil.As I went down the stairs, a tortured howl echoed off the stone walls. The sound was unmistakable. It was Zone. I picked up my pace, sprinting down the na
The night was cold as we quietly and carefully passed through the palace corridors. Gilly, though still unconscious, rested securely in Zone’s arms. Rachel and I moved ahead, scanning for threats while Zone followed close behind.The memory of what I had seen in the dungeon was burned into my mind. I couldn’t shake the image of the imposter Ardan. Yes, my mind has been on it and will continue to be on it until I am able to find my mate. The rogue king had not only stolen my mate’s appearance but had turned the palace—our home—into a place of fear and lies.Meanwhile, the silence between I and Zone was heavy and it was broken only by the faint sound of our footsteps. I knew how Zone felt about his unanswered questions and his simmering anger he was trying to keep at bay. I understood his rage; I felt it too. But now wasn’t the time to lose control.We reached the palace’s outer gardens without any incident. The moon shone bright, making it harder to stay hidden. I motioned for the othe
We had finally gotten out of the dungeon and I helped Zone and Gilly to the hidden passage I’d used to enter. Every sound echoed in my ears—the clink of Zone’s chains that we had now gotten rid of, Gilly’s shallow, pained breaths, and my dragged footsteps against the stone floor. I was angry and confused. What I’d seen… it wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be.“That wasn’t Ardan,” I reminded myself, swallowing down the lump in my throat. My wolf, Sally, had already made it clear: this Ardan was an imposter, the rogue king in disguise. But knowing didn’t lessen the pain of seeing my mate’s face twisted into something cruel and unrecognisable.“Serena,” Zone growled behind me in a low tone but he was very much angry. “Are you going to explain now, or do I have to figure this out on my own?”I paused, staring back at him. He was cradling Gilly in his arms. She looked so small and so broken. The sight of her nearly brought me to my knees.“That wasn’t Ardan like I said,” I said softly and with
The forest had become our home and our prison. Days turned into nights without relief. The rogue king’s forces were everywhere, and we were forced to move like ghosts, never lingering in one place for long.Gilly’s condition had improved, but she still wasn’t strong enough to travel far, and Rachel rarely left her side. That left Zone and me to scout ahead, searching for any sign of Ardan or the rogue king’s plans.The frustration was beginning to pile up, and my wolf, Sally, understood my restlessness. “We’re wasting time,” she growled in my mind as we crept through an underbrush. “He’s out there, and we’re stuck chasing the wrong thing.”“You think I don’t know that?” I shot back. “I just don’t know how to prove it.” I continued. He was alive—I was sure of it—but every moment we spent running felt like another moment he slipped further from my reach.Zone crouched beside me with his sharp eyes scanning the road ahead. “Trail’s fresh,” he murmured, pointing to a set of boot prints in
Dominic’s smirk widened as he crossed his arms, leaning casually against one of the tent poles. He was tall, lean, and radiated this air of arrogance that set my teeth on edge. His sharp green eyes darted between Zone and me, sizing us up like the way predators size their prey.“Ardan,” I said firmly, cutting straight to the point. “You know where he is.”Dominic raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Oh, do I now? And what makes you think I’d share that information with you?”Zone stiffened beside me with his hand twitching toward his blade, but I placed a calming hand on his arm. This was my fight.“Because we both know you don’t work for free,” I replied. “You don’t owe the rogue king loyalty, and I can pay you better than he ever could.”Dominic chuckled, pushing off the post and circling me slowly. “Interesting theory. But what makes you think your cause is worth my time? I mean, look at you—tired, desperate, and woefully out of your depth. You’re chasing a ghost, sweetheart.”I
Evelyn’s PoVOur kiss had transformed into something more. One thing led to the other until I found him on top of me, on the bare ground and completely naked.“Do you want me?” Marcus grinned. He could tell I couldn’t resist him.“No.” I joked but Marcus could tell it was all a lie. I tried to let myself out of his grip jokingly but he pinned me down to the ground gently.“You’re mine, Evelyn. I love you.” He whispered into my ears.“I love you too, Marcus.” I whispered scared that I was going to give him all of me. I mean I wanted to but then again… my mum.“Can I?” He asked politely.“Uh-huh.” I whispered, nodding my head.He went in and at first it was painful but after the first few thrusts, I was having the best time of my life.“Is this your first?” I asked. Marcus hesitated to answer and I laughed.“You’re like seven years older than me of course you have.” I said as I moaned in between. “You’re so good.” I moaned.“I could say the same about you.” Marcus grinned, breathing hea
Author PoVCouncil room tension remained strong and difficult to breathe. The golden flames in Serena's eyes made her tighten her fists when she turned against Rachel and Ardan."You failed to defend my daughter when they sentenced her." Her voice broke in two from feeling betrayed when she spoke. She was really angry as she confronted Rachel and Ardan through her words.The pain of her loss made Rachel's face immobile. "She took Zone's life," she spoke plainly to them. “The damage she caused doesn't matter if it happened by accident. He’s dead because of her.”Serena’s breath hitched. She repeated her defence by saying it was not Evelyn's responsibility. “She wasn’t in control. You should recognise how Gloria influenced her. Evelyn would never—""Would never?" Rachel scoffed. “She already did.”Ardan interrupted with his measured tone before Serena could respond. He studied her showing deep emotions Serena could not recognise. “The moment Caden exiled me you stood by silently. And I
Author PoVJosephine had to be patient, as she knew that the truth, when used effectively, could cut deeper than claws or teeth. She had spent weeks spying on him, biding her time for the right moment to act. When she came upon Isiah alone, she drew closer with an air of casual interest, getting into some small talk about the current tensions in the pack. It wasn’t much to get him to let his guard down—he had always loved a good conversation.He hesitated the moment she mentioned Zone, but Josephine prompted him to continue, managing to play along with some sympathy. She had assured him that once the truth would set free, it would give all relief to those who needed it. Then he finally broke the silence she had been wishing for when he told that, during the battle, Evelyn had been the one who had killed Zone. It hadn’t been with intent, but still, it was true.Josephine felt no surprise. She had had her suspicions since Luca mentioned it to her. The moment she left Isiah, she made her
Evelyn’s PoVFor the last few weeks, both physically and emotionally, it had been an exhausting experience. The burden of my powers, my past, and that how much the pack disbelieved me weighed heavy on my shoulders. To this day, walking through that pack was no easy feat. I could feel the whispers, sideways glances, the fear unspoken. Nothing I could do seemed to work—I was somehow stuck with wounds too deep to heal.My mother, of course, had always picked up on it. She noticed everything.One evening, after the patrols had returned and the pack settled in for the night, she summoned me to her room. The way she had set herself at the wooden table, hands folded tightly, made me realise she must have something serious to talk by all means. Maybe Rachel had told someone about the truth of Zone’s death."Sit," she said gently, indicating the chair opposite her with her head.I did as I was told, and I could feel the air swell into some heavy tension that we both couldn't vocalise."You've
Author’s PoVJosephine waited while ever so patiently inserting her influence. She made sure that the pack was thoroughly prepared to follow her very soon. Little by little, a few calls here and there with the pack elders, appearance as the concerned mother in moments that would demand it, a strategically placed comment, this was how she slowly began to undermine Serena's standing.The birth of Dorian changed everything. He was Ardan's son; he was the legitimate heir. And Josephine saw to it that all in the pack understood it that way.Everything was being calculated.Josephine was at the centre of every pack gathering, dispensing advice as if that had always been her lot with the pack leaders. She reminded them how strong the pack had to be and how they could not afford to trust anyone compromised by dark magic. And when she was certain the time was right, she made her boldest move yet and questioned whether Evelyn had earned her place in the pack.This was during a pack meeting call
Ardan’s PoVTwo months later….A newborn screamed loudly in the room; disturbing silence everywhere it spread. Josephine lay on the bed, worn out though there was clearly a hidden shine of victory hidden in the background. She rocked the small bundle wrapped in rags and whispered reassuring words. My son.I swallowed hard.A son. My blood. My pride.I did not know what to feel.I stood stupefied, watching. It was as though an iron chain dropped onto my shoulder, and as much as I wished to deny it, this little one would turn my world upside down.Josephine looked at me. "Do you want to hold him?"I hesitated. My hands felt too big, too rough. But just as I was about to respond, she reached forward and carefully placed the newborn in my arms.His size surprised me. A soft ball up in little fists, the baby opened and clenched its eyes, squirming in discomfort before sleeping soundly. A son. I'd never thought I'd ever have one, I thought I’d never get to have my own blood yet here he lay,
Evelyn PoVI stayed seated on top of the wooden training grounds fence while I watched the fighters below lock together in combat. Weakness dragged down my body until it felt like an invisible burden I had to carry. I had abused my powers beyond what was safe since I could not stop myself.I needed to show my worth to my mother as well as Ardan and Luca and each member of the pack.Even though everything pointed at me badly the accusations persisted through the air like an intense burden.“She’s cursed."“She’s dangerous."The pack members even believed I should have died during the tragedy with Gloria.I clenched my fists.Taken back by a familiar tone I turned to see who spoke behind me.“You’re wearing yourself out.”Standing before me was Marcus who watched me with concern while crossing his arms. After studying me carefully with his dark eyes he kept looking at me but I stared elsewhere.“I can handle it.” I muttered.Marcus jumped after me as he joined me on top of the fence. “Y
Authors PoVAs Serena stood at the centre of the war room, the morning air was very cool. Maps were spread out on the wooden table before her. The tension in the room was thick, filled with murmurs of worry as the pack elders and warriors kept gathering.The scout conveyed disturbing intelligence indicating that a new pack under an unknown leader was regrouping. Where they had come from no one knew, but they were fast growing and did pose a direct danger to the very tenuous peace they were trying to establish.Serena exhaled as she looked from face to face around the room, many battle-worn and weary of the endless blood-shedding and survival. Their morale was low, and she realised that it was perhaps justified."We should be prepared," Serena said firmly, scanning the faces around the room. "Whatever their intentions, we can't afford to be taken unaware."There were some murmurs of agreement, but Serena could see doubt in their eyes. Some of them had already lost far too much.At the
Author’s PoVThe anger inside Luca kept growing until it became unbearable. The sensation persisted relentlessly from the first day it emerged thus steadily intensifying its strength as days passed. His mind showed his father's face whenever he tried to rest his eyes. Zone had continuously been present in Luca's life but his sudden passing left an unfillable space.The Red Blood Moon pack served as responsible culprits. Luca knew it. Since no one else had the courage to seek justice for his father's death Luca decided to take revenge himself.Under dark conditions Luca found a small assembly of wolves willing to seek revenge. These warriors belonged to the younger generation and showed impatience for violent conflict. They didn’t question his leadership. They followed without hesitation.The pack traveled deep into rogue territory using swift movements through the dense forest. Through diligent path observation, Luca had meticulously tracked down their patrolling routes for multiple w