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
The walk back to camp was filled with tension. Dominic’s easy smirk didn’t help; if anything, it made Zone’s temper simmer hotter. I could feel the heat of Zone’s eyes boring into Dominic’s back, but I kept my focus on the path ahead. We didn’t have time for petty arguments—not when Ardan was still out there.When we arrived, Rachel was sitting beside Gilly with her hands glowing faintly as she worked to stabilise our friend’s breathing. Gilly lay on a makeshift bed of leaves. Her face was pale but peaceful. Rachel glanced up as we approached. Her brows furrowed when she spotted Dominic.“Who’s this?” Rachel asked in a wary tone.Dominic gave her a lazy wave. “Dominic. Smuggler, information broker, occasional charmer. At your service.”Zone growled. “We don’t need your act. Just tell them why you’re here.”I stepped forward, cutting through the tension. “This is Dominic. He knows the rogue king’s network and might have information about Ardan’s whereabouts.”“Might,” Dominic echoed, l
The sun was up as we made our way to the canyon. Dominic led the way. Zone followed close behind with his hand resting on his sword. Rachel and Gilly were at my side. Gilly was leaning on Rachel for support as she regained her strength.The air felt heavier here, every sound was amplified and echoing off the rock.“Something’s not right,” Sally murmured in my mind.“I feel it too,” I replied with my senses sharpening as I scanned the cliffs above. The silence was unnerving.“We should move faster,” Zone said in a low but urgent tone.“Relax,” Dominic called over his shoulder, his tone infuriatingly casual. “This path is clear. I’ve used it dozens of times.”Zone’s growl was barely audible. “And how do we know you’re not leading us into a trap?”Dominic turned, walking backward with a grin. “Like I said, If I wanted you dead, you’d already be dead. Trust me, big guy.”I clenched my fists. “Keep moving. We’re too exposed here.”Dominic smirked but complied, turning forward again.Then a
The next morning, Zone and Dominic’s bickering had started again before we even broke camp.“You’re leading us into another trap, aren’t you?” Zone growled with his arms crossed as he faced Dominic, who leaned lazily against a tree.Dominic smirked, completely unbothered. “You’ve got trust issues, big guy. Relax. If I wanted to betray you, I’d have done it already.”“You’d say that whether you planned to or not,” Zone shot back with a sharp tone.“Enough,” I snapped, stepping between them. My patience was wearing thin, and I couldn’t afford to let their constant tension derail us. “This isn’t helping. We’re all here for the same reason—to find Ardan. Keep that in mind, or we’re not going to make it.”“No, you, are here to find Ardan. I’m done. I am telling you, Dominic is leading us into some trap I cant trust him.” Zone cried.“I saved you, I saved Gilly and I saved Rachel. I didn’t ask you to come with me. This is my fight and my fight alone. Do you think I trust Dominic?” I asked s
The camp had been unusually quiet that morning, but my thoughts were anything but still. Gilly was stronger now—more alert, more alive than she’d been since her rescue—but I couldn’t help noticing how Dominic avoided looking at her. His usual smirk was absent, and he kept his eyes away from from hers.Gilly seemed to notice, too. She stood a little apart from us, leaning against a tree with her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on Dominic as if she were trying to solve a puzzle.“Gilly,” I said softly, walking over to her. “How are you feeling?”“Better,” she said. “A lot better, actually.” She hesitated as her gaze flickered toward Dominic. “But something’s off with him. He keeps avoiding me.”I followed her eyes, watching Dominic as he checked his weapons with meticulous precision. “That’s just how he is,” I said, though I couldn’t deny the unease creeping into my chest.“Serena,” Gilly said quietly with her voice almost a whisper. “He feels… familiar. I don’t know how to explain it,
My wrists ached from the tightness of the chains binding me. Sylvia had dressed me up in a maids costume just so she could mock me even more.“This was exactly what Gloria talked about. Gilly, Zone. They all warned us but we were blinded by it all.” Sally snared furious at being subdued.Sylvia sat across from me, lounging on a plush chair with a cruel smirk playing at the corner of her lips.“You’ve grown weaker, Serena,” she said, tracing a finger along the armrest. “Pathetic, really. And to think this room once belonged to you.”I blinked, glancing around. This truly was once my room.Sylvia’s laughter broke the silence. “Ah, so you do remember. Don’t worry; I’ve made a few improvements since then.”“You’re delusional if you think this changes anything,” I snapped.Sylvia leaned forward with her eyes narrowing. “Why are you doing this?” I asked, keeping my tone steady.She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Why?” she repeated. “Are you really asking me that, Serena?”“Humour me,
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