Caden had been in the pack for only a few days, and already, his presence was evident. He was charming, competent, and above all, respectful. Where others folded under pressure or demanded their worth be recognised, Caden offered his help with an effortless grace, winning people over with ease.
And that alone made me wary.
I watched from the balcony as he sparred with a group of young warriors in the training grounds below. He was more than a visiting Alpha lending aid; he was a man used to being in control. Our people admired him, I could see it in their faces. He gave them clear instructions, shouted encouragement, and moved among them like he’d always belonged.
“Are you planning to glower at him all morning, or do you want me to fetch you a chair?”
Ardan’s voice startled me. He leaned against the doorway to the balcony, arms crossed and a slight smirk on his face. I shot him a look, but he didn’t budge.
“I&rsq
The morning sir was cold and the cloud looked like it was going to rain soon. I sat at the head of the war table with folded arms as I listened to Ardan outline the patrol schedules for the coming week. His voice was steady and reassuring—something I needed more than I cared to admit.“The northern border patrols will overlap every two hours,” Ardan explained, marking the map with strokes. “Zone and Rachel will lead the first sweep, and we’ll keep fresh warriors rotating. If there’s anything out of place, we’ll know.”I nodded, satisfied with the plan. “It’ll hold for now. I just want our wolves to feel safe again.”Ardan leaned back in his chair, watching me carefully. “They will, Serena. We are doing the right thing.”I offered him a smile, though it felt strained. The pack had been walking a fine line between recovery and exhaustion, and despite my best efforts, the tension was still palpable. It had been days since the witches’ promises, and though the rogue attacks had quieted, p
Ardan’s PoVThe rain had started already as my mate and I were tangled in the sheets. It had been quite sometime since we both had gotten this intimate, yet as we kissed, I could tell something was bothering Serena.“What’s wrong? Is it about Caden?” I asked but she didn’t answer. Instead, she pulled me in for another kiss. We kissed for a while but I didn’t feel any rhythm. It felt forced.“Okay, what’s really going on?” I asked.Serena sighed and finally spoke. “How close are you to Caden?” She asked.“He was my childhood best friend. Why?” I asked, curious. She went silent again.“Hmm?” I murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.Serena hesitated, biting her lip, as though she were unsure of whether she should speak at all. Finally, she exhaled again. “I need to tell you something about Caden.”“What about him?” I asked calmly.She sat up and pulled the covers around herself. “I don’t want you to think I’m trying to put a rift between you two. He’s your friend, and I know
Serena’s PoVIt was the next morning already. I sat on the edge of the bed, interlocking my fingers within my laps. Ardan stood by the window with tense shoulders. His gaze was distant as he stared out at the pack grounds.I took a deep breath, bringing myself to speak. “Ardan,” I began softly.He didn’t turn around. His posture was rigid.“I wanted to say I’m sorry,” I continued. “I shouldn’t have accused Caden. I let my doubts get the better of me and now I understand how much he means to you.”Ardan had not said a word to me since he woke up this morning. I noticed he was uncomfortable. His usual demeanour was gone and replaced by something else that I couldn’t quite place.I shout him a dirty look, and getting to my feet, I moved over to where he sat and stood beside him. “What’s wrong?” I asked, studying his face.“Nothing,” he said curtly without looking me in the eyes.“Ardan,” I said more firmly, “I know something’s bothering you. Talk to me.”He closed his mouth firmly and fo
Serena’s PoVIt was pretty early in the morning and the sun rose behind the main training grounds. From where I was perched above, I could see the young wolves fighting and running around as Caden supervised them. His orders were precise but motivating and he seemed quiet but authoritative.Every day, he trained them relentlessly. I couldn’t help but wonder why he pushed them so hard. Surely, we had enough seasoned warriors to hold the borders and defend the pack. These young ones—barely teenagers, deserved a chance to enjoy their youth.Once the session ended, I made my way down the hill to where Caden was standing and wiping sweat from his brow. He spotted me approaching and gave me a nod with a grin.“Good morning, Alpha,” he said, teasing me.I folded my arms, tilting my head as I spoke to him. “Caden, I’ve been watching you train these kids every day. Why do you push them so hard? We already have capable warriors.”He shrugged, leaning on the hilt of a practice sword. “You can ne
I was in the war room checking the maps for any loophole that could be causing the attacks. I know I didn’t fully believe Caden and if he turns out to be the one behind all of this, he is damn good at playing mind games.It was then I heard the shriek. I rushed outside to see what was happening. The rogue attack came without warning, tearing through the southern sector of our territory in the dead of night. Wolves howled combined with the cries of fear and anger. By the time we reached the site, the damage had already been done—several pack members injured, and one critically wounded.The aftermath left a heavy tension hanging over the pack. Whispers began to spread, doubts began creeping into the minds of those who had once been steadfast in their loyalty.“They’re targeting us too easily,” one voice murmured.“Maybe Ardan’s not as strong as we thought,” another added.I clenched my fists as I walked
It was the third day since Ardan and I had that argument. I sat alone under a tree in silence.My thoughts were a tangled mess. I had begin to doubt Ardan’s leadership, the whole accusations against Caden, and the guilt of knowing the pack was slowly fracturing. For the first time in my life, I felt truly lost, even with Ardan by my side.“Serena?”I turned to see who was calling only to see Caden standing a few feet away. I could see worry in his face. “I thought I might find you out here,” he said, stepping closer to me.I sighed, brushing a hand through my hair. “What do you want, Caden?”“To help,” he replied simply, sitting down beside me. “You’ve been carrying a lot on your shoulders lately. Maybe you need someone to lean on for a change.”I opened my mouth to send him away, but the words refused to come. The truth was, he wasn’t wrong. All that was taking pl
ARDAN’s PoVI paced back and forth within the war room. My mind was consumed by a single name—Caden. Ever since his arrival, things had slowly begun changing. My pack doubted my abilities, his growing influence, it all just sounds sinister.“Ardan.”Draven called out, pulling me away from my thoughts. I turned to see him leaning against the doorway with his face as grim as mine.“We need to talk,” I said, gesturing for him to close the door.He complied and stepped into the room. “What is it?”“It’s Caden,” I began in a low tone. “Something doesn’t feel right. I grew up with him but now I do not know him and I don’t know whether to trust him or not.”Draven tilted his head, studying me carefully. “Why now?”I hesitated as I struggled to put my suspicions into words. “It’s not just his behaviour. It’s everything. The way the pack looks to him, the way he’s always in the right place at the right time. And then there’s Serena. He’s too close to her.”Draven narrowed his eyes. “I replayed
Serena’s PoVThe council hall was packed that it was suffocating. I could hear murmurs of discontent from the pack swirling around me, growing louder by the second. I was nervous.Caden stood at the centre of the room. His posture was commanding and his voice was calm yet firm as he spoke. “We need strong leadership now more than ever. Ardan has failed to protect this pack from rogue attacks, failed to root out the threats within. And now, with evidence against him, how can you trust him to lead you all?”A few wolves nodded in agreement. Others exchanged uncertain glances as if their loyalty to Ardan clashed with the doubts by Caden’s words.I stood between them all, caught in a storm I hadn’t anticipated. Zone and Rachel flanked me with grim expressions.“You don’t have to decide right now,” Zone whispered in a low tone. “Take a moment to think this through.”But there was no time. The pack was waiting for a decision. Their eyes were locked on me.“If we don’t act now,” Caden contin
Ardan’s PoVI was seated in Josephine’s room with an uncomfortable silence. She realised that I didn’t care about her feelings and just wanted her to remove the baby. She fumed near the window, folding her arms across her chest. Now she was sure she was pregnant and I didn’t know what else to do.“We cannot keep this baby,” I retorted, attempting to stay as strong as possible.Josephine looked at me with determination in her eyes. “This baby is your opportunity to have your own child, a child that genetically belongs to you. I’m not removing it, Ardan. You have already had to nurture someone else’s child as if he/she is your own. Now you get to have one that’s truly yours.” Josephine expressed.The words she said deeply affect me, yet, they were merely words of consolation. “You are not aware of the countless questions I will have to answer the moment Serena opens her eyes. Evelyn already has known that I am not her father. She knows she’s cursed. If Serena finds out about you and thi
Evelyn’s PoVI opened my eyes to the morning sunshine streaming through my windows. I yawned and wished this day was as special as it was meant to be. My 18th birthday. I had turned a year older and my mother was still in a coma. I wanted my mother here, awake, smiling at me like she did when she birthed me.“Happy birthday, Evelyn!” I jumped as Luca entered my room, opening the door and carrying a small basket in his arms.I forced a smile. “Thanks, Luca.”“I had the whole day planned for us,” he said with a wide smile. “You’ll love it.”I agreed, though there was little enthusiasm in my gestures. “Sounds great.”He looked at my expression and then leaned back because I did not show much interest at all. “Hey, what’s wrong?”“I just… “ Looking at me and how sad I was, Luca took my hands and I said, “If only mommy were here.”Luca’s smile softened. “I get it. But you’ve got me, okay? Besides, she’d want you to enjoy the rest of your day. So let’s go, okay?”“Alright.” I agreed, gettin
Evelyn’s PoVSomething weird was going on. I woke up on the bed, breathing in short, rapid gasps and my heart beating fast. Initially, I assumed that it was just another dream and then, I heard something.A voice.“Evelyn…” it said again.Holding my blanket firmly, I looked around the room and felt a cold sweat running down my spine. That’s when I saw her. A woman’s spirit appeared at a corner.“You are a threat to them,” she declared calmly. “Unstable. Dangerous.”“Don’t get any closer,” I whispered with a quivering voice.She smiled at her adversary, turning her head slightly. “Oh, but I’m not your enemy, Evelyn. You have no one who understands you as much as I do. I am the only one who sees your potential. Against any of them, you are stronger than they can ever know. Even stronger than your own mother.”I covered my ears with my palms. “Stop it! Leave me alone!”“You’re not meant to be controlled by them,” she continued against my efforts to ignore her. “They are scared of you bec
Ardan PoVI stood still in the middle of the area still tensed. Josephine’s words about Evelyn did not leave my ears or the very core of my existence. How could I have allowed her to utter such words about my daughter?As I was about to leave, Zone who by now wore the most sinister of looks on his face, approached me.“Ardan, what the hell was that?” he asked, his tone harsh, but not raised overly so.“I do not wish to talk about it,” I replied, clenching my teeth.Zone interfered and stood right in front of me, ensuring that I could not avoid dealing with this situation. “She’s your daughter, Ardan. You remained immobile as the pack watched Josephine demean her.“I know,” I snapped. “But now isn’t the time.”Zone scoffed. “If not now, then when? Evelyn needs you, and instead, you’re here pouting your lips while Josephine—”“I don’t want to discuss it,” I snapped back. Irritation was heavy in my tone that made him stop.Before Zone could continue his questioning Josephine stepped in w
Ardan PoVThe day started with Draven standing at my door with his face as hard as stone. In his hand, he held a tiny, black book that contained his riddles and diagrams. I gestured towards the door, signalling him to come inside.“You look like hell,” I said sadly, pointing at the chair on the other side of the desk.“I’ve been having visions again,” he stated uncomfortably. The gravity of the situation was evident in his tone. “It’s about the relic.”I tensed. “The one that came with the magic that was tied to Gloria?”He nodded. “Yes. But it is even more dangerous than one could have thought. I think it could bring her soul back to life if it were left with no restraint. But if Evelyn—or Serena comes in contact with it…” he stopped as he contemplated over his next words.I leaned forward. “We destroy it. Whatever it takes.”Draven groaned audibly, massaging his temples with his fingers. “It’s not that simple. If a person decides to destroy it, he or she stands the risk of unleashin
Evelyn’s PoVIt happened a few nights ago. Initially, I could not believe that it was really happening to me and it might be my imagination due to the ongoing stress within the pack and the fact that I was now aware that I was cursed. But they kept coming back—I saw them, persistent, haunting and as if they were calling my name.I got up from the bed, shaking the sweat from my brow. The whispers were louder now, pulling at a cord somewhere inside me.“Evelyn...”My heart pounded. It didn’t matter who or what was behind it, they just wanted me to come with them.And I listened.I left the pack house discreetly so as not to wake anyone. The night was rather chilly; I could hear the insects’ buzz and the whispers. The whispers led me further into the forest with my toes bare against the rough ground.Finally, after what it felt like an eternity, I arrived in an area that I had never set foot in before. At the centre was a round, worn stone base, not large enough to hold even a medium-siz
Ardan’s PoVThe situation in the camp had been tense for some time. It began with word battles—a few barbs exchanged between my pack and Joachim’s rogues in passing—though recently, things had turned physical. Today, I found myself in the middle of the training grounds, clapping my hands to restore order after another fight.“This is exactly the kind of attitude that we don’t want around here! You’re all children!” I boomed, making my voice heard above all the ruckus. “We are supposed to be on the same side, are we not? How can this be happening?”The two fighters angrily retreated, cursing under their breath.“Ardan,” a voice whispered. It was low and commanding. I looked round to see Josephine coming nearer and her aura demanded respect at first sight. “Let me handle this.”She stood between the two groups and her words were deliberately chosen and diplomatic. &ld
Evelyn’s PoVLately, things did not feel right at all, almost as if the world was out of tune in a way. My father was avoiding me, Marcus was ignoring me and secrets that I wasn’t privy to seemed to be everywhere. All I could sense was that there must be something colossal looming behind it—something that close friends were hiding from me.When I found Marcus, he was perched on a log at the edge of the camp, honing his blade, which was something he always did when he needed time to introspect. I could tell even from where I was standing that something was very off with him.“Marcus,” I whispered as I approached him.He flicked another glance at me, his was face impassive, then he looked back to the sword. “Evelyn.”I took a seat next to him. “Are you okay?”He paused for a moment gripping the handle more firmly. “I’m fine.”I frowned. “You don’t seem f
Ardan’s PoVThe days after paternity spell left me a wreck. To believe that Evelyn, was not my real daughter. Deep down I knew she wouldn’t be but now that I actually knew the truth and felt like a big mess, I despised myself for this feeling. She was still my daughter, still Serena’s child— our child in every way that one can imagine. However, every time I glanced at her, all I could see was the shadow of Caden teasing me from the other world.I distanced myself from her, angered and guilty. My duties as Alpha did help in distracting me from the torment, yet the moment I was done working, the torment started again. Evelyn noticed. How could she not? She always had those perceptive looks that did not leave anything unnoticed.It did not take her much time before she got the chance to approach and pull me aside to the common area of the pack house.“Dad,” she started firmly, “why have you been avoiding me?“I attempted to dismiss her complaints using the alibi of being bogged down with