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
Days has passed since Ardan was banished… since I banished him, and today, the council hall was filled with voices from every corner. I simply stood by the side, clasping my hands and trying to mask the anxiety that I felt. Their eyes were all on me and it me feel exposed and vulnerable, like I was standing at the edge of the cliff with no were to go but down.Caden stood front and centre. His posture was relaxed though commanding. He was the natural born leader.“Today,” he began, smiling, “we stand at a turning point. The pack has faced challenges—betrayals, attacks, and uncertainty. But through it all, one person has remained steady, guiding us, protecting us.”He turned to me with pride. “Serena, the Wolf mother, our new alpha.”Everyone present began cheering aloud. The pack chanted my name with respect.“She has proven herself more competent than any leader before her,” Caden continued. “More competent than Ardan ever was.”The whole crowd gathered immediately agreed.“Hot-heade
Serena PoVI walked into the medical wing and the scent of medicine hit my nose. Rachel stayed silently at her workstation blending medicinal salves while Marcus sat alone on his cot, looking determined though he didn't feel well. Luca kept his head down while sitting on a chair, picking at the edges of his shirt.Marcus looked at me right away while holding his injuries despite the pain. He spoke to me quietly, saying, "Serena," while struggling to speak clearly.I moved my chair close to his hospital bed and gave him a warm look. “Marcus,” I said softly. “Tell me everything.”Despite what had happened, Marcus spoke to me calmly about it. He told me how he entered Caden's camp with Luca, tried talking to Evelyn, and how Caden clawed at him.Marcus told me how Evelyn pleaded with our enemy to free them. “She struggled her whole way through to keep me safe.” He said, talking about Evelyn.Instantly, Luca ag
Evelyn PoVMy past choices pressed heavily on me during my walk through the camp. Every move I made was accompanied by the memories of my victims and the people I harmed. Gloria's comments sounded louder than ever in my thoughts with her gentle and convincing tone. She assured me that I possessed the potential to achieve great things.Her pledges started to break down under pressure.As I gazed at the night sky Gloria softly noted "Your power comes from our bond. Without me, you’re nothing. Remember that, Evelyn.”Her words initially, would have provided me comfort and guidance toward my goals. But now it felt like I was in a prison since she held me in her grip and kept me from making free decisions. Gloria took advantage of me just like Caden did.I clenched my fists. Did the pursuit of power need to destroy lives this way?“You didn’t need to scare my mother away. I think I’m getting the hang of it now. My mo
Serena PoVThe room was filled with tension. On the table, the map was spread with Ardan and Alpha Joachim facing each other while arguing about their next military move. I rested my back against the wall with my arms folded while my head itched from the mounting stress.“I think we should make our first move from this area.” Ardan proposed, circling an area on the map. “Striking this location will split the the red blood moon pack’s military divisions.”Joachim shook his head. “Ardan you fixate solely on using power in your approach. Caden's wolves learn to handle strife during physical confrontations. Our strike must be slow and deliberate to reach Evelyn since moving too quickly would cost us many wolf lives.”Evelyn. I remembered how our last conversation went. My love for her hurt deeply but I couldn't find a way to be with her. Gloria took complete control of Evelyn's mind and every time I thought about her
Evelyn PoVI stood in Caden’s war room with tension thick in the air and my hands shaking at my sides. Territory maps of various packs, slashed through in red to show how many we’d been able to bring under our control, were spread across the table. At the head of the table, my father, Caden gripped the map with his shining bionic arm as he laid out our next move.“After we claim the Eastern moon pack,” Caden said coldly, “we will have power over all major territory in a hundred-mile radius. The rest will be compelled to fall in line.”I couldn’t take my eyes off him; I was disgusted. “And if they don’t?” I asked, though I knew the answer.Caden turned to me, narrowing his eyes. “Then we crush them. No one defies us, Evelyn. This is what it takes to unite the wolves and ensure peace.”“Peace,” I repeated bitterly. “Is this what peace feels l
Evelyn’s PoVI was standing at the forefront of Caden’s soldiers, with my father staring me down from across the battlefield. His words from earlier rang in my ears: “This is not just another battle, Evelyn. It’s about sending a message. We have to make them understand that whoever dares to side with Ardan cannot withstand us.”I realised that it was not merely a matter of asserting one’s authority - it was much more personal. And now, I was leading the charge.I was afraid. My hands shook slightly and I had to hide it. Gloria’s whispers had decided to take a break but I know I was doing this on my own accord. Her whispers or not, Gloria was forever present.“Ready, Evelyn?” Caden asked in a commanding tone.I simply bowed my head, swallowing the disgust that rose from deep within my heart. “I’m ready.”The attack started off as being vicious and unrelenting. Wolves foug
Evelyn’s PoVThe night was dark, and the atmosphere was rather oppressive, as if everyone was expecting a fight. I was by my father side, Caden, at the forest and across from us was the rogue pack which we were enemies with. We had encroached their territory and we wanted war. I felt my pulse quicken, but it was not due to any kind of apprehension. It was something else—a feeling of anxiety intertwined with adrenaline and Gloria’s spirit was all I needed to charge up.“Are you ready?” Caden asked.I could not escape the doubt I felt but I attempted to mask with a nod. Was I truly ready? Is this the road I am to travel?“This isn’t just about war. It’s about making sure our pack is going to be safe from threats that may exist in the future. If left unaddressed, ‘they’ will be a constant thorn in the side of everything we are trying to construct here.”I forced myself to believe him, a
Serena PoVI had learned about the changes that took place in Evelyn and the revelation was eye-opening for me. My daughter—the one I had wanted to shield from the reality of the world—was now a part of an immeasurable force. But it was not only power, it was power stained with blood. Caden had manhandled her and had exploited her strength for his own gain. Worse still, the spirit of Gloria had successfully taken over Evelyn and is determined to finish her off as well.I sat in my room, with the curtains drawn and my mind tormented by guilt and sorrow. How had it come to this? Evelyn was meant to be protected, enveloped in affection, but what I had offered her was anything but that. Now she was beyond my reach, entangled with Caden and manipulated by Gloria.I tried to reach her. With my eyes shut tight, I focused on our connection and communicated with her via my wolf mother link.“Evelyn,” I said through our telepathic connection. “It’s me, your mother. Please, talk to me.”At that
Evelyn’s PoVThe change that happened in me was not sudden like a snap of the fingers; it was a slow process like the encroachment of night over day. At first, it was subtle: was always accompanied by a keener sense of presence, a liveliness that surged through me, making me feel as though I were unstoppable. But as days turned into weeks, I began to know other things.Although, when I concentrated, I realised that I could control the wind. I could also feel with my mind the thoughts and intentions of people around as if they were exposed to me like an open diary… something akin to what my mother can do. It was rather daunting, but at the same time, it was liberating.I first felt this transformation while going through an attack with pure wolves like my mother and me. We were caught off guard while patrolling the outskirts of the territory. Caden had taken me along with a group of his pack to check on my commitment and ability to survive in his pack, which was a pack of killers.Our
Evelyn’s PoVIt wasn’t long before Caden came to pick me up. His rogue wolves stood next to him, their faces cold and emotionless. My mother, Serena, stood firm in front of me, her aura protected me and prevented the wolves from coming any closer to me.“I will personally cut your genitals off if you dare to lay a finger on her,” she snarled.Caden smirked, unfazed. “Relax, Serena. She’s my daughter. I am taking her to her rightful place.”“She is my daughter too,” Serena replied heatedly her eyes burning with anger. “And I’m warning you, Caden. Evelyn is more than what meets the eye.” Then she lowered her tone. “Evelyn is in contact with Gloria. Someone like you can use that to your advantage but not when my daughter’s life is at stake.”Caden’s expression turned from one of annoyance to a cool one. “You worry too much, Serena. I’ll handle it.”“Caden, this isn’t some joke!” My mom yelled.I placed a hand on her arm. “Mom, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. I promise.”She relaxed her eyes. “P