Nathaniel’s POVFrom where I stood, I could see them.Kara was near the training grounds again, her eyes following Phoebe as she moved. It had been the same for days. She wasn’t aggressive, wasn’t trying to force her way into conversations, but she was always there. Watching. Speaking when she had the chance.Phoebe, on the other hand, paid her little attention. She was focused on her training, her responsibilities, and everything else that mattered. But even if she didn’t care, I did.I wasn’t sure what Kara wanted.She is trying to get close to her, my wolf rumbled in my mind.Obviously, I replied, keeping my gaze locked on the two women. But why?Maybe she admires her. Maybe she is studying her.I considered that. Kara had been a warrior under Alexander, and now she was here, insisting she had abandoned him. But I didn’t believe things like that happened so easily. People did not just switch sides, especially not after fighting for a cause.I kept watching as Phoebe finished her sp
Duncan’s POVThe tension in the Glassfur Pack’s court was suffocating. Warriors stood at the edges of the hall, their hands close to their weapons, though no fight had broken out—yet. Pack elders sat in their designated seats, whispering among themselves, their faces tight with concern.I strode through the large wooden doors, my boots striking against the stone floor with steady force. The murmurs grew softer as I walked toward my seat at the head of the table. The council had been waiting for me.At the far end of the table, Antonio stood with his arms crossed, impatience written all over his face. He had been pushing for this meeting, eager to lecture me, eager to question my decisions.I wasn’t in the mood.I dropped into my chair, stretching my arms over the sides of the wooden frame. “Well?” I said lazily. “Let’s hear it.”Antonio didn’t sit. Instead, he planted his hands firmly on the table, leaning forward as if he needed to push his words directly into my skull. “We’ve lost s
Phoebe's POVI scrubbed the counters harder, the veins in my hands bulging.They were clean but I didn't stop.Mark sat behind me on a swing chair and I could feel his eyes almost drilling a hole on my back. He cracked open a beer.He took a swig tossing the empty bottle at my feet. It shattered on the floor, but I didn't flinch. I already knew he was just trying to get me to retaliate so he could get me into trouble.Since I moved in with my uncle, his father three months ago, he made it his mission to make my life unbearable.“Hurry up, you jinx.”Mark said behind me.I didn't bother to look back at him. I kept scrubbing.Going back and forth with him was useless. I was here because his father, my uncle, was a good man. Even if he didn't try to defend me or call Mark to order.He picked a brush from the floor and threw it at me. I tilted my head away.“I've done nothing wrong to you, Mark. Leave me the hell alone,” I snapped, clenching my fists. He walked towards me angrily, his ey
Nathaniel’s POV Phoebe pulled her arm away quickly.“I don’t know this Alec guy you’re talking about," she said, her voice steady.I stared at her, unable to look away. There was something about her—her sharp eyes, the stubborn tilt of her chin, the way her voice stayed calm even though I could tell she was nervous. My wolf stirred inside me, growling softly in approval.There was an undeniable pull between us.I gulped and asked, my voice low. “You felt it too, didn't you? We are mates.Phoebe’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I know what I am,” she said, meeting my eyes. She looked away from me, rubbing her hand unconsciously. I wanted to hold her hand and tell her to relax.“It’s impossible for someone like me to be your Luna. I’m an outcast. I’m ready for your rejection.”She said suddenly.I didn’t see that coming. I did so much to get her to come to me, that's not what I wanted to hear. When I thought about all this because of Duncan, I started to get angry. But I'm one of t
Phoebe's POV When I got back home, Uncle was sitting by the counter, going over his old notebook. It was filled with his notes about stock and finances for the cafeteria. He looked up when I entered, his eyes going to the red stain on my arm that'd appeared there from Nathaniel's strong grip earlier.“What happened, Phoebe?” he asked, concern lacing his tone.I tried to sound casual. “I got hurt while training. It’s no big deal. It’ll heal soon.”Uncle didn’t look convinced. He got up and walked closer, his brow furrowed deeply. “You shouldn’t push yourself too hard. Training isn’t worth getting injured like this.”“I’m fine,” I said quickly, trying to brush it off. “Really.”He stared at me for a long moment, then sighed. “You’ve always been stubborn,” he muttered.I hesitated before speaking again. “Uncle, please let me pay rent. I’m staying here, eating your food, and working in your cafeteria. It’s only fair.”He shook his head firmly. “I told you before. I can’t take your rent.
Nathaniel's POV The whip cracked against my back, and I clenched my teeth to keep from making a sound. My father, Alpha of one of the strongest packs in the region, stood before me, fury radiating from him. This wasn’t the first time I’d been on the receiving end of his anger, but it didn’t make it any easier.“How dare you make such a decision without consulting me?” he barked, his voice echoing in his study. I didn't speak until he was done venting his angerWhen the punishment was done, he tossed the whip aside and crossed his arms. “Stand up and explain yourself.”I pushed myself to my feet, my back throbbing with each movement. My father’s eyes bored into mine, demanding an answer. “I did it because it was the best decision for the pack,” I began, keeping my voice steady. “Father, you’ve been planning to take control of other packs gradually. But with every new territory we gain, management becomes harder. There have already been signs that our resources are stretched too thin
Nathaniel's POVI walked into the pack house, Phoebe was sitting on the couch, staring out the window. Her hair caught the light, and she looked peaceful. I hadn’t expected her to be here or to have her wait here for me, but seeing her there made me stop for a moment."Phoebe... how're you doing?” I asked, stepping closer. "Looks like I’m okay,” she said with a shrug.Before I could respond, she cut me off, her words sharp and to the point. “What is this all about, Nathaniel?” Her tone wasn’t just questioning—it was desperate, demanding.I stopped in my tracks, raising one eyebrow in question and she rolled her eyes. I knew she meant the mating ceremony. I didn’t want to talk about it. Admitting I had planned to mate with someone else would only make things worse. So I kept my face calm and walked closer to her. “What do you mean?” I asked, She scoffed, “Don’t play dumb. The mating ceremony. You didn’t plan this, did you? Or were you just waiting for the perfect moment to humilia
Phoebe's POVI woke up feeling like my head was spinning. For a few seconds, I didn’t know where I was. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, and the bed felt different. Panic crept in as I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy. Where was I?I closed my eyes and tried to think. Slowly, pieces of the previous day came back to me. Nathaniel. His face. His lips on mine. His arms held me as he guided me… somewhere.Before I could figure it out, there was a knock on the door. I froze, unsure of what to say. A moment later, a maid stepped in, carrying a tray.“Good morning, Miss Phoebe,” she said politely, placing the tray on a small table beside the bed.I rubbed my eyes and pushed myself up. “Why am I here?” I asked, my voice cracking.The maid hesitated, her hands fiddling with the edge of her apron. “You were at the dinner table with the alpha's family last night, Miss,” she said carefully. “Lord Nathaniel brought you here so you could rest.”“You were….um, you had a little too much
Duncan’s POVThe tension in the Glassfur Pack’s court was suffocating. Warriors stood at the edges of the hall, their hands close to their weapons, though no fight had broken out—yet. Pack elders sat in their designated seats, whispering among themselves, their faces tight with concern.I strode through the large wooden doors, my boots striking against the stone floor with steady force. The murmurs grew softer as I walked toward my seat at the head of the table. The council had been waiting for me.At the far end of the table, Antonio stood with his arms crossed, impatience written all over his face. He had been pushing for this meeting, eager to lecture me, eager to question my decisions.I wasn’t in the mood.I dropped into my chair, stretching my arms over the sides of the wooden frame. “Well?” I said lazily. “Let’s hear it.”Antonio didn’t sit. Instead, he planted his hands firmly on the table, leaning forward as if he needed to push his words directly into my skull. “We’ve lost s
Nathaniel’s POVFrom where I stood, I could see them.Kara was near the training grounds again, her eyes following Phoebe as she moved. It had been the same for days. She wasn’t aggressive, wasn’t trying to force her way into conversations, but she was always there. Watching. Speaking when she had the chance.Phoebe, on the other hand, paid her little attention. She was focused on her training, her responsibilities, and everything else that mattered. But even if she didn’t care, I did.I wasn’t sure what Kara wanted.She is trying to get close to her, my wolf rumbled in my mind.Obviously, I replied, keeping my gaze locked on the two women. But why?Maybe she admires her. Maybe she is studying her.I considered that. Kara had been a warrior under Alexander, and now she was here, insisting she had abandoned him. But I didn’t believe things like that happened so easily. People did not just switch sides, especially not after fighting for a cause.I kept watching as Phoebe finished her sp
Phoebe’s POVKara had been in captivity for days, locked away in one of the guarded rooms in the pack house. She had provided no useful information about Alexander, and I still didn’t trust her. But for reasons I didn’t understand, Nathaniel decided to grant her limited freedom under strict supervision.I heard about it before I saw it. The warriors had been talking—muttering about how she was now allowed to move around, though always under the watch of at least two guards. Some thought it was a mistake, others were curious. I didn’t care. As far as I was concerned, she was still the enemy.When I finally saw her outside, it was during training.I was in the middle of a sparring session with a young warrior named Doran when I caught movement at the edge of the training grounds. Kara stood there, hands clasped behind her back, two warriors flanking her like shadows. She wasn’t trying to hide. She watched openly, her sharp gaze locked onto me as if I was the only one here.I ignored her
Nathaniel’s POVI was in my office, reviewing reports from my warriors, ensuring everything in the pack remained stable. A few border patrols had spotted unfamiliar wolves in the past week, but nothing suggested an immediate threat. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting, something I needed to be prepared for.Just as I set one of the reports aside, a sharp knock sounded at the door.“Enter,” I called.A warrior stepped in, his breathing heavy as if he had rushed here. His expression was tense, eyes sharp with urgency.“Alpha,” he said, standing straight, “a woman has arrived at the gates. She claims she used to be one of Alexander’s warriors.”I stilled at his words. That was unexpected. No one willingly left Alexander’s ranks unless they were cast out, and even then, it was rare for them to show their faces anywhere near rival territory.“Who is she?” I asked.“She said her name is Kara,” the guard replied. “She wants to speak to you directly.”I leaned back
Nathaniel’s POVThe royal pack house had been quiet these past few days. The usual hum of activity still filled the halls, but my focus had remained on one thing—Phoebe and the way she had cared for her uncle.I had watched from a distance, observing how tirelessly she worked to make sure he was comfortable. The helps assigned to her didn't seem to do things to her satisfaction so she simply did things by herself and that made it hard for her to get any help. But she seemed okay doin these things. She wasn't tired and this was a show that when she loved, she loved deeply. She'd stayed with this uncle and loved him, and worked at his shop and yet, her cousin, Mark had treated her wrongly. Now that he was away and she was the only one left to take care of the man, she didn't mind whatever mistreatment she'd faced in the hands of her cousin, Mark. She was selfless and that was just beautiful.“She doesn't say much, she doesn't make promises, but she would stick up for those she loves if
Nathaniel’s POVI didn't like that Phoebe wasn't anywhere close to me. I was stuck in the office attending to paperwork and she was out there. Without me. It didn't matter how much she had proven to me that she could handle herself, I needed to be close to her and make sure she was safe. At all times. This was not the time to let my mate go off and I'd sit back at the office. I ran my hands through my hair. My frustration at everything was growing by the moment and I couldn't even hate myself for it. It had only been a few hours, but the absence of her presence weighed heavily on me. The pack felt different—quieter in a way I didn’t like. I tried to focus on my duties, reading through reports and handling pack matters, but my mind kept drifting back to her.She had been so determined, so sure of her decision to leave. No matter how much I argued, she refused to stay. She had made up her mind, and that was that.I sat in my office, leaning back in my chair as I clenched my jaw.She sh
Phoebe’s POVThe journey to my uncle’s home felt long, and it was quiet for the most part. My mind would not stay at peace. There was a part of me that was mad that I hadn't taken him earlier. But then, with the attacks that had faced the pack house in recent times, maybe it wouldn't have been a good idea. Still, I wished I'd done something earlier. The warriors Nathaniel had sent with me rode in formation, keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings. I barely spoke the entire way, my thoughts consumed by worry.When we finally arrived, I stopped in front of the house, gripping the reins of my horse tightly. My stomach twisted at the sight before me. The house, once well-kept and warm, looked abandoned. The wooden porch was covered in dirt and dried leaves, the windows clouded with dust. The grass around the home was overgrown, and the front door looked like it hadn’t been opened in weeks.Sliding off my horse, I approached the house, hesitating for just a second before pushing the doo
Nathaniel’s POVI was focused on the reports in front of me, going over the ones I'd seen before and trying to get myself to fully focus again. Sean was very conscious in my mind. He shared my distress and I couldn't keep my troubles away from him even if I wanted to. He was my one true friend, the one in always in my mind who understood the problem before I shared it. “The attacks might not come anytime soon. Better to pay attention to the things you have to do now. These won't wait until you're in the mood to do them.”I sighed. That was correct. I had to do my administrative duty as alpha, it didn't matter if I was in the mood for it or not. That is why it was duty. Just then, a knock sounded on the door.Without looking up, I exhaled sharply and rubbed my temples. “Come in.”The door opened, and the moment I caught Phoebe’s scent, I knew this wasn’t just another routine visit. She stepped inside, closing the door behind her, her posture tense. I placed the reports down and gave
Nathaniel’s POVA week had passed since the letter arrived, and the pack had not relaxed for a moment. Every wolf knew what was at stake. The attack had nearly cost us everything, and Alexander’s message had made it clear—something worse was coming.We strengthened our borders, reinforced our watchtowers, and doubled the patrols. Every available warrior trained harder than ever. Some even trained past exhaustion, determined to be prepared. Even the civilians were more cautious, moving in groups and keeping their children close. Fear lingered in the air, thick like an approaching storm.Phoebe and I spent hours on the training grounds, pushing ourselves beyond our limits. She was relentless, her strikes sharp and precise. I could see the exhaustion creeping into her, but she never complained. She was more useful than everyone else I had come to know in battle for the past few years. Now I was beginning to understand that aside once being mated to alpha Duncan, she had been an asset wh