Nathaniel's POVMy mind would not stop going back to Phoebe back in our pack. I was here, far away from the Moonhowl pack where I could use a car or even use a phone. These parts were interior and it left me without speaking with my Luna. It was unsettling. I didn't like the order of things. “I trust her to be able to hold the pack and make sure everything runs smoothly, but I have to be able to communicate with her,” I told myself severally. Sean, my wolf, was on the same page with me.“She is handling the pack well, they don't see her as the Alpha, but they know better than to openly rebel against the Luna. Besides, she is not giving them a reason to.” I sighed and leaned back into the chair I was sitting on. There was a lot to do in such a small time and I didn't send anyone to have things done this time. It was late into the night when I finally finished reviewing my notes. I sat at the small desk in the guest room Alpha Winston had given me. The lamp beside me cast a soft ligh
Nathaniel's POVThe first light of dawn filtered through the curtains as I stirred awake. The events of the previous night lingered in my mind, urging me to seek clarity. Dressing swiftly in a simple tunic and trousers, I decided a walk through the Star-Rain Pack's grounds might provide the solitude I needed.Stepping outside, the crisp morning air greeted me, carrying with it the subtle scents of dew-laden grass and distant pine. The compound was beginning to stir; a few warriors were already engaged in training exercises. Their focused movements and disciplined stances spoke of dedication. As I passed by, I offered them a respectful nod, which they returned without breaking rhythm.Continuing my stroll, I encountered several servants attending to their morning duties. One young woman was meticulously sweeping the pathway, her brow furrowed in concentration. As I approached, she paused and offered a polite bow. "Good morning, Alpha Nathaniel," she greeted softly."Good morning," I re
Nathaniel's POVThe morning air was crisp as I led our small group away from Star-Rain territory. The sun had just begun its ascent, casting a soft glow over the landscape. The rhythmic clatter of hooves against the dirt path was the only sound accompanying us. My guards rode in disciplined silence behind me, their presence a constant reminder of the responsibilities I bore. I longed for Phoebe's presence even as I moved with my company.As the familiar surroundings of Star-Rain faded into the distance, my thoughts turned inward. I found myself replaying the events of the previous evening, dissecting every word and gesture from Alpha Winston. His warm welcome, the carefully prepared dinner, and the subsequent conversation all seemed straightforward on the surface. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that there were undercurrents I hadn't fully grasped.Winston's desire for closer ties with Moonhowl was evident. He spoke of alliances and mutual benefits, his words laced with a sincerity
Phoebe’s POVThe morning sun touched the edge of the windows, but I had been up long before the light came. The air in the Moonhowl Pack house was quiet, almost too quiet. I walked through the hallways slowly, each step light but steady. I had hoped for a message. A letter. Even a messenger. But nothing had come. Not since Nathaniel left.Mia, my wolf, stirred inside me.“He’s taking too long,” she said. “He should have sent something by now.”“I know,” I whispered back, glancing at the door again. “But he’s careful. He doesn’t like to speak too soon.”“Still,” Mia growled softly, “we should know something. I don’t like the quiet.”Neither did I.I walked out into the open yard where the wind picked up a little. The morning drills had started. A group of warriors was lined up at the training grounds, their swords clashing in short bursts, their feet moving in practiced rhythm. I stood to the side at first, watching them spar. Some of them noticed me and gave short nods. Others barely
Phoebe’s POVI sat on the edge of the bed with my arms crossed and my legs swinging slightly. The room was quiet, but my thoughts were loud. My eyes stayed on the floor, but inside, I was still hearing the voices from earlier. I could not stop thinking about the way they looked at me when I gave the order. Like I was wrong for speaking.Mia, I called gently in my mind.“I’m here,” she answered quickly. Her voice always made me feel stronger. “You did what you had to do.”I nodded slowly. But they still don’t respect me. I can feel it. They don’t see me as their Luna.“They will,” Mia said. “Respect doesn’t always come fast. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing what is right.”I sighed. It’s hard, Mia. I’m not trying to prove anything. I just want them to stay safe. Why can’t they see that?“They are stubborn,” she said. “And used to old ways. You are not what they expected, and that scares them. But you are stronger than they know.”I let those words sit in my chest for a while. I sto
Phoebe's POV Elizabeth walked beside me like we were friends. She didn’t say much, only looked ahead and walked with her usual proud steps. I didn’t say anything either. I kept my hands at my sides and focused on the hallway in front of us. The silence between us was tight, but she acted like there was nothing wrong.“She's mastered the art of pretense,” Mia whispered in my head. I shrugged off the thought because I didn't want to settle on it. True, I've come to learn that despite how much Elizabeth had always disliked me, she tried to make sure she didn't show this when Nathaniel was anywhere close, except for the occasions when it became unbearable and she just had to show how much she didn't like me.I'd made peace with the fact that she was never going to like me and I didn't bother to do much to get her to like me. She made it seem like it was Nathaniel that she really loved while she was siding with Alexander. She was the tricky sister indeed and Nathaniel didn't deserve a si
Phoebe's POV I stood at the edge of the training grounds. The wind was light, and the sounds of fists hitting practice pads, swords clashing, and feet moving over the dirt filled the air. I didn't say anything. I just watched. My arms were crossed over my chest, and my eyes followed the movements of the younger warriors. Some of them were still learning how to hold their balance. Others moved with more skill. I didn’t know if any of them saw me standing there, and I didn’t care if they did.Mia, my wolf, stayed quiet in my head. She was calm, but I knew she was watching too. We both needed this quiet moment. The day had already been long, and it wasn’t even close to night yet.I didn’t want to think about Elizabeth. I didn’t want to think about what Alpha Darius had said. I didn’t want to think about anything at all. I only wanted to be outside, where the air was fresh and the noise wasn’t coming from arguments.But of course, peace never lasted long.I heard footsteps behind me. The
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
Phoebe's POV I stood at the edge of the training grounds. The wind was light, and the sounds of fists hitting practice pads, swords clashing, and feet moving over the dirt filled the air. I didn't say anything. I just watched. My arms were crossed over my chest, and my eyes followed the movements of the younger warriors. Some of them were still learning how to hold their balance. Others moved with more skill. I didn’t know if any of them saw me standing there, and I didn’t care if they did.Mia, my wolf, stayed quiet in my head. She was calm, but I knew she was watching too. We both needed this quiet moment. The day had already been long, and it wasn’t even close to night yet.I didn’t want to think about Elizabeth. I didn’t want to think about what Alpha Darius had said. I didn’t want to think about anything at all. I only wanted to be outside, where the air was fresh and the noise wasn’t coming from arguments.But of course, peace never lasted long.I heard footsteps behind me. The
Phoebe's POV Elizabeth walked beside me like we were friends. She didn’t say much, only looked ahead and walked with her usual proud steps. I didn’t say anything either. I kept my hands at my sides and focused on the hallway in front of us. The silence between us was tight, but she acted like there was nothing wrong.“She's mastered the art of pretense,” Mia whispered in my head. I shrugged off the thought because I didn't want to settle on it. True, I've come to learn that despite how much Elizabeth had always disliked me, she tried to make sure she didn't show this when Nathaniel was anywhere close, except for the occasions when it became unbearable and she just had to show how much she didn't like me.I'd made peace with the fact that she was never going to like me and I didn't bother to do much to get her to like me. She made it seem like it was Nathaniel that she really loved while she was siding with Alexander. She was the tricky sister indeed and Nathaniel didn't deserve a si
Phoebe’s POVI sat on the edge of the bed with my arms crossed and my legs swinging slightly. The room was quiet, but my thoughts were loud. My eyes stayed on the floor, but inside, I was still hearing the voices from earlier. I could not stop thinking about the way they looked at me when I gave the order. Like I was wrong for speaking.Mia, I called gently in my mind.“I’m here,” she answered quickly. Her voice always made me feel stronger. “You did what you had to do.”I nodded slowly. But they still don’t respect me. I can feel it. They don’t see me as their Luna.“They will,” Mia said. “Respect doesn’t always come fast. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing what is right.”I sighed. It’s hard, Mia. I’m not trying to prove anything. I just want them to stay safe. Why can’t they see that?“They are stubborn,” she said. “And used to old ways. You are not what they expected, and that scares them. But you are stronger than they know.”I let those words sit in my chest for a while. I sto
Phoebe’s POVThe morning sun touched the edge of the windows, but I had been up long before the light came. The air in the Moonhowl Pack house was quiet, almost too quiet. I walked through the hallways slowly, each step light but steady. I had hoped for a message. A letter. Even a messenger. But nothing had come. Not since Nathaniel left.Mia, my wolf, stirred inside me.“He’s taking too long,” she said. “He should have sent something by now.”“I know,” I whispered back, glancing at the door again. “But he’s careful. He doesn’t like to speak too soon.”“Still,” Mia growled softly, “we should know something. I don’t like the quiet.”Neither did I.I walked out into the open yard where the wind picked up a little. The morning drills had started. A group of warriors was lined up at the training grounds, their swords clashing in short bursts, their feet moving in practiced rhythm. I stood to the side at first, watching them spar. Some of them noticed me and gave short nods. Others barely
Nathaniel's POVThe morning air was crisp as I led our small group away from Star-Rain territory. The sun had just begun its ascent, casting a soft glow over the landscape. The rhythmic clatter of hooves against the dirt path was the only sound accompanying us. My guards rode in disciplined silence behind me, their presence a constant reminder of the responsibilities I bore. I longed for Phoebe's presence even as I moved with my company.As the familiar surroundings of Star-Rain faded into the distance, my thoughts turned inward. I found myself replaying the events of the previous evening, dissecting every word and gesture from Alpha Winston. His warm welcome, the carefully prepared dinner, and the subsequent conversation all seemed straightforward on the surface. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that there were undercurrents I hadn't fully grasped.Winston's desire for closer ties with Moonhowl was evident. He spoke of alliances and mutual benefits, his words laced with a sincerity
Nathaniel's POVThe first light of dawn filtered through the curtains as I stirred awake. The events of the previous night lingered in my mind, urging me to seek clarity. Dressing swiftly in a simple tunic and trousers, I decided a walk through the Star-Rain Pack's grounds might provide the solitude I needed.Stepping outside, the crisp morning air greeted me, carrying with it the subtle scents of dew-laden grass and distant pine. The compound was beginning to stir; a few warriors were already engaged in training exercises. Their focused movements and disciplined stances spoke of dedication. As I passed by, I offered them a respectful nod, which they returned without breaking rhythm.Continuing my stroll, I encountered several servants attending to their morning duties. One young woman was meticulously sweeping the pathway, her brow furrowed in concentration. As I approached, she paused and offered a polite bow. "Good morning, Alpha Nathaniel," she greeted softly."Good morning," I re
Nathaniel's POVMy mind would not stop going back to Phoebe back in our pack. I was here, far away from the Moonhowl pack where I could use a car or even use a phone. These parts were interior and it left me without speaking with my Luna. It was unsettling. I didn't like the order of things. “I trust her to be able to hold the pack and make sure everything runs smoothly, but I have to be able to communicate with her,” I told myself severally. Sean, my wolf, was on the same page with me.“She is handling the pack well, they don't see her as the Alpha, but they know better than to openly rebel against the Luna. Besides, she is not giving them a reason to.” I sighed and leaned back into the chair I was sitting on. There was a lot to do in such a small time and I didn't send anyone to have things done this time. It was late into the night when I finally finished reviewing my notes. I sat at the small desk in the guest room Alpha Winston had given me. The lamp beside me cast a soft ligh
Nathaniel's POVThe dining hall was quiet when I entered. The walls were made of strong stone, and golden lamps hung in neat lines along both sides. Their light was soft and steady. A long table stretched through the center of the room. Only a few seats were filled. Alpha Winston stood up when he saw me. His smile was wide, and he opened his arms as if greeting an old friend."Alpha Nathaniel," he said. "You honor us. Please, sit beside me."I gave him a polite nod. "Thank you for the invitation."He gestured to the seat on his right, and I moved to take it. To his left sat his beta, Daniel. Daniel was tall and thin, with short black hair and a calm face. He nodded at me, and I returned the greeting. A little further down was an elder, his white beard reaching the top of his chest. He sat straight and held a cup with both hands.Winston looked toward the young woman standing beside him. Her hair was a rich brown color, pulled into a clean twist behind her head. She wore a gold dress t
Nathaniel’s POVThe sun had already started going down when we finally reached the gates of the Star-Rain Pack. The air was cool, and the sky was streaked with orange and pale gold. I had sent word ahead that I would be arriving, but I didn’t expect the gates to be wide open and a small group waiting right at the entrance.Alpha Winston stood in the center. His back was straight, and his eyes were sharp, even though he looked to be around my father’s age. His hair was more white than gray, and his beard was trimmed neatly. Beside him stood a few of his elders and warriors, all dressed in formal clothing. They made a line behind their alpha, their heads slightly bowed as we approached.I brought my horse to a stop and dismounted. Winston stepped forward and gave me a firm handshake, both his hands gripping mine.“Alpha Nathaniel,” he said with a smile, “your visit honors us more than you know.”“Thank you,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “It means a lot to be received so openly.”