Darius I wiped the sweat from my brow, feeling the burn in my muscles as I surveyed the group of warriors sprawled on the training grounds. They panted and shook, clearly worn out from the relentless drills. Today, I’d pushed them harder than usual, teaching them techniques my old master once drilled into me.“All right, enough,” I called, my voice ringing with authority. “We’ll pick up where we left off tomorrow.”The warriors groaned with relief, exchanging looks of exhaustion and gratitude before dispersing. For me, training was just one part of the endless responsibilities of a chief commander. Planning, strategizing, and, lately, dealing with pack politics seemed never-ending. I’d lost track of how many hours I’d been out here. My body was heavy with fatigue, and I decided I’d earned a long, scalding shower.When I stepped through the door of the Clawson estate, I pulled off my shirt, tossing it over my shoulder as I headed for the stairs. But the sight of someone lounging in th
Jade’s POVI took a step back, admiring the final touches on my new office. The walls were painted a calming shade of blue, the kind that reminded me of early dawn, rich and promising. My father hadn’t spared any expense; shelves of dark wood, brass fixtures, and an expansive desk were carefully arranged to convey authority yet ease. This space was a reminder that I was acting Alpha now, and he’d made it clear I couldn’t just lounge around in my room anymore or find excuses to avoid responsibility.“Omegas, set the files on the left shelves and the meeting notes near the desk,” I instructed, motioning to a small stack of documents waiting to be organised.The Omegas nodded respectfully, hurrying to complete the task. Just as I turned to review the files, I heard the door click open, and my new beta, Liliana, entered with a confident stride. Her presence was commanding, almost electric. She was beautiful, powerful, and radiated this effortless sense of authority. Sometimes, I still cou
JadeFor a few agonising seconds, uncomfortable silence hung thick in the air. I could feel Darius’s gaze searing into me, every second a quiet demand I wasn’t ready to answer, and it took everything in me not to shift under his scrutiny. My eyes darted around the room until they landed on the chair across from me, and I awkwardly pointed to it.“Why don’t you… take a seat?” I said quietly. I just needed him to sit further away, somewhere that would let me keep my head straight.Darius followed my gaze, his lips pressing into a barely restrained smile as he looked at the chair. It looked ridiculously small next to his powerful frame, almost laughable. I swallowed hard, feeling heat creep up my neck.“Actually, maybe…” I gestured to the larger chair nearer to me, hoping he wouldn’t notice how nervous I felt. He nodded, stepping closer and lowering himself into it. The air between us felt tighter now; every inch he moved closer, making it harder to ignore how his presence stirred someth
Jade Lilian’s gaze stayed glued to Darius, her eyes wide and too focused, like seeing him had knocked the air out of her. The silence stretched, uncomfortable and strange, making my nerves spike. I cleared my throat, hoping to break the awkward tension."You must have seen him around Mrs. Clawson's house," I said, trying to sound casual. "She’s his mother."Lilian blinked, breaking eye contact with Darius. “Actually, no, I… I haven’t,” she replied calmly, though there was a flicker in her eyes that betrayed her. “Once, I thought I saw a shadow built like him, but it... disappeared too fast.”I nodded, feeling a tiny prickle of doubt but deciding not to press. I didn’t want to make things any more awkward than they already were. "Right," I said, forcing a small smile. "So, why did you stop by, Lilian?”Her face softened, and she bent down to retrieve the file she'd dropped. “I wanted to help you with this.” She extended it to me, her hands steady. “They’re contacts I know—good people,
Jade’s POV“Da—Darius.”The name slipped out before I could stop it, as if speaking it aloud would shatter the spell he seemed to cast over me. My pulse quickened as I stared up at him, surprised—I had expected him to be tucked away somewhere, whispering secret words with Lilian, just as my gut had warned me. But here he was, standing right before me, his eyes locked on mine with a look that was almost... challenging.Darius extended his hand, that maddeningly cocky grin plastered across his face. I took a shaky breath, fists clenched with the urge to wipe that grin off him so strong I could almost taste it.“Darius,” I repeated, my voice sharp with accusation. Pushing myself up, I dusted the dirt from my hands, facing him fully, my eyes narrowing.His cocky grin only widened, one brow arching with infuriating casualness. “What?” he asked, his tone light, almost mocking.“You said there was training going on here,” I shot back, crossing my arms. “Where is everyone?”He shrugged, his g
JadeI took a deep breath, finally pushing Darius from my mind as I closed the last file with a satisfying snap. My desk was cluttered with papers and research notes, all narrowed down to one goal: finding the best scientist to help us develop the weapons we needed to take on Alpha Jericho and any future threats that dared challenge us. Lilian’s file had been a godsend; she’d gathered names and contacts I would have struggled to find on my own. I made a mental note to thank her next time I saw her.Lilian was a good beta, and with her help, all that was left was to show Darius the list and set up meetings with these experts as soon as possible. The last thing we needed was for Jericho to catch wind of our plans and get a head start. I stretched, feeling the fatigue settle in my bones as I leaned back and rolled my shoulders, wincing at the stiffness.When I glanced out the window, I was surprised to see it was already evening. The sky was tinged with soft pinks and oranges, fading int
Darius PovI dismissed the young warriors with a wave of my hand, barely managing to hide my smile as they groaned in protest.“That’s it for today,” I said. “We’ll pick up again tomorrow.” I watched them drag their feet away, reluctance etched into every line of their weary bodies."Come on, Commander! We’re just getting started!" One of the warriors called, eyes still shining with that eager spark.I chuckled, shaking my head. "You’ll thank me later when you’re not collapsing before dinner," I said. "This isn’t just about strength—it’s about lasting through the whole fight. Think of your sisters, your mates, and your mothers. This training could save their lives one day."That quieted them, and one by one, they nodded, murmuring their goodbyes and dragging themselves back toward the pack house. As the last one left, I exhaled, running a hand through my damp hair, feeling the sweat on my skin. I needed a quick rinse before reporting in.“Commander,” a voice sounded behind me. I turne
Darius Pov.As Lilian’s furious gaze seared into me, I darted a glance up and down the hallway behind her, my heart pounding at the thought of anyone—especially Jade’s father—seeing us together. We were, after all, standing at the entrance to his office.The last thing I needed was for him to catch wind of this mess.Gritting my teeth, I quickly seized Lilian by the arm, steering her toward an empty room down the hall. I pushed her inside with enough force to send a message but was careful not to hurt her, then closed the door firmly behind us.She stood there, crossing her arms and giving me a bitter glare, her lips curving into a mocking smile. "So, it looks like Jade doesn’t know we were mates, huh? What would she think if I told her the truth?” Her voice dripped with satisfaction."Enough, Lilian," I said, my patience wearing dangerously thin as I struggled to keep my tone level. I took a step toward her, my eyes cold as ice. “The only reason I’ve treated you with respect is becau
Five Months Later Darius Watching your mate give life to your child is supposed to be one of the most beautiful experiences in the world.But at this moment? I’m scared out of my damn mind.Jade's screams pierced the room, each one stabbing me straight in the heart. Her hand gripped mine so tightly I thought she might break it, but I didn't care. She could crush my bones into dust if it made this easier for her."You're doing amazing, Jade," I murmured, leaning closer, brushing sweat-soaked strands of hair from her face. My voice trembled, betraying my fear even though I tried to sound strong.Her glare snapped to me, fierce enough to stop my heart. "Amazing? Amazing?" she hissed through clenched teeth. "Darius, if you ever touch me again, I swear I'll—""Understood," I cut in quickly, nodding as if my life depended on it. "No more babies. Two is plenty. Perfect number. We're done."Her eyes narrowed, and even through her exhaustion, her expression was nothing short of murderous. "O
Jade“I’m so sorry, Jade,” he murmured, his voice thick with guilt. “This is all my fault.”I stared at him, stunned. “Your fault? Darius, this happened because I was foolish enough to fall for Rowon’s trap. If anything, it’s mine.”His jaw tightened. “If I had killed Rowon when I had the chance, this never would’ve happened.”I hesitated, then whispered, “What about the baby?”“The warriors are watching over him,” he said softly. “As for Kassandra, she escaped. It seems Rowon paid her handsomely to lure you into the woods.”I sighed, exhaustion washing over me. “Let’s go home,” I whispered, leaning into his warmth."No, let's go to the doctor and make sure you are okay."I clung to Darius’s shirt as he carried me into the pack hospital, his arms steady but his jaw clenched with tension. My body felt heavy, the remnants of the ritual leaving me drained and light-headed. I could hear the murmur of nurses as we entered, their whispers fading the moment they recognised who we were.“Wher
JadeI swallowed the lump in my throat, though fear gripped me like an iron vice. Rowon’s smirk twisted cruelly as his hand lingered on my stomach. Disgust curled in my gut, and my wolf growled low in the back of my mind, furious and restless.“You’re a coward,” I spat, forcing the tremor in my voice to sound like rage instead of fear. “You’ll never be an Alpha—not even in death.”For a flicker of a second, his smirk faltered, but it returned, sharper and more dangerous. He leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. “We’ll see about that,” he murmured darkly before stepping back. “Start the ritual.”The witches’ chanting rose, their guttural words filling the room. The air thickened with the scent of burning herbs, and smoke swirled around us, clawing at my lungs. My wrists strained against the restraints as I thrashed, desperate to get free. I could feel the pulse of the ritual building—a suffocating energy crawling under my skin.“Darius,” I screamed in my mind, the bond betwee
JadeTrue to his word, Darius barely left my side. At three months pregnant, I was under what felt like constant surveillance—his. He’d even started sleeping lighter than usual, as if waiting for me to sneak off on some other reckless mission. Not that I could, even if I wanted to. The doctor had already warned me: the stress I’d put my body through during the Jericho ordeal had made the baby delicate. Luckily, Darius’s blood in my veins worked overtime, protecting both me and the little life growing inside me.The pack had practically erupted with praise when the news spread about how I’d taken down Jericho and his warriors. They called me a hero, the "Alpha Woman," the "Greatest Luna," among a dozen other titles that left me simultaneously embarrassed and amused. Strangers travelled from all corners of the werewolf world to join our pack, swelling our numbers and expanding our land. My name was on everyone’s lips, from council meetings to campfires. And the male admirers? Don’t get
JadeThe world around me was a haze of muffled voices and distant sounds, like I was underwater. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but the low growl of a voice cut through the fog, sharp and furious.“You said she’d be fine after the blood transfusion!” Darius’s voice, deep and vibrating with restrained rage, yanked me from the void.I forced my eyes open, my vision swimming before it landed on the scene before me. Darius had the doctor pinned against the wall, his hand gripping the man’s throat. The doctor clawed at Darius’s wrist, his face turning an alarming shade of red.“Darius…” My voice was a croak, barely audible, but it was enough. His head snapped toward me, the fire in his eyes instantly replaced by something softer—relief. He let the doctor go, and the man crumpled to the floor, gasping and clutching his neck.Darius was at my side in an instant, his hands cradling my face as if I were made of glass. His stormy eyes searched mine, desperate and worried. “Jade… you’re awake
The heavy wooden table in the council room felt like a prison wall keeping me trapped. My nails tapped against its surface in a rhythm that matched the ticking clock. Every second stretched too long, every minute a reminder that Jade wasn’t here.The emotions festering in my chest weren’t mine—or at least they didn’t feel like mine. Anger, disgust, annoyance—they twisted together like a venomous knot, suffocating me. I couldn’t tell if it was my wolf or something else clawing at me from within. My mind kept replaying our argument bitterly, like an open wound. If only I hadn’t gotten angry with her. Maybe then she wouldn’t have left without me. Maybe I could have been there to ensure her safety. But no—I had been furious when she told me she was going alone. Furious that she wouldn’t let me tag along. Furious at the walls she always seemed to put up. And now, that anger made everything worse, twisting the knife of regret deeper into my chest.She’d claimed she was visiting her aunt, b
JadeThe hall was silent for what felt like an eternity, and I swore for a moment my heart stopped. Then Jericho barked a laugh. “Fine! A toast it is. Someone bring the wine!”The crowd cheered as the bottles I’d cleaned—and poisoned—were brought forward. My pulse pounded in my ears as cups were filled and passed around.Jericho lifted his glass high, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. “To power! To victory! And to my new wife!”The crowd echoed his words, raising their glasses with fervor. The hall buzzed with anticipation as Jericho brought his glass to his lips. I watched breathlessly the poison-laced wine gleaming under the flickering light of the chandeliers.My pulse thundered in my ears as I stared at him, willing him to drink. For the first time that night, true fear gripped me. Would it work? Would anyone notice? My wolf’s growl was a steady hum in my mind as I waited for the first sip…But just as the rim of the glass touched his lips, he froze, a sly smirk creepin
JadeMy hands were raw from scrubbing those godforsaken plates last night. Every joint in my body screamed with exhaustion, but that wicked woman, whose name I’d overheard was madam Amara, wasn’t about to let me rest. She had loomed over me the entire time, barking orders and making snide remarks. She would be the second person I kill after I’m done with Jericho.I had stolen a few precious hours of sleep, but it wasn’t enough. My wolf kept me on edge, her instincts sharpening my awareness. Any moment now, I knew Amara would come banging on my door again.The knock came as expected, sharp and impatient.“Up, girl!” Amara’s voice grated against my nerves as I opened the door, still in my maid’s uniform. “Don’t think today’s your wedding, so you can lounge around like some entitled princess.”I blinked at her, a flash of anger heating my blood. “It is my wedding day,” I muttered, just loud enough for her to hear.Her thin lips curled into a mocking smile. “Wrong. Today’s a celebration f
JadeThe woman’s nails dug into my arm as she hauled me through the narrow corridors of the packhouse. The heavy air in the kitchen hit me first—a stifling mix of spices, sweat, and smoke that clung to my throat. My gaze swept across the room, taking in the sight of workers hunched over cutting boards and boiling pots, their movements sharp and mechanical, their faces blank. They looked like shadows of people, beaten down by the weight of servitude.For a moment, guilt stirred in my chest. These weren’t the monsters I’d imagined. They were people, trapped like me. Innocent. My wolf stirred uneasily. Are we any better than him if we kill them all?I shoved the thought aside. I wasn’t here for them. I was here for revenge.“This is where every wife and concubine of Alpha Jericho trains,” the woman snapped, her voice like the crack of a whip. “You’ll learn obedience here. You’ll learn to cook, to clean, and to serve. And once you prove yourself worthy, you’ll cook for Alpha Jericho perso