Talia's POVGolden sunlight streams in, filtering through the curtains and illuminating the floor. I wake up slowly, stretching on the soft sheets.Then realization dawns on me.I'm at Bran's palace.Last night's memories make my heart race. The talk and the kiss made me stay when feelings became overwhelming. Not that anything else happened. Bran frustratingly remained respectful, saying goodnight after our intense moment.I feel both grateful and frustrated. He should have escorted me back home, but he didn't and I know he wants me around. We felt so emotional that after saying goodbye to each other last night, we strolled to the gate where I was supposed to go back, but we were lost in talks till I followed him to his chambers.Timid person.Tiara laughs in my thoughts. He's being patient because he values you. That, or he enjoys torturing himself.I grunt while flipping onto my stomach. I'm unsure if I should be impressed or annoyed.A knock interrupts my thoughts, and Bran's deep
Talia's POVThe air hums in anticipation as the Starfit Pack is preparing for the Moon Festival. Yes, Starfit, that is the name I and Bran agreed on to name the two Packs. We figured since we've merged, we should start seeing ourselves as one and it's only right we answer a unique name as a symbol of our unity.Lanterns float in the sky, glowing orbs of soft silver, mimicking the full moon that watches over us. The Starlight Pack's annual Moon Festival is in full swing, and for the first time, the Misfits are part of it in a normal Pack.Laughter fills the courtyard as wolves from both packs come together, bringing the aroma of roasted meats, wines, and sweet pastries. The festival celebrates unity and honours the Moon Goddess, allowing wolves to momentarily escape their struggles.I should be excited.But instead, I'm trapped in my chambers as Lyric will not let me go. I shouldn't have agreed when they volunteered to pick my dress; I agree I'm awful when it comes to picking outfits o
Talia's POVThe fresh morning air buzzes with energy. The Royal Hunt, a long-standing tradition of the Starlight Pack, is starting soon. Now that the Starlight Pack is now the Starfit, it only means we'll participate too. My warriors are ready and so are Bran's.I stand at the hunting grounds' edge, inhaling pine and fresh earth. Warriors from the Starlight Pack and Misfits assemble, stretching, sharpening weapons, or shifting in anticipation.Bran and I will co-lead our first official event today as Alphas. And I'm going to win. I don't know why I'm so sure of winning, something tells me I will.Tiara sparks within me, I think we're on the same page on this. "We are going to crush them."I chuckle to myself. "Absolutely, we are."I sense a warm presence behind me and instantly recognize it. That's the one who wouldn't leave my side for once."Try not to look too excited, Talia," Bran's voice purrs, amusement in his tone. "You'll scare the prey away."I glance over my shoulder at him
Talia's POV"Alpha!" Serena's voice rings from behind me which distracts me from my routine. What could be the issue? My friends know how much I don't like my routine distracted, so for Serena to push that aside, it only means whatever this is, is worth it."Serena, I'm busy and you know that." I try to remind her."Trust me, Alpha, this is worth your time because it's your sworn duty." She replies grinning like she just won a lottery. Something is fishy, I know it the moment Serena drags me away from my training routine, claiming there's an "urgent meeting" I need to attend."What kind of meeting?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her as she hauls me through the palace halls.She shrugs dramatically. "Important Alpha stuff. You wouldn't understand."I stop walking. "Serena, I am the Alpha."Serena grins innocently. "Then you need to be there."Before I can argue, Lyric and Luna appear, blocking my path with matching mischievous expressions."What are you two up to?" I ask because the exp
Talia's POVIf I could run from this, I would. Serena, Lyric, Luna, and half the pack's women swarm around me, their energy vibrating at a frequency I can't handle."Gold embroidery or silver?" Serena holds up two delicate fabric swatches.I stare blankly. "For what?"Lyric groans dramatically. "For your wedding, Alpha! You are getting married, remember?"I sigh, rubbing my temples. "I know, but I don't care about embroidery."Serena gasps like I've just declared war. "You don't care? Talia, you're getting mated-officially, publicly, grandly! The details matter!"Luna snickers. "She looks like she's plotting an escape." LunaI glare at them. "Because I am."Lyric waves a hand dismissively. "No way. Bran made us promise not to let you bolt."Of course, he did.Bran is thriving in all of this, greeting guests, making speeches, and enjoying the excitement of the upcoming union. Meanwhile, I'm drowning in dresses.Serena pokes my shoulder. "Come on, Talia. The pack is excited. The warrior
Talia's POVI keep sensing that something feels a bit off.We're still prepping for the wedding, and Bran keeps insisting we'll find the cookbook after the ceremony, but I can't shake this weird feeling that's lingering like a shadow just out of sight.We're not talking about an ordinary book here that's gone. This is more than the cookbook going missing. This is a warning and I can't turn a blind eye to it."Nothin'," Lyric grumbles, flinging a stack of books away after hours of searching.Jasper lets out a groan. "Do we know if it's here?"Luna lets out a sigh as she wipes down a shelf. "If it is, they did a great job hiding it."We've checked out every nook and cranny in the Starlight Pack's palace-the archives, the storerooms, and even the warriors' barracks but I can't find the cookbook anywhere.Bran leans against the door with his arms crossed, looking at me. "Talia, maybe-""It's not here," I interrupt. I can sense deep down that the book didn't reach the Starlight Pack. I mus
Talia's POVAn unusual chill goes down my spine realizing something is wrong.I stay frozen in the ruins of the Misfit Pack, my fingers stiffening around the burnt pages of the cookbook. The smell of burned parchment remains in the air, but it's the anxiety settling deep in my bones that gets me on edge.Suddenly, Tiara growls inside my mind, her tone quick and alert."We're being followed."I stiffen, my eyes scouring the forest area beyond the ruins. Shadows creep between the skeletal remains of homes, swaying with the breeze. At first glance, everything appears calm. Extremely still.A thrilling sensation creeps down my spine.Bran approaches, narrowing his bright eyes. "You see that?"I nod, and then with a faint voice I say, "We're not alone."A sudden movement grabs my attention. Suddenly, chaos arises.Figures step out of the shadows, fusing with the night. Rogues. But these aren't just ordinary stray ones looking all around for trouble with the Pack wolves.They act with preci
Talia's POVThe ride back to the Starlight Pack is silent, each one of us's mind racing I'm sure.The wind howls between the trees, and the night sky stretches above us, empty and endless, but my mind is not calm.I lost it.The cookbook-the one thing my grandmother took time to warn me about in my dreams, the one thing that could save us when war comes-is gone. Even though I still wonder how old recipes would do such. Are we gonna be cooking for the enemies? I had never really thought of the usefulness of the book until now that I lost it. Grandma would always warn me not to lose it whenever it was my turn to own it. "You'll pass it to the next generation" she would say.I grip the reins of my horse tightly, my knuckles turning white from the grip. My heart pounds with frustration or, let's say, rage. Not just at the rogues, or wolves or whatever those creatures call themselves, but at myself.I should have known better. I should have protected the book. But who are these creatures?
Talia's POVThe page trembles in my grip, my grandmother's handwriting stark against the burnt edges.Come find me.The words whisper through my mind, wrapping around my thoughts like vines. They pull at something deep inside me, something I can't ignore.I barely slept after finding it. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the burned pages at the Misfit Pack ruins, the footprints, the word RUN carved into the tree. And now this? A page nailed to my door, like a message from the grave.I don't know who left it or how they got so close to my quarters undetected. But one thing is certain.This isn't over.Bran insisted I stay inside the palace today, but I can't. I need answers, and I know exactly where to start. I have to visit Mom, she might know something I don't know about this book.*********The morning air is crisp as I walk toward my parents' house. It's one of the quieter places in the Starlight Pack because it's tucked away from the busier training grounds and council chambers.
Talia's POVThe ride back to the Starlight Pack is silent, each one of us's mind racing I'm sure.The wind howls between the trees, and the night sky stretches above us, empty and endless, but my mind is not calm.I lost it.The cookbook-the one thing my grandmother took time to warn me about in my dreams, the one thing that could save us when war comes-is gone. Even though I still wonder how old recipes would do such. Are we gonna be cooking for the enemies? I had never really thought of the usefulness of the book until now that I lost it. Grandma would always warn me not to lose it whenever it was my turn to own it. "You'll pass it to the next generation" she would say.I grip the reins of my horse tightly, my knuckles turning white from the grip. My heart pounds with frustration or, let's say, rage. Not just at the rogues, or wolves or whatever those creatures call themselves, but at myself.I should have known better. I should have protected the book. But who are these creatures?
Talia's POVAn unusual chill goes down my spine realizing something is wrong.I stay frozen in the ruins of the Misfit Pack, my fingers stiffening around the burnt pages of the cookbook. The smell of burned parchment remains in the air, but it's the anxiety settling deep in my bones that gets me on edge.Suddenly, Tiara growls inside my mind, her tone quick and alert."We're being followed."I stiffen, my eyes scouring the forest area beyond the ruins. Shadows creep between the skeletal remains of homes, swaying with the breeze. At first glance, everything appears calm. Extremely still.A thrilling sensation creeps down my spine.Bran approaches, narrowing his bright eyes. "You see that?"I nod, and then with a faint voice I say, "We're not alone."A sudden movement grabs my attention. Suddenly, chaos arises.Figures step out of the shadows, fusing with the night. Rogues. But these aren't just ordinary stray ones looking all around for trouble with the Pack wolves.They act with preci
Talia's POVI keep sensing that something feels a bit off.We're still prepping for the wedding, and Bran keeps insisting we'll find the cookbook after the ceremony, but I can't shake this weird feeling that's lingering like a shadow just out of sight.We're not talking about an ordinary book here that's gone. This is more than the cookbook going missing. This is a warning and I can't turn a blind eye to it."Nothin'," Lyric grumbles, flinging a stack of books away after hours of searching.Jasper lets out a groan. "Do we know if it's here?"Luna lets out a sigh as she wipes down a shelf. "If it is, they did a great job hiding it."We've checked out every nook and cranny in the Starlight Pack's palace-the archives, the storerooms, and even the warriors' barracks but I can't find the cookbook anywhere.Bran leans against the door with his arms crossed, looking at me. "Talia, maybe-""It's not here," I interrupt. I can sense deep down that the book didn't reach the Starlight Pack. I mus
Talia's POVIf I could run from this, I would. Serena, Lyric, Luna, and half the pack's women swarm around me, their energy vibrating at a frequency I can't handle."Gold embroidery or silver?" Serena holds up two delicate fabric swatches.I stare blankly. "For what?"Lyric groans dramatically. "For your wedding, Alpha! You are getting married, remember?"I sigh, rubbing my temples. "I know, but I don't care about embroidery."Serena gasps like I've just declared war. "You don't care? Talia, you're getting mated-officially, publicly, grandly! The details matter!"Luna snickers. "She looks like she's plotting an escape." LunaI glare at them. "Because I am."Lyric waves a hand dismissively. "No way. Bran made us promise not to let you bolt."Of course, he did.Bran is thriving in all of this, greeting guests, making speeches, and enjoying the excitement of the upcoming union. Meanwhile, I'm drowning in dresses.Serena pokes my shoulder. "Come on, Talia. The pack is excited. The warrior
Talia's POV"Alpha!" Serena's voice rings from behind me which distracts me from my routine. What could be the issue? My friends know how much I don't like my routine distracted, so for Serena to push that aside, it only means whatever this is, is worth it."Serena, I'm busy and you know that." I try to remind her."Trust me, Alpha, this is worth your time because it's your sworn duty." She replies grinning like she just won a lottery. Something is fishy, I know it the moment Serena drags me away from my training routine, claiming there's an "urgent meeting" I need to attend."What kind of meeting?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her as she hauls me through the palace halls.She shrugs dramatically. "Important Alpha stuff. You wouldn't understand."I stop walking. "Serena, I am the Alpha."Serena grins innocently. "Then you need to be there."Before I can argue, Lyric and Luna appear, blocking my path with matching mischievous expressions."What are you two up to?" I ask because the exp
Talia's POVThe fresh morning air buzzes with energy. The Royal Hunt, a long-standing tradition of the Starlight Pack, is starting soon. Now that the Starlight Pack is now the Starfit, it only means we'll participate too. My warriors are ready and so are Bran's.I stand at the hunting grounds' edge, inhaling pine and fresh earth. Warriors from the Starlight Pack and Misfits assemble, stretching, sharpening weapons, or shifting in anticipation.Bran and I will co-lead our first official event today as Alphas. And I'm going to win. I don't know why I'm so sure of winning, something tells me I will.Tiara sparks within me, I think we're on the same page on this. "We are going to crush them."I chuckle to myself. "Absolutely, we are."I sense a warm presence behind me and instantly recognize it. That's the one who wouldn't leave my side for once."Try not to look too excited, Talia," Bran's voice purrs, amusement in his tone. "You'll scare the prey away."I glance over my shoulder at him
Talia's POVThe air hums in anticipation as the Starfit Pack is preparing for the Moon Festival. Yes, Starfit, that is the name I and Bran agreed on to name the two Packs. We figured since we've merged, we should start seeing ourselves as one and it's only right we answer a unique name as a symbol of our unity.Lanterns float in the sky, glowing orbs of soft silver, mimicking the full moon that watches over us. The Starlight Pack's annual Moon Festival is in full swing, and for the first time, the Misfits are part of it in a normal Pack.Laughter fills the courtyard as wolves from both packs come together, bringing the aroma of roasted meats, wines, and sweet pastries. The festival celebrates unity and honours the Moon Goddess, allowing wolves to momentarily escape their struggles.I should be excited.But instead, I'm trapped in my chambers as Lyric will not let me go. I shouldn't have agreed when they volunteered to pick my dress; I agree I'm awful when it comes to picking outfits o
Talia's POVGolden sunlight streams in, filtering through the curtains and illuminating the floor. I wake up slowly, stretching on the soft sheets.Then realization dawns on me.I'm at Bran's palace.Last night's memories make my heart race. The talk and the kiss made me stay when feelings became overwhelming. Not that anything else happened. Bran frustratingly remained respectful, saying goodnight after our intense moment.I feel both grateful and frustrated. He should have escorted me back home, but he didn't and I know he wants me around. We felt so emotional that after saying goodbye to each other last night, we strolled to the gate where I was supposed to go back, but we were lost in talks till I followed him to his chambers.Timid person.Tiara laughs in my thoughts. He's being patient because he values you. That, or he enjoys torturing himself.I grunt while flipping onto my stomach. I'm unsure if I should be impressed or annoyed.A knock interrupts my thoughts, and Bran's deep