Talia's POV Even without a wolf, I can smell wolves around. And I'm thinking the town ahead is a wolf territory. Panic sets in again because I aim to settle in a human world since the Moon Goddess has decided not to give me a wolf. I suddenly remembered the lie I told George about me, and since we were going to be together for some time, I think he deserves to know the truth."George," I begin, stopping him in his tracks. "There's something you need to know about me. I will need you to pay attention and try not to judge me ok?" "Don't leave me, Talia. I already know you're not human, if that's what you're planning to tell me." He clarifies, giving me a knowing look.I freeze. "Hun! How do you know? What do I look like to you?" How come he knew all this while and never told me anything about it? This revelation makes me question the kind of person George is. "Are you wondering how I knew you were a wolf?" George interrupts my thoughts and I nearly slip hearing those words from him.
Alpha Axton's POV"Alpha, I think we should go back now. We've come a long way and haven't even found any herb that can be useful, let alone a healer." Dane suggests tiredly, but I ignore him. He is speaking that way because he's tired I'm sure. The responsibilities of running a normal Pack are high, let alone a Pack of Misfits, where we all don't have a wolf.I know I have a lot to do to protect my Pack members from rouges attack. I'm trying here, but I guess I'm not just trying enough. I had gone on a trip for days and came back to meet half of my security men on their sick beds, been attacked by rogues while I was away. Now I have to get herbs or they die which I wouldn't forgive myself if this happens."Alpha, are you paying attention at all? You've been hurt too by that animal we met hours ago. We need to take care of your wounds. I'll advise we go back to the Pack and allow healer Ryda. He can...""Enough!" I halt him, raising my rolled fist for effect. "I don't want to hear tha
Talia's POV It's been days since we fell from the hill and were saved by Alpha Axton and his men; we are now perfectly fine. Alpha Axon and his people have been nothing but kind to me and George. With his help, I was able to get a loving human family to adopt George so they could give him the good things he deserves in life.Today, I'm being discharged from the hospital, now going to the hotel Alpha Axton prepared for me. I'm still thinking, still trying to figure out if this is the Misfit Town George talked about. I look outside through the car window, enjoying the ride and admiring the beauty of this town. Their houses are made from twisted wood and glowing stones, and the streets are lined with flowers that emit soft, calming light. But despite the beauty of the town, I can feel the mysterious looks of the inhabitants as I meet some people's gaze through their windows."Here we are, ma'am," the driver announces, opening the door for me to alight. I was so lost in my thoughts that
Bran's POV "Alpha, we should do something about this issue now and right here. We can't cross our fingers and watch our pups die just like that." A council member is finally speaking after several seconds of murmuring between them. I watch in silence, not because I'm weak or because I don't know what to say, but because I can't seem to figure out where all these are coming from."We've always respected you and your decisions since you were chosen to be our Alpha, but your silence in this issue is painting another picture." His gaze returns to the other council members like he is asking for their permission to proceed, and they nod, giving him the go-ahead to speak. "We can't help but think that there's something you have done wrong to bring us this calamity. Selene is angry at us for something done wrong. If not, why would our sacrifices not have been accepted by the moon goddess after a series of attempts, and she keeps on striking us with death and rogue attacks?" I look into spac
Bella's POV "You have to leave now! Before Alpha Bran meets you here or else your head will be fed to the Pack dogs." The nerve of Alpha Lucian's beta is to show up here. What is he thinking? Did he think I'm going to allow him to show up here and destroy everything I've worked hard for? For some weeks now, he has been on my tail, telling me lies in the name of custom, "rouges can't be born outside their territory", and who cares about that fucking custom? I have to make him leave before Bran comes out. That might arouse suspicions in him, and I wouldn't want that. "Leave now!" I shout again, but it seems this is not going to work. "Do you think I'll leave without you going with me? You don't belong here; you belong to us...well, till that pup comes to this world." He insists, mocking the guard's attempt to throw him out."Are you guys just going to cross your arms and watch this lunatic display? Aren't you going to throw him out now?" I'm trembling inside of me but faking composu
Talia's POV I stand swiftly as the footsteps are approaching, the sound louder now as if the person is coming closer. I glance around and find a stray log, big and thick enough to break someone's head in case they're enemies. I don't recollect speaking to anyone except Alpha Axton, his guards, driver and some of his maids. Maybe it's one of them though. I'm tempted to let my guard down, but I brace again, holding the log with my two hands on high alert in case it's not any of them. "Aaarrrrr!!!" We both are screaming, I close my eyes, lifting the log so high that it falls back behind me due to its heaviness. I open my eyes slowly to meet the gaze of a pretty lady; she should be in her mid-twenties like me. Her cute eyes widen in fear and her trembling hand is holding a beautiful flower."Hi..." I greet awkwardly, dusting them my hands on my trousers and stretching my hand to shake her, but she looks at me awkwardly before silently going to sit on the log I was sitting on earlier be
Talia's POV For several minutes I have tried dusting off this weird purple smoke Jasper caused, but they won't go. "Can't you do something, Jasper? Are you just going to stand there watching me go around looking like this?" I rant, but to be fair-Jasper has tried, but the smoke won't budge."Talia, you know you look good in purple." Luna teases, casting me a smiley, almost laughing look."Uhm..uhm, let me try again." Jasper rummages his bag one more time. "I got it yeah," he exclaims, bringing out a fish-like small little container."Have this, Talia; it's a scientific soap; it will wipe the smoke off your body and return your normal colour." "Uhmm, Jasper, are you sure Talia is not going to turn pink completely after bathing with this soap of yours?" Luna questions scratching the back of her head. Jasper was about to talk when faint footsteps rummaged through the clearing towards our direction. Also, the voice of someone, probably a young Pup, talking from a distance. "Hold on Jas
Talia's POVThe morning air is crisp, carrying the scent of the earth and flowers as I step out of my small home. The traces of dawn can still be seen in the sky, painted in shades of pink and gold. I stretch my arms, feeling a slight ache from yesterday's activities, Jasper, Luna, and Finn getting covered in purple smoke and then surviving Greta's terrifying glare.For the first time in a long time, I don't feel like an outsider. I feel like I truly belong here, but I still have to be careful in making my decisions. I don't want to end up in a Pack just like Starlight.A knock at the door startles me from my thoughts."Coming!" I call, moving towards it.When I open the door, Luna stands with her calm smile in place. Behind her, Jasper rests on the frame, arms crossed over his chest. Finn is perched on Jasper's shoulders, grinning."Talia, we've come to kidnap you," Luna announces causing me to blink repeatedly. "Excuse me?""She means we have something important to tell you." Jaspe
Talia's POVAs we near the exit, an unseen force pulls at my chest. I gasp. I can't move my feet.Then-a pull.Not physical, not something I can fight. It goes deeper, touching my core. An air ripple, a time shift.Flames from the candle sway unpredictably, as if stirred by an unseen wind. The edges of the room fade away. My vision tunnels. My heartbeat slows, and then-Darkness.Then, light appeared.A vision.I'm out of the archives now.I stand in a moonlit clearing, surrounded by the smell of wet earth and pine. The trees whisper familiar voices, pulling me toward the sound.A figure kneels in the clearing, shaking with silent sobs. She is young, with a dirty and tear-streaked face, and her long dark hair is tangled in leaves.She looks at me with luminous, regretful eyes."Forgive me," she whispers, her voice breaking. "I never wanted this."A group of shadowy figures appears from the trees before I can move. They wear black, yet I sense their overwhelming power bearing down on m
Talia's POVThe air in the palace feels oppressive as if my aunt's words are pushing against me. I run my fingers along the wooden table in my study, my mind racing to find answers amid Aunt's revelations.The book was bound to me.My blood is needed to unleash its magic. Does that explain the figures I have been seeing lurking in the shadows? Are they out on a mission to take me?Thoughts swirl within me, weaving through unclear memories. My grandmother sacrificed herself for it, and now someone is ready to spill my blood for its power. This is just too much of a problem than I can imagine.Bran rests on his desk's edge, observing me intently. He crosses his arms, candlelight creating shadows on his face. Since my aunt's words, he remains quiet, yet I feel his discomfort swirling around us."What are you thinking?" He asks, at last, his tone calm.I slowly exhale, placing my hand on my forehead. "That I don't know nearly enough."His eyes show an unclear emotion. "Then let's change t
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