It’s warm and cozy here, my eyes smiling when they found the fireplace. A piping hot bowl of venison stew beckoned me to sit beside the blazing fireplace.I ate half of the food for ten minutes. Noticing the lavish royal blue curtain, I scooted away from the fireplace and pushed aside the curtains. I just realized that it served as the door between—“This place is a village,” I breathed, wiping my mouth clean from eating. From just the look of the surroundings, I’m pretty sure this village is in the middle of the forest. And near a lake, the briny scent could never hide the smell of fresh forest rain. I watch the people who are busy doing their own businesses as I tend to my own business—being busy scanning the surroundings on where the fuck I am. The name of the place, who carried me here, and—“Zarion,” I realized, calling his name as if he’s around. “ Zarion must know where I am, and probably the one who carried my ass here.” My eyes darted to a small cottage in the corner—to wher
“Really? I don’t think so. You seem to be…” her voice sounds suspicious now. She keeps on stepping forward while I step backward. My breathing started to narrow, bile rising up on my throat. This girl in front of me, she may be human in form. But once she finds out I’m not like them, I will be as good as dead. “I really do need to go.” I cleared my throat, and when I get out of the borders, I will look for a safer place from this weird village. I should probably look for Zarion first.But where the hell am I going to look?! Delilah’s suspicions deepen when we hear the crowd fall silent. Looking around, I could feel all eyes on me. The crowd suddenly stopped. On the horizon, I saw a strange man whose body looked exactly like Zarion's. However, looking at his evil smirk, I could sense that they are the complete opposite. Zarion’s was always mocking.The man has a cunning personality, a sarcastic beast, for sure. Zarion’s cold, brutal, and dangerous aura is nothing like this man. He
Brandon wasn’t the one who shifted, that’s a relief at least.But once again, I found myself bellowing and thrashing when Brandon reached for my neck, strangling and knocking the breath out of me. I couldn’t move. I could not even think of a way to escape, to live and leave.I wished there was a hole just beneath my feet that would swallow me in this instant.No… no—help me!” I forced my voice to be louder. “HELP!” “Why are you looking for Zarion? What do you want from him?” Brandon growled. He removed his other hand from my neck and instead unsheathed his huge and sharp claws just a few inches from my face. He had all the chance to crush my neck into pieces, but he didn’t. He just kept choking and strangling me. Maybe he wants something from me, or maybe he wants to relish killing me as slow and unbearable as possible. “I...I... I don't know. There's something about him that I need to do. I feel like I'm obligated to him. I was having these dreams, weird dreams, and I want to stop
If there is anything that I understand in the situation I am in, these are the two things so far that I manage to grasp: 1) I happened to be in Madfur Claws Pack (the name of the pack where I’m fucking in), and 2) I am going to die.Delilah may not tell me all the details, but from what I’ve seen and heard as soon as I tried to put the pieces, I knew what was coming. Zarion is the former Alpha of Madfur Claws Pack but he doesn’t want to take the responsibility, so he ran away. Of course, all the wolves in his pack loathe him so why would he be here, right? Secondly, I am caged in a wooden box. Delilah was nowhere to be seen or heard, so I didn’t know who to cry to for help. Zarion is not here either. And my grandmother—“God, I am going insane!” I cursed myself, loathing myself why I put myself in this freaking shitty situation in the first place. Yet despite the wooden box incapacitating me, I could hear Brandon’s men that we will be going to a place on what they call as the Moon G
And there he was, shirtless and sweating, Zarion lunged from the back of the crowd to where I was.But it was Brandon’s face he grabbed, wrapping his hands tightly around his neck as he choked him to death. The two Alphas were so strong that the energy radiating from them pulsed out and began hitting trees and ground. Powerful, both of them are too powerful to defeat each other. The sediment rocks crumbled to the ground as their fight continued to brew. Zarion pawed Brandon’s wrist and blood started gushing out from, staining the waters of the Moon Goddess’ fountain.Everyone saw it turning from crystal clear white to dark green. Dark, eerie green.“Alpha Brandon and this strange human…they are mates,” Delilah's voice echoed in every corner of the Moon Goddess’ temple. Everyone was completely aghast about that. Faces of disapproval and shock met my gaze.“Me?” I whispered, more to myself than to the wolves. They were completely horrified by the thought. Disgusted, it was what was wr
Alpha Brandon stopped midway the moment a feminine name was mentioned. His face twisted and Zarion’s face contorted as soon as he beheld his brother’s remorse. “Why are you looking for my fiancee?” Wait, was it jealousy that I’ve heard? Hestia must be Alpha Brandon’s girlfriend, and maybe that is why he fears that I am his mate.“Call Hestia,” Zarion commanded. “And let us see if there was a mistake that happened earlier.”“Why would I follow your order?”“I said,” Zarion's husky and steel voice echoed in the room, “call your fiancee and tell her to get her ass. Right. Now.” Alpha Brandon’s head turned upwards and I saw how his jaw clenched. Silence reverberated in the temple for as long as I can remember. I believe he was now calling her fiancee—or let me change that term—he was mind-linking Hestia to come here to the magnificent Moon Goddess’ Temple. It didn’t take any more time because a fairy-looking woman was sauntering towards our front; her glistening skin was as white as Snow
“That was what I’ve seen on the Moon Goddess’s fountain.” I stared at him with wide eyes as he slowly shifted back, sweaty abs greeted me and his bare skin beckoning my lips to wash all that worries away.So I looked away. Truth be told, I badly wanted to tell him that I didn’t feel a connection with Brandon, but it seems like Zarion is really convinced that I’m his step-brother’s mate. Several emotions swarmed within me further: anger, sadness, penance, and despondency etched on my system because of that. There was just pain and confusion in my chest. “For your Moon Goddess’ sake Zarion, I am not his mate!” I whined like a child, unleashing what seemed to be a kid’s tantrums. He didn’t reply, and neither did I. I felt sick, knowing that Alpha Brandon was my mate. Just a thought of it, I would rather spend my life in prison than to be trapped in his arms forever. “I can’t even feel the connection between us,” I murmured, more to myself despite the fact I saw Zarion flinch at my word
“How?” I inched closer, face more pale and focused. “How?!”He looked away, licking his lower lip. “Zarion, just… please tell me how! I’m going to do everything just so this mate thing would never happen.”“The thing is, Cassidy, I don’t know either because…” My breathing stopped for a moment. While looking at his eyes, I knew he wasn’t bluffing. “I never had a mate either. And I want it to stay that way.” I exhaled, bringing my fingers into a clench. “What—” But Zarion added before I can resume. “It’s rare to have a human mate. There are a lot of complications. Not to mention the prejudice of other wolves.” “Has that happened before?”“Yes, there was a rumor about having a human mate.”“How did it end?”“It didn’t end well, Cassidy.” “Damn it, Zarion. Just tell me how it ended!”“The human died, of course.” Zarion looked up at me with a stare that I couldn’t fathom whether worried or amusement. His sleepy eyes were giving me so many emotions. Is he really worried about me or is t
Cassidy’s POVSnowflakes danced through the frigid air, the world around me becoming a beautiful paradise of white. Again.Instinct and adrenaline fueled my every move as I transformed, my body morphing into delicate crystalline forms.It feels so good to be back, to feel the excitement of shifting into my wolf form.The rival Rogue lunged, teeth bared. But in that pivotal moment, my body dispersed into a whirlwind of snowflakes. I felt a surreal rush as I swirled around him, avoiding his deadly jaws by the narrowest of margins.There was an odd sensation, like a shiver down my spine, as if the transformation itself was more than just a physical change. But my focus remained unwavering. As the snowflakes began to reform, I solidified just behind the Rogue, my werewolf instincts guiding my swift and precise strike. Fangs sank into his flank, and he yelped in pain and surprise.The scent of iron filled the air as I tore myself away, leaving the Rogue injured but not fatally so.My grand
“We'll do the vow in front of the Moon Goddess's temple,” I stopped by the iron gates when Achilles’ spoke, his words echoing with a sense of finality.I nodded once more, his jaw set. I know he doesn't want to do this, but he has no choice left.And there, beneath the moon's shimmering light, we sealed our pact. Two figures, one burdened by shadows and the other ready to step into the light. The wind carried our oath, the words whispered into the night like a sacred secret between us.As I turned away from Achilles, my heart’s heavy with a mixture of hope and trepidation. I felt a glimmer of something I hadn't felt in a long time—purpose. The journey ahead would not be easy, and the path to find the witch might be fraught with danger. But it was a path I had to take.For my pack, for Achilles, and most importantly, for myself.The Moon Goddess's statue watched over us, her radiant presence a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is a guiding light. And so, with my destin
I came back running towards Cassidy's body lying on the ground. “No...” I whispered, trying to regain my composure as I lay her head on my arms. “NO!!!”But despite my cry, the air was thick with a somber weight like the skies themselves had donned a shroud of mourning. It was a blow that echoed through the heart of the Volatile Hounds Pack, some are howling in their wolf forms, leaving an ache that seemed unbearable.I stood at the edge of the gathering, my eyes fixed on the scene before me. Luna Cassidy's body lay before us, her once-vibrant form now stilled, as if she had merely drifted into a deep slumber. I could hardly believe that the force of nature we had all revered—that we had all treasured, vanity consuming us—had been reduced to this fragile vessel.The wind’s whistling carried with a sense of finality that clenched at my heart. In a hushed voice, I stepped forward, the damp earth cool beneath my feet.My gaze swept across the gathered wolves, each one bearing the weight
In that moment, I felt something. I feel scared for the first time since facing so many battles and wars.“Fuck it,” I cursed to myself and run to find Cassidy. Brandon can go and shit himself.The stench of sweat and blood hung thick in my body as that colossal Rogue squared off against Cassidy, the clash of their weapons echoing through the abandoned icy ruins.My heart raced as I watched the battle unfold before me, the desperate struggle between my Luna and a Rogue playing out in a deadly dance of steel and fury.Cassidy moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, her every step calculated. I’ve thought her well, of course. Her sword is a natural extension of her being. But the Rogue was no ordinary adversary: it was a behemoth, its muscles rippling with raw power as it swung its massive twin daggers with brutal force.Each collision of metal against metal sent shockwaves through the ground, rattling the wintry debris beneath my feet. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my
Zarion's POVThe icy winds howled through the night as the waves crashed against the rocky shores, creating a picturesque atmosphere with its chilly battlegrounds. The waters here are barely frozen as if they manage to battle the winter coldness by themselves.It's finally the date of the war we anticipated and prepared for a long time. As I stood at the edge of the cliff, my breath misting in the frigid air as I gazed out at the tumultuous sea beckoning me.“Where are they?” Luna Cassidy asked beside me. She held my hand and l looked down at her. “They will be here soon,” I whispered. The bitter winds of the Turquoise Ocean swept across the icy expanse, carrying with them an air of foreboding that matched the tension in my chest. As I stood at the edge of the half-frozen shore, my breath crystallized in the frigid air. A clear reminder of the war that will be unfolding.The setting sun cast a reddish hue over the ice. My pack was assembled behind me, their eyes reflecting the same f
Heavy is the crown who wears the tiara as they say.The weight of the responsibility was so heavy atop my shoulders, but I pushed it aside. I pushed the doubts of my capability as a Luna aside. I couldn't afford to let doubt or fear creep in. Not now.Jemenei finished his preparations and stood before me, a determined look on his face that reflected my own. We were a team, a two-man team, united by purpose and the need to protect our pack and save other packs from the dangers brought by Hestia and Aneliesse. There was no turning back now. “Let's move,” I spoke, my voice low but resolute. With a nod, we headed out into the night, the moon casting long shadows on the forest floor.The Misty Forest, courtesy of its name, boasted thick fogs and mist that could blind. But now, the mist is thin and the fog has dissipated. It's still winter yet it's colder than usual. I shifted into my fight mode. Gamma Jemenei was behind me when I immediately noticed a shadow using my shadow manipulation
A day later, we returned to our pack’s fortress. The travel was swift and quick, especially when Zarion held my hand throughout the journey.“Just put our briefcases there,” Zarion commanded Beta Achilles. He was grinning from ear to ear when he glanced at the mark on my neck. “Congratulations, Alpha Zarion and Luna Cassidy.”“Uhm, thank you?” I chuckled shyly, quickly covering the mark with my ponytail. Alpha Zarion’s hand snaked around my waist and kissed the top of my forehead. “Thank you, Beta. My wife’s kind of tired,” he winked. I smiled. “Please let her rest.”Beta Achilles nodded and gestured with his hand toward the castle's rooms. “And you?” my brows furrowed as I looked at Zarion, “Where are you going?”“I have to attend something important.”“Something important?” My voice was laced with concern. “Is it urgent?”He nodded. “Yes. It’s for the sake of the pack. Our pack.”“But we just arrived—”“I’m going to be okay, Cassidy. Relax.”“Be careful on your way,” I t
“Zarion!” I shouted in frustration for a moment, but it disappeared when I felt his warm hand on me. I closed my eyes and lost myself once again.I heard a few more curses from him before he removed my underwear. The first touch of his tongue made me moan so loud. I felt like I had reached the heavens. Entered the heavens with Zarion’s lustful worshiping. The second flick of his tongue sent fire inside my core. I think I'm done for tonight. Alpha Zarion will claim me. That’s for sure.He held my thighs apart, preventing them from meeting. I savored the sensation that only he could give me, nearly biting my lip as he caressed my soft femininity. I saw him lick his middle finger. My cheeks burned at what he did.He crawled back towards me, leaning against the sofa. “You're so sweet, love,” he whispered as he began kissing my neck once again.I tilted my head to the side, unsure if I wanted him to continue or not because I kept on tickling. His hand traveled to my exposed breasts, toyin
The grandeur of the moment enveloped me wholly, filling my heart with an overwhelming blend of excitement and nervousness.Today was the day I’ve only dreamed of: the day I’m about to become a part of something bigger than myself. Someone stronger than myself. Today, I am Cassidy, the Alpha’s bride.My heart raced like a wild stallion in my chest. But I disregard it. The most important thing today is I will finally become one with Zarion.The sun is now descending low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow across the cliffside where the ceremony would take place. The waves below crashed against the rocks in a rhythmic symphony, providing a soothing backdrop to the buzzing anticipation that hung in the air. I’ve never been here before. This is my first time being here. And it brings a different joy knowing that Zarion took me to a place I’ve never been to on our wedding day.As I stood near the edge, my ivory gown billowing gently in the breeze, my fingers trembling as they clutched