EvelynThe moon hung low in the sky, casting a cold silver glow over the gathered group as Gaius finalized the details of the mission. His voice, steady and commanding, carried through the clearing as he spoke to the soldiers and strategists around him. I stood slightly apart, my arms crossed, a stubborn determination settling over me.โWeโll move at dawn,โ Gaius announced, his piercing green eyes scanning the crowd. โThis wonโt be an easy mission. The facility is heavily fortified, and the terrain will work against us. But if we strike swiftly, we can destroy it before Cyrus realizes weโre there.โAs the crowd murmured their assent, Gaius turned to me, his jaw tightening. โEvelyn, I need you to stay behind.โโNo,โ I said immediately, my voice firm.โEvelyn,โ he began, his tone edged with frustration, โthis isnโtโโโThis isnโt your decision to make,โ I interrupted, stepping closer to him. โYou keep saying weโre in this together. That weโre equals. But every time something like this c
GaiusThe cave swallowed us in darkness as we moved deeper into its belly. The narrow, jagged walls were damp and oppressive. The only sounds were the crunch of gravel underfoot and the steady drip of water somewhere in the distance. Every step heightened the tension, and made my wolf restless under my skin. The scent of damp earth mingled with a faint metallic tang that I couldnโt placeโan unnatural smell that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.Raven moved ahead of us, her steps silent, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. Evelyn trailed behind her, her form tense. I followed closely, my hand hovering near my weapon. The air was thick with unease, and I couldnโt shake the feeling that we were being watched.โWeโre close,โ Raven said, pausing to examine the faint glow of light spilling through a jagged crevice in the rock ahead. โThatโs the entrance to the facility.โEvelyn stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. โItโs small,โ she said softly.โItโs supposed t
EvelynCyrusโs laughter echoed through the cave, each note grating against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. His smirk widened as he turned his attention to me, his predatory eyes gleaming with amusement.โAnd you, dear Evelyn,โ he drawled, his tone dripping with condescension, โhow the mighty have fallen. Tell me, does it ever get tiring, hiding behind stronger men?โMy chest tightened, his words hitting a tender spot I hated to acknowledge. My wolf growled beneath my skin, restless and furious, but I held her back. This was not the time to lose control.โI hate you,โ I spat, my voice trembling with fury.Cyrusโs smirk deepened. โOh, Iโm counting on that.โHis taunts cut deep, stoking a fire that had been burning since the moment he destroyed everything I held dear. He turned to Roman, his shadow, who stood still and silent, his gaze locked on me. Something flickered in Romanโs expressionโsomething cold and unreadableโbut it was gone as quickly as it appeared.โYouโre a coward,
Evelyn The journey back to the pack was a not easy. Every step further into familiar territory felt heavy and suffocating. When the pack house finally came into view, a sharp pang of anxiety escaped from me. Gaius got in first, his movements deliberate and restrained. He turned to me, extending his hand, but I ignored it, sliding off the saddle myself. โIโll see to the soldiers,โ he said, his voice calm but distant. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Without waiting for him, I made my way inside, as each step echoed loudly in the silent halls. Grace met me at the door, her face filled with concern. โMy Lady,โ she said gently, โshould I prepare something for you? Perhaps tea orโโ โNo,โ I cut her off, my tone sharper than I intended. โI just... need to be alone.โ Her brows furrowed, but she nodded. โOf course, My Lady.โ I walked past her without another word, heading to our bedroom. ___ The moment the door shut behind me, the carefully held composure Iโd maintained
GaiusI sat in my office, staring at the map laid out before me, my thoughts a storm of frustration and helplessness. The fractured bond between Evelyn and me lingered in my chest like a physical ache, but there was no time to dwell on it. Not when Cyrus remained a threat, regrouping in the shadows like the viper he was.A soft knock on the door broke my reverie.โCome in,โ I called, my voice heavier than I intended.The door opened to reveal Raven, her expression unreadable as she stepped inside. She no longer carried the air of detached confidence that once defined her. Living among the pack, isolated and distrusted, had stripped away some of her bravado.โWhat is it?โ I asked, my tone guarded.โI have a lead,โ she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the room.I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. โA lead on Cyrus?โShe nodded. โHeโs moving to regroup with the Shadowโs leadership. Thereโs an old abandoned stronghold in the eastern mountains. Itโs isolated, for
EvelynThe house was quiet.It was the kind of calm that should have been soothing but instead made me uneasy.I sat at the dining table, stirring my tea until the liquid had cooled to the point I felt it was undrinkable no more.My mind churned with the thoughts of Gaiusโs mission preparations, Ravenโs lead, and the decisions we had to make. Just knowing that Cyrus was still out there, regrouping, left a constant ache in my chest. My wolf stirred uneasily.A knock came at the front door, the sound startled me enough as the spoon from my hand jolted. Grace appeared moments later, holding a pale envelope. She had an unreadable expression written on her face.โThis just arrived for you, My Lady,โ she said, handing it to me.I frowned, taking the envelope cautiously. There was no name or address on it, just the words Luna Evelyn written in elegant, handwriting. The paper felt rough beneath my fingers. It smelt like herbs.โWho delivered this?โ I asked.Grace shook her head. โA cou
GaiusEvery step Raven and I took was deliberate. We moved in silence as we approached the secluded location of the Shadowโs grand gathering.The intel we got was just enough to confirm Cyrusโs presence and the purpose of the meeting. The rogues were gathering to swear loyalty to their new โSupreme Alphaโ and witness the unveiling of his latest weapon.Raven walked ahead of me, her features covered by the hood of her cloak. โThis isnโt just a meeting,โ Raven whispered as we neared the clearing. โItโs a show of power. Cyrus wants to remind them why they follow him.โI nodded, adjusting the mask covering my face. โThen weโll make sure we see everything,โ I said, my voice low.The clearing came into view suddenly. The rogues had gathered in a makeshift amphitheater carved into the earth, a steep circle of jagged rocks surrounding a central stage. We slipped into the crowd unnoticed, our disguises blending with the rogues around us. The sounds of murmured conversations and the occ
GaiusCyrus stood tall on the stage, his voice booming with twisted conviction as he flaunted his power. The sight of the boy, trembling and locked in that cage, burned in my mind, and I knew there was no time to hesitate.Raven, beside me, moved with practiced stealth as we crept along the perimeter of the massive gathering. Her hood had concealed most of her face, but the tension radiating from her was unmistakable. โGaius,โ she murmured under her breath, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd, โthis is madness. Even if we get the boy, weโll have every rogue in this forest on our heels.โโI know the risks,โ I replied, my voice low. โBut leaving him here isnโt an option.โHer jaw tightened, and for a moment, she said nothing. Then she exhaled sharply. โFine. But if weโre doing this, weโll need to create a distraction. Something big enough to scatter them.โโLeave that to me,โ I said, my mind racing with possibilities.We moved quietly through the group of rogues, careful not to draw
EvelynThe pain came in waves, sharp and relentless. My breathing was shallow as I clung to Gaiusโs hand, his steady presence the only thing keeping me grounded. I had prepared for this momentโor at least I thought I had. But nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming pressure, the way my body felt like it was tearing apart.โBreathe, Evelyn,โ Gaius said softly, his voice calm but firm. โYouโve got this.โI nodded, though the words felt distant. Another contraction hit, and I cried out, my wolf stirring restlessly inside me.Grace entered the room, followed by the midwife, a kind but no-nonsense woman named Marion. She took one look at me and started giving instructions, her voice steady and reassuring.โYouโre doing great, Evelyn,โ Marion said, kneeling by the bed. โBut the baby isnโt in the right position yet. It might take some time.โI groaned, my grip on Gaiusโs hand tightening. โI donโt know if I can do this,โ I whispered, tears streaming down my face.โYes, you can,โ G
EvelynThe ride back to the pack was quiet. Gaius sat beside me, his hand resting on my knee, a comforting weight in the stillness. I leaned my head against the window, watching the trees blur past. My mind wandered, replaying the confrontation with Roman.His words didnโt haunt me the way I thought they might. Instead, I felt a strange calm, like Iโd closed the door on a part of my life that had long held me captive. I wasnโt afraid of him anymore. He couldnโt hurt me now.Gaiusโs voice pulled me out of my thoughts. โYouโve been quiet,โ he said softly, glancing at me.I turned to him, offering a small smile. โJust thinking.โโAbout Roman?โ he asked, his tone careful.I nodded. โHeโs bitter. Angry. But heโs nothing now. Just a shadow of what he used to be.โGaius squeezed my knee gently. โYouโre stronger than him, Evelyn. You always were.โHis words warmed me, and I placed my hand over his. โThank you,โ I said softly.The pack house came into view, its familiar structure a welcome si
EvelynI stood barefoot on the sand, the turquoise waves lapping at the shore. Gaius walked up behind me, his arms circling my waist as he pulled me against his chest. โWhat are you thinking about?โ he asked, his voice low and comforting.I smiled, leaning into him. โI was just trying to remember the last time I felt this peaceful.โHe kissed the top of my head. โItโs been a long time, hasnโt it?โโIt feels like a lifetime ago,โ I admitted.Our honeymoon had been nothing short of magical. After everything we had been throughโthe battles, the loss, the constant chase of Cyrusโs shadowโthis felt like a dream. We had traveled to a secluded island, a place untouched by war or worry, where the only sounds were the waves and the laughter of the locals.For the past few days, we had let ourselves forget about the rest of the world. Weโd explored hidden waterfalls, hiked through lush jungles, and shared quiet meals by candlelight. It felt like we were rediscovering each other, peeling back th
EvelynThe days after the healerโs news were filled with quiet worry. At first, I thought I was just exhausted from everything weโd been throughโthe battles, the losses, the rebuilding. But my body felt heavier with each passing day, and the symptoms only grew worse.Gaius barely left my side, his eyes constantly flicking to me with a worry he tried to hide. But I could feel it in his touch, in the way his hand would linger on mine, or how heโd wrap an arm around me as if afraid I might disappear.โYou need to rest,โ he told me for the hundredth time as I sat on the couch one afternoon, my head resting against his shoulder.โI am resting,โ I said, though the ache in my body made it clear that rest alone wasnโt enough.โWeโre seeing the healer again,โ he said firmly. โSomething isnโt right.โI didnโt argue. I didnโt have the energy to.The healer, an older man with kind eyes and steady hands, greeted us warmly when we arrived. But as he examined me, his expression grew serious. He did
EvelynThe land was quiet, the chaos of the fight replaced by an eerie stillness. It was over. Cyrus was gone, and his reign of terror had ended.But as I walked through the remains of the battlefield, the weight of everything weโd lost pressed heavily on my chest. Those that died were being gathered, their bodies lined carefully, as survivors worked tirelessly to restore some semblance of order. I spotted Gaius in the distance, directing soldiers and healers with the same calm authority that had always been his strength. Even from here, I could see the exhaustion etched into his features, but he didnโt falter. He turned as I approached, his eyes softening when they met mine. โEvelyn,โ he said, stepping closer. His hand rested gently on my arm, his touch grounding me. โYou shouldnโt be out here. You need to rest.โโIโm fine,โ I said, though the truth was far from it. My body ached in ways I didnโt fully understand, and every step felt heavier than the last. But I couldnโt sit idl
GaiusThe battlefield was eerily quiet. Smoke curled in thin tendrils from scattered fires, and the once deafening sounds of battle had faded into an uneasy silence. Around us, Cyrusโs forces lay defeated, either dead or having fled into the shadows. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, it seemed like we might actually win.But Cyrus wasnโt done.He stood alone in the clearing, his once-pristine black coat torn and bloodstained, but his stance was still defiant. His smirk, cruel and venomous, clung stubbornly to his face as though he knew something we didnโt.I tightened my grip on my blade, my wolf pacing restlessly inside me. โItโs over, Cyrus,โ I said, stepping forward. โYour army is gone. Surrender now, and maybe weโll let you live.โHis laugh echoed across the field, cold and sharp. โYou think Iโm afraid of dying, Gaius?โ he spat. โYou think this is the end for me?โโIt is,โ I said firmly, my voice calm but unyielding. โYouโve lost everything.โCyrus took a step forw
GaiusAs I carried Evelynโs unconscious form through the dense forest. My arms tightened around her as I pushed forward, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and urgency. She felt so fragile in my hold, and the thought of her being hurt clawed at me.Behind me, Raven led the way, limping but determined. Despite her battered appearance, her eyes burned with a fierceness I hadnโt seen in years. She had gathered guards and allies in a makeshift camp deep in the woodsโa safe zone where we could regroup and plan our next move against Cyrus.The soft murmurs of voices and the faint glow of campfires appeared ahead. Relief flooded through me. At least weโd reached some measure of safety for the moment.The guards at the perimeter stiffened as we approached, their weapons raised until they recognized us. โAlpha Gaius!โ one of them called out, rushing forward.โClear a path,โ I ordered, my voice tight. โShe needs care.โThey stepped aside without question, their faces etched with concern a
CyrusThe chamber reeked of sweat and blood. My throne, carved from blackened stone, felt harder beneath me as I stared at the rogue kneeling before me. His head was bowed, his body trembling.โHow many this time?โ I asked, my voice low and steady.The rogue flinched, his fear bleeding into the silence. โThree squads, my Lord,โ he stammered. โThey... they deserted last night.โI sat back, my fingers curling around the armrests of the throne.โThree squads,โ I repeated slowly, โAnd what did they take with them?โโS-supplies, my Lord,โ he whispered, barely able to meet my eyes. โWeapons, food... they stole what they could carry.โMy wolf stirred, snarling at the edges of my mind. Traitors. After everything I had doneโeverything I had sacrificedโthis was how they repaid me?โYouโre telling me,โ I said, rising from my seat, โthat a third of my army has turned tail and fled? That they think they can run from me?โThe rogue didnโt answer. He didnโt dare.โLook at me,โ I commanded, my voic
Evelyn My chest burned with each breath, my muscles aching from the effort of keeping Gaius moving. He leaned heavily on me, his strength waning, but his stubbornness kept him upright.โHeโs getting closer,โ I said breathlessly, glancing over my shoulder.The warrior loomed in the distance, his enormous frame tearing through trees and underbrush with ease. His glowing green eyes locked on us.Gaius gritted his teeth. โWe just need to make it a little farther.โโNo, we donโt,โ I said, coming to a sudden stop.Gaius staggered as I pulled him to a halt. He turned to me, his face pale and bloodied. โWhat are you doing?โI straightened, letting go of his arm. โWe canโt keep running. You canโt keep running.โโEvelyn, donโt,โ he said, shaking his head. โWe have to keep moving.โโNo,โ I said firmly. โWe wonโt make it. Heโll catch us, and when he does...โ My voice trailed off, the words catching in my throat.Gaiusโs eyes softened, but only for a moment. Then his jaw set, and he stepped in fr