EvelynThe morning started like any other day, peaceful and quiet. stillness. The peace and stillness shattered when Grace ran into the dining room, her face pale and strained.“My Lady,” she panted, as she clutched the doorframe for support. “It’s the village... Something’s wrong with the water supply. People are falling ill—many of them.”I shot to my feet, my pulse quickening. Gaius who sat across the table, was already on his feet, his expression dark as he heard the news..“How bad is it?” he asked, his voice clipped, though I could see the tension in his jaw.“Bad,” Grace said, wringing her hands. “The children and elders seem to be the worst affected. The healers are struggling. They don’t know what’s causing it.”she panicked.“Cyrus,” Gaius muttered, his fists tightening.I swallowed hard, fear and anger battling in my chest. “We need to go,” I said, already moving toward the door.___When we arrived in the village, chaos greeted us. People crowded the streets, some clutch
EvelynGaius and I moved in silence, our exhaustion evident. The water crisis had drained us, both physically and emotionally, but we found solace in small moments of togetherness.“We should visit the orphanage,” I said softly as we finished a quick breakfast. “It’s been a while since we’ve checked in. It might help to see the children.”Gaius nodded, though his expression remained grim. “You’re right. They’ll remind us why we’re doing this.”The walk to the orphanage was quiet, the tension between us choking. When we reached the familiar building, the sight of the cozy brick structure brought a fleeting sense of peace. This was one of the few places untouched by the chaos that Cyrus had unleashed—or so I thought.The moment we stepped inside, something felt off. The usual warmth and chatter of children playing was absent, replaced by an eerie stillness. Grace, the orphanage’s caretaker, appeared almost immediately, her face pale and drawn. She clutched her apron tightly, her hands
EvelynThe sharp knock on the study door shattered the silence between Gaius and me. He stood by the window, his back rigid, staring out into the night. The weight of Cyrus’s threat lingering heavily on the both of us, and the air in the room felt suffocating.“Come in,” Gaius barked, his voice laced with irritation.Grace stepped in hesitantly. “My Lady, Alpha... Clara is here. She says it’s urgent.”My stomach churned at the mention of her name. Clara. The woman who had poisoned me and killed my unborn child. The sight of her was a scar I didn’t think I could bear, let alone the sound of her name.Gaius’s expression darkened immediately. “Send her away,” he growled. “We don’t have time for her games.”“She said it’s about the children,” Grace added nervously.I exchanged a glance with Gaius, my heart racing. “Let her in,” I said, despite the bile rising in my throat.“Evelyn,” Gaius snapped at me, his tone sharp. “We don’t have time for her lies. You know what she’s capable of.”“I
EvelynThe damp air of the tunnel clung to my skin, each step echoing faintly as I followed Clara deeper into the underground passage. My wolf paced restlessly within me, its unease growing with every stride. The rusted ladder we had climbed down loomed behind us.“How much farther?” I asked sharply, my voice cutting through the oppressive silence.“Not far,” Clara murmured, her tone curt and distant.I narrowed my eyes at the back of her head, suspicion curling in my stomach. She had been unsettlingly calm ever since we left the pack house, her focus unwavering. It wasn’t like Clara to act selflessly, and though desperation laced her movements, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was holding something back.The tunnel gradually widened, and the faint hum of electricity buzzed in the air. Clara’s flashlight illuminated the jagged walls, slick with moisture and overgrown with patches of moss. My boots crunched against loose gravel as we approached a fork in the path.“This way,” Cl
EvelynWhen I woke up, my wrists were bound tightly with rope, the fibers biting into my skin as I struggled against them. The room around me was dark and damp, the walls slick with moisture and the air thick with the stench of mildew and rust. A faint light flickered from a single bulb hanging overhead, casting long shadows that danced mockingly on the walls.My head throbbed where Clara had struck me, the pain sharp and pulsing. My wolf stirred faintly within me, its presence dulled and distant, like a voice shouting from the other side of a thick wall. My breath came in shallow bursts as the memory of Clara’s betrayal replayed in my mind, each scene sharpening the ache in my chest.A low chuckle broke through the silence, drawing my attention. Roman stood a few feet away, leaning casually against the wall. His arms were crossed, his sharp features illuminated by the weak light that barely reached the corners of the room.“Good, you’re awake,” he said, his voice dripping with s
GaiusMy wolf was restless, pacing in my mind like a caged beast. Something was wrong. Evelyn hadn’t been in bed when I woke, and my calls to her had gone unanswered. I knew she was upset cause I ordered her to ignore Clara. I had to sleep early, cause I was drained of the packs job. But I expected her by my side, later. I cursed my breathe as I stood up. Maybe she had woken up earlier and was still upset over the incident.I stood in the hallway, my gaze sweeping the pack house as dread coiled in my chest. “Where is she?” I demanded, my voice sharp as I turned to Grace, who hovered nearby with a worried expression.“She hasn’t been seen since last night, Alpha,” she said hesitantly, wringing her hands. “The guards on duty said she left with her stepsister.”My blood ran cold. Clara. Of course, it had to be her. “And no one thought to inform me?”Grace flinched at the fury in my tone. “She insisted she would be fine, Alpha. We didn’t think—”“You didn’t think,” I snapped, cutting her
CyrusThe room was dimly lit, with shadows pooling in the corners like old secrets. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming a rhythmic pattern on the armrest. The faint hum of machinery filled the silence, the only sound apart from the occasional flicker of the overhead lights.Roman entered, his usual smug grin slightly strained. The bruises and cuts on his face spoke volumes, but his arrogance, as always, was unyielding.“You look worse for wear, Roman,” I said, my voice smooth and laced with mockery.“Comes with the job,” he replied, flopping into the chair across from me without invitation.My wolf growled faintly at his insolence, but I kept my composure. Roman’s usefulness far outweighed the irritation his presence caused—for now.“Well?” I prompted, raising an eyebrow. “I assume you’ve come with a report worth my time. Or should I add your failure to the growing list of disappointments?”Roman’s smirk faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly recovered. “Relax, Cyrus
EvelynThe training grounds were unforgiving, the midday sun shining down with relentless heat. My fists slammed into the punching bag with a rhythm that matched the storm in my mind. Each strike sent a sharp jolt through my arms, but I welcomed the pain. It dulled the ache in my chest, the one that had taken root ever since my encounter with Roman.“Harder,” Matthias barked, pacing behind me. His voice was sharp, cutting through the haze of my focus.I growled low in my throat, channeling the frustration into my next punch. The bag shuddered violently on impact, swaying on its chain.“Better,” Matthias muttered, though his tone carried the unmistakable edge of disapproval. “But your form is slipping.”I ignored him, my fists flying faster, the strikes becoming more erratic. Sweat dripped from my brow, stinging my eyes, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was the sound of my knuckles connecting with leather, the satisfying thud that drowned out the chaotic mess of my thoughts.“Stop
GaiusEvery step Raven and I took was deliberate. We moved in silence as we approached the secluded location of the Shadow’s grand gathering.The intel we got was just enough to confirm Cyrus’s presence and the purpose of the meeting. The rogues were gathering to swear loyalty to their new “Supreme Alpha” and witness the unveiling of his latest weapon.Raven walked ahead of me, her features covered by the hood of her cloak. “This isn’t just a meeting,” Raven whispered as we neared the clearing. “It’s a show of power. Cyrus wants to remind them why they follow him.”I nodded, adjusting the mask covering my face. “Then we’ll make sure we see everything,” 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
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 Gaius’s mission preparations, Raven’s 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.“This just arrived for you, My Lady,” 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.“Who delivered this?” I asked.Grace shook her head. “A cou
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.“Come in,” 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.“What is it?” I asked, my tone guarded.“I have a lead,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the room.I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. “A lead on Cyrus?”She nodded. “He’s moving to regroup with the Shadow’s leadership. There’s an old abandoned stronghold in the eastern mountains. It’s isolated, for
EvelynCyrus’s 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.“And you, dear Evelyn,” he drawled, his tone dripping with condescension, “how the mighty have fallen. Tell me, does it ever get tiring, hiding behind stronger men?”My 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.“I hate you,” I spat, my voice trembling with fury.Cyrus’s smirk deepened. “Oh, I’m counting on that.”His 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 Roman’s expression—something cold and unreadable—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.“You’re a coward,
EvelynCyrus’s 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.“And you, dear Evelyn,” he drawled, his tone dripping with condescension, “how the mighty have fallen. Tell me, does it ever get tiring, hiding behind stronger men?”My 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.“I hate you,” I spat, my voice trembling with fury.Cyrus’s smirk deepened. “Oh, I’m counting on that.”His 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 Roman’s expression—something cold and unreadable—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.“You’re a coward,
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 couldn’t place—an 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 couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched.“We’re close,” Raven said, pausing to examine the faint glow of light spilling through a jagged crevice in the rock ahead. “That’s the entrance to the facility.”Evelyn stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. “It’s small,” she said softly.“It’s supposed t
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.“We’ll move at dawn,” Gaius announced, his piercing green eyes scanning the crowd. “This won’t 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 we’re there.”As the crowd murmured their assent, Gaius turned to me, his jaw tightening. “Evelyn, I need you to stay behind.”“No,” I said immediately, my voice firm.“Evelyn,” he began, his tone edged with frustration, “this isn’t—”“This isn’t your decision to make,” I interrupted, stepping closer to him. “You keep saying we’re in this together. That we’re equals. But every time something like this c
GaiusThe sun was low on the horizon, painting the pack lands in hues of gold and orange, but I barely noticed the beauty of the evening. My focus was locked on my phone, on the brief, urgent message from Raven:We need to meet. I have intel on Cyrus’s next move.I let out a breath. Dealing with Raven was always a gamble—a fine line between necessary collaboration and inviting chaos into our lives. But this time, I couldn’t dismiss her. If Cyrus had set up a hidden production facility for the serum, as she claimed, we couldn’t afford to ignore it.But Evelyn...I turned and headed toward the training grounds, where I knew I’d find her. The sound of her fists pounding against the punching bag echoed long before I saw her, each strike fueled by the storm of emotions that had been swirling between us.“Evelyn,” I called as I stepped into the clearing.She didn’t stop. Her punches were sharp, relentless, as though trying to silence whatever demons haunted her.“Evelyn,” I repeated, my ton
EvelynThe training grounds were unforgiving, the midday sun shining down with relentless heat. My fists slammed into the punching bag with a rhythm that matched the storm in my mind. Each strike sent a sharp jolt through my arms, but I welcomed the pain. It dulled the ache in my chest, the one that had taken root ever since my encounter with Roman.“Harder,” Matthias barked, pacing behind me. His voice was sharp, cutting through the haze of my focus.I growled low in my throat, channeling the frustration into my next punch. The bag shuddered violently on impact, swaying on its chain.“Better,” Matthias muttered, though his tone carried the unmistakable edge of disapproval. “But your form is slipping.”I ignored him, my fists flying faster, the strikes becoming more erratic. Sweat dripped from my brow, stinging my eyes, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was the sound of my knuckles connecting with leather, the satisfying thud that drowned out the chaotic mess of my thoughts.“Stop