Kaida’s POV The message burned in my hands—its jagged letters carved into the parchment like a scar that refused to fade. *You should have killed me when you had the chance.* Akira’s voice echoed in my head, a chilling reminder that mercy always came with a price. Atlas’s warm breath fanned against my neck as he read the message over my shoulder. His golden eyes darkened, his wolf stirring beneath the surface. “She’s taunting you,” he growled, his fingers brushing against mine to take the letter. I clenched my jaw, trying to steady the tremble in my hands. “She’s waiting.” Atlas’s muscles tensed behind me, his chest rising and falling with slow, controlled breaths. “Then let her wait,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. I wanted to believe him—to pretend that Akira’s words were nothing more than hollow threats. But I couldn’t. Not when I had seen the **hatred in her eyes.** Not when I had spared her life—**twice.** I paced the length of the council chambe
Kaida’s POV** The moon hung heavy in the sky, casting silver streaks over the dense forest. Each breath I took tasted of cold earth and lingering tension. The message Akira had left behind weighed on my heart, and now I stood face-to-face with her beneath the canopy of stars. Her dark eyes flickered with hatred—sharp, dangerous, but beneath it all, **broken.** "You should have killed me when you had the chance," she hissed, her voice as brittle as the wind that whistled through the trees. I felt Atlas’s presence behind me, his wolf pacing just beneath his skin, ready to tear through anyone who threatened me. His golden eyes burned into Akira, but he stayed back—**letting me lead this fight.** I clenched my fists, my claws digging into my palms. "I spared you because I know what revenge does to a soul," I said, keeping my voice steady. Akira’s bitter smile twisted across her lips. "And what has mercy done for you, Luna? Made you weak?" Her words cut deep, slicing thro
Kaida’s POVThe sun was barely above the horizon when the whispers started again. The wolves of Shadowcrest watched Akira’s every step—**waiting for her to snap.** I felt their eyes following us as I led Akira toward the packhouse. Their doubt clung to the air like smoke, thick and suffocating. Atlas walked a few steps behind, his golden eyes never leaving Akira’s back. His wolf prowled just beneath the surface, barely contained. I couldn't blame him. I wasn’t sure if I trusted her either. The courtyard was crowded as wolves gathered to rebuild what the last battle had stolen from them. They paused as we passed, their whispered suspicions prickling at the edge of my hearing. “She should have killed her.” “Mercy will get us all killed.” “She’s protecting a traitor.” I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep walking. They didn’t understand. They saw mercy as **weakness.** But I saw something they couldn’t—**a chance to break the cycle.** Akira’s head remained
Kaida’s POVThe moon hung high over **Shadowcrest**, casting cold silver light through the cracks in the packhouse walls. The scouts' message echoed in my mind like a haunting whisper. **Gregor… traitor.** I stood at the war table, my fingers tracing the map spread beneath flickering candlelight. The northern ridge was marked in red—where the rogues had been spotted gathering. The betrayal cut deeper than any wound I had ever endured. Atlas paced behind me, his golden eyes **dark and unreadable.** His wolf was close—too close—but he kept his rage bottled beneath the surface. Axel leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his sharp blue gaze flicking between us. “We trusted him,” Axel said bitterly. “He fought with us. He bled for us.” I swallowed hard, the betrayal pressing heavy on my chest. “He’s bleeding for someone else now.” Atlas’s low growl rumbled through the room, shaking the air around us. His fists clenched at his sides, the veins in his arms pulsing beneath hi
Kaida’s POVThe crimson letters glared back at me from the parchment in my trembling hands. The words, carved in jagged strokes, echoed through my mind like a curse. *You spared one. But mercy always has a price.* The message smelled of blood—fresh, sharp, and deliberate. Whoever had sent it wanted me to know they were close. Behind me, Atlas’s breath fanned hot against my neck, his golden eyes fixed on the letter. His wolf’s growl rumbled low in his chest, vibrating through the tense silence of the room. “This is a threat,” he snarled, his voice dangerously low. I swallowed hard, folding the parchment slowly. My fingers trembled, but I forced them steady. “It’s a promise.” Atlas’s growl deepened, his wolf brushing dangerously close to the surface. “You should have killed her, Kaida.” His words sliced through me sharper than any blade, but I refused to flinch. “I know.” I stood at the center of the war room, the map of Shadowcrest spread across the table. The fli
Kaida’s POVThe first rogue lunged, its yellow eyes flashing in the dim light. The scent of damp earth and blood filled the clearing as Atlas’s wolf met the attack midair, a snarl ripping through the night. The battle erupted around us—claws slashing, teeth snapping. My heart pounded against my ribs, but I forced myself to stay **steady**. I had led them here. Now I had to **survive.** Akira was at my side, her breath ragged, eyes flicking through the shadows. I felt every wolf watching her—waiting for her to turn against us. But she didn’t. Not yet. “Hold the line!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos. Crescent Moon warriors moved as one, forming a protective ring around the packhouse. Every muscle in my body screamed to fight—to prove I could protect them. But I couldn’t lose sight of what this battle was really about. Gregor. I scanned the clearing, searching the shadows for his yellow eyes. My claws curled at my sides, aching for revenge. Atlas’s
Kaida’s POV** The crimson glow of dawn spilled over the treetops, casting long shadows through the dense forest. The chilling words from the letter still echoed in my mind. **She’s still watching.** Seren. Akira’s sister was out there, lurking beneath the cover of night. Waiting. Watching. A ghost clinging to the edges of our fragile peace. I clenched the parchment tighter in my hands, feeling the weight of the threat pressing against my chest. I knew what would come next. She wouldn’t stop until blood had been spilled—mine, Akira’s, or anyone who stood in her way. The packhouse stirred with life as the sun rose higher, warriors sharpening blades and reinforcing the outer walls. The air was heavy with anticipation. They sensed what was coming, even if no one dared speak it aloud. Atlas stood at the edge of the clearing, his golden eyes flicking toward the forest with every breath. His protective instincts surged through the bond between us—strong, unwavering. “She’s
Kada’s povI stepped out of my room late at night to grab some water, but what I saw in the living room made my heart sink. My father, the legendary warrior once known as the greatest Alpha in history, sat quietly, staring at a framed picture of my mother and her wolf. It was a gift he had made for her when she was still a teenager, and the way he gazed at it, lost in thought, made me realize how much he still missed her.My mother’s loss during the attack had changed him forever. He was never the same after that, and seeing him so broken made me feel helpless. I tiptoed behind him and wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders in a comforting embrace. “Hey, princess. What are you doing up this late?” he asked gently, reaching for my hand and kissing the back of it. He pulled me onto his lap like he used to when I was a little girl. “I just came down for some water. And you? Why are you sitting here all alone, Alpha Thor?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.He gave me a sad sm
Kaida’s POV** The crimson glow of dawn spilled over the treetops, casting long shadows through the dense forest. The chilling words from the letter still echoed in my mind. **She’s still watching.** Seren. Akira’s sister was out there, lurking beneath the cover of night. Waiting. Watching. A ghost clinging to the edges of our fragile peace. I clenched the parchment tighter in my hands, feeling the weight of the threat pressing against my chest. I knew what would come next. She wouldn’t stop until blood had been spilled—mine, Akira’s, or anyone who stood in her way. The packhouse stirred with life as the sun rose higher, warriors sharpening blades and reinforcing the outer walls. The air was heavy with anticipation. They sensed what was coming, even if no one dared speak it aloud. Atlas stood at the edge of the clearing, his golden eyes flicking toward the forest with every breath. His protective instincts surged through the bond between us—strong, unwavering. “She’s
Kaida’s POVThe first rogue lunged, its yellow eyes flashing in the dim light. The scent of damp earth and blood filled the clearing as Atlas’s wolf met the attack midair, a snarl ripping through the night. The battle erupted around us—claws slashing, teeth snapping. My heart pounded against my ribs, but I forced myself to stay **steady**. I had led them here. Now I had to **survive.** Akira was at my side, her breath ragged, eyes flicking through the shadows. I felt every wolf watching her—waiting for her to turn against us. But she didn’t. Not yet. “Hold the line!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos. Crescent Moon warriors moved as one, forming a protective ring around the packhouse. Every muscle in my body screamed to fight—to prove I could protect them. But I couldn’t lose sight of what this battle was really about. Gregor. I scanned the clearing, searching the shadows for his yellow eyes. My claws curled at my sides, aching for revenge. Atlas’s
Kaida’s POVThe crimson letters glared back at me from the parchment in my trembling hands. The words, carved in jagged strokes, echoed through my mind like a curse. *You spared one. But mercy always has a price.* The message smelled of blood—fresh, sharp, and deliberate. Whoever had sent it wanted me to know they were close. Behind me, Atlas’s breath fanned hot against my neck, his golden eyes fixed on the letter. His wolf’s growl rumbled low in his chest, vibrating through the tense silence of the room. “This is a threat,” he snarled, his voice dangerously low. I swallowed hard, folding the parchment slowly. My fingers trembled, but I forced them steady. “It’s a promise.” Atlas’s growl deepened, his wolf brushing dangerously close to the surface. “You should have killed her, Kaida.” His words sliced through me sharper than any blade, but I refused to flinch. “I know.” I stood at the center of the war room, the map of Shadowcrest spread across the table. The fli
Kaida’s POVThe moon hung high over **Shadowcrest**, casting cold silver light through the cracks in the packhouse walls. The scouts' message echoed in my mind like a haunting whisper. **Gregor… traitor.** I stood at the war table, my fingers tracing the map spread beneath flickering candlelight. The northern ridge was marked in red—where the rogues had been spotted gathering. The betrayal cut deeper than any wound I had ever endured. Atlas paced behind me, his golden eyes **dark and unreadable.** His wolf was close—too close—but he kept his rage bottled beneath the surface. Axel leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his sharp blue gaze flicking between us. “We trusted him,” Axel said bitterly. “He fought with us. He bled for us.” I swallowed hard, the betrayal pressing heavy on my chest. “He’s bleeding for someone else now.” Atlas’s low growl rumbled through the room, shaking the air around us. His fists clenched at his sides, the veins in his arms pulsing beneath hi
Kaida’s POVThe sun was barely above the horizon when the whispers started again. The wolves of Shadowcrest watched Akira’s every step—**waiting for her to snap.** I felt their eyes following us as I led Akira toward the packhouse. Their doubt clung to the air like smoke, thick and suffocating. Atlas walked a few steps behind, his golden eyes never leaving Akira’s back. His wolf prowled just beneath the surface, barely contained. I couldn't blame him. I wasn’t sure if I trusted her either. The courtyard was crowded as wolves gathered to rebuild what the last battle had stolen from them. They paused as we passed, their whispered suspicions prickling at the edge of my hearing. “She should have killed her.” “Mercy will get us all killed.” “She’s protecting a traitor.” I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep walking. They didn’t understand. They saw mercy as **weakness.** But I saw something they couldn’t—**a chance to break the cycle.** Akira’s head remained
Kaida’s POV** The moon hung heavy in the sky, casting silver streaks over the dense forest. Each breath I took tasted of cold earth and lingering tension. The message Akira had left behind weighed on my heart, and now I stood face-to-face with her beneath the canopy of stars. Her dark eyes flickered with hatred—sharp, dangerous, but beneath it all, **broken.** "You should have killed me when you had the chance," she hissed, her voice as brittle as the wind that whistled through the trees. I felt Atlas’s presence behind me, his wolf pacing just beneath his skin, ready to tear through anyone who threatened me. His golden eyes burned into Akira, but he stayed back—**letting me lead this fight.** I clenched my fists, my claws digging into my palms. "I spared you because I know what revenge does to a soul," I said, keeping my voice steady. Akira’s bitter smile twisted across her lips. "And what has mercy done for you, Luna? Made you weak?" Her words cut deep, slicing thro
Kaida’s POV The message burned in my hands—its jagged letters carved into the parchment like a scar that refused to fade. *You should have killed me when you had the chance.* Akira’s voice echoed in my head, a chilling reminder that mercy always came with a price. Atlas’s warm breath fanned against my neck as he read the message over my shoulder. His golden eyes darkened, his wolf stirring beneath the surface. “She’s taunting you,” he growled, his fingers brushing against mine to take the letter. I clenched my jaw, trying to steady the tremble in my hands. “She’s waiting.” Atlas’s muscles tensed behind me, his chest rising and falling with slow, controlled breaths. “Then let her wait,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. I wanted to believe him—to pretend that Akira’s words were nothing more than hollow threats. But I couldn’t. Not when I had seen the **hatred in her eyes.** Not when I had spared her life—**twice.** I paced the length of the council chambe
Kaida’s POVThe morning sun spilled over Shadowcrest, casting warm streaks of gold across the rebuilding village. The scent of pine and damp earth filled the air, mixing with the distant crackle of fires as warriors repaired the damaged walls. The world outside seemed to be stitching itself back together… But inside, I still felt like I was balancing on the edge of **something fragile.** Atlas’s arm rested around my waist, his golden eyes scanning the horizon as if he expected the shadows to rise again. He hadn’t let me out of his sight since we returned. Part of me wanted to push him away—prove that I could stand on my own. But another part—the part I hated admitting even to myself—**needed him close.** “You’re watching me again,” I murmured, breaking the silence. Atlas’s fingers tightened on my hip. “You almost died, Kaida.” I glanced up, meeting the storm brewing behind his gaze. “I’m still here.” His jaw clenched, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he leaned d
Kaida’s POV The sun cast long shadows across the courtyard as the news of the rogue camp settled over Shadowcrest like a dark cloud. The air felt **thicker**, every breath weighted with the knowledge that our **peace was temporary. Atlas’s fingers remained wrapped around mine, his grip firm as if he feared I might disappear if he let go. I had spared Akira. Now she was waiting—building something in the shadows. I wanted to believe that mercy had been the right choice. But mercy didn’t stop a blade from finding your heart. I stood beside Axel and Atlas in the war room, the map of our borders spread across the table. Small black markers dotted the northern ridge—**rogue sightings reported by scouts.** “She's gathering more wolves,” Axel murmured, his blue eyes sharp. “It’s only a matter of time before she attacks.” Atlas’s jaw clenched beside me, his golden eyes never leaving the map. “She’s testing us,” he said coldly. “Waiting to see if we’ll come for her… or let her