Kaida’s POV My thoughts raced, each step fueled by confusion. The rogue’s cryptic words, the letter’s warning, and Miguel’s increasing interest in me had all led to this moment. My father knew something. He had to. When I opened the door, I found him sitting at the small table, a cup of tea in his hand and a distant look in his eyes. Axel was absent, likely off on patrol, leaving just the two of us. He glanced up as I entered, his expression shifting from calm to concerned as he saw my face. “Kaida?” he asked, setting the cup down. “What’s wrong?” I closed the door behind me and took a deep breath, gripping the letter tightly. “We need to talk, Dad.” His brow furrowed, but he nodded. “Of course. What is it?” I dropped the letter onto the table in front of him. “Someone sent this to me. It says I’m not safe, and that Miguel knows more about my family than I do.” My father’s face paled as he read the note, his fingers tightening around the paper. “Dad,” I said, my voi
Kaida’s POV It was a beautiful morning the sounds of the forest as we moved deeper into the woods. My father led the way, his steps deliberate but silent. Axel followed close behind, his sharp eyes scanning our surroundings. I trailed them both, my senses heightened, every sound and shadow setting me on edge.“Keep your voice low and your movements quieter,” my father whispered over his shoulder. “We’re far enough from the pack grounds, but we can’t take any chances.”I nodded, adjusting my pace to match his, If Miguel ever found out what we were doing, there would be no forgiveness.Finally, we reached the clearing. It was secluded, surrounded by thick trees and overgrown brush. The perfect place to hide what we were about to do.“This will do,” my father said, surveying the area.Axel dropped the small pack he’d been carrying, pulling out canteens. “It’s quiet,” he muttered, glancing around. “But we’ll need to set up a perimeter. I don’t trust the quiet.”“I’ll handle it,” he said,
Akira’s POV Flashback The cool night hit my skin as I moved swiftly through the dense forest separating the Crescent Moon pack from Miguel’s territory. Every snap of a twig and rustle of leaves sent my heart racing, but the thrill of what I was about to do kept me going. I had waited long enough for Atlas to make me his Luna but Kaida’s rising influence in Crescent Moon was intolerable, her mere presence a constant reminder of my failures. Atlas had cast me aside for her and humiliated me, but I wouldn't let them win, and Miguel was the key. I slipped past the border guards with ease, my knowledge of Miguel’s patrol routes making the task almost too simple. His packhouse loomed ahead, its grand structure casting long shadows under the moonlight. Miguel was waiting for me in his office, leaning casually against his desk as if he had known I was coming. His dark eyes gleamed when I entered, and a slow smile spread across his face. “Akira,” he said, his voice smooth as silk
Akira’s POV The Crescent Moon pack archives were a place of forgotten whispers, their darkened shelves housing relics and secrets that most wolves never dared to touch. I wasn’t like most wolves. The flickering candle in my hand barely illuminated the rows of ancient tomes and artifacts as I prowled through the room. I had been here before, many times, hunting for scraps of knowledge that might give me an edge over Kaida. But tonight was different. I was looking for a secret I was told about Atlas's lineage. Something had drawn me here—a dream, a feeling, a pull I couldn’t explain. It was as though an invisible thread was guiding me deeper into the heart of the archives. The air grew colder the farther I ventured, the faint scent of dust and decay filling my nostrils. My candle flickered as if resisting the darkness that pressed in around me. At the end of a narrow aisle, I found a small, locked cabinet coated in a layer of dust so thick it looked untouched for decades. I cro
Kaida’s POV The morning air was crisp as I made my way toward the training grounds in Blood Moon pack, the sounds of sparring wolves echoing across the packhouse courtyard. Despite the growing tension over the past few weeks, today carried an unusual calmness. Wolves greeted one another, laughter spilled from the warriors as they trained, and the weight of the pack’s troubles seemed temporarily forgotten. It was a rare reprieve. Blood Moon pack wasn’t known for its camaraderie. Miguel’s strict rule fostered more fear than loyalty, but as a newcomer, I’d been fighting to prove myself since day one. As I approached, a group of warriors turned toward me, their expressions shifting from indifference to something warmer. “Morning, Kaida!” one called out, his grin wide. “Morning,” I replied, caught off guard by the sudden friendliness. “Careful, little sister,” Axel teased, falling into step beside me. “They’re starting to like you. You might actually be popular soon.” I rol
Kaida’s POV The day after the rogue attack, the Blood Moon pack buzzed with activity. Patrols doubled, warriors sharpened their blades, and Miguel called for increased training to prepare for whatever was coming. While the pack seemed determined, I couldn’t shake the unease settling in my chest. Akira’s name lingered in my thoughts, her possible connection to the rogues gnawing at the edges of my mind. She lived in Crescent Moon pack, far from here—so how could she be involved? “Kaida,” Axel’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He stood by the training grounds, his expression serious. “Miguel wants to see us.” “Us?” I asked, surprised. Axel nodded. “Whatever this is, it’s big.” I followed him toward the packhouse, my nerves tightening with each step. Miguel’s Warning Miguel stood at the head of the war room, a large map of the territory spread across the table before him. His lieutenants flanked him, their faces grim. “Kaida, Axel,” Miguel greeted as we entered, his
Kaida’s POV Sleep eluded me as the rogue’s words echoed in my mind: “Ask Akira.” It wasn’t possible—or at least, it shouldn’t have been. She lived in Crescent Moon pack, far from here. What kind of connection could she have to the rogues attacking Blood Moon pack? The question gnawed at me as the first light of dawn broke over the treetops. By the time Axel knocked on my door, I was already dressed and ready for whatever the day might bring. “We need to talk,” he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. His sharp gaze swept over me, his expression more serious than usual. “What is it?” I asked. “I couldn’t sleep last night,” he admitted, sitting on the edge of my bed. “That rogue… You know something, don’t you?” I hesitated, the weight of the truth pressing down on me. Axel was my brother, my confidant, but the name I had heard carried too many implications. “He mentioned Akira,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. Axel’s eyes widened. “A
Kaida’s POV The tension in the room was palpable as I paced back and forth, my boots echoing on the wooden floor of the guesthouse. Axel sat on the edge of a worn armchair, his jaw clenched and arms crossed. Our father, Alpha Thor, leaned against the windowsill, his face shadowed with worry. “You’ve always said that Blood Moon pack wasn’t home,” I began, turning to face him. “That it was only temporary. Well, it’s time to take back what’s ours.” My father’s expression hardened, the weight of old memories settling in his gaze. “Kaida, you don’t understand. That battle wasn’t just about power. It was personal. I lost friends, family—everything. I won’t lose the two of you too.” Axel stood, his fists tightening at his sides. “And what are we supposed to do, Dad? Sit here forever and pretend like we’re happy while someone else rules what’s rightfully ours?” Our father sighed heavily, running a hand through his graying hair. “I don’t expect you to understand, but I’ve made my peace w
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