Atlas’s POVThe scent of blood was everywhere. It clung to the air, thick and suffocating, a cruel reminder of the battle we had fought. Of the war we had won.But none of it mattered.Not when Kaida lay in my arms, her breathing shallow, her skin growing colder with every passing second.I pressed my hand against the wound in her side, trying to stop the bleeding. My heart pounded, my wolf howling in my mind, demanding I do something—anything—to keep her here.“Stay with me, Kaida,” I pleaded, my voice raw. “You promised. You promised me.”She let out a weak chuckle, but it came out as more of a rasp. “I don’t… remember that.”I clenched my jaw, forcing down the panic clawing at my throat. “Then promise me now.”Her eyelids fluttered, her lips twitching in what might have been a smirk. “So demanding.”“Kaida.” My grip on her tightened. “I can’t lose you.”Her fingers brushed against my cheek, smearing her own blood against my skin. “You won’t,” she whispered.Then her body went limp.
Kaida’s POV For the first time in what felt like forever, there was peace. Crescent Moon was rebuilding, the scent of fresh timber replacing the lingering traces of war. Warriors trained, but there was no urgency—no desperation, no looming threat of attack. The land breathed again, and so did we. I stayed with my father and Axel in a house just outside the main packhouse. It was simple but warm, filled with quiet laughter and shared meals. We were happy—almost as if the war had never happened. Almost. But there were still moments when I woke in the middle of the night, my body tense, my instincts screaming at me to be ready to fight. Even in peace, I wasn’t sure I knew how to rest. And apparently, neither did Atlas. The first time he sneaked into my room after the war, I nearly stabbed him. Tonight, I knew better. I heard the quiet creak of my window, the soft sound of boots landing on the wooden floor. I kept my breathing steady, pretending to be asleep as he moved closer.
Kaida’s POV The words had echoed in my head all night, refusing to let me sleep. Who was he? How had he gathered warriors who had once belonged to my father’s pack? And—most importantly—why did they follow him instead of seeking my family out? The questions burned in my mind long after my father had dismissed us from his study. Atlas had walked me back to my room, his expression dark with thought. He hadn’t said much, but I could tell his mind was working just as hard as mine. But right now, I didn’t want to think about war. I didn’t want to think about the past or the battles still to come. I wanted this moment. And I wanted him. I leaned against the doorframe of my room, crossing my arms. “So. Are you sneaking in again tonight?” Atlas smirked, stepping closer, his golden eyes gleaming. “Would it ruin the fun if I just walked in through the door?” I tilted my head, pretending to think. “Maybe. But you’re still not supposed to be in here, according to my very over
Kaida’s POV The moment Alpha Rex stepped forward, time seemed to slow. He was identical to Atlas. Same golden eyes. Same sharp jawline. Same aura of dominance that made weaker wolves lower their heads in submission. But there was something different about him. Atlas radiated warmth, even in his most ruthless moments. He was a fire that burned fiercely, fiercely enough to protect, to love. Rex was cold. His expression was unreadable, his smirk calculated, his posture radiating nothing but control. And the way his warriors stood behind him—silent, unwavering, loyal—told me that this man was not just an Alpha. He was something far more dangerous. Atlas was the first to break the silence. "Brother?" His voice was sharp, disbelieving. "That’s not possible." Rex’s smirk widened. "And yet, here I stand." Atlas stiffened, his entire body radiating tension. "I was told you were dead." Rex tilted his head. "Clearly, you were misinformed." The air around us grew thick with unspoken
Atlas’s POV I had grieved him. For years, I had mourned my little brother, the boy I had imagined in my mind—a younger version of myself, stolen from our family, lost to the cruelty of the world. I had imagined his face. Had wondered what he would have looked like, how he would have smiled, how he would have loved. I had grieved him. And now, he stood before me. Not as a lost brother. But as my enemy. The ride back to Crescent Moon was silent. Kaida sat in beside me, her back straight, unwavering. Axel drove his jaw tight with frustration. Her father, thor, sat in the passenger seat, his expression dark with thought. No one spoke. And I couldn’t breathe. My mind was trapped in the past—flashes of childhood memories I hadn’t let myself think about in years. A father with sad eyes, telling me my brother was gone. A mother who never spoke his name. A home full of ghosts I never understood. Had they known? Had they lied? Or had Rex been taken from us, an
Seraphina’s POV For years, I had believed the boy was dead. And I had never grieved him. Because grief was for the weak. Because he had been the weaker of the two. Atlas was always meant to rule, always meant to carry the weight of the Crescent Moon Pack. The stronger heir. The one who had been raised and fit as an Alpha. But now… Now, the dead had risen. And he had returned as a king. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting flickering shadows along the wooden walls of my private chambers. I stood at the window, staring into the night, my grip tightening around the cane I barely needed. Rex. I never spoke his name. I had buried it the day they told me he was lost. And yet, he stood before us now, not as the helpless boy I had dismissed… But as a rival. A dangerous one. And the part that infuriated me most? He had learned. Learned to be ruthless. Learned to be cold. Learned to be everything I had tried to forge Atlas into. And now, he wanted our pack. A sha
Seraphina’s POV I had always known this day would come. No secret stays buried forever. Rex was supposed to disappear. That had been the plan. The necessary sacrifice. I had done what had to be done for Crescent Moon, for Atlas, for the future of this pack. Because I had seen it even then—the danger in Rex’s eyes, the defiance in his spirit. He was weak. A boy too soft for power yet too stubborn to break. So I had removed him. And now, he had returned. Not as a lost heir, but as a king. A king who could expose me. And I would rather burn the world to the ground than let that happen. I moved through the halls of Crescent Moon’s packhouse, my cane tapping against the polished wood floors. Warriors and Omegas bowed as I passed, their gazes lowered, their voices hushed. They feared me. As they should. I had ruled from the shadows long before Atlas became Alpha, and I would continue to do so long after this mess was cleaned up. I reached the war room, where a select few of
Atlas’s POV Rex had haunted my thoughts for days. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw **flashes of memories I had long buried.** The scent of pine as we ran through the Crescent Moon forest as pups. The way our father had smiled at us—**at both of us.** The warmth of a bond that had once existed, severed before it had the chance to grow. I had spent my whole life believing my brother was dead. I had mourned him. I had moved forward without him. But now… now he was out there. Alive. And I wanted—**no, needed**—to see him. I needed to understand. What had happened to him? Why had he been taken? And most of all—why did he look at me like I was **his enemy?** I couldn’t stop thinking about the way his golden eyes had **hardened** when he saw me. Not with the recognition of a lost brother. But with the **calculating coldness of a man who had long abandoned the idea of family.** And that… That hurt more than I wanted to admit. I st
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