Piper’s POV I had **imagined** what meeting my mate would be like. I thought it would be **soft. A slow, gradual understanding. A connection that bloomed with time, built on mutual respect. I never imagined being **dragged across the packhouse, locked in a room, and pinned against the wall by a furious Alpha with golden eyes burning into mine.** But here we were, caged in the arms of a dangerous alpha. Rex stood so **close**, his body caging me in, his presence **overwhelming**. He was **power and heat**, his golden gaze **blazing with possessiveness**. "You’re not leaving this room," he said, his voice **low, unyielding**. I stared at him, my heart **pounding against my ribs**. “You’re actually insane.” His attention was only on my lips and wonder if he heard what I said. His lips curled into something **dangerous**. “And you’re actually mine.” I sucked in a sharp breath, my hands **flat against his chest** to push him back. He didn’t move.,Not an inch
Kaida’s POV As the sky keeps getting darker it felt like **forever, things were peaceful. No wars. No betrayals. No bloodshed. Just **laughter, music, and the promise of a new beginning.** And at the center of it all? **Piper and Rex.** I never thought I’d say this, but… I was **happy for them.** Even though Rex was a possessive, arrogant, hot-headed Alpha who needed serious **social training**, I could tell he **genuinely wanted** to keep Piper by his side. And as much as Piper **pretended to fight it**, I had seen the way she looked at him when she thought no one was watching. As if, despite everything, **she was starting to want him too.** I stood behind Piper in my bedroom, carefully adjusting the fabric of her dress as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her expression was **unreadable**, her hands fidgeting slightly at her sides. "Okay, what’s that face for?" I asked, tilting my head. Piper sighed. "This just feels… weird." I arched a brow. "Weird how
Kaida’s POV Laughter still echoed through the air as the celebration continued, but my focus was elsewhere. The figure in the shadows had vanished, but the unease in my chest remained. I knew peace wouldn’t last forever. **It never did.** I glanced at Atlas, who was laughing at something Axel had said, his golden eyes alight with happiness. I wanted him to have this. I wanted all of us to have this. But something was coming. And I could feel it like a storm on the horizon. As the party stretched into the late hours of the night, I decided to step away from the crowd, letting the cool night air clear my mind. The packhouse loomed in the distance, lanterns flickering against the walls. And then, just as I reached the gardens— A voice whispered from the darkness. “He’s watching." I froze, my heart slamming against my ribs. Slowly, I turned, my wolf threatening to come out when she sensed danger. "Who’s there?" I demanded, my wolf stirring uneasi
Rex’s POV The scent of burning wood and blood filled my lungs as the courtyard erupted into chaos. The welcome party had transformed into a battlefield within minutes, and I knew immediately this wasn’t random. This was coordinated. Planned. My claws sank into the throat of the rogue in front of me, the crunch of bone sharp beneath my grip. I threw the lifeless body aside, my golden eyes scanning the battlefield. Where was Piper? The moment the attack started, my wolf had gone insane, demanding we find her. And when I finally spotted her, A snarl tore through my throat. She was surrounded. Three rogues circled her, their growls **low and taunting. Piper’s emerald dress was torn, the fabric stained with blood some of it hers, most of it theirs.** She stood her ground, her breath heavy but steady. And in one swift movement, she sidestepped, dodging the attack before **plunging her claws into his chest. He dropped like a stone. The other two hesitated.
Atlas’s POV Silas’s claws **clashed** against mine. He was **faster and stronger than I thought . And worst of all—he was **playing with me.** I could see it in his **silver eyes**, the cruel amusement beneath every dodge, every **calculated strike**. He wasn’t fighting to kill. Not yet. He was **testing me. And that terrified me more than anything. I dodged a sharp swipe aimed at my throat, twisting and landing a solid punch to his ribs. Silas barely **flinched.** Instead, he grinned. “Come on, Atlas. You were raised to be better than this.” I **growled**, shifting into my wolf form, my golden fur **bristling** under the moonlight. Silas followed instantly, his **massive** form shifting—his silver fur **darker**, almost *shadowed.* Then, before I could react— He **lunged.** His fangs **clamped down on my shoulder, pain **exploding** through me as I hit the ground hard. Damn it—**he was faster than me. I roared, kicking him off, blood **dripping** from
Atlas’s POV The sun rose over Crescent Moon, its golden light bathing the bloodstained battlefield** in an eerie glow. For the first time in weeks, the air was silent. No growls. No screams. No sounds of war. Just… silence. And yet, my body remained tense. Because this wasn’t over. Not yet. I stood on the balcony of the packhouse, overlooking the aftermath. **Scattered bodies** of fallen rogues lay across the courtyard, some already being removed by our warriors. The scent of smoke and blood still clung to the wind. Crescent Moon had survived. But at what cost? A part of me should have felt victorious. We had fought. We had won. Silas had been forced to retreat. And yet, as I watched the warriors move through the rubble, tending to the wounded, I didn’t feel victorious. I felt… exhausted. Drained in a way that had **nothing to do with battle wounds. Because Silas was still out there. And deep down, I knew he would return. A warm **hand touched my shoulder**,
Piper’s POV The night air was thick with celebration. Laughter, music, the scent of roasted meats and sweet honeyed drinks filled the courtyard. And yet, I could barely focus on any of it. Not when Rex was looking at me like that. Like he wanted to devour me whole. I swallowed hard, my body still buzzing from our earlier kiss. I had kissed him. And now, I wasn’t sure if I had made a **huge mistake or if I was already too far gone to turn back. Because the moment his golden eyes locked onto mine, I knew— I was in trouble. I tried to step away from the crowd, to put some distance between us, but Rex was already there. Blocking my path and Towering over me. His heat pressed against my skin, his scent wrapping around me like a wildfire. "Piper," he murmured, his voice rough and thick. I clenched my jaw, trying to ignore the way my stomach tightened. "I need air," I muttered. He smirked. "Then let me join you." "It’s not necessary—" But he was
Piper’s POV My hands **trembled** as I pressed them against my still-healing mark. The mark **he had given me.** The heat of it still **lingered**, the bond humming beneath my skin, tying me to him in a way that **terrified me.** I walked aimlessly through the empty hallways of the packhouse, my breath still **uneven**, my body still **burning.** I had let Rex mark me. I could have stopped him, could have **pushed him away.** But I hadn’t. And that scared me more than anything. Because **now there was no turning back.** I was his. And no matter how much I wanted to **fight it**— Some part of me knew I **belonged to him.** I barely noticed when I reached my bedroom, my fingers shaking as I **closed the door behind me.** My reflection stared back at me from the mirror— Disheveled hair, flushed skin, and **the fresh mark on my shoulder.** Proof that Rex had claimed me. I touched it **lightly**, sucking in a sharp breath as a shiver **rippled through me.**
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