What a lying bastard! Alpha Theron trusted him so much, but then it’s only right for Beta Alek to worry about the future. What do you think? Can Andros be trusted with the book?
Andros’s POVI stood in front of my father with my head lowered and my fists clenched tightly to my side as I waited for what his reaction was going to be. I had just finished giving my presentation and showing him everything. Now, he is meticulously going through the data I have printed for him to see. The seconds ticked by, the silence in the room deafening, and I could feel the tension building, coiling tighter with every passing moment. I flinched, my heart pounding in my chest, when he suddenly slammed the papers down onto the desk. The documents scattered, and I swallowed hard, bracing myself for the onslaught of criticism I knew was coming. “Two percent?” My father’s voice thundered, the anger and disappointment lacing his words. “You are already proud of that after all the resources poured into this venture, this is the best that you can do?” I opened my mouth, desperate to explain, to plead my case, but the words got caught in my throat as his piercing gaze silenced m
Andros’s POVMy father’s gaze sharpened when he looked at me after I asked so many questions. “You don’t have to worry about those things. I already have everything all planned out,” he answered me, making me fall silent. “Everyone is already working together to prepare for the event. Since we are going to introduce Astrid as a part of the family, everything needs to be grand and special,” my father spoke excitedly. His eyes were glinting with excitement; he had already made up his mind about this. I clenched my jaw as I tried to remain expressionless when I heard my father’s words. I don’t want him to know that I don’t like this decision he made.It was so sudden. What made him change his mind? The plan was to let Astrid leave once Beta Alek was back, just as Astrid wanted. Why is he keeping Astrid with us instead?My heart sank when my thoughts made an unexpected turn. What if my father also changes his mind in the future? What if he suddenly chooses Astrid as the future Luna of
Astrid’s POVI stared into the mirror, feeling exhausted and sleepy, yet the makeup perfectly covered the weariness etched into my face. The bags under my eyes caused by the stress of being an acting Beta was gone, covered by whatever cosmetic they used on me. It’s like they worked magic on me. I looked fresh and beautiful, like I wasn’t from a long day of duty. I smoothed my hands over the soft, velvety fabric of my dress, which was sent to me by Alpha Theron just yesterday. He told me to wear this dress for today’s special banquet. I wanted to deny the invitation, and I think he knew that which is why he sent me this dress along with the invitation, so it would be hard for me to say no. The dress looked so good on me, though. The deep burgundy hue accentuated my graceful figure. It’s evident that it was custom-tailored just for me. I have no idea what the banquet is for. I heard nobody is invited, just Alpha Theron and then my half-siblings. The banquet is solely for the famil
Astrid’s POVI was just silently eating when Andros suddenly broke the silence. “You know, Astrid,” Andros spoke, catching my attention. “Father has been telling me a lot about you recently. He couldn’t stop giving you praises for the job you have done as the Pack’s acting Beta,” he tells me casually, with his voice tinged with a hint of pride. I felt a surge of surprise when his words washed over me. I wasn’t expecting my brother to talk to me and even compliment me. Andros had always been out of Pack. He only comes back once a year and leaves as soon as he arrives. The first time that we met, we did not leave a good impression on each other either. I didn’t expect that he would mention something like this in front of everyone. I thought he also felt the same way as his sister towards me. I thought he also hated me, but I was surprised that he initiated to talk to me. Alpha Theron suddenly laughed in glee and pride when he heard his son’s words. “That’s true,” he confirmed as h
Astrid’s POVAlpha Theron slammed his fist on the table in anger after Asha raised her heavy accusation against her father. My muscles turned tense, and I lowered my head as the tension hung thick in the air. The anger radiating off from Alpha Theron felt heavy and suffocating as it filled the entire room. “Asha, know your place,” Alpha Theron muttered coldly, his voice laced with threat. Still, Asha did not back down. Her sharp gaze didn’t leave her father as she pinned him down. “Asha, let’s calm down,” Andros discreetly whispered to his sister before things could escalate even further. He reached for his sister’s hand to pull her down. However, Asha shook his hand away and glared at him. “Brother, are you just going to sit here in silence as that woman takes everything away from us?!” Asha spoke to her brother, hoping that he would take her side. “Asha, Astrid is our sister. We might not come from the same mother, but she is still a part of this family and she shares the sam
Astrid’s POVOur eyes turned to Andros when he suddenly stood up. “Don’t worry about her, father. You know how stubborn Asha could be, after a while I’m sure she would realize her mistakes once she had calmed down,” Andros spoke up to appease his father’s anger. Alpha Theron sighed. “That girl, she always let her emotions control her. As my daughter, she should always be capable of handling her emotions well.”“Astrid, I want to apologize for Asha’s behavior. Asha is not usually like this, she was just surprised with the sudden changes,” Andros bowed his head to me to extend his apologies. “It’s okay, there’s no need to apologize,” I spoke hastily as I felt uncomfortable and undeserving of receiving a bow of respect from him. Andros gave me a warm smile, grateful that I accepted his apology on behalf of his sister.“Father, please excuse me. I’ll go after Asha and try to talk to her,” Andros said, turning to his father for his permission. “Okay, you should go. You know your siste
Asha’s POVMy chest heaved as I entered the confines of my bedroom, my lips drawn back in a feral snarl. I couldn’t believe that my wise and powerful father would be tricked by that woman. Even my brother was manipulated by her. How could they not see that woman has evil plans going on in her mind?She lied about everything. She acted like she did not want to have anything to do with us, but the moment she was presented with an opportunity to become a formal part of this family, she did not even hesitate to say yes. How could my father fail to see through that woman? Even if she was his daughter, we cannot just allow her to trick us into getting what she wants. She had only been staying in our Pack for two months, but she had already managed to convince my father to make her our Pack’s acting Beta.Now, she had finally convinced everyone to officially welcome her into the family. Astrid is clearly trying to make her way to the top. If this continues, she might even steal the Alpha
Andros’s POVI held back a smirk after Asha finished her words. I’m glad that Asha understood the situation and saw how these things are unfair to us. I no longer have to say anything to open her eyes. As her older brother and only sibling, I know Asha more than she knows herself. Asha rarely dislikes someone, but if she does, she won’t change her heart easily. Asha is willful and stubborn, not to mention that she’s also very competitive as well. When Asha confessed that she didn’t like Astrid, I knew Astrid would never stand a chance in winning Asha’s heart like the way she did to my father. Asha is straightforward, but she can also be petty at times. I could only wonder what kinds of troubles Asha had thrown upon Astrid in the three years that she’d been staying here. Knowing my sister, she’s not afraid of anything. If she’s angry, she’s angry. She never fakes anything. “Asha,” my brows bent downwards as I uttered her name. I softly reached out to her and gently squeezed her a
Killian’s POVThe camp was alive with activity, warriors moving like clockwork as weapons were sharpened, armor adjusted, and strategies refined. The tension in the air was suffocating, pressing down on all of us like an invisible weight. The final confrontation was drawing near, and every wolf here knew it.Astrid approached, her steps light but purposeful, her face shadowed with exhaustion. “Drystan and Nova haven’t sent word yet,” she said softly, her eyes searching mine.“They will,” I replied, forcing certainty into my voice. “They know what’s at stake.”But deep down, doubt gnawed at me. The alliances we had built, the fragile unity between the Packs—it all felt like it was hanging by a thread, ready to snap at the slightest provocation.Astrid’s gaze shifted to Andros, who stood near the edge of the camp, guarded by two warriors. He leaned casually against a tree, his sharp eyes scanning the camp with calculated precision.“I still don’t trust him,” Astrid muttered, her voic
Killian’s POVThe camp was a flurry of activity, every wolf preparing for what could be our last stand. Weapons were sharpened, armor repaired, and scouts came and went with grim updates on the Rogue King’s movements.I stood near the center, watching the warriors train in the clearing. Their strikes were fast, their stances solid, but the tension in the air was unmistakable. Everyone knew what was coming, and the weight of it was crushing.Astrid approached, her expression as resolute as ever, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of exhaustion. “Drystan and Nova haven’t sent word yet,” she said quietly.“They will,” I replied, my voice firm. “They know what’s at stake.”Astrid’s gaze flicked toward the edge of the camp, where Andros was being guarded by two warriors. He sat on a fallen log, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, scanning the camp as if calculating his next move.“I don’t trust him,” Astrid said, her voice low.“Neither do I,” I admitted. “But right now, he’s a nec
Drystan’s POVThe council chamber at the Silvermoon camp was more crowded than usual, but the air was heavy with unease. After everything we had learned from Rowena and Andros, tensions ran higher than ever. Wolves from allied Packs whispered among themselves, their voices sharp with mistrust.Killian stood at the head of the chamber, his presence commanding as always, but even he couldn’t mask the strain on his face. Astrid sat to his right, her eyes dark with fatigue. Nova was beside me, her hand resting on her thigh, her tension palpable.Andros and Rowena sat on the far side of the room, their backs straight despite the weight of every glare in the room directed at them. Andros leaned casually against the wall, but Rowena remained composed, her sharp eyes sweeping over the gathered wolves with quiet authority.“We’ve heard what they’ve told us,” one of the elders said, his voice echoing through the room. “But how can we trust anything that comes from the mouths of traitors?”M
Chapter 35: The Rogue King’s True IntentionsAstrid’s POVThe fire crackled softly in the middle of our camp, its flickering light casting long shadows across the weary faces gathered around it. Rowena sat apart from the others, her posture poised despite the shackles around her wrists. Her silver hair, neat and immaculate, caught the firelight, and her eyes—sharp, calculating—watched us with the kind of patience that only came with age and experience.Killian stood to her right, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He hadn’t said much since we brought her back, but the tension in his shoulders spoke volumes. His mother, the woman who had caused so much pain, was now our reluctant informant.Drystan paced nearby, his claws flexing as he glared at Rowena. Nova sat stiffly beside me, her hand gripping her knee as if to keep her emotions in check. Andros leaned against a tree on the far side of the clearing, his presence like a dark shadow, a reminder of the betrayal that had fra
Astrid’s POVThe forest around us was suffocating, its silence oppressive. Every step deeper into rogue territory felt like a journey into a nightmare. My wolf was on edge, her instincts screaming that danger lurked just beyond the trees.Drystan led our group, his movements precise and calculated as he tracked Rowena’s faint scent. Nova kept pace beside him, her body still healing but her determination unyielding. I trailed close behind, my gaze darting between the shadows, each step weighted by the tension of what we might find.“She’s leading us somewhere,” Drystan muttered, his voice tight with frustration. “But whether it’s to the Rogue King or a trap, I can’t tell.”“She won’t outsmart us again,” Nova replied, her tone sharp with anger.I wished I shared her confidence, but something about this chase didn’t sit right. Rowena wasn’t careless, and she wasn’t predictable. Whatever she was planning, it wouldn’t be simple.The scent trail brought us to a clearing veiled in mist.
Nova’s POVThe journey to Shadowfang territory was slow and tense. Every rustle of leaves, every distant howl, put us on edge. The warriors moved in near silence, their weapons ready, their gazes sharp. The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows across the forest.Drystan stayed close to me, his presence steady, though I could sense the storm raging beneath his calm exterior. Neither of us spoke much. The weight of what we might find—and what it could mean for Liora’s sacrifice—hung heavily between us.Astrid and Killian led the group, their eyes scanning the path ahead. The Rogue King’s forces had fortified Shadowfang, and the closer we got, the more we felt his presence.We reached the outskirts of Shadowfang territory just before dawn. The air was thick with the scent of rogues and something darker—something I couldn’t quite place.“We’ll rest here,” Killian said, his voice low but firm. “Drystan, take a small group and scout ahead. Report back with anyt
Astrid’s POVThe Emberwood ruins were quiet, but the air felt heavy. The scars of the siege remained—bloodstains on the stone, shattered barriers, and weary warriors moving through the wreckage. The Rogue King’s retreat had left a bitter aftertaste, not a victory. We all knew it wasn’t over.Scouts arrived at dawn, their reports grim. The Rogue King was rallying in Shadowfang territory, an area long abandoned after his rise to power. Worse, his forces weren’t just rogues anymore. Several smaller Packs had joined him, their banners seen flying alongside his.“He’s not just uniting rogues,” Killian said as we gathered in the council chamber. “He’s turning wolves against their own Packs.”The room erupted into murmurs of disbelief and anger.“What kind of Alpha betrays their kind for a rogue?” one elder growled.“A desperate one,” Nova said, her voice sharp but steady. She leaned against the table, her injuries still evident. “The Rogue King’s offering them something we can’t: freedom
Killian’s POVThe Emberwood ruins were silent, but it was a deceptive kind of peace. The air was thick with the stench of blood and ash, and every shadow seemed to whisper of danger. Warriors moved through the wreckage with weary purpose, tending to the wounded or reinforcing what defenses we had left.Nova rested in one of the makeshift infirmary tents, her pale face a stark reminder of how close we’d come to losing everything. Drystan was at her side, his usual stoicism replaced by a quiet but fierce protectiveness.Astrid was near the council chamber, her presence a steadying force as warriors gathered to plan our next steps. The weight of the siege hung heavily on us all, but the real burden sat in the back of my mind: the Amulet.We reconvened in the council chamber later that evening. The warriors who could stand attended, their faces etched with exhaustion. The Amulet, I thought, would be the center of this conversation—our next move, our strategy. But when I stepped into
Astrid’s POVThe Emberwood ruins were eerily silent as the last rays of sunlight bled into the horizon. The warriors moved like shadows among the crumbling walls, setting traps and reinforcing defenses. Every sound seemed amplified—the crunch of boots on gravel, the rustle of leaves in the wind, the faint metallic clink of weapons being prepared.Killian stood at the edge of the ruins, his gaze fixed on the darkening forest. His shoulders were tense, his posture rigid, but his voice was steady as he issued commands.“They’ll hit us hard and fast,” he said, his tone calm but carrying the weight of authority. “Hold the line. Protect the Amulet. Do not let them break through.”I nodded, standing by his side. “The rogues won’t stop until they have it. But we won’t let them win.”He glanced at me, his jaw tight. “No matter what happens, Astrid, promise me you’ll make it out of this.”I reached for his hand, squeezing it briefly. “We both will.”The first howl cut through the stillness l