Astrid’s POVI sat in front of the vanity table as my attendants carefully did my makeup. I watched as their skillful hands placed paint all over my face, enhancing my features. I stared awkwardly at the mirror, not used to having someone touching my face and doing my makeup for me. When I was a Luna, I never had any attendants. I used to do all the work by myself, including some jobs that were supposed to be for Killian. Although I was called Luna, I never felt like one. It always felt like I was just Killian’s personal secretary. I felt nothing more than just a subordinate in the Silvermoon Pack. This is the first time I had someone serving me. As a person who used to serve, this felt very unusual. “There, Miss! You look so beautiful, do you like it?” The makeup artist had a huge and proud smile on her face as she stood behind me and looked at me through the mirror. My mouth fell wide open when I saw myself in the mirror. I fell speechless. I was literally staring at the impro
Astrid’s POVTrepidation crept up my spine as I silently followed the sewing manager, who called us out because there was something he wanted to show us. I fell one step behind him, not trusting him fully. Glancing sidelong, I motioned for my most trusted attendant to fall in beside me. I decided to bring her along with me, just in case something happened. Today is my introduction ceremony, and I couldn’t be too sure of my safety. Something bad had already happened with the dress. I couldn’t expect that things would go on smoothly. This could be a trap to lure me out. With my trusted attendant by my side, I will be reassured in case any unforeseen challenges arise. I know not everyone has already accepted me as Alpha Theron’s daughter, and Asha is one of them. Knowing what Asha is like, I’m sure she would try all that she could to stop the ceremony from happening smoothly. Even though I still had no idea about what happened to the dress, I’m already sure that she is the person
Drystan’s POVThe grand hall of the Shadowfang Pack buzzed with anticipation as all the guests from different Packs gathered together. Their murmurs echoed off the marble walls as the others used their extra time to meet the different leaders from other Packs and hopefully gain new connections and alliances. While everyone was enjoying this festivity, I was tainted by deep, overwhelming sorrow, knowing what this ceremony meant between Astrid and me. Last night, I failed to change her mind. Things are much worse now that I know what Astrid’s plan for revenge is. I stood in the shadows, waiting patiently for the ceremony to end. I stood at the corner of the room, away from everyone’s eyes, to avoid their attention. I’m in no mood to interact with anybody. I just silently scanned the whole crowd, seeing if there were any guests here that I could recognize. Ever since I disrespected all the Alphas and declined alliances from all of them, I have been labeled as an arrogant man just b
Giselle’s POVI clenched my fists as my face turned red in anger. I couldn’t believe that until now, Drystan would still defend Astrid even after she chose to stay in the Shadowfang Pack rather than be with him.Astrid is just a gold-digger, a social climber. I thought after three years, Drystan had already realized that. I couldn’t believe that he would defend Astrid until now as if she hadn’t betrayed her by choosing to stay in the Shadowfang Pack rather than be with him. After everything that Drystan had done for her, in the end, Astrid chose to stay in the Shadowfang Pack, forgetting all the help that she received from Drystan. That’s who Astrid is. Just to have a taste of more status and power, she will abandon everything that she has. I thought Drystan and I were going to be on the same page about her. I didn’t expect that Drystan would defend Astrid until now. I couldn’t believe that the smart Alpha of the Nightsong Pack would still be bewitched by Astrid’s charms even aft
Giselle’s POVI couldn’t help but openly stare at Alpha Theron and his son and daughter, just like everybody else. Alpha Theron doesn’t look like what I expected him to be. I heard he has two grown-up children, so I was expecting a silver-haired man whose skin had sagged of old age. However, the person I saw is not a man grown old by age, but only a man who grew old with wisdom. His grey streaks of hair did not add to his age but instead added to his handsome features. I could see why Astrid could have fallen for him. Even at his age, he still had the looks that could attract young women to him. My jaw clenched when I realized that Alpha Theron didn’t look like I expected. It would have been better if this Alpha looked more like his age. With that, it would have been easy to make people think that Astrid was just dating him for his status and money.Also, if only I had known that the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack would look this young and handsome, I would have rather gone to the
Giselle’s POVThe grand hall fell into silence when the massive wooden doors swung open, revealing a vision in crimson. A woman glided into the room, the scarlet silk of her gown cascading around her like molten fire. Every head turned in rapt attention, the guests utterly transfixed by her captivating presence. The woman whom I still haven’t recognized moved with a regal, almost otherworldly gaze, her every step fluid and purposeful. The guests in the hall stood up transfixed; they had already forgotten about the Alpha lineage of the Shadowfang Pack. Their attention is now focused on the woman who has just arrived. There was an undeniable aura of power that seemed to emanate from this woman, commanding the attention of all who laid eyes upon her as she carried herself with poise and confidence as if she had descended from the heavens above to grace us mortals surrounding her.Who is this person? How come I haven’t met her before? I, who had no interest in this ceremony whatsoev
Giselle’s POVBefore anyone could ask their questions, Alpha Theron had already made a move to answer them. “Honored guests,” he began, his deep baritone voice carrying a weight of authority. “I understand the confusion and speculation that has arisen regarding my relationship with Astrid. Allow me to set the records straight.”Alpha Theron paused, his eyes briefly meeting Astrid’s before he continued. “Many years ago, before I became the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack. I was engaged in an affair with a young omega.”Gasps filled the room when Alpha Theron gave his confession, and whispers started to grow among the guests. After all, a forbidden relationship between an Alpha and a lowly Omega is unheard of. It’s even more surprising, especially coming from the Alpha of the most developed Pack. “Astrid and I were able to establish her true lineage three years ago after a series of tests. To my great surprise and joy, I discovered that she was indeed my long-lost daughter. A collectiv
Andros’s POVThe crowd inside the grand hall gradually dispersed after the ceremony ended. The bustling energy of the ceremony now echoed with the receding footsteps of the departing guests. Amidst the slowly emptying space, only we stayed behind. As the hosts of the event, of course, we had to be the last to leave the place. I glanced at my father, who had a joyous smile on his face as he talked to his estranged daughter, Astrid. I clenched my jaw, and my eyes turned cold when my eyes landed on Astrid’s crimson-red gown. I had been bracing myself all morning, anticipating the inevitable complaint about Astrid’s dress. I thought my father would have been informed about it already. But as the hours ticked by, the expected summons never came, leaving me puzzled and unsettled. I was confident that Asha did something to Astrid’s dress to stop this ceremony. My sister is like an open book, very easy to read. I swear you could read her thoughts just by looking at her face. Seeing how
Astrid’s POVThe morning sun spilled over the horizon, bathing the Silvermoon Pack in golden light.It felt like a dream.Like I had woken up from a nightmare and stepped into something softer, something real.The wind was cool, crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth, untouched by war, by fear. Peaceful.Something I never thought I’d feel again.But here I was.And my children—my heart, my soul—were safe.I looked down at Elara, her tiny fingers curled around mine as we sat on the balcony of the Packhouse. She was staring out at the trees, her expression calm but distant."Are you cold?" I asked softly, brushing her hair behind her ear.She shook her head. "No."She was quiet these days.Healing.Like all of us.I glanced over my shoulder, where Ryker sat cross-legged on the floor, watching Killian with furrowed brows."You're doing it wrong," Ryker grumbled as Killian attempted to braid his sister’s hair.Killian gave him a mock glare. "Excuse me? I was an Alpha before you were
Killian’s POVThe night smelled like blood and fire.I couldn’t stop moving.Every rogue in my path fell before they even had a chance to react. I didn’t feel them fall. Didn’t care.Because she was here.Astrid.And I would burn this entire place to the ground to get her and Elara back."Killian! We need to push back toward the main entrance!" Ryder shouted over the chaos."Then do it," I snarled, my claws slashing through another rogue’s throat. "I'm getting Astrid."The camp was collapsing around us, rogues scattering in terror. But I didn’t care about them.I cared about one thing.I slammed through the wooden doors, my wolf roaring inside of me, scenting her immediately.Astrid’s POVThe walls shook.The sounds of battle grew louder, closer.I knew what that meant.Killian was here.I forced myself to remain still, though my wrists ached from where they had been tied.The rogues had been restless since nightfall. They hadn’t expected an attack so soon. Hadn’t expected Killian to
Killian’s POVThe night air was thick with tension as we stood outside the war tent, the flickering lanterns casting long shadows over the gathered warriors. We had our plan.It wasn’t enough.Not for me.Not for the rage clawing at my chest, the desperation gripping my every thought.Astrid was out there. Alone. Surrounded. And every second we waited was another second she was at that bastard’s mercy.I paced the length of the clearing, my hands clenched into fists, my wolf snarling just beneath the surface. Patience was never my strength. And right now, I had none."Killian."Ryder’s voice was firm, grounding.I stopped, exhaling sharply, forcing my breathing to even out."We’re ready," Ryder continued, stepping beside me. "The scouts confirmed Astrid’s trail—it leads straight into the rogue king’s stronghold. But we still don’t know exactly where they’re keeping her and Elara."I turned to him, my golden eyes burning. "Then we force them to tell us."Ryder nodded, but his gaze flic
Killian’s POVThe room was suffocating.The walls pressed in around me, and my wolf howled inside my chest, clawing to be free, to run, to fight, to kill.I couldn’t breathe.Astrid was gone.Elara was still missing.They were both in his hands.The war room blurred as I stormed through the Packhouse, my mind a whirlwind of fury and desperation. My steps were too fast, too sharp, but I couldn’t slow down. Not now.Not when I had already lost so much.The moment I stepped into the war room, all eyes snapped to me.Ryder was there, arms crossed, watching me carefully. Warriors stood around the table, tense, waiting for orders. Waiting for me to do something.But I wasn’t thinking.I couldn’t think.I could barely see past the red haze of rage.“She left a trail,” Ryder said before I could even open my mouth.I froze.The room around me seemed to still, my mind catching onto his words like a drowning man clinging to a lifeline.“What?” My voice came out sharp, dangerous.Ryder motioned t
Astrid’s POVElara’s blue eyes locked onto mine, wide and glistening with tears, her small frame trembling in the grip of the rogue holding her.“Mommy!”Her voice cracked, breaking something inside me.I lunged, the burning pain of the wolfsbane shackles forgotten, my body driven by nothing but instinct.I barely made it a step before rough hands grabbed my arms, yanking me back.A snarl ripped from my throat. “Let her go!”Ardan’s smirk deepened. He raised a hand, and the rogue restraining Elara tightened his grip.She whimpered.A sound so small—so fragile—that it shattered every ounce of restraint I had left.“I swear with my own life, Ardan,” I growled, my voice raw with fury, “if you so much as touch her—”He laughed.Actually laughed.Like this was amusing. Like he wasn’t holding my world in his filthy hands.“My, my,” he mused, pacing toward me with slow, deliberate steps. “You really do have a soft spot, don’t you?” His gaze flickered to Elara. “I wonder… does she share your
Astrid’s POVThe journey to Ardan’s stronghold felt longer than it should have.They forced me to walk.Through the forest, over uneven terrain, my wrists bound in iron shackles laced with wolfsbane, burning against my skin with every step.I didn’t fight them.Not because I couldn’t.But because every second I stalled, every moment I made them think I was truly broken, brought me closer to Elara.That was all that mattered.The rogues surrounded me in a loose formation, their laughter and whispered taunts filling the night air.They didn’t see me as a threat.Not anymore.They saw a woman who had given up, a mother who had walked willingly into the lion’s den.That was their first mistake.Their second?Letting me breathe.As we moved deeper into rogue territory, my thoughts remained sharp, focused. I counted our path, memorized the turns, the landmarks, the scent markers.If I survived this, if I found a way to get Elara out, I needed to know exactly how to escape.If I didn't… then
Astrid’s POVThe rogues had been waiting for me.They lingered in the shadows, motionless, like predators poised for the perfect moment to strike. Their eyes glowed eerily in the dim light of the moon, flickering with something sinister—anticipation.They knew I was coming.My stomach twisted, but I forced my expression into something unreadable, my shoulders squared as I stepped forward. I came alone. No weapons. No resistance. Complete surrender.It was the only way.If I fought back, if I hesitated for even a second, Ardan might change his mind. He might keep Elara. He might hurt her.And that was a risk I wasn’t willing to take.I took slow, deliberate steps into the clearing, my heartbeat steady despite the way my wolf clawed at the inside of my skin, urging me to turn back, to fight.Not yet.I exhaled, tilting my chin upward as I finally stopped before them.The group of rogues—at least a dozen—remained silent for a moment, assessing me. Then one of them, a tall, lean man with
Killian’s POVThe omega’s words rang in my ears like a warning bell."Alpha! Alpha! It’s Ryker! He’s awake and looking for you. He won’t calm down!"My entire body locked up.Ryker had always been tormented with nightmares ever since Elara was kidnapped. He often woke up in the middle of the night, demanding to see us and he would always look so terrified. I stood at the Packhouse entrance, my wolf raging to break free, my warriors prepared to track Astrid before she got too far. Every instinct inside me screamed at me to run, to chase her down, to drag her back before she made the biggest mistake of her life.But my son needed me.For a single, agonizing moment, I hesitated.Then I turned on my heel and strode toward the infirmary, my boots pounding against the floor, my fists clenched so tightly my nails cut into my palms. My lungs burned with restrained fury, my thoughts a storm of frustration and helplessness.First Astrid. Now Ryker. I was losing control of everything.When I
Astrid’s POVThe night stretched on, endless and suffocating. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows against the walls, but the light felt hollow—cold. The Packhouse was eerily quiet, the usual hum of distant conversations and footsteps replaced by an unbearable stillness.I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers twisting the fabric of my shirt, my thoughts a hurricane raging inside me.Elara.Her name was carved into every thought, every breath, every aching second that passed. She was out there, in the dark, in the hands of the man who wanted nothing more than to see me broken.And I was still here. Waiting.I had tried. I had tried to listen to Killian, to hold on to the logic that we could save her together, that there was a plan, a chance. But how could I gamble my daughter’s life on a chance?What if they were wrong? What if we weren’t fast enough? What if she needed me now?My throat tightened, the guilt curling around me like a noose. I had waited too long alread