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 POVAlpha Theron gazed at me with a wistful look in his eyes, reflecting a tapestry of emotions within them after Andros had left, leaving only the both of us behind.I shifted on my feet, feeling uncomfortable under his nostalgic gaze. He is staring at me with memories playing in his eyes.And then, the corners of his lips curled slightly, like he had just woken up from a dream. “Oh, Astrid. You’ve grown up so much already. Your dress really looks good on you,” Alpha Theron muttered, confirming my thoughts.He is staring at me the way a father does when he looks at his grown-up daughter while reliving past memories. “I wish I was there to see you grow up. I wish I was really there with your mom,” he whispered with pain in his voice.A lump formed inside my throat when I heard his words. In the past, he had the option to fulfill those wishes he mentioned.However, in the end, he still chose to leave us. It doesn’t matter whether he regretted his decision or not.The day he
Drystan’s POVThe forest was eerily quiet, a suffocating silence that wrapped itself around us as we regrouped near the Rogue King’s camp. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, sensing the tension that rippled through our ranks. The remnants of the earlier attack were still fresh—blood staining the ground, the air thick with the scent of burnt wood and iron. Yet, there was no time to grieve or falter. The rogues were waiting.Nova stood beside me, her eyes scanning the horizon. Despite the exhaustion etched into her face, she radiated a quiet determination. I knew she was thinking about Liora—about the lies and betrayal that had stolen her sister’s life. And now, with Rowena’s guilt looming over us, the questions weighed heavier than ever.Killian and Astrid approached, their expressions tense. Killian’s golden eyes were shadowed, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them.“We need to strike before the ritual is completed,” Killian said, his voice cutting through the
Drystan’s POVThe battlefield was a cacophony of snarls, howls, and the clash of steel. Blood mingled with the damp earth beneath my feet, and the air carried the metallic tang of death. My wolf surged within me, urging me forward, but I held steady. We were pushing the rogues back, but something about their movements didn’t sit right with me.“They’re retreating too easily,” I growled through the link to Nova, who was fighting nearby. Her lithe wolf danced around a rogue before sinking her teeth into its neck with precision.“I noticed,” she replied, her tone sharp, even in the heat of battle. “This isn’t a retreat. It’s a distraction.”I snarled, driving my blade into the side of a rogue that lunged at me. It crumpled to the ground, lifeless, as my gaze swept over the battlefield. The rogues were falling back, but their movements were too coordinated, too deliberate.“Hold the line!” I barked to my warriors. “Don’t chase them. They want us to follow.”Killian’s voice cut through t
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