Astrid’s POVI stood with my arms crossed, my eyes blank as I drowned in my own thoughts. My gaze was fixed on the Pack Omegas, watching them load my luggage into the car. Each bag disappeared into the trunk with a soft thud, a rhythmic soundtrack to my swirling thoughts.Though I was physically present, my mind wandered far beyond the scene before me. I observed the Omegas working, but my thoughts were consumed by the journey ahead and the unknowns that awaited me. As my imagination took hold, I couldn't shake the conversation I had with Alpha Theron earlier. The weight of his words lingered in the air, pressing down on me like an impending storm.Alpha Theron’s words were a great reminder to me, and they settled heavily in my mind, bothering me. “Astrid!” My soul nearly leaped out of my body when someone suddenly surprised me from behind. I turned around to find Nova beaming at me, her bright energy a stark contrast to my swirling thoughts.I placed a hand over my chest to calm
Astrid’s POV“How long has this been? How long have you known?” I demanded, feeling a mix of betrayal and confusion. She had known about Drystan’s hidden attraction toward me, yet she never mentioned it.Nova’s gaze fell, the weight of my words hanging in the air. “I only found out years ago, before you lost your son.”My eyes widened in shock at her confession. “Why didn’t you tell me?”“Drystan trusts me, and that’s why he confided in me. I can’t betray his trust by telling you his secret,” Nova explained, “Besides, wasn’t it obvious that he likes you? Drystan had never shown that kind of affection to anyone but you.”I blinked my eyes as her words pierced through the fog in my mind, and I started to see things I had overlooked. I had never considered that Drystan’s kindness would stem out of love. I thought he was concerned about me because I used to be his student. I thought he was kind towards me because he felt guilty and partially responsible for what his nephew had done to me
Astrid’s POV“All the bags are packed already, Miss Astrid. Are you ready to leave?” Our Pack Omega spoke up, interrupting my conversation with Nova. I turned to face him with a small smile. “We should leave. The Silvermoon Pack’s Alpha and Luna must have left already. We shouldn’t delay any longer,” I answered him. He nodded his head and went to the driver's seat to start the car. I thought I would be traveling with Killian and Giselle, but Alpha Theron made some extra arrangements. He personally took care of my travel plan, making sure that I would be both safe and comfortable in my journey. I felt a wave of relief wash over me at the thought of not being trapped in a small space with Killian and his family for the whole ride. I’m sure it would be both uncomfortable and awkward for all of us. At least I wouldn’t have to face them yet until I arrived. “Nova, I got to leave. Take care of Drystan for me, will you?” I asked her with a small smile. Nova smiled back, her eyes warm w
Astrid’s POVI stilled when my eyes finally landed on Killian, who was standing at a distance, personally waiting for my arrival.I don’t know how long he had been waiting and how long he had arrived. As the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack, he had to personally attend to me, especially on the day of my arrival. I am a member of the Shadowfang Pack, the daughter of the Shadowfang Pack’s Alpha. I came here to lend our Pack’s support, which made me their honored guest. That makes me more important than Killian, the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack himself. If something bad happened to me during my stay here, The Shadowfang Pack would hold them accountable, and the Silvermoon Pack is no match for us. Offending me would be offending the Shadowfang Pack. Just a single complaint from me and their whole Pack would be in danger. Killian, Giselle, and all the other members of the Pack will have to walk around me on eggshells. No one could afford to offend the Shadowfang Pack. No one can afford to
Astrid’s POVThe air was thick with unspoken words as we gathered around the table to eat our dinner with the clinking of cutlery punctuating the silence. Killian sat at the head of the table digging in his food, minding his own business while Giselle sat across me, her tension palpable. Each bite she took seemed laced with irritation. Her jaw were set tight as if she were trying to bite back her furyThe corners of my lips lifted sadistically as I watched the way her hands trembled slightly, betraying the calm facade that she’s showing to us. She’s so annoyed and irritated that her anger is showing through her calm exterior. The sparks in her eyes flickered with resentment and I couldn’t help but feel victory in her reaction. I felt a twisted delight as I saw her struggle to keep herself in check. She’s frustrated, but she couldn’t do anything about it. I’m in front of her, eating at the same table as her, but she couldn’t even voice out her disagreements. I couldn’t help but f
Astrid’s POV“Luna, you are really back,” Gamma Jaxon exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief as he spotted me approaching. His eyes widened, and I could see the mix of surprise and relief on his face. Behind him, a group of warriors stood at attention, their expressions a blend of curiosity and respect. Some faces were new to me, while others brought back memories etched with the passage of time. The air was thick with anticipation; my return had clearly stirred something among them.I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach. I had feared that they might have forgotten me, that I wouldn’t be welcomed back. But as I looked at their faces — some bright with hope, others filled with determination — I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I smiled as I felt the warmth of their anticipation. It ignited a spark of confidence within me. Even though it’s been years since I last saw them, there was still that bond between us. When I left the Pack, I hadn’t had the chance to say goodbye to
Astrid’s POV“Bring her a chair and offer her a drink,” I commanded the warrior standing near us, trying to maintain some semblance of respect despite the tension. Giselle raised an eyebrow, a smug look crossing her expression. “Oh, how generous of you, Astrid,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But I think it would be more fitting if you personally served me. As the head here, it would be proper for you to serve me because I’m the Luna.”The warriors around us shifted uncomfortably, sensing the challenge in her words. I scoffed and turned my attention back to the warrior. “Why are you still standing here? Go bring the Luna her chair and offer her a drink,” I commanded him, my tone leaving no room for debate. The warrior nodded quickly and moved to comply, but Giselle’s voice rang out sharply, halting him. “Stop right there!” she yelled, her tone laced with authority. The tension in the air thickened as she turned her gaze to the gathered warriors. “Let me make something
Astrid’s POVI left the scene after Killian dismissed me, granting me a short break to rest. I took a stroll at the Pack garden, a smirk dancing on my lips as I imagined the couple having their private argument. Giselle was so foolish to challenge me without considering the consequences of her actions for the Pack. She’s so fixated on herself that she fails to see the bigger picture. She had placed the Pack in danger with her ignorant actions; of course, it would certainly earn her Killian’s anger. Lost in my thoughts, I stopped in my tracks when I spotted Giselle’s son in the distance, being accompanied by his nanny. Instead of taking care of her own son like a responsible mother should, Giselle handed that responsibility off to someone else, wasting her time stirring trouble for me instead. Having nothing else to do, I approached them, a smile forming as I greeted the nanny and the little one. “Hello there! What a beautiful day to be outside,” I spoke as I knelt down to meet th
Astrid’s POVThe clearing was chaos. The amulet’s glow grew brighter with each passing second, its pulsating light casting long, flickering shadows across the battlefield. The energy emanating from it was suffocating, filling the air with an oppressive pressure that made it hard to breathe.I reached the altar, my wolf surging forward as I clawed at the ancient runes alongside Nova. Each strike against the stone sent sparks of light into the air, but the runes resisted, glowing brighter and stronger as if mocking our efforts.“It’s not working!” Nova shouted, her voice cracking with frustration.“Keep trying!” I yelled back, refusing to give in. But even as I struck the runes again and again, I felt the futility in my movements.Behind us, Killian and the Rogue King clashed in a violent storm of teeth and claws, their snarls echoing through the clearing. Killian’s golden wolf fought with unrelenting power, but the Rogue King’s speed and cunning gave him an edge, keeping the battle
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