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
Drystan’s POVI furrowed my brows, trying to make sense of the details on the paper before me. Beside me lay a stack of documents still waiting to be read. I paused when my stomach growled loudly, an urgent reminder that I also needed to take care of myself. As soon as I woke up this morning, I headed straight to my office to tackle the paperwork I failed to finish yesterday. I haven’t drunk water or taken a single bite; I was so focused on the papers I needed to take care of. With a resigned sigh, I set the papers aside. My hunger is too strong to ignore, and I’m already late for breakfast. Even if I continue working, I know I won’t be able to work effectively if I don’t take a break. Standing up, I made my way to the Pack’s cafeteria, eager to satisfy my appetite. Since I arrived late for breakfast, the cafeteria was nearly empty. Remnants of the morning meal cluttered the tables as the Pack Omegas worked diligently to clean up. I settled at the nearest table that had already
Astrid’s POVMy body turned tensed as I stared at the invitation letter in my hands that had already been sent to all the Packs. Ryker’s 4th birthday is coming next month, and Killian believed it was the perfect opportunity to lure the rogues into a trap. He purposefully invited all the Packs to spread the word, knowing that if the rogues were indeed planning an attack, then they would surely take advantage of the gathering where there would be many important figures present. With the support of other Packs and adequate training from the Pack Warriors, we would be ready to handle any surprise assault the rogues might attempt. Killian had discussed his plans with me beforehand, explaining everything thoroughly. As the Silvermoon Pack’s female general and the one responsible for training his warriors, he needed my permission before proceeding with his plans. After considering his strategy, I agreed that it was a solid plan, and I believed I would be able to train his Warriors and
Astrid’s POVMy eyes went wide when I heard Giselle’s history in the Crimsonbane Pack. Vanessa had told me everything from when Giselle arrived at their Pack to the day that she left.I felt as though I had been blind all along, unaware of who Giselle really was. Even the hairs on the back of my neck stood up when Vanessa told me the whole story and all the vile things that Giselle had done while she was staying with them. I couldn’t believe that she had already been that kind of person before she even came to our Pack. She had completely fooled us into believing that she was a kind and innocent woman. We have no idea that beneath that pretty and angelic face of hers actually lies a poisonous witch who manipulated everyone around her. She repeated everything that Giselle did in the Crimsonbane Pack here. She seduced Killian just like how she had seduced Alpha Damien. It was a grave mistake to welcome her into our lives. “That woman is a whore. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do to b
Astrid’s POVA storm brewed in my mind, leaving me restless on the bed. The soft sheets offered little comfort as I pondered the conversation I had with the Vanessa.For reasons I couldn’t quite grasp, her words felt like a weight, a heavy stone pressing down my chest whenever I tried to make sense of them. I couldn’t point out what was wrong; nothing she said seemed out of the ordinary. Yet, the unease lingered. It gnawed at me, robbing me of sleep. Adrenaline coursed through me, and I shot up from bed when a sharp knock suddenly interrupted my thoughts. My heart raced in response to the unexpected sound. Glancing around my dimly lit room, I gathered my thoughts and took a few deep breaths to soothe the fluttering in my chest. I reached for the lamp, flicking it on to cast a warm glow across the space. Guided by its soft light, I made my way to the door, wondering why someone would come knocking at my door at this time of the night. “Is there—“ I began to speak as I swung the do
Astrid’s POVI tilted my head back and curled my toes as Killian expertly explored me, his hands and tongue teasingly moving closer to my sensitive spots. “K-Killian,” I gasped, the sound escaping my lips like a whisper of pleasure. I never imagined that I would turn into a purring kitten, completely captivated by his every touch. As our breaths turned ragged, I reached for Killian’s shirt, unbuttoning it slowly. Each pop echoed the tension between us. Once the fabric fell away, I pressed my hands against his warm skin, my fingertips tracing the contours of his six-packed abs, feeling the heart radiate beneath my touch. Killian let out a low growl at my caress, igniting a yearning deep within me. I couldn’t help but trail my fingers down to the bulge in his pants. A smile crept across my face as I realized just how much he desired. With a mix of excitement and anticipation, I began to work on removing his pants. Just as I was about to slip my hands in to give him pleasure, Killi
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