Killian’s POVMy brows furrowed, wondering what Astrid had meant by that. Lies and manipulation? What truth was she even talking about? I turned around to observe Giselle’s reaction. Her expression faltered as if Astrid’s words had struck a chord within her. But that moment of vulnerability disappeared just as quickly, replaced by a darkening fury. “You—”“Enough!” I shouted, startling everyone into silence. Giselle shot me a look of protest, but I held her gaze, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. I could feel the tension crackling in the air, and I knew I had to assert control before this situation spiraled completely out of hand.If I didn’t stop this fight, their argument would never end, dragging everyone deeper into chaos. “Don’t you have any shame?” I hissed at Giselle. “Your son is watching and listening to your words. Is that what you want to teach him? As the Luna of the Pack, you shouldn’t be squabbling with someone in front of the public!” I reprimanded her.I
Drystan’s POV“Alpha, where’s Nova?” The Omega asked as soon as I entered the Pack’s cafeteria.I glanced over to the table, where two plates lay waiting. One was carefully arranged for me, the other set for Nova, but it felt more like a cruel joke than a meal. The two sets of meals were a stark reminder of her absence. As I stared at the untouched food, I was reminded again of the scene I’d witnessed — Nova with Michael, sharing laughter and food, their connection effortlessly and bright. It twisted something inside of me. My stomach, once grumbling with hunger, now churned uncomfortably. It felt heavy, as though a weight had settled in my chest, squeezing out any appetite I had. “Alpha, where are you going? Are you not going to eat?” The Omega asked, concern lacing her voice as I turned to leave. “I just remembered that there’s something I need to deal with,” I replied, my voice strained, betraying my inner turmoil. I glanced back at the freshly heated meal, and guilt crept int
Nova’s POVAnger coursed through me like wildfire, igniting every nerve in my body. I wanted nothing more than to punch Drystan in the face right then and there. His words were so insulting, cutting deeper than any physical blow. He wasn’t just criticizing my actions; he was getting personal, attacking my dignity in the most humiliating way possible while framing it as his innocent act of concern. I never felt so insulted in my entire life, and Michael just had to hear those words and witness the whole spectacle. What would Michael think of me now?We were just talking, being together alone as friends. We don’t even have a real relationship with each other. Drystan just walked right in on us, accusing us of things that I don’t even know where he got from. Drystan had turned our friendly conversation into a public shaming, and for sure, Michael felt uncomfortable with it as well. The way he lectured me about dignity, shame, and purity, it’s as if he viewed me as some kind of whore
Drystan’s POVI stirred awake, a wave of weakness and lightheadedness washing over me. As I blinked against the light, my gaze fell on Nova, sleeping peacefully beside me. A soft smile crept onto my face at the sight of her, the warmth of her presence easing the heaviness in my chest.I thought she had already left. I thought I wouldn’t see her again. I thought the last conversation we would ever have was that argument we had.But here she was, sitting in the chair, her head propped on her arms folded together on my bed. Despite everything that happened between us and the conflict that we had, she still stayed here for me, showing how much she still cared for me. I watched her body rise and fall as she breathed; her face was turned towards me as she slept, and for a moment, I let myself bask in the comfort of her presence. I slowly lifted my finger and gently brushed away the tendrils of hair that were blocking her face. My heart sank when I noticed her swollen eyes and the dried t
Nova’s POVDrystan and I locked eyes for a moment, but then he turned away and left without a second thought. I blinked, almost losing my balance as our connection shattered.He cared for nothing and no one more than Astrid; it was all too easy for him to abandon me, leaving me in a whirl of worry for her sake. “Miss Nova, why did you let him go?” The Pack Doctor asked confusion etched on his face as he approached me slowly. I couldn’t answer him, so I remained silent. “Alpha Drystan is not in good health. He is in no condition to go on a travel. He needs to stay here so we can monitor his health,” The Pack Doctor argued, disappointment evident in his tone. “I thought you were worried about him.”I lowered my head, feeling the weight of his words, and remained silent. There’s nothing for me to tell him. The Pack Doctor sighed upon seeing the conflict on my face. “Ever since you left, Miss Nova, Astrid has had the Alpha wrapped around her finger. He was there at her beck and call.
Astrid’s POVThe sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the playground. Giselle sat on the edge of a park bench, her posture stiff, watching her son, Ryker, who stood a few feet away, transfixed by the swing’s rhythmic motion. He didn’t climb onto it; instead, he observed the world around him fading into the background. Giselle didn’t bother to approach her son or to keep him company.Vanessa, sitting next to her, laughed softly as her daughter, Hazel, darted around the playground, introducing herself to other children with ease and grace that came naturally to her. “That girl,” Vanessa mused, smiling fondly, “She could make friends with anyone.”Giselle nodded her smile tight. She watched Hazel charm another group of children, their laughter reaching her ears like an echo that she wished she could hear from Ryker.I watched as Giselle’s fingers tensed on the edge of the bench as she glanced at her son. He wasn’t interacting, wasn’t joining in, leaving her nothing to boa
Killian’s POVI sat at my desk, staring at the reports scattered before me, but the words might as well have been written in another language. No matter how many times I read the same line, the numbers didn’t make sense, the words refused to stick. I’d been at this for hours, trying to focus on pack matters—on the budgets, the patrol schedules, and the ongoing negotiations. All things that needed my attention, things I should care about. But no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept slipping.Back to that night.The night when everything had almost changed between Astrid and me.I closed my eyes, the memory washing over me like a wave. I could still see her so clearly. The way her eyes softened, the flicker of something vulnerable and dangerous in her gaze. The way her breath caught in her throat when our lips had come so close to touching. Too close. That look in her eyes had shattered something inside me, and yet... I had still pulled away.I could still feel the heat of her body p
Killian’s POV“Are you done with task I gave you?” My voice came out steady and cold, unable to ask for the results directly. Ryder shifted, his silence stretching a second too long. “Not yet,” he admitted, his words clipped, like he hated saying them.My eyes shot up at him in surprise. I had assumed the DNA test results were already in, mistaking Ryder’s gloomy expression for confirmation. But as it turned out, Ryder’s expression had nothing to do with the test — he hadn’t even done it yet. “It’s been... difficult,” Ryder scratched the back of his neck, unable to look at me directly to my eyes. I fixed him with a hard stare. Difficult? This was supposed to be a simple task.“Difficult?” My tone was sharp. “I gave you simple instructions, Ryder. Do it quietly, without anyone knowing. What seems to be the problem about that?” He clenched his jaw, frustration clear in his eyes. “It’s Giselle, she never walks around without her attendants. She’s always guarded and every time I get c
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