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 POVMy body ached from the grueling training session I had endured all day. Every muscle felt like a knot, protesting at every slightest movement as I finally prepared to sink into the relief of my bed. Sleeping had been my only source since I arrived to this pack. But just as I began to settle into the covers, my phone buzzed, pulling me sharply back to reality.I frowned when Giselle’s name appeared on the screen. Her message was terse, asking me to come to the Pack garden immediately to deliver the “urgent” papers she had requested earlier. I frowned. Urgent? There had been nothing remotely pressing about those papers when she asked for them this afternoon, though she was in a rush like the world was on fire. Something didn’t sit right. Why the Pack garden? Why now? But I couldn’t ignore her. She’d left me no valid excuse to refuse. Maybe it was important, or maybe I was just too tired to argue with the situation.I shoved my fatigue down and dragged myself out of bed,
Killian’s POVI stood in the Pack garden, surveying the scene Ryder had arranged. The twinkling lights, the candles, and the soft, romantic music of violins floating in the air. I exhaled slowly, feeling a mixture of discomfort and obligation tightening in my chest. This was supposed to be simple — a casual dinner to get Giselle’s DNA sample. But Ryder whom I placed in charge of the arrangements, had gone overboard.‘Overly romantic,’ I thought, resisting the urge to grimace. I had only asked Ryder to make some basic arrangements. I didn’t expect this.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Giselle approaching, her face lighting up the moment she saw the garden transformed into what could only be described as a romantic haven. She smiled brightly when the musicians appeared seemingly out of nowhere, playing their violins in a melody so delicate it almost made me wince.I tried to push down the discomfort as I pulled out the chair for her, forcing a polite smile as she settled into the s
Killian’s POVI drank my cold water in large gulps, hoping to quell the growing heat inside me, but instead, it seemed to intensify. The cold liquid did nothing to cool the fire surging through my body. Every attempt to shake off the sensation only made it worse, an uncontrollable current of raw desire that left me disoriented. My mind drifted, unwillingly, back to Astrid—her eyes, her presence still lingering in the back of my thoughts. "Killian, are you alright?" Giselle's voice broke through the haze, and I flinched when her hand suddenly touched my arm. The innocent contact sent an unexpected jolt through me, and I pulled back instinctively. Something stirred inside me again, something I didn’t want to acknowledge.I was still sitting across from Giselle, but my body was betraying me in ways I couldn’t control. I could feel her watching me, concern written all over her face, but I couldn’t explain what was happening. I wasn’t sure I even understood it myself."Should we go b
Astrid’s POV“It wasn’t real,” Killian insisted, his voice raw with desperation. “None of it was real.”I stared at him, disbelief burning through me like an unstoppable fire. His words— “none of it was real” —echoed in my head, but I couldn’t bring myself to believe him. Not this time. Not after everything. He couldn’t just say it wasn’t real and expect the pain to disappear. I scoffed, my jaw tightening as the anger simmered just beneath the surface, ready to spill over. “None of it was real?” I repeated, my voice thick with frustration, laced with disbelief. “What, Killian? The dinner? The marriage? You can’t just pretend it doesn’t exist because you suddenly feel guilty!”It was always the same with him. Killian, always trying to backtrack, always trying to explain things away as if a few desperate words could fix everything. As if all the hurt he’d caused could vanish the moment he decided to acknowledge it. He didn’t get to rewrite our history just because he couldn’t face th
Astrid’s POVI moved quickly through the dimly lit hallways, my heart thudding inside my chest with each step. I kept close to the walls, my eyes constantly scanning for ay signs of movement. I had to make sure that no one sees me sneaking around. The last thing I needed is for someone else to find out what happened to Killian or question why I’m sneaking outside my room in the middle of the night. My breath came out in short, shallow bursts as I neared the Omega’s quarters. Thankfully, their quarters remained the same room. So it wasn’t hard to look for them. When I finally reached the door, I knocked softly, barely a sound, but it felt like thunder in the silence of the night. My palms were clammy, and I glanced over my shoulder again, making sure no one had followed me. It would be suspicious if someone caught me here right now. Finally, the door creaked open, reveailing a young Omega woman. Her eyes widened when she saw me standing there. “Miss Astrid!” she exclaimed in su
Astrid’s POVI paused at the doorway, my hand hovering over the handle as I turned back to face her. Anya’s tone was urgent, but the firmness in her gaze sent a shiver down my spine. Something in her eyes made me feel uneasy, as if she was about to reveal something I wasn’t prepared to hear.“Sure,” I replied, my voice barely steady. I shut the door softly before moving to the corner of the room, putting some distance between Killian and us. Anya took a step closer, her face softening ever so slightly. She hesitated for a moment, glancing at Killian—still unconscious on the bed, unaware of the conversation happening around him.Anya looked back at me, her expression solemn. “Miss Astrid,” she began, her voice quiet but laced with emotion. “There’s something you should know. Something Killian hasn’t said, but I believe you deserve to hear.”I frowned, confusion twisting in my chest as I waited for her to continue. “What is it?” I asked, dread creeping into my voice. What could Killia
Killian’s POVI woke up like someone’s pounding at my skull, like a hammer driving through my temples. The dim light in the room didn’t help; it made everything blur together, and I could barely make out my surroundings. With a groan, I pushed myself up from the bed, my muscles stiff, my body protesting with every movement. Pain shot through my head, making me wince. I gritted my teeth, trying to shake off the haze. Before I could gather myself together, I heard the soft patter of footsteps rushing towards. “Alpha, you’re awake!” Anya’s voice cut through the fog, she looked so relieved upon seeing my eyes open. However, worry washed over her when she aw the pain I was in. Her hand hovered near me, hesitant, as if she was debating whether or not to help me sit up. I waved her off, even though my head felt like it was going to split in two. “I’m fine,” I muttered, though it was obvious I wasn’t. The throbbing intensified and I couldn’t help but bring a hand to my forehead, pressi
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