The question still stands. What is Astrid’s connection with the Shadowfang Pack?
Drystan’s POV“You seem to have a lot of time on your hands recently,” Astrid asked me softly as I accompanied her for a walk around the garden. I watched as she walked ahead of me, her hand leaning down slightly to the side to touch the flowers as she walked. Every day, it has been part of Astrid’s morning routine to take a walk in the garden before she ate her breakfast. The Pack Doctor recommended including it in her routine as a safe exercise to reduce her swelling and to prepare her body for labor. Usually, it’s Nova who joins her with her walk to make sure that she’s safe, but I asked Nova to allow me to walk alone with Astrid this time. Sometimes, when my mind zones out during work, I would see them by my office window, walking together and keeping each other company. I have always wanted to join them, but my work wouldn’t allow me to. Thankfully, this time, Caden agreed to fill my position and lead the morning training session of the Pack Warriors for me. “I still
Drystan’s POV“Who do you think your father is?” I asked her, curious about her answer. Astrid furrowed her brows, her gaze shifting inward as a thoughtful expression crossed her features. “My mother is a pure-blooded omega, and I am too. Most likely, my father could be an omega from a different Pack, or worse, he could be a rogue or a criminal. This is the reason why I sometimes think it would be best if I never met him at all. I will not know what to feel if I found out that my father is an outlaw with money on his head.” I chuckled at his far-fetched imagination. “I’m sure your father is not a criminal. You are thinking too much. “Who knows? Maybe he’s dead.” Astrid retorted. Suddenly, Astrid stopped in her tracks and faced me with an incredulous look in her eyes. “Wait a minute. How did our conversation turn out like this?” I laughed to minimize her suspicions. “I also don’t know, too,” I answered lightheartedly. “You are asking too many questions. What is it that you
Killian’s POVI clenched my jaw as I burrowed my head into my hands, and I felt a headache starting to form in my head. I have a lot of reports to read and papers to sign, but I couldn’t focus on the paperwork because of the uproar going on outside. The Pack members were in an uproar. Their voices are raised in a cacophony of betrayal and anger as they all demand to see me and end my wedding with Giselle. Outside, there was palpable tension as the Pack guards did their job and pushed back the Pack members to keep them from entering the house. There was no violence, just shouting and a lot of pushing. The Pack members are unwilling to leave unless I go outside and show my face to them. For some reason, my wedding with Giselle had been exposed. Someone leaked information that I’ve been making preparations for my upcoming wedding with Giselle. I gave strict orders to keep this information a secret. I knew this was going to happen once the Pack members found out that I was plann
Giselle’s POVA scream tore from my throat in a raw, guttural burst of sound as I threw the first thing I picked up with my hand to the wall, making it shatter to the ground. I didn’t stop there. I continued to throw all the things inside my room that were made with glass, filling my room with broken shards Still, it didn’t lessen the boiling anger inside my heart. I turned to my bed and the couches, flipping and throwing everything as well until my whole room looked like it was destroyed by a tornado. “Luna, stop it. It might harm the baby.” An Omega tried to grab my arm to stop me, but I pushed her away from me, making her fall to the ground. “Ah!” The omega yelped in pain when a broken shard pierced through her palm. I stared at her with no care in my eyes. “Don’t call me Luna anymore! Didn’t you hear what they said? The wedding was canceled. I will never be a Luna!” I shouted as I pushed the chair beside me, making it tumble to the ground. “Miss Giselle, please stop this.
Drystan’s POV“Alpha Nolan, maybe you could think about it first. I’ve already set the schedule, and all the materials are ready to be delivered. It’s the worst time for you to cancel.” I gripped the telephone tightly in my hand as I begged to make sense with the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack.Since this morning, my telephone couldn’t stop ringing, and every time that I answered the calls, it was always the Alphas I had transactions with that were calling. All of them also wanted the same thing. They were so eager to cancel all agreements they had with me for no reason. All of the transactions and efforts that I made to ally with a lot of Packs all went down the drain. Suddenly, everyone wanted to take back all the words that they had said, and none of them could give me a proper reason for it. “Alpha Nolan, I just woke up, and I haven’t even eaten breakfast yet, and a lot of Alphas had already called me and canceled all of our agreements before you. Please, Alpha Nolan, spare me th
Astrid’s POVAll of us sat at a loss in Drystan’s office when we heard the losses that the Pack had suffered because of something that was not even real. Drystan was reluctant to tell me anything. It was Caden who answered all my questions when I demanded it from him. Apparently, all of the Packs who made an agreement with us after the Werewolf Assembly had changed their minds and wanted to pull back their partnership with us. Only Alpha Everest from the Frostbite Pack didn’t turn back on his words. I pursed my trembling lips as tears stung the back of my eyes. All of these things wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t because of me. The Nightsong Pack suffered losses just so Drystan could protect me and my child from Killian. Drystan’s reputation was ruined because of me. With the huge losses that we suffered and without any packs who wanted to help us, the Nightsong Pack wouldn’t last, and we would be in danger of disbanding soon. Drystan worked hard to build this Pack from
Giselle’s POVI sat perched on the edge of my bed, a warm ceramic mug cradled in my hands as I gazed down, stirring my morning tea with a serene smile playing on my lips. Speaking of teas, I have just dropped a very hot and fresh one for Drystan and Astrid. The hot tea that I exposed about them had already circulated around all the Packs I took a deep breath as I felt more happy and relaxed. Today, the world seems brighter, and the air is sweeter since everything has turned in my favor. My plans had succeeded at last. I could feel the thrill of accomplishment coursing through my veins, mingling with the comforting aroma of my freshly brewed tea. Finally, I could enjoy the scenic view of the Packhouse’s garden through my window in silence. The Pack members had finally stopped their protests, which gave me the peace that I needed. As I allowed myself to relax and enjoy my triumph, my peaceful reverie was shattered in an instant. Without warning, the door to her bedroom burst o
Astrid’s POVI did not expect less from Giselle’s engagement party. I knew that everything would be expensive and top-notch since she had invited me. There’s no way she would invite me to her engagement party, which would be less than the one that I had. The engagement party was held at the pack grounds, which was designed as a luxury event space. The decor is lavish and opulent, the place is swimming with fresh flowers, and for the catering, they are serving expensive champagne, fine wines, and special cocktails. The dinner menu featured gourmet, skillfully prepared dishes using the finest and freshest ingredients. I couldn’t help but think that Giselle used the Werewolf Assembly we hosted as her inspiration for her own engagement party. The theme is the same, but the motif is slightly different. “What is she doing here?” “She even brought the man she chose to replace her husband to visit her ex-husband’s engagement party.” Whispers grew from the crowd as soon as we entere
Asha’s POVThe soft crunch of leaves beneath my boots was the only sound as I walked through the forest path.My mother’s grave is far from the Packhouse. She is buried in a secluded area, giving her peace. The cool air carried a solemn stillness that matched my mood. Visiting her grave was my sanctuary, a place where I could let my guard down and remember the woman who raised me.That’s when I saw him — Andros, my older brother, standing at the edge of the woods. The shadows from the trees seemed to engulf him, and his posture was rigid, alert. Was he here to visit Mother too? I wondered. My heart swelled at the thought. It wasn’t often that Andros and I shared these quiet moments. As the crowned Alpha he has too many responsibilities placed on his shoulder. He was always busy. I opened my mouth to call out to him but stopped short when another figure emerged from the shadows. My brows furrowed. The man wore a black hoodie that concealed most of his face, and his movements wer
Asha’s POVI staggered back, shaking my head in disbelief. “That’s not true. That can’t be true,” I mumbled as if I was just trying to convince myself.“I was left with no choice, Asha. Your mother—Luna Jamaica—was my brother’s mate. He was the rightful Alpha. But when he died, the Pack needed a leader. And I… I was the only option. I was forced to marry her to maintain stability. To keep this Pack from falling apart.”My father’s eyes turned red as he tried his best to hold back his tears. My heart wrenched as I feel for his pain. This is the first time I ever saw my father look so vulnerable. “I gave up everything. My mate. My happiness. My future. I gave it all away for this Pack, for a life I never wanted. And every day since, I have lived with that choice. With the weight of betraying my mate, of turning my back on the only woman I ever loved.”I stared at him, my body trembling as the truth settled over me like a suffocating blanket. Everything I had believed, everything I
Asha’s POVI squared my shoulders as I faced my father, my eyes narrowing at him in anger. I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, the weight of years of frustration and jealousy boiling to the surface. My father simply stood before me, his usual composed demeanor tinged with a rare expression of exasperation, but I didn’t care. Not anymore“She doesn’t even call you Father!” I spat, my voice trembling with anger. “Not once in her life has Astrid ever acknowledged you as her father. And yet, you treat her like she’s some prized treasure. Why, Father? Because you feel guilty for neglecting her? She’s just your illegitimate child! It’s best that she realize she’s not special!” I blurted out angrily.Alpha Theron’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t speak. That silence — his silence — was what always drove me mad. He would never defend himself, never justify his actions, as if I were the one being unreasonable. But I wasn’t.“She’s ungrateful!” I continued, pacing back and forth as my em
Astrid’s POVThe silence after the call ended was heavier than the words I hadn’t spoken.I remained frozen, clutching the phone as though its weight could tether me to the choices I had made. Each unspoken truth tightened like a vice around my chest, each lie stealing the air I so desperately needed.I wanted nothing more than to turn back, to run to Ryker and finally tell him who I really was. But how could I? How could I be so selfish, so reckless? I knew the truth about my condition — how dangerous and uncertain everything is. How could I let him get close to me, knowing how it will all end?The thought of Ryker loving me, only to lose me, was unbearable. I couldn’t let him go through that pain, the kind of pain that had already hollowed me out. I knew it too well — the ache of losing someone you’d give anything to keep. The searing, unrelenting agony of losing my husband, the devastation of outliving my child. I wouldn’t wish that torment on anyone, least of all Ryker.A shiv
Killian’s POVIt had been days since Ryker had last seen Giselle, and Ryker still hadn’t asked a single question about her mother. At first, I was afraid of what he’d say, dreading the moment he’d look me in the eye and ask, Where’s my mother? I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth, knowing how much it would break him. How could I possibly explain to him that Giselle is not her mother, and that she’s dead. In his whole life, Ryker believed that Giselle was his mother — she’d raised him, after all, and he’d known her as nothing else.I know it would be difficult for him to accept and process the whole truth, and I was trying my best to avoid the confrontation from him. But now… I’m no longer just worried about Ryker’s difficult questions now I wasn’t just avoiding the question. I am now worried wondering why he still haven’t asked me any question. In the days that had passed, he hadn’t asked even once. Not a word about Giselle. No concern, no curiosity. Just silence. And
Alpha Theron’s POVAndros scoffed, his disbelief clear as he tilted his head back. “You are choosing Astrid over me?” he spat out. “You’re going to make her the crowned Luna of this Pack? It’s only been three years since you met her, and you think she’s worthy of this title? What do you think Asha would say? Astrid isn’t even your legitimate child!”I met his gaze, my own expression resolute. “Astrid has proven herself capable. She’s been our acting Beta for three years and led as the Luna of the Silvermoon Pack for five years before that. She has the qualities, the skills, and the strength needed to lead. In terms of ability, Andros, she does her job far better than you.”Andros’s fists clenched, his expression darkening with insult and rage. “This is madness! The Pack won’t accept it! My mother is your true mate and the Luna of this Pack. Giving your position to someone who isn’t her child is an insult to her legacy and to this Pack!”I took a step forward, my voice unwavering.
Alpha Theron’s POVA long silence settled over the room after I asked the question, heavy and tense. I kept my gaze fixed on Andros, waiting, hoping for a sign of remorse or an explanation. But what I saw instead shook me to my core. Andros looked back at me, and in that gaze, I saw a stranger. The gentle son I thought I knew was gone, and in his place stood a man cold and unyielding.Then he spoke, his voice sharper and louder than I had ever heard it, filled with a defiance that sent a chill through me. “You want to know why I did it?” he snapped, his tone a mix of anger and something darker. “I did it for us, for this pack. I was doing you a favor by doing what you could never bring yourself to do.”His words stunned me. Andros had never raised his voice to me, not once in all the years I’d known him. Even when I was harsh or demanding — as I always was, he had always accepted it in silence, never challenging me. But now, he stood before me, speaking without restraint, and I
Alpha Theron’s POVAndros entered, his eyes darting between me and the book lying on the desk. He tried to mask his apprehension, but I caught the flicker of recognition in his gaze. I wasted no time.“Did Beta Alek give you this book?” I asked, my voice steady but taut.He blinked, feigning innocence. “I’ve seen the book before, yes. Beta Alek showed it to me and explained what it was.” His eyes held mine, the picture of calm. “Is there something wrong?”Besidehim, Beta Alek looked stricken but hopeful. He took a step forward, his voice shaking with urgency. “Andros, explain everything to your father and tell him that I’m being wronged. I gave you the book didn’t I? I even told you to burn the book for me,” Beta Alek spoke up, trusting that my son would prove his innocence. Andros raised his brows, feigning confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked, his tone soft and innocent.“That didn’t happen. You never gave me the book — I’ve never even touched it.”Beta Alek’s face went pale
Alpha Theron’s POVThe moment Astrid left my office, I reached through the Pack Link, calling for Beta Alek.My voice came out raw and unfiltered, the unmistaken anger pulsed through the link sending their wolves into submission. I could sense Beta Alek’s panic, could feel his wolf bristle at the force of my command. He knew I wasn’t pleased.Moments later, the door opened, and Alek entered, his face pale, but his steps were urgent.I didn’t give him a chance to speak before hurling the book at him. It hit him squarely in the face, making him stagger. As he caught the book, his face drained of color even further when recognition flared in his eyes.“Didn’t I tell you to burn that book?” My voice was low, lethal, and I didn’t miss the way he trembled at each word.Alek fell to his knees, the weight of his guilt bearing down on him. “Alpha,” he choked out, “I admit my irresponsibility. I failed you. I’m willing to accept any punishment for my insubordination,” he answered readily, pr