The long wait is over! I will start publishing chapters daily again as usual. Thenk you for waiting patiently.
Nova’s POVThe party was filled with a bustling crowd of people, yet Drystan and I seemed to go unnoticed as the other guests around us mingled and chattered with each other while excluding us. I felt like a fool sitting in the middle of a crowd of people where no one bothered to acknowledge us. I felt like we were just forcing ourselves into a place where no one wanted us. My eyes flitted across the room. Wherever I look, I see familiar faces that used to talk to us and fill our ears with words we wanted to hear. Now, those people have changed. They deliberately ignore us after we fall off in disgrace. In the last gathering that we had, everyone was racing to have Drystan’s attention and get the chance to have a conversation with him. Everyone was giving him praise for how he started and developed his Pack. They were telling him what a great man he was to accomplish such things and that they wanted to work with a man like him. Drystan’s schedule after the Werewolf Assembly
Nova’s POV“No, I haven’t seen her. I just saw Giselle earlier, and she wasn’t with her,” Killian answered us, his brows furrowed as well. Drystan turned alarmed when he heard Killian’s answer. “What do you mean? Astrid had left for almost an hour ago. We were waiting for her to come back. She said she’s going to talk to Giselle first before meeting you.” I glanced at Drystan and Killian back and forth as worry etched itself across their face. “Astrid will be fine. She used to live in this Pack. She’s not going to get lost,” I joined into their conversation to ease their worries. We are inside the Silvermoon Pack, which is one of the most secure Packs in the world. What bad thing could happen to Astrid inside this Pack? However, Drystan didn’t listen to me. He stood up with an alarmed expression on his face. “Nova, stay here. I’m going to look for Astrid,” Drystan excused himself as he stood up and left before I could say anything. Killian also followed Drystan as he also fe
Killian’s POVDrystan and I left the venue in haste to look for Astrid. Coincidentally, Giselle was walking towards our path, about to enter the venue. “Killian, where are you going?” She asked me curiously as she stopped in front of me and glanced at Drystan, who was walking beside me. “Giselle, have you seen Astrid?” Drystan asked her instantly. Giselle’s brows furrowed. “I haven’t. The last time I’ve seen her was during the Werewolf Assembly.” “Astrid left the venue to see you. Are you sure you haven’t seen her?” I asked her again, leaving her more confused. “I really didn’t. I was in my bedroom the whole time. I’m just about to enter the venue because the event is about to start.” “Bullshit!” Drystan yelled, cutting Giselle off from her statement. “She said she’s going to talk to you. She’s been gone for almost an hour already. Where could she possibly be?” Giselle flinched back in fear when Drystan yelled at her. “If I really saw her, I would have told you already,” she
Killian’s POVMy eyes narrowed into slits as I stared at Giselle, who was looking anywhere else but me. I pulled her arm and raised it as I gripped her arm tightly until her skin had turned red. This successfully caught her attention. She finally looked at me with fear in her eyes. “Are her words true?” I asked her with menace laced in my voice. Giselle swallowed hard as her face turned pale in fear.“K-Killian, it hurts,” she winced as she stared at her arm, which was slowly turning red. “Answer me!” I demanded as I tugged her arm without any care that she was in pain. Giselle bit her lower lip as she looked at me with tears misting her eyes. “Are you seriously choosing to believe her words over mine?” She asked me, trying her best to act strong in front of me, but her voice still croaked because of the tears that she was trying to hold back. My brows furrowed, and my lips parted slightly as I stared at her. Honestly, I really don’t know who and what to believe anymore. That
Killian’s POVGiselle took in a sharp breath when she heard my words. She blinked her eyes and shook her head, not wanting to accept this. “N-No,” Giselle voiced out weakly as she looked at me pleadingly. She tried to crawl her way towards me, but Damien held her back. I felt embarrassed in front of Drystan and Damien, especially because he had to see us in such a state. Alpha Damien had told me once before that even though Giselle was just an adopted member in his Pack, he used to see her often because she used to serve as an omega in their Packhouse. Because of these, they knew each other and had gotten close. It’s only normal for him to feel bad for Giselle after seeing her lying poorly on the ground. “If you want a DNA test, we will have to wait until the child is born. Do you really want to put our newly born child in danger just to confirm that you are the father?” Giselle questioned me. I looked at her emptily. I know that to have the confirmation that I wanted, we
Killian’s POVMy wolf grew restless as we searched around the forest without any lead or trail to follow. We are just blindly searching around the forest without knowing where to look for. I perked my ears up and heightened my senses as I ran across the forest, hoping to get a whiff of Astrid’s scent or hear her cries for help. The recent downpour made it harder for us to track Astrid. Not only did it make our path muddy and slippery, which made it hard for us to run and search around, but it also dampened all the other scents in the forest. The damp, earthy aroma masked any other discernible scents, frustrating us even more. There was nothing we could smell aside from the strong, earthy aroma that permeated the forest. This proved my nose as an unreliable guide in the wake of the rain. I had no choice but to focus my senses on my hearing. However, even that also proved unreliable to follow. The sounds of crickets and birds chirping in the air made it hard for me to find the
Killian’s POVMy mind was blank as we rushed Astrid to the hospital. After she fell to the ground, our Pack warriors arrived to help us, and we brought her to the hospital as soon as we could. I held Astrid’s hand as comfort, and I never took my eyes off her as we rushed her to the emergency room. My hands trembled slightly as I gazed upon her still form, her breathing faint and shallow as she lay on the hospital bed. Her once steady rhythm of pulse now faltered as I pressed my fingers against her wrist, filling me with a growing sense of dread. My eyes dart nervously to her abdomen. The swell is a stark reminder of the precious life growing inside of her. The precious life that could also be mine. I was taken aback when a nurse blocked me from my path, separating me from Astrid. I held my arm out to Astrid as the nurses continued to push her away from me and entered the emergency room. “Sir, you need to wait outside. No one is allowed inside the emergency room,” t
Killian’s POV“Don’t worry,” I held Giselle by her shoulders, seeing how much she wanted justice for Astrid. “I had already asked for an investigation. Our Pack Warriors are already investigating what happened.” Giselle sighed in relief. “I hope there’s no one out there planning to harm Astrid and her child,” she muttered with her brows bent downwards and with her hand pressed to her heart. Drystan, who had been silently listening to our conversation, suddenly scoffed. “If any of you really cared about Astrid, you wouldn’t have caused trouble for us. If it wasn’t for that rumor you exposed, we wouldn’t bother to visit your Pack.” Giselle bit her lower lip in shame as she averted her gaze from us. She must have felt bad now after seeing how much damage her words had already caused. Although she wasn’t repentant of her actions even after I caught her and forced her to take back her words, she still never meant any harm to happen to Astrid. She must have done that to turn awa
Astrid’s POVThe Silvermoon Packhouse was quieter than usual, as if the weight of the past few days had seeped into its walls, stifling every sound. Killian had been unusually distant since the discovery of the locket and the ledger, his thoughts turned inward as we both struggled to decide our next move. The secrets we carried were a heavy burden, and the consequences of their revelation loomed over us like a dark cloud.I stood in the courtyard, watching Ryker and Elara chase each other around the garden. Their laughter echoed through the open space, a brief reprieve from the storm brewing within me. My wolf stirred uneasily, sensing the tension that lingered just beneath the surface.“Mama, look!” Elara’s excited voice called, breaking through my thoughts.I turned to see her holding a small bouquet of wildflowers she had picked. Her silver eyes sparkled with pride, and for a moment, the world felt lighter.“They’re beautiful, sweetheart,” I said, kneeling to accept the flowers
Nova’s POVThe room was silent, save for the crackle of the fire burning low in the hearth. I sat at the head of the long table, staring at the assortment of documents scattered before me. Each piece felt like a fragment of a puzzle too shattered to put back together.Drystan stood at the far end of the room, arms crossed, his expression grim. His wolf had been on edge since our return from the Emberwood ruins. So had mine.“They planned it,” I murmured, breaking the silence. “Liora’s death wasn’t just a rogue attack. They lured her there, Drystan. And someone helped them.”Drystan’s jaw tightened, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. “We’ve suspected as much. But we need proof—something that ties this to someone in the Pack. Without it, we have nothing.”I picked up the silver locket we’d found at the ruins, my fingers brushing over its worn surface. Liora had carried it with her everywhere. Finding it there felt like she’d left it as a breadcrumb, a plea for the tru
Astrid’s POVI stared at Rowena, my heart pounding in disbelief. My wolf stirred uneasily within me, sensing my anger, my sadness, my… disgust. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.“You have no remorse,” I said, my voice trembling, a mix of anger and sorrow. “After everything that happened. After the pain you caused to Drystan and Nova. After taking someone’s mate, someone’s sister, you stand here and act as if it was just… business. Just a means to an end.”Rowena’s cold, detached gaze met mine. “It wasn’t personal, Astrid. It was survival. You have to understand—when you’re protecting what’s yours, you’ll do whatever it takes. Drystan would have taken everything from us.”I took a step forward, my fists clenched, my wolf growling within me. “Do you even hear yourself? You didn’t just take everything from Drystan; you destroyed him. You tore apart a bond stronger than anything in this world. Do you know what it feels like to lose your mate? To live every single day with half of
Astrid’s POVThe Silvermoon Packhouse was unusually quiet as we arrived, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the grounds. My wolf stirred uneasily within me, sensing the tension in both Killian and myself. nWe hadn’t spoken much on the way back, but the weight of what we’d uncovered hung heavy between us.As we approached the front steps, the sound of laughter broke through the silence. I turned toward the sound and saw Rowena in the courtyard, her face uncharacteristically soft as she knelt in the grass, playing with Ryker and Elara.“Mama! Papa!” Elara’s bright voice rang out as she spotted us.Ryker followed close behind her, his grin wide as he sprinted toward Killian. “You’re back!”I knelt just in time to catch Elara as she threw herself into my arms, her small hands clutching at me as if I’d been gone for days. “I missed you, Mama!”I smiled, seeing her melted all my worries away. Although I wasn’t gone that long it felt like I haven’t seen her in ages upon seeing
Astrid’s POVThe clearing was unnervingly quiet. The parchment in Killian’s hands seemed heavier than it had any right to be, the words scrawled across its surface burning into my mind like a brand. Elimination Plan. Pack informant. No survivors.It seems that there is something more behind Liora’s death. It was planned, she was targetted. Her death wasn’t a simple accident. And worse, someone from Silvermoon had helped them.I felt the weight of Killian’s silence beside me, and my stomach twisted. I’m sure he is already suspecting his mother. Aside from Rowena, who else could have made a deal with the rogues?If it was Rowena, it would make sense why she made a deal with us in exchange of escaping punishment.I reached for Killian’s hand and squeezed it in comfort. Killian looked at me and I stared back at him with understanding. There’s no evidence yet. All we know is that someone from the Silvermoon Pack had something to do with Liora’s death. We aren’t sure yet if it was Rowen
Astrid’s POVThe forest around the Emberwood ruins was a tangle of shadows and silence. Every crunch of leaves beneath our boots and rustle of branches above felt amplified in the eerie stillness. My wolf stirred uneasily within me, its senses sharp as if anticipating an ambush.Killian walked at my side, his posture rigid with tension. Drystan and Nova followed close behind, their weapons at the ready, and a small group of warriors flanked us. We’d planned this mission carefully, but the weight of the Forsaken Amulet and the shadow of the Rogue King made every step feel like a gamble.As we approached the ruins, the crumbling stone walls loomed into view, covered in moss and vines. A cold wind blew through the trees, carrying a faint metallic tang that made my stomach churn.“It’s too quiet,” Killian muttered, his eyes scanning the treeline. “I don’t like it.”Drystan nodded grimly. “If the Rogue King knows we’re here, he’s waiting.”“We don’t have a choice,” I said, gripping my
Nova’s POVThe hum of the car engine vibrated through my chest, a soothing constant as the trees blurred past the windows. It had been far too long since our last visit to the Silvermoon Packhouse, but life at Shadowfang had left no room for reunions. Rogue attacks near our borders kept us tethered to home, juggling defenses and strategies.Today was different. Today, we were finally going back.I sighed, my gaze drifting to Leira. She was practically bouncing in her seat, her excitement bubbling over. Too young to understand the weight of what brought us here, she only saw this as a long-awaited visit to her best friend.“Are we there yet, Mama?” she asked, her face pressed against the window, her voice brimming with hope.“Almost,” I replied, my lips curving into a smile. Her energy was infectious, a bright spot in the constant tension.She turned to Drystan, her wide eyes sparkling. “Do you think Elara will be happy to see me?”Drystan, his hands steady on the wheel, glanced at her
Astrid’s POVRowena’s quarters sat on the outskirts of Silvermoon territory, a place that felt as removed from the Pack’s core as Rowena herself. The journey there was quiet, the tension between Killian and me palpable. I could tell he was already regretting agreeing to this, but we didn’t have the luxury of letting emotions cloud our judgment.The rogue attacks were escalating. They were organized, purposeful, and more ruthless than ever. If Rowena had answers that could shed light on the Rogue King’s plans, we had no choice but to seek her out.Rowena had always been a thorn in our sides—a manipulative force who thrived on power plays. But she was also cunning, and if she knew anything about the Rogue King, she might just be the key to understanding what we were up against.As we approached her quarters, the scent of burning herbs filled the air. Rowena’s home was modest but had an aura of quiet power. It was an illusion, I knew—a way to remind every one of what she once was.K
Astrid’s POVThe sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the Pack’s central courtyard. The faint scent of pine lingered in the air as laughter echoed from the grassy clearing near the training grounds. For the first time in what felt like weeks, I wasn’t caught up in Pack meetings, rogue threats, or endless strategy sessions. I could finally spend some time with my children at last. I missed them so much. Ryker and Elara darted around the clearing, their playful giggles warming the heavy ache in my chest. Ryker, now eight, was tall and quick, his movements already showing hints of the warrior he’d one day become. Elara, only four, struggled to keep up but refused to give in, her fierce determination reminding me so much of myself.“Elara, you’re supposed to tag me!” Ryker teased, effortlessly dodging her tiny hands.“I will, Ryker!” she declared, her little face scrunched in determination as she lunged at him.I couldn’t help but smile. For a moment, the world