Is Astrid going to die?
Drystan’s POVMy knees turned weak as the realization that Astrid was going to die threatened to overwhelm me. I had to lean against the wall for support as my mind reeled with the cruel finality of the doctor’s words. I shook my head, refusing to accept this. “There must be another way. We can’t just wait for her to die!” I insisted. The Doctor placed a sympathetic hand on my shoulder as if he had already expected reluctance from me. “Even if by some miracle she managed to push through, her health might still deteriorate once she wakes up,” he paused the unspoken words hanging between them. “She might not be able to handle the news that she… miscarried,” he finally uttered. I took in a sharp breath, and my eyes widened at his horrible news. “W-What?” I stammered as my breath left my lungs. “I’m sorry, Alpha, the child did not make it. We did the best that we could to save the child, but with the injuries that Miss Astrid had suffered and with her wolf’s weak condition,
Nova’s POVI swallowed hard as I watched Drystan break in front of me. The mighty man that I had always looked up to and relied on is now reduced to a quivering emotional wreck before my eyes. I tentatively reached out, laying a gentle hand on his trembling shoulder, which was the only way that I could give him comfort as I desperately wished that I could take his pain away. For so long, Drystan had always been the strong one. He became my rock, my fortress against the storms of life ever since my sister died. He locked all his emotions away in an impenetrable wall, but now that wall had crumbled, exposing the bitter devastation within. My heart ached at the raw vulnerability that was etched across his features. He is the man I had always looked up to, the man who had always protected me and never once broke his composure. I never thought that I would see Drystan get broken like this again. To see him so utterly shattered, so profoundly broken, shook me to the core. Befo
Drystan’s POVAs I found myself unable to hold back the flood of my emotions, Nova held me close, whispering soothing words from time to time, and didn’t stop rubbing gentle circles on my shoulder. Suddenly, our solemn silence was shattered when a Pack Warrior arrived in a rush, chasing his breath with an alarmed look on his face. I instantly straightened myself and turned my head away from him as I wiped away my tears before he could realize that I was crying. “Alpha!” He called out with breath coming in ragged gasps. I cleared my throat, and I sniffed my tears away as I faced him with a blank stare despite my swollen eyes giving away my tears. “What?” I asked him coldly as I waited for the urgent matter he had to report. “Beta Caden spoke to me through the Pack link and ordered me to deliver his news to you,” he spoke, ignoring my swollen eyes after his gaze flitted there for a moment before he removed his gaze and lowered his head to act like he did not notice it.
Drystan’s POV‘Is this really the Shadowfang Pack?’ I asked myself within my thoughts as I stared at the vast forest with the Shadowfang Pack guards patrolling the area. Although I have never been in the Shadowfang Pack before, I’ve heard rumors of what the infamous Shadowfang Pack looked like. It was no secret that the Shadowfang Pack is medically and technologically advance. With their rare metals and their abundant natural resources, they have become the richest Pack among all of us which made me expect something more from them.In my head I was thinking of elaborate systems of holographic projectors and advance camouflage systems to protect their Pack like something that came out of a futuristic science fiction novel. The rumors also said that the Shadowfang Pack has a stunning blend of organic and technological elements. They have curving structures made of unique ebony-hued metal called Luminite and a sprawling network of state of the art treatment facilities, research laborat
Drystan’s POVMy jaw just fell open when I saw the vast scenery in front of us. I shouldn’t have judged the Shadowfang Pack too early. The sprawling cottages earlier had deceived us into thinking that the Shadowfang Pack would be nothing like I had expected. The Shadowfang Pack is a highly secretive and isolated community that resides deep within the treacherous Shadowfang mountains, which are famous for their lore and historical landmarks. It was said that the Shadowfang mountains protected the Shadowfang Pack. Many rogues and Packs had tried to colonize or attack them before, but because of their tall mountains, all their exploits only led to a failure.The Shadowfang mountains are two tall triangular mountains that are glued together like a curved wall, concaving the Pack with a beautiful silver lake in the middle.The view is breathtaking, not to mention the sprawling subterranean city carved directly into the mountainside.I can’t imagine what they would look like at night with
Drystan’s POVI swallowed hard as Beta Alex ushered Nova and me into Astrid’s dimly lit quarters. My nose twitched slightly when the heavy scent of medicinal herbs entered my nostrils. The air inside the room is thick with the scent of medicine and tense anticipation. As I entered inside, my gaze fell upon Astrid, her lithe form motionless upon a specialized treatment cot, surrounded by a flurry of white-clad physicians tending to her with solemn concentration. Astrid’s clothes are also changed into a white hospital robe. She looked pale and fragile inside the glass, a sign of how her life was slowly seeping out of her. Nova gasped softly beside me, her delicate features etched with concern as she took in the scene before us. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly running dry. Different emotions churned within me: fear, worry, and no small measure of guilt. It’s my fault that Astrid is fighting for her life. I should be the one lying in that bed, not her. Because of me, she had los
Drystan’s POV“Drystan?” Alpha Theron spoke my name unsurely, his brows pinched together as he studied me. I lowered my head in submission and reverence for him. I’m not sure what he feels about seeing me. I feel happy to see him after so many years. Of course, it might not be the same for him. It’s not like I had anything to be proud of. He might find it embarrassing to let anyone know that he used to be friends with a loser like me, a man who calls himself an Alpha of a falling Pack. “It’s really you!” Alpha Theron’s tone turned excited when he spoke his next words, which surprised me. I abruptly lifted my chin as I looked at him in surprise. I watched as he took confident strides towards me, and suddenly, he just wrapped his arm around me and hugged me. “It’s so good to see you again!” Alpha Theron spoke with a huge smile on his face. The wrinkles at the corner of his eyes deepened. Still caught in surprise, I forced a smile and hugged him back while my heart pounded rap
Drystan’s POV“Miss, this elixir that you speak of—“ The Doctor was about to answer Nova’s question, but he stopped himself when Theron spoke on top of him. “What do you wish to know about the Lunar Elixir?” Theron asked Nova calmly. “Actually, Astrid had already seen a doctor before to find out what was wrong with her wolf. The doctor said that it was some rare disease that afflicted her wolf, and only the Lunar Elixir could cure her,” Nova replied. “A rare disease, you say? Don’t worry, there’s no disease that our Pack cannot cure,” Theron answered. “Please forgive me for speaking once again. Astrid’s illness is not normal, and only the Lunar Elixir could cure her. If she doesn’t get cured soon, she might die,” Nova spoke with her head bowed down. “You ignorant fool!” A loud voice filled the room, making our heads turn to where the voice came from. We watched as a woman wearing a physician’s uniform entered the room with a scowl on her face. “The Lunar Elixir is our Pac
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