Killian’s POVI paced back and forth with my arms crossed together, waiting for Drystan to call us back. Behind me, Giselle sat in silence, her gaze fixed on the empty hallway, waiting for someone to appear and call us. The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. My brows are furrowed with worry, my mind racing with a thousand possible scenarios, each one more dire than the last. I couldn’t rest until I knew that Astrid was safe. Giselle, too, felt the weight of the wait, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles turning white with the strain. “How long have we been waiting here?” I asked Giselle as I grew more and more impatient. Giselle glanced down at her phone, her expression pensive. “It’s been over two hours,” she murmured as her brows furrowed in confusion. Two hours? Something doesn’t feel right. It wouldn’t take the doctor two hours to explain his diagnosis, wouldn’t he? My heart sank as I ran a hand through my hair, a frustrated sigh escaping
Drystan’s POVTheron, Nova, and I sat around the dining table as we ate our dinner in the Shadowfang Pack’s private dining room. On our table, there are a lot of foods to choose from. It was more than enough to fill our hungry stomachs for tonight. Now that Astrid is healed, thanks to the Lunar Elixir, I can finally relax and have nothing to worry about. As I stared at the feast before me, I felt a familiar rumbling inside my stomach — a sensation that I hadn’t felt ever since Astrid’s life was put in danger. Now that she was healed and my emotions no longer overwhelmed me, my body could properly function again. While the three of us were eating dinner and enjoying an expensive wine, Asha, who had saved Astrid’s life, couldn’t even join us. Although the Lunar Elixir worked to save Astrid’s life and stabilize her condition, strict monitoring is needed on her vitals to make sure that nothing would go wrong with her. Asha had to stay behind and take care of Astrid and eat her dinn
Killian’s POVMy journey to the Nightsong Pack was arduous and relentless, but my weary self pressed on without rest until I reached my destination. What should have been a leisurely 8-hour drive through the rolling hills and winding roads became a punishing 5-hour slog, as I gave up the usual road breaks in the journey and pushed myself to the limits. I yawned as I pressed on the gas pedal and drove through the empty road. It’s already twelve midnight. I should now be sleeping, resting after everything that had happened in the Pack earlier. My body felt so exhausted. This morning, I had to wake up earlier than usual because of the event, and then I had to run for miles as I anxiously searched for Astrid. After that, I went directly to the hospital, and when I found out that Drystan and Astrid had left the hospital, I instantly pursued them. I haven’t slept a wink since this morning. And now this — speeding down an empty road with only the soft rumble of the car humming as i
Drystan’s POVI blinked my eyes open, feeling refreshed as soon as I woke up. My brows furrowed, feeling momentarily disoriented when I saw myself in an unfamiliar room. ‘This isn’t my bedroom,’ I thought to myself as I pushed myself up. After taking in the bedroom where I slept, I finally remembered that I didn’t go home at all. I’m still staying at the Shadowfang Pack as a guest. Slowly, memories of last night flooded into my mind. I touched my heart, which started beating rapidly again when I remembered how Theron offered me an alliance with his Pack. I thought I was just dreaming. Then, when I realized that I wasn’t, I thought my friend was just playing pranks on me like how we used to when we were just teenagers. In my mind, there’s no way that the Shadowfang Pack would form an alliance with us. The Nightsong Pack is in crisis. We would just be a liability to their Pack. Besides, in the past decades, Shadowfang Pack has isolated itself from the other Packs. It was like
Astrid’s POV‘W-what happened to me?’ I thought to myself as my heavy lids fluttered open. My head feels quite heavy as if I were hit by a ton of bricks.Still, I fought my eyes open. I want to know where I am. I want to know what happened and if I was saved and returned to a safe place.The last thing I remembered was my hands getting tied with my feet hanging above the ground. The next thing was falling to the ground, feeling a lot of pain, and becoming unconscious because of it. Am I still in danger?“Astrid? Astrid, can you hear me?” Drystan’s familiar voice entered my ears as I fought to wake up. “Drystan?” I muttered as I finally focused my gaze on him.“I’m right here,” he said softly as he took my hand in his. “How are you feeling?” His brows creased with worry as he leaned over me. Relief washed over me as soon as I saw his face. I blinked a few times, my eyes adjusting to the light. That’s when I noticed another figure standing beside Drystan — Nova, who also looks equall
Astrid’s POVI gazed upon the stranger who just entered my room. I looked at him curiously, wondering who he was and what he was doing here. Despite this man being entirely unfamiliar to me, I felt intimidated by his presence. With his shoulders back and his head held high, he projected an aura of nobility. He has a confident air to him. His silver strands of hair streaked his dark locks, lending him a distinguished, almost noble bearing. “Who is Giselle?” The man spoke again with regality when no one answered his question. He particularly gazed at me, directing his question to me. Feeling intimidated by his gaze, I turned my eyes on Drystan, locking gazes with him. Seeing my gaze, Drystan instantly knew what I wanted to say. “Astrid, this is Alpha Theron, the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack,” Drystan stood up and introduced the man who had just arrived to me. My eyes widened, and my hand covered my mouth instinctively in shock. The man in front of me is none other than the Al
Drystan’s POV“Theron,” I uttered his name coldly and grabbed his arm when we finally reached the hallway, stopping him from his tasks.Seeing how I grabbed their Alpha, his entourage of guards stepped forward, their postures rigid and protective, ready to swiftly intervene and shield their Alpha from me. However, before they could even lay a finger on me, Theron raised his hand, silently signaling them to calm down. “What do you want?” I hissed at Theron with my brows firmly pressed together as I stared at him with a narrowed gazeThe air around us cackled with tension as I held my ground, unwavering, meeting Theron’s piercing gaze with my own resolute stare. I still believe that there is a hidden motive as to why Theron would use their Pack’s sacred treasure to save Astrid. I was about to ask him about that during dinner last night, but he distracted me from doing that by offering me a Pack Alliance. I had suspected that maybe he and Astrid already knew each other from before, b
Astrid’s POVNova never left my side. She stayed beside me, keeping me company in this little boring room where silence enveloped us as I secretly grieved on my own. I curled on my bed, facing the opposite direction as emptiness filled my heart. My eyes remained open, unblinking as I thought of the unborn child that I lost. I pressed a hand to my still-flat abdomen where my child used to be. The comforting swell that had given her so much joy was already gone. There’s just nothing in there but the unyielding flatness of my own skin. With a shuddering breath, I closed my eyes, shutting out the world. In the darkness, I allowed my tears to finally fall, mourning not just the child I had lost but also the mother I would never be. I felt hollow and useless, the emptiness inside me echoing, swallowing me whole in a depressive state. I know my tears couldn’t bring my baby back. It would never erase how I failed as a mother and the crushing guilt that I couldn’t keep my child safe.
Astrid’s POVThe Packhouse felt heavier than ever as the tension between us grew. Despite our united front, I could see the cracks forming. Drystan and Nova were relentless in their pursuit of the truth about Liora, while Killian and I were walking on a tightrope, desperately trying to keep our secret buried.The message from the rogues still lingered in my mind: “Loyalty is fragile. Truth breaks even the strongest bonds.” They weren’t just taunting us—they were succeeding.Killian had thrown himself into the investigation, questioning warriors and reviewing records, but I could see the toll it was taking on him. He was barely sleeping, barely eating, and the strain of carrying his mother’s secret was written all over his face.As for me, I had my own demons to wrestle with. Every time I looked at Nova, I felt a pang of guilt. She trusted me, confided in me, and here I was, hiding the truth about her sister’s death. My wolf growled uneasily, a constant reminder of the betrayal sim
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