Alison's POVThe heavy silence in the air felt like a harbinger of chaos as I paced the length of my room, my mind spiraling through the tangled mess of alliances, betrayals, and mounting tensions. The weight of it all was unbearable. Every decision I made seemed to tighten the noose around my throat, and now, more than ever, I felt like I was running out of time.A sharp knock on my door startled me out of my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, my voice steadier than I felt.Simone stepped inside, her cane tapping lightly against the stone floor, followed by two of my guards. Her expression, serene yet commanding, belied the storm brewing in her mind. “The guards will assist me on my task,” she said simply, her blind gaze fixed somewhere near my shoulder.“Thank you for agreeing to this,” I said, my voice low.“You gave me no choice, We are more like sisters now,” Simone replied, a trace of humor in her tone. “I'd go any length for you. Are you ready?”Ready? No. But this wasn’t about me
Alison's POV The air in Alpha Gaius’s office was heavy, the tension almost suffocating as we sat around the old oak table. The treaty lay before us, its parchment yellowed with age, the ink faded but legible. My fingers itched to touch the Crimson Dagger at my side, its weight both comforting and ominous. The secrets we had unearthed could either save us or doom us.“Are we really sure about this?” I asked, my voice quieter than I intended. “The treaty, the magic… it’s all just words until proven otherwise.”“Darling, legends don’t survive this long without truth to sustain them,” my father said, his deep voice steady but with an edge of concern. “And now we have the proof.”Simone sat opposite me, her sightless eyes directed slightly above my head. She held her staff with both hands, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. “Let us read it again,” she said softly, tilting her head as if listening to something beyond the room.My father unfurled the scroll on
Alison's POVThe air outside Shadow Claw’s grand council hall was sharp and biting, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. My boots crunched against the gravel as I stood beside my father, Alpha Gaius, the ancient treaty tucked carefully under his arm. A thin veil of mist hung over the landscape, blurring the outline of the towering structure before us. The weight of what we were about to face bore down on me, tightening my chest like a vice.“Do you think they’ll listen?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.“They will,” my father said firmly, though his tone betrayed the tension coursing through him. “The council was created to uphold the laws and ensure balance among the Sister Packs. If there’s any justice left in this world, today will be our victory.”The word “victory” felt fragile in my mind, like glass teetering on the edge of shattering.I glanced at the doors of the hall, their intricate carvings depicting wolves under a blood-red moon. “How does it work? The counc
Alison's POV “You did it, Alison. You saved it all.” Xander said pulling me into a short hugI couldn't wrap my head around why he was here but I was super excited to see him regardless "Hey, you came?" before I could continue my father said"He told us he'd be coming but wanted it to be a surprise so we couldn't tell" my father said My eyes darted to my mother's side and the sweet smile on her face was so heart filling"So everyone else knew except me, wow guys" I teased pretending to be angry"It's payback for not telling me about these too, now I got you back" everyone burst into laughter."Table is served everyone, we might as well celebrate this win together as a family since Xander is here" my mum said as everyone concurred to it, Xander threw his arms around my waist as we proceeded for the dinning. The feast was massive, my mum had prepared so much in a bid for us to celebrate, by the time we were all done no one had the strength anymore to even rise from the table, by the
Xander’s Point of ViewI woke up to an empty bed and an empty room.At first, it didn’t register. The warmth of the previous night still lingered in the sheets, and most of all in my mind, sluggish and heavy with contentment, I didn’t immediately process that Alison wasn’t next to me. But as my eyes fluttered open and adjusted to the soft morning light streaming through the curtains, the absence of her soft breathing beside me became glaring to me.A pang of disappointment rippled through me. I turned my head, hoping she had simply rolled away or tucked herself in the corner of the bed, but no. The space was cold and untouched.I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I sat up. I was hoping to get a beautiful good morning sex, but I guess today had other plans in store for me. Today was supposed to be the day I returned to NightFang. I had only come to celebrate Alison’s victory and to finalize the details of our mating ceremony. The thought of leaving her, even if only for a short
Alison’s Point of ViewThe warmth of the morning still lingered in my chest as we cleared the breakfast table, the echoes of laughter and heartfelt words still floating in the air. It felt like a turning point, a moment that tethered all of us closer together. As I stacked plates and handed them off to the staff, I caught Xander watching me from across the room, a soft, almost secretive smile curving his lips.“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him, though I couldn’t keep the grin off my face.“Just admiring my woman ,” he replied smoothly, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. “You look so at home here. It’s... nice.”“Nice?” I teased, raising a brow. “You really know how to make a girl feel special, Alpha.”He chuckled, pushing off the frame and walking toward me. “You know what I mean. You belong here with your family, with your people, It really suits you.”Before I could respond, my mother’s voice rang out from the kitchen, pulling my attention back to the task
Alison’s Point of ViewThe air was still tinged with the sweetness of Xander’s proposal as we returned to the castle. My heart felt lighter than it had in weeks, and I couldn’t help the soft smile that tugged at my lips as I glanced at him walking beside me. He looked calm, his usual stoic demeanor tinged with something softer, something just for me.As soon as we stepped into the grand hall, my mother appeared, her radiant smile lighting up her face. “There you two are!” she exclaimed, clasping her hands together. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Your father has organized a feast to celebrate your victories and, of course, your engagement.”“A feast?” I asked, raising a brow. “Isn’t that a bit much?”“Not at all,” she replied, waving a dismissive hand. “You’ve accomplished so much within a short while darling, and your father wants the pack to share in the joy. It’s already been arranged, so no arguments.”Xander chuckled beside me, and I turned to him, my lips curving into a s
Alison's Point of ViewThe anticipation for tonight had my nerves tingling all day. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the soft fabric of my pale lavender dress, the color chosen specifically because Xander had once mentioned it reminded him of moonlight. A sly smile crept onto my lips as I thought about what he might say when he saw me. This wasn’t just a date, it was a moment of escape, a reprieve before the whirlwind of our mating ceremony took over.When the knock came at my door, my heart skipped a beat. I took a deep breath, giving my reflection one last glance, and opened the door to find Xander waiting. As always, he was the embodiment of perfection... dark slacks, a tailored shirt that clung to him in all the right ways, and that trademark smirk that made my pulse race.“You’re breathtaking,” he said, his voice low, his gaze raking over me appreciatively.“You’re not too bad yourself, Alpha,” I teased, letting him take my hand as he pulled me closer.He chuckled, press
Xander’s POVThe letter burned in my hands…figuratively, but the weight of it felt heavy enough to leave scorch marks. Kendrick’s insignia glared up at me like a personal challenge, the sharp, black ink practically taunting me to make the first move.“No.”The word cut through the thick silence in the room. Alison stood near the window, sunlight painting golden streaks across her dark hair, but even the soft morning glow couldn’t soften the sharp edge in her eyes.“Xander…” she started, her voice calm but laced with determination.“I said no.” I crumpled the letter in my fist, jaw tight, the rage bubbling just beneath my skin. “It’s a damn trap, Alison. You know it, I know it… hell, Simone knows it.”Simone didn’t argue any further. She sat cross-legged on the armrest of the couch, but her gaze flicked between us, calculating.Alison pushed off the windowsill and stepped toward me, her bare feet nearly silent against the hardwood floor. “It’s not a trap. He wouldn’t have sent a letter
Alison’s POVThe soft morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, wrapping the room in a golden haze. I stirred, warmth still lingering in my chest from the night before. My body ached in the best possible way… a sweet, heavy soreness that made me want to stay tangled in these sheets forever.I shifted slightly, my bare skin brushing against his, and I smiled. Xander’s arm was draped lazily over my waist, his breathing deep and even, his chest rising and falling against my back. I tried to ease away, careful not to wake him, but his grip tightened like steel.“Where do you think you’re sneaking off to?” His voice was husky, low, that perfect mix of groggy and dangerous.I laughed softly, feeling the vibrations of his words against my spine. “I wasn’t sneaking. I was just… ”“Don’t lie to me my love,” he cut in, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “You were absolutely sneaking.”I tilted my head back, still caught in his hold. “Maybe I was. But someone has to be productive ar
Alison’s POVThe cold night air bit into my skin as I stepped outside, the faint scent of pine lingering in the breeze. Each step felt heavier than the last, my body still drained, my muscles aching from the transformation. But none of that compared to the hollow ache in my chest.Xander stood a few feet away, his broad shoulders tense, the moonlight painting silver streaks across his dark hair. He didn’t move. Didn’t turn. Just stood there, staring at the sky as though it held all the answers he couldn’t find.I wanted to say something…anything but the words twisted in my throat.“Xander,” I finally managed, my voice soft and strained.No response.My heart thudded painfully. I took another shaky step forward, my bare feet brushing over the cool grass, and before I could overthink it, I slipped my arms around his waist from behind. His body stiffened under my touch, hard lines of tension locking into place.I laid my cheek against his back, my pulse thudding in my ears.“I’m sorry, m
Xander’s POV"You really think you can just… what? Nearly die and then brush it off like it’s nothing?"The words tear out of me before I can stop them, bouncing off the walls with more force than I intended. I don’t care.Alison’s lying in bed, her skin pale against the dark sheets, shadows clinging beneath her eyes. She looks fragile… too fragile. But even now, with barely enough strength to sit up, she’s staring at me like I’m the one being unreasonable.“Xander, please…” Her voice is soft, strained, but it still digs under my skin.I can’t sit. I can’t even stand still.Instead, I pace the room, each step heavy, the frustration clawing at me like wildfire. My hands are fists at my sides, knuckles white, the air thick with everything I want to say but can’t figure out how to.“Don’t please me, Alison,” I snap, stopping short of the bed. My heart’s racing too fast, chest tight like it’s about to crack open. “You almost died. Do you get that? Do you even realize what the hell you did
Alison’s POV "Don’t move, sweetheart! Just… just breathe." My mom’s voice cut through the heavy fog in my mind, soft but laced with panic. My eyelids fluttered open, and a sharp ache shot through my skull as the room’s dim light hit me. Every inch of my body felt heavy, like I’d been run over, twice. Then the flashbacks slammed into me with full force. The shift. The raw power tearing through my body. Bones snapping and reforming. Silver light. Kendrick’s face twisted in a sneer. The blood. The pain. A groan clawed its way out of my throat as I clutched my head. A wave of pain bloomed behind my eyes. “Maureen!” my mom cried out, her hands catching mine, pulling them gently away from my head. “Don’t move, baby. You’re safe now.” Her face swam into focus, she looked teary, worried, her features creased in panic. My mother. Standing right there. “Mom?” I rasped. My voice felt like it had been dragged across broken glass. “Oh, thank the goddess,” she whispered, cupping my cheek.
Xander’s POVThe acrid scent of blood and burning wood filled the air, a grim reminder of the battle we had just survived. The Ancient Rogue City lay behind us, its silence far more unsettling than the chaos that had erupted just moments ago. The weight of what had happened pressed against my chest, but there was no time to reflect. We had to leave now.Simone stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly as she conjured a shimmering veil of energy around us. “This should keep us hidden long enough to escape the rogue warriors hunting us down,” she murmured, her voice laced with exhaustion. Sweat clung to her brow, but she pushed forward without complaint.Alison, however, was another story. She was barely standing, her body trembling from the aftermath of her first shift. Her silver-white fur shimmered under the moonlight, a sight both mesmerizing and concerning. She had unlocked something ancient, something powerful but right now, she was weak, her strength flickering like a dying
Alison’s POV The world around me exploded in a flash of silver-white light, my senses sharpening to a degree I’d never experienced before. The smell of blood, sweat, and earth filled the air like a tidal wave crashing over me. The ground beneath my paws felt alive, pulsing with energy, every vibration humming through my body. My bones ached as they shifted, but the pain was nothing compared to the power that surged through me. I could feel everything. The weight of the air. The pressure in my lungs. The pulse of the earth beneath me. Every footstep, every breath of Kendrick, every heartbeat in the room, it was like the world had slowed, and I was the center of it all. "Impossible…" Kendrick's voice echoed around the room, laced with disbelief and anger. I didn’t need to look at him to feel the fury radiating from his every cell. He was terrified. But so was I, though I couldn’t fully comprehend why. The connection to Xander flared again.. warmth, light, his energy coursing thr
Xander’s POV"Don’t you dare fucking touch her!" I bellowed, my heart hammering against my chest as I tore through the throng of Kendrick’s warriors. Every step I took felt like a war between my body and my soul. Their stench, sweat, blood, and rogue filth clung to the air, but none of it mattered. Nothing mattered but her.Simone moved beside me, her magic flashing like brilliant streaks of light, incapacitating rogues as we cut a path toward Alison. "I’m holding them off, but we’re running out of time!" she shouted, her eyes flicking toward the throne where Kendrick stood, watching with an evil grin curling on his lips.The scent of her, Alison grew stronger as we moved closer, but it was marred with fear, agony. And something darker. I could feel it, feel her slipping away from me, piece by piece. My chest tightened, the bond between us stretching thinner with each agonizing step.No. No, no, no.I shoved through another rogue who dared to block my way, ignoring the sting of
Alison’s POVThe cold stone beneath my bare feet sent a shiver up my spine as I was dragged through the dimly lit corridors. My wrists ached from the tight grip of Kendrick’s men, their fingers like iron clamps around my skin. No matter how hard I struggled, how much I kicked and twisted, they didn’t loosen their hold."Let go of me, you bastards!" I hissed, my voice raw with defiance.One of them yanked me forward, making me stumble. "Save your energy, girl," he sneered. "You’ll need it for what’s coming."A sharp burst of fear tightened around my chest, but I refused to let it show. I lifted my chin, forcing steel into my voice. "If you think I’m going down without a fight, you don’t know me at all."The rogue to my left let out a low chuckle. "That’s what they all say before they break."They shoved me forward through a set of massive double doors, and my breath hitched as the throne room came into view.It was nothing like Xander’s grand hall, this was a place of nightmare