Callista’s POV Two men, once trusted, now haunt my thoughts with their treachery. One, the man I loved first, the one who took away my most treasured value, my virginity, away from me, the one who whispered promises of forever in my ear. How could he condemn me to death because he doesn’t trust me, huh? F**k this trust; I don't think I need it anymore. The pain of his betrayal cuts deep, like a wound that refuses to heal. I don’t think I will be able to forgive him. I can’t, not until I make him pay for what he has done. And again, Tristan, the one who shattered my world with a single act of violence, took my father from me, plunging me into a darkness I never thought possible. Yet, despite the anger that boils within me, there is a different kind of connection between us. A bond that I cannot deny, no matter how hard I try. Stupid mate bond. “Are you kidding me? You dare call our bond stupid?”“Just shut it; I don't need you right here, okay? Don’t mess with my head. I need to thi
Callista’s POV“Meet me in my office; we have a mission,” I uttered through the mind link to Andrian. “Wolfsong Dominion pack?” He quizzed through the mind link, “Yes, the mission is now,” I answered affirmatively. “Okay, I'm on my way,” he replied. I hastened my pace and headed straight down to the Alpha’s palace. I got there in no time and pushed open the door. “Oh, you got here before me.” My gaze fixed on Andrian, who seemed to have gotten to the office a moment ago. He nodded his head. “I'm always at your service,” I giggle softly. “Trust you for that,“So, tell me, Alpha, do you want me to make a war plan?” He asked as soon as I took a seat in front of him. A war plan? “Is that really necessary? They can’t be prepared for our coming; even if they are, they can’t be on par with us,” I said as a matter of fact.“That's a fact, Alpha, but I take an interest in pre-war planning and strategy.”"Yeah, I know that, but I don't think it's really necessary right now,” I countered
Callista’s POVIt was night. Black as a beetle's belly. And each of my warriors, a storm cloud against the pale dawn, stood poised, ears perked, eyes reflecting the glint of the coming battle. This wasn't a hunt; this was vengeance. My revenge. “Are you ready, warriors?” I asked through the mental link. “Awoo!” they grunted and howled in unison, signifying they were ready. Their eyes are like embers, burning the same fire I feel. I am not hunting tonight. This is payback, raw, and mean.My gaze shifted to Andrian, who stood confidently beside me. His wolf’s fur shimmers under the moon's watchful gaze. His eyes match the rage in my gut. Every muscle coiled tight, like it wanted to explode.Cassius, the one who cast me out, who marked me for death—his scent lingered in my memory, a foul tang that twisted my gut. The memory of his betrayal and the searing pain of his judgment that had plunged me into an abyss of fear back then in the woods—it all fueled the inferno burning in my chest.
Maximus’ POVA few hours earlier, “My Alpha, it is just as the witch said. There is an Alpha Queen that rules the Midnight Mirage Pack.” I explained the outcome of our search to Alpha Cassius. “An Alpha Queen? How is that possible?” His brow furrowed on the sick bed. “Did you get to know her name?” He asked, and each word came out with so much difficulty. I shook my head negatively. “We didn't, my Alpha; our sources said they only refer to her as Alpha Queen,” I replied with my gaze fixed on the floor. Even though he was sick, he still has that Alpha aura around him. He took a forced breath. “This is crazy,”“We also get from our sources that she came into power two years ago and turned around the history of Southern Wolf County; they all worship her, and no pack would dare wage a war against her Queendom,” I explained. “Did you think she would heal me considering the fact that we had attacked her pack years ago?” Alpha Cassius voiced his concern. “My Alpha, we don’t know, but w
Callista’s POVThe news hit me like a physical blow. The air whooshed out of my lungs, leaving a hollow ache in my chest. “Bedridden?” I rasped, a low murmur to myself, the word catching in my throat. “For months?”The incident. The betrayal that had clawed open a fresh wound every single day. Months? He'd been living a comfortable life while I, branded a killer, had been forced to run to fight for survival out there in the woods. A bitter laugh escaped my lips, a humorless sound that scraped against my raw nerves.And Dahlia, hearing that she was dead, relief washed over me, cold and unexpected. Relief mingled with a sour aftertaste of something else—disappointment? Regret? Dahlia deserved what she got, but a part of me, the naive part that clung to memories of a lost friendship, felt a dull ache.But that ache was quickly drowned out by a surge of something far more potent—frustration. Years of hardship, of living like a hunted animal all alone in the woods, all for revenge that mig
Callista’s POV~~A tremor ran through me. News about Dahlia’s death hit me like a second blow. I shut my eyes, the image of Dahlia flashing behind my eyelids. I reflected back, moment by moment, on her kind heart. I was a fool. I never trusted her to say that she couldn’t do such things to me.She should have just told me things. I noticed her the night I was framed. She looked frightened and seemed like something was disturbing her, but I didn’t ask what it was. I should have asked her. Well, the deed has been done. Shame, a heavy weight, settled in my gut for the first time. The thirst for vengeance had blinded me. Dahlia hadn't been a villain, just another pawn in Selena’s cruel game. I never suspected her. She was a lion in sheep's clothing. I knew it was too good to be true for her not to feel hatred towards me for making her mate reject her. Oh poor Dahlia, a single tear escaped, tracing a warm path down my cheek. Grief, raw and unexpected, threatened to drown me. But as quick
Callista’s POV “Yes, because I am the Alpha Queen of the Midnight Mirage Pack,” I blurted. His brow narrowed at me, as if wanting to ask if I knew what I had just said. “Are you kidding me? Callista, I am being serious here,” he said frankly. I frowned. “Does it look like I’m joking either?” I asked. “Are you being serious right now?” He darted his gaze between Andrian, who was standing behind him, and me. “Max, I can’t lie to you. Look, right there,” I gestured towards Andrian. “Is Andrian, my beta, the beta of the Midnight Mirage pack?” Max turned towards Andrian and scanned him from head to toe as if checking if he was capable of being a beta, as I had claimed. “He has been the beta for as long as I know,” I added as a matter of fact. He stood up from where he was seated and walked towards Andrian. He stopped at arms length from him. I walked around him as if checking him out. He got to his front again and then stopped again. “He has the aura, but...” I interrupted him. "N
Cassius’ POVMy eyes fluttered open. I felt alive once again after seven years of living in pain and guilt. Guilty of passing the wrong judgment. It wasn’t just to nobody; it was to my first love. The woman I found myself to love despite the fact that my father and everyone in the pack kicked against it. Why? Because she was an omega, the lowest in the food chain. But none of them realized that love is beyond rank and status. To everyone, my sickness started six months ago, but within me, I have been dying since the day of my mating ceremony with Selene. She was my fated mate, but I don't feel the connection with us; even my wolf doesn’t. It‘s kind of strange. A weak smile tugged at his lips. “You…” I trailed off, choking on my saliva at the sight of my healer. The woman I sentenced to death without prior investigation to confirm if she truly killed my sister had shame burned in my gut and a bitter taste on my tongue. My eyes stung, but not from the remnants of pain.The pain of gui
Cassius POV Callista's words hung heavy in the air, thick and suffocating. My daughter, Jessica, the little firecracker with eyes that mirrored the summer sky, was mine. A pup I hadn't known existed, a piece of me ripped away and hidden for years.Anger, hot and burning, threatened to consume me. How could she keep this from me? All those nights spent yearning for a family and a connection, and she'd had it all along. The years of longing and the emptiness that gnawed at me—a constant reminder of the love I'd lost—were all a lie? I clenched and unclenched my fists, the urge to roar ripping through me. But the sight of Jessica, oblivious to the storm brewing within me, choked the sound back. Her innocent smile, so full of trust, held me captive. My anger simmered, a low growl escaping my throat.Callista flinched, her eyes pleading for understanding. But understanding is a distant speck on the horizon right now. All I saw was the betrayal and the years stolen from me. I know I caused
Callista’s POV"Cassius... " His name escaped my lips like a sweet moan, making him groan in response. I gasped after I realized my action, and a blush crept up my face. "I... didn't mean... to... umm," but before I could finish my statement, he grabbed me by the waist and his gaze darkened. "Say it." His voice came out in a husky manner, making my bodily hair stand out. A weird sensation made me rub my tights together as the warmth spread. "Say it." He urged me again, making me feel a little hesitant. He looked totally different from how he was a few minutes ago. I felt our bodies collide after he pulled me closer and nibbled on my collar bone in a seductive manner. "Say my name once more." He smirked, and before I could react, he slammed his lips against mine a little roughly and lifted me up at the same time. Before I could comprehend what was going on, I was already on the bed with his weight resting on me, but his lips never parted from mine. A moan escaped my lips, but that di
Callista’s POVHe rushed forward, his embrace almost choking the air out of me. The familiar scent of pine and woodsmoke surrounded me, a scent that had watched out for me during the just-concluded battle; maybe it was then that the connection surged back. I couldn't say, but it felt good to be back home and to be in his arms again.He pulled away, his gaze still locked on mine. But then, his eyes traveled past me and landed on Jessica. The smile on his face dissipated, replaced by a frown etched with confusion.His brow furrowed at her as if trying to understand something. "Who is this?" he asked, his voice low and gruff. “And he?” he gestured towards Shaman Magnus.My heart pounded against my chest. This was it. The moment of truth. Taking a deep breath, I kneeled before Jessica, her innocent face beaming up at me and her blue eyes radiating energy. "Jessica," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is your father, Cassius, Alpha of the Wolf Song Dominion Pack, whom you hav
Callista’s POVAs the pack slowly dispersed, the weight of the moment finally settled on my shoulders. Leaving wasn't just about duty or forging a new path; it was about confronting the past, about mending the fractured bond with Tristan and Cassius. Taking a deep breath, I approached him. The air crackled with unspoken emotions—a tangible tension that stretched between us. "Tristan," I began, my voice barely above a whisper.He met my gaze, his blue eyes searching mine. "Callista," he replied, his voice rough with emotion. “I am sorry.” His tone was low and soft. I gave him a small smile. “We can’t duel in the past; I have forgiven you wholeheartedly,” I responded as a matter of fact. “I shouldn’t have broken the bond back then,” he said with a regret-filled voice. “It's fine. I just hope you understand the path I have chosen and my decision,” my voice carrying a newfound strength.“Callista,” I heard Lily calling from behind, which made me whip my head in the direction of her vo
Callista’s POVTristan stood before me, the shackles gone but the weight of his imprisonment still etched on his face. A tense silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the movement and murmurs of my pack members.The decision clawed at me, a battle between duty and a yearning I couldn't quite define. Taking a deep breath, I addressed my assembled pack members, their faces a sea of curiosity and unease.The murmurs of my pack rose in the tense silence, a hint of disapproval and confusion. I could feel Andrian's gaze burning into me, my beta and closest confidante. Would he understand this unexpected turn of events? Could he see, as I did, the flicker of a man yearning for redemption amidst the ruins of his past?"We have a prisoner of vengeance no more," I announced, my voice ringing with authority. The word tasted like ashes in my mouth. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, a wave of shock that mirrored my own turmoil. "Tristan will no longer be held captive within our wa
Callista’s POV “Mommy!" Jessica’s arms wrapped tightly around my waist, burying her face in my stomach. Relief washed over me, bittersweet and sharp. "Where did you go? Aunt Lily said you left to kill big bad wolves!" I chuckled, the sound raspy. "Not exactly, sweetheart. I went to help Alpha Cassius and his pack. They needed a little… assistance." Jessica tilted her head back, peering up at me with wide, worried eyes. The resemblance to Cassius, with her sharp jaw and frame, was uncanny. But her eyes—those held a warmth Cassius never possessed, but of mine. "Did you get hurt, Mommy?" Her tiny hand reached up to touch a bruise blooming on my arm. Guilt gnawed at me. Leaving Jessica, even for a war I couldn't ignore, felt like a betrayal. "Just a few scratches, honey bee. Nothing a good night's sleep won't fix." I kneeled before her, forcing a smile. Jessica’s concern was a stark reminder of the responsibility I bore—to her, to my pack, and yes, even to Cassius, her father. But un
Cassius’ POV“Alpha, they are subduing us at the south border!" A fear-painted link echoed through my head, a glaring contrast to the ringing silence that had just descended on the clearing. Callista flinched beside me, her eyes wide with alarm. Pain flared in my shoulder, a throbbing reminder of the fight, but it was nothing compared to the sudden surge of fear that just coursed through me. "Shit! Let's go to the south border!" I roared the command, adrenaline masking the ache in my body. I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the way the world tilted for a moment.Callista was already moving; a black, brown, and white hybrid was disappearing into the trees. I pushed myself after her, pushing through the pain and the fear of a hot coal in my gut. We raced through the undergrowth, the pounding of paws echoing through the forest floor.As we broke through the trees and twigs, the scene that greeted us was one of chaos and goriness. Our warriors, outnumbered and caught off guard, were being
Cassius’ POV“What spell?” I raised a quizzical brow. “Watch out for it. Let’s move now!” She ran off towards the woods while the remaining warriors ran after her without answering my questions.As the pouncing from the woods became heavier and nearer, a realization dawned on me about what she said. Most of the packs in the North are joining forces against us. This is going to be a long night. “Shit!” I yelled and ran after her. We came to a halt when we caught sight of two groups of enemies pouncing forward in our direction. “These are two packs here,” I said immediately as I caught up with her. “Yeah, maybe they split up,” she nodded. “Attack!” she growled loudly as the earth trembled beneath our feet. The air crackles with anticipation, and the scent of fur thickens in my nostrils. The full moon hangs like a giant, watchful eye in the sky, casting the battlefield in an eerie silver light. Howls erupt from both sides. A scream of rage reverberates across the forest.Callista s
Callista’s POV The news of my arrival sparked a fire in the entire pack. Nervousness hung heavy in the air, but it was mixed with fierce determination. Young and old warriors gathered on the training ground, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit.I felt anger brewing up in me when Cassius’ gamma told me he asked me to come into his office. I had planned on how to trash him with words, but as I got in, his gaze made those thoughts fly away. A part of me craves him, and another part is pushing me away, but whichever part it is, I don’t think I would listen to anyone if it were. I just have to go ahead with what I came here to do and push those feelings aside. We can’t be on the battleground with emotions flying around. It would make either of us lose concentration. A frustrated groan escaped my lips. Had I traveled all this way, defying logic and reason, just to be on the receiving end of his teasing and flirtation? “I can do anything I want; this isn’t the Callista from years ago