Chapter 9 - Scorch of Molten SilverThe bell hanging inside above the door of the flower shop chimed softly, signaling the arrival of a customer. Georgia, standing behind the counter, immediately brightened and turned towards the sound. A warm smile spread across her face as she greeted the client. She could see her behind the dark sunglasses that were hiding the truth about her eyes.“Good morning!” Georgia said. The customer, a woman in her late twenties, stepped further into the shop. She was dressed in a chic, navy blue trench coat that accentuated her slender frame, her light brown hair tied back in a neat ponytail. Her features were soft yet elegant, with high cheekbones and wide brown eyes that lit up as she took in the vibrant array of flowers displayed around the shop.“Good morning,” the woman responded. She looked around, her eyes scanning the rows of flowers in various shades of pink, yellow, purple, and white. The shop was filled with the sweet, earthy scent of fresh blo
Chapter 10 - The Purple DrugGeorgia made her way through a narrow alley on her route back from a stroll. The day was cloudy, casting a dim, gray light that made the shadows stretch longer, causing an uncanny look in the alleyway. She wore her sunglasses, as always, her cane tapping gently along the uneven pavement as she walked. Though she was pretending to be blind, her sharp eyes scanned her surroundings constantly. She had grown accustomed to the subtle shifts in the atmosphere, the change in the wind, the quiet rustle of leaves, the hurrying footsteps of people going about their day, and the whirring sound of cars, but today felt different.As she moved forward, she noticed a figure standing still, half hidden in the shadows near a wall. Georgia’s steps slowed, cautious. Today, she had not seen the man — Antler, who had been watching her, but she recognized the ragged old man before her. It was the same homeless man who had bumped into Antler at the grocery store last week. She r
Chapter 11 - Believed to be ExtinctA knock on the heavy wooden door broke the silence in the private office of the Alpha King of the West. “Enter,” Maxton called, his voice calm but firm. He placed down the book he had been reading regarding wild plants that were already extinct for centuries, or believed to be extinct as the door creaked open, and one of his messengers, a young werewolf with anxious eyes, stepped into the room. He carried a sealed envelope, its wax emblem bearing the mark of the Ruler of the Northern Packs.“Your Majesty,” the messenger said, bowing deeply. “A report from the Northern Packs has arrived. It seems urgent.”Maxton gestured for him to approach. The messenger hurried forward, placing the envelope on the desk before retreating a few steps back. Maxton broke the seal and opened the envelope, his eyes scanning the lines of hastily written text. As he read, his expression darkened, his jaw tightening with each word.General Rakesh, who led the messenger to t
Chapter 12 - In HeatThe dead leaves rustled beneath the soles of the Alpha King’s wolf as he ran down the hill where he howled at the full moon shining above the forest. The full moon urged the wolves to reveal themselves and take over their human counterparts, to honor the Moon Goddess and glorify her. However, at full moon is also when the mate bond is at the strongest, driving the werewolves in heat, whether when they shift back to their human form or as wolves in the woods. It was a good thing for those who had mates, but for those who did not, they would endure the burning pain or find a way to release the tension in them.Despite having a harem for the Alpha King, since he had met his mate, he already stopped visiting the harem’s chambers in the palace. But the power of the full moon that tugs the mate bond and drives the werewolf into heat can not be underestimated.Maxton went straight to the King’s palace and asked for Hailey of the Nightshade Pack to attend to him in his of
Chapter 13 - I See You“So, when do you plan to officially choose a Luna? Hailey would be the best choice for you. I heard you two have already met,” the Queen Mother, Luna Poline, remarked as she walked beside her son, her voice carrying a tone of both suggestion and subtle insistence. She was dressed in a beige sheath dress with a pearl necklace that rested elegantly against her collarbone, her expression poised yet expectant.Alpha King Maxton’s jaw tightened, his irritation barely concealed. He continued his brisk pace toward his car, his mind already on the upcoming meeting. He did not have time for this conversation, nor the patience to indulge his mother’s persistent prodding on the matter.“I have more important things to deal with right now, Mother,” he replied curtly, his eyes fixed ahead. His tone was sharp, and dismissive, making it clear he was not interested in continuing the discussion.Luna Poline was unfazed by his reaction, and she kept up with him. “I understand you
Chapter 14 - She’s IdentifiedAlpha Maxton arrived at the King’s Palace of the Northern Packs, and was greeted by Alpha King Janoer, a tall, broad shouldered man in his early thirties, with jet-black hair cut short on the sides and left slightly longer on top. His clean shaven jaw was strong, and his piercing blue eyes, framed by dark brows, held both authority and intelligence. He wore a tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt, the silver emblem of the Northern Pack was a howling wolf against a mountain backdrop, pinned to his lapel.“Maxton,” Janoer greeted, his voice a deep rumble. “Welcome. It has been too long since we have met under more pleasant circumstances.”“Indeed, Janoer,” Maxton replied, offering a firm handshake. “But these are times that demand our full attention. I appreciate you agreeing to meet on such short notice.”Janoer nodded, his expression grim. “The matter of the purple drug is not something we can afford to take lightly. Come, let’s sit and discuss.”T
Chapter 15 - Run: She’s Caught by the Wrong ManGeorgia was well aware of the men following her, despite their discreet attempts to shadow her every move. She could feel their eyes on her, even when she was simply tending to the flowers in the shop. While she hadn’t seen Antler as frequently as before, his absence was replaced by new faces—strangers who tried to blend into the background but failed to escape her notice. On occasion, she would catch a glimpse of Antler, lurking from a distance, his gaze fixed on her from another building.Anxiety clawed at her, Her decision to move to the Northern Capital City, which she had hoped would bring her safety and security, now felt like a grave mistake. Instead of finding refuge, she felt as if she had stepped into a trap, surrounded by unfamiliar dangers in a city that was supposed to be her sanctuary.“I need to move,” she muttered to herself as he placed down a pot of plant on the floor, brushing her palm down to her pants.But she had no
Chapter 16 - King’s MistakeAntler’s seemingly calm demeanor began to trick Georgia, gradually breaking her guard. His smile was warm, his tone reassuring as he spoke to her in a friendly manner, feeding her with lies while guiding her through the narrow, darkened streets toward a nearby building where he claimed his car was parked. She followed him, thinking he was the only escape she had. Taking a leap of faith on the man who claimed to be her mate’s friend; reasoning that it would be better to cross the Alpha King Maxton — her mate, than unknown evil werewolves out there who would show her no mercy. She thought and she hoped her mate would be a lesser evil. And she may be right about that… but she was following the wrong person.“Maxton sent me to keep an eye on you,” Antler explained as they walked, his voice smooth, dripping with false sincerity. “He knew you would be in danger, especially here in the Northern Capital. I have been watching from a distance, making sure no harm c