Damien’s POVI stormed into the grand hall of my castle, the loud music and laughter from the party grating on my nerves. I clenched my fists, my eyes dark with fury as I shouted, “Out! Everyone out!”The room fell silent. Guests exchanged nervous glances before scrambling to obey, tripping over themselves as they hurried to the exits. The hall emptied quickly, leaving only the faint echo of footsteps and whispers.I paced back and forth, my boots thudding against the marble floor. My mind was a whirlwind, replaying Lucian’s biting words.“Greedy. Evil. You let go of an Angel, Damien. And others would gladly treat her right.”My jaw tightened as the words stabbed at me again and again. What did Lucian mean? Which angel was he talking about? My mind raced, jumping from name to name but finding no answers. I stopped in the middle of the room, running my fingers through my hair.“Why did he say that? Who is he talking about?” I muttered to myself, eyes narrowed with frustration.I could
Gwen’s POVThe car moved steadily along the dark road, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the silence. My head rested against the cool glass of the window, but my eyes didn’t see the passing trees or the moonlit sky. Everything felt distant, muted. I wasn’t thinking—I wasn’t feeling. My mind was a blank slate, and I wasn’t sure if that was better or worse than the whirlwind of emotions I’d been drowning in earlier.Lucian sat beside me, his hand still loosely holding mine. I could feel his occasional glances, his concern pressing against me like a tangible weight. But I couldn’t bring myself to respond, to reassure him. I didn’t even know what I would say if I tried.The silence stretched on, heavy and oppressive. It wasn’t the comforting quiet from earlier, but something more charged, more uneasy. Lucian’s grip on my hand tightened slightly, and I could sense him fighting the urge to say something. He was giving me space, even though I could feel the worry radiating off him
Lucian’s POVThe soft hum of the engine filled the silence of the car as I carefully adjusted Gwen in my arms. She was asleep, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, completely unaware of what was going on around her. Her fragile body felt weightless in my arms as I carried her out of the woods, her face peaceful, almost serene. I slid into the car, making sure to buckle her in gently. She shifted a little in her sleep but didn’t wake, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. The worst of it was over, but I couldn’t help the anger that burned deep in my chest. My hands clenched around the steering wheel as I glanced one last time at the spot we had left behind. The grave was a fresh mound of dirt, a sad moment in the life that could have been. The darkness of the night seemed to swallow the small grave, the shadows pulling at the edges as if the earth itself was mourning. If it weren’t for the series of carefully planned lies Damien had told, if it weren’t
Damien’s POVI barely noticed when the guard and the healer finally got me into bed, only that the healer was working quickly, her hands cool as they pressed against my wounds. “Hold on, Alpha Damien. I need you to stay awake for me,” she urged softly, but my eyelids were heavy. I didn’t have the strength to stay awake much longer."Alpha Damien..." The healer’s voice reached me again, sharp and demanding. "Look at me. Focus."I tried to do as she said, but it felt like my vision was swimming in a haze, my senses slowly dulling. The pain was overwhelming, and my body felt like it was fading into nothingness. The blood was still seeping from the wound, and every breath I took was labored. My wolf was quiet now, too weak to fight the effects of the injury. Through the haze, I remembered Elara—her angry words, her tantrum about her knee—and how, just moments ago, she’d walked away from me without a second glance. It hurt more than the wounds. She was more concerned about her bruises tha
Lucian’s POVThe castle was silent as we returned, the grand halls echoing only the faint sound of our footsteps. The weight of Gwen in my arms felt heavier than it should. Not because of her physical body, but because of the emotional burden she carried—and that, somehow, I now shared. Her head rested against my chest, her breathing soft and steady as she remained lost in the kind of sleep only exhaustion could bring. I ascended the grand staircase, each step echoing through the quiet halls of the castle. Each step up the sweeping staircase brought me closer to her room, yet further into my thoughts.The dim lighting cast long shadows on the marble walls, and I welcomed the solitude. Tonight, the weight of leadership, duty, and emotion pressed on me more than ever.She looked so peaceful in sleep, her face free of the anguish that had gripped her earlier. But that peace was deceptive, I knew. Beneath it lay layers of pain, confusion, and questions that even I couldn’t begin to answer
Lucian’s POVAs I stepped out of Gwen’s room, I glanced back again. She was still asleep, her breathing steady and soft. The events of the night had taken a toll on her, and she deserved a moment of peace.“Leah,” I called, spotting one of the maids down the hall. She turned quickly, her eyes wide as she came forward.“Yes, Alpha Lucian?” she asked, a hint of nervousness.“Take care of Gwen. Help her out of that dress and get her cleaned up. Make sure she’s comfortable,” I said, my tone more gentle than usual. Leah nodded, casting a worried glance at the closed door behind me.“Of course, Alpha. Right away,” she replied and hurried past me into Gwen’s room. I watched the door close before turning and making my way to my office.The halls were quiet, the soft glow of dawn filtering through the tall windows. My mind was still racing from everything that had happened, but I needed answers. If there was one person who could give me those, it was Ethan.I pushed open the heavy wooden door
GWEN’S POVThe darkness cocooned me, dragging me into a realm that felt too real to be a dream. My breaths came in shallow gasps as I stood in the middle of the ceremonial hall once again. The cold, unforgiving stone floor pressed against my bare feet, and the air was thick with tension. I knew this place. I knew what was coming.“Alpha Damien, claim your Luna, and let the pack see the strength of your union.”Elder Thea’s voice echoed through the hall, her words slicing through the silence like a blade. My heart clenched painfully in my chest. No. Not again.I turned, desperate to find a way out, but the faces of the pack surrounded me, their eyes dull and empty. They stood frozen, like statues, watching and waiting. I knew the sequence by heart—the scene would unfold exactly as it had before, each moment a dagger twisting deeper into my soul.Damien stepped forward, his eyes glowing red, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. My hand trembled as I raised it, offering myself to him once
GWENI woke up with a start, my heart pounding so hard that it felt like it might burst out of my chest. The dream I’d had, was too real. I couldn’t remember all the details, but I knew it had left me feeling cold and uneasy. For a moment, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to steady my breathing. The early light of morning was just peeking through the curtains, painting the room in soft shades of orange and pink.As I pushed myself up, the sheets crumpled around me, and I rubbed my eyes, hoping to shake off the last bits of sleep. The words Arlene had said to me ago echoed in my mind like a song I couldn’t forget. She had been clear and blunt, telling me how I was running out of time. Three months had passed, and I had nothing to show for it. No progress, no answers, no shift. The thought made my chest tighten.I sighed and swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet meeting the cold wooden floor. The room was quiet, but my thoughts were anything but. I replayed everythi
GWENThe air was electric with tension as Damien’s forces marched closer, their ominous war cries sending a chill down my spine. We stood ready, our pack gathered in disciplined lines, every warrior brimming with both determination and fear. Lucian and I were at the forefront, side by side. His presence was steadying, his calm leadership an anchor for everyone—including me.The bond between us was a glowing thread that bound not only our souls but the entire pack, radiating strength and unity. I could feel it, thrumming beneath my skin, a powerful force that fueled my resolve. For my family, my pack, and my mate, I would not fail.Lucian glanced at me, his stormy gray eyes holding a moment of quiet intensity. "This is it," he said, his voice low yet commanding. "Stay close, Gwen."I nodded, gripping the hilt of my sword tightly. "Always."The enemy charged first, a tide of snarling rogues and dark magic-enhanced soldiers sweeping across the field. Lucian roared, his voice carrying abo
GWENThe days leading up to the battle passed in a haze of preparation, tension, and determination. I threw myself into training, trying desperately to harness the powers I knew were buried deep within me. Arlene’s memories, once an echo in the corners of my mind, now roared like a river threatening to overflow. They showed me glimpses of her strength, her sacrifices, and her unyielding love for her pack. I wanted—no, needed—to channel that same energy, but the harder I pushed, the more elusive it seemed.Lucian, as always, was my constant. While I worked on regaining control of my powers, he carried the weight of preparing the pack for war. Every day, he rallied the warriors, strategized with the other Alphas, and ensured the safety of the non-combatants. Despite his responsibilities, he never failed to check on me, his presence a steady source of comfort and strength.One night, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the camp fell into a tense silence, Lucian found me by the traini
GWENThe first thing I saw when I crossed into our territory was Lucian. He was standing just beyond the tree line, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon as if willing me to appear. When his gaze finally landed on me, relief washed over his face, softening the usual stoic lines of his expression.“Gwen,” he breathed, striding toward me. The next moment, I was in his arms, his warmth chasing away the chill that had settled deep in my bones.“You’re back,” he murmured, his lips pressing against my temple. His grip was firm, like he was afraid I’d vanish if he let go. “I was so worried.”“I told you I’d come back,” I said, trying to muster a smile. But even as I stood there, wrapped in his arms, the weight of what I’d seen and experienced clung to me like a shadow.Our reunion was short-lived. Before I could explain everything, Ethan arrived with grim news.“Lucian,” he said, urgency lacing his tone, “we have a problem. Scouts spotted Damien’s forces moving toward us. It looks like they’re
GWENThe night fell heavy and silent as we regrouped inside the captured outpost. The air inside was damp, tinged with the metallic scent of blood from the earlier fight. Our team spread out, each warrior taking a position to guard the perimeter. Despite the victory, tension lingered in the air, and exhaustion pressed down on all of us.I sat near a small, cracked window, my gaze fixed on the forest beyond. Shadows danced in the faint moonlight, and every flicker of movement had me on edge. My fingers instinctively reached for the pendant again, tracing its smooth, crescent shape. It was becoming a habit—a tether to keep me grounded amidst the chaos.Lucian’s face filled my mind. I wondered what he was doing at that very moment. Was he staring out at the same moon, thinking of me? Was he pacing in frustration, cursing this plan for pulling us apart? The thought brought a small smile to my lips, though it was quickly overshadowed by the ache of longing.“Penny for your thoughts?” Ethan
GWENThe evening sky was painted in soft hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. The warmth of the day was giving way to a cool breeze, and the weight of what tomorrow would bring pressed heavily on my chest.Lucian and I sat on the balcony of our quarters, overlooking the pack grounds. The sounds of life around us—children laughing, warriors preparing—felt distant, like a world I wasn’t part of. My focus was entirely on him, and the moments we had left.“You’re too quiet,” Lucian said, his voice soft but tinged with concern. He reached out, his fingers brushing against mine where they rested on the table. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”I sighed, turning to meet his gaze. His eyes, always so piercing, were softer now, filled with an emotion I couldn’t fully name. “I’m just... trying to memorize this moment. You. Us. Before everything changes.”Lucian frowned slightly, his thumb tracing slow circles on the back of my hand. “Nothing is going to change, Gwe
GWENThe warmth of Lucian’s arms wrapped around me, and for a fleeting moment, the world outside didn’t matter. His heartbeat was steady against my cheek, and I focused on its rhythm, trying to anchor myself in the calm he provided. But the weight of the future pressed heavily on my mind, refusing to be ignored for long.I pulled back slightly, enough to look up at him. His expression was soft, but his eyes held a flicker of worry that he couldn’t entirely hide. “Lucian,” I began, my voice low and hesitant, “what happens when we’re not enough? When all the love and strength we share isn’t enough to protect the people who rely on us?”He studied me for a moment, the lines of his face etched with thought. “We do what we can, Gwen. We fight with everything we have. And if we fall, we make sure it’s because we gave everything, not because we held back.” His fingers brushed a strand of hair from my face. “But we’re stronger together. That’s the point of this bond. It doesn’t make us invinc
GWENThe night air smelled of smoke and blood. It clung to my skin, heavy and suffocating, as I stood among the remnants of the battlefield. The allied territory we had fought so hard to defend was in shambles. Structures were reduced to rubble, the ground torn apart by claw marks and bloodstains. Damien’s forces had retreated, but their attack had left scars—on the land and us.Lucian approached me slowly, his steps deliberate, as though he were trying not to spook me. His face was smeared with dirt and blood, but his golden eyes burned with something far more intense than exhaustion. Anger. Concern. Both, maybe.“Gwen,” he said, his voice low but sharp, cutting through the chaos around us. “We need to talk.”I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. My hands trembled as I wiped them on my torn pants, trying to focus on anything other than the sinking feeling in my chest. I knew this conversation was coming. I had known since the moment my hesitation in the battle almost cost him his l
GWENThe world felt unusual still as I drifted in that place between dreaming and waking, where reality blurred with something deeper, something primal. In the vision, the Moon Goddess stood before me, radiant and untouchable, her silvery light washing over everything. Her expression was calm, but there was a weight in her eyes that made my heart ache.“You are strong, Gwen,” she said, her voice like the gentle rustle of leaves in a midnight breeze. “But strength alone does not ensure victory. Love is your greatest gift, but it is also your greatest risk.”Before I could respond, the scene shifted. Suddenly, I was standing on a battlefield. Smoke curled in the air, and the metallic tang of blood filled my senses. Wolves snarled and clashed all around me, their fur matted with sweat and dirt. My heart thundered as my eyes locked on Lucian. He was fighting fiercely, his movements graceful and precise, but he was outnumbered.A decision loomed before me—I could sense it without knowing t
GWENThe preparations for the final confrontation consumed the pack. Everywhere I turned, there was movement, warriors sharpening their weapons, strategists huddling in quiet conversations, and younger wolves preparing supplies. The air buzzed with tension and anticipation, and while I tried to immerse myself in the activity, my thoughts kept drifting.Lucian noticed, of course. He always did.As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the training grounds, he found me standing near the edge of the clearing. His footsteps were soft, but I felt his presence before I saw him. When I turned, his expression was calm yet determined, a sharp contrast to the chaos around us.“Come with me,” he said simply, holding his hand.I frowned, glancing at the bustle of activity behind me. “Lucian, we can’t just leave. There’s so much to do—”He stepped closer, cutting me off with a gentle but firm touch to my arm. “You’ve done enough, Gwen. You need a moment to breathe. We both do