GWENThe weight of sleep was heavy on my eyelids, pulling me down, but something unfamiliar, sharp, and insistent clawed its way into my mind, dragging me from the depths of rest. Then I felt it.Fear.It tightened around my chest like a vise, cold, unyielding, and raw. The sensation wasn’t my own—I would have recognized it immediately if it were—but it was vivid as if I were experiencing it through a stranger’s eyes. It was a fear that didn’t just sit in my mind; it poured through every nerve, every muscle, making each breath harder to draw. Lucian.I blinked, my vision slowly adjusting to the darkness. The room was still, save for the soft patter of rain against the windows and the distant rumble of thunder that hinted at a storm brewing outside. My heart thudded in my chest, the sound amplified in the quiet. I lay there for a moment, disoriented, unsure of what had pulled me from sleep so abruptly.Then I felt it.It wasn’t a sound or a physical disturbance. It was a sensation—an a
GWENThe air in the room grew heavier, and thicker, as if the storm outside had seeped into the walls. Lucian’s trembling form on the bed was unyielding, each shiver a painful echo of the fear that surged through the bond we shared. I stood frozen, my mind racing for a way to reach him, to pull him from the abyss he was trapped in. But his cries, muffled and raw, made the task feel insurmountable.“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” His voice cracked, barely audible, as if the words were dredged up from the deepest recesses of his soul. “I… I shouldn’t have left you… shouldn’t have left you behind…”The vulnerability in his voice broke something inside me. I clenched my fists, steeling myself against the instinctual urge to run to his side. I couldn’t risk overwhelming him further. But I had to do something—anything—to help.“Lucian,” I said softly, as steady as I could manage. “It’s me. Gwen. I’m here.”He didn’t respond, his body curling further inward as though bracing against an unseen att
GWENI could see Lucian from across the room, his stance tense, his body rigid as if he were caught in the grip of something far stronger than his usual control. His eyes burned a fierce gold, shimmering like molten metal, while his claws extended, sharp as daggers, digging into the wooden floor beneath him. The air around him crackled with energy, thick and heavy with aggression as if something—or someone—was pulling at him from deep inside.I knew better than anyone that Lucian wasn’t someone you could push around easily. He was the kind of man who could keep his composure no matter what was thrown at him. But right now? He was a different person altogether. There was something more primal about him, something wild and untamed, like a beast ready to break free. And it wasn’t him. It was something else.I took a cautious step forward, my heart racing in my chest, but I couldn’t let him lose himself, not now, not with everything at stake. "Lucian," I called out softly, my voice steady
GWENEthan’s jaw tightened as he glanced out the window, watching the rain batter against the glass. "I don’t know all the details, Gwen. But I do know that Lucian loved her. He loved Arlene with everything he had. And when she died… it shattered him. This curse, it’s like a punishment for something he couldn’t control. And now, whenever the storm hits, it drags him back to that moment, to that terror. To her death."I swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. Lucian had been cursed, trapped in an endless cycle of grief, pain, and torment every time it rained like this. His body and soul were bound to relive the worst moment of his life over and over again.Just then, I decided to check up on Lucian. My heart ached for him. Ethan followed me back into the room without saying a word, his footsteps soft and measured as though he didn’t want to disturb the heavy silence. Lucian was still asleep, his chest rising and falling steadily, but the tension in his face hadn’t disappear
ETHANThe moment Gwen’s voice faltered, something shifted in the room. I saw it happen—her posture, the way she held herself. It wasn’t her usual guarded composure. It was like someone else had slipped into her skin.Her eyes, normally steady and sharp, now glinted with a strange light. They weren’t unfocused or lost, no. They were piercing, as if she saw something no one else in the room could. Something I couldn’t see.“Lucian doesn’t deserve this,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. She wasn’t speaking to me, not really. Her gaze was locked on Lucian, who lay still on the bed, his breathing shallow but steady.The way she said it—those words—it sent a shiver through me. It wasn’t just what she said but how she said it.I took a cautious step closer, watching her carefully. “Gwen?” I asked, my voice low, steady.She didn’t answer immediately, her head tilting slightly as if listening to something only she could hear. Then she spoke again, her tone colder, sharper. “He’s always
LUCIANThe pounding in my head was relentless as I woke up. It was like a storm raging inside my skull, a harsh reminder of last night’s madness. Groaning, I sat up slowly, rubbing my temples to ease the ache. My claws had left faint scratches on my palms—proof of how far I’d lost control.I didn’t remember much, just flashes of Gwen’s voice calling out to me, and then darkness. Whatever had happened, it had drained me completely. I reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and took a long sip, letting the cool liquid soothe my dry throat.Once I felt steady enough, I dragged myself out of bed and numbed the headache with a small vial of medicine I kept for times like this. The dull pain eased slightly, and I pulled myself together, dressing quickly for the day ahead. Whatever mess I’d made last night, I’d deal with it later. For now, I needed to clear my head.Stepping out of my chambers, I was greeted by the soft warmth of sunlight streaming through the windows. It should’
LUCIANHer expression shifted at the question—barely, but enough to notice. It was like the mask she wore cracked for just a second, letting something else, someone else, peek through. She tilted her head slightly, considering me with an unreadable gaze.“Would it matter if I was?” she asked softly, her voice steady but carrying a weight that felt too heavy for Gwen.The air seemed to thicken between us, the silence pressing down like a vice. My chest felt tight, my pulse thundering in my ears as I forced myself to try and stay calm.The weight of her question hung in the air, pressing down on me like an unbearable force. Would it matter if I was?Yes. It would matter. It would change everything. But I couldn’t find the words to say it aloud. Instead, I stood there, frozen, staring at the woman who looked like Gwen but sounded like someone I’d buried long ago.Her head tilted slightly, her gaze never leaving mine. It wasn’t Gwen’s expression—Gwen always carried a guarded edge, a readi
LUCIANThe study was quiet, too quiet, and I hated it. The silence pressed down on me like a weight, forcing me to face my thoughts, thoughts I’d been trying to avoid since stepping out of my chambers. I sat at my desk, my hands gripping the edge tightly, staring blankly at the scattered documents. They were meaningless now, just a distraction I couldn’t focus on.Gwen’s transformation, hair, smile, and voice were haunting me. It wasn’t just a coincidence. It couldn’t be. The resemblance was too close, too deliberate. And no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Arlene’s shadow was creeping back into my life.Arlene.Her name was a whisper in my mind, and with it came a flood of memories I’d tried so hard to bury.I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes, and before I could stop it, the flashbacks began.I could still see her sitting by the firelight, her face illuminated in a soft glow. Arlene had this way of looking at me like she
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