ETHANI wasn’t sure what I had expected when I entered the hall, but it certainly wasn’t this. The moment I stepped in, I froze. Lucian and Arlene—or Gwen, as I had come to know her—were locked in a kiss so intense that it was as if the world had ceased to exist around them.For a split second, the sight made me question everything. My Alpha, the stoic, ever-controlled Lucian, was utterly lost in that moment, pouring every ounce of emotion into it. And Gwen, though I could only see her back, didn’t pull away. She leaned into him, her posture soft yet strong, as if she had been waiting for this all along.It was…jarring.Lucian wasn’t impulsive. He calculated every move, every word. But this? This was raw, unguarded, and entirely out of character. My chest tightened with unease. It wasn’t the kiss itself that unsettled me—it was what it meant.Lucian pulled away from Gwen, his expression shifting from raw vulnerability to the controlled, unreadable mask he usually wore. Gwen, on the ot
GWENI sat there, trying to make sense of what just happened. My heart thumped wildly, refusing to calm down. Damien’s accusations, Lucian’s pointed words, Elara’s silent shock, it all swirled around me like a storm. But none of that was what had me staring into space, my mind caught in an endless loop.Lucian. Why did he have to kiss me this time? What did it mean? I turned my head slightly and saw him standing by the window, the soft glow of moonlight outlining his broad shoulders. He was a few feet away, close but unreachable, his eyes lost in the night sky.I took a shaky breath, the weight in my chest tightening. The room felt colder now, the silence stretching and making every heartbeat louder in my ears. I wanted to speak, to ask him why—to understand—but my voice seemed locked behind my confusion. Everything about him felt different now. His gaze, his touch, even the way he stood there as if something deeper was pulling him away from all of us.For so long, I’d watched him, an
ETHANElara felt like stepping from one storm into another. The silence inside was heavy, almost suffocating. I made my way down the hall toward Lucian’s study, the weight of duty pressing on my shoulders. The polished wooden doors loomed in front of me, slightly ajar. I knocked once, but there was no answer.Pushing the door open, I stepped inside and stopped dead in my tracks. Lucian was sitting at his large mahogany desk, his back to me, head bowed low. In his hand, he held something small, something I hadn’t seen in years, Arlene’s pendant. The silver chain dangled between his fingers, catching the light, the small emerald in its center glinting like a tear.My heart clenched. I knew that look in Lucian’s eyes. It was the same distant, haunted stare he’d had the day we buried Arlene. The silence stretched, pressing down on both of us. I had seen Lucian angry, ruthless, and determined, but this version of him—lost in memories—was different. It made him seem almost... fragile.“Luci
DAMIENThe drive back home felt like it took forever, even though we were just a few minutes out. My head was spinning, trying to process everything that happened. And then there was her. Arlene. She wasn’t even with me now, but I couldn’t shake the image of her from earlier, right before I was practically walked out of the palace by Ethan.I kept replaying the scene in my mind. Lucian had been acting strange like there was something more to this whole "relationship" thing he had with her. I’d walked into that room earlier, expecting to find Lucian in one of his usual moods, but instead, he’d been all over Arlene like she was his world. The way they looked at each other, the way she smiled at him, it was all so... off. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something didn’t feel right.The more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I didn’t trust what I had seen. There was no way Lucian was acting that way for nothing. Sure, he had a reputation, but today? He was doing way too
ELARAThe car rumbled beneath us as Damien sat brooding, his eyes fixed on the passing trees. The ride back to our territory was suffocating, but my mind was elsewhere, tangled in a web of thoughts I couldn’t shake. No matter how hard I tried, the image of Arlene Dawn—or whoever she was—remained etched in my mind.Her face, her voice, her mannerisms. The way she had stood up to Damien with that calm, infuriating confidence. It was hauntingly familiar, as though I had seen it all before.But that was impossible.I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, stealing a glance at Damien. He hadn’t said a word since we left Lucian’s estate, but his silence was deafening. I could feel his tension, his suspicion, and I knew he was piecing things together, just as I was.No matter how hard I tried to push the thoughts away, they came rushing back, like waves crashing against the shore. The image of Arlene Dawn—her piercing eyes, her poised demeanor, and the way she had so confidently called out my lie
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
GWENBeing pregnant wasn’t supposed to be like this. I knew carrying pups wasn’t easy, but as an Alpha mated to another Alpha, I should have known it would be different. The moon had granted me a vision, a glimpse of the future, and yet here I was—exhausted, emotional, and constantly battling fluctuating moods. I couldn’t help but laugh sometimes, wondering how the pack would handle this version of their Alpha Queen.The first few weeks after Ethan had confirmed the news felt like an endless roller coaster. My body seemed to change by the day, the weight of pregnancy settling into my bones. Some days, I could hardly keep my eyes open; others, I felt like I could conquer the world. But it wasn’t just my body that was changing—it was my emotions, too. I’d snap at Lucian for something trivial, my mind a storm of thoughts and anxieties, only to immediately apologize and burst into tears because I felt guilty. Hormones? No. This was an Alpha’s pregnancy, and it was intense.Lucian, bless h
GWENThe night was quiet, serene—almost too quiet. After the grand celebration of our union, Lucian and I finally had a chance to rest, to take in everything that had happened in the past few days. But sleep eluded me that night. I found myself lying awake, staring at the moon through the open window. Its light bathed the land in silver, peaceful and eternal, much like the bond I shared with Lucian.That’s when it happened.A soft presence filled the room, a comforting warmth that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. I blinked, sitting up, my heart racing. The room was empty, yet I felt no fear. There was only a sense of calm, as if I were being cradled in the very arms of the night itself.Then, a voice, as gentle as the moon’s glow, filled my mind.Gwen.My breath caught in my throat. It was her, the Moon Goddess.Do not be afraid, child. I have watched you closely. Your defiance, your refusal to bow to the constraints of destiny, it inspired me. You, Gwen, have shown
GWENThe day had finally come, the day I would say goodbye to Arlene. The woman who had been my closest confidante, my mentor, and my friend. She had stood beside me through the darkest of days and the brightest of victories. Now, her absence was a gaping wound in my heart, one that I wasn’t sure how to close. But life had to go on, and I had promised her that I would lead our pack into a future that honored everything she had taught me.The clearing was quiet, the air still with the weight of anticipation. The pack had gathered to honor Arlene, and as I stood before the gathered faces, I could feel her presence with me, as if she were standing right behind me, offering her silent support. I could almost hear her voice, whispering the words of strength I needed to carry on.The ceremony was simple, yet filled with reverence. The flowers we had picked from the fields, the candles that flickered with a soft light, and the incense that swirled through the air all spoke of love, loss, and
GWENThe moonlight cast a soft glow over the newly rebuilt pack lands, the air crisp and alive with the whispers of a future we were all striving toward. The sounds of construction had faded, replaced with a deeper kind of peace, one that had been hard-earned, fought for with the blood of our people and the weight of history on our shoulders.I had spent so many nights looking out over these lands, reflecting on what had been lost under Damien’s reign and what we were now building together. My heart still carried the scars of his betrayal, but I had made a promise to my people—to rebuild, to heal, and to lead them into a future where we could finally be free of the shadow he had cast over us.With Lucian by my side, that promise felt more like a vow I could keep.It had been weeks since the last of Damien’s forces had been rooted out, since we had finally reclaimed our territories. There were no more whispers of traitors hiding in the shadows, no more enemies creeping through the crac
GWENThe wind swept through the ruins of the once-great city, carrying with it the scent of fresh earth and rebuilding. Everywhere I looked, the landscape bore the marks of war—broken walls, shattered homes, the remnants of lives lost. But amidst the destruction, there was something else. Hope. It was growing, slowly but surely, as my people—my pack—began to rebuild what was lost.I stood at the edge of the newly constructed walls, my gaze sweeping over the horizon. The sun was rising, casting a golden glow on the charred remnants of Damien's reign. It was almost surreal to think about how far we had come, and how much we had been through. I had been forced into a role I never expected, thrust into the leadership of a pack torn apart by betrayal and bloodshed. Yet, here I was, standing strong, the weight of my people’s trust on my shoulders.Lucian stood beside me, his presence steady and grounding. His hand brushed against mine, a silent reminder that I wasn't alone in this. We were
GWENLucian’s scent, earthy and steady, with just a hint of spice, wrapped around me like a balm. He didn’t speak, just came to stand beside me, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the faint glow of the dying fire.“You’re brooding,” he said softly, breaking the silence.I huffed a breath, the corner of my mouth twitching in a half-hearted smile. “I prefer the term ‘reflecting.’”He chuckled, the sound low and rich, vibrating through the cool night air. He didn’t push me to speak, giving me the space I needed to sort through my thoughts. But the silence between us wasn’t empty, it was filled with the steady, unspoken connection we always shared.Finally, I exhaled deeply, letting the words I’d been holding back tumble out. “Do you ever wonder if... if we’re doing the right thing? If I’m doing the right thing?”He turned to face me, his dark eyes searching mine. “What brought that on?”I gestured vaguely toward the clearing. “Everything. The battle, the losses, and the decisions we
GWENThe sun dipped low in the sky, casting its warm, amber glow across the clearing as the pack gathered to honor our fallen. The air was thick with grief, mingling with the faint scent of earth and smoke from the makeshift pyres. Each face was etched with sorrow, yet there was a quiet sense of pride among us—a recognition of the strength it took to survive and protect our home.I stood at the center, my hands clasped tightly in front of me. Lucian stood beside me, his presence grounding me as I struggled to find the right words. My voice felt heavy, burdened by the weight of loss and the responsibility to keep our pack moving forward.The clearing felt alive with silence, the kind that pressed against your ears and made every thought louder. Wolves of all ranks and ages were gathered, their postures stiff, their eyes solemn. Mothers clutched their children close; warriors stood with heads bowed. The pyres, carefully built from branches and kindling, stood like solemn sentinels await
GWENAfter the whole saga with Elaine, it was time to addressed the ruthless Alpha. The forest was eerily quiet as we approached the rogue Alpha’s camp, the kind of quiet that sets your teeth on edge and makes you hyper-aware of every sound. Lucian walked ahead of me, his stride confident and steady, even though the tension radiating off him was impossible to miss. I stayed close, my senses sharp and ready. This wasn’t just any rogue we were dealing with. This was the Alpha who had dared to ally with Damien, who had promised reinforcements that could have devastated us.And now, he was about to face justice.We reached the edge of the clearing where the rogue’s camp was situated. My eyes swept over the scene—ragged wolves lounging near a smoldering fire, a few sharpening weapons, others pacing like caged animals. They were a sorry sight, but there was still danger in their unpredictability. The air was thick with the smell of unwashed bodies and stale aggression.Then he emerged. The
GWENThe battlefield was quiet now, starkly contrasting to the chaos that had reigned just hours ago. The storm Damien had summoned had dissipated, leaving a somber calm in its wake. The bodies of the fallen were being tended to, and the wounded were receiving care. Yet, amidst the aftermath of battle, another storm was brewing—a far more personal one.I stood at the center of the pack’s gathering, my Alpha aura still humming with power. The tension was palpable as two warriors dragged Elaine before me. She was disheveled and bruised, her hair matted with blood and dirt. Yet her eyes held no remorse, only a bitter defiance that made my stomach churn.The pack murmured angrily, their voices rising as they hurled accusations at her.“Traitor!”“She almost cost us everything!”“She deserves death!”I raised my hand, and silence fell instantly. I stared at Elaine, trying to reconcile the image of the loyal maid I once trusted with the venomous woman kneeling before me.“Elaine,” I began,