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
ARLENEThe lake shimmered before me, its surface undisturbed save for the occasional ripple caused by the wind. The lake was tranquil, cradled by a gentle curve of emerald-green hills and bordered by clusters of ancient trees whose branches stretched out like protective arms. In the morning light, the water shimmered, catching the soft hues of the sky—blush pinks blending into tender lavenders, with streaks of golden sunlight cutting through the haze. A thin veil of mist floated lazily above the surface, curling in delicate wisps as if the lake itself was exhaling secrets into the cool air. The shoreline was a mosaic of smooth, flat stones and patches of lush grass, damp with dew. Wildflowers in vibrant shades of violet and yellow peppered the edges, their petals swaying gently in the faint breeze that carried the scent of fresh water and pine. The stillness of the lake was almost unnerving as if it were holding its breath, perfectly mirroring the sky above with only the occasional ri
DAMIENThe sun barely pierced through the heavy drapes of my office, casting long shadows that stretched across the room. The dim light was enough—I didn’t need to see the disappointment etched on the faces of the two pack enforcers standing before me. Their silence was louder than any excuse they might have been preparing, and it grated on my nerves.“What is it now?” I finally asked, my voice low and clipped.One of the men, Lucas, cleared his throat nervously. “Alpha Damien, the eastern fields... they’re failing again. The crops—”“The crops?” I interrupted, leaning back in my chair. The leather creaked under my weight as I steepled my fingers and stared at him. “We’ve been over this already, haven’t we? Use the reserves. Shift the hunting grounds. Do something.”“We’ve tried,” he said quickly, his voice faltering under my gaze. “But the reserves are running low. And the neighboring packs have started enforcing stricter boundaries on their territories. Our hunters are returning wit
ARLENEThe lake was calm, the surface shimmering under the soft glow of the morning sun. Ethan sat beside me, his posture stiff and his face tense, as if he was bracing himself for something he couldn’t quite name. I stared out at the water, trying to make sense of the whirlwind in my mind.“I don’t even know where to start,” I muttered, breaking the silence. My voice sounded foreign, even to me, like it didn’t belong at that moment.Ethan turned to me, his expression softening just a little. “Start from the beginning, Arlene. What do you remember?”I let out a shaky breath, pulling my knees up to my chest. “That’s the thing, Ethan. I don’t remember how I got here, how I… took over. It’s like I woke up, and suddenly, I was here, in Gwen’s body. But I don’t know where she went. It’s like she vanished.”Ethan’s jaw clenched. He didn’t respond right away, his eyes narrowing as if he was trying to process what I’d just said.“I’m not playing games,” I added quickly, feeling the weight of
GWENThe air around me was still, almost unnaturally so. The silence was deafening, yet the environment itself was serene—an endless meadow stretching as far as my eyes could see, the grass swaying gently despite the lack of wind. The sky above was painted in soft hues of lavender and gold, the kind of peaceful beauty that could easily lull someone into calmness. But not me. My heart raced, and unease settled deep within me like an anchor. I was scared—scared and agitated for reasons I couldn’t explain.I clutched at my arms, pacing aimlessly, the soft grass brushing against my bare feet. “Where am I?” I whispered to no one in particular. My voice trembled, swallowed by the vast emptiness around me.Then, like the soft glow of moonlight piercing through the darkest night, she appeared. Selene. The Moon Goddess herself.Her presence was overwhelming, yet calming all at once. She stood before me, radiant and ethereal, her silver hair flowing like liquid light, her eyes shimmering like s
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,