LUCIAN’S POVThe silence of the morning was deceptive, lulling me into a false sense of calm. The world outside was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves in the breeze. A sharp knock at the door broke through my thoughts. Ethan, standing on the other side, held a small parchment sealed with crimson wax. He handed it to me without a word, his jaw tight.“From Damien,” he said, his voice barely masking the disgust he felt at even saying the name.My heart immediately hardened, a surge of rage coursing through me. I broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.To Alpha Lucian,I extend my sincerest apologies for the actions of my mate, Elara. Her transgressions were unbefitting of her station and have brought dishonor upon our pack. I wish to meet with you to make amends and discuss a path forward.In strength and unity,Alpha Damien NightshadeI could practically hear his voice as I read the words, smooth and calculated. The nerve. The audacity. As if a simple apology could er
GWENThe night air was cool and heavy, carrying a quiet stillness that wrapped around the Crest Moon Pack. I tiptoed down the hallway, careful not to make any noise that could wake anyone up. My heart thudded in my chest as I slipped out of the main building, my bare feet touching the damp grass.The full and bright moon lit up the training ground with a silvery glow. Shadows from the tall trees danced around me, making everything feel a little more alive, a little more magical—and a little more daunting. I took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill my lungs and steady my nerves. I was going to do this. I had to.Standing in the middle of the training ground, I clenched my fists, the memory of the mark on my arm tingling under my skin. I’d seen others shift so easily, the process so seamless. But for me, it had always been a struggle. I couldn’t rely on Lucian or Ethan to fix this. I needed to try on my own.“Okay, Gwen. You can do this,” I whispered to myself, closing my eyes and
DAMIENThe day had finally come for my visit to Lucian’s castle. I made sure every detail was perfect. The gifts were neatly and carefully placed in the car. Elara sat beside me, dressed in her finest blue silk gown that caught the light with every shift and shimmered like the sea. The journey ahead was long, and I needed everything to go smoothly.I glanced sideways at Elara as we settled in. The seats, which usually provided comfort, felt uncharacteristically stiff beneath me.“Elara,” I began, keeping my voice steady but firm. I needed her attention focused. Her eyes met mine, a knowing smirk already forming on her lips.“Yes?” she replied, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.“Today is important,” I said, exhaling slowly. “I need you on your best behavior. No comments, no side-eyes, and definitely no stirring up any trouble. We can’t afford even the slightest mishap with Lucian just like before. He isn’t exactly known for being forgiving.”She rolled her eyes, crossing her arm
ELARAThe room stilled as Lucian’s voice cut through the heavy silence, each word deliberate and sharp.“Arlene, join me,” he commanded, his tone as authoritative as ever.The grand double doors opened, and she appeared. Arlene. She walked with the grace of someone who had been born into power, each step deliberate, her gown trailing elegantly behind her. Every eye in the room followed her as she moved, but none more intensely than Damien’s.I clenched my fists, the nails digging into my palms as I stood rigidly by his side. His eyes were practically glued to her, tracing every curve, every line of her face. It was as if no one else existed in the room. The nerve of him, so openly gawking! My jaw tightened, but I bit back the retort rising to my lips.Arlene stopped a few steps from Lucian, her head held high, and her gaze as steady as his. Lucian reached out, guiding her to stand beside him, his hand resting briefly on her back.“She’s the one you owe your apologies to,” Lucian said,
LUCIANMy eyes flicked from Gwen, silent and withdrawn, her eyes fixed on nothing in particular, to Damien who was riled up like a caged animal. He was muttering something about Arlene, accusing her of being someone else. I let out a quiet sigh.Damien was losing his mind. The man had a habit of getting himself tangled in his lies, and today was no exception. He dared to say that Arlene wasn’t Arlene. He claimed she wasn’t even the woman we all knew. The drama between him, Elara, and Gwen was always a spectacle, but this, this was taking things too far.“You’ve got to be kidding me, Damien,” I said, my voice calm but carrying enough weight to stop him mid-step.He looked up, eyes narrowed. “What did you just say?”I pushed myself and stood tall. “You’re accusing Arlene of being someone else? Of all the things you’ve done, that’s the most ridiculous.” My eyes shifted to Elara, who was hovering in the background, her expression a mixture of defensiveness and silent glee. She loved this,
GWENThe weight of their stares bore into me, but I refused to flinch. Damien’s accusations hung in the air like smoke, but I could see through his bravado. He was grasping at straws, desperate to shift the focus from his unraveling lies.I crossed my arms and tilted my head slightly, my voice cold and steady as I finally spoke. “Damien, you’re far from your territory. You should be more concerned with watching over your pack instead of causing trouble in someone else’s.”His head snapped toward me, his eyes blazing with defiance. “I don’t need a lecture from you, Arlene—if that’s even your real name.”Lucian stiffened beside me, his hand flexing at his side. His voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Damien, you’ve overstepped. You’ve done enough damage here tonight. I suggest you leave while you still can.”Damien sneered but didn’t move. He glanced at Elara, who looked as if she’d been struck speechless. For once, she offered no sly remark, no snide comeback. She simply shift
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
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