Damien’s POVI jolted awake, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest, and sweat dripped down my face. I sat up, trying to catch my breath, the remnants of the dream still clinging to me like a bad omen.Who was she?I couldn’t see her face or make out her body, but I knew she was watching me, standing there in the darkness. Her voice, low, cryptic, still echoed in my mind, sending chills down my spine. I ran my hands through my hair, trying to shake off the lingering unease.“Show yourself!” I had demanded in the dream, but she didn’t. Not completely. She stayed hidden like she was playing a game with me. And that voice, there was something familiar about it, but I couldn’t place it.I couldn’t shake the feeling she was important like I should know her. But who was she? Why couldn’t I recognize her? The darkness had swallowed her face, making it impossible to see her. I don’t like not knowing, not being in control. And this woman, whoever she was, had thrown me off balance.“Damien,
Lucian’s POVI watched Gwen finally drift off into sleep, her breathing slow and steady, the worry lines on her face fading as she relaxed. For the first time that day, she seemed peaceful. I stood by her side a little longer to be sure. It felt strange, this urge to protect her, but I couldn’t shake it. The need to make sure she was okay weighed on me, more than I ever expected.I turned to Ethan, who had been quietly watching the whole time. “She’s been through a lot,” I muttered.Ethan nodded, crossing his arms. “Yeah, but she’s tougher than she looks. She’ll get through this, Lucian. We both know she has to.”I sighed, glancing back at Gwen, her peaceful form almost a contrast to the chaos she was living through. “I just wish I understood why I feel so… responsible for her. Why now? Why me?”Ethan clapped me on the back, giving me a small reassuring smile. “The Moon Goddess doesn’t just throw people together by accident. You’re part of this for a reason, even if you don’t see it y
Damien’s POVAs I sat in the dimly lit wine cellar, the taste of the Cabernet still lingering on my tongue, I tried to shake off the unsettling feeling the dream had left me with. The wine was supposed to calm my nerves, but even as I took another sip, that nagging sense of unease refused to leave me. I swirled the glass in my hand, staring at the deep red liquid as if it held answers.“Gwen,” I muttered under my breath. It couldn’t be her. She was dead. She had to be. If she wasn’t, someone would have found her body by now, right?But deep down, something gnawed at me. The dream wasn’t just a random nightmare. There was something about it, something that felt real, even though I hadn’t been able to see her face. The darkness in the dream had cloaked her features, but I knew it was her. I could feel it. Her presence, her energy, it was unmistakable.“This is ridiculous,” I growled, standing up and pacing the length of the wine cellar. “She’s dead. She has to be.”Yet the more I tried
Lucian’s POVI finally drifted to sleep, my thoughts swirling around Gwen and the strange role the Moon Goddess had placed me in. Protecting her had become more than a responsibility, it felt like a calling. But why me? That question lingered, unanswered, as sleep eventually claimed me.The next morning, I was awakened by the familiar sound of Ethan knocking on my door."Lucian, wake up," he called, his voice muffled through the door. I groaned and sat up, rubbing my eyes.The door creaked open, and Ethan stepped in, holding a letter in his hand. "Morning. I’ve got something for you.""Great," I muttered, still groggy. "Is it a mission from the council? Or a request from the council to think about Gwen again?"Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "No, nothing like that. It’s an invitation. And before you crumple it up like the last five, hear me out."I raised an eyebrow, already annoyed. "An invitation? You know I don’t attend those silly gatherings. You can tell whoever sent it that I’
Lucian’s POVI watched as Gwen’s expression hardened, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest. She wasn’t budging on her decision, and I could see the fear and caution in her eyes.“Gwen,” I said, my voice softer now, trying to reason with her. “No one’s going to recognize you. You’re not... you anymore. You’re in Arlene’s body now. To them, you’re just another face. A stranger.”She shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Lucian, you don’t understand. Damien might not know who I am on sight, but I’ll give myself away. The way I move, the way I talk, he’ll pick up on something. That man is dangerous. He killed me once. I’m not giving him a second chance.”I stepped closer to her, feeling the tension radiating off her. "You’re not Gwen Silverfang anymore, not to them. You’re Arlene, and that’s all they’ll see. It’s the perfect cover."She still didn’t look convinced. "Even if I go in there with a new face, it won’t matter if I act suspicious. And what about my scent?
Damien’s POVI paced around my office, feeling the familiar surge of power as I glanced at the invitations I'd sent. The dinner party wasn’t just any gathering, it was one of my ways of asserting dominance, reminding everyone of the power I held, and preventing my power from deteriorating even if Gwen returned to get back her position. The Alphas from the other packs would gather, and they would see the force that is Damien, Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack. But more than anything, I wanted Lucian to show up. The elusive Alpha, who had always kept his distance, avoided gatherings like this."That man hides behind his power, too afraid to step into the light," I muttered to myself, leaning back in my chair. "But this time... this time, he'll come."Just as I was basking in the thought of cornering Lucian, there was a knock on the door. Bryce, my Beta, stepped in, holding a letter in his hand."Alpha Damien," he said, his voice filled with disbelief, "you’re going to want to read this."
Gwen’s POVAfter accepting the invitation, I looked at Lucian and grinned, though a part of me still felt a bit uneasy about facing Damien and Elara again. But if I was going to do this, I wanted to be ready."Let’s train more," I said, feeling the determination rise in me. If I was going to attend this event, I needed to be in control of myself, my abilities, and whatever I might face.Lucian nodded, his expression softening. “Of course. We’ll go at your pace, Gwen.”We headed back to the training grounds, leaving Ethan alone in Lucian’s office because he said that he had something to take care of. As we stepped into the training ground, the evening air cooled against my skin. I could feel my heart pounding, not just from the thought of shapeshifting again, but also from Lucian’s presence. He was always calm, patient, and steady. He made me feel like I could do this like I wasn’t as broken as I sometimes believed.“Let’s start with the basics,” Lucian said gently as we stepped into
Lucian’s POVI nodded, determination etched on my face. “I’ll do my best,” I replied to Ethan. I moved closer, almost hovering over Gwen. “Gwen, I’m here. We’re going to get through this together. Just focus on my voice. You’re safe. You’re not alone.”With that, she could feel my presence. I let my voice wash over her like a balm, and gradually, the agony began to dissipate. The tension in her muscles slowly eased as she focused on the rhythm of my voice, my calming words piercing through the haze of pain.“Good, Gwen. Just keep breathing. In and out,” I instructed gently.With each breath, she felt herself returning to reality, the grip of her wolf loosening its hold. “Lucian...” she breathed, her voice shaky yet filled with gratitude.“You’re doing great,” I encouraged, my tone unwavering. “Just a little longer.”Ethan stayed close, watching with keen eyes, ready to assist in whatever way was needed. After a few more moments, I opened my eyes, blinking against the bright light.
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,