LUCIANMy eyes flicked from Gwen, silent and withdrawn, her eyes fixed on nothing in particular, to Damien who was riled up like a caged animal.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
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 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