Lucian’s POVThe soft hum of the engine filled the silence of the car as I carefully adjusted Gwen in my arms. She was asleep, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, completely unaware of what was going on around her. Her fragile body felt weightless in my arms as I carried her out of the woods, her face peaceful, almost serene. I slid into the car, making sure to buckle her in gently. She shifted a little in her sleep but didn’t wake, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. The worst of it was over, but I couldn’t help the anger that burned deep in my chest. My hands clenched around the steering wheel as I glanced one last time at the spot we had left behind. The grave was a fresh mound of dirt, a sad moment in the life that could have been. The darkness of the night seemed to swallow the small grave, the shadows pulling at the edges as if the earth itself was mourning. If it weren’t for the series of carefully planned lies Damien had told, if it weren’t
Damien’s POVI barely noticed when the guard and the healer finally got me into bed, only that the healer was working quickly, her hands cool as they pressed against my wounds. “Hold on, Alpha Damien. I need you to stay awake for me,” she urged softly, but my eyelids were heavy. I didn’t have the strength to stay awake much longer."Alpha Damien..." The healer’s voice reached me again, sharp and demanding. "Look at me. Focus."I tried to do as she said, but it felt like my vision was swimming in a haze, my senses slowly dulling. The pain was overwhelming, and my body felt like it was fading into nothingness. The blood was still seeping from the wound, and every breath I took was labored. My wolf was quiet now, too weak to fight the effects of the injury. Through the haze, I remembered Elara—her angry words, her tantrum about her knee—and how, just moments ago, she’d walked away from me without a second glance. It hurt more than the wounds. She was more concerned about her bruises tha
Lucian’s POVThe castle was silent as we returned, the grand halls echoing only the faint sound of our footsteps. The weight of Gwen in my arms felt heavier than it should. Not because of her physical body, but because of the emotional burden she carried—and that, somehow, I now shared. Her head rested against my chest, her breathing soft and steady as she remained lost in the kind of sleep only exhaustion could bring. I ascended the grand staircase, each step echoing through the quiet halls of the castle. Each step up the sweeping staircase brought me closer to her room, yet further into my thoughts.The dim lighting cast long shadows on the marble walls, and I welcomed the solitude. Tonight, the weight of leadership, duty, and emotion pressed on me more than ever.She looked so peaceful in sleep, her face free of the anguish that had gripped her earlier. But that peace was deceptive, I knew. Beneath it lay layers of pain, confusion, and questions that even I couldn’t begin to answer
Lucian’s POVAs I stepped out of Gwen’s room, I glanced back again. She was still asleep, her breathing steady and soft. The events of the night had taken a toll on her, and she deserved a moment of peace.“Leah,” I called, spotting one of the maids down the hall. She turned quickly, her eyes wide as she came forward.“Yes, Alpha Lucian?” she asked, a hint of nervousness.“Take care of Gwen. Help her out of that dress and get her cleaned up. Make sure she’s comfortable,” I said, my tone more gentle than usual. Leah nodded, casting a worried glance at the closed door behind me.“Of course, Alpha. Right away,” she replied and hurried past me into Gwen’s room. I watched the door close before turning and making my way to my office.The halls were quiet, the soft glow of dawn filtering through the tall windows. My mind was still racing from everything that had happened, but I needed answers. If there was one person who could give me those, it was Ethan.I pushed open the heavy wooden door
GWEN’S POVThe darkness cocooned me, dragging me into a realm that felt too real to be a dream. My breaths came in shallow gasps as I stood in the middle of the ceremonial hall once again. The cold, unforgiving stone floor pressed against my bare feet, and the air was thick with tension. I knew this place. I knew what was coming.“Alpha Damien, claim your Luna, and let the pack see the strength of your union.”Elder Thea’s voice echoed through the hall, her words slicing through the silence like a blade. My heart clenched painfully in my chest. No. Not again.I turned, desperate to find a way out, but the faces of the pack surrounded me, their eyes dull and empty. They stood frozen, like statues, watching and waiting. I knew the sequence by heart—the scene would unfold exactly as it had before, each moment a dagger twisting deeper into my soul.Damien stepped forward, his eyes glowing red, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. My hand trembled as I raised it, offering myself to him once
GWENI woke up with a start, my heart pounding so hard that it felt like it might burst out of my chest. The dream I’d had, was too real. I couldn’t remember all the details, but I knew it had left me feeling cold and uneasy. For a moment, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to steady my breathing. The early light of morning was just peeking through the curtains, painting the room in soft shades of orange and pink.As I pushed myself up, the sheets crumpled around me, and I rubbed my eyes, hoping to shake off the last bits of sleep. The words Arlene had said to me ago echoed in my mind like a song I couldn’t forget. She had been clear and blunt, telling me how I was running out of time. Three months had passed, and I had nothing to show for it. No progress, no answers, no shift. The thought made my chest tighten.I sighed and swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet meeting the cold wooden floor. The room was quiet, but my thoughts were anything but. I replayed everythi
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
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,