ETHANI hesitated outside Lucian’s office, the muffled voices from inside carrying an almost palpable tension. I couldn’t hear every word, but the sharp edges of Arlene’s voice and the strained notes in Lucian’s replies were enough to make me second-guess barging in. Still, something in my gut told me I needed to be there.Lucian was my closest friend, my Alpha, and in many ways, the brother I’d never had. I knew him better than most, and if there was one thing I could sense, it was when he was on the verge of unraveling. Judging by the sharp tones and heavy silences punctuating their conversation, he was already halfway there.I didn’t bother knocking. Lucian hated interruptions, but he hated secrets even more. Pushing the door open, I stepped inside.The scene before me was enough to stop me in my tracks. Lucian was standing near his desk, his jaw tight and his fists clenched at his sides. Across from him, Arlene stood with her shoulders squared, defiance and frustration clear in ev
DAMIENThe icy wind sliced through the air as I stood at the edge of the cliff overlooking the northern sea. The waves crashed against the jagged rocks below, a relentless reminder of the territory I now tread. SeaHowl territory. It was a land of bitter cold and harsher rulers, a place where power was carved through blood and dominance rather than treaties or alliances.I clenched my jaw against the chill as the hulking figure of Alpha Garrick stepped out from the shadows of his stone fortress. His presence was unmistakable—broad shoulders draped in fur, a long scar slicing across his face from temple to jaw, and eyes as cold and unyielding as the ocean behind him. Garrick, the tyrant Alpha of the North, was not a man to be trifled with.“Alpha Damien,” he greeted, his voice a deep rumble that carried over the howling wind. “You’ve come far from your warm southern lands. What brings you here to my doorstep?”I stepped forward, maintaining my composure despite the predatory gleam in hi
ARLENEI stood there, the weight of Lucian’s gaze pressing down on me as he asked, “What do you mean you’re here to help Gwen? What reason could there possibly be for you to come back?” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—curiosity laced with suspicion.I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. It wasn’t easy, not with the man I had loved staring at me like I was some unsolvable puzzle. “I came back for her,” I said softly. “For Gwen.”Lucian’s brows furrowed as he leaned back in his chair, his hands gripping the armrests tightly. “Help her with what?” he asked, his voice sharper this time. “What could you possibly do for Gwen?”I moved closer, letting my words sink in before continuing. “Gwen is different, Lucian. You’ve seen it yourself. She’s not just an ordinary Alpha, and deep down, you know that too. She’s struggling because of the power she carries, a power she doesn’t fully understand yet. I’m here to guide her, to help her harness it without it destroyin
GWENThe first thing I noticed was the heaviness in my chest, a familiar weight that wasn’t entirely mine. I was back in control of my body, but I wasn’t alone. Arlene’s presence lingered like a shadow, her energy intertwined with mine, both comforting and overwhelming.“Breathe, Gwen,” Arlene’s voice echoed in my mind, steady and calm. “You’re fighting too hard. You need to let go.”Let go? Easy for her to say. My shape-shifting was still a mess, and my wolf remained elusive, almost mocking me with its silence. Every attempt I made to connect with it felt like trying to grip smoke—it slipped right through my fingers, leaving me feeling weaker and more frustrated each time.I clenched my fists, standing in the clearing where I had been practicing for hours. The moon hung high above, its silvery light spilling over me as if urging me forward. But no matter how hard I tried, my wolf refused to surface.“I can’t do this,” I muttered, pacing angrily. “It’s useless. I’m useless.”“You’re n
GWENThe urgency of the dream propelled me to Lucian’s room. The hallways were eerily quiet, the faint light of dawn barely peeking through the windows as I rushed toward his door. My heart pounded in my chest, and my thoughts swirled with the warnings of the Moon Goddess. When I reached his room, I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering over the doorknob. Could I convince him to help me? Could I even explain this without sounding desperate or insane?I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Lucian was already awake, sitting on the edge of his bed. His sharp gaze met mine, his brows furrowing in confusion.“Gwen?” he asked, his voice rough from sleep. “What’s going on? Why are you awake so early?”“There’s no time to explain everything right now,” I said, my voice trembling but firm. “I need you to come with me. The Moon Goddess warned me. We need answers, and I know where we can find them.”He stood slowly, his posture tense as he studied me. “Answers to what, Gwen? What’s ha
GWENThe decision to go through with the ritual weighed heavily on me, but I knew there was no other way. The Elders prepared everything with meticulous care. Their chants echoed through the chamber, each word thick with ancient power. Lucian stood nearby, his presence grounding me even as he looked uneasy. When the final preparations were done, one of the Elders stepped forward, holding a bowl filled with shimmering liquid.“This will send your spirit to the ancestral plane,” he explained. “Your journey will not be easy, Gwendolyn. You must face what lies ahead with courage.”I nodded, swallowing my fear. “I’m ready.”Lucian took a step forward, his jaw clenched. “I’m staying close. If anything happens—”“You cannot interfere,” the Elder interrupted firmly. “Her journey is hers alone.”Lucian’s fists tightened, but he gave a sharp nod, his eyes locking with mine. “I’ll be here when you return.”His words steadied me as I drank the liquid. The taste was unlike anything I’d ever experi
DAMIENThe air in the throne room was thick with tension as I sat back in my ornate chair, staring at the trembling figure before me. The spy I had sent weeks ago, tasked with finding any trace of Gwendolyn, knelt at the foot of my dais, sweat gleaming on his forehead. He had finally returned, his presence stirring a dark curiosity in me. The reports of Gwendolyn’s death had never settled well in my mind. Something about it felt incomplete, as though a vital piece of the puzzle had been deliberately hidden.“What have you discovered?” I demanded, my voice low but cold enough to send a shiver down the room.The spy hesitated, his gaze darting toward the marble floor. “Your Majesty,” he began, his voice shaky, “I found Gwendolyn’s body, or what remains of it, but the situation is… peculiar.”“Peculiar?” I leaned forward, my grip tightening on the armrest of my throne. “Explain.”He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. “The body… it is her, my lord, but there are whispers.
GWEN“You’re a part of me,” I said softly, meeting my wolf’s glowing eyes. “I can’t fight you forever. I don’t want to. We need each other. But I won’t let you control me.”The wolf stopped, its massive form towering over me. For a moment, it just stared, as if weighing my words. Then, with a snarl, it lunged one last time.I braced myself, standing firm. This time, instead of resisting, I opened myself to it. The wolf’s form collided with mine, and instead of pain, I felt a surge of energy—raw, powerful, and overwhelming. My mind was filled with images of my past, my struggles, and my victories. The wolf’s memories mixed with mine, and I realized it wasn’t just testing me. It was showing me that we were the same.When the light faded, I stood alone in the shadowy realm. My wolf was gone, but I could feel its presence within me, no longer a separate entity but a part of who I was.I had won—not by fighting, but by accepting.The air was heavy, suffused with the energy of the ancestor’
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