TalonI jolted awake, my heart racing heavily, as if someone had whispered to me. “She’s coming.”I don’t have to ask who. The voice is familiar; it’s the voice that has been haunting me for months. I hear it in my dreams, and it brings back the shadow of a woman glowing in golden light. Her presence in my dream is radiant, and it lingers in my mind much longer than I think, actively stirring something inside me. I don’t know. I know the vision holds a crucial meaning that is tied to my destiny, but I seek clarity. I have no idea what her name is or what her face looks like, but I do know she’s coming. And each time, the feeling weighs strongly on me. My life doesn't need any complications. I sit up rather hesitantly, trying to shake off the weight of the feeling. Even if I don’t know her yet, whoever she is, I feel a sense of responsibility towards her. I strongly feel the need to protect her and shield her. But I’m not ready for that; I’m not ready to face another challenge. not o
A comforting heat wraps me; it is soft and gives me warmth like sunlight after a mighty storm. Faint smells of herbs and poultices fill the room. It feels familiar, like the golden cottage I saw in my dream. I take a deep breath, letting the warmth envelop me. My fur feels damp and my breathing is shallow; I know my wolf feels it too, eager for more rest after weeks of being in complete controlMy wolf and I have been through a lot these past weeks, between being betrayed by my own pack, cast away as a rogue, the encounter with the strange woman and the golden cottage, and running tirelessly in the thick forest. I feel the exhaustion weighing strongly on me as exhaustion takes its toll on me. "You should shift back." Talon's voice comes low and soothing in my mind. I feel her longing to let go, to pass the reins to me. I started to shift back; it is happening slowly but gradually. My wolf is giving way to my human form as I lay there. Warmth tingles spread along my spine, and my bone
My eyes are glued to him. I am stunned the moment I open my eyes; it is as if I’m caught in a trance I don’t quite understand. His eyes—forest green—glint back at me as mine hold his deep and watchful eyes. Everything about him seems intense; his skin is glowy, creamy, latte-toned skin. His curls, which knot into locs, fall below his back. He has mesmerising facial features, his lips plump, his nose pointed and delicate, with piercings in the left nostril. He is perfect; I don’t know where to look first as I take in his beauty. He has a strong aura around him, exuding authority and strength. I gazed at him in admiration, his face a beautiful blend of ruggedness and beauty. His eyes sent fireworks lighting up in my head, like a spell. For a moment, I drowned myself in looking at his face. I felt a strong pull towards his energy when his gaze met mine.“Ours,” my wolf whispers, her voice coming as a faint marmot in the back of my mind. As I continue my admiration, a calm, strange, and u
Each day I’ve spent here, I experience a new kind of care. Hosea’s care is like nothing I’ve ever seen; it is totally new to me. She attends to me gently, cleaning me with warm towels and bringing me bowls of thick, sweet soup that feels warm to my body. As she smooths my hair back with her patient hands, she coos softly, whispering comforting words to me as though she knows I need it.When I tear up, mourning the life I had and now miss, she wraps me in her arms. I long for her hugs; they are tender and knowing, and it leaves a lingering feeling of condor inside me and melts something within I didn’t know had hardened. A mother's love. It feels raw and whole every time, and it opens up wounds I had hidden for long. "Phoenix, you are special,” she says one evening when I cry silently on her shoulder. “I know you probably don’t understand it yet, but your coming here is divine; you are here for a special reason.” Her words hit my ears smooth and soothingly; it echoes, sticking to my e
I look into his eyes, and his expression is not what I expected; it is hard. His eyes still bearing holes into mine, his brows furrowing together relentlessly. Something about his gaze left an unsettling feeling within me, but I didn’t give up. I fixed my gaze on his hard stare, patiently waiting for him to lash on me. I’ve been here for a couple of days, and Talon’s energy is different from anything I have ever felt. It is strong, firm, and raw. As he continued to give me death stares, I matched his energy and retorted with a stern gaze. Which is unusual; I’m not a weak wolf by any means, but I never would have stared so boldly into an alpha’s eye like this. “It’s been weeks,” he finally says; his tone is low and masked with irritation; he isn’t even trying to hide it. “We don’t run a charity organization here. Now, tell me, Who are you, and why did you become a rogue?”His tone stirs the wolf inside of me, and I feel that indignant fire rising within. Even if I’ve gone through the
The finality in his tone is harsh, and it cut through me like a blade, and Talia let out a wounded whimper, dropping her initial rage. The anger I felt has been replaced by something graver, rejection. I feel it spread through my whole body like a wildfire, leaving a deep ache in my chest. I look up to meet his gaze, desperately searching for any hint of sympathy and understanding, but there’s none. His face is void of any; it’s deep green eyes are cold and unyielding. Though I sense something else beyond the hard exterior, as if his wolf is against him. Realisation begins to settle in me, and it leaves me breathless. I’ve finally become a castaway. I was rejected back home, and now I’m rejected here too. My wolf stirs up in agony, and I’m fighting so hard to not break. Just as I am thinking about my ill fate, Hosea steps in; she stands in between Talon and me. Her eyes full of indignation as she comes face to face with Talon. “You cannot throw her out,” she says in the softest yet p
Talon‘s words settle down in my chest, and I also think back to Hosea’s words. My heartbeat quickens, and I try to process the whole message, Hosea’s satisfactory look, and Talon’s terrifying rage. “Talon dear, I have stood by you all these years. Do you think I’ll lie to you now?” Hosea’s voice breaks through my thoughts; her voice is steady and her gaze rests sharply on Talon. “I also wish there’s a way out, but you cannot fight fate. Fighting fate comes with its penalty, and it is disastrous. You know better; you know that destiny cannot be altered, and this right here is your destiny.”I could feel Talon’s frustration as he shifted uncomfortably. I wait for his response, but he doesn’t respond. Though his eyes are blaring with a thousand questions, his jaw tightens, and his body is rigid, as if trying to brace himself against something he should not believe. I feel for him as much as I feel for myself and watch him shift more in frustration. “I said it, didn’t I? I told you she
The sound of the door reverberated behind me as I slammed it shut. My fist clenched tightly as I walked down the corridor, my chest tight with the weight of what Hosea said. “You are bonding already.” Those words lingered in my mind, and it keeps ringing in my head unrelentless. My wolf keeps stirring uneasily, but I shoved the burning sensation aside, focusing on my anger and confusion at the moment. I don’t want this; I didn’t ask for any of it. Phoenix. Her name alone set my teeth on edge. She wasn’t supposed to be a part of my world; she’s not supposed to be here. She just stumbled into my territory. A rogue, that's what she is. Phoenix is trouble to me but now, Hosea’s words fill me with even more rage over a fact I’ve feared since the moment I saw her in the forest. She is the golden wolf, the one tied to me in a bond I didn’t ask for.My boots are pounding heavily against the stone floor as I round a corner. My mind is racing non-stop. Hosea says the bond has already begun, b
Scents of roasted meat and toasted bread fill the air, mixed with the subtle tang of pine from the forest outside. The dining hall shines brightly as fire crackles in the hearth, casting flickering light across the majestic space. Moonstone pack had begun to settle back into their daily routine after the harrowing experience with the council of elders. Talon had managed to hold his anger in check for days, but it was growing more difficult with each passing moment. The peace they’ve been fighting hard to reclaim feels fragile, a thin layer of glass ready to shatter at any misstep. The buzz of recognition Phoenix is beginning to attract is both a gift and a burden. Packs from across Shadowpine have been sending messages of admiration and requests for the audience, all eager to see the fabled golden wolf, to experience the power they had only heard about in stories. Talon knew the power she wields is unmatched, a gift from the Moon Goddess herself, but with it comes danger. He had see
CAINBeta Cain is sitting in the darkened corner of his private chamber, the dim light from the single lantern casting long, flickering shadows across the stone walls. The Moonstone Pack had grown restless with their Alpha’s return and the unrelenting presence of his Luna. The chatter has picked up again, faint whispers, eager to tear at the fabric of their unity. Cain knows it is because of Phoenix, the golden wolf, the one who had brought back the aura of power that had been slipping through his fingers. He clenches his jaw, the muscles in his neck tightening. The pack members who had once listened to him, revered his voice now treat him as if he were a mere shadow of the man who once led them. It is all Phoenix’s fault. She brought Taon back, she brought a sense of purpose and strength back to the Moonstone pack, and she brought a threat, one Cain couldn’t ignore. He stands up and walks to the window, looking out over the moonlight forest that stretches out beyond the clearing. I
The fireplace crackled, and its orange glow cast jagged shadows on the walls, but it did little to help the chill that was sitting on her chest. Lucia is standing in the center of Dylan’s dimly lit liar, unspoken words and unmet expectations have made the air tense. Dylan is sitting in a carved chair, his eyes dark and guarded, a stark contrast to the man she loves.“Dylan,” she says, her voice low and steady, with a touch of desperation hidden beneath the surface, “we need to talk,”He doesn’t shift, and neither does he blink. A muscle twitched in his jaw, betraying the fight behind his composed mask. “I’m listening,” he says, his voice rough, clearly not pleased to see me. Lucia steps forward, the weight of the night pressing on her, urging her to confront Dylan. “I’m the one that has always been here, Dylan. From the moment Phoenix was banished to now, I’ve always been by your side. I’ve proven myself time and again.”Dylan’s eyes flicker to her for a fleeting moment before drif
LUCIALucia paced the length of her quarters, her fury simmering just beneath the surface. Dylan had stormed off after her confession, leaving her standing in the dim moonlight like a fool. Her hands trembling as she grips the back of a chair, her mind replaying the argument with Dylan earlier. It’s always her. Phoenix, Phoenix.She bite her lip hard, the metallic taste of blood grounding her. She’s done everything for him, sacrificing more than anyone knows. And yet, he is ready to throw her aside like she means nothing, all for a woman who had ruined everything. Lucia’s gaze darkens as she let the memories wash over her, pulling her back to the night it all began. It was the eve of Phoenix’s mating ceremony with Dylan. The Silvercrest Pack was buzzing with excitement, the halls of the estate was filled with laughter, the scent of roasted meat, and the sound of glasses clinking. Phoenix, as radiant as ever, was the center of attention, her bright eyes lit up the room. I stood on
The Silvercrest Lair looms before me as I approach, it’s stone walls impose against the backdrop of a fading morning sky. This conversation with Alpha Roland isn’t one I wanted to have, but it is very necessary.When the guards usher me into the Alpha’s office, I square my shoulders and fix my expression into one of determination. Alpha Roland is sitting behind a massive oak desk, his piercing eyes as cold as I remember.“Dylan,” Roland greets, his voice clipped and formal. “To what do owe this unusual visit? I thought we finished our business a long time ago.”I incline my head respectfully, suppressing my irritation at the older wolf’s icy carriage. “Alpha Roland, I’m here to discuss Phoenix.”Roland’s expression hardens at the mention of her name. His fingers drum against the desk, his lips press into a thin line. “Phoenix is no longer a part of my pack. Whatever she’s done, or wherever she is now is none of my business.”“But it should be,” I press, stepping closer. “She’s the gol
DYLANDylan trudges through the dark woods, his footsteps heavy as he approaches the Raven Night Pack’s main compound. The moonlight barely penetrates the thick canopy above, casting shadows that mirror the storm brewing in his mind. Phoenix. The name keeps echoing in his head like a haunting melody. He clenched his fists, his jaw tight as he replayed the confrontation in the clearing. Seeing her again rattled him in ways he couldn’t admit, even to himself. When he crosses into the pack’s territory, a few guards nod respectfully, but he barely acknowledges them. His wolf is restless, pacing within him, its frustration mirroring his own. He made his way to his cabin at the edge of the compound, slamming the door shut behind him before collapsing into the leather armchair lying by the window. For a long moment, I sit in silence, staring into the darkness outside. Then the thoughts begin to spiral. “Phoenix. The golden wolf.”He scoffs under his breath, and a bitter smile tugs at his
TALONThe forest is alive with chaos, the sound of claws against claws and growls echo all around. Phoenix and I fight side by side, our wolves tearing through the enforcers with a ferocity that comes from sheer desperation.An enforcer lunges at me, teeth bared, but I sidestepped, slamming my fur into his chest and sending him sprawling into the underbrush. Another came at Phoenix, but her wolf moved like lightning, claws raking across his flank before she turned on the next attacker.Despite the intensity of the fight. I notice something, something feels off. These wolves aren’t trying to kill us, they are too calculated for that. Each strike seems designed to push us; to test our limits rather than harm us. “Phoenix!” I call out, dodging another swipe. “They are not trying to kill us. They are just testing us.”She doesn’t respond, too locked in her battle to acknowledge my observation. Her wolf gleams under the moonlight, every movement powerful and precise. But even she seems to
The burning heat of the poison coursed through me, leaving my body weak and trembling. Talia howls within, her voice distant but resolute. Every muscle screaming in protest, and for a moment, I thought this was it—that the Council had succeeded in their twisted plans to break me. But something begins to shift.The pain ebbs slowly, replaced by a soft, glowing warmth. It’s radiating from my core, and spreading outward like golden light, soothing the ache and extinguishing the venom in my veins. My wolf stirs, her strength returning in waves. The golden wolf, her power is fighting back, stronger than I’ve ever felt before. I gasp, and the taste of fresh air fills my lungs as clarity returns. Then a memory surfaced, Hosea’s voice ringing clear in my mind. “The power is unlike anything else. It can sense danger, Phoenix. It won’t let you fall easily, it will protect you, even from yourself.” She was right. My wolf’s power isn’t just a weapon. It is a shield, one that refuses to let me
PHOENIX My eyes flutter open to darkness, the air around me cold and damp. I am lying on a hard surface—stone, rough and unyielding beneath my back. I try to move, but the clink of metals stops me, Chains. Heavy, cold chains wrap around my wrists and ankles, pinning me in place. Panic flares, but I force myself to breathe. I shift slightly, testing the bonds, but they don’t budge. Talia stirs weakly within me, her strength subdued by whatever dampening magic the Council had used.I scan my surroundings, my vision adjusting to the dim light filtering in from a single torch mounted on the wall. The cage is small and crude, its bars thick and unyielding. The air is heavy with the scent of rust and something acrid, like the residue of spells. Where is Talon?“Talon? Talon?” I call, my voice hoarse. The silence that followed made my heart clench, but then I heard it, a faint sound, a little distant but unmistakable.“Phoenix?” His voice is rough, but the relief in it is clear. “Talon!”