CAINThe dimly lit cabin smells of damp wood and decay, a perfect metaphor for my swirling thoughts. I sit on an old, creamy chair, my hands gripping the arms so tightly that my knuckles turn white. Lucius had reported Talon’s move earlier and it keeps replaying in my mind like an echo. A private meeting? Why? The question gnaws at me, and I can’t shake the feeling that they know something monumental.“They are planning something, Rave,” I mutter, my voice low and venomous as I address him, my wolf. “Talon does not make a move without purpose, and I know his Luna isn’t as innocent as she appears.”“They may have something they’ve kept a secret,” Rave speaks in agreement. “Whatever it is, it’s key to taking them down,”I stand, pacing the length of the cabin. The wooden floor creaks under my boots, but the sound is drowned out by the storm of ideas swirling in my head. I have tried everything to get them out of my way, but that girl, her loyalty lies with Talon. “We need to act quickl
I adjust my worn cloak around my shoulders as I and Lucius weave through the crowded streets of the small border town. It is a perfect spot for anonymity. The faint smell of wood smoke mingles with the tang of freshly baked bread, but I focus elsewhere. My eyes scan the faces of the townsfolk, humans going on and about their day, oblivious to the shadowy world of wolves, but hunters can’t say the same.“Are you sure they will show?”Lucius asks in a low voice, his usual confidence undercut by a trace of nervousness.“They will come,” I reply curtly, my tone brooking no argument. “Hunters usually have ears to the ground. Especially for information about the golden wolf, especially after the last time.”Lucius nods but keeps silent, trailing closely behind me.The hunters meet somewhere not too far, it’s an inconspicuous tavern tucked between two crumbling brick buildings, but I know better. Inside, deals are struck, information is exchanged, and, more importantly, alliances are forged.
The air in Moonstone territory is crisp and cool, and the faint scent of the forest and dew settle over the pack grounds. It is another training day, one of the many sparring sessions we usually hold to keep our warriors sharp. And for some unknown reasons, Talon has been pushing the pack harder and ever, ensuring that they are always prepared for anything that might come their way. Even though his leadership has been steady and unwavering, today, I have a different plan, one that requires all my patience and cunning. I stand off to the side, my gaze lingering on Talon as he commands the pack in their drills. His posture is perfect, his movements sharp. The warriors are moving in perfect synchronization, their bodies as fluid as they spare. I have to admit, Talon has always been the impressive Alpha to the pack and there’s no doubt on their end. But that’s why I am here, I will do everything to change that. I have to find a way to distract him and divert his attention for my plan to
TALONI’m standing at the edge of the training grounds, my eyes diligently scanning the crowd of warriors as they spar and practice. The sun has begun its descent, casting golden hues across the clearing, but my mind is elsewhere. My wolf has been restless all afternoon, he keeps stirring uneasily and pacing within like a caged animal. “Something is wrong, Talon. She’s not here.” Lucas growls, his tone sharp and full of urgency.I frown, trying to shake off the strange sense of unease that has been clawing me even before today. I have just returned from the pack house, after overseeing the sparring battle. Normally, I would dismiss Lucas’s anxiety as part of his protective instincts, but this time, it feels different and heavier. “Where could she be?” I mutter under my breath, my gaze sweeping the training grounds once more. I spot Mira sparring with one of the younger wolves and Hosea speaking to a group of warriors near the armory. But she’s nowhere in sight.Lucas growls again, l
PHOENIXI received critical news from the messenger, rogues are preparing an invasion along the northern border. I can feel the enforcer's stress as he implores me to come right away in hurried, rambling phrases. Anxiety quickly flares in my chest. I believe that we dealt with the prior attacks as well as the rogues and the strengthened alliances. I scan the training area for Talon, but he is deep in a sparring session, showing the fighters his more sophisticated moves. His focus is constant, and his commands are sharp. He already has too much on his plate, so I don't want to bother him. Furthermore, it cannot wait in the event of an imminent rogue attack.I give the enforcer a nod while maintaining a stern tone of voice despite the shivers running up my spine. I say, "Show me where." He guides me into the woodland at a quick yet cautious pace. The rustle of leaves beneath the floor is the only sound to break the oppressive quiet between us. The farther we left the area, t
TALONMy heart thunders in my chest as I stand at the edge of the Moonstone border. The faint scent of human sweat and gunpowder lingers in the air, mixing with the acrid tang of fear and adrenaline. Hunters, Lucas growl deep within me, an unrelenting storm of fury and restlessness.“Phoenix…” I whisper, clenching my fists so tightly my claws dig into my palms.The sparring grounds had been filled with life, laughter, and combat a while ago, but now everything has been overshadowed by the hollow absence of my mate. How can this happen?? How has she slipped unnoticed? “Talon.” Mira’s voice cut through the haze of my thoughts as she stepped closer. Her usual calm demeanor is replaced by a mix of guilt and worry. “I did not see anything. I didn't even know she was going until much later.”I turn to face her, my jaw tight. “You are telling me no one noticed who approached her? No one notices anything suspicious?”Mira flinched but held my gaze. “The training match demanded everyone’s foc
CAINI lean back against the trunk of an ancient oak tree, a rare smirk tugging at my lips as I bask in the thrill of my success. My plan worked, Phoenix, the golden wolf, the Luna is now in the clutches of the hunters. That delicate balance Talon always brag about, the insufferable pride he carries, it will all come crashing down.Lucius approaches me, a similar look of satisfaction etched on his shape features. “Beta,” he begins, his voice low but laced with excitement, “I can't believe how smoothly everything went. The hunters barely had to struggle, she walked right into their trap.” I chuckle darkly, a sense of vindication coursing through me. “She thinks she could play the perfect Luna, always facing dangers head-on like she's some untouchable savior. Foolish of her. All it took was the right push and whisper in her ear.” Lucius nods, folding his arms. “Alpha lost his mind when he realized what happened. Without her, his reign will start to crumble. He has become so reliant on
The night is cloaked in silence as I slip past the borders to get to the location I have. The weight of my mission pressing down on me, though the thrill of my Success so far keeps my steps steady. I have to ensure that the hunters stay align with the plan, even as doubt linger in my mind.The hunter's crib is nestleddeep in the shadows of the nearby woods. I approached cautiously, signallingucius go remain outside as lookout. He nodded, blending into the darkness. I push the creaking door open and step into the dimly lit cabin. The air reeks of smoke and metal, a reminder of the weapons the hunters wield so viciously against my kind.The hunters, rough men with hardened favs greet me with a mix of suspicion and interest. In my perfect disguise, I maintain a calm demeanor. I am being led to a secluded room by their leader.I lean against the wall, feigning indifference as he begins to speak. “She is not a vulnerable catch,” he says, lighting a cigar. “A creature like her will tip th
PHOENIXI stood hand in hand with Talon, our fingers intertwined as we watch our daughter, Daciana, race across the howling ground, her laughter ringing through the crisp morning air. The sun bathing the clearing in golden light, illuminating the pack members sparring nearby. Strength and unity coursing through the pack, a testament to all we have fought to restore.A warm breeze rustles the trees as Mira and Hosea approach, their expressions filled with mischief. “You two went ahead and recreated yourselves.” Mira teased, nudging me with a grin. I chuckle, my golden eyes shining with warmth and satisfaction. “She certainly has her father’s stubbornness.” “And her mother’s fire,” Talon adds, squeezing hand. Hosea folds her arms, watching the pup play. “I Keep thinking back to how it all began to unfold. How close we came to losing everything. Although, I always knew deep down that as long as the bond stays, restoration was sure.” I couldn’t help but exhale as memories came rushi
PHOENIX “Ahh ahh.. I knew you would come back, you can’t run away from your home.” Dylan sneers. I stepped forward, my gaze unwavering. “And this time, I’ve come to put an end to you.”Dylan laughed, his voice dripping with malice. “With which strength? Your power as the golden wolf can’t challenge the one I’ve acquired. Seeing that you were too stubborn to be my mate, I had to step up and be more. You are a fool, Phoenix.”Talon stepped beside me, my power radiating from within. “She is not alone.” He said.Dylan’s smile faltered.My shoulders squared. “Let’s finish this, Alpha Talon,” I say looking at Talon with renewed hope and strength. My pulse thundered as I felt his rage. Let the battle begin.My heart pounded as Talon and I raced toward Dylan, the weight of our purpose pressing upon me like never before. The meeting with the divine being in the sacred region had shown me to the core. The choice she made was absolute, she would fight without intervention and she would do it
TALONMy mind reeled at the creature’s words, Birthright? I turned to Phoenix, expecting to see the confusion on her face but she looked calm instead.She knows.“Phoenix?” I ask, my voice steady but edged with uncertainty. She looked at me, her golden eyes shining under the ethereal glow of the sacred region. “I knew I was different Talon. Everyone including Hosea said so but what I didn’t know is to extent to which I must wield this power…until now.”The massive golden wolf before us, the divine being tilts its head, watching me closely. Then, it spoke again. “You have come to restore what is lost. To reclaim what has been tainted. Moonston’s veil was once an unbreakable force, a shield that protected the territory and your pack. But an evil force has stepped into its heart, and it weakened it from within.”Cain.Dylan.I clench my fists. Those bastards has been working against us all along and now it is clear, Cain invited darkness into Moonsyone, allowing our enemies to breach t
The weight of responsibility pressed down on my chest as I and Talon stood before the remnants of Silvercrest. The decision has been made, we have to leave. There is no other way to save what is left of our world. The surviving pack members gather around, their eyes full of worry and grief. Many of them are injured, some barely able to stand. Among them are my stepmother and Lucia, they’ve been through so much these past few days.I turn to her, gently squeezing her hand. “I swear to you, we will come back. This will always be my home.”Lucia who looks exhausted from catering from the injured pack, nod weakly. “We will be here waiting.”Talon surveyed the crowd. “You will be safe here. We are taking you to a place where you will be protected against any more of Dylan’s revengeful attacks.”A few wolves exchange glances, uncertain but trusting this Alpha.We will take them to the Ironclaw pack territory, we had built a relationship with at this point, they have become family. Our jou
PHOENIXI feel weightless as if I am drifting between reality and something far beyond my understanding. I am neither awake nor asleep, I simply exist in a vast, endless void.Then, a voice echoed through the emptiness. “You have come far, but your journey is not yet over.” I turned, searching for the source of the voice but all I see is swirling golden mist. It looks familiar, just like the first time I was cast out of Silvercrest. That night, when I had first heard the whispers that led me to the north region of Shadowpine. That night when my life took a rapid turn. My pulse immediately quickened as the mist condensed, forming into a shape, a towering, ethereal figure with eyes that glow like molten gold. The presence radiating power, ancient and overwhelming, but strangely soothing at the same time. I swallowed, forcing myself to speak. “Who are you?” The being tilts its head, amusement flickering in its luminous gaze. “The same one who guided you once. The one who marked you
PHOENIXThe night air is thick with tension, and I can feel Talia, pacing restlyly with. Her fury burn out, nearly uncontrollable, as I and Talon before Cain, who now has control over moonstone territory. The pack house is silent, an eerie kind of silence that signifies fear and oppression. I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I watch the man who has once stood beside Talon as Beta, stand against him.Everything in me screams to lunge, to rip Cain apart for his betrayal, for his smug expression, for the way he has turned our people into hostages. But I can't, not with Mira and Hosea being held hostage too. My heart pounds in my chest as Cain turns his back on Talon, issuing orders to these strange wolves. He has locked us out, barring us from the very home we have fought so hard to protect. I can feel Talon’s pain. His fists are already clenched so tightly that his knuckles turn white, his body taut with withheld rage. But what is most painful is the heartbreak I see
The moment those words flew out to his mouth, two of the enforcers surged forward, their movements precise and well-trained.I feel my fury explode like wildfire. A guttural growl ripped from my throat, my wolf straining against the surface. I take a step forward, my muscles coiling.But a firm hand shootout, grabbing my wrist.Hosea.I turn, confusion flashing in my gaze as she holds me back. I looked into her eyes that are devoid of fear, all I see is an unwavering resolve.“No!” she says, her voice low but commanding. “Not this way”My chest heaves, and my nostrils flare as I struggle to rein myself in. “Hosea, he can't —” “I know, I know Talon,” she says, cutting me off gently, her gaze never leaving mine. “But Listen to me.” “You look just like him,” Hosea whispers as she turns to face Cain.Cain tilts his head. “Like who?”“Your grandfather.” Hosea’s voice wavers as she takes a step closer. “The one who tried to claim Moonstone as his own. The one who had tried to betray his
TALONI stepped through the broken threshold of the Moonstone packhouse, at this point every nerve in me was on edge. Phoenix is standing at my side, her golden eyes scanning the eerie silence of what is supposed to be our home. Behind us, Hosea, Mira, and the enforcers follow, their steps cautious, their senses alert. The territory feels hollow the moment we cross into it. The absence of the veil, the mystical barrier that has once kept the pack hidden and protected is unsettling. It is as if the very soul of Moonstone has been stripped away, leaving us exposed and vulnerable. “Something is wrong,” Phoenix whispers, gripping my forearm. I nodded, my jaw tightening as we entered the main hall. The air is thick with an unnatural stillness. No sounds of wolves moving through the corridors, no scent of heartfires burning. It’s all just silence here. Then, at the center of the house, standing as if he has been waiting, is Cain. My breath left me in a slow, controlled exhale. Cain sto
TALONI sit up suddenly, my face hardening as my eyes focus on something unseen. Phoenix stirs next to me, sending a shift in my demeanor. “What’s wrong Talon?” She asks softly.My eyes meet hers, full with a sharpness that speaks of urgency. “Something is wrong at Moonstone. I can see it and I feel it strongly.” In a split second, my eyes flash a deep amber, and Lucas, store restlessly. Phoenix's breath caught as she also realized what was happening?, it’s a signal…we need to return.” “We need to leave now,” I say in a low growl.With no time wasted, I Leap to my feet, Set with determination, I can sense Phoenix’s heart lurching. We have just found ourselves again, and now we are sensing yet another battle. This stand, we will stand by each other's side, no matter what and so we bid our farewells and set out on our journey together with Hosea and Mira. The wind howled through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and the dampness of the wilds. My heart thuds painfully in my chest