"We do not need their clearance. We will be building the future.The voice of Dax thundered over the wide hall, muffling the whispers of the assembled wolves. His eyes ablaze with determination, he looked to his equal and companion, Zaia."They will see it when we demonstrate our capabilities," I said, moving ahead. A reminder of the power we had seized and the conflicts we had won, the mark on my arm shone weakly. "This is about thriving, not only survival now."Opening the chapter with Zaia drawing out a future for the Crescent Moon pack and the rogues, she addresses their combined powers.Emphasising the need to go beyond past rivalries and create a new kind of pack, her message centres on togetherness and progress."We have seen what division can do," I added, my voice firm. "It's time now to demonstrate to the world our collective capabilities."The elders are still cautious about the adjustments Zaia suggests as they contend that tradition has to be kept.From inside, Zaia encou
"You understand, Zaia—if we proceed, we may not make it back."Dax stood in front of me, his golden eyes searching mine for uncertainty, his voice low, almost a growl. Then we fight like hell to make sure we do, I said, flames blazing down my fingers. "Because there is no alternative for us." Knowing the task may either assure the survival of their pack or mean their demise, hence Zaia and Dax finish their strategy to enter the citadel. Among the wolves, tensions increase as questions and concerns appear throughout the getting ready. A young wolf murmured, his voice shaking: "We have lost so much already." "What would happen if this is insufficient?" Stepping inside the circle, I stated with great conviction. "because we'll make it sufficient." To make sure everyone knows the stakes, Zaia and Dax meet pre-war with their closest friends Eryon, Sebastian, and Amara. The talks expose inner conflicts and underlying worries, therefore adding emotional depth and fortitude to their wi
"The prophecy did not equip you for this, did it?" said.The voice mocked from the darkness and was cold. Flames flying in my palms, I turned around but the figure lingered just out of reach, a phantom wrapped in darkness."Prophecies don't decide the future," I answered, my voice steady in front of the mayhem all around. Indeed, "we do."Zaia discovers final element of the prophecy hidden among the ruins of the Forsaken castle. If she wants to totally wipe the Haunted, it indicates that she must confront not just Cassandra's remaining power but also the evil within her.The knowledge bothers Zaia and forces her to face her doubts about her mark and the power it grants.Dax said softly, "It's always been you," his hand resting on my shoulder. "Your strength was already there; the prophecy created nothing."Zaia stops alone to reflect on the route, the expenses spent, and the relationships built throughout it.Her inner monologue reveals a new course as she resolves to accomplish the p
I can feel; this is different this time.Dax's voice broke the silence, a mix of awe and terror. His hand lingered over my stomach, his eyes seeking approval."I know," I replied, my fingers softly tracing the little glow emanating from the point on my arm. "It's not just us these days."Starting the chapter with Zaia realising she is pregnant, her discovery fuels both immense hope and enormous fear.Dax's attitude to the weight of their responsibilities is conflicted with pride and concern.Dax said, his voice quiet even with the intense storm in his eyes: "You will be an amazing mother." Should the mark, however, find them?Then we teach them to welcome it, I answered, my will stifling. like we did.When news of Zaia's pregnancy goes out throughout the pack, reactions differ. While some worry about the risks of carrying a child into a world still under the shadow of the Haunted, many enjoy the prospect of a new heir.Reminding the pack of their oneness and learned strength, Zaia exe
"zaia, the mark; it's bright once more."Dax's hand resting on my shoulder softly roused me from slumber. The emblem on my arm produced a faint golden light over the room. It was not the usual flutter of flames but something softer, more brilliant—and infinitely more upsetting. Shiver rushing down her spine, "It's her," I murmured. The Goddess is calling. Strange incidents linked to her mark begin Zaia experiencing visions of the Goddess and cryptic directions designed to guide her towards an unknown purpose. Given that both of her physical and mental changes affect Dax, they cause concern. "It's not just a mark anymore," I said, tightly grasping my arm. "It's something bigger—something I can't ignore.” Seeing the changes in Zaia makes the pack uneasy as it fears that her bond with the Goddess may bring either advantages or dangers. Zaia relaxes them even though she wonders what the pictures actually mean. "The Goddess has never led us astray," I told the assembly. "We'll face
Dax, you cannot flee your history permanently.Said by an elderly man who had long questioned his leadership, the remarks sliced through the suspense like a razor. Dax paused, the weight of the allegation hovering over him. His voice low and firm, he continued, "I'm not running." "I am ready to meet it." The chapter opens with Dax facing members of the Crescent Moon Pack and renegade friends about prior choices he made that caused strife and losses. Dax prevents Zaia from intervening to protect him, saying he has to build their trust on his own terms. Turning to face me, Dax continued, "This is not your fight, Zaia." "It's my." As a renegade Alpha, Dax talks candidly about the decisions he took, including relationships gone sour and errors costing lives. As Zaia discreetly supports him from the sidelines, the pack listens, divided between pity and wrath. "I can't change what I did," Dax said, his voice unvarnished. But I can show you that I am no longer that guy. The pack chal
The pack is restless, Zaia says. More than ever, they need you right now to steer them.Dax spoke firmly, although his eyes showed concern. Out outside the conference hall were wolves who had seen too much, lost too much, and still came to me for answers. Then let's give them a cause to believe, I said, towering. Not the conclusion, but our beginning is here. Starting the chapter with Zaia addressing the pack, she calls for strength and harmony after their most recent disputes. Her message inspires hope as much as it tests the pack as it drives them to bear responsibility for their common fate and helps them to rise to the circumstances. We have faced the darkness and emerged, I said, looking at every eye. We rebuild today as a family, not as individuals. Working behind the scenes, Dax collects the warriors and assures the pack is robust against approaching threats. Their bond strengthens as Zaia and Dax face the pressures of leadership together. Dax said, "You've always been t
Zaia, we have to stop waiting any more. One has options to make.Dax answered clearly, but his eyes betrayed the weight of his worries. I moved across the room, the symbol on my arm flashing almost as if the Goddess herself were pushing me on."I know," I stopped to examine him. But every decision we make today helps to define the legacy we leave behind.Considering the recent assaults and the rising danger of shadow forces, Zaia and Dax call the pack council to go over their future course.Different ideas on whether to strengthen their defences or form alliances with nearby packs lead to high degrees of strife.We cannot fight this struggle by ourselves, I told the council. Trust is learned, albeit sometimes lost.As a dominating leader, Zaia finds it difficult to reconcile her need to protect the younger and injured pack members.Dax helps her to realise the worth in her decisions as her confidante reminds her of the pack's longevity."You've given them hope, Zaia," Dax whispered, h
Not just a strategic site for the pack, but the southern outpost had been a symbol of our resilience, a reminder of what we had worked to rebuild. It was destroyed now. The story of the incident spread around the camp like wildfire, greatly unsettling the wolves and generating uncertainty. For me, however, it was personal—not just another loss.The weight of the relic pressed on my chest like a subdued reminder of the responsibility I carried as the council gathered in the command tent. Around the table Dax, Kade, Elyse, and Rorin stood with emotions ranging from deadly determination to sheer rage." How nasty is it?" I asked to break the quiet.Sebastian went forward, his voice low and sad. "The outpost is no more nowadays. Those who survived assert it was something else, not Cassandra's will. Shadows, as we came across in the woodland. Still, they were moving towards something."leading them!" Elyse repeated, her silver eyes narrowing. "What type of creature could regulate such thi
The wolves gathered in the area, their moves purposeful and keen, the early air was tense. The scout’s urgent report had placed the whole camp on edge. Though it wasn't Cassandra's army, whatever was crossing the western woodland wasn't less of a menace.With the relic warm against my breast, its faint pulse consistent but quiet, I stood in the middle of the clearing. Elyse and Rorin waited close by, their faces austere; Dax and Kade flanking me had stiff postures.Any updates from the scouts? I asked, my voice calm in spite of the churn in my stomach.Sebastian advanced, his keen silver eyes guiding him. "They are watching from the summit. Whatever it is, it is moving swiftly; even if there is no clear indication of what we are dealing with, then we cannot afford to wait. "We shall look in a small group. Others of the camp stay here and enhance the defences.Dax furrowed, worry darkening his golden eyes. You are once more endangering yourself. Let us take care of it."I'm the L
Early dawn sent lengthy shadows over the wolves preparing for the day. The camp stood silent. Though the dark figure from the previous night was disturbing, there was a growing sense of urgency in the air—a common sensation we were running out on. Every decision I took now would impact the pack and beyond, knowing Cassandra looming over us like a storm cloud.Sitting on the edge of the clearing, I stared towards the sun rising. Its friendliness felt far off, a little comfort against the weight I carried. My hand came easily to the relic resting against my breast, its subtle pulse serving as a continual reminder of the power I carried—and the obligation that went along with it.Unwanted but vivid, memories of my mother surfaced as I stared out to sea. She had been a fiery Luna, a woman whose unwavering compassion won respect apart from her power. Her voice returned to me, a soft but strong reminder of the morality she had incilled in me."Leadership is not about power, Zahia," she had
Long after the light of the relic faded, Cassandra's vision stayed with me. Her dark grin, the promise of shadows overpowering us—all seemed too vivid, too real. I understood it was a deliberate attempt to undermine my will, not just a warning.Over the camp, dawn emerged to create long shadows over the clearing. Wolves walked around, clearly tired but their will unbroken. The meeting with the shadows the night before had left its imprint not just in the suspense hanging in the air but in the questions it begged."Zaia," Elyse murmured, hurriedly walking in front. "We have to talk."I nodded, following her towards the edge of the camp where the leaders had convened. Dax, Kade, Rorin, Sebastian stood in a close circle with stern attitudes."What is it?" Already ready for more terrible news, I inquired.Dax murmured, his golden eyes closing, "There's unrest in the camp." "Some of the wolves are wondering if we can trust you—or the relic."The words strike like a blow, but I will myself
The words of the scout hung thick in the air, causing the gathered wolves to whisper questions and discomfort. Shadows that moved on their own sounded like a trick of the light, a story to spook dogs around the campfire. Still, the scout's eyes revealed a different narrative from the fear."Shades?" Dax asked again, his voice tinged with mistrust. "What kind of shadow?"The scout choked hard, his eyes darting between us. "They lacked naturalness." They crossed the woods against the wind. They seemed alive, like this.My spine shivered, but I pushed myself to remain calm. Watching, waiting for my response were the wolves. As Luna, their undoing may be my anxiety. My voice calm, "Show us where you saw them."Under the pale crescent moon, we trailed the scout towards the eastern ridge. The forest was shockingly still, the regular noises of rustling leaves and far-off howling replaced by an intolerable hush. The relic at my breast throbbed weakly, its warmth a consistent anchor amid the m
The camp was restless as the word of Cassandra's exploits circulated through the ranks. Whispers of another item in her hands planted seeds of mistrust, anxiety crackling like a storm on the horizon. Walking in close circles, wolves clearly showed their nervousness getting ready for yet another conflict.At the centre of the clearing, I observed them as my heart weighed their anxiety and my own doubts. Leading has always seemed like a shroud given to those who wanted it, those who sought fame or authority. I had never dreamed of it. Still here, the Luna of a split coalition expected to lead not only with authority but also with unwavering conviction. "Zaia" Dax's words cut right through my ideas. He stood at my side, searching with golden eyes. They are terrified. And indeed, really? I am thus? Cassandra utilising another relic affects the rules.My fingers clenched on the relic that pulsed softly against my chest, then I looked to him. “We don’t know how strong it is or w
The weight of the figure's presence covering us like a suffocating blanket sliced across the dark room with its blazing eyes. Its words floated over the cavern: "Your soul comes with a price—the truth."Closing my fists, my wolf bristling at the challenge became aggressive. The relic in my hands pulsed faintly, its light flickering like a thin flame against the monster's utter darkness. The others stood stiff around me, clearly uncomfortable in silence." Exactly what do you mean?" I pressed forward, my voice calm under duress.The figure's grin became wider, a frigid, devoid of warmth look. Said its deep rumbling, which seemed to echo over the stone walls, "you seek answers." "But information is never offered for free. If you want to glimpse the path ahead, you have to offer something in exchange.I stared at the relic, its faint glow reminding me of everything we had struggled for. I refused to give up my soul—that of everyone else as well. "There must be another way," I said with f
The mark burned softly on the ground, pulsed with a terrible power that gave the area an unsettling light. Its edges were sharp, as if sculpted by darkness and claw, and the air surrounding it seemed weighty, stifling. With their gaze flickering between the insignia and one another, the wolves gathered in a tight semicircle."This wasn't here before," Dax said, his voice keen with mistrust. "It was not part of the fight.""It's a message," Elyse whispered softly, her glittering eyes closed. Not a friendly one as well.The relic in my grasp blazed weakly, its energy reacting to the presence of the symbol. The contrast was startling: hope against despair, light against dark. My heart racing as I moved towards the symbol, I felt its energy brushing against me."It's a warning," I responded, voice firm but quiet. " Cassandra is not just withdrawing. She is preparing ground for something more.Leading the Shadow Claws, Rorin moved forward from the brink of the clearing. His gloomy look mat
The battlefield stopped as the opposing armies sank into a great silence. From both sides, wolves halted with strained breaths and bloodied but still prepared for the battle. Tension permeated the air, an invisible accord hovering between Cassandra's soldiers and us.Cassandra moved closer, a nasty smirk curving her lips as her red eyes glowed with hate. Her voice piercing through the quiet, she said, "Enough of this senseless struggle." Let's resolve this correctly.I straightened as the relic pulsed faintly against my chest. "What are you proposing?" Though I already knew the solution, I asked."A trial by combat," Cassandra said, her tone sarcastic. You and me here. In one-on-one. Winner absorbs everything.The wolves behind me gasped, but I turned my head only towards Cassandra. It was a daring challenge, one that may determine the course of the war in one instant. But it was also a trap, one meant to take advantage of my frailty.I replied, my voice firm, "I don't trust you.""Yo