His Alpha voice thundered, shaking the very walls.Ethan’s wolf hesitated. His instincts screamed at him to bow—to submit.Lydia was stunned, her eyes widening as she watched Darius storm toward Ethan.Even without turning, his presence alone sent a shudder through her wolf, forcing it to cower in fear.Darius could kill Ethan in an instant. She couldn’t allow that to happen."Bare your neck!" Lydia shouted, rushing toward the massive wolf before them.I am an Alpha.Lydia stiffened. Ethan’s voice echoed in her mind—his mindlink reaching her even in his wolf form."He will kill you—look at him!" she screamed, panic rising in her voice.Darius’s claws were out, his entire form coiled with lethal intent. He hadn’t shifted, but his wolf was fully present, its murderous gaze locked onto Ethan.With his fangs bared and claws raised, he moved in for the kill—until a voice cut through the tension like a blade."Darius!"He froze mid-stride.Slowly, he turned.Lena stood at the doorway.In an
"Did you find out what I asked for?" Uthred asked, his gaze shifting to the raven perched inside its cage."Yes. I followed him closely, but then—he vanished. I think this Alpha Darius is one of us."Uthred smiled, turning fully toward the voice. "I knew it. He is not my Alpha. Where is my Alpha?" His words were more to himself than anyone else as he sank onto his seat.He looked up at the mage in a black cloak. "Does this mean this Alpha is a hybrid?"A heavy silence filled the room."I can't say for cert—""Before you finish that thought, I’ve seen him shift into a wolf."The mage swallowed. "Then it’s rare, brother. There is no record of a hybrid being born. Even among mixed bloodlines, one either takes the father’s side or the mother’s. That is the way of things.""Well," Uthred murmured, a slow grin spreading across his face. "We have our first hybrid."The mage’s eyes gleamed. "I know a way to find out for certain."Uthred leaned forward, intrigued. "Tell me.""Get a lock of his
"I—"Lena barely got a word out before Lydia seized her arm.She stepped in front of her protectively, shielding her from the accusing eyes of the crowd.Her sharp gaze locked onto the maid, burning with righteous fury."What did you do to her?" Lydia demanded, her voice laced with outrage."I knew you’d be disrespectful as always!"Kara Voss let out a bitter laugh.Her hands clenched at her sides, trembling with barely restrained fury."Disrespectful?" she echoed, her voice shaking."I have endured her cruelty for years!"Emotion thickened her tone as her breathing grew uneven."I have been insulted, humiliated, and treated like dirt beneath her feet."Her voice cracked with raw emotion.She glared at Lydia with red-rimmed eyes."But today..." The words caught in her throat before she forced them out."I refuse to be silent any longer!"Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd.A good tragedienne indeed.She was clever. Every word she spoke was her truth, yet now, twisted against Len
Alpha Darius stood unmoved, his mismatched eyes—one as cold as winter, the other burning like embers—locked onto High Lord Rhovan. His presence alone silenced the crowd.He took a slow step forward. The faint sound of his boots against the marble floor was the only noise in the vast space.“I will do nothing,” he repeated. His voice was calm, but laced with authority.A murmur rippled through the gathered Alphas. Some shifted uncomfortably. Others clenched their fists, bristling at his defiance.Alpha Valren sneered. “So, the infamous Shadow Fang Alpha finally graces us with his presence.”His voice dripped with mockery. “Tell me, Darius, was it cowardice or arrogance that kept you away?”Darius didn’t even spare him a glance.Instead, he walked past them all, stopping only when he stood directly in front of High Lord Rhovan. The tension was a coiled snake, waiting to strike.“You would cast my pack into exile?” Darius asked, tilting his head slightly. “For what, exactly?”Rhovan’s ja
Ethan’s lips moved hungrily against hers, his body pressing her firmly against the wall. His warmth surrounded her, drawing her in deeper.Then suddenly, Lena broke away, shoving him back with surprising force. Ethan stumbled, his eyes wide with confusion.Lena clutched her head, a sharp cry escaping her lips. The pain was unbearable, like her insides were being torn apart.“Lena?” Ethan’s voice was alarmed. “What’s wrong?”She couldn’t answer. The searing agony left her breathless, her vision blurring.Footsteps sounded outside. Heavy. Purposeful. Drawing closer.“I’m sorry,” Ethan muttered. “I have to go.”Without another word, he turned and bolted for the window. In one swift motion, he was gone, vanishing into the night just as the footsteps reached her door.The door burst open, and Darius stormed in, his gaze locking onto Lena.She was slumped against the wall, her face pale, one hand still clutching her head. Her breathing was shallow, her fingers trembling.He took a step forw
When the Alpha ordered Beta Cedric to escort the humans to the eastern lands for safety, he hadn’t given much thought to the slaves. But Lena had convinced her maid, Milicent, to join them.Now, with their task complete, it was time to return.Milicent stood near the carriage with the other maids, chatting in low tones. She was painfully aware of the Beta’s gaze burning into her back. Desperate to ignore it, she forced a laugh louder than intended and cringed at her own awkwardness.The Beta didn’t say a word. He just watched her, the way she glanced away shyly whenever their eyes met.He scoffed under his breath, leaning lazily against a pillar.“How’s the Luna treating you?” one of the girls asked.Milicent had expected that. Everyone seemed eager to pry, hungry for gossip about Kara Voss.“Well,” Milicent began with a smile, “I’d say she’s the kindest soul I’ve ever met.”The girls blinked, surprised.“Do you think the Luna isn’t who they say she is?” another maid whispered.Cedric
A century agoThe wind howled outside, clawing at the walls like a restless beast.He stood near the window, his gaze fixed on the darkened sky.The storm mirrored the turmoil brewing inside him.His chest tightened as footsteps sounded behind him.Soft, hesitant steps that belonged to only one person."You're late," he said without turning.His voice was low, strained.“I wasn’t sure if I should come,” Antara whispered.At the sound of her voice, he finally faced her.Her golden hair spilled over her shoulders.Her blue eyes, once so warm, barely met his.“You shouldn’t have come at all,” he said bitterly.“Unless you’ve changed your mind.”She swallowed hard, her fingers curling into the fabric of her gown.“I haven’t.”It felt like the air had been knocked from his lungs.“Don’t do this,” he said quietly.“Please, Tara...”Her eyes closed at the sound of her name on his lips.When she opened them again, her gaze was firm.“I’m sorry,” she said.“I’ve made my choice.”“You’re choosi
Lena dropped to her knees, calling Milicent’s name, but she was unresponsive.“Cedric,” Alpha Darius called amid the chaos.Cedric appeared beside him, sharp and attentive.“Take the slave out,” Darius ordered.“Yes, Alpha.” Cedric bowed, then bent down and scooped Milicent into his arms. He carried her in a bridal hold, his gaze lingering on her face as he walked out.Once they were outside, beneath the shade of a tree, Milicent’s eyes fluttered open. She blinked groggily, only to find Cedric staring at her with an amused smile.She squeezed her eyes shut again.“Please... let me down,” she whined, her voice barely above a whisper.Cedric didn’t answer. His smile widened.“Please, Beta Cedric,” she pleaded. “I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean any of it.”“But you still said it,” Cedric mused, his tone light yet firm. “And the Alpha heard every word.”He paused deliberately, as though savoring the tension.“What do you think he should do to you?” His voice dipped lower. “Tear yo
What Lena encountered as they stepped into the northern wing of the Shadow Fang Pack was far beyond what she had expected. She had underestimated him — greatly.The place was vibrant, almost bustling with life. It mirrored the lively markets of the human world, where merchants called out their wares, eager voices mingled in conversation, and stalls lined the streets, brimming with goods — from richly woven fabrics to fragrant herbs and rare trinkets. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, blending with the faint aroma of burning incense.Children darted between vendors, their laughter ringing out like a melody, while traders haggled with customers over prices. There was warmth here — a sense of community and normalcy that felt foreign compared to the cold tension that clung to the Shadow Fang Pack’s main grounds.This wasn’t the grim, oppressive environment she had braced herself for. It was thriving, welcoming — a corner of the pack’s territory that felt almost un
"Do you have no sense of propriety?" Kara demanded, her voice sharp. "When was the last time you bathed?"The young maid lowered her gaze, her face flushing with shame. "I am sorry, Luna.""You ought to be sorry for yourself," Kara retorted coldly. "Leave at once!"The maid bowed her head further and fled, tears tracing down her cheeks."They are but maids, Kara," Valaria remarked with a languid tone, her wine glass poised delicately in her hand. "You cannot expect them to be spotless at all times."Kara’s eyes narrowed, her disdain evident. "Nonsense. My other servant maintains a standard of cleanliness," she scoffed, her eyes rolling dismissively.Selena’s lips curled into a sly smile. "Isn’t that the very reason you hold such disdain for her, Luna? Because she is cleaner and..." She paused, sensing the change in Kara’s demeanor. "I mean... she is more... presentable."Kara yawned, her body stretching languidly across the bed, a portrait of boredom. "Both of you bore me. Leave."The
The scent that hit Vargr the moment she joined him made his heart leap with unexpected joy.But he kept his expression neutral."Finally, I get to see you," she said, her voice soft and almost heavenly."Hmm-mm." He arched a brow. "Have you been looking for me?"She stepped closer and sat down on the stone beside him.Picking up a pebble, she asked, "It seems you don't come out often.""What's the use of being a secret advisor if I make myself known to the pack?"When she glanced up at him, his face was far too close — mere inches from hers.Her breath caught.Those eyes.They were... beautiful."You're undeniably close, secret advisor," she muttered.He chuckled, leaning back with a smile tugging at his lips. "You can call me Vargr."She shrugged and tossed a stone into the water below."Why were you trying to see me?" he asked. "Is there something I can help you with?""I was curious." She tossed another pebble."Curious about what?""I wanted to know what the Alpha thought about th
"You were right, she's not Kara Voss," Alpha Darius said as he walked into his office, his beta trailing behind."I told you," Cedric replied.Darius sank into his chair, dragging a hand down his face. "But what I don't understand is why she's hiding the truth. What's stopping her? Trade goods or freedom?""Likely."He scoffed. "And she thought this was the best place to find freedom?"Cedric stepped further into the room, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I don’t think so. Remember? She tried to escape when she first arrived. Doesn't seem like someone seeking freedom."Silence lingered between them.Then, flashes of Lena coughing up blood flickered through Darius’s mind. The way she'd tried to speak but ended up choking on her own words."A-ha!" His hand slammed on the desk. "They're clever. Very clever. Lydia Voss planted her slave here in place of her daughter and had a witch cast a spell to keep her from speaking the truth. That’s why she can’t talk. She's bound by magic."Cedri
Lena dropped to her knees, calling Milicent’s name, but she was unresponsive.“Cedric,” Alpha Darius called amid the chaos.Cedric appeared beside him, sharp and attentive.“Take the slave out,” Darius ordered.“Yes, Alpha.” Cedric bowed, then bent down and scooped Milicent into his arms. He carried her in a bridal hold, his gaze lingering on her face as he walked out.Once they were outside, beneath the shade of a tree, Milicent’s eyes fluttered open. She blinked groggily, only to find Cedric staring at her with an amused smile.She squeezed her eyes shut again.“Please... let me down,” she whined, her voice barely above a whisper.Cedric didn’t answer. His smile widened.“Please, Beta Cedric,” she pleaded. “I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean any of it.”“But you still said it,” Cedric mused, his tone light yet firm. “And the Alpha heard every word.”He paused deliberately, as though savoring the tension.“What do you think he should do to you?” His voice dipped lower. “Tear yo
A century agoThe wind howled outside, clawing at the walls like a restless beast.He stood near the window, his gaze fixed on the darkened sky.The storm mirrored the turmoil brewing inside him.His chest tightened as footsteps sounded behind him.Soft, hesitant steps that belonged to only one person."You're late," he said without turning.His voice was low, strained.“I wasn’t sure if I should come,” Antara whispered.At the sound of her voice, he finally faced her.Her golden hair spilled over her shoulders.Her blue eyes, once so warm, barely met his.“You shouldn’t have come at all,” he said bitterly.“Unless you’ve changed your mind.”She swallowed hard, her fingers curling into the fabric of her gown.“I haven’t.”It felt like the air had been knocked from his lungs.“Don’t do this,” he said quietly.“Please, Tara...”Her eyes closed at the sound of her name on his lips.When she opened them again, her gaze was firm.“I’m sorry,” she said.“I’ve made my choice.”“You’re choosi
When the Alpha ordered Beta Cedric to escort the humans to the eastern lands for safety, he hadn’t given much thought to the slaves. But Lena had convinced her maid, Milicent, to join them.Now, with their task complete, it was time to return.Milicent stood near the carriage with the other maids, chatting in low tones. She was painfully aware of the Beta’s gaze burning into her back. Desperate to ignore it, she forced a laugh louder than intended and cringed at her own awkwardness.The Beta didn’t say a word. He just watched her, the way she glanced away shyly whenever their eyes met.He scoffed under his breath, leaning lazily against a pillar.“How’s the Luna treating you?” one of the girls asked.Milicent had expected that. Everyone seemed eager to pry, hungry for gossip about Kara Voss.“Well,” Milicent began with a smile, “I’d say she’s the kindest soul I’ve ever met.”The girls blinked, surprised.“Do you think the Luna isn’t who they say she is?” another maid whispered.Cedric
Ethan’s lips moved hungrily against hers, his body pressing her firmly against the wall. His warmth surrounded her, drawing her in deeper.Then suddenly, Lena broke away, shoving him back with surprising force. Ethan stumbled, his eyes wide with confusion.Lena clutched her head, a sharp cry escaping her lips. The pain was unbearable, like her insides were being torn apart.“Lena?” Ethan’s voice was alarmed. “What’s wrong?”She couldn’t answer. The searing agony left her breathless, her vision blurring.Footsteps sounded outside. Heavy. Purposeful. Drawing closer.“I’m sorry,” Ethan muttered. “I have to go.”Without another word, he turned and bolted for the window. In one swift motion, he was gone, vanishing into the night just as the footsteps reached her door.The door burst open, and Darius stormed in, his gaze locking onto Lena.She was slumped against the wall, her face pale, one hand still clutching her head. Her breathing was shallow, her fingers trembling.He took a step forw
Alpha Darius stood unmoved, his mismatched eyes—one as cold as winter, the other burning like embers—locked onto High Lord Rhovan. His presence alone silenced the crowd.He took a slow step forward. The faint sound of his boots against the marble floor was the only noise in the vast space.“I will do nothing,” he repeated. His voice was calm, but laced with authority.A murmur rippled through the gathered Alphas. Some shifted uncomfortably. Others clenched their fists, bristling at his defiance.Alpha Valren sneered. “So, the infamous Shadow Fang Alpha finally graces us with his presence.”His voice dripped with mockery. “Tell me, Darius, was it cowardice or arrogance that kept you away?”Darius didn’t even spare him a glance.Instead, he walked past them all, stopping only when he stood directly in front of High Lord Rhovan. The tension was a coiled snake, waiting to strike.“You would cast my pack into exile?” Darius asked, tilting his head slightly. “For what, exactly?”Rhovan’s ja