"Alpha. An important scroll has arrived from the Dark Towers," Cedric said as Darius stepped into the castle.
"Important scroll?" Darius muttered, snatching it from his hands.
His eyes scanned the parchment. The more he read, the darker his expression grew.
Without a second thought, he shoved the scroll against Cedric’s chest. "Deny it."
Cedric kept pace beside him. "This is the third time you've rejected the park leaders. They’re determined to hold the ritual here this year."
"Deny the fucking scroll!" Darius snarled. His voice echoed through the hall. "I don't want those heartless beings in my kingdom!"
He stormed upstairs. Servants cowered in fear, stepping out of his path.
Only one dared to follow him.
Lady Miriam.
"I don’t want to hear it, Miriam," he snapped, not bothering to turn around.
"If you keep denying them, they'll sanction you," she warned. "You don’t want the wrath of all the clans against you, do you?"
"Let them come." He whirled to face her, his eyes blazing. "I’m ready for whatever fight this brings."
"You can’t win a fight against the park leaders." Her voice was sharp, unwavering. "They will retaliate, and you won’t win."
Darius clenched his fists, but before he could protest, she grabbed his face, forcing him to meet her gaze.
"Look," she said, her tone softer but firm. "We’ve built this for ourselves. We’ve spent years preparing, shaping this kingdom, setting our plans in motion. You won’t ruin that. You can’t."
He breathed heavily, nostrils flaring.
"So now," Miriam continued, "you’ll go downstairs, tell your Beta to deliver a positive message, and start preparing to welcome the clans."
Silence stretched between them.
Darius’s jaw ticked. His rage simmered just beneath the surface.
But he didn’t argue.
---
"I see you're determined to deny me access to her today, Dylia," Scarlet sneered.
"You have no business with her," the healer replied firmly.
"Who says so?" Scarlet scoffed. "I want to see the wench who stole my man!"
Her voice rose, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
Lena pulled the curtain aside, stepping out. "What’s going on?"
Scarlet’s eyes gleamed with malice. "Here she is. The traitor’s daughter."
Lena barely spared her a glance. "I see there’s no issue here. I’ll be going back inside."
Scarlet lunged, grabbing her wrist and yanking her forward.
"How dare you?" Scarlet hissed. "How dare you ignore me?"
"Scarlet, she is your Luna—show respect!" Dylia scolded.
Scarlet’s entire body stiffened at the word. Then, her fury exploded.
"I was supposed to be in her place!" she shrieked. "She stole my Alpha, my beloved! She will suffer the consequences!"
Her hand shot up to slap Lena—
But Milicent stepped in front of her.
The slap landed hard on Milicent’s face instead.
"You slave!" Scarlet spat. She struck Milicent again, this time kicking her down. "How dare you defy me with your presence?"
Lena’s blood boiled.
Before she could think, her hand flew—
A sharp crack echoed as her palm met Scarlet’s cheek.
The entire room fell silent.
Scarlet staggered, her face turning red where she’d been struck. Even Lena was momentarily stunned. She had never raised a hand to anyone before.
She had always been on the receiving end.
Scarlet trembled with rage, clutching her cheek.
"You’ll regret this," she hissed. "Alpha Darius will hear about this, you bitch!"
Lena ignored her. She turned, grabbed Milicent’s hand, and pulled her toward the exit.
Just as they stepped outside, Milicent suddenly stopped.
Lena paused, letting go of her hand.
Then, to her shock, Milicent dropped to her knees.
"I’m sorry, Luna," she whispered. "I failed to protect you."
Lena stared, taken aback. She rushed forward, grasping Milicent’s arms and lifting her to her feet.
"You protected me," Lena said softly. "I should be the one apologizing. Because of me, you were beaten and humiliated."
Milicent shook her head. "It doesn’t change the fact that you saved me, Luna."
"Luna?" A voice cut through the air, drawing their attention.
A man sneered, pointing at her.
"Look. It’s Kara Voss."
---
"The devil’s daughter!"
"That evil woman made my life hell!"
"That wicked traitor gave birth to you? No wonder you’re this daring!"
One insult after another rained down on Lena.
Hands hurled stones, scraps, whatever they could find.
Milicent grabbed her wrist. "Run with me!"
They bolted, weaving through the narrow streets, the furious mob on their heels.
Their breath came in ragged gasps as they turned a corner. Milicent yanked Lena into a narrow alley, pressing her against the cold wall.
The angry voices thundered past them, growing fainter by the second.
Silence.
Milicent exhaled. "Stay here. I’ll check if the roads are clear."
Lena nodded, still catching her breath.
Milicent disappeared into the street.
Minutes passed.
When she returned—
Lena was gone.
---
Lena stood before the gate, gripping Milicent’s pass in her hand. She had been staring at it since she left the castle.
She stole it when Milicent wasn’t looking.
Her heart pounded as she stepped forward, quickening her pace. No hood to conceal her face—she kept her head low instead.
She reached the gate.
A guard extended his palm. Without hesitation, she placed the stolen pass in his hand.
He inspected it. Nodded.
Relief flooded her chest as she walked past.
Then—
"You're no slave."
The guard’s voice cut through the air, sharp and certain.
Lena froze.
His gaze dropped to her ankles. No cuff. No mark of servitude.
She ran.
A burst of speed, her feet pounding against the ground.
Shouts erupted behind her, but she didn’t stop.
She dove into the forest, branches clawing at her skin.
The guards halted at the tree line.
One scoffed. "Let her go. Just another clueless human. She has no idea what awaits her in there."
-
Lena didn’t stop.
She ran deeper into the forest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The cold night air bit at her skin, her bare feet scraping against rocks and fallen branches.
Her legs ached, but she didn’t dare slow down.
She had no idea where she was going.
All she knew was that she needed to get as far away from the Shadow Fang Pack as possible.
The trees stretched high above her, their twisted branches blocking the moonlight. Shadows lurked in every direction, whispering threats she couldn’t see.
A howl echoed through the forest.
Lena’s heart clenched.
Wolves.
Not the kind she was used to. Not the ones that lived within pack borders, obeying laws and orders.
These were wild. Feral.
Rogues
Something rustled behind her.
She whirled around. Nothing.
But the air shifted.
Something was watching her.
Panic surged through her veins. She forced her legs to move faster, dodging trees, leaping over roots, pushing deeper into the unknown.
Then—
A growl.
Low. Close.
Lena’s body froze before her mind could catch up.
She turned slowly.
Glowing yellow eyes stared back at her from the darkness.
Not one pair.
Several.
The shadows moved, and figures stepped forward—massive wolves, larger than any she had ever seen. Their fur bristled, their sharp teeth gleaming under the sliver of moonlight that pierced through the trees.
She was surrounded.
Lena took a step back, but her heel caught on a root.
She stumbled.
A snarl ripped through the night as the wolves lunged.
She barely had time to scream.
"I'm telling you, Alpha. She purposely struck me!" Scarlet complained bitterly, her hand still pressed against her cheek.Darius barely glanced up from the parchments on his desk. "What did you do to her, Scarlet?""I didn’t do anything! I just wanted to see her, but she refused and slapped me across the cheek!" she lied, her voice laced with indignation.Then it hit him.A sharp pull deep in his chest.His hands clenched. His breath hitched.His vision blurred as his heart pounded erratically.Something was wrong.Before Scarlet could blink, Darius was gone.He moved with inhuman speed, his body twisting as he lunged out of the window. Mid-air, bones snapped, muscles expanded, and in a heartbeat, his wolf emerged.A beast of dark fur and lethal speed.By the time Scarlet realized what had happened, he was already a blur disappearing into the woods.---Lena barely had time to scream.The rogues lunged.Then, out of nowhere, a massive black wolf crashed into the clearing.It moved wit
The Next MorningDylia, the healer, worked diligently on Lena’s legs, the cool touch of medicinal herbs stirring her awake. A sharp sting shot through her as the salve seeped into her wounds, making her wince.Flashes of the previous night returned—the relentless run through the forest, the wolf carrying her, branches scraping against her skin.She exhaled deeply and sat up.Dylia immediately noticed. "You're finally awake." She offered a small smile, sitting on a stool beside the bed. "How do you feel?""Like I barely survived." Lena muttered, earning an amused chuckle from the healer."You're exaggerating. You'll be fine in no time."Lena hesitated before asking, "Whose wolf brought me back yesterday?"Silence filled the room.Dylia’s smile faltered. "Brought you back?""Yes," Lena said firmly. "A wolf saved me from those rogues in the forest. It carried me back here."Dylia sighed. "You must have imagined it, Luna. The Alpha said he found you just outside his study window and brough
The festival was fast approaching, and the entire pack buzzed with anticipation. Maidens flocked to their favorite dress shops, selecting the finest fabrics and embroidery for the grand occasion. The town square was alive with excitement, the scent of fresh flowers and baked goods filling the air as preparations continued in full swing.In the heart of the bustling town, a group of women gathered inside an elegant dress shop, their fingers tracing the delicate fabrics as they whispered amongst themselves."Whose dress will be the most stunning this year?" one of them mused aloud."If Lady Ravena doesn't return home this year, then it's definitely Lady Scarlet," another replied confidently.A few nodded in agreement, their eyes sparkling with excitement. But their chatter quickly took a darker turn."I heard Lydia Voss is returning to the territory for the first time in years," a young woman interjected.The mood shifted instantly. Faces hardened, and an air of resentment settled over
Long ago, before the rise of packs and Alphas, the Lycans ruled. Beasts of unmatched strength, they were neither mere werewolves nor any lesser creature that walked the earth. They were power itself—immortal, indomitable, divine. Hidden from the world, they lived in peace, thriving in their secluded kingdom.But peace never lasts when jealousy takes root.The werewolves envied them and resented their power. They saw the Lycans as a threat, an insult to their existence. And so, for the first time in history, the scattered werewolf clans united under a single cause: to bring down the Lycans.Even against an entire species, the Lycans stood unshaken. They were stronger, faster, and smarter. Victory should have been theirs.But power is never just about brute strength.Desperate, the werewolves turned to an ancient force, the Twelve Blood Witches. A deal was struck, and a truce was made. In exchange for sparing the witches' kind from future wars, the witches agreed to weave a spell of dar
"Do you like this one?""No, I prefer this one."Lena swallowed hard outside the dining hall, bracing herself. Kara's friends were troublemakers. They always had something to say when she was in front of them.With careful steps, she pushed open the doors and entered, balancing a tray of honeyed figs, spiced almonds, and goblets of dark wine.Laughter died the moment she stepped inside.Lena kept her gaze down as she moved toward the long table, the tray steady in her hands. The girls lounged in their cushioned seats, silk gowns pooling around them like liquid luxury. Their eyes followed her every move, sharp with something Lena had long learned to recognize. Jealousy."Honestly, it’s ridiculous," Valeria muttered, toying with her goblet. "Why does a mere servant have such a face?"Lena’s grip on the tray tightened."Right?" Selena drawled, a smirk curling her lips. "With a face like that, you’d think she was someone important. Not some pathetic little slave.""Such a waste," Valeria
The guards held Lena in front of a heavy wooden door, their grip firm and unyielding. The head slave emerged, her expression impassive."The bath is ready," she announced.Without hesitation, one of the guards spun Lena around as if she were nothing more than a lifeless doll. The sharp clink of metal echoed in the dim corridor as they crouched before her, unlocking the chains that had bound her for nearly a decade.The weight disappeared from her ankle, and for a moment, Lena could only stare.They had never removed it before. Not in all the years she had been paraded as a slave.That cufflink was more than just a restraint—it was a brand, a mark of ownership. It was what kept slaves from running. The iron was impossibly heavy, designed to slow any escape attempt until a werewolf could hunt them down with ease.Yet now, they had discarded it like it was nothing.Before she could fully process the shift in her fate, rough hands shoved her forward into the room.Inside, the scent of lav
"Lena, run!" her mother screamed."No, Mother! I can get you out of here! I can take you with me!" Lena sobbed, desperately reaching for her hand."You can't save me!" her mother gasped, her voice strained with pain. "The only thing you must promise me is to survive. Do you hear me? Survive at all costs!"A burning log crashed down, slamming into her mother’s back.The fire roared around them, consuming everything in its path. Her mother’s screams echoed through the inferno.Young Lena’s shriek tore through the night."Take her!" a deep voice commanded behind her.Terror gripped her as she turned, her tear-filled eyes locking onto a man standing in the flames. A golden mask covered half his face, one eye a chilling blue, the other a blood-red ember.A cruel laugh jolted Lena awake.Her head ached, the jostling of the carriage making her realize she’d been dreaming."What do you think will happen to her when we reach the pack house?" one of the men outside sneered."They won’t go easy
Lena’s body trembled as they dragged her forward.Her feet scraped against the rough stone, her arms wrenched in a bruising grip.The metallic taste of blood clung to her tongue, thick and bitter.No matter how much she swallowed, it wouldn’t leave.The night air was sharp against her skin when they stepped outside.The ritual ground stretched before her—an eerie, open expanse surrounded by towering black stone pillars.The pillars loomed like sentinels, their surfaces carved with ancient runes that pulsed with an unnatural glow.Fires blazed in massive iron braziers, their flames licking the air, casting long, flickering shadows across the space.The scent of burnt herbs filled the air, thick and suffocating.But beneath it, something fouler lingered.Blood.The pack stood in a wide circle, their faces twisted in anticipation.Hatred.Cruel delight.Lena’s stomach knotted.At the center of it all, the altar waited.A massive slab of dark stone, worn smooth by time, but forever marked
The festival was fast approaching, and the entire pack buzzed with anticipation. Maidens flocked to their favorite dress shops, selecting the finest fabrics and embroidery for the grand occasion. The town square was alive with excitement, the scent of fresh flowers and baked goods filling the air as preparations continued in full swing.In the heart of the bustling town, a group of women gathered inside an elegant dress shop, their fingers tracing the delicate fabrics as they whispered amongst themselves."Whose dress will be the most stunning this year?" one of them mused aloud."If Lady Ravena doesn't return home this year, then it's definitely Lady Scarlet," another replied confidently.A few nodded in agreement, their eyes sparkling with excitement. But their chatter quickly took a darker turn."I heard Lydia Voss is returning to the territory for the first time in years," a young woman interjected.The mood shifted instantly. Faces hardened, and an air of resentment settled over
The Next MorningDylia, the healer, worked diligently on Lena’s legs, the cool touch of medicinal herbs stirring her awake. A sharp sting shot through her as the salve seeped into her wounds, making her wince.Flashes of the previous night returned—the relentless run through the forest, the wolf carrying her, branches scraping against her skin.She exhaled deeply and sat up.Dylia immediately noticed. "You're finally awake." She offered a small smile, sitting on a stool beside the bed. "How do you feel?""Like I barely survived." Lena muttered, earning an amused chuckle from the healer."You're exaggerating. You'll be fine in no time."Lena hesitated before asking, "Whose wolf brought me back yesterday?"Silence filled the room.Dylia’s smile faltered. "Brought you back?""Yes," Lena said firmly. "A wolf saved me from those rogues in the forest. It carried me back here."Dylia sighed. "You must have imagined it, Luna. The Alpha said he found you just outside his study window and brough
"I'm telling you, Alpha. She purposely struck me!" Scarlet complained bitterly, her hand still pressed against her cheek.Darius barely glanced up from the parchments on his desk. "What did you do to her, Scarlet?""I didn’t do anything! I just wanted to see her, but she refused and slapped me across the cheek!" she lied, her voice laced with indignation.Then it hit him.A sharp pull deep in his chest.His hands clenched. His breath hitched.His vision blurred as his heart pounded erratically.Something was wrong.Before Scarlet could blink, Darius was gone.He moved with inhuman speed, his body twisting as he lunged out of the window. Mid-air, bones snapped, muscles expanded, and in a heartbeat, his wolf emerged.A beast of dark fur and lethal speed.By the time Scarlet realized what had happened, he was already a blur disappearing into the woods.---Lena barely had time to scream.The rogues lunged.Then, out of nowhere, a massive black wolf crashed into the clearing.It moved wit
"Alpha. An important scroll has arrived from the Dark Towers," Cedric said as Darius stepped into the castle."Important scroll?" Darius muttered, snatching it from his hands.His eyes scanned the parchment. The more he read, the darker his expression grew.Without a second thought, he shoved the scroll against Cedric’s chest. "Deny it."Cedric kept pace beside him. "This is the third time you've rejected the park leaders. They’re determined to hold the ritual here this year.""Deny the fucking scroll!" Darius snarled. His voice echoed through the hall. "I don't want those heartless beings in my kingdom!"He stormed upstairs. Servants cowered in fear, stepping out of his path.Only one dared to follow him.Lady Miriam."I don’t want to hear it, Miriam," he snapped, not bothering to turn around."If you keep denying them, they'll sanction you," she warned. "You don’t want the wrath of all the clans against you, do you?""Let them come." He whirled to face her, his eyes blazing. "I’m re
The cell door creaked open for the second time that day.Lena glanced up, expecting another tormentor, but instead, a young girl stood there, holding a tray of food. A cuff encircled the girl’s ankle—a slave."Take it back. I refuse to eat," Lena spat, her voice hoarse but firm.The girl set the tray down and crouched before her, meeting Lena’s defiant gaze.“Luna.”"I am not your Luna," Lena snapped, her voice rising.The girl only sighed. “You don’t understand, do you? The longer you refuse, the worse my punishment will be. I’m responsible for you now, Luna. I am your personal maid. My name is Milicent.”Lena finally lifted her head, properly looking at her. The girl’s eyes were pleading, desperate.Lena’s expression softened.She knew what it was like to be in her shoes—to fear the wrath of a head maid, to be denied food as punishment.Memories of her past as a servant in the Crimson Moon Pack surfaced, stinging like old wounds. If she were still there, at least she wouldn’t have e
The next morning, Lena’s eyes fluttered open. Pain rippled through her body as she tried to move, but her limbs felt like lead. Every inch of her ached, her muscles stiff from the torment of last night. She felt numb. Empty.The cold stone beneath her sent a sharp reminder—she wasn’t safe. She wasn’t free.The heavy sound of boots echoed in the corridor."Where is she?"Darius.Lena barely had the strength to lift her head, but she heard the metallic clank of chains unlocking. Only then did she fully register where she was. A cell. A prison.The iron door groaned open.Darius stepped inside, his presence filling the cramped space like a dark storm cloud.He crouched before her, his mismatched eyes studying her with something unreadable.Lena flinched and tried to shrink away from his reach.His lips curled. "No, wife. That is not how you greet your husband."Her breath hitched. "Stay away from me!"He ignored her protest. "Kara," he murmured, tilting his head. "Don’t you know why you’
Lena’s body trembled as they dragged her forward.Her feet scraped against the rough stone, her arms wrenched in a bruising grip.The metallic taste of blood clung to her tongue, thick and bitter.No matter how much she swallowed, it wouldn’t leave.The night air was sharp against her skin when they stepped outside.The ritual ground stretched before her—an eerie, open expanse surrounded by towering black stone pillars.The pillars loomed like sentinels, their surfaces carved with ancient runes that pulsed with an unnatural glow.Fires blazed in massive iron braziers, their flames licking the air, casting long, flickering shadows across the space.The scent of burnt herbs filled the air, thick and suffocating.But beneath it, something fouler lingered.Blood.The pack stood in a wide circle, their faces twisted in anticipation.Hatred.Cruel delight.Lena’s stomach knotted.At the center of it all, the altar waited.A massive slab of dark stone, worn smooth by time, but forever marked
"Lena, run!" her mother screamed."No, Mother! I can get you out of here! I can take you with me!" Lena sobbed, desperately reaching for her hand."You can't save me!" her mother gasped, her voice strained with pain. "The only thing you must promise me is to survive. Do you hear me? Survive at all costs!"A burning log crashed down, slamming into her mother’s back.The fire roared around them, consuming everything in its path. Her mother’s screams echoed through the inferno.Young Lena’s shriek tore through the night."Take her!" a deep voice commanded behind her.Terror gripped her as she turned, her tear-filled eyes locking onto a man standing in the flames. A golden mask covered half his face, one eye a chilling blue, the other a blood-red ember.A cruel laugh jolted Lena awake.Her head ached, the jostling of the carriage making her realize she’d been dreaming."What do you think will happen to her when we reach the pack house?" one of the men outside sneered."They won’t go easy
The guards held Lena in front of a heavy wooden door, their grip firm and unyielding. The head slave emerged, her expression impassive."The bath is ready," she announced.Without hesitation, one of the guards spun Lena around as if she were nothing more than a lifeless doll. The sharp clink of metal echoed in the dim corridor as they crouched before her, unlocking the chains that had bound her for nearly a decade.The weight disappeared from her ankle, and for a moment, Lena could only stare.They had never removed it before. Not in all the years she had been paraded as a slave.That cufflink was more than just a restraint—it was a brand, a mark of ownership. It was what kept slaves from running. The iron was impossibly heavy, designed to slow any escape attempt until a werewolf could hunt them down with ease.Yet now, they had discarded it like it was nothing.Before she could fully process the shift in her fate, rough hands shoved her forward into the room.Inside, the scent of lav