BlaireThe walk back from the Lupa’s Altar felt different. The forest was the same, the moon still hung in the sky, but something inside me had shifted. The energy of the altar still hummed beneath my skin, as if it had left an imprint on my soul.Fredrick walked beside me, his presence steady and quiet. He hadn’t spoken much after I passed the test, but he didn’t need to. There was an unspoken understanding between us now—one that hadn’t been there before.As we reached the packhouse, the warm glow of the torches illuminated the waiting figures outside. The elders stood at the front, their expressions unreadable, while the rest of the pack lingered behind them, eyes filled with curiosity and judgment.I had known this moment was coming.Fredrick had told me that earning the pack’s acceptance wouldn’t be easy. The Lupa’s Altar was one step, but this? This was something else entirely.I squared my shoulders, refusing to let them see my nerves.One of the elders, a man with graying hair
BlaireDawn arrived too soon.I stood in the training grounds, my heart pounding as the cold morning air nipped at my skin. The pack had gathered in a loose circle, their murmurs filling the space as they waited for the fight to begin. Some watched with curiosity, others with skepticism, but I could feel their silent challenge—prove yourself.Across from me stood Kaelin, the warrior who had challenged me the night before. She was tall, lean, and radiated confidence. Her dark hair was braided tightly behind her, and her stance was relaxed but poised, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.Fredrick and his brothers stood at the front of the crowd, watching. Fredrick’s silver eyes held a quiet intensity, his arms crossed over his chest. He wasn’t going to interfere—this was my battle to fight.Elder Garrick stepped forward. “This is a test of strength and skill, not a battle to the death. The fight will end when one of you yields.”Kaelin smirked. “I hope you’re ready, Luna.”I rolled my
(Blaire’s POV)The adrenaline from the fight still buzzed beneath my skin as I followed Fredrick into the pack’s meeting hall. It was a grand space—large wooden beams arched across the ceiling, and a long table sat at the center, surrounded by the pack’s highest-ranking members. It was a place of leadership, of decision-making. And today, for the first time, I had earned a seat here.Fredrick pulled out a chair at the head of the table and gestured for me to sit. I hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the moment. This wasn’t just a meeting—this was my first true step into leadership.As I sat, the murmurs around the room quieted. The elders and key warriors took their seats, their expressions unreadable. I recognized some from the welcome dinner, while others were new faces.Elder Garrick cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself. “The challenge was fair, and the Luna proved herself in combat,” he said, his deep voice carrying through the room. “But strength alone does
BlaireThe morning after the meeting, I woke to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains. For the first time since arriving in Fredrick’s pack, I felt like I had truly taken a step forward. No longer just an outsider, no longer just his bride—I was beginning to carve out a place for myself.I stretched, my muscles still sore from the fight with Kaelin, but the ache was a welcome reminder that I had earned my right to be here. Beside me, Fredrick was already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed, his bare back turned to me as he laced his boots. His silver eyes flicked to me over his shoulder.“You’re up early,” I murmured, voice still husky with sleep.“Responsibility doesn’t wait,” he said, smirking slightly. “And neither does training.”I sat up, rubbing my arms against the morning chill. “Training?”He turned fully now, studying me. “You want to lead? Then you need to be stronger, and faster. More than just surviving a fight—you need to be able to win without hesitation
BlaireBy midday, my muscles ached from the morning’s training session, but there was no time to rest. Fredrick had called for a gathering in the main hall, and I knew this was another step in proving myself. As Luna, I needed to do more than fight—I had to earn the pack’s trust in ways that went beyond battle.The meeting hall was already filling when I arrived, Fredrick standing at the head of the room, his presence commanding as he surveyed the pack members gathered before him. His brothers were positioned along the edges of the space, silent but watchful. I took my place beside Fredrick, ignoring the wary glances sent my way.Elder Garrick stood and cleared his throat. “We received word this morning. Jacob AshBourne’s scouts have been seen near our borders.”A murmur spread through the room, tension thickening the air.Fredrick’s jaw tightened. “He’s testing us.”Jacob. My father. Even after everything, he wasn’t done trying to reclaim me.I kept my face neutral, but my heart poun
BlaireThe tension from the meeting clung to me long after we left the main hall. The weight of the pack’s lingering doubts pressed against my shoulders, even as Fredrick and I walked in silence toward his study. His brothers had scattered, each taking on different tasks to reinforce security, while the rest of the pack prepared for whatever came next.Fredrick held the door open for me, and I stepped inside, inhaling the familiar scent of aged wood and parchment. He closed the door behind us, but the silence stretched between us like an unseen barrier.“You handled yourself well today,” he finally said, his voice calm but laced with something unreadable.I turned to face him, crossing my arms. “Did I? Because it felt like I was being tested, not just questioned.”Fredrick exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “You were.”I scoffed. “At least you’re honest about it.”“They need to trust you, Blaire. And trust isn’t something freely given in a pack—it’s earned.”“I know that
BlaireThe message burned to ash, but its weight remained. Even as the fire crackled and died, I could feel the eyes of the warriors around us, their silent questions thick in the air. What now? What was I willing to do? Would I be the reason their pack suffered?Fredrick’s hand remained against my lower back, a steady anchor in the chaos storming inside me. His silver eyes studied me, searching for a reaction, but I refused to let my fear show. I wouldn’t give Jacob the satisfaction, even from afar.“We double patrols,” Fredrick said finally, addressing Orion and the gathered warriors. “If Jacob wants to play games, we’ll be ready for him.”Orion nodded, already issuing quiet orders to the others. The warriors dispersed, leaving only Fredrick, me, and Calla standing by the smoldering remains of Jacob’s warning.Calla crossed her arms. “You should prepare for the elders to call a meeting about this.”I exhaled, dragging a hand through my hair. “Let me guess. They’ll want to know if I’
FredrickJacob had always been ruthless, but this—this was reckless, even for him.Orion’s words rang in my ears as I stormed back toward the packhouse with Blaire beside me. If Jacob was desperate enough to leave tracks leading toward human territory, then he was planning something bigger than threats carved into wood. He was looking for leverage.“We need to move fast,” Orion said, keeping pace beside me. “If Jacob’s men are heading toward the human town, it means he’s looking for a weakness.”Blaire’s steps faltered. “You don’t think—”“He’s not after humans,” I said quickly. “Not directly. He knows better than to draw that kind of attention.”Orion exhaled sharply. “Then what the hell is he after?”I had a sickening feeling I already knew the answer.Jacob had been an alpha for decades. He understood pack politics better than most, and he had no doubt been gathering information since the moment Blaire was taken from his reach. He wouldn’t attack blindly—he’d look for something to
BlaireThe morning air was cold and sharp, biting through the thin fabric of Fredrick’s shirt that I still wore. It smelled like him — cedar and smoke — a comfort I didn’t want to let go of. But comfort wasn’t something we could afford now. Not with Jacob closing in.Fredrick’s words from the night before still echoed in my mind. He trusted me. Finally, fully. But trust didn’t mean he wasn’t still scared for me.I wasn’t scared, though. Not anymore.I’d spent too many years under my father’s shadow. Too many nights wondering what freedom would feel like. Now that I had it — now that I had Fredrick and this pack — I’d die before I let Jacob take it from me.The sun barely peeked over the treetops when the pack gathered in the clearing. Fredrick stood at the center, his brothers flanking him like a wall of muscle and loyalty. I took my place beside him, lifting my chin as the wolves turned their eyes to us.They didn’t look at me with doubt anymore. Not after the way I stood beside Fred
FredrickThe moon was still high when I woke, though dawn wasn’t far off. Sleep had been impossible after Selene’s warning. My mind churned with plans and possibilities, each more dangerous than the last.I slipped from the bed carefully, not wanting to wake Blaire. She stirred anyway, her body curling instinctively toward the warmth I left behind. Even in sleep, she sought me. The thought stirred something deep in my chest — a fierce, protective ache.I leaned down, brushing a kiss to her temple. “Rest, Blaire,” I murmured. “I’ll handle this.”I wasn’t sure if I was reassuring her or myself.The house was silent as I moved through it. My brothers were already awake, gathered around the long wooden table in the main room. Orion leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression grim. Caspian stared into his untouched mug of coffee like it might give him answers. Tony paced restlessly, his jaw tight.They all looked up when I entered.“We’ve got trouble,” Tony said without preamble.
BlaireThe moment the unfamiliar howl pierced the night, the warmth of the fire and the laughter around us died. The air shifted — the comforting scents of smoke and food were drowned out by something sharper. Something wrong.Fredrick was on his feet in an instant, his body tense, his eyes flashing silver as his wolf stirred beneath his skin. His hand lingered on my arm for a moment, grounding me, before he stepped forward. The pack fell silent, waiting.Another howl echoed, closer this time.I stood slowly, heart pounding. A cold weight settled in my stomach. This wasn’t a stray wolf or a lost traveler. This was a message.Fredrick’s voice was low, steady. “Orion, Caspian — perimeter. Now.”His brothers didn’t hesitate, disappearing into the shadows without a sound. The rest of the pack stirred uneasily, some rising to their feet, others lowering their heads, ears pinned back in submission.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “Fredrick… do you think it’s him?”Jacob. My father.Fredric
FredrickThe sun hung low in the sky, casting warm amber streaks over the clearing as the pack worked. The air smelled of sawdust, smoke, and sweat — but beneath it all was something else. Determination. Hope.My muscles ached, and my body screamed for rest, but I couldn’t stop. Wouldn’t stop. Not until every broken wall was mended and every last wolf had a roof over their head.This wasn’t just about rebuilding our home. It was about proving that we weren’t broken. That Jacob Ashbourne’s attack hadn’t shattered us.We were still standing — and stronger than before.I leaned against the frame of what used to be our meeting hall, now little more than charred beams and splintered wood. Caspian and Tony argued nearby over the best way to brace the new supports. Their voices blended into the background hum of the pack’s work.My brothers were loud, stubborn, and exhausting — but damn if I wasn’t grateful for them.“Fred!” Orion’s voice cut through the noise. I turned to see him jogging to
BlaireThe morning after the battle felt surreal. The smell of ash still lingered in the air, blending with the rich scent of pine and earth. The forest was quiet, as though the world itself held its breath, waiting to see what we’d do next.I woke to the sound of hammering — rhythmic, steady, and persistent. Fredrick’s side of the bed was cold, but his scent clung to the blankets, comforting me.For a moment, I wanted to bury myself back under the covers and pretend nothing had changed. That the battle hadn’t happened. That my father wasn’t gone.But that wasn’t who I was anymore.I wasn’t the scared girl who ran from her fate. I was Luna of this pack now — and they needed me.I got dressed quickly, opting for simple clothes that wouldn’t get in the way. The mirror caught my eye as I passed it. My reflection stared back, different than I remembered. My once-soft features were sharper and stronger. My vivid emerald eyes — the mark of my wolf — seemed to glow even in the daylight.I di
BlaireThe battlefield was eerily quiet now. The only sounds left were the rustling of the wind through the trees and the distant howls of the retreating rogues. The moon, once a beacon of strength, now felt cold and distant, casting its pale light over the fallen.My father’s body lay motionless where Fredrick left him. His once-powerful form looked smaller now, lifeless and still.I stared at him for a long moment, my chest tightening in ways I couldn’t quite explain. I didn’t feel sadness — not exactly. It was something more complicated. He had been cruel, manipulative, and controlling, but he was still my father.A part of me — the part that still remembered being a little girl who wanted her daddy’s approval — grieved for what could have been. For what we never had.Fredrick’s hand found mine, his warmth anchoring me to the present. His skin was streaked with dirt and blood, his silver eyes searching mine with a quiet, unspoken question.“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low
FrederickThe moment Blaire spoke those words — “I am home” — I knew there was no turning back.Jacob’s eyes burned with fury. His stance shifted, low and predatory as if her defiance was a personal insult. In a way, it probably was. He wasn’t here to negotiate. He was here to reclaim what he thought belonged to him.But Blaire wasn’t a possession. She wasn’t his to take.A snarl ripped through the air, and Jacob shifted in an instant, his form snapping and twisting into a massive dark brown wolf. His pack surged forward with him, a wave of snarling fur and snapping jaws.My brothers’ howls echoed from the treeline, answering the call. In seconds, the clearing erupted into chaos. Wolves collided like crashing tides, growls and yelps blending into a violent symphony.I didn’t hesitate. My body moved on instinct as I shifted mid-lunge, bones cracking and reforming as my wolf took over. My paws hit the dirt hard, and I barreled into the first rogue that lunged for Blaire, sinking my teet
BlaireThe pack didn’t disperse after Fredrick’s speech. If anything, the air seemed thicker — buzzing with adrenaline and anticipation. Wolves began moving, gathering weapons, preparing supplies, and organizing patrols. The courtyard that once felt warm and inviting now felt like the calm before a violent storm.Fredrick stood tall among his brothers, speaking in low, urgent tones. Caspian and Orion listened intently, nodding as he laid out a plan. I watched him, taking in the way his silver eyes gleamed with fierce determination. He looked every bit the Alpha he was born to be. Strong. Unyielding.And yet, his shoulders seemed heavier tonight — as if the weight of the entire pack rested on him alone.I stepped forward, feeling a pull deep in my chest. I couldn’t just stand on the sidelines. Not anymore.“Fredrick,” I called, my voice steady.His head snapped up, eyes locking onto mine. For a brief moment, his expression softened, but then the steel returned. “Blaire, you should rest
BlaireThe pack dispersed, moving quickly to prepare. I watched them scatter — warriors sharpening weapons, others gathering supplies, and the younger wolves being ushered inside for safety. The courtyard that was filled with warmth and laughter days ago now felt like the calm before a storm.Fredrick stood at the center, giving orders with a steady voice. His brothers flanked him, each a pillar of strength in their way. Caspian was already discussing battle formations, and Orion organizing the patrols. Tony and Lanny were reinforcing the borders with the others. They moved like a well-oiled machine.But I felt… out of place.My heart raced in my chest, but it wasn’t from fear — not entirely. It was the weight of everything settling over me. I wasn’t just Blaire anymore. I wasn’t just the runaway daughter of an alpha. I was Luna to this pack now. And Luna didn’t stand back while her people fought.I turned away from the scene and headed toward the armory, ignoring the sting of the cut