MAGNAR’S POVI pulled the duplicate key from my pocket, the cold metal cool against my palm. It had taken weeks of careful planning to create this—weeks of watching my father, understanding his patterns, and staying out of his line of suspicion. And now, it was finally time to use it.The lock clicked softly, and I slipped inside, closing the door behind me as quietly as possible. I paused, letting the silence settle around me, my heart pounding. This was it. My one chance to uncover the truth. I made sure to hide my scent first so I don’t leave anything behind. I even wore gloves so that I don’t leave fingerprints anywhere.The office was exactly as I’d expected—meticulously organized, every surface gleaming. My father’s desk stood at the center, a symbol of his authority and control. The walls were lined with shelves, each one filled with binders, books, and documents, all arranged with painstaking precision.I took a deep breath and moved toward the desk, starting with the drawers.
MAGNAR’S POV“What happened? Why is he returning so soon?” I asked, my voice laced with frustration.Braden was slightly out of breath as he met me in the hallway, his face shadowed with concern. “I don’t know. I was tracing their location like you asked, but then I noticed their route changed. They’re coming back earlier than planned. I had to alert you immediately.”I nodded, trying to keep my irritation in check. Braden had done his part, and honestly, he’d done it well. He always did. He was good with technology—better than anyone else in the pack—and as my future beta, he was the one person I trusted with my life.Still, this early return threw everything into chaos. I had been counting on more time.“Did you find anything?” he asked, his tone low and cautious, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.“Not really,” I replied vaguely, avoiding his gaze. I wasn’t ready to talk about what I’d found—or what little I understood of it.Braden narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean
VALERIA’S POV“What you’re trying to say is that you met the Moon Goddess, and she told you everything?” Elijah’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a quiet urgency that made my stomach churn.I nodded, twisting my fingers together. “Yes… I-I wasn’t sure if I should tell you at first. I mean, I had trust issues. So I—”“You don’t need to explain,” he interrupted, holding up a hand. His tone softened, though his expression remained serious. “You did the right thing. And it would be best if you didn’t tell anyone else. The more people who know about you, the more danger you’ll face.”I swallowed hard and nodded. He was right. I didn’t feel comfortable sharing this with anyone else—not after what had happened to me at the hands of people I thought I could trust.Elijah’s piercing gaze softened briefly. “You know… everyone thought Moonbounds were just a myth,” he said quietly.“Wait, who’s Moonbound?” I asked, frowning.He tilted his head slightly, studying me as if I’d just ask
VALERIA’S POVI was relieved that Elijah’s behavior didn’t change after that day. Despite everything, he treated me the same as always, and for that, I was grateful. I had half-expected him to pull away, to distance himself after learning more about me. But no, he remained steady, patient, and unyielding. It was comforting in a way I hadn’t anticipated.We resumed training soon after, and every day I could feel myself improving—getting stronger, faster, more focused. My old pack, cruel as it was, left me with one gift that proved invaluable during my training: my pain tolerance. Years of enduring punishment had hardened my body and mind in ways I hadn’t fully appreciated until now.Each bruise, each ache from Elijah’s rigorous sessions, was a mark of progress, not suffering. I endured it all, letting it fuel me, and over time, I began to see the results. My muscles became toned, my reflexes sharper, and my stamina nearly unmatched. Elijah often pushed me to my limits, and though it wa
DIMITRI’S POV6 MONTHS LATERI leaned back in my chair, my eyes fixed on the monitors in front of me. The flickering images from the CCTV cameras displayed the mundane routine of the pack—warriors sparring, workers bustling about, and slaves completing their assigned chores. None of them had any idea they were being watched so closely. I preferred it that way.My fingers tapped idly against the desk as I studied their movements, paying particular attention to the slaves who hadn’t yet shifted. They were the key to everything—though none of them realized it. Their value lay not in their current state but in what they might become.So far, nothing. No changes. No signs. Just the same dull monotony of their existence.Sometimes I wonder if I should finally accept the offers from the other Alphas—the ones who proposed deals for these so-called “useless” slaves. Their words still echoed in my ears: Why hold onto them? They’re dead weight. Trade them, sell them, or let them go. You’d profit
ALPHA DIMITRI'S POVI leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled as I contemplated my next move. Magnar was becoming a thorn in my side—not because he wasn’t capable, but because he believed himself ready for the Alpha title when he clearly wasn’t. His arrogance and impulsiveness were dangerous traits in a leader. He needed to learn, and if he wouldn’t listen to words, then I’d have to teach him through action.With that thought, I mind-linked him. “Magnar, meet me in my office.”I wanted to see his reaction to the task I had in mind. This wasn’t just about giving him something important to do—it was about testing him. If he wanted the Alpha title so badly, then let him work for it. Let him prove, not just to me but to the entire pack, that he was capable.Fifteen minutes later, Magnar strode into my office, his posture confident but his eyes restless. He took his usual seat across from me without hesitation. Ever since he turned eighteen, he’d started adopting this bold attitude, thin
MAGNAR’S POVIt was clear to me from the moment my father assigned this task that he intended for me to fail. His condescending tone, the way he presented it as a “test,” and the tight deadline—it all screamed of a trap to humiliate me in front of the pack. But I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.If this was his way of undermining my potential, I’d show him exactly what I was capable of.The first week was all about clearing the area. I wanted everyone focused on the same task so we could execute it efficiently. Workers and warriors alike were instructed to cut down trees, clear the rocks, and prepare the land for construction. I worked alongside them during the day, earning their respect by showing that I wasn’t above hard labor.By the second week, I split everyone into shifts. Two teams of workers and two teams of warriors were created—one to work during the day and the other at night. The warriors’ role was not just to guard but to ensure resources were being procured and
MAGNAR’S POVIt was my duty tonight, and the forest was silent save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. The chill of the night wrapped around me, but I barely noticed it as I patrolled the third round of the boundary. My focus was unwavering, my instincts sharp. This expansion project couldn’t afford any setbacks, especially under my leadership.That’s when I saw it—a faint column of smoke rising in the distance, barely visible under the moonlight. I froze in my tracks, narrowing my eyes to make sure I wasn’t imagining things.Who would light a fire at this time of night?It couldn’t be rogues; they rarely announced their presence so openly. But then again, rogues were unpredictable. Worse, it could be hunters. Humans had their ways of blending into the forest, waiting to ambush unsuspecting wolves.My heart quickened, but I kept my composure. I immediately mind-linked one of my patrol teams stationed nearby. "Yannis, take your warriors and check the source of that smoke.
VALERIA’S POVRiven left, but I stayed.Her words echoed in my mind, a quiet reminder of the truth I needed to accept.I need to change the way I think.All of this was meant to be.Dimitri’s death. The battle. The bloodshed.I had to take revenge. It was supposed to happen one way or another.I couldn’t blame myself—not anymore.But I couldn’t stay here either.This place, these walls, this land—they would always remind me of what happened.Still, I couldn’t just walk away without a final goodbye.I had to make things right. I had to set everything straight.________________________________________By the time I returned to the pack, the battlefield was nearly cleared.The royal traitors had been dealt with.The Alphas who had dared to cross Riven were handcuffed in silver and being loaded into vans. I had no doubt she would deal with them personally.I walked toward the packhouse, my heart steady but my mind restless.I wasn’t sure what I expected, but when I stepped inside, I was m
VALERIA’S POVDimitri was dead.His lifeless body lay still, surrounded by the very people he had tormented and betrayed.And yet—I didn’t feel victorious.I didn’t feel like a hero.Instead, a sharp, twisting knot of dread and guilt settled deep inside me, like a festering wound that refused to heal.I should have felt relief. Peace.But all I felt was…Empty.A murderer.I had taken a life.Yes, it was justified. Yes, it was necessary. Yes, he deserved it.But that didn’t make it any easier.My gaze flickered toward Magnar. His lips were pressed together in a firm line, his golden eyes locked onto Dimitri’s body. I saw the shine of unshed tears, the war between grief and justice playing out in real time.I turned away.I couldn’t look at him.I couldn’t look at any of them.The weight of their stares, their unspoken expectations, was suffocating me.The world blurred as my breathing grew shallow. My heartbeat pounded against my ribs. I had to get out of here.I took a step back—then
VALERIA’S POVThe battlefield was silent.Not because the war was over—But because they were waiting.Waiting for me to finish what Dimitri started.I stared down at him, breathing heavily, my heart hammering in my chest.Riven’s voice sliced through the silence, low and certain.“Don’t show any mercy this time, Valeria. Your friends are safe—he has nothing against you now.”And just like that—My hesitation disappeared.The weight I had been carrying, the fear, the second-guessing—it all vanished.I turned my head slightly, catching sight of Magnar.He stood there, his arms tense at his sides, his jaw locked.His expression was unreadable, but his eyes…They were conflicted.He may have accepted this fate, may have severed the final tie with the man who raised him, but I knew—watching this wouldn’t be easy for him.I exhaled slowly and met his gaze.“You should look away,” I told him. “This is going to be painful for you to watch.”But he didn’t move.Didn’t blink.Didn’t turn away.
VALERIA’S POVI had never seen a vampire in my life.Not in person.Not until now.And suddenly, we were surrounded by them.Their presence was undeniable—an eerie, otherworldly force that sent shivers down my spine. Their sharp features, their glowing red eyes, the way they moved so effortlessly, like shadows given form.Riven is associated with vampires?Wow.I had heard whispers about her, of course. Rumors that she had ties beyond the werewolf realm. That she had even visited the fae kingdom.I never believed it.But now?Nothing seemed impossible when it came to Riven.And honestly… good for her.If anyone could command respect across different species, it was the woman standing before us with that annoyingly confident smirk.Dimitri, however, didn’t share my thoughts.His face twisted in pure rage, his lips pulling back over his teeth as he snarled at the newcomers.“Vampires are abominations! They are not allowed on my land! This is exactly why you should never have been queen,
VALERIA’S POV“No—”I lunged forward, my heart slamming against my ribs like a war drum.But I was too late.Dimitri’s fingers slammed down on the button, his smirk widening as if he had already won.For a split second, my world froze.I braced myself, every muscle in my body tightening. I knew what was coming—poison.A gas so lethal it would seep into the lungs of everyone around us, burning them from the inside, turning them into lifeless corpses before they could even scream.The end.I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the sting, the suffocating burn, the chaos—But…Nothing happened.I snapped my eyes open, my breath catching in confusion.The arena was still there. The ground hadn’t turned into a graveyard.The warriors, the royals, everyone was still standing.For a moment, even Dimitri looked stunned.His hand trembled over the button, his eyes darting wildly across the battlefield as if expecting bodies to drop at any second.Nothing.No poison.No death.No victory for him.
VALERIA’S POVThe battlefield still burned with chaos, but in this moment, my world narrowed down to only three people—Dimitri, Riven, and myself.Dimitri stood a few feet away, blood dripping from his nose, his fury barely contained. He was no longer the composed, manipulative mastermind. No. I had managed to push him into desperation.And Riven?She was watching me intently, her violet eyes sharp as she slowly began to understand what I was about to do.I turned my gaze back to Dimitri and smirked.“You know, Dimitri,” I called out to him, my voice clear over the noise of the battle, “you missed one crucial detail about Moonbound wolves.”Dimitri clenched his jaw. He wasn’t in the mood for games.But Riven, oh, she was.“I would love to know what it is,” she drawled, amusement flickering across her face.“I don’t care,” Dimitri snapped at the same time.I chuckled darkly. “Oh, but you should, Dimitri. You see, you’ve spent so much time obsessing over your revenge, your plans, and co
VALERIA’S POVI don’t know what came over me.One moment, I was staring at Riven, knowing Dimitri’s command had sealed my fate.The next, I was turning against him.All the energy I had been gathering, all the rage, the frustration, the helplessness—I redirected it.Not at Riven.At him.A blinding surge of power exploded from my hands, aimed straight at Dimitri.It hit him dead center.The force of my attack sent him flying backward, ripping him from the ceremonial platform. He crashed hard onto the stone floor below, a thunderous impact shaking the entire arena.Gasps echoed around me.A thick cloud of dust and debris rose from where Dimitri had landed, swirling in the air like a storm brewing around us. The weight of my attack had thrown him back with such force that the ceremonial platform itself trembled from the impact.For a heartbeat, all I could hear was the ringing in my ears and the shallow gasps of those who had witnessed what I had just done.Then, movement.I wasn’t give
VALERIA’S POVThe moment the signal came, I ran.The battle raged around me, the air thick with the scent of blood, smoke, and something far more sinister—Dimitri’s victory.His forces were overwhelming, tearing through the opposition like a wildfire, precise and merciless. The royals who had sided with him played their part well, cutting down anyone who dared to challenge their authority.This was his battlefield.His game.And I was just a piece he had moved into place.By the time I reached the throne, I expected to see panic, desperation—fear.But Riven sat there calmly, her posture regal, her gaze surveying the chaos below with a detached sort of curiosity.As if she were merely watching a performance rather than witnessing the fall of her kingdom.“So, you’re here to kill me.” She stated with a sigh.She didn’t sound afraid.Not even surprised.I faltered for a moment. She knew?“You knew?” I asked, disbelief coating my voice.She turned her head slightly, her golden eyes meetin
MAGNAR’S POVThe Queen followed my gaze.She saw it too.The fear in Valeria’s eyes.The helplessness clinging to her like a shroud.Riven’s expression remained unreadable, but something flickered in her gaze—understanding.“Hmm… interesting,” she muttered under her breath, her tone thoughtful, calculated. Then, without missing a beat, she turned her attention back to the gathered audience.She took a single step forward, commanding absolute silence.“As the reigning Queen, I declare the trials complete,” her voice rang out, powerful and unshaken. “Magnar has proven himself worthy through strength, strategy, and wisdom. He has shown that he is capable of leading not only his pack but making the hard choices necessary for the greater good.”The crowd erupted in cheers.Pride swelled in my chest, but a weight still pressed against me. Something wasn’t right. I could still feel Valeria’s gaze, though I couldn’t find her in the sea of people.Queen Riven turned to face me once more.“I ho