I’m hauled back into the pack house, my wrists aching from the grip of the three men dragging me like a sack of meat. Their laughter grates on my nerves, smug and full of condescension, as if they’ve won some great battle. I thrash, jerking my arms in an attempt to break free, but their grip only tightens.“Let go of me!” I snap, my voice echoing in the hallways of the house.Akande doesn’t even flinch. “Keep fighting, rogue, you're only tiring yourself out.” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.Lucas chuckles. “Yeah, do yourself a favour and save your energy. You’re not going anywhere.”I snarl at him, baring my teeth like the wild animal they seem to think I am. “You’d better hope these hands don’t heal too fast, or I’ll show you exactly where you went wrong...”“Oh, I’m terrified,” Lucas shoots back, smirking as they finally stop in front of a heavy wooden door. “You’re all bark, rogue.”I thrash harder, planting my feet as best I can, but Rafe seemingly tired of all my fighti
The night air hits me like a slap as Miyuki leads me out of the pack house and toward the gathering grounds. The moon hangs heavy in the sky, its silvery light illuminating the crowd assembled ahead. I can hear the low murmur of voices, the restless shuffling of feet, and the occasional growl cutting through the stillness.They’re waiting for me.Miyuki walks a step ahead, her movements stiff as she walks with her back straightened. She doesn’t say a word, but the occasional side-eye she throws my way says enough. She hates this as much as I do, though for entirely different reasons.As we walk through the ground, I notice how people bow their heads out of respect for her, acknowledging that she is the Gamma. She has authority, I'll give her that, and though I'm starting to hate her, she somehow reminds me of my sister, and what she could've been when she became an Alpha, what I could've been as well if I was ever in a position of authority...I shake the thoughts of her away, not wan
…A few years ago…The ground beneath me is cold, damp, and unforgiving. The leaves overhead shift with the wind, whispering secrets through the forest that I can't bear to hear. I pull my knees closer to my chest, the thin blanket wrapped around me doing little to keep the chill away. My stomach aches, empty and hollow, but I ignore it. Hunger is a constant companion now, one I've learned to live with.The remnants of my old life cling to me like ghosts. The screams of my pack members still echo through my mind, everything is still so vivid, so painfully clear and no matter what I do I can’t seem to shake the feeling. I remember the warmth of the fire in our packhouse, the laughter that used to echo through the halls. I remember my father's strong hands, my mother's kind eyes, the way my sister would steal my hairbrush and laugh when I chased her down to get it back…But those memories feel like another lifetime now.Because that life is gone—burned and buried beneath the ashes of my
The early morning sun gleams softly overhead as Miyuki leads me down a dirt path that opens onto the Raven Moon training grounds. My first impression? Sweat, grunts, and tension hanging through the cool morning air.Rows of pack members are locked in intense drills, their bodies moving in sharp, coordinated bursts. Some spar hand-to-hand, their strikes fast and brutal, while others shift mid-movement, their wolves snarling as they tear into padded dummies designed to withstand claws and teeth.It's all so... rigorous. Precise. As if every move is rehearsed down to the last detail.And yet, I chuckle to myself."Something funny?" Miyuki snaps, her sharp tone breaking through my thoughts.I shrug, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. "It's cute, watching them try so hard. Almost like they think this is life or death…”She stiffens beside me, her jaw tightening as her eyes dart toward me. "They're warriors, rogue. Something you wouldn't understand…”"Warriors?" I repeat, my smirk
The air shifts as we step into another section of the training grounds. It's quieter here—not silent, but there's a distinct lack of the grunts and growls from the larger groups I saw earlier. Instead, it's all focus. Precision. Deadly intent.These aren't the typical pack warriors.No, these are their strongest.I stop a few paces behind Miyuki, my arms crossed as I take in the scene. I notice Octavius walk right by, greeting the people around him as he walks off to a completely different area. A handful of wolves—mostly male, though a couple of women stand out—are sparring in the centre of the space. Each move is deliberate, powerful, and brutal, the kind of training that leaves bones broken and pride shattered.I smirk. This should be fun."Stay close and keep your mouth shut," Miyuki snaps, her voice sharp as she glances over her shoulder.I raise an eyebrow, but I don't respond. Her irritation is almost as amusing as watching her try to assert dominance over me.We step closer, a
I barely have time to catch my breath before I notice Octavius steps into the circle, his gaze fixed on me with a calm intensity that makes my wolf stir uneasily."You," he says, motioning for me to come forward.I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "What now, Alpha? Come to remind me that your Gamma couldn't handle me?"His lips twitch, but it's not quite a smile. "She's not the one I'm concerned about," he replies, his tone even. "I want to see for myself what you can do."The tension in the air sharpens, and I feel the eyes of the others around us, their curiosity mixing with unease."Afraid I'll embarrass you in front of your pack?" I ask, stepping forward with deliberate slowness.Octavius tilts his head slightly, his gaze never leaving mine. "Let's find out."Miyuki snorts from the sidelines, muttering something under her breath that I can't quite catch. I glance her way briefly, smirking."You might want to take notes, Gamma," I say, cracking my knuckles as I step into the cir
I decide to train solo afterwards, not wanting to be around any of the Raven Moon imbeciles... especially Octavius.The training grounds are quieter now, most of the wolves either cooling down or moving on to other duties. And so I find an old punching bag hanging from a thick chain and decide to focus all my frustration on it. Each strike sends a satisfying thud into the air, but it's not enough to drown out the gnawing irritation in my chest.I glance over at him.Octavius stands on the far side of the grounds, his shoulders square, his posture that infuriating mix of authority and ease. He whispers something to Samson and Miyuki, his icy blue eyes drifting toward me briefly before turning back to his conversation.It's like he's monitoring me, waiting for me to slip up.I roll my eyes and turn back to the punching bag, landing a sharp hook that sends it swinging. Focus, Kaida. Forget him. Forget all of them.But then, I sense someone approaching from behind, their footsteps hesitan
The air in the room is heavy, as if the walls themselves are braced for what’s about to be said. I stare at Octavius, weighing my options. His icy blue eyes are unrelenting, fixed on me with a mix of curiosity and something I can’t quite name. Trust, maybe? Or suspicion. It doesn’t matter. I can feel the weight of his question pressing against my chest like a vice. Tell me the truth about the pack you come from. There’s no escape from this moment, no clever deflection that will buy me time. He’s already too close to figuring it out. “The Xarano Pack,” I finally say, my voice quieter than I intended. Octavius straightens slightly, the name lingering in the air between us like a ghost. “What?” he asks, his tone sharp but unreadable. I don’t answer, letting the silence fill the space. “The Xarano Pack was massacred,” he says slowly, as if testing the words on his tongue, tasting their bitterness. His steps are deliberate as he moves closer to me. “Yes… they were,” I reply,
K A I D AI didn't realise I would feel this much guilt after leaving my Pack. At the time, I couldn't think clearly, I was young, and I was terrified. The others, they couldn't run, they stayed and fought, and most paid the ultimate price. I shouldn't been there with there. I should've done something to protect my pack, my sister. But regret will do nothing for me now. All I can do is focus on rebuilding my pack the best I can after the damage has been done.I struggle to face Valerie. She's put me on the spot, reminding me of everything I wish I did to help my pack. I swallow, nodding a few times as I finally face her, taking in all the shame that comes with everything she's just said to me.“I know...” I admit, facing her and looking her in the eye, letting her know that though I feel ashamed of running, I'm not going to try and pretend like it never got to me.“But I'm here now. And I'm going to help rebuild the pack. I swear to you, we will find my sister. She’s alive, I can fee
K A I D AMy mind won’t stop racing.Every thought, out of control, on a spiral, out of reach.What the hell was that?The surge of power I felt when fighting Anita and Sera…?And the worst part is, I felt like I was holding something back… Could it really have been the Lycan gene?Octavius and I are together now, and though that brings me some level of reassurance, it doesn’t change the questions clawing at my mind. According to him, completing the process will accelerate the time it takes for my gene to awaken... so is that why I'm now feeling like this? Like at any moment, I'm about to snap and lose complete control.After training, I had to step away from everyone. It was all too much and I needed space to think. And I'm glad Octavius could understand that. Though, I've come to love him breathing down my neck, more in the literal sense rather than the figurative, there's moments when I do need a minute to myself, especially when I've spent so much of my time being on my own.I mad
K A I D AThe next day...The morning air is crisp and cool, but the warmth of exertion burns through my limbs as I strike again. We're training early today. Octavius thought it would be best for us to waste no time ensuring we are in our best shape for when we face our enemy again. My foot slams against the wooden training dummy with a satisfying crack, the force sending it rocking backwards. I don’t stop. I pivot, fists up, and launch a second kick before following it with a sharp jab, my knuckles connecting with the hardwood.“Again,” Octavius commands from nearby, his voice firm but calm.I don’t hesitate. I strike again. And again.Around me, the training grounds are alive with movement. Warriors from both Raven Moon and Xarano Packs push their bodies past their limits, training harder than they ever have before. The intensity in the air is powerful, heavy with determination, urgency, and something sharper... fear.We all know what’s coming.Lucien is out there. Planning. Watchin
K A I D AA thick silence settles over us as my words linger in the air. Jace and the others exchange glances, but no one speaks right away. I’m sure they’re all just taking in what I’ve just told them… that we need to find out what bloodlines they descend from.I press my lips into a firm line, scanning each of their faces. “We need to figure out which bloodlines we all come from,” I repeat, my voice calm but urgent once I notice their reactions. “This isn’t just about heritage anymore. If the royal families were the originals Lycans, and Lucien is actively hunting Lycans down, then we need to know what we’re up against.”Jace tilts his head slightly, arms still crossed over his chest. “And how do you suggest we do that? It’s not like we have some magical family tree lying around.”“I’ll figure it out,” I say confidently, determination settling in my bones. “I’ve already been looking into Lycan history, and if I dig deep enough, I might be able to find something that connects us to t
M I Y U K IThe afternoon air is crisp, cool against my skin as I walk toward the training field, needing a moment alone.Needing space.Ever since the meeting ended, my head has been filled with too many thoughts—Lucien, Lilith, the upcoming battle. Kaida’s revelation about the royal families. And… Cole.I clench my jaw, shaking my head as if I can physically rid myself of the thought.He’s a distraction.And I don’t do distractions.I hear him before I see him.“Hey, princess.”I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to stay composed before turning around. Cole leans lazily against one of the wooden posts at the edge of the field, arms crossed, smirking like he owns the place.He always looks like he belongs anywhere he goes.It’s infuriating.I exhale, levelling him with a sharp glare. “What do you want, Cole?”He presses a hand to his chest in mock offense. “What, I can’t come check on my favourite Gamma?”I roll my eyes. “I’m the only Gamma here.”“Exactly,” he says, grinnin
K A I D AI find Jace on the other side of the room, leaning against the table like they have all the time in the world. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think they were completely relaxed. But I do know better. Even with their casual stances, I can feel the tension hanging over them like a storm cloud. They’re on edge.And considering the conversation we’re about to have, I can’t really blame them.Jace notices me first, a slow smirk forming on his lips as I approach. “You really couldn’t do without getting on Octavius’ nerves?” I ask.He chuckles in response. “You say that like it’s a challenge. I think I've come to like getting under your mate's skin...”"One day he's going to snap and I won't be able to stop what he'll do to you." I tell him seriously just as I finally reach them, my expression being enough to tell them that I mean all business.“Fine, fine... backing off.” He says casually, pushing off the table and standing up straight, his arms crossing. “What’s on your mind?”
K A I D AOnce the meeting ends, everyone disperses around the room, some warriors leaving to go about their business while everyone else remains lingering behind, each of us discussing the meeting, and what each of us is going to do now. Warriors, strategists, and allies scatter in different directions, each preparing for the battle ahead. The Raven Moon Pack is on edge, and the Xarano Pack, though powerful, is still an unfamiliar presence among us...They are still my people, but I'm now with the Raven Moon, I'm Octavius' mate, therefore the Luna of this pack. But I can't help but think what will happen when this is all over...I exhale deeply, rubbing the back of my neck as I step outside the meeting hall, my mind spinning as I think of everything happening.So much is riding on this.Lucien. Victor. My sister... Korra.I clench my jaw, swallowing the wave of emotions threatening to choke me. There’s no room for fear. No room for doubt.But still… it feels like too much.A familiar
K A I D AThe tension in the air hasn't simmered down since with started. Though no one is exchanging words currently, there's still the underlying feeling of the people in the room not liking each other. I sit at Octavius’ right, my arms crossed as I scan the room. Jace and the Lycans from my pack sit across from us, their expressions watchful as they pay careful attention to what's happening.. Lucas, Miyuki, Samson, and Cole are seated closer to us, across the conference table. Octavius and I thought that would be the best way to keep the peace. And so far it seems to be remaining. My mind begins racing, as we draw closer to figuring out what the hell we're going to do about Lucien.We’ve lost too much already. Every single person sitting here. Lucien has given us all a reason to want him dead. He has done nothing but destroy... my pack, my family, and now my people here. The recent attack still lingers in the air, the memory of blood and loss gnawing at the edges of my mind. The p
K A I D AThe air inside the packhouse is heavy. Heavier than usual.Jace and his people have been led inside, and though Octavius has accepted their presence for now, the entire Raven Moon Pack remains on edge. The Raven Moon wolves don’t trust easily, and the sudden arrival of outsiders, especially ones as strong as the Lycans from the Xarano Pack—has every wolf in the room on high alert. We make our way into the large meeting hall within the packhouse, a place where we can discuss things a bit more freely. The room quickly fills up as we all station ourselves around it. The quiet hum of low conversations carries in the air, but it’s the kind of quiet that’s too sharp, too strained. I can feel it in the way the warriors stand rigid, their bodies poised to react at the slightest provocation, their eyes glued on Jace and his people. Even Lucas and Samson, usually so composed, keep their gazes locked on Jace’s group with barely restrained suspicion.And then the doors swing open.Cole