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,
Korra sits on the edge of the bed, freshly showered, hair damp, skin free of the dirt and grime from that hellhole.She looks better.Not just physically, but in the way she carries herself now. Her shoulders are no longer hunched, her body no longer weighed down by chains—literal or otherwise.But there’s still something in her eyes.A ghost.Something Lucien left behind.I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms over my chest. “Feeling better?”She lets out a slow breath, rolling her shoulders as if testing her body for weakness. “Yeah… a little like myself now.”That’s good.I don’t say it, though. I just nod.Silence stretches between us for a moment, but it’s not uncomfortable. It’s the kind of silence that comes with understanding, with years of missing time trying to fill itself in all at once.Korra studies me, her eyes scanning my face like she’s trying to memorize it. Like she still can’t believe I’m standing here.“I can’t believe you’re alive,” she murmurs, shaking he
The journey back is long and heavy with silence.Korra rides beside me, her posture tense, her gaze locked onto the rolling landscape ahead of us. She hasn’t spoken much since we left the ruins, and I don’t blame her.She’s processing.All of it.Being free. Being alive. Seeing us all again.Coming home.I glance at her, my chest tightening. Does she even remember this place as home?The others are spread out, surrounding us as we move toward the Xarano Packhouse. Octavius rides close to my other side, his presence steady, grounding, and I feel Jace somewhere behind us, keeping a protective eye on everything.The scent of the Xarano border hits first, rich with pine and earth, with the familiar presence of a pack that once belonged to us both.Korra’s fingers twitch. I notice the slight hitch in her breathing.She feels it too.The gates come into view, tall and strong, the Xarano emblem carved deep into the wooden surface. The guards stationed at the front straighten the moment they
K A I D AKorra’s growl is cold and deadly, silencing the entire forest and everything in it. Everyone is on edge… Jace, Valerie, the others… but no one moves. No one dares to.Because we all feel it.The rage rolling off of her, thick and dangerous, her silver eyes glowing with barely restrained fury.She looks ready to kill him. Fear floods its way into my body. I knew my sister had always been dangerous. What more after all these years in captivity, what more that she is now a Lycan. Who knows the horrors she has been subjected to? Who knows what she’s seen? I no longer know what she is capable of doing, and so no matter what happens, I need to try and keep her calm.“Korra,” I say, carefully, taking a few steps towards her to try and enter her line of vision. “Please calm down…”She doesn’t look at me.She only stares at Octavius, her breathing slow for now but the longer she stares at him, the more it elevates. Her hands are clenched at her sides, shaking slightly as her body vi
K A I D A Kaida walks slowly, her arm wrapped firmly around Korra’s waist, supporting her sister’s weakened frame. So she seems physically strong, Kaida can pick up the faint scent of Wolfsbane off her, it was all over the cell as well and Kaida is certain Lucien had flooded the air with it to keep her abilities suppressed."Are you okay...?" Kaida asks worriedly, being sure to keep her sister steady and maintain her balance."I'm okay... I just need fresh air..." She answers, her voice hoarse as she lets out slow breaths.Korra is strong... stronger than her. Kaida has always known that, but right now, her body trembles with every step, her muscles struggling to carry her after years in captivity. Her once-powerful stance is reduced to unsteady footing, her breathing laboured.Still, she is here. She is alive.That’s all that matters.Kaida tightens her grip, feeling Korra lean into her slightly as they make their way toward the others. Her sister is unbroken, but she is not unscath
K A I D AI don’t stop running.My breath is sharp, my pulse erratic, my mind locked onto a single thought:She’s here.The scent is pulling me forward, leading me deeper into the ruins, past the crumbling stone and the echoes of battle still raging behind me. I know Octavius and the others are fighting, I know we haven’t won yet—but none of that matters right now.Because I can feel it.My sister.Somewhere in this hell, Korra is alive.A snarl rips through the air.Two wolves leap at me from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust.I react on instinct.The first one lunges for my throat, but I’m faster. I drop low, twisting under him before grabbing his hind leg mid-air and swinging him into the ruins. His body crashes through the stone, debris collapsing over him.The second wolf is already coming for me.Teeth bared. Claws slashing.I meet him head-on, our bodies colliding in a brutal clash of muscle and rage.He’s strong. But I’m stronger.He slashes at my ribs, claws dig
The air hums with raw energy.Kaida stands in the ruins, glowing silver, her power pulsing like wildfire through the battlefield. Every wolf, every fighter, every enemy watches her with wide, stunned eyes.Including Lucien.For the first time, he looks intrigued.Not afraid. Not angry. Just… interested.His icy blue eyes gleam as he studies her, as if calculating something. He tilts his head slightly, the faintest smirk playing at his lips. “Well… isn’t this unexpected?”Kaida clenches her fists, her breath steady, her body still vibrating with pure, unchecked power. “Come find out just how unexpected it is.”Lucien lets out a quiet chuckle. “Tempting.”Then, without warning—“Lilith.”The name is barely spoken, a command wrapped in amusement.Kaida barely has time to react before a blur of green comes at her from the side, fast and lethal.Lilith.The force of the impact sends them both crashing into the rubble, the ground splitting beneath them. Snarls and claws rip through the air
K A I D A He stands at the edge of the ruins, watching the carnage unfold with an air of amusement, as if the battle means nothing to him. His cold blue eyes lock onto her, the same piercing shade as Octavius’, but devoid of warmth. He steps forward with slow, deliberate ease, brushing the dust from his dark coat as if he has all the time in the world. Kaida stiffens, claws digging into the earth, heart pounding. She’s been waiting for this moment. For years, she’s dreamed of ripping him apart, of ending him the way he ended her people. Lucien exhales a quiet chuckle. “You’ve grown since the last time I saw you…” His voice is smooth, almost casual, as if they’re old acquaintances meeting after years apart. Kaida bares her fangs, stepping forward with lethal intent. “I’m going to kill you.” His smirk widens. “You can try, little one… This should be fun.” She lunges. Lucien is fast—too fast. Before her claws can even graze him, he twists to the side, dodging effortlessly.
K A I D A The battlefield is a storm of movement—growls, snarls, the sound of flesh tearing and bones breaking. Wolves clash in the ruins, bodies slamming into stone, claws raking through fur and flesh. The scent of blood thickens in the air, mixing with sweat and dust. The night is alive with the chaos of war. I don’t think. I move. A massive wolf lunges for me, jaws snapping toward my throat. I duck at the last second, twisting beneath him before slamming my claws into his ribs. A wet, sickening crack fills the air as I rip through muscle and bone. He howls in agony, but I don’t stop. I grab his muzzle and twist. His neck snaps in an instant, and his body crumples. One down. Another comes from behind—fast, but not fast enough. I pivot, raising my arm just in time to catch his claws across my forearm instead of my throat. Pain flares hot and sharp, but I don’t slow. I snarl, baring my fangs before lunging forward and sinking my teeth into his shoulder. The taste of blood fl
K A I D ALilith steps into the clearing like she owns it, her green eyes gleaming with something close to amusement. The moonlight catches on her platinum curls, her beauty sharp and lethal, like a blade meant to cut. She tilts her head slightly as she surveys the scene—Octavius, still poised to rip Victor apart; me, standing frozen, pulse pounding in my ears; the others, already tense, already realizing what I just did.We walked right into this.And now, the noose is tightening.Lilith exhales, shaking her head as if this is all very disappointing. "So dramatic," she muses, her voice smooth like silk. "You always let your emotions get the better of you, Octavius."Octavius doesn’t respond. His chest rises and falls with deep, steady breaths, his fists still clenched, blood dripping from his knuckles—Victor’s blood. But he doesn’t turn away from him. Instead Victor shoves Octavius off him and rushes over to Lilith's side.Victor, still grinning through the pain, straightens slightly,