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,
"Lucien killed my father," Octavius says, his tone flat but deadly. His eyes pierce into mine, icy and distant, and for the first time since I've been here, I can feel his grief, buried beneath all that cold control."I'm sorry," I reply after a beat, my voice steady, though I don't know why I bother saying it. Doesn’t seem like he’ll care anyway."Do you really mean that?" he shoots back, his words sharp, flipping my earlier retort back at me.I can't help the small scoff that escapes me, but I nod a few times in confirmation, my gaze holding his as I step closer to him. "Yes... I do."His jaw tightens, and for a moment, he doesn't say anything. It's like he's sifting through a million thoughts, trying to figure out which one to give voice to, until finally, he answers."We've been hunting Lucien ever since he turned on us," Octavius finally says, his voice rough, every word slow and controlled. "But he's sneaky. Very sneaky.""We have a common enemy," I tell him, my tone softer now.
"I will find Lucien with or without your help," I say, my voice cold as I stare up at him, my eyes flashing between his blue one."And I'll make him suffer for destroying my family." Octavius stiffens, his icy blue eyes narrowing as he takes a deliberate step closer. His presence is suffocating, but I hold my ground, meeting his gaze head-on. "Going alone is the stupidest thing you can do," he says, his voice low, dangerous as he looks down at me and for some reason, a chill runs through my body as he speaks to me. But despite how he's making me feel, I roll my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest. "It's better than sitting here doing nothing." His jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he's going to argue, but then he exhales sharply, the sound more frustration than defeat. "Fine," he says, his tone measured. "We'll work together to stop him." I blink, caught off guard by his sudden shift as I raise my eyebrows at him right before I get a hold of myself, not wanting to look too
The halls of the packhouse feel quieter now, the distant hum of voices and footsteps a faint backdrop as I make my way through them. It’s strange, wandering here free without having to worry about being thrown into a grimy cell. That doesn't stop the way the wolves I pass by glance at me—some quickly avert their eyes as if looking too long will provoke me, while others don’t bother hiding their blatant stares. They’re suspicious, of course. The rogue who’s somehow walking free in their territory...Guess I have Octavius to thank for the protection or, essentially putting a target on my back. I mean what better way to make every hate you, or give them one more reason to do so?I huff as I keep my face impassive, my chin high, ignoring them all. Let them look. Let them judge. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m here, alive, while so many of their so-called warriors couldn’t hold a candle to me. Still, I can’t shake the strange sensation creeping along my spine. It’s not fear—it’s nev
We all stare at Audrey, all of being able to see how nervous she is to have walked into the kitchen. I step forward, keeping my arms crossed as I analyse her, now recalling the way I snapped at her earlier, and how she didn't deserve any of that, especially when she was just trying to be friendly."Hey Audrey," I reply, my tone softer than usual, hoping that it makes her relax and makes her see that I'm not hostile.She hesitates for a moment, her hands fidgeting with the book in her hand as she hesitantly she steps further into the room. I can feel the others watching us, their curiosity almost tangible and I'm sure they're wondering why she is so nervous around me."I'm sorry if I interrupted your discussion... I just wanted to..." Audrey starts, clearly terrified, her voice trembling slightly.Before she can finish, I step forward, meeting her gaze directly. "Audrey," I say, my voice firm but not unkind..."I'm sorry." I finally say, allowing my shoulders to relax as I let out a de
I shrug, stepping closer despite the warning in her glare. "Following your scent. Thought I'd see what had you storming out of the kitchen like that...""Well, you've seen enough," she says, wiping her face angrily. "Go away." she then points in the direction I came from, but even as she tries to command me, her voice breaks and her eyebrows crease. I can tell she is struggling to fight back the pain she is feeling...As so I don't move. She growls softly, her wolf rippling just beneath the surface. "I mean it, rogue. Leave." She orders.But I don't. Instead, I walk forward, leaning back against a tree and continue to watch her with a solemn expression."What are you doing?" she asks sharply, her voice cracking slightly as she shakes her head at me."Not leaving," I reply simply, shrugging right before letting my shoulders relax.Her glare deepens, but there's no real heat behind it. She looks more tired than anything,
The packhouse is dead quiet now except for the faint echoes of my footsteps as I wander through the endless, polished hallways. After my conversation with Miyuki, I feel like her and I have reached a level of understanding and at least going forward things, I hope that things will be civil between us. I hate how pristine everything looks. Perfect walls, perfect floors, perfect furniture. It screams control, order, and everything I've avoided for years. But now, I'm stuck in it, suffocating under the weight of their stares and whispers. The wolves I pass don't bother hiding their glances. Some look at me like I'm about to explode, their unease clear as they step aside to let me pass. Others—bolder ones—stare openly, their expressions a mix of suspicion and disgust. It doesn't matter. Let them look. Let them think whatever the hell they want. But boredom is gnawing at me like an itch I can't scratch. I've walked these halls for what feels like hours, trying to find something—a
"Octavius…” I try to say firmly but instead, my voice comes out quiet and weak and I hate that he’s doing this, making me feel things I don’t want to feel…He keeps his head by my neck but doesn’t do anything, his breath continues to fan against my next. His grip on my waist tightens for just a moment, like he's debating whether to listen. He then pulls away and looks me in the eye, his icy blue eyes bore into mine, his face impossibly close. My wolf stirs again, clawing at the walls of my mind, eager to close the space between us."Octavius," I say more sharply this time, narrowing my eyes up at him just as I feel his fingers on my chin, delicately lifting my head up as he makes me look at him.“Tell me stop, Kaida…” he whispers to me and I look up at him, contemplating actually giving into temptation as soon as I hear the way my name rolls off his tongue, but soon I get a hold of myself and shut my eyes for a moment, breaking away from his gaze.”“Stop…” I say quietly, right before
K A I D AI close the book with a soft thud, pressing my palms against the worn leather cover as my mind races. This is insane. No, actually, insane doesn’t even begin to cover it. Weeks ago, I was just Kaida... Rogue, survivor, fighter. Now, I’m sitting here in the middle of the damn pack library, being told that I’m potentially a descendant of an extinct royal bloodline of Lycans.Oh, and let’s not forget that my sister, who I thought had been dead for years, is being held hostage by a psychopath who massacred my entire pack and somehow, that psychopath is my mate's uncle...I exhale sharply, rubbing my temples. Yeah, this is a lot.Octavius watches me from across the room, his expression worried as he remains silent. He hasn’t said a word in the last minute, just letting me sit with the information, probably waiting for me to either process it like an adult or have a complete meltdown. Honestly, I’m still debating which one to choose. The others are watching too -- Miyuki
K A I D AThe library is quiet. Too quiet.The kind of quiet that makes my own breathing feel too loud, the rustle of pages unnatural. The scent of old parchment and ink fills my nose as I sit cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by stacks of books I barely understand.I don't know how long I've been sitting hear for, neither do I know exactly what I’m looking for. Maybe something about Lycans? Maybe a clue about my past? Hell, maybe a step-by-step guide on how to wake up my so-called “dormant” gene and beat Victor’s smug face into the dirt.That would be useful.Instead, I get ancient, barely-legible texts about battles long forgotten.I exhale through my nose, rubbing my temples.I’m exhausted. Everyone is.The attack left us rattled, but instead of focusing on recovering, I’m stuck here, digging through dusty books, trying to figure out what the hell I am.A sudden knock against the heavy wooden doors makes me jump. My heart lurches before I catch Octavius’s scent, strong and into
The words leave my mouth before I can fully process them."I need to activate my Lycan gene."The moment the sentence hangs in the air, it feels like everything around me stills. The cold wind nips at my exposed skin, and even the distant rustling of the trees seems to fade into silence.Miyuki sucks in a sharp breath beside me, and Lucas' brows shoot up, his usually impassive face betraying the faintest flicker of surprise.But it’s Octavius I watch the most.He doesn’t react the way I expect him to. He doesn’t argue, doesn’t try to tell me I’m insane. He just watches me, his icy blue gaze locked onto mine, studying me in a way that makes my stomach twist."Are you sure?" he finally asks, his voice low and calm.I swallow hard. "Yes..." nodding my head a few times.I expect my voice to waver, but it doesn’t. It’s firm. Steady. Because this isn’t a decision I’m making lightly."If I’m going to find my sister," I continue, "if I’m going to stop Lucien and Lilith, I need to be stronger.
I wake with a start, the morning light streaming through the windows of Octavius’s room. For a moment, I don’t recognize where I am. Till I do. The warmth of the sheets, Octavius’ powerful scent, the soft hum of the packhouse—it’s all so foreign…Then it hits me.Last night. The battle. Victor. Lilith. The chaos that left our pack battered and bloodied.And then Octavius, insisting I move into his room.I sit up slowly, the sheets slipping off my shoulders, and glance around. The bed is massive, far too large for one person, and yet it felt oddly comforting last night. But now, it feels empty, cold even, without him here… Where is he?I reach out through the mindlink. “Octavius?”There’s a brief pause before his voice filters through, calm but clipped. “I’m outside. I didn’t want to wake you. Take your time coming down.”His words are gentle, but I can sense the weight in them, the tension that hasn’t eased since the attack.I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand, stretch
K A I D AThe air feels heavier than usual as I walk back to my room, exhaustion tugging at every inch of me. The events of the day replay in my mind like an endless loop—the battle, the chaos, Lilith’s power, and Victor’s escape. My body aches, but my mind is worse, spiralling with questions and uncertainties.All I want is to collapse onto my bed, even if sleep feels like a distant dream at this point. But when I push open the door, I stop dead in my tracks.Two pack members are inside my room, rummaging through my things. One is folding my clothes into neat piles while the other packs my books into a crate. My wolf stirs uneasily, her growl low and cautious.“What the hell is going on here?” I demand, my voice sharp as I glance between the two intruders.Both wolves freeze like deer caught in headlights, their eyes snapping at me. One of them—a younger male with sandy hair—clears his throat awkwardly. “Luna Kaida,” he begins hesitantly, “Alpha Octavius instructed us to—”“To pack m
K A I D AThe aftermath of the battle is like stepping into a nightmare. The ground is littered with debris, splintered wood, broken weapons, blood staining the ground in dark patches. Wolves, both in human form and not, are scattered everywhere. Some are limping, others clutching wounds as pack members do their best to help them. But the silence is the worst part. That suffocating, heavy silence that follows chaos…Ten people. Ten of our own, gone.I stand frozen, my eyes darting over the scene, my wolf whimpering inside me at the sight of the carnage. My gaze flicks to a pair of warriors carrying a lifeless body toward the infirmary, and my throat tightens.They were alive only minutes ago. Fighting beside us.The weight of it all presses down on me, and for a moment, I struggle to breathe. The air feels too thick, my chest too heavy."Kaida," Octavius says sharply, pulling me out of my spiralling thoughts.I glance at him, startled. He’s pacing, his movements jerky and uncharacteri
Kaida blinks awake, her vision swimming as she tries to make sense of the blurry shapes around her. Her body feels heavy, like every muscle has been drained of strength. The scent of blood, ash, and damp earth clings to the air, forcing her to remember the chaos of the fight.Lilith… this was her doing…“Kaida.” Octavius’s voice is the first thing she hears, rough but steady. She feels his hands gently lifting her, his touch both firm and careful. “Hey, look at me. Are you alright?”Her head throbs as she tries to focus on him. His blue eyes are locked on hers, filled with concern, his face streaked with dirt and blood. “I… what happened?” she rasps, her throat dry.“You blacked out,” Octavius replies, helping her sit up slowly. “Lilith hit us with… something….” His jaw tightens as he glances around. “It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. One minute, we were holding our ground, and the next…” He trails off, frustration etched into his features.Kaida’s mind races as fragments of
The battlefield erupts into chaos once again. Growls and snarls rip through the air as claws clash and bodies collide. The scent of blood and earth fills the battleground, heavy and suffocating.Cole charges at Victor with relentless determination, his golden eyes blazing with fury. Each movement is powerful and precise as he lunges at his opponent. But Victor is quick, effortlessly dodging Cole’s strikes, his mocking laughter cutting through the fight. “Is that all you’ve got?” Victor taunts, dodging another of Cole’s attacks with infuriating ease. His voice carries the same smug arrogance as his smirk.Cole’s jaw clenches, his focus never once shifting. “You won’t be laughing when I’m done with you,” he growls, his fists glowing faintly as his wolf surges forward. Lilith, standing nearby, watches with a predatory gleam in her deadly green eyes. Her white hair flows behind her, an extension of her body and her lips curl into a wicked smile. In one smooth motion, she inserts herself
He walks forward, his steps delayed, his shoes crunching against the ground beneath him as if he owns it. Victor steps into the open with ease, his hands clasped behind his back as if he’s on a leisurely stroll. His shirt, once a crisp white, is now streaked with blood... evidence of his recent handiwork. The faint metallic scent wafts toward us, sharp against the backdrop of burning wood and scorched earth.“Well,” he begins, his voice smooth as silk but carrying the edge of a blade, “isn’t this a lovely gathering?" He lets out. Victor... But how did he get out...?"I warned you my father wouldn’t leave me to rot in some dingy cell. And yet, you still underestimate me... A shame, truly.” He lets out, a sinister smile playing on his lips.There is tense silence that dwells in the atmosphere, sending the remaining pack warriors on edge, their growls low and vibrating through the battlefield. Octavius steps forward, his eyes locked on Victor with a cold fury, his fists clenched at his