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
I can still feel him.His words, his hands, the stupid way he managed to get under my skin without even trying. Octavius.I shake my head, forcing the thought of him out of my mind as I walk through the halls of the packhouse. I hate that he's still lingering there, like some ghost I didn't ask for. My mind keeps trying to replay that moment, the tension between us, the way he didn't back down, the way I didn't back down... It's infuriating.I pick up the pace, my boots clicking against the floor as I try to lose myself in the routine sounds of the packhouse. But every hallway feels the same—cold, polished, suffocating. And every wolf I pass can't seem to keep their eyes to themselves.They all do the same thing: a glance, a quick flicker of recognition, and then a look that says everything. Rogue. Intruder. Outsider.It makes my wolf stir, restless under my skin. I roll my shoulders, straightening my posture. If they want to stare, let them. I'm not about to cower for anyone. Miyuki
When the meeting finally wraps up, Octavius dismisses the gathered wolves with a curt nod just as I watch everyone disperse around me. The tension in the room doesn't fade completely, though. Everyone knows the stakes tomorrow, and no one wants to be the one who screws it up… and I don’t want that to be me.I hang back, not quite ready to face him, but knowing I don't have a choice. My mind is still reeling from hearing that name—the Tyro Pack.Of all the damn packs.Lucas glances at me, his brows knitting together when he notices my silence. "You okay? You've been awfully quiet."I then look to him, finding him looking down at me curiously, right before I shake my head and try to keep my head together."I'm fine," I answer, a little sharper than I intended. His frown deepens, but he doesn't press me. I'm grateful for that, at least at him and the others don’t give me as much trouble as before.“I’ll see you later Lucas,” I tell him, walking off before he even has the chance to respon
Morning comes too soon, sunlight spilling through the curtains in soft, muted streaks. I stretch, my muscles tight and still a little sore from yesterday, though I feel sharper today. Rested. Focused.As I sit up, I glance around the room still failing to believe that Octavius really changed my room to something much nicer, and if I’m being honest, I haven’t been in a place this comfortable since I’ve been on the run.I swing my legs off the bed and walk over to the wardrobe, figuring now would be a good time to prepare for the day. I then tug the doors open of the wardrobe open and immediately feel a frown form on my face. Inside is a collection of black combat attire. Practical. Fitted. Perfect. There is other clothing in here as well mostly dark colours and some whites and greys. My eyebrows rise in surprise, not expecting Octavius to know my taste in clothing. There’s also lotion and different perfumes in there, leaving me even more surprised with the lengths he’s gone to just to
The moment I step into the hallway, I see him. Octavius moves with the same power and confidence he always has, his shoulders squared, steps purposeful as he walks away from me. I hate how natural it looks on him. Like he owns every space he walks into. The way his back muscles flex with every moves leaves me gulping as my heart suddenly drops. Get it together damn it. "Octavius," I call, my voice sharp enough to stop him mid-step just as I walk after him. He slowly turns, his icy blue eyes meeting mine, and for a split second, I swear they flicker with something else. Something darker as his gaze sweeps over me—my fitted jacket, my combat pants, my dark, glossy hair falling in waves down my back. His jaw tightens just slightly, almost imperceptibly, but I catch it… "What is it, Kaida?" he asks, his voice calm, but I can tell he’s on edge for some reason, and part of me wants to figure out why. I walk up to him slowly and the closer I get, the more I notice the way his eyes t
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