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
Inside the Tyro Packhouse, the tension doesn't ease. If anything, it feels heavier, the walls of the main building closing in as we're guided into a large meeting hall. My mind can't stop replaying what just happened... Octavius defending me in front of not just the Tyro Wolves, but his pack members as well. He was protective, possessive, and from the way he spoke, he sounded like he wasn't going to let anything happen to me.It leaves me confused and frustrated with him. I feel conflicted about how he's making me feel. I can't deny the strange attraction I feel towards him, no matter how much I try to fight it, and I don't know how long I can go on like this... I bring my attention back to what's happening around me. The Tyro wolves lead us forward, alpha Darian at the head front with what I assume is his Beta and Gamma, a few other wolves walking beside them.Alpha Octavius follows after them just as I remain close to him, with Samson, Miyuki, Lucas, Akando and Rafe close by as wel
The moment I step out of that conversation with Darian, my body feels like it's wound tighter than a spring. His words linger in my mind, not because of their hostility—he was surprisingly... nice, almost too nice—but because of the subtle undertone I caught. Like he knew something about me that he wasn't saying. And then there was Octavius, walking in at the end, looking like he wanted to tear the world apart. What the hell was that about? I exhale sharply as I rejoin the others in the pack's common room. We have lunch which is surprisingly pleasant despite the lingering tension. The Tyro wolves move about the space, mingling and chatting, but I can feel their gazes still shifting toward me now and then. Judging. Weighing. The air feels heavy, and I can't stop glancing toward Darian and Octavius, who are now huddled together near the back of the room, deep in conversation. Miyuki appears at my side just as I turn my attention to her, her arms crossed as she leans against the wal
I shake my head firmly, my jaw tightening as I think of my family, how they were slaughtered in front of me. "We weren't all killed," I say, my voice sharper now. "I survived..."Darian tilts his head, studying me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle. "If you're the last surviving member of the Xarano pack," he says slowly, "then you have Alpha blood running through your veins. The other packs need to know you're alive."My stomach twists, and I step back, shaking my head. "No," I say firmly. "I'm not interested in anyone knowing. And I sure as hell don't want anyone deciding what that means for me."Darian frowns slightly, but there's no malice in his expression. "It's not about what you want, Kaida," he says carefully. "It's about what you represent. The Xarano name is still respected and has power, whether you like it or not. The other packs—""I don't care about the other packs!" I snap, my voice rising. I turn to Octavius, my anger boiling over as I direct it to him for e
After leaving the woods, Octavius doesn't follow me. The rest of our visit at the Tyro pack goes well and they once again reaffirm their support in finding Lucien. This should be a good thing, finally being one step closer to finding the man responsible for killing my family, but my mind is nothing but a sea of confusion...All because of Octavius.I kissed him...And the worst part is, I absolutely loved it...The drive back to the pack is awkward and filled with tension between him and I. The car is filled with chatter with Lucas, Miyuki, Akando and Rafe conversing casually with each other, but Octavius and I are the only ones silent...Once we get back the pack, the tension doesn't cease.The moment we arrive, I bolt. Not literally, but close enough. I practically power-walk my way to my room, keeping my head down and refusing to meet Octavius's gaze. If he even looked my way, I didn't notice—or rather, I forced myself not to notice.I slam the door behind me and lean against it, l
The hallway is eerily quiet as I step into it, my footsteps echoing against the polished wooden floors. My chest tightens with every step I take, and for a moment, I question what the hell I'm even doing.What am I going to say to him? What can I say to him?I stop walking, letting out a frustrated breath as my mind races. I don’t even know where his room is and what if he’s not even there? I’m probably just in over my head…But before I can turn back, his scent hits me—clean, sharp, cool, and distinctly Octavius. It's stronger than it's ever been, intoxicating, and it pulls me forward like some invisible tether.I glance down the hallway, my eyes landing on the large double doors at the very end. The ones Miyuki told me not to worry about…Of course.That must be where his room is.As if to confirm it, his voice cuts through my mind, smooth and commanding: "Come to me… Now."I freeze, my breath catching in my throat.My eyes dart around the hallway, half expecting to see him standing
I stand up fast—so fast the chair behind me scrapes across the floor with a sharp, grating sound.“What?” I ask, voice low but sharp, like the word cuts on its way out. My heartbeat stutters, then kicks into overdrive. I blink hard. Once. Twice. Like that’ll clear the static building in my head. Like maybe I misheard her. Like maybe she didn’t just say what I think she said.Korra stays calm. She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t back down. Her face is serious, grounded. No hesitation in her voice. “I know it sounds crazy… but believe me, it’s true.”I’m watching her carefully now. Reading the tension in her shoulders, the stillness in her stance. She’s not spitballing. She’s not guessing. She’s thought about this—probably over and over again, turning it around in her head until it made enough sense to say out loud.“We’ve been researching,” she continues. “Trying to figure out which of the bloodlines I came from. We came from.”That part catches in my chest.We.“We dug through what we could f
K A I D AKorra and I are sitting on the edge of the bed in the room they set up for her. She smells clean now—like herself. No more scent of blood, rusted iron, sweat. No more stink of captivity clinging to her skin like a curse. Her hair’s still damp, slicked back and tucked behind her ears. Her face is clearer too. Hollowed out, yeah, but clear. Her eyes... they’re finally awake.I’m still not used to this. Seeing her here. Alive.I glance over at her and my heart lurches in my chest, heavy and full and weirdly tight. She’s here. She’s really here.She nudges her elbow into mine, that little sister-sister thing we used to do when we were younger, before the world split open and swallowed us whole.“Tell me what happened to you now,” she says softly.I inhale, slow and deep, but it does nothing to ease the knot in my stomach. I feel like I’ve been waiting years for someone to ask me that. I also feel like I don’t want to say any of it out loud.But she deserves to know.“Well... It’
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
K A I D AThe drive back to Xarano territory is long and heavy with silence.Though Octavius was opposed to the idea, I managed to convince him to let me head back to the Xarano Pack with my sister. They needed to see that she is alive; they needed to know that both Xarano sisters have returned and are standing strong.I sit beside at the backseat of the car, Jace being the one to drive us while Valerie sits in the front seat. I haven't been able to let go of my sister's hand. Perhaps out of fear that if I somehow do, I will lose her again. But I'll be damned if that ever happens again. Her posture is 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-- truly alive --and out of captivity, and seeing us all again, and finally coming.I glance at her, my chest tightening. Does she even remember this place as home? I stare down at her tattoos, admiring t
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 A I 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
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.