The hall outside the infirmary feels colder than usual, the kind of cold that seeps into your bones and stays there. I’ve been leaning against the same damn wall for what feels like hours, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. Miyuki stands a few feet away, her gaze fixed on the closed doors ahead, her sharp features betraying none of the tension I know she feels.The others are here too... Samson, Lucas, Akando, Rafe, but no one says a word. The silence is oppressive and unbearable, pressing down on all of us as we wait.And wait.And wait...I try to focus on the rhythmic sound of my breathing, but it’s no use. My mind keeps spiralling back to the same thing: Octavius. His pale face. The blood. The way he collapsed in my arms like the world had suddenly pulled the floor out from under me.I press my fingers to my temples, willing the image away, but it lingers, clawing at the edges of my mind like a bad dream. My wolf stirs restlessly, a low growl of frustration rumbling in the bac
The door creaks softly as I finally push it open, his scent immediately enveloping my senses. The room is quiet, save for the faint hum of medical equipment, and the moment I step in...I see him. My heart drops shortly as my eyes land on him.Octavius is standing on the side of his bed, his shirtless chest wrapped in a single bandage, right where his wound is, his skin still pale but no longer deathly. His icy blue eyes find mine the second I step inside, and despite everything, they hold the same steady intensity they always do...“Kaida,” he says, his voice low and rough as he turns his body to face me, his face seemingly lighting up as soon as he sees me.My throat tightens, and I force myself to move closer, stopping a few feet away from him as I relive everything I felt the moment I saw he was injured, when I thought he wasn't going to make it."Octavius..." I say quietly as I keep my distance from him. My emotions are a mess as they continue to swirl inside of me, and I don't
The kiss is soft at first, slow and needy, as if we’re both testing the waters. But then it deepens, and the world around us fades away. His hands hold onto my waist tightly, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulls me closer, making me gasp at how powerful his grip is...It’s not just a kiss—it’s everything we’ve been holding back, all the emotions we’ve tried to suppress spilling over in a single, heated moment...His lips move against mine with a hunger that matches my own, and my wolf howls in approval, urging me closer, deeper...But then reality crashes back in, and I remember where we are, what we’re supposed to be doing. With a shaky gasp, I pull back, breaking the kiss but not the connection between us.Octavius stares down at me, his eyes dark and intense, his chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath. “Kaida…” he starts, his voice low and rough, but I shake my head, taking a step back.“I—” I start to say something, anything to explain myself, but the words won’t come
The walk to see Victor is silent as I remain behind Octavius. He leads us forward while Miyuki, Samson and a few others trail behind us, including Lucas, Akando and Rafe as well as a few other pack warriors.We are taken through the same set of cells I was brought to when I was first captured, and I can't lie, being back here, puts me on edge as I remember how tense things were between Octavius and me when I first arrived here. in all honesty, I understand why he did what he did, given the history the Raven Moon Pack has with Rogues. I was one, and I was dangerous to them, still am...At least now, I'm just glad that we've been able to find some common ground and work towards a single goal, and that is finding Lucien.As we approach the lower levels of the packhouse, the air grows colder, heavier. The cells are hidden deep underground—a precaution against escape, not that Victor could make it far. The Raven Moon Wolves don't seem to play when it comes to restraints, I've seen that firs
The air in the room shifts as Victor’s grin widens, a sinister glint in his dark eyes. I’ve never wanted to punch someone so badly in my life, and considering my history, that’s saying something. He’s baiting us, every word an instrument used to push us closer to the edge. And I hate to say... it’s working.Victor’s gaze drifts back to me, his smile sharp and cruel. “You know,” he begins, his voice smooth and venomous, “I’ve heard the Xarano wolves were a proud bunch. Always holding their heads high, acting like they were untouchable. Until they weren’t.”At the mention of my pack, my chest tightens, and I clench my fists at my sides, my heartbeat suddenly picking up as I narrow my eyes on him. “Don’t you dare...” I warn, my voice low and trembling with barely restrained rage.But Victor doesn’t stop. Of course, he doesn’t stop. “I was there, you know..” he says, leaning forward just enough for the chains around his wrists to rattle. “The day it all came crashing down. The flames, the
The sound of our boots echoes through the narrow corridors as we make our way to the cells where the prisoner is being held. The air feels heavier here, cold and damp, like the walls are pressing in. I keep my focus on the task at hand, though I can’t help but glance at Octavius now and then, checking for any signs of discomfort. His movements are sharp and purposeful, showing no signs of pain from the injuries from a few hours ago, but I know better than to assume he’s entirely healed.When we finally reach the reinforced steel door, one of the guards opens it with a mechanical click, revealing the man inside.The first thing I notice is his posture. He’s sitting on the edge of the cot, his elbows resting casually on his knees, but there’s a tension in his body, a readiness that sets my wolf on edge. His tanned skin is marred by faint scars, and his dark brown hair is dishevelled, falling slightly into his golden eyes as he looks up at us.The second thing I notice is the way Miyuki f
The evening air is crisp as I step outside the packhouse, the sky painted in hues of deep orange and purple as the sun dips below the horizon. The day has been long to say the least. From fighting Lucien's wolves, to Octavius getting hurt, to interrogating the captives and finding out some valuable information.My mind is heavy with thoughts as I glance around me. The packhouse is lit with the faint sounds of the pack going about their evening routines in the distance, I finally have a moment to breathe.Or at least I think I do.The sound of footsteps crunching against the gravel pulls my attention. I turn to see Miyuki approaching, her expression slightly guarded but softer than usual as she scans me curiously. She carries a casual confidence, but there’s something in the way she holds herself tonight... something a little more vulnerable...“Hey,” she says, stopping a few feet away from me just as I turn my full attention to her.“Hey,” I reply, crossing my arms as I lean against a
The packhouse is silent after everything that transpired today, cloaked in the kind of stillness that only comes late at night. My room feels too small, too suffocating, as I pace back and forth, my heart racing for no reason I want to admit. I should a shower would help but all it did was leave me with thoughts I can’t control, thoughts of Lucien, his people, of Victor and his involvement, if we are ever going to find his father and bring him to justice…And of Octavius. I run a hand through my dark hair, frustrated at myself for the thoughts spinning in my head.Octavius….Even his name sends a shiver down my spine, and it infuriates me. I hate how much space he takes up in my mind, how just the memory of his voice, his touch, can unravel me. My wolf is restless, pacing in my head, urging me to do something, anything about the bond I feel towards him. She wants him, and unfortunately… so do I…It’s ridiculous. I shouldn’t care this much. But I do.Before I can second-guess myself, I
The room is quiet except for the faint crackle of the fireplace in the corner. I lean against the desk, my arms crossed, my mind swirling with everything that’s happened. Octavius stands by the window, his broad shoulders stiff, his gaze fixed on something far in the distance. The pack meeting is starting soon, but Octavius thought it best that we keep aware from everyone a while at least before the chaos erupts again. I look over at him and I can immediately tell he’s deep in thought, the lines on his face sharper than usual.“The pack…” I begin hesitantly, breaking the silence. “They’re tense, like they’re holding their breath. Everyone knows what's at stake...” Octavius doesn’t turn right away. His fingers tap lightly on the window frame before he exhales, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Yes,” he says finally, his voice low. “They all know, what Lucien did...” I watch him carefully, and I take this opportunity to ask him... “Octavius... can you tell me what happened that day
“I don’t want to be a Lycan,” Is the next thing I blurt out, the confession tumbling from my lips before I can stop it. Octavius pauses as he looks at me, slowly letting go of my face but still he remains standing close to me.His brow furrows slightly, keeping his eyes on me “Why?” he asks, his tone soft, lacking judgement and at the sound of that, I know it is safe to tell him what I am feeling."Because it’s not who I am..." I say, my voice shaking. "I don’t want to be from an ancient royal bloodline... I don't want an even bigger target on my back than I already do..."I continue, shaking my head just as I take a step away from him for a moment, finding myself suddenly overwhelmed from being this close to him.I don't know much about Lycans. Except that, that nothing good will come from me being a Lycan. Lycans are considered the purest form of a werewolf, primal, ancient and undiluted with the blood of humans... If I became a Lycan, I don't know if I would be myself anymore... and
The forest stretches out ahead on me, my gaze focused on nothing in front of me, instead, all I can do is allow my thoughts to run rampant, collapsing over eah other as I try to figure out what to do now with all this new information. The late afternoon air is warm against my skin, and a sudden breeze passes through me. I need a moment alone, away from everyone, everything... just for a few minutes, just so I can figure out what the hell I am going to do.I begin to hear the sounds of footsteps crunching behind me, soft and cautious and before I can even turn around, I immediately sense his presence, his powerful scent suddenly filling the air and causing a stir of emotions within me."This is insane... this is all so fucking insane..." Is the first thing tht comes out of my mouth, just as I slowly turn around to face him. Octavius' worried eyes meet mine as he walks towards me, a slow exhale leaving his lips as he watches me, but he doesn't yet say anything..."All of this, it's just
Miyuki watches him as he paces, his golden eyes clouded with turmoil, and her chest tightens. She’s seen wolves fall apart before; under pressure, under grief... but there’s something about seeing Cole like this, someone who has carried himself with such confidence when they first met, that makes it hit harder. Her instincts scream at her to step in, to do something, anything, to help him. But what could she possibly say to a man whose entire world has just been turned upside down?“Cole, try to calm down,” she says softly, her voice much more stable than she feels. She takes a small step toward him, unsure if she’s even doing the right thing, and it makes him react almost immediately.“How?” he snaps, whirling to face her, his voice cracking with emotion. “How am I supposed to calm down, Miyuki? I worked for the man who killed my family. Who slaughtered my entire pack!” He raises his arm up, pointing it to nothing in particular, as if to signify Lucien is out there, exhaling sharply
For a moment, the world seems to stop.Cole’s eyes snap to hers, wide and unblinking, and for the first time, she sees the cracks in his cocky façade. The smirk is gone, replaced by something raw and vulnerable, something that cuts deeper than she expected. She finds her heart thumping in her chest, anxiety and guilt filling her body... she didn't expect to feel this bad after telling him the truth...“What?” he says, his voice barely audible, bringing her attention back to the present. A small frown slowly forms on his face and his gaze focuses on her.Miyuki hesitates, her chest tightening as she tries to find the right words to say, the best way to say them...“I’m sorry,” Is the first thing she can muster, her voice quiet and steady despite the storm brewing inside her, taking a few careful steps toward Cole. “But it was him. He ordered it...”Cole doesn’t move, doesn’t speak. He just stares at her, his golden eyes searching hers for any hint of a lie. When he finds none, his sho
Miyuki doesn’t trust Cole.She’s not entirely sure if it’s because of his overly casual demeanour, the sly way he talks, or the fact that his golden eyes seem to linger on her longer than necessary. The way they analyse her, taking in every one of her features... It sends warning bells in her mind, and leaves her unable to think clearly. The question is why, especially for someone she just met... an enemy for that matter. Whatever it is, it irritates her to no end.She remains alone in the room with Cole after everyone has left, her heart suddenly racing as she keeps her eyes on him. She keeps her arms forward as she stares back at him, watching as he takes a few curious steps towards her.The faintest smirk plays on his lips when he notices her walking toward him, and Miyuki feels her irritation spike. She squares her shoulders, forcing her steps to remain steady and controlled, though she can feel her wolf stirring in the back of her mind.Cole watches her approach, his golden eyes
“Lucien has your sister, Korra,” Cole finally says, and for some reason, a weird sense of relief washes over me. It's the moment I realise he has actually been truthful in everything he's been explaining.I remain still as I look back at him, keeping my arms crossed as I frown at him, taking in his words. Those around the room who had not yet heard the news, all turn to look at me, their expressions filled with shock and surprise.As I remain silent, Cole steps forward cautiously, his golden eyes locking with mine. “It’s not just that,” he continues. “The reason your pack was massacred… it wasn’t random. Lucien believed your pack was hiding Lycans. He believed that you, your parents, and your sister were Lycans...” He explains further and the room falls into an eerie silence as everyone’s eyes shift between Cole and me. Finally, I am able to break my gaze from him and instead turn to the person standing next to me.Octavius’s gaze meets mine, his expression hard yet somehow gentle at
I can’t keep still. Every second feels like torture as I try to get a grip on reality, my racing mind. Thoughts and scenarios collapse over each other. Thoughts of my sister, she has been all this time, how she's been living, how she's being kept, what has Lucien been doing to her...The idea that she is even still alive churns inside me, a volatile mix of hope and dread, causing my heart to thump at an abnormal rate as I struggle to contain my anxiety. Victor’s words haunt me, playing on repeat in my mind, and the necklace he pointed out feels like it’s burning against my chest...Is she really alive? Could he be telling the truth?My fingers twitch at my sides as we walk through the hallways of the packhouse. Octavius strides ahead of me, his steps purposeful and focused as he leads us forward. Samson and Miyuki flank him, their faces calm but focused as they both remain silent. Lucas is behind us, ever the carefree one, though even he seems more serious now.I follow, my gaze shift
“As much as I want justice, and revenge for how they destroyed my family, I want things to be done the right way... I don’t want any lives unnecessarily lost. We have to be careful. We don’t have to play the way they do, where countless innocents die. And that’s what will happen if we rush into this.” He answers me quietly, opening his eyes to finally look at me, his voice calm again as he stares back at me.His words hit me like a wave, and for a moment, the fight drains out of me. I look at him, really look at him, and I see the weight he’s been carrying—the same weight I feel crushing my own chest...“Please,” he says, his voice soft as he looks at me, and listening to him ask me, makes my heart flip, creating a softness in my that I never even knew existed... “I’m asking you to trust me on this. And I promise you, Victor and Lucien will get what they deserve...”I stare at him, my mind racing. His words make sense, but my emotions are too raw, too overwhelming to process it all ri