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 silent except for the sound of our breaths, heavy and uneven, tangled with the fire burning between us. Octavius’ body hovers over mine, his skin warm and solid, his icy blue eyes burning into mine with a heat that steals my breath. His scent surrounds me, intoxicating and wild, and I can feel my wolf stirring beneath the surface, responding to his every touch, every whispered breath against my skin.His lips find mine again, slow and powerful, drawing a soft sound from my throat as I curl my fingers into the fabric of his shirt. His kisses deepen, pulling me under, and I arch against him without meaning to, lost in the overwhelming pull of him.“Kaida,” he breathes against my lips, his voice rough, strained, as though he’s barely holding himself back.I don’t answer, my thoughts a whirlwind of desire and confusion. My hands slide up his chest, feeling the strength beneath his skin, and I swear I can feel the rapid beat of his heart beneath my palm.He kisses me again, hard
My breath catches, and my heart skips a beat. I know what his words mean, what this gesture symbolises. It’s not just a claim—it’s a bond cemented forever in the eyes of wolves, permanent and unbreakable, something that ties us together in a way that goes beyond words, beyond instinct, beyond anything I’ve ever known.My wolf stirs inside me, her excitement rippling through my chest like a wildfire. She wants this—wants him—but my human side hesitates, tangled in a web of emotions I can’t quite untangle. Am I ready for this? Am I ready for him...?Octavius watches me closely, his icy blue eyes softened by something I can only describe as warmth. He doesn’t rush me. He doesn’t push. He simply waits, his presence calm enough to soothe my raging mind.“Are you sure?” I whisper, my voice trembling slightly as I look up at him and I don't think I've ever felt this vulnerable in my life.He doesn’t hesitate, his hand lifting to gently cup my cheek. His thumb brushes lightly against my skin,
I wake with a start, the world around me feeling sharper, brighter. Sitting up in bed feels different. My skin is buzzing and feels radiant even as I've just woken up. I glance around the room being welcomed by the soft glow of morning filters through my window, creating faint golden streaks across the floor and a soft ambience. My breath comes slow and steady, but beneath the calm rhythm, my wolf stirs with newfound energy.Something’s different.The realisation settles over me as I shift slightly in bed, the sheets cool against my skin. I feel stronger, more powerful for some reason, like every part of me is finally aligned. It’s hard to explain, but it’s there, this undeniable sense of... completeness...I lift a hand to my neck, my fingers grazing over the mark Octavius left there last night. The crescent-shaped scar is raised slightly, warm under my touch, and the bond hums faintly in my chest like a steady pulse. As I touch it, a sudden wave of pleasure passes through my entire b
The gathering hall is alive with low murmurs and rustling movements as the entire pack crowds into the space. Warriors stand shoulder to shoulder, their postures rigid, while others sit on the edges of tables or lean casually against walls. The tension is clear, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension hanging in the air like a brewing storm. I stand near the back with my arms crossed, Miyuki beside me, her arms crossed and her sharp eyes sweeping over the crowd. Lucas, Rafe, and Akando are nearby, their easy banter noticeably absent as they exchange uneasy glances. My own nerves are stretched thin, my fingers tugging unconsciously at the sleeve of my jacket. This is it. The moment I’ve been dreading and anticipating in equal measure. .. At the front of the room, Octavius stands tall, his presence enough to silence the restless crowd without him having to say a word. His icy gaze sweeps over the pack, and when it briefly lands on me, I feel a jolt of something powerful ripple throug
The meeting had been overwhelming, to say the least. The looks, the murmurs, the subtle shifts in the pack’s energy...it was all too much. I’d spent so much of my life flying under the radar, just trying to survive, that being thrust into the spotlight as their Luna felt… jarring.I hadn’t seen Octavius since the announcement. He’d spoken with Samson and a few others while I’d stood there, absorbing everything that had just happened. Now, as the hall cleared out and the crowd dispersed, I found myself looking for him.I wasn’t sure why. Maybe I just needed a moment to process everything with the one person who could possibly understand what I was feeling. Or maybe it was something else entirely, something I wasn’t ready to admit to myself.His scent guides me through the packhouse and it’s almost embarrassing how attuned I’ve become to it, how it seems to calm and agitate me all at once.I finally find him in a quieter part of the house, near the edge of the forest. He’s leaning again
My gaze locks on the path ahead of me as I walk behind Octavius. He leads us through the stone corridor that holds the underground cells... Victor's cell. It's silent here, except for the faint and distant sound of water dripping from somewhere in the passage. The sound echoes through the space, and each drop drives me absolutely insane as I try to ignore the silence around me.The cold dances on my skin, but I don't feel it. It's not how chilling the air is that puts me on edge, but the reason we're even down here: the anticipation of acing Victor.I glance forward at Octavius as we walk, and at that moment, he turns to face me, as if he could immediately feel my eyes on him.His expression is cold and focused, his jaw tight, and his demeanour tense, radiating with anger yet calmness. His presence should steady me, but it doesn’t... not this time. My wolf is restless, pacing in the back of my mind, her instincts screaming that something is wrong, telling me that no matter what happe
My face is frozen in shock as I blink at Victor, allowing his words to sink deep into my mind. My heart suddenly drops before racing sharply as I'm finally able to process what he's just said to me. I keep my eyes on him, and it seems my reaction only fuels his ego. A much more sinister expression now forms on his face as he eyes me carefully.My stomach turns, and I suddenly find it hard to breathe, my entire body becoming tense as I take in what he's told me. My pack... My family... Lycans?"That's not possible," I whisper, shaking my head as if the movement alone with dispel his claim."Oh... but it is..." Victor laughs, a grating, hollow sound that echoes in the damp cell.I turn to glance at Octavius, confused and uncertain about What Victor just told me, and once I meet his gaze, I find the expression. Not only is he in shock but he is also in disbelief."The only Lycans to exist, come from the only 3 royal bloodlines..." I shake my head at him. In werewolf society, Lycans are
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.