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 feel like at any point now, my feet may no longer be able to support my support. As if the things Victor is telling me couldn't have any more shock factor, he drops the final bomb.My sister...He claims she's alive... and he has her..."Another lie... y-you're lying..." I find my voice cracking as I fail completely at keeping myself together. That seems to give him some sort of satisfaction as his eyes glint with excitement."Am I?" He cocks his head slightly as he maintains his gaze on me."Tell me, Kaida... do you ever remember seeing her body... or did you just assume she was gone like the rest of your family...?" He asks and I fail to answer him. The more I think about that day, the more I remember that I didn't see her die... instead, I did as she told me and ran. I saw my parents, Jace, the rest of my friends and family get slaughtered, but before I could see what happened to Korra, I was out of there..."Octavius, you seem to believe me, don't you, cousin?" Victor asks. My e
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