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
The entire packhouse is buzzing with activity, every single person on edge, every single person aware of what's at stake. I can feel it. This history, this pack has with Lucien. The day he turned Rogue, the day he killed Octavius' father...The air is heavy as I walk through the hallways of the packhouse, tailing Octavius as we make our way outside, to where the meeting is to take place. he is silent, but I can feel how tense he is. So am I to be honest, and all I want now is to heart the game plan in stopping Lucien and his people.We finally reach outside where members of the pack have gathered. Highly ranked officials as well as ordinary pack members. I make my way to the front of the group, my steps slowing down as I take notice of Lucas, Rafe, Akando, and Audrey, all standing close to each other. Samson and Miyuki are standing in front of them, every one of them seemingly waiting for Octavius and I to arrive.Octavius takes his place at the head of the group, his broad shoulders
K A I D AThe next few minutes are a blur of movement and preparation. The packhouse comes alive with activity, warriors rushing to their posts and securing the building. The air is thick with anticipation and it's almost suffocating, but I can't lose focus. They're here. They're here for him. Victor... And I can't let have him.The first place we go to is the cells, where he is being kept. Octavius and I move together, a team of warriors behind us as we make our way through the hallways. Outside the cells, in the distance, I pick up peculiars sounds, sounds that put me on edge, more than I already am. Snarls, growls, and the unmistakable sound of wolves running. They're getting closer. So we need to move, fast.When we reach the cells, Samson and Miyuki are already there, along with several other warriors. Victor sits in his cell, looking far too smug for someone in his position.“Well, this is exciting,” he drawls, leaning back against the wall as if he doesn’t have a care in the wo
The night air bites at my skin as we step outside, the chaos of the attack unfolding before us. Wolves clash in the clearing, snarling and snapping as they fight tooth and claw. The Raven Moon warriors move like a well-oiled machine, their training evident in the way they cover each other’s backs and hold the line.But something feels wrong. Off.Octavius stands beside me, his eyes scanning the battlefield with a sharp, calculating gaze. He’s tense, his shoulders rigid as if bracing for something worse. “This isn’t it..” he mutters under his breath, his voice barely audible over the noise.“What do you mean?” I ask, my own instincts flaring as I try to pick up on what he’s sensing.“They’re holding back,” he says, his jaw tightening. “Lucien wouldn’t send this many wolves just for a distraction. There’s something else...”As if on cue, a figure steps into the clearing, her presence dark, and drawing the attention of everyone around her. The wolves, pull back at the sight of her, each
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
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
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
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
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
K A I D AThe cool morning air settles over Raven Moon’s territory as I stand beside Octavius, my heartbeat steady but alert. The presence of Jace and his people is unexpected, and though I trust him to an extent, I can’t ignore the tension that crackles in the air like a brewing storm.Around us, several high-ranking Raven Moon wolves stand at attention, their eyes sharp, their postures rigid. Lucas, Miyuki, and Samson flank Octavius and me, their gazes trained on the group in front of us. Though they don’t outwardly bare their fangs or emit threatening growls, I can sense the barely restrained aggression simmering beneath the surface. After all, Jace isn’t just anyone... he's risen to be the leader of the Xarano pack. Though he is not outright calling himself an Alpha, I know he's stepped up where people needed him, where my sister nor I couldn't. He helped rebuild my pack when we weren't there, and for that, I owe him the utmost respect. However, his sudden arrival leaves me feelin
K A I D AStepping out of Octavius' room feels like the most difficult thing I've had to do in my life. I shouldn't be this nervous, right? I mean, people mate all the time. Back at my pack, there seemed to even be celebrations when two people finally completed the mating process. Everyone could actually tell when two people have finally mated.Great... just great... Meaning everyone in the house is gonna know I had my guts rearranged the night before."Just relax..." I hear Octavius voice snap me out of my thoughts, and that's when I remember that he is standing right next to me, and has been walking beside me this whole time as we make our way downstairs. I know my thoughts are probably too loud, and he can properly hear them..."Yeah, exactly..." He answers outloud and I sigh out of frustrattion and embarrasment as I look over at him."How are you so calm about this... Everyone is gonna know what we were doing last night..." I whisper to him, holding onto his hand for support as w