It took a few moments to realise she wasn’t in her bed when she woke up. The usual comfort she was wrapped in was replaced by a damp surface that stuck to her cheek as her eyes drifted open. An earthen scent filled her nose and, as she blinked back the blurriness of her vision, she saw tall trees surrounding her. They reached high to a pale sky, which had the pale hues of the early morning painted into its blue. A jacket slipped from her shoulders as she pushed herself up and rolled the sleep from her aching muscles. Whatever position she had taken on the cold floor, her body disagreed with it and already yearned for the familiar snugness of her own bed. She had slept on the floor many times before, often when she was a pup and convinced her father to let her camp under the stars, but there was a difference that morning. An added danger, an uncertainty, for it was officially the start of the third trial of the Alpha Games. A buzz carried over her skin as she got to her feet and p
They travelled all day, keeping a pace Maddie could maintain and only stopping for breaks every few hours. By the time dusk fell, she was exhausted. Her legs were burning, her chest was aching, but she refused to be the one to stop them. She knew she was the weak link on their team, weaker than all the other contestants. Michael could make the trip back to Silver Moon far faster without her, but he chose to stay in their pair and reminded her that her knowledge of the ports and the Silver Moon territory would be more valuable than a slightly quicker pace. Though she was determined to make that true, she was also determined to not slow him down. As the sun faded, taking the light of the day with it, Michael called for them to stop for the night. She had felt his eyes on her for the past half hour but kept forcing herself to keep pushing, but she could no longer hide the toll of the day. Her pants were ragged, and she knew their speed had slowed. Relief flooded her when they finally c
Maddie had never taken watch before. She had done all nighters at parties, but she was beginning to see how much harder it was to stay awake without the stimulation of alcohol and music and a man or two. The only entertainment she had was watching the soft rise and fall of Michael’s chest as he slept. Strangely, it did help to pass the time. It soothed her and she quickly found herself lost in its rhythm. After a while, she had grabbed his jacket and tucked it over herself like a blanket. She told herself it was to fight off the chill of the night, but the mild air taunted her of that lie. It had been hours since he had finally fallen asleep. He fought it for such a long time, jerking at every owl’s hoot or flap of a bat’s wing, that Maddie was convinced neither of them would get any rest that night. However, each time he woke, his eyes fell to her and he relaxed. Then he would drift back to sleep, falling deeper and deeper every time until he stopped waking. Pride swelled in her
The growling and sounds of fighting grew more vicious behind her as the smell of her blood filled the air. She could almost imagine Michael trying to turn and help her but the other three wolves increased their attacks, preventing his aid from coming. However, she didn’t move her eyes from the danger before her. The woman was grinning, its pull unnatural as she stepped closer. She was tall and gaunt, malnourishment hollowing her cheeks. She held up her weapon, the curved blade flashing in the moonlight, casting an unhealthy glow over her pale skin. Maddie bared her canines, growling in short bursts around her pants. Her arm was on fire, its pain only flaring brighter as the silver poisoned her system. It hurt so much, her knees wanted to buckle, but she locked them in place, refusing to go down. If she did, it would leave Michael’s back defenceless. However, her strength ebbed with every breath. She didn’t even trust herself to pick her knife up off the floor. Her options whittle
Maddie couldn’t move. She felt leaden. Every muscle had been pushed past its limit and refused to listen to her, however she couldn’t stay where she was. The body beneath her was rapidly cooling, the blood now dripping from its neck in a steady trickle. Bile clawed up her throat, giving her the reason to push one last time and roll away. She whimpered as she caught herself on her wounded hand, and the last of her resistance shattered. She puked. Everything she had eaten that night came up, punishing her, until there was nothing more to come. Then, she forced herself to crawl away from the disgusting smell before flopping to her back. She could hear the whines and cries of other wolves nearby, but she couldn’t find the energy to lift her head. None of them sounded like Michael though. She was certain she would know if he got hurt. Instead, she stared at the sky above, gentle and unaffected by the attack and the wounds she had gained. A final crack and gurgle sounded before the cleari
“We’re falling. We’ve been fighting for a long time, but we can’t last much longer. Soon, the pack will be gone.” Michael pushed the explanation out in one breath, then watched her carefully. Maddie stared. His words slowly filtered into her mind but they didn't stick. “That can’t... Can’t be right. Dark Night is the second most powerful pack in the kingdom.” “That was a long time ago, Madeline.” He spoke softly, as if it was her who would bear the heartache of the news of his home. “We fell from power back then and have been clawing to keep ourselves alive and a pack ever since.” She pressed a hand to his chest, every thought in her mind firing off a new question that she couldn’t find the strength to speak. What he said went against everything she knew of Dark Night; the strong powerhouse of a pack that her father didn’t dare go to war with. To think of them as broken, lost, defeated, wasn't possible, however she didn’t doubt Michael. She couldn't, not with the raw pain in h
Their pace was steady as they travelled through the woods. Maddie had tried to argue that she could shift and they could move quicker, but Michael had refused after changing her bandages. Her shoulder was healing slowly thanks to the silver blade that had cut her deep and, even though she protested, she held her arm against her chest taking the weight off the wound. They had decided they wouldn’t stop again until they reached Silver Moon, and he answered her grumbles by reminding her of the hours of walking they had left to do. He had woken her at first light, an apology in his tone. It didn’t matter that she had wounds to lick or that she was weighed down with exhaustion, they still had the trial to pass, and now winning seemed even more important than before. Michael didn’t seem to have any problem continuing like nothing had happened. She wondered if that was what his life had been like for the last sixteen years; fighting for his, and his pack’s, lives every day, leaving him w
Neither of them moved. Their Eyes stuck on the body. Blood pooled from its wounds; its arm twisted at an angle that made Maddie wince, but she couldn’t look away. Nala was a great warrior. She was strong and fast and didn’t take any shit from her male counterparts for being a woman. Though they hadn’t really talked before, she had offered her help to Maddie and seeing her so broken and alone made acid burn in her throat. Michael jerked, pulling himself from his shock as he raced across the ruined campsite to the body. He skidded to his knees at Nala’s side, his hands fretting over her like they didn’t know what to do. He steeled his pale features and then reached for her neck with two fingers. Maddie held her breath. “She’s alive.” He whispered. Then whipped his head around to her, frantic as called out. “Madeline, come and help me.” She moved, at his side in a moment, trying to ignore the way her stomach churned at the thick scent of death hanging over Nala. Though her heart
Inga POV - There had been few moments in Inga’s life when she had stopped to simply observe the world around her. There had always been something she needed to do, every single action having a purpose towards her goal to liberate Grey Stone of their leadership and break free from Red Dawn. Each step forward she had carried that responsibility, that burden, but it was finally gone. Eleanor was dead, Autumn was the Grey Stone Alpha, and she was no longer a Beta. Well, she was in name, but she was free of the role’s duties during her and Connor’s break. The moment she had recovered from the war, Silver Night had been their first stop to confirm their decision with Alpha Michael, and then they were off. Connor didn’t waste any time taking her away from everything, carving out a small piece of the kingdom just for them. He took her to the one place he knew better than anywhere, a place where they could be alone. Dark Night was beautiful in a tragic way. The years of battle had scarred t
Nala POV - “Do you give up?” Nala growled in Autumn’s ear, nipping the soft flesh beneath it. Her mate squealed and wiggled beneath her. Nala smiled as she managed to squirm her legs free and wrapped them around her waist, giving her the purchase to roll them over. She could’ve stopped it, but why would she when it gave her such a great view. Autumn sat astride her waist, pinning her arms to her side with her thighs, a victorious grin on her perfect mouth. Her chest heaved with each pant, and she watched a bead of sweat fall from her chin and slide into her cleavage. Nala's tongue flicked across her lips, a pang of heat swelling in her core. “Ha!” The Alpha shouted, letting her head fall back, her red hair falling around her in wave after wave of beautiful curls. Nala’s fingers twitched at the memory of their softness. “I did it. I finally pinned you.” She laughed, the sound spreading across the empty training field. Nala took the opportunity to look over her mate’s form, gr
Michael POV - “That could’ve been us.” Nala snorted, elbowing him in the gut with a force that almost winded him. It was almost horrifying to picture being mated to his friend. He thought as much as he rubbed his side, already feeling a bruise forming, but didn't get a chance to respond as she turned back to Alpha Autumn. The Grey Stone wolf leaned in to hear Nala's whispers and immediately bloomed a stark red. She fumbled for something to say and ended up thrusting their pup into the warrior's arms instead. Nala lifted the pup to her shoulders, letting him wave widely at the couple on the stage, though it didn't stop her from leaving a hand on Autumn's thigh.Michael chuckled. It was a good thing she had vehemently denied becoming his mate to broker a stronger alliance between their packs. He shuddered to consider it now, but it was easier to laugh about it when they both sat beside their mates, watching the rightful leaders of the pack take their positions.“Mountain Forest, I giv
Inga POV - When one closes their eyes for what they think will be the last time, it’s odd when they open them again. Though everything was blurry and bright, Inga was sure it wasn’t a dream or her imagination playing tricks on her. The pain lancing through her skull could attest for that. Sound came first. The rustling of material beside her, followed by a few sharp shouts that were blaringly loud, as if right beside her ear, but far too muffled for any word to be clear. Her frustration bubbled like hot water beneath her skin, her drive to understand what was going on far greater than her submission to the pain or fatigue trying to pull her back into slumber. She blinked open her eyelids, wincing through the blur of colours that moulded into oddly shaped blobs. One particular blob leaned in close, too close, and her body reacted on its own. Her arm jerked up; her fist semi clenched as her muscles ignored her instincts. She punched the blob, or more like tapped it with her fis
Inga POV - It may have only been two stories, but after the day she had had, the week, hitting the ground felt like hitting a wall that punched the words of giving up to her tongue. Inga swallowed them, her mouth dry, clawing to hold onto her surrender. Every inch of her ached. The impact jarred through her body, making her head ring and her vision dizzy. At least she had managed to push Luna Eleanor off her while they fell. Inga didn’t want to think about the additional pain she’d be in if that bitch had landed on her. If luck was with her, hopefully the Luna had fallen on her face or, better yet, a knife. The night sky was a blanket of black spread out above her, dotted with stars, like glitter threaded into a plush blanket. She was so tired that the paved road at her back felt comfier than her bed back at Grey Stone. Just thinking of that bed made her remember her last night in it, cuddled at Connor’s side, in disbelief and awe that he was there. He made her feel safe, he made h
Inga POV - Inga didn’t so much as flinch when the door cracked hard enough against the wall that it dented the plaster. She didn’t blink when six wolves barrelled inside. She didn’t hesitate as one of the warriors felt gutsy and charged her before the others. She didn’t give him the chance to attack. He had asked for her attention; he had unknowingly drawn the short straw. She lunged. Her body protested as she forced it to shift, but it obeyed. The glare she pinned to the wolf as she moved towards him, made him freeze with the instinct of prey already caught by the predator. It was his lack of discipline to refine his reflexes that was his downfall. The warrior didn’t so much as jerk as her jaws latched onto his arm, her canines digging deep into his flesh. The familiar warm, metallic, taste of blood pooled on her tongue, a wave of feral victory washing through her. With no time to bask in its glow, she twisted her head until she heard the bone snap, before letting the wolf go and re
Inga POV - “Okay. Just stand back, there’s wounded in here.” Lewis raised his voice through the door, then waited, listening for the slow shuffle of feet. Inga listened too, trying to catch any small whispers of deceit among the crowd of Red Dawn warriors waiting for them. “We’re coming out.” The trio shared one final nod, before the Beta twisted the handle and the door swung open. Her stomach was in knots looking out at the wolves watching them, waiting, their eyes predatory. There were at least six; enough to block the corridor that stretched directly from the door towards the stairs, but Inga was certain there were others. She spotted the Red Dawn Alpha and Daniel standing behind their warriors, the leadership safe except for Luna Eleanor. She had the balls to stand at the front. Inga didn’t have to fake the way her face paled as she locked gazes with the Luna. The gleam in her eyes was malicious, her lips lifting as she took in Inga’s hunched form, leaning so far onto Jami
Inga POV - Clawing at Lewis’ arms did nothing. The man was pure muscle and resilience, ignoring her cries for Connor, ignoring her curses, ignoring her pleas for him to stop. Against the Red Dawn warriors, she doubted she’d be much good anyway. Her body felt heavy, like her veins were filled with lead, every muscle protesting her orders. She couldn’t even lift the arm where Luna Eleanor had stabbed her. Even wiggling her fingers sent shooting pains all through her body. Inga had been stabbed before, most warriors had, but it felt different. Her energy, her strength, was sapped. It was like the blade was draining her. However, none of that mattered. Connor was her mate; she couldn’t leave him behind to face all those warriors alone. She had to try and help him. Again, Inga pounded on Lewis’ chest, each impact jarring her, but none of them made the Silver Night warrior even flinch. It was like she was a fly bumping against a window, the force hurting her and not even smearing his s
Connor POV - He was sure his heart stopped, freezing time for the span of a breath, as Inga tipped on the stairs. Her body shifted backward, falling with only the hard stairs to catch her. The silver blade in her shoulder caught the light as she became airborne. Its flash shot through Connor’s mind, jerking him back to his body, forcing a fresh dose of adrenaline through his system. He charged forward, reaching with desperate hands to catch her, to soften her fall, to protect her. He wasn’t sure if it was a miracle, or a divine gift from the Moon Goddess, but the moment he felt her back push against his fingertips, the panic eased, relief chased it away. He was allowed a breath, but the brief moment of calm was crushed as Inga crashed into him. Connor was off balance. His only goal had been to soften her fall, but he didn’t have time to catch her. Her weight pushed him back, forcing him to join her fall, but he wrapped his arms tight around her, curling into her, protecting he