(Soren)The camp was shrouded in the early morning mist when I awoke, the remnants of a restless night lingering in my mind. The fire from the previous night had long since died down, and a heavy sense of anticipation hung in the air. As I made my way through the camp, I found Cerelia waiting for me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and worry. "We need to talk," she said, her voice low but firm. "Privately." I nodded, leading her to a secluded spot away from the main camp. Once we were alone, she turned to face me, her expression serious. "Soren, we need to discuss Hilda," she began, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We can't ignore the fact that she holds valuable information. If we're going to challenge King Arlo, we need every advantage we can get." I hesitated, the thought of involving Hilda stirring a mix of emotions within me. "Cerelia, I don't know if that's a good idea. Hilda's already caught in the middle of this mess. Dragging her deeper into our plan
(Hilda)The next morning, the first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room. I lay next to Arlo, his arm draped possessively over me, his breathing steady and calm. Last night's intense emotions had given way to a quiet intimacy, and for a moment, I felt a sense of peace. But I knew I couldn't linger in bed forever; there was a whole new world outside these walls waiting for me. Carefully, I slipped out from under Arlo's arm, trying not to wake him. I dressed quickly and quietly, taking a moment to watch him sleep before stepping out into the hallway. The pack house was already bustling with activity. Members of Arlo's pack moved through the halls, their eyes widening in respect and curiosity as they saw me. I made my way to the main hall, where the smell of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee wafted through the air. A few pack members were seated at the long wooden tables, enjoying their breakfast. They greeted me warmly, their smiles genuine.
(Soren)I moved through the dense forest, each step careful and calculated. The early morning mist clung to the ground, adding an eerie quality to the already tense atmosphere. Cerelia's words from our conversation replayed in my mind, her insistence on involving Hilda leaving a bitter taste. Yet, as much as I hated to admit it, she had a point. I tried to mind link her but to no avail.We needed Hilda's inside knowledge. But that meant finding someone loyal to King Arlo, someone who could be bribed or convinced to carry a message to her. I didn't have to search long. The snap of a twig alerted me to the presence of another in the woods. I crouched low, moving stealthily towards the sound. As I peered through the underbrush, I saw him—one of King Arlo's men, a scout named Rolf. He was younger, probably not much older than Elias, and his nervous glances around the forest told me he was still green.I waited, watching as Rolf settled against a tree, his hand resting on the hilt of his
(Hilda) The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across the garden where I found Nixie working among the flowers. The vibrant colors of the blooms seemed almost to mock the unease that gnawed at me. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation I was about to have. “Nixie,” I called gently, trying to keep my voice steady. She looked up, her surprise giving way to a warm smile. “Oh, Hilda! Good morning. What brings you here?” “I was hoping to talk to you about something,” I said, my heart racing a bit. “Is now a good time?” “Of course,” she replied, setting aside her gardening tools and brushing her hands on her apron. “What’s on your mind?” We walked to a shaded bench under an old oak tree. I could hear the faint buzz of bees and the distant sound of laughter from the pack house, but my focus was solely on Nixie. Once seated, I gathered my thoughts, trying to find the right words. “I overheard you talking yesterday,” I began, my voice trem
“This is Cerelia. She’s my second chance mate. I am going to make her my Luna tomorrow.” My mate Alpha Soren said in a cold voice.His words made his promise before we went to battle together feel like a cruel joke, “When we return alive, I’ll make you my Luna.”***“When we return alive, I’ll make you my Luna.”This promise is my only lifeline when an arrow struck me, and I fell into a pool of darkness.When I struggled to open my eyes again, Soren entered my blurry sight to my absolute delight.The smell of an assortment of herbal remedies and a sharp, persistent pain that felt like needles pricking every muscle assault my senses, telling me that I ended up in the pack hospital again.I was not surprised. That battle was gruesome even for a well-trained Beta like me. It was one of the biggest our pack has ever seen.Soren and I had fought side by side. His promise was the only beacon of hope sustaining me in the fight.Now that I survived the blood and the screams of the dying, I
(Hilda)It’s Cerelia’s Luna coronation ceremony today. It’s almost funny that only yesterday, I believed today would be my coronation day. I had imagined it. The flowers, the music, the happiness I would feel standing beside him. But now it was her flowers, her music, and her happiness. The pack gathered in the clearing, everyone dressed in their finest, smiles adorning their faces. The air was filled with joy and celebration, the scent of flowers and the sound of laughter permeating the space. Everywhere I looked, there were signs of festivity and happiness. It felt like a cruel joke. I walked slowly through the crowd, each step sending a jolt of pain through my body. The physical discomfort was nothing compared to the agony in my heart. I tried to search for my old friends in the crowd but I didn’t find them. The only thing I could see was Soren and Cerelia standing together, their hands intertwined, looking at each other with such love and adoration that it brought tears to my
(Hilda)I struggled and tried to fight them off, but my muscles were still weak from a year of lying down. Each movement was a painful reminder of my vulnerability. The warrior’s grips tightened, and my attempts to break free were futile. As the crowd recognized me as the former Beta, their attitudes shifted. Hatred and vengeance flared in their eyes. The whispers turned into shots, and more of them surrounded me, eager to settle old scores. They are not just following orders, they really wanted to hurt me.The hands that once fought me on the battlefield now clawed and pulled, dragging me away. Panic surged through me as I felt myself being overwhelmed. Desperation clawed at my heart, and my vision blurred with tears. I was on the brink of losing myself when I heard a familiar voice. “Stop!” Soren’s command cut through the chaos. He pushed through the crowd, his presence halting the onslaught. The warriors hesitated, releasing their hold on me. For a brief moment, a spark of hop
(Hilda)The cabin’s suffocating walls formed a prison that made me almost lose myself completely. So I was pleasantly surprised when two of Damon’s men grabbed me and threw me on the cold hard ground outside. I looked up and there were a dozen or more of them all standing around me with bow and arrows in hands.Then the realization hit me. They wanted to hunt me for sport.I thought Damon’s cruelty had reached its limit, apparently not.“Go on, little wolf. I’ll give you a head start!” Damon said, smiling maliciously at me.I know it’s not a smart move to comply, but every fiber of my being screamed for freedom.The night was my ally. The moon hung high, casting a silver glow over the forest. I moved quickly, my footsteps silent against the forest floor. Each step took me further from the cabin, from Damon’s grip, and towards the unknown. But I knew this journey wouldn’t be easy. As I pushed through the underbrush, the sound of men shouting and the pounding of feet against the ground