Oscar's face was hard, reflecting tension and determination. Yet his breathing remained steady, as did his heartbeat. He was in complete control.Only one last fight remained. When the night was over, everything would be settled.A knock at the door pulled Oscar out of his thoughts. He blinked once and turned to see the door open. Philo and the others entered.Oscar said little, just as he had before. He emphasised to Dom and Bogy that the palace had to be guarded to the utmost and that they had to be alert for the worst. They couldn't let their guard down—there could be another pack lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.Then Oscar turned to Philo and Thad. "We're leaving now."With determined strides they moved through the corridors of the palace. They hurried while the helicopter waited on the helipad—its spinning blades creating strong gusts of wind.Oscar boarded the helicopter in a single bound, followed closely by Philo and Thad.The door closed. The
Date 14. The peace and tranquility that have long shrouded the Lunaria Forest have been shattered. It was caused by a horde of Xylvaneth Pack, exhausted by unrest.The noise was thunderous. The silence was oppressive. Every breath was no longer comforting as seconds passed in uncertainty.Restlessness, like a thick darkness, deepened, casting a shadow over hope. The future was shrouded in the uncertain clouds of fate. Everything became one, then clumped together, giving rise to despair.Hope rebelled. In gazes that tried to pierce the dark night, they offered prayers. Was there a chance that fate would smile upon them?Days have turned into months. Time unfolded in units of years. All endurance and patience became silent witnesses of a long wait. It was not wrong for them to demand a solution now."Oh, children of the wolves!"The echoing voice of Ursa Waverly, The Sacred Elder of the pack, resounded. She broke the silence of the night with a call that echoed through the air. Both han
Azera Cordelia Ross tried to remember the reasons that had successfully compelled her to return to the village of Avaluna, her birthplace and the place where she had spent her childhood with memories that were anything but pleasant. As far as she remembered, she had decided to accept the offer of her college friends who had invited her for a vacation to La Bay Beach. But here she was, in a dilapidated house with blood dripping from her forehead.Era shouldn't have come back. That irrational decision proved to be yet another reason why not everyone has a hometown worth longing for. She should have erased the name Avaluna from her life and continued to live as an orphan.In Era's eyes, she stopped having a family about ten years ago, when her mother, Sylvie Blair, took her last breath. Sylvie died and a life of misfortune began.Era's childhood was a sad time, but without Sylvie, her life became a living hell. She no longer had a protector, defender or comforter.The days became an endl
In a place untouched by ordinary humans, there was an extraordinary structure that bordered the southeastern side of the Lunaria Forest. Its location was somewhat hidden behind towering ancient trees and orderly mountain ranges. At first glance, the eyes would be deceived, unable to find its presence. Nature seemed to conspire to keep its existence a well—guarded secret from the outside world.The building was no ordinary house. Resembling a skyscraper, its design resembled the castle often mentioned in children's bedtime stories. Sturdy and large pillars surrounded it, giving it a luxurious and ancient appearance. Next to it was a vast courtyard, more accurately described as an endless garden.A neatly made and meticulously maintained path was lined with small stones. Various aromatic flowering plants formed colorful paths. There was also a small pond with a beautiful fountain.As far as the eye could see, the green grass became a soothing carpet. The chirping of birds, reminiscent o
Aaron Rivera knew that finding a Luna was always a serious problem for any pack, especially the Xylvaneth Pack, which had been without a Luna for a total of 14 years. As a watcher who had spent most of his life in the werewolf world, he knew that this was the first time an Alpha hadn't found his mate. So, he wasn't surprised to find the Alpha returning in a foul mood."I hope Ursa's prediction is right this time. Because if not..."Aaron approached with a tray in his hand. On it was a cup of warm tea. He said, "Please, have some, Alpha. A cup of chamomile tea is said to calm the mind.""Do you think what I need right now is a cup of chamomile tea?"Aaron smiled, looking casual in the face of the Alpha's emotional outburst. "Certainly not, but I'm sure you need something to clear your throat. You've been yelling too much lately, Alpha."Sharp eyes pierced Aaron, but he remained calm as before. He seemed unafraid to confront the Alpha's truly unstable emotions of late."Please, Alpha Os
Era was absolutely sure that the injury to her head was no joke; it could even be said to be more serious than she first thought. That stone earlier must have caused the blood vessels in her head to burst, causing her to lose her mind."Alpha? So, the Alpha mentioned is not a name? Instead, it's a title for the leader of the werewolf pack? Oh, how absurd."Era closed her eyes. Her hand went up to her head, and then she shook it. "I must still be unconscious."Oscar turned to Landon. "Why her?""Just a moment," Landon said as he approached. He approached Era. "Stay calm, Alpha. I'll examine her."Oscar reluctantly stepped aside, giving Landon room to examine Era. He watched with crossed arms, his face showing signs of discomfort."How is she? Is she okay?"Landon checked the IV flow and sighed briefly. "I'm pretty sure she's fine. She just seems to be... in shock.""Shock?"Landon nodded. He watched Era's expression as sh
Now it was Oscar who was shocked. He turned around and looked at Ursa with big eyes."Can't we do it tomorrow night?"Ursa shook her head. "No, Alpha. Even if there is a full moon tomorrow night, it's not a truly full moon. We cannot perform the sacred ceremony."Oscar clenched his mouth. His expression showed an inner struggle that wasn't easy to contain. Ursa spoke quickly again."Not even tonight, Alpha. Besides the need for preparation, and Era is asleep, you remember that we just performed the Sacred Ceremony last night."Oscar closed his eyes. His hand left Era's hair, then clenched into a fist. Heavy, but finally he nodded."You're right. I will have to wait until next month."Ursa felt relieved. Luckily, she could convince Oscar."I have an idea. At least make sure that Era doesn't try to escape. I'm sure she'll stay here and accept her werewolf identity when she sees reality with her own eyes."Ursa's intuition
If he wanted to follow his desires, Oscar would surely join Era in bed. After all, it was his bed, his room. But Ursa convinced Oscar that Era needed rest. Despite her physical injuries and fatigue, she had also experienced shock several times. Sleeping together and other surprising scenes were clearly not good for her.So, Oscar reluctantly moved to another room that Aaron had prepared. He lay down on the bed and stayed awake until morning.Oscar gathered Philo, Aaron, and Ursa. They sat at a round table in the garden, where several delicious dishes were served, and ate breakfast together."So, Philo."Philo had just picked up his fork and knife and was about to take the first bite, but Oscar spoke to him. So, he put the utensils back down."What about Mosha? Have you dealt with him?"Philo nodded. "Yes, Alpha. They are no longer of this world.""Good," Oscar said as he enjoyed his breakfast. "I'm sure he would continue to look for E
Oscar's face was hard, reflecting tension and determination. Yet his breathing remained steady, as did his heartbeat. He was in complete control.Only one last fight remained. When the night was over, everything would be settled.A knock at the door pulled Oscar out of his thoughts. He blinked once and turned to see the door open. Philo and the others entered.Oscar said little, just as he had before. He emphasised to Dom and Bogy that the palace had to be guarded to the utmost and that they had to be alert for the worst. They couldn't let their guard down—there could be another pack lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.Then Oscar turned to Philo and Thad. "We're leaving now."With determined strides they moved through the corridors of the palace. They hurried while the helicopter waited on the helipad—its spinning blades creating strong gusts of wind.Oscar boarded the helicopter in a single bound, followed closely by Philo and Thad.The door closed. The
Never before had time tormented Era so cruelly. Every second had become a dagger that slowly carved into her soul, leaving invisible wounds. Minutes bled into hours in an endless loop, trapping her in a fear that refused to subside.Two nights had passed, each bringing its own terror and uncertainty that held Era in an unforgiving grip. She was desperate, clinging to Oscar's promise in the suffocating silence.Era lay in the dark those nights, her eyes closed, but never really asleep. She stayed awake, unable to surrender to rest as her mind swarmed with worry for Oscar's safety.Sleep was impossible. The only thing Era could do was pretend and wait in the dark for Oscar's return.Now it was the third night. This was the last night, the one that would decide Oscar's fate in a fight to the death.Era sat motionless on the bed, her back pressed against the headboard. A blanket was wrapped around her, but it did nothing to dispel the cold that had settled on her skin.The bedroom door cr
Slowly, Era's consciousness floated to the surface, as if drawn from a dark, formless depth. Her body felt light, as if suspended between dream and reality. Yet something kept trying to hold her back. A heavy sensation enveloped her eyelids, refusing to let her fully awaken.Warmth enveloped Era's entire body. It caressed her, embraced her, almost masking the faint throbbing pain in several places.The sensation was no longer painful enough to make Era wince, but just enough to remind her of everything that had happened. Growls, roars, claws—flashes of memory spun through her mind, pulling her further out of the void.Sounds began to creep into her consciousness. The soft whirring of medical instruments, the steady rhythm of someone's breathing. Then a familiar scent—a mixture of spices and cinnamon—filled her lungs, reminding her of Ursa.Era, wake up.The whisper pierced the depths of her heart, coming from something that had always been with her—the wolf spirit that never left her
The cool morning breeze drifted gracefully in through the wide-open dining room window, carrying the scent of dew mixed with the aroma of herbal tea from a porcelain cup. The diaphanous curtains hanging from the window swayed gently to the unceasing rhythm of the wind.Sunlight crept in, illuminating the long table set with an array of delicious dishes—steaming slices of roasted meat, freshly baked bread with a crisp crust, and a neatly arranged plate of fresh fruit.At the head of the table, Freddy sat leisurely. He had a sharp silver knife in one hand and a fork in the other. He sliced his steak slowly, savouring the sensation of each tender fibre being cut cleanly, but in reality, his mind was elsewhere.Something felt different. Freddy could feel it. The usual serenity of his morning had been replaced by an underlying tension.Freddy’s body tensed instinctively. His knife struck the plate with a little more force than necessary, and his fork trembled slightly at times.A feeling o
The dim light still covered the sky as Oscar stood at the window of his study. His eyes gazed far into the trees swaying in the morning breeze, as did his mind, which had been wandering restlessly.The scent of wood and the early morning dew seeped through the cracks of the window. It should have provided a sense of calm, enough to ease the tension in Oscar's body. Unfortunately, this time it wasn't enough. He needed more than just a beautiful morning to cool the fire raging in his chest—revenge.Oscar's sanity was hanging by a thread. He had never been one for patience, and now his self-control was being tested. The situation was truly against him, threatening to blind him with rage.Oscar’s blood was boiling. Heat radiated from every pore of his skin. His rage had ignited beyond reason, leaving only one desire in his mind—to wipe from this world anyone who would harm Era.Oscar pressed his lips tightly together. His face hardened into a dark, angry red. The veins on his body tensed,
The night was still thick, accompanied by an unusual stillness that felt heavier than ever. The cold grew sharper, seeping into the bones, stained by the scent of damp earth and lingering traces of blood in the air.A thin mist hung low over the ground, weaving between the towering trees on either side of the road. It dulled the senses, obscuring vision until the glow of portable lights flickered to life, illuminating everything without exception.The darkness stirred. The scene once shrouded began to unfold, revealing the grim reality that lay before them.Shattered glass littered the tarmac. Jagged pieces of metal gleamed in the dim light. Era's car lay in the middle of the road in a devastated state—its side crushed beyond recognition, its bonnet shredded and deep claw marks scarring its entire body, silent witnesses to the attack that had taken place hours before.Amidst the wreckage, Bogy and Irene stood with unwavering concentration. Their sharp eyes scanned every detail left at
The silver-white glow of the ceiling lights dimmed automatically, adjusting to the late hour. It created a hushed atmosphere, punctuated only by the low hum of medical equipment. A precious silence, meant to allow exhausted bodies to rest.Unfortunately, Era couldn't rest as she was supposed to. Her body was tired, her bones felt shattered, but the weight on her chest was so heavy that she couldn't bring herself to lie down.Sitting on the hospital bed, Era remained still, a thin blanket draped over her legs. Her back was propped up against a pile of pillows, but there was no sense of comfort. Her fingers lay limp in her lap, revealing the IV line embedded in her left hand.Accompanying Era was Oscar, standing near the window. His back was to her, his sturdy silhouette framed in the dim light. Dressed in a black shirt, he still couldn't hide the tension that wrapped around his body, a clear sign of the turmoil that raged inside him.Era knew that she should say something. She should e
There was nothing Landon could do. When it came to magic, all his medical expertise was completely useless, and Oscar was painfully aware of that.The pallor on Oscar's face grew worse, his expression resembling that of a lifeless corpse. His heart seemed to have stopped and his blood felt as if it had frozen. He was numb, and the only sensation left in him was terror.Magic had never been good for anyone, especially werewolves, and this knowledge was driving Oscar dangerously close to the edge of his sanity. His breathing became erratic, his body trembled and his eyes darted around wildly, as if searching for the answers he desperately needed. The mere thought that Era's life was in danger hit him like an endless storm of despair."Damn you, Freddy. I swear I won't stand idly by," Oscar growled in a deep, threatening voice. Every word he spoke was laced with unmistakable anger. "You will pay dearly for what you've done."For Era's sake, Oscar would do whatever it took to make sure Fr
That was exactly what Era hoped. She didn't want to stay in such a pitiful state for too long. So of course she listened to Landon's advice. She would get plenty of rest and make sure she recovered as quickly as possible.For Oscar, however, things were a little different. Landon's examination was indeed complete, and the results were reassuring—Era wasn't seriously injured and her life wasn't in danger. Still, his vigilance didn't waver in the slightest. So, he turned to Era and said, "Landon's right, Era. If you feel the slightest discomfort, no matter what it is, tell him immediately. Don't even think about keeping it to yourself.""Oscar," Era murmured melodically, rolling her eyes dramatically before continuing. "Maybe it's time for you to calm down. Landon's already examined me." She shook her head, not the least bit surprised by Oscar's overprotective behaviour. "I'm fine and..."Something crossed Era's mind, leaving her words hanging in the air. Her expression changed as well,