SerenaI stood in the dimly lit kitchen, the aroma of simmering carrot soup filling the air. Beads of sweat glistened on my forehead as I stirred the soup absentmindedly. As Ollie had suggested, I became part of the kitchen staff in the pack after I recovered. Although I enjoyed cooking for everyone, there were some days when I didn't feel like doing it for some reason, just like today.That's when I heard a hushed whisper from the nearby doorway. It was Lia's voice, engaged in a conversation with one of the warriors whose name I didn't know. Though I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I couldn't help but overhear what they were discussing."Lia, we need someone to assist in the infirmary. Ollie and his team are bringing in a wounded being. They need you there, NOW!” Lia was shocked and asked, “Who was it?”“We have no clue,” the warrior responded. Lia no longer pressed for information and told the warrior that she would retrieve some things from her room before heading to the infirmary. Just
SerenaI heard Ashford's words and my heart skipped a beat. Damon was looking for me? The shock hit me like a sudden thunderbolt, and I couldn't believe it. I thought he was clueless about my stepmother's deceit. Does this mean that Damon knew about Tori’s lie? I’m confused. "Wait, Damon knows?" I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief.Ashford nodded solemnly. "Yeah, he knows, Serena. But he's been playing along, just waiting for the right moment to find you and bring you to Blood Rose to expose the schemes of your so-called family.”“But how? How did you all find out?” I pressed more, eager to learn how everything came to light. “Damon was the first one to notice. I guess something happened between you and him that prompted him to figure everything out.”My cheeks heated remembering that passionate encounter I had with him. But this was not the time to dwell on that. There were a lot of things left unanswered. “Although he knew that your sister was fake, he still didn’t know wha
SerenaReturning to my room after that intense chat with Ashford, I felt like a ship caught in a tempestuous sea. My thoughts were a tangled mess. Damon's hidden truths and the dire state of Goldenridge had left me emotionally battered. However, it was the haunting image of my best friend, Shey, losing her Alpha father, Uncle Craig, that gnawed at my soul. I longed for Shey's presence, desiring to stand by her side and offer solace during what might be the worst storm she would ever face in her life.Right now, all I could do for her was to ask the moon goddess to give her the strength to carry on. Feeling overwhelmed and needing a break from all the chaos in my head, I suddenly decided to go out for a run. I sought comfort in a straightforward jog around the camp. As I ran, the wind blowing through my hair seemed like a determined effort to sweep away the troubles clouding my thoughts. But no matter how fast or long I ran, my concerns clung to me like an unwavering shadow. Neverthele
DamonThe evening was a bit chilly as I and the Alpha sat at the dinner table. The table looked fancy with its nice dishes and shiny silverware. But there was an odd feeling in the air because two familiar faces were missing.The Alpha, with his sharp eyes, noticed that Rina and her mom, Mathilde, weren't at the table. Their absence was noticeable, especially tonight. Rina was really sad about losing her dad, and it was hitting her hard. Because of this, they decided to eat dinner inside their room instead of joining us. He was worried about her, and you could tell by the way he was acting. "Damon, where are Rina and Mathilde?" he asked, and his words felt serious. I shifted in my chair as I turned to him and answered. "They can’t join us, Alpha," I said courteously, "Rina is still having a tough time after what happened to Goldenridge. The loss of her father hit her hard.” His usual cold and calculating eyes softened. "Take care of her. Make sure she has everything she needs to de
SerenaBack in Wolf Valley, our meeting went really smoothly. Alexei talked about all the things we needed to deal with at camp – food, problems, and everything else. Everyone seemed focused and paid attention to everything he discussed."That's all for today. Do you have any questions?" he asked more than an hour later. The crowd glanced around and waited for responses. They all smiled and nodded with each other, an indication of the satisfaction they obtained from listening to the leader."If none, I thank everyone for attending this meeting. You can all now go back to your daily tasks. Have a nice day and see you all in our next meeting."The crowd echoed applause and began to disperse, signaling the start of them gathering around the tables to get some food. I couldn't help but smile. This may have been a rogue community, but it functioned like a regular pack. It wasn't perfect, but for those outcasts and homeless wolves with ugly pasts and circumstances, this was already heaven.
SerenaAnother night had arrived, and I decided to take another stroll, but this time, I went in the opposite direction of the river to avoid any unnecessary encounters with Alexei in case he was there.As I ventured further into the dark forest, a huge bear suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Its fur was matted and patchy, giving it a menacing appearance.However, at that moment, I heard Remus' voice in my mind, carrying both encouragement and a warning. "Stay calm, Serena. You're not alone. Let me take over so I can help you."Without hesitation, I allowed him to, triggering a strange transformation within me. I shifted into the form of a wolf, an experience I never thought I would have. It was a magical and surreal transformation that I couldn't help but fall in love with.As my body morphed, so did my senses and instincts. My platinum-white fur shimmered in the night, and my wolf vision illuminated the bear with an eerie glow. When the bear saw my determination to fight, I lunged at
SerenaLia chuckled. “Wait, I’m confused. Is this some kind of a joke?”I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest, and my thoughts raced. I knew I had to explain myself, even though I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt for deceiving everyone in Wolf Valley. Still, deep down, I understood it was the right thing to do."No, it's not," I declared, my voice trembling slightly. I could feel my palms becoming moist, and I couldn't help but look down at my fidgeting fingers, a physical manifestation of my inner turmoil.“But why would you do that?” As Lia's disappointed and hurt voice reached my ears, I couldn't help but flinch. Her reaction was precisely what I feared the most – letting down someone I had come to care about deeply. Ollie's quick comforting gesture didn't go unnoticed, and I appreciated his support, even though it couldn't fully alleviate the weight of my confession.My voice quivered as I continued, the words coming out in a rush, “Because…Because I was protectin
DamonI was in the middle of my work, surrounded by the grandeur of my office. The room was adorned with rich tapestries, and I was deep in thought, dealing with the pack's important matters.Then, there was a sudden knock at my door. The interruption shattered my concentration. As I turned my attention toward the entrance, Rina walked in.Her arrival instantly filled the room with a different kind of energy. She exuded a mix of elegance and allure, leaning suggestively against my desk. A subtle smile played on her lips, intentionally distracting me from my duties as I couldn't help but notice her presence."Your grace," she purred while playing with her hair, "I was thinking we could find a way to... unwind together." Her fingers traced a slow, deliberate path along the surface of my desk, and she shot me a sultry glance from beneath her long lashes.I couldn't hide my unease, clearing my throat as I tried to maintain composure. "Rina, I appreciate your interest, but it's not the rig