SerenaThe morning sunlight streamed through the forest, casting a subdued warmth over the breakfast table. The four of us—Ashford, Alexei, Damon, and I—sat in heavy silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The clinking of utensils against plates was the only sound, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere that seemed to stretch the limits of our hidden emotions.I glanced at Damon, his eyes distant as he mechanically moved food around his plate. A knot tightened in my stomach as I gathered the courage to break the hovering silence."Damon, can we go to see our baby's grave today? I... I want to see it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Since the death of our baby, I hadn’t been able to see its grave. Admittedly, I lacked the necessary courage to do so, yet today, I mustered enough to ask my husband about it.Damon's gaze met mine, but there was a distance in his eyes. His detachment sent a shiver down my spine, a constant reminder of the growing rift between us. Since the attack,
DamonMy hands struck the rough surface of the old, dried-out tree, each blow driven by a fierce anger that echoed in every breath I took. The cool air felt heavy as I envisioned Romin's face, the person who caused the profound sorrows I had experienced in my lifetime. Losing my mother, father, and unborn child burdened my heart—a sad tune that played continuously in my thoughts.I could feel the warmth of my blood mixing with the dirt under my tightly closed fists, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the torment engraved in my spirit. Each hit on the tree represented the revenge building up inside me, an unstoppable storm searching for a way to re
SerenaThe walls of our home seemed to close in as I waited for Damon to return. My nerves were on edge, suffocating me with each passing moment. The clock's monotonous ticking echoed my growing unease. I needed to reach out, to let him know what I felt, but the weight of his troubles seemed to barricade him away until I no longer knew how to reach him. I knew I had to talk to him. It was now or never.Finally, the entrance of our tent flapped open. Damon walked in, wearing his melancholic demeanor, a weary shadow of the man I loved and married. His shoulders slumped under the invisible burden, and his eyes, once full of life, now harbored a darkness that sent shi
SerenaAs soon as I heard the question, I already knew it was Ashford’s voice. I turned around, and sure enough, he stood there with his arms crossed. Behind him emerged Alexei, looking a little surprised as his gaze checked the bag I was carrying. Unlike Ashford, he chose to remain silent.Trembling, I asked, “Are you going to tell Damon?”Ashford heaved a sigh. “Do you really have to do this?” His concern was evident.I didn't say anything. I just bowed
DamonThe sweat dripped down my face as Ryan and I sparred. I could feel my mind wandering, clouding my focus. Thoughts of Serena filled my head as the weight of her pleas from the previous night settled over me. No, I couldn’t just turn my back on everything. The only way for me to return to the way I was was to kill Romin and bring justice to my family.Ryan called out my obvious distraction."You're off today, Damon. Mind's elsewhere. What's going on?" he asked, blocking one of my half-hearted jabs.
DamonAs expected, it took me half an hour to reach the designated place.The location mentioned in the secret message was an old loggers' cabin known as Artemis Inn, a mere half-hour run from the Wild Fang camp. Its name is derived from its proximity, offering historical shelter to those wandering the woods.Artemis Inn stood small and quiet, ideal for a restful night after exploring the woods outside the Blood Rose territory. The structure, entirely crafted from wood, boasted a 500-year history, giving it a rustic yet cozy charm.Upon arrival, I was greeted by a wraparound porch and a pair of wooden bear sculptures beside the entrance. This inn stood apart, decent in appearance compared to others, featuring a hall bookcase filled with interesting books and a brick fireplace."Welcome to the Artemis Inn. What can I do for you?" greeted the kind, old lady at the front desk. I smiled and handed her the paper I received from Council Ed. After discreetly examining it, she handed me a key
Serena’s POVWe had been traveling for as long as I could remember, and honestly, I already lost track of time. After days of walking and running, we finally reached a big lake.Alicia took a deep breath and admired the place. The lake was covered with mist, so we couldn't see anything. Meanwhile, she seemed sure that we reached the right place."We're here," she declared. Ashford and I looked around."I don't see any pack village here," Ashford declared. I seconded his concern."So, where's Asteria?" I asked. Alicia smiled meaningfully before stepping into the lake. She then took out a tiny whistle and began to blow it, creating a sound.Just in, the mist covering the whole lake began to disappear. And as weird as it sounds, we found a tiny boat from the middle of the lake slowly moving its way toward us without someone driving it. Ashford and I looked at each other. Alicia seemed to have noticed our amazement."Be prepared, for you will see more unusual things upon our journey," she
SerenaAs we stepped inside the fanciest cabin that served as the queen’s residence, words tumbled out of my mouth. We were facing the feast they had prepared for us, yet my appetite couldn't appreciate it. Ashford and I remained silent, observing our surroundings as we waited for the truth about my past to unfold.Finally, Queen Minerva addressed me, asking, "Where do you want me to start?""If you can, at the very beginning," I replied.Queen Minerva took a sip from her glass and began to unveil the secret of my past that had been hidden from me until now.“Asteria is a pack unique from the others. Our pack doesn’t adhere to nature's dependence on male wolves, putting our trust solely in the spirits of nature and ourselves. It has been our way of life since the beginning of time. We do not need a mate, and we procreated through casual sex. As a result, Asteria is given the gift to be connected to nature, and though we do not have magic of our own, we can control and manipulate it mo
SerenaIt had been three years since Damon became the Alpha of the Blood Rose Pack.“That’s all for today. You can now go.”The members of the council nodded their heads as they took their leave. We had just concluded our quarterly meeting, and things were going great so far with the pack.As the Luna, my main task was overseeing the departments, making sure things were running as smoothly as possible. With Damon dealing mainly with pack security and our vassals, administrative tasks were left to my care. It wasn’t easy, especially with a bunch of paperwork involved, yet over time, I learned to get the hang of it.As I was fixing my things, I noticed a white envelope containing an invitation. It was from Alexei and Tori. Little Oliver and Rina were celebrating their third birthday tomorrow, and as their godmother, I wouldn't miss it for the world. In fact, I had already bought gifts for them, which I was excited to give.Just the
Tori’s POV"Where's your Alpha, Ollie? He promised to stick by me, but he's nowhere in sight!" I complained to the Beta of Wolf Valley, holding my big belly that looked like I'd swallowed a watermelon. No surprise, 'cause I'm carrying Alexei’s twins."Chill, Tori! The Alpha will be here soon. He's on his way," Ollie reassured, though he looked pale and about to faint."Goddess, I'm gonna give that guy a piece of my mind! Swear to the moon deity, never sleeping with him again!" I said, feeling another pain. Lia, my sweet sister-in-law, helped me sit."My nephews are ready to meet the world, Tori. Let me help you deliver them," Lia encouraged, touching my belly. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at her. I gritted my teeth through the pain. My twins wanted out, but I wouldn't let them out until their dad was here. We promised each other that he would be by my side during my delivery. But where the heck was he?"Come on, Tori. Don't be stubborn. Your
Serena"I hereby convene the official council meeting of the Blood Rose Pack."The moment Damon's authoritative voice echoed through the room, every pair of eyes shifted towards him, signaling the commencement of the assembly. I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride witnessing him in action, orchestrating the council with a confidence that reflected his newfound status as the alpha."I sent a notice to all council members on time, and it will be kept as part of today's meeting records. Lannie, do we have enough members for a quorum?" Damon asked, looking at his secretary.She nodded in confirmation, presenting a folder containing the details of the agenda for today. I noticed that everyone already had their copies neatly arranged before Damon's arrival. As he perused the contents, Lannie began reciting the names of the council members, a routine task in these gatherings.Even though Damon had led many council meetings before, today felt different. I could
SerenaI hurried to the location of Moonlight Hills, almost stumbling over the rocks beneath my feet. Time was running out, and I needed to reach the site before it was too late. The Trial of the Moon was expected to end in death, and while I hoped it would be Romin, a part of me worried for Damon.“Hurry, Serena! Damon needs you!” The voice of my wolf echoed in my head, adding to the weight of my concern. The twilight's cold breeze stung my skin, but the chill inside me was more unsettling. I shouldn't have left Damon. I shouldn't have abandoned him when he was lost and needed me the most.What if it's too late to reach him now?Tears threatened to escape, and I hastily wiped them away. Running down the hill, I resisted the urge to let out a loud sob. This wasn't the time to cry. Blood Rose needed me, and I was determined not to let them down.Climbing a large boulder, I tried to witness the ongoing fight. Scanning the ground, I spotted the pack. People clustered tog
DamonEarlier today, I asked the moon goddess earnestly to show us kindness. I begged her to free the Blood Rose pack from Romin's control. Now, I was in this situation, and I could no longer turn my back.We were in a very special place, Moonlight Hills, where our ancestors used to settle their problems under the Trial of the Moon. The people of Blood Rose gathered to watch this fight, knowing it would only end when one of us was no longer alive. But I didn't feel bad about it. Romin had done many bad things in his life, and just sending him away or putting him in prison wouldn't be enough. Taking away what he wanted the most, the Alpha seat of Blood Rose, seemed like a fair way to seek justice. But of course, the plan was to kill him, knowing that he would continue to torment our lives if I would let him live after this.Finally, a shofar, an instrument made from a ram's horn, was blown, the signal we were waiting for to start the fight.Romin's transformation into his
SerenaAs I ran, tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision. The family I hoped would love me had shattered my world, revealing their role in making my life feel like a living nightmare.Beta Janus, once a figure I considered a father, now fueled my hatred. He separated me and my mom from our group, leading us to the sinister Mathide, the source of all my troubles. Then there was Romin, driven by a relentless desire for power, who betrayed his own twin, causing chaos, especially for Damon and our pack. Thoughts of them stirred a potent hatred within me.Amidst this turmoil, I couldn't contain my emotions any longer. I shouted, causing Ashford and the other she-wolves with me to halt. Power surged through me, and Remus, the eerie voice in my head, smiled.“You’re ready, Serena. It is time to claim your destiny,” he whispered with pride. The words only fueled my desire, and I couldn't help but be thankful for him.Still in our wolf form,
DamonThe Trial of the Moon, an ancient rite, held the promise of revelation through a fight to the death among wolves. It was an old way to settle disputes between high-ranking wolves, and the last of its kind was done almost 300 years ago.Romin, with a scoff, ridiculed the gravity of the tradition.“The Trial of the Moon? You want to settle this matter through that ancient tradition?” he mocked, his laughter echoing through the stillness.Erik, a former Delta, stood unwavering in his defense. “Why not? If that is the only way for your treachery to be discovered. Under this trial, the moon goddess will surely favor that one that is telling the truth. And I am confident that after this, Damon will emerge victorious.”Romin's amusement soured, replaced by impatience. “Joke time’s over. Time to end this madness.” He signaled his men to attack, plunging the surroundings into an imminent clash.As the tension in th
DamonRomin's sneer deepened, his eyes gleaming with a cunning spark. He poked at me, stirring up the already charged atmosphere."Your father? But I am your father. I didn’t steal anything from you. In fact, you owed me everything, even your life."I felt a surge of anger and disbelief, my fists clenching involuntarily. Romin's manipulation cut deep, and the crowd's murmur intensified, torn between allegiance and doubt. His deceitful words echoed in my ears, adding a layer of personal betrayal to the growing conflict.The crowd buzzed with confusion; conversations exchanged like hidden secrets. I retorted, a self-assured smirk dancing on my lips, "I am not mistaken, FATHER. Or should I say, Uncle Romin?"The words lingered, like a sudden jolt of electricity zipping through the group. The onlookers wore expressions of curiosity, their eyes reflecting unspoken questions bouncing around in their minds. Some, more seasoned, pieced together the puzzle fast
AlexeiThe night air was thick with tension as we stormed the pack house. Shadows danced along the walls as we moved swiftly, with our mission occupying our thoughts. Damon, determined as ever, began his climb to the balcony where Romin awaited.I could hear the echoes of my wolf spirit, a growling reminder of the atrocities Romin had committed. The desire to personally punish him burned within me, but I knew it was Damon's right, given the role Romin played in his tragic past.I found myself in the west wing, facing down guards one floor below the impending confrontation. The clash of fur and fang echoed in the air, punctuated by the occasional howl and the thud of bodies hitting the floor under the silence of the night. The plan was clear – my team and I had decided to scatter, each of us taking a different route to maximize the chaos and take down as many guards as possible.As I maneuvered through the dimly lit corridors of the west wing, I encountered