Tiara's POVI watched from a distance as Alpha Nicholas spoke to a group of warriors near the training grounds. His stance was rigid, his expression serious as he gave orders. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but I knew—he was investigating.Since I told him about Luna Victoria, he had wasted no time. Warriors now patrolled areas they never checked before. Border patrols changed shifts more frequently. Guards moved in pairs, watching for anything unusual.Something was happening.And Luna Victoria knew it too.I noticed the way she watched me now. The way she whispered to Phoebe, her lips curled in disapproval.Earlier that morning, I had been passing through the courtyard when I heard them.“She knows something,” Luna Victoria muttered. “I don’t know how, but she does.”Phoebe smirked. “What do you want me to do?”“Keep an eye on her. If she makes one wrong move, tell me immediately.”I paused, my breath catching in my throat.Phoebe didn’t hide things well.And true to her nature
Tiara's POVMy body ached as I moved through the broken halls of the pack house, my steps careful as I listened to the chaos outside. The battle had spread beyond the borders. Growls and cries echoed through the night, blending with the clash of claws and teeth.I wasn’t supposed to be here.But something pulled me in.An instinct I couldn’t ignore.Something felt wrong.I stepped over a shattered chair, pressing my back against the cold stone wall as I peered around the corner. My breath hitched.A man—one of our guards.A trusted warrior.Leading an enemy wolf.My stomach twisted.I didn’t move.The rogue followed closely behind him, its posture too relaxed—like it knew it was being protected.I inhaled sharply, willing my mind to process what I was seeing.A traitor.I watched as the guard stopped near a section of the wall. He pressed his palm against it, and to my horror, a hidden passage opened, revealing a dark tunnel leading deeper into the pack house.How long had this been h
Alpha Nicholas’s POVI stood in the great hall, surrounded by power and deception and my own fear. The air was tense.Alpha Nicholas had been quiet for too long. He had been watching, waiting, gathering proof. And now, he was ready to act.Luna Victoria stood tall, her expression carefully neutral, but there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. Phoebe was less composed, arms crossed, irritation clear on her face. My father sat in his chair, his injuries still fresh, a deep frown set into his face.Alpha Nicholas finally moved, stepping forward. His voice was steady, but it carried a quiet force that demanded attention.“I know the truth,” he said.No one spoke.He looked at Luna Victoria. “You have been working against your own pack. You and those loyal to you have been feeding information to our enemies. The rogue attacks were not random.”A murmur spread through the gathered wolves. Some warriors shifted uncomfortably. Others stood still, waiting.Luna Victoria’s lips parted, but
Tiara’s POVThe sun had barely risen when we left MoonCrown. The air was cool, filled with the damp scent of dew-covered earth. My heart felt heavy as I sat behind Nicholas on his large black stallion, gripping the saddle awkwardly.I didn’t know where I belonged anymore.MoonCrown had never been home, but it was all I had ever known. Now, I was leaving it behind, stepping into a future I didn’t fully understand. The only thing I knew for sure was that Nicholas had chosen to take me with him and in that moment, there couldn't have been a better option.His back was straight, his posture unwavering as he led our small group forward. His scent—something deep and woodsy—was unavoidable this close. Every time the horse moved beneath us, my knees bumped against his thighs, and my fingers twitched as they hovered just above his waist. I didn’t dare hold onto him fully, even though the ride was far from smooth.The warriors behind us rode in tense silence. They weren’t MoonCrown wolves. Thes
Tiara’s POVThe journey to ForestHowl felt endless. My body ached from riding for so long, and my thoughts were just as restless as my limbs. I had no idea what to expect once we arrived. Would they allow me inside? Would they accept me? Or would I be thrown out the moment Nicholas decided he had done enough for me?The warriors escorting us hardly spoke, but their presence was a constant reminder that I didn’t belong. Every time I glanced back, I saw them watching—not with anger, but with something else. Something unreadable.When we finally approached the borders of ForestHowl’s territory, the trees grew denser, towering over us like silent guards. The air was cooler, fresher, carrying the faintest scent of pine. The moment we passed into their land, I held my breath.Then, I saw them.Warriors stood at the edge of the trees, their figures blending into the landscape. They were waiting. My stomach clenched as they stepped forward, eyes scanning the group. They were dressed in dark l
Tiara’s POVThe journey to ForestHowl felt endless. My body ached from riding for so long, and my thoughts were just as restless as my limbs. I had no idea what to expect once we arrived. Would they allow me inside? Would they accept me? Or would I be thrown out the moment Nicholas decided he had done enough for me?The warriors escorting us hardly spoke, but their presence was a constant reminder that I didn’t belong. Every time I glanced back, I saw them watching—not with anger, but with something else. Something unreadable.When we finally approached the borders of ForestHowl’s territory, the trees grew denser, towering over us like silent guards. The air was cooler, fresher, carrying the faintest scent of pine. The moment we passed into their land, I held my breath.Then, I saw them.Warriors stood at the edge of the trees, their figures blending into the landscape. They were waiting. My stomach clenched as they stepped forward, eyes scanning the group. They were dressed in dark l
Tiara’s POVThe morning arrived quickly. I woke up before the sun fully rose, just as I always had. My body had learned to rise early, long before anyone could come and call for me. Even now, in this unfamiliar place, the habit stayed.I sat up, blinking away sleep, momentarily disoriented by the softness of the bed beneath me. It still didn’t feel real, this room, this space. It wasn’t mine. It never could be.I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood. The wooden floor was cool under my feet. I reached for the clothes I had worn the day before, quickly smoothing the fabric and tying my hair back. There was work to do—there was always work to do.The pack house was large, and I didn’t know my way around yet, but I could guess. Every pack had a similar layout. The kitchen would be near the back, close to the storage rooms and easy to access for those who worked there.I moved quietly, stepping out of my room and into the hallway. The house was still waking up, and I passed onl
Phoebe’s POVThe room was too quiet, and it made me restless. I hated the silence. It let my mind wander, let the thoughts creep in, and I didn’t want to think about any of it. My mother had been keeping to her room winde Tiara had been taken away and I didn't know how to deal with that. She was usually the one I went to on days like this. She was the one who would know what to say to help my mind stay at ease. She was the one who would suggest the next line of action to me on days like this. But now that she was mostly in her room, she was acting defeated, as if there was nothing we could do about the current situation of things.I paced in front of my vanity, arms folded, lips pressed together so tightly they hurt. Anger simmered under my skin, getting hotter, ready to boil over.Tiara was gone.But not just gone. She had been taken.Under Alpha Nicholas’s protection.The words made my stomach turn.I threw myself onto the chair in front of the vanity and gripped the edge of the tab
Tiara’s POV I was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine. We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house. I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt. Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way. Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit. Jealousy. I said nothing a
Tiara’s POV I was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine. We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house. I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt. Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way. Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit. Jealousy. I said nothing a
Tiara’s POV I was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine. We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house. I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt. Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way. Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit. Jealousy. I said nothing at first
Tiara’s POVI was still getting myself familiar with the ForestHowl pack house. It was my new home and I didn't want to leave things to chance. Once, Nina and I had had our walk around the pack house and had discovered an old mine within the pack house. There was a small door that led directly to the abandoned mine.We didn't do anything about this knowledge. We were simply satisfied that we knew this. There was a lot more to learn and the presence of Phoebe and my step mother didn't stop my evening tours around the pack house.I walked down the hall, looking at both sides of the far walls as I went. And then suddenly, I came to a sudden halt.Phoebe stood in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, blocking my way.Unlike earlier, there was no fake kindness in her expression. She did not bother with polite smiles or forced sweetness. Her true feelings were on full display—disdain, irritation, and something else she probably did not want to admit.Jealousy.I said nothing at first, simpl
Tiara’s POVNina and I had not talked about Luna Victoria and Phoebe again after she'd left us. She didn't ask me what they'd talked about after she left. Knowing Nina, she had probably guessed correctly on what they'd talked about.The pack was at peace, yet, despite the peaceful surroundings, my attention was drawn to something far less pleasant—Phoebe.She had spent the entire morning lingering near Nicholas, her presence as persistent as a mosquito that refused to be swatted away.Everywhere he went, she was there.She followed him through the training grounds, standing just outside the sparring ring as he observed his warriors. She loitered near the pack house, pretending to admire the grand structure while stealing glances at him. During meals, she made sure to sit as close as possible, her voice sugary sweet as she tried to pull him into conversation.It was obvious what she was doing.She was trying to win him over.She laughed at things that were barely amusing, her voice lig
Tiara’s POVPhoebe and Luna Victoria were in ForestHowl as unexpected guests.I had not seen them yet, but I knew they were here. Their presence was not something that could go unnoticed. Even without meeting them, I could already feel their intentions.They had come with smiles, with carefully chosen words, but I knew the truth.They wanted to see me. And they wanted to see Nina.When Nicholas called for me that morning, I had already expected it.“They asked to see you both,” he said, standing near the large window of his office. His voice was steady, calm. “They claim they want to make sure you are at peace.”I did not react immediately, letting the words settle.Nicholas watched me, his expression unreadable. “I told them they could.”A part of me wanted to scoff at their sudden concern. I had lived in MoonCrown for years. Not once had they ever looked at me with kindness. Now, after all that had happened, they wanted to check on me?But I did not let my emotions show.Nicholas le
Phoebe’s POV The journey to ForestHowl was exhausting and I clung to my mother all through the journey. I was weaker alone than I thought. It was different from MoonCrown—less refined, less structured. But there was a certain strength in it, a quiet but undeniable power. As the pack house came into view, I took a slow breath. It was large, though not in the same way as ours. MoonCrown’s pack house was elegant, built for nobility. This one was built for warriors. Strong, sturdy, and meant to last. The guards at the entrance were already expecting us. Their eyes held no curiosity, no hesitation. They were disciplined and well-trained, standing firm as we approached. One of them, a tall man with sharp features, stepped forward. “Luna Victoria. Phoebe. Alpha Nicholas is expecting you.” His tone was polite but distant. No warmth. No hint of welcome. My mother gave a small smile, her expression perfectly arranged to show humility. “Thank you. We appreciate his hospitality.” The guard
Phoebe’s POVI walked beside my mother through the quiet hallways of the pack house, my steps light against the polished wooden floors. The air carried the scent of burning wood and freshly brewed tea, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were elsewhere, focused entirely on what lay ahead.Everything depended on this meeting. If we failed to convince my father, Alpha Darius, all our efforts would be for nothing. Our plans would crumble before they could even begin. We had rehearsed our words repeatedly, ensuring that we sounded as genuine as possible. If there was even a hint of dishonesty, Alpha Darius would catch it. He was sharp, and he was not easily deceived. But then, I trusted my mother. Over the years, I'd seen how she easily manipulated him. Sometimes it was glaring that she was manipulating him, but he would let her have her way. I'd always loved that my mother was constantly on the winning end. There was nothing she ever asked of him that he didn't do for her, or simply give
Phoebe’s POVI stormed into my mother’s room, barely holding back my frustration. My chest felt tight with anger, and I could feel my nails digging into my palms as I clenched my fists. The very thought of Alpha Nicholas taking Nina away made my blood boil, bud I was living that reality. She had been whisked off to go and be with Tiara in their new paradise and I couldn't think of anything more disgusting and annoying. I had worked too hard, endured too much, only to watch things slip from my control. More than ever, it seemed my mother was doing nothing to change how things had suddenly gone. My mother sat in her chair near the window, dressed in her usual elegant robes, her expression unreadable. She was always calm these days, always composed, but I knew she was just as furious as I was. She hated losing and this was our loss. "I can’t believe this!" I blurted, pacing the room. "How could he take Nina? How could father, of the MoonCrown pack allow it? She belongs in MoonCrown!"