ROMAN______I stood in the ruins of my fortress, watching as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the destruction in a sickly golden hue. The metallic stench of blood hung thick in the air, mixing with the acrid tang of smoke and the bitter scent of ash. My hands were still sticky with Cassandra's blood, though the bitch had managed to escape in the chaos. Fifteen dead. Fifteen of my wolves lay cold and still, their bodies being gathered by survivors with solemn, careful hands. Another thirty were wounded— some critically. The eastern wall was partly destroyed, the infirmary collapsed, and parts of the main hall were still burning despite the efforts to put out the flames. But none of that destruction, none of those losses, compared to the hollowness in my chest as I watched Mirabelle cradle her sister's lifeless body. She hadn't moved from that spot in hours. Hadn't let anyone near her except for that one fleeting moment when she'd broken down in my arms,
KIERAN ______ I spent another sleepless night in the archives, surrounded by ancient texts and scrolls. The siege had left us all shaken, but something about Belle's power during the battle— that flash of light she'd used against one of Cassandra's wolves – kept nagging at me. I'd seen something like it before, buried in the oldest prophecies, whispered in the legends passed down through the generations. The flickering light of the lantern cast long, dancing shadows on the walls as I poured over the brittle pages. My fingers trembled as I traced the faded writing on a particularly old manuscript. The words seemed to leap out at me, the meaning clicking into place like a puzzle piece I'd been missing all along. "Goodness gracious!" I whispered, my heart racing. The pieces were finally falling into place. The door creaked open behind me, and I looked up sharply. Mirabelle stood there in the doorway, her face pale and drawn, dark circles under her eyes. She looked like she hadn
No one said a thing, the words pressing down on all of us. Roman's jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "I don't believe in fate." he growled. "And I won't force anyone to be bound to me." Mirabelle laughed bitterly. "For once, we agree on something." But I couldn't just let this go. "There's something else you both need to know," I said, pulling out another scroll. This one was more recent, detailing a vision I’d had just days ago. Roman's eyes narrowed. "What now?" "The water supply..." I said, my voice grim. "Someone's going to poison it. I saw it in a vision. I don't know who, but it's coming soon." "Fucking perfect," Roman muttered, running a hand through his hair. "More problems." Belle crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "How convenient that you're suddenly having visions about everything. What's next? Going to predict how many pups the pack will have next spring?" I ignored the jab. "I know it's a lot to take in. But ignoring this won't ma
MIRABELLE _______ I stormed through the fortress halls, my grief and rage burning like acid in my veins. Every heavy step echoed off the cold stone walls, each sound a cruel reminder of the silence that now lingered within my heart. The memory of Adeline's lifeless body, her blood staining the courtyard stones, haunted every breath I took. My mother's necklace— the one I'd given her— felt heavy around my neck now, a constant reminder of my failure to protect her. "Mirabelle wait!" Roman's deep voice reverberated behind me, his footsteps quickening to catch up. "Please just let me explain!" "Explain what?!" I whirled around, the rage in my chest finally erupting as my voice cracked with fury. "How you dragged me into this fucking mess? How my little sister is dead because of your goddamn war?" Roman froze a few steps away, his chest heaving as if he'd run miles to catch me. His face was etched with guilt and something else— something raw, desperate. I'd never seen him look like
"She was just a child..." I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper. "She didn't deserve this.""No, she didn't," Roman agreed, his own voice rough with emotion. "And I'll carry that guilt for the rest of my life."I pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at his face. His expression was raw, unguarded. For the first time, I saw the weight he carried— the burden of leadership, the scars of his past, and now, the grief he shared with me. "I should have protected her..." I whispered. "Im her big sister. I was supposed to keep her safe!"Roman's chest rumbled as he spoke. "You can't blame yourself for Cassandra’s actions. That bitch will pay for what she's done— I swear it."Cassandra. Her name alone was enough to ignite a fresh wave of anger in me. She was the one who'd sent her assassins to attack Shadowfang, the one who'd orchestrated the chaos that had claimed Adeline's life. But revenge wouldn't bring her back. "I don't want revenge...I just ...want my sister back." I
CASSANDRA_________The mountain winds howled through the Bloodsear Highlands, sharp and biting against my skin. The jagged peaks loomed around us, their snow-capped tips cutting into the bruised sky like the teeth of a predator. My gaze lingered on the horizon as I watched Darius pace before me, his insecurity rolling off him in waves. For all his posturing and pride, he was nothing more than a weak Alpha trying to play in the big leagues. Perfect for manipulation. "Are you certain Shadowfang's defenses are as vulnerable as your spy claims?" he demanded, his tone laced with doubt. He ran a hand through his unkempt dark hair, his golden eyes flickering nervously. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Darius had power, yes, but he lacked the cunning to wield it properly. That was why he needed me. "Lila has proven herself useful," I said smoothly, keeping my voice calm and measured. "The northern wall is their weakest point, and their patrol patterns are predictable. Roman's grown
ROMAN______The morning sun cast long shadows across the training grounds as I stood on the slope overlooking my pack. Every muscle in my body felt taut, coiled like a spring about to snap. Below, wolves snapped orders, sparred, and prepared for what was coming. Despite the show of discipline, the stench of fear and uncertainty hung heavy in the air. It mixed with the metallic tang of blood still lingering from our most recent losses. Losses we couldn't afford. I inhaled deeply, letting the cool morning air fill my lungs, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. Fuck. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly? "Alpha," Elijah's voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see him striding toward me, his usual confident demeanor weighed down by exhaustion. His dark hair hung limp, streaked with sweat and dirt, and his shoulders sagged in a way that spoke of too many sleepless nights. "The eastern border patrol has returned," he said, keeping his tone steady. "No sign of C
For a moment, no one moved. The only sounds were Gregor's labored breathing and the distant rustle of leaves in the wind. Then, slowly, I stood, blood dripping from my split lip. I turned to face the gathered wolves, my gaze sweeping over them like a storm. "Anyone else want to challenge my leadership?" Silence. Just silence. Satisfied, I turned and stalked away, leaving Gregor to be dragged off by his loyalists. Later that evening, I stood in my office, staring out the window at the setting sun. The sky was painted in hues of red and gold, a stark contrast to the darkness that weighed heavy on my mind. The scent of Belle lingered faintly in the hallway outside, a cruel reminder of her absence. She'd been avoiding me since Adeline's funeral, and I couldn't blame her. How could I, when her sister's blood was on my hands? "The scouts have returned from the western territories." Elijah said as he entered the room without knocking. He was one of the few who could get away with t
The soft ligh of the full moon bathed the gardens in silver light as I stood by the fountain, my fingers trailing through the cool water. six months. Six months had passed since the final battle, since we'd driven Cassandra into exile and brought peace to Shadowfang. Sometimes it still felt surreal, like a dream I might wake from at any moment.I touched the silver necklace at my throat, the one that had belonged to my mother, then Adelne. Though the pain of losing my sister would never fully fade, I'd learned to carry it differently now. The weight of it had transformed from a burden into a reminder of why we fought so hard for peace."There you are." Roman's deep voice came from behind me. Even now, after all these months together, his presence still sent a shiver down my spine.I turned to face him, drinking in the sight of him. He'd foregone his usual battle-ready attire for something softer, a simple black shirt that clung to his muscled chest and dark pants. His dark hair was
"It's beautiful." I breathed, leaning against him as we stood among the moonlit flowers. "Stay with me." Roman said suddenly, turning to face me. His eyes were intense, vulnnerable in a way I rarely saw. "Not as my healer, not because of duty or prophecy. Stay because you want to. Because this— us, it's real." My heart thundered in my chest. "Roman..." "I know I fucked up." he continued, his voice raw with emotion. "I know I hurt you, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make that right. But Belle," he cupped my face in his hands, his calloused thumbs gently stroking my cheeks "I can't imagine my life without you in it anymore. These past few days, watching you lie there so still... it nearly broke me." Tears pricked at my eyes as memories flooded back, Adeline's sweet face, the anger and pain that had consumed me after her death, the way I'd lashed out at Roman. But I also remembered his patience, his gradual transformation from the cold Alpha to the man who h
My eyelids felt heavy as consciousness slowly returned, like wading through a. thick fog. The familiar scent of herbs and healing balms filled my nostrils, mixed with something else— something distinctly masculine and comforting that made my heart flutter. Roman. I blinked several times, adjusting to the soft candlelight that illuminated the infirmary. My body ached, but it wasn't the sharp, devastating pain I remembered from channeling my Lunar Soul powers. This was more like the dull throb of healing muscles, a reminder that I was still alive. "Hey there little healer." Roman's deep voice came from beside me, rough with exhaustion but warm with affection. I turned my head to find him sitting in a chair next to my bed, his large hand enveloping mine. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his usually neat hair was disheveled as if he'd been running his fingers through it repeatedly. His clothes were wrinkled, suggesting he hadn't changed in days. "You look terrible," I managed to
The sight of him hurt, bloodied and struggling, triggered something deep and primal inside me. Heat surged through my chest, different from the destructive power I had felt earlier. This was something new....something pure. Without thinking, I raised my trembling hands and reached toward him. Light. Bright and blinding. It flowed from my fingertips, enveloping Roman in a golden glow. He froze for a moment, his head snapping toward me in shock, but I couldn't stop. The light wrapped around him, seeping into his body, and as I watched, his wounds began to knit themselves together. The gashes on his face closed, the blood disappearing as if it had never been there. Roman’s eyes blazed with renewed strength, and he let out a roar— half-wolf, half-man— as he turned back to Cassandra. "NO!!!!" Cassandra shrieked, her voice high and panicked. She lunged at me, her movements wild and desperate, but Roman was faster. He intercepted her mid-leap, his massive jaws closing around
MIRABELLE ---------I collapsed to my knees as Lucien's body disintegrated, the power draining from me like blood from a mortal wound. My entire body trembled, my hands shaking violently as I tried to steady them. The taste of copper filled my mouth, sharp and metallic, but satisfaction coursed through my veins like a balm to my soul. Adeline had been avenged.The weight of her death, the endless nights of guilt and grief, lifted from my shoulders— if only slightly.But the cost was high. I could barely breathe, barely think, as the energy I had summoned to end Lucien left me hollow. The wind carried the acrid scent of blood and ash, the battlefield around me littered with bodies of rogues and allies alike. It was chaos, pure and unrelenting, but I couldn’t bring myself to look away from the spot where Lucien had stood moments before. There was nothing left of him now— just ash swirling in the cold air."Belle!"Roman’s voice cut through the din, sharp and commanding, but tinged w
Through the mayhem, I caught glimpses of my pack fighting with everything they had. Elijah, my Beta, was a blur of motion, his massive gray wolf ripping through rogues with deadly precision. Fenrir, the once-mistrusted rogue who'd proven his loyalty time and time again, stood guard over the infirmary entrance where Belle worked. His hulking form was a wall of muscle and fur, and any rogue foolish enough to approach him was quickly dispatched. I spun, dodging the snapping jaws of a rogue before sinking my teeth into his throat. His gurgled scream was cut short as I tore him apart, my wolf howling in triumph. But there was no time to revel in the kill. More were coming. "ROMAN!!" Cassandra's voice cut through the carnage like a blade. I turned, my eyes narrowing as I spotted her atop a pile of bodies, her silver hair matted with blood, her eyes wild with hatred. She was in her human form, her slender frame deceptively fragile-looking as she surveyed the battlefield with a cruel smi
ROMAN-------The stench of blood and ash filled my nostrils as I stood at the fortress gates, watching the horizon darken with approaching rogues. My heart pounded against my chest, not from fear, but from rage. Belle stood beside me, her fingers intertwined with mine, the silver necklace glinting at her throat. That necklace was more than just a keepsake—it was a symbol of everything we'd lost, and everything we were about to protect. "They're coming" I growled, feeling my wolf stir restlessly beneath my skin. My claws itched to emerge, my body vibrating with the need to fight. "At least five hundred of them." Belle squeezed my hand, her grip stronger than I expected. "We're ready." Her voice was steel now, so different from the frightened healer who'd first arrived at Shadowfang. The past months had hardened her, shaped her into something fierce and unstoppable. She wasn’t just a healer anymore—she was a warrior in her own right, though she’d never admit it. I turned to her
His kisses continued downward, his hands sliding over my hips as he hooked his fingers into the waistband of my pants. He paused, looking up at me for permission, and I nodded, lifting my hips to help him pull them off. His eyes burned as they roamed over me, now nearly bare before him."You're perfect," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Every inch of you."Heat coiled low in my belly as he pressed a kiss to the inside of my thigh, his stubble scraping against my sensitive skin in a way that made me gasp. He kissed his way higher, his hands gently parting my legs, and when his lips brushed against the thin fabric of my underwear, I couldn’t stop the moan that escaped me."Roman..." I whispered, my voice shaky with both nerves and anticipation."I’ve got you," he said softly, his hands stroking my thighs in reassurance. "Just let me take care of you."He pulled my underwear down slowly, his gaze never leaving mine as he bared me completely to him. I felt vulnerable, exposed, bu
MIRABELLE_______I stood at my bedroom window, watching the storm clouds gather overhead. The prophecy echoed in my mind, each word feeling like a physical weight on my chest. My fingers traced Adeline's necklace, remembering her smile, her laugh, her final moments.A knock at my door broke through my thoughts. I knew who it was before he even spoke."Belle" Roman's voice was rough with emotion. "Please let me in."I considered ignoring him, but my feet moved of their own accord. When I opened the door, he looked wrecked. His usually perfect hair was disheveled, like he'd been running his hands through it repeatedly, and his eyes held a desperate intensity that made my heart clench."You can't do this," he said immediately, stepping into my room and closing the door. "I won't let you sacrifice yourself.""It's not your choice to make." I replied softly, turning back to the window. "You heard Kieran. It has to be my decision.""Fuck the prophecy!!" He grabbed my arm, spinning me to f