Raven’s voice had that same smooth, confident tone it always had, when she showed up at Lycia’s door that night. The moonlight outlined her figure, making her look as sharp and as imposing as ever. “Still living in this dump I see?" she sneered, her lips twisting into that smug, self-satisfied grin that made Lycia’s blood boil every time she saw it.Lycia’s breath caught in her throat, and her chest tightened as a wave of resentment started to build up inside of her. It was like a sharp, jagged pain, and it felt impossible for her to ignore. The anger and frustration that had built up, lingered just beneath the surface, threatening to break free. There she was, Raven. The woman who had once held her heart with such tender ease, only to crush it as if it had never mattered. Raven had always been like that; elegant, untouchable, and effortlessly in control, as if she moved in a world above Lycia’s understanding. Lycia had spent years trying to claw her way out of Raven’s dark and shado
And as Raven’s figure disappeared into the night, Lycia braced herself for what came next.They met the next night in an old, abandoned warehouse. The place smelled of rust and rot, and every step she took seemed to echo loudly, breaking the heavy, eerie stillness around her. A single bulb dangled from the ceiling, fluctuating, going on and off, and making the shadows on the cracked walls dance and shift. The atmosphere felt uneasy, as though the building itself held secrets of its own. Lycia stood by a worn out, unsteady table, carefully laying out the blueprints of Deveraux mansion. Her hands moved with surprising calmness, even though her mind was filled with lots doubt and worry.That morning, Jack had been in a much worse state. His coughs were sounding deeper and harsher, like they were coming from somewhere deep inside his chest, and his face was pale and tired, with dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign of exhaustion and sleepless nights.Lycia had stayed by his side for a
The room was dimly lit, with a single candle flickering on a nearby table, its unsteady glow created dancing shadows on the rough stone walls. Morrigana stood by the tall, arched window, her arms folded tightly across her chest, as if she was trying to contain the storm of emotions brewing inside of her. The moonlight filtered through the glass window, softly illuminating her sharp features, making her expression seem even colder.Outside, the pack’s territory stretched out before her, quiet and still, but it was a false sense of peace. The day had been full of chaos, and though everything now seemed calm, she knew it wouldn’t last. Something about that calm felt wrong, like the silence before a storm.Her fingers were tapping steadily against her arm, the sound soft but constant, a reflection of the storm that was raging in her mind. Thoughts twisted and turned, spiraling endlessly like a wheel she couldn’t stop. She hated this particular feeling, like this growing unease that clung
Leaving Lycia alone, Cove goes to his study for a quiet moment, to think. Cove sat alone in his study, the only light illuminating his study was from the low burning lantern on his desk. The room was silent except for the steady ticking of the clock that hung on his wall. He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly as he scraped the chair handle with the claw from his index finger, staring deeply at the dim light.His thoughts were restless.This girl.Lycia.A thief, one who had somehow slipped past his guards, maneuvered through his estate; and her accomplice, who had succeeded in taking the key to the most powerful relic ever known to his kind, was nowhere to be found. That alone was infuriating. But what troubled him more was how they had bypassed his security so effortlessly and how much they knew about his mansion enough to head straight for the map without hesitation. Someone had fed them information. Someone had helped them.Someone closed. An imposter; so Cove believes.Cove’
"My security had been compromised," Cove announced, his voice deep and edged with fury. "Thieves had entered into my territory, past my guards, past our defenses, and yet, not a single guard had noticed the intrusion. His words were like a blade, cutting through the tense air. Some of the warriors flinched. Others tightened their jaws, their muscles tightening as they felt a never before experienced force of their Alpha’s anger. Their instincts screamed submission, but even that might not be enough to quell the storm brewing in his eyes. Cove took a slow step forward, his boots pressing into the dirt with a quiet, deliberate force. The movement sent a ripple of tension through the group. "How!" he demanded, his voice a dangerous growl. "How did two girls, two filthy street thieves slip past all of you?" Silence; heavy and unforgiving. The warriors stood frozen, their glowing eyes darting toward one another, searching for an answer; praying someone else would be the first to speak.
……..The tension in the battle training ground seemed to solidify as every Lycan warrior understood the weight of the moment, understanding that they could be facing no ordinary opponent; a force that would stop at nothing to crush them if they failed.The warriors moved into action, a single unified thought running through their minds: there would be no room for mistakes. Not now that their Alpha wasn’t happy with them; not anymore. Every move was calculated, their instincts razor-sharp, not just for the battle that loomed ahead, but for the traitor that was lurking amongst them, an imposter who had betrayed their trust. They were on high alert, knowing that one wrong step could cause the reveal of the enemy hiding in plain sight.……..Cove had returned to his study, his mind still storming with the weight of different possiibilities and the unsettling truths that lurked beneath it. He poured himself a glass of vintage wine, gripping the wine glass tightly as he replayed the day's e
Lycia found herself slung over Cove’s warrior’s back, her wrists tied behind her. The proud defiance she once had was reduced to trembling limbs and labored breaths. A fresh cut on her cheek bled down her jaw, staining her skin as it slowly dripped down towards her chin; a wound she got from the sharp nail of the warrior who had thrown her over his shoulder like a sack of grain.The heavy doors to the throne room swung open with a deafening crash. The warrior stepped forward and dropped Lycia onto the cold stone floor. She hit the ground with a thud, the impact jarring through her bones. But even then, she didn’t look away from Cove, even as they forced her to her knees before him.Cove leaned forward, resting his elbow on the armrest of his throne, he stared into the room. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and deliberate.“You’ve tested my patience long enough.”Lycia swallowed hard, but she didn’t speak. Her silence only fueled the storm brewing in his eyes.With an almost la
The night air was thick with the scent of war and Lycans.The distant howls came first, low, hungry, and unrelenting. Then came the pounding of paws against the earth, a rumble that shook the trees as Derek’s pack descended upon Cove’s territory attacking Cove’s warriors.The warriors stationed at the perimeter barely had time to react before the enemy struck. The gates trembled as massive claws tore into wood, snarls filling the air as the first wave of werewolves breached the defenses.Within the stronghold, Cove’s sharp ears twitched. His gaze darkened as he rose from his war table. He could already sense it, Derek. His scent curled through the wind, thick with fury and desperation.“They're here”Cove growled, already shifting. His bones cracked and stretched, his muscles thickening as dark fur erupted across his skin. His face elongated, jaws widening into a powerful snout as his hands twisted into claws. In mere seconds, the man was gone, replaced by a towering, black-furred bea
His body was failing him, but his mind remained sharp; too sharp for the kind of visitors who were about to darkened his doorstep. Then came the knock. Firm. Confident. Jack wondered who it was before they had opened the door and stepped in. Raven stood there with that damn smirk, leaning against the frame like she belonged there. And beside her, a man Jack had only heard about in whispers; Conan. Cold eyes. A predator’s stance. A presence that felt like death itself had stepped into his home. Jack’s grip tightened on the wooden cane in his hand. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here.” Raven’s smirk widened, but spoke, her voice dripping with mocking innocence. “Just thought we’d drop by since we were in the neighborhood.” Jack let out a dry, mocking chuckle. “Oh, please. You know you don’t have to lie to an old man. What do you want?” Raven stepped a bit closer without consent, her gaze sweeping the room. “Then let’s have a chat, shall we.” “I don’t ch
Morrigana’s breath caught, the words cutting deeper than she’d expected. But she wouldn’t let him see the wound. Instead, she straightened, her nails biting into her skin. “She’s manipulating you,” she hissed. “She’s making you weak.” Cove exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose as if this conversation exhausted him. “She isn’t making me anything, Morrigana.” Morrigana took another step, voice dropping into something darker, something sharp enough to draw blood. “She is nothing, Cove. A thief. A liar. She doesn’t belong here. And the longer you let her stay, the more she will rot everything from the inside out.” Cove’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. So Morrigana pushed further. “You think she won’t betray you?” Her voice turned cruel, slicing like a blade. “She already has. She came here to steal from you. She shoved your hand away in front of everyone. She will turn on you the moment it suits her. And when she does, you’ll regret ever looking at her like she
There was nothing to stop Morrigana from saying what had been clawing at her insides since that moment at the training ground. She found Cove alone in the Alpha’s quarters, standing near the window, his broad shoulders tense. He hadn’t called for her, but that had never stopped her before. Morrigana didn’t waste time. “What the hell was that, Cove?” Cove didn’t turn around. Didn’t even flinch. His voice, when it came, was maddeningly calm. “Be more specific.” Morrigana’s hands curled into fists at her sides. “Don’t play dumb with me, Cove.” Her voice was sharp, cutting. “You carried her. Right in front of the entire pack, Cove.” He exhaled slowly, finally turning to face her. His expression was stern, like his face was carved from stone. “She was injured.” Morrigana laughed, but there was no humor in it. “And since when do you care about that?” She stepped closer, chin lifted, her eyes flashing with anger. “Since when does the mighty Alpha Cove carry people off the battlefield
“You can put me down now,” she muttered, voice quiet but stubborn. Cove didn’t answer. He simply kept walking. Lycia clenched her jaw, forcing herself not to lean into Cove’s warmth. She hated this. Hated the way her body betrayed her, how exhaustion made her weak enough to accept this; even for a second. But then she noticed the direction he was taking, it wasn’t the way to her room; and her frustration shifted to confusion. “We’re not going to your quarters, right?” she asked warily. “No,” he said flatly. A flicker of unease crept in. “Then where…” The answer came when he pushed open a heavy wooden door, and the scent of herbs hit her senses; dried sage, crushed lavender, and the sharp bite of rosemary mingling in the air. Lunara, the pack’s healer, stood in the center of the dimly lit chamber, her violet eyes sharp as she studied them. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of dried herbs, vials of shimmering liquid, and aged scrolls containing knowledge only
[Back at the Training Grounds] Lycia’s breaths came fast, shallow, her chest rising and falling as she held Cove’s gaze. She hated the way he looked at her; like he had already won. Like she was his, whether she wanted to be or not. “You can glare at me all you want, little thief,” Cove murmured, his voice deceptively soft. “But at the end of the day, you still stand where I tell you to.” Lycia scoffed, but the sound lacked its usual bite. Her body still ached from the fight, her strength waning. “I don’t stand anywhere for you.” Cove took a slow, deliberate step closer, his towering presence swallowing the space between them. She tried to move but yelped from pain. “You’re hurt,” he noted, voice low, controlled. “You should’ve let me help you up.” Lycia looked at her ankle. She must have sprained it while trying to dodged Morrigana’s attack. She still lo
The air was still thick with tension.Lycia’s breaths came fast and sharp, her body still burning from the brutal fight she just had with Morrigana. She had dirt clinging to her skin, mixing with sweat and she was clearly too exhausted to care about her looks. The training grounds had fallen into stunned silence, all eyes locked onto her and him.Cove.The Alpha.Cove stood tall before her, his silver eyes looking into hers, unreadable and unwavering. He extended his hand to help her stand up; a help Lycia thought to be a silent command and unspoken order.Lycia didn’t move.Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, jaw tight. Every muscle in her body screamed for rest, but she refused to show weakness. When she finally spoke, her voice was like steel.“I don’t need your help.”Cove’s thoughts didn’t change, but the look on his face showed he clearly was not up for games. For a moment, he simply watched her, as if weighing whether she was worth the patience.Then he exhaled, slow an
The warriors' cheers echo through the training grounds, their roars of excitement vibrate through the earth, a clash of approval and bloodlust that fuels the battle unfolding before them. The sound is deafening, howls growing louder with every second, yet beneath it all, a different kind of weight settles over the onlookers.Lycia’s chest rose and fell, the heat still pulsing through her veins, but something deeper; was stirring inside her.The training ground was no longer just a battlefield. It had become an altar, and she was standing at its center, something sacred and cursed in the same breath. The whispers of the Lycans had died out, replaced by stunned silence, their bodies tense, and their instincts screaming at them to recognize the shift in power.Then Morrigana moved.With a wild snarl, Morrigana charged. No tricks, no games; just pure rage.Lycia barely had time to react before they crashed into each ot
Lycia felt the shift in the moment she walked into the training ground. The air was thick with unspoken tension, pressing down on her like a weight. Conversations quieted as she entered, but the stares remained; lingering, calculating.Raven’s presence still clung to her like a ghost, her touch, her voice, the unsettling promises she had whispered. She could hear the hushed whispers, see the way people turned to each other, speaking just low enough that she couldn’t catch the words. But she didn’t need to. The cautious glances, the wariness in their eyes, told her everything.Raven’s words had already spread like wildfire, poisoning the air around her. Lycia forced herself to move forward, head high, steps steady. She had survived Raven’s games. Now, she had to survive this.“She doesn’t belong here.” The words slithered through the air, hushed yet sharp, spoken by a woman with narrowed eyes and lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. Her fingers curled around the edge of her cloa
A few weeks had gone by, yet the memory of what she had experienced with Maya still lingered in Lycia’s mind. It wasn’t just a warning; it was a certainty, and she was sure of it. Something was coming, something far greater than she could comprehend. And if she wasn’t ready, if she couldn’t control the storm brewing inside her, the consequences would be disastrous.But she couldn’t share it. Not with anyone, as of that moment she couldn’t trust anyone.The weight of it pressed down on her, a secret she had to bear alone. No one would understand, not truly. And even if they did, what could they do? This was her fight, her burden as Maya had said.She found herself walking through the vast estate, wandering into the forest. It was much more silent, all she could hear was the rustling of leaves beneath her boots. The moon’s light filtered through the flora canopy, casting silver streaks across the clearing where she trained alone. Every night, she came here, pushing herself, trying to co