The only sound in her chamber now was the faint crackling of the dying fire, and the silence was oppressive. Lycia sat slowly on the bed's edge, her mind churning with many ideas. As a reminder that she had once again been made to do something she didn't want to do, the food in her stomach churned awkwardly. She detested him for manipulating her will and giving the impression that she didn't own herself, unlike him. She detested the fear that was tearing at her chest more than anything else. The door creaked open once more, but this time it wasn’t the sound of a servant or a guard coming to give her food; it was him. This time, there was no food tray or any attempt to act polite. This time, things were going to be different. He wasn’t here to play along with her rules, tiptoe around the issue, or leave her wondering what he meant. He was here to take control and make everything crystal clear. His intentions were clear in the sharpness of his movements, as he walked in to the room, wi
With Cove's icy rejection still fresh in Morrigana’s memory, Morrigana was furious as she exited the big hall. She was angry because Cove was becoming more and more fixated with the so called thief, Lycia. His sudden obsession with the thief, Lycia, was growing by the day, and it made her more infuriated. She couldn’t understand what made this girl so special or why Cove seemed to be so reluctant to deal with her as he would any other intruder. She was baffled by the girl’s ability to stir something in Cove, something that made him hesitant, something that Morrigana had never seen before. It wasn’t just Lycia’s skill or her audacity; there was something about Lycia that had thrown Cove off balance, and Morrigana hated it. To her, Lycia was nothing but a distraction to her plans, a frightened thief. Yet somehow, she had managed to wedge herself into a place no one else had dared to occupy, one she has been trying to occupy for years.As she stalked through the dark hallways, her boots
The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension, as if the air itself was charged. Lycia and Morrigana stood motionless, their eyes wide, each of them unsure of what would happen next. The sound of Cove's powerful voice thundered through the room, loud enough to cut through the noise around them, sharp and commanding. His gaze shifted quickly from Morrigana to Lycia, his face a mix of rage, confusion, and an emotion that almost seemed like he was worried. It was as though he was trying to understand what was going on, torn between his anger and the deeper concern he felt."What do you think you're doing, Morrigana?" Cove shouted, his tone was sharp and commanding as he marched toward her. His eyes locked onto Morrigana’s, burning with a mixture of fury and disbelief. The sight of Lycia, her face wet with tears, and the broken chains that was scattered on the floor only seemed to make him angrier. Instead of feeling sympathy or calming down, the scene only added fuel to the fire of
Lycia sat on the cold stone floor of the dim room, her back pressed against the rough walls, her body trembling from exhaustion. Her muscles aching, and the bruises that Morrigana had left on her skin pulsed with pain, a constant reminder of the pain she had just endured. But the physical pain wasn’t what hurt the most. It was the emptiness she felt inside, the helplessness, and the overwhelming sense of failure. Her mind would not stop racing, pulling her back to the beginning. To the moments that led her here, locked away in this strange, dark world. How could she have been so blind? How could she have believed that this could work? Every lie, every betrayal, replayed in her mind, like a broken record that would not stop spinning.And then there was Morrigana, the one person responsible for the pain she was going through. Lycia’s breath broke as she thought about the bitter words, the cold eyes that had watched her, trapping her in this miserable place. Morrigana’s torture had bro
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 shad
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
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
An underground chamber was thick with tension. Fires from torches lit flickering lights against the hard stone walls, casting long shadows over the gathered wolves. Derek sat at the head of the room, his fingers lazily tapping the handle of his throne, as he observed the faces before him.To his right, Ronan stood stiffly, his broad frame exuding quiet authority. He had been Derek’s second for years, the only one he trusted to speak plainly. To his left, lounging on a makeshift throne of stone, was Melissa; the Mistress of Shadows, as some called her.Beautiful, deadly, and utterly unreadable.She stretched, her dark silky hair cascading over one shoulder as she spoke to Derek with amusement.“You actually want to work with Conan?” Her voice was like honey, smooth and mocking.“Darling, that man would rather slit your throat than shake your hands with you.”Derek smirked. “Maybe. But he wants Cove dead more than he wants me dead.”Ronan exhaled sharply. “That’s a dangerous bet Alpha D
“She’s dangerous,” Morrigana said flatly.“We already know that,” Lucas, Cove’s Beta sighed, “No!” she snapped, her eyes darkening. “Not like that.”Lucas studied her. “Then explain.”Morrigana’s fingers drummed against the wooden table. “Few days ago, I went to her prison, you know to do my job; interrogate her, get information.”“So?” Lucas frowned, rolling his eyes in exasperation.She leaned forward. “Have you ever wondered how she got out of the chains, how it broke?”“Morrigana get to the point. Alpha Cove seeks my presence”Morrigana exhaled. “Ok, fine… I was there. She had this surge… this power surge. The chains shattered all of a sudden, and I was thrown back like I weighed nothing.”There was brief silence, but Lucas broke it.Lucas skeptical but unsettled. “What are you talking about, Morrigana. She’s human.”“No, she’s not,” Morrigana snapped back, shaking her head. “She’s… something else.” She hesitated, choosing her next words carefully. “I think she’s a witch.” She f
The first wolf lunged towards Conan.Raven barely had time to react before Conan moved. His body twisted, avoiding the wolf’s snapping jaws by an inch. In one fluid motion, he grabbed the dagger strapped to his thigh and plunged it deep into the werewolves’ ribs. Causing the werewolf to let out a strangled yelp, that echoed through the trees as the beast collapsed, squealing for help in the damp, moonlit clearing.But the others didn’t hesitate.Two more lone wolves sprang forward, their eyes blazing with hunger. There was no plan in their attack, only pure, reckless desperation. Unlike pack wolves, they weren’t bound by loyalty or strategy. They fought for survival alone, driven by nothing but raw bloodlust.Conan turned sharply, ready to face them head on. The first wolf lunged for Conan’s arm, its jaws snapping, but he moved fast, twisting himself out of reach and slicing deep into its side. The beast let out a pained yelp, stumbling back. The second wolf barely had a chance to rea
Her body twisted, bones shifting beneath her skin. White fur sprouted along her arms, her nails sharpening into claws. The air crackled with power.Conan squeezed his eyes shut.The sounds that followed were not human.Snarls. Roars. The clash of claws against claws. The crack of bones snapping.He felt his baby sister tremble in his arms, and he held her tighter, biting his lip to stop from crying out.ThenA sharp, agonized scream.His mother’s scream.Conan’s eyes flew open.She lay on the ground, blood pooling beneath her. The werewolf loomed over her, its massive jaws dripping blood. She was still breathing, but barely.Her eyes looked toward the crawl space, locking onto Conan’s.She mouthed something,“Run.”Then the beast struck.A sickening crack.Silence.Something inside Conan shattered.His vision blurred, his breath coming in ragged sobs. His small hands trembled against his sister’s bundle, but he couldn’t move, couldn’t look away.The werewolf lifted his mother’s lifele
Vandal placed a firm hand on Conan’s shoulder, his voice steady but filled with grief. “My job here is done. I must return to the Void.”He stepped back, his figure fading like a dying flame. A cold wind rushed through the trees as shadows gathered around him, twisting and shifting. The air felt heavy, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Vandal gave Conan one last look; one filled with pain, determination, and something unreadable, before vanishing into the darkness.Conan stood frozen. His breath came in quick, uneven gasps. Then, the memories struck like a tidal wave, crashing into him all at once.The scent of smoke and blood.The howls ripping through the night.Screams; his mother’s voice, desperate and shaking.His mother knelt beside him, pressing a shaking finger to his lips.“Shh, my little cup. Stay quiet, no matter what happens.”Conan didn’t understand. His little hands clung to her dress as she held his baby sister close, wrapping the child tightly in a bundle
The air was foggy outside, with the scent of damp earth and the distant howls of nocturnal creatures. Raven wandered outside the cavern, her thoughts tangled, she couldn’t stop but overthink her place in all of this.The weight of the truth unsettled her, eating up the edges of her usually unshakable confidence. She had spent years mastering her art of manipulation, twisting people to her will, yet tonight, she felt an unfamiliar unease creeping into her bones.She walked further, drawn by the need for more solitude, but the soft murmur of voices in the distance caught her attention. Instinctively, she pressed herself against the rough bark of a tree, her breath shallow as she strained to listen to the sound she heard. Just beyond the tree line, under the pale glow of the moon, she saw Conan standing stiffly before a shadowy figure, cloaked. The figure’s presence exuded authority, a chilling aura that made Raven’s skin develop sudden goose bumps."The map," the figure demande, his vo
Lycia sat on the edge of the bed, her body was tensed, her hands barely holding her body upright. She hadn't slept. The night had been long and restless, her mind replaying every horrifying detail of the battle she had witnessed, and every moment of Cove’s transformation. Her prison was even more unwelcoming as ever, the walls that were made of rough, unpolished stone, trapping her in their icy embrace, reminding her that she was nothing more than Cove’s prisoner. A small barred window high up let in faint light, casting eerie shadows on the disarranged bed she sat on. The air inside smelled of moisture and decaying timber, reminding her how far she was from freedom.She turned to the mirror looking at her reflection in the old, dust covered mirror across the room , which made her stomach twist. She looked so unkept; her long hair tangled, her track suit wrinkled and stained with dirt and dried blood. Dark circles hung under her eyes, making her look drained and weary. Her lips w
The grand Lycan Hall buzzed with whispers, tension thick as the smoke curling from the kitchen. Warriors sat at long wooden tables, their fur still stained with blood from the battle, their faces scarred. Maids walked between them, pouring fresh ale and setting down trays of food, their ears tuned to the whispers swirling like a restless wind.Tonight, the talk was not of war. It was of something far more dangerous.“Did you see it?” a young warrior asked, leaning in close, you could barely hear him over the clinking of glasses.“See what?” the older warrior beside him asked, his tone tired , his eyes red from lack of sleep.“Alpha Cove… he protected her. He fought for her.” His friend laughed and took a deep gulp of ale.“Oh, I saw it. We all did,” he said, shaking his head, his braided beard swaying like a pendulum. “Reckless. He nearly got himself killed for that human girl.”A maid placing a tray of bread hesitated, her eyes darting between the warriors. She glanced at them, her
The forest was very quiet except for the soft sounds made by the leaves and the distant sounds of the night. Derek’s warriors moved carefully, their steps slow and heavy. Some carried fresh wounds, while others pressed hands against deep cuts that would take time to heal. Their bodies would recover, but their pride was another matter; the wound was just too deep.Near a small fire, Derek settled and sat with his warriors. His fur marked with streaks of blood; some his, some not. His dark red eyes reflected the bright light as he stared into the flames, deep in thought.Ronan, his second in command, stepped forward. His silver fur bore signs of many battles, but tonight, there was something else in his gaze, concern, maybe even doubt.“That human,” Ronan said quietly. “Why did Cove protect her?”Derek’s hands on his jaw. He had been asking himself the same question. Cove had fought with everything he had, not just to win, not just for his land, but for her. It wasn’t just instinct. It