The hall emptied quickly, pack members hurrying to the courtyard. I followed, my heart racing with anticipation. Vivian's gaze lingered on me before she turned to leave. Alpha Elijah and Dominique flanked her, their faces stern. Sophia, Mary, and the red-gowned woman remained on the stage, their eyes fixed on Kael. He stood, his eyes looking everywhere but me. As I exited the hall, the cool night air enveloped me. The courtyard was packed, pack members gathering around the center. The sky above transformed, turning pitch black, thunder rumbled and bright light flashed through the sky, illuminating the yard. Everyone gasp, huddling against each other. Stars disappeared, replaced by an eerie darkness. A collective murmur spread through the crowd. The air thickened with tension. I stood at the edge of the crowd, unsure what to do. Mary appeared beside me, her eyes serious. "Astrid," she whispered, "come with me." I followed her, weaving through the silent
A bright stream of moon shone into the room, my head felt really heavy, and the bed was a little harder, groaning I squinted my eyes a strong scent hitting my nostrils. My eyes immediately shut open, scanning the room. It was empty, and unfamiliar. “Hello?” I called out “Is anybody here?” No response, I scrambled to get out of the bed, but my knees were still weak and I fell to the floor, “shit!” I cursed, as my body collided with the floor in the thud. Sighing I struggled to get back up on my feet, my whole body was a wreck and my mind was foggy, “Where am i?” I said, looked around the room. Another wave of heat rolls off my body when the same scent hit me again. It clouded my whole sense and my breathing became ragged. Finally letting go of the sheets I gripped tightly, I hoisted myself up with the help of the bed frame, following the scent. “Is someone here?” I asked, shiver running down my spine, walking towards the dark corner of the room. Just then a tall hu
His hands trailed down my back, I stood stiff, drowning out the whatever feelings were bubbling up inside. “Mine” he growled, his breaths skimmed across my neck. I gasped, as he suddenly pinched my nipples without warning, using his large hand to grab my waist keeping my feet firmly on that spot. “You will bear my mark, and carry my cubs,” he whispered. I stood motionless, staring at the empty space in front of me. “Get your ass in the bed and lift it in the air like a good little mouse you are,” he hisses into my ear. The demand makes me even more wet which I hated myself for, turning around I compiled to him, laying down on my stomach and pushing my knees up until it touched my breast. “Good little mouse,” he moaned, his voice vibrates through my body. With the exposed position, the scent of my arousal spread the room, I knew I was a pool of wetness that I couldn’t control it dripped down my inner thighs. He hummed in approved, tearing off his shirt and pulling dow
I woke up to the warmth of my bed, groggily opening my eyes to find myself in my own room. The events of the previous night felt like a dream, but the soreness between my legs and the memories etched in my mind told me otherwise. I slowly sat up, rubbing my temples to ease the throbbing headache. My eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. It was mid day already, the sun shone bright into the room. How did I even get here? A soft knock on the door broke the silence. "Astrid, are you awake?" Maya's gentle voice called out. I recognized the voice of my personal maid. "Yes, I'm awake," I replied, my voice hoarse from crying. The door creaked open, and Maya entered with a tray of steaming hot food. "I brought your breakfast, milady," she said, setting the tray down on my bedside table. My stomach growled at the aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meats. Maya helped me sit up and fluffed my pillows. "Thank you, Maya," I managed to say, trying to hide my
“What is going on?” I asked Sophia as we walked out of the kitchen She remained silent in an unnerving manner. "What's going on? Did I do something wrong?" I asked again , trying to keep up with her brisk pace. Sophia didn't respond, leading me through the winding corridors of the mansion. We finally stopped at a door I recognized – the entrance to the luna’s private quarters. Veronica. My heart skipped a beat. Was I really in trouble? Sophia opened the door and nudged me inside. "She wants to see you," she said, her expression unreadable. I stepped inside, my eyes adjusting to the dim lighting. The room was empty, except for a figure standing by the window, cleaning the glass steadily. I found myself in an elegant anteroom. Sophia gestured for me to follow her. We walked through another set of doors, leading to the Luna's private chambers. The room was warm and inviting, with soft cushions and a crackling fireplace. Veronica, the Luna, sat on a plush couch, her once
It’s very funny how one minute, you are praying to the Selene for you to leave one hell hole and the next minute you are in a far more worse situation than you were before. The man before me was probably the devil’s younger brother. Elijah's gaze intensified, his eyes burning with a hunger that made my skin prickle. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, husky tone. "Astrid, you're different. I can smell it on you." His words sent shivers down my spine. I tried to edge away, but Elijah's hand shot out, grasping my wrist. His touch was like a brand, searing my skin. "Don't be afraid," he whispered, his breath caressing my ear. "I can show you what it means to be truly desired." My heart racing, I tried to pull free, but Elijah's grip tightened. His eyes seemed to darken, his pupils dilating. "No, please ," I protested, trying to keep my voice steady. Elijah's smile twisted. "Ah, but I'm not just any alpha. I'm the one who can give you what Kael can't." His lips brushe
The silver moonlight reflected off the water, the air thick with the scent of earth, blood, and adrenaline. The she-wolf who had joined the battle padded closer to us, her movements sharp and precise, the same predatory grace that Kael exhibited when he was in his wolf form. Her fur was a sleek shade of gray, almost silver in the moonlight, and her eyes were a piercing yellow that seemed to see straight through me. She glanced at Kael, a look of understanding passing between them before she turned to me. "We need to go," she said, her voice low and steady, tinged with a sense of urgency. "The rogues are just the beginning. If you stay here, it won't be long before others find out you're here. And Kael's enemies won't rest until they get what they want." I glanced up at Kael’s wolf, his eyes still burning with the same fierce intensity. He nodded to the she-wolf, then turned toward me, his body language demanding I follow. Without another word, I did. The night seemed to grow co
I silently walked down the hallway to the servant quarters, knowing fully well that my things has probably been moved from the room upstairs. My hair stuck to my face with sand and dirt, due to the lake we swarm through while running. I needed to shower, but it was late already, and I really didn’t know my way around the pack house yet. The halls of the pack house felt colder as I made my way to the servant quarters. Every shadow seemed to carry a whisper, every creak of the ancient stone floors a warning. Kael’s world was a labyrinth of power plays and silent battles, and I was now caught in the middle of it. As I pushed open the heavy wooden door to the servants' wing, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks. "You’re far from where you should be." I turned sharply to see Dominique leaning against the stone wall, his arms crossed and an almost mocking smile playing on his lips. His resemblance to Kael was striking, but where Kael exuded unyielding dominance, Dominique carr
The cabin was silent except for the crackling of the fire, a weak and inconsistent sound that seemed to mirror the shattered state of everyone gathered. The room felt suffocating, weighed down by grief so thick it was almost tangible. Megan stood by the window, her back to the group as silent tears ran down her cheeks. Maya knelt on the floor, cradling Ruby’s lifeless body in her arms. Her usually sharp eyes were dulled by sorrow, and her hands trembled as she gently smoothed Ruby’s hair, whispering words of comfort that no longer mattered. Ezra sat in the far corner of the room, his face buried in his hands. His broad shoulders shook, his anguish raw and unrestrained. The sound of his muffled sobs tore through the silence, each one a painful reminder of what had been lost. Alice sat at the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on the floor. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, as though she were trying to ground herself. But even she, the ever-resilient mage, couldn’t mask the
Kael shifted back into his human form, panting, his face streaked with dirt and blood. “We can’t keep this up,” he said urgently. “Astrid, you need to unleash it all. But not here. We have to get you higher—away from the cabin, where you can focus without destroying everything around us.”Alice nodded in agreement, her face pale but determined. “There’s a ridge just above the clearing,” she said quickly. “It’ll give her the vantage point she needs. But we have to hurry—Lavinia’s army is still pressing in.”Kael scooped me into his arms without hesitation, his strength steadying me despite the fire still flickering at my fingertips. “Hold on, little mouse,” he murmured, his tone equal parts fierce and tender. “I’ll get you there.”Ezra and Alice formed a protective barrier around us as Kael sprinted toward the ridge, his steps sure and unrelenting. The sounds of the battle below faded into the background, replaced by the roaring in my ears and the heat coursing through my veins. I coul
Lavinia stepped into the cabin, her presence radiating a cold, suffocating power that seemed to sap the warmth from the room. Her dark gown flowed like liquid shadow, and her smile was as cruel as the blade she carried at her side. Ezra growled, stepping in front of me with his claws extended, blood dripping from his wounds. “You’ll die before you lay a finger on her,” he snarled. Lavinia chuckled, the sound sending chills down my spine. “Oh, Ezra. Still playing the dutiful protector, are we? How quaint.” Her gaze swept over the room, landing briefly on Alice, who was struggling to steady herself, and Maya, who stood ready with her blade drawn. Finally, Lavinia’s eyes found me, cradling my children. Her smile widened. “And there she is. The mother of the hour. How are the little ones? I hope they’re not too fragile—babies rarely survive the chaos I bring.” My grip on my children tightened, a surge of anger cutting through my fear. “You won’t touch them,” I said, my voice tremb
The peaceful moment shattered like glass, my heart dropping as Ezra’s words pierced the air. My grip tightened around my babies instinctively, their tiny, delicate bodies cradled protectively against my chest. Kael was on his feet in an instant, his powerful presence taking command of the room. “How far?” he demanded, his voice cold and sharp, the calm before the storm. Ezra swayed slightly, blood dripping from a wound on his side. “Not far. Maybe minutes. They’ve got rogues, warriors, and... mages. Lavinia’s not playing games.” Maya moved swiftly to Ezra’s side, inspecting his injuries. “You’re hurt.” “I’m fine,” Ezra growled, pulling away. “They sent a scouting party ahead. I dealt with them, but they know where we are now. She’ll be here soon.” Alice stepped forward, her face pale but composed. “We don’t have time to move Astrid or the babies. Not like this.” Kael’s gaze flicked to me, his eyes narrowing with determination. “We’re not moving them. We’ll hold the line he
The room instantly grew hotter as a surge of power erupted from deep within me. Fire blazed out of my body, licking at the walls and ceiling of the cabin. The once-cozy room was engulfed in a dangerous glow, casting shadows that danced wildly in the chaos. Kael didn’t flinch, even as flames licked dangerously close to his skin. His arms tightened around me, his voice steady and calm despite the rising inferno. “Astrid, listen to me!” he called out, his eyes locking onto mine. “You need to focus. You’re in control—*you* are. Don’t let it take over!” “I can’t!” I screamed, another contraction ripping through me, stealing my breath and sanity. My body felt like it was tearing apart, the raw power within me surging uncontrollably. The flames grew stronger, the heat intensifying until I thought it would consume us all. Alice’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding. “Megan, Maya—circle her now! We need to contain this before it destroys the entire cabin!” The two women
The world spun around me, a whirl of colors and sounds that felt distant, like echoes of a life I couldn’t quite grasp. I drifted between the edge of consciousness and darkness, the pain from my labor pulling me back every time I threatened to slip away completely. The next thing I felt was a jolt, a sensation like being pulled through the fabric of reality itself. It was disorienting but oddly calming, as if I were floating through a dream. Then, just as quickly, the sensation ended, and I felt the solid ground beneath me again. “She’s here!” Megan’s voice broke through the haze, urgent and filled with relief. “Get her inside, now!” I blinked, trying to focus, but my vision was blurred. I felt hands on me—familiar, steady hands—lifting me gently and carrying me somewhere warmer, safer. “She’s burning up,” Maya’s voice came next, panicked but controlled. “Get her on the bed. Quickly!” I was placed onto a soft surface, the familiar scent of herbs and wood filling my senses. My
The urgency of the moment settled over us like a suffocating weight. Ezra was still catching his breath, his body trembling with residual anger, but he nodded. We didn’t have time to waste. Ruby was out there, somewhere, and every second we spent standing still could be the one that tipped the scales against us. “Can you shift again?” I asked, my voice steadier than I felt. Ezra nodded once, already forcing himself to his feet. “I’ll manage.” I helped him as much as I could, though the pain in my side reminded me just how human I currently was. He gave me a grateful look, then shifted into his wolf form, his golden coat streaked with dirt and blood. He sniffed the air, ears twitching as he picked up on the faintest trace of something. “Do you have her scent?” I asked, desperate hope creeping into my voice. He growled low, a confirmation that made my heart lurch. Without waiting for me, he bolted into the darkness, his movements quick and purposeful. “Wait!” I shouted, hurr
I pushed through the dense trees, my feet barely touching the ground as I ran, the cold night air slicing against my skin. The forest seemed endless, the shadows playing tricks on my mind. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. The thought of Ruby, alone and terrified, spurred me forward. Ezra’s wolf was ahead of me, a streak of gold and fury weaving through the underbrush. His growls echoed in the night, guiding me toward our quarry. “Ezra!” I shouted, my voice hoarse from running and the lump of panic lodged in my throat. “Do you see them?” A low howl was his only response. It sent a chill through me—not one of despair, but of determination. He was closing in. The trail wasn’t hard to follow. Broken branches and the scent of blood painted a clear path through the forest. But it felt wrong, too easy, as if they wanted us to follow. I slowed for a moment, my senses on high alert. Something was off. The rogues were vicious, but this level of coordination wasn’t their style. They
Ezra and I exchanged a tense glance, the weight of what had just transpired settling heavily on our shoulders. My mind raced, replaying the stranger’s words over and over again. The game has changed. Pieces in place. The board is set. It wasn’t just a cryptic message—it was a warning. “I need to wake Ruby,” I said, stepping toward the bed. Ezra’s hand shot out, gripping my arm gently but firmly. “Astrid, wait. She’s been through enough. Whatever that was, it’s not going to happen tonight. Let her rest while she can.” I hesitated, glancing down at Ruby. Her face was peaceful, completely unaware of the danger that had just loomed so close. Ezra was right—she deserved some respite. But my gut twisted with unease. “If they’re after her…” I began, but Ezra cut me off. “They won’t get her,” he said, his voice steel. “Not while I’m here. Not while any of us are here.” I nodded, forcing myself to trust his words. Ezra wasn’t just saying it—he believed it, and that gave me a sliv