The cool morning air hit my golden fur as I landed outside the pack house. My paws barely touched the ground before I took off into the woods. The sensation of running—of freedom—was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. El’s joy pulsed through me, a shared exhilaration that pushed me to go faster, deeper into the forest. The trees blurred around me as I leapt over roots and ducked under low-hanging branches. The damp earth beneath my paws felt alive, and the forest welcomed me as if I had always belonged to it. For the first time since my shift, I didn’t feel the weight of my responsibilities or the tension of being caught between Kael and the pack’s politics. Here, I was just me. “Faster!” El’s voice urged, her energy vibrant and wild. I pushed harder, my muscles burning with the effort, but it was a good kind of burn—a reminder that I was alive, capable, and powerful. The wind whipped around me, carrying the scent of pine, fresh moss, and distant water. As I ran
The run back to the pack house was both exhilarating and unsettling. The cool night air rushed against my fur, carrying with it the scent of pine and damp earth, but my thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion. Elias’s words echoed in my mind, each one chipping away at the fragile stability I had clung to since coming here. My paws hit the ground with a steady rhythm, the forest blurring around me as I pushed myself faster, harder. El was silent, though I could feel her unease mirroring my own. Why now? Why me? The pack house loomed ahead, its familiar shape barely visible in the faint moonlight. I slowed to a trot as I approached, my golden fur glinting faintly. Shifting back into human form, I grabbed the robe I had stashed near the tree line earlier and pulled it over my shoulders. The fabric felt cold against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of my wolf form. Stepping into the pack house, I was immediately struck by the quiet. The usual hum of activity had faded, leav
Kael's grip on my arm was firm as he pulled me into the pack house and up the stairs to his office, the door slamming shut behind us. The sound reverberated through the room, matching the anger that burned in his crimson eyes. He released me abruptly, pacing like a caged animal. “What the hell were you doing with him?” he growled, his voice low but dangerously sharp. “I was training,” I shot back, my own temper flaring. “You know, trying to keep myself alive in case one of your enemies decides to target me!” Kael whirled around, his gaze piercing. “With him? You think Ezra is the best choice for that? Do you have any idea what he’s capable of? What his intentions might be?” I crossed my arms, meeting his glare head-on. “You don’t get to dictate who I train with, Kael. You can’t keep me locked up and isolated forever!” His jaw clenched, and for a moment, he said nothing, his breathing heavy. Then he stepped closer, the heat of his presence igniting a fire in the already tens
“Stop pacing, you are going to get us caught before we make a move.” El hissed at the back of my mind. “I don’t think we should do this. What if if we get caught? Or worse run into Veronica and you know who.” I muttered under my breath paving the length of my room, small beads of sweat gathers on my forehead, my pulse thudded in me ears. I am leaving. Tonight. I’ll be meeting with Ezra as I told him about my plans earlier. Even though he kicked against it, he eventually agreed and was willing to help me slip pass the night patrol. *I am leaving. Tonight. I need to leave.* The thought repeated itself like a mantra, steadying my resolve even as my nerves threatened to unravel. I couldn't stay here any longer, surrounded by lies and half-truths. Whatever answers I needed, Alice would have them. El, sensing my hesitation, chimed in. "You’ve made your decision, Astrid. Stop second-guessing yourself. Kael will never let you go willingly, and you know it." I nodded, swallowin
Slipping past the final line of trees marking the pack's border, I slowed my pace, my senses sharp. The dense forest stretched out ahead, the shadows deeper here, as though the moonlight feared venturing too far. My heart pounded, not from exertion but from the overwhelming weight of my decision. Each step felt like crossing a point of no return. Ezra was waiting for me. I could feel his presence before I saw him—a steady pulse of energy distinct from the wild chaos of Kael’s. My eyes scanned the treeline until they landed on a figure leaning casually against a thick oak. Even in the dim light, Ezra’s sharp features stood out, his green eyes glowing faintly as he caught sight of me. "You’re late," he said, his voice low but carrying effortlessly through the still night. "I had to make sure no one followed," I replied, glancing over my shoulder. Ezra pushed off the tree, his movements smooth and fluid as he approached. His dark clothes made him nearly blend into the night, but ther
The forest had grown eerily quiet as we neared the edge of Alice’s territory. Even the faint hum of nocturnal life seemed to have stilled, replaced by a suffocating stillness. Ezra slowed his pace, his eyes scanning the treeline ahead with practiced precision. The tension in the air made my wolf restless, and El growled softly in my mind, her unease prickling at my senses. “We’re here,” Ezra said, his voice low as he gestured to the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the trees ahead. “That’s the border. Alice’s guards won’t patrol this far out, but we need to move quickly.” I nodded, clutching the strap of my bag tightly. "You’re not coming with me?" Ezra hesitated, his sharp green eyes locking onto mine. "No. I’ve already stretched my loyalties thin by bringing you this far. My place is back in the pack, even if it kills me to leave you here alone." His voice softened slightly, an unexpected vulnerability slipping through. "You’ll be safe once you cross. Alice has her own
The man’s amber eyes locked onto mine, and a chill ran down my spine. He leaned closer, the air around him charged with a dangerous energy that made my wolf, El, growl low in the back of my mind. "I can see why he’s so attached to you," he murmured, his voice a low rasp, almost mocking. "A shame, really." I swallowed hard, my pulse thundering in my ears. "What do you want from me?" I demanded, forcing steel into my voice even as my hands trembled at my sides. He tilted his head, a smirk curling his lips. "Answers, of course. But not from you." Before I could process his words, the door swung open behind him. Another man entered, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair tied back, and his expression cold. He carried an air of authority, and the way the amber-eyed man stepped aside told me this was someone important—someone I wouldn’t want to cross. The new man studied me for a moment, his gaze piercing. "You don’t look like much of a threat," he said, his voice deep and d
The lock clicked again, the sound sharper this time, pulling me from my frantic thoughts. The door creaked open, but the figure that stepped inside wasn’t the blue-eyed man. This one was younger, with features that seemed both familiar and out of place—a strong jawline, sharp cheekbones, and piercing green eyes that reminded me too much of someone I’d been trying to forget. Kael’s cousin. The air in the room seemed to shift, the weight of his presence making my stomach churn. His expression was unreadable, his posture casual as he leaned against the doorframe. He wore dark clothing that blended into the dim room, and his gaze settled on me with a mix of curiosity and something else I couldn’t quite place. “Well, well,” he said, his voice smooth but tinged with a sardonic edge. “The infamous Astrid. You’ve certainly found yourself in a mess, haven’t you?” “Lucian,” I said, my voice laced with suspicion. “What are you doing here?” He smirked, crossing his arms. “That’s funny. I
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