Ethan and Marie carefully carried Lucy into her room. It was a dark and dimly lit room. The silence between them was thick with worry and unspoken thoughts as they laid her gently on the thin mattress. The room was void, nearly empty except for a small lamp and a pile of clothes tucked away in the corner. The air was heavy and the only source of light casting dark shadows on the walls was the rays of light that escaped through a small hole on the window. Marie immediately hurried towards the window to open it up so that light would fill the room. Her fingers trembled as she moved to open the window, but Ethan quickly grabbed her wrist.“No,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “We can’t risk anyone seeing me in here. It’s too dangerous.”Marie hesitated, her eyes wide with a mix of fear as she watched Ethan hands firm on her wrist. She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Ethan slowly let go of his hold on her and instructed her to turn on the lamp instead. The lamp's w
Marie sat in tense silence, while Ethan stood and both of their eyes locked on Lucy as she lay still on the mattress. The dim light from the single lamp cast a warm glow, but it did little to alleviate the cold fear creeping into their hearts. Lucy had just calmed down after what felt like an eternity of thrashing and murmuring persistently. The sweat on her brow was a high contrast to the deathly shades of her skin. Her chest could be seen by anyone as it rose and fell with shallow breaths.Ethan, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, tried to make sense of everything. Marie's words echoed in his mind, blending with his own observations. **What did she mean?** he mused, his thoughts tangled. **Something is different about Lucy… but what?**Marie stood beside him, her fingers twisting the hem of her gown anxiously. She couldn’t shake the fear she felt seeing Lucy like this. Her friend looked so fragile, so far away, like she was lost in a place that neither of them could reach. The
Ethan’s search for Leo was growing more frantic by the minute. He’d scoured the training grounds, the inner quarters, and even some of the less frequented areas of the pack house, but there was no sign of Leo. His frustration was mounting, and the urgency in his chest tightened like a vice. **Where could he be?** Ethan thought, his mind racing. **Lucy doesn’t have much time.**As he rounded a corner, his eyes caught sight of Alpha Eric's guard, the one that was stalking Leo at the time Lucy lost consciousness of herself. a tall, imposing figure making his way toward the chamber hall. Ethan’s instincts kicked in. **Maybe Leo is with his father,** he mused. He knew how Leo was being monitored. Deciding to follow the guard, Ethan kept a safe distance, careful not to draw attention to himself.The guard led him to the entrance of Alpha Eric’s hall, and there, pacing back and forth like a caged animal, was Leo. The sight of him immediately eased some of Ethan's anxiety, but only for a mome
Isabella paced through the dimly lit corridors, her thoughts spiraling with suspicion. **Ethan's uneasiness… he’s hiding something.** His rushed movements, the way he dismissed her questions—it all felt too strange. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant was happening, something that involved Leo, and possibly Lucy.As she continued walking, her mind raced through different possibilities. **Could it be about Lucy? What if something has happened to her? Or maybe…** Her thoughts trailed off, uncertain yet determined to uncover the truth. She found herself standing in front of the narrow hallway that led to the room shared by Isabella and Lucy. **Why would Ethan be so nervous? Could it have something to do with them?** Driven by curiosity and following the trail where Ethan had emerged from, Isabella approached the door to Lucy's room, noticing for the first time that it was closed. Normally, it was left ajar since there was little to hide in a maid’s quarters. She re
Leo stood before his father, his posture rigid as he tried to steady his breathing. The hallway outside the chamber had felt suffocating, but now that he was standing in front of Alpha Eric, the air seemed even thicker. He could feel his father’s eyes on him, sharp and discerning, as if they could pierce right through his thoughts.“Leo,” Eric began, his voice calm but carrying the weight of authority, “you seem nervous. This isn’t like you.”Leo’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself. **I can’t let him see through me,** he thought, forcing his expression to remain neutral. He straightened his shoulders and met his father’s gaze with as much confidence as he could muster.“I’m fine, Father,” Leo replied, his voice steady. “There’s nothing to worry about.”Eric’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying Leo’s face. The silence between them stretched for what felt like an eternity, and Leo’s mind raced. **Does he know? Is he going to ask about the other day?** The memory of his
Leo turned slowly, trying to mask the storm of thoughts that welled within him. His heart pounded in his chest, his thoughts spiraling out of control. **What now?** For a brief moment, he feared his father might have noticed something was amiss, that he might question his intentions or demand an explanation for his barely-contained rage.As Leo faced his Father, he was composed and asked his father what the matter was as he needed to prepare for the coming of Aiden. Eric smiled and nodded his head. “Yes I know… That's very good of you, Leo,” Eric said with a smile on his face and simply held out a vest, black and finely crafted. "Wear this," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. "During Aiden's welcome."Leo's tension eased as he realized it was just a vest. **That’s it?** He had half-expected something far worse, a command that would put him even more on edge, but this... this he could handle. He reached out and took the vest from his father, nodding in acknowledgme
Lucy’s heart pounded in her chest as she stood amidst the dense forest, the shadows of tall trees casting long shapes across the ground. The darkness enveloped her like a shroud, the moonlight barely penetrating through the thick canopy of leaves above. She glanced down at herself and turned around on a spot to notice her surroundings but at the same moment, she gazed back at her hands as they seemed to be trembling. She soon realized she didn’t recognize her surroundings. Panic surged through her veins, thoughts racing through her mind. *Where am I? How did I get here?*The silence was almost suffocating, broken only by the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. She strained her ears, trying to catch any sound, any clue that might explain where she was. She got nothing nor heard anything but then, the silence was shattered by a low, menacing growl. It echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down her spine. She turned around and could sense that the sound was unmistakably close,
Lucy’s eyelids fluttered open, the world around her a blur of colors and shapes. For a moment, she struggled to make sense of where she was, her mind still clouded by the remnants of the dream—or was it a nightmare? She couldn’t tell. Her head throbbed like it was being hit by a hard object. Her body felt like it was weighed down by a thousand stones. She blinked rapidly, trying to focus her vision, the edges of her surroundings gradually sharpening into view.She noticed the two figures that knelt before her, their faces close, whispering her name in soft, concerned tones. It took a moment before she could get a clear vision but as her vision cleared, she finally recognized them—It was Katherine and Marie. A slight relief washed over her at the sight of them, but it was short-lived, quickly replaced by the confusion that gnawed at her mind.“Lucy… Lucy, are you alright?” Katherine’s voice was laced with worry as she gently shook Lucy’s shoulder. Marie, on the other side, was equally
Aiden and his men clashed fiercely with Leo's warriors. The sound of fists hitting flesh and the clang of claws echoes through the night. Aiden moved swiftly, striking down anyone who came near him. His strength was unmatched, but the numbers were against him.Leo stood back, watching the fight with cold eyes. A twisted smile played on his lips as she saw his men overpowering Aiden’s men one by one. Soon, only Aiden remained.Despite being alone, Aiden refused to back down. He had already taken down dozens, his movements sharp and precise, but the endless wave of enemy wore him down. Though he breathed heavily and his muscles ached, he didn't stop fighting.Leo's men surrounded him, moving in from every direction. Two of them threw a thick chain around his arm, another around his legs. Aiden struggled but more chains came. They pulled tight, dragging him to the ground. He tried to break free but the weight of the chains and the force of the guards holding them pinned him in place.Leo
Leo stood in his room, his hands clenched into fists as he stared blankly at the wall. His mind raced when the thoughts of the fight. The shame of losing to Aiden, openly, burned inside him, twisting his pride into rage.The door suddenly flew open with a loud creak. Alpha Eric stepped inside, his face was cold with anger. His sharp gaze pierced through the room as he slammed the door shut behind him.“What was that?” His voice sounded harsh. “You had the upper hand! How then did you lose to him?”Leo remained quiet, refusing to answer. Eric took a step closer, his frustration growing.“What did you do? You cheated, right?$ he hissed. “I know you did. You poisoned him—and still, you lost.”Leo didn't flinch. His heart pounded harder. “Answer me!” Eric snapped, raising his hand. Before Leo could react, a sharp slap struck his face, the sting echoing through the room.Leo slowly turned his head back to face his father, his eyes burning with anger. He had endured enough—his father's dis
Eric leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing. “Go on,” he allowed, his tone curious.Aiden didn't pause. “If I win against Leo,” he smiled. “I will take Lucy, the maid that held my hands back there with me.”For a moment, there was silence. The words hung heavy in the air, and the crowd exchanged confused glances. No one had expected such a demand, especially not for a maid. Isabella, who had been sitting quietly, stood up in an instant. A wide smile stretched across her face as excitement flashed in her eyes. If Aiden won and took Lucy away, it would solve everything. Lucy would no longer be a threat to her. But then, is it the best option… what would happen with her and Leo? She thought. And as for Leo, the request struck a nerve. His smile faded as he marched toward his father. Leaning close to Eric, he lowered his voice, hoping no one else would hear.“Don't agree to it,” he hissed frustration clear in his tone. “You can't let him take her.”Alpha Eric remained still for a mome
Aiden moved fast, charging straight at Leo. His fist swung towards him but Leo was quicker. He dodged Aiden's punch and struck back with a hard blow to his side. Without giving him a chance to recover, Leo landed another punch on his chest, then his ribs, hitting him from every direction.Each strike pushed Aiden back, weakening him more. Leo's eyes gleamed with victory as he spun and delivered a powerful hook to Aiden's jaw. The force lifted Aiden off his feet. His body twisted in the air before he crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.Dust rose where he fellz and the sound echoed across the field. He landed close to where Lucy and Marie stood. Lucy's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at his body. Around her, the crowd roared in excitement.Their voices filled the air, chanting Leo's name over and over again. Some clapped, others cheered loudly, praising their future Alpha.Eric leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile. He clapped his hands together, proud of his son
The field was crowded with pack members. The full moon hung high above, casting a pale glow over the open space. Excitement and tension filled the air as everyone waited. But the one person they had expected—Luna Ava— was still not there. Murmurs spread through the crowd, quiet questions hanging without answers. Alpha Eric sat at the head of the gathering, his face calm but his fingers drumming lightly against the arm of his chair. His sharp gaze swept over the field, but there was no sign of her. The longer he waited, the heavier the silence became.A figure moved toward him—a guard, stepping close enough that only Eric could hear. He bent his head and whispered something quickly. Whatever the words were, they made Eric's expression tighten. He gave a slow nod before standing up, his towering form commanding everyone's attention. The noise faded as the pack focused on him. “The Luna will not be joining us anymore.” his voice rang out. “There are matters to be handled elsewhere and
Evening settled iber the pack, casting a warm glow as the sun dipped low behind the distant hills. The air buzzed with energy—laughter echoed through the open fields, the scent of roasted meat drifted from the kitchen and every wolf seemed eager for the celebration that would soon begin. Lanterns hung from the trees, flickering softly as pack members hurried about, preparing for the night ahead.Meanwhile, Leo stood near a pole inside the main hall, his sharp gaze scanning the royals, the elders and other representatives from other packs. He had been searching for Ethan, but there was no sign of him. Frustration flickered in his chest as he swept his eyes across the familiar faces—men in black exchanging quick words, young wolves chasing one another in playful bursts, the elders speaking quietly among themselves—but not the one person he needed to see.He sighed quietly, shifting his focus toward the center of the hall. And there he was, that was when he noticed him—Aiden.He was dres
Leo walked with heavy steps, his fists clenching tighter with each stride. The sun was higher now, warming the air, but the heat inside him burned hotter. Isabella's words played over and over in his mind—Lucy was the wolf. And Aiden was there with her.He had suspected something was off for a while. Aiden's movement has always been too careful, too quiet. But without proof. It was nothing more than a feeling. Now, there was no doubt left. Aiden had been helping Lucy and without doubt was the one who unlocked her wolf. He had done it right under his nose, in his pack without leaving a single trace. Leo's jaw tightened as he thought about the night he had smelled blood on Aiden's fingers. He had brushed it off then, convincing himself it couldn't be Lucy. After all, she wasn't supposed to be out of her room. But now, it all made sense. Aiden had been watching her and protecting her this entire time. And what had he been doing—that got him angry as he wished it should be him doing all
The sun hung high in the sky, casting light over the pack's territory and inside her room. Isabella sat on the edge of her bed, her hands gripping the sides tightly. Her mind raced as she replayed everything she had seen the night before—the wolf, the way its growl had echoed through the woods and how right in front of her, it had shifted back into a human. But not just anyone. Lucy.The name twisted inside her like a thorn. Lucy was supposed to be gone. Dead. she had made sure of it when she sent those useless Omegas to handle it. Yet, here she was—alive and stronger than before. That wolf… it was no ordinary shift. Isabella had never heard a wolf growl like that—not even the strongest warriors in the pack. The power in Lucy's growl which was able to shake the trees even the pack itself was in itself stronger. It was different and intense and it made her heart pound.If Lucy was alive, what else had she survived? Had Aiden been protecting her all this time?A shiver ran down her at t
Lucy's eyes burned bright red as she stared at the figure that was distant from her. Her body was still tense, her claws digging deep into the ground, creating marks and shapes as they made contact. The air around her felt somehow heavy, thick with threat and danger. Aiden knew she was thinking straight—her wolf had taken over. Her wolf had never been let out and now that it had, everything around it felt like a threat… she wouldn't want to go back to that state where her wolf was locked.The figure standing a short distance away trembled, her hands shaking by her sides. It was Isabella. Aiden recognized her scent before his eyes fully adjusted. She stood frozen, her face a pale-like color and her mouth slightly open as if she wanted to speak but could not.“Who is that?” she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible. Aiden could hear the confusion in her tone, the disbelief. She didn't know who or what she was looking at. But sure, she could tell it was something differen