AYRA'S POVThe air hung heavy in the training arena, thick with the scent of sweat and exertion. Ayra, clad in worn leather training gear, moved with a deadly grace, her movements a blur of controlled fury. Today, the anniversary of her sister's death, grief gnawed at her like a hungry beast. Every thrust of her practice sword, every swift dodge, was a silent prayer for vengeance.Across from her, Elara, a seasoned warrior with a reputation for ferocity, mirrored her movements. But for Elara, it was just another training session. For Ayra, it was a desperate attempt to channel the storm raging within.The wooden blades clashed, the dull thud echoing through the arena. Elara, surprised by Ayra's uncharacteristic aggression, stumbled back a step. Ayra pressed her advantage, unleashing a flurry of attacks, each strike fueled by a year's worth of simmering hatred.Elara, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tempo, struggled to defend herself. Ayra's blade sang through the air, a blur of
VESTA'S POVI paced back and forth in the changing room, the nerves fluttering in my stomach like a caged bird desperate for freedom. Today was the day of my test to join the warriors of the pack. The air was thick with anticipation, and everyone around me seemed so serious, so stern. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the straps of my training gear nervously.Just as I was about to lose myself in a whirlwind of anxiety, the door creaked open, and in walked Dom, his presence immediately calming. He wasn't part of the judging panel, but seeing him still eased my nerves a bit."Lila," he said, his voice filled with pride as he approached me, "I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you. You've worked so hard for this, and I have no doubt you're going to kick some serious ass out there."I managed a shaky smile, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thanks, Dom," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. His words were like a lifeline, anchoring me in a sea of unce
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POVI summoned Ayra to my chambers, my expression unreadable as she entered. "Why did you disrespect Nana?" I demanded, my voice sharp with irritation.Ayra remained silent, her defiance fueling the flame of my anger. I despised insolence, especially when directed towards someone as loyal as Nana. But Ayra's silence only goaded me further."You dare not answer me?" I seethed, my patience thinning with each passing moment.Still, Ayra refused to speak, her eyes locked on mine with a stubbornness that grated on my nerves. She would learn that defiance was a luxury she couldn't afford.With a wave of my hand, I signaled for her punishment. Ayra's eyes widened in alarm as my guards approached, ready to carry out my orders."You have crossed a line, Ayra," I sneered, my voice dripping with disdain. "And you will pay the price."The punishment was severe, perhaps more so than she had anticipated. But I had no tolerance for disrespect, especially from those who sought to underm
VESTA'S POVI woke up to the first rays of dawn peeking through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. It was my first day as a pack warrior, and I had been assigned to patrol duty. As I stretched and yawned, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves.Dom, one of the seasoned warriors, had taken it upon himself to advise me throughout the day, despite not being in the same unit. I appreciated his gesture, but I assured him I was fine on my own. He had a tendency to be overprotective, something I wasn't particularly fond of."Morning, Lila," Dom greeted as he entered the room, carrying a plate piled high with pancakes and fruit. "I made you breakfast before I head back to the office."I grinned at him, appreciating his effort. "Thanks, Dom. You didn't have to, but I won't say no to pancakes."He chuckled and placed the plate in front of me. "I know you said you're fine, but remember, if you ever need help, I'm just a howl away."I rolled my eyes play
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POVI sat on my throne, a commanding presence in the grand hall of the pack palace. My gaze was steely, my posture rigid as I watched the bustling activity below. I was the alpha king, feared by all, and I ruled with an iron fist.Suddenly, the doors to the hall swung open, and Nana, my trusted sage, entered, her expression grave. She approached me with determined strides, her eyes fixed on mine."Nana," I greeted, my voice low and authoritative. "What brings you to my throne room?"Nana bowed respectfully before speaking, her tone measured. "My king, I come to speak to you regarding Ayra."I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What about her?"Nana took a deep breath before continuing. "She has learned her lesson, my king. The punishment you have inflicted upon her has been severe, and I believe she now understands the error of her ways."I regarded Nana with a calculating gaze, weighing her words carefully. "And what lesson would that be, Nana?""That she must show respect
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POVThe meeting with the cabinet members was proceeding smoothly until Marcus, my beta, barged into the room with an urgency that demanded my immediate attention. His usually composed demeanor was replaced by a sense of urgency that I could not ignore."How important is it?" I inquired, my voice a low rumble that filled the room with authority.Marcus swallowed, his gaze flickering with a mixture of apprehension and determination. "Very, very important, Your Majesty," he replied, his words punctuated by the gravity of the situation.With a curt nod, I excused myself from the council chamber, leaving behind the murmurs of my advisors as I followed Marcus to a secluded chamber where a private investigator awaited.The investigator stood tall and confident, his demeanor a stark contrast to the tension that permeated the room. He wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter, his words measured and deliberate."Your Majesty, after months of relentless pursuit, I have
VESTA'S POVThe night was alive with chaos as Ellie and I raced through the streets, the wail of sirens piercing the air. Smoke billowed from a building ahead, flames licking at the darkness like hungry beasts. Without a second thought, we leaped into action, our training kicking in as we rushed to aid those trapped within."Stay close, Ellie," I called out over the roar of the fire, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.Together, we navigated the inferno, our senses honed to the danger that lurked around every corner. With swift precision, we located the trapped occupants, guiding them to safety with practiced ease.As we led a group of survivors to safety, one of the women paused, her gaze lingering on me with a flicker of recognition in her eyes. "You look awfully familiar," she remarked, her voice tinged with curiosity.I forced a smile, masking the unease that churned within me. "I don't think so," I replied, my tone light despite the weight of her scru
AYRA'S POVThe delicate scent of the flowers invaded my chambers, a stark contrast to the cold stone walls that surrounded me. I eyed the bouquet warily, suspicion knotting in the pit of my stomach. What game was Lucius playing now?With a sigh, I pushed the flowers aside, refusing to let his manipulative gestures sway me. I knew better than to trust anything that came from him. But still, a small part of me couldn't help but wonder what his intentions were.Before I could dwell on it further, Nana, my faithful advisor, entered the room with a smile plastered on her wrinkled face. "Good news, my dear," she chirped, her voice grating on my nerves. "His Majesty has granted you the entire week off from your Luna trainings. You deserve some rest and relaxation."I blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Lucius's unexpected generosity. What was he playing at? Was this some sort of ploy to lower my guard?As Nana bustled about, making arrangements for my week of leisure, I couldn't shake th
LuciusI traced Vesta’s scent to a horrid looking place. But I couldn’t care less, all that was on my mind was where to find my Luna. I kept on following the trail of her scent and it lead me deeper into the unknown.As I pushed forward, the scent of my mate intensified, mingling with the odor of the unknown wolves. A low growl rumbled in my chest, a warning to any who dared stand in my path.Finally, the path opened into a vast underground chamber and in there, stood two figures. I recognized the unmistakable scent of Vesta clinging to them. But something was wrong. Their movements were jerky, and their eyes glowed with emerald light.“Vesta!" I roared. "Where is she?"The figures turned towards me, their heads snapping in unison. A guttural growl erupted from their throats. Their glowing eyes never left me. Their lack of response, their wolf appearance, sent fury coursing through me."Where is my mate?" I repeated. "What have you done to her?"Another guttural growl was their o
VESTA'S POV Even while I knew I and Elara were cooked, I was still defiant. I challenged him, I said all sorts of disdainful remarks towards him and for a moment, I saw fear. But he wouldn't let a naive pup like me unravel it all. "Don't be foolish, Vesta," he hissed. "I've worked too hard for my position. A few more lives, even yours, are a small price to pay for ultimate power." Darius didn't care about the pack, not truly. It was all a game of control, a desperate scramble to maintain a power he never rightfully earned. And if that meant silencing anyone who threatened to expose his treachery, then so be it. “You think fear will silence me?" I retorted, my voice laced with newfound steel. "You underestimate me, Uncle." Darius's smile vanished completely, replaced by a menacing scowl. "Perhaps," he said, taking a menacing step forward. "But underestimation can be a very effective tool." A signal was barked, and the two guards flanking him lunged forward. Before I could react, t
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POV With I and Mayra in the same castle as Vesta, I knew Vesta was definitely going to observe my relationship with my sister. She had spoken to me about family and bonding. She made me understand that family is forever even if they can be dickheads. I was reluctant to have ‘that talk’ with my sister but Vesta had convinced me to do it. With a gentle nudge and a smile, she left us alone in the library, a silent encouragement to bridge the gap that separated us. Mayra, frail but determined, reached out a hand, her touch hesitant yet filled with longing. I clasped it in mine. "I'm so sorry, Lucius," she said, her voice cracked. "For everything." "There's nothing to apologize for, Mayra," I replied, my voice cracking as well. "We were just children, caught in the crossfire." A gentle smile touched her lips, in that moment I saw a glimpse of a vibrant young woman I remembered. "Do you remember the stories Mama used to tell us?" she asked. I nodded, I felt bitte
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POV Everything going on with Vesta was unfortunate. As much as I wanted her to be with me in my castle so we could make love from dusk till dawn, I had to give her the time and space she needed to heal. I didn’t know much about what had happened back in her pack but I do know it had something to do with her uncle. One morning, Vesta walked up to me in the study. “Lucius, the night my parents died, do you have any idea what happened?” She asked me, she appeared almost lifeless. As though she had been troubled with something heavy. “I wasn’t there. I have little to no knowledge of what happened that night.” I confessed. “How can I trust you! Everyone has been lying to me, why are you any different?!” She yelled. Vesta's words hit me like a physical blow. The raw pain and accusation in her voice felt like a betrayal. But I could understand her pain. “Believe me, Vesta, I had nothing to do with your parents' death." "How can I believe you?" she cried, her voice
VESTA'S POV In the days that followed, I was conflicted by my emotions. I was uncertain, the truth was a constant torment in my mind. I couldn't shake the image of a dark figure, a glimpse from a night etched in blood and loss. Was it Lucius after all? Or was I clinging to a fabricated truth, a narrative constructed by years of resentment? Determined to uncover the truth, I embarked on a relentless quest for knowledge. Every spare moment found me looking through anything in hardcover the pack library. My fingers tracing the worn spines of ancient tomes. My frustration built with each dead-end. Until one dusty afternoon, buried beneath a pile of forgotten scrolls, my fingers brushed against a hidden compartment in an old leather-bound book. Inside, resting amongst brittle parchment and faded ink, lay a single, folded letter. My heart pounded in my chest as I carefully unfolded the yellowed paper, the words written upon it swimming before my eyes. It was a desperate plea, a despera
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POV I wondered why she hated me. Every time I looked at Vesta, the raw pain in her eyes was a constant reminder of my own shortcomings. Two years. Two years I'd watched Vesta fight our bond with every fiber of her being. Two years of clenched jaws and strange stares, a constant reminder of the past I desperately wanted to amend. Vesta sat by the window, her back was rigid, her silence a wall I desperately wanted to breach. With a deep breath, I approached with a bouquet of wildflowers clutched tightly in my hand. “Vesta," I began. "May I come in?" I was greeted with silence. I was beginning to get frustrated but I forced it down. This wasn't about me. This was about making amends, however flimsy they might seem. I pushed the door open further, stepping into the room. "I brought you these," I stated, extending the bouquet towards her. They were violets and lilies, her favorites. It was a long shot, a gamble, but her reaction was worth the risk. Surprised crossed her
VESTA'S POV I practically skipped into the pack house, my heart humming a happy tune. Elara, who was by the window, looked up, her brows raised in amusement. "What's gotten into you?" she teased. "Elara, you won't believe it!" I gushed, practically bursting with the need to share. "Lucius and I… we went for a walk." "A walk?" Elara said, her voice laced with curiosity. "That's it?" I blushed furiously, but couldn't contain my excitement. "Well, it wasn't just any walk," I stammered. "We talked… for hours. And then…" I paused dramatically, unable to wipe the silly grin off my face. "He kissed me, Elara." A gasp escaped Elara's lips. "He kissed you?" Her eyes widened in surprise. "And… and you?" "I…" I confessed hesitantly, "I kissed him back." Elara's face broke into a wide smile. "Oh, Vesta!" she squealed, clapping her hands together in delight. "That's amazing! I knew there was something simmering there." The memory of the kiss sent a shiver down my spine. "It was… unexpected
VESTA'S POV All of a sudden, the outrage I felt towards Lucius seemed petty. After that gift, he was a powerful Alpha, sending me such a heartfelt gift, and all I could do was shut him out. Elara, who had watched me open the book again, spoke up softly, "It's beautiful, isn't it, Vesta?" I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. "He put a lot of effort into it," Elara added. "Maybe you should cut him some slack." Her words echoed in my mind. Perhaps she was right. Lucius had his flaws, his controlling tendencies were a constant source of irritation, but this… this was different. This was a man reaching out, trying to forge a connection. “Give him a chance?" I said, trying to mask my feelings. “Think about it," Elara urged. "Flowers from so far away? Jewelries, trinkets. A book, that obviously means something to you? He's clearly trying." Maybe, just maybe, it was time for me to reciprocate, to meet him halfway. Later that evening, as I sat by the fire with a steaming
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POV I watched with satisfaction as the messengers I'd hired left the castle grounds, a precious package safely in their hands. Inside? Another token for Vesta – a stunning emerald bracelet this time, a subtle nod to her captivating eyes. A smile played on my lips. Perhaps, with this one, she'd finally relent, finally acknowledge the depth of my affection. "Alpha Lucius," Marcus barged into the room, his usual stoicism replaced by a flicker of urgency. "We have a situation." My smile faded. "What is it, Marcus?" "News from Vesta's pack," he replied, stepping closer. "Our scouts report… peculiar developments." Intrigued, I leaned forward. "Peculiar?" “Yes, Alpha. It seems the women and young girls… they've been seen wearing expensive jewelry. Gold, diamonds, even silver." A frown etched itself onto my face. Jewelry? I’ve been sending boxes of the finest jewelries to Vesta. Could news of my generosity have spread so quickly? Perhaps word of my extravagant gift had in