Elara’s POVIt had barely been a few hours since Andrew left, and yet, I already felt the empty ache of his absence.I shouldn’t.I shouldn’t feel anything for a man I was destined to kill, yet here I was, doing the exact opposite. It was pathetic. Worse, it was dangerous. Dangerous for me. After his departure, I quickly had a shower to wash away the dirt and aches as well as to clear my mind. But as I laid on my bed few minutes later, sleep eluded me. Now it's the wee hours of the morning and I knew I was going to be dull due to my lack of sleep.The realization that I was going through this because Andrew pissed me off.Especially after the words he had thrown at me.“I don’t need you pointing out how my pack should or shouldn’t act,” he growled. Then his voice dropped, colder than ice. “Especially not from a cursed wolf.”His pack. The same pack that was inefficient enough not to notice when their Alpha was in danger. The same pack that was close by but was unable to do anything
Elara’s POV"What the hell are you doing?" I spat, my hand still pressed to my stinging cheek. My face burned from the blow, but I refused to let it show. Not to Mira.Her smirk still in place, she stepped deeper into my room like she owned the place. Behind her, the two girls I didn’t recognize followed closely, their eyes filled with malice. If they were with Mira, I already knew they were trouble."So, this is what the Salientmoon Pack gave you?" Mira mused, glancing around with fake admiration. "How nice of them."I clenched my fists, forcing my breathing to stay even.One of the girls, a blonde with sharp features, sauntered closer. She tilted her head, studying me like I was some rare item. "So, this is the famous Elara I’ve heard so much about." Her lips curled into a smirk. "Honestly? You don’t look like much.""Is that why you’re here?" I asked coldly. "To see the cursed wolf?"Blondie snorted. "Yes, actually. But Mira also said you know how to take a good beating. I was bank
Elara's POVAs I stood there, still contemplating where I could've gotten this strength from, Mira stirred. Before I could react, the other two were also coming to consciousness.It seems we will have to go again. Clenching my fists, I noticed the foreign energy in my body was gone.For a moment, my heart dropped to my stomach. What am I to do?But then it struck me; they didn't know the power had dispersed. They still think my strength was still there.I thought they would attack again once they set their sights on me but as they looked up, they shrunk back as if they had just seen a monster, their expressions ones of pure terror.Good. Just my luck, I thought as relief washed over me They should be scared.This is nice for a change. I got the chance to give them a taste of their own poison.I took a deliberate step toward them, watching as they cowered. Mira, still groggy from the hit, tried to sit up, but her hands shook. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no w
Andrew's POVThough I intended to meet up with Dorian immediately after leaving the storehouse, things didn’t go as I had hoped.Upon reaching the southern borders, I expected to find him before he entered the pack, but instead found nothing. No scent, no sign, and no sound aside from the gentle rustling of leaves beneath a clear blue sky.He must have already gotten inside.A curse escaped my lips as a shiver ran down my spine. I couldn't help but feel anxious. I don’t trust him. We’ve been fierce rivals for years, constantly watching each other, waiting for a chance to clash. The fact that we hadn’t gone to war yet is nothing short of a miracle.Taking out my phone, I called Michael. Typically, I’d howl, relying on the pack’s natural instinct, but I didn’t want to create any unnecessary tension at that moment."Hey, Michael. I can't seem to find Dorian anywhere around here," I said, my voice strained. "Can you track him down on your end?""Are you serious? Give me a second, I’ll che
Elara’s POVFor one long moment, I just stood, my breath coming in long, controlled exhales as I stared at the space where Andrew, Dorian, and Mira had barely left.I shut the door behind them, leaving me in the kind of silence that made me uncomfortable especially after the conversation that just went on. What unfinished business could Dorian possibly have with Andrew?My mind replayed every interaction we’d had, searching for any sign, any hints I might have missed while everything was going on. Dorian had always been calculative, always playing a game only he knew the rules to. I didn’t doubt for a second that whatever he wanted had nothing to do with goodwill.Knowing who he is, he has an ulterior motive. There has never been any love lost between. Everything is just a game.I ran a hand down my face, pressing my fingers against my temple, suddenly feeling weary from everything.It is too early in the morning for this.Sighing, I walked toward the window, pulling apart the thick
Elara's POV Today was supposed to be an ordinary day. I was meant to run simple errands, mind my business, and make it back to my little corner without incident. I wasn’t aiming to be noticed, especially by the pack members who always made it their mission to remind me where I stood—or, rather, where I didn’t. But sometimes, I wondered if staying out of their way only made them seek me out even more.I pulled my hood up and ducked my head, hoping the less they saw of my face, the better. The market was busy, filled with laughter and chatter, and I hoped the noise would hide my presence. I had to pass by a group of wolves, talking loud and carefree, completely absorbed in their own conversations. My steps were quiet, deliberate.But luck wasn’t on my side.“Hey, isn’t that Elara?” The voice was sharp, familiar. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was—Mira, the pack’s reigning queen bee and self-proclaimed guardian of everyone else’s business.I ignored her, quickening my steps.
Elara's POVThere was a silence so thick you could almost hear everyone’s heartbeat without even trying. Andrew Galway’s gaze cut through the crowd like a blade, cutting away the jeers and smirks, leaving only the raw tension hanging in the air.Mira, who’d been so confident a moment ago, faltered. She tried to recover, her voice losing a bit of its edge as she said, “Oh, Alpha Galway, it’s nothing. Just… handling a bit of discipline.”Discipline. The word tasted bitter as I repeated it in my mind, feeling the sting of gravel still digging into my knees. She really would say anything to cover herself, twist anything to suit her version of the story. And if I tried to argue, to explain, she’d only use it against me. I knew how this game went; I’d lost too many times before.Andrew didn’t seem convinced. His eyes moved from Mira to the others still gathered around, lingering on each of them just long enough to make them uncomfortable. There was something different about him, a low power
Elara's POVI stared at Andrew, my heart pounding in my chest, feeling as though the ground beneath my feet had just crumbled away. He was really doing this, claiming me, offering me a place in his pack. It felt surreal, like something out of a dream, so unexpected that my mind couldn’t fully comprehend it. And yet, here he was, standing before me with an air of calm resolve, as if this decision was as natural to him as breathing.“Gather your things now!” he commanded, his voice steady and firm. “Meet me at Alpha Dorian’s cabin in half an hour.”I opened my mouth to speak, then closed it, utterly lost for words. The reality of the moment was too overwhelming. My thoughts swirled in a chaotic mix of disbelief, hope, and terror, each emotion crashing against the other like a turbulent storm. I nodded mutely, unable to form a coherent response. Andrew didn’t wait for another word; without a glance back, he turned and walked away, his confidence unshakable, something only an Alpha could
Elara’s POVFor one long moment, I just stood, my breath coming in long, controlled exhales as I stared at the space where Andrew, Dorian, and Mira had barely left.I shut the door behind them, leaving me in the kind of silence that made me uncomfortable especially after the conversation that just went on. What unfinished business could Dorian possibly have with Andrew?My mind replayed every interaction we’d had, searching for any sign, any hints I might have missed while everything was going on. Dorian had always been calculative, always playing a game only he knew the rules to. I didn’t doubt for a second that whatever he wanted had nothing to do with goodwill.Knowing who he is, he has an ulterior motive. There has never been any love lost between. Everything is just a game.I ran a hand down my face, pressing my fingers against my temple, suddenly feeling weary from everything.It is too early in the morning for this.Sighing, I walked toward the window, pulling apart the thick
Andrew's POVThough I intended to meet up with Dorian immediately after leaving the storehouse, things didn’t go as I had hoped.Upon reaching the southern borders, I expected to find him before he entered the pack, but instead found nothing. No scent, no sign, and no sound aside from the gentle rustling of leaves beneath a clear blue sky.He must have already gotten inside.A curse escaped my lips as a shiver ran down my spine. I couldn't help but feel anxious. I don’t trust him. We’ve been fierce rivals for years, constantly watching each other, waiting for a chance to clash. The fact that we hadn’t gone to war yet is nothing short of a miracle.Taking out my phone, I called Michael. Typically, I’d howl, relying on the pack’s natural instinct, but I didn’t want to create any unnecessary tension at that moment."Hey, Michael. I can't seem to find Dorian anywhere around here," I said, my voice strained. "Can you track him down on your end?""Are you serious? Give me a second, I’ll che
Elara's POVAs I stood there, still contemplating where I could've gotten this strength from, Mira stirred. Before I could react, the other two were also coming to consciousness.It seems we will have to go again. Clenching my fists, I noticed the foreign energy in my body was gone.For a moment, my heart dropped to my stomach. What am I to do?But then it struck me; they didn't know the power had dispersed. They still think my strength was still there.I thought they would attack again once they set their sights on me but as they looked up, they shrunk back as if they had just seen a monster, their expressions ones of pure terror.Good. Just my luck, I thought as relief washed over me They should be scared.This is nice for a change. I got the chance to give them a taste of their own poison.I took a deliberate step toward them, watching as they cowered. Mira, still groggy from the hit, tried to sit up, but her hands shook. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no w
Elara’s POV"What the hell are you doing?" I spat, my hand still pressed to my stinging cheek. My face burned from the blow, but I refused to let it show. Not to Mira.Her smirk still in place, she stepped deeper into my room like she owned the place. Behind her, the two girls I didn’t recognize followed closely, their eyes filled with malice. If they were with Mira, I already knew they were trouble."So, this is what the Salientmoon Pack gave you?" Mira mused, glancing around with fake admiration. "How nice of them."I clenched my fists, forcing my breathing to stay even.One of the girls, a blonde with sharp features, sauntered closer. She tilted her head, studying me like I was some rare item. "So, this is the famous Elara I’ve heard so much about." Her lips curled into a smirk. "Honestly? You don’t look like much.""Is that why you’re here?" I asked coldly. "To see the cursed wolf?"Blondie snorted. "Yes, actually. But Mira also said you know how to take a good beating. I was bank
Elara’s POVIt had barely been a few hours since Andrew left, and yet, I already felt the empty ache of his absence.I shouldn’t.I shouldn’t feel anything for a man I was destined to kill, yet here I was, doing the exact opposite. It was pathetic. Worse, it was dangerous. Dangerous for me. After his departure, I quickly had a shower to wash away the dirt and aches as well as to clear my mind. But as I laid on my bed few minutes later, sleep eluded me. Now it's the wee hours of the morning and I knew I was going to be dull due to my lack of sleep.The realization that I was going through this because Andrew pissed me off.Especially after the words he had thrown at me.“I don’t need you pointing out how my pack should or shouldn’t act,” he growled. Then his voice dropped, colder than ice. “Especially not from a cursed wolf.”His pack. The same pack that was inefficient enough not to notice when their Alpha was in danger. The same pack that was close by but was unable to do anything
Andrew's POVThe dim light from the single, flickering bulb overhead cast shadows across his face, making the sweat on his brow glisten. His wrists were bound behind him, his breathing labored, and the smell of blood still hung thick in the air.I leaned forward, my voice low but edged with danger. “Are you going to talk, or should I pick which limb comes off first? Maybe your hand… or your leg?” I tilted my head, considering the options as I let my fingers trail over the cold metal of the chainsaw in my hand.For a brief second, I saw the hesitation in his eyes—the flicker of fear—but then he steeled himself, his expression hardening into defiance.“You can all go to hell,” he spat. “I’m not telling you anything.”I exhaled slowly, feigning disappointment. “Very well then. Suit yourself.”With an indifferent shrug, I gripped the chainsaw’s handle and yanked the cord. The engine roared to life, its sharp teeth glinting as I took a step toward him. The scent of burning fuel filled the
Andrew’s POVThe moment we stepped into the storeroom, the sharp scent of blood hit me. It clung to the air, metallic and thick mixing with the damp, musty smell of the enclosed space. The dim light flickered above, casting shadows across the concrete floor.In the center of the room, slumped in a chair, was our prisoner—the source of the blood. I wasn't expecting much but seeing someone who looked so young being held prisoner for torture and questioning by my pack enforcer surprised me.“Is that him?” I asked.“Yes. Don't be fooled by what you see. He is much tougher than he looks.” He stated. “My fists can testify to that.” He added showing me his bloodied knuckles.How much beating did he have to give that boy to get his hands looking like that. Normally, people break after taking a few punches from Greg.With a nod, I took slow, measured steps toward him, my boots quiet against the hard ground. His head hung forward, chin resting against his chest, his body limp.I crouched, gripp
Andrew’s POVIt was never my intention for things to end the way they did with Elara. But what was I supposed to do when the entire pack seemed to be against her?I stood at the window of my study, swirling the amber liquid in my glass as I stared into the night. The moon was high, casting a cold glow over the land, but the unease in my chest refused to settle. It was like a growing tumor trying to choke me.Even though I had never planned to form any emotional attachment to her, I couldn’t shake the way she made me feel. And that was dangerous. More dangerous than any enemy lurking outside our borders. And it seemed I had more than a few.Letting her into my bed was a mistake. Now, she was in my head, haunting my thoughts like a ghost I couldn’t exorcise. Even now, just the memory of her scent, the way her body felt against mine, had my blood heating, sending it straight to my lower region, giving me a boner.If there's anything I learnt early in life is to never form any close ties
Elara's POVThe moment I stepped into the pack house, I made a beeline for my room. My hands trembled as I pushed the door shut behind me, leaning against it for support. My breath came in shallow, uneven bursts.What did I just do?My heart still pounded from the confrontation outside. I had given Andrew’s pack a piece of my mind, my words sharp and direct. The fury that had driven me was raw, but now, in the quiet solitude of my room, doubt crawled in.I clenched my fists, squeezing my eyes shut.Did I go too far?I shook my head. No. They deserved every word I spat at them. Their nonchalance had nearly cost us our lives, and if they refused to acknowledge their incompetence, I had no problem rubbing it in their faces.Still, I couldn’t ignore the worry pressing on my chest. Hate had already poisoned the air around me, and now I had likely poured gasoline on an already raging fire.With a sigh, I pushed away from the door and collapsed onto my bed, face-first. The mattress did littl