Zeph’s breath hitched as she stared at the identical mark on Ashral’s shoulder. Her mind raced with questions.“You are from the starlight pack,” she finally said, her voice hoarse from the lingering effects of the poison.Ashral nodded. “So are you.” “So, not all were wiped out?”“Not entirely,” Ashral murmured. Some of us survived, scattered across different territories. Hiding.”“From who?”“Our enemies”“Don’t you know who they are?”“I don’t. "How did you end up in this situation where Ryker wanted to brainwash you?”Zeph exhaled, her body still weak but recovering. “It’s a long story.”Ashral gave her a pointed look. “I think we have time.”Zeph let out a breath, her body still heavy and useless against the cold stone beneath her.“Ryker rejected me as his mate because I was a powerless omega with no wolf, and he later found out about my powers, and apparently, he’s really interested in them.”Ashral clicked her tongue, shaking her head. “. Power-hungry fool.”Zeph would’ve shr
Terran sat at his desk, scanning over reports and handling pack affairs, but something gnawed at the back of his mind. The day had nearly passed, and he hadn’t seen Zeph. Not even once.His wolf stirred uneasily.Where is she?It wasn’t unusual for her to disappear for a few hours, but an entire day? That was unlike her. His jaw tightened as he pushed away from his desk, striding out of his office. He needed to check on her.When he arrived at her door, he was surprised to see Vixxen already standing there, arms crossed, his usual smirk replaced with a deep frown.“What are you doing here?”“I should be asking you that “Wait, you haven’t her?”“No. Not once since this morning.”That was all the confirmation he needed. Something was wrong. Without hesitation, he pushed open the door—only to be met with an empty room.A cold wave of dread washed over him. The scent of the space told him everything he needed to know. It was faint, but there.Ryker.A deep growl rumbled in his chest, his
He hardly had time to recover his breath when he arrived at Camille's quarters before bursting in. Camille didn't move or show surprise when the servant suddenly came in. She just raised an eyebrow and looked at the servant, who was kneeling and breathing heavily. "Well?”“My Lady,” the servant gasped, “Ashral and Zeph—They plan to deceive the Alpha. Ashral will pretend to brainwash her, and Zeph will fake being controlled.”Camille remained quiet before a grin appeared across her face. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs, and tapped her fingers on the armrest. "How cute," she whispered. A smile played on her lips as she thought about what the servant told her. The servant stood on his knees, his head bowed down. "Should I tell the Alpha, My Lady?" he asked."No, let them think their plan is working.” Camille chuckled softly. “It's fun to watch someone think they're in control... only to find out they're not."The servant swallowed hard. “What shall we do in the meantime
Ryker's mean smile grew bigger as he moved closer to Zeph. His fingers touched the bottom of her clothes, ready to lift them up. But Zeph grabbed the fabric tightly, holding it down. "Don’t you think it's weird?" she asked, trying to sound confused and unsure. "Stripping in front of everyone?" Ryker's smile started to fade. He looked at Zeph suspiciously, then slowly turned his head to look at Ashral. “Why is she questioning me?” His voice carried a dangerous edge, his amusement quickly fading. “She’s supposed to obey without hesitation.” His eyes narrowed. “Isn’t that what you were supposed to do?”Ashral remained silent.The lack of response only fueled Ryker’s fury. He snarled and hit Ashral hard. She hits the wall, gasping for air. Zeph felt a wave of fear. "Stop!" she shouted, unable to control herself. Without thinking, she rushed forward, and stood in front of Ashral. The room became silent.Zeph froze. Shit, my cover has been blown.Ryker stared at Zeph with a scary, amused
FlashbackThe moment the servant slipped out of the dungeon, Ashral exhaled and leaned against the cold stone wall."He’s gone," she murmured.Zeph arched a brow. "Are you sure?"Ashral smirked. "Positive."“How did you know someone was there?”“He didn’t mask his scent properly. I bet it was Ryker’s mate that sent him. I saw the way she looked at me earlier.”Zeph exhaled sharply, pacing through the small space of the cell. “Great. So now we’re officially running out of time.”Ashral pushed off the wall. “Which is why we need to move forward with our real plan. We’ll let them believe they know what we’re up to while we work on the real escape.”Zeph crossed her arms. “Okay. Which is?”Ashral tapped her temple. “You need to fully unlock your illusion ability. If you can perfect it before tomorrow, we’ll have a shot at getting you out of here.”Zeph frowned. “How am I supposed to master an ability I barely understand in one night?”“You practice. "And fast,” Ashral gestured to herself.
The two wolves crashed into each other with a loud crash. They growled loudly. Ryker's big wolf tried to use his size to win, but Vixxen was faster. He dodged Ryker's attacks with quick moves. Vixxen jumped forward and bit Ryker's shoulder, tearing his fur and skin. Ryker growled angrily and swiped his claws, cutting deep scratches into Vixxen's side. Vixxen clenched his teeth and twisted away, using his speed to stay ahead.Then, Ryker used his Alpha’s authority. Vixxen staggered. His body went rigid, his movements slowed as if invisible chains had wrapped around him. His instincts screamed at him to submit, but he fought against it. Ryker took advantage, slamming into him with full force. Vixxen yelped as he was sent crashing into the ground. Before he could get up, Ryker was on top of him, his big paw pressing down on his chest, his teeth bared in a winning snarl. When Ryker saw that he had won, he stepped back and transformed back into a human. His injuries were already healing
Zeph raised her hand again, and the air around them felt darker and more threatening. The shadows grew longer and twisted in weird ways. Everything became quiet and still. An unseen power came from her and hit Ryker like a strong blast of air. His smug smile faltered, and his eyes went wide. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then, he gasped. He stumbled back, his body becoming stiff as if invisible chains were wrapping around his mind. His vision blurred, and everything looked strange. The battlefield disappeared, replaced by a heavy darkness. A soft, whispery voice echoed in his ears.Then he heard it."You're worthless," a voice sneered. Ryker turned, gasping for breath. His own face looked back at him, twisted in disgust and disappointment. "You have all this power, but what do you have to show for it?" Ryker clenched his fists. "This isn't real." The other Ryker smirked. “Oh, it’s real enough, isn’t it? Real enough for you to feel how worthless you truly are.” Breathing became
When Zeph, Vixxen, Ashral, and the others arrived in the Terran's territory, they felt very upset. What they saw was terrible. Buildings were broken, a strong smell of blood filled the air, and many injured warriors were on the ground. Some were getting help, but others were too weak to move. The battlefield was quiet and still, which was scary.Zeph barely took in the destruction. Her mind was on one person."Where's Terran?" Zeph yelled, running past the hurt warriors. "Where is he?" Some of them shook their heads, showing their pain. "We don't know," one of them finally said.“He fought their leader—someone powerful. "And then…” He winced, gripping his side. Then the enemy just… stopped fighting. They left.”Left? Just like that?Zeph’s heart pounded. That didn’t make sense. If their goal was destruction, they would have fought to the last man.Unless… unless they had already gotten what they wanted.Her stomach twisted."Help the injured," she told Vixxen and Ashral."I'm going to
In the meeting room, the elders sat in their usual seats, looking serious and unhappy. Some looked angry, while others seemed pleased with themselves. The room buzzed with quiet complaints as they talked about what happened the day before. “This was bound to happen,” one elder said, sounding dismissive. “I knew keeping that girl here would bring nothing but trouble.”“She’s dangerous,” another agreed. “We should never have let her stay in the first place." And now, look—our pack was attacked because of her.The room was filled with quiet agreement. Some people nodded, looking pleased, while others looked serious. Then, an elder said, "Let's vote on it. For the safety of the pack, Zeph must be sent away. This isn’t up for debate, and even Terran cannot overrule us on this.”Terran sat at the head of the table, tapping his fingers at a steady beat on the table, and his face gave away nothing. Just as he was about to talk, the doors burst open.Zeph strode in.The murmurs stopped instan
When Zeph, Vixxen, Ashral, and the others arrived in the Terran's territory, they felt very upset. What they saw was terrible. Buildings were broken, a strong smell of blood filled the air, and many injured warriors were on the ground. Some were getting help, but others were too weak to move. The battlefield was quiet and still, which was scary.Zeph barely took in the destruction. Her mind was on one person."Where's Terran?" Zeph yelled, running past the hurt warriors. "Where is he?" Some of them shook their heads, showing their pain. "We don't know," one of them finally said.“He fought their leader—someone powerful. "And then…” He winced, gripping his side. Then the enemy just… stopped fighting. They left.”Left? Just like that?Zeph’s heart pounded. That didn’t make sense. If their goal was destruction, they would have fought to the last man.Unless… unless they had already gotten what they wanted.Her stomach twisted."Help the injured," she told Vixxen and Ashral."I'm going to
Zeph raised her hand again, and the air around them felt darker and more threatening. The shadows grew longer and twisted in weird ways. Everything became quiet and still. An unseen power came from her and hit Ryker like a strong blast of air. His smug smile faltered, and his eyes went wide. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then, he gasped. He stumbled back, his body becoming stiff as if invisible chains were wrapping around his mind. His vision blurred, and everything looked strange. The battlefield disappeared, replaced by a heavy darkness. A soft, whispery voice echoed in his ears.Then he heard it."You're worthless," a voice sneered. Ryker turned, gasping for breath. His own face looked back at him, twisted in disgust and disappointment. "You have all this power, but what do you have to show for it?" Ryker clenched his fists. "This isn't real." The other Ryker smirked. “Oh, it’s real enough, isn’t it? Real enough for you to feel how worthless you truly are.” Breathing became
The two wolves crashed into each other with a loud crash. They growled loudly. Ryker's big wolf tried to use his size to win, but Vixxen was faster. He dodged Ryker's attacks with quick moves. Vixxen jumped forward and bit Ryker's shoulder, tearing his fur and skin. Ryker growled angrily and swiped his claws, cutting deep scratches into Vixxen's side. Vixxen clenched his teeth and twisted away, using his speed to stay ahead.Then, Ryker used his Alpha’s authority. Vixxen staggered. His body went rigid, his movements slowed as if invisible chains had wrapped around him. His instincts screamed at him to submit, but he fought against it. Ryker took advantage, slamming into him with full force. Vixxen yelped as he was sent crashing into the ground. Before he could get up, Ryker was on top of him, his big paw pressing down on his chest, his teeth bared in a winning snarl. When Ryker saw that he had won, he stepped back and transformed back into a human. His injuries were already healing
FlashbackThe moment the servant slipped out of the dungeon, Ashral exhaled and leaned against the cold stone wall."He’s gone," she murmured.Zeph arched a brow. "Are you sure?"Ashral smirked. "Positive."“How did you know someone was there?”“He didn’t mask his scent properly. I bet it was Ryker’s mate that sent him. I saw the way she looked at me earlier.”Zeph exhaled sharply, pacing through the small space of the cell. “Great. So now we’re officially running out of time.”Ashral pushed off the wall. “Which is why we need to move forward with our real plan. We’ll let them believe they know what we’re up to while we work on the real escape.”Zeph crossed her arms. “Okay. Which is?”Ashral tapped her temple. “You need to fully unlock your illusion ability. If you can perfect it before tomorrow, we’ll have a shot at getting you out of here.”Zeph frowned. “How am I supposed to master an ability I barely understand in one night?”“You practice. "And fast,” Ashral gestured to herself.
Ryker's mean smile grew bigger as he moved closer to Zeph. His fingers touched the bottom of her clothes, ready to lift them up. But Zeph grabbed the fabric tightly, holding it down. "Don’t you think it's weird?" she asked, trying to sound confused and unsure. "Stripping in front of everyone?" Ryker's smile started to fade. He looked at Zeph suspiciously, then slowly turned his head to look at Ashral. “Why is she questioning me?” His voice carried a dangerous edge, his amusement quickly fading. “She’s supposed to obey without hesitation.” His eyes narrowed. “Isn’t that what you were supposed to do?”Ashral remained silent.The lack of response only fueled Ryker’s fury. He snarled and hit Ashral hard. She hits the wall, gasping for air. Zeph felt a wave of fear. "Stop!" she shouted, unable to control herself. Without thinking, she rushed forward, and stood in front of Ashral. The room became silent.Zeph froze. Shit, my cover has been blown.Ryker stared at Zeph with a scary, amused
He hardly had time to recover his breath when he arrived at Camille's quarters before bursting in. Camille didn't move or show surprise when the servant suddenly came in. She just raised an eyebrow and looked at the servant, who was kneeling and breathing heavily. "Well?”“My Lady,” the servant gasped, “Ashral and Zeph—They plan to deceive the Alpha. Ashral will pretend to brainwash her, and Zeph will fake being controlled.”Camille remained quiet before a grin appeared across her face. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs, and tapped her fingers on the armrest. "How cute," she whispered. A smile played on her lips as she thought about what the servant told her. The servant stood on his knees, his head bowed down. "Should I tell the Alpha, My Lady?" he asked."No, let them think their plan is working.” Camille chuckled softly. “It's fun to watch someone think they're in control... only to find out they're not."The servant swallowed hard. “What shall we do in the meantime
Terran sat at his desk, scanning over reports and handling pack affairs, but something gnawed at the back of his mind. The day had nearly passed, and he hadn’t seen Zeph. Not even once.His wolf stirred uneasily.Where is she?It wasn’t unusual for her to disappear for a few hours, but an entire day? That was unlike her. His jaw tightened as he pushed away from his desk, striding out of his office. He needed to check on her.When he arrived at her door, he was surprised to see Vixxen already standing there, arms crossed, his usual smirk replaced with a deep frown.“What are you doing here?”“I should be asking you that “Wait, you haven’t her?”“No. Not once since this morning.”That was all the confirmation he needed. Something was wrong. Without hesitation, he pushed open the door—only to be met with an empty room.A cold wave of dread washed over him. The scent of the space told him everything he needed to know. It was faint, but there.Ryker.A deep growl rumbled in his chest, his
Zeph’s breath hitched as she stared at the identical mark on Ashral’s shoulder. Her mind raced with questions.“You are from the starlight pack,” she finally said, her voice hoarse from the lingering effects of the poison.Ashral nodded. “So are you.” “So, not all were wiped out?”“Not entirely,” Ashral murmured. Some of us survived, scattered across different territories. Hiding.”“From who?”“Our enemies”“Don’t you know who they are?”“I don’t. "How did you end up in this situation where Ryker wanted to brainwash you?”Zeph exhaled, her body still weak but recovering. “It’s a long story.”Ashral gave her a pointed look. “I think we have time.”Zeph let out a breath, her body still heavy and useless against the cold stone beneath her.“Ryker rejected me as his mate because I was a powerless omega with no wolf, and he later found out about my powers, and apparently, he’s really interested in them.”Ashral clicked her tongue, shaking her head. “. Power-hungry fool.”Zeph would’ve shr