The entire Royal Council was in an uproar when Malakai revealed his intention to attempt to mark his wolf-less mate."Your Highness," one of the council members spoke up, "no she-wolf has ever received a mate mark without first shifting. The Lycan and the wolf both have to accept it; everyone knows that. Marking your mate binds not only your soul to hers, but the souls of both wolves. Without your mate's wolf, we cannot predict the consequences. It could be excruciatingly painful if she doesn't have her wolf to accept it and brand the mark.""I understand this completely," Malakai asserted, "but Amani is the strongest she-wolf I've ever known, and I know you all can agree with that sentiment. We all know she shouldn't have survived Jax's attack, but she did. She has strong, resilient Lycan blood, the blood of an Alpha. If there is any chance that marking her can awaken her wolf, then I have to try."“There is still the matter of her being barren, Malakai,” the King pointed out.“We do
Amani headed towards the stables, instructing the three servants to go ahead of her. This way, nobody would be able to inform Malakai that she had been seen with them before her disappearance. To outsiders, it appeared as if she was simply taking her usual daily walk. Daniela was well versed with all matters concerning the stables. Steph would often ride the horses and bring Daniela along with her, so she was well aware of the stables' cleaning and feeding schedule. She knew there was a small window of time between the two tasks when nobody would be present. Additionally, Daniela was familiar with the guards' shifts and how long it took them to complete their rounds before returning to the stables. Amani confidently stayed on route, reassured by Daniela's knowledge that no guard would cross her path.Upon reaching the stables, Amani hurried inside and swiftly changed into the clothes provided by Steven and Penelope. Meanwhile, Penelope and Steven patiently waited behind the stables
Not only was Malakai acutely aware that Amani was missing, but he had also become completely unhinged. He had ordered a thorough search for her throughout the palace, with all the guards tirelessly combing every nook and cranny. Not stopping there, he had even dispatched his own patrol to venture beyond the palace gates. He left no stone unturned in his efforts to find her, spreading the word far and wide about her disappearance and emphasizing the urgency of her safe return. To sweeten the deal, he put forth a generous reward for anyone who could bring her back unharmed.As he followed her elusive scent, it took him on a meandering path throughout the palace, tracing her every step and lingering presence. The frustration mounted as he found himself going in circles, until a more distinct aroma of hers caught his attention. It beckoned him, growing stronger and stronger, until it guided him to an unexpected location - the stables. Despite the overpowering stench of horse dung, Amani'
When the guards brought Daniela to Malakai, she immediately dropped to her knees, bowing before him. Malakai's gaze bore down on her, but Daniela kept her eyes fixed on the floor, refusing to meet his intense stare."Why were you at the stables this morning?" Malakai's voice cut through the silence, demanding an answer.Daniela remained silent, her head still bowed in submission."The Prince is asking you a question, Slave!" Phineas barked, his impatience evident.Malakai shot Phineas a warning look, silencing him with a mere glance. Phineas meekly lowered his head, understanding the gravity of the situation.Returning his attention to Daniela, Malakai's voice grew colder and more menacing. "Your entire story about Steph was nothing but a diversion, wasn't it? I am well aware that you were in the stables with Amani this morning. You will either give me the information I seek or face severe punishment."Still, Daniela remained stubbornly silent, trembling on her knees, her gaze fixed u
The next morning, Amani awoke to find Robert unloading merchandise at one of his stops. Glancing around the wagon, she noticed that it was practically empty, with just a few items remaining. Robert informed her that he only had one more stop to make, which was as far as he could take her. This last stop lay just outside of Blackclaw territory, offering a clear path to the border. Although Amani would have to walk about ten miles alone, Robert assured her that there were no Royal Guards patrolling that area.Just before reaching his final stop, Robert let Amani out of the wagon. He kindly provided her with fresh water and bread for her journey. Filled with gratitude for everything he had done, Amani bid him farewell, expressing her heartfelt appreciation. With a final wave, she set off along the path that led to the Rogue Border.The journey proved to be a long one, and Amani paused only briefly to rest along the way. Her determination pushed her to minimize any wasted time, urging her
Amani fought desperately to break free from the wolf's tight grasp beneath the churning water. With a powerful kick to the snout, she finally managed to escape and propelled herself upwards, gasping for air as her head emerged above the surface. Her chest heaved as she struggled to fill her lungs with much-needed oxygen after the intense struggle.No sooner had she caught her breath, Amani felt the relentless force of the current pulling her downstream, her body at the mercy of the raging river. Determined to fight against the relenting force, she kicked her legs and moved her arms with all her strength, striving to make headway against the powerful flow.Witnessing her plight, the rogues scrambled along the riverbank, frantically searching for anything that could serve as a lifeline for Amani to grab onto. They desperately threw out branches and vines, hoping to provide some means of rescue. Meanwhile, the guards, including the one who had taken his wolf form, swam towards Amani with
Malakai secluded himself in his chambers for the remainder of the day. The guards were scheduled to arrive with Amani the following afternoon, leaving him increasingly restless as the hours crawled by. Tempted as he was to embark on the mission to retrieve her himself, his turbulent emotions deterred him, afraid of the unintended verbal onslaught that might escape his lips. Since her departure, he had barely slept or eaten, and each time he attempted to find solace in slumber, he found himself in an endless dance of tossing and turning.The fact that Amani had attempted to cross the Rogue Border still confounded Malakai. If she had managed to cross, she would forever be barred from setting foot in the Pack Lands. Once you go rogue, you can never go back. It infuriated Malakai that she was so ready and willing to turn her back on him like that. In reality, though, under the guise of his anger was nothing more than a profound ache that pierced his heart. As the early hours of the mornin
Amani desperately ran after Malakai, her voice filled with pleading, begging him not to punish them. Tears streamed down her face as she poured her heart out, but it was as if her words fell on deaf ears, or worse, a heart that didn't even care. Malakai seemed like a stranger, a person transformed into something unrecognizable. Even the way he moved was different, like a predator stalking its prey. Amani reached out, hoping to grasp his arm and bring him to a halt, but he forcefully pulled away, warning her not to touch him, as if her very presence repulsed him. Regret consumed her, knowing that she had made him this way.Upon reaching the dungeon, Amani was met with a horrific sight. Her dear friends appeared frightened and helpless, unsure of the dreadful fate that awaited them. The guilt within her tore at her heart, shattering it into countless pieces. She sobbed uncontrollably as they stared back at her, their eyes filled with profound sadness."Open this cell!" Malakai's comman
—Three years later—The Kingdom of Bloodmoon had blossomed into a beacon of unity and prosperity, standing as a symbol of what could be achieved when packs merged their strength and purpose. Malakai and Amani now ruled from a magnificent new palace, a grand structure of towering stone and glass that overlooked the thriving lands they called home. The borders of what was once Blackclaw and Bloodmoon had been redrawn, and the newly united kingdom stretched far and wide, its people flourishing under their reign.In these years of peace, a new council had been appointed, and among them stood Darius, the Prime Alpha. His journey from Alpha Saul’s trusted Beta to a leader in his own right had earned him this prestigious title. He had proven his worth in the most trying of times, displaying the strength, wisdom, and compassion that made him worthy of the role. Now, he stood at the forefront of governance alongside Malakai and Amani, ensuring the kingdom remained just and fair.The Rogue Land
In the heart of Blackclaw, the main square was packed with every member of the kingdom. The air buzzed with anticipation as they all waited for the Royal Council to make their announcement. A raised platform stood at the center of the square, where the Prime Alpha and the Council members had gathered. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows over the crowd, its warmth heralding the start of a new beginning.The Prime Alpha, tall and imposing, stepped forward. His voice echoed through the square, strong and clear. “Today, we bear witness to the rise of a new Alpha of Blackclaw,” he began, his eyes scanning the sea of people. "A new Alpha King who has proven himself not only by blood, but by strength, by honor, and by the love of his people."Before he could continue, the sound of footsteps—steady, commanding—rose above the murmur of the crowd. Heads turned as soldiers parted, and there, striding forward hand-in-hand, were Malakai and Amani. The people gasped, awe and reverenc
Amani let out a heart-wrenching yelp, her wolf howling in anguish as she watched Malakai fall. Her entire body trembled, her green eyes wide with panic and pain. She could see Malakai struggling, his legs weak and shaking as he tried to get back up, but his movements were sluggish, labored, the life draining from him with every passing second.King Zander circled Malakai now, his teeth bared in a cruel, triumphant snarl. His eyes gleamed with arrogance, a sneer twisting his lips as he watched his son struggle. “Is this all you have, boy?” Zander growled, his voice oozing with scorn. “Get up and die with your dignity!”Malakai’s body shook as he attempted to rise, his muscles straining, but his strength betrayed him. His paws buckled beneath him, and he crashed back down to the blood-soaked earth, hacking up blood.Amani’s heart felt like it was tearing apart as she watched him. Her soul screamed with pain and desperation. “Kai, get up… please.” Her voice broke through his fog of pain,
The sun had just crested the horizon, casting long golden rays over the battlefield, as if nature itself was marking the start of a new day — one that would end with a kingdom’s fate decided in blood. Malakai and Amani stood side by side in their wolf forms with their army of wolves standing fiercely behind them, stretched as far as the eye could see. On the opposite side, King Zander stood at the head of his own army, composed of the most powerful Alphas from the Pack Lands, their own armies standing just as formidable. They, too, were in their wolf forms, muscles tense, their eyes glinting with the same deadly readiness.The King’s gaze locked onto Malakai, his eyes cold and calculating. There was no remorse, no regret—only arrogance, as if he already knew how this fight would end. Malakai’s fury was barely contained, his gaze burning with years of betrayal and the raw need for justice.The Royal Council watched from the side in human form, mounted on their horses. They sat as impa
Malakai’s massive wolf form lunged toward Darius, their snarls and growls filling the air as the two locked in a fierce sparring match. Claws scraped against the ground, and the thudding sound of their bodies colliding echoed through the clearing. Darius countered Malakai’s attack with a sharp snap of his jaws, but Malakai was faster, his dark, hulking figure moving with terrifying precision. His eyes, flickering between blue and black, betrayed the storm of rage building inside him, the same fury that would fuel him for the inevitable battle at sunrise.From a distance, Amani watched, her heart in her throat. She stood with Archer and Maggie, their forms shadowed by the trees, far enough away to avoid being a distraction, but close enough to see the intensity of Malakai’s movements. He was pushing himself hard—too hard—and she could sense the weight of his determination, the ferocity of his resolve.“He doesn’t understand,” Amani muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze r
Amani entered her tent, her eyes landing on Malakai sitting on the cot, just as she expected. She had figured he’d be here, a respite away from the crowd. His hand traced the healed wound on his abdomen, though he quickly pulled his shirt down the moment she entered, trying to keep her from worrying more than she already did.She crossed the tent, her gaze lingering on him as she sat beside him on the cot. “Doesn’t look like that scar is going away any time soon,” she said softly, her tone laced with concern.“I don’t care about the scar,” he replied, his voice low and distracted.Amani tilted her head, watching him more closely. “What is it, Kai?” She asked, her brow furrowed. “You left in the middle of the briefing. We’ve all decided not to wait for your father’s army to return. We’re going to storm the palace—there’s a good chance the other packs haven’t arrived yet, they’ll never expect us to counterattack so soon. I really believe we can win this war.”“There won’t be a war,” Mal
Amani burst out of the tent, her senses immediately assaulted by the chaos of battle. The night was alive with the savage cries of wolves and the clash of bodies, the once-quiet camp now a maelstrom of violence. Amani’s heart beat with the rhythm of Malakai’s, the bond between them fueling her strength, guiding her through the brutality. She could feel him with her, his presence a steady anchor in the storm.As Amani carved her path through the battlefield, she was a whirlwind of lethal precision. She moved with predatory elegance, each strike a dance of power and skill. She ripped through her foes with ruthless efficiency, her claws and fangs tearing through their defenses, leaving a trail of defeated adversaries in her wake.She surged forward, her wolf form a fiery trail of crimson and silver as she darted through the fray, her eyes locking onto Daniela and Steven. They were surrounded, the two of them desperately fending off the vicious onslaught of two large wolves. Their snarls
As Amani’s fangs sank into Malakai’s flesh, a sudden jolt of energy surged through her, stronger than anything she’d felt before. It was as if the world around her blurred for a moment, then dissolved entirely, leaving her in a place that was neither here nor there—a space beyond time, beyond reality. Her vision swirled with brilliant colors, then settled, revealing an ethereal scene.Suspended in the vastness of the cosmos, was a luminous, iridescent egg. Its shell shimmered with a soft, otherworldly glow, shifting between shades of deep violet and radiant silver, like the night sky encapsulated in a single fragile sphere. Inside the cosmic egg, two small wolves played, their forms glowing with a light that seemed to come from within.The first was Zayn, a sleek black wolf, his fur dark as midnight, with a powerful yet gentle presence. He moved with a confident grace, his large paws barely making a sound as he playfully chased after the smaller wolf beside him.The other was Seraphin
Darius and the soldiers moved swiftly, their steps urgent as they carried Malakai’s unconscious form into the medical tent. Amani followed close behind, her eyes wide with fear, heart pounding in her chest. The warm, coppery scent of his blood filled the air, mingling with the scent of antiseptic and herbs inside the tent. The tension was thick, oppressive, as every soldier felt the gravity of the situation.Maggie was already waiting, her hands steady but her eyes sharp with concern. When her gaze fell upon Malakai, a gasp escaped her lips, and her face paled. The sight of the darkening veins around the gaping wound made her stomach twist with dread.“Oh dear Goddess, what happened?!” Maggie’s voice trembled as she rushed forward, her hands moving instinctively to assess the damage.“He’s been hit with silver, Maggie,” Amani’s voice cracked with desperation. “Please… please help him.”Maggie’s eyes darkened with understanding, and she immediately took charge. “Call the Physician! Get