Kieran's POV:Three of Crant's men lunged at me, but I didn't hesitate. I barely moved a muscle sticking them down with my claws drawing blood. The men fell to the floor unconscious and I wiped my hand off the blood. "You were saying?" I asked. Crant watched, unimpressed and with a wave of his hand, all his men attacked at the same time. I threw them off easily. Darius fought, and Caius stayed protecting Sienna from any of their attacks. "Stop!" Crant yelled, and his men halted. Half of them had fallen to the floor unconscious if not dead. He took off his coat, tossing it aside to the floor and settled into a fighting position as he cracked his knuckles.Darius bared his teeth, ready to pounce, but I shot him a warning look. "Don't."Darius frowned, and halted. "What…?"I looked at Crant, raising my index finger and moving it slightly before bringing it down. "He's got the smell of wolfsbane on him.""You have sharp senses, Kieran. I expected no less," Crant said. Damn him! He
Sienna's POVWhen I woke up, I gasped and tried to sit up, but my head hurt. The last thing I remembered was masked guys bursting into my room, one of them grabbing me before I could scream. Every part of my body hurt."Stay down," said a soft voice. Darius stood by the door, his face unreadable. "Kieran will be back soon.""What happened?" My throat was dry, so I croaked. "The men in masks—" "Gone. "Kieran chased them away, but not before they..." His eyes darted to my arm.I stopped moving when I met his eyes. There was a thin red line around my wrist that looked like a band. The skin around it was red and angry."What did they do to me?" I whispered, fear rising in my chest.Darius shook his head. "I don't know. Kieran told everyone to search the grounds."As soon as he left, I swung my legs over the bed. Something felt wrong—hollow. I closed my eyes, searching for that familiar fire inside me, the power that had always hummed beneath my skin.Nothing.My ruby wolf was quiet.Fear
Darius's POVThe moon cast long shadows through the trees as I moved quietly through the forest. My heart hammered in my chest, but my face stayed calm. Years of practice had taught me how to hide my feelings, even from other wolves who could smell fear.I reached the clearing and waited, ears alert for any sign I'd been followed. No one in the pack suspected me—not even Kieran. Especially not Kieran.A twig snapped and I spun around, claws extended."Jumpy tonight, aren't we?" A figure appeared from the darkness, her face hidden beneath a hood."Isa," I answered with a curt nod. "The attack went exactly as planned."She pulled back her hood, showing sharp features and eyes that gleamed with dangerous magic. The Black Moon Witch smiled, but it never reached her eyes."And our Ruby Wolf?" she asked."The mark has activated," I confirmed. "Her powers are growing, just as the Queen predicted."Isa stepped closer, her fingers trailing over a nearby tree, leaving frost in their wake. "Kier
The Midnight Queen's POVI watched them all through my scrying pool—little pieces moving across my chessboard. The killer had found his memories. The Alpha offered defense. And Sienna, my beautiful Sienna, stood at the center of it all, unaware of the blood we shared.The water rippled, showing Ronan approaching the packhouse with his hands raised. Foolish boy. Love had made him weak."My Queen, we've lost contact with Nyx," Vex announced, entering my chamber. Blood stained his hands—someone had displeased him again.I waved dismissively. "Ronan killed him. It matters little."My inner haven lay deep beneath the mountains, far from prying eyes. Ancient symbols carved into black stone walls glowed with magic. A throne of polished obsidian commanded the room, wolf skulls decorating its high back."Summon the others," I ordered.Five hooded figures filtered in, making a half-circle before me. My closest circle—the only ones I almost trusted."Tomorrow night, we attack the Shadowfang Pack
Caius's POVMy footsteps rang through the marble halls of the Vampire Court. Servants bowed as I passed, their eyes downcast, fearing my look. I straightened my jacket, preparing myself for the show ahead.Father waited in the throne room, ringed by his ever-present advisors. The Vampire King hadn't left this castle in over a century, yet his reach stretched far beyond these walls."My son returns," he stated, silencing the court with a wave of his pale hand. "What news of the werewolves?"I knelt before the dais, a show of respect I didn't feel. "The Alpha suffers from his curse as the full moon approaches. His power weakens by the hour.""And the Ruby Wolf?" Father leaned forward, his ancient eyes gleaming with attention."Her powers grow," I replied carefully, giving only what served my purpose. "The markings spread across her skin, responding to some external force."I omitted Ronan's escape and Kieran's study. Some secrets were better kept, even from a king.Father motioned for m
Zeke's POVMy fist smashed into the training dummy, sending splinters flying across the room. Four more dummies lay in pieces around me, destroyed in under a minute."Impressive," Commander Vex said, his cold eyes showing nothing. "But not good enough."I wiped blood from my fingers. The other Syndicate troops watched from the shadows, their faces a mix of fear and envy. None of them could match what I could do."Again," Vex demanded, nodding to the guards.Two top fighters rushed me from opposite sides. I ducked under the first blow, my body moving faster than normal humans. My leg swept one attacker off his feet while my elbow connected with the second man's chin. Bone cracked. He dropped.The final fighter pulled a silver dagger – our weakness. But not mine. Not entirely.I caught his wrist mid-strike, twisted until he screamed, then threw him across the training pit. His body hit the wall with a terrible thud."Enough." Vex's voice echoed through the room. "Get cleaned up. Mission
Isolde's POVThe moon hung heavy outside my window as I arranged my tools. Five black candles made a star on the floor. In the middle lay three precious items: a strand of fiery red hair, a scrap of bloodstained cloth, and a small vial of ash. All taken from Sienna during the last attack."Little wolf, you can't hide from me," I whispered, striking a match.As the candles flickered to life, I closed my eyes and let power flow through my fingers. Magic wasn't just something I did—it was who I was. The Black Moon Witch. Once guardian of the Ruby Wolves, now their best hunter.I sprinkled dried herbs over the things and began to chant in a language older than time. The candles' flames stretched toward the sky, turning blood red. On the wall, shadows danced like dogs running through a forest."Show me the bloodline. Show me the Ruby Wolves."The flames converged into a map—floating, glowing lines that twisted across countries. Where Ruby Wolves once thrived, now only faint signs remained.
Ronan's POVBlood dripped from my knuckles as I stumbled through the trees. Three Syndicate guards lay dead behind me, but more would come. They always did.My side burned where Vex had driven the knife in during my "questioning." The cut wasn't healing as fast as it should—the blade had been laced with wolfsbane.The vampire's help had been surprising. Caius Blackthorne, of all people, causing a distraction that allowed me to break free. His leaving words echoed in my mind: "Find her before they do."Rain began to fall, washing away my smell trail. Small gifts. I pushed forward until an abandoned hunter's cabin emerged through the trees. The door hung crooked on rusty hinges, but the roof was mostly intact.Inside, dust covered everything. No one had been here for years. Perfect.I fell on a moth-eaten couch, checking my wound. The bleeding had lessened, but infection was setting in. I needed drugs. Rest."Some protector you are," I muttered, searching the cabin's shelves for anythin
Sienna's POVFire raced through my blood as Kieran carried me inside. Each breath burned my lungs, my skin hot to the touch. The Ruby Wolf inside me clawed to break free while the ominous clouds gathered strangely fast outside."Put me down," I gasped, fighting against Kieran's grip. "I need to—""You need to rest," he growled, kicking open the door to his rooms and laying me on his bed. The smell of pine and earth surrounded me – his scent.Elena rushed in with herbs and water, her face pale with fear. "The Blood Moon shouldn't be rising yet. It's too soon."Pain shot through my chest, making me cry out. Through the window, I could see the sky dimming, taking on an eerie reddish glow."It's not just coming early," I whispered, wiping blood from my nose. "It's coming for me."Kieran dismissed Elena with a sharp nod, then knelt beside me. The black veins across his skin pulsed as if answering to my power."The Midnight Queen did this," he said, his voice tight with anger. "She's forcin
Kieran's POV"We have a traitor in our midst."I watched my pack's faces shift from shock to anger as I slammed the crumpled note onto the table. The early morning meeting had been called without warning, putting everyone on edge."Tomas?" Elena gasped, looking at the empty chair where our gamma wolf should have been. "But he's been with us for years."I nodded grimly. "And feeding information to the Syndicate the entire time."Darius stood silently beside me, his face unreadable. He'd brought me the note last night after finding it in my office. Yet something in Ronan's watchful gaze told me there was more to this story."Where is Tomas now?" Jax asked, his hand already reaching for his weapon."Gone," I answered. "Slipped away during the night guard change. Which means we need to assume everything—our defenses, our routes, our plans—is exposed."The room erupted in angry voices until I slammed my hand down, silencing them all."We adapt," I growled. "We survive. We fight."Through t
Darius's POVThe moon hung low in the sky as I slipped through the forest, careful to take the route I'd swept for Syndicate tracking devices earlier. The coded message had arrived via a dead drop—urgent meeting at the old hunting camp.My stomach churned with each step. Double spy. Traitor. Spy. The labels stuck to me like burrs, but none caught the whole truth.The cabin emerged between the trees, a shadow against shadows. No lights burned inside, but I knew she was waiting."You're late," Mara said as I entered. My Syndicate contact sat in the only chair, her silver hair gleaming in the darkness. "The Queen is displeased.""The Queen can wait," I answered, crossing my arms. "Kieran's doubled the guards. Getting away wasn't easy."Mara's ice-blue eyes narrowed. "Did you bring it?"I pulled a folded plan from my jacket—marked with false patrol routes and security blind spots that would lead any invading force straight into an ambush."Kieran's planning to move the pack south," I lied
Sienna's POVI pulled back my sleeve, showing the intricate ruby lines that now covered most of my right arm. "It started after we did the twin-fire yesterday. It's like they're waking up."Zeke's eyes narrowed. "Kieran's proposal—was that your choice or his?"The question stung. "Mine," I said firmly, though doubt flickered through me. "We need friends, Zeke. You know what we're facing.""The Midnight Queen," he whispered. "Our mother."The word sounded wrong. She might have given birth to us, but she was no mother. She was the monster who'd ordered my death, who'd taught my own brother to hunt me. Who had tried to take me away through my dreams."We leave for the Black Peaks tomorrow," I said, changing the topic. "Kieran thinks we can ambush her forces before they expect us."Zeke's face darkened. "Kieran thinks a lot of things. Like how bonding with you will break his curse."I stood quickly. "I need some air."Outside, the morning was crisp, mountain air filling my lungs. I walked
The Midnight Queen's POV A snort came from the corner of the room. Victor, my newest assistant, stepped forward. His amber eyes gleamed with challenge."With respect, my Queen, you've failed to catch one girl multiple times. Why should we believe this plan will succeed?"The room went quiet. Eyes darted between us, eager for blood.I straightened slowly, feeling power build beneath my skin."Do you question me, Victor?"He didn't back down. "The Syndicate follows strength. Your obsession with these twins has cost us time and resources. Perhaps new leadership—"I moved before he finished speaking. My hand shot out, fingers curling in the air as my ruby markings blazed to life—not the bright red of Sienna's, but deep crimson like old blood.Victor froze, eyes widening as his breath caught in his throat. I walked toward him slowly, each step careful."I was hunting wolves when your grandfather was a pup," I whispered, close enough that only he could hear. "I've conquered death itself."
Ronan's POV"At least a dozen forming a perimeter." I scanned the trees. "They're scouting, mapping your patrol patterns.""Why would they need to do that?" Tomas asked. "They already have Darius feeding them information."I shook my head. "Darius doesn't know everything. The Syndicate never relies on just one source."A twig snapped to our left—too deliberate to be a mistake. A distraction."Down!" I shouted, tackling Elena as a dart whistled through the air where she'd been standing.Jax growled, shifting partially into his wolf form. "Where are they?"I drew my blades, eyes tracking the slight movement in the underbrush. "Three o'clock, two hostiles. More at our six."Tomas sniffed the air furiously. "I can't smell anything!""Trust your eyes, not your nose," I directed, falling easily into combat mode. "Move in pairs, watch for traps underfoot."I barely finished speaking before the forest exploded in chaos. Syndicate scouts in black tactical gear swarmed from hidden places. These
Isolde's POVAfter he left, I returned to my workings with renewed purpose. The scene was set: Sienna and Zeke heading toward the Queen, Ronan following his heart rather than his mission, Kieran struggling against his curse, and now Caius with his vampire schemes. Perfect chaos.As I began planning for a deeper divination, I noticed something odd about my workspace. The arrangement of my tools had changed slightly. Someone had been here while I was at the window with Caius."Lily," I called loudly. "Bring me fresh sage."My helper appeared in the doorway, head bowed submissively. "Yes, mistress."But as she approached, I saw it—a tiny silver pin on her collar. The Midnight Queen's mark."You poor, foolish girl," I said softly. "Did she promise you power?"Lily's head snapped up, her eyes now black as pitch. "The Queen sees all, traitor."Before she could move, I flicked my fingers. The chalk lines of my circle blazed with purple fire, locking us both inside."You've made a grave mista
Zeke's POV"Three days' journey," Ronan added, already calculating.I nodded, hiding my fear. This wasn't meant to happen so quickly. The Syndicate needed more time."There's something else," Sienna said, her voice strange. "I saw her, Zeke. The Queen. And you're right—she has mom's face.""That's impossible," I whispered, though I knew it wasn't."Unless..." Sienna's eyes widened with horrible understanding. "Unless our mother never died. Unless she became the Queen."The ground trembled beneath us as her power surged with feeling."We leave at dawn," she stated.As we walked back toward the packhouse, I felt my enchanted Syndicate mark burn against my ribs—a call I couldn't ignore.Tonight, I would have to report that Sienna was coming for the Queen. Tonight, I would have to decide where my true commitment lay.With the blood that made me, or the blood that raised me.Isolde's POVI smiled as I put the last black candle at the edge of my newly drawn chalk circle. The small stone cot
Isolde's POVI smiled as I put the last black candle at the edge of my newly drawn chalk circle. The small stone cottage at the edge of Kieran's land was far from luxurious, but it would serve my purposes. Through the window, I could see werewolf guards pretending not to watch me. Their presence amused me—as if they could stop me if I truly wished to cause harm."A bit more foxglove," I whispered to my assistant, a young witch named Lily who had no idea what games I was really playing. She handed me the jar with shaky fingers.After my little performance for the Storm twins yesterday, things were moving faster than even I had expected. The fear in Zeke's eyes when I mentioned the Queen had been wonderful. The Syndicate thought they controlled him, but seeds of doubt were already growing.I sprinkled the foxglove into a copper bowl and watched blue flames rise. "Leave me," I ordered Lily. "I need privacy for this working."Once alone, I settled in the center of my circle and closed my