We came out of that conference with a tentative agreement-not the best, but at least we knew how to get the best out of it. The Greenridge delegation let good enough be good enough; Gavin's questions still would go unanswered.Gavin was walking us out but hung on the threshold. "You've done well, Bolton," he said softly, even a shade too calmly. "But a pack's only as strong as its Alpha, and I do pray Silvermoon's leadership holds solid.""Of course," I said, smiling without ever breaking. "Thanks for the concern."I let out that long, slow breath that released the tension from my body when we were finally out of there. It wasn't a closed deal, but at least this was one step in the right direction. I just hoped our secret stayed buried a little longer, until such a time that Silvermoon got back on its feet.I went back to my office, and all of a sudden, tiredness just poured over me like a flood. The sun was dipping below the horizon; a golden hue colored the room. As I drifted into s
Behind the mahogany desk, a strange man sat in the dark of his office, slowly puffing a cigarette between his lips. The sweet smell of tobacco and leather was alive in the space. The documents on his table, nearly arranged, a further testimony to his fastidious nature. He leaned back in his chair, blew out a plume of smoke, and let his mind wander to Gina.She had been a humble servant when he first took notice of her, an ambitious flicker in her eyes. After he was done with her, he had planned to kill her but she'd begged him and told him she was ready to do anything.***Thane's POVI stood up from the bed and wore my trousers. "Go downstairs when you're done cleaning up."She immediately began to beg "Please , don't kill me. I can be of use to you. Please don't-""Go downstairs!" I said without listening to her pleas. Tears fell from her beautiful eyes as I walked out of the room. As I got to my study, I thought about the man that had pissed me off lately.I heard he was the Alpha
If Gina was speaking the truth, I would have to confront him. But if she wasn't…The thought soured my stomach as I retreated to my study.Lucinda's POVI went about with my other chores as I was free from the gruesome tasks of Gina. I was lost in thoughts when I heard a familiar chuckle.I turned back only to see Gina. I thought I had seen wrong until she began walking towards me.Before I could react, she walked past me like she didn't see me. What was this about? I was going to tell Aurora when a maid stopped in front of me, "The Luna requests your presence"Pfft....yeah right. Why won't she? I had been taking little trainings so as to avoid a repeat of what she did to me the last time. I held my head high and walked to her room."Luna, you're back" I said, not necessarily hiding the enmity in my voice.She looked at me and smirked "You think you can do as you wish and get away with it? I suggest you think again. You've crossed my path and I promise you, your worst days are ahead.
Gina's POVI was being fed fruits and doing my nails when I heard that Chris was back. I thought he was dead. He was going to ruin my plans. I sent all the maids out of my room and started thinking of how to make my lie believeable.I was deep in thoughts when guards came to my room and told me to follow them. I declined at first, asking them where I was going.They suddenly became violent and began dragging. I had just managed to get out of hell, you can't take me back there!Cida's POVThe guards dragged her back into my study, her face white as she met my gaze.She spoke up looking innocently "Alpha, what's-""Silence," I snapped, throwing the evidence down on the desk in front of her. Care to explain this?Her eyes widened, and she panicked. "I. I didn't-"You lied to me, I growled low and dangerous, "And worse, you dare to implicate Chris, one of my people.".She went to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Please, Cida-I had no choice! He- would've killed me if I'd told th
"Taking out?" Cida's voice darkened.I nodded, his face a blur as I cried. "The accidents, the illnesses… they were no accident; all had been planned by Thane.""And the attack on my pack?" he pressed.I hesitated. The truth would make me guilty, but the lie would sign my death warrant. "It was his idea. He wanted to weaken you, create chaos so that he could step in and take over."Cida's face was impassive, but his eyes flared. "Why tell me this now?" he repeated."Because he's going to kill me," I admitted. "And because… I am sorry for what I did. I was a fool to ever have trusted him."He leaned in closer, further, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "You're lying-and if you are, I'll make it something you'll regret even more than you are now.""I am not lying," I lied. "Just let me prove this. Please, let me help take him down."For one impossible moment, he said nothing at all, the silence yawning between us. Then he rose, his height overshadowing above me. "You will prove yo
Back in her cell, Gina's mind ran a mile a minute. She knew she would have to move fast if she were to survive the experience, and part of it was getting to get her voice heard for that second chance.At the guard and her meager meal upon arrival, leaning into the bars, urgently:."Please," she begged, "I need to talk to the Alpha. It's about Thane. I have more information." If she didn't say anything now, she could just wait for a way for Thane to kill her in this cell. The events of today happened so fast, even her could hardly keep up with it.The guard wavered, but her desperation seemed to speak for her.Minutes later, she was dragged back into Cida's study. He stood by the window, staring out of it."This better be good," he said without turning around.Gina swallowed hard. "Thane has a spy in your pack."Cida stiffened, his gaze whipping to hers. "And how would you know that?"Because I helped him put them, " she breathed.In that moment there was a hush of silence as the weigh
Cina finally took the initiative to capture Malik. "Captain,""Alpha""I need you to question a certain wolf named Malik. Use any means you can but don't kill him"The captain just nodded, his features set. "It shall be done, Alpha."Cina leaned forward, his tone low, intense. "He works for Thane. I'm sure of it. He has information we need, and we don't have the time to play around.The captain bowed and drew back without a word, motioning his most trusted heavies forward. Silent as ghosts, they drifted through the compound of Silvermoon, alert to every movement. They knew Malik was cagey; he would not be easily caught.It was well into the night when they finally saw him: Malik, skulking near the eastern watchtower, half-concealed by the shadows of trees. He moved deliberately; his eyes were intent as he scanned the perimeter.The captain hand-signaled to his men as they fanned out and silently boxed Malik in. When Malik turned to move deeper into the forest, they pounced.Malik shif
I stared at Elder Kato, somewhat suspicious.He looked at me with an unreadable expression in his eyes "I won't help until I'm asked to. No one goes where they aren't wanted."I nodded trying to make sense of it all. He had already began eating but I stood there, waiting to be sent away. As a maid, I needed to be told to leave before I could."You may sit" he said. I was about turning when I realized what he meant. Why didn't he want me to leave?I tried to feel wary but instead I felt calm...an indescribable calmness. Once I sat, he began talking "Tell me about yourself. Your life? Friends? Parents?"Deep down, I felt uncomfortable. He noticed and said "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable but knowing a little more about a friend won't hurt"I stood up abruptly. Friend? When did I become his friend? How come I didn't know we had become friends?He chuckled "You aren't so delighted to be called my friend"I bowed meekly "It's an honor but I'm not so sure I deserve that title"He smi
Thane's POVJames edged himself a bit sideways. "But that isn't the worst thing. I caught something in passing, though."I raised my head towards him. "Continue".James leaned somewhat forward, tone lowered. "I heard two Redblood guards talking… It was about both packs, only that someone seeks an alliance with them."Dead silence.Greggory's expression darkened. "Whom?James shook his head. "They didn't say a name. But they were talking about a pack that sees our pack as a threat. A pack that's looking for allies to take us down."A slow, dangerous growl built in my chest.Grim, who had been leaning against the far wall, pushed off and walked forward. “And you’re sure they were talking about us?”James nodded. "Yeah. The way they spoke about it… Seems like some kind of personal vendetta that's gotten out of hand. Whoever this is, he's getting ready for something."I balled my fists. Of course. All along, I'd assumed my only hurdle was Redblood. If there was some other pack in the mix,
I swore softly. "Can he prove it?""No," James said. "But he's watching me close. If I make one wrong move, I'm dead."I blew out a sharp breath. "You need to be careful. If you're exposed, Thane won't just kill you--he'll use you as proof that we've been meddling in his affairs."James nodded. "I know."I watched him for a moment. He had done well, but the risk was going up. "For now, maintain your cover. Thane sent you to spy on us, so keep him with just enough information to satisfy him—but nothing to place us at a disadvantage."James smirked. "Of course, Alpha."I stood, letting out a sigh. "War is coming, James. We must prepare for it."James nodded "So what do I tell him exactly about the Lena that never showed up?"I thought long and hard before answering "Tell him the truth. She's not here and Malik is still here.""Yes Alpha-"Then I smirked "Also let him know that we're not the only ones that have enemies.""I understand perfectly Alpha" he replied.He was about to leave wh
Grim crept in, his voice reduced to a whisper. "Don’t play this down. I've watched you fight, your technique. You're too smooth, too polished. You're no rogue, no vagabond, Robert. You're something else."A cold sweat erupted on my brow. Grim was not letting this go. I needed to deflect him, and quickly.I forced a laugh, attempting carefreeness. "You're sore because I beat you, Grim," I exclaimed, attempting teasing. "I assure you, I'm a humble warrior attempting to make a name for himself."He still didn't look convinced."Listen, Grim, assuming I'm a spy, don't you think I'd be stupid to taunt one of the most powerful brutes in this pack?" I protested, my best shot at sounding logical.I just wanted him to let go of the thought that I was a spy. Even one suspicious person could ruin my plans.The eyes of Grim turned in my direction long enough, then finally, flicked away. He then said with an emotionless expression but a threatening and killing, low voice."I have my eye out for yo
Thane’s POVIt had been more than a week, both Lena and Malik hadn’t return. I understand that Malik is quite playful but Lena is uptight. I should know, since I trained her for years. She wasn’t someone that could be easily defeated. I slammed my fist on my desk multiple times, the sound echoing through the room. “Cida, that insufferable pain in the neck” just kept getting under my skin.I never really wanted to pay attention to him but he was always challenging me. The first time he tried to destroy my relationship with other packs, then he took my spot at the convergence. He belittled me over and over again.I called for Robert, one of our newly admitted pack members. He was a skilled rogue, ruthless and quick. I just needed him to check the situation at Redblood pack. “Robert, my commander says you’re on par with some of my soldiers and you’re better than most. I have a task for you” I said.James’ POVI had been here for a while, I pretended to be a nonchalant rogue before they c
I pushed the door open, and the hinges shrieked loud in the silence. The air inside was stale, thick with magic. Around the walls, rows of shelves lined them, filled with jars of all things from dried herbs to bones and other things unidentifiable.Arachne herself was standing at the center of the room, commanding and terrifying."Ah, the Beta," she said, dripping mockery into the words. "How predictable."I took another step closer, hands fisting at my sides. "So you're the cause of all this? What do you intend?"Arachne smiled, her mouth curling sweet. "Questions, so many of them. Never you mind. All your answers will be supplied in due time."She turned her hand out to me, and my chest became wrapped in thick, turgid air weighing invisibly on my skin."You'll do one thing for me," she announced, cold-voiced to the final degree. "Go home and tell him the game begins. I never get refused."And in one twitch of the wrist, I was swallowed into the darkness.Derek's POVHours later, Bol
Bolton's POVThe scent was insistent, a bright line laced through the dark brocade of the forest. Moonlight seeped through the canopy high above, slashed in scattered rays on the forest floor. Every step forward was like taking a step deeper within the waiting jaws of something unseen.The smell of the Moonbloom now blew up stronger, thicker, almost miasma, tinged with some darker undercurrent, a nasty metallic tang right on the edges that put me on edge. My wolf growled. His voice low in my mind came as a rumble of concern."This is not right," he said shortly, his tones clipped.I know, I breathed, my voice barely audible. My gaze whipped between trees, peering for motion, a glimpse of anything—the creature or worse, whatever was beyond.It was as if one part of nature was alive, breathing onto me from every corner. Whispers rode the wind down the passage, pricking the back of my neck. Shadows danced on the edge of my vision, always out of reach, and the trees looming closer, it see
I lay there motionless. Well, the plan was something like this, I kept saying to myself: Let it strike, let it feed, but keep the Moonbloom's fragrance around long enough.The beast growled low in its throat and sprang. I closed my eyes as its claws raked across my chest-the sting was sharp and very quick. Blood flowed free, but I didn't wince.The creature sniffed the air, as if noticing the flower pinned to my body. It leaned in, it's growl softened as it tore the Moonbloom into pieces. For one moment, I actually thought my plan was going off without a hitch.But in one moment, it did the most miraculous thing of all: it stopped abruptly. Its gold eyes locked on mine, and something old and awful passed between us. It let out one final guttural growl before disappearing, as if it had never existed in the first place.I stumbled, agony burning in my chest. My shirt was slick with blood, my vision splotchy. I laid a shaking hand over my wound, and mind-linked Bolton."Bolton," I called
Derek's POV"Is it ready?" I asked, my voice low and even.Bolton nodded. "Yes Derek."At his response, my heart began racing slightly.I looked at Derek and his eyes seemed to flash with amusement, but he said nothing. I simply reached out and took the box from him."I'll take it from here," I said, my voice firm.Bolton nodded. I felt a sense of trepidation wash over me. What would happen next?As I turned to leave, Bolton called out to me. "Derek, wait!"I turned back, my eyes questioning. "What is it?"Bolton hesitated, unsure of how to phrase his concerns. "I just...I don't think this is a good idea, Derek. You're putting yourself in a lot of danger."My expression turned ugly. "I can take care of myself, Bolton. I'm the Alpha, after all." I was going to keep walking but I turned back "I know you actually don't care about me, you're just reminding me that I'm not as powerful as Dorian and I won't take it."Bolton looked at me blankly before raising his hands in submission. Why co
In the Silvermoon packErica sat on a bench looking out to the tranquil lake before her. The sun was setting, casting an orange hue upon the whole scene. Yet, though it was a serene moment, the thoughts whirling through Erica's mind were anything but tranquil.If Derek finds out she was the one who caused his beloved pack to suffer so much loss, he won't take it easy on her. Asking for Arachne's help was out of the picture, that bitch had gone crazy. It was after the illusion incident Erica realized she had been used by Arachne.Arachne never really cared about the deal, she only took what she needed. After she had done that, the rest didn't matter. Erica gritted her teeth, with everything she's been through, she was jilted. Ha! Who would've thought?Derek was not the smartest person, but he was her greatest weapon. Now that she had gotten him into so much trouble already, she was going to have to do things on her own.Erica took a deep breath and ran her hands through her hair. Shoul