NAIA
The moment I step outside, my heart pounds in my chest. I head straight for the gates, but my stomach sinks when I see two guards stationed there.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Panic threatens to take over, but my eyes dart around, searching for a way out. That’s when I spot Helen, a maid carrying a platter of food.
"Hi, Helen, I’ll take care of this," I say quickly, snatching the platter from her hands. She gives me a side-eye but doesn’t protest.
I turn around, rolling my eyes as I approach the guards.
"Hi, boys. Hungry?" I ask with my sweetest smile. Their stances shift immediately, muscles tensing at the sound of my voice.
They don’t answer, just glare at me suspiciously.
"I was ordered to hand these out," I say, motioning to the cupcakes on the platter. "The Luna didn’t want them, and you know how she gets when food is not of her liking."
Their suspicion lingers, but hunger wins. One of them grabs a cupcake, then the other. I make sure to snag two for myself, biting into one to sell the act.
But before I can savor the moment—
"Hey! Don’t let her escape!"
The shout freezes the air.
The guards whip their heads toward me, realizing too late. I shove the cupcakes into their faces, crumbs and frosting flying everywhere, and bolt toward the gates.
I don’t look back. I throw the gates open and run like there's no tomorrow.
"Now would be a great time to shift, Kyra!" I yell to my wolf.
"You know shifting will kill us. Use those training lessons we practiced in secret!" Kyra snaps, her voice sharp.
I grit my teeth and push myself harder. My legs burn, my lungs scream, but the sound of paws hitting the ground behind me keeps me moving. I don’t dare look back, but I can feel them closing in. Four wolves, maybe more.
"Fuck, I can run!" I shout, exhilarated despite the fear.
"Of course you can," Kyra growls. "You have Alpha blood in your veins. Now head for the Dark Forest. We can lose them there."
"But—"
"Just go!"
I don’t argue. I veer toward the shadowy expanse ahead, the air turning colder as I cross into its eerie embrace. The forest is silent, too silent, and every shadow feels like it’s watching me.
I slow down, scanning my surroundings, but Kyra's voice cuts through my hesitation.
"Run, Naia! Faster!"
I take off again, but something sticky and cold brushes against my leg. I stumble, tripping over the invisible force.
I glance down, expecting to see something wrapped around me, but there’s nothing. My heart races as I push myself back to my feet and start running again—only to slam into something solid.
I crash to the ground, groaning in pain.
When I look up, my breath catches.
A towering man stands before me, his head tilted slightly, dark eyes boring into mine with a predatory calm. He looks like he’s carved from stone—broad shoulders, thick muscles, and an air of raw power that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
Before I can react, howls pierce the air. I whip around to see the wolves that had been chasing me. They stop a short distance away, and one shifts into his human form.
"Naia, you need to come with us," the man says softly, almost a whisper. "This place isn’t for you, and the King demands your presence."
My lips part, ready to spit out a defiant refusal, but the mountain of a man I bumped into steps forward.
His voice is deep, commanding, and final. "She’s not going anywhere."
SILAS“It’s almost midnight, let’s go for a run!” Thal, my Lycan, snaps impatiently."Why are you so worked up about this run, anyway? You’ve never been this excited to hunt in the Dark Forest," I grumble, heading outside. The cold night air greets me as I start to jog lightly."Just go, will you?" he urges, his tone sharp yet brimming with urgency."Fine," I mutter.As I leap mid-stride, my body begins to shift effortlessly. My bones crack, reforming as I surrender control to Thal. He takes the lead, his large paws pounding against the damp earth as I let my consciousness drift, my eyes closing briefly to rest.After a while, Thal stops abruptly.“I’m shifting back,” he warns, giving me little time to prepare.As I regain control, the fatigue clings to me like a weight. But just as I clear my head, something hits me.A scent.It’s unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. Sweet and intoxicating—wild honey, night-blooming jasmine, and a faint, lingering trace of fresh rain. It’s so poten
NAIAI cup the creature’s massive face in my hands, my fingers sinking into the thick, luxurious black fur. He’s warm, solid, and utterly mesmerizing. I trace the lines of his jaw with my thumbs, marveling at his sheer magnificence.“What is this creature called?” I ask my wolf over our link, my voice barely above a whisper.“I do not know,” she replies, her tone almost dreamy. “But he is gorgeous.”A soft giggle escapes me as I nod in agreement. He truly is.The creature stares at me, his emerald eyes watching my every move. He doesn’t growl, doesn’t flinch—just stands there, letting me admire him as if he’s as curious about me as I am about him.Then, without any warning, he shifts.I gasp, stumbling back a step as his enormous form shrinks and transforms. When the shift is complete, I’m struck dumb by what I see.The man standing before me is... breathtaking. His deep green eyes seem to glow faintly in the darkness, framed by sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline. His dark hair is
SILASHer hands are small, trembling slightly as they cup my Lycan’s face. Her touch is hesitant but curious, her fingers grazing my fur like she’s trying to memorize every detail. It’s… intoxicating.I’ve never been touched like this before. Not with awe. Not with care.“What is this creature called?” she asks aloud, though her words aren’t directed at me.Her voice is soft, melodic, and I have to fight the urge to close my eyes and savor the sound. My Lycan rumbles with approval, standing perfectly still as though he’s afraid to scare her off.“I do not know, but he is gorgeous,” I hear her wolf purr through the link, her tone dripping with admiration.Her next words surprise me. She smiles—a warm, genuine smile—and nods as though agreeing with her wolf.Beautiful. Stunning. Utterly unafraid.I’ve faced warriors, rebels, even kings who’ve cowered before me. But here she is, looking at me like I’m something to be marveled at, something worth touching, worth knowing.She’s my mate. My
NAIAThe Lycan sir, tugs me behind him in a protective stance, and my heart swells with something unnameable but undeniably warm.Admiration? Awe? For someone I met mere minutes ago?His grip on my shoulder eases, and he gently pushes me forward. I glance back at him, my brows furrowed in confusion.“It’s my beta, love. No worries,” he says, flashing me a smile so devastatingly charming it almost makes me forget the situation.Love?My cheeks heat as my wolf, Kyra, howls in delight.“I’m his love!” I whisper to her over our bond, and she purrs in response.SILASCarl appears, his footsteps halting abruptly when he catches sight of Naia at my side. His eyes widen, and he rubs them as though to confirm he’s not seeing things.“She’s real,” I tell him through the link, my voice brimming with pride.Carl’s gaze flicks between Naia and me before he speaks through the link. “Your mate?”“My mate!” I confirm with a booming growl that leaves no room for doubt.Carl’s expression softens, his li
SILASI placed Naia in my bed hours ago, her small frame curling into the warmth of the blankets as she drifted off. Watching her sleep had been a battle of restraint; my Lycan, Thal, wanted nothing more than to stay, to hold her close and revel in the mate bond. But duty called, and I left her to meet with Gamma Ben and Beta Carl in my office.“So, tell me,” I urge them, setting down glasses of bourbon on the small table between us. The alcohol barely registers on my senses, but it’s more about the ritual than the drink.Ben leans forward, his expression grim. “In the deeper part of the forest, there are two packs. I went to both in secret and found something interesting. Apparently, your brother has been visiting one of them.”“Eclipse Hollow,” Carl adds. “And guess what? The Alpha there isn’t just any Alpha. He’s our Luna’s brother. And from what I’ve gathered, he’s been mistreating her for her entire life.”The room falls silent, the words settling heavily in the air. My grip tigh
SILASI head to my suite, my mind tangled with thoughts of my mate, the Eclipse Hollow Pack, and the dangers that may follow her here. As I push open the door, the heaviness in my chest eases slightly.The living room is empty, quiet save for the faint rustle of fabric coming from my bedroom. My senses sharpen instantly, picking up the sweet scent of wild honey and night-blooming jasmine—the scent of her.I step inside quietly, my curiosity peaked, and the sight before me makes my breath hitch.There she is. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, wrapped in one of my towels, her damp hair cascading down her back. She’s standing in front of my wardrobe, inspecting my clothes with the utmost focus.“This might be it,” she mutters softly, pulling out a black shirt from the hanger. The sight of her handling my things so casually tugs at something primal within me.Leaning in the doorway, I watch her with a faint smile as she pulls out a pair of shorts, much too large for her lean
SILASShe tilts her head, her lips curving into a sly smile as she finally finds her voice. “Why? You planning on avenging me, Lycan King?” she teases, the title rolling off her tongue with a playful lilt. I smirk, stepping closer until there’s barely any space between us, the scent of jasmine and honey intoxicating me in ways I didn’t think were possible.“Maybe I am,” I reply, my fingers brushing along her jawline, making her shiver. Her eyes narrow, her confidence blooming as she takes a step back, as if to keep me on my toes. “And what if I told you I handled it myself?” she challenges, crossing her arms over her chest, the towel slipping slightly but somehow holding firm. Her movements are as bold as her words, but the faint blush on her cheeks gives her away.I grin, closing the space between us again, cornering her against the wardrobe with deliberate ease. “Then I’d say my mate is as dangerous as she is beautiful,” I quip, leaning in just enough to see the pink deepen on her f
NAIA"Where are you going?" I asked, my voice thick with curiosity as I watched Silas retreat toward the door.He paused, turning to face me with a knowing look. "I thought you might like some privacy," he said, his gaze flicking to my almost bare body.I raised an eyebrow and nodded, not giving away the wave of emotions swirling inside me. "Fair enough," I replied coolly, turning away from him and facing the wardrobe. The words hung in the air, laced with the unspoken tension between us."I’ll head to the mall to grab some clothes for you," Silas continued, stepping closer, his voice softening as he drew near. "And a phone. Until then, you can use the one by the bed." He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning my form before lingering a beat too long.Not that I minded.He took a step closer, then pulled me against his chest, the heat of his body seeping into mine. His lips brushed my hair in a lingering kiss, a gesture that made my heart race, but I didn’t show it. I only tilted my he
KAIUSI can't find Naia!I searched the whole fucking ground for her, but fucking nothing."Duncan, how are things on your side?" I ask through the mind link."Nothing, Boss. No sight of her. I triple-checked the underground safe bunk. Also, my men are searching the other parts of the kingdom. Other packs, but nothing." He sighs, "What if she was burnt by the fire too?"The thought hits me like a punch to the gut. I try to ignore it, but it's there, gnawing at the edge of my mind. I can’t afford to lose her. Not like this."Don't say that." My voice cracks despite my attempt to remain calm. "She's alive, Duncan. She has to be. Keep searching."I close my eyes, trying to block out the overwhelming panic that threatens to take over. I need to stay focused, but my thoughts keep spiraling. Naia could be anywhere—could be in danger. I think back to when I saw her last, before everything turned to chaos. The soft warmth of her hand in mine, the way her eyes lit up when we spoke...I can’t l
NAIAFor some reason, as the daughter of an Alpha, I was taught from a young age what to do if I were ever kidnapped. It wasn’t a lesson wrapped in fairy tales or gentle warnings. It was brutal. Cold. Necessary. My father made sure of that. And David—my teacher, my mentor—he drilled it into me like it was survival itself. Because it was.So, I did everything he taught me.I counted the hours.I tracked every turn the van took.I memorized every word the women in the front whispered to each other, even the ones they thought were too quiet for me to hear.I traced patterns through the smudged glass of the van's window, marking trees, buildings, even the way sunlight hit the roads. Anything. Anything that could help.And I tried talking to Kyra. Goddess, I tried.But she’s still... off. Distant. Unreachable. Irresponsible.She won't respond. Not even a whisper in my mind. I wanted—no, needed—her to mindlink someone. Kai, Silas, anyone. I didn’t care who. I just needed her to do something
NAIAI sat curled against the cold, damp stone wall, holding two small pups tightly to my chest. Their tiny hands clung to my shirt like I was the only anchor they had left in a world unraveling around them. Their little bodies trembled, and I didn’t know if it was from fear or the cold. Maybe both. I wrapped my arms around them tighter.I wonder if their parents are here… or if they’re outside. My stomach churned at the thought. If they’re outside, they’re probably already—“Don’t think negatively, Naia,” Kyra, my wolf, warned gently in my head, her voice soft but firm, like a mother scolding a child without anger.“Sorry,” I whispered back. My throat burned.My heart pounded so loudly it echoed in my ears, but I forced myself to stay calm—for them. I needed to be strong, even if I was falling apart inside. I kept telling myself that Silas would come back. That Kaius would keep his promise. That we were underground, and the worst was above us. That here, we were safe.“Luna?”I looke
SILAS"Shit."The pack is in ruins. Smoke chokes the air. Flames devour the homes we built with blood and loyalty. The cries of the wounded echo through what’s left of the streets. Too many bodies. Too much loss. Warriors—some barely more than boys—have fallen into despair.The dragons are dead now. Illusions. Illusions that breathed real fire and burned real people. That kind of magic... it’s far beyond anything we’ve seen. Witches. It has to be witches.But what kind of witches leave their scent behind?It reeks of rosemary—fresh, sharp, deliberate. Not careless. A message.This was a trap.But I don’t care. Not anymore. I need vengeance. For the fallen. For the children who won't go home tonight. For the mothers and fathers who died screaming.I made a treaty. I begged for peace. I gave them land, gold, power. And this is how they answer?They will pay.“Group One, start collecting the corpses. Get them away from the fires.” My voice is hoarse as I speak to the warriors assigned to
KAIUS"Start the operation." I command Duncan through the mindlink.Moments later, I can still hear my brother's voice rumbling through the room—low and steady. But that peace doesn’t last.BANG. BANG.A loud knock slams against the door, sharp and hurried.“Come in,” Silas says, already rising from his seat.A warrior bursts into the room, panting heavily. Blond hair clings to his sweat-slicked forehead, and his blue eyes are wide with panic. He bows briefly, catching his breath.“Sire… they—there are dragons attacking the kingdom.” His voice cracks, fear raw in his tone.We both shoot to our feet. The air shifts. Even Silas is silent, stunned."Dragons?" Silas echoes, probably thinking what the hell freaking dragons would be doing here.My chest tightens. “Kael… how the hell did you bribe dragons?” I snap, voice rising with the weight of dread. My thoughts immediately flash to the kingdom… and to Naia.Kael doesn’t answer.Silas steps forward. “How many dragons?” he asks the trembli
KAIUSRemember when I said Naia was my savior? The only hope?Yeah, I meant it. She’s the only thing that’s ever made this darkness feel less like a curse and more like something I could live through, when I knew that I had a mate. The first time I touched her, I felt warmth. Not the kind that burns. The kind that heals. But today... something shifted.When we provoked her earlier, when we toyed with her, I realized something else.I didn’t want to share.The way she responded—the way her eyes fluttered, the soft gasp from her lips, the way her scent changed—it stirred something violent in me.The more Silas stayed silent, the more I hated it. That silence echoed like betrayal.And Kael... my wolf, my other self... he thrives to persuade me in that silence. He lives for it.“We won’t regret it,” Kael whispers inside me. His voice is steady, low, vibrating with certainty."So that’s why you told Duncan to bring armed men here?" I ask, my tone casual—but my heart is pounding.“Yes. We n
SILASOh wow.What was that?I stand there frozen for a second, staring at Naia as she bolts upstairs like she was running from something—or someone. Probably herself. Probably us. Her scent lingers behind like a tease, but her mood? That was something else.I exhale slowly, dragging a hand through my hair, letting the reality settle. I’ll tell the head of the house to check on her. Maybe bring her something warm. She needs space, but she also needs comfort. I want to be both, and yet right now... I can’t.Instead, I turn and prepare myself for the hellstorm that is my brother.I pivot toward him, expecting him glaring at me—but he’s... munching a cookie?"Where did you get that?" I ask dryly, already walking toward my office. I don’t bother to wait or tell him to follow. He will. He always does."You’ve become more rude indeed." Kaius mutters from behind me.I don’t answer. I open the door to my office, step inside, and shut it with a soft thud that still sounds like finality.As I m
NAIAWhen we make our way back to the palace, the three of us walk in silence.Not the uncomfortable kind.It’s the kind of silence that feels full, like we’re all lost in our own thoughts but still tethered to each other.I reach out, slipping my hands into theirs.Their fingers tighten around mine instantly, like they’d been waiting for me to do it. Their warmth seeps into my skin, grounding me, reminding me that this—whatever this is between us—is real.They don’t say anything.Neither do I.But I feel them."Many amazing things happened today." Kyra’s voice is soft, almost reverent.I nod absently, my mind trailing back to everything that just went down. The way they touched me. The way Silas ripped my shirt off without hesitation—well, his shirt. How the intensity in their eyes made me shiver, made my blood rush in ways I’d never felt before.I felt alive.I felt wanted.I felt… loved.Between all of that, between the teasing and the pleasure, I might have, kind of, glanced down
KAIUSI knew Naia couldn't shift.It was the first thing that bastard of a brother mentioned when I told him I wanted her. He smirked, like it was some kind of joke, like it was something to be ashamed of. Like it would make me want her any less.Fool.But looking at her now—seeing her face light up, seeing the way her fingers tremble as she flexes them, her claws retracting and extending—I know she’s feeling something she never has before.Hope.It makes my heart flip with happiness, a strange warmth spreading through my chest. I want her to feel this way always. I want to see this look on her face every time she discovers something new about herself.And Gosh, I want to do whatever it takes to make her shift completely.I lean on my elbow, watching her as she makes tiny, excited expressions while talking to her wolf. It’s adorable. She keeps pressing her lips together, like she’s trying not to smile too hard, but I can see it—she’s happy.Kaius: 1. Naia’s shitty past: 0.Then, Kael’