AlaricThe night air carried a bitter chill as our small group moved through the shadows of the Crescent Pack territory. Nina’s excitement was palpable beside me, her breath coming in quick, eager bursts as we approached the grounds Dave had scouted. Elena had stayed behind, coordinating with the warriors we’d gathered for this desperate plan.I tried to ignore the voice in my head screaming that this was wrong. That we were about to commit an act that would have consequences far beyond what we could imagine. But the weight of my pack’s future and Nina’s safety pressed down on me, silencing those doubts.Dave led us through a seemingly unguarded section of the territory. Too easy, I thought, but pushed the concern aside. We had to succeed. We had no choice.The massive pack house loomed before us, dark and imposing. According to Dave’s intelligence, Scarlett’s quarters were on the second floor, facing east. The windows were open to the cool night air – another stroke of luck that made
AlaricElena’s scream still echoed in my ears as we entered our pack house. The dawn light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across her tear-stained face. But there was something else in her eyes now – a desperate, calculating look that I had seen too many times before.“We need to call Patrick,” she said, her voice hoarse but determined. “Now.”“Elena...” I started, exhaustion weighing heavy in my bones. “It’s over. We lost.”“No!” She slammed her fist against the wall, making Nina jump. “I won’t accept this. I won’t live as a common wolf. I won’t watch everything we built crumble because of that worthless girl!”“That ‘worthless girl’ is now one of the most powerful Lunas in the territory,” I reminded her bitterly. “And her mate is going to strip us of everything by midday.”Elena’s laugh was hollow, brittle. “Not if Patrick helps us. He has the strongest pack in the territory. Even Damon would think twice about challenging him directly.”“And why would he help us?”
AlaricA week had passed since Nina left for Patrick’s pack, but her absence felt like an open wound in our household. Elena hadn’t left our chambers since watching our daughter disappear into Patrick’s car, her proud shoulders finally bowing under the weight of what she’d done.I stood in the doorway, watching my mate stare blankly out the window. She’d barely eaten, barely slept. The strong, calculating woman who had orchestrated so many schemes was gone, replaced by a hollow shell that couldn’t stop whispering our daughter’s name.“The pack meeting is in an hour,” I said softly. “They need to see their Luna.”Elena didn’t turn. “Their Luna?” Her laugh was brittle, sharp enough to cut. “Is that what I am? A Luna who sold her own daughter?”“We did what we had to do to survive.”“Did we?” She finally faced me, and I almost stepped back at the wild look in her eyes. “Tell me, Alaric, what exactly did we survive for? To rule over a pack that whispers behind our backs? To live knowing o
NinaI stare at my reflection in the cracked mirror of my tiny room in the packhouse’s servant wing. The dark circles under my eyes tell the story of another sleepless night, another night spent warming Lucas’s bed, only to be dismissed before dawn like a used tissue.I wasn’t supposed to live like this. As the daughter of the Alpha couple of Moonstone Pack, I had been raised in luxury, groomed to potentially become the future Alpha. But my parents had other plans – plans that involved securing their position by offering me as a mistress to Lucas, Alpha Patrick’s son, despite him being openly devoted to having many women.The memory of that day still burns like acid in my throat. “It’s for the good of our family,” my mother had said, not meeting my eyes. My father had simply nodded, his face a mask of political calculation. They had traded their own daughter’s future for a guarantee of keeping their Alpha and Luna positions.Now, two months later, my life is a shadow of what it once w
NinaEvery breath felt like fire in my chest. I lay curled on the cold wooden floor of my room, each inhale a reminder of last night’s torture.The morning light filtering through the window seemed to mock me with its cheerfulness, while my body screamed with pain that refused to subside. My fingers traced the bruises blooming across my ribs – purple and blue landscapes of my humiliation.They’d left me here to suffer, probably hoping I’d break. The tears that leaked from my eyes weren’t just from physical agony anymore; they were tears of pure rage.Scar. Her name alone made my jaw clench, sending a fresh spike of pain through my already battered face. How could Lucas stand by and watch while she—? No. I couldn’t let myself relive it. Not yet. The memory was too raw, too fresh, like an open wound that hadn’t even begun to scab over.I tried to push myself up to a sitting position, using the wall for support. My arms trembled with the effort, muscles protesting every movement.A whimp
Nina“My lord,” the guard announced, snapping to attention at the door. “She has arrived.”“Come in.”He dragged me inside and shoved me aside.“Lucas,” I whispered, voice trembling. “The guard—”“Playing disobedient again, I see,” Lucas cut in, rising from the bed. His casual dismissal of the guard’s brutality felt like a knife through my heart.“I’m not... He...” The words died in my throat as I caught Lucas’s stare. Where I’d once seen lust, now only disgust remained as his eyes raked over my bloodied form.“Did you not know why you were brought here?” His howl made the windows shake. “How dare you show yourself to me like this!”The irony was a knife in my chest. Here I stood, having orchestrated Scarlett’s downfall, only to find myself reduced to the very thing I’d despised.“I... I am sorry, Lucas.”“Lucas!” he repeated. “What did you just call me?”My heart skipped a beat. “Master.”“Good.” He turned around and faced the guard. “Good job. You can go.”I was hurt, both my body a
NinaThe room was deathly quiet, with only the steady ticking of a clock on the far wall breaking the silence. Time seemed to slow down as I knelt before Lucas, feeling the chill of the marble floor beneath me. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on us, like a looming storm ready to unleash its fury.He hadn’t spoken since Scar had been dragged away. His stillness was a different kind of torment, his silence a sharpened blade hanging over my neck. I kept my gaze fixed downward, the shadows of the room creeping toward me, threatening to consume what little strength I had left.Finally, he moved. His boots clicked against the floor as he crossed the space between us. I flinched as they came to a halt directly in front of me.“Stand,” he commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.My legs were numb and trembling as I forced them to comply. Every muscle screamed in protest, but I managed to rise, keeping my head bowed under the weight of his gaze, which bore into me like a brand.“You’v
ScarlettThe warmth of Crescent Pack surrounded me like a sanctuary, a place I never thought I’d find after all I had been through. Finn, my mate, was more than just a protector; he was my salvation, my hope, my everything.I smiled as I looked out from the window of the room Finn had given me, listening to the lively sounds of the pack outside. I had never felt such a strong sense of belonging. Finn’s people had embraced me warmly, showing me kindness and acceptance beyond my expectations. With Finn by my side, I felt safe and protected.I sat with Finn in the packhouse; the fire crackling softly in the background. There was a certain atmosphere that day, something I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Perhaps it was just the lingering remnants of my old trauma, still clinging to me like the persistent chill in my bones.“Finn," I began, my voice wavering. I had been grappling with this question for days, unsure of how to broach the subject. “What happened to the people from Dickson Pack who...
Finn“Good morning,” I said, watching my mate stir in my arms. “Time to wake up, beautiful.”A blush colored her cheeks as her eyes fluttered open.“Morning, my love,” Scarlett murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.The gesture drew a low rumble of contentment from my chest. Even after all this time, she still had this effect on me.“Sleep well?” I asked, returning her kiss.“Perfectly.”We lingered in bed, savoring each other’s warmth until I finally spoke. “I need to get ready. I have to see Jack today.”Scarlett tensed beside me. “Jack?”I nodded. “Yes, Jack.”“Why?” Her voice had grown wary.“To interrogate him again. The last time I went to see him, I wasn’t satisfied with what he told me. So...” I studied my mate’s face, watching for her reaction.Scarlett had insisted Jack was innocent, but as Alpha, the final judgment rested with me. I hadn’t mentioned my previous visit to her - I couldn’t bear having her think I doubted her judgment.“You went behind my back?” Her voice
In the darkest corner, he stood motionless, his fingers tracing the edge of a recent photograph of them.The image captured Scarlett with her beautiful hair catching the sunlight, and Damon with his arm wrapped protectively around her waist.His breath hitched, a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob. Hatred burned in his chest like acid, eating away at whatever humanity remained.How dare they be happy? How dare they build their perfect little life while his lay in ruins around him?“Look at you both,” he whispered, his voice rough from disuse. “So perfect. So innocent.” His fingers dug into the photograph, creating deep creases across the smiling faces.His dark eyes narrowed as he studied their features. “If only they could see what I see; the destroyers, the thieves, the architects of my destruction.”Memories flooded back: how he had spent a lot of money to acquire her, yet she was stolen from him.He gritted his teeth together, hatred oozing off him as he gazed at the picture
NinaI slammed the door behind me, fury coursing through my veins as the image of them together burned in my mind.My sister’s soft moans, his hands on her body, their passionate kisses. It was torture. Pure, unadulterated torture.“Damn you, Damon,” I whispered, my nails digging into my palms until they nearly drew blood.The way he’d looked at me, with such contempt, such dismissal... it made my blood boil.And yet, beneath that anger lay something else, something I refused to acknowledge: desire.I hadn’t meant to fall for him. He was my sister’s mate, for Moon’s sake. But from the moment I first saw him, something inside me had shifted.The raw power that emanated from him, the dangerous glint in his eyes, the way he carried himself. Everything about him called to my wolf in ways I couldn’t explain.And now he was flaunting their relationship in front of me, deliberately torturing me with their intimacy. He knew. Of course, he knew.Alphas could sense these things, could they not?
NinaI lifted my head, an apology forming on my lips, but the words died in my throat.The man before me commanded attention without effort, tall and striking, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold depths I couldn’t fathom.He carried himself with the natural authority of someone who didn’t need to demand respect; it was freely given.Idiot. That is Alpha Damon. My wolf’s voice cut through my thoughts like a blade.I was completely captivated by his presence. He seemed perfect in every way. It felt like fate that we were meant to be together.Of course, only he deserved me. How could anyone else compare?I struggled to keep my emotions in check, but a gentle purr slipped out, revealing the intensity of my feelings even as I tried to stay composed.“I’m sorry, Alpha Damon,” I managed, struggling to keep my voice steady under his gaze. I had meant to sound confident, but his presence made it impossible.“What brings you here?" His tone was cool and controlled, but there was a hint
Finn“You’re back, Damon.” My mate’s voice trembled with relief as she spotted me. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing her face against my chest. The familiar scent of her hair washed over me.“Yes," I muttered, feeling Nina’s intense gaze on us from across the room. Her anger was palpable in her tense stance and clenched fists.I didn’t fucking care.Pulling Scarlett closer, I leaned in and kissed her deeply. She melted against me with a soft moan, her hands clutching my shirt as if grounding herself.Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Nina’s bitter glare slicing through the air like a dagger. Her venom only made me hold Scarlett tighter.Nina’s loud cough shattered the moment, drawing my mate’s attention. Scarlett pulled back from our kiss with gentle reluctance, and though irritation flared in my chest, I forced myself to stay calm.The last thing I wanted was to damage what Scarlett and I had, especially over Nina’s petty interruption.“Sister.” N
FinnAs David left my office, the evening shadows grew longer. I stood by the window, observing the wolves in the pack grounds below, lost in my troubled thoughts. Somewhere out there, Nina was plotting, and Scarlett remained blind to the danger.“We need to be careful,” Storm cautioned in our mind. “One wrong move, and we could lose Scarlett’s trust entirely.”I growled softly, frustration building. My wolf had a point, but the urge to act, to eliminate the threat immediately, was almost overwhelming.The memory of Nina’s calculated seduction attempt made my skin crawl, but it was the darkness I’d glimpsed in her thoughts that truly concerned me.A knock at the door interrupted my brooding. “Enter,” I called, turning to find Gabriel, our training master, standing in the doorway.“Alpha,” he greeted me with a respectful nod. “I have the detailed training reports you requested.”“Good. Tell me about our newest warriors.” I gestured for him to sit, grateful for the distraction from my d
Finn“Two injured, none fatal. But the rogues are growing bolder.” David passed me a detailed report. “They seem more organized than usual. Pack formation patterns have been observed.”This was concerning. Rogues typically operated alone or in pairs. Pack formation suggested leadership - and that meant trouble.“Continue,” I instructed, scanning the document.“The trade agreement with the Southern Pack needs renewal,” David continued. “Alpha Marcus has been particularly insistent about discussing new terms. He’s mentioned something about expanding the timber rights in the shared forest.”I fought back a sigh. Marcus had always been ambitious, and my absence had likely emboldened him.“Schedule a meeting, but not immediately. Let’s give him time to stew.”‘And give us time to strengthen our position,’ Storm added approvingly.“The training program for young wolves has shown impressive results,” David moved on, his tone lightening slightly. “Gabriel has proven to be an excellent instruc
Finn“I’m so sorry, Alpha Damon!” The feminine voice carried a note of feigned distress that immediately set me on edge.Looking down, I found myself face-to-face with Nina, Scarlett’s sister.Her cheeks were flushed as she gazed up at me, her wide eyes sparkling with an innocence that didn’t quite reach their depths.This was only the second time I’d seen her, but being this close, I could sense something was off.“Alpha,” she purred, her tone dripping with an unwelcome sweetness. The way she looked at me disgusted me. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. My anger simmered just beneath the surface. What the heck was she trying to pull? “You’re back.”Storm growled low in my mind. ‘There’s darkness in her. Can’t you feel it?’I could. The pure connection I shared with Scarlett had heightened my ability to read others, and what I sensed in Nina troubled me deeply. Behind her carefully constructed facade lay something cold, calculated.“What are you doing here?” I asked, keeping m
FinnI lay in bed with my mate, savoring her warmth against me, when David’s voice echoed in my mind.‘What is it, David?’ I responded through our pack link.‘Alpha, I apologize for disturbing you. When I couldn’t find you in the office...’ His concern rippled through the mental connection.‘I’ll be there shortly,’ I assured him. ‘I needed time with my mate.’‘Understood, sir.’ With those words, David severed the mind-link, leaving me alone with my thoughts. In my arms, Scarlett shifted slightly, her breathing soft and steady.I gazed down at her peaceful face, drinking in every feature of my mate - the woman I’d ached for through all these long, empty months.Storm’s howl resonated through my mind, his joy echoing my own. My wolf couldn’t contain his elation at having her so close, her warmth pressed against us.We’d both yearned for this - man and beast united in our relief at finally having our mate in our embrace.“That happy, huh?” I asked, amused by Storm’s unrestrained joy, his