The grand hall of the Hollow Pack was adorned with towering silver candelabras, their flickering flames casting elongated shadows upon the polished marble floors. The scent of fresh roses, imported orchids, and ceremonial incense lingered in the air, mingling with the hushed conversations of the distinguished guests who had gathered for the long-awaited union of Liam Garvalle and Matilda Everstone.Alphas from allied packs sat in their designated places, their expressions varying from curiosity to cold calculation. The alliance between the Hollow pack and the Range pack was one of great strategic importance, and every leader present knew that this was more than a mere wedding—it was a binding contract of power and influence.Matilda stood at the threshold, her slender fingers gripping the arm of her father, Alpha Seth. She was the picture of grace, her sapphire-blue gown cascading down her form like flowing water, each intricate detail of the embroidery catching the candlelight. The d
The reception was grand, befitting the union of two powerful packs. The sprawling field had been transformed into a lavish banquet hall under the open sky, illuminated by golden lanterns that flickered like trapped fireflies. The scent of roasted meats, exotic spices, and freshly baked bread filled the air, while a live band played soft, elegant melodies in the corner, adding to the atmosphere of celebration. Tables were adorned with silk runners and golden cutlery, while an elaborate banquet of exquisitely selected meals lay spread across long serving tables. Uniformed ushers moved gracefully between the guests, ensuring that no one’s cup ran empty and that every plate was generously filled.However, despite the grandeur and wedding fever, the absence of Alpha Dalton had not gone unnoticed. “Strange that Alpha Dalton didn’t attend,” one of the older Alphas murmured, stroking his silver beard thoughtfully. “Liam and he were like brothers once. Their fathers built an alliance that mad
NEXT DAYThe dining hall of the Garvalle estate was bathed in the soft golden glow of the morning sun, its long mahogany table adorned with silverware and porcelain plates. The faint clinking of cutlery against fine china was the only sound disrupting the silence that hung over the room.Liam sat at the head of the table, his jaw tense, eyes shadowed with exhaustion. His mother, Mrs. Garvalle, sat primly on his right, dressed impeccably in a lavender silk dress, her every movement exuding quiet authority. On his left, Jessica, his sister, picked at a plate of berries, her expression smug.“So many dignitaries came,” Jessica mused, slicing into a fresh berry. “I heard Alpha Seth’s joke about tearing you apart if you hurt Matilda. It wasn’t funny, but I don’t think he meant it as a joke.”Liam barely reacted, staring at the steaming cup of coffee before him. He could still hear Seth’s words ringing in his ears, the warning layered beneath that dry humor. Something in his chest tightened
The doors to Matilda’s chamber creaked as Mrs. Garvalle pushed them open, stepping inside with deliberate force. The room smelled of expensive perfume and powder, and before the grand vanity sat Matilda, carefully dabbing rouge onto her already-flushed cheeks. She glanced at Mrs. Garvalle through the mirror’s reflection, her eyes gleaming with irritation rather than surprise."Matilda," Mrs. Garvalle’s said in a low voice. "Why did you not answer my summons?"Matilda continued applying her makeup, her lips pursed in an expression of supreme indifference. "I was busy."The older woman stiffened, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. "Busy? Too busy to acknowledge the mother of the Alpha? Too busy to adhere to the traditions of this pack? First, you disregarded my advice and refused to wear blue for the mating ceremony, and now you think you are above answering when you are called?"Matilda finally turned, setting her brush down with deliberate slowness. Her eyes, cold and unyiel
Mrs. Garvalle stood at the threshold of the room, seething in anger as she watched her son, Liam, hovering over Matilda with concern written all over his features. Matilda, lying dramatically on the bed, clutched at her stomach, her cries sharp and pitiful. The sight of her wailing as though she were at death’s door ignited a deep resentment in Mrs. Garvalle’s heart.“Lie down,” he ordered, his voice taut, betraying the storm of emotions brewing beneath his otherwise stoic facade.Matilda, cradling her stomach, whimpered dramatically. “It hurts, Liam! It hurts so much!”Mrs. Garvalle scoffed under her breath. It was all a ploy, a charade played to perfection. There was no doubt in her mind that Matilda had turned the situation to her advantage. The way she collapsed, the manner in which she clutched at her stomach only after Liam had entered—it was too precise, too deliberate. The slap had been warranted. The insolent girl had defied her, insulted her authority, and now she dared to
Liam sat in his study, his mind reeled, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Matilda had miscarried. The words echoed in his mind, hollow and unrelenting. He had barely processed it himself before he was forced to inform his mother.Mrs. Garvalle looked up in surprise when he burst in unannounced, his face a mask of anguish and barely controlled fury. Jessica was sitting beside their mother, elegantly sipping her tea and pressing her phone at the same time."She lost the pup," Liam announced, his voice raw.His mother paled. "What?" she whispered. "She was pregnant? No one told me."Liam’s jaw clenched. "Apparently, she was. And now she isn't. She said she had miscarried because of what had happened last night. Because you pushed her."Mrs. Garvalle stiffened, her nostrils flaring. "I pushed her? That is a lie. I slapped her, yes, because she had the audacity to defy me in my own home, to speak to me as if I were beneath her. But push her? Never. That girl is spinning tales ag
The day of Liam’s mating ceremony passed like any other for Daniella. Or at least, she tried to convince herself it did. She had been expecting it. The news had spread like wildfire through the country with every newspaper carrying the story of the wedding between of Alpha Liam and Matilda. The story of him finally taking Matilda as his Luna, sealing their bond in a grand ceremony attended by the most powerful werewolf families. The announcement had not shaken her as much as she had thought it would. Perhaps, after everything, she had grown numb to pain.She went about her day as usual, keeping herself occupied with work at the store. The orders needed to be organized, shipments checked, and invoices reviewed. Daniella buried herself in the mundane, determined to let the day pass unnoticed.But fate was not so merciful.It happened so suddenly that she barely had time to brace herself. A violent, tearing sensation ripped through her chest as if invisible claws had sunk into her heart
The drive home was made in silence as Daniella leaned her head against the glass, totally exhausted. The pain had passed, but a strange hollowness remained, as though something had been ripped from inside her, leaving her feeling raw. When they arrived at her house, he quickly moved around to open the passenger door. “Come on,” he murmured, offering his arm. She took it without protest, her limbs feeling heavier than they should.Inside, the house was eerily quiet. Daniella had earlier informed him that her daughter, Sophie, and her nanny were away at Grace’s family farm. Dalton helped her onto the couch, watching as she sank into the cushions with a sigh."Are you okay?" he asked softly, kneeling beside her as she sank into the cushions.Daniella exhaled slowly. "I think so. Just… weak."Dalton frowned. He had never seen her like this before. Daniella had always been strong, even when life had treated her cruelly. Seeing her collapse today had shaken him more than he cared to admit
The cell door creaked open with a groan that echoed through the narrow corridor, the iron hinges protesting the movement. Arya stepped out, her heeled boots clicking sharply against the damp stone floor. Her posture was elegant, commanding—her chin tilted ever so slightly upwards in that familiar way that made her seem like royalty in a place that reeked of rot and fear.She turned to the guards, her lips curling into a tight smile.“Lock the cell,” she ordered coolly without glancing back. “I don’t want any accidents.”The guards nodded silently and pushed the thick iron door shut with a deep metallic clang. One of them turned the key with a rough twist, and the deadbolt snapped into place with finality. Arya stood still for a moment, watching them with feigned patience, her hands clasped lightly behind her back.“The trial is scheduled, correct?” Arya asked in a silk-smooth tone, as if she were inquiring about afternoon tea, not the brutal torment of another living being.“Yes, my
“Arya…” Elizabeth’s voice rang out, quiet but clear, halting Arya’s retreat.Arya stilled, her hand on the door’s iron handle. “What?”Elizabeth swallowed hard, her voice cracking beneath the weight of pain and disbelief. “Why?”Arya paused mid-step. Her fingers curled around the keys at her hip. She did not turn.“Why what?” Arya asked, her voice smooth and clipped, though it carried an edge.“Why go to such desperate measures to get rid of us?” Elizabeth’s voice trembled with hurt and confusion. “Do you hate us that much? Why pretend? Why go so far? Was all of it a lie?”Arya stood still, her back to the bars. For a moment, Elizabeth thought she might walk away, might ignore the question entirely. But then Arya turned slowly, her brown eyes glowing faintly in the dim torchlight.There was a sneer on her face, cruel and cold, but beneath it, Elizabeth saw something else—bitterness, long-nurtured pain, and something dangerously close to heartbreak.“You really want to know?” Arya aske
The damp chill of the underground cell gnawed through Elizabeth’s thin, torn tunic, and the stench of mold and decay lingered in the air like a curse that refused to be lifted.Chains rattled faintly with her every movement, and little Habibah lay curled in her mother’s lap, her breath warm against Elizabeth’s bruised skin. Elizabeth’s fingers ran slowly through her daughter’s tangled curls, each strand a small comfort against the storm of fear in her chest. For a brief, aching moment, there was silence. Suddenly, the silence broke. The sound of heavy boots echoed down the corridor—slow, deliberate, merciless. Elizabeth stiffened, her hand tightening around Habibah. The child whimpered.A cruel laugh drifted through the air, low and mocking, bouncing off the cold walls like a specter.“No,” Elizabeth whispered, eyes lifting toward the cell bars. “Please, not again.”The shadows moved, shaped themselves into a familiar figure. A woman stepped into the dim torchlight, flanked by three
Elizabeth sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, her back against the heavy, fortified wall of the secret chamber. “Will Papa really come back soon?” Habibah whispered for what felt like the tenth time, her voice barely a breath.Elizabeth gave a small, reassuring nod. “Your father said to stay put. He’ll come for us when it’s safe. We just have to trust him.”Habibah bit her lip, glancing nervously at the heavy steel door that kept them hidden from the chaos outside. The chamber had been built centuries ago as a refuge, and it was nearly impenetrable, soundproof, and sealed tight. Until—A sound broke the heavy silence — the soft, unmistakable creak of footsteps approaching.Elizabeth stiffened immediately. She pressed her hand gently to Habibah’s arm, signaling her to stay silent. Both of them leaned in, hearts pounding so hard it was almost deafening in their own ears.The door handle shifted, moving slightly.Habibah's breathing quickened, and Elizabeth gripped her hand tightl
Three years had passed since little Habibah was birthed and welcomed into the Emerald Pack. In those years, she had blossomed like a rare flower, her laughter ringing like bells across the pack grounds. The pack loved her fiercely — not only because she was the Alpha’s daughter, but because there was something radiant about her, she had a bright and untamed spirit with the gentleness of her mother, Elizabeth, and the fire of her father, Czar.Elizabeth, her mother, watched her every day with quiet awe. Sometimes, she would run her fingers through Habibah’s dark curls and wonder how such a miracle had come into their lives after all the pain they had endured.Czar, the Alpha, was no different. He had vowed since the day Habibah was conceived and born that he would protect her with everything he had—even if it cost him his life.But these were troubled times.The werewolf territories were embroiled in an endless war — pack against pack, hunters against wolves, betrayal seeping into once
Elizabeth basked in the glow of an expectant mother, she could not be more thankful for the peace, joy, and love that found her. She and Alpha Czar counted the days till the birth of their child, until word arrived that the Willow Creek Pack — an ally under Emerald's protection — had been attacked, the news shattered the pack's peace, especially that of Elizabeth. Alpha Czar knew his position and wasted no time. Without hesitation, he assembled his warriors; his vow to all allied packs must be fulfilled no matter the cost or consequences. "Under my watch," he had sworn, "no friend shall fall alone."Elizabeth, heavy with child and only weeks from her due date, had begged him to stay. But duty was a jealous, unyielding master. Alpha Czar kissed Elizabeth's forehead, lingering there a little longer than usual, his hand pressed over her swollen belly. His voice, low and steady as he made her a promise, “I’ll be back before you know it, my love. You and our little one — you’re my world
Czar's parents, welcomed Elizabeth with open arms. Their trust in their son's judgment was unwavering. “He’s never made a decision that endangered this pack,” he told the council once. “If he sees a Luna in her, then so do I.”The majority of the pack mirrored this sentiment, embracing Elizabeth as one of their own.However, not all shared this enthusiasm. A few elders from the high council murmured amongst themselves. They saw her lineage—or lack thereof—as a threat to tradition. A Luna should come from a bloodline of power, they argued. Not from nowhere.“We do not doubt your leadership, Alpha,” Elder Harran had said, rising to speak. “But a Luna must come from strength. Her background is unknown. How can we be certain she is the right choice?”Czar had risen slowly, his frame imposing, his voice calm but razor-edged."Have I ever led this pack into ruin?" he asked, locking eyes with each elder."No, Alpha," they replied in quiet unison."Have I not fought, bled, and sacrificed to k
The forest had always whispered ancient secrets, but Elizabeth had never expected to be part of one. She’d only wanted to explore some of the old trails beyond the marked boundaries. But somehow, she’d wandered too far, drawn in by the haunting beauty of the wild and the unearthly quiet. Trees loomed like sentinels, and the shadows stretched deeper than they should have. Before she knew it, a group of imposing men had surrounded her.They moved with eerie grace and frightening precision, their eyes glowing with something primal. She hadn’t even had time to scream before she was bound and blindfolded, the cold roughness of rope scraping her skin.When the blindfold was finally removed, she found herself in a cold stone cell deep within a prison under the Emerald Pack's stronghold.****************That was the first time Alpha Czar laid eyes on her.He was there for a routine inspection, flanked by two of his guards. His towering figure filled the hallway, his black coat whipping behin
ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO Many, many years ago, before the moon ever looked kindly on the Emerald Pack, before it bore the name that would inspire awe across the territories, it had another name — one spoken only in hushed tones by the old and the haunted. Once, it was a place of shadows and fear, ruled by a tyrant whose reign had withered every shred of hope from the hearts of its people. His name had long since been erased from the histories, not out of ignorance, but out of deliberate intent. The pack had chosen to forget.This alpha, cruel and insatiable in his thirst for power, ran the pack with an iron fist. He saw his members not as family, but as tools — to be used, to be discarded, to be punished. Families lived in fear, mothers whispered warnings to their children, and warriors bore scars not only from outside battles, but from within. The woods that now stood tall and proud were then filled with silent dread.But change, as it often does, came from the unlikeliest of places.He h