Alpha Liam took a step forward, his towering presence now looming over her. “I will not have you turn my pack against itself. And I certainly won’t have you defaming my mother to satisfy whatever twisted game you’re playing.”Matilda’s smirk didn’t waver. “Are you threatening me, Alpha?” she taunted, tilting her head, amusement flickering in her expression. “Oh, how terrifying. You forget, my father is a better Alpha than you will ever be. Maybe if you had his spine, you wouldn’t let yourself be led around like a leashed dog.”Liam’s eyes darkened, his wolf howling beneath his skin. His patience was wearing thin, fraying at the edges and about to snap. “If you think,” he said slowly, each syllable a warning, “that mating with me gives you the right to harass, bully, and defame my mother, you are gravely mistaken. This ends now, Matilda.” His hands curled into fists at his sides, a desperate attempt to restrain the rage coursing through him. “If you continue acting unreasonably, I will
Some minutes after matilda left, Alpha Liams phone rang. Liam barely glanced at the screen before snatching it up, his patience already frayed from his earlier encounter with Matilda."Hello?" he snapped, his voice edged with irritation."How dare you maltreat my daughter?" The voice on the other end was deep and seething with fury.Liam stiffened, recognizing it instantly. Alpha Seth. A growl rumbled low in his throat. Had he seen the caller ID, he would have ignored the call altogether. But it was too late now. Hanging up would only worsen matters. He could already picture Matilda, crocodile tears in her eyes, playing the role of the wounded victim while her father swallowed every word whole."I should have known," Liam muttered, running a hand down his face in frustration. "What lies has she fed you now, Seth?""Lies?" Seth spat the word as though it burned his tongue. "I heard your mother and yourself have turned my beloved daughter into your personal punching bag. Your marriage
“You’ve just committed a direct act of aggression against my pack,” Liam growled, his voice low and venomous. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You’ve broken the governing bodies’ ruling—attacking an allied pack is treason. I’ll ensure you are dealt with swiftly.”Alpha Seth’s chuckle was slow, deliberate, and brimming with condescension. “You’re focusing on the wrong problem, boy,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “Instead of flapping your mouth about consequences, perhaps you should be more concerned with the infiltrators within your own pack. I already have the upper hand, whether you like it or not.”Liam clenched his jaw. He hated the way Seth spoke to him, as though he were a mere pup trying to play at being Alpha. He had fought for his title, had bled for it. No one, not even this arrogant old wolf, would dictate his rule.His mind raced as it filtered through his security reports, the recent disruptions within Hollow Pack. Could it be possible? No—Seth was bluffi
The phone rang twice before Beta Adam picked up, his voice sharp and alert. “Alpha, I was just about to call you. There’s a situation at the farmland—an explosion. I’m overseeing it now.”“I know,” Liam said, his voice tight. “Leave it and come to my office. Now.”There was a brief pause, the sounds of shouting and urgency in the background. “Alpha, with all due respect, this is serious. We need to assess the damage and—”“I said now, Adam,” Liam cut him off, his tone brooking no argument. “Hand it over to someone else. I need you here immediately.”His Beta hesitated for a second before exhaling sharply. “Understood. I’ll have Gamma Lucas take over.”Liam could hear Adam turning away from the chaos, issuing rapid orders. “Lucas, you’re in charge. Secure the perimeter, report any unusual findings, and make sure the fire doesn’t spread. Keep the warriors on high alert until I return.”Gamma Lucas’s voice crackled faintly over the line. “Understood. I’ll handle it.”Liam ended the call,
Murmurs passed through the elders. One of them, Elder Reginald, leaned forward. “This urgency better be justified, Alpha,” he said. “This better not be another political affair concerning—”“This is far beyond politics,” Liam cut in sharply, his patience thinning. “This is a direct attack on our pack.”A hush fell over the room.Liam took a breath, steadying himself before he spoke the words that would change everything. “The explosion today at the farmland was no accident. It was orchestrated by Alpha Seth.”Gasps rippled through the room. Some warriors exchanged alarmed glances, while others clenched their fists. The elders, however, remained still, their expressions darkening. They were wise enough to know that Seth had always been a dangerous man, but this was outright provocation.Elder Vaughn narrowed his eyes. “You are certain of this?”Liam nodded grimly. “He told me himself.”More murmurs. A few of the warriors visibly stiffened. Vaughn exhaled through his nose, his fingers t
As the night stretched in the Alphas’ mansion. Liam stood in his office, his fingers pressing into the cool wood of his desk as he tried to organize his thoughts. Midnight was approaching, and with it, a conversation he had dreaded but could no longer avoid. He had sent a mind link to his mother earlier, requesting a private meeting. She had not questioned it, but he knew she had sensed the gravity of the matter. She was too seasoned, too intelligent not to recognize when something was deeply amiss.At precisely midnight, Liam made his way to her chambers. Liam inhaled deeply and made his way down the dimly lit corridor. His footsteps echoed slightly against the marble floors. He entered without knocking, knowing she would be waiting.His mother’s room was warm and elegant, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a golden hue across the polished furniture. Mrs. Garvalle sat on a velvet chair near the fireplace, a book resting open in her lap, though it was clear she had not been rea
The grand Hall of the Garvalle Pack was almost filled to the brim, the murmuring of voices of pack members echoed off the high wooden beams. Wolves of all ranks including the warriors, healers, scouts, elders, and even the civilians, all stood together, waiting with bated breath. It was rare for Alpha Liam to call for a full pack gathering, and even rarer that it was held under such tense circumstances. The scent of burning wood from the distant farmland still lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the chaos that had erupted not long ago.Liam stood on the elevated stage, his commanding presence highlighted by the bright overhead lights illuminating the hall. His sharp blue eyes swept over the pack, noting the wary expressions, the unspoken fears, and the silent accusations simmering beneath the surface. He knew there were whispers—rumors of internal discord, of power struggles, of betrayals lurking in the dark corners of their home. It was time to put an end to it.Clearing his thro
After Mrs Garvalles's speech, Alpha liam addressed his subordinates again.“Thank you all for being here,” he said, his voice carrying over the sea of faces. “I know these past few weeks have been trying, but I want you all to know that as your Alpha, my top priority is the safety and well-being of this pack. Tonight, we have taken an important step forward, and I trust that we will continue to stand together. Now, I invite you all to head to the field for a light refreshment.”A roar of excitement erupted from the pack, the tension that had filled the air dissipating into laughter and chatter. The crowd slowly began to disperse, heading towards the open field where tables had been set up with food and drinks under the soft glow of overhead lights.As Liam turned to step down from the stage, the elders of the pack approached Mrs. Garvalle, their expressions a mixture of solemnity and gratitude.“Queen Mother,” Elder Harris began, his voice warm and filled with gratitude, “we thank you
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