Returning to Wood Mist Pack was surreal, like stepping into an old dream—or maybe a nightmare. The pack’s territory came into view, stretching out beneath a canopy of trees that held so many memories. I had expected some sense of closure, or maybe just a rush of nervous energy. But with Grey and Blue beside me, it was as if everything around us was holding its breath. As we crossed into familiar territory, heads turned. My old packmates—people I’d grown up with, worked alongside, laughed with—were staring, their faces a mix of shock, confusion, and something else that almost looked like… respect? It was strange, unsettling. I could hear the hushed whispers as we passed, each voice trying to piece together why I’d returned, and especially why I was flanked by the Lycan princes. “Is that… Amelia? But she left months ago. Didn’t they say she was rogue?” “Why is she here? And with them?” “She looks… different, doesn’t she?” The last comment made me glance down, wondering if there was
Sitting on the familiar bed in my old room, I took a deep breath, trying to let the comforting memories settle over me. It was strange being back here. So much had changed, but the room still had all the little details I remembered—the faint scent of pine drifting through the window, the scratches on the wood floor, the worn quilt my mother had made years ago. I ran my fingers along its faded edges, feeling the small sense of belonging I thought I’d lost when I’d left the pack. The twins had escorted me to the cabin and helped me settle in, but duty had called them away. Grey had gently held my hand, his cool touch a grounding comfort, while Blue had squeezed my shoulder with a reassuring smile, promising they’d be back soon. I watched them disappear into the woods, feeling the strange pull in my heart already missing them. I could feel their presence even from afar, a soft warmth inside me, steady and anchoring. With them gone, I had time to sit with my thoughts and take in my surr
The inside of the pack house loomed around me, heavy with memories and tinged with dread. I’d once walked these halls with a sense of belonging. Now, each step echoed, unfamiliar and fraught with the weight of the questions that had brought me back. As Levi, Bea, and I made our way deeper into the heart of the pack house, we suddenly crossed paths with Nicolai. His tall frame blocked our way, his gaze sharp, and for a brief moment, I saw his surprise—fleeting but unmistakable. He hadn’t expected me here, that much was clear. “Amelia.” His tone was clipped, a warning in the way he spat my name. “What are you doing here?” I held my ground, summoning all the calm I could muster. “I’m not here for you, Nicolai,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I have questions that only Alpha Cedric can answer.” Nicolai’s brows knitted together, a spark of agitation flaring in his eyes. “If you’re here to cause trouble, it won’t end well for you,” he warned, his gaze darting briefly to Levi. “And yo
The sun was gentle and warm as Bea and I made our way down to the lake, a calm, secluded place that we’d claimed as our own over the years. The air was scented with the lush, earthy smell of the forest, and the soft rush of water against the shoreline brought a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was a perfect day to escape, to savor these last moments together. "Are you nervous about leaving?" Bea asked as she spread out the blanket, glancing over at me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. I took a deep breath, letting the scent of pine fill my lungs. “Honestly? A little,” I admitted, settling down beside her. “I mean… the Kingdom is a whole different world. It’s dangerous, especially for someone like me.” Bea’s brow furrowed, worry flickering in her eyes. “You’re not just someone, Amelia. You’re powerful. But… being in the Lycan Kingdom,” she hesitated, her voice dropping as she echoed Alpha Cedric’s warning. “You know what the Alpha said—it’s different there. Lyc
I sat at the long, oak dining table, surrounded by people who felt like pieces of me. Levi was to my left, his gaze bouncing between my face and the plate in front of him. Bea sat across, and the twins, Grey and Blue, flanked either side of her, each of them carrying the silent intensity that was almost a second language to them. There was a quiet reverence to the meal, as though each of us recognized the weight of this moment. For the first time in my life, I was leaving with no certainty of when—or if—I’d return. Levi broke the silence first, nudging my arm with a warm, gentle smile. “It feels like I just got you back, and now you’re running off with these two?” He raised an eyebrow at the twins, his playful tone tinged with genuine sadness. “Trust me, I didn’t exactly plan any of this,” I replied with a soft laugh, trying to shake off the pang of melancholy his words had stirred. “But we all know this is something I have to do.” Bea reached across the table, resting her hand on
As we stepped into the kingdom, a peculiar silence settled over the streets. Everything looked normal, yet my senses tingled with a mix of nervousness and awe. People whispered among themselves, some pointing our way as we passed by, their eyes shifting from the twins, Blue and Grey, to me. I knew most of these people weren't entirely human; there was a palpable aura of power around them. And beyond that, a feeling in the air, almost instinctive, told me that most of these onlookers were Lycans. It was overwhelming. I could feel my pulse quicken, and my fingers dug into Blue's arm, seeking some form of reassurance. Blue turned his head slightly, his gaze soft and comforting. "How are you holding up, Amelia?" he murmured, so only I could hear. I swallowed, trying to steady my voice. "Honestly? I’m terrified," I admitted. "It feels like everyone is watching… judging." Grey’s voice came from my other side, smooth and steady. "You’ll be okay," he said, offering me a quick, reassuring s
Settling into the palace was surreal. I had a spacious room, luxuriously furnished and positioned just a few doors down from Blue and Grey’s quarters. Every piece of furniture gleamed with polished wood and metal accents, while soft, heavy curtains framed windows that overlooked a lush garden below. It was strange to think that this place, so far from everything I’d known, was to become my new home.The first morning, a gentle knock sounded at my door. I opened it to find a young woman with a warm smile and an air of quiet strength. Her hair was braided back, and she wore a simple but elegant dress that matched her unassuming nature. She bowed slightly, then introduced herself. “Good morning, Miss Amelia. I’m Lea, your personal assistant. I’ll be helping you with anything you need during your time here in the palace.”
The first few days of training were like stepping into a dream—and a nightmare. The palace teachers, with their strict postures and watchful eyes, observed my every move, correcting even the slightest misstep. They drilled me in all the finer points of royal etiquette: how to stand, how to hold a teacup, how to speak with an air of calm authority. Every gesture, every word, had to be perfectly measured. I fumbled at first, feeling clumsy and out of place. But as the hours wore on, something strange began to happen. Movements I thought would feel foreign instead came naturally, almost instinctively, as if some hidden part of me had always known how to move with elegance and grace.A few times, I heard whispers as the teachers glanced at each other, nodding with satisfaction. “She’s a natural,” one of them said quietly, as if marveling at something unexpected. A warmth b
The morning light filtered softly through my window, illuminating the delicate necklace in my hand—the necklace Alpha Cedric had given me. The simple silver chain was adorned with a small, ruby pendant that caught the light with a subtle glow, reminding me of the mystery that still shrouded my past. I wondered if wearing it at the coronation would be a mistake. It might spark questions from the court, raise eyebrows, stir fears… but maybe, in a strange way, that was what I wanted. Maybe it was time for the truth, for others to acknowledge that I was different—and that I was proud of it.I ran my fingers over the pendant, lost in thought. I felt a deep longing for answers, for some connection to my family that went beyond whispers and cautionary tales. So many people feared what I was without even knowing me, and the thought of spending my life under that shadow felt like a
The palace buzzed with a tense but lively energy as preparations for my coronation resumed. It felt surreal to think that I was just a few days away from becoming a true princess, and, soon after, the bride of Grey and Blue. The weeks since Darius’s disappearance had left me unsettled, but as my training resumed, I found myself oddly grateful for everything he’d taught me. He may have left with more questions than answers, but his lessons had stuck with me in ways I didn’t expect.Each morning began with a rigorous schedule designed to refine every aspect of my future role. Every step, every tilt of my head, every word I spoke was carefully scrutinized by the royal teachers. But this time, I didn’t falter or feel overwhelmed. I moved with a confidence that I hadn’t felt before, and I knew, deep down, it was because of Darius. I silently thanked him every time I f
Days had slipped by since Darius had vanished, his absence like a shadow that clung to every corner of my life. I’d been growing accustomed to our lessons, to his sharp wit, his guidance, and even to the way he always seemed to know the exact moment my mind began to wander. He was more than a teacher; he was becoming an anchor. So, when he disappeared without a word, I couldn’t ignore the pang of betrayal that settled in my chest.In the days that followed, I found myself making excuses for him. Perhaps he’d been sent on an urgent mission or called away by a family matter. But each passing day without a single word from him chipped away at my hope. In desperation, I turned to Lea, asking her to look into his whereabouts quietly. Her return brought news that felt like a punch to the gut.“Lady Amelia,” sh
The palace gardens were like a hidden world, their beauty nearly stealing my breath every time I wandered there. Today, sunlight danced on the dewdrops resting on the flowers, casting a soft glow on the neatly trimmed hedges and winding paths. It was a relief to be outside after so many tense days within the palace walls, where whispers followed me and the weight of judgment lingered in every room. With Lea by my side, I felt I could finally breathe again, at least for a moment.“Lea, do you ever feel like this place is almost too perfect?” I asked as we walked slowly through the garden, taking in the floral aromas that floated in the warm air. “Like it’s hiding something?”Lea chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Every place has its secrets, Lady Amelia. And some gardens can be dangerous, too. Beautiful, but thorny.”
I spent the days after the trial in a strange, muted haze. Everything I had learned in the court gnawed at me, refusing to leave me in peace. I tried to find solace in my room, hiding from the curious gazes of the palace staff, but it didn’t help. The truth was, I didn’t know where I belonged anymore. Being here in the kingdom felt like a betrayal of everything I’d been through, and yet, returning to Wood Mist Pack seemed impossible now.Lea was my constant companion, her quiet presence a balm to my aching soul. She sat with me for hours, talking softly, trying to distract me with stories from her own life. She even brought books from the palace library and offered to teach me about Lycan history, though the thought of it only twisted the knife in my heart. History, after all, was what had condemned my family and left me with nothing but questions.
Sitting in the dim light of my chambers, I couldn’t escape the thoughts that had plagued me since that awful duel with Astrid. Accepting her challenge had been a terrible mistake; revealing my Lycan form in front of everyone had been even worse. Now, it seemed my every action had consequences, rippling out far beyond what I’d intended. I thought about Alpha Cedric’s warnings and how he’d tried to protect me, telling me to tread carefully, not to let my emotions rule me. And yet, one bitter taunt from Astrid had been enough to send me into a blind rage.My hands trembled, and I wrapped them tightly around myself, trying to stave off the creeping chill of regret. Somewhere deep down, Astrid’s words had wormed their way into my mind, infecting me with self-doubt. Could it be that she was right? That my mother’s death, my struggles, all the pain—had it al
The first few days of training were like stepping into a dream—and a nightmare. The palace teachers, with their strict postures and watchful eyes, observed my every move, correcting even the slightest misstep. They drilled me in all the finer points of royal etiquette: how to stand, how to hold a teacup, how to speak with an air of calm authority. Every gesture, every word, had to be perfectly measured. I fumbled at first, feeling clumsy and out of place. But as the hours wore on, something strange began to happen. Movements I thought would feel foreign instead came naturally, almost instinctively, as if some hidden part of me had always known how to move with elegance and grace.A few times, I heard whispers as the teachers glanced at each other, nodding with satisfaction. “She’s a natural,” one of them said quietly, as if marveling at something unexpected. A warmth b
Settling into the palace was surreal. I had a spacious room, luxuriously furnished and positioned just a few doors down from Blue and Grey’s quarters. Every piece of furniture gleamed with polished wood and metal accents, while soft, heavy curtains framed windows that overlooked a lush garden below. It was strange to think that this place, so far from everything I’d known, was to become my new home.The first morning, a gentle knock sounded at my door. I opened it to find a young woman with a warm smile and an air of quiet strength. Her hair was braided back, and she wore a simple but elegant dress that matched her unassuming nature. She bowed slightly, then introduced herself. “Good morning, Miss Amelia. I’m Lea, your personal assistant. I’ll be helping you with anything you need during your time here in the palace.”
As we stepped into the kingdom, a peculiar silence settled over the streets. Everything looked normal, yet my senses tingled with a mix of nervousness and awe. People whispered among themselves, some pointing our way as we passed by, their eyes shifting from the twins, Blue and Grey, to me. I knew most of these people weren't entirely human; there was a palpable aura of power around them. And beyond that, a feeling in the air, almost instinctive, told me that most of these onlookers were Lycans. It was overwhelming. I could feel my pulse quicken, and my fingers dug into Blue's arm, seeking some form of reassurance. Blue turned his head slightly, his gaze soft and comforting. "How are you holding up, Amelia?" he murmured, so only I could hear. I swallowed, trying to steady my voice. "Honestly? I’m terrified," I admitted. "It feels like everyone is watching… judging." Grey’s voice came from my other side, smooth and steady. "You’ll be okay," he said, offering me a quick, reassuring s