The dream was too perfect, a cruel comfort, offering me a glimpse of everything I’d lost. I was with my family. Mira was there, her laughter bright and clear as she teased Levi. Bea’s familiar smile warmed me like sunlight, and we sat together, the four of us, as if nothing terrible had ever happened.But as quickly as the comfort appeared, it shattered. Astrid emerged from the shadows, her eyes cold and full of malice, and she killed them—one by one, while I was helpless to stop her. I screamed, desperate and terrified, but my voice seemed trapped within my own throat.With a gasp, I woke, my body drenched in cold sweat, my heart pounding wildly. I was back in reality, and the weight of it crushed me all over again. “It was just a dream,” I whispered, but somehow, it still hurt.Wiping the tears from my face, I took a shaky breath. Just then, a quiet voice broke through the silence. “Amelia?”I froze, the voice almost too familiar, too comforting. My gaze snapped to the side, and my
The small village nestled in the jungle was nothing like the towering palace halls or the sprawling gardens I’d grown up in. Here, everything was simple, raw, and somehow more alive. There were only five houses, all made of rough wood, arranged in a circle around a fire pit. The jungle was dense around us, the air thick with the smell of pine and damp earth, and the distant chirping of birds was the only sound that broke the quiet.As I walked through the village, children peeked out shyly from behind their parents, their eyes wide with curiosity. There were only eight of them, and they clung to one another, some clutching their mothers' skirts. Most of the adults nodded as I passed, eyes warm and filled with something I hadn’t seen in a long time—respect.They all called me “Queen,” and each time, a flutter of disbelief and something like pride stirred within me. A title I’d only ever been scorned for was now spoken here with reverence, as if it was something I deserved.When lunch c
The Lycan Kingdom had once been the pinnacle of peace and prosperity. Under the wise and generous rule of King Artemis and his beloved Queen, Luna Genea, the kingdom thrived. The Red Lycan bloodline was revered as a symbol of strength and nobility, its rulers known for their compassion and loyalty to their people. With each moonlit festival and harvest season, the Lycan people gathered to celebrate their king and queen, secure in the belief that their reign would endure for generations.But beneath the surface, hidden in the shadows, seeds of envy and ambition were beginning to take root.At the heart of this dark ambition was Darwin, the king’s trusted Beta and the queen’s own brother. As a young Lycan, Darwin had pledged his loyalty to his family and had been a close companion to King Artemis, standing by his side in countless battles and council meetings. But over the years, Darwin’s admiration of his brother-in-law shifted into something more corrosive. Despite his outward devotio
I never thought I’d be standing here, with these people who call themselves my pack. "The Red Moon Pack" — they were all rogues, outcasts, or descendants of those who had once served my family. It still felt strange hearing them call me “Queen,” but every time they did, I felt a pang of pride and a weight of responsibility. It was surreal and yet felt like the beginning of something inevitable, something that had been set in motion long before I’d even known who I was.Standing in the center of the clearing, I inhaled deeply, letting the earthy scent of pine and wet leaves ground me. My muscles ached, but it was a satisfying ache, one that meant I was growing stronger. Each day, I pushed myself, throwing myself into training with a single-minded focus I’d never known I was capable of. This wasn’t just about survival anymore; it was about reclaiming what was mine, avenging those I’d lost, and protecting the ones I still had.The soft crunch of footsteps pulled me out of my thoughts, an
The camp was quiet that evening, the sky draped in a soft twilight. I had finally washed off the day’s sweat and dirt, feeling a rare moment of calm as I sat by the small fire I’d built just outside my tent. The flames flickered, casting a warm glow, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I allowed myself to relax. But just as I settled into the silence, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Sheila, her face framed by the dim firelight.Sheila had an energy about her—sharp, lively, and a bit intimidating. She was one of the best fighters in the Red Moon Pack, with a reputation for her agility and precise strikes. She’d been with the rogues for years, and she was practically a legend among them. I admired her, but we’d rarely spoken one-on-one.“Mind if I join you?” she asked, her voice casual but her eyes studying me closely.“Not at all,” I replied, surprised by the faint hint of warmth in my own voice. I gestured to the log beside me, and she took a seat, stretching
It was still early when I slipped out of the small wooden cabin I’d been staying in, the first blush of dawn just starting to creep over the tops of the trees. The air was crisp, with that lingering coolness that always comes before the morning fully wakes, and it filled my lungs like a jolt of pure energy. The Red Moon Pack was still quiet, the peaceful lull of a world not yet stirring, and for once, I felt almost… normal. Like maybe this could have been my life all along.The path led me through a dense part of the forest where the canopy of trees hung thick, creating a tunnel of green. I followed it to the clearing where Elder Alara, one of my birth mother’s closest friends, was waiting for me. She was a slender, ethereal figure, with eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the forest and a voice that was as gentle as it was commanding. She was one of the few who knew about my lineage, about the powers that might be lying dormant inside me, waiting to be awakened.When she saw me a
I blinked awake to the soft glow of morning sun slipping through the curtains, casting warm, lazy patterns on my bed. For a moment, I lay still, savoring the calm that filled my small, familiar room. Life here in the pack had its ups and downs, sure, but there was a stability, a grounding, in every day starting just like this. "Amelia!" My mom’s voice called out from downstairs, breaking the silence. "Coming!" I threw off my blanket and slipped into a pair of worn slippers by my bed, smiling to myself as I imagined her tapping her foot at the bottom of the stairs. My mom was always one for routines — breakfast at 7, chores done by noon, and dinner on the table by six. It was a rhythm, a safety net I’d come to depend on. Some people might think life here was a little dull, but to me, it was everything I needed. I bounded down the stairs, following the smell of coffee and pancakes, and found my mom standing at the stove. Her auburn hair was tied back, a few stray curls escaping, and
“Mom, are you sure we need to go all the way to the Human City?” I asked, glancing over at her. The trees around us thinned as the road stretched into unfamiliar territory, the familiar scents of the forest replaced with the dusty, metallic tang of the city nearby. I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable with the change. “Yes, Amelia,” my mother replied, her voice steady, though I could see the tension in her shoulders as she drove. “There are certain herbs and supplies I can only get in the city. And besides, it’s about time you saw a bit of the world outside the pack.” I twisted my fingers together, staring out the window. I’d heard a lot about the Human City from others, usually stories of bustling markets, strange food, and noisy streets. It was a place full of mystery and energy, completely different from our quiet, tucked-away life in the pack. I should have been excited — and part of me was — but there was something about today that felt... off. “Do you think there will be a lo
It was still early when I slipped out of the small wooden cabin I’d been staying in, the first blush of dawn just starting to creep over the tops of the trees. The air was crisp, with that lingering coolness that always comes before the morning fully wakes, and it filled my lungs like a jolt of pure energy. The Red Moon Pack was still quiet, the peaceful lull of a world not yet stirring, and for once, I felt almost… normal. Like maybe this could have been my life all along.The path led me through a dense part of the forest where the canopy of trees hung thick, creating a tunnel of green. I followed it to the clearing where Elder Alara, one of my birth mother’s closest friends, was waiting for me. She was a slender, ethereal figure, with eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the forest and a voice that was as gentle as it was commanding. She was one of the few who knew about my lineage, about the powers that might be lying dormant inside me, waiting to be awakened.When she saw me a
The camp was quiet that evening, the sky draped in a soft twilight. I had finally washed off the day’s sweat and dirt, feeling a rare moment of calm as I sat by the small fire I’d built just outside my tent. The flames flickered, casting a warm glow, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I allowed myself to relax. But just as I settled into the silence, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Sheila, her face framed by the dim firelight.Sheila had an energy about her—sharp, lively, and a bit intimidating. She was one of the best fighters in the Red Moon Pack, with a reputation for her agility and precise strikes. She’d been with the rogues for years, and she was practically a legend among them. I admired her, but we’d rarely spoken one-on-one.“Mind if I join you?” she asked, her voice casual but her eyes studying me closely.“Not at all,” I replied, surprised by the faint hint of warmth in my own voice. I gestured to the log beside me, and she took a seat, stretching
I never thought I’d be standing here, with these people who call themselves my pack. "The Red Moon Pack" — they were all rogues, outcasts, or descendants of those who had once served my family. It still felt strange hearing them call me “Queen,” but every time they did, I felt a pang of pride and a weight of responsibility. It was surreal and yet felt like the beginning of something inevitable, something that had been set in motion long before I’d even known who I was.Standing in the center of the clearing, I inhaled deeply, letting the earthy scent of pine and wet leaves ground me. My muscles ached, but it was a satisfying ache, one that meant I was growing stronger. Each day, I pushed myself, throwing myself into training with a single-minded focus I’d never known I was capable of. This wasn’t just about survival anymore; it was about reclaiming what was mine, avenging those I’d lost, and protecting the ones I still had.The soft crunch of footsteps pulled me out of my thoughts, an
The Lycan Kingdom had once been the pinnacle of peace and prosperity. Under the wise and generous rule of King Artemis and his beloved Queen, Luna Genea, the kingdom thrived. The Red Lycan bloodline was revered as a symbol of strength and nobility, its rulers known for their compassion and loyalty to their people. With each moonlit festival and harvest season, the Lycan people gathered to celebrate their king and queen, secure in the belief that their reign would endure for generations.But beneath the surface, hidden in the shadows, seeds of envy and ambition were beginning to take root.At the heart of this dark ambition was Darwin, the king’s trusted Beta and the queen’s own brother. As a young Lycan, Darwin had pledged his loyalty to his family and had been a close companion to King Artemis, standing by his side in countless battles and council meetings. But over the years, Darwin’s admiration of his brother-in-law shifted into something more corrosive. Despite his outward devotio
The small village nestled in the jungle was nothing like the towering palace halls or the sprawling gardens I’d grown up in. Here, everything was simple, raw, and somehow more alive. There were only five houses, all made of rough wood, arranged in a circle around a fire pit. The jungle was dense around us, the air thick with the smell of pine and damp earth, and the distant chirping of birds was the only sound that broke the quiet.As I walked through the village, children peeked out shyly from behind their parents, their eyes wide with curiosity. There were only eight of them, and they clung to one another, some clutching their mothers' skirts. Most of the adults nodded as I passed, eyes warm and filled with something I hadn’t seen in a long time—respect.They all called me “Queen,” and each time, a flutter of disbelief and something like pride stirred within me. A title I’d only ever been scorned for was now spoken here with reverence, as if it was something I deserved.When lunch c
The dream was too perfect, a cruel comfort, offering me a glimpse of everything I’d lost. I was with my family. Mira was there, her laughter bright and clear as she teased Levi. Bea’s familiar smile warmed me like sunlight, and we sat together, the four of us, as if nothing terrible had ever happened.But as quickly as the comfort appeared, it shattered. Astrid emerged from the shadows, her eyes cold and full of malice, and she killed them—one by one, while I was helpless to stop her. I screamed, desperate and terrified, but my voice seemed trapped within my own throat.With a gasp, I woke, my body drenched in cold sweat, my heart pounding wildly. I was back in reality, and the weight of it crushed me all over again. “It was just a dream,” I whispered, but somehow, it still hurt.Wiping the tears from my face, I took a shaky breath. Just then, a quiet voice broke through the silence. “Amelia?”I froze, the voice almost too familiar, too comforting. My gaze snapped to the side, and my
I sat on the cold floor of my cell, staring at the wall as if somehow it could bring me comfort. I had long lost any hope of rescue. My time was running out, and though my body was heavy with exhaustion, my heart oddly felt light. The end would be peace. I would see Levi, Bea, and my family again. I would finally be free from the pain that had clung to me since their deaths.The guards would be here soon. They would lead me to the gallows, and I would be another piece of the kingdom’s history, a name to be whispered with caution, a warning of the danger that a red lycan could bring. I straightened my back, reminding myself that I would walk to my death with dignity. They wouldn’t see me tremble or break. This was my last defiance.A loud clanging interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up to see a tray being slid through the iron bars. On it were silver goblets of wine, a loaf of freshly baked bread, slices of cheese, and a hunk of roasted meat—the last meal. How considerate of them.Fo
I opened my eyes to darkness. A darkness so deep it felt like it was swallowing me whole. The damp, icy stone walls pressed in on me, as if they, too, condemned me to this small cell, tucked away in the farthest corner of the palace dungeons. Days had passed—I’d lost count—and I’d seen no one. Not Grey, not Blue, not even Lea. I was alone, a prisoner in every sense, with nothing but the suffocating weight of grief and the relentless bite of the silver chain around my ankle, searing into my skin.Yet the physical pain was nothing. The raw, gaping wound in my heart made everything else fade to numbness. Levi and Bea were gone, ripped from my life. My family, the only ones who truly knew me… gone. I kept replaying that moment when I found them, the blood, the horror. And then Astrid’s mocking smile flashed through my mind, her words echoing like a curse.“You will regret this,” she had said. “You’ll lose everyone.”Every instinct, every shred of me knew she was behind it. I could feel it
The palace hallways were silent as I stalked through them, my wedding gown trailing behind me, smeared with blood and dirt. I could hear the distant sounds of my mates, Grey and Blue, calling my name, but I ignored them. My world had narrowed to a single point, a single purpose: find Astrid and make her pay.Each step echoed in the vast, empty corridors as I searched, my heart thudding with the weight of grief and rage. Levi… Bea… the two people who had been with me through everything, my family, were gone. Murdered. The pain of it was more than I could bear, yet it fueled me, sharpened my senses, driving me to find the one person I knew was responsible. Astrid. I felt it in my bones, in the deep, unshakable certainty that only grief could bring. She had done this, or she knew who had. And I would make her tell me everything.“You’re Highness, please!” Lea’s voice called from behind me, desperate and pleading. I felt her small hand wrap around my wrist, trying to pull me back. “Don’t…