EMILY'S POV“Who are you?” I asked him.“Dear, you should focus on your healing. You are too weak right now. Wait here, I'll go get something for you to eat.” He said and walked out the door.I clenched my fists and helped myself get up. Then I ran out the door. Thankfully there weren't much werewolves in sight to stop me so I was able to escape.***My mind raced in thoughts of how I would go out of the forest to the town to get something for myself to eat. I knew that rumors of me were all over the town and the ruler had already placed his men to search all over the town for me. “Well, I think it would be best for me to disguise myself from them to go to town to get something for myself,” I said in a low voice.I went inside and put on my cloak and put in a little dagger at the side of my ribs to use it to defend myself from his soldiers. I quickly followed a short path leading to the town until I found out there was something strange going on inside of me. I found out that my wolf
EMILY'S POVI opened my eyes slowly, I felt weak and unable to move, I tried bringing my hand down because I felt they were hung up, but it seemed hard for me to bring them down. I woke up and realized that I was captured In a cave and was tied to a wall so as not to escape. I looked around to see if there was anyone with me, but there wasn't. “Is anyone there?” I shouted as my voice echoed through the walls. My mind raced how did I get here, it was perplexing to me, so I struggled to untie the ropes until I remember clearly yesterday that I had put a short dagger at the side of my ribs for defense, but there was no way to get it out I had to struggled and struggled unfortunately for me, I broke my bones and was untied from the wall? I felt so much pain on the wounded area, but it didn't last forever. It took some seconds to get healed. I went up and searched for a path that would leave me outside the cave so I could find my way home since there was no one with me inside the cave.
Emily's POV I woke up hearing sounds from outside the cave that I was in. I jumped up in fear as I heard footsteps approaching. “Oh my God,” I gasped and stumbled back.“Emily, it's me.” My heart raced but as I looked at who it was, my heart rate calmed. It was Penelope, the woman in the rogue pack Emilianna created.“Penelope, what are you doing here?” I gasped, curious as to how she found me.“We found the letter the Alpha dropped in her cave after she died. We found out Maron was the one who killed Emilianna's daughter but she didn't want to ruin Maron because of it so she withheld the truth from us. Anyway, we saw the dead body of Emilianna and Maron so we wanted to know what really happened so we came out here looking for you.”“For me, really?”Penelope nodded.“Yes. In the letter we found, Emilianna said we should treat you as her daughter and her heir.”“Why would she want to do that to me? I was nothing but a burden to her?” I broke into sobs. “If it wasn't for me, she'd s
Emily's POV “Fine, let's say you're Princess Alexa's maid, I'll take you back to the palace and I'll let these disgusting non-humans go. But you'll have to explain to the princess how you came across these people.”I looked at the man carefully. I could just kill him afterwards. The most important thing was that Penelope and the others could survive.“Deal.” I said. The man held up his hand.“Let them go.”One of his men looked hesitant. “But Sir—”“—Do as I say. I'm not going to retract my order.”“Okay, sir.”I looked at Penelope and Adam. “Go.”“What about you?” Penelope asked.“I’ll be fine, I promise.” I looked to Adam. “Tell everyone Emilianna died well. Don't worry about me. You all can move on like I never came to your pack.”“What are you talking about? I'm glad Emilianna died well but she told us to treat you as her heir.” Adam said while trying to cling onto me inspite of his own wounds.“Then listen to my first and last order. Adam, you take over the pack and lead everyo
Emily's POV I walked out of the bathroom feeling embarrassed. If the white-haired man was really the one who really cleaned me up then he saw everything, didn't he?“Emily, be real. The white-haired guy probably didn't…”I sighed. Why was I worrying more than expected? I could just ask him this question and get over it.Out of curiosity, I walked down the corner to another area and saw that it was the kitchen. It was nice and it had a storage behind it. I walked over to it and saw that it contained food.Outside, under the bamboo roof, I saw the white-haired man sitting while reading a book. He seemed so into the book and this made me curious. What was he reading?I walked over to him and took the seat in front of him. I didn't even know why I did that. I could have easily escaped but instead I was sitting in front of him. Maybe it was because I knew he wouldn't harm me. If he was going to harm me, he would have done so already. I might as well figure out how to repay the favour he d
Emily's POV How long would I have to live here while wondering about the white-haired man? He was a man of a few words alright, but that didn't matter. He should be willing to talk to me more since he rescued me. Why wasn't he taking responsibility for his actions? I scoffed. Then I realized something. I could as well be the one to initiate the conversation between the two of us.And one day, I went to the kitchen and made a meal for the both of us. The white-haired man was sitting outside as usual under the bamboo roof. I walked to him with the pot containing pork soup and placed it on the table.He looked at me as though asking ‘What are you doing?’I gave him a simple smile.“I saw some meat in the kitchen and decided to make us something with it.”“Really?” He said, which made me frown.“You don't like it?”“You… don't have to.” He responded.“I want to. To repay you for your kindness. By the way, what's your name? I don't know your name.”The white-haired man grabbed a spoon and
Emily's POV “You can keep him in the backyard of my house,” he said and I jumped up happily. When I noticed what I was doing, I stopped jumping and caressed the cute rabbit in my arms.“You hear what Fayne said? I can keep you in the backyard. We'll be together.”I heard a sound in front of us causing me to avert my gaze from the rabbit to In front of us where an antelope was walking while sniffing the grass for a bite to eat.Fayne pulled forth his bow and arrow and shot the antelope's side. The antelope immediately started to limp away but Fayne shot its leg and it started bleeding out, then it lost its consciousness.“That's it, we have meet for the day.” I said.Fayne went to grab the antelope. He pulled out the arrows from its side and leg before swinging the antelope over his shoulder.“Let's go.” He told me and we headed home.When we went back, Fayne went to the kitchen to butcher the antelope while I sat there on the kitchen stool swaying left and right.I stared at the rabb
Emily's POV “So you don't think humans kill each other under false pretense all the time?”“Humans are not perfect and they go against each other a lot of time. That doesn't mean that this time, a berserker isn't responsible for their deaths.”“Do you believe in this so much, Fayne?”He nodded, “I do.”I clenched my fists. No matter what I said, he wouldn't believe me. Which meant that I should keep my being a berserker away from him as it was unlikely for him to support me if I told him that.I kept my head bowed. “I'm going to bed, Fayne.”Fayne looked at me with parted lips, then he nodded. I went to my room and laid on the bed while sobbing myself to sleep. I was healing… I remembered everything that I had gone through and it made me feel overwhelmed and emotional.I wiped my tears but I couldn't forget any of what I had to go through. Maybe that was why I was here. To heal from the pains of the past.My parents… if only they cared about me as much as I was inclined to care abou
Emily's POV I watched Link walk away, shoulders tight with unsaid words and silent wounds. The door clicked shut behind him, and the silence he left behind weighed heavy on my chest.He’d always been loyal—my right hand, my shadow. He never asked for more than orders. Never demanded space in my heart. But tonight, he had. And I didn’t know how to answer him.Because I wasn’t the same woman I used to be.And part of that… was because of Fayne.Fayne, who’d woken something I’d buried deep. Not just desire, but the terrifying ache of being wanted—not as Alpha, not as a weapon or symbol—but as *me*. I found myself walking to his room again, steps slow, unsure. It was past midnight, the pack settled in sleep. I told myself I was just checking on his recovery. That I was still Alpha, and this was just duty.But my heart was louder than logic.When I pushed the door open, Fayne was awake, sitting at the edge of the bed. His torso still bandaged, eyes dimmed with exhaustion, but he looked u
Emily's POV The days grew quieter, the once-unruly tension that plagued the halls of Galahad now reduced to a soft hum beneath the daily rhythm of leadership. For the first time in weeks, I felt as though I could breathe. There were no intrusions, no visitors at the gate demanding answers about Jacob, no crises to solve before breakfast. The air smelled of pine and freedom.Fayne’s recovery had been slow but steady. I made sure he was well-fed, had the best healers watching over him, and—more often than I’d like to admit—I found myself checking in on him personally. I told myself it was part of my duty. But the truth was simpler.I missed him.I missed the way his eyes softened whenever I walked into the room. I missed the quiet loyalty in his words, the strength in his silence. I even missed the foolish little smirks he gave me when I tried to maintain my mask of indifference.We never talked about what had happened—the kiss, the fevered declaration that I was his wife, the night I’
Emily's POV The truth of his words sat heavily between us. I didn't confirm or deny it.“You read me too well,” I said.“Only because I’ve spent every waking second trying to.”His words should’ve unnerved me. Instead, they warmed something inside me that I hadn’t allowed to feel in a long time.That night, I couldn’t sleep.Not because of nightmares. But because I was starting to crave the quiet presence of a man I once saw as a threat.Over the next few days, he made it worse—in the best way.He brought me coffee in the morning. Not just any coffee. The kind I liked—black, strong, with a hint of cinnamon. He never asked how I took it. He just knew.One night, during a strategy session, I was so tired I nearly fell asleep mid-sentence. Fayne didn’t say a word. He took the papers from my hands, led me to the chair by the fire, and wrapped a blanket around my shoulders. His hand brushed my cheek so briefly it might’ve been a ghost of a touch—but I felt it for hours after.I started fi
Emily's POV The silence between Fayne and me had grown roots—thick, winding vines that curled between glances and swallowed every word we didn’t say.Weeks of brushing past each other. Weeks of watching him from across the training field, his arms slick with sweat, his blade catching sunlight like it had something to prove. Weeks of pretending that I didn’t notice the way he stood a little straighter when I approached, the way his gaze never dropped until I made it.But I felt it.All of it.And I hated the ache of not knowing what lingered behind his quiet loyalty. Or worse—what lingered in me.Tonight, I couldn’t take it anymore.It was late. Most of the pack was asleep. Only the night guards remained, posted at the perimeter under a silver-stained moon. I moved through the stone hallways with purpose, each step echoing like a heartbeat down the corridor.I stopped in front of his room.The door wasn’t locked. I pushed it open without knocking, just as I always did when I wanted to
Emily's POV "And if he turns on you?" Link stepped closer. "Will you wait until your throat is already slit before you believe me?"I stared at him for a long moment. He was right in many ways. Link had always done the dirty work—without asking questions, without demanding praise. But tonight, he wasn’t just looking at me like his Alpha. He was looking at me like I belonged to him."Is that what this is?" I whispered. "You’re jealous?"His jaw tightened. "I’m not a child, Emily. I don’t get jealous. I get dangerous."His words weren’t a threat. They were a promise.I moved past him to the window, needing space, needing air. Outside, the pack grounds lay quiet under the weight of the night. I could see the training fields where warriors used to train under Jacob’s rule. Where I now held court."You’ve always had my loyalty, Link," I said quietly. "But you don’t own me."He was behind me now. I could feel the heat of him, the restraint in his breath. "Not yet."I turned sharply, our fa
Emily's POV The silence hung, suffocating and electric. I stood above Rosie, chest heaving, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. My knuckles throbbed, my limbs ached, but I stood tall. Victorious.Rosie looked up at me, blood on her lip, her pride cracked and leaking through her gaze. And yet—there was something else in her expression now. Something unfamiliar.Respect.The crowd still held its breath, eyes darting from me to Rosie and back again. They were waiting for someone to speak. Waiting to see if the new world we just stepped into would break them... or lead them.Rosie shifted onto one knee, then the other. Slowly, deliberately, she bowed her head to me.“I yield,” she said, voice rough but clear. “Alpha Emily.”The words echoed through the clearing like a bell tolling across a battlefield.A few gasps broke the stillness. Then, like falling dominoes, the rest of her warriors lowered their heads. Submission. Unity.I should’ve felt triumph. I should’ve smiled. But
Emily's POV The night stretched on like a blade, its sharp edge pressing against my nerves. Sleep was a distant thought, scattered like ashes to the wind. My mind raced, thoughts tangled with fear, determination, and something darker, something that tasted like revenge. I stayed in my room, pacing, my fingers clenching and unclenching. Fayne’s words echoed in my head, and for once, his voice sounded like something more than irritation. It was concern. Desperation. But I couldn’t afford to let it sway me. Not now. Before dawn broke, I slipped from my room and made my way to the training hall. The air was cool, fresh with the scent of rain that hadn’t quite fallen. It was the kind of crispness that made your lungs ache with every breath. The hall was empty, silent but for the quiet creak of the wooden floor beneath my boots. I didn’t want witnesses. Didn’t need anyone to see the way my hands trembled or the ragged edge of my breathing. I grabbed a training dummy, tossing it
Emily's POV “She’s on the eastern border. Brought at least a dozen of her warriors with her.” Melissa’s eyes were wide, panic trembling in her voice. “She’s demanding to speak with you. Alone.” “Alone?” I scoffed. “She must think I’m a fool.” “It’s a trap,” Fayne said, stepping forward. His presence was both reassuring and maddening. After our argument, his loyalty still felt uncertain, a phantom thread swaying in the wind. “She’ll try to catch you off guard.” “I know.” I met his gaze, my own fury barely contained. “But she’s challenging my authority in front of the pack. If I refuse her request, I’ll look weak.” Fayne’s jaw tightened. “So, you’re going?” “Yes.” “I’ll go with you.” His words were iron-clad. “No.” I shook my head, my voice firm. “If she sees me bring you, she’ll think I’m too afraid to face her on my own. This is a test, Fayne. And I’m going to pass it.” His expression twisted with frustration, but he didn’t argue. Melissa, however, looked ready to lau
Emily's POV Fayne remained by my side, his loyalty unwavering. Or so it seemed. But as the days crept by, I couldn’t ignore the way his eyes lingered on me, as if searching for something beyond my words. His fever had broken, but something else had shifted in him, something I couldn’t quite grasp. One afternoon, I found him in the training grounds, slashing through wooden dummies with a ferocity that bordered on madness. Sweat slicked his skin, his breaths ragged. “Fayne,” I called out, my voice slicing through the air. He stilled, knife held loosely in his hand, eyes glazed over with whatever war raged in his mind. “Emily.” His voice was hoarse. “I was just... preparing.” “Preparing for what?” I stepped closer, my gaze sweeping over the wreckage of splintered wood. “For whatever comes.” His gaze flicked to me, something wild and desperate gleaming in his eyes. “You’re surrounded by enemies, Emily. Rosie. The pack members who doubt you. They’ll all come for you eventually