Vahn POVAs I stood on the balcony of the manor, I watched the clouds shift and swirl in the sky. Below, the wheat fields of the Thorn Pack shimmered golden, heralding the season of harvest—a joy I found myself unable to share.I remembered the days when I returned from the battlefield, buoyed by victory and the thrill of driving the sports car Hogan had gifted me. Back then, Freeda and I were brimming with spirits, but now, I was but a shadow of that vibrant young commander.The weight of being twenty million dollars in debt was crushing, stifling my breath. Investments came with risks, indeed. However, their returns seemed to be worth it. Freeda and I had once thought that venturing into entrepreneurship would be straightforward, especially when juxtaposed with the dangers of war. Moreover, our wedding had drained our family's savings, pushing us into a desperate need for more income.Thus, we ventured into crowdfunding, raising twenty million to invest in a vineyard-th
Vahn POVI had Evan, my Beta, rally 500 soldiers from both the Thorn Pack and the Blade Pack. They were instructed to march through the night, heading directly for Ashfall.Freeda and I departed from Black Stone immediately. Any delay could mean the slip of 20 million through our fingers."Don't worry. We'll make it there in less than 24 hours," Freeda reassured me."Are you kidding me? The Ashfall airport is still out of commission?" I exclaimed in frustration after checking the flight schedules. "Looks like we'll have to land in the nearest city and drive the rest of the way.""It's no big deal. Once we prove ourselves in this battle, we can ask Hogan for a helicopter as part of our reward.""You're right!" I squeezed her hand, feeling the rush of confidence that always came before a fight.The past few months had been a whirlwind of drama. Between the divorce, remarriage, and our floundering hotel venture, Freeda and I were constantly at odds.Her jealousy flared unpredictab
Cecilia POVAfter more than a month apart, seeing Vahn again stirred little emotion in me.With everything that had happened, whatever tangled feelings we once had were now nothing but distant memories. Besides, there was hardly anything worth remembering between us; our connection had been superficial at best.During our divorce, all I sought was respect and fairness—qualities Vahn failed to offer. I had to fight for them myself, and now, we were settled, even.But Freeda was a different story. Her actions were indefensible—abusing Josh, torturing prisoners of war, and possibly playing a role in my family's death. Such atrocities couldn't remain unpunished.After everyone left the conference room, Julian pulled me aside, trying to calm me down. "I know you hate Vahn and Freeda, but we only have that video. It's not enough. Freeda could easily argue it was Norman who ordered the abuses.""I don't hate Vahn. The divorce is old news. I just despise Freeda's cruelty. "Before I
Cecilia POVAfter Julian assigned the tasks, we headed to the camp to lead our respective units in drills.As we exited the room, Freeda's eyes bore into me with a venomous glare.Julian and Alonzo walked beside me. Once we reached the training grounds, Julian announced to my uncle's former troops, "Starting today, Cecilia is your commander. You will follow her orders on the battlefield! Any disobedience will be met with military discipline!""Roger!" the soldiers roared, their voices echoing throughout the camp.The morning sun bathed Julian's face in a warm golden glow, reminiscent of a mythical god of war.Aware of my inexperience, I practiced even harder than the average soldier. By evening, I enlisted Alonzo's help to familiarize myself with Ashfall's terrain and the battle strategies previously employed by my uncle."Cecilia, it's almost midnight. Can I please head back to rest?" He yawned as he spoke."Sorry, I lost track of time." I glanced at my watch."I'm getting
Cecilia POV"Don't take her words to heart," Julian comforted me as he walked me back to my room."I understand," I replied, managing a faint smile.Noticing he seemed reluctant to leave, I gently nudged him toward the door. "I've trained all day, and I'm exhausted. It's time for bed.""No goodnight kiss? I did stand up for you, you know," Julian said, pointing to his lips with a playful pout.I gave him a quick peck on his left cheek."The captured Rogue woke up tonight, but he's too weak. We barely got a few words out of him before he passed out again. If he's better tomorrow, we can interrogate him," he said, his tone shifting to a more serious note."Got it. Goodnight!" I replied, giving him another peck on the right cheek before closing the door.The next evening, after finishing my training, I headed to the mess hall for dinner. Just as I reached the entrance, the sounds of a commotion caught my attention.Rather than breaking it up, the soldiers had formed a circle, eag
Cecilia POVThe air in the mess hall was thick with tension. The warriors' eyes darted back and forth between Freeda and me. Her lips curled into a smug smile, and there was a cold gleam in her eyes. "Was Alex wrong?" Freeda spat on the ground. "What makes you think you can lead these warriors? You had never fought for anything in your life. Everyone knows full well how you got this position."I narrowed my eyes and remained calm. "Do you think you know me well?" I countered."I know enough!" Freeda roared, clenching her fists. "I've bled, sweated, and clawed my way up in this army. Rank by rank, I earned my place. "But you? You're just some pampered rich kid from a powerful pack, and now you think you can stomp on everything we've built. Today, I'll use my fists to show you just how wrong you are!""Freeda's right! You don't deserve this at all!" Alex chimed in, quick to agree. The room, which had been silent, filled with murmurs as warriors began whispering among themselv
Cecilia POV"Hmph! You hid your real strength on purpose. That duel doesn't count. Let's do it again," Freeda said, her fists clenched and cheeks flushed."Even if we go again, the result will be the same." I glanced at the crowd of warriors who hadn't dispersed yet. "I'm afraid your defeat will only be worse next time.""Apologize now!" a voice jeered from the crowd.My eyes followed the voice, and I looked at the speaker. Under the dim yellow lights of the camp, I could faintly see the crest shining on his uniform. He belonged to my uncle's old battalion and was one of the warriors I would be leading now. "Apologize now!""Apologize now!"A few more warriors started echoing his call. When Alex and I were arguing, these warriors never stood up for me. I couldn't blame them, though. They were being led by an Alpha Female with less combat experience. They followed me not because they respected me but because of Julian's orders and Alonzo's pressure.Lamar was right—this
Cecilia POVJulian's reprimand rendered Freeda speechless. "This is your final warning. Defy orders again, and you're out of Ashfall!" Julian snapped.Freeda glared at me, her voice filled with venom. "Don't get too smug, Cecilia. You only won by luck. "On the battlefield, it's strategy and experience that matter. You better pray you survive Ashfall!" She kept cursing as Vahn dragged her away, but I paid no attention.Then, at the worst possible moment, my stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I hadn't eaten dinner yet."Did the fight make you hungry?" Julian chuckled. "Come on, let's get you something to eat."As we began to walk, Julian turned back and raised an eyebrow at Lamar and Zara, who were following us. "Why are you two tagging along?"He then pointed to the shirt I was wearing and asked Lamar, who was naked from the waist up, "Is this your shirt?""Let's go. Give the couple some privacy." Before Lamar could respond, Zara ran off with him in tow. Once they le