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
Julian POVAfter leaving the field hospital with Cecilia, I asked her to return to her room while I went to speak with Mario alone.Cecilia's initiative to fight on the frontline during the ambush a few days ago won her some of Mario's respect. However, that was not enough to make Mario change his stance about her.He continued to oppose my relationship with Cecilia."Send the video of Freeda torturing the Rogue prisoners to the two captives who have returned to their families after retirement."Mario looked puzzled. "Why would you do that?""The two rogues who were tortured will share the video with the leader of the enemy forces camped outside Ashfall," I explained, filling him in on the information we had gathered from the injured Rogue earlier that evening."You want to tell the enemy that their target should actually be Freeda and her subordinates, don't you?" Mario's eyes widened as he caught on."Yes.""I'll get someone on it right away."After Mario walked away, I hea
Julian POV"Was it that obvious?" I asked Cecilia with a grin."That little trick works well on her, but why set it up like that?" she asked."Tonight, I had the video of Freeda torturing the captives sent to two of the Rogues she tortured. Shortly after, the enemy launched an air raid. Do you really think that's a coincidence?""Definitely not. The enemy leader must've seen the video and decided to strike. That's why you made Freeda the vanguard. You're serving her up to them, aren't you?" Cecilia's sharp mind pieced it together instantly."I believe that the Rogues and warriors from the Northern Territory are here for revenge and not to hurt the commoners. Otherwise, they would not have camped outside without doing anything until now. "Their goal is to avenge their tortured comrades—especially Spencer, Jackson's son. I've sent the culprits their way. Maybe we can avoid a full-scale war and save the people of Ashfall from suffering.""I hope you're right. Still…" Cecilia sighe
Freeda POVI was captured. I had been so close—just a few feet away from the enemy leader. If I had caught him, I would've erased the humiliation of losing to Cecilia. Every wolf in Valdora would have seen me as the true Alpha Female, not her.Vahn tried to race after me, but he was stuck battling for his life against a group of Northern Territory soldiers. "Freeda, stop! Don't go after him! Freeda!"His voice echoed behind me, making me turn to look at him. Still, at the thought of the humiliation I had recently suffered, I decided to charge deeper into the desert with my men. 'Vahn, I'm sorry for disobeying orders, but I need to prove myself,' I thought.When I leaped onto the vehicle with the enemy leader, bullets suddenly started raining down on me. I looked around me and found a large wave of enemy troops appearing from behind the rocks of the desert. "Don't panic!" I shouted to my men. "Once we have their leader, we'll be rewarded with promotions!"We fought hard.
Freeda POVThey dragged me to a doorway, and when it opened, the brightness of the light stung my eyes.I squinted, adjusting to the glare, only to see 13 werewolves bound and stripped in front of me, their bodies covered in wounds. Unlike mine, their faces remained untouched.I soon spotted Alex and a few familiar faces. "Freeda?" Alex's voice was hesitant.I knew I looked terrible right now. The shame made me turn my head away from them. I did not answer him. The Rogues shoved me forward until I stood beside the others. My former subordinates looked at me in disbelief, whispering amongst themselves."Freeda!" Alex called out to me once more. I glanced at him, tears welling up. As they rolled over the deep gashes on my face, pain shot through me like fire."Don't you know who she is? She is the only Alpha Female of Valdora! How dare you do this to her!" Alex shouted at the Rogues. I felt a flicker of gratitude for his defense, but it was short-lived. One of the Rogues re
Cecilia POVAfter arguing with us, Vahn still insisted on leading his men to rescue Freeda. Just as they were about to leave the camp, Ethan intervened, and Julian had Vahn locked up in his room.It was clear that Vahn genuinely cared about Freeda, which earned him a sliver of my respect. At least he had some backbone.Julian tasked me with rounding up and counting the Rogue captives and warriors from the Northern Territory we had. There were 11 captives—an eerie coincidence.I had a few reliable warriors keep watch over the captives in order to prevent history from repeating itself. In war, once the spark of hatred appeared, it would slowly spread through everyone. I did not want an endless loop of revenge. Julian sent a message to the enemy, requesting a trade of captives and a ceasefire. We received their reply the next evening—they agreed to the trade, but it would take place in the desert, the Rogue's territory."This must be the enemy's trap. They're luring us in to slau
Cecilia POV"Y-You're not a wolf. Just what are you?" Vahn stumbled backward in surprise. Layla grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into the ground effortlessly."You're a Shadow!" I exclaimed in shock. That face was just the same as the Shadow I had interrogated in the Lotus Pack. Her face was a twisted mash of beast and human. 'Just how did she become a Shadow?' I wondered."What? Did I scare you?" Layla didn't bother to put her veil back on. She stood there boldly, her disfigured face exposed for all to see."I look like this because of your mate," she said, sneering at Vahn. "You care about her face, but what about mine?" She kicked him hard as he lay on the ground."What are you talking about? What is a Shadow? What does Freeda have to do with any of this?" Vahn was completely lost, his confusion growing with every revelation."Vahn, don't waste your breath! Kill her!" Freeda suddenly screamed, breaking her silence. Her voice was raw with agony. "She didn't just
Layla POVI looked out at the horizon of the desert. In autumn last year, I witnessed a similar sunset that seemed to bleed across the sky. Back then, I sat on my mother's old bed. Even though I was light, it groaned beneath me. The house was filthy, with dust and grime clinging to the walls from years of neglect.The sunset outside painted my mother's still face with the hue of blood.It had been three days since she died.Her body was starting to decompose, and the stench of death filled the air.The entire three days were spent in silence. The only sounds of life came from behind our tattered door. For three days, I sat there, thinking. How was I supposed to survive without her? I wasn't even 18 yet, and the slums were unforgiving to the weak. And without her, I felt weaker than ever.Suddenly, there was a frantic knock at the door. My heart raced, a whirlwind of fear and hope swirling inside me.I slowly got to my feet and wiped my tears away with the back of my hand
Cecilia POV"She's no longer a prostitute, so she has moved out of the military brothel."Thus, I told Zara what happened that day."It's good that you want to help others. But Amy, she definitely is no angel!""I'm just helping her find a new job and giving her a chance." I calmed Zara down. "Just move to the room next to mine if you don't want to see her.""No way! I'm not interested in third-wheeling you and Julian!" Zara curled her lip.Zara also heard Amy and Ellie insult me at the bar a few nights ago. For that reason, she had been regarding Amy with disfavor. I could fathom Zara's hostility toward Amy. Still, since she had been helping the refugees these past few days and hadn't witnessed Ellie's tragic death, she didn't understand my desire to help Amy.If truth be told, I wasn't that noble. I simply wanted to do something within my power to make myself feel at ease.The days that followed were busy yet peaceful. Most importantly, I saw hope resurfacing on the faces o
Cecilia POV"Oh, thank you." Julian casually slid the cufflink into his pocket.I swiftly pulled a long face. In my mind, I pondered how Julian's cufflink ended up in Rhea's possession. Although a cufflink wasn't a particularly personal item, she couldn't get it without physical intimacy. In fact, I could smell her scent on the cufflink through the pocket."Have you and Rhea known each other for a long time?" I mind-linked Julian after walking out of the military prostitutes' barracks."Yeah, but don't get me wrong. Nothing is going on between me and her," Julian quickly explained."Like I care!" I quickened my place huffily and left him behind. Based on their conversation earlier, it sure sounded like something did happen between him and Rhea."Mario, take the three of them to a new barrack." Julian sent the others away. Then, he caught up to me and grabbed my arm. "Cecilia, are you angry?""No, I'm not." I pretended to respond calmly. In reality, a surge of rage came over me.
Cecilia POVEllie's body was quickly sent for cremation after Alex was executed.I saw Layla and Ellie get tortured in my dream for two nights in a row. They were staring at me with wide eyes. It was as if they were begging for a helping hand that I couldn't give. In the end, the scene in my dream changed, and I became the one getting chained and whipped.I woke up with a start, and my body was drenched in sweat. For a moment, the torture I felt in my nightmare seemed to be real.Nonetheless, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this nightmare wasn't just my brain playing tricks on me. Instead, it served as a warning and a reminder."Julian, how many military prostitutes are there in the camp?" I rushed to Julian's office after getting up."I'm not sure. Why do you suddenly ask about this?" Julian put down the document in his hand, walked to me, kissed my forehead, and calmed my emotions."18," replied Mario, who stood on the side. "Oh, wait. It's 17 now.""I think we should a
Julian POVAmy was so frightened that she hid behind me and held my arm tightly, refusing to let go. For her safety, I decided not to push her away.Then, I gave Vahn a look, signaling him to cuff Alex.Cecilia stood beside me. She had a cold expression on her face as she looked down at Alex with her arms crossed.As for Alex, he showed no sign of fear. His fierce and flickering eyes shifted back and forth between us. It was as if he was already aware of his fate, considering he didn't even try to defend himself."Did you kill Ellie?""So what if I did? What are you going to do about it?""You think you can just walk off after taking someone's life?" I growled."She's just a prostitute!" he retorted and spat on the ground."Alex, you truly are beyond redemption. There was no point in me thinking so highly of you before!" Even Vahn couldn't help but chastise Alex."For your information, you seem never good at judging one's character." Cecilia rolled her eyes at Vahn before ask
Julian POV"Alex? Is he Freeda's subordinate?" I frowned. "He hasn't returned since last night?""That's right." Mario nodded. "We haven't been able to reach him. Do you want me to bring Freeda over for questioning?""Her again? How much trouble will she and her subordinates cause?" I slammed the table in anger. "Who are the other two? Investigate them as well.""One is under Alpha Cecilia's command, and the other is Alpha Ethan's subordinate," Mario explained while glancing at me and Ethan."Let me see which brat it is! I'll teach him a lesson!" Ethan rolled up his sleeves and was furious. Then, he assured me, "Don't worry, Prince Julian. I won't show any favoritism. If it turns out that one of my men is guilty, it's because I failed to discipline him. I'll take responsibility and accept the punishment."On the other hand, Cecilia didn't seem concerned about the other two. Instead, she walked over to Amy, who was sitting in the corner, and asked, "Amy, do you know Alex?""Yes
Julian POV"Doctor, can you estimate the time of death?" I asked."Judging by the body temperature and its condition, she must be dead for about 5 to 6 hours. Since it's now 9.30am., she likely died between 3am and 4am." Then, the doctor pressed on the body and showed us the livor mortis."See? The marks disappear quickly, which means the body is still fresh.""If that's the case, Cecilia definitely has nothing to do with it. I finished work with Mario around 1 A.M. last night and returned to rest." I cleared my throat and looked at Cecilia. "I was with her last night. She couldn't be involved in this."Cecilia looked at me in shock. Then, she mind-linked me and said, "Why did you lie? We weren't together last night. This has nothing to do with me. Yet, you're making it look like you're covering for a suspect. If this lie is exposed, it'll only make me look more suspicious."Before I could respond, Amy quietly questioned, "But she could've snuck out while you were asleep...""We
Julian POVAs Amy took me to the location of the body, I mind-linked Mario to tell him to bring the camp's doctor along.The body was in an abandoned warehouse next to the camp. It was less than 30 meters from the camp gate. When I arrived at the scene, I realized it was far more horrifying than I had imagined."She was injected with a large amount of wolfsbane and hallucinogens. The fatal injury might have been the tearing of her lower body, internal organ damage, and excessive bleeding," the doctor said with a sigh. Then, he continued, "This is just pure sadistic murder. However, there's no sign of semen in her body, nor any fingerprints on her. The killer is a professional one."Shortly after, a scout was assigned to investigate the case. Alas, he also found no clues after examining the body for a while."What were you and Ellie doing last night? Who did Ellie meet before she was killed?" I asked Amy."Ellie and I went to the bar together. I returned to the camp early becaus
Julian POVIn just three short days, Cecilia managed to gather a total of 300 million, and the amount kept growing."She's really helped us out once again. If she hadn't organized the fundraiser, we'd be facing some serious financial difficulties." Hogan's voice sounded cheerful over the phone."Yes, she's an impressive Alpha. Brave, intelligent, and responsible—""Enough about that. When are you coming back to Black Stone? Your mother misses you dearly." Hogan cut me off before I could finish listing Cecilia's strengths."I need to stay here to coordinate the rebuilding efforts in Ashfall. I can't leave just yet.""I'll send the experts myself if that's all it takes. There's no reason for you to—" Hogan's tone turned stern. "I know you're staying for her. She's doing well, but don't think that means she'll become the Luna of Valdora. I'm giving you one month to wrap things up and return!""All right."After ending the call, I let out a breath of relief. It wouldn't be easy to
Cecilia POVI stared at him, a hint of disbelief flashing in my eyes. "You mean to say you can't help at all? If it weren't for Freeda, your dear wife, these people wouldn't even be refugees in the first place! Don't you think you owe them some compensation?"Freeda interrupted sharply, "This isn't about refugees. This is about you playing the hero and trying to make yourself look good. Just because you have money and influence now doesn't mean others can throw money around recklessly."I blinked, taken aback by the malice in her tone. "This isn't about showing off. It's about saving lives, about helping people who have lost everything in the war. This isn't some competition."She stood, crossing her arms, her eyes narrowing as she faced me. "Oh, isn't it? You're here, putting on this grand fundraiser, expecting everyone to line up and donate. It's nothing more than emotional blackmail."My heart pounded, and a surge of anger rose within me. "It's not blackmail. No one is being fo