Lila returned to the Gray Pack, and her face was full of concern and worry. Her heart raced, but her demeanor remained calm. As she was nearing the house she and her brother shared, she could feel some of the pack member's eyes on her. Some were wary, while others were hopeful. The news of Wren’s disappearance had spread like wildfire, and the entire pack was on edge.“Lila!” a voice called from behind.Lila turned and found Reule striding toward her. He had that hard expression, sharp eyes, and oozing with the Alpha power and authority.“Did you hear about Wren?”Lila forced her brow to furrow and her voice to speak in surprise.“No, what happened?”“She’s gone. Disappeared without a trace," Reule said with a tight voice filled with worry and anger.Lila gasped, and her hand covered her mouth.“That’s terrible! How could this happen?”Reule didn't answer. He studied her, his gaze penetrating, making Lila feel almost exposed. But she quickly masked her unease by stepping closer to hi
A few hours ago...Reule’s heart hammered with worry as to where Wren was. She had been missing for almost a day, and his patience was running out. He didn’t like the silence in Yannis’s quarters, nor the way his warlock friend seemed torn, as though holding something back. Reule could sense the tension that radiated from Yannis.Reule went to Yannis to gather some information. “Yannis,” he demanded, his voice taut. “If there’s anything you know, anything at all that could lead us to Wren, I need to hear it now. Her life could depend on it.”Yannis’s gaze flickered, hesitating. Then, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was a deep regret reflected in his expression. “Reule… I do know something. Two hours ago I had a premonition,” he said, barely a whisper.Reule took a step forward, his fists clenched, every muscle in his body tense. “Then why didn’t you come to me sooner?”Yannis looked away, his face shadowed by a mixture of guilt and reluctance. “Because… it
The cold was sharp enough to sting. My eyes opened, and the sting wasn’t just from the air but from the tight, metal cuffs bruising my wrists. My shoulders strained above me as I dangled from the iron chains. My toes barely brushed the damp stone floor. My mouth tasted like rust and my head pounded.I could smell the scent of wolfsbane clinging to my skin. I was weak and disoriented but not alone. Boots echoed across the floor. I looked to see him - the one they called Acwulf.He stood tall in the arched doorway, cloaked in shadows. His dark eyes watched me with the eerie stillness of someone too calm and too calculated.“Wren,” he said as though greeting an old friend. “You’re finally awake.”I didn’t respond but just glared.“I thought you’d be stronger than this,” he continued, stepping forward, slow and deliberate. “But then again, wolfsbane does wonders, doesn’t it?”“I don't owe you anything. Why are you treating me like a captive? What exactly do you want from me?” My voice
The burning in my veins spread like wildfire. Every nerve, every limb screamed as the wolfsbane clashed against Mira’s potion. My body trembled under the weight of the battle raging inside me. It was not just physical, but something deeper and darker.I didn’t know how long I hung there, sweating, twitching, whispering half-prayers to the moon I couldn’t see. My wrists had blistered under the cuffs. My legs were numb. But I wouldn’t cry. The door groaned open. I braced myself, but it wasn’t Acwulf. Not Mira either. It was someone new.He moved with military precision, his armor scratched and bloodstained. The wolf insignia on his shoulder had been clawed. He must be a rebel or a dead man walking.“Name’s Therin,” he said, voice low and clipped. “Don’t scream.”“I don’t scream,” I rasped.He arched a brow. “Good. Let’s talk.”He pulled a stool from the shadows, spun it backward, and straddled it like we were catching up over drinks and not me chained to the ceiling like some cursed
My feet are tired and painful. The breeze is gashing into my body like arrows that the wind had shot. It creeps into my skin until it reaches the depths of me. And it hurts to be running non-stop on this freezing and windy night."I have to keep going. Otherwise, I will end up dead," I keep telling myself whenever I feel tired.I don't know where I am now. I kept going when my brother told me to run and never looked back. Killian, my brother, I wonder if he escaped the ten werewolves that were after us. Remembering him wounded but still fighting just to save me made me want to cry. I lost my mom and dad five days back, and now probably my brother, too. I am enraged and sorrowful from the pack we have served diligently. But this is how they repay us. They are taking our lives one by one.Suddenly, my feet felt wobbly, making me stumble onto the ground. And just as I was about to stand up, something jumped on me. I fought back, and we rolled on the ground. But because
In my head, what the hell? What is there for me to lose? Let me give this guy a chance to trust him because of what he did. I sighed before answering him."Sorry. My name is Wren Blevine. And you are?""Pleased to meet you, Wren. My name is Reule Conrad."I coughed when he mentioned his name. Reule Conrad is the Alpha of the Gray Pack. Almost everyone in the state fears Alpha Reule. He is said to be the strongest, heartless, and wise among all the leaders. He is also famous for being a womanizer and lustful among the Alphas."What happened?""Sorry. I just couldn't believe that I was sitting face to face with the fearless Alpha Reule.""Oh! So, you are aware of the reputation that I have made for me.""Is it true?""Which one?""Everything.""I have trained to fight and survive on my own since I was young. If I wanted to live long, then I had to be strong and heartless at times. But it doesn't come without reason. And because of that, I gained the respe
I sunk on the chair. I couldn't eat anymore as my appetite disappeared. "Killian, where are you? Find me, please!" I whispered with the hope that my brother could hear it. I felt helpless, so I cried without care whether someone would listen to or see me. After a few minutes, I made a decision. I will not take the offer Reule had given. Instead, I would choose to surrender to Conri. I wanted to see if my brother was still alive and waiting for me there. And hope that I could convince Conri of just banishing us both instead of killing us.I stood and pushed the chair. I rushed back upstairs, wanting to find Reule. I went to the room where I slept but did not find him.I walked to the hall and heard the voices of two people talking. I went to the third room from the room where I came from. The door was left slightly ajar, so I peep into the small opening.There I saw Reule talking to a lady. I could not see her face as it was her back facing the door. But sh
After 30 minutes, I stopped hearing their voices. They must have fallen asleep, or they left. I don't care.My body felt itchy, and I smelled terrible. It has been six days straight that I have not taken a shower. I went to the toilet, and I got tempted to take a bath. But what will I wear? All I have is this cardigan and jeans that are slightly torn and have holes in them.I saw a white bathrobe inside. I touched the fabric, and it's so soft. I thought I would sleep on it. But then I thought of Reule. What if he comes inside while I am sleeping? No. I can't sleep with just a bathrobe on.I went out of the toilet and just noticed that change of bedsheets. Even the comforter is not the same color as what I saw after I left to eat earlier. I have not seen a maid, but probably Reule has.I scanned the room, and it's enormous, well designed, and comfy. I was not able to do it earlier when I woke up. And only see the beauty of the room just now.I was about to si
The burning in my veins spread like wildfire. Every nerve, every limb screamed as the wolfsbane clashed against Mira’s potion. My body trembled under the weight of the battle raging inside me. It was not just physical, but something deeper and darker.I didn’t know how long I hung there, sweating, twitching, whispering half-prayers to the moon I couldn’t see. My wrists had blistered under the cuffs. My legs were numb. But I wouldn’t cry. The door groaned open. I braced myself, but it wasn’t Acwulf. Not Mira either. It was someone new.He moved with military precision, his armor scratched and bloodstained. The wolf insignia on his shoulder had been clawed. He must be a rebel or a dead man walking.“Name’s Therin,” he said, voice low and clipped. “Don’t scream.”“I don’t scream,” I rasped.He arched a brow. “Good. Let’s talk.”He pulled a stool from the shadows, spun it backward, and straddled it like we were catching up over drinks and not me chained to the ceiling like some cursed
The cold was sharp enough to sting. My eyes opened, and the sting wasn’t just from the air but from the tight, metal cuffs bruising my wrists. My shoulders strained above me as I dangled from the iron chains. My toes barely brushed the damp stone floor. My mouth tasted like rust and my head pounded.I could smell the scent of wolfsbane clinging to my skin. I was weak and disoriented but not alone. Boots echoed across the floor. I looked to see him - the one they called Acwulf.He stood tall in the arched doorway, cloaked in shadows. His dark eyes watched me with the eerie stillness of someone too calm and too calculated.“Wren,” he said as though greeting an old friend. “You’re finally awake.”I didn’t respond but just glared.“I thought you’d be stronger than this,” he continued, stepping forward, slow and deliberate. “But then again, wolfsbane does wonders, doesn’t it?”“I don't owe you anything. Why are you treating me like a captive? What exactly do you want from me?” My voice
A few hours ago...Reule’s heart hammered with worry as to where Wren was. She had been missing for almost a day, and his patience was running out. He didn’t like the silence in Yannis’s quarters, nor the way his warlock friend seemed torn, as though holding something back. Reule could sense the tension that radiated from Yannis.Reule went to Yannis to gather some information. “Yannis,” he demanded, his voice taut. “If there’s anything you know, anything at all that could lead us to Wren, I need to hear it now. Her life could depend on it.”Yannis’s gaze flickered, hesitating. Then, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was a deep regret reflected in his expression. “Reule… I do know something. Two hours ago I had a premonition,” he said, barely a whisper.Reule took a step forward, his fists clenched, every muscle in his body tense. “Then why didn’t you come to me sooner?”Yannis looked away, his face shadowed by a mixture of guilt and reluctance. “Because… it
Lila returned to the Gray Pack, and her face was full of concern and worry. Her heart raced, but her demeanor remained calm. As she was nearing the house she and her brother shared, she could feel some of the pack member's eyes on her. Some were wary, while others were hopeful. The news of Wren’s disappearance had spread like wildfire, and the entire pack was on edge.“Lila!” a voice called from behind.Lila turned and found Reule striding toward her. He had that hard expression, sharp eyes, and oozing with the Alpha power and authority.“Did you hear about Wren?”Lila forced her brow to furrow and her voice to speak in surprise.“No, what happened?”“She’s gone. Disappeared without a trace," Reule said with a tight voice filled with worry and anger.Lila gasped, and her hand covered her mouth.“That’s terrible! How could this happen?”Reule didn't answer. He studied her, his gaze penetrating, making Lila feel almost exposed. But she quickly masked her unease by stepping closer to hi
After being yanked out of the river, Wren felt her world was a chaotic blur of cold water and darkness. She gasped for air while coughing up water, and her body shuddered. The water was cold as ice.Suddenly, her arm was gripped by a rough hand, pulling her out into the muddy bank. But her vision seemed unclear. She couldn't tell whether what she was seeing was real.Acwulf stood over her and blocked the little light filtered through the trees. Her eyes gleamed, and his face marked triumph and a predator's satisfaction. He finally caught his prey and was now ready to be devoured.“You’ll regret this,” Wren rasped. Her throat was raw from inhaling water, but Acwulf only smirked. She was like a ragdoll, almost lifeless and barely able to stand. Wren knew she couldn't fight him but tried so hard to hide the fear.Acwulf crouched down with his face inches from Wren. His mouth smelled a mixture of smoke and alcohol, a scent that made her stomach twist.“Regret?” he chuckled. “Darling, I
There was no point in hiding, so Lila came out. She smiled at Wren and said, "Hello! I didn't expect you to be here. I thought you were some boys. I was about to take a swim."Wren's confusion slowly disappeared. She was somehow satisfied with Lila's explanation. Only a few knew about this river and could scare you with a little bit of sound or rattle of the leaves behind the bushes. But she didn't smile at Lila and just turned around."Bitch!" Lila whispered.The soft trickle of water filled the air as Wren knelt by the riverbank. Her hands skimmed the cool surface. Her reflection wavered in the ripples, but she barely noticed it. She closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm of the stream, hoping it might help chase away the lingering fatigue that clung to her. The fever had left her weakened. Lila remarked that a walk to the river would help her recovery, but Wren wasn't sure.“You’re looking better already,” Lila said from behind her, her voice faking to be cheerful.Wren opened her
Lila stood by the large window inside an abandoned cabin a few meters away from her pack's territory. She stared at the sprawling woods bordering the Gray Pack’s territory. The fading sunlight streamed through the trees. It cast long, twisted shadows that seemed to stretch toward her. Her fingers drummed against the window frame, the rhythmic tap-tap-tap echoing the beat of her own racing heart. She was nervous like hell.It was almost time.Her mind buzzed with the plan. Every detail was etched into her thoughts like a brand. She had been turning it over and over in her head, refining it, making sure it was perfect. She couldn't afford to make mistakes if she didn't want to die.Acwulf’s words from their meeting still echoed in her ears: “I won’t fail.” She had taken a risk by allying with him, a man whose reputation sent shivers through even the bravest wolves. But desperation had pushed her, and there was no turning back now. This was more than just getting rid of Wren. This was a
Acwulf hated drawing attention, actually almost every member of the Black Pack. It's one of their strengths that they were taught to attack an enemy without them even knowing. And so, wherever they go, they try not to be noticeable as much as possible.Right now, Acwulf moved like a shadow through the narrow alleyways of the marketplace. The hood of his cloak was pulled so low that it almost covered his face. The cacophony of traders shouting their wares, the scent of fresh bread mingling with the musk of leather, did nothing to soothe the turmoil brewing inside him. His mind was consumed with one thought: Wren.He tightened his grip on the worn leather strap of his satchel. Although the Black Pack is well-known, robbers are still unintimidated. Some would still attempt to rob them, thinking any member of the Black Pack would be stupid enough to let them. But Acwulf was not among the stupid ones, he carried his money with care. He didn’t even care about the bustling streets or the cur
The engine's sound died as gravel crunched beneath Yannis' boots when he stepped off his motorcycle. He instantly noticed the heavy silence enveloping the Gray Pack’s territory, broken only by the rustle of the wind through pine trees. The Gray Pack had always been a second home to him, it's where he could let his guard down, especially his funny moments with Reule. Yannis' gaze swept over the dense forest that circled the territory. As a warlock, his senses could easily pick up the subtle change of the place's atmosphere. He had been here, maybe five years ago. And as far as he could remember, it should not be this quiet. Yannis adjusted the strap of his black leather jacket and made his way to the big gate. He smirked because he could feel sharp eyes watching him from the shadows. The Gray Pack was known for its wariness toward outsiders, as they were very protective of what was theirs. They couldn't help it as they were one of the smallest packs, but because of their Alpha and th