Asher The battlefield was chaos incarnate. The snarls of wolves clashing with hybrids, the metallic clang of weapons, and the agonizing cries of the injured filled the air. Blood soaked the ground beneath our feet, mixing with the dirt to form a dark, viscous muck. Brooke’s hybrids came at us like a wave, relentless and deadly, their monstrous forms twisting in the dim light. My men had shifted into their wolf forms, tearing through the enemies with raw ferocity. Beside them, Jude’s hybrids moved with precision, their weapons cutting down foes in efficient, almost clinical strikes. They didn’t shift—not because they couldn’t, but because they refused. They had sworn an oath to never let their wolf forms take over, to never let the monster within consume them again. “Jude!” I roared above the fray, my voice cutting through the chaos. “Take the front line. Protect the wolves—they can’t withstand hybrid bites!” Jude didn’t hesitate. He motioned to his men, who quickly donned t
Malia The days following Brooke's death had been a blur. It had been a week since Asher tore out her heart, ending her reign of terror, and yet the aftermath was far from settled. Her hybrids were gone, their numbers obliterated in the fight, but her influence still lingered like a shadow. News of her death spread quickly, and with it came the fallout. Avan and Savannah, along with the others who had betrayed Asher, were finally captured. They had been dragged back to the manor, their heads low with shame, awaiting whatever judgment Asher deemed fit. But Asher himself was a ghost of the man I had known. He had disappeared into himself, avoiding everyone, especially me. I hadn’t seen or spoken to him since that day on the battlefield. I understood why—killing Brooke, his mother, no matter how twisted she had been, must have left a wound far deeper than any physical scar. Still, the silence weighed on me. Every day that passed without hearing his voice felt like another crack in
MaliaHis kiss was fierce, desperate, and overwhelming, his hands gripping my waist as though he couldn’t bear to let go. For a moment, I froze, stunned by the sudden intensity, but then my body betrayed me, and I kissed him back just as passionately.My hands found their way to his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath my fingers. Every ounce of pain and longing I’d carried for the past week seemed to melt away, replaced by a warmth I couldn’t deny.When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless. He rested his forehead against mine, his voice low and raw. “I couldn’t stay away any longer.”I should’ve pushed him away. I should’ve told him how hurt I’d been by his coldness, but instead, I melted into him. His hands gripped my waist as he pressed me against the wall, his heat overwhelming my senses. Every pent-up emotion—his guilt, my anger, our mutual longing—poured into that kiss. Before I knew it, he was lifting me onto his desk, his mouth never leaving mine.
Malia I stormed out of Asher’s office, the sting of regret biting harder with every step. My mind raced, a whirlwind of self-reproach. How could I have let that happen? I scolded myself, fists clenched at my sides. He locked me up, didn’t trust me enough to stand by his side, and then had the audacity to give me the cold shoulder for days because he couldn’t handle the fact that he killed his mother to protect me. And yet, I still gave in to him. I felt cheap. Weak. Like I’d betrayed myself. All I wanted was for him to trust me, just once, to treat me like his equal, to open up about what was going on in his head instead of pushing me away whenever things got tough. But no—he kept everything locked up behind those icy walls of his. And I let him walk all over me. Again. The cool air outside the building hit me, a sharp contrast to the suffocating heat of my frustration. I needed space, distance—anything to clear my mind. But as I took another step, I felt a firm grip wrap aroun
Malia The area was quiet now, with only a few pack members passing through, their curious gazes flickering toward us. I had barely taken a few steps when Asher’s hand caught my wrist. Not harshly—this time, his touch was softer, almost pleading. “Malia,” he said, his voice raw, almost hoarse. “Please, don’t walk away.” I turned to face him, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. The fire of frustration still burned in me, but seeing him like this—so open, so vulnerable—made it flicker. For a moment. “What, Asher?” I asked, my tone sharper than I intended. “What could you possibly say that you haven’t already shown me through your actions?” “I need you to understand why I did it,” he said, stepping closer, his grip tightening ever so slightly. “Why I locked you up before the fight.” I scoffed. “Because you don’t trust me. You don’t believe in me, in my strength—” “No,” he interrupted, his voice rising slightly before softening again. “That’s not it. It was never about trus
MaliaJude stood there with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes assessing the situation. He seemed reluctant, almost as though he wanted to speak but wasn’t sure how to start. After a beat of silence, he finally cleared his throat. “I didn’t come here to meddle in your personal life,” he said, his tone dry. “I actually came to let you know I’ll be leaving for a while.” Asher straightened, his brows drawing together. “Leaving? Where are you going?” “There’s an important meeting I need to attend in another state,” Jude replied, adjusting his jacket as though trying to deflect attention from the gravity of his words. “For how long?” Asher asked, his voice dipping with concern. “A few weeks. Maybe more... or I might not come back for months. It depends.” Jude said. Asher’s brow furrowed, his initial surprise giving way to something softer, almost pained. “Months?” he echoed. “I thought… I thought we’d have some time. To finally—” He cut himself off, glancing away as if the vulnera
Malia“What?” Jude asked, turning around, his eyes widening with surprise upon hearing Asher’s request. “Yes, don't go yet. You came to me and helped me defeat my mother. I should honor you before you go,” Asher said, still holding my hand as he moved closer to his father. “Asher…”“I know you have somewhere to be, but can't it wait one more day? I'll throw a party tonight and then tomorrow first thing in the morning you can be on your way.” I glanced at Jude, expecting him to brush it off, but something in his face shifted. He looked at Asher like he was seeing him in a way he hadn’t before. “I don’t need a party,” Jude said gruffly. “It’s not about what you need,” Asher pushed. “It’s about what you deserve.” For a moment, I thought Jude would argue, but then he let out a long, tired sigh. “Fine,” he said, his voice heavy with reluctance. “But don’t expect me to make a speech or anything.” Asher nodded, his lips curving into a small, rare smile. “Deal.” Asher smiled and w
MaliaThe second Asher’s eyes scanned the note, his entire demeanor changed. He stiffened, crumpling the paper slightly in his grip before grabbing his car keys from the table with a sharp, determined motion. “I want everyone in my office in thirty minutes,” he said, his voice clipped, each word laced with urgency. I watched him pull out his phone and send a quick group message to Jamie, Corey, Amara, and Nina. I didn’t miss the fire in his eyes or the tension in his jaw. Whatever the note said had struck a nerve deep enough to ignite this reaction. “Asher,” I started, taking a cautious step toward him, “what’s going on?” He turned to me, his expression unreadable, though there was an edge of impatience in his voice. “What are you waiting for, Malia? Get ready.” I froze. He never called for me the way he did the others. Not like this. Usually, I had to fight for a place in his plans, for him to see me as more than someone to protect. Hearing him include me so decisively left
AsherThe journal was old—older than I expected. Bound in cracked leather, the pages yellowed at the edges and laced with a scent of musk and ink. I stared at it for a long time before opening it, the weight of the thing pressing against my palms like it knew its contents would knock the air from my lungs.I didn’t know what I was looking for. Maybe a name. A signature. But the first line stopped my breath.‘This is the truth of Ian Vale.’My father's handwriting. Sharp. Purposeful. Controlled—just like the man himself.Ian had never been warm, never soft. Every memory I had of him came with cold eyes and clipped words. Praise was rare; affection, non-existent. I grew up thinking he saw me as an obligation. A duty. Nothing more.And yet… the diary was written in grief. In longing. In heartbreak. Every page screamed of things he could never say aloud.I turned to the next page.‘The priest told me it was a curse. That no Lycan should ever be mated to another man. He said it must’ve bee
AsherI returned to the only place I could still call mine. Tucked away from the world, surrounded by trees that asked for nothing and wind that didn’t whisper judgments—just solitude. The house hadn’t changed. I hadn’t either. Not really. I moved like a ghost through the front door, letting it shut quietly behind me.Silence greeted me, the kind that didn’t bring peace but didn’t argue either.I didn’t unpack. There was no point. The clothes I left on the couch a week ago were still there. The parcel Katherine handed me before she left sat on the windowsill, untouched. I glanced at it but moved past it like I had every day.I ended up at the bar that night.It wasn’t one of those classy places. It was dingy. Loud. Sticky floors and cheap liquor that burned going down. Perfect for disappearing. I sat in the corner booth, nursing something strong and bitter. My hair had grown out a bit, face scruffy, and I didn’t care. I didn’t want to be seen, yet eyes found me anyway.Women came firs
AsherSix months. That’s how long I’ve been in Reece—six slow, punishing months.At first, I didn’t even know what was real anymore. My memories felt like scattered fragments—some vivid, others hazy and distorted. The truth—the real truth—was a war I fought in my own mind. There were days I screamed until my voice gave out, days I curled into myself wishing I had never been born, and days I tried to hate the people I once loved.But this place… this tribe… they didn’t give up on me.The mages here, all marked by the strange glowing ink of their coven, didn’t treat me like a monster. Not even when I was one. They stripped me down—mentally, emotionally, spiritually—and forced me to sit in silence with my truth until it stopped feeling like poison.Now I can say it.I was enchanted.Jude, my own father, twisted my soul and turned me into something I never wanted to be. And the worst part? For the longest time, I didn’t even know.I’m better now. Or at least, that’s what the Head Mage kee
MaliaI nodded slowly, trying to piece together the strange sadness that had crept into Ronin’s eyes.“When did she die?” I asked quietly, my voice barely holding itself together. “The real Lia… when did she die?”Ronin’s eyes met mine, and his expression twisted with grief, something heavy and old—like it had been rotting in him for a long time.“She died the day I found out she was my mate,” he said. “But I'm not talking about Lia. She isn't my mate. My mate wasn’t from here. She was from my own Lycan pack.”I stared at him, my breath stuck in my chest. I didn’t know what to say to that, especially when his next words came so quickly and so desperately.“Malia,” he stepped closer, “please… just accept to be my Luna. I know you’re not my true mate. I’m not pretending. But since she’s gone, you’re the next best thing.”I flinched at the phrase. The next best thing. Like I was some kind of replacement. Some echo of a dream he’d lost.He kept going, determined. “It wasn’t Lia’s beauty t
MaliaCorey’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “That being said. Why won’t Rhedd help her grandson?”I glanced up, studying Rhedd’s unreadable expression. She stood by the window, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on something far beyond what any of us could see. She didn’t flinch at the question, didn’t turn to face him. She just answered, coldly.“Asher shouldn’t even exist,” she said. “He was never meant to. That’s why he’s not important to me.”Her words dropped like a stone in my chest. I blinked, unsure I’d heard her right. Beside me, Jamie stiffened, his jaw clenching. Corey looked stunned, like he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. Amara’s brows knit together, confusion clouding her features.“You’re going to have to explain what you mean by that,” Jamie said.But Rhedd didn’t respond. She turned away from the window and faced us, her expression still unreadable. “Don’t do anything against Ronin,” she warned, voice sharp with authority. “He is the rightful ruler of L
Malia“What?” I whispered, backing away from Ronin like he’d just slapped me.He had to be joking. He had to be.“I don’t love you, Ronin,” I said, my voice shaking. “I never said I did. I... I felt something, I won’t lie about that, but it was a moment. Confusion. Desperation. That’s not love.”His jaw clenched.“I only love Asher,” I continued. “And I can only be with Asher.”I turned toward Rhedd, desperate now. “Please. Say something. You know this isn’t right.”But she just stood there, her face unreadable. She didn’t say a word.I turned back to Ronin, fury rising like bile in my throat. “You can’t force this. You can’t just—decide you want me and then take me!”“I’m not forcing anything,” he said, but his voice had a hard edge to it. “I’m doing what’s best. For you. For everyone.”“You think locking me away in your house is best?”“I’m keeping you safe.”“You’re keeping me caged!”He ran a hand through his hair, trying to stay calm. “Asher isn’t stable, Malia.”My heart twisted
MaliaRhedd walked in like she owned the moment—no rush, no panic, just that same smirk, like everything was happening exactly how she planned.She looked Jude straight in the eye. “Your problem,” she said, “has always been your temper.”Jude scoffed. “You think this is funny?”“I think it’s sad,” Rhedd replied calmly. “You were close, Jude. So close to getting what you wanted. But like always, your rage got in the way. It always does.”He faltered. I saw it in the slight twitch of his brow, the way his jaw clenched. He didn’t understand who she was—but he knew she knew too much.“You have magic,” he muttered. “You’re part of the original circle, that's why you could seize my magic. The only thing is… the original witches in the circle are dead. I made sure of it.”Rhedd didn’t deny it. She just stood there, hands loosely clasped in front of her, like she had all the time in the world.Jude seemed to be irritated by her calmness. So irritated that he raised his hand, trying to summon
MaliaRonin’s grip on my hand was warm and steady, but my insides were in complete chaos.He didn’t say a word as he led me through the hallway, his pace brisk, his jaw clenched. I could tell he was furious, but not at me—at everything. At Banes. At the silence. At the confusion. At whatever was wrong and twisted in this place.When we got to his office, he opened the door and let me in first, then shut it quietly behind us.He turned to face me, those amber eyes of his searching my face like they were trying to pry the truth out of me before I even spoke.“Tell me,” he said, his voice low. “Tell me the truth.”I froze.I wanted to. Goddess, I wanted to tell someone. But I didn’t know if it was the right thing. What if Rhedd was playing me? What if telling Ronin only made everything worse? What if it put him in danger?I remembered the way she looked at me just before Ronin took my hand. Not a word spoken, just a nod. Subtle. Reassuring. She didn’t need to say anything. Her eyes told
Malia“Like I said before, all you have to do,” he said again, voice deceptively soft, “is tell them Nina deceived you. That she tricked you into helping her break Asher out.”I scoffed, shaking my head. “And you really think they’ll believe that?”“Oh, Banes will,” he said too quickly. Too confidently. It made me pause.“Why?” I asked. “Why are you so sure, Jude?”He smiled, but it wasn’t the charming kind. It was the smile of a man who knew something no one else did—a weapon he hadn’t revealed yet. “Don’t worry about that,” he said.I stared at him, my chest tightening with unease. “What are you going to do to my parents?” I asked quietly. “Since I’ve apparently… ‘messed up.’”He tilted his head slowly. That same smile faltered just a little, and then he studied me with a new sharpness. “That’s a very specific concern.”My heart thudded, but I forced myself to look bored. “What else is there to care about?”Jude crossed his arms. “Funny. For someone who knows the fate that befalls h