Chapter 29: Shadows of DeceptionKillian's POVThe flames in the hearth flickered against the stone walls of my study, but the warmth didn’t reach me. Lucas paced in front of my desk like a wolf caught in a trap. His movements were restless, his energy simmering with something unspoken. I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms across my chest, watching him.“Are you going to tell me what’s got you so worked up, or do I have to guess?” I finally asked, my voice cool.Lucas stopped abruptly, his eyes locking onto mine. “You’re not seeing it, Killian. You’re too close to the situation to notice the cracks.”I stiffened. “And what cracks are those, exactly?”“Veyron,” Lucas said, his tone sharp. “The way he’s always one step ahead. The rogue attacks, the ambushes, his ability to exploit our weaknesses—none of it adds up unless someone’s feeding him information.”This again. He’d brought up the possibility of a traitor before, but now, his conviction was stronger. “We’ve already discusse
CHAPTER 30: moonshine packARIA POV The Moonshine Pack's domain was illuminated by the moon's silvery radiance as it hung high in the sky. There was a peculiar, oppressive force in the air, making everything seem heavy. With the murmurs of anxiety circling my head like elusive shadows, I was unable to fall asleep. With the rustling of leaves and the distant howl of a wolf disturbingly out of rhythm with the typical nocturnal serenity, the woodland outside my window seemed to be alive.I was cautious not to break the silence as I crept lightly over my bedroom's hardwood floor. The cold steel of the blade I kept on my bedside table brushed across my fingertips. A safety measure. I had learned the hard way that being vigilant may be the difference between life and death, whether I was an alpha or not.I walked up to the window and looked out over the thick forest that surrounded our pack's domain. Everything seemed to be peaceful, but my gut told me differently. I saw a little flutter o
Chapter 31: Shadows in InkAria’s POVBy daybreak, the fire had been out, but its charred scar still stood as a menacing reminder of how near catastrophe we had been. Killian had escaped unharmed, but his office had been wrecked. Although it was a relief, the assault caused a lot of anxiety.The rogue’s words plagued me: Starting with you.I kept getting the impression that this wasn't a random occurrence. Someone wanted me gone, and they were prepared to destroy the pack in order to achieve that goal. I needed to know why.---I ended myself searching through the burned remnants of Killian's office later that morning. As I cautiously made my way across the rubble, ash stuck to my boots and the air still smelled of burning.“Are you sure about this?” With a tone full of worry, Killian's voice broke the stillness.He was resting against the doorway with his arms folded when I looked over my shoulder. He seemed worn out, the previous night's events weighing down his normally powerful ap
Chapter 32: The Breaking PointKillian's POVThe summit has always been a precarious gathering place where pack leaders could put aside their rivalries long enough to talk about the bigger dangers facing our species. That was the idea, anyhow. It was like entering an arena today, when alliances would break down and tempers would flare.The huge hall was humming with anxiety when I came early. Leaders mingled, their faces cautious as they exchanged fake grins and courteous nods. They had no faith in one another. They weren't to fault. In such times, trust was a precious commodity.However, I wasn't thinking about them today. Darius had it on.---With keen eyes that seemed to inventory his flaws, he walked into the hall as if he owned it. He exuded a poisonous atmosphere of danger and haughtiness that was oppressive. Despite my wolf's uneasy stirring and snarling under my skin, I pushed myself to be composed."Killian," Darius remarked as he walked up, a sneer twisting his lips. "A ple
Chapter 33: The Forbidden RitualAria's POVThe old library had an earthy, antiquated fragrance that seemed to cling to the walls: the smell of dust and secrets. The extensive archives of Moonshine Pack were a maze of lost documents and data, many of which had been undiscovered for many years. But I couldn't go anywhere else.I couldn't help but feel a hollow aching in my chest when Killian vanished after the top. I also sought answers since I was becoming more concerned about Veyron and Darius's involvement in my demise.The gold-embossed titles of leather-bound books faded with time as my fingertips traced along their spines. Selena's silent but urgent call for prudence blended with Lucas's cryptic warnings about treachery in my head. So far, none of it made sense. I was determined to put it all together, however.---Tucked down in the library's furthest corner was the section I was looking for. It was identified as the Lunaris Chronicles by faded labeling. These shelves were loade
Chapter 34: Shadows of the PastDarius’s POVThe stillness was alive, pulsating with unsaid words, and the night was heavy. I was standing on the outside of Moonshine Pack territory, which I never would have imagined entering voluntarily. But here I stood, with my chest pressed down by the weight of all I had concealed.Although they were cautious, the guards knew better than to confront me head-on. My reputation as one of the strongest Alphas in the area came before me. Nevertheless, as I went by, I could feel their uneasiness, their hands twitching close to their guns. They had ample cause to not trust me.However, I wasn't available to them. I was there for her.---In the open beside the training grounds, I discovered Aria. She was softly illuminated by the moonlight, which also illuminated the hair that framed her face. She was so gorgeous that it was difficult to breathe, yet tonight her beauty was tinged with caution.Her eyes were guarded and piercing as they met mine. "Darius
Chapter 35: Shadow's Close InSelena POV I didn't even see the first shadow shift before the iron taste of blood reached my nostrils. The crunch of leaves under my boots matched the steady hammering of my heart as it thudded in my chest. This section of the forest was new to me, darker, and covered with vines that, if I stared at them for too long, appeared to move.I gripped the little sword Aria had given me a few days before and murmured to myself, "Just get to the border." "This is something you can do."Even though Aria had advised me to remain in the town, I couldn't just sit there knowing that the rogues were getting closer. She was unable to comprehend. Because she was in charge of the pack's security, her position as Alpha kept her grounded. My part? An unexpected but unavoidable asset was a wild card. And now that she was gone, I wanted to show that I could compete.But I started to doubt that choice as the shadows drew closer, taunting the little moonlight.From the bushes
Chapter 36: A Bond in ShadowsAria's POVExhaustion pulled me into the depths of slumber as soon as I closed my eyes. However, I was standing in a curiously familiar but oddly foreign area in lieu of the cozy darkness. I was surrounded by an unending forest with old and tall trees, their branches entwined like webs over my head. Tension permeated the air, making it difficult for me to breathe."Where am I?" I said, but the words seemed to fade into the deafening quiet.The answer was an abrupt change in the environment rather than a spoken response. I turned abruptly as a wave went through the woods, and I realized I wasn't alone.Then I caught sight of him.A few steps away, Darius stood with his hands balled into fists and his massive shoulders slumped. A look of raw, unguarded agony contorted his normally calm face in a way I had never seen before."Darius?" With hesitation, I called out, but he didn't answer. His focus was on somewhere beyond the woods, as if he couldn't hear me.
Chapter 200: A New DawnAria’s POVThe woodland was filled with the aroma of wildflowers and pine as the wind blew through the trees. The Golden Claw pack's domain was illuminated by silver light from the brilliant moon overhead. Even though I had always turned to the moon for direction, something seemed different today. Or maybe it was me that had changed.I felt whole for the first time in my life—not because of a connection, a title, or other people's expectations, but because I had created my own identity. I had reconstructed a universe from the ashes of the past, fought gods, and disobeyed old customs. I had come to this point because of every scar, decision, and sacrifice.Looking out over the peaceful landscape that extended to the horizon, I stood at the edge of the clearing. This was my heritage, my people, and my home. More than that, however, it was a blank canvas—a future that only I could influence.---Freedom's Weightliberty.I had struggled, bled, and clung to that wo
Chapter 199: The Leader I’ve Become Aria’s POV The dawn broke over the camp, painting the horizon in hues of gold and crimson. I stood at the edge of the clearing, staring into the woods that had become both my refuge and my battlefield. The past few days had been relentless—a swirl of revelations, battles, and choices that had irrevocably shaped me into someone I barely recognized. And yet, I felt stronger than I ever had before. The mate bond was gone, and with it, the tether that had once dictated my choices and emotions. It was a strange kind of freedom, one that I still wasn’t entirely sure how to wield. But as I looked around at the camp bustling with activity, I knew one thing for certain: I was no longer just a survivor. I was a leader. The packs were scattered, but not broken. They were looking to me now, not as a savior or some mythical figure, but as a symbol of what we could become—a society built on choice, trust, and unity rather than ancient, unyielding traditions.
Chapter 198: Parting Words Killian’s POV The camp was quiet in the early morning, the stillness heavy with the aftermath of the latest revelation. The glowing fissure, the figure cloaked in shadow—it was a warning that none of us could ignore. Yet, as the chaos settled into a wary calm, I knew my time here was coming to an end. I watched from a distance as Aria stood at the center of the camp, her presence commanding despite her exhaustion. She gave orders with a steady voice, her pack looking to her for guidance. She’d grown into a leader far beyond what anyone could have imagined—certainly more than I had ever expected. It was why I couldn’t stay. I turned away, heading toward the edge of the camp where my warriors waited. They were restless, eager to return to the Moonshine Pack’s territory and rebuild what we’d lost. But there was something else simmering beneath their surface: doubt. The mate bond’s dissolution had left a void, one that no amount of speeches or alliances cou
Chapter 197: Whispers of Tomorrow Aria's POV The sun had fully risen by the time I returned to the main camp. The celebration from the night before had left the field littered with remnants of shared meals and extinguished fires. Wolves were already moving about, cleaning and preparing to return to their packs. Yet, despite the bustle, an air of unease lingered, as if the earth itself remembered the tremors I’d felt in the forest. I brushed off my sleepless night as I moved through the camp, nodding to warriors and pack leaders. Their gratitude warmed me, but it was clear that the weight of leadership—and of what came next—was not solely mine to bear. “Aria.” I turned at the sound of my name. Darius stood a few feet away, his gaze steady. He was dressed simply, but the way he carried himself spoke volumes of the warrior he was. He gestured toward the forest. “Walk with me?” I hesitated, glancing at the chaos of the camp. But the look in his eyes was sincere, not demanding. “Alrig
Chapter 196: The Weight of Victory Aria’s POV The night sky was alight with celebration. Bonfires crackled and danced, illuminating the open field where wolves from every pack gathered, their voices raised in song and laughter. Victory had united them, if only temporarily, and for the first time in what felt like forever, hope seemed within reach. I should have been happy. I should have been standing among them, sharing in their joy. Instead, I found myself on the outskirts of the gathering, leaning against a gnarled tree as the noise of the celebration faded into the background. The relics were destroyed, and the rogue faction was defeated. Yet the voice from the temple—the cryptic warnings of the “shattered moon”—lingered in my mind like a dark cloud. “Why aren’t you celebrating?” Selena’s voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see her approaching, her dark hair glowing softly in the firelight. She carried a plate of food in one hand and a goblet in the other. “I could a
Chapter 195: Breaking the Chains Aria’s POV The night was unnervingly quiet, a stillness that felt heavy, foreboding. It was the kind of silence that carried the weight of something unseen, a predator’s pause before the pounce. I stood on the ridge overlooking the rogue faction’s encampment, my heart steady, my purpose clear. Beside me, Killian and Darius waited, their expressions a mix of tension and resolve. It wasn’t the first time we had stood side by side against a common enemy, but this time felt different. This wasn’t just a battle for survival—it was a battle for the future. “I’ll go in alone,” I said, my voice firm. Killian’s brow furrowed. “Aria, that’s reckless. You don’t even know how strong their defenses are.” “That’s exactly why I have to go,” I countered. “This isn’t just about brute force. It’s about dismantling the very thing that gives them power. And I’m the only one who can do that.” Darius stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “We’re stronger
Chapter 194: The Serpent’s Shadow Veyron’s POV Darkness. It had been my companion long before I embraced its power, and now, even in death, it clung to me like an eternal cloak. This wasn’t oblivion—I had escaped that fate by sheer will and cunning. No, I existed in the in-between, where shadows whispered and time bent like warped glass. The rogue leader knelt before me, his head bowed low, his body trembling with the weight of my presence. His name was Silas, a name that once held no meaning. But now, he was my tool, a carefully placed pawn in the grand design. “You’ve failed,” I said, my voice cold and echoing, a sharp blade cutting through the still air. Silas flinched but did not dare look up. “The packs were stronger than expected, my lord. Aria—she—” I slammed my hand onto the obsidian table before me, the ripple of power making the shadows dance around the room. “Do not speak her name so lightly. She may be the key, but she is not your concern. Your concern is doing what I
Chapter 193: Bonds Forged in Fire Darius's POV The battlefield was chaos. Screams of rage and pain tore through the air, mingling with the clash of steel and the snarls of wolves in their primal form. Blood slicked the earth beneath my boots, and the coppery scent of it burned my nostrils. But amidst the carnage, my focus was unshakable: Aria. She stood at the center of it all, a beacon of strength and defiance. Her golden blade caught the light of the setting sun, each swing carving a path through the shadowed beasts that Silas had unleashed. She fought like she had been born for this moment, her movements fluid and unrelenting. Killian was to her left, his powerful frame a blur as he shifted between his wolf and human forms, tearing through the rogue forces. His fighting style was brutal but precise, a testament to years of training and instinct. And I was at her right, guarding her flank, ensuring no threat got close enough to harm her. We didn’t need words to coordinate; every
Chapter 192: The Rising Flame Aria's POV The shadows pressed in from all sides, their cold tendrils coiling around me like a living vice. Silas's laughter echoed through the darkness, a haunting melody of triumph. For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into my heart. Was this it? Was I truly out of my depth? But then, a warmth began to stir within me, faint but steady. It was the same energy I had felt in the ancient temple—the power that had surged through me when the mate bond system broke. The Moon Goddess’s rival might have sought to manipulate that moment, but the strength that pulsed in my veins now was entirely my own. I closed my eyes, blocking out Silas’s voice and the suffocating weight of the darkness. Instead, I focused inward, drawing on the fire that burned in my core. It grew hotter and brighter until it was no longer something I controlled but something I unleashed. With a cry, I released the energy, and the shadows around me exploded into shards of light. I fell to on