That night, after returning home, silence lingered. Both of us in our own world of thought or perhaps we don't know what to say.
I looked at Daniel, his facial expression says it all. He didn't say a word, the way his eyes dropped to the floor, like he couldn't bear to meet mine. There was a flicker of something in his eyes — grief, maybe betrayal — but it vanished before I could name it And when he finally looked at me, it wasn't anger I saw. The kind that says everything has just fallen apart. “Goodnight”, I manage to say — my voice is a bit dry. I looked at him one last time before sauntering to the bedroom, turning off the light on my way I heard him take a deep breath and soon enough, he followed me. “No matter how you fight. I'll keep coming for you”. His words live rent free in my head, I don't know why but I just can't seem to forget. Deep inside me, I knew this is just the beginning and this bond will soon start affecting me. As much as I know this, I want to run — as long as my leg could carry me. The bond must be a mistake after all, the moon goddess is obviously playing a trick. Not Cade — my tormentor. _________________________________________________ Next Day I woke up to the soft hum of silence, my body still nestled from yesterday's. Daniel was not beside me, I dragged my groggy self to the sitting room — where Daniel was. “Good morning Daniel” I murmured, barely audible. He looked at me with… anger ??, I don't know cuz it disappeared as soon as it came. “And what is good about this morning Ayla cuz all you could think of is mentioning that Animal's name all night” He shouted at me but …. What !!!!...i am very sure I did not mention Cade’s name. “I don't know what you are talking about Dan, I think there is a misunderstanding” I replied him, a bit puzzled “You fucking heard me right, I heard you clearly” At this point, I knew it was possible to mention his name cuz of that mate shit. I glanced at him, feeling heartbroken as tears rolled down his eyes. “You have to believe me Dan, even if I mentioned his name I have nothing to do with him, You know I love you” I muttered, sincerity laced in my voice. His face twitch for a moment before he replied me “Love ?, did you just say Love?, I guess not cuz if you do, you'd have told me from the beginning that you are an Animal” Something in me sparked, was it because he mentioned Cade’s name or because he called me an animal. I did not let him settle before an unknown force from within me threw him backwards. “I am not an Animal, i am a human just like you” my voice thundered, with authority and — power. He is frightened, I can see it. I just push my Daniel. I looked at my hand like I just performed a wonder. It's indeed a wonder, not in my wildest dream will I ever think of hitting Daniel. “I can't continue with you anymore, you have changed and… and….and…and you just just an animal in human clothing”. After saying that, he sprinted, his legs blurred as he ran at a top speed. I hit him so hard, I can see droplets of his blood on the floor. Realisation hits me, Daniel is gone, am all alone — again. He was my last ink to normalcy. This whole thing has to be a dream I need to wake up from. I sobbed uncontrollably Not after everything. Determined — I stood up, using the hem of my cloth to clean the tears still refusing to stop. “Lets go Ayla” my wolf whispers _________________________________________________ Bloodhowl Pack Hood up, swollen face, red eyes were all my physical appearance as I found my way to Mae’s cottage My house – the place I once found solace. Smell of cinnamon welcomed me as I opened the door. Memories of my childhood flooding in. I dropped my bags and sluggishly fell on the Vintage couch just behind the door. _________________________________________________ I was still in my world of dreamland when I heard a knock on the wooden door. “Yeah who's that” I replied, my voice a bit cocky “Owner of this cottage” The last time I checked, Mae is the owner of this Cottage. I muttered. I opened the Door and who I saw left me dumb struck. Beatrix !!!! The fuck is Beatrix doing here ??, as far as I know, she lives in the city “Will you leave the way ?”, Beatrix sassy voice sounded “What are you doing here Beatrix, you hate the pack” I asked her, looking a bit surprised “What am I doing in my mother's house ?” I left the way for her, still looking surprised .Beatrix never likes it here, she complains everytime when Mae was still alive. I was still in my train of thought when I heard her voice again “I will be using Mom’s room, you can take mine” Using ???.....is she staying here for good ?. Beatrix was neutral, she never bullied me nor helped when they bullied. She just stayed in the shadows — watching. _________________________________________________ After what felt like hours, I realized I haven't visited the Palace — to Cade. To tell him a piece of my mind. No matter what, my mind is made up — I will do everything in my capacity to break the bond.Cade..Something was shifting.Not in the kingdom. Not in politics. Not in the rogues—though their numbers had grown bolder. No… this shift was deeper. Personal.It was her.I hadn’t seen Ayla in days, but I felt her absence like a bruise that refused to fade.And yet, each night, my wolf grew restless. Pacing. Growling in the shadows.Even without the full bond—especially after what she tried—there was still something tethering us.I didn’t know what it was. But it made my blood itch.Riven entered my study quietly, carrying a sealed scroll. “Report from the Eastern patrols. Another rogue breach near Hollowpine.”I took the scroll but didn’t open it. “Casualties?”“None. This time. But they’re getting organized.” He hesitated, then added, “They were targeting the herbal trade routes. It’s coordinated.”Coordinated rogue attacks.A mate I couldn’t reach.And a council ready to turn on me.“How long until the Four Wing alliance meeting?” I asked.“Two days. But Galen’s already stirring
AylaThe silence in my mind had become a second skin.Days blurred. My body moved, but I felt… hollow. Not dead, not alive. Just here.No presence stirred in the place where my wolf once resided. No growl. No nudge. No comfort. It was like losing my breath and learning to live without air.I barely spoke to Beatrix. Even when she tried to keep things light, to pretend nothing had changed, I knew she could see it too—something inside me was broken.It was on one of those sleepless nights, curled in the chair by the fire, that I remembered it.The locket.Mae's locket. The one she’d left me before she died. I had tucked it into the bottom of my satchel days ago. It had always made me uneasy, like it was humming with something… old.With trembling fingers, I retrieved it from the bag and sat staring at it.Gold. Worn but intact. The surface was carved with unfamiliar symbols that shimmered faintly in the firelight. I should have opened it the day I got it. But something had always stoppe
CadeThe echo of the market still clung to my thoughts as I stood before the grand council hall—an obsidian structure nestled in the heart of the palace grounds, forged to host only the most sacred of gatherings. The Full-Wing Alpha Meeting. The last time this chamber held such tension, I was barely twenty, fresh to the throne, earning respect with every breath.Now, they waited for me again. Not to test me—but to corner me.Riven opened the doors.Four Alphas sat in silence, cloaked in power and impatience.Alpha Tim of the North Wing—arrogant and aged, his eyes cold with calculation.Alpha Maelis of the East Wing—slender, sharp, with a smile that never reached his eyes.Alpha Silas of the West—young, ambitious, always the first to sniff out weakness.And Lady Maerina, representing the South. The only one not an Alpha, but bold enough to sit like one.Elder Galen stood by the head o
Cade. An impromptu meeting had been called—again. Not because of politics or war, but because of Ayla. My mate. I had told them I would sever the bond between us. That had been nothing but empty words. I could never bring myself to do it. “The East Wing is grumbling,” Elder Galen announced, his tone sharp, gaze shifting among the others. “Perhaps if you had a Luna by your side, none of this unrest would be happening.” I didn’t respond immediately. Instead, I let the silence stretch, watching their discomfort grow. “Arrange a meeting,” I said at last, my voice low but resolute. “I want to see all representatives of the four wings.” The shock on their faces was palpable. None of them expected that. “In the next five hours,” I added. Gasps rippled through the chamber. The elders scrambled to their feet, already making urgent calls as they filed out of the room. “But Alpha,” Elder Galen protested, spinning back toward me, “the North Wing to Bloodhowl takes at least a ful
He had kissed me, and I had reciprocated.I touched my lips, remembering how last night unfolded, as I prepared myself back to the cottage.After all, I was now hale and healthy.Nyra was helping with my hair as she spoke.“Are you related to that Beatrix lady?”“No,” I replied, my voice a little dry.“But she called you her sister,” she said, locking eyes with mine through the mirror as she braided my hair into buns.“Enough with the questions, please. I’d like to be on my way as soon as possible.”I knew my tone was a bit harsh, but it was the only way to stop Nyra’s endless curiosity.Within minutes, I was back at the cottage.It felt so good to be home. My thoughts drifted to the garden—what happened yesterday.He’s finally breaking the bond, I thought, and a smile crept onto my face.“Eva?” I called my wolf, but there was no response. She’d been quiet since everything happened—and I didn’t know why.I’d assumed it was due to my injuries. But now I am healed. Thanks to the healers
Okay.” The word left my mouth—empty, sharp. But I didn’t mean it. I would never reject the bond. Not now. Not ever. As the silence stretched, something hit my senses—a faint scent. Warm. Familiar. Ayla. My eyes narrowed. Am I imagining things? The scent grew stronger, unmistakable. I mind-linked the nearest guard. Check outside the door. Now. He returned moments later, bowing slightly as he whispered in my ear. “I saw the retreating figure of Lady Ayla and a maid.” Every nerve in my body went on high alert. She was here? She heard me? A storm churned in my chest. Was she coming to see me? Did she think I meant it? That I would actually reject her? Questions flooded my mind—none with answers. I stood up so abruptly the chairs scraped back. All eyes turned to me. “We’ll continue this discussion later,” I said, my voice cold, masking the panic clawing at my gut. I didn’t wait for their reply. I turned and strode out, my Beta and guards quickly falling int