Chapter: Chapter 72What the Earth RememberDaria's POVHearing my name dragged from that hollow mouth sent a chill crawling up my spine, something ancient and cold. It wasn’t fear, not really; I had faced fear too many times to confuse it with anything else. This was recognition. Whatever had emerged from that tunnel knew me.“Daria.” The name came again, wet and raspy, as if the creature’s throat hadn’t uttered a sound in centuries and resented the effort.Lucius stood firm, his sword arm steady, but I could feel him tense beside me. “It knows you.”“I heard.” My voice came out steadier than I felt inside. “Get back.”“Not without you.”There was no time for debate. The creature lunged forward, and behind it, two more clawed their way out of the tunnel, dirt cascading off their pale, sunken limbs. Up close, I could see they had once been something else with enough shape left to hint at hands, a spine, the ghost of a face but whatever magic had bound them had hollowed them out, leaving only an insatiabl
Last Updated: 2026-08-12
Chapter: Chapter 71Three FrontsDaria's POVThe horn's echo hadn’t even faded when the camp sprang to life around us. Witches broke off their chants mid-ritual, warriors dropped their training and reached for blades still glistening with morning dew. I could almost feel the ground tense beneath us, as if the earth itself had caught wind of the alarm and didn’t like what it signified."Three borders," I said, my mind racing ahead of my feet. "He’s doing this to split our focus on purpose."Lucius was already striding toward the war tent, his steps more determined and forceful than before. "He wants us scattered. Weak everywhere instead of strong in one spot.""Then we don’t split evenly," I replied, catching up to him. "We find his weakest point and strike there first."He shot me a glance, something sharpening in his eyes. Not quite a surprise—more like recognition. "You’ve thought about this before.""I’ve been thinking about him for years," I said. "Long before you even knew to."We reached the tent,
Last Updated: 2026-08-12
Chapter: Chapter 70Words He Can't SayDaria’s POVBarrier eventually broke, not due to failure, but because the assaulting parties withdrew at daybreak. The forest fell back to its usual silent condition, and the birds called out, sounding an alarm to see whether the danger had really passed. I bent my hands down, all the muscles pained, and gave a sigh which I thought I had been trying to suppress all night.Lucius was several steps back, staring at the tree line as he thought that at any moment the shadows would come back. His attitude was full of tension and nervousness, yet there was something else also. Uncertainty. He continued to gaze at me and look away.I kept myself busy packing my stuff, not to pack them, but to have something to keep my hands busy. Now there was weight in silence between us. It pressed in from all sides."Daria," he said at last.I didn't answer.He took a step closer. Something about before... what I wanted to say.I knotted my satchel strap up tighter than needed. "Don't."
Last Updated: 2026-07-29
Chapter: Chapter 69No Way OutDaria’s POVThe wall and the wall waked and waked, swearing in my ears, till I had a soreness in my head. Something was beating on its surface, once, twice, then more sharply, and light was flickering upon it. The effect caused the ground to shake under my feet.Oh, they are trying it, I thought, trying their level best.Lucius was a step to my left, with set shoulders and eyebrows that were staring at the wall. They are aware that it will not stand forever.Another blow landed. The barrier flushed and then faded.And I stretched my hands and thrust magic into the field, and brought it into the foreign spell already existing. It did not bend instantly, as cold iron, but bent a little, so that I could, strengthening the weakest part, repair the weakest seam.Lucius noticed instantly. "There," he said, pointing. "They're focusing on that side."We do not let them, then, I answered.Another shadow bumped against the defiance, its nails raking the surface. The sound made my ski
Last Updated: 2026-07-29
Chapter: Chapter 68Not Your PlaceDaria’s POVAs soon as I entered the training yard again, I knew that something was not right.The air was stifling, as after a storm, full of things already said and that could not be unsaid. Some of the warriors were in small groups and appeared to be paying attention to what was going on, when they were actually listening to something. Kael was almost at the edge of the grounds, his jaw stiff, his hands crossed. And standing some few steps by him was Lucius.My stomach sank.I made no rush as I walked towards them with my boots firm on the dirt. What had been said I did not need to hear, to tell what the shape of it was. The pose of Lucius was too haughty, his shoulders square as when he was challenged. Kael himself, instead, seemed confused rather than angry.Inappropriate, said Lucius, not inappropriate, I reached them. His tone was repressed, and yet there was an edge to it. This is no place to be doing tricks.Kael frowned. "I was training. With her permission."
Last Updated: 2026-02-28
Chapter: Chapter 67The Weight of WatchingDaria’s POVThe practice-grounds were earthy and old magic, that kind that sinks in stone and lingers there a long time even after spells had been forgotten. Witches were floating around the outer ring, some with disciplined bursts of energy, others with disciplined focus through concentration. At the centre, warriors were drilling in pairs, and the blades crashed together in smooth harmony. I was now in between the two worlds, and I felt, for the first time in a long time, in balance."Again," I said, lifting my hand.One of the little witches was afraid, and she thrust ahead. The spell hissed irregularly and died away.Please, do not press it, I said to her without excitement. "Breathe first. Then move."She shook her head and made another attempt, but more slowly. The magic had gotten into a kind of smooth arc and was in charge and potent. Some of the rest moaned in approval.I turned and changed my position, and I saw Lucius at the farthest end of the ground
Last Updated: 2026-02-25
Chapter: Chapter 4Zinnia’s POVDraven’s voice cut through the dark night like a sharp blade."Who is out here?"My back pressed hard against the old oak tree. Joseph’s body shielded me. His hand covered my mouth gently. I could feel his heart beating fast against my shoulder.We did not move. We barely breathed.Draven’s footsteps came closer. Slow. Careful. Like a predator hunting.Joseph’s warm breath brushed my ear. "Stay quiet," he whispered.I nodded slightly. My body trembled. The broken mate bond still sent sharp pain through my chest. Tears stung my eyes, but I held them back.Draven stopped a few feet away. I could see his tall shadow under the moonlight."I know someone is here," he said. His voice sounded cold and angry. "Show yourself."Josephslowly took his hand away from my mouth. He looked into my eyes. His dark gray eyes looked worried but steady.He stepped out from behind the tree."Alpha Draven," Josephsaid calmly. "It is only me. JosephStorme."Draven walked forward. His ice-blue ey
Last Updated: 2026-08-12
Chapter: Chapter 3Zinnia’s POVThe word “new Mommy” came out of June’s mouth and stabbed me deep.I stood frozen in the middle of the common room. Every pack member stared at me. The silence felt heavy. It pressed down on my chest.June hid his face against Maelis’s shoulder. His small hands held her dress tight. He would not look at me.Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them away fast. I could not cry here. Not in front of everyone.Draven stepped forward. His voice was calm and strong."This has been a long day for everyone," he said. "Zinnia is not feeling well because of the full moon. Maelis has kindly offered to watch June tonight so my wife can rest."Murmurs moved through the crowd. Some people nodded. Others looked at me with pity.I took one step closer. My legs felt weak."June," I said softly. My voice shook. "Please come with Mama. I will read you your favorite story."He shook his head. He still would not look at me.Maelis smiled sweetly and rubbed his back. "It is okay, sweetheart. Yo
Last Updated: 2026-07-15
Chapter: Chapter 2Zinnia’s POVJune walked slowly into Maelis’s arms.I felt it like a knife in my heart. My five-year-old son stepped toward her. He let her wrap her arms around him even though she was still half-dressed. The heavy smell of sex still hung in the air."No," I whispered. My voice broke.Draven’s hand caught my arm. His grip was tight. Cold."Let him go," I said. I tried to pull away, but he held me in place.Maelis stroked June’s hair gently. She looked at me with a sweet smile that did not reach her eyes."Hello, sweetheart," she said softly to my son. "Did you bring that cookie for me?"June held up the cookie with a shaky hand. His eyes kept moving between me and her."I… I saved it for Mommy," he said in a small voice.Maelis took the cookie from him. "That is so kind of you. You are such a thoughtful boy."She pulled him closer. June rested his head against her shoulder like he had done it many times before.The mate bond inside my chest twisted hard. It felt like it was tearing ap
Last Updated: 2026-07-15
Chapter: Chapter 1Zinnia’s POV(Present day, now 24 years old)The garden smelled like roses and fresh lemon tarts. Laughter floated through the air. Pack members stood in small groups, talking and eating. I moved between them with a big smile on my face.Inside, my heart felt heavy.I arranged the pastries on the long table. My hands moved slowly. I had woken up at four in the morning to bake them. Each tart had a perfect swirl of cream on top. I wanted everything to look beautiful."I am telling you, I saw them," a woman whispered behind the tall hedge.I froze. My fingers stayed on the edge of the platter."With Maelis?" another voice asked."Yes. She left the east wing at dawn. Her dress was wrinkled. His scent was all over her."My stomach twisted. I kept my face calm and picked up a fresh plate of tarts."You are sure?" the second woman asked."Very sure. And someone heard them three nights ago in his study. The sounds… they were clear."I turned around with the plate in my hands. Two she-wolves,
Last Updated: 2026-07-15
Chapter: ProloguePROLOGUEZinnia’s POV(Five Years Ago)I stood at the door of Draven’s study for a long time. More than ten minutes. He never looked up.I did not mind. Not really. He was the Alpha heir. He had important work. Papers covered his desk. He made decisions that kept the whole pack safe. I understood this. I told myself it was okay.I just wanted to be near him. I wanted to breathe the same air. I wanted to feel close to my mate.The mate bond hummed softly under my skin. The Moon Goddess had chosen us. She put us together for a reason. We were fated. We were meant to be.We had been married only three months. I was still learning how to be Luna. The big pack house felt strange to me. I sometimes felt like a guest in my own home. But every single day, my love for Draven grew stronger. Every day the bond pulled me toward him."Draven?" I said softly.He did not answer. His pen kept moving across the paper.I held the tray carefully. My arms were getting tired. I made his favorite tea the w
Last Updated: 2026-07-15