Novels by Cumfort

Aria’s POV - Five Days LaterThe High Council investigators arrived with less fanfare than expected.Three wolves. Two men, one woman. All wearing the neutral gray of High Council officials. All carrying the weight of authority that came with their position.They weren’t here to take sides. They were here to find truth.That should have been comforting.It wasn’t.“Former Luna Aria Wynter,” the lead investigator—a stern woman named Magistrate Verin—gestured to the seat across from her. “Please sit.”We were in a private chamber. Just me, the three investigators, and a scribe recording everything.No Kade. No Elders. No Riven.Just me and my testimony.“You understand you’re under oath?” Verin asked.“Yes.”“And you understand that providing false testimony to a High Council investigation carries severe penalties?”“Yes.”“Then let’s begin.” She opened a folder. “Tell me, in your own words, about your relationship with Claire Blackwell.”I took a breath and started from the beginning.

Riven’s POVThe merchant was harder to find than expected.By the time we tracked him down to a small shop three districts away, it was past midnight. The shop was closed, windows dark.I knocked anyway. Hard enough to wake the dead.After several minutes, a light flickered inside. The door cracked open, revealing a middle-aged man with suspicious eyes.“We’re closed.”“I know. This isn’t about buying anything.” I pulled out the pouch of gold Kade had given me. “This is about testimony. About Claire Blackwell.”His face went carefully blank. “Don’t know anyone by that name.”“Yes, you do. You sold her drugs. Qing’s Mist, specifically. Dreamroot derivative, moon orchid extract, silver sage.” I held up the pouch. “We’re not here to arrest you. We’re here to offer you immunity and protection in exchange for truthful testimony.”“Immunity from what?”“From prosecution for selling controlled substances. From any retaliation from Shadowmere Pack.” I jingled the pouch. “Plus five hundred gol

Aria’s POVThe formal meeting was held in the great hall, arranged like a tribunal.The five Elders sat at the high table. Kade stood to one side, flanked by his remaining advisors. Dominic Thorne sat opposite with his own contingent—not just warriors, but what looked like legal counsel and witnesses of his own.This wasn’t a diplomatic discussion.This was a trial.Riven and I were positioned to the side, not quite participants, not quite observers. Witnesses waiting to be called.“This session is convened,” Elder Cassius announced, “to address the grievances brought by Alpha Dominic Thorne of the Shadowmere Pack regarding the execution of Claire Blackwell and alleged violations of inter-pack protocol.”Dominic stood, commanding attention effortlessly.“Honored Elders, I appreciate your willingness to hear my concerns. This matter is grave—not just for our two packs, but for the integrity of inter-pack law itself.”He spoke for twenty minutes. Eloquent, measured, building his case pi

Kade’s POVThe reply came that evening.Kade,We’re coming back. But only to provide testimony and truth about what happened with Claire. We will not be taking on responsibilities, participating in negotiations, or staying beyond what’s absolutely necessary.We’ll arrive tomorrow evening. Please inform Dominic and the Elders that we’re willing to speak at the formal meeting, but nothing more.This is our boundary. Please respect it.- Aria and RivenI read it to the Elders.“They’re setting terms,” Elder Dorian said. “Unusual for former pack members.”“They’re not pack members anymore,” I corrected. “They left. Voluntarily. They’re coming back as a favor, not an obligation.”“Will Dominic accept testimony from wolves with no current pack standing?” Elder Maren asked.“He’ll have to. They’re the primary witnesses to Claire’s crimes. Their testimony is crucial.” I set down the letter. “And honestly? I’m relieved they’re willing to come at all. I half-expected them to refuse.”“Do you th

Aria’s POVThe second letter arrived the next morning.I knew what it was before opening it. Knew by the way Riven’s face went carefully blank when he took it from the messenger.“It’s from Kade,” he said, handing it to me. “Marked urgent. Again.”I broke the seal and read:Aria and Riven,The situation has escalated faster than anticipated.Dominic Thorne isn’t just here for a diplomatic meeting. He’s demanding recompense for Claire’s execution—financial compensation, formal acknowledgment that we violated protocol, and a binding alliance between our packs.The alliance would be formalized through arranged mating bonds between Blood Fang and Shadowmere families.If we refuse, he’s threatened to take this to the High Council. They would investigate not just Claire’s execution, but the mate bond fraud, everything. I could lose my position as Alpha. The pack could lose standing with the other territories.The Elders are trying to negotiate, but Dominic holds all the leverage.I’m not as

Kade’s POV Dominic Thorne arrived with an entourage. Not a small diplomatic party. A full contingent of twenty warriors, all in Shadowmere colors, all armed. A show of force. I stood with the Elders at the main gates as they approached. Dominic himself was exactly as Riven had described—tall, powerfully built, with the unmistakable presence of an Alpha who’d never doubted his authority. He dismounted smoothly and approached with confident strides. “Alpha Kade. Thank you for receiving me on such short notice.” “Alpha Dominic. Welcome to Blood Fang territory.” I kept my voice neutral. “Though I admit, the size of your party is… unexpected for a diplomatic meeting.” “Security. These are uncertain times.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m sure you understand.” “Of course.” I gestured toward the mansion. “The Elders are prepared to meet with you. Shall we?” We moved into the formal conference room—the same one where Claire’s trial had been held weeks ago. The symbolism wasn’

BRIANA brilliant, breathtaking smile radiated on her face, illuminating the entire dreary council room.“Good morning, everyone,” Luna said, her voice smooth, melodic, and completely commanding the attention of every leader present. She walked in with a lethal, predatory grace, entirely ignoring my existence as she approached the table. “Please accept my sincerest apologies for my lateness. There was a slight... delay at my pack's borders.”She glided effortlessly toward the empty seat beside me, the seat Becca had just been thrown out of and sat down with the poise of a true queen.I stared at her, completely paralyzed. My wolf, who had been brooding and silent all along, suddenly stirred, whining in a painful mixture of agony and longing. Looking at her now, sitting beautifully at the head of the table where she belonged, a sickening wave of regret washed over me. I had traded a goddess for a child, and the entire room knew it.Dante didn’t even glance back at me. He completel

BRIANThe grand hall of the Alpha Summit hummed with the low, vibrating energy of the continent's most powerful wolves. Waiters in pressed suits glided through the crowd, and the scent of expensive cologne, cedar, and dominant Alpha auras filled the air. The atmosphere inside the grand council hall was thick with tension, but it wasn't the kind of respect I had anticipated.As the hosting Alpha, I sat at the head of the long mahogany table, but the greetings from the arriving Alphas felt forced and hollow. People nodded at me, but their eyes immediately drifted to Becca, who sat proudly by my side. They shot us weird, deeply disapproving looks before whispering among themselves.By my side, Becca looked stunning in a fitted gown, her hand resting delicately on my forearm. She smiled at a passing Alpha from a neighboring territory, playing the part of a perfect, graceful companion. I should have been proud. I should have felt victorious.Instead, a persistent, dull ache throbbed ri

LUNAThe door swung wider, and Brian stepped into the room. I looked at him, desperately searching the face of my mate for even a shred of the man I used to know. But there was nothing left. His eyes were cold, dead, and entirely detached.“Luna..” Becca sobbed, pointing a trembling finger at me from the floor. “She attacked me.”“Is this true?” he asked, his voice clipping the air like winter frost.A heavy, suffocating weight pressed down on my chest, but I refused to let it bow my spine. I lifted my chin, staring right back at him, my own eyes hardening to ice. “She provoked me, Brian. How could she—”“I don't care what she did,” he roared.The sound ripped from his chest with enough force to vibrate the very walls of the room. The sheer, blinding fury radiating from him overrode every ounce of restraint he possessed.He stepped directly into my space, letting his suffocating Alpha aura flare until the air grew so heavy it felt like breathing glass. He looked down at me, his

BRIAN I was in my office trying to finalize some pack’s documents before heading to the summit, when I heard the frantic footsteps of servants approaching. My head snapped up as one of them burst through the door, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. “Alpha Brian, you need to come quickly. It's the Lunas,” she stammered. My heart pounded as I hurried after her, dread settling in my stomach. When we reached the garment quarters, I saw Becca seated on the floor, with Luna standing over her, looking both shocked and defiant. Rage bubbled up inside me. “What the hell happened here?” I demanded, my voice shaking with anger. “Luna..” Becca said pointing at her. “She attacked me,” I looked at Luna, my once beloved mate, now a source of pain and betrayal. “Is this true?” I asked, my voice cold. Luna lifted up her chin, her eyes hard. “She provoked me Brian, how could she…” “I don't care what she did,” I roared, the sound ripping from my chest with enough force to vibrate the

LUNA The morning of the Alpha Summit dawned under a heavy silence that pressed against my ribs like a warning. Brian had said nothing to me. Not one word about the event, not even a curt dismissal. That silence told me everything I needed to know—he didn’t want me there. Still, I refused to cower in my chambers while another piece of my life was quietly taken from me. “Lisa,” I called softly, my voice weaker than I would have liked. “Go to the garment department and collect the dress I asked them to prepare for the summit. Tell them it’s urgent.” Lisa bowed slightly, her expression carefully neutral. “Yes, Luna.” She left, and I waited, pacing slowly despite the sharp ache still blooming in my lower belly. The faded mate mark on my neck itched beneath the high collar of my robe, a constant reminder of everything I had lost. Nearly thirty minutes passed before Lisa returned, empty-handed. I frowned. “Where’s the dress?” She shifted on her feet, avoiding my eyes. “They

BECCA The sound echoed through the hallway, and Luna stumbled back, her hand flying to her cheek. “Becca!” Brian yelled my name but I ignored him, my gaze locked on the pathetic woman in front of me. “Still don’t know your place, loser?” I spat, stepping closer. “That’s just the tip of the iceberg of what I’ll do if you dare come even an inch closer to Brian ever again. He’s mine now. I carry his mark. You’re nothing but a discarded mate who couldn’t even give him an heir. Stay in your lane before I make sure you’re thrown out of this pack for good.” Luna stumbled back, her hand flying to her reddening cheek. For a split second, shock flashed across her face, but it quickly twisted into pure, blazing anger. Her eyes glowed with her wolf rising to the surface. She wasn’t some weak, broken thing—I knew that much. She lunged forward instantly, her hand raised to strike me back. But Brian moved like lightning, and grabbed her wrist mid-swing, pulling her back firmly against his

Mi Amor MiaThe moment I stepped back into my office at the top of the corporate tower, I sank into the large leather chair behind my desk. I spun it slowly from side to side, playing absentmindedly with a silver pen between my fingers.The city skyline stretched out before me through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but my mind was completely elsewhere, on a certain dark-haired she-wolf who was currently fighting tooth and nail to escape my grasp.Rafe stood in front of my desk, silently scrolling through his iPad, updating files and coordinating my other businesses.The silence was comfortable.Until Rafe’s phone rang.He answered immediately. “Yes?”His expression changed in an instant. His body tensed, eyes sharpening with alarm. He listened for a few seconds, then said curtly, “Okay,” and ended the call.He looked up at me.“She left the airport,” Rafe said. “Took a cab into the city, bought a road map, rented a car, and is now on the move. Our men just caught up with her at a gas s

ValerieI stormed out of the airport exit with my phone glued to my face, brows tightly creased in frustration.No new flights.
No explanations that made sense.
And still no reply from Sebastian.My blood was boiling. Every second I spent stuck in this city felt like another victory for that delusional man who called himself Mia. I wasn’t going to sit around waiting like a fool.I waved down the first cab I saw, practically throwing myself in front of it. The driver slammed on his brakes.“City center!” I snapped, shoving my small bag into the backseat before climbing in after it.The driver didn’t ask questions. He just drove.I spent the entire ride searching for car rental shops near me, my fingers flying across the screen. By the time he dropped me off in a busy part of downtown Asheville, I had three options pinned.First stop — a small bookstore. I bought the most detailed road map they had of North Carolina and parts of Tennessee. I spread it open on a bench outside and traced

ValerieI was still shaking when I reached my gate.I could feel eyes on me as I walked, probably because I looked like a complete mess. Puffy eyes, coffee-stained shoes, and the expression of someone who had just been proposed to by a psychopath wearing her best friend’s face.I dropped into an empty seat near the window, clutching my boarding pass so tightly it crumpled in my fist. My heart was still racing, and my wolf wouldn’t stop pacing inside me, whining and howling inside my chest. Every step I took away from that corner felt heavier than the last, like invisible chains were trying to pull me back to him.‘You slapped our mate.’I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt.Shut up.I had barely managed to shut my wolf up when Mia’s voice crawled back into my head.“Marry me.”“I’ll give you Shadowmoon Pack.”“You’ll be queen.”His words kept replaying in my head like a broken record. Each time they sounded more insane.I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to block everything out.

Mi Amor MiaI remained leaning against the pillar, slowly running my tongue over the corner of my lip where her slap had landed. The sting was still fresh and sharp.Valerie had stormed off without looking back, her shoulders rigid with anger. The sharp click of her heels faded into the terminal noise, but her scent lingered.Footsteps approached silently from behind me. Rafe appeared at my side within seconds, having clearly watched her storm out of the alcove.“What happened?” he asked, voice low and alert.I didn’t answer immediately. I simply smiled, a slow, satisfied curve of my lips as I stared in the direction she had disappeared.Rafe’s sharp eyes narrowed. He stepped closer, studying my face.The red imprint of her hand was clearly visible on my cheek.“Did she slap you?” he asked, his tone shifting dangerously.I let out a soft chuckle. “I guess I pushed her too hard.”Rafe’s expression darkened instantly. His entire body tensed, the lethal warrior in him rising to the surfa

Valerie(Airport Terminal – Gate B-17)The coffee burned through my shoes, but I barely felt it.All I could feel was him.The same devastating face. The same tall, powerful frame. The same scent that had wrapped around me two nights ago like a drug I didn’t know I needed. Except now he was standing in the middle of a crowded airport terminal looking at me like I belonged to him.My wolf surged forward so violently that I almost staggered.Mate. Mate. Mate.I shoved her down with everything I had.“You,” I breathed again, my voice shaking with fury and something far more dangerous. “How did you find me?”He took another slow step forward, hands still casually in his pockets like this was a friendly chat and not the worst moment of my already destroyed life.“Valerie Thornwood,” he said, tasting my full name like it was something precious. “You’re not as hard to track as you think. Especially when you’re bleeding emotions all over the mate bond.”I flinched at the words.“Don’t,” I sna

Mi Amor MiaThe matte-black SUV cut through Asheville traffic like a blade. I sat in the back, tablet in hand, scrolling through every updated feed Rafe had pulled in the last hour. Valerie Thornwood’s face appeared in several low-quality shots from the wedding, standing rigid in the background while my brother humiliated himself and dismissed her.My jaw clenched so hard it ached.“Flight status?” I asked without looking up.“Delayed again,” Rafe answered from the driver’s seat, voice calm as ever. “She’s still at the airport. Gate B-17. 6:45 PM departure to Charlotte, connecting to Shadowmoon territory. She looks… unsettled.”Unsettled was the perfect polite word for the storm I could already feel through the faint thread of the mate bond. Even at this distance, her distress pulsed against my ribs, full of guilt, shame, exhaustion, and doubt.Good.I wanted her rattled and raw anyways, because the moment she saw me again she would have nowhere left to hide.The SUV pulled into the a