LOGINCHAPTER 14 — Respect to a LunaKael’s POVThe morning air was razor-sharp, cutting through the courtyard as Kael strode into the gathering hall. Every conversation died the instant his boots struck the marble floor. Wolves who’d been lounging against pillars straightened, their laughter strangled in their throats.They’d all heard what happened at the training grounds. Word spread like wildfire — the Luna had fought, bled, and burned silver. And some of them, fools that they were, thought it was something to mock.Not today.“Everyone,” Kael said, voice low but carrying like thunder through the hall. “Gather.”They obeyed, forming a half-circle before him — warriors, servants, and ranked members alike. The tension in the air was so thick that it was almost palpable.“I’ll make this simple,” he began, eyes cold and gold. “Whatever happens between me and Ariana stays between us. But outside these walls…” He paused, gaze sweeping over them. “She is your Luna. And she will be respected as
Chapter 13 – Unnerving SecretsKael’s POVDawn came too quickly.The first rays of sunlight slipped through the cracks in the curtains, painting faint gold lines across my desk. I hadn’t slept a single second. Not after leaving her room.The night had been long, the silence heavier than armor. And no matter how many reports I tried to read, how many tasks I buried myself in, her face kept cutting through the haze.The streaks of dried tears on her cheeks. The way she whispered my name in her sleep.I’d stood by her bed far longer than I should have — a foolish, dangerous thing for someone like me. But I couldn’t help it. Seeing her like that... it had cracked something I thought was unbreakable.Now, as I sat in my office overlooking the eastern courtyard, my chest felt like someone had poured fire into it and locked it tight.You’re losing control, Kael.The thought burned as much as it mocked.I shoved back the chair and stood, needing to move. To breathe. Anything to get the image
Chapter 12 – Ghosts in the Moonlight Kael’s POV The dungeon still smelled of iron and blood when I left it behind. The echoes of the rogue’s voice followed me up the narrow stone stairs, each word dragging behind like a curse I couldn’t shake. She didn’t want to see you. The torchlight flickered along the walls, shadows stretching long and thin across the corridor, but all I could see was that damned smirk—the way the rogue said her name. Serena. He’d spoken it like it was sacred. Like it belonged to him. My hands clenched before I even realized it, the phantom sting of rage burning my palms. The guards had to drag me off him before I tore his throat out. But the damage was already done. His words had sunk deep, festering where reason couldn’t reach. Serena might be alive. I’d buried her in my heart years ago. Mourned her until the pain turned into something sharp and cold. Until I learned to live with the silence she left behind. And now—now this filthy rogue claimed she was o
Chapter 11 – The Ghost That Breathes Kael’s POV The night reeked of blood and smoke. Rogues had come from the eastern ridge—fast, silent, and vicious. We’d taken most of them down before the moon reached its peak, but the stench of betrayal lingered long after the fight was done. Now, in the stone chamber below the fortress, I stood before the last one breathing. He was on his knees, wrists bound in silver chains, skin blistered and raw where the metal touched. His head hung low, hair matted with dirt and blood, but the moment I entered, he raised his gaze. And smiled. “Alpha Kael,” he rasped, voice hoarse yet mocking. “I was wondering when you’d come.” I crossed the distance in three strides, grabbing a fistful of his shirt and yanking him up. “You came into my lands. You slaughtered my guards. Tell me why before I rip the answer out of your throat.” The rogue’s smirk widened, teeth flashing under the dim torchlight. “You wouldn’t kill me. Not when I’m the one carrying her mes
Chapter 10: Testing LimitsAriana's POV The training arena reeked of sweat and blood. Sunlight poured in through the floor to ceiling windows, casting enough shades of light to make the sandy grounds hot to the feet. I tried so hard not to flinch and show an atom of weakness, but it was harder than I thought.I swallowed hard as I realized that I was placed right there, in the center of the room, for the attention of everyone—for all eyes to be fixed on me, watching and waiting for me to make a mistake, a spectacular move, whatever it was that surged through their intrigued, merciless eyes.Sigh. Classic werewolf dispute. Always looking for some sort of entertainment from the weaker ones.Too bad because I was going to prove them wrong today.Placing my attention forward, I watched as the eleven women walked forward to stand in a half circle before me. Each warrior, strong and fierce in their own ways, their teeth flashing at me as a sign of intimidation as our eyes locked from the s
Chapter 9 – Secrets and SuspicionsAriana’s POVThe days after the rogue attack were a blur of whispers and wary glances. Wherever I walked in the Moonfang packhouse, I felt eyes on me—curious, measuring, suspicious.They’d seen what I did that night.What I couldn’t explain.Power that came out of nowhere and left me trembling, hungry for more. Power no ordinary wolf should have.Now every time I stepped into the training grounds, conversations dipped, voices hushed. Some looked impressed. Others? Afraid.I hated it.But I hated feeling weak even more.So, I trained. Harder than ever.The morning sun beat down on the sparring ring as I squared off against one of the pack’s female warriors—a tall, sharp-eyed wolf named Selene. She moved like water, her strikes clean and calculated. Mine… not so much. My arms ached from the weight of the wooden staff as I blocked another blow.“Too slow,” Selene taunted, spinning and sweeping for my legs. I barely jumped in time, landing on shaky feet.







