MasukThe dungeon smelled of damp stone and rust. Rina lay on the cold ground, her body weak. Two days had passed since they locked her in. She had only been fed once.
Her lips were dry. Her stomach hurt. Her hands trembled when she tried to sit up.Mel’s voice came from inside her mind. “You must hold on. We still have to find Neri.”Rina’s head rested against the wall. “I can barely move, Mel.”“You must,” Mel said firmly. “We cannot let Elara be alone. We cannot leave that girl in the woods.”Rina shut her eyes. “I want to get out. I need to protect Elara. And get Neri…”She was still talking to her wolf when the sound of footsteps came from the hall.The steps were slow, almost lazy.Rina lifted her head.Maggie appeared at the bars, her face calm, her eyes sharp.“Well,” Maggie said, folding her arms. “You’re alive. I didn’t expect that.”Rina stared at her.“You’re a survivor,Two days passed after the news from the Sauna pack reached the Crystal pack.On the morning of the third day, Kendrick stood in the council room with his guards and trusted warriors. The air was heavy. No one spoke at first. The messenger who had brought the information stood before him, tired and dusty from travel.“They attacked at night,” the man said. “Rowland led them.”Kendrick’s face stayed hard. He did not interrupt.“He did not come alone,” the messenger continued. “He gathered fighters from other packs. Some followed him willingly. Some were paid with promises and he found the remnant of a pack believed to have been wiped out and displaced years ago in a battle. They came with him and they seem to be fighting in exchange for a promise he made to them. To give them a place.”A low murmur went through the room.“The Sauna pack fought back,” the man said. “But they were overwhelmed. The elders say the siege is still ongoing. They don't know what will become of the pack if they
The hall stayed loud long after Doria finished speaking.People talked over each other. Some were angry. Some were afraid. Some were confused. The baby had been taken away by a woman from the Welsh family, but the weight of the moment stayed behind. The Welsh had taken over power forcefully from the pack’s elders. Having them take over power again was not something the pack members were prepared to deal with. It was a difficult situation for the entire pack and the uncertainty made it even more difficult for them to move on. They could not kick Doria Welsh away if she indeed carried the next Alpha of the pack. If alpha Glint had put in writing that she was to rule the pack before her son came of age, why did her family have to first forcefully take over power? Why wasn't this information presented for the entire pack to see?The elders moved into a closed circle.“This changes the balance,” one elder said.“It brings the Welsh family back into power,” another replied.“We fought ha
The Sauna pack gathered under a wide open sky.Torches burned around the great hall. Long tables were set. Food sat untouched. The mood was tense, not joyful. This was meant to be a feast, yet no one smiled.They had all come because of the message.The pack healer had sent word earlier that day. The words had spread fast through the land. There was an Alpha among them. One chosen by blood and fate. One who must rise.That message alone had shaken the pack.No name had been given.Still, tradition demanded that they gather. When a pack was called, it answered.So they came.Warriors stood in rows. Elders took their seats. Mothers held their children close. Whispers moved like smoke through the air.“Did the healer say who it was,” one man asked quietly.“No,” another replied. “Only that the Alpha blood is present.”“That makes no sense,” a woman said. “The Alpha line ended with Glint and Leah.”“So we thought,” someone else muttered.The name of Alpha Glint still carried weight. Even
Night fell heavy over the Crystal pack.Torches burned along the court walls, casting long shadows that moved with the wind. The pack had gathered. Warriors stood in rows. Elders watched in tense silence. Fear and anger mixed in the air.Three men were dragged into the open space.Their hands were bound. Their clothes were torn. Dirt and dried blood marked their faces. They struggled, but the guards were firm.Kendrick stood at the center.His face was hard. His eyes were cold.“These are the men found in the woods,” he said. “The ones who attacked Jack.”Murmurs spread through the crowd.Rina stood beside him. Her hands were clenched. She did not speak. There was too much happening at the same time. She was trying to keep up.Kendrick stepped forward. “You were caught on Crystal land,” he said. “You attacked one of my men. You will speak and tell me all that I need to kmow. You will tell me who sent you and why they sent you.”The men stayed silent.One of them lifted his chin. “We h
The healer’s voice carried through the pack grounds before the sun had fully climbed.“He is awake.”The words spread fast.Alpha Kendrick was already on his feet before the sentence finished. He did not ask questions. He turned and headed straight for the healer’s tent.The guards moved aside at once.Inside the tent, the air smelled of herbs and warm water. Soft light filled the space. Jack lay on a low bed, propped with pillows. His face was pale, marked with fading bruises. His arm was wrapped. His breathing was steady.Gilly sat beside him.She held a small bowl and fed him slowly, spoon by spoon. Her movements were careful. Her eyes stayed on his face.Jack swallowed and managed a weak smile. “You worry too much.”“You nearly died,” Gilly replied. “Do not speak as if it was nothing.”Kendrick stepped closer. “Jack.”Jack turned his head. His eyes focused with effort. “Alpha.”“How are you,” Kendrick asked.Jack took a breath. “Getting better. Hurts. But I am here.”“That is enou
The forest did not stay quiet for long. Kendrick did a good looking around before he finally decided that he was leaving with Jack. The place seemed clear enough. Whoever the attackers were, they had left. They knew better than to stick around in lands that wasn't theirs. Well, it crossed his mind that they could even be from the Crystal pack. What else would give them the guts to do what they had just done?He shrugged off the feeling. Until he found them, he wasn't going to let himself assume anything.Kendrick had only taken a few careful steps back toward Jack when the air shifted. His wolf stirred sharply inside him.“Move,” Rod warned.Kendrick turned just as the first wolf leaped from the trees.It came fast, teeth bared, eyes wild.Kendrick shifted his weight and caught it midair, slamming it into the ground. The wolf snarled and snapped, but Kendrick’s grip was firm. He drove his elbow down, forcing the air from its chest, then threw it aside.It did not rise again.The seco







