LOGINThe fire in the study crackled softly. A single lamp glowed on the desk, casting shadows across the bookshelves and wooden walls. Rowland sat alone in a large leather chair. His shirt was half-buttoned, and there was still dried blood on his knuckles. His face was tight with anger. He stared at the flames like they had insulted him.
He hated that everytime it seemed he was going to have his way in a matter, Kendrick stepped in and made sure that never happened.As kids, the pack members loved Kendrick more because he associated with them more.“The fool doesn't know his place. He doesn't understand what it means to be in the place of power.”Rowland had always felt that way. That Kendrick didn't know how to use the power he had. He thought that by fighting his own family to defend slaves, he was a better man that he was.Rowland scowled.His biggest regret was that he hadn't drawn more blood than Kendrick had.Kendrick had alwaysThat evening, the sun had already fallen behind the tall trees, and the air outside the Sauna pack house was quiet except for the rustling sound of the night wind. Inside, Leah sat in her room staring at the dim flame of the lantern on her table. Her heart was restless. She knew she had offended Rowland, but she had only acted as a daughter who had lost her father. Every time she thought about Alpha Glint, her eyes burned with tears she didn’t want to shed. She wanted justice, not confusion. Yet, Rowland had made it sound like she was against him. She could not sleep without making peace with him, so she stood and walked out of her room, her guards following at a distance. He was not sharing her room tonight because he was angry. She walked through the silent corridor, her steps soft against the stone floor. When she reached Rowland’s room, she hesitated a bit before knocking. There was a pause before his voice came from inside, sounding cold. “Come in.” Leah ope
Two days after Maggie was sent away from the Sauna pack, the pack grounds were unusually tense. The guards were restless, the servants whispered more than usual, and Leah felt the air growing heavier with every passing hour. She had been busy working with Rowland, trying to discuss their plans for the alliance and the coming claim of the Crystal pack. But that morning, everything changed.It started when two guards from the outer borders arrived at the main gate with a woman in chains. Her clothes were torn, her face pale from exhaustion, and her hair hung loose and tangled. The woman struggled as they dragged her through the courtyard, crying out that she was innocent. The sound carried across the pack house until Leah herself came to the balcony to see what the noise was about.When Leah saw who it was, her eyes widened. “Mara?” she said under her breath.The guards bowed quickly. “My lady, we found her near the edge of the Sauna woods. She was trying to
The day Maggie returned to the Crystal pack, the air was thick with unease. The guards at the border were surprised to see her, but no one stopped her. Her face was pale, her eyes swollen from lack of sleep, and her clothes looked dusty from the long journey. She had traveled all night, her heart heavy and full of regret. Everything that had happened in the Sauna pack replayed in her mind—Rowland’s arrogance, Leah’s mockery, and her own foolishness. She wanted nothing more than to be back home and to clear her conscience before it was too late.As she entered the pack grounds, some of the pack members looked at her with confusion. Others looked away completely, not sure what to think. Maggie could feel their judgment, their suspicion. She walked quickly toward the main house where she knew Kendrick would be. The pack house looked quiet from the outside, but when she entered, she heard voices from the council chamber. The elders were gathered, their low tones serio
The morning light spread through the large dining hall of the Sauna Pack. The long table was filled with dishes and golden plates that shone in the light that came through the wide glass windows. Servants moved quietly around, serving breakfast and refilling cups. Leah sat at the head of the table, dressed in a fine silk robe, her hair tied neatly behind her head. Her face was calm, but her eyes were full of control.Rowland sat beside her, dressed in a dark tunic, looking completely at ease. He spoke softly to Leah from time to time, smiling at her words, and the sound of their laughter filled the room. They looked like a couple made for power — proud, confident, and sure of themselves.At the other end of the table sat Maggie. She was quiet, her fingers stiff around her cup. Her face was pale, her jaw tight. She had barely touched the food on her plate. Every now and then, her eyes lifted toward Rowland, hoping he would look at her — but he never did. He didn’t e
True to get words, Leah was spending the night in Rowland's arms. She lay beside Rowland, her head resting on his chest. He was awake, staring at the ceiling with a distant look in his eyes. His mind was busy, restless, filled with thoughts of power and conquest. Leah turned slightly, tracing her fingers across his arm, but she could feel the tension in him.“What are you thinking about?” she asked softly.Rowland’s eyes shifted from the ceiling to her face. “The future,” he said in a low voice. “My future, your future, the Crystal Pack’s future and how I can join forces with as many packs as possible to take Kendrick down.”Leah frowned slightly, lifting her head to look at him properly. “You’re not still thinking about fighting Kendrick, are you? I told you already, it won’t be necessary. Kendrick has a soft heart. He won’t want his people dying over a position that should he can just let go. There will be no need for too many packs to get invo
Rowland and Maggie walked behind two guards as they were led through the wide halls of the Sauna pack house. The servants followed behind them with their luggage. Leah had ordered to arrange separate rooms for both guests, but she had made sure that Maggie’s room was far from Rowland’s.Rowland walked ahead with his usual proud posture, his chin lifted slightly, his expression calm and arrogant. Maggie followed behind him, her face tense. She had been silent for most of the walk, but her heart was burning with anger and shame. She had never thought Rowland would betray her in front of another woman, especially not in front of Leah, who had treated her with nothing but open disdain.When they turned into the inner hall, one of the servants stopped at a fork in the passage. He bowed slightly and said, “Alpha Rowland, this way, please.” He pointed toward the eastern wing of the house. Then another servant turned to Maggie and gestured toward a narrower corridor that l







