The sun rose weakly over the Crystal Pack. The air was heavy, still wrapped in grief. Every sound carried the weight of sorrow—the shuffle of feet, the low whispers, the muffled cries.
Kendrick walked alone through the pack lands. His steps were slow, his head bowed. His hands were clenched at his sides, though his face remained calm. His wolf pressed inside him, restless and wounded, mourning the loss of Alpha Simon.He avoided the crowds gathered near the main house. Every time someone tried to approach him, he turned away. His heart was too heavy for words.“Father,” he whispered to himself. “Why now… why so suddenly?”From behind, a soft voice called, “Kendrick.”He turned. Rina stood there, her eyes gentle, her hands clasped in front of her. She took a small step toward him.“You should not be walking alone,” she said softly.“I need silence,” Kendrick answered. His voice was low, heavy.“Then I will walk wIt was soon seven days after the passing of Alpha Simon. The pack grounds were filled with silence as wolves gathered around the burial site. Elders stood at the front, their voices steady as they spoke of Alpha Simon’s death.Elder Marus lifted his hands. “Our Alpha did not fall to blade or poison. His wolf reached its thousand years in another realm. The Moon Goddess has called wolf and man home together. This is not a curse. This is not foul play. It is the way of the bond between wolf and master.”The crowd bowed their heads. Some wept quietly, others whispered prayers. The sound of mourning filled the ground like a slow song.Kendrick stood still, eyes lowered, his heart heavy. His hands curled into fists at his side. He breathed slowly, holding his grief in silence. Rina stood close, her hand brushing against his. Her eyes were soft with compassion, steady on him, keeping him grounded.Rowland stood nearby, his chest rising and falling in dr
The training field was quiet. The sky was dim with the last stretch of evening light. Kendrick stood in the middle of the dirt ground, sweat rolling down his temples. He moved in sharp motions, fists striking against the wooden post before him. His chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, his wolf inside restless but silent. Each hit was a way to steady his grief.After the demise of their mother when they were still little boys, this was his closest contact with grief and he was doing all he could to not break down. Training on the fields every time became a way to steady his mind and deal with the grief. Each time he thought of the fact that Rowland was actively trying to hurt him and take him out of the picture so he can be the only alpha of the pack, it made him even scared. The night his father sent him on exile on Rowland's account, he knew for a fact that there was something wrong. His father wasn't used to taking sides, but Rowland ha
Rowland sat in his chamber, a goblet of wine in his hand, his legs stretched across the fur rug. His face was set in arrogance, but his mind was restless. The silence around him grew heavy until the door flew open with a loud bang.Maggie stepped in, her eyes blazing.“Rowland!” she snapped.He raised his brow slowly, pretending to be unbothered. “What now, Maggie? Do you not know how to knock?”“I do not care for knocking when the pack is crumbling before my eyes,” she shot back.Rowland smirked, sipping his wine. “Crumbling? Do you not see me here? I will keep this pack in my hand soon enough. Nothing is crumbling.”Maggie marched forward, her dress swaying sharply with her steps. “You fool. While you sit drinking and thinking of ways to claim Rina, Kendrick moves his pieces across the board. He has brought the slave girl, Neri, into the pack house.”Rowland paused, his goblet halfway to his lips. “Neri?”“Yes
Rina sat in her chamber long after Maggie had left her side of the pack house. Her hands trembled, but her eyes grew steady. The poison of Maggie’s words still burned in her chest, but she refused to let it root in her heart. She pressed a hand to her stomach and whispered to herself, “I will not break. I've come this far in the midst of these people.”The first thing she did was rise and go find Elara.She found her sitting on a bench in the hallway outside while Mira napped. Elara’s hands were clasped tightly in her lap, her face pale, her eyes a little distant.“Elara,” Rina called softly.Elara looked up quickly, her voice small. “Rina… I do not know how much longer I can stand this. Rowland’s words, the way everyone stares at me now…”Rina sat beside her, taking her hands into hers. “Alpha Simon didn't hate you. He wanted you here. He let you stay here and that can't mean anything evil. They can't do anything to you. I'm here.”
Rina's worry over Kendrick started when she didn't see Kendrick the next day. He made Darius check on Rina and Elara to ensure they were fine, but he didn't come out of his chambers. He sent a message to Rina later that day telling her that he just wanted to spend time alone and deal with his grief. She let him stay the day. The next day, she went to him. Kendrick sat in his private chamber, the fire burning low in the hearth. His broad shoulders were tense, but his face was calm. He had spent the day keeping silent, refusing to argue further with Rowland’s poison.The door creaked open. Rina stepped in quietly, her eyes gentle as they rested on him.“Kendrick,” she said softly.He lifted his gaze to her, his expression easing when he saw her. “Rina.”She closed the door behind her and came closer. “I wanted to speak with you. Just us.”Kendrick leaned back, his wolf stirring within, restless but calm in his control. “
The pack gathered again in the main hall. The air was heavy, still darkened by grief for the late Alpha Simon. Candles burned low along the walls, their flames small but steady, filling the room with a soft glow. Men, women, and children pressed close together, their voices hushed, their eyes restless. The pack elders had called for the rest of the pack members to converge and console the family of the alpha and of course, mourn their late alpha too. Rina stood near Elara, who clung to her arm with trembling hands. The girl’s face was pale, her lips shaking as if even breathing was difficult. Rina tightened her hold, refusing to let her break.“Why are you so scared? We are here like everyone else,” Rina said. “I know,” Elara responded in a small voice. “But I have a feeling alpha Rowland will say something against me. He really hates me, Rina,” her voice shook. Rina held her even tighter.“You can't just assume that. Just relax. I'm here, so is