The sound of fists hitting skin echoed through the training ground. Kendrick moved fast, blocking and striking, sweat glistening on his chest. All around him, young werewolves sparred and practiced, some with crude weapons, others in wolf form.
He landed one last hit, and his opponent dropped to the ground with a groan.“Good fight,” Kendrick said, reaching to help the young man up.The young wolf nodded, panting. “Thank you, Prince Kendrick.”Kendrick turned toward the edge of the field, wiping his forehead with a towel.Then he saw his brother standing there.He was near the trees, arms crossed.Kendrick’s eyes narrowed, but he stayed still.Rowland walked forward slowly. “Can we talk?” he asked.Kendrick looked around. “Here?”“No,” Rowland said. “In private.”Kendrick dropped the towel. “Fine.”They walked side by side into the nearby shed used for weapon storage. It wasThe next morning, breakfast in the great hall was bright and quiet. Sunlight spilled through tall windows, lighting wooden tables heaped with fresh bread, cheese, fruit, and steaming porridge. Servants moved gently, and a soft hush lingered.Leah entered the hall slowly, dressed in a pale gown. She moved with quiet steps and sat at her usual place near the tables. She kept her head down, avoiding everyone’s eyes. She especially never looked at Kendrick, seated across the head table with Alpha Glint.Her chest felt tight, her cheeks still stung from last night’s shame. She picked at a piece of fruit and refused to taste anything else.She remained silent for a long moment.Then Kendrick spoke.He looked directly at her, voice steady but teasing.“Lady Leah,” he said softly. “You were very insistent on seeing me last night before you went to bed. I did promise you’d see enough of me at breakfast. I hope you’re doing that now.”
Leah paced in her drawing room, the candle flickering on a low table. Across from her sat Stacy and Mara. The room was heavy with silence.She stopped, faced them, and spoke with purpose.“I’m going to seduce Kendrick. Tonight,” she said, voice cold but firm. “I don’t care if it is shameful. I just want him.”Mara looked alarmed. “Leah, you must think carefully.”Leah shook her head. “I’ve waited too long. I’ve been polite and kind. He hardly notices me. So tonight, I will make him see me.”Stacy leaned forward. “Finally. You should have done that before. There are many ladies who want him. If you wait, you’ll lose any chance you had.”Leah’s eyes flashed. “I know. Doria Welsh will show up and charm him. Doria is so pretty, so confident. She knows what to say. I saw her smile at him once and he listened more to every word.”Mara frowned. “You worry about Doria, even though she is not here?”Leah nodded. “Yes. Sh
The day was overcast at Crystal Pack. Soft light filtered through grey clouds. Inside, Rina wrapped Mira in a blanket and stood by Rowland’s door.She knocked softly.Rowland opened the door. He looked at her with cool eyes. “What is it?”Rina took a breath. “Prince, I… I want to take Elara around the pack. Let her see the place. Because I’m in charge of Elara and Mira now.”Rowland stared at her. His voice was low but harsh. “You are supposed to stay in my room. You must always be within reach. I don't need my breeder wandering away.”Rina bowed her head. Her heart pounded. “Yes, Prince. But… Elara and Mira need fresh air. I won’t pass Kendrick’s chambers.”Rowland frowned. He closed his eyes. Then he remembered—Kendrick was gone. No worry of seeing him again. This time he was sure that no one was going to dare touch his breeder. The only person who dared to touch his property was his brother, Kendrick. Now Rowland would handle
Leah sat in her drawing room with two close friends, Stacy and Mara. The fire crackled softly. Their dresses were fine but simple. The lantern light made their eyes glow.Leah’s eyes were bright with worry. “I’m not sure what to do,” she said. “Alpha Kendrick is here now. He stays at Sauna Pack. Yet he does not look at me.”Stacy tilted her head kindly. “You have been graceful and polite. Give it a few more days. Let him observe your kindness and your respect and then he will be naturally drawn to him. He'll be here for long enough for you to win him over.”Mara frowned. “Days? That’s too slow. Other women in the pack admire him. If you wait, someone else will take his attention first.”Stacy placed a hand on Mara’s arm. “Patience is a virtue. She must move with dignity. She is the daughter of the alpha and she can't be found being needy.”Mara shook her head. “He is two years away. He might choose someone else quickly. Leah, if you want
Leah awoke that morning feeling bright. A gleam filled her eyes. Her long dark hair fell down her shoulders like a wave. Today she would see Prince Kendrick again.She thought of how Alpha Kendrick had stayed at Sauna Pack. He was now under the same roof as Leah. No Rina this time. Rina was in another pack, far away.For a long while, Leah had believed she could win him. Now he was here. This was her chance.She put on her best dress—a pale blue gown with silver trim. She brushed her hair and smiled at her reflection. She made sure every detail was perfect.She walked through the courtyard toward the main hall. Servants bowed as she passed.In the hall, Alpha Glint greeted her father and the prince with courtesy.Leah saw Kendrick at the table. He sipped tea and nodded politely when Alpha Glint spoke. Her heart beat faster.She stepped forward, head held high, and curtsied deeply to the prince.“Good morning, Pr
Kendrick had been traveling without a clear plan. He stopped and slept at inns and once, he went to human territory and stayed a day. He still wasn't sure where to settle. But he knew he didn't want to be a wanderer for the next two years. And whatever happened, he had to be able to reach Rina occasionally.He looked up at the sky. Gray morning light spilled across the trees.He made a decision.“I will go to Sauna Pack,” he whispered.Sauna Pack—Rina’s birth pack. The place where she was a child, and where her father had served as an alpha’s guard before he was executed. He had never betrayed his own pack. Rina had sworn that many times.Now Kendrick would go to Sauna Pack. For two years, he would stay there in exile. But he had another purpose and it was an idea forming in his mind. What if— if he could get close enough to Alpha Glint—he could learn the truth about Rina’s father? Maybe he could find evidence that he was innoce