Mag-log inSEVEN YEARS LATERLOGAN'S POV I was already out of breath before I even realized what I’d gotten myself into.Three-year-old twins, identical fire crackers with no situational awareness and zero understanding of the fact that walking around without clothes on would get the sick, were streaking across the yard, squealing with glee if being chased.And I ran after them with their tiny clothes in both hands. Their bare feet slapped against the stone floor of the hallway and I cursed under my breath.“Come back here, you little dragons!” I shouted, lunging for one of them. My fingers caught only air, and she yelped in delight as she dashed past me, giggling.The other twin mirrored her, her hair flying like dark flames behind her.As soon as the started walking, Raven and I had soon realized that they were runner wolves, and it didn't bode well for either of us…or their older siblings.I chased them out onto the empty courtyard, marveling at how they'd both streaked down the steps witho
RAVEN'S POV The morning of the battle tasted like iron.Not just on my tongue no, the metallic sting lived in the air itself, in the breaths of every warrior who passed me, in the wind that cut through the battlefield tents, sending a chill through the camp.Wounded men hurried past and out of the infirmary tent with bandages, and salves, while I worked stiffly and swiftly to control bleedings and wash up wounds so they healed properly.I kept my hands busy even as exhaustion began to steal over me. Not just because I wanted to, but because I had to. Aella stood to my right, sleeves already stained up to her elbows. Alison moved between cots, muttering soft encouragements to whichever soldier needed it most.I’d always known she was stern, but I’d never realized she could be so gentle.“Raven,” Aella called without looking up, handing me another strip of cloth. “Hold this one down. He’s bleeding through.”I pressed the cloth to the warrior’s abdomen, ignoring the way his jaw clenche
LOGAN'S POV The morning I finally received word from a panting messenger about Rune’s approach, was very quiet. A hilarious opposite to the situation at hand.The sky could at least have darkened as a sigh. Of Oxen army marching towards attack, but the sun remained bright, and the sky stayed blue and light.I stood in the courtyard, listening to the wind rustle through the trees, and felt the weight settle on my shoulders like a stone. My men gathered around, some grim, others bristling with barely contained energy after I shared the news with them.I drew a deep breath, letting it steady me.“We shall ride to meet him halfway,” I said, voice firm. “Perhaps there's a chance to still fix this.”The pack murmured assent, gripping weapons, adjusting armor, tightening reins. I mounted my horse, the familiar rhythm of the saddle beneath me grounding me in the certainty of what had to come. Every Alpha I had ever faced had been a challenge, but Rune… Rune was different. He wasnt very cle
LOGAN'S POV The council’s new chambers smelled of old wood, waxed floors, and the faint tang of iron from the swords and daggers lining the walls. I stood at the head of the long table, the air thick with anticipation, if not outright tension. Every council member was there, seated in the usual semicircle, their eyes narrow, brows drawn, lips pressed into the kind of lines that told me they had already decided they didn’t like me today.“Logan,” Egan began, leaning forward, fingers steepled. “We need clarity. The settlers…you’ve allowed them to stay indefinitely?”I let the silence stretch for a moment before nodding calmly. “Yes. Until they decide to leave, that is.”A collective groan filled the room. The older members exchanged worried glances, muttering under their breath. I ignored the buzzing murmurs, letting them stew.“Indefinitely?” another voice, harsher this time, demanded. “Do you understand the precedent you’re setting? Packs don’t just allow outsiders to take up resid
LOGAN'S POV I was halfway through getting Aurora ready after she solely asked that I be the one to do it, when I realized that being a father one day, was going to be a full time job too.I crouched beside the little bed in the adjoining room where she and Reed slept, picking up a pair of her tiny socks. Her hair was already tousled from sleep, golden strands sticking out in every direction, but atleast it was clean as I'd taken time to wash it while giving her a bath.I held up a sock.“Which one first?” I asked, smiling at her.“Left,” she said with absolute certainty, sticking out her tiny foot.I chuckled and slipped the sock over it, then quickly paired the second one, careful not to miss a toe. Aurora giggled, then clapped her chubby hands.That done, I sighed and straightened.“Now we have to do your hair,” I said, feeling a bit nervous. “I don't know how to do anything with hair except cut it, so we'll just brush and see, okay?”Aurora nodded, “okay.”After I got her hair as
AELLA'S POV The training grounds were noisier than usual, full of clashing swords, shouted instructions, and the hum of soldiers working through drills. I leaned against the fence, arms crossed, watching Zade as he sparred with one of the newer recruits. Or, more accurately, pretending to spar. He moved with an over-exaggerated deliberation that made me testy and impatient.And even after I told him to go harder, he continued with the same practiced strikes, almost like he was giving the recruit time to defend themselves.“That's not how a real fight works!” I told him.“Well this isn't a real fight,” Zade replied, winking at me.I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the smile tugging at my lips. He caught my glance again and grinned, and I could feel our bond burn brighter within me.It was surreal that the tension that had fueled so many arguments between us, so many “you can’t be serious” moments, was no longer just annoyance. It had shifted, shockingly at first, into something warm







