Long tables groaned under the weight of food—roasted meats, fresh bread, honey cakes, and fruits. Laura sat at Dante's right hand, a position that didn't go unnoticed by anyone."You impressed them again today," Dante said quietly, filling her cup with sweet mead.Laura took a sip, the warm liquid spreading through her chest. "I didn't come here to impress anyone.""I know," he said, his eyes dancing with firelight. "That's precisely why you did."Their conversation was interrupted as Elder Mira approached, settling on the bench across from them."Your aim is exceptional," she said to Laura. "Were you a warrior in your former pack?"Laura hesitated. "I was, before becoming Luna."Mira's eyebrow raised. "And your Alpha allowed this?""No," Laura admitted. "He wanted me to set aside my bow. To be... softer."Something knowing passed across Mira's weathered face. "And here you are, with a red feather and our Alpha watching you like you hung the moon."Heat rushed to Laura's cheeks. Befor
The drums started at dawn, their deep beats calling every member of the Crimson Fang pack to gather. Laura stood at the entrance of Dante's cave, watching as wolves hurried through the camp with excitement lighting their faces."It's starting," Dante said, appearing behind her. He placed a gentle hand on her lower back. "The Hunt Festival."Laura turned to him. "What exactly is the Hunt Festival?""It's our biggest celebration of the year," he explained, his golden eyes bright with rare joy. "We honor the season's successful hunts and thank the moon goddess for her gifts."Laura nodded, trying to ignore the flutter in her stomach when his hand remained warm against her back. Three days had passed since their night in the stone circle, and something had shifted between them—something neither had put into words yet."Everyone seems excited," she observed.Dante's smile was genuine. "It's a day when pack rank is set aside. We compete, feast, and celebrate as equals.""And where do I fit
The kiss that followed was unhurried, deep with meaning neither of them could fully express. Laura's hands slid around his neck, drawing him closer as the fire crackled and the ancient stones stood guard.Their lovemaking that night was different—slower, almost reverent. Each touch seemed to connect them not just to each other but to something larger, as if the old magic of the place had transformed into something healing rather than destructive.Dante's hands worshipped her body, tracing every curve as if memorizing her. Laura responded in kind, her fingers mapping the planes of his chest, the strong lines of his shoulders."I feel you," she whispered against his skin. "Not just here—" she pressed her palm to his heart, "—but deeper."Dante's eyes darkened with emotion. "I've never felt this before," he confessed. "This connection."When they moved together, it was like dancing to music only they could hear. The stars wheeled overhead, witnesses to something ancient being made new ag
Morning came with golden light filtering through the cave entrance. Laura woke slowly, her body pleasantly sore from the night before. Dante was already gone, but the warmth of his furs wrapped around her like an embrace.She dressed quickly and stepped outside. The camp was alive with activity—warriors training, pack members preparing food, children chasing each other between the dwellings. For a moment, Laura just watched, struck by how normal it all seemed.After eating a quick breakfast, Laura decided to explore the territory. She needed time to think, to process everything that had happened since joining the Crimson Fang pack.The forest welcomed her with dappled sunlight and the sweet scent of pine. Laura followed a narrow deer trail, enjoying the simple freedom of walking alone with her thoughts. She climbed higher into the hills, where the trees thinned and rocks jutted from the earth like broken teeth.That's when she saw it—a narrow path hidden between two boulders. Somethin
Every touch was deliberate, just shy of intimate. Laura fought to keep her breathing steady as his hands worked their way up her body, leaving red marks in their wake. When he finished, Dante sat back on his heels, admiring his work. Laura had never felt so exposed, so seen. "Now you," he said, offering her the clay pot. Laura blinked in surprise. "Me?" "It's an exchange," he explained. "I mark you, you mark me. Equal strength, equal claiming." The word 'claiming' hung in the air between them. Laura dipped her fingers into the cool clay and began tracing symbols on Dante's broad chest, copying what she had seen others doing. "Tell me what they mean," she said, drawing a curved line across his pectoral. "That one is for victory in battle," he said, watching her fingers move against his skin. She drew another across his shoulder. "And this?" "Loyalty to pack." Laura worked in silence for a moment, feeling the powerful muscles beneath her fingertips. When she reached his lower a
The walk back to camp was quiet. Most warriors were busy helping the wounded, their faces grim but proud. Laura fell into step beside Dante, their shoulders occasionally brushing as they navigated the dark forest path. "I think I've seen these things before," Laura said quietly, breaking the silence. "Not exactly the same, but similar." Dante glanced at her sharply. "Where?" "At Shadowfang territory." She kicked a stone out of her path. "Zephyr's pack had border problems too. I never did know the extent of how bad it was because you came for me." Dante's jaw tightened, but he said nothing for several steps. Finally, he asked, "Did they attack like this?" "No. Not while I was there." Laura shook her head. "But there were reports. Zephyr was worried." "You never mentioned this before." Laura shrugged. "I didn't know if it was connected. But now..." "Now it seems like more than coincidence," Dante finished for her. His golden eyes studied the forest ahead, deep in thought. Laura
"Kade, Renn," Dante barked, his voice sharp in the night air. "Flank Laura. Don't let them near her."Two wolves moved instantly to Laura's sides—Kade with his broad shoulders and Renn with his quick, watchful eyes. The pair who had accompanied Dante when he came for her in Zephyr's territory."I can fight," Laura protested, gripping her knife tighter.Dante's eyes met hers for just a second. "I know. But we don't know what these things are."The strange wolves charged without warning. They moved as one unit, their black eyes fixed on the patrol. Laura's heart hammered against her ribs as the forest erupted into chaos.A creature with matted gray fur lunged at Renn, who dodged sideways and slashed at its flank. Blood sprayed from the wound, black and thick like tar, but the wolf didn't even flinch. It turned, jaws snapping at Renn's throat.Kade was already locked in combat with another, their bodies rolling across the forest floor in a blur of teeth and claws. All around them, Crimso
Night had fallen by the time the pack meeting ended. Laura stood at the edge of the clearing, looking up at the stars, her mind racing with thoughts of empty-eyed wolves and dying trees. Something dark was coming. She could feel it in her bones."Can't sleep?" Dante's deep voice came from behind her.Laura turned to find him watching her, his golden eyes catching the moonlight. "Too much on my mind."He nodded, coming to stand beside her. For a moment, they just breathed in the night air together."You fought well during the hunt," he said finally. "But there's more I could teach you. If you want."Laura raised an eyebrow. "You think I need training?"A smile tugged at Dante's lips. "Everyone needs training. Even me.""So modest," she teased.His smile widened before turning serious again. "The Crimson Fang style is different. Raw. Instinctual." He gestured to the forest around them. "We use everything—trees, rocks, water. The land itself becomes our weapon."Laura considered his offe
Sunlight streamed through the cave entrance when Laura opened her eyes. She stretched, a smile lingering on her lips before she realized she was alone on the fur bedding. Her hand reached for Dante, finding only empty space, already cold.She sat up, wrapping a fur around her naked body. The events of last night flooded back in vivid detail—Dante's hands on her skin, his lips against her neck, the way he'd looked at her as if she were the moon itself."Get it together," she muttered, feeling her cheeks heat up.Laura stood and found her clothes neatly folded nearby. As she dressed, her body hummed with the memory of Dante's touch. Every movement reminded her of how their bodies had moved together, how he'd whispered her name like a prayer."Stop thinking about it," she told herself firmly, but her body wasn't listening.She was just pulling on her boots when Freya appeared at the cave entrance."Good morning," the healer said, eyes twinkling with knowing amusement. "Sleep well?"Laura