LOGINCHAPTER 53 — Whispers in the WallsWeeks passed, and the tension in Bloodfang only got worse. The deadline for the next full moon hung over the pack like a storm cloud, and everyone felt it—even talked about it.And somehow Wayne’s name kept slipping into those talks.At first, it was small things and quick glances, short whispers, people going quiet when Darius passed. He tried to ignore it for days.But even he couldn’t pretend forever as something was off.It started with the omegas.A few of them gathered behind the kitchen one morning, talking in low tones. When they saw Darius approaching, they scattered like frightened birds.Darius had frowned. No one ever ran from him unless they had something to hide. And later that same day, two warriors paused mid-conversation the moment Wayne walked by them. One of them raised a brow, and the other smirked.Wayne pretended not to notice, but Darius did.He noticed everything.Astra, of course, was loving it.She moved through the female q
Wayne was still leaning against the couch with flushed cheeks catching his breath. Darius stood a few steps away, frozen, guilt sitting heavy in his chest.He watched Wayne’s chest rise and fall, watched the exhaustion pull at his features, and the shame twisted even deeper.Wayne finally spoke, voice soft. “Darius talk to me.”Darius ran a hand through his hair. “I shouldn’t have touched you like that.”Wayne frowned. “I told you I wasn’t saying stop.”“That’s not the point,” Darius muttered. “I came to you because I was angry. Not because I wanted to.”Wayne looked down. That quiet hurt in his eyes made Darius feel like he’d been punched.Darius turned away, staring at the cracked table across the room. “The elders cornered me.”Wayne shifted. “About the Luna?”“Yeah.” Darius exhaled sharply. “They gave me a deadline.”Wayne’s brow furrowed. “What deadline?”Darius hesitated. It felt like dropping a bomb between them, but he had to say it.“The next full moon,” he said finally. “By
Darius stood by the window, staring into the dark woods.His hands were still shaking, and the meeting replayed in his head like a curse.The elders and the Luna talk, with Rylan’s name on their tongues.He gritted his teeth. “They want to weaken me,” he muttered. “Make me easy to control.”The door opened quietly. Wayne stepped in, looking unsure. “You called?”Darius turned his head slightly. “Yeah. Close the door.”Wayne did, then walked closer. “You look like you’re about to break something.”“Already did,” Darius said, glancing at the splintered table by the wall.Wayne gave a small, worried smile. “So it went bad?”“It went exactly how they wanted.” Darius let out a low breath, rubbing his jaw. “They said I need a Luna. That I’m unfit to lead alone.”Wayne frowned. “That’s stupid. You’ve kept this pack alive longer than any Alpha before you.”Darius’s eyes darkened. “Guess who helped them reach that decision?”Wayne froze. “Who?”“Rylan.” The word came out like poison.Wayne’s e
The air in the council hall was cold.Too quiet, and Darius stood at the center of the room, arms crossed, eyes narrowed as the elders murmured among themselves. He hated being summoned like this—like a child called to explain himself.Elder Rowan finally cleared his throat. “Alpha Darius,” he began, voice heavy with authority. “We have gathered to discuss something of importance to the pack.”Darius didn’t flinch. “Then speak.”Elder Miren glanced at Rowan before stepping forward. “It concerns your… position. More specifically, your lack of a Luna.”Darius’s jaw tightened. “I don’t need a Luna.”“You do,” Rowan said, cutting in sharply. “The laws are clear. An Alpha cannot lead without balance. A Luna brings stability, unity, and politics."That’s what this is really about," said Darius. "You want someone sitting beside me to smile at your meetings and pretend everything is perfect.”Miren sighed. “It’s not just about appearances. The pack needs reassurance. With the rogues circling
The moon hung high that night, pale and distant. Rylan moved quietly through the back corridor of the packhouse, making sure no one saw him leave. His heartbeat was steady, but his mind wasn’t.He knew what he was about to do wasn’t right but jealousy had a way of twisting right and wrong.Kael’s hall sat on the far edge of the territory, past the training fields and the riverbend. The old wolf was sitting outside when Rylan arrived, leaning back in a chair, a faint smirk curling his lips.“Well, well,” Kael drawled, eyes glinting. “Didn’t think you’d come here this late unless something was burning.”Rylan didn’t smile. “We need to talk.”Kael motioned to the chair across from him. “Then sit. Let’s talk.”Rylan stayed standing. “It’s about Wayne.”That got Kael’s attention. His smirk widened. “Ah. The new toy Alpha Darius seems so fond of.”“Watch your words,” Rylan snapped.Kael chuckled softly. “Relax, pup. I just call things what they are. What about him?”Rylan folded his arms. “
Rylan had noticed it days ago.The looks. The late-night calls to the Alpha’s chambers, the smell that lingered in the hall after Wayne left. Not sweat or training musk, it was something else—something intimate. And tonight, it was stronger.He saw Wayne leaving Darius’s chamber again. Shirt slightly rumpled. Eyes a little too bright.Then his jaw tightened. He waited until Wayne disappeared down the corridor before stepping out of the shadows. His fists were clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms.Later, when Darius entered the training yard, Rylan was already there. Waiting.“Alpha,” Rylan said, tone clipped.Darius glanced at him. “You’re up late.”“So are you,” Rylan said.“Is there a reason for this?”“Maybe I should ask you that.”Darius’s brow arched. “Watch your tone.”Rylan took a step forward. “I’ve been watching, Alpha. I see the way you look at him.”Darius’s eyes sharpened instantly. “What?”“You think no one notices?” Rylan pushed. “He walks around like he owns t







