ALPHA'S REGRET, QUEEN'S REVENGE

HAILEY QUINN Clank!... I freeze in place praying to the moon goddess above that no one heard me otherwise I'd be in serious trouble. I am yet to recover from the beating I'd received two days back because I was caught sleeping by 9am. Mornings are never good news to me because somehow I always end up as the scape goat in the pack no matter what I say. My ribs hurt each time I move, I got a beating yesterday for a break in that of course was blamed on me even though I wasn't physically present when it happened. I had learnt years ago that standing up for myself, defending myself, and even grumbling "it isn't me" made things worse. I was the orphan. The wolfless one. The useless one. Since my mother passed away, the Alpha and Luna of the Cedar Pack had "taken me in". But I am not qualified to be addressed a daughter, a servant or even a guest but a punching bag is a preferable fit for me. "She's wolfless," I always heard behind my back. Weak. No wolf, no value. That's h

HAILEY My ceiling cracks had become a constant map of pain. Time really runs fast and if there's one constant feeling I have it is the feeling of nothingness in me as I stare into nothingness while feeling the constant pain/gash left on my body by Marissa with no hope of anyone stepping up for me I've come to the conclusion that if I didn’t find a way to get out of this pack I'd simply be killed for existing since I can't reveal my wolf to anyone and so I planned and revisited plans in my head as I checked various scenarios and realities into the rest of the night alone in my dark space. The packhouse had never been home. It was a cage which looked like an option for freedom from afar yet it's all lies-pack elders,mothers, fathers, everyone stayed quiet and have somehow joined in the trend of bullying the wolfless orphan but I've had enough. Running off was not enough. I did not simply want to escape—I wanted to live, to be free to make my own choices without interference. Whisp

KING RYAN The woods was too quiet. Every crunch of wet mud beneath my boots sounded too loud, too sharp. The moonlight broke through the canopy in broken fragments, silver puddles painting the path, but it wasn’t enough to settle me. I’d been Alpha King long enough to know this stillness wasn’t normal but trouble brewing in silence; the forest was mostly lively at nights with owls, crickets, whispers of wolves—but tonight everything was holding its breath. And so was I. Weeks of unrest had pulled the air tight, rebellions whispered, alliances frayed, and outlaws bold enough to test me. My duty was to keep the packs unified and my territories safe. I couldn’t afford weakness. Not now not ever if I wanted peace around. I carried that weight in every step. At six foot four, I was a presence men instinctively bowed to, but respect wasn’t enough to stop blades or treachery rooted in the hearts of greedy creatures, wolves inclusive. My eyes scanned through every movement around me as I

HAILEY The light after the dark, soggy confinement of the dungeon was overwhelming. I blinked at the light as my legs staggered and I walked into the courtyard. I ought to have been thankful to be out of the constricting captivity, but Thomas's constant presence made me sick. He had growled, his hands too tight on my arm as he yanked me from prison, "You'll earn your shame." And Marissa will see to it. Do not forget that without this pack, you are nothing. Those words were still going through my head as I was ushered in to see Marissa inside the pack house. She stood in the big hall, directing a team of omegas to hang decorations for her three-day mating celebration. The sunlight pouring through the giant building sparkled on her blond locks. Through the tall windows, her dominance permeated the room. Her smile turned cruel as she looked at me. "Well, well. Our little dungeon rat cleaned himself up," she said, with her voice tinged with sarcasm. Rush up Hailey, you have work to do." I

RYAN The last day of the mating ceremony was a grandiose spectacle, with the pack bustling in preparation for the grand feast and the air humming with anticipation. However, I didn't care about any of that; all I could think about was Hailey. Her words from the night before resonated in my head: Wolfless, Outcast, Dangerous, Lies, everything. I didn't need to see her to know the truth; the subtle hint of her scent that pervaded Flora told me that Hailey wasn't just my mate; she was special, and she was here, somewhere, waiting for me to find her. I spent the morning observing the pack, noting the careful balance of power Marissa had over the omegas and their deference to Thomas. Although it was obvious who was in charge of this pack, their dominion would soon come to an end. It was a sumptuous feast. Silver goblets filled with wine, platters of enough food to feed an army, and elaborate floral arrangements decorated the long tables. Their faces lit up with joy, and the pack assembled