~Ryan~She finally looked at me. Something slammed through me. Something sharp, deep, aching.Like a thread tightening. Like a fucking bond twisting between us.I sucked in a slow, controlled breath, locking my jaw, forcing my face to stay blank.But my chest?My chest was fucking burning.It was her. It was always her. I had no doubts anymore. She is my mate. Elena is my mate, not Crystal. And I didn’t know if I wanted to fucking run or pull her closer until she felt it too.“Ryan?” Elena's sharp voice snapped me out. “... Yes? What is it?” I said, my words a bit flustered. “You seemed lost for a second.” She answered. And just then I pulled my head up to see her face. Her eyes! God they were beautiful. Seeing her now. She's the most beautiful lady I've ever seen. Where was this beauty when I picked her up from her pack? Or when she was wandering in the forest. Perhaps, my eyes have now been pone to the beauty of my true mate. “.. Hello… “ her soft whisper whistled to my e
Elena POVI woke up to the fresh breeze of the early morning. The sun streamed into my room through the curtains. The morning came with a different feel from that of the past few days. There was a certain calm and quiet.The past few days have been a whirlwind of emotions. From my mate getting marked by my own sister to leaving to another pack and being a complete stranger. But finally, I had made peace with my current state. Well, not totally… Ryan… His warm cologne still lingered in my room.Our chat yesterday felt more tense and awkward than before. He was normally harsh and dismissive to me, but yesterday was different. Different in a way I couldn't explain. But, I'm not his Luna, so it's not my problem. I got up from my bed very gingerly, slipping my legs into my flip flops, I dragged my feet to the bathroom. It was about time, I gave this new pack a chance. A walk around neve hurt anyone. I got showered and freshened up. Before stepping out. The hallways were quite c
Elena POVJust then I heard a humorless laugh. “Who do you think you are? Excuse us, she's my wife and we'll settle our matter among us.”That's not how you handle a matter.” I shot back. Just then, he dropped the lady and turned to me. His eyes were burning with rage. “Go now or else… “ the man warned, clenching his fists tightly. “Ma’ am please just go. He'll hurt you.” I heard the feint voice of the woman he was assaulting. Her face was swollen from his attacks, her voice was shaky, fear gripped her. For a moment I wanted to step back. I couldn't fight this man. Leaving would be the wisest option. But… I can't just walk away and let this man continue assaulting her. “No! I won't… Sir I'll ask you again leave her be or else… “I snapped back at him. Even if was a bit surprised by my bravery. Maybe, it was bravery or maybe it was just stupidity, but either way I wasn't standing down. But, the surprise quickly washed off his face. Now, it was pure rage. “I'm going to kill y
Ryan’s POVI was seated on my ornate sofa, my hands drumming against my office desk. I was envisioning all the possible ways, this midnights raid could go. It could go well, we catch them off guard and kill everyone of them and also kill the man responsible for the deaths of my parent.Or it could go sideways, where outplayed and we're now the victims. Either way, we were going and there was no going back now. Just then, I heard a loud knock on my door, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Come in.” I yelled. Trevor stepped in and stood just by the door. “Alpha Ryan, all the warriors are prep and ready. And the goodwill feast is ready as well.” his words reached my ears. His tone firm. I paused. “And is everyone there?” I asked. “Almost, we haven't seen Elena. She wasn't in her room.”I froze. Elena, not in her room. Where could she go? “Find her now.” I ordered. “Yes sir.” Trevor answered as he stepped out. The door had barely closed, when I felt a sudden throbbing pain in
Elena POVI was closely following right behind Ryan as we moved to the meeting room. Reaching there, that tingling aroma from before reached my nostrils. That means whatever was happening in the meeting room was a special occasion. I stepped into the room and just then my eyes landed on them… Crystal wrapped herself around Ryan, squeezing tight around him like she owned him. And just then Ryan turned his gaze to me. And then, I saw something flicker in his eye. Guilt! Was he guilty because of me? “The aroma here is quite nice.” I said before walking away. I tried my best not to make that situation any more awkward than it already was. But, I couldn't help myself but feel jealous. And I hated it.. But, Ryan was my mate and those feelings are almost inevitable. But he chose Crystal and there was nothing I could do about it. I watched as Ryan and Crystal moved to their seats. Ryan was at the head of the table, and she seat just beside him to his right, as future Luna and t
Ryan’s POV“But then why me?” she asked. And then I froze. I stopped to think to myself for a moment. Why her? She wasn't my wife. But telling felt so right. “It doesn't matter.”“I'll see you when I'm back.” I stood up and walked to the door. “Ryan.” She called. I stopped, and then turned to her. “Goodluck.” she said, her voice was tender. She meant it.I nodded and walked away. I let myself be vulnerable to her. I wish I didn't but somehow it felt just right. She's not my wife, but I told my deepest secret, I've kept buried inside all these years. And even I still don't really know why. But now, that has to sit out atleast for tonight. It was time! “Sir. The warriors are waiting for you.”A werewolf walked up to me. He had short blonde hair, and broad shoulders, with glinting red eyes. Valari, my lead warrior and my most skilled werewolf. He fought battles alongside me and Trevor, but this one would be the satisfying of them all. “Let's go!”Midnight. Cold. Sharp.
Ryan POVNot a single damn soul.I exhaled hard, grip tightening on my blades. Something wasn’t right.And then—it hit me.That scent.Faint, but there. Werewolves, they were close by.The hair on the back of my neck stood up. My gut twisted. My wolf snarled.A trap.“Scatter!” I barked, turning sharply. “Now!”“It's a trap!”The first arrow came like a whisper.Then the night exploded.A sickening thwack—then gurgling. A warrior jerked beside me, his eyes wide, blood bubbling at his lips. He collapsed hard, hands twitching in the dirt, then still.More arrows.They were coming in fast and from everywhere. The air screamed with them. Hissing past my face, slamming into bodies, tearing through flesh, armor, bone.Callum staggered. Chest shot through. His mouth opened like he wanted to speak, but then—gone. Just gone.“MOVE! COVER! NOW!” I snarled, twisting, already sprinting through the chaos.Another arrow—too fast—THWACK.FUCK.Pain ripped through my back, deep, burning, raw. My vi
Elena POVI stayed in my room for the most part of that night. My mind was in dissary. But still on one person. My mate. Ryan. I paced around my room for almost an hour straight. And then I'll take a occasional peak out my window to check if they were back. I couldn't help but worry. My body for some reason felt uneasy even though it shouldn't. It's just an ambush. It should be easy. And besides, they've gone on several battles before today and always come out on top. Tonight wasn't suppose to be different. If anything, it was suppose to be more easy than usual. But for some reason… it was still feeling uneasy. Maybe a warm tea ought to free me up. I walk to the door, slipping to my shoes before walking out. “Do you know who I am, huh?” “I'm the Luna oof this pack and you dare…”“I can easily make your live here a living nightmare.”“Ma’am please I'm sorry.”. “Please I am.”I was reaching the kitchen when I heard Crystal's stern voice. “Crystal never changes.” I sighed. Sho
Crystal POVI sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the small table across the room. My mind was far from here, it was just on her… Elena.The name rang in my head like continuously, my step sister. The girl I always thought would be nothing, just weak and powerless. And now she's... a dire wolf?I clenched my jaw tightly. I had trained for years first while I was here and then more at Star Raiders and then the time I was rogue I mastered my craft, honed every move, sharpened every instinct. I was stronger, faster and naturally gifted than any other female werewolf. But now all anyone could talk about was her. The miracle. The girl who was never meant to shift and suddenly turned into one of the rarest and most powerful breeds of wolves in existence.The door creaked open. I didn’t turn."I figured I’d find you brooding," Thorne said. His voice was calm, almost amused. "You’ve been quiet since we arrived."I finally looked up as he stepped inside, his large frame fillin
Elena’s POVThe morning came quickly, I could barely sleep last night. I couldn't wait any more, I was just ready to go out there and train. I didn't waste any more time, I quickly freshened up and dashed out of my room at once. It didn't waste time before I stood in the east field, surrounded by the mist of the early day. The air was cold, crisp, and sharp against my skin.I wrapped my arms around myself and exhaled slowly. The silence in the fields was almost suffocating. It felt like the peace before the storm. Then I heard footsteps coming. Ryan emerged from the mist, dressed in a black training shirt, sleeves pushed up to his elbows, expression unreadable. He looked sharp and focused. He had his game face on. What he said about no taking it easy on me was true. Today, he wasn't here to protect, instead he might be the one to put me in danger. “You’re early,” he said as he approached, his voice low and steady.“So are you.” I replied sharply. He smirked, just a little.
Zaphyr’s POVI sat at the head of the table, patiently waiting for their arrival. Just then the doors creaked open and then heavy boots echoed in the hall. I didn't need to turn to know who had arrived, it was them. That presence… it was unmistakable. The chill in the air thickened as they stepped in.I turned slowly, eyes landing on the daughter I hadn’t seen in months My step daughter, but the one who I always treated with a silver spoon.Crystal.She looked different than last time I saw her. She looked sharper and more dangerous, and for some reason she was oozing a certain power and presence and not just because of the man standing beside her. Him… Thorne, I assumed. The new Alpha of the Shadow Blood Pack.I didn’t greet them.“I see you’ve found your way home,” I said instead, voice like ice.Crystal raised her chin. “Only temporarily.”Her tone didn’t waver. There was no softness, no hesitation. That little girl who once begged for my attention, for my approval… she was g
Crystal’s POVThe cold wind stung my cheeks as our horses trotted toward the great iron gates of the White Snow Pack. I kept my chin high, eyes focused. It had been months since I stood on this snow-covered land.Months since I left this place with a joyous as ever and happy. I had Ryan, my mother's love and my step father's compassion, I thought I had it all. And now I was back, not as prodigal daughter, but as the weapon of another pack.Beside me, Thorne rode silently, his expression unreadable but his aura radiating power.From a distance, the guards spotted us arriving, they instantly raised their weapons in self defense.“State your pack!” one of them barked.“Shadow Blood,” Thorne answered flatly. And then, I knew the answer that was coming next. The reaction was immediate. They stepped forward at once, pulling out their blades, ready to fight. “Turn around,” the same guard said. “This territory is closed to your kind.”Thorne’s eyes narrowed. He didn't waste any time to
Elena’s POVI knocked gently on Ryan's door, but there was no answer. And then I knocked again, still no answer. The silence inside his room felt oddly empty, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Or maybe I was just over thinking? Maybe he was out, busy with something important.Yes, that must be why. I didn’t mind too much, I had all the time in the world to find him. The thought of being near him, especially after everything that had happened last night, made me feel whole.I turned down the hallway, making my way to the war room. Maybe he was there, there were always matters to discuss, and as the Alpha, Ryan was there almost all the time.When I reached the door to the war room, I hesitated for a moment. It was slightly opened, and I could hear voices inside.One of them was unmistakable was Ryan’s. The other voice was Trevor’s. They spoke, their tone serious. This had to be important. I leaned in to listen closely. “...Elena is not ready, Trevor. She
Ryan POVI stayed by the porch a few minutes longer, letting everything all sink in. Even though my body was tired, my mind just kept replaying every moment of Elena’s shift, from the look in her eyes to her figure, the dire wolf, the rarest werewolf species of all.She had no idea how rare and how powerful she was.I finally forced myself to move, stepping off the porch and then walking toward the war room. I had told Trevor to wait for me in the war room. I also figured Aria would already be there too. Knowing her well, she would never missed anything important as this, and sure enough, when I pushed the door open, she and Trevor were seated around the long oak table.They both looked up immediately.“She did it,” I said simply, my voice laced with a tinge of pride.And why not? My fated mate is now a dire wolf. Aria’s face broke into a smile. “I knew she would,” she said, rising from her seat and coming over to me. “How is she?”"Exhausted," I said, running a hand through my ha
Ryan POV The night air was crisp and fresh. The moon hung low above us. I stood there in the fields, staring at Elena, feeling my heart hammering inside my chest harder with every second.She looked terrified.I didn’t blame her. This was it.. the Anchor Bond. The final step of all her days of hardwork. This was her shot at finally shifting.And I was supposed to be her anchor.I walked closer to her, slow and careful, I didn't want to put her on edge. Her eyes found mine, wide and glassy.“Are you sure about this?” she whispered, her voice already trembling.I didn't answer immediately, just kept my eyes on hers. “I’m sure,” I said. “I won’t leave you, Elena. Not now. Not ever.”Her face flushed with warmth at my words, and then she nodded, tightening her face. I stepped closer, enough that she could feel me without me even touching her.“Close your eyes.”She obeyed.“Breathe with me.”We fell into rhythm, her breaths shaky but matching mine. I could smell her warm scent, she
Ryan's POVIn the chamber room, Trevor and I sat across from each other, the silence between us weighed down by the same heavy thought.Crystal, yet again.Trevor leaned forward, elbows on the table, his brow furrowed deep. "She's not just with the Shadow Blood pack anymore. Our source says she’s riding to the White Snow pack as we speak."I exhaled slowly, my jaw tightening. "So it’s true."He nodded once. "With Thorne and a handful of his warriors. It's not for war, but still…"I exhaled slowly. “They’re trying to forge alliances.”"Exactly." Trevor’s voice was hard. "And if they get the White Snow pack on their side…""They won’t," I cut in, sharper than I intended. I met his eyes. "Zaphyr is many things, but he’s not stupid. He hates Thorne’s kind. Always has. He won’t bend the knee to them."Trevor gave me a strange look. Then he spoke. "Zaphyr also has a stepdaughter. One he raised under his roof for years. One who’s now claiming she was betrayed and cast out." He paused. "O
Crystal’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, fingers brushing through the last curls of my hair as I stared at the reflection of the woman I had become. Cold eyes starting a hole at the mirror.I didn’t recognize the young and foolish girl I used to be… the one who thought she had a place among the Star Raiders. How naive I was.. Now? Now I was something else. And I was something more. A knock came at the door, sharp and loud.“My Lady,” a guard’s voice filtered through. “The horses are ready.”I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. “Coming,” I called back, my voice loud enough.I turned to the mirror once more, taking one last look at myself and then I turned away, as I stepped out into the hall.The air outside the main building was brisk, laced with the chill of morning. Today was a big day. I made my way down the steps slowly, deliberately.My mind was playing all the possible ways today could play out. When I reached the clearing by the stables, I saw them… Thorne, dressed i