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
Elena POV I laid on my bed staring up at the ceiling. I couldn't sleep, not until I see Ryan. I needed to know what really happened. Did he avenge his parents murder?And if so, at what cost?I may not have seen him in action yet. But the tales we were told when I was in my old pack. Alpha Ryan was the best and most skilled fighter in the Werewolf land. So for even a top level fighter to come back so battered and bruised up, was a bit worrying. Just then I heard a soft knock on my door. I hesitated, just staring at the door. Who would be at my door at this hour? And then the knock came again… this time a bit louder. I gently walked to the door and opened it. What? Ryan! “What.. Why… How?” He stood, bandaged and patched up. “What are you doing here?” I finally managed to speak. “Can i come in?” he requested.“Yes.. Sure.” I stepped in and pulled a seat over to him, movement a bit hasty. “I don't have much time before the guards know I left.”He lowered his voice.“Okay… so
Ryan POV I left Elena's room, my heart a bit heavy. I didn't have to burden her with that news. But I did. Because for some reason, Elena felt like the only one I could really trust. I moved gently through the hallway. Every step burned, my back and arm screaming, pulling, tearing, but I had to bear it. I had to return back to my room before the guards return from their shift. The last thing I want is for them to get worked up more over me. I reached my room, and with a small nudge, I carefully pushed the door open, the creaking noise disturbing the silence. “Hey handsome.” I heard a soft voice. I snapped my head to the direction. Crystal! My eyes cracked wide open as I turned to her. A thin dress clung to her frame, light, deliberate. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her eyes dark, gleaming with intent.She smiled. “You’re finally back.”“W..what are you doing here?” I asked, my breath shaking. “Can't a wife a come check on his husband?” She asked, her tone lust
Elena POVI walked back to my room, and collapsed on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. The image was the fresh in my mind. Ryan lying next to her.Crystal.I had seen them—his body half-turned toward her, her form curled near his, the sheets tangled between them My stomach had twisted, sharp and ugly, but I had turned away before I could feel it break me. Before I could do something stupid.Because that’s what I had done, hadn’t I?Let myself believe, for just a second, that maybe—**just maybe—**there was something for me there.Fool.Crystal was his Luna to be, how could I forget thatI got my mind clouded up with the ambush and Ryan's past trauma, for a second i thought maybe, our mate bond was getting stronger. Just then, I heard Crystal's voice. “Oh? You’re up early.”Her voice.I stopped, then snapped my head to the direction of the door.And there she was.Crystal.Standing just outside my room, wrapped in a silk robe, her blonde hair perfect, shining, lips curled into som
Ryan POV I laid flat on my bed, eyes looking up at the ceiling, the thoughts circling in my head. My wedding to Crystal was less than three days away. But at the moment I couldn't even care less about that.I needed to speak with Elena. For some reason she's been difficult to find. Maybe she could be avoiding me? But she has to understand that I had choice. Crystal practically blackmailed me. But even more importantly I needed to find the mole in my pack. I needed to… But, there was a mole, that much I was sure of.I did all pros and cons, and all analysis possible. No way the Shadow Blood pack could have planned for our arrival unless they had earlier information. So it had to among the warriors and higher ups. The other members of the castle only knew about the ambush that night, making it impossible to get a message to the Shadow Blood pack before we arrived.For me, the sooner I get the mole, the quicker I get closer to the Shadow Blood pack. And then… I will have anothe
Ryan POV “Sir, we need to talk.” Trevor said, his breath shaking, his tone urgent. ‘Can't it wait?” ‘“Unfortunately, no sir..” He responded sharply. Then, he lowered his voice. “I have almost certain confirmation on who the mole is.”What? My breath hitched. I turned to Elena, the curiosity in her eyes. She wanted to know just as much. “Wait here!” I said, my voice firm. “But I want to know.” she answered. I knew she did. But this information has to remain discrete. “You'll know.” I said before walking out. I followed Trevor to the chamber room, locking the metallic doors. This was the most discrete room in the castle. “Alright. Who is it?”Trevor leaned in close to my ear, lowering his voice.“I think it's Valari.”I froze. Valari? My number one warrior for years.The man who I fought countless battles with. The only besides Trevor who I could trust. “No, no, no! It can't be.” “Are you sure of this?” I asked. I couldn't bring myself to believe it. “We are not 100%
Elena’s POVRyan turned to me, and I knew what was coming next. He was going to walk out on me and leave me in the dark, like I wasn't fit for discrete information. “Wait here!” he said, hisvoice firm. “But I want to know.” I shot back. And for a second, I saw something flicker in his eyes.Realization. He knew I wanted to. “You'll know.” That was it. And then he walked away with Trevor.I lay there. Still. Empty.Staring at the ceiling like it could give me the answers.It didn’t.Because all I could think about was him.Ryan.His voice. The way it cracked. The way he looked at me last night, like he wanted to say more, like it mattered.But it didn’t.Because at the end of all this—He wasn’t mine.He never was.Never would be.He was going to marry her.Crystal.It was already written, already decided, already killing me.I squeezed my eyes shut, hating myself.Hating that I let myself think, for one second, that maybe—just maybe—this meant something.That maybe I meant somet
Ryan POV Valari was on the move. I marched outside at once, leaving Crystal to herself. I couldn't let this chance pass me by, if Valari was the mole I needed to know. I marched up the stairs, my boots landing hard against the marble surface. And then, I reached the top. The cold, fresh air hit me, like a knife to the gut. I was at the top of the castle, with the largest view covering the whole borders of the Star Raiders pack and beyond.“Welcome Alpha!”Trevor welcomed me, already there. “Here!” Trevor handed me a device. ‘Wolf Eyes’A device that can see objects even thousands of miles away. I grabbed and wore it across my face. There he was! Valari, riding his horse, far beyond the packs boundaries. The Wolf Eyes could cover even only so far, but now we had a reason to be bring him in for questioning. I pulled it off, turned ready to leave. “Bring him in for questioning tommorow!” I said to Trevor, my voice heavy. “I'm not sure about tommorow.” Trevor's words made me
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