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
Elena POV The bright sun shone through the curtains. I justify laid here in my bed, my mind a complete mess. I barely slept last night. I could only play in my head, all the possible ways today could go. The marriage. It was finally today. The day I loose my mate bond with Ryan. And then, I'll just be another werewolf in another pack who can't shift. Crystal would only make my life here even more hell. And, Ryan…talking with him after, will feel like I'm talking to a complete stranger. The only certainty is that after today, my misery will only grew. Just then, my eyes cracked wide open. And there she was… Crystal, dressed in her silk robe. ‘What do you want?!” I asked, my voice came out sharper than I intended. “To warn you!” She said, her voice cold. My breath hitched. Warn me? “Warn me from what?” I let out a dry laugh. “Today is my marriage. The most important day of my life.”Crystal stepped foward and stood a few steps from me. “Do not. And I mean… Do not! Try anyt
Ryan POV The day of my wedding. For most Alpha’s of their pack, it's supposed to be a day of joy and pride. They finally welcome their Luna to the pack. It gives their pack hope and ambition. But, for me today felt like a mistake. A mistake that I'll forever regret. I will have to marry Crystal and break my true mate bond with Elena. All because I refused to speak my truth. Two servants, helped in my dressing. A black fabric used for my ceremonial robe. With silver linings to represent the royalty. This robe was worn by my father on his mating ceremony, and his father, and his father's father. I was dressed and ready. I pushed the door open, and there he was.. Trevor. Waiting for me. Who else, would I have than my most trusted friend and my Beta to walk by my side. “Are you ready?” he asked, his lips curled up to a smirk. “Yeah!” I stepped out of my room, slamming the door hard behind me. The hallway stretched ahead, long, dimly lit, lined with towering banners bearin
Ryan POV “Alpha Ryan, do you accept this bond? This duty? This Luna?”The words hung there.Silence.The whole world seemed to have frozen for a minute. The elder’s words still lingered in the air. “No, I can’t.”The words fell from my lips, low and soft.A sharp gasp from the crowd. A murmur, a ripple of confusion, shock amongst them.Crystal stiffened, her eyes wide open. “Ryan… ”I stepped back, looking at her, my eyes filled with pity.The elder’s brow furrowed, his gaze sharp. “Alpha.. ”“I can’t,” I said again, louder this time, clearer and more sure. The crowd went dead silent. Crystal’s eyes went wide, her breath hitching. “You—this is—Ryan, you don’t mean that.” Her voice shook, but not with sadness. With rage.“I do.” My jaw clenched. “I never should have—”I exhaled sharply. Shook my head.“This was a mistake.”The whispers became shouts.Chaos. Shock.I didn’t care.Because for the first time in forever—I wasn’t lying.I turned to Elena, the shock on her face wasn't
Ryan POVThe morning air was soft and chilly, just as I liked it. I stood in the clearing, already warmed up, watching as Elena jogged toward me. Her eyes were sharp, and focused. Something inside her had shifted these past few days, she was more determined. Maybe it was the direwolf in her, or maybe it was the Crystal effect. “Ready?” I asked, tossing her a wooden blade. It smacked into her palm, but she didn’t even flinch.“As I’ll ever be,” she replied, straightening her shoulders. “Good.” I took a step back and tapped the staff in my hand against the ground. “Today’s drill is called 'Guard and Break.' You’re going to defend against five strikes. Not dodge… block. I want you to hold your ground.”She nodded, tightening her stance. She wasn't even hesitating or over thinking. “Begin,” I said, and lunged towards her.I first targeted her lower region. She blocked with the tip of her blade, her knees bending with the pressure. I brought the next hit from the right, but she ca
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