My eyes widened in shock, heart pounding as I saw Kieran lift his hand, aiming for Lucaโs neck. Iโd always known Kieran was a man without dignity or integrity, but to stoop so low? This was beyond anything I could have imagined.Adrenaline surged through me as I launched myself at him. My shoulder collided with his side just as his hand began its descent. The impact sent both of us crashing to the ground, a sharp gasp escaping my lips. The metallic scent of dirt and sweat filled the air as I scrambled to regain my footing.The heavy thud of our fall drew Luca's attention. He turned toward us, his face frozen in shock. For a moment, the battleground fell silent. The crowd that had been roaring moments before now held their breaths, their collective tension thick in the air.I glanced up at Luca and saw the disbelief in his eyes. It was as if he couldnโt reconcile the betrayal he had just witnessedโthe man he had spared trying to stab him in the back.I pushed myself off the ground, bru
A howl erupted, echoing in the distance. My chest pushed forward involuntarily, and I felt my bones shatter into a million pieces.Pain radiated through me as my hands twisted unnaturally, bones protruding through my skin. A scream escaped my lips as my structure began to change."It's going to be okay," I heard Lucaโs voice behind me, but it sounded distant and muffled.Hairs sprouted from my skin, and before I could process it, everything changed. I stood shakily on my feet, feeling a strange, primal energy coursing through me.I glanced at the priest, noticing the fear in his eyes. Why was he so scared? Turning around, I faced Luca, and even he looked shocked.Why were they all staring like that? Confused, I stepped toward the mirror with trembling legs. What I saw made my heart pound.Standing before me was a massive, furry wolf. Its presence sent chills through meโuntil I realized it was me. My wolf.Its eyes glowed red, and its fur was a striking mixture of black and brown. I to
โCath, are you okay?โ Luca called out, his voice edged with concern as he ran toward me. His steps were quick, purposeful, stirring up the dirt beneath him. Without hesitation, he stretched out his hands and pulled me up with ease.โIโm fine,โ I said, brushing off the dust clinging to my clothes. My legs wobbled slightly, but I ignored it. โLetโs try again.โโNo, Cath. Thatโs enough for today,โ he said, his voice firm but gentle. โYou need to restโyouโll need your strength when the time comes.โI looked up at him, meeting his piercing green eyes, which held equal parts concern and determination. He wasnโt just saying it to be kind; he believed I was pushing myself too hard. With a resigned sigh, I relented. โFine, Luca. Iโll rest.โHe nodded and placed a steadying arm around me as I limped. My body ached from the relentless training, and every step sent a dull throb up my leg. The sound of grunts and clashing weapons filled the air as we passed the fields where the others were still t
Standing before me were men and beastsโarchers, swordsmen, and those who fought with their bare hands. Their faces, a mix of determination and fear, reflected the gravity of the moment.I stood on the raised platform, my heart pounding in my chest. This wasnโt just a crowd; it was an army prepared to risk everything. They were looking to me, their leader, for guidance and hope. I couldnโt let them down.I took a deep breath and glanced at the banners fluttering in the wind, each bearing the mark of a united force. The air smelled of leather, sweat, and the faint tang of iron from polished weapons.Despite my nerves clawing at me, I shook them off, breathing deeply to steady myself. No time for doubt now, I told myself. They need strength, not hesitation.With one last look at the chamber behind me, I stepped forward. The murmurs of the crowd fell silent. Even the wind seemed to pause, as if waiting for me to speak.The silence stretched, heavier with every second. A ripple of uncertai
There were five men posted in this corner instead of ten, and I knew this was where we would strike first. The air was tense, filled with the faint scent of damp earth and pine. Shadows danced under the dim moonlight, masking our movements as we crouched low, preparing to attack.I lunged at them without hesitation, with Luca and Kieran close behind me. The men were sluggish, their exhaustion evident in their slumped postures and dull gazes. They barely had time to react. We moved quickly, each strike precise and deliberate. This position was perfectโhidden from prying eyes, we couldnโt be easily spotted.We crept closer with every step, each movement calculated and silent. The cool night air brushed against my skin, sharpening my senses. By the time the men realized something was wrong, we were already within striking distance. Panic flashed in their eyes as they attempted to shift, but I felt my power surge, suppressing their wolves.Not tonight.Without giving them a chance to reco
I stood frozen, unable to move, as I stared at the figure before me.This isnโt possible, I thought, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. How can she be alive?Paige.My mate, Paige, was alive. I thought she was long gone, lost to the cruel twists of fate. But now, thisโher presence here, breathing, speakingโproved me wrong.I stumbled back a step, my knees threatening to give way.โThis isnโt possible,โ I muttered, gripping my head as confusion engulfed me. The world spun. My mind raced with a thousand questions, each one louder than the last.Then, her voice broke through the fog clouding my thoughts.โLuca, help me! They plan on taking me away. Please, help me! I beg you, Luca!โHer words shattered whatever composure I had left. She took a hesitant step forward, her trembling voice echoing through the eerily quiet room.I looked up at her, my vision blurred by unshed tears. Was this real? Was she truly here?Before I could answer my own question, a shadow moved behind her. Dennis
I walked closer to Damian, my boots echoing against the stone floor of his throne room. He didnโt flinch, not even a little. Instead, he sat there, calm and composed, as though my presence amused him."I must say, you're pretty strong," he said smoothly, his lips curling into a grin. His words were meant to flatter, but his tone dripped with mockery.I didnโt respond. My glare was the only answer heโd get."I'm not here to chit-chat or play games with you, Damian," I said, my voice sharp as a blade. "I'm here to end you for good."He leaned back on his throne, unbothered. "Oh, come on, darling, donโt be too serious," he replied with an infuriating smirk. "Youโre one of the most powerful people on this planet. Donโt you want to know why?"My glare deepened, but he chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the dark chamber."Look around you, Cath," he said, gesturing with his hand. "This whole place has been cast with the darkest of magic. No Null Wolf can use their power here. But you can.
Slowly, I stood up from the floor and walked outside the chamber. My eyes were still red from crying. The cold air hit my face as I stepped out, but it didnโt do much to calm the storm inside me.Once I was outside, I froze. The sight before me was overwhelming. Dead bodies littered the ground, their lifeless eyes staring up at the sky. Blood had stained the floor, pooling around the fallen like a grim reminder of what had just taken place. Some of our men were lying motionless, while others, though battered and bleeding, stood tall. They had survived, but their injuries showed the cost of the battle.The men who had fought for Damian were all dead. But in the end, the victory didnโt feel like one. It felt empty. Worthless.Suddenly, the cheers and shouts of my men broke through my thoughts. They were celebrating, hailing themselves as if they had won something grand. But I stood there, quiet, unmoving.I could feel Kieran walking toward me, his footsteps slow and cautious. But I didn
Two days had passed since the battle, but the grief in my heart felt as raw as the moment Kieran fell into the chasm. The sky was a muted gray, the sun hidden behind heavy clouds, as if mourning alongside us. We gathered in the heart of the Moon Shadow pack's territory, wolves and humans standing side by side in solemn silence. It wasnโt just a memorialโit was a moment to honor a hero, a leader, and a brother. As I stood beside Luca, my heart ached for him. Kieran wasnโt just the previous Alpha; he was his brother, his blood. The loss had carved a wound so deep it would take a lifetime to heal. Luca stepped forward, his face a mask of stoic determination, though I could see the pain in his eyes. His voice carried over the crowd, firm yet tinged with sorrow. โKieran was more than a brother to me,โ he began, his words measured. โHe was my challenger and although he did wrong in the past, he proved himself worthy of being called an alpha. And though heโs no longer with us, his spirit
Damian stretched his hands forward without a word, and his army surged toward us like a relentless tide.Ahead of my army, Luca and I didnโt hesitate. With a shared glance, we charged into the fray, breaking through Damianโs men with swift, brutal efficiency. The sounds of battle roared around usโclashing blades, howling wolves, and cries of painโbut none of it mattered. My focus was singular: Damian.His soldiers came at us from all sides, but we carved a path through them, our movements a deadly dance. My claws slashed through flesh and bone, my senses heightened as the red energy burned through me. Beside me, Luca fought with unmatched ferocity, his strikes precise and lethal.Damian stood in the distance, unmoving, his eyes cold and calculating. Flanking him were his two dark priests, their presence radiating a dark, oppressive energy. He didnโt flinch as we cut through his wolves, his confidence unshaken.The ground beneath us trembled as the battle raged on. My army clashed with
I stood frozen, my knees weak and my heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest. Tears blurred my vision as the weight of Damianโs words settled over me.โI canโt go against them,โ I whispered, my voice barely audible. Even as I spoke, I hated myself for saying it.Damianโs sharp eyes locked onto mine, and his lips twisted into a cruel smile. He didnโt need to hear meโhe had read my lips. That wicked grin of his made my stomach churn.He turned and strode toward my mother, who was bound and broken in those heavy chains. The sound of them scraping against the cold, hard ground sent shivers down my spine.โYou give me no choice, Cathrine,โ he said, his voice loud enough to cut through the silence.I wanted to scream, to fight, but my body refused to move. I could only stand there, trembling, as Damian grabbed my motherโs chin with his hand.โOut of my generosity,โ he said with a mocking smile, โIโll offer you one last chance to speak. Any final words?โMy mother, he
I stood frozen, my knees weak and my heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest. Tears blurred my vision as the weight of Damianโs words settled over me.โI canโt go against them,โ I whispered, my voice barely audible. Even as I spoke, I hated myself for saying it.Damianโs sharp eyes locked onto mine, and his lips twisted into a cruel smile. He didnโt need to hear meโhe had read my lips. That wicked grin of his made my stomach churn.He turned and strode toward my mother, who was bound and broken in those heavy chains. The sound of them scraping against the cold, hard ground sent shivers down my spine.โYou give me no choice, Cathrine,โ he said, his voice loud enough to cut through the silence.I wanted to scream, to fight, but my body refused to move. I could only stand there, trembling, as Damian grabbed my motherโs chin with his hand.โOut of my generosity,โ he said with a mocking smile, โIโll offer you one last chance to speak. Any final words?โMy mother, he
I took a cautious step forward, my army moving as one behind me. The earth beneath my boots seemed to pulse with the weight of the moment. The tension was suffocating, the distance between us and Damianโs army feeling like a fragile thread ready to snap. My gaze never left Damianโs face, though my peripheral vision picked up the shifting forms of his wolves. They were restless, teeth bared, waiting for the command to strike.But then, Damian raised a hand, and his wolves parted once again. This time, another figure emerged from their ranksโa man I knew all too well.โDennis,โ I whispered, my chest tightening.He walked with measured steps, his head bowed slightly, a gleaming sword clutched in his hand. His shoulders were stiff, and his movements lacked the usual confidence I remembered. My heart ached as I saw him stop just a few paces from Damian, the blade in his grip trembling ever so slightly. He turned his head just enough for me to see his faceโteary-eyed, conflicted, and filled
After days of relentless marching, we arrived at the border of Damianโs territory. The dense forest seemed darker here, the trees more twisted and suffocating. Each breath felt heavier, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and something foul I couldnโt place. My heart pounded, though I kept my expression cold, my head held high. I couldnโt let the others see even a flicker of doubt.But when we broke through the tree line, I froze. Damian was already there.He stood at the head of his army, a wall of snarling wolves behind him. His presence was as commanding as ever, broad shoulders squared, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. Beside him, his generals stood tense, their claws glinting in the faint light. Every one of them was poised to strike.For a brief moment, I questioned everything. How had he known we were coming? Had someone betrayed us? Or was Damian just that arrogant, so confident in his rule that he expected us to challenge him eventually? It didnโt matter now.I
The air was crisp, filled with the scent of damp earth and anticipation as we assembled for the battle that would change everything. I stood at the forefront, my horse shifting beneath me, its energy mirroring my own. To my left and right stood the leaders of the allied packs and kingdoms, their faces set in grim determination. Behind us stretched an army of thousandsโwolves, warriors, and mages united under one cause. I turned slightly, catching the gaze of each leader beside me. No words were exchanged, but the weight of their nods was louder than any speech. They were ready. Drawing in a deep breath, I raised my arm, signaling the march forward. The first step was mine to take. My horse moved, and as I rode forward, the thunder of hooves and the rhythmic beat of footsteps followed behind me. We were a single force, moving as one, ready to meet our destiny. ************* Meanwhileโฆ Damian stood atop a high stone platform, overlooking the sea of his men. The dark fortress loomed
I walked into the grand hall, the echo of my footsteps bouncing off the towering marble walls. The air buzzed with a tension so thick it felt almost alive. Around the long, ornate table sat kings, alphas, and leaders from every corner of the lands I had visited. Their faces bore the weight of the decision we were about to makeโa decision that could either unite us or spell our doom. Taking my seat at the head of the table, I felt the gravity of my position settle over me. This wasnโt just about leading; it was about ensuring survival. I exhaled slowly, allowing a moment of silence to gather everyoneโs attention. โThis war isnโt one we sought,โ I began, my voice steady yet commanding. โBut it is one we must win. Today, we finalize our strategy and set the course for victory.โ I gestured for the maps to be unfurled. The intricate details of the enemyโs strongholds, their troop placements, and the surrounding terrain were laid bare before us. My finger traced the map as I spoke. โOur
Now that I had forged an alliance with all the kingdoms, I carried their hopes and fears with me as I led them to the Shadow Packโs territory. This was where we would prepare for the battle of our lives.The journey took two days. Each step felt heavier than the last, not because of the distance, but because of the responsibility pressing on my shoulders. I was no longer walking alone; I was leading an army of strangers bound together by a fragile trust and a shared goal.It was only when we paused for a break that I realized how far weโd come. The trees and skies were different here, unfamiliar yet oddly welcoming. I had never ventured this far in my entire life.At night, we camped in the woods. The fire crackled softly, throwing shadows on the faces of humans and werewolves sitting together. For the first time, they laughed, shared stories, and passed around food like old friends. I stayed on the edge, watching them. This was the future I dreamed ofโa world where the past didnโt ma