CHAPTER 21: Bad BoyAlpha Maverick’s POV:I stood at the edge of the grand balcony, overlooking the moonlit courtyard of my pack’s stronghold. I could feel the cool night air carrying the scent of damp wet earth, the sound of crickets and other night creatures present. It was truly a remarkable sight to behold. But my mind wasn’t focused on its beauty and serenity. I gazed into the darkness, my mind plagued with the thought of one redhead—Pyra. It has been four weeks that leisurely passed since she vanished, only leaving sweet whispers in her wake after her departure. There have been rumors, but I seized it immediately when it started. No one in the pack knew that I had rejected Pyra, or even that Pyra was my mate, and I intend to keep it that way. No one has to know I was mated to a slave. I wanted to hate her, really. But the mere thought of seeing her again made my heart grow fonder. I had secretly tasked my beta, Derick, with finding her, but so far, there was no sign.He ha
CHAPTER 22: Stunts?Natalie’s POVI smiled seductively, enticing him with all of my charms. “Hello, bad boy,” I cooed, hoping to spark some passion in his eyes. A passion I had so missed but disappeared ever since that bitch came into his life. I pushed my chest out, showing more cleavage through the small bra I was currently on. I opened my legs slightly, just as he liked it, and batted my lashes at him. I had specially dressed up for him. Or rather, undressed for him. I want him, and I must get him. No matter what it took. I seductively opened my legs wider, breathing heavily while pushing my cleavage higher, my legs stretching wider for his eyes to see. But as I locked eyes with him, intending to see that passion and desire within his orbs, I saw annoyance. And disgust. “What are you doing here, Natalie?” Maverick growled, his voice firm and tired, while stepping deeper into his chambers. He closed the door behind him in a loud bang before silence reigned in his chambers. “I
CHAPTER 23: In Fours She CamePyra’s PovI stood in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by an endless expanse of dark, misty mountains that seemed to have no end nor beginning, stretching out as far as my eyesight could go. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying yellow leaves, and the faint moonlit cast an eerie shadow on the ground. But what was most shocking was the color cast by the moon; instead of a silvery white color, it was a pale red, the color of Crimson that shone, casting everything its light laid in a bath of red. I glanced around nervously, my eyes darting around in fear. “What is this place,” I whispered, but the sound of my voice was swallowed in by a familiar silence. I couldn’t hear my own voice again; its echoes were completely gone. “How did I get to this place ?” I stood there, frozen in uncertainty. The mist surrounding the place began to spread, swirling around me, forming tendrils of vapor that curled around my ankle like ethereal finger
CHAPTER 24: The Painting Alpha Maverick’s PovMy phone rang loudly, earning a growl from deep within my chest. I turned towards the phone; its shrill in the silence of the night shattered it. I knew who it was without even looking at the phone—my mother, Luna Elodie. I didn’t bother answering, instead, I left Natalie alone in the room and made my way towards my mom’s chambers.The walk to her place was short, and I knew her favorite hobby room. I knew she’d be there, lost in her world and arts, just like every night. I stood in the corner of the room, its door open, as I watched her paint, her brushstrokes bold and confident as she portrayed her mind into the image of a portrait. I knew that she was lost in her world, filled with numerous colors and creativity that only the imagination could produce. I smiled at her features, a sense of peace washing over me. “You know that’s the exact way your father used to watch me,” she called out, her voice low and soft, as if not wanting t
CHAPTER 25: The Luna Is Hurt Pyra’s Pov I jolted awake, my heart raced like a wild beast set on a prey. I was drenched in sweat. I glanced around as I gasped for air, tears streamed down my face as the remnant of the nightmare lingered in my mind. My head hurt, but one voice kept echoing in my ears: “You are the Blood...” The cloaked figure’s words resounded in my head, louder by each second. The room was darkened, shadows cast by the moonlight making me feel even more alone. I glanced towards the digital clock on the reading table beside my bed, and it read 3:45 AM. Letting out a huge sigh, my eyes darted around for the source of foreign eyes. I felt like I was being watched, and the fear that gripped me was suffocating. I touched the tears that had plastered my face and realized that I had been crying for real even when I wept in the dream. Suddenly, I felt a chill and goosebumps sprouted all over my body. It was as if someone was indeed watching me, lurki
CHAPTER 26: 4:00amPyra’s Pov“How did you get here?” Mr. Blackthorn asked as we made our way to his car. “I ran,” I said, not thinking of my answer as I was currently trying to catch up to their walking speed. We approached the huge SUV that sat several feet away from their house. Mr. Blackthorn pressed a button on his keys, causing the car to flash several colors of lights before it made a clicking sound. We entered the car, making me pause outside. I had seen cars before but never had the luxury to enter one, as Natalie once said. “You’re not worthy to step foot in affluence and only meant to stay in the gutter.”“Enter!” I heard Veronica’s hurried voice making me struggle against the door’s handle Finally, I pulled the door open and hoisted myself up into the car, my eyes widening as I took in the luxurious interior. The seats were soft and warm as it was leather-bound. The dashboard gleaned with sleek technology. In such luxury, I felt out of place with my worn-out shoes an
CHAPTER 27: The GlowPyra’s pov:Everywhere shone with the crimson light from the moon and I knew immediately that I was back in the same dream.I felt I wasn't alone and so I turned, just to gasp at what beheld me. The red-cloaked figure stood in front of me, its hands clasped together and its face shrouded in endless darkness. It was quiet, staring at me. I refused to back down from its stare; instead, I remained quiet and watched. Slowly, it dropped its head and I frowned at this movement, confused as to why he gave up easily on our ‘Staring Game.’ But then, it raised its head, the light illuminating its face and I gasped with shock. In place of the darkness, my own face stared back at me. I was still not used to seeing this even after last time. But now, it is different. Blood streamed down my eyes, and my skin was deathly pale. It tried to open its mouth but blood trickled out too and it smiled at me. There was something sinister about it and all of a sudden, the smile di
CHAPTER 28: The Charade Going Luna Verona’s PovMy mind was consumed by the incident that led to my injury as I lay on the soft hospital bed. My blood boiled with anger as I recalled the confrontation with the challenger, his words fueling my fury. When I received the letter, at first, I thought it was only a mere jest, a russell trick under my skin. But then I saw the seal of Alpha Sam of the Moonblood pack, and my heart skipped a beat. He had sent two letters; one bearing a marriage of agreement and the other, a seal for war. I thought back to the previous encounter of subtle threats and jabs. I had dismissed them as mere posturing, just like others who had come to seek the throne, but now I realized that Alpha Sam was more cunning than I gave him credit for. I tore the letters. Especially the one bearing the marriage agreement. It was a clever move, a way to gain control of my pack without appearing overly aggressive. But the particular seal of war was the extent of his inte
CHAPTER 184: His Last Bloodline Third person’s POV: Maverick turned to focus on the spot where Rhaella faced Alpha Duncan in a staring contest. The tension between them was electric.Neither woman nor man blinked, and neither moved. It was as if the entire battlefield had fallen silent, holding its breath for what was about to happen.Maverick watched as Alpha Duncan’s lips curled into a sneer, his posture dripping with disdain. Even with his werewolf hearing, he couldn’t hear the words being spoken between the two amidst the chaos of war. Maverick turned, seeing the outcome of the war. The backups he had called were yet to arrive. It was as if the goddess heard his words because immediately, the ground trembled beneath Maverick’s boots. At first, it was faint — a distant rumble like the stirring of a great beast — but it grew louder, stronger until even the enemy forces stilled in confusion.From the eastern ridge, banners rose into view, catching the dying light of the setting s
CHAPTER 183: A Sibling's Rage Third person’s POV: Caspian’s face still held no emotion as he stared calmly at Ember. Heavy tension filled the air, suffocating and transcending the physical space between them, sinking into their very bones.Ember’s fingers twitched at her sides, anticipating the next action to which she knew would come. She had faced countless combat and never lost even a single one. This one, she definitely would enjoy. She wanted to see how truly strong the son of her Alpha really was. She wanted to damage the privileged boy who never had to work a day in his life and earned a title she could never acquire no matter how hard she tried. While she had worked every day of her life, fighting to get to the top. Caspian’s posture remained relaxed, almost disinterested as if could see straight through the burning rage building inside her. It only fueled Ember’s determination further.She had done everything for the pack. She had bled for the pack. She had clawed her way
CHAPTER 182: Two Lovers, One MindMaverick’s POV:Rhaella stared at me, and I stared back, our eyes fixed on each other as the false Crimson Wolves fell beside us. I felt one jump towards me, its jaw aiming for my throat—but I remained still.There was no fear.There was no hesitation. There was only one powerful thing standing between us; Trust. The moment its fangs should have met flesh, Rhaella moved.Faster than lightning. Faster than the eye could comprehend. I blinked and she was beside me, her hands holding the neck of the false crimson with so much strength I could feel her veins popping from her hands. Using her other hand, she tore through the wolf’s chest, yanking the still-beating heart and slamming the wolf into the ground with a sickening crack. Blood splattered across my cheek, warm and metallic, but I didn’t blink.Because her eyes hadn’t left mine—not even for a second.She stood over the broken body of the wolf-like a goddess carved from vengeance. Her bodysuit g
CHAPTER 181: The Orb Of FateTHIRD PERSON’S POV: Madraya sat in her temple in the FireHeart pack, a place designated solely for her as the high priestess of Flame and Fate. The sacred chamber shimmered with candlelight, the flames dancing like spirits awakened by the storm of war happening in Lunaria. Incense curled into the air, mixing with the ash-scented wind seeping through the ancient stone windows. But yet, even the sacred smoke could not mask the sense of unease that had settled over her heart like a cold shroud.The temple was quiet. Too quiet. But she sat calmly. One would question why a powerful priestess like her would sit under the protection of the FireHeart pack instead of being at the frontlines and burning the furs of her enemy but Madraya knew the war in Lunaria was not one to be won with brute strength alone. That much was certain. She was no ordinary priestess. She was the Oracle of Flame, the Keeper of the Old Prophecies, and the last living Tether to the First
CHAPTER 180: FreedTHIRD PERSON’S POV: Caspian Maoist, the man known as the betrayer and imposter of Steven StoneClaw stood still amidst the chaos. The roars of wolves clashing, the blood-curdling cries of wounded warriors, or near-death warriors and the scent of death laced the air like a suffocating fog. But none of it reached him. Not truly actually. Not as deep as the violent war raging within him. Caspian was frozen—eyes flickering occasionally between the fire-marked banners of the FireHeart pack and the crimson sigils of his birthright, the RedClaws.To them, he was a traitor.To the others, he was a spy.To himself, he was… lost.Truly lost. The perfect facade of Steven StoneClaw had crumbled like ash in the fire. Now the truth was out for all to see—Caspian Maoist, son of Alpha Duncan, heir to a throne of blood and fury. Heir to the throne that shall soon be theirs. Yet, as he watched his pack members tear through warriors he had bled beside, trained beside while still in
CHAPTER 179: Time To KillMaverick’s POV: The warriors of the FireHeart pack waited with stiff posture, their eyes straight ahead as I passed by them. I rushed into Pyra's penthouse of FireHeart, hoping I wasn’t too late. But when I got to the penthouse, Rhaella wasn’t there. “No, no, no.” I turned away, rushing to the halls of the FireHeart pack, shouting to the nearby pack members. “Where’s the Alpha? Where’s my mate?”The pack member opened her mouth to answer, but no sound came. Her eyes widened—fixed on something behind me. I turned, my heart thudding.Luna Verona stood at the top of the staircase, her long blood-red cloak trailing behind her like a storm cloud. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes—those fierce dark eyes—held something deeper. One I couldn’t decipher. “Where is she?” I demanded before she could even speak. “Where are the kids?”She descended slowly, deliberately, her heeled boots echoing off the stone floor like a countdown to war. “The kids are fine
CHAPTER 178: DUNCAN ALL ALONGPyra’s POV: It all made sense now. Everything, every piece—like shattered glassware slowly forming a whole again.How didn’t I see this?The lies. The secrecy. The way Steven had always been adamant in knowing everything. The way Steven—no, Caspian—always seemed he was holding back a part of himself like he didn’t belong… because he didn’t. He never did. Not here. Not with us.It all made sense why he was a nervous wreck after I told him he must come with me to the RedClaw pack. “You never know what is around you, Alpha Rhaella. You can sit on your throne, thinking all is safe but oblivious that the enemy can be near.” I recalled one of the strange conversations he had with me. At that moment, it didn’t make sense. I didn’t understand then. But now, I see it all. There was an enemy close by, a wolf wearing sheep’s clothing. And he had always been near. Always been by my side. Always been under my roof and I stupidly trusted this enemy. They had alw
CHAPTER 177: Into An AmbushPyra’s POV: My boots struck the earth. Even the dust couldn’t escape my wrath. Dust kicked up behind me in silent protest, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t flinch. I didn’t even blink. My mind was focused on getting to one place and they shall feel my wrath. The bodysuit I wore molded my frame like a second skin. Sleek and dull red. The material shimmered faintly under the dimming light—thick enough to shield me in combat, yet light enough to move without restriction. It was the mark of the crimson Alphas. An armor they wore in times of battles. One that designates fear, not for any weapon, but the fire in our blood. The bodysuit clung to my form like armor, laced with leather straps and reinforced at the joints for agility and stealth. The style was ancient—Myrrakai, they call it, just like in the legends told of my ancestors centuries ago. No one has worn it for centuries, until me. A silver blade was strapped across my back, its hilt still warm from my gr
CHAPTER 176: A Name To The Gray EyesMaverick’s POV:I walked into my mother’s chamber, still feeling the remnant of her perfume lingering in the air. It was faint now, almost to the point of disappearance. Almost like a fading memory, but unmistakably hers—warm lavender and crushed rose petals. The scent clung to the silk sheet, the walls, the drapes… as if the room itself was infused entirely by her and refused to forget her. My chest tightened.The more I thought about it, the more I realized that she was truly gone. Forever. Yet, everything in here screamed her presence. My heart screamed for her. I stared at everything in the chamber. Her crystal paintbrush she cherished so much, her favorite painting bearing an image of her, me… and my father. Everything now stayed untouched, preserved like relics of a time I’d do anything to return to. I hated this feeling. I stood, watching everything like it was the first time I saw them before finally, I walked deeper into the room and sa