CHAPTER 43 : Alpha Duncan RedClaw Third person’s povThe clearing was eerily quiet; the silence shrouded everything within its grasp, even to the point of suffocation. Even the winds dared not whisper as it blew the leaves gently. This clearing, surrounded by towering trees, opened up like a hidden sanctuary within the dense embrace of the forest. The gnarled branches of these trees suddenly arched overhead, filtering the dying light of the day into soft, light, dappled patterns on the ground. The air was thick with scents of sweating bodies as that silence that once enveloped the clearing lasted only for a few thousandths of a second before a deafening roar erupted, tearing through the atmosphere as the sun settled its ambient glow on the assembled warriors, a deep undercurrent of ferocity palpable.The warriors were a sight to behold: bearded men, their hair and beards streaked red, standing shoulder to shoulder, looking more like a wild assembly of ancient Vikings.But under all
CHAPTER 44: The Tee’s Buds Pyra’s pov As I stood up from the cold toilet seat, I felt an odd mixture of relief wash over me. A smile finally graced my lips. The crimson stain in the bowl confirmed that my monthly visitor had finally arrived, although fashionably late, I might say. Just like Veronica had said, the ‘glow’ she had noticed wasn’t what I thought it was or rather emphasized about. With my period finally here, I felt a strange sense of normalcy returning back to my chaotic life. I was okay. I assured myself, flushing the toilet. I took a moment of time to myself and reached into my bag for the sanitary pad I had kept inside. After a brief struggle, I finally managed to fit it comfortably, and when I was done, I washed my hands while glancing at my reflection in the mirror. I looked… better than ever. My cheeks were now filled, and my hair glistened brightly under the fluorescent lights. I reached a hand to my face while turning my face side to side to view clearly. For
CHAPTER 45: The Heart Circus Pyra's pov I stepped inside with Veronica ahead of me, and the delicate chime of the door echoed behind us. My eyes drifted to the name above the entrance in elegant script: The Tee’s Buds. I couldn’t help the smile that danced on my lips. As we walked deeper into the restaurant, with the people all speaking to each other, I couldn’t help but admire the beauty of this place. The walls were painted in soft pastel shades, making me feel like I had entered another era. Another future. My gaze shifted upwards, and just there sat an ornate crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden light over everything, making the room glow with an inviting warmth, even making the gallant individual's outfit shine. “Here!” Veronica led me to an empty table, and I sat admiring the place. Even the tables were set with immaculate white cloths and gleaming silverware, each plate setting arranged carefully. A small bouquet of fresh flowers in pastel h
CHAPTER 46: Find Me Pyra!Maverick's povThe meeting finally ended late in the evening, with the council members and advisors leaving the hall silently. I sat back in my chair, a soft sigh escaping my patted lips as I felt the weight of the paper in my hand. I continued to watch it, unable to tear my eyes away—the photo was blurred and strange, totally unclear, but one detail stood out clearly: A mop of red hair."Blackthorn," I called, bringing the minister of secret affairs's attention. I heard his footsteps approaching, his presence discreet as ever, always lingering outside my view but still present when I needed him. I could feel his eyes on me the entire time, but I was too focused on the images before me to care.I then felt him beside me. His eyes were on the stack of papers on the table, eager to collect them and retreat to whatever shadow he worked best in. I grunted, handing him the images individually, but I held on to the last one—the photograph.He reached out for it,
CHAPTER 47: Web Of EyesNatalie’s povI slowly approached the building, letting my feet drag across the dried, cracked ground filled with fallen leaves, half-wishing Cornor would be a no-show this time. “What the hell does he want now?” I raged, looking around. It was still dusk, and shadows crawled over the large building, making it feel even more isolated and lonely than it usually is. This was the abandoned training center, which had once buzzed with the sounds of sparring, teaching young cubs and pack members to hunt and survive. But now, it was just a reflection of its former glory, a relic of past lessons, but above all, it seemed fitting that it was the place Cornor insisted on meeting. I already gave him everything he asked for. He has status, power, riches, and respect. I could barely say the last word without sneering. Cornor was a leach, always taking but never satisfied. I’d tolerated much of his nonsense until now, hoping his demands would cease as he settled into his
CHAPTER 48: Madame Lou’s Divination Pyra’s povThe car parked beside the road, the engine turning off. The circus lights flashed in brilliant colors as Veronica and I stepped out of her car. This place was marvelous—a sight to behold. I could barely believe that Fireheart Pack was this advance in both technology and culture—everything was almost futuristic, with stands buzzing with people, laughter echoing through the air, and all kinds of tech-driven attractions that seemed like something out of a dream.A perfect dream. A red rose covered my vision, stopping my wonder, and I turned to see a man’s hand outstretched, giving me the flowers. I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “For you,” he said with a grin on his slightly wrinkled face. “A beautiful flower for a beautiful girl with beautiful red hair.”Immediately he said that, I felt my face heat up, and I took the flowers, using the red petals to hide the side of my burning face. “Thank you, sir.”I glanced back to see Veroni
CHAPTER 49: Mistress Madraya Pyra’s povI woke up to a dense and heavy smoke engulfing my vision. I groaned, my head throbbing like they were about to explode, and as I reached up to touch it, my hands felt heavy, almost like lead.I shook my head, blinking while trying to clear the haze in my vision, but everything was still blurred. I tried to make out my surroundings despite the haze. I took a deep breath, and the familiar incense filled the air.I could make out the dim light from the candles as they flickered, casting eerie shadows that danced along the curtains. I shifted, letting out a small groan as I tried to push myself upright. “Oh, my goodness. Pyra? Are you okay?” Veronica’s soothing voice cut through the haze, filled with so much relief that it pulled me back into the moment. “Are you awake?” I blinked, trying to rub off the haze until my vision finally cleared enough to see her face hovering over me, scrunched up in concern. Her eyes scanned my entire body until they
Chapter 50: Confrontation Maverick’s POV:It’s been three days since I sent Minister Blackthorn to search. And for three days, there was silence, no words from him. I sat in my office, trying to focus on the letter I was writing to Luna Verona Fireheart of the Fireheart pack. The rumors of what had happened during their peace treaty spread like wildfire, and it was only fitting to send my condolences and wish the injured a fast recovery. Finishing the letter, I reached out where it was usually kept for my seal to stamp it shut, but my hands met an empty space I grunted, frustrated, as I bent towards the corner and opened one of the lower drawers to search for the seal. “There!” I muttered, but my fingers brushed on something as I reached for it. I bent lower, and my gaze locked on the stack of pictures beside it, the one minister Blackthorn had handed me some time ago. Curious, I pulled them out along with the seal. “Lyla,” I called out to my secretary as I stamped the letter, n
CHAPTER 190: Bound By Oath Third person’s POV:Pyra looked around and saw the unresponsive body of Caspian, she gasped, “No,” as she rushed towards his body. She had totally forgotten about him. She collapsed beside him, her hands tapping on his cheek to wake him up. “Caspian. Caspian, can you hear me? Wake up.” She could hear his heartbeat, but it was faint. Too faint. She stared at his crushed neck, regretting why she hadn’t realized her full potential earlier. She would have saved him. “Please, wake up.” Her tears dropped down to Caspian’s face. Slowly, Caspian’s eyes fluttered open, focusing on Pyra’s beautiful face. “Rh—aella…” he choked, his voice box crushed by his father. Pyra quickly shushed him. “Don’t talk. You’ll cause more internal bleeding. Just hold on, okay, I’ll get the paramedic. Veronica would save you.” She rushed to go call for help, but felt a weak hand holding hers. She paused, turning to face Caspian. “I need to save you.”“No… need.” Caspian choked. He k
CHAPTER 189: PyraThird person’s POV:“Daughter, wake.”Rhaella’s eyes opened wide, fear struck on her face as her eyes flickered around, searching for Duncan. But he wasn’t there. Instead, she was in a shadowy, mist-filled environment, one she could remember vividly from when she gave birth to her triplets. “W—what happened?” Rhaella’s voice echoed through the space, bouncing back to her as she stared around.“Where you are meant to be. Though not now.”Her eyes turned sharply, so fast that it felt like falling out of her eye socket until they rested on an older woman with an uncanny resemblance to Rhaella. “Great-grandmother Esra.”Esra smiled, nodding. “Great, you still remember me.”“W—where am I? I was…. Duncan… he—““That’s why I’m here to help you.” Esra wrapped her hands around Rhaellas’, her red veil billowing behind her and fluttering with the mist. “It’s time you activate the true power of the crimson blood that flows through your veins. Duncan has caused too many deaths,
CHAPTER 188: Crimson Darkness Third person’s POV:Pain. That was the best word to describe what Caspian felt at the moment. Pain from his heart as he watched the love he could never have laced in Rhaella’s eyes as she desperately held Maverick. A look of love directed at the one he hated. Caspian’s fists clenched at his sides, knuckles whitening beneath the strain. His wolf snarled within him, a guttural growl echoing in the depths of his chest, demanding he do something—anything—but he stood rooted, a silent witness to the scene tearing him apart.What could he do, really? The pain was too much. Rhaella would never accept him, not after he betrayed her trust. Not after he caused her child to be kidnapped, an aim he mostly came to the FireHeart pack for. And there was the pain of losing his sister. He had always wanted a sibling, but he never knew he had one just around the corner all these while. And she hated him. Because of Duncan, his father. And lastly, there was the pain i
CHAPTER 187: Fight For The RealmThird person’s POV:Still seated at her temples, Madraya watched as Caspian sprinted to the war zone, his heart filled with determination to end the chaos once and for all. Madraya could feel and see it all. She watched from the globe as the humans advanced further, a little prayer in her heart. “Please, another chance. Let the one chance left for redemption be the one to prevail. Let this cup not overflow with the blood of the retribution.” She prayed, knowing her prayer would be useless because what would happen next has already been set in stone. No one, not even the most powerful of mages or witches could change it. Fate is a fragile but powerful thing. Once it’s decided, it’s sealed forever. Meanwhile, Maverick has reached side to side with Rhaella as they both glared at Duncan who watched them with a plastered smirk despite being comforted by two powerful werewolves. “You two team up to beat me?” Duncan teased. “Is this how weak Lunaria has g
CHAPTER 186: A Chance At Redemption Third person’s POV:The walls of the temples enveloped Madraya as she sat on the ground, surrounded by the still-flaming candles. She was bathed in the pale, eerie light of the celestial globe that floated before her like a silent moon. Slowly and delicately as if any heavy action could shatter the moment, her fingers traced the invisible threads of fate woven around the globe’s surface. In the depths of the globe, war had found its rhythm again. Fire. Claws. Blood. The human armies advanced toward the RedClaw pack. It was all playing out again—like the Dance of the Crimson Ashes, she had seen long ago.Her face was solemn and stained with unshed tears, a sad smile plastered on her face. She knew how the story would end before the globe even showed it. She leaned forward, whispering to no one, “Let the root be removed by the gardener, and let the house burn by its household, even though they burn with it. Even though the big oak tree crushes the
CHAPTER 185: Seek Retribution Caspian’s POV:Tension filled the small space of the hidden lab as I stared back at the still hard-breathing Ember. I too was breathing hard, exhaustion gripping in as the scent of blood perforated the air. It wasn’t just Ember’s or mine—it was like it was our past, our pain, and our father’s favoritism. My fist clenched beside me, the world spinning around me in a chaos I couldn’t control. Ember was good, I must give her that. She moved like lightning, rage guiding her every step. The blade she held in one hand sliced across my shoulder and I staggered back, my knees nearly giving away. But I didn’t fall.I couldn’t. Not this time.Not when I have people depending on me. Not when I haven’t gotten my retribution. “You’re weak, brother,” she spat, her eyes glowing with the same red madness that burned in our father’s. The way she mentioned the word ‘brother’ I could feel the amount of hatred and anger from that single word. “Always holding back. Alway
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