LOGINThe first sign was silence.
Not the peaceful kind that came after work, when the packhouse finally quieted and everyone settled down but a heavy, humming stillness that didn’t belong.
Selene stood by the kitchen window, drying her hands. Outside, twilight clung to the trees, the horizon painted in the pale blue of oncoming night. The children had gone to bed early. Patrols were still out. Everything looked… normal.
But her wolf stirred uneasily beneath her sk
The Witch Queen took another step backward as the blue light around Selene grew stronger. The walls of the packhouse trembled, cracks spreading across the floor beneath Selene's feet. Outside, wolves stopped fighting for a moment as the force of her power rolled across the territory. Even the rogues seemed to feel it. Some turned toward the packhouse in confusion, while others backed away from the warriors surrounding them.Selene stood completely still. Her eyes were no longer the same. A powerful blue glow filled them as energy moved through her body, and the air around her seemed to bend under the pressure of her power. Damien remained on the floor behind her, barely conscious, his breathing shallow from the wolfsbane. Elder Myra stayed near the twins while Liora stood between them and the Witch Queen. The Witch Queen stared at Selene with a mixture of disbelief and anger.“So this is what you've been hiding,” she said.Selene didn't answer.
Malric sat on the floor with Veyra's body still in his arms, the newborn crying softly against his chest. For a few seconds, he couldn't hear anything except the child's cries. The battlefield outside seemed impossibly far away, even though the sounds of fighting were still shaking the walls around him.Elder Myra knelt beside him. “Malric, we have to move her.”He didn't answer.“Malric.”His eyes remained fixed on Veyra's face. “She just gave birth.”“I know.”“She was talking to me.”“I know.”“And now she's gone.”Elder Myra's expression softened, but she knew there was no time to grieve properly. “You need to protect the baby. The war isn't over.”Malric finally looked down at his daughter. His jaw tightened as he wiped his tears with the back of his hand. He gently wrapped the newborn closer against his chest befo
The battlefield was still raging when Malric reached Veyra.He dropped to his knees beside her, his heart pounding as he saw her lying on the ground with one hand pressed against her stomach. Her face was pale, and sweat covered her forehead. Another scream tore from her throat as she gripped his arm.“Malric,” she gasped. “It’s happening.”For a moment, he could only stare at her. The sounds of battle seemed to fade around him. Warriors were still fighting nearby, wolves were tearing into rogues, and the smell of blood filled the air, but none of it mattered anymore.“Our baby?” he asked.Veyra nodded, breathing heavily. “The baby is coming.”Malric immediately looked around. “Elder Myra!”“She’s with Selene,” Veyra said weakly.Malric cursed under his breath. Elder Myra was needed everywhere, but he knew he couldn't leave Veyra alone. He quick
The Witch Queen stood in the doorway, surrounded by smoke and the sounds of battle.Selene didn't move.Behind her, Elder Myra held the twins tightly while Liora stood beside her, ready to fight if anyone came closer.The Witch Queen looked at Selene for several seconds before her gaze shifted toward the babies.“So these are the children.”Selene's expression hardened.“Don't look at them.”The Witch Queen smiled.“I've heard so much about them.”“You won't get near them.”“I don't need to.”Her eyes returned to Selene.“You're still the one I came for.”Selene's fingers began glowing blue.“I know.”The Witch Queen took one step forward.Selene raised her hand.A burst of energy slammed into the floor between them, forcing the Witch Queen backward.The walls shook.Li
The first sign came just before dawn.The eastern watchtower sounded the alarm.One long horn.Then another.Then three short blasts.Damien was already awake.He stood beside the window of the packhouse, staring into the darkness when the first horn sounded. Within seconds, the entire building came alive. Warriors rushed through the corridors, pulling on armor and grabbing weapons. Wolves began howling across the territory as the alarm spread from one patrol post to another.Garrick entered the room fully dressed.“They're here.”Damien turned.“How many?”“We don't know yet.”Korven appeared behind him. “The northern patrol spotted movement. The western scouts are reporting the same thing. There's movement along the southern boundary too.”Damien's expression hardened.“All three sides.”Garrick nodded.“T
Damien remained at the window long after the others had left.He couldn't explain exactly what had made him look outside. There had been no movement, no sound, nothing obvious enough to prove that someone was there.But his instincts had reacted.Someone had been watching them.And if the stranger had managed to get close enough to watch the packhouse without being detected, then Shadowfang had a bigger problem than they realized.Garrick stood beside him.“You want to search the grounds?”Damien shook his head.“No.”Garrick frowned. “Why?”“Because if someone is actually watching us, they may be waiting for us to do exactly that.”“So we leave them alone?”“We make them think we haven't noticed.”Garrick understood.“You want them to believe they're still hidden.”“Yes.”Damien turned from the window.“Call Korven. Quietly.”A few minutes later, Korven entered the room.Damien explained what he suspected, and Korven's expression became serious.“Do you think there's someone inside t
The road to Shadowfang was long.Long enough for thoughts to grow heavier with every mile.The Silvermoon convoy moved steadily along the forest path, wheels crunching against gravel while tall pine trees towered on either side like silent witnesses to the journey. The wind carried the scent of ear
The morning sun filtered through the wide windows of Shadowfang’s main hall, scattering warm gold across the polished wooden floor. The pack was alive with movement wolves of all ages weaving through the corridors, laughter ringing in the air, tails wagging in excitement. Decorations hung f
The dining hall of Shadowfang was one of the grandest spaces in the entire pack estate.Tall arched windows stretched along the stone walls, allowing the afternoon sunlight to pour inside in warm golden streams. The light reflected softly off polished wooden floors and long oak tables arranged neat
The scent of blood still lingered in the air.Even after the fires were put out, even after the bodies were buried, the smell clung to the earth sharp, metallic, and unrelenting.Selene stood near the training grounds where the battle had ended hours ago. The soil was torn and black







