Chapter 1

ZANA’S POV

The sky was still pale when I opened my eyes.

My wolf form moved easily through the woods. My coat’s brown colour sparkled in the sun. People said my wolf was a rare sight. They called me beautiful but frightening. I didn’t think about that much. All I cared about was keeping my pack safe.

“Stay close,” I told my warriors through the mind link.

They respected me. Even though I was young, they listened. My father, Alpha Ryker, had trained me well. I was his daughter and his second in command. The border patrol was quiet this morning, too quiet.

We walked for a while before I caught the scent. It was a dirty smell. Rogue. I knew that instantly. I raised my head and sniffed again to be sure.

“Someone’s here,” I said.

I ran forward. The scent grew stronger until I saw him. He was a lone wolf crouching by the edge of the border. His fur was rough and his eyes were wild. He didn’t belong here.

“You crossed into Bloodmoon territory,” I growled, stepping closer.

 “So, this is the famous daughter of Alpha Ryker,” he said. His voice was hoarse and full of hatred.

I watched him carefully. “You have one chance to explain why you’re here.”

He chuckled. “Lucius sends his greetings.”

My heart stopped for a moment. Lucius. That name made my stomach twist. Everyone had heard the stories. He was the Alpha who ruled with fear, who burned entire villages, who turned his men into monsters.

“What does Lucius want with us?” I asked.

“He remembers the Bloodmoon Pack,” the rogue said “And he wants you”

I hesitated “You’re lying,”

He smirked. “You think you’re ready for him, little Alpha?”

That was his mistake.

He lunged at me suddenly. I dodged, feeling his claws graze my side. The pain burned, and my instincts took over. I hit him hard, knocking him to the ground. His teeth snapped at my neck, but I was faster. With a growl, I bit into his throat until he stopped moving.

For a long moment, I stood over his body, breathing hard. The forest was silent again. My warriors appeared behind me, waiting for my command.

“Burn the body,” I said quietly. “And double the patrols near the border.”

They nodded and went to work. I shifted back into my human form.

I wiped the blood from my arm and stared at the horizon. The name Lucius wouldn’t leave my mind.

-

When I returned home, the pack grounds were alive. Warriors trained in the yard, and pups ran around chasing each other.

People greeted me as I walked past. “Alpha’s daughter!” “Good hunt today?”

I smiled and nodded. “Just a rogue. Nothing serious.”

I stopped when a little pup fell while running past. She looked up at me with wide eyes. I bent down and helped her up, brushing the dirt from her knees.

 “You’re alright,” I said softly.

She smiled shyly before running back to her friends.

“Always the gentle one,” a familiar voice said behind me.

I turned and saw Calen, my boyfriend, leaning against a wooden post. He had his arms crossed and a teasing smile on his lips. His dark hair was messy. He looked as gorgeous as ever.

“You’re back early,” he said.

“The forest was quiet,” I replied.

He walked closer, stopping right in front of me. “You smell like blood and wildflowers,” he said, grinning.

I rolled my eyes. “That’s not a compliment, Calen.”

“It is when it’s you,” he said. He lifted my hand to his lips, kissing it gently.

I couldn’t help but smile. Calen and I had grown up together. We trained side by side, dreamed of leading together one day. He was strong, protective, and sometimes too confident for his own good but I loved him. Goddess, I loved him with everything inside me.

“You missed me,” he said playfully.

“Did I?” I teased.

He laughed. “You did.”

We stood there for a moment. We were close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pendant. It was carved from bone and shaped like a crescent moon.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“Something I made,” he said, hooking it around my neck. “A token for loyalty. For us.”

I touched the pendant and smiled. “It’s beautiful.”

“Now you have no excuse to forget me when you’re out killing rogues,” he said jokingly.

Before I could reply, a guard ran up to us. “Alpha Ryker calls for a meeting in the hall. It’s urgent.”

Calen sighed. “Duty calls.”

I nodded. “Let’s go.”

-

The Alpha Hall was filled with elders and high-ranking warriors when we entered. My father, Alpha Ryker, stood at the head of the table. His tall figure and gray-streaked hair made him look older than he was, but his eyes were sharp as ever. Beside him stood Beta Garrick.

“Zana,” my father said. He smiled when he saw me. “You returned safely.”

“Yes, Father,” I said, taking my seat. “There was a rogue at the border. He mentioned Lucius before he attacked.”

The room went silent for a moment.

“Lucius again,” Beta Garrick said quietly. “That name keeps coming up.”

Ryker frowned. “He’s been rejecting trade agreements and sending spies into nearby lands. He’s preparing for something.”

I clenched my fists. “Then we should confront him before he brings the fight to us.”

Ryker shook his head. “We will not start a war, Zana.”

“With all respect, Father, waiting will only make it worse,” I argued. “He’s testing our strength. He wants to see how far he can push before we fight back.”

He raised his voice a bit “You cannot fight an Alpha who rules through fear without becoming what he is.”

The words hit me hard. He always said that. He made it seem like strength and cruelty were the same thing.

I stood “Then what do you want me to do? Sit here while he circles our borders?”

“Enough,” Ryker said firmly. “You’ve done your duty today. Leave this to me.”

I felt anger burning in my chest. He still saw me as the little girl who needed protection, not the warrior who just saved the pack from a threat.

I turned away from the table. “If you say so, Alpha.”

I walked out before he could stop me. My heart pounded in my chest. I hated that no matter what I did, he never truly saw me as ready.

“Zana, wait,” Calen called, catching up to me outside.

I stopped but didn’t turn. “He’ll never take me seriously.”

Calen sighed and touched my arm. “He’s just worried. You’re his daughter.”

“I’m also his fighter,” I said, finally facing him. “He trained me to protect this pack. Why won’t he let me do it?”

“Because he knows you’d throw yourself into danger without thinking twice,” Calen said softly. “And that terrifies him.”

His words made my anger soften a little. I guess he was right. He brushed his thumb along my cheek. I leaned into his touch.

“Don’t let him get to you,” he whispered. “You’re strong, Zana. Stronger than anyone here knows.”

I looked into his eyes. “You really believe that?”

“I always have.”

He smiled and kissed my forehead. The anger in my chest faded away. But still, deep inside, I felt uneasy about Lucius.

Something was coming. I could feel it.

And I wasn’t going to sit and wait for it to happen.