«ADRIAN’S POV»The sound of clashing swords and sparring feet paused the moment I stepped onto the training grounds. Everyone stopped. Every head turned. I didn’t waste time.“Listen up!” I shouted, my voice echoing across the open field. “First person to tell me where Ryan really is gets promoted to head guard!”I know am no longer Alpha of the pack but that doesn't mean I have no power. Anyone who knew Adrian Blackwaters know he's ruthless and can be just as cruel. The silence stretched too long.Then a small voice from the back: "They took him to the cells." My blood went cold. I stepped forward, locking eyes with the female warrior who spoke. “Who did?”The female warrior stepped forward too, shaking but determined. "Marcus. Three nights ago. Said Ryan was a traitor." I didn’t wait for anything else.I ran.The prison cells were buried deep under the east wing. They smelled like old metal and dried blood. The walls dripped with damp, and the air felt heavy.I didn’t bother w
«CLARA’S POV»The sun was still up in the sky yet the woods were too quiet. I stepped out of the last SUV, my boots crunching on dry leaves.We had stopped at a hidden spot not too far from Dark Howl Pack. The trees were thick here, and the wind moved in the opposite direction, keeping our scents covered. It was the safest place to camp before the fight. The area we camped in was a wide clearing covered in dry leaves. There were at least fifteen black SUVs parked around, some with their doors still open. Warriors were already scattered around the place. Some were sitting on stones and old tree trunks, eating packed food. Others were talking in low voices, trying to keep their spirits high. A few were checking their weapons. One was even telling jokes, and the others near him laughed, though it was easy to hear the tension beneath it.I walked beside Lusaka as we headed toward the center of the clearing. The moment the warriors saw us, they stood quickly and bowed. Even the ones who
«CLARA’S POV»Night had fully fallen. The sky was dark like a giant black beast, spreading over everything.The air was cold and quiet. Every step we took was careful. Silent. The leaves under our feet barely made a sound.We had moved deep into the woods until we finally reached the Dark Howl pack border."Wait." I raised my hand to stop everyone. We crouched behind the tall trees. Up ahead, I could see the patrolling guards. Ten of them, walking slowly, talking in low voices, not alert at all."Finish them." One command from me and I nodded at the small group of rogues I had sent ahead. They moved like shadows. Silent and Quick. One by one, they crept up behind the ten patrolling guards. One guard stood watch, yawning. He never felt the hand clamp over his mouth. Never saw the blade flash in the moonlight. A quick jerk—sharp and deep. His body sagged before he could make a sound. Another guard turned, sensing something wrong. Too late. A rogue was already behind him. One hand
«CLARA’S POV»The hall was growing heavy with silence.“I don’t have to explain anything to you!” Jasmine snapped, standing tall again. Then I caught her hand twitched toward her knife. BANG. My bullet tore through her shoulder before she could move. She screamed, collapsing against the wall. "YOU CRAZY—""Next one goes between your eyes," I said calmly. "Talk." Lusaka eyess widened in realization and he stormed forward, his claws out. "Who else knew?" Jasmine's bloody grin was answer enough. "Too late." Shit. We'd walked right into a trap! Before I could reply, another voice entered the hall.“Well, well, well…”Magnus.He walked in with slow, confident steps like he owned the world. His hands behind his back like a man going for a leisure stroll. Behind him, more footsteps followed. Heavy boots. I felt the ground vibrate as they came closer.The rest of the Alphas walked in after him, one by one, their pack warriors surrounding us from all sides.Alpha Cyrus from the Nor
«THIRD POV»Marcus froze in place, his eyes growing wide with fear as Adrian walked into the hall. “T-this is impossible,” he stammered, voice shaking. He took a slow step back, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.The other alphas standing beside him also started backing away. Their proud faces turned pale, and their bodies tensed as if danger had just entered the hall. Disbelief was written on their faces. Clara noticed their sudden change. Confused, she looked from one alpha to another. Why were they scared of Adrian so intensely? Could something have happened before they attacked the Dark Howl pack? Something she didn’t know yet… Andromeda, who always looked calm and full of control, suddenly snapped. “This can’t happen!” she shouted, her eyes sharp with anger and shock as she rushed toward Adrian. “How did you get out of the silver chains?!” Clara gasped loudly, her eyes jumping to Adrian. “Silver chains?” she whispered to herself in disbelief. Fear and then wor
«THIRD POV»"Adrian, wait!” That was Clara’s voice, speaking to Adrian’s wolf. However, Magnus was already blinded by resentment, so much all he yearned for was to get his revenge on Marcus Wolf! Meanwhile, Marcus lay flat on the ground outside the hall, bleeding and barely breathing. His once-proud wolf form now looked weak, trembling and broken. Blood soaked into the dirt beneath him, and his fur was ripped in many places. “Haha, scared to kill me?” He growled lowly, his voice full of tease, but the sound held no strength.“I want to torture you so hard you'd beg for death before I kill you, Marcus…” Magnus stood tall above him. His body was huge, muscles stretched tight with rage. His eyes glowed gold, wild and burning with fury. His chest rose and fell heavily, breath coming in rough puffs. He wanted to kill. To end this. To rip Marcus apart just as Marcus had done to his father! He lowered his head, lips pulling back to reveal long, deadly teeth.One bite. That’s all it w
«CLARA’s POV»I ran into the pack mansion, ignoring the way my heart thudded in my chest like it wanted to break free. My boots echoed loudly against the staircases, each step rushed, each breath tight.“Adrian!” I called, but no one answered. My voice bounced against the empty walls, hollow and small.Where was he?I ran down the hallway, pushing open doors, turning corners too fast. Panic clawed at my chest the more I searched. My eyes darted around wildly—everywhere I searched, he wasn’t there.“Where is he?” I muttered under my breath, stopping in the middle of the hallway. My hands flew to my hair, tugging at it in frustration. I didn’t even know what I would say when I found him—I just knew I had to find him.Defeated, I turned to head back and then… I slammed right into something solid.Fuck! My head hit it hard and I hissed in pain, stumbling backward.“Ugh! What the hell—”But my voice died in my throat.It wasn’t a wall, it was a chest. A broad, warm chest.I blinked, start
«CLARA’s POV»Adrian didn’t say a word, he simply just held my hand. And, I didn’t stop him.I know I should have pulled away. I should’ve reminded him of the distance we needed. He has a Luna, and I have a husband. Plus, I also wanted to remind him of the cruel way he rejected me. But right now, none of that mattered. His hand was warm. It felt real. Steady. And a little broken, just like me.We kept walking.Past the building, past the gardens, then deeper into the woods.I didn’t know where he was taking me. I was quiet at first, but the farther we walked, the darker it got, and the more unsure I became.“Adrian…” I finally spoke up, glancing around at the tall trees and thick shadows. “Where are we going?”The alpha king didn’t stop walking. He didn’t look at me either but he let out a low laugh. “Now you're scared, huh? Don't worry, You’ll see,” he told me. “Just wait until we get there.”I frowned, unsure if I should be scared or curious. Maybe both. We kept going. The woods
«CLARA’s POV»I held my breath.The figure stepped out from the shadows of the trees… and then another.My heart skipped. It was Lusaka and Ravenanna.The air froze. For a moment, no one said a word.The silence was loud.Lusaka’s eyes blinked in confusion. Ravenanna’s mouth was wide open, like she had seen something shocking. "Clara… y-you… Adrian…” Only then did I realize how close I was to Adrian. My hands were still on his back. My body pressed against his.It looked... wrong.I hurriedly stepped away as if I’d been caught doing something I shouldn’t. I pulled away fast, my face burning with heat. Then walked quickly to Lusaka’s side.“It’s not what it you think, Lusaka,” I quickly try to explain, my words stumbling out. “W-we were just talking, that’s all.”Ravenanna glance between me and Adrian, still quiet, and suspicious. Lusaka suddenly chuckled, not what I had expected. The Rogue King was a jealous freak, no difference from Adrian. I had imagined he would explode or star
«CLARA’s POV»Adrian didn’t say a word, he simply just held my hand. And, I didn’t stop him.I know I should have pulled away. I should’ve reminded him of the distance we needed. He has a Luna, and I have a husband. Plus, I also wanted to remind him of the cruel way he rejected me. But right now, none of that mattered. His hand was warm. It felt real. Steady. And a little broken, just like me.We kept walking.Past the building, past the gardens, then deeper into the woods.I didn’t know where he was taking me. I was quiet at first, but the farther we walked, the darker it got, and the more unsure I became.“Adrian…” I finally spoke up, glancing around at the tall trees and thick shadows. “Where are we going?”The alpha king didn’t stop walking. He didn’t look at me either but he let out a low laugh. “Now you're scared, huh? Don't worry, You’ll see,” he told me. “Just wait until we get there.”I frowned, unsure if I should be scared or curious. Maybe both. We kept going. The woods
«CLARA’s POV»I ran into the pack mansion, ignoring the way my heart thudded in my chest like it wanted to break free. My boots echoed loudly against the staircases, each step rushed, each breath tight.“Adrian!” I called, but no one answered. My voice bounced against the empty walls, hollow and small.Where was he?I ran down the hallway, pushing open doors, turning corners too fast. Panic clawed at my chest the more I searched. My eyes darted around wildly—everywhere I searched, he wasn’t there.“Where is he?” I muttered under my breath, stopping in the middle of the hallway. My hands flew to my hair, tugging at it in frustration. I didn’t even know what I would say when I found him—I just knew I had to find him.Defeated, I turned to head back and then… I slammed right into something solid.Fuck! My head hit it hard and I hissed in pain, stumbling backward.“Ugh! What the hell—”But my voice died in my throat.It wasn’t a wall, it was a chest. A broad, warm chest.I blinked, start
«THIRD POV»"Adrian, wait!” That was Clara’s voice, speaking to Adrian’s wolf. However, Magnus was already blinded by resentment, so much all he yearned for was to get his revenge on Marcus Wolf! Meanwhile, Marcus lay flat on the ground outside the hall, bleeding and barely breathing. His once-proud wolf form now looked weak, trembling and broken. Blood soaked into the dirt beneath him, and his fur was ripped in many places. “Haha, scared to kill me?” He growled lowly, his voice full of tease, but the sound held no strength.“I want to torture you so hard you'd beg for death before I kill you, Marcus…” Magnus stood tall above him. His body was huge, muscles stretched tight with rage. His eyes glowed gold, wild and burning with fury. His chest rose and fell heavily, breath coming in rough puffs. He wanted to kill. To end this. To rip Marcus apart just as Marcus had done to his father! He lowered his head, lips pulling back to reveal long, deadly teeth.One bite. That’s all it w
«THIRD POV»Marcus froze in place, his eyes growing wide with fear as Adrian walked into the hall. “T-this is impossible,” he stammered, voice shaking. He took a slow step back, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.The other alphas standing beside him also started backing away. Their proud faces turned pale, and their bodies tensed as if danger had just entered the hall. Disbelief was written on their faces. Clara noticed their sudden change. Confused, she looked from one alpha to another. Why were they scared of Adrian so intensely? Could something have happened before they attacked the Dark Howl pack? Something she didn’t know yet… Andromeda, who always looked calm and full of control, suddenly snapped. “This can’t happen!” she shouted, her eyes sharp with anger and shock as she rushed toward Adrian. “How did you get out of the silver chains?!” Clara gasped loudly, her eyes jumping to Adrian. “Silver chains?” she whispered to herself in disbelief. Fear and then wor
«CLARA’S POV»The hall was growing heavy with silence.“I don’t have to explain anything to you!” Jasmine snapped, standing tall again. Then I caught her hand twitched toward her knife. BANG. My bullet tore through her shoulder before she could move. She screamed, collapsing against the wall. "YOU CRAZY—""Next one goes between your eyes," I said calmly. "Talk." Lusaka eyess widened in realization and he stormed forward, his claws out. "Who else knew?" Jasmine's bloody grin was answer enough. "Too late." Shit. We'd walked right into a trap! Before I could reply, another voice entered the hall.“Well, well, well…”Magnus.He walked in with slow, confident steps like he owned the world. His hands behind his back like a man going for a leisure stroll. Behind him, more footsteps followed. Heavy boots. I felt the ground vibrate as they came closer.The rest of the Alphas walked in after him, one by one, their pack warriors surrounding us from all sides.Alpha Cyrus from the Nor
«CLARA’S POV»Night had fully fallen. The sky was dark like a giant black beast, spreading over everything.The air was cold and quiet. Every step we took was careful. Silent. The leaves under our feet barely made a sound.We had moved deep into the woods until we finally reached the Dark Howl pack border."Wait." I raised my hand to stop everyone. We crouched behind the tall trees. Up ahead, I could see the patrolling guards. Ten of them, walking slowly, talking in low voices, not alert at all."Finish them." One command from me and I nodded at the small group of rogues I had sent ahead. They moved like shadows. Silent and Quick. One by one, they crept up behind the ten patrolling guards. One guard stood watch, yawning. He never felt the hand clamp over his mouth. Never saw the blade flash in the moonlight. A quick jerk—sharp and deep. His body sagged before he could make a sound. Another guard turned, sensing something wrong. Too late. A rogue was already behind him. One hand
«CLARA’S POV»The sun was still up in the sky yet the woods were too quiet. I stepped out of the last SUV, my boots crunching on dry leaves.We had stopped at a hidden spot not too far from Dark Howl Pack. The trees were thick here, and the wind moved in the opposite direction, keeping our scents covered. It was the safest place to camp before the fight. The area we camped in was a wide clearing covered in dry leaves. There were at least fifteen black SUVs parked around, some with their doors still open. Warriors were already scattered around the place. Some were sitting on stones and old tree trunks, eating packed food. Others were talking in low voices, trying to keep their spirits high. A few were checking their weapons. One was even telling jokes, and the others near him laughed, though it was easy to hear the tension beneath it.I walked beside Lusaka as we headed toward the center of the clearing. The moment the warriors saw us, they stood quickly and bowed. Even the ones who
«ADRIAN’S POV»The sound of clashing swords and sparring feet paused the moment I stepped onto the training grounds. Everyone stopped. Every head turned. I didn’t waste time.“Listen up!” I shouted, my voice echoing across the open field. “First person to tell me where Ryan really is gets promoted to head guard!”I know am no longer Alpha of the pack but that doesn't mean I have no power. Anyone who knew Adrian Blackwaters know he's ruthless and can be just as cruel. The silence stretched too long.Then a small voice from the back: "They took him to the cells." My blood went cold. I stepped forward, locking eyes with the female warrior who spoke. “Who did?”The female warrior stepped forward too, shaking but determined. "Marcus. Three nights ago. Said Ryan was a traitor." I didn’t wait for anything else.I ran.The prison cells were buried deep under the east wing. They smelled like old metal and dried blood. The walls dripped with damp, and the air felt heavy.I didn’t bother w