« CLARA » Adrian’s voice is cold, booming with anger. A thick vein bulges from his neck, his eyes burning with disdain. "I can already see it that you're not the person I thought you were." I stagger backward, my blood runs cold. His towering frame swallows my small body when he comes closer, tilting his neck as he bares his teeth at me with disappointment. "How could you let jealousy blind you this much, Clara? Or has the evilness in you finally taken over, turning you into someone who would harm her own sister when all she ever did was care for you?" His words slam into me, knocking the air from my lungs, my eyes wide with disbelief. How could he think this of me? We've spent our entire lives together, growing up side by side since we were children. No one knows me better like he does. So how can he possibly believe I'm capable of something so vicious? "How... how can you say that to me, Adrian?" "Then prove me wrong." He chuckles, his voice rumbling across our bedro
« CLARA »"Thank you for the twenty years together. I hope we never meet again!” I glared hatefully at him before turning to the doorway. From the corner of my eyes, I notice Adrian's eyes grow darker as it lowers to the floor. I can't tell what he was thinking and I don't wish to know. Adrian watches me silently, I could feel he wants to say nothing but was holding himself back. Bastard. How did I fall for someone like him? In a commanding voice, Adrian calls for the Delta pack warriors and almost immediately, they come rushing in, their huge bodies filling the room. “Take her.” The Delta pack warriors bows at Adrian before grabbing me roughly by the arms. I didn’t resist. I didn’t fight back. I was too exhausted to do anything. What's the point? Outside, the entire pack gathered outside the pack house. Waiting for me. Their eyes burn with disdain and hatred, their voices clashing in an angry storm.‘She tried to kill Luna Ophelia!ʼ‘Why doesn’t the Alpha just have her execute
« ADRIAN » After Clara finally left the pack, I thought I would feel relieved, but I didn't.Instead, it feels as though a part of me has been ripped out, leaving only an emptiness that I can hardly ignore. It is as though I lost something important, a part of me. The early morning sunlight pours in through the window, brightening the spacious walls of my office.I've been here all night after Clara left, finding it difficult to sleep.The vivid images of the Rogues prowling just near the territory, waiting for her to step out, while she, in turn, tries to bravely hide her fear –haunt me all night.Surprisingly, I’d have to admit, I was worried sick about her. Sitting behind my massive mahogany desk, I flip through the paperwork in front of me, thumbing the words distractedly without really seeing them.Magnus, my wolf, stirs uneasily inside me.He is restless, agitated.Pacing like a caged beast, he keeps growling at the walls of my mind.*Bastard, don’t tell me you’re already reg
«ADRIAN» The door cracks open, and Ophelia steps inside, her body clad in a tight body-con dress that hugs her slender curve. Her brown eyes gleam with excitement as they land on me, I know she must have taken her time primping herself up to impress me, judging from her choice of dress and the way her hair was stylish delicately, her bangs flowing down her narrow shoulders. But the moment Ophelia spots a third party in the office. Ryan. Ryan’s sitting in the far corner of the office, arms crossed, smirking, his posture exuding disdain as he looks back at her contempt. She froze. Her face drained of colors, and the smile on her face vanished. She was not expecting to see him there. Her confidence begins to shift as she quickly lowers her head. She suddenly looks timid and small as she fidgets with her fingers nervously. “Goddess! Who am I seeing? Is that really you, Ophelia? Did you come back from the land of the dead?” Ryan exclaims but his voice drips with mockery and O
« CLARA » It’s been two weeks since I was banished from the Dark Howl Pack. Lost, hungry, and broken, life in the Outlands has been nothing but a harsh struggle. Each day fades away into the next as I search for a way to survive, with no pack willing to take me in. Each pack terrority I come across, would either throw objects at me, cursing me, and wishing me death. I am tired, worn down by it all. At a point, I feel like committing suicide. My once-delicate frame is now covered by mud, bruises, and scars, each one a testament to the rogues I have faced in recent weeks. I fought them with nothing but my bare hands, and it is truly a miracle that I am still alive, breathing. My hair is a tangled mess, dirty and unkempt, even a bird nest is better. I was tired of everything, hunger has become my constant compassion, gnawing at my insides like a ravenous beast. Food is scarce. The few fruits I manage to find hardly keep me going, and the nights are the hardest, cold, lon
« CLARA » I try to move my body or to open my eyes but I couldn't, all I felt in response was pain. Pain. A dull, aching pain that spread through my body. Why can't I seem to move? Suddenly I begin to hear unfamiliar voices in my head, eliciting my body to tense in panic. “How is she?” A deep voice speaks, I could feel the concern in his voice. “Why hasn't she woken up?” “I have tried all my best, Lusaka,” the voice of an elderly woman replies. Her voice is soft and soothing, like a mother speaking to her child. ”We can only place our hope in the Moon Goddess.” Somehow, their voices calmed me down and my muscles slowly relaxed. If they were bad people, they wouldn't have sounded so concerned and worried about me. My body, so weak, gives in to exhaustion and I let myself drift back into the deeper part of the darkness. ~~~~~~~ “Ah,” A groan slips out of my lips as I slowly open my eyes, my brows fluttering, I stare at the ceilings, my vision blurry at fir
« CLARA » For a moment, I forget where I am. Savanna was my best friend’s mother and also the pack seer of the Dark Howl pack before she was accused of treason and was banished from the pack a month after I became Luna. She had been more like a second mother to me. To see her here, alive and well, was almost too much for me to process. How is this possible? What is she doing here, and how was she able to find me? Noticing my bewilderment, Savanna chuckles softly. "You remember me," she says gently, shifting on the edge of my bed. Her wrinkled pale hands gently grabbed mine, and for the first time in weeks, I felt a sense of comfort. "I knew you would." "But... how?" I croak, my voice hoarse and somewhat curious. She smiles warmly, brushing a strand of hair off my face. "That’s a story for another time, dear. Right now, you need rest. Your body has been through so much." "No, I’m fine," I insist, stubbornly. "I know my own body well." Savanna laughs, pinching my
« CLARA » I woke up groggily, my head pounding and my body feeling heavy. I don’t know when I fell asleep again or how long I’d been out. Holding my head while staring at the white ceilings, the last thing I remembered was Savanna giving me a bitter herb to drink before Brandon, carefully re-dressed the wound in my shoulder. After that, darkness pulled me under. Slowly, I glance around the familiar hospital ward, expecting to see Savanna or Brandon. However, I catch the sight of a brunette sitting closer to my bed with worry written on her face while she sleeps with her head positioned on the edge. She looked just as I remembered, her chocolate brown hair which spills over her face matches with her warm brown eyes. But her once chubby body now appeared slender. "Ravenanna?" I gasp in shock, my throat feels dry so it comes out low and raspy. Hearing her name, her body jolts awake and she lifts her head fast to look at me, her brown eyes goes wide with bright smil
«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
«ADRIAN’S POV»I drove back to Dark Howl Pack in silence.The road felt longer than before. My hands stayed tight on the wheel, my jaw locked the whole time. I didn’t want to think. I didn’t want to feel. Not right now.Driving through the forest, the trees blurring past my window. The closer I got to Pack, the heavier my chest felt. Finally, I reached the border and slowed down. The delta patrolling guards standing watch looked uneasy. Their eyes shifted between each other before landing on me. One of them even staggered back a little. I frowned but kept driving. Maybe they were just surprised to see me. I had been gone for days without notice.Still, something felt off.When I reached the packhouse, the feeling grew stronger. People stopped what they were doing. A group of young wolves training near the field all turned to look at me. I saw gasps. Some of them even bowed late like they didn’t expect me. My pack never acted like this before. Just silence and… worry.I gradually par
«CLARA’S POV»The morning air was cool and gentle as I strolled around through the Rogue’s pack town. The grass was still wet from the early dew, and a faint breeze brushed against my skin.A few rogue members passed by, stopping in their tracks when they saw me. Heads bowed, respectfully.With each greeting, I nodded back with a small, forced smile.It still felt strange sometimes—to be looked at like that. With admiration. With trust. Because it hadn’t always been this way.Not long ago, they hated me.Back when I first came here… they feared me. They whispered behind my back. The cursed wolf. A danger. A mistake.I was the outsider. The doom-bringer. The one they wanted gone.Only a handful had treated me kindly. A few saw beyond the fear and stories. A few believed I was something more.Now, everything had changed.Now? Now they called me Queen of the Rogues.The irony wasn’t lost on me. They looked at me like I mattered. Like I belonged.Because I had proved myself. I had fough
«ADRIAN POV»My shoulders tensed, but I turned. Moonlight cut across Lusaka’s face, revealing an expression I’d never seen before—something almost like respect. "You’re really leaving?" He tilted his head, studying me. "Just like that?" I swallowed hard, my gaze flickering past him to where Clara still stood below in the training ground. "I told you. She’s yours to protect now."Lusaka surprised me then. He laughed—not his usual mocking chuckle, but something quieter. Almost tired. "Gods, you’re stubborn." He ran a hand through his hair. "You think I don’t see what this is costing you?"I didn’t answer. The truth sat like a stone in my throat: Everything. It’s costing me everything. Below us, Clara bent to pick up her water flask, her movements slower now. Exhausted. Lusaka followed my gaze, his voice dropping. "I’ll protect her, Adrian. You have my word." When I stiffened, he added, "Not because you asked. Because she’s worth protecting. After all, she's my wife." Something i
«ADRIAN POV»It’s been two days, I stayed away from Clara. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my whole life. Every second felt like a war inside me. But I had no choice. I made her a promise, and I had to keep it.During these days, I didn’t leave the guest lodge during the day. I stayed hidden. I only came out at night, and even then, it was only to watch her from a distance.The cold night air bit my skin as I stood alone on the balcony. Below me, the training grounds were quiet except for one person. Clara. She was always training alone.Anyone else would think she looked strong—ready to fight, fearless like a true warrior. But I saw more than that.I saw the fear in her eyes.Not fear of dying… but fear of failing.If she loses this war, it could be the end of everything. Her life, her people, her last chance at peace.*Even if she fails, we won’t let anyone touch her* Magnus, my wolf, growled in my mind.I closed my eyes and sighed.It was our responsibility to prot