The Shadowfang Stronghold

The journey to Shadowfang stretched across two days, carrying me farther from the only home I had ever known with every turn of the wheels beneath our carriage. Towering pines lined the mountain roads, their branches swaying beneath a cool evening breeze, while rivers carved through valleys untouched by the corruption that had slowly consumed Silvercrest. The scenery should have been calming, yet my thoughts refused to settle.

I sat alone inside the spacious carriage, watching the landscape blur past the window while the mate bond remained an unfamiliar presence deep within my chest. It pulsed quietly whenever Damon rode close enough for me to sense him, then faded whenever he moved farther ahead with his warriors.

We had exchanged only a handful of words since leaving Silvercrest. Every meal had been taken separately and every stop along the journey reminded me that although we were husband and wife, we remained little more than strangers traveling in the same direction.

On the second afternoon, the convoy paused beside a crystal-clear river so the horses could rest. I stepped out of the carriage, grateful for the fresh air.

Several Shadowfang warriors immediately straightened upon seeing me, lowering their heads respectfully.

“My Luna.”

The title still felt unfamiliar as I smiled politely. “You may relax, you’ve all been traveling for two days.”

One of the younger warriors looked almost embarrassed “We are accustomed to long journeys.”

“You must still be tired.” He seemed surprised by the concern.

“Thank you, my Luna.”

Before he could say anything else, another warrior called his name, and he hurried away. I watched them organize supplies with remarkable efficiency. Every movement reflected discipline born from years of training. Unlike Silvercrest, where arguments often erupted among the guards, Shadowfang’s warriors worked together without raising their voices.

“They respect kindness.”

I turned to find Gabriel approaching with two wooden cups and he handed one to me. “It is only herbal tea, but it should help with the cold.”

I accepted it gratefully “Thank you.”

For a moment, we stood in comfortable silence, watching the wolves prepare the camp. “You have served Damon for a long time, haven’t you?” I asked.

“Since he became Alpha.”

“You must know him well.”

Gabriel considered the question carefully “I know the leader.”

“And the man?”

A faint smile crossed his scarred face “That is more complicated.”

His answer intrigued me “The stories people tell about him are… colorful.”

“They usually are.”

“Are they true?”

He looked toward Damon, who stood near the river discussing something with his captains.

“Some of them.”

It was not the answer I had hoped for, but Gabriel took another sip from his cup before speaking again.

“Our Alpha is many things, my Luna.” His gaze remained fixed on Damon. “Cruel is not one of them.”

The words lingered in my mind, cruel, perhaps not but careless that seemed far more accurate. The sound of laughter drifted across the camp as several female attendants had approached Damon carrying fresh food and wine. They spoke confidently, smiling with obvious admiration as he thanked them.

One of them rested her hand lightly against his arm while saying something that made the others laugh. Damon did not remove her hand and a strange discomfort settled inside me. I reminded myself that I had no right to feel possessive. Our marriage had never been built upon affection.

Even so, watching another woman touch my husband less than two days after our wedding awakened an emotion I wished I did not possess.

Gabriel noticed where I was looking “They are members of the household staff.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“No.” His expression softened slightly “But I thought you might wonder.”

Before I could respond, Damon glanced toward us and out eyes met briefly. He nodded once, then returned to his conversation, no smile, no invitation, nothing.

The convoy resumed its journey before sunset. As darkness settled over the mountains, enormous stone walls appeared in the distance. At first, I mistook them for part of the cliffs but then I realized they surrounded an entire city, Shadowfang.

Even from miles away, its size stole my breath. Massive watchtowers overlooked every approach to the territory, each flying black banners embroidered with silver wolves. Countless lanterns illuminated the fortress walls as warriors patrolled the battlements with practiced precision.

Unlike Silvercrest, whose defenses had slowly deteriorated over the years, Shadowfang radiated strength. No wonder neighboring packs feared challenging Damon and the enormous gates opened before the convoy reached them.

Hundreds of pack members had gathered along the main avenue leading toward the Alpha Manor. Children sat upon their fathers’ shoulders for a better view while merchants stepped outside their shops to watch the procession pass.

“The Alpha has returned.”

“Our Luna is with him.”

“I heard she has no wolf.”

“I heard she’s beautiful.”

“I heard the marriage was arranged.”

Whispers followed the carriage from every direction, some curious, some are skeptical while some are openly judgmental. I kept my posture straight despite the growing unease inside me.

If these people expected weakness, I would not give it to them. The Alpha Manor stood at the highest point of the city, overlooking every street below. It was larger than the Silvercrest estate by several times, built from dark stone that blended naturally with the surrounding mountains. Elegant gardens softened its imposing appearance, while fountains carved in the likeness of wolves lined the entrance.

The carriage came to a gentle stop and before I could reach for the door, it opened from outside. For one hopeful moment, I thought Damon had come to help me.

Instead, an elderly servant bowed respectfully “My Luna.”

He extended his hand “I am Edwin, the head steward. Welcome to Shadowfang.”

I accepted his assistance with a grateful smile “Thank you.”

As my feet touched the ground, every servant standing outside lowered their heads “Welcome home, Luna Samantha.”

The greeting echoed across the courtyard. Home, the word felt unfamiliar. Damon dismounted his horse and climbed the steps without waiting for me.

He paused only long enough to address the staff “This is your Luna.”

Every servant bowed again “We will serve her faithfully.”

He nodded once “Good.”

Then, without another glance in my direction, he disappeared inside the manor. The silence that followed felt heavier than before.

Edwin cleared his throat gently “If you will allow me, my Luna, I shall show you your chambers.”

“My chambers?”

The words escaped before I could stop them and  he hesitated for the briefest moment.

“The Alpha instructed us to prepare the east wing for you.”

A cold sensation spread through my chest “The east wing.”

“Yes.”

I looked toward the grand staircase where Damon had vanished. Married couples, especially fated mates, traditionally shared a suite within the Alpha residence. Separate chambers were almost unheard of.

The servants exchanged uneasy glances, no one spoke and no one needed to. They all understood what Damon had just announced without saying the words aloud.

Our marriage might exist before the Moon Goddess, but  inside Shadowfang Manor…The Alpha had no intention of sharing his life with his Luna.

Edwin led me through elegant hallways decorated with portraits of former Alphas and their mates. Every painting showed couples standing side by side, equal and united and the irony was impossible to ignore. At the end of the eastern corridor, Edwin opened a pair of beautifully carved doors.

“This will be your residence.”

The suite was breathtaking, a very spacious sitting room overlooked the mountains through floor-to-ceiling windows. Shelves filled with books lined one wall, while fresh flowers decorated polished oak furniture. Beyond the sitting room lay a luxurious bedroom with a canopy bed draped in silver fabric.

Everything had been prepared with remarkable care, everything except one detail, there was no sign that the room belonged to a married woman, no shared wardrobe, no personal belongings belonging to Damon, no trace of a husband only the quiet realization that before I had even spent a single night in Shadowfang, my place in this manor had already been decided.

I was the Luna in title but I would be living like a guest.