LOGINI hope this chapter makes you feel the warmth, tension and quiet excitement of two hearts learning to open and trust each other. Bonds go beyond words, they are felt in every heart beat, breath & touch.
Alpha Lucien's POVThe pack was quiet when I found Maya.That kind of quiet that comes after bad news, after fear has settled into bones and refused to leave. Maya stood near the old oak at the edge of the inner grounds. The tree had survived three wars and two fires. So had she, in her own way.Her back was to me.She didn’t turn when she heard my steps. She knew it was me. She always did.For a moment, I almost turned away.Cowardice whispered that this could wait. That I could hide behind council problems, behind threats and strategy and borders.But Maverick’s voice echoed in my head.“Stop leading with fear.”So I stopped a few feet behind her and spoke.“Maya.”Her shoulders stiffened.That hurt more than I expected.“I’m sorry,” I said immediately.The words came out rough, scraped raw from my chest. She turned slowly then, her eyes guarded, tired. Not angry. That was worse.“I shouldn’t have yelled at you,” I continued. “I shouldn’t have pulled away. I shouldn’t have made you
Alpha Lucien's POVThe storm didn’t come with claws or teeth this time.It came with words.Bad ones.I knew something was wrong the moment the Council summons arrived at dawn. The seal was pressed too hard into the paper, the wax cracked like it had been struck with anger.“Alpha Lucien of Blood Moon,” Finn read aloud beside me, his jaw tight. “You are ordered to attend an emergency council gathering. Failure to appear will be considered an act of defiance.”Maya stood across the room, her hands clasped together. Her wolf stirred uneasily beneath her skin. Mine did too.The war with Kaiser had ended. His body was cold in the ground. His allies had surrendered. We should have had peace. Instead, the council was calling.“I’ll go,” I said.Maya stepped forward. “I’m coming with you.”I shook my head gently. “Not this time.”Her eyes flashed, hurt and worried. But she nodded. She understood that council halls were dangerous in a different way. No claws. Just laws. And laws could cut dee
Lucien's POVMaverick grinned.“You look terrible,” he added cheerfully.I huffed out a breath that might have been a laugh.“Good to see you too.”“You’re welcome here,” he said, voice firm now. “Always.”Something in my chest loosened at that.I hadn’t realized how much I needed to hear it.He led me deeper into the territory, toward a fire pit where several wolves sat talking quietly. When they saw me, they stiffened then bowed their heads respectfully.Alpha Lucien of Blood Moon still carried weight, even here.Maverick waved them off.“Give us space,” he said. “The man looks like he’s about to explode.”The rogues scattered quickly.We sat across from each other near the fire. Maverick poured me a cup of something strong-smelling and shoved it into my hands.“Drink,” he ordered. “You look like you’ve forgotten how.”I took a long swallow. The burn grounded me.For a moment, we just sat there, the fire crackling between us. No council. No warriors waiting for orders. No Luna watc
Lucien’s POVMy Queen stood in front of me, her arms crossed, eyes sharp. Not angry sharp, but tired sharp. The kind of look that pierces straight through the armor I try to wear.“Lucien,” she said, voice low but firm, “you’re shutting me out again.”I flinched. I knew she was right. I felt it in every silence, every night we didn’t talk. “I’m not…” I started, but stopped.“You are,” she interrupted, stepping closer. “Every time something happens, every time I need you… you pull back. You close your eyes and pretend I’m not here.”I clenched my fists. My throat burned. “It’s not that simple, Maya!” I snapped. My voice carried farther than I intended, sharp enough to make her flinch.Her lips pressed together, but she didn’t retreat. “Then explain it to me! Because all I see is you locking me out of your thoughts. Of your plans. Of your life!”Her words cut me deeper than any enemy’s claws ever could. I wanted to say something, anything, to make it right, but all I felt was heat,
Finn's POVWhen Alpha Lucien named me Beta, my first thought wasn’t pride.It was fear.Not the kind that makes you run.The kind that makes you stand still and realize that if you fall, everyone behind you falls too.Grayson’s shadow was everywhere.In the council hall. In the training grounds. In the way wolves whispered when they thought I couldn’t hear.“He’s too young.”“He’s not ready.”“He’s not Grayson.”They were right. I wasn’t.But Grayson was gone.And Blood Moon didn’t have the luxury of waiting for someone better.So I stepped forward.The first thing I learned as Beta wasLeadership doesn’t wait for you to catch your breath.By sunrise the next morning, I had three problems.The eastern border was weak. Supplies were still missing. And half the pack didn’t trust anyone anymore.I stood in the yard with a list in my hands and exhaustion already burning behind my eyes.“Alright,” I said loudly. “Listen up.”Some wolves turned. Some didn’t.I raised my voice. “This isn’t o
Lucien's POVI thought I had already lost everything.I was wrong.Some losses don’t bleed. They hollow you out.Grayson stood in front of me, his head bowed, his hands empty. No chains. No guards. He didn’t fight. He didn’t beg.That hurt more than if he had.For twenty-five years, he had stood at my side. We learned to fight together. To lead together. To survive together. He knew my strengths. My fears. He knew the boy I was before I became Alpha.And now I know the truth.Every word Maya said replayed in my mind like a knife that wouldn’t stop cutting.Three years.Three years of lies and secrets sent to Kaiser.I looked at Grayson and searched his face, hoping foolishly that I had misunderstood. That this was some cruel mistake.“Tell me it isn’t true,” I said.My voice didn’t sound like mine.Grayson lifted his head slowly. His eyes were red, and tired.“I wish I could,” he said quietly.Something inside me cracked.“Why?” I demanded. “Why, Grayson? Why betray Blood Moon? Why b







