ログインSkylar was gone, handling training drills for the younger pack members somewhere in the woods. Celeste was in town for a gathering with some of the women of the pack. Amanda stayed behind, tucked away in the library, the one place in the mansion that still felt safe. Samuel was in his study. The council had gathered, six of them, all older wolves, men and women whose loyalty to Moonridge stretched back decades. The meeting had been called quietly, with no announcement. Marco, Samuel’s right hand, stood by the fireplace, arms folded. Councilor Darius, the eldest, gray-haired and sharp-eyed, sat opposite Samuel, his voice steady but probing. "With respect, Alpha many of us are still… unsettled by your decision regarding Alpha Rufus’s daughter", Darius said. Samuel didn’t look up from the papers he was signing. "Unsettled?" "Alpha, we had an alliance", Darius continued carefully. "A strong one. Rufus’s army was our assurance should rogue attacks increase. Now, that bridge—" "—isn’t b
Amanda stood on the training field just behind the main house, her palms raised, chest heaving. Sweat slicked her skin beneath her simple training gear, the fabric clinging to her shoulders and spine. She exhaled slowly, centering herself. "Good. You’re not dropping your guard as much anymore", came Skylar’s voice from behind her. Amanda turned, strands of silver-blonde hair sticking to her face. Skylar stood a few paces away, hands on his hips, his own training shirt clinging to the lean lines of muscle beneath. The early sun gilded him in gold, catching on the faint scars that marred his forearms, reminders of years spent learning to lead, to fight, to protect. He smiled faintly, and for once it wasn’t tense or strained. "You’re getting faster." Amanda tilted her head, panting. "Or you’re getting slower." That earned a quiet laugh. They hadn’t spoken much since the dinner, not really. There had been glances, small exchanges, moments where the bond between them had hummed quietl
Tessa had a talent for appearances. By the time the sun sank behind the pines, the Moonridge estate had been transformed into a vision of charm and civility. Candles burned in tall glass vases along the dining table, their light glimmering off polished silverware and crystal goblets. The air smelled of roasted herbs and honeyed wine. Soft music drifted from a corner where a young pack member played the violin, his bow trembling slightly under the heavy tension cloaked in beauty. Tessa had organized a "small dinner" she had called it. And now she stood at the center of it all, radiant in pale gold silk, her smile glowing as though nothing dark had ever passed between her and anyone in the room. "Thank you all for coming", she said brightly, her voice carrying across the table. “After such a long and… intense conference, I thought it would be nice for us all to share a peaceful meal. No politics, no tension. Just family and friends." Family and friends, the words sounded bitter in Ama
Amanda was sparring with Cassian, her movements sharp, deliberate. Her body moved with newfound strength, a quiet confidence she’d honed through pain. Cassian grinned, ducking a punch. "Not bad. You’re really hitting like someone who means it", he said. "Maybe I do", Amanda shot back, breathless but smirking. They circled each other. Cassian feinted left, but she caught the motion and swept his leg out from under him. He hit the ground with a grunt, then laughed as she offered her hand. "Okay, that one hurt", he admitted, taking it. From across the clearing, Skylar watched, his golden eyes unreadable. He hadn’t been training, he’d been observing quietly. But every laugh, every easy glance between Amanda and Cassian, made something coil tight inside him. When Amanda helped Cassian up, her fingers brushing his arm, Skylar’s expression hardened. "I'll take over", he said suddenly, his tone calm but clipped. Cassian raised a brow. "Why? We were doing fine." Amanda hesitated, glanc
"Has anyone seen my necklace?", Tessa asked suddenly. The room paused. Celeste who had been chatting quietly with one of the housemaids at the far end of the table stopped. Samuel looked up from the stack of papers he had been reading. Skylar hadn’t come down yet, and Cassian looked over from where he was leaning lazily against the wall near the window. Amanda looked up instinctively, catching the false panic in her tone before anyone else did. Celeste frowned gently. "What necklace, dear?" Tessa pressed her hand to her throat as though realizing it was bare. "The diamond one you saw on me last week, Mrs. Blackwood, the heirloom piece. You said it was remarkable and even said how much you wished you could have it. But I told you it was passed down from my grandmother." Celeste blinked, confused. "I said that?" Tessa’s cheeks flushed delicately. "Well– yes, you did at the charity dinner. You said it would look perfect with one of your gowns." Celeste hesitated. That didn’t sound
The Moonridge estate felt different now that the conference had ended. Breakfast that morning was quiet almost as usual, at least until Tessa arrived. Amanda sat beside Celeste, helping herself to a modest serving of fruit. Across the table, Samuel sipped his coffee, his thoughts elsewhere. Skylar had joined late, his usual brooding silence making the air feel colder. Then the dining doors opened, and the atmosphere shifted. Tessa swept in like she owned the place, dressed in a pale lavender gown that complimented her golden hair. Her smile was sweet, practiced. "Good morning. I hope I'm not interrupting", she said brightly, gliding toward the table. Samuel gestured politely. "You’re welcome to join us, Tessa." Skylar’s jaw flexed. "Thank you, Alpha", she said smoothly, taking the empty seat beside Skylar. The one Amanda had once occupied. Amanda looked down at her plate. Tessa leaned slightly toward Skylar, her voice a delicate murmur meant to carry just enough. "You didn’t com
The road twisted through a tunnel of low-hanging trees, their bare branches clawing at the sky like crooked fingers. Amanda leaned her forehead against the glass and exhaled, fogging it slightly. Beyond the mist, the forest seemed alive, like it was watching their car ride by."Almost there", her m
The world didn’t just explode, it ignited the moment Amanda’s palm pressed against the rune stone, the glowing carvings burst into blinding light. The once faint gold turned molten silver, lines of fire racing through every rune until the entire stone blazed like a beacon against the twilight sky.
Dinner at the Blackthorne estate was usually a stiff, awkward formal affair, but tonight the tension could have split the long mahogany table in two. The chandelier overhead gleamed, servants moved like shadows pouring wine and setting silver trays, but none of that polished elegance could disguise
Amanda got ready for school sluggishly, dragging her feet very unwilling to go. If she could stay home without arousing her mother's suspicions she would have done so immediately. She knew everyone would be talking about how she collapsed yesterday, it would be the hot gossip and she was not lookin







