Phoebe’s POVThe room felt strangely quiet after Alexander left. His words still echoed in my mind, making it impossible to shake off the uneasy feeling settling in my chest. The way he had looked at me, so sure of himself, made my skin crawl.I took a deep breath, pressing my back against the closed door. My fingers still gripped the handle, as if expecting him to suddenly return. But the hallway was empty now.I knew I should try to sleep, but rest felt impossible. My thoughts were tangled with too many questions. How had he managed to get out so easily? What was he planning? And more than anything—why did he want me by his side?I pushed away from the door and moved toward the small table near my bed, where a flickering candle cast a soft glow over the room. I sat down, rubbing my arms absentmindedly.Then, another knock.This one was different—firm but not forceful. A familiar sound.Nathaniel.I swallowed, forcing my expression into something neutral before standing to open the d
THE GLASSFUR PACK Alpha Duncan’s POVThe hall was quiet except for the low voices between Antonio and me. The long wooden table stretched between us, covered with reports on patrol shifts, border tensions, and disputes that had come up in the last week. The candles on the walls flickered, casting a warm glow over the polished stone floor.Antonio leaned forward, tapping one of the reports. “The western patrol reported movement near the old border. They weren’t able to identify who it was, but they noticed signs of someone passing through the area.”I exhaled and set the paper down. “Rogues?”“Possibly. Or someone testing our defenses,” Antonio said. “Whoever it was, they didn’t stay long.”“Double the guards at night,” I ordered. “If anyone tries to cross, they don’t leave unchallenged.”Antonio nodded, making a note on the parchment in front of him. “I’ll inform the patrol leaders.”Before he could say anything else, the heavy doors swung open. The sound echoed through the hall, br
Alpha Duncan’s POVI liked to have those evening strolls around the pack house. In the past, it was Phoebe who went everywhere with me, trailed by my beta. But now, I only went around in the company of my beta, Antonio. He was a loyal one, and he gave me the most useful advice, but nothing could come close to the time when I had her by my side. She was everything one needed to run a pack. She was a voice that came constantly with wisdom.Antonio and I walked through the heart of the Glassfur pack, our boots moving in steady rhythm over the stone pathways. The scent of burning torches mixed with the damp earth, and the occasional flicker of firelight served as the only lighting for the walls. Warriors stood at their posts, their sharp eyes tracking our movements, their presence a quiet reminder of the strength I had built here.Yet, despite all I had, I could not silence the thought gnawing at me.Antonio didn’t speak, but I could feel him waiting. He did less talking and more listenin
Phoebe’s POVThe night air felt crisp as I sat by the window, looking down at the pack below. The buildings were quiet, most of the wolves already in their homes, resting for whatever tomorrow would bring. A few warriors stood guard, their movements steady and disciplined, but my eyes weren’t really focused on them.I had been here for weeks, yet something inside me still hesitated to call this place home.It wasn’t because of Nathaniel. He had done everything to make me feel like I belonged here. He had protected me, stood by my side, and made it clear that I was his choice. That I was meant to be here with him.But even now, I felt that lingering question pressing at the back of my mind.Did I truly belong here?“Why are you doubting again?” Mia, my wolf, sighed in my mind. Her presence was warm, steady, but there was frustration in her voice.“It’s not doubt,” I answered, though even I wasn’t sure if that was the truth. “It’s just... I’ve never belonged anywhere. Glassfur wasn’t ho
Phoebe’s POVThe journey to the Moonfury Pack had been long and exhausting, but I kept my thoughts to myself as we finally approached the gates. Just as Nathaniel had said, we'd had to rise very early to prepare to leave. Even till the last minute, he had wanted to dissuade me. He'd asked me over and over again if I really did wanted to come and when I replied that it'd be better if he stopped asking me, seeing that I'd already made up my mind to go with him, he'd simply said, “I'm just worried things might get unpleasant and I don't want you to be caught up in any of that unpleasantness.”But he got the reply he knew he'd get. I wasn't afraid of whatever he was referring to as unpleasantness and I told him so. The towering walls of the packhouse loomed before us, guarded by several warriors. The moment Nathaniel and I stepped forward, I felt their eyes on me.They weren’t just watching. They were judging.Everyone here had expected Nathaniel to marry Shirleen, the Alpha’s daughter.
Nathaniel's POV The guest suite we had been given was impressive—spacious, well-decorated, and equipped with a large fireplace, beautiful mantelpiece. I didn't want to pay attention to the furnishings, but I couldn't help it. The place was elaborately furnished but not like my pack. We were richer than most of the neighbouring pack. “And maybe that's part of the reason your brother won't stop until he claims the pack,” my wolf mumbled inside me. This wasn't the time to start worrying over a traitorous brother, so I simply pushed the thought of Alexander off my mind. My eyes went around the room again.The window overlooked the Moonfury Pack’s land, giving a view of its well-structured buildings and training grounds. It was a subtle display of power and discipline. Despite the obvious hospitality, Nathaniel knew better. Alpha Tommen was not the kind of man to offer warmth without reason.I glanced at Phoebe, who sat by the window, her gaze distant. She was quiet, too quiet. She was
Chapter 46 Phoebe’s POVNathaniel had been gone for a while, locked in a meeting with Alpha Tommen. He had told me to stay put in our guest suite, but I couldn’t just sit here. The walls of the room felt too tight, like they were closing in on me.Mia tried severally to make me believe it was just my mind playing tricks on me, but I knew that was not the case. There was an ominous feel to the place and I worried even about Nathaniel. He was the one mostly doing the worrying, but this time I couldn't simply not panic for him. I walked to the window and looked out at Moonfury Pack’s territory. It was different from Moonhowl. The packhouse itself was made of strong stone, its towering structure giving it an imposing feel. Warriors moved with discipline, their steps measured, their eyes scanning the surroundings as if constantly expecting trouble.We hadn't come with warriors or even escorts. Nathaniel had wanted to give the impression that we indeed came for peace and would not start
Duncan’s POVThe meeting hall was silent except for the sound of Antonio’s fingers tapping against the wooden table. The steady rhythm was the only noise breaking through the heavy stillness in the room. I sat at the head of the long table, my hands clasped together, staring at the empty seats around me. Every one of those chairs used to be filled with warriors, advisors, and strategists—people I trusted, people who had faith in me as their Alpha. But now, the hall felt hollow. The pack was weaker than ever, and I knew exactly why.It made me wake up at night to mourn our new fate. When I heard of raids and attacks on other packs, my blood ran cold because I feared it could be the Glassfur pack one day. We weren't totally weak, we were still held in high esteem by other packs and we still rode on past glory, but for how long would that go on?“Things are getting worse,” I said finally, my voice steady but sharp. “If we don’t do something now, we won’t have a pack left to fight for.”A
Duncan's POVThe day had stretched long, and the news that came from my warriors only made the time feel heavier. No sign of Antonio. No word of Stephanie. I had expected a different report, maybe even a break in the hunt, but what I got was frustration. Over and over, I heard the same thing: “Nothing yet, Alpha.” It was enough to make my blood boil, but I couldn’t show it. Not yet. I had to keep my calm, had to pretend that it was all still under control.I paced the length of my chambers, my mind working through each possibility, each route they could have taken. Had they gone east? South? Were they hiding under my nose? Nothing made sense, and with every moment that passed, the anger inside me grew.One of my warriors dared to speak up. His voice had a tremor in it, like he knew he was treading on dangerous ground. “Alpha,” he began cautiously. “Perhaps we need better informants. Someone who knows Antonio's habits, his movements. Someone who might know where he’s hiding.”I didn’t
Nathaniel’s POVThe wheels of our vehicles crunched against the uneven ground as we pushed deeper into the neutral territories. The air felt heavier with each passing mile, thick with tension. I had hoped we’d be able to find Alexander by now, but the farther we traveled, the more uncertain the trail became. Every stop we made, we questioned locals and travelers, but the answers we got were always mixed, sometimes contradictory.“Did you see anyone who fits this description?” I asked a man who was sitting near the side of the road, sharpening a blade.He glanced at the sketch in my hand and shook his head. “Can’t say I’ve seen anyone like that. But there’s a lot of strangers passing through these parts.”I thanked him and turned to the others. “Let’s keep moving. We’re not getting any closer here.”We continued on, the air growing drier and the landscape more barren as we ventured into the heart of these lawless lands. I could feel the weight of the mission pressing on me. This wasn’t
Nathaniel’s POVThe night was quiet, but I was not resting. I sat near the fire, watching the flames move. They made soft popping sounds as the wood burned. My men were nearby. Some were sitting like me, others were checking supplies. No one was speaking much. We were waiting.Then I heard footsteps. One of my scouts walked toward me. He looked serious, not rushed, but I could tell he had something important to say. He stopped a few steps away from me and gave a small nod.“We got something,” he said. His voice was low. He looked around once before speaking again. “It’s from our contact. The one in the west neutral zone.”I stood up slowly. “What did they say?”He pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to me. I took it and opened it with both hands. The words were written in short lines. I read each one carefully, not skipping anything.“Alexander was seen. Not far from the southern ridge. Traveling through the neutral zone. He has a woman and a man with him.”I
Phoebe’s POVWhen I got back to my room, the door creaked a little as I pushed it open. I stepped inside and closed it behind me, turning the lock without thinking. The room was quiet. I could hear a soft hum coming from outside, maybe the wind or some insects still moving around.I stood still for a few seconds, looking around. Everything was just the way I had left it—my bed neatly made, the blankets smooth, the pillow resting where it always did. My boots were near the wall. A glass of water sat untouched on the table beside the bed.I walked over to the bed and sat down slowly. My hands rested on my knees. I looked down at the floor, at the way the wood had little lines and marks from years of use. I had been hoping to rest, maybe even sleep for a bit, but my body didn’t feel tired. My eyes were open wide, and my mind wouldn’t stop moving.The words Kara had said kept playing in my head like they were on a loop. Duncan wasn’t the same. He was getting worse. People were afraid of h
Phoebe’s POVKara and I had another walk when she talked and I listened.As I followed, Kara glanced back at me, then looked forward again. She didn’t smile or frown. Her face was still. We moved toward the trees at the edge of the camp. A few steps more, and we were out of sight from everyone. No guards, no other pack members. Just us.“Is this far enough?” she asked, stopping near a small patch of grass. A few flat stones were nearby.I looked around, then gave a short nod. “Yeah. This is fine.”She sat down first, brushing leaves away from the rock before resting on it. I stayed standing for a moment longer, unsure. I didn’t feel that tightness in my chest like I usually did when she was near. My hands weren’t curled into fists. My thoughts weren’t racing. I slowly sat down on a rock across from her. It was cool and smooth under me.“I didn’t think you’d agree to this,” she said after a long pause. Her voice was low and even.“I almost didn’t,” I replied. “But I guess I’m tired of
Phoebe's POV I stood outside Alpha Darius’s office, my hands by my sides. The hallway was quiet, but my thoughts were not. Someone had come to find me a few minutes earlier, saying the old Alpha wanted to see me. No explanation, no message, just a request to come now. After everything that happened during the attack, I wasn’t sure what this meeting would be about.I knocked once, firm and clear.“Come in,” came his voice from inside, steady as always.I pushed the door open and stepped in.Alpha Darius was standing behind his desk. His face, strong with age but still sharp, looked directly at me. His hair had more grey in it than before, but nothing about him had softened. He didn’t sit down. He stood tall, his arms resting on the desk, like he had been waiting.“Phoebe,” he said, his tone calm.I gave a short nod. “Alpha Darius.”He gestured for me to come closer. “You did well.”I blinked. “Sir?”“During the attack,” he said, folding his arms, “you kept things steady. You helped th
Duncan's POV I couldn’t sit still. I had to move, had to find the answers. The weight of everything pressing down on me was unbearable. Antonio, Stephanie, the sorceress—everything felt like a lie. I needed to confront the source of it all, and for that, I had to find the sorceress.She had been the one who planted the seed in my mind. She had been the one to tell me about Phoebe’s importance. And now, after everything I overheard, I couldn’t let it go. I had to know the truth.I stormed out of my office and made my way through the pack house with hurried steps. The hallway stretched ahead, but nothing felt as familiar anymore. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how little I actually knew. How easily I had been manipulated.I reached the stables quickly, where my horse was kept. I didn’t need anyone’s help; I didn’t care for the usual formalities. I grabbed the reins and mounted with swift movements, the saddle creaking under me. My heart burned with frustration and ang
Duncan's POV The hallways of my estate were quiet as I walked through them, the silence pressing in around me. I had not slept much since the confrontation with Antonio. Too many thoughts ran through my mind.I paced slowly, my mind still locked on Phoebe. The anger, the determination, they felt as sharp as ever. But there was also something else creeping into my mind now: doubt.What if Antonio was right? What if I was letting my emotions cloud my judgment?The thought was maddening. The whole reason I kept pushing forward was for Phoebe. She was my focus, my everything. Without her, nothing mattered.I reached the end of the hall and paused, hearing a low murmur coming from a nearby room. It was coming from Antonio’s office.Curious, I stepped closer, listening carefully.It wasn’t long before I realized the voices were of Antonio and Stephanie. They were speaking in hushed tones, too low for me to understand fully.I paused, just out of sight, and pressed myself against the stone
Duncan's POV The war room was quiet except for the crackle of the fire burning in the corner.I sat at the large wooden table, staring at the map spread out before me. My fingers drummed slowly against the table’s edge.The map showed the territories of the nearby packs, the old paths between them, and the places where battles had been fought long ago.But I was not really looking at the map.My mind was full of other thoughts.Thoughts of her.Phoebe.I clenched my jaw and forced myself to focus.I knew Antonio would come soon. I could feel his anger in the air, even before I heard his heavy footsteps outside the door.The door swung open without a knock.Antonio stepped in, his face tight with frustration.I leaned back in my chair and watched him silently.He crossed the room in a few long strides and stopped at the other side of the table."You made a mistake," Antonio said, his voice low but sharp.I raised one eyebrow but said nothing."You let Nathaniel walk away," he went on.