Phoebe’s POVI woke with a jolt, my breath coming in sharp gasps. My body was covered in sweat, and my hands trembled as I pushed myself upright. The room was dark, silent except for the faint chirping of crickets outside. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing, but the images from my dream clung to me like a heavy weight.Flames. Blood. Bodies strewn across the ground. And Alexander—standing tall, his lips curved into a cruel smile, surrounded by rogues and enemy wolves. His confidence had been unnerving, his eyes glinting with something dark and victorious. Even in a dream, the sight of him had made my stomach twist.“It wasn’t just a dream,” Mia, my wolf, growled inside my head. “He’s not just visiting a friend. He’s planning something and you've just seen something close in your dream.”I pressed my hands against my forehead, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. Mia wasn’t one to overreact. If she was certain Alexander was up to something, then I couldn’t ignore it. I
Phoebe’s POVThe training grounds were alive with movement. Warriors clashed, the sound of bodies hitting the ground mixing with the sharp crack of fists meeting flesh. The air smelled of sweat and dirt, the usual scent of a pack pushing itself to be stronger. I tightened the wraps around my hands, rolling my shoulders as I prepared for my next sparring match.Nathaniel stood nearby, his arms crossed as he observed the other warriors. His sharp gaze followed their movements, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. He had always been an exceptional fighter, but he was also a careful leader. He never missed a mistake, never overlooked a flaw in technique.He turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting mine. "Ready?"I nodded. "Always."A smirk tugged at his lips as he stepped forward. "Then let’s see if you’ve been keeping up."We moved at the same time, our bodies reacting out of habit. I ducked under his first strike, twisting to the side before aiming a hit at his ribs. He caught my
Phoebe’s POVThe days passed, each one slipping into the next as the pack settled into a steady rhythm. Warriors trained, patrols followed their routes, and meetings were held to reinforce our defenses. Life carried on, though there was an unspoken awareness lingering beneath it all—Alexander’s absence had left a mark, and no one had forgotten him.Nathaniel was busier than ever, managing Alpha duties with his father. He handled border reports, assigned warriors to new shifts, and ensured everything remained in order. I had taken on more responsibilities as well, helping with training sessions and assisting warriors where I could. It wasn’t a role I had ever imagined for myself, but I felt stronger each day. The pack had started looking at me differently—not as an outsider, but as someone they could rely on.After another long morning of training, I found a quiet spot near the pack house to catch my breath. The sky was clear, the breeze carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. I wip
Phoebe's POVA loud howl ripped through the night, jerking me awake. My breath came in sharp bursts as the sound echoed through the pack house. Another howl followed, then another—this time, a warning.Nathaniel and I had not shared the same bed for a while now because I said I preferred to sleep in my bed again. I didn't know what exactly was happening outside the pack house but I knew it could not be anything good. The room was dark but I could see flashes of light outside and that was all that I needed to know that there was real trouble.Intruders.I was still trying to make sense of the dreams and visions I've been having and then this happened. I could feel my heart thumping wildly.I threw off my blanket and sprang to my feet, my heart pounding with urgency. I pulled my hair back instinctively and had it tied to my neck as I rushed over to my wardrobe and threw on a jacket and pants that would leave me more comfortable if I stepped out there and there was an actual war to be f
Phoebe’s POVThe night was far from over. Though the battle had ended, the weight of what had happened still hung in the air. Warriors tended to the wounded, the pack house filled with quiet murmurs and the occasional pained groan. Blood stained the ground, the scent of it still thick around us.Nathaniel stood near the main hall, his face tense as he watched the last of the injured wolves being taken inside. I stood beside him, exhaustion creeping through my limbs, but my mind refused to rest. We hadn't been defeated, But that didn't mean we enjoyed the war. Every pack wanted to stay at peace, it didn't matter their prowess in war and how easily they could eliminate other packs. They still wanted peace in the end. “We need answers,” Nathaniel finally said, his voice low but firm. He turned to one of the warriors. “Gather the top fighters. Now.”The warrior nodded and hurried off. I looked at Nathaniel, knowing what he was thinking.“It was him,” I said. “You know it.”Nathaniel clen
Duncan’s POVThe room was dimly lit, the wooden desk between us covered in scattered reports. I picked up my cup of water more than once, but each time, I set it back down before my lips could touch the lid of the cup. I wasn't about to get myself distracted from important business, yet, my mind called for that very distraction. I sat back in my chair, watching Antonio as he flipped through one of the papers. The scent of ink and old parchment filled the office, but my focus was elsewhere. The attack on Moonhowl had shaken things up, and I knew this was the moment to act. If we were ever going to get some power over them, this was their trying period and it was the safest time to launch an attack that will be completely successful. This was the one chance.Antonio set the paper down and met my gaze. “You called me here for a reason.”I nodded, leaning forward. “Moonhowl was attacked. Alexander failed, but he managed to weaken them. Every pack is weakened after a war and this is their
Duncan’s POVThe morning was quiet, but I knew better than to think peace would last in this house. From the very first time I had made the step of going to get Phoebe, sending men and then eventually going in person, a lot had changed. Some things that could not be fixed had broken and I wasn't sure I really cared yet. Not when I had still not gotten what I was out for.I sat in my office, looking through reports and playing with my cup once again when Antonio walked in. I waited for him to walk from the door and reach me and in those few seconds, I tapped my hand on the desk, almost too anxious to hear what he had come to say this time. It didn't look like he was exactly coming with some exciting news, but I waited as he reached me and mumbled a word of greeting that I barely acknowledged, too focused on the matter he had come to discuss, as he was. He placed a paper on my desk and leaned against the chair across from me. “You might want to deal with your mate.”I didn’t look up.
Nathaniel’s POVPhoebe and I took a stroll around the pack in the evening. Near the edge of the field, two younger warriors faced off. Their movements were eager but lacked precision. I observed closely as one hesitated just before delivering a strike, his uncertainty giving his opponent the opening to counter. The blow landed, weak but effective, throwing the first warrior slightly off balance.“They should stop soon,” Phoebe said beside me, her voice firm but calm.I kept my gaze fixed on the warriors, arms crossed over my chest. “They need to train harder.”“They’ve been training all day,” she countered, her tone unwavering. “They need rest.”“If Alexander attacks again, we can’t afford weakness.”Phoebe let out a slow breath, crossing her arms as well. “Exhaustion is also a weakness, Nathaniel. If they’re too tired to fight properly, they’ll make mistakes.”I clenched my jaw, unwilling to admit she had a point. The pack couldn’t afford mistakes. But neither could we afford warrio
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.