Aric Thane Wolfborne's POVThe convoy of armored vehicles moved slowly along the rocky road toward the Gravepine pack's territory. The large tires ground through the thick layer of ash covering the ground, producing a long, piercing screech in the silence. The vibrations from the engines and wheels traveled up my legs, while my eyes darted around, taking in every corner of our surroundings.The forest along the road was no longer a forest—it was a living graveyard. The leaves were withered and black, the tree trunks like brittle, dry skeletons, and the cold wind crept through the gaps, carrying a piercing scent that made my chest feel tight: a mix of dried blood, charred flesh, and the remnants of black magic so thick it felt like it was sticking to my skin.My fingers tapped the hilt of the Silver Veil resting on my lap, not out of nervousness, but because an instinct kept whispering: something was wrong.As the vehicle came to a stop at the main
Lyara Wolfborne's POVConsciousness came like snowflakes falling one by one—almost inaudible, but the cold crept in steadily. The soft, repetitive sound of tick… tick… tick… from the monitor placed beside the bed. Then the sharp scent of antiseptic and herbal remedies pierced my nose, mingling faintly with the lavender scent of the cloth covering my body. My eyelids felt heavy, as if there were stones weighing them down. When I finally opened them, the world greeted me with pale light reflecting off the walls, thin curtains swaying gently, and the silhouette of someone leaning over—Nyra."Luna?" Her voice cracked—between surprise and relief—and in an instant, she had intertwined her fingers with mine. Warm. A warmth that felt oddly distant, as my own skin was as cold as the edge of winter.I tried to respond, merely mumbling 'yes', but my throat was dry and my lips refused to move. All that came out was a raspy breath. Pain radiated from my
Three days have passed since that bloody night. The air in Silvergrove pack is still thick with the smell of medicine, traces of soot, and faint traces of magic floating in the air. Although the battle is over, the tension has not completely subsided. In Alpha King's office, the atmosphere was somber. The crystal chandeliers on the ceiling cast a soft glow, but they couldn't erase the tense expressions on everyone's faces. The large black wooden table was piled high with documents, maps, and scrolls of reports. Several chairs around it were occupied by envoys from other packs—trusted individuals who had come bearing evidence of crimes, investigation results, and news from their territories. The sound of paper being flipped and pens scribbling notes occasionally echoed, but no one spoke without cause.“All this evidence… none of it can be denied,” said one of the envoys, his voice heavy, staring at Alpha King with a steady gaze. “Traces of magic, secret t
Author POV Alpha King ran as fast as lightning, his breath racing, his eyes focused on only one thing—Lyara's body falling forward, blood gushing profusely from her stomach. His hands managed to catch her body before it hit the ground, but the weight of Lyara's body in his arms made his entire soul feel like it was collapsing. The wound in her abdomen gaped open, its edges blackened by the black magic poison seeping in. “No… no, Lyara… hold on,” his voice raspy, trembling between anger and fear. “Moon Goddess… don’t take her from me. I can’t go through this again. I’ve just found her again…” Alpha King thought to himself. Tavien, who was behind him, let out a furious howl, his eyes blazing with anger. “You’ll pay for this!” he roared before charging toward the black wizard who had orchestrated the attack. A fierce chase ensued between them, the wizard darting through the ruins w
Thane Aric Wolfborne’s POVThe air at the northern border was thick, filled with the scent of blood, burning smoke, and the suffocating remnants of black magic. The pounding and screams mixed together into a symphony of war that echoed in my ears. Sweat ran down my temples, dripping onto my face, which was covered in dust and enemy blood. Yet fatigue had no place in this battle.“Keep attacking them! We won’t stop until their blood floods our land!” I shouted loudly, my words echoed by the roar of the warriors.Half of the enemy forces had been wiped out, but they kept coming like an endless wave. The black wizards fired dark magic from afar, trying to push back our forces. Amidst the attacks and evasions, I was nearly cornered several times—three magic attacks nearly struck my chest, but I managed to dodge them with a swift spin and a claw slash that cut through their attack paths.An explosion came and shook the ground. I turned quickly and saw
“Liora!”Lyara’s voice shattered like broken glass, echoing through the dimly lit marble hallway. She fell to her knees, her knees hitting the hard floor without feeling, focusing only on the small body lying in front of her. Her fingers reached for Liora’s shoulders, shaking her gently—then harder. “Wake up… come on, wake up… it’s me, Lyara… you can hear me, right?” Silence. The coldness of Liora’s skin crept into her palms, piercing to the bone. Blood flowed beneath the body, its redness reflecting the flickering flames from the broken window. Lyara stared at the pale face, then her sobs erupted. Her shoulders shook violently, her breath caught, as if her lungs were being squeezed from within. “No… don’t do this to me again… I beg you…” Her hands patted Liora’s cheeks, stroking her hair, searching for any sign of life. “Not now… not after everything I’ve gone through to protect the people I love…”Memories