LOGINAstrid’s POVMorning came too fast and I hadn’t really slept. My body had shut down at some point but my mind kept running, replaying flashes of blood and movement and the way warriors had listened to my commands without question.The way it had felt when they obeyed.I pushed that thought away and forced myself upright. My hands were okay now but I could still feel last night under my skin like something had been unlocked and didn’t know how to settle back into place.A soft knock came at the door. “Come in.”The door opened just enough for Mirabel to slip through before closing quietly behind her. She didn’t bow immediately or rush into words just stood there scanning the room like she was mapping exits.Warrior first and maid second. She had dressed my wound yesterday night. Then she dipped her head. “Luna.”“Mirabel.” I studied her properly now. “You’re early.”“Timing matters.” Her voice was careful. “Your uncle would like to see you.”“Today?” I leaned back slightly against t
Davian’s POVThis particular rogue didn’t scream and that was the first thing I noticed. Most of them did eventually. Pain dragged something out and then fear finished the rest. But this one just knelt there with blood running down the side of his face, breathing hard.This is not a stray rogue but someone who’d been taught discipline under a rogue alpha maybe. He is trained like any other warrior. I stood in front of him with my hands loose at my sides. The room smelled like iron and silver. Riftclaw’s holding cells were crude but effective with chains, concrete and no windows. Anthony’s methods showing through even in the architecture.“You’re not a rogue.” I said it quietly and he didn’t answer.I tilted my head, studying him the way I would a map before war. “Rogues don’t move in formation. They don’t flank. They don’t wait for signal breaks.”Still nothing. Behind me Daniel shifted his weight, impatient because he preferred quicker methods. But I preferred this because this rogu
Astrid’s POVThe entire pack was too quiet after the anbush ended. The injured warriors were taken to the clinic while the remaining rogues were taken to the dungeon for questioning later. Davian was seeing the matters himself but Anthony has been restless. I stood by the basin staring at my hands under running water. Blood had dried in the lines of my fingers and was darker near my nails where it settled. It didn’t wash off immediately.I scrubbed harder than necessary. The sting came and the skin was already raw before my brain registered it. My hands trembled slightly. Adrenaline was leaving a hollow drop.Behind me, Anthony’s presence filled the space though he badly wanted to go stop Davian from interfering with his pack but he must also see to his Luna being already. I know he hates me right now. I rinsed my hands again, slower this time so as to not talk to him. The door to the bedroom opened without a knock. Calix stood there for half a second with his small frame and eyes s
Anthony’s POV“Shift the eastern flank. Don’t let them break past the second line.”My voice was cutting through the noise like it always did. Orders moved faster than thought, passed from one warrior to the next until the chaos started folding into something controlled.This was familiar but at the same time not.“Gamma unit, rotate. You’re too exposed.”A body hit the ground somewhere to my left. Another howl went up then died just as quickly. The air smelled like iron and silver and wet earth, thick enough to choke on.Everything should have made sense. It didn’t.“Report.” I didn’t raise my voice.My head warrior stepped in beside me already bleeding from a cut along his temple.“They came from three entry points with no warning. No scouts picked them up before the breach.”“No warning?” I repeated then shake my head. “That’s not possible.”“It shouldn’t be.” He said carefully.I watched the field, my eyes tracking movement and counting bodies without looking like I was counting. T
Astrid’s POVThe scream didn’t just echo but tore at every single person within the vicinity. Everything in me snapped into place before I could allow myself to think.Another scream followed but it was cut off this time and then the howl went up. Several wolves from everywhere started howling at the same time which isn’t warning anymore, it’s a confirmed attack and everybody must take cover.We are under a fucking Attack.The packhouse lit up almost instantly lights flickering on across the grounds and footsteps pounding against stone with doors slamming open. Orders started flying but they blurred together into noise.My body was already moving. Davian’s hand caught my wrist before I took two steps. I thought he’d rushed forward? Why was he back?“Stay here.”“No.”I didn’t slow down or bother look at him again. I just pulled free and kept moving because I won’t allow another person to tell me what to do after all I’ve been through. I’m a freaking alpha for a reason.There was a pau
Astrid’s POVThe garden maze was dark and empty when I arrived, my breath coming in short bursts from the climb out Anthony’s window and the run across the grounds.Davian stood in the center clearing exactly where I’d known he’d be with his hands in his pockets looking like he had all the time in the world.“You came.” He turned to face me fully. “I wasn’t sure you would.”“You said I was running out of time.” I stopped a few feet away, maintaining distance. “So talk. What exactly are you offering?”We were past games now.His expression stayed blank. “Marriage. Clean political alliance. I need a Luna for Council appearances and you need protection to claim Silvermist.”“That’s it? A business arrangement?” I raised a brow.“That’s it.” His voice was flat. “I don’t want a mate. The Council has been pressuring me to take one for years and this solves that problem while helping you. Everyone wins.”“Except I’m still dying.” I crossed my arms. “How does a political marriage fix the mark?
The footsteps passed probably just a servant from the sound of it doing late rounds. But we stayed frozen, neither of us moving.Davian’s breathing had changed and became deeper. His grip on my wrist tightened slightly.“We should go.” His voice came out rougher than normal.“Yes.”Again neither of
I waited until the packhouse went quiet and even Anthony’s breathing evened out in his room down the hall and the patrol rotations shifted to the far borders. I’m sure he is annoyed that Mira can’t sleep with him anymore.I slipped out staring at the door to his room hearing some of his random drea
No knock.No warning.Just the quiet click of the handle and the door pushing inward.Cold air slipped into the room first.Then him.Davian stepped inside like he belonged there.I looked at him. He stared right back with his expression unreadable and cold.“Why?” The word came out sharper than I
He couldn’t refuse without looking like he didn’t care about his mate’s wellbeing. And I couldn’t keep her without a legitimate reason so we played the game.“Of course.” Anthony’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “How generous. I’ll accompany you—”“No need.” Daniel stepped forward smoothly. “We know







