I was still catching my breath, the faint tingle of power lingering at my fingertips, when I heard Lucy whisper a name-soft, barely audible, but it struck me like a lightning bolt. “Lyra?” I turned, frozen in place. The way she looked at me—wide-eyed, stunned—like she was seeing a ghost. Lucy, always so composed and put-together, looked like the ground had been pulled from beneath her. “Lucy?” I called out softly. She didn’t answer. Instead, she stepped closer, her eyes searching me as if trying to piece together a puzzle that had haunted her for decades. “Who is Lyra?” I asked once she was close enough. She blinked, snapping out of her daze. For a second, I thought she’d deny saying it—but she wasn’t like that. Her shoulders dropped as she exhaled, the name falling from her lips again. “Lyra… was someone very dear to me.” The name echoed in my mind. Why did it feel familiar? “She was a friend,” Lucy continued, “from many years ago. And… she was from the Banished tribe.” My
Sleep took me sweetly for once. I didn’t know why, but I was sure the scent in this room—and the man lying beside me—had a lot to do with it. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let go. But peace is a fragile thing. Suddenly, I was pulled into a dream. I stood barefoot in a strange place. The ground beneath me glowed a soft green, and the air hummed a tune my soul somehow recognized. Tall trees surrounded me, their silver leaves shimmering as their branches swayed gently—though no wind touched my skin. Where am I? I thought. Then I heard them—voices. Familiar but not quite. A woman stood in front of me. Her bright green eyes glowed with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Her long hair held streaks of jade, and her skin shimmered under the moonlight. She looked… so much like me. Just older. “You’re late,” she said, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Who are you?” I asked, though my voice felt distant, like it was echoing from another realm. “We’ve been
“My family.” Those two words felt warm—sacred, even—as if they weren’t just written on the page, but etched into something deeper inside me. My fingers tingled again, as if the journal still held the warmth of the woman who wrote it. Lyra. I didn’t know what gave me the right to sift through her personal entries, but something inside me pushed forward, almost urged me. The room grew quiet as I drew in a breath and began to read. First Entry; “My family is not bound by blood, but by survival, by truth, by sacrifice, and by exile. We were once part of something greater—until we were cast out. They feared us, called us unnatural. Banished. I carry our story now, so it is not forgotten. So they will know who we were… who we are.” My breath hitched. I felt Aries beside me—when had he gotten here? But his presence grounded me, steadying my heart enough to continue. “There was a girl born under the moon’s shadow, her power pulsing even before she took her first breath. I saw the signs
My earliest memories were of loneliness and survival. Abandoned as a pup, I grew up wandering the edges of packs, always longing for a sense of belonging that remained just out of reach. Every attempt to join a pack ended the same way—with rejection. No parents, no known bloodline, no place to call home. To them, I was nothing more than an outsider. Unworthy. The sting of rejection hardened me, shaping me into a survivor. I learned to rely on no one but myself. That changed when I was fifteen. I stumbled upon Maron, a reclusive she-wolf who had long turned her back on pack life. Grief had driven her into isolation after she lost her mate in a brutal war, but something about the lost, starving girl standing before her softened her heart. She took me in—offered me food, shelter, and, most importantly, kindness. Being a teenager was hard enough, but being one who hadn’t shifted yet? Even harder. Still, I managed to pull it off. One evening, as I crept toward Maron, trying to sneak
My birthday came and went in the blink of an eye, but the weight of turning nineteen without shifting was beginning to take its toll. I could tell Maron was worried too, though we never talked about it. Or rather, I always avoided the conversation. I couldn’t let her worry about me—I just couldn’t. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t even notice Maron approaching until Ria, my wolf, alerted me. Ria had been my companion for the past year, growing closer to me even though my shift never came. I often asked her why I hadn't shifted yet, but her answer was always the same: "A shift isn’t the only way to realize or achieve your potential, Rex." She had said it so many times that I started to believe it. But it still didn’t stop me from wishing I was normal. Maron’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “My dear, I think we should go hunting tonight. It’s been months since we had a good old-fashioned hunt, hasn’t it?” I sighed. “Ma, I’m not really in the mood tonight.
Alpha Ron Jaxon, leader of the Blue Crescent Pack—the strongest in California—was growing desperate to find his mate. Without a Luna, his position as Alpha became more precarious by the day. His father never missed an opportunity to remind him. “What do you want, Dad?” I sighed, barely looking up from my desk. “You know exactly what I want.” I clenched my jaw. “If I haven’t found my mate yet, then it’s not time.” My voice was edged with frustration—I’d said the same thing a hundred times. This time, my father didn’t argue. He just studied me for a moment before walking out, leaving behind the weight of unspoken expectations. What was the point of leading the strongest pack if all anyone ever asked was whether I’d found my Luna? Yes, I wanted to find her too. She would be the one person to love me unconditionally, and there wasn’t a wolf alive who wouldn’t want that. But I couldn’t force fate. Even my pack was getting restless. Without a Luna, they felt incomplete. But none of
The moment the words left my mouth, Rexxona collapsed to her knees. Her pain was visceral, slamming into me like a blade straight to the chest. Rejection could destroy a she-wolf—I knew that. But what I didn’t expect was for Rexxona to lift her head, her eyes burning with a mix of heartbreak and defiance. She didn’t scream. She didn’t plead. She just ran. Shock rooted me in place for half a second before instinct kicked in. “Don’t let her escape!” I barked at my warriors. Even as my wolf howled in protest, I chased after her. I told myself it was for the pack—that her powers were unpredictable, that we needed answers. But deep down, I knew the truth. I couldn’t bear to let her go. The rejection had been a moment of desperation, a way to calm my pack. At least, that’s what I told myself as I ran after her. Rexxona POV: My heart felt like it was shattering with every step, but I didn’t stop. The pack I had fought to survive in now hunted me like a fugitive. The mate I was destin
"I need help." Those were the only words I could force out. The girl in front of me frowned, her brows knitting together as if expecting more. But I had nothing else to say. So I said it again. "I really need help." I was a rogue, a lone wolf, and I had stumbled into this pack's territory looking for refuge—just for a little while. I just needed a place to rest, to gather my strength. I prayed she could help. Her expression softened as she studied me, concern flickering in her eyes. I must have looked awful—filthy, exhausted, desperate. Finally, after what felt like forever, she spoke. "I think I can help," she said slowly. "But first... do you mind telling me your name?" I hesitated before answering. "Rex… Rexxona." "Alright, Rex," she said with a grin, as if we were already friends. "Not to brag or anything, but my brother is the Alpha of this pack—Alpha Aries. And this is the Awoke Pack, in case you were wondering. I think I can pull a few strings for you." Internally, I
“My family.” Those two words felt warm—sacred, even—as if they weren’t just written on the page, but etched into something deeper inside me. My fingers tingled again, as if the journal still held the warmth of the woman who wrote it. Lyra. I didn’t know what gave me the right to sift through her personal entries, but something inside me pushed forward, almost urged me. The room grew quiet as I drew in a breath and began to read. First Entry; “My family is not bound by blood, but by survival, by truth, by sacrifice, and by exile. We were once part of something greater—until we were cast out. They feared us, called us unnatural. Banished. I carry our story now, so it is not forgotten. So they will know who we were… who we are.” My breath hitched. I felt Aries beside me—when had he gotten here? But his presence grounded me, steadying my heart enough to continue. “There was a girl born under the moon’s shadow, her power pulsing even before she took her first breath. I saw the signs
Sleep took me sweetly for once. I didn’t know why, but I was sure the scent in this room—and the man lying beside me—had a lot to do with it. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let go. But peace is a fragile thing. Suddenly, I was pulled into a dream. I stood barefoot in a strange place. The ground beneath me glowed a soft green, and the air hummed a tune my soul somehow recognized. Tall trees surrounded me, their silver leaves shimmering as their branches swayed gently—though no wind touched my skin. Where am I? I thought. Then I heard them—voices. Familiar but not quite. A woman stood in front of me. Her bright green eyes glowed with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Her long hair held streaks of jade, and her skin shimmered under the moonlight. She looked… so much like me. Just older. “You’re late,” she said, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Who are you?” I asked, though my voice felt distant, like it was echoing from another realm. “We’ve been
I was still catching my breath, the faint tingle of power lingering at my fingertips, when I heard Lucy whisper a name-soft, barely audible, but it struck me like a lightning bolt. “Lyra?” I turned, frozen in place. The way she looked at me—wide-eyed, stunned—like she was seeing a ghost. Lucy, always so composed and put-together, looked like the ground had been pulled from beneath her. “Lucy?” I called out softly. She didn’t answer. Instead, she stepped closer, her eyes searching me as if trying to piece together a puzzle that had haunted her for decades. “Who is Lyra?” I asked once she was close enough. She blinked, snapping out of her daze. For a second, I thought she’d deny saying it—but she wasn’t like that. Her shoulders dropped as she exhaled, the name falling from her lips again. “Lyra… was someone very dear to me.” The name echoed in my mind. Why did it feel familiar? “She was a friend,” Lucy continued, “from many years ago. And… she was from the Banished tribe.” My
Lucy POV:I never thought I’d see that symbol again.Not since her.So when I opened the book Rose brought me and that mark stared right back at me, I felt the breath catch in my throat."Do you recognize it?" Maron had asked.I feigned ignorance.“I’ll need to look into it more,” I replied, keeping my voice steady—though inside, I was shaken.I knew exactly what that symbol meant.Even after Rex came asking, I gave the same excuse. But the moment she left, I walked straight to my room, the book still in hand, and set it down gently on the bed.Then I made my way to the closet.From the very back, behind old coats and boxes, I pulled out the one thing I’d promised myself I would never open again. I brought it to the bed, sat down, and brushed my fingers over the lid.Inside were pictures… amulets… books… journals—remnants of a friendship long buried.I picked up one of the photos, and as her face became clearer in my mind, so did the ache in my chest.Lyra.My friend.I pulled out one
The Banished Tribe? We all echoed in disbelief, and Lucy nodded solemnly. "Yes," she replied. "The symbol on the pages belongs to them. It's a mark that's always been associated with the Banished—a symbol lost to time," she explained, her voice low, almost like she was afraid someone might be listening in. I swallowed hard, my breath uneven. The Banished Tribe... I had only ever heard whispers about them—stories told to scare children. I'd never had the chance to learn much, but Maron had mentioned them once or twice. Most believed they were nothing more than legends. They were said to be a dangerous tribe, wild and uncontrollable, cast out by other supernaturals long ago. "But..." Julian spoke up, his brow furrowed. "They were just a myth, weren't they?" He stared at Lucy. "I mean, everyone learned about them as kids, but I always thought it was just fairy tales." Rose nodded in agreement beside him. But Lucy shook her head firmly. "No, dear. They were very real. And while n
After finishing my training session with Julian, I was about to leave the grounds when I spotted Aries standing nearby."Rex!" he called out.So, I guess I was back to being Rex—just like that, in a matter of minutes. He said he wanted to talk. About what? After the way he behaved earlier, what was left to say?So I came up with an excuse to avoid the conversation.I didn’t expect him to actually follow me all the way to see his mom."I’ll wait till you’re done," he said just as I stepped inside Lucy’s house.I pretended not to hear him and walked in without looking back.Inside, I was greeted warmly by Ma and, of course, Lucy herself."You’re here already, dear?" Lucy asked."Yeah," I replied, smiling. "I thought I'd just check up and see how it’s going with the book.""You’re so impatient," Maron teased, laughing. "She literally just got the book this morning. There’s no way she’s gone through it already!"She wasn’t wrong. I knew that. I just needed a reason—any reason—to avoid Ari
To say my night was actually used for sleeping would be doing a disservice to the very concept of sleep. And I wouldn’t want to insult the people who actually got some. My entire night was consumed by thoughts. Thoughts about her. What exactly was I thinking? I had no clue. All I knew was that my mind couldn’t stop drifting to her. I needed to figure out these feelings—fast. I had tried to kiss her. That alone meant I owed her an explanation when I saw her again. But what did I actually feel for her? That part, I still couldn’t put my finger on. All I was sure of was this—if we had kissed, truly kissed, I wouldn’t have regretted a single second of it. And that realization? It shook me to my core. Before I knew it, morning had arrived—and I still didn’t have answers. Being indecisive wasn’t like me, but I couldn’t help it this time. I dragged myself out of bed and stared at the guy in the mirror. “Way to go, Aries,” I muttered. “You totally pull off the zombie look.” With a shak
The sun peeping through the curtains did nothing to ease the anxiety twisting in my stomach. Every part of me wanted to curl back under the covers and pretend last night never happened. Pretend I didn’t nearly kiss Aries—the Alpha of the Awoke pack. Not just some guy… Aries.The worst part? I wasn’t sure if I wanted to avoid it—or do it all over again.After what felt like an hour of overthinking, I finally dragged myself out of bed. Maybe I could skip training with Julian and avoid the awkwardness. But of course, my legs had other plans. They carried me straight to the bathroom, right into my training clothes, and toward the door. Where was my willpower when I needed it?Julian had insisted we start training immediately. He wanted to be the first to witness my “cool powers.” So dramatic.I took a deep breath and stepped out of my room. The stairs creaked beneath my feet as I made my way down, nerves building with every step. I had to pass by Aries’s office to get to the training grou
Watching Aries’s face inch closer to mine sparked a feeling I couldn’t even begin to describe. All the fear, doubt, and confusion I had been carrying melted away the moment he stepped into the room. Just a few words from him, and I believed—really believed—that everything would be okay. That he’d stand by me. So I didn’t move away. Instead, my grip on his arm tightened, bracing myself for what was about to happen.Without realizing it, I closed my eyes, my heart racing in sync with his. As someone who had never kissed anyone before, I should have been nervous, but I wasn’t. I knew he’d guide me. I could already feel his breath mingling with mine. His heartbeat thundered, fast and intense.Then, just when our lips were about to meet-bam! The door flew open.We immediately jolted apart, each moving to our own side of the couch like guilty teenagers caught in the act.“Rex!!!” came a voice I’d recognize even in my sleep. Julian.I sighed and looked at Aries, who stood and offered me his