His room was vintage themed.Old paintings and artefacts littered on the wall but no personal item was in sight.The bedsheets were under the bed the only evidence of the activities of the previous night.
''I better start working,whatever he does should not be of my concern.''
Noises from outside brought me out of my cleaning trance and I could not help but run towards the direction of the noise which was the huge windows in his room.
Below was a group of young wolves whom I assume were being trained and the noise was from their cheering.In the middle were two men spurring,Ryker and a man I had not yet seen.The size of his body was a dead giveaway that he was a top warrior.
As I walked down the hallway,I heard whispers.
''Have you seen the new girl ? ''
''I only caught a glimpse of her when she was being taken to her room.''
I followed the voices which led me to the pack kitchen ,the shock plastered on their faces was enough proof that they had not expected me to appear in their presence.
I cleared my voice.
''So where do I air these beddings ? ''
''Behind the house ,there is a hanging area.I'm Emma and that's Melissa we are usually incharge of kitchen duties.'' Came a voice from a brunette headed girl.
''Thank you. And kindly address me as Trixie not the new girl.'' And with that I left through the back door .
''Melisa one of these days your big mouth will land us into trouble.''
The hanging place was breath -taking.It was a nice place to escape the world.The fcolorful flowers with pretty butterflies on them were to die for.
''You need to get those checked out ,''came a silky voice which made me loose my footing.
Expecting the incoming crush ,I fell on a pair of steady arms.
''You should be more careful,we would not like you injuring yourself more.''
As I opened my eyes,a pair of blue eyes paired with a nice smile greeted me.He carefully placed me down and stretched his hands.
'' You can call me Will.I am the pack doctor and I really insist on treating those bruises on your wrist.''He said.
Instinctively ,I held out my hand,I do not know how we reached what appeared to be his working space.
''I do not think I got the name.''He came again
''Tri..Trixie .'' I stuttered.
''So Trixie the alcohol will burn,but I need to disinfect those before wrapping them up.''
''SSss''I hissed.
''I warned you, it would burn .'' He chuckled and continued dressing my bruises.
''In three days I recommend you come here.''
''I guess you're not much of a talker.You may go now .I would not like to make you more uncomfortable.''
Fleeing the site was an understatement.I was practically taking off , my heart beating 1000 times faster.
I slammed on a hard surface due to the speed I was in.
''Watch where you're going young miss.''
I looked up.It was the man that was sparring with Ryker.
''I'm Eric,the beta and bestfriend of Ryker.Speaking of him.He said you should meet him in his room.''
''Al-alright .'' I squeaked
His bedroom door was slightly open.I still knocked, nonetheless.
'' Come in.'' Came his grunt voice.
Ryker stood next to his wardrobe,his hair loose , water dripping on his back.
He had a toned body,gotta give due where it belongs.
'' What was your name again ? Tr-Trixie.Did I get it wrong ? ''He said, ending with a jeering laughter.
''Acting all cute in front of the doctor would be futile.'' He sneered at me.
The more I interacted with this man the more I hated his guts.
''You summoned me.'' I mastered my most polite voice.I could not risk the man who held my life by a thin thread.
''We are going for a run.I assume you have shifted.''
''Yes ''
''Alright then meet point at the backyard .I assume you're familiar with the place.''
And with that he turned his back to me once more.A clear signal of my dismissal.
Nervous was an understatement.I could still remember the pain I went through from my first shift.I hoped the second time would hurt less.
Soon a couple of other wolves had assembled.All waiting for their Alpha.Even the pack doctor,Eric, was here.
''We head South.'' Ryker shouted and with that howls filled the air as they shifted.
Here goes nothing.The pain was not less but I could bare it.
The only thought in my mind .
'' I hope I do not die along the way.''
The other wolves were fast like really fast,they were one with the forest.
I could feel the harsh breath intake in my system.
I was going to pass out sooner or later.
I guess later was closer than I thought.
I met with Eric's concerned face.
''Are you alright,you passed out and Ryker had to carry you.'' He explained.
My blood went cold.Ryker had carried me.
''Calm down Trixie ,you might end up having a panic attack.''
Eric patted my back gently.As if the day could not get worser Ryker was next to us.
''I mean rather than being a burden you could have said you are not used to intense runs.'' Sarcasm laced his words 'The harshness enough to make someone cry.
''let's head back we cannot afford more mishaps.''He shouted to the rest.
When almost everyone was out of sight,Eric nudged me.
''Do not take it to heart,he can be an ass but it's for you own good.Next time speak up.He might be rough but he does not subject anyone to forced activities.''
''Let's head back,slowly this time.''He held out his hand together with a warm smile.
By the time the we reached the pack house,almost everyone had retreated to their homes.
As I passed past his room,I heard the shower running.
Maybe I was just a bad luck hotpoint just like my family had said.
The fire crackled low in the hearth, casting amber light across the den walls. Outside, the forest had settled into its nocturnal hush - wind threading gently through the trees, the occasional call of night birds echoing from the canopy.Inside, it was quiet. Not the stillness of absence, but of fullness ,the kind that followed a day well-lived.Trixie stood by the window, cloak shrugged from her shoulders, her tunic loosened. Moonlight spilled across her collarbone, catching faintly on the still-glowing mark at her neck. She didn’t speak, just watched the stars beyond the treetops like they might whisper something back.Behind her, Ryker moved closer, barefoot and shirtless, arms folding gently around her waist. He pressed a kiss to the curve of her shoulder, his voice low, threaded with something quieter than pride.“Tell me,” he murmured, “what does it feel like - your first day as Luna?”Trixie let out a breath, long and quiet.“Like wearing something that finally fits,” she said
Dawn came softly.Golden light filtered through the high windows, dappling the stone floor and furs with warmth. The air in the den was still, the fire burned low, and outside, the forest murmured its quiet rhythms , wind through leaves, the distant stir of pack life beginning anew.But inside, time had slowed.Trixie stirred beneath the heavy blanket of fur and skin, warmth wrapped around her like a second skin not just from the covers, but from Ryker’s arms, still snug around her middle. One of his hands rested at her waist, the other lay over her heart as if to guard it even in sleep. His breath moved gently against her shoulder, even, content.She smiled to herself, not daring to move yet. Her body still ached pleasantly from the night before, marked not just by the bond, but by the way he had held her like something sacred. She turned her head slightly, gaze drifting to the burnished mark on her neck still faintly golden, warm to the touch, as if pulsing with shared life.She was
The moon hung low and golden, full as prophecy, as if blessing the valley itself. Lanterns strung between ancient pines cast flickering light across the clearing, where the entire pack had gathered-fur brushed, hearts full, voices hushed in reverence. Tonight was not just a wedding. It was a promise. A culmination.Trixie stood just beyond the firelight, cloaked in silver and dusk-blue, her gown a weave of soft wolf-spun fabric gifted by the elders. Her hair was crowned with moonflowers, each petal kissed with dew. Eric stood beside her, offering his arm.“You ready?” he asked quietly.She turned to him, and for a breath, he saw the girl she had once been ,the slave with fire in her eyes and wounds on her spirit. But now she stood tall, luminous with dignity. Her gaze didn’t flicker.“Yes,” she said. “More than ready.”Music began ,soft flutes, a low drum, and the harmonic hum of the pack’s oldest women, weaving a melody of blessing older than memory. As Trixie stepped into the cleari
The pack’s dispensary smelled of healing—mint, lavender, and the faint warmth of stewed roots. Shelves lined the rock walls, heavy with jars of dried herbs and tinctures. Soft morning light filtered through a small window, painting the room in muted gold. It had always been Will’s domain, a space both safe and sacred.Trixie stood at the threshold, the moonstone ring on her finger glinting faintly in the glow. Her pulse throbbed not from fear, but from the weight of what she was about to do. She drew in the aroma of healing before stepping inside.Will was bent over a workbench, carefully mixing crushed basil with honey. Nearby, Eric lounged on a stool, reading a ledger. He looked up as she entered. His eyes were steady, warm—an unwavering anchor. He and Will had a relationship rooted in years of trust a
The first light of dawn crept through the frost‑rimmed windows, painting the cabin in soft, golden hues. Shafts of sun warmed the wooden floorboards and scattered across the bed where Ryker and Trixie lay tangled skin still slick with memory, breaths shallow but steady.Trixie stirred, eyelashes fluttering as she came awake in the familiar press of his body. Ryker held her gently, his chest rising and falling in rhythm with hers. Their night together had been both reverent and wild, a merging of hunger and safety, passion and devotion. Now, in the hush of early morning, their bond felt like something ancient being woven anew.He watched her sleep—observed the delicate rise of her shoulder, the stray tendrils of hair along her jaw and something in him rose too. A tide of certainty, gentle yet insistent, moved through him. This night had unveiled everything he felt for her, and as the dawn deepened, he knew he had to ask.Ryker shifted, careful not to disturb her too much. He curled a p
The Ridge howled differently now.Gone were the ceremonial chants, the proud footfalls of soldiers in polished armor. Gone, too, was the voice of Silas—Alpha King of The Ridge, feared and revered in equal measure.All that remained now was the echo of power drained too quickly, and the daughter left behind to carry what she thought she had earned.Trisha stood before the council with her hands clasped tight behind her back, nails biting into her own skin. Her crown—a circlet of silver and onyx—felt heavier by the hour.“The people are unsettled,” said Elder Merrin, his tone as sharp as his narrowed eyes. “Three moons have passed since the siege. They want a voice. They want strength.”“T