★DARIUS★Damn it, looking at her sleeping there, all peaceful and shit, made my blood boil. Seraphine was locked up, should be scared out of her mind, but she looked like she was taking a damn nap on a Sunday afternoon. Not a twitch, not a sign of worry that she was rotting away in my cells. Any normal prisoner would've been screaming their innocence, begging for mercy, maybe even trying to pick the damn lock with a hairpin. But not her. Just this eerie calm that sent a shiver of unease down my spine.Just as I was about to lose my temper staring at her smug face, Dawson, my beta, showed up. He looked grim, holding a rolled-up scroll in his hand. “Alpha,” he said, his voice low, “we got him.”“Ronan Voss?” I asked, a knot of anticipation tightening in my gut.Dawson nodded. “Yeah. Tracked him down like you said. Wasn’t too keen on talking at first, but… well, you know how it goes.” He didn’t need to elaborate. We weren't exactly known for our gentle interrogation methods when push cam
★★DARIUS’S POV★★The implication of the scroll still felt heavy in my mind, even hours after I'd read it. Every word was etched into my memory. They weren't just planning an attack; they were planning to desecrate one of our most sacred nights, the Luna Moon ceremony. Arrogant bastards. But their arrogance was a weakness I could exploit.I stood by the large window in my meeting room, looking out at the territory I swore to protect. My Beta, Dawson, and Sylas were already seated, waiting. They knew something big was coming. They could feel it in the air, the same way I could. The tension had been building for weeks, but the scroll had given us clarity, a target, and a timeline.I turned, facing them, my gaze sweeping over their faces. Dawson, steady and loyal, always thinking of the practicalities. Sylas, sharp and strategic, his mind already dissecting possibilities."Alright," I started, my voice low but firm. "Let's talk about this scroll. What it says... it changes everything." I
★★EMMELINE’S POV★★Damn, I felt awful. Absolutely, completely, miserably awful. I was curled up on my bed, clutching my stomach like it was going to revolt again any second. It probably would. I'd already spent way too much time with my head over the porcelain gods this morning. My whole body ached, heavy with exhaustion, but sleep felt like a distant, cruel joke. And food? Don't even get me started on food. The mere thought of it sent a fresh wave of nausea rolling over me.There was a gentle knock on the door, and I managed a weak "Come in."A maid entered, carrying a tray. Even from across the room, I could smell the food. It wasn't strong, probably something bland the kitchen had prepared, knowing how I'd been. But still. One whiff was enough. My stomach churned violently.I swallowed hard, trying to keep it down. "It's okay, thank you," I said softly, trying to sound normal. It came out weak and shaky. "I... I don't think I can eat right now."The maid looked concerned, her gaze
☆DARIUS’S POV☆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆Today was the day. The Luna Moon ceremony. It wasn't just a ritual; it was a declaration. A binding of souls and pack under the sacred light of the full moon. For me it was practically a second mating ceremony, public and profound, solidifying Emmeline's place beside me, not just as my mate, but as our Luna. The air in the Estate grounds buzzed with anticipation, a vibrant energy that was both thrilling and, for me, laced with a dangerous tension.The invited guests had been arriving all morning, a steady stream of shifters from allied packs, respected elders, and our own people. Security was tighter than it had ever been. Every face was checked against lists, every person scanned. No one got in who wasn't supposed to be here. No slip-ups today. Not a single one.My eyes scanned the crowd constantly, not just for threats, but for my own people. They were there, scattered among the guests. My best fighters, my most trusted guards, dressed in finery instead o
★★EMMELINE★★◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇Waking up felt like surfacing from a deep, dark ocean. My body ached, heavy with exhaustion, and my mind felt foggy, still replaying flashes of the night before. The sudden arrow, the shouts, Darius’s roar, Sylas pulling me away, the terrifying sounds of fighting echoing even in the safe room. It had been... a lot. More than a lot. It had been terrifying.I lay there for a long moment, just breathing, feeling the blessed silence of the room. No shouts, no sounds of struggle. Just the quiet hum of the house around me. Darius was asleep beside me, his arm heavy around my waist, his breathing deep and even. He looked exhausted too, lines of fatigue etched around his eyes even in sleep. He must have gone straight from dealing with the aftermath to checking on me, to finally collapsing here. My heart squeezed. He always put me first. Always.I carefully shifted, turning to face him. I gently traced the line of his jaw, the faint stubble there. He stirred slightly
★DARIUS’ POV★●●●●●●●●●●●●●●The noise of the banquet hall faded behind us as I guided Emmeline towards our room. My hand rested on the small of her back, feeling the warmth of her through the thin fabric of her dress. Every step felt like walking on air, not just because of the wine, but because she was beside me. My Luna. The words still felt new, shiny, perfect.We got to the door, and I paused, turning her gently to face me. Her eyes, bright and sparkling from the evening, met mine. Oh moon goddess, she was beautiful. Not just in that dress, which looked incredible on her, but the way she was her. The way she smiled, the little crinkle at the corner of her eyes, the way she bit her lip when she was thinking. All of it."Finally," I murmured, my voice a little rougher than I intended. I reached up, cupping her face in my hands. "Finally, we're alone."She leaned into my touch, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "It was a wonderful banquet, Darius. Truly.""It was," I agreed, my thumbs
★★EMMELINE★★◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇The door creaked open, and I looked up from where I was propped up on the pillows. It wasn't the usual hesitant young woman who'd been checking in. This time, a woman who looked like she'd seen more sunrises than I'd seen rainy days walked in. She was older, her face etched with lines that somehow made her look both tired and incredibly kind. She had a presence, you know? Like the quiet strength of an old tree.She introduced herself as Elara, the new midwife. Her voice was low and calm. "Luna," she said, giving me a small smile. "I'm here to check on you and the little one."I just nodded, feeling a bit shy. The other midwives had been nice enough, but they always seemed a bit... nervous around me. Elara didn't have that. She just felt... solid.She came closer to the bed, her movements slow and deliberate. She didn't rush anything. She sat down on the edge of the bed gently and reached for my wrist to check my pulse. Her hand felt warm and steady."How are
★DARIUS’ POV★Sleep didn't come easy, not since... well, not since everything. But especially not now. Not with Emmeline carrying our child. Every shadow outside her window felt like a threat, every creak of the old house sounded like an intruder. It was a constant, low thrum of anxiety under my skin. Seeing her today, looking a little less pale after Elara's visit, helped, but it didn't erase the feeling that the world was just waiting to snatch away the few good things I had.I was in my study, the maps and reports on my desk blurring into meaningless lines. I needed to do something. Sitting here, waiting, felt like a betrayal.I slammed a fist lightly on the desk. Enough.I got up and went straight to the guards stationed outside my wing. "Increase the perimeter," I ordered the guard. "Double the patrols around the Luna's wing. I want eyes on every approach, every hour."The guard l nodded. He knew the score. "Consider it done, Alpha.""And," I added, running a hand through my hair
★EMMELINE’S POV★My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, heavy and distant. Every breath was a struggle, a shallow, rattling thing that didn't seem to bring enough air. I was floating, drifting somewhere between here and... well, somewhere else. Somewhere quiet and dark. It felt peaceful, in a terrifying sort of way. Like I was letting go."Emmeline? Stay with me. Please."Sylas. His voice. It sounded tight, strained, like he was trying not to break. I wanted to answer, to tell him I was trying, but my tongue felt thick and useless. I managed a small, weak squeeze of the hand he was holding. His grip tightened instantly, almost painfully."She's fading, Sylas," a softer voice said. Anastasia. The healer. I could feel her cool fingers on my wrist, checking my pulse. "The damage... it's spreading faster than I can counter it without the proper herbs."Fading. Yeah, that felt about right. Like a candle sputtering out. The pain was a dull throb now, constant and heavy, but almost se
★DARIUS★Hours. It had been damn hours. My body screamed with every step, every bend, every time I had to push aside a thorny branch that clawed at my already torn clothes and skin. The Crying Woods lived up to its name; the wind seemed to moan through the trees, and the shadows felt heavy, pressing down on me. And for what? Nothing. I hadn't found a damn thing.My eyes scanned the forest floor, blurry with exhaustion and pain. Silver plants, they said. Surrounded by thorny roots. Sounded like something out of a twisted fairytale, and right now, I felt less like a prince on a quest and more like a broken-down mule lost in a maze.I stumbled, catching myself on a tree trunk, the rough bark scraping my cheek. "Son of a bitch," I muttered, leaning my forehead against the cool wood. My lungs burned, my muscles felt like they were tearing, and the dull ache in my ribs was a constant reminder of the fight I'd barely survived. This was insane. I was running on fumes and sheer, unadulterated
★DARIUS' POV★The air tasted like blood and dirt, thick and metallic. This bastard, this rogue Alpha, was fast, I'll give him that. He came at me, claws out, a snarling mess of muscle and rage. My own snarl ripped from my throat, a low rumble that promised pain. He swiped, a blur of grey fur. I ducked under it, the wind of his miss whipping past my ear. Instinct took over. My jaws snapped shut, finding purchase on his hind leg. God, the feel of tearing muscle and sinew... it sent a jolt of brutal satisfaction through me. I yanked hard.He howled, a sound that was music to my ears, stumbling, off-balance. That was my chance. Don't hesitate. Never hesitate. I surged upward, putting everything into it. My claws raked across his face. I felt the warm, wet spray of blood, heard his shriek of agony as one eye was taken. Good. Let him see what happens when you cross me.He didn't back down though. Credit where it's due, the son of a bitch had guts. His rage doubled, making him sloppy, predic
★DARIUS’ POV★Damn, that place was even worse than the stories. The Crying Woods… they weren’t kidding with the name. The air hung thick and heavy, clinging to my skin like a shroud. It reeked of stale blood, rot, and something else… despair, maybe? Twisted trees clawed at the perpetually grey sky, their branches like skeletal fingers. It was unnervingly quiet in some ways, but the silence was punctuated by sounds that made the hairs on my arms stand up – distant growls echoing through the suffocating woods, the rustle of unseen things in the undergrowth.And the eyes. Glowing pairs of them, tracking me from the deepest shadows. Yellow, green, cold pinpricks of hate watching my every step. The rogues. They said rogues were just mindless beasts, driven mad by isolation. Bullshit. Those bastards were smart, cunning. They were hunting me, I could feel it. Packs of them, flanking me, testing my path, waiting for an opening.Being alone sucked right then, made every shadow seem like a thre
★EMMELINE’S POV★I woke up slowly, the dull ache in my body a familiar companion now. But something else felt wrong. Deeper. Colder. I reached out instinctively, my hand searching the space beside me in the bed. Empty.Darius wasn’t there.That wasn’t unusual. He was the Alpha, always busy. But this felt different. The bond, the constant hum of his presence in the back of my mind, felt… distant. Like a faint whisper across a wide, empty space. Not gone, not broken, but stretched thin, strained.Panic, cold and sharp, pricked at me. I pushed myself up, ignoring the protest from my aching muscles. “Darius?” I called out, my voice raspy from sleep.No answer.I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet finding the floor. I pulled on a robe quickly, my hands fumbling with the tie. Where was he? Why did the bond feel so… far away?I opened the door to our chambers. A maid was outside, tidying the hall.“Where is the Alpha?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.She curtsied. “Good
★DARIUS’ POV★The morning after Finn died, the air in the pack house felt heavy, thick with grief and unspoken fear. Six of my men, gone. Just like that. Torn apart in those cursed woods. It should have made me stop. Made me rethink. Made me listen to the fear that was gripping the pack.But it didn’t.It only made me harder. More determined. If my best warriors couldn’t get those herbs, if the Crying Woods was too much for a trained team, then there was only one person left who could go. Me. The Alpha.I didn’t waste time. I called Sylas into my study first. He was the most skilled, the bravest of my advisors.He walked in, his face etched with the sorrow of the previous night. He knew why I’d called him. He could probably smell the grim resolve on me.“Alpha,” he said quietly.“Sylas,” I nodded, getting straight to the point. No need for pleasantries. Not now. “You know what happened last night.”He closed his eyes for a brief moment, a flicker of pain crossing his face. “Yes, Alpha
★DARIUS’ POV★I stood before them, my best warriors. Their faces were grim, expectant. They knew something was wrong. My mate was sick, and when the Alpha’s mate is sick, the pack feels it. The air in the room was thick with unspoken worry.“Listen up,” I began with a rough voice. “You know the situation with Luna Emmeline. The healer says there’s a way to help her, a tonic. But the herbs needed… they’re in the Crying Woods.”A ripple went through the group. The Crying Woods. Even the bravest among them shifted uncomfortably. They knew the stories. Everyone did.“Yeah, Alpha,” one of them spoke up. “The Crying Woods. That place is a shithole. Full of rogues.”“Exactly,” I confirmed, meeting each of their eyes. “Not just any rogues. These are the ones who lost their minds. Banished, twisted by rage and isolation. They live like animals in there. Savage. Violent. They kill anything that crosses their path.”I held up the parchment Anastasia had given me. “The healer gave me the descript
★DARIUS’ POV★“There has to be something.” My voice was low, a dangerous rumble I barely recognized. I stood over Anastasia, the healer, my fists clenched at my sides. Her face a roadmap of wrinkles, but her eyes held a weariness that wasn't just age. It was the look of someone who had seen too much, too many things go wrong.She sighed, a thin, reedy sound. “Alpha Darius, I understand your… distress. But I have told you. A hybrid pregnancy is… unnatural. The child grows too fast. It takes too much from the mother.”“Unnatural?” I scoffed, the sound sharp. “She’s carrying my child. There’s nothing unnatural about that.”Anastasia flinched slightly but held her ground. “With respect, Alpha, the mixing of bloodlines this strong… it creates complications. The child’s wolf nature is dominant, even in the womb. It draws on the mother’s life force to fuel its growth. It’s why… why hybrids are so rare now. The mothers…” She trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor.“The mothers what?” I p
★EMMELINE’S POV★It was a quiet afternoon. One of the rare ones where I wasn't meeting anyone, or having Elara check on me, or listening to Darius go over security plans. I was just... alone in my room. The sun was streaming in through the window, warm and peaceful. I was sitting on the floor, leaning against the side of the bed, my hand resting on my stomach.The baby had been calm for a while, just little wiggles here and there. It felt nice. Peaceful. I closed my eyes, just enjoying the quiet, enjoying the feeling of this little life inside me.And then it happened.Not a wiggle. Not a kick.It felt like... like something exploding inside me. A sudden, violent lurch, so powerful it stole my breath. My eyes flew open, and I gasped, a sharp, painful sound."Whoa," I whispered, putting both hands on my belly, trying to brace myself. "Okay, little one, that was... that was a big one."But it didn't stop. It wasn't just one kick. It was a series of them, rapid and brutal. It felt like t