LOGINChapter 144: Threads of ResolveANYA’S POVMorning light filtered weakly through the heavy curtains and painted pale stripes across the floor of my chambers. I sat on the edge of the bed with my hands pressed to my belly and tried to shake the lingering horror from the nightmare. My eyes felt swollen and raw. Every breath still carried the echo of my own screams from the dark hours. I pushed to my feet and walked to the basin to splash cold water on my face. The shock of it grounded me enough to steady my trembling fingers. Iris entered without knocking, carrying a tray of bread, honey, and the familiar jar from Elowen. She took one look at me and set the tray down hard. “You look like you fought a dozen battles in your sleep. Talk to me.” I dried my face with a rough cloth and met her worried gaze. “The dream felt too real. Damien chased me through the forest. He wanted to tear the pup from my body. He said I lost everything and deserved nothing. I begged him to stop but he kept co
Chapter 143: Nightmare’s Grip ANYA’S POVI tossed in the large bed and pulled the heavy blankets tighter around my shoulders. The room sat dark except for a single candle on the bedside table that flickered low and cast shaky shadows across the walls. Sleep had stayed away most of the night but exhaustion finally dragged me under in the deepest hours before dawn. My body sank into the mattress while my mind slipped into the dream without warning.I stood in a familiar forest clearing under a blood-red moon. Trees loomed tall and twisted with branches that reached like claws. The air felt thick and cold against my skin. Then I saw him. Damien walked out from between two ancient oaks with his golden eyes glowing in the crimson light. Relief flooded through me so strong my knees nearly buckled. “Damien,” I called and ran toward him with my arms open. “You are here. You came back to me.” He did not smile. His face stayed hard as stone while he stepped closer with slow deliberate stride
Chapter 142: Blood Calls BloodANYA’S POVI paced the length of my chambers with the crumpled note still clutched in my fist. The words burned behind my eyes even after I had read them a dozen times. Cassandra. My own sister had stolen Damien’s body and now she dangled it like fresh meat to lure me out. Three nights. The old ruins north of the river bend. Come alone or watch pieces of him arrive at the gates. I stopped near the window and pressed my forehead against the cool glass. The pup inside me gave a small flutter as if sensing my storm. Iris sat on the edge of the bed with her hands folded tight in her lap. Gavin leaned against the far wall with his arms crossed and his sword resting nearby. The lantern light flickered across their faces and showed the same grim resolve I felt twisting in my gut. “She wants me broken before the blade even touches my skin,” I said as I turned to face them. “She knows I will come for him. The question is how we answer without handing her exactl
Chapter 141: Ruins of Triumph CASSANDRA’S POVI stood in the crumbling stone chamber beneath the old ruins and watched my hired men adjust the torches along the walls. The flames danced across Damien’s wrapped body on the central altar and cast long shadows that twisted like living things. The message had gone out hours ago. Anya would receive it soon and start counting the days until our meeting. I smiled at the thought while my burned side throbbed under fresh wrappings. Pain kept me sharp.Hooves sounded outside. I smoothed my cloak and stepped into the main hall as the elders arrived with their small escort. Elder Thorne entered first with Mira and Kael close behind. Two others followed, men I had cultivated for months with promises of power. They shook dust from their boots and looked around the decaying walls with wary eyes. “Cassandra,” Thorne said as he spotted me. “You summoned us with urgent words. What is this about?” I gestured toward the inner chamber with a sweep of m
Chapter 140: Voices of Treason ANYA’S POVWe drove through the main gates of Ironclaw as I kept my spine straight and my jaw set. The journey back from the Shadow Clan had drained my body, and emotions, but not my will. Iris and Gavin flanked me as we got out of the car in the courtyard. The driver drove forward towards the garage while curious servants and warriors watched from the walls. I handed my cloak over to Iris and marched straight toward the great hall without pausing to rest. News of Damien’s stolen body would spread soon enough. I needed the elders to hear it from me first. The heavy doors groaned open as guards pushed them wide. Inside, five elders already sat around the long oak table with maps and wine cups scattered before them. Lanterns cast harsh light across their faces. They looked up as I entered with Iris and Gavin close behind. Elder Thorne rose first, his thick brows drawn together. “Luna Anya. You are back so early. Please tell us how our Alpha is okay? Is
Chapter 139: Hollow Stone ANYA’S POV The familiar cluster of white stone cottages nestled among ancient oaks sent a wave of warmth through my chest despite the exhaustion clinging to my limbs. My stomach had settled only slightly after the herbs I forced down at dawn, but every bump in the road reminded me how fragile I felt.The children spotted us first. They dropped their baskets of wildflowers and ran toward the path with bright cries. “Anya! Lady Anya has returned!” I pushed open the car door before the vehicle fully stopped. My boots hit the soft grass and three little girls crashed into my legs with giggles. I laughed softly and knelt to hug them, their small arms tight around my neck. The scent of lavender and fresh bread wrapped around me as more villagers poured out from their homes. Smiles lit every face. Hands reached out to touch my shoulders and arms in welcome. An older woman named Mira pushed through the crowd and pulled me into a fierce embrace. Her silver hair sm
Chapter 14: Ghost in the MirrorANYA’S POV Steam filled the bathroom like a soft cold, clinging to my skin as hot water ran down my back. I stood under the shower, both hands braced on the tiled wall, trying to breathe through the mess inside my chest. Let me be your man. His voice wouldn’t leav
Chapter 10: Whispers in the Dark ANYA’S POV The moon hung low outside my window, pale and heavy, spilling light across the floor like milk. I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing my hair in slow, distracted strokes. Every muscle in my body ached from training. My palms were sore, my arms throbbed
Chapter 13: Borderlines DAMIEN’S POV The council room reeked of fear. It wasn’t the sharp, metallic scent of blood or the earthy musk of wolves gathering for war—it was something worse. Cowardice had a particular odour to it, sour and lingering, and tonight it coated every inch of the room. “We
Chapter 12: First Spark ANYA’S POV Damien woke me up by knocking once—it was a sharp and decisive knock—before pushing the door open without waiting for permission. My eyes were barely open when his shadows filled the doorway with that ridiculous mask on his face. “Get up,” he commanded, voice g







