Aside from the gentle crackle of the fire in the hearth, the room was silent. The room had an odd almost eerie atmosphere as shadows moved along the stone walls. Frank, Ashton, and Fea remained by Ethan's side after the healer had left. Fea was seated closest to him, her hand resting softly on his arm as though she was worried he would become unconscious again. “You should get some sleep,” Fea said in a worried-sounding voice.Ethan gave a resolute shake of his head. There was a fire in his eyes. Now a strong desire to understand even though he still appeared weak and pale. “No,” he said unpleasantly. “Tell me, What happened?”None of them was keen to speak first and they exchanged tentative glances.Finally, the silence was broken by Daemon who moved forward into the firelight. “We tried to rescue Selene,” he said with a regretful tone. “We discovered the location of her detention. But we were attacked.”Ethan just looked at him expressionless for a moment. Then, wincing from the
Ethan strode with a newfound strength in his step. The carefully planned out appearance of his warrior’s uniform conveyed a sense of readiness and a man who had been freed from the grip of harm. He had a commanding presence and rough lines on his face which were possibly deepened by recent hardship. A few women whose eyes lingered a bit too long showed a glimmer of admiration for him as he made his way through the busy center of the pack. But he was oblivious to all that as his mind was restless and empty, caused by deep sorrows.He should be happy for surviving the poison but Ravena's demise left him in anguish.Children ran past him, giggling and shrieking in delight as they ran to hide in different corners.It brought a familiar memory of his childhood which suddenly made a smile tug at the corners of his lips.He waved casually but warmly at an elderly farmer who was hard at work in his gardenHe was a man named Frederick whose grizzled hands drew life out of the ground itself
As Ethan approached Daemon, his eyes were filled with worry. His tone was urgent and sharp. “ What are you talking about?” he asked. “As we speak there's unrest in the pack,” Daemon replied in a tight tone. “I noticed a group of people making their way to the pack house on the way here. They are requesting explanations for Ravana's whereabouts.”Fea took a step forward, her face solemn. “From what I understood,” she continued in a low voice. “ They're saying you killed her in order to become the Alpha of Ridgewood pack.” With the accusations bearing down on him, Ethan let out a long sigh. He tried to comprehend the chaos by closing his eyes for a while. This was not what he expected. As he opened his eyes he looked at Fea and Daemon. “Who else knows of Ravena's death?” he asked in a whisper. Feeling dread snake up on his spine.“It's just you, Ashton, Fea, Frank, and me,” Daemon said. Suddenly a flash of realization hit him. Daemon snapped his fingers as though he had just found a
" Don't you think we should put an end to this bloodshed?"Selene’s voice cut through the tense air of the pack clinic like a blade. The room smelled of blood and herbs, a bitter blend of violence and hopelessness. Around them, warriors moaned on thin cots, their injuries sutured hastily by the overworked healers.Rylan turned to her, jaw tight. “ You think surrendering to the Shadowfangs is the answer? ”Selene bristled. “ I never said surrender. I said peace. An alliance with Alpha Kieran could — ”“ No. ” His voice was sharp, final. “ I'll not bow to him. ”She clenched her fist. “ This isn't about pride, Rylan. Ravena and her rogues are growing bolder. They struck in broad daylight, right at our borders. We lost five warriors today! How many more will have to die before you see that we need allies?”Rylan’s golden eyes burned with defiance. “ We're strong enough. We do not need help from Kieran.”Selene inhaled deeply, forcing herself to stay calm. “ Strong enough to do what? Keep
Selene stood by the door, her heart pounding like a war drum.Her fingers hovered over the handle. She could still turn back, go upstairs, pretend she never considered this. Pretend she wasn’t about to betray Rylan’s trust.But wasn’t he the one betraying her?He'd dismissed her like she was nothing. Ignored her concerns. Left her alone.And now, Kieran was waiting because he had promised to help. And she couldn't turn down such an offer.Her breath came fast, uneven." Just go."Without a second thought, she stepped outside, the gentle breeze swayed by, brushing her cheeks lightly. But she was shaken by dread.One step.Then another.The darkness stretched before her, thick and endless.Selene hesitated at the edge of the porch, glancing back at the house. The warm gleam from the lanterns inside felt like a barrier between her and the path she was about to take.Rylan’s voice echoed in her mind." Promise me, Selene.”Her chest tightened.But she couldn’t ignore this. She couldn’t st
" Are you alright, Selene?"The moment the question left Kieran’s lips, her fear wavered.She had braced herself for accusations for suspicion , for something more sinister. But rather, his voice carried genuine concern.Selene swallowed, forcing a nod. “ I .. I’m fine. ”Kieran studied her for a bit longer before a small smirk spread across his face. “ You always were a terrible liar. ”she let out a shaky breath. “ I didn't come here for small talk, Kieran. ”His smirk faded. “ No, you didn't”Selene stepped forward, her fingers curling into fists. “ You said you knew how to stop the rogues. If that’s true, then tell me. We ca n’t keep losing warriors like this. ”Kieran crossed his arms, his expression darkening. “ I heard about the attack. Rylan’s pack took heavy losses. ”Selene’s stomach twisted. The memory of the pack clinic, the smell of blood, the pained groans of wounded warriors, it was all still fresh.“ We need a solution, ” she pressed. “ You said you know how to put a
“ Is the sacrifice ready? ”The question hung heavy in the air of the dimly lit chamber, spoken by an elder whose voice rasped with age andmalice.A circle of men sat around an obsidian table, their robes flowing like shadows. These weren't just any elders, they were the hidden rulers, the ones who held dominion over all the Alpha's. Their power was feared, their influence undeniable. Yet, the truth remained buried — no one knew the price of their reign.At the head of the table sat Elder Vulcan, his silver eyes gleamed under the flickering torchlight.“ The sacrifice must be made within three days, ” another elder urged. If we do not offer the Moonfire’s blood, we risk losing everything…our power, our control.”Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.Elder Vulcan exhaled slowly, a cruel smile stretching across his face. “ There's no need for concern. I've already chosen the one . She bears the mark unknowingly.” “ Who's she? ” an Elder asked anxiously as excitement spread
The moment Selene stepped into the pack’s borders, the harsh words cut through the air.“ There she comes. ”“ Luna Selene, ” one of them said, his voice hard. “ By Alpha Rylan’s orders, you're under arrest. ”Fear grazed her skin as two warriors grabbed her arms roughly. And tying them behind her back.Selene’s breath hitched.“ What? ” she whispered , stunned.Before she could reply, they seized her arms.A rush of fear shot through her. “ Wait, what is this about? ” She struggled against their grip, but they held her firmly.“ You’ll find out soon enough, ” the second warrior said grimly.Her mind swirling. Was this because she left the pack without permission? Had Rylan returned and found her missing?Why is she been held against her wish?Fear nearly crippled her. She could barely move her legs. On their way, other warriors and pack members whispered, watching with wide eyes.The look of surprise spread through their faces. Some pointed at her, shaking their heads in pity.The
As Ethan approached Daemon, his eyes were filled with worry. His tone was urgent and sharp. “ What are you talking about?” he asked. “As we speak there's unrest in the pack,” Daemon replied in a tight tone. “I noticed a group of people making their way to the pack house on the way here. They are requesting explanations for Ravana's whereabouts.”Fea took a step forward, her face solemn. “From what I understood,” she continued in a low voice. “ They're saying you killed her in order to become the Alpha of Ridgewood pack.” With the accusations bearing down on him, Ethan let out a long sigh. He tried to comprehend the chaos by closing his eyes for a while. This was not what he expected. As he opened his eyes he looked at Fea and Daemon. “Who else knows of Ravena's death?” he asked in a whisper. Feeling dread snake up on his spine.“It's just you, Ashton, Fea, Frank, and me,” Daemon said. Suddenly a flash of realization hit him. Daemon snapped his fingers as though he had just found a
Ethan strode with a newfound strength in his step. The carefully planned out appearance of his warrior’s uniform conveyed a sense of readiness and a man who had been freed from the grip of harm. He had a commanding presence and rough lines on his face which were possibly deepened by recent hardship. A few women whose eyes lingered a bit too long showed a glimmer of admiration for him as he made his way through the busy center of the pack. But he was oblivious to all that as his mind was restless and empty, caused by deep sorrows.He should be happy for surviving the poison but Ravena's demise left him in anguish.Children ran past him, giggling and shrieking in delight as they ran to hide in different corners.It brought a familiar memory of his childhood which suddenly made a smile tug at the corners of his lips.He waved casually but warmly at an elderly farmer who was hard at work in his gardenHe was a man named Frederick whose grizzled hands drew life out of the ground itself
Aside from the gentle crackle of the fire in the hearth, the room was silent. The room had an odd almost eerie atmosphere as shadows moved along the stone walls. Frank, Ashton, and Fea remained by Ethan's side after the healer had left. Fea was seated closest to him, her hand resting softly on his arm as though she was worried he would become unconscious again. “You should get some sleep,” Fea said in a worried-sounding voice.Ethan gave a resolute shake of his head. There was a fire in his eyes. Now a strong desire to understand even though he still appeared weak and pale. “No,” he said unpleasantly. “Tell me, What happened?”None of them was keen to speak first and they exchanged tentative glances.Finally, the silence was broken by Daemon who moved forward into the firelight. “We tried to rescue Selene,” he said with a regretful tone. “We discovered the location of her detention. But we were attacked.”Ethan just looked at him expressionless for a moment. Then, wincing from the
Before he could even catch his breath, Rylan's eyes snapped open, and a blast of icy water struck his face. Coughing and blinking against the unexpected wetness he let out a sharp gasp. “Thanks to the goddess.” A familiar voice said. “I was starting to worry that you had passed away while you were asleep.” Rylan looked up to see his best friend and Beta, Tristan grinning. Rylan's chest flared with irritation. He snatched up his glass of wine, which was the closest object, and hurled it at Tristan without thinking. After missing, the glass shattered into a hundred tiny pieces as it crashed against the wall. Using the back of his hand to wipe his face Rylan muttered, “ You bastard. What did you do that for?” Tristan let out a loud obviously unconcerned laugh. “Dude, what's up with you? I entered your chamber. I called you but you didn’t answer. I was alarmed to see you lying there like a corpse in the bathroom. I doused you in water as a result.” Rylan let out a long sigh. He h
As he pushed the door open, Alpha Rylan paused. Hesitating to go in. The familiar scent of Selene's perfume hit his nostrils.Sending jolts of pain that rippled through him.But this was his room. Yea, he shared it with Selene. And now she's gone, never to return.Running away won't mend his bleeding heart. He felt as though the walls themselves recalled the love that once called this place home. It felt colder and smaller now. This was the room that he had previously shared with his ex-wife and former Luna Selene, and he had avoided it for days. Pretending that the room didn't exist and immersing himself in the never-ending responsibilities of pack leadership, border combat, and quelling the escalating unrest among his people.The memories that lurked inside these four walls were easier to avoid than to face them. Something inside him, however, broke tonight, his heart.Selene's tear-stained face flashed through his mind. She kept insisting she was innocent. Was she telling the t
Then something changed.Ethan’s breaths began to even out but it was ragged and shallow. The frightful gasps were replaced by a slow steady rhythm.Fea's heart leaped for joy. “I think he is alive! He is breathing!”Just a moment ago, he had stopped breathing, but now, it seemed he fought to stay alive.The erratic flickering of his eyelids ceased and they opened slowly and feebly. Despite being blurry and unfocused his eyes wandered the tiny space. As he observed the hazy forms surrounding him, a tiny glimmer of recognition moved through his eyes. The healer leaned over him with gentle eyes.Then he could see Fea more clearly, her face glistening with tears but glimmering with a newfound happiness. Daemon was standing close by smiling at him. Frank and Ashton were also present, their faces displaying a mix of amazement and relief. A dry parched feeling tightened around Ethan's throat. His voice couldn't come out when he tried to ask what had happened. A silent plea came out of h
Ridgewood their pack and home in the woods was hidden by a large waterfall. They eventually arrived after a short walk. Daemon exhaled deeply. That the difficult times might be coming to an end made him happy. Fea moved forward. She pushed a spot on the stone wall as usual. They entered their pack after the wall opened. “You have to give Ashton and Frank the antidote,”Daemon said to Fea as the wall closed once more. “I will have to call the healer.”Fea nodded. Before departing she gave Daemon a hug. She was beginning to like him. Ever since they embarked on the journey to get the antidote, she had grown attached to him. As Daemon approached the healer's home she watched him. Some children screamed with joy as they ran past her. Even though it was nighttime a few members of their pack remained awake. Fea moved at a fast pace. Wondering if Ethan was still alive made her heart race. The antidote was securely stored in her clothing. It was gently pressed up against her skin. S
A pale glow was cast over the forest where shadows whispered among the trees by the moon which hung low like a silent sentinel.In his black warrior uniform with the Ridgewood crest faintly glinting on his chest, Jarred stood motionless in the center of a small clearing.As though attempting to calm the storm building inside of him. His hands were clasped behind his back with his fingers interlocked. Despite the cool night air, tension hung over. In the distance, a lone owl called out as leaves rustled in the wind. Jarred remained motionless. His eyes were narrowed and fixed on the horizon and his jaw was clenched. Waiting impatiently, he wondered how long it would take him to arrive.Time is a luxury he doesn't have.And then, something hit his nostrils. A much familiar scent. And his tense shoulders relaxed a bit.Footsteps echoed. Moving slowly and methodically coming up behind him. He did not turn. A low, respectful voice called, “ Master. As directed, I have the antidote.”
As the masked man and the wolves surrounded them, Fea's heart pounded frantically in her chest echoing louder with each beat.Although the air was cool, fear burned through her skin. Daemon stood erect before Fea, his shoulders squared. With a steady yet steely tone, he said, “ You have the wrong information. The antidote is not in our possession.”As though amused, the man in the mask cocked his head slightly. Then he suddenly sprang forward, snatched Fea, and pulled her in close. A cold, sharp, and gleaming dagger was pressed against her throat. Her breath caught as she froze in fear and gasped. Daemon's eyes widened. “Release her!”The man snarled. “ Then don't test me. If you lie to me again, I will cut her throat open. “Give me the antidote now!”Fea's body shook under his hold. She began to sob as she squirmed under his hold. “Spare us, please. Do not harm us.”Her fingers were fumbling as she slowly moved her hand to the folds of her cloak. She then took a tiny glass vial