She has to do something, but what could a naked woman in a stream do?“Damn. I could do anything for a swim,” one of the men on horseback said.With a frown of disapproval, the third man on horseback squinted at the shimmering water. His jaw tightened. “No,” he yelled in a rough, authoritative voice. “ You will not swim! We need to focus on more important tasks. Let's get going.” With their eyes still fixed on the stream's glistening surface, the others moaned under their breath.“Urrrgh,” one of the men groaned.But they were forced to follow after the third man as he pulled his reins and spun his horse around. Looking back with longing eyes, they kicked their horses and rode away, the sound of hoofbeats gradually fading away. Minutes went by. With caution, Selene raised her head above the water to look around the surroundings. Once more, the birds began to chirp. The trees were rustled by the wind. No more hooves. Not a voice. Not a single man. With a shaky breath, she paddled
" 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
“Don't let them kill me.” Raw and desperate, Selene's scream rang out through the tense room but it was met with silence. As she reached for Rylan she scampered across the chilly stone floor, her knees rubbing against the hard surface. As if he were her last hope for survival. Her shaking fingers gripped the hem of his pants. She cried in a raspy voice, “Please Ryan. Hear me out. How can you believe them without listening to me? I didn't do this. They all held their breath for a moment. The warriors on guard stiffened. With their robes gathering around them like shadows, the elders observed with dark amusement.The members of the pack stared at her accusingly, their judgment piercing her like a knife. Then Ryan moved. Not to drag her up. Not for her comfort. But to pull his leg away from her as if he was repulsed by her touch. With a gasp Selene's hands fell to the floor, empty. She raised her head, her eyes watering, looking for any trace of the man she had loved. Where was
“ I have news from our spies in Shadowfang Pack Luna Ravena.”Tall and battleworn from years of fighting and bloodshed she was a powerful presence. She wore her dark hair in a tight braid with silver streaks at the edges and her skin was marred by scars that were evidence of her battle. She had fought countless battles and betrayals from people she had once trusted but she remained steadfast as ever. The young messenger knelt before her bowing his head respectfully. Even though he was only a boy he had a disciplined demeanor and a steady voice that matched the words he spoke. Ravena did not turn right away. She seemed to be looking for answers in the dancing flames as her eyes stayed fixed on the fire. It took a long drawn-out moment before she finally spoke. “Go on,” she uttered in a steady, composed tone. The boy took a deep breath and went on. “Luna Selene's death sentence is tomorrow. “ There was a sudden hush. Ravena's body was motionless despite the crackling fire. She r
She has to do something, but what could a naked woman in a stream do?“Damn. I could do anything for a swim,” one of the men on horseback said.With a frown of disapproval, the third man on horseback squinted at the shimmering water. His jaw tightened. “No,” he yelled in a rough, authoritative voice. “ You will not swim! We need to focus on more important tasks. Let's get going.” With their eyes still fixed on the stream's glistening surface, the others moaned under their breath.“Urrrgh,” one of the men groaned.But they were forced to follow after the third man as he pulled his reins and spun his horse around. Looking back with longing eyes, they kicked their horses and rode away, the sound of hoofbeats gradually fading away. Minutes went by. With caution, Selene raised her head above the water to look around the surroundings. Once more, the birds began to chirp. The trees were rustled by the wind. No more hooves. Not a voice. Not a single man. With a shaky breath, she paddled
The questions that had been bothering her ever since she woke up in Ravena's body now gnawed at her with a newfound intensity.Lance's icy words, which reverberated in her mind, had painted a dreadful picture of betrayal. It made her wonder who had wanted her dead. With a twinge of confusion, she wondered if it was Rylan, the Alpha of the Nightfang, and her former mate.Rylan had always been an image of true obedience. A man who blindly accepted Elder Vulcan's advice. And carried out his instructions without question.Her face was etched in a deep frown. Thinking of it, was Elder Vulcan behind all that happened to her?It all made sense because the accusations started with him. A chill ran down her spine.Yes. It has to be the truth. He turned the pack against her!Then there was Kieran. Whenever she thought of him, a cloud of anxiety descended upon her. She had a gut feeling that he knew more than he admitted, even though she was unable to identify his precise role in her death.
Light streamed into the room through the window. Inside, Selene shifted on the makeshift bed of thin furs and hardened stone, letting out a groan as her muscles resisted the rigid surface. This was a far cry from the luxurious comfort she had experienced as Luna of the Nightfang Pack. Where she would spend her nights curled up with pillows stuffed with feathers and covered in soft linens. Every morning now brought a new set of stiffness and aches. Gingerly, she rotated her head and stretched her neck, cracking audibly. She experienced a surge of nostalgia for the comfortable luxury she had long taken for granted. The small cave where she and Lira shared a bed served as a sharp reminder of her present situation. Her brow was furrowed as she looked around the tiny room. Chaos was in charge. It appeared as though their few possessions had been scattered by a whirlwind. In a tiny act of rebellion against the chaos of their surroundings, she had carefully arranged yesterday.Now ev
The tense atmosphere that had descended upon the room was abruptly broken by the door’s crash against the wall. Everyone’s attention was drawn to Fea, who was standing in the doorway, panting and heaving from shallow, fast breathing. “Fea?” Daemon called, his brow furrowed in worry. “What’s wrong? You seem anxious.”With her eyes darting between her friends' faces, Fea struggled to find her voice. Her stomach knotted with anxiety. The pressure of her vision made it hard for her to speak the words that threatened to flow from her mouth.How would they respond to what she had witnessed?Would they believe her?Quickly, Daemon rushed to her side before Ashton could leave his seat. He held her gently, searching her eyes for possible answers. “Talk to me, Fea. Are you hurt?”She trembled slightly. “No.”In long strides, Ashton closed the gap between them. “Dearest sister, you need to sit down.”They led her to a chair, and she sat down.“Fea, here. Take a breath.” Daemon hurried over t
“Remember you’re just recovering.” Frustrated, Ethan raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m starting to get angry with Jarred. You saw what he did today?”“Yes.” Frank nodded. “The unrest at the pack earlier today, I was aware of it.” “That low life,” Ethan muttered in a low threatening voice. “We can't just stand by and watch the pack fall apart. The council is on our necks and the public thinks I was involved in Ravenas death. That's impossible.”With his eyes focused on a spot on the floor Ashton appeared to be deep in thought. Frank gave him a small shake. “ Hey, man. Are you alright? You’ve been silent.” Ashton’s eyes darted to Ethan and he palmed his face and let out a long sigh. “We are in deep shit,” he said as softly as he could. “We ought to have been honest with them about Ravena's death, you know. Look where it has landed us.”Ethan stopped pacing and sat near them, his gaze fixed on theirs. “The pack will become hopeless and vulnerable to outside attacks if we reve
Fea blinked. “This is unbelievable,” she said, her voice barely audible over the abrupt quiet of the room.Without a doubt, Ravena was the one in the crystal ball that she could still clearly see. Her facial features, including every line and curve, perfectly complemented each other. A mixture of shock and disbelief tightened her throat as she swallowed hard. As she tried to rush forward, her foot caught on the edge of her cloak. Which she had dropped earlier.She lost her balance and staggered, falling heavily and landing awkwardly on her rear. Her back began to ache sharply and she flinched and let out a little uncontrollable cry. She lay there momentarily dazed and confused.Her breathing was hard and laborious. A surge of anger overtook her and she picked up her cloak. And then flung it on the bed and then stood up.Then she returned her attention to the crystal ball, staring at its smooth, opaque surface. While her heart continued to race in her chest. Filled with confusi
Voices and arguments filled Ridgewood's vault room beneath the pack house that night. Secret meetings were conducted here out of prying eyes and ears. Around a round wooden table sat the leaders of Ridgewood's six clans. Which together made up the council. Tension was high and there was a noticeable unease in the air. The council had called Daemon and Ethan to the meeting, and in fact, they had demanded their presence. For almost an hour Daemon and Ethan sat and watched the council members quarrel. Accusations, demands, and threats filled the back-and-forth debate. Insults were hauled at each other.In all of this, Ethan and Daemon maintained silence. Observing the gathering under keen eyes.Ethan was getting tired of their pointless arguments and becoming more and more bored. Instead of the serious conversation he had anticipated about the pack's future and Jarred's increasing threat, they were acting like kids. At last, Ridgewood council leader Bethar slammed his hand on the t
Ethan hurried to the balcony of the pack house for safety. He was closely followed by Fea and Daemon. The pack members were still gathered outside chanting while hurling their fists into the air. “Get us Ravena!”“Ravena or nothing!”The foundation of the pack house shook as their chants reverberated through the atmosphere. Ethan was exposed to the sun's harsh rays while standing on the balcony. There was total chaos in the scene. At the entrance to the pack house, the guards were having difficulty rebuffing angry pack members who were attempting to break in. The guards yelled. “ Stand back! Stand back!” in a voice that could hardly be heard over the noise. Ethan's anger reached a boiling point, and he balled his fists. “Enough!” He spoke loudly into the air after taking a deep breath. Immediately, the angry yelling of the crowd started to fade, their voices dying downFea was shocked when the people became calm. The impact of Ethan's voice suddenly commanded attention. As they
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