The cheers from the ceremony continued behind Lylah, fading into the distance as she strode angrily towards Cormac. His silhouette stood tall and authoritative under the giant tree, his hands in his pocket. Lylah hated that view. She didn’t ask for this. She didn’t ask to be promised as bride to the Alpha’s son, her heart was already with someone else, someone very far away, who probably thought of her every day, just as she did of him. But her parents had already made the arrangements, and she had no choice but to go along obediently with it.
Cormac began speaking as soon as she reached him, without looking at her.
“I’m going for a run tonight, I want you to join me.”
“This night?” Lylah asked, bewildered.
“You heard me.”
She contemplated for a moment before speaking again.
“But you know this night is reserved for the new moonbound mates. Other wolves aren’t supposed to be running on this designated night of the full moon vow.”
“It won’t matter.” Cormac said, his long brown hair dangling as he turned to face her. “We’ll be married soon, there isn’t much difference between the two running tonight and us.”
Lylah hesitated, her mind racing. “But still...”
Cormac cut her off, his time brooking no argument. “You will run with me tonight, Lylah. I have decided, and you will do as I say.”
“I won’t.” Lylah said with defiance, folding her arms and looking away.
Cormac moved closer to her. She could feel his ire from his breath that came down hot on her hair, and even though she wasn’t looking into his face, she had a feel of his clenched jaw and tensed muscles, and for a moment she feared that she had actually gone too far.
“I have heard of your insolence, girl...” he began. “And since our parents made known their intentions to pair us I have watched you closely, observing how you carry yourself with pride, as well as your know-it-all attitude.” His voice was filled with contempt as he said the last part, and he eyed her for a while before continuing.
“Believe me, I have no interest in yoking myself to you, there are many more respectful, obedient Lupas out there, and if not for my father’s insistence I won’t even be having anything to do with you.”
Lylah’s heart was racing now, but she remained calm. Cormac wasn’t done speaking.
“However as we’re both into this now and there is no way out, you will have to do your part to make it work. I won’t take disobedience or sulkiness or disrespect or any other silly attitude from you. We can make this easy, or we can make it hard, either ways, it will end in your submission to me, otherwise you will come to regret your very existence.”
His voice was hard and cold in the end, and as he turned to walk away he added, dismissively, “We meet here in the next two hours.”
Lylah watched him walk away, her stomach churning with anger, and trepidation coursing through her as a maelstrom of thoughts swirled in her mind. So Cormac doesn’t like her either? Was he serious when he said he actually doesn’t wish to marry her? How possible is it that his father was imposing this on him too?
Lylah shifted uncomfortably on her heels, looking towards the bonfire in the distance at the happy people now dancing and singing. The joyful sounds of laughter and music seemed to mock her, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within.
Being forced into a loveless marriage was distressing enough, but knowing the other party shared her apathy made it infinitely worse. What kind of marriage would this be – a hollow, loveless arrangement, with Cormac merely tolerating her presence? Or was he deceiving her, hiding his true feelings behind a mask of indifference?
The thought of having to submit to him, love him, and obey him faithfully, when all she felt was deep-seated resentment, made her skin crawl.
Why was her parents forcing this marriage? And if Cormac really does not want it either, why is he going along with it?
The sun was almost high in the sky when Lylah got home. She went straight to her room and locked the door behind her, not bothering to wash off the mud stains on her arms and feet or speak to anyone.She took off her clothes and regarded herself in the mirror. The beauty that she was stared back at her. Her rich, black hair fell in curls around her shoulder, framing her face warmly.She picked out a few leaf particles from her hair and stared at them, memories of her run with Cormac flooding through her mind. The experience had defied her expectations; Cormac’s demeanour had been surprisingly gentle, stopping to let her catch her breath and inquiring about her well-being. His actions contradicted the cold, harsh attitude he’d displayed during the wedding.Lylah’s conviction grew – Cormac must have been deceiving her earlier. Before their parents arranged the match, four other suitors had openly declared their intentions. She knew many men desired her, so Cormac’s behaviour seemed susp
The atmosphere in the room was heavily tensed, with the weight of Lylah’s last words hanging like a challenge. Shay's unblinking stare and the horrified look on her face were all silent urges for Lylah to explain what she had just said. At last Lylah shrugged, and began."You know that eight years ago, my father, for whatever reasons he alone knew, gathered some members of the clan and led a revolt against the Alpha. I don't know all the details - my family rarely speaks of it - but I do know that my father failed, and even though reparations were made and he asked the Alpha's forgiveness, things have never been the same with them."Shay looked bewildered. "So what has that got to do with anything?" “It's simple." Lylah answered. "My father feels the need to find his way back into Alpha Asher’s trust - they were best friends before all these, you know - and he believes that marrying me off to Cormac would cement that trust.”The realization hit Shay like a thunderbolt. She looked up
LUNARVILLE CLANThe wail of women filled the air as Thane walked alongside his brother, Alpha Ryker, through the stretch of ravaged farms destroyed and burnt during the night by Villapaw, their long-standing rival clan. The once thriving fields now lay in charred ruins, a blackened expanse of devastation.The wheat, barley, potatoes and carrots had been reduced to ashes and stubble, stretched out like a vast, dark grave. The few trees that hadn’t completely burned down stood like skeletal sentinels, their trunks scorched, and their barks cracked and peeled. The early morning air lay heavy with smoke and singed earth.Thane and Ryker walked on, placing their feet delicately on the dusty soil, cracked and fissured from the intense heat, as if they feared that their weight would shatter the already fragile, heat-ravaged soil.Their faces were sullen and grim, yet composed, a facade they maintained in the presence of the distraught women following them, crying out and loudly exclaiming th
"During the last moon, when I was out on my last adventure, I met with someone." Thane was standing close to his brother, speaking in a hushed but respectful tone. He was striving to sound as sincere as he could, hoping to dispel any suspicions that might have begun brewing in his brother's mind. Alpha Ryker's eyed narrowed. "With whom did you meet?" Thane hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Please understand, my Alpha, I won't be able to give out his name." Alpha Ryker’s gaze turned piercing. "In other words, a spy?""'Our' spy, my Alpha. I know that you don't approve of having spies in other clans, but the information we gather can be invaluable, especially in times like these." Alpha Ryker eyed him stolidly before speaking again. "And what did your 'spy' have to say?""He wasn't sure at the moment," Thane ventured, "but he believes there is a conspiracy that the Alpha of Villapaw is brewing with his Council. They want to expand, but they don't have the numbers or the res
The journey to the Lunar Sanctum – Priestess Aria’s abode – was marked by an uncomfortable silence. As they ventured into the Heartwood forest, Thane couldn’t help but notice the weight of concern etched on his brother’s face. The unexpected visit from the Priestess’s messenger had left them with more questions than answers.This was the first time in eight years that Priestess Aria had directly summoned the Alpha. In fact since his brother became Alpha, the High Priestess has never summoned him directly before. Her messages were always relayed through Zular, and if a summon was necessary, a member of the Lunar Council or Thane would represent the Alpha.But now there is a prophecy, which, to Thane, seemed to do more with a child being born than with providing a solution to their current crisis. Yet the Priestess’s messenger had insisted that it was related. Could that be why the Alpha himself was summoned? What secrets lay hidden within the prophecy that demanded the Alpha’s personal
Thane set about his task dutifully, with deliberate slowness, his movements precise and calculated. He began by plucking strands of hair from each member of the group and placing them in his right palm where they lay like a small, dark nest. Next, he dropped to his knees, his eyes closed as he breathed in the scent of the forest floor. He raised his hands to the sky, all the while muttering "The accessible way" over and over, to the astonishment of his bewildered audience. Then he started moving his hands, weaving an intricate pattern in the air, and then suddenly his hands stopped, his palms opened, and the hairs all flew to one direction, landing on one of the paths. "The first path to the right." He announced. "That's the one." The group breathed a collective sigh of relief, and Alpha Ryker nodded curtly. "Let's move," he said, his voice low and urgent. “We should rest for a few minutes” Thane whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustling of leaves beneath their feet,
Thane’s gaze lingered on the spot where Zular had vanished, leaving them in an awkward limbo. Given the tone of urgency in which Zular had conveyed the summons to them, he found it odd that the High Priestess would make them wait. However within this ethereal presence, obviously the High Priestess can do no wrong, and it would be well within her rights to take her time.Alpha Ryker sat beside him, rigid as a statue, his unease concrete. Thane sensed the same tension emanating from their companions. The young Lunar Council representative, fidgety and restless, paced the length of the antechamber, his footsteps echoing off the walls. “This is ridiculous,” he muttered under his breath. “We’re not here to sightsee.”Even the wardens, normally stoic and focused, looked bewildered, their eyes wide with wonder. Thane smiled wryly, remembering his own first visit to the Sanctum. The place had a way of mesmerizing even the most hardened individuals.As they waited, a soft snore broke the silen
RAVENHURST CLANLylah sat in the Hearth Room of her family house, surrounded by the opulent furnishings and the weight of her parents' expectations. Her father, Lord Girad, leaned forward in his chair, his eyes blazing with a mixture of disappointment and determination."Tell your mother of the secret, treacherous discussion you were having with your friend earlier." He commanded. Lylah stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. Shay had excused herself and left shortly after her father burst in on their discussion, but for her, there was no escape. She eas trapped - forced to sit tight and be subject to her parents' judgement. "Why aren't you speaking?" Her father thundered, his patience wearing thin. "You can't bring yourself to repeat the treachery you were plotting?"Lylah smiled sadly. Treachery, Indeed. Her father always had his ways of exaggerating her wrongs, but to call her private conversation with Shay - the only one that listens to her without judgement - treachery, see
LUNARVILLE The hearth crackled quietly in Lunarville's strategy chamber, its warmth casting shifting amber light across the stone walls. Afternoon sunlight filtered through high windows, illuminating the maps and war tokens spread across the long table.Alpha Thane sat at the head, jaw tight, eyes on the flames rather than the two Alphas seated with him. The silence between them was heavy—not hostile, but thoughtful.It was Alpha Billam who broke it.“I know it felt like last week's convention was a failure,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “But don’t let that deter you. All isn't lost yet.”Thane didn’t respond at once, but his eyes flicked briefly toward Billam.Billam continued, “For what it’s worth, I stand with you. And you know I mean that fully. Unity is the only way forward, and though the others can’t—or won’t—see that yet, some of us do.” He glanced at the other man across the table. “Cochram agrees.”Alpha Cochram gave a short nod. “I do. After I slept on it, I couldn’t
The sterile air in the lab still shimmered faintly with the heat of success. The scientists’ footsteps had barely faded from the corridor, and the applause they had given still rang in Justine's ear. The moment had felt victorious, but Dr. Ganner's last words were now threatening to throw him off balance. He had remained where he stood, his hands behind his back, eyes fixed on the matte-black weapon at the center of the table. Beside him, Dr. Ganner was no longer smiling.“Well?” Justine asked, his voice low. “What kind of problems?”Dr. Ganner didn’t answer immediately. He moved to a nearby screen, fingers tapping with habitual precision until streams of data and gene sequences rolled into view. His expression was taut.“I’ve encountered challenges with developing the antidote,” he said. “Serious challenges.”Justine’s brow furrowed as he turned toward his friend. “Peter, you’ve had weeks. You've had Kael’s blood for ages, full lab access, state of the art equipment, financial suppo
The research lab on the second floor buzzed with quiet urgency. Blueprints were spread across metal tables, glowing monitors tracked chemical reactions, and at the center of the room sat the Kyrexin-X—a matte black, angular device. Its surface was fitted with slim vents and illuminated digital panels that pulsed with soft blue light, casting a faint glow onto the surrounding equipment.A group of white-coated scientists moved with precision around the device, performing final checks and calibrations.In the far corner, Justine stood beside Dr. Ganner, observing the work going on before them. Right behind them, Kael stood in front of a desk, watching them with apprehension.“I believe we should move in a week,” Justine said, his voice calm but resolute. “They’re tightening their patrols. Harris’ intel confirms it. If we wait too long, we lose the element of surprise.”Dr. Ganner stroked his grey-speckled beard thoughtfully. “And I believe a fortnight is more prudent,” he said with gent
Kael closed the door to his room behind him, leaning against it as a long, shaky breath escaped his lungs. The silence was deafening. He pressed his palms into his eyes, trying—and failing—to shut out the memory of Lylah’s anguished cries, the pain in Angela’s eyes, the sound of the tray crashing to the ground.Why did everything feel so wrong?He paced the room, restless, agitated. Losing sight of the fact that he had been preparing to go out earlier, he pick up a book from his nightstand and pried it open, but the words blurred uselessly before him. He turned on his computer, then shut it off almost immediately. His chest felt tight, his mind a whirlwind of guilt, anger, confusion. He couldn't focus, couldn't be himself.Without even consciously deciding, his feet carried him down the hallway. His pulse hammered in his ears. His heart twisted with a feeling he didn't want to name. Before he could second-guess himself, he reached Angela’s door and, without knocking, slid it open.Ang
Lylah’s morning began with silence, save for the occasional sound of the kitchen clock ticking rhythmically in the background. She stood by the stove, preparing a breakfast as if it were any other day, as though her world hadn’t gotten even worse over the last few weeks. The aroma of crispy bacon, sizzling eggs, and freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen, offering a fleeting comfort in an otherwise bleak atmosphere. But the food wasn’t for her; it was for Kael.She carefully arranged the tray—scrambled eggs, some bacon, a slice of buttered toast, and a cup of coffee—and, once everything was set, carried it from the kitchen with quiet determination. As she passed through the hallway, a security guard, who had been standing outside the door like a silent sentinel, followed her closely. Lylah didn’t mind the guard, though; she had grown used to the twenty-four hour surveillance. What she couldn't get used to was the coldness in Kael’s eyes every time he looked at her, as if she were n
A heavy silence cloaked the Great Hall after Thane's words. For a brief moment, it seemed the weight of truth might bind them.Then Alpha Hijar of Villapaw leaned back, one brow raised, voice laced with pointed skepticism. “You speak of unity as though it’s a simple thing, Thane,” he said. “But the clans are autonomous for a reason. Always have been. Your... noble motive notwithstanding,”—he tilted his head with a wry smirk—“suggesting that we all come together might sound heroic, but it’s just like telling us Alphas to give up our autonomy, and that's not the way of our kind.”Thane’s eyes flared, his patience strained. “This isn’t about anyone giving up his autonomy, Hijar! It’s about survival. About werewolves standing as one realm against a common enemy. Humans don’t care which banner we raise or which clan they attack first, they want us all gone.”Alpha Renosh raised a calming hand, his voice the most level among them. “I understand you, Thane. I truly do. But I also understand
The warm, amber glow of crystal lanterns hung from the high arched ceiling of the Great Hall, casting soft light over the polished timber walls and intricately patterned stone floor. The space was grand yet refined, a testament to Lunarville's blend of tradition and progress. The long council table, carved from a single ancient tree, stretched the length of the hall, surrounded by high-backed chairs marked with the sigils of each clan.Seven Alphas sat in their respective seats, their faces drawn with the gravity of the moment. Though the Great Hall buzzed faintly with the low hum of energy panels lining the edges—hidden cleverly behind natural textures—the air was heavy with silence. Tension rippled beneath the surface.At the head sat Alpha Thane, his expression as resolute as the blade of a warrior who has seen too many battles. His eyes swept the room before settling briefly on the youngest Alpha among them.“I want to acknowledge Alpha Cormac of Ravenhurst,” he began, his voice e
The boardroom was quiet, lit by the soft afternoon glow filtering through the tall glass windows that lined one side of the room. The city skyline framed the background in still motion. Justine stood by the windows, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely holding a glass of water he hadn’t touched.He heard the door open behind him.“Commander,” he said without turning.“Yes, sir,” came Harris’s voice, steady but laced with fatigue.Justine turned to face him. His expression wasn’t angry. It was more measured, and sounded even a little tired. “You’re back.”“I am,” Harris nodded.Justine looked him over, then quietly asked, “How many of your men made it back with you?”There was a pause.“Seven,” Harris replied. “Seven, out of eleven.”Justine’s gaze lingered on him. “I heard.”Harris gave a small nod, saying nothing.“What happened to the others?”“They… fell behind,” Harris said. He ran a hand across his brow. “Didn't run fast enough. Things got messy. If we’d stayed or waited for
Wayne's shoulders sagged. His voice cracked. “We came here with Commander Harris. We’re part of the JANEERAD Foundation.”Thane shot him a fierce look.“It stands for Jane and Eradication of Werewolves,” he added hastily under Thane's steady gaze.“And who runs this... foundation?” Thane asked, raising a brow.“Justine,” Wayne said. His lips were quivering now. “Justine Anderson.”“Is he some sort of military man?” Roan interjected suddenly, making Wayne jump in fright.“No, no...” he said, gesturing frantically. “He's not military—he’s private sector. But he’s funded by influential people in New York and beyond. He’s been planning this for years.”At the name JANEERAD, Thane’s eyes had narrowed slightly. But now as Wayne mentioned New York, something cold unfurled at the back of his mind. He’d seen that name before—but where?Then it hit him. During those moments of his desperate, solitary search for Lylah, he’d stumbled across a brochure with the name JANEERAD. It had been something