LOGINThe morning training bell rang across Mooncrest. Kellan was already on the training grounds when the first warriors arrived. He stood near the weapon racks, checking the practice swords one by one. Corvin approached from behind and tossed a wooden sword toward him. Kellan caught it easily. "You're early." "You too." Corvin shrugged. "I couldn't sleep." "Why?" "Because you beat me yesterday." Kellan laughed. "You've been complaining about that since yesterday." "I haven't forgotten." Before Kellen could respond, Ren walked onto the training grounds. He carried another wooden sword and tossed it toward Corvin. Corvin caught it. "Finally." Ren looked at his twin. "You said you wanted to train early." "Well, I did." "And you came without me?" "I was already here."Ren shook his head. "You know we're supposed to train together." Corvin smiled. "I knew you'd come find me ." Ren rolled his eyes. "You’re a case, Corvin." The two brothers stood side by side.
The afternoon sun hung high above Mooncrest. The training grounds remained lively. Wooden practice swords clashed against one another as warriors paired off for another round of drills. Kellan walked slowly between the practice circles. "Keep your balance." He stopped behind a young Lycan recruit and gently adjusted his footing. "If your feet aren't steady, your sword won't be either." The recruit nodded gratefully. "Thank you." Kellan gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder before moving toward the next group. A short distance away, Corvin and Ren were training together, as always. The twins had been together for as long as anyone could remember, and neither seemed interested in changing that. Corvin raised his wooden sword. "Again." Ren smirked. "You said that five times already. And you’re still making the same mistake." "I am not." Corvin attacked. Ren blocked the strike before stepping sideways. "See?" Corvin smiled. "Better." Ren lowered his sword. "You
The training grounds gradually emptied. The Mooncrest warriors returned to their duties.The Lycan recruits followed Commander Varos to begin the afternoon drills.Finn and Taren walked away side by side, already discussing techniques as though they hadn't nearly come to blows only minutes earlier.Rowan watched them disappear before turning back to the messenger. "You said the reconstruction team found something beneath the palace." "Yes, Alpha." The young messenger nodded. "The foreman ordered all work to stop immediately. He said no one should touch it until you and Lady Aria arrived." Commander Varos frowned. "What exactly did they find?" The messenger shook his head. "I don't know. I wasn't allowed near it. The only thing I heard was..." He hesitated. "...there's a staircase beneath the old throne room." Varos' expression immediately changed. "A staircase?" "Yes." "That's impossible." Lois looked at him. "You sound certain." "I am." Commander Varos folded his arms. "I se
Morning sunlight spilled across Mooncrest Pack. It’s being months since the alarm bells had been runged. Instead, the sounds of hammers striking wood and cheerful conversations filled the air. Life was returning. Aria stood on the balcony outside her chambers, a warm cup of tea resting between her hands. Below, the courtyard was already alive. Mooncrest warriors trained near the eastern grounds. Lycan craftsmen worked alongside Mooncrest builders repairing damaged storehouses. Children darted between them, laughing as though the war had been nothing more than a distant nightmare. “This... is so satisfying.“ Nova sighed contently. A gentle knock sounded behind her. "Luna?" "Come in." The door opened, revealing Liana. Little Caelan held tightly to her hand while balancing a small basket in the other. "We brought breakfast." Caelan beamed. "Gretta said if you skipped another meal, she'd come herself." Aria laughed. "I suppose I don't have much choice then." "You really d
The journey to Mooncrest lasted three days. Gone were the thunder of battle and the clash of steel. Instead, a long procession wound its way through the valleys. Mooncrest warriors rode at the front, led by Rowan and Lois. Nightfang's warriors guarded the rear under Kael and Ethan. Between them traveled the survivors of the Lycan Kingdom. Some rode in wagons with the elderly and the wounded. Others walked beside them, carrying the few belongings they had managed to save from the ruins of their homes. They were simply grateful to have somewhere to go.As the procession reached the familiar forests surrounding Mooncrest, Rowan slowed his horse. "We're almost home." A quiet smile spread across Aria's face. Home.For so long, she had never believed she would have one.“You earned this one.“ Nova said happily.The massive stone walls of Mooncrest soon came into view. The guards standing atop the battlements immediately recognized the returning banners.One of them raised a horn. Its
Silence lingered over the ruined capital.The wind carried dust through the shattered streets as every Alpha considered Aria’s words. Commander Varos remained bowed before her.Behind him, hundreds of Lycan soldiers and civilians waited without daring to speak.Finally, Alpha Garrick broke the silence.“My people have lost fathers, brothers and sons.” He looked toward the frightened Lycan families. “I won’t lie, many in Ironfang will hate this decision.”Aria nodded.“I understand.” Garrick sighed heavily.“But…” He looked around at the ruins surrounding them.“They’re right. There isn’t a kingdom left to rule.” He sheathed his sword. “Ironfang will take in whoever you assign to us.” A murmur spread through the gathered warriors.Cedric was the first to object. “You’ve lost your senses.” He looked at Garrick in disbelief. “You’ll invite them into your own homes?”“I’ll give innocent people somewhere to sleep. They’ve lost enough.” Cedric scoffed.“Innocent? They marched under the Lycan
Aria stepped into the grand hall slowly, her breath catching as the massive doors shut behind her with a dull, echoing thud. The scent of polished wood and warm candle wax mingled with the heavy perfumes lingering in the air, creating an intoxicating atmosphere that was both regal and suffocating.
The whispers started early, as they always did, but there was something different about them that morning, something that carried a kind of restless excitement through the pack house.“The ceremony is in a week and I also heard multiple packs are coming.”“Alpha Magnus wants it to be the biggest ga
The pack house felt different that day, louder than usual and filled with excitement that Aria didn’t share. She stood at the top of the stairs, her fingers resting lightly on the railing as wolves moved past her in a hurry, their voices overlapping as they spoke.“They’re here.”“I heard she’s st
The sharp scent of sweat and damp earth clung to the air around the training grounds, pressing heavy on Aria’s skin as she stood at the edge of the field. Her arms were wrapped tightly across her chest, not just to ward off the chill but to cage the tremors of a heart weighed down by years of unspo







