LOGINMorning 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
“The Lycan Kingdom?” Rowan’s voice cut through the silence. The scout dropped to one knee, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “Yes, Alpha. The gates are standing open, there are no guards or patrols and the thunderstorms caused by Vaelric reached the capital.” Aria tightened her grip on the Blade of Asteris. “How bad is it?” “I couldn’t see everything from the ridge, My Lady. But smoke still rises from parts of the city. The western walls have collapsed.” He lowered his head. “It looks… broken.” Everyone exchanged glances. The battle had ended only moments ago and now another duty waited. Rowan turned toward the gathered warriors. “We’re riding immediately.” “Lois.” Rowan had let him come help after the war has ended. His Beta stepped forward. “Gather the Mooncrest warriors.” “Yes, Alpha.” “Kael.” He nodded before Rowan had even finished looking at him. “I’ll bring Ethan and my warriors.” Within minutes, the summit burst into motion. Horses were prepared. The wounded were
No one moved for a long moment. The Sacred Mountain, once consumed by darkness and endless thunder, stood beneath a sky of brilliant blue. The violent winds had disappeared. The earth no longer trembled, only silence remained. Rowan slowly lowered Vaelric's body onto the ancient stone. The peaceful smile never left the former Keeper's face. Ado remained standing inside the Circle of Seven, the crystal resting quietly in her trembling hands. It no longer pulsed with darkness. Within its heart, only a faint silver light glimmered, surrounding a tiny shadow imprisoned deep inside. Nova whispered softly. “It's over.“ Aria lowered her eyes to the crystal. "It really is..." The words barely escaped her lips. A deep exhaustion suddenly swept through her body. The strength that had carried her through the battle vanished all at once. The Blade of Asteris slipped from her fingers. It struck the stone with a soft metallic sound. Aria swayed, but before she could fall, Rowan’s strong a
Aria moved closed to vaelric, then she heard a voice. “I told you we’d come back.” A shadow burst across his face. The Ancient being roared. The gold vanished. Blackness swallowed both eyes again. “You waste your compassion!” A violent wave of dark energy exploded outward. Rowan planted his sword into the stone to keep from being thrown backward. Kael slid several feet before stopping himself. The silver barrier rippled. The Ancient One stared upward in disbelief. “No, it should have broken. It cannot hold forever.”Aldren stepped into one of the glowing circles. “It doesn’t have to, it only has to hold long enough.”The Ancient One turned sharply toward him. “What do you mean?” Aldren looked at Aria. “The seal isn’t complete. It never was.” Silence settled over the summit. The old librarian pointed toward the center of the Circle. “The prison has been restored, but it remains empty.” Realization struck everyone.The Seven Flames had rebuilt the cage. But nothing had yet been
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
"This isn't finished," Alpha Magnus said quietly."The meeting chamber," “Now.” He commanded.The remaining few fell into step behind him,Elder Aldric, his weathered face heavy with trouble; Elder Helena, sharp-eyed and watchful; Luna Lydia with her hand resting possessively on Selene's shoulder; B
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







