LOGINLucius slowed his horse as he approached the territory, his eyes fixed on the forest path ahead.He had pushed himself and his men hard for days, determined to reach Malia before Deucalion did. He knew what could happen if the Blackridge Alpha found her first, and he had no intention of allowing that meeting to happen without warning her.But something was wrong.The forest had grown strangely quiet. Even the birds had stopped calling, and the wolves traveling with him were beginning to struggle.One of his warriors suddenly dropped to a knee.“Alpha, what is happening?” the man asked, breathing heavily.Lucius dismounted, but the moment his boots touched the ground, an unbearable pressure settled over his body.His knees nearly buckled.He caught himself against a tree, his fingers digging into the rough bark as he fought to remain standing.He knew that power.There was only one Alpha whose presence could reach this far and force other wolves to their knees without even appearing be
The overwhelming presence grew stronger with every passing second.My knees remained steady, but the warriors around me were not so fortunate. Garrick dropped to one knee, his hands pressed against the ground as he fought to remain upright. Lydia and Mara fell beside the other warriors, struggling to lift their heads.Even the two visiting Alphas were forced down.“What is this?” one of them growled, his voice strained.His companion tried to rise, but the invisible force pushed him back to the ground.“Which Alpha presence dares to challenge us?” he demanded.Nobody answered.The warriors and everyone fought to stand up but couldn't.Yet Derek and I remained standing.I stared toward the forest behind the visitors, my heart pounding harder with every breath.I knew this presence.I had felt it before, years ago, when I was still trapped in Blackridge, forced to live under the authority of the man who had become my greatest nightmare.Deucalion.The name alone made my stomach twist.H
“Warriors, prepare for battle!”The Alpha’s command sent a wave of movement through his men. Some reached for their weapons while others stepped forward, their eyes fixed on Garrick and the settlement behind him.I tightened my grip on Derek’s hand.There was no doubt left. These men had no intention of leaving peacefully.“Take the children and the elderly inside,” Garrick ordered his warriors. “Everyone else, take your positions. Nobody attacks until I give the command.”His warriors moved at once.Lydia hurried toward us, with Mara close behind her. Both looked worried, but neither tried to hide it.“Malia, bring Derek inside,” Lydia said. “You can stay with us while the warriors handle this.”I shook my head. “They came looking for my son. Sending me away won’t make them forget him.”“Malia, please,” Mara said. “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”“I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m trying to keep Derek safe.”Garrick approached us, his expression serious.“She is righ
“We will not ask to see the boy a second time.”The Alpha’s warning hung in the air, but I refused to let it intimidate me. Derek stood beside me, holding my hand, while Garrick and the others watched the visitors carefully.“You have already seen him,” I reminded the Alpha. “You came here claiming you only wanted to see the boy. Now that you have seen him, why are you still making demands?”The two Alphas exchanged a look before looking back at me.“You really think we came all this way without bringing our warriors?” the second Alpha asked. “This is how we travel. We never enter another territory without our packs.”“Then you should have said so from the beginning,” I replied. “You arrived with more than thirty wolves to look at a child. Do you see any sense in that? What exactly did you expect us to think?”The first Alpha’s smile disappeared. “Watch your tongue, woman.”I raised my chin. “Or what?”Garrick shifted slightly beside me, but I didn’t look at him. I had already heard e
At the settlement, after hearing that two packs were outside and demanding to see the rumored boy. I followed Garrick toward the settlement entrance, with Lydia and Mara walking behind us. Derek held my hand, occasionally looking up at me whenever the warriors around us spoke in low voices.The closer we got, the louder the voices outside became.When we finally reached the entrance, I saw more than thirty wolves standing behind two men who carried themselves like they owned every territory they stepped into.Garrick’s expression changed the moment he recognized them.He leaned closer to me. “Those two are dangerous, Malia. Watch your words and don’t provoke them unnecessarily.”I glanced at him. “They came to our settlement making demands. Why should I be the one watching my words?”“Because I know what they are capable of.”“And I know what I am capable of.”He gave me a warning look. “You might be strong Malia, but I know those two alphas standing in front of their armies. They ar
“What kind of nonsense is going on here?” Her voice cut through the room like a blade.Damien pulled out of Celine immediately the heard the Blackridge Luna's voice. He moved fast, turning his back and grabbing his trousers from the floor. Celine scrambled for her thin garment, yanked it over her head, and stood on shaky legs. Neither of them spoke.The Blackridge Luna stepped fully into the room and shut the door behind her. Her face was cold. She looked first at her son, then at the woman who had been under him only moments before.“Explain yourself,” she said to Damien. Her voice was sharp enough to cut. “Why are you in bed with your brother’s mate?”Damien finished buttoning his trousers and faced her. “It was a mistake.”“A mistake?” The Luna’s eyes narrowed. “You were still inside her when I walked in. Do not stand there and call it a mistake.”“I am sorry,” Damien said. The words came out flat. He did not lower his head. “It will not happen again.”“Sorry is not enough. Deucali







