Liora's POV Flames danced in the shadows of my memory, licking up the stone walls of our home like wild, hungry beasts. The air was filled with sharp, choking smoke. I could hear the screams. High. Broken. Too many screams.I blinked once and I was there again. The gate of the Crimsonhide had already fallen. They came at night. Not one pack. Not two. But three. Three full packs—each carrying their own banners, their own scents, their own hatred—all merging into one brutal force that stormed the Crimsonhide borders like a tidal wave of claws and fury.We were a small community, mostly women, children and elders. The warriors transformed into their hybrid form—baring fangs, eyes glowing silver and claws tearing through flesh—and they had fought valiantly. Some of the women used their psychic abilities to withstand the opposition. But they were not the only ones who could transform into hybrid form. Everyone could the moment they have their wolf. So, they were outnumbered and their bod
Liora's POV Aldric stepped off the final stair, his boots thudding softly against the floor. His movements were slow—like a predator that wasn't in a hurry because it already knew its prey couldn't run.He passed Seraphina without a glance. But her lips parted, “Aldric,” she whispered, almost pleading.But he didn't respond. His gaze was fixed on me. And mine was locked on him. I instinctively stepped backward, one foot behind the other, careful like I was on thin ice. My hands were cold and curled slightly at my sides. My breath caught and my heart pounded with every inch that closed between us.He's not going to hurt you. I told myself.But that didn't stop the ache building in my chest. That didn't stop the brun in my throat or the rising panic I kept trying to swallow. Though his face was unreadable. He doesn't look angry and he doesn't look happy either. Like he was trying to figure something out.I didn't realize I already climbed down the stairs until my back hit the wall. I g
Liora's POV My breath caught in my throat. I stared at it—the silver moon-shaped curve, the faded runes carved along the edges, the thin black cord fraying at the sides. Every inch of it screamed memory. My mother's voice echoed inside me like a ghost I couldn't outrun.Keep it close. When the time comes. It will know where to lead you.But Seraphina… she shouldn't know about this. She shouldn't even be touching it.I took a shaky step forward, my fingers curling into tight fists at my sides. “Where… How did this get to you.”Seraphina tilted her head like a cat toying with a dying bird, letting the pendant swing lazily between her thumb and forefinger. Her smile stayed on her face… but her eyes were filled with curiosity.“This?” She asked sweetly, holding it a little higher, just enough to make me tilt my chin to follow it. “Found it lying on the ground. Figured it wasn't Silverclaw-made. It looks… different.” Her gaze slid over the silver like she was inspecting an artifact. “Old.
Liora's POV The air outside my room felt uncomfortable now—like it hated me too. Every time I cracked the door open, I could hear them as they passed in front of my apartment. Their voices. Their laughter. Their sharp little whispers that sting more than any blade.“She's Luna no more.”“I heard he rejected her right in the hall.”“Even pups shift before her. Maybe she's cursed.”Their words held me back andFunny how Seraphina once stayed here before I dragged her out of this same corner. I'd brought her into the royal residence… thinking we'd stay close. Thinking I'd pulled her up with me.Now? She was up there… and I was back here.I sank onto the old bed, staring at the ceiling. My fingers coiled into the thin blanket, wringing it like I wanted to strangle it.“Wolf-less! Wolf-less Ex-Luna! Betrayal!”I squeezed my eyes shut as I heard a small voice yelling. A stone hit the door with a soft thud. Followed by two more. I let out a breathy, bitter laugh. You know that moment when yo
Liora's POV Two guards flanked me, one on either side, each gripping my arms like I might run. I didn't. If I wanted to, I couldn't.Aldric walked ahead of us, silent. And in his hand, crumpled but unmistakable, was the napkin. The napkin with the message—You deserve better. He doesn't see you.He had asked me about it when I opened the door. Who sent it? How did I get it? Since when I've been receiving messages from someone other than him? And I couldn't give him any answers. My lips were only part but no words came through. He had said it like I was seeing someone.My throat went dry. How did he get it? My eyes flicked from the napkin to his clenched jaw. Did Seraphina see it? Did someone else go through my things? Was it even him who found it?I had no answers. Just questions clawing at the inside of my head.The hallway curved toward the big hall where the party was still ongoing but not like when it started. Music still played faintly in the distance—soft but with fading notes
Liora's POV The scent led me here; and now, a whisper? The moment I heard the whisper, I walked faster. I was too curious to let it slide. And I was hoping, stupidly, that I was wrong. The corridor narrowed as I turned left. Dim lanterns flickered on the stone walls. My heels barely made a sound. I soon paused near a wooden door creaked open just enough. And I heard it again, breathless sounds leaked through. Soft, rhythmic, hushed laughter between moans.I stood frozen outside, my heart rattling against my ribs.Don't go inBut my hand touched the edge of the door anyway. And when I got inside, the scene burned itself into me. He was shirtless, and his jeans were barely zipped and his belt undone. His hair was messy like someone had clawed their hands through it. Seraphina sat on the edge of the stone table, her legs slightly parted and her red velvet dress pushed above her thighs. One sleeve had slid down her arm, exposing her bare shoulder. Her boots were already gone.She leaned