登入The hall went silent when Alpha Derek pointed at her.“Lyra Blackwood. Step forward.”His voice wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. When an Alpha spoke, the whole Blood Moon Pack felt it in their bones. Fifty wolves turned. Fifty pairs of eyes. Fifty judgments.Lyra walked. Bare feet on cold stone. Her dress was torn from yesterday’s training. Her hair was a mess. She looked like what he called her in front of everyone last month: trash.She stopped three steps from him. Close enough to smell his cedar and anger. Far enough to remember her place.“Again,” Alpha Derek said. He didn’t look at her face. He looked through her, like she was glass. “You failed the boundary patrol. Again. You let a rogue cross into our territory. Again.”“It wasn’t my fault—”“It’s never your fault.” He cut her off. The crowd murmured. “You’re a disgrace to this pack. To your dead mother. To me.”That last word hit harder than any slap. To me.Because two years ago, he had marked her. Not with a bite. With a
He didn’t speak at first. He just stared at me, and that stare felt heavier than his rejection.His jaw tightened like he was holding back a storm. The muscle in his neck twitched. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and I swore I could hear his bones crack from the pressure. The air in the throne room grew thick, suffocating, like the calm before lightning struck the mountain.“You think rejecting me has no consequence?” His voice came out low, dangerous, like thunder before rain. Every word hit my skin like ice. It wasn’t a question. It was a promise.I wanted to step back but my legs were frozen. My heart was pounding so hard I thought he could hear it. The air between us turned hot and cold at the same time. Heat from his anger, cold from the fear crawling up my spine.He took one step forward. Then another. Each step echoed through the silent hall like a death sentence. The torches on the walls flickered as if even the fire was afraid of him. His eyes weren’t silver anymo
Luna woke to cold sheets and an empty space beside her. For five years, Asher’s body heat had been her alarm clock. His scent, pine and snow and something darker that was only him, told her she was safe before her eyes even opened. Tonight, there was only cold.Her hand moved to her stomach before her mind caught up. The baby kicked hard. Too hard. As if she felt the absence too. Seven months along and the little girl had her father’s temper already.“Luna?” The word came out soft, broken by sleep. No answer. The suite door stood open. Just a crack. Snow drifted in on the wind, melting on the stone floor in dark patches. The fire had died to embers. Moonlight made everything look like ghosts.Luna pushed herself up slowly. Pregnancy had made every movement heavier. Her back ached. Her feet swelled. But her wolf was alert. Her wolf had felt Asher leave. Her wolf had felt his fear through their bond.Something was wrong.She wrapped the silver cloak around her shoulders. It still smel
Five years had passed since Aurora’s first birthday.The mountains of Moonlight Pack were covered in a fresh layer of snow, the moon hanging high and bright in the clear winter sky. The packhouse glowed with warm light from every window, laughter and music spilling out into the cold night. Luna stood on the balcony of their suite, wrapped in a thick silver cloak, watching the scene below. Aurora was now six years old. She ran through the courtyard with her younger brother, Lucas, who was four, both of them laughing as they threw snowballs at each other. Aurora’s hair was white-blonde like Luna’s, her eyes gray like Asher’s. Lucas had Asher’s dark hair and Luna’s gray eyes. Luna’s hand rested gently on her third pregnancy — seven months along now, a baby girl due in spring. Luna smiled softly and placed her hand over her stomach, feeling the baby kick gently. “You’re restless tonight, little one,” Luna whispered quietly, her voice filled with love. Asher walked out onto the b
One year and three months had passed since Aurora was born.Winter had returned to Moonlight Pack, but this time the snow didn’t feel cold or empty. It felt peaceful. Safe. Like a blanket covering the mountains and the packhouse and the people inside. Luna stood on the balcony of their suite, wrapped in Asher’s thick fur cloak, watching the snow fall in soft, silent sheets. Aurora was two months old now — no, Luna corrected herself with a smile — Aurora was fifteen months old. She was walking now. Running, actually, whenever she thought no one was looking. Luna’s hand rested on her stomach again. Another life was growing there. Another Blackwood. Due in six months. Luna hadn’t planned it. But when she found out three weeks ago, she hadn’t been scared. Not this time. This time she felt ready. This time she felt loved. This time she felt home. “Asher,” Luna said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Come see this.”Asher walked out onto the balcony a moment later, carrying
One year had passed.One year since the storm. One year since Luna’s screams echoed through the packhouse. One year since Aurora’s first cry filled the silent room and changed everything. Today was Aurora’s first birthday. The great hall of Moonlight Pack had been transformed. White and silver banners hung from the stone walls. Tables were covered in fresh bread, roasted meat, fruit, and a massive cake decorated with tiny silver wolves. String lights hung from the rafters, casting a warm golden glow across the room. The entire pack had gathered — all five of Asher’s packs, over a thousand wolves standing together in celebration. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the smell of good food. But Luna wasn’t looking at the crowd. Luna was looking at Aurora. Aurora sat on the floor in the center of the hall, wearing a tiny white dress with silver trim and a flower crown made of white roses. She was crawling around, laughing as she chased a small silver ball that one of







