01

Lilith Indigo

“If they keep attacking our cattle, we’ll have no choice but to go after their people!” Gabriel slammed his beer down on the round table, foam frothing over the rim.

“Like I want to sink my teeth into wet dogs…” Nova wrinkled her nose, her upper lip curling as she licked one of her elongated fangs. “Count me out.” She shuddered in revulsion.

I turned away from the window, the golden fields behind me glowing beneath the sun, and faced them with a tired sigh. “We shouldn’t even be discussing this. The King said he was going to handle it—”

“He’s too passive, Lilith!” Gabriel cut me off, his tone sharp with frustration. “King Eric thinks risking our Lettermen’s lives to deliver a message to the werewolves is somehow efficient!”

“They have a commanding Sergeant Major with them. They’re more than capable,” I shot back, annoyed by Gabriel’s constant attempts to undermine the King.

“We should just partner with the West Sector vamps and wipe the werewolves of this region off the damn map.” Gabriel raised his cup again, downing the last of the bitter brew in one angry gulp.

“You want to start a bigger war? For what? The King has an agreement,” I retorted, standing now, the chair scraping across the floor.

“‘Agreement,’” Gabriel scoffed, mocking the word with a bitter laugh under his breath. Sitting forward, he clasped his fingers together, brows knit in disdain. “After what happened to your family, I’d have thought you’d hate the Pack most.”

His words sliced deeper than he realized. The screams of my village still echoed in my mind—an ugly reminder of fire, blood, and loss. My jaw clenched involuntarily.

“There’s no reason to bring up the lay of the land,” Nova muttered, her voice low and dry. Her legs crossed as best they could beneath the rigid folds of our uniforms, eyes flicking up beneath hooded lids.

“I’m just stating facts, Nova. A war should’ve started back then.” Gabriel stood, finishing his beer and stalking out in a blur of speed, the wind of his movement ruffling the papers on the table.

I stared at the empty seat he left behind, shaking my head. Gabriel hadn’t always been this tightly wound. But after his sister was mauled to death by a rogue wolf—and the bastard got away—I understood why his bitterness ran so deep.

“Someone’s pissed off,” I muttered, turning back to the sprawling scenery outside. Fields of crops stretched across the land like waves, dotted with barns and clusters of animals: cows, pigs, and sheep grazing peacefully.

“He does have a point, though, Lilith…” Nova’s voice grew closer, the distinct click of her heels tapping against the stone floor. She stepped beside me, arms folded as we both gazed at a group of horses galloping freely across the pasture. “It’s been peaceful for a long time, but the rogues are going to ruin it. We can’t keep starving. Eventually, someone’s going to break.”

“King Eric would never allow that.” I turned sharply toward her, my voice tightening. “We feed on animals. Only.”

Nova’s expression softened, sensing the discomfort flooding me. She already knew the pain behind my convictions.

“Hey—sorry, half-breed…” She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “No one wants to go to war, Lilith. But this is the jest of it.”

She had to be wrong. After everything the human village had sacrificed for peace to be possible—after everything we all gave—there had to be another way to stop the rogue wolves.

Before I could respond, the doors creaked open and in walked King Eric, his Second in Command at his side.

“Lilith. Nova,” he greeted us warmly, his graceful smile making my heart stutter in my chest like it always did.

“King Eric,” we said in unison, mine breathless with joy.

“Where’s Gab?” he asked, scanning the room, and just before anyone could answer, Gabriel appeared in a blur, bowing his head respectfully.

“King Eric.”

“My three favorite people,” the King said with a warm chuckle. “Let’s sit.”

He took his seat at the head of the round table, his fingers interlaced elegantly as he leaned forward.

“So… have you heard back from the Pack’s leader?” Gabriel jumped in, eager to push the topic.

The King exhaled slowly, reclining into his chair, while his Second in Command stood silently beside him.

“Gab…” the King began, his voice thick with warning.

Gabriel immediately lowered his head, his face falling. “Sorry, King.”

“No need…” King Eric looked at him, then announced, “I have heard back from the Pack.”

And just like that, a rancid stench filled the room. I gagged as my eyes watered. Gabriel stood with a snarl, fangs bared. Nova pinched her nose, clearly trying not to vomit.

“King Eric, please tell me you didn’t,” she muttered, rolling her eyes as we all braced ourselves.

“We have no choice at this point, Nova,” the King replied calmly.

“No choice?” Gabriel snapped, his nails sharpening into claws, ready for a fight.

“You’ll have to calm down, Gabriel. If we want to preserve peace, this is the only option,” King Eric said, unshaken.

“And under what condition?” Gabriel demanded, but before an answer came, the Second in Command flashed to the doors, throwing them open to reveal three werewolves.

The stench hit again—harder this time. I threw my hand over my nose as all of us glared at the intruders.

The female in front had a smug smirk, her hand planted on her hip. Behind her stood two men, both wearing equally arrogant scowls.

“Well, good evening,” she said with a sugary tone, winking at Gabriel. “No need for casualties.” She sauntered over to the far side of the table, seating herself across from the King as her companions stood on either side. “Your Majesty,” she added with a humble nod.

I watched them warily, slowly lowering my hand as my nose grew accustomed to the smell.

“King Eric… what exactly is going on?” I asked quietly, careful not to sound confrontational.

The King gave me a tight smile. “Lilith, they’ve sent these pack members to help us.”

“With what, precisely?” Gabriel’s voice was sharp again.

“With anything they’re willing to contribute,” the King replied.

“I’ll handle whatever needs handling,” Gabriel muttered.

“King Eric, I agree! The Kingdom is—” Nova began, but the King raised his hand, silencing her.

“The Kingdom is under my word,” he said, his gaze slicing across the room. “And what I say goes. Is that clear?”

“It’s clear to us,” one of the male wolves spoke, his voice smooth but stern. He was taller than the others, with piercing blue eyes that were more chilling than beautiful—yet somehow captivating.

“You trying to say something, mutt?” Gabriel growled, stepping forward.

“It’s already been said,” the wolf replied evenly. “I’m not here to fight. My only job is to capture the rogues and return them to our territory. That’s it.”

The three of us stared at the King in disbelief, expressions unified in their alarm.

“We’re handing the rogues back to their pack?!” Gabriel roared, slamming his fist down. The table cracked under the impact, splitting clean in half. “The same mutts who’ve stolen our food and attacked our land?! What, are they getting a slap on the wrist next?”

“I assure you, our Alpha would never be so lenient,” the other male wolf said, speaking for the first time.

“Fuck you and your Alpha Male,” Gabriel snarled. The wolf growled in response, and King Eric stood so fast his chair screeched across the stone.

“That’s enough! Gabriel, meet me in my chambers once everyone is dismissed.” His voice left no room for argument.

He turned to the rest of us. “These members are allies—here to protect what’s ours in exchange for what’s theirs. Tonight, you six will guard the crop lands and animal fields in three pairs. Nova, you’re with Cliff.” He gestured toward the shorter male wolf. “Lilith, you’ll be with Ethan.”

My heart skipped. Ethan. The taller one with the glacial eyes.

“I’ve paired you based on balance in strength and weakness. And don’t underestimate my female warriors,” King Eric added, glancing at the wolves.

Nova looked over at me, a flicker of concern in her expression. I met her gaze, unsure. She gave me a wink and strolled over to stand beside Cliff.

The Second in Command quickly circled the room, handing us belts equipped with silver daggers soaked in Wolf Tame.

“If a rogue attacks,” the King continued, “use these to subdue them. The Tame will temporarily paralyze them so they can be returned safely.”

The Second in Command fastened my belt as the King finished, “You’ll be relieved by the day team in the morning. Is the task clear?”

The wolves nodded silently, accepting the assignment.

“Great,” King Eric said, clapping his hands once. He turned to me, his eyes lingering.

“So… Lilith.” He stepped toward me slowly. My breath caught.

“Yes, King Eric?” I murmured, trying not to tremble.

“I want you and Ethan at the front gate to the animal pens. He’s the Beta—I know you’ll be safe.” His hand cupped my cheek gently, making my eyes flutter shut.

“Is that okay with you?” he whispered.

“Yes, sir,” I replied, my voice barely above a breath.

“Great,” he said, stepping back and turning toward the door. “I expect a report from each of you at sunrise. And Gabriel…”

The King glanced over his shoulder, his pupils dilated.

“Don’t forget to follow me.”

And then, in a blur, he vanished—leaving the six of us in silence.