Zara’s POVI felt it before the messenger arrived.A crackle in the bond. A ripple in the magic that wove between mother and son — thin, faint, but unmistakable.Something had happened.I was in the private garden behind the Stormfang manor, barefoot in the grass, letting the last of the morning dew kiss my toes. I had been trying to find peace — the kind that comes when you know your child is finally where they belong.But instead, the earth trembled beneath my feet.I turned toward the east. Toward the direction of the Academy.And my breath caught.I didn’t see him. But I felt him. Power. Surging. Bursting through something buried. Something ancient. And for one terrible second, I wasn’t sure it was him anymore.I staggered, pressing a hand to the nearest tree, heart racing. The wind carried his name to me like a scream caught between realms.Ryker was already in the foyer when the scout arrived — his hair damp from training, his shirt half-buttoned. He’d sensed it too. We didn’t h
Third-Person POVThe chamber was hidden deep beneath the cliffs of Morwyn Hollow, far from any known packlands. The stone was ancient, veined with gold and ash, pulsing faintly with the kind of old magic that predated even the Moon Goddess herself.Here, no wolf howled. No birds sang. No wind stirred.Only whispers.Twelve figures stood in a circle—hooded, masked, and silent as the grave. Each bore a different insignia across their chest: crescent moons, fanged wolves, serpent coils, thorned roses, and one with the simple mark of flame.These were not just Alphas.They were the Council of Balance — a coalition formed centuries ago to safeguard the natural order of the supernatural realms.They had no name in history books. No official seats in court. But they were everywhere. Watching. Guiding. Intervening when power threatened peace.And tonight, they gathered for one reason.The Veilborn had awakened.A circle of flame flickered in the center of the room, casting long shadows. One f
Thorold’s POVThe world didn’t feel quite right anymore.It wasn’t the nightmares. It wasn’t the silver fire still simmering under my skin, or even the whispers in the halls that followed me like shadows. No, this was something quieter. Subtler.Something just beneath the surface.Like being watched.I caught it sometimes — a flicker of a presence just out of view, a scent I couldn’t trace, a silence that arrived too quickly when I entered a room.And yet… no one said a word.The instructors treated me like any other Alpha candidate. A few were colder than others, but that wasn’t new. I was the Veilborn. Every step I took cracked someone’s sense of safety.But still, the sensation lingered.So when he arrived, I wasn’t sure if I should be relieved… or alarmed.His name was Damon Vale, and he joined the Alpha program three days after my trial.“Transfer from the Blackpine Pack,” Headmistress Calista had announced. “Late acceptance due to unusual aptitude scores and a request for specia
Thorold’s POVThe next few days passed in a haze of routine — training, lectures, patrol assignments — but beneath it all, a quiet hum of tension had settled in my chest. Like a wire pulled too tight.And I couldn’t shake the feeling that it had Damon’s name all over it.He hadn’t done anything wrong. Not exactly.He hadn’t asked too many questions.He hadn’t stepped too close.He hadn’t touched the subject of my fire, or the trial, or the stories whispered through the Academy halls.But sometimes, that was the problem.Everyone else stared too long. Asked too much. Or avoided me like I was cursed.But Damon? Damon knew exactly when to look away. Exactly when to say just enough.And lately, my wolf had started to grow restless around him.It was during combat drills that it happened.We were paired together — again — which shouldn’t have surprised me. Damon and I had somehow become a convenient duo. Sparring partners. Study allies. Quiet company in an otherwise loud, watchful world.B
Thorold’s POVThe next morning, I wasn’t the same.The boy who longed for peace, for belonging — he was still there, but buried under something sharper.Harder.You’re being hunted, my instincts whispered. Act like it.So I did.The Academy library was massive, nearly a city unto itself, with wings closed to anyone without the right clearance.Lucky for me, I had inherited something from my parents — a knack for slipping past barriers.I spent hours digging through old registries, searching for any mention of Damon Vale. Past Alpha heirs. Student ledgers. Pack histories.Nothing.No Blackpine Pack listed among the recognized alliances. No Vale family named in any known bloodlines.He didn’t exist here.He didn’t exist anywhere.Who the hell are you really? I thought bitterly.I was about to dig deeper into the restricted section when Caelan found me.“Thorold,” he hissed, glancing over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”“Hunting,” I murmured, closing the dusty tome. “For answers.”“A
Thorold’s POVThe cell was cold. Damp. And too quiet.The walls weren’t just stone — they were spelled. I could feel it. A dull buzzing against my skin, like invisible chains woven into the air. I’d tried shifting once already, but the moment the fire in my blood surged, the magic swallowed it whole.Whoever built this place knew what I was.Knew how to contain me.Which meant this wasn’t about discipline.It was about control.I sat in the corner, arms wrapped around my knees, going over every second of that night in the courtyard. Damon’s voice. The blade. The invitation.He hadn’t expected me to fight him. That much was clear.He thought I’d want what he offered.Power. Belonging. Freedom.The worst part?Part of me had.That was the trick.It wasn’t the blade. It wasn’t even the threat.It was the way he made it sound like the answer to a question I hadn’t asked out loud:What if no one ever truly accepts me?I clenched my fists.I wouldn’t let them turn that fear into a weapon.N
Thorold’s POVI didn’t run,Not at first.I stood still, back pressed against a pine tree, heart hammering so loud I thought it might give me away.The forest was unnaturally quiet.Even the crickets had gone silent.My eyes adjusted slowly. The three figures beyond the ridge hadn't moved. Their cloaks rippled in the wind, pale moonlight outlining their shapes—tall, lean, cold.Council wolves or instructors but Assassins.I didn’t wait for them to step forward.I turned and ran.Branches whipped against my arms and face as I sprinted through the trees, my boots slamming against the dirt. I didn’t shift—not yet. I needed my hands. My balance. My senses.Behind me, I heard nothing.No breathing.No footsteps.But I knew they were there.They’re trained to hunt you, I reminded myself. This isn’t a spar. This is survival.Every path I took, they would predict.Every move I made, they would follow.So I did the one thing they wouldn’t expect.I stopped.I dropped to one knee in a clearing a
Thorold’s POV The land changed as I neared the Hollow. The trees grew darker, thicker. The air itself felt older. It pressed against my skin like breath — warm one moment, icy the next. Even the wind whispered differently here. Not in words, but in *warnings*. No birds. No beasts. Just silence… and that strange, pulsing energy that had called to me days ago. I didn’t know how long I’d been running. Time blurred after the first ridge. Every step had been pure instinct. Toward something I didn’t understand, but *needed* to. The path wasn’t marked. No signs. No roads. Just a sense that I was being led. Nudged by the forest itself. And then, just before sunrise, I saw it. Black Hollow, It wasn’t a city but It wasn’t a village. It was a wound in the world. The trees opened into a wide basin, as if the land had once collapsed inward. The center pulsed with low, steady magic — old and deep. Around it, stone towers rose like fingers from the earth, twisted and half-ruined, overgrown
Thorold’s POV I had forgotten what laughter sounded like — real laughter. Not the kind that hides wounds or buys time between battles, but the kind that spills from a wolf’s chest effortlessly, without purpose, just because the sun is warm and the air no longer smells like death. I stood at the edge of the clearing near Stormfang’s lake, watching pups splash in the shallows, their fur soaked and wild, their howls sounding more like songs than calls to arms. This was the pack I had only heard about in stories. Now, I was a part of it. It had been weeks since Mia disappeared into the forest with what remained of her army. No more shadow-wolves. No more traitors. No more blood in the halls. Just quiet. And peace. We didn’t trust this peace completely. But we allowed it in because we were tired and needed to believe that survival could mean more than just the absence of war. I sat in the grass with Kael and Lira, our game of cards forgotten as a group of young warriors tossed a
Thorold’s POV I had forgotten what laughter sounded like — real laughter. Not the kind that hides wounds or buys time between battles, but the kind that spills from a wolf’s chest effortlessly, without purpose, just because the sun is warm and the air no longer smells like death. I stood at the edge of the clearing near Stormfang’s lake, watching pups splash in the shallows, their fur soaked and wild, their howls sounding more like songs than calls to arms. This was the pack I had only heard about in stories. Now, I was a part of it. It had been weeks since Mia disappeared into the forest with what remained of her army. No more shadow-wolves. No more traitors. No more blood in the halls. Just quiet. And peace. We didn’t trust this peace completely. But we allowed it in because we were tired and needed to believe that survival could mean more than just the absence of war. I sat in the grass with Kael and Lira, our game of cards forgotten as a group of young warriors tossed a
(Zara’s POV)I spotted Thorold behind the healer’s hall, sitting on the low stone wall with his boots dangling just above the dirt. His elbows rested on his knees, shoulders relaxed, and for the first time in days, he looked… at ease.He didn’t flinch when I approached. His head turned slightly, and he gave me a small, tired smile.“Trying to disappear?” I asked.He shrugged. “Just hiding from Ryker. He wants to spar. I told him my bones need a break.”I smiled and sat beside him. “Smart choice. He doesn’t go easy.”“I’m learning.”We watched a few pack members sparring in the open yard. There was no war urgency in their movement. They were laughing, shouting challenges, tripping over their own feet. It was the kind of scene I used to dream about.“You look like him,” I said quietly, surprising myself.Thorold looked over. “Ryker?”I nodded.“The way you stand when you’re thinking. That habit of checking the exits even when you’re smiling. And when you lift your chin before speaking…
LAUREN'S POV Logan was too hot my heart pounding and when I felt his fingers playing with my n**ples, it gave me a different sensation. it felt so good as if that was the first time we were making our downtown move slowly and grabbed my hard n**please, and sucked on it, he was such a baby. "Will you stop teasing me already?" I said to him angrily. Logan kissed me again with passion, his gue trailing down to lick my collarbone, then feature down to my n*please. Logan slipped his hand into my pants and started playing with my cl*****s "Baby you are already wet?" he said, whispering into my ears. he looked up into my eyes, " Bianca,l love you so much, and thank you for not giving up on me when I was lost. he touched my n**ples again, your n*ples are so hard and I love it when I turn you on. I looked him in the eyes, "Will you f**k me already and stop the talking?" my pussy throbbed and ached, he inspected his finger into my p**y and f**led me with his two fingers. it was so g
LAUREN'S POV The elders of the kingdom led the way, followed by the younger members of the pack, all dressed in their finest clothes. As we walked, we sang a beautiful song that celebrated the arrival of the full moon and the union of two souls.As the procession reached the centre of the valley, the elders stepped forward, and the crowd fell silent. They began to speak, their voices strong and clear, and everyone listened intently."We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the arrival of the full moon and the union of two souls. This is a momentous occasion, one that we have been waiting for, for many years. And our young wolves are allowed to explore and find their mates.""We are honoured to witness this union, and we wish the happy couple all the best."The crowd erupted in applause, and the pack elders stepped back, allowing us to step forward. we were both dressed in beautiful clothes, and we looked radiant in the moonlight. They stood facing each other, our eyes locked. "ou
LAUREN'S POV The elders of the kingdom led the way, followed by the younger members of the pack, all dressed in their finest clothes. As we walked, we sang a beautiful song that celebrated the arrival of the full moon and the union of two souls. As the procession reached the centre of the valley, the elders stepped forward, and the crowd fell silent. They began to speak, their voices strong and clear, and everyone listened intently. "We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the arrival of the full moon and the union of two souls. This is a momentous occasion, one that we have been waiting for, for many years. And our young wolves are allowed to explore and find their mates." "We are honoured to witness this union, and we wish the happy couple all the best." The crowd erupted in applause, and the pack elders stepped back, allowing us to step forward. we were both dressed in beautiful clothes, and we looked radiant in the moonlight. They stood facing each other, our eyes locked
LAUREN'S POV As the preparations unfolded, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and excitement was palpable. From far and wide, members of various packs journeyed to join in the festivities, eager to witness the union of two destined souls and perhaps even find their own mates amidst the throngs of wolves. The air was filled with the scent of roasting meat, and the sounds of laughter and chatter echoed through the forest. The clearing where the celebration was to be held was adorned with colourful ribbons, and a large bonfire had been lit in the centre. As the sun began to set, the sky turned a deep shade of orange, and the first stars began to twinkle above. At the heart of the clearing stood my mate and I resplendent in our fur coats and adorned with feathered headdresses. we exchanged vows of love and loyalty, and the packs howled in approval. It was a moment of pure joy and unity, one that would be remembered for generations to come. It was a one-week program for ev
LAUREN'S POV "Meet Reagan, your brother," my dad said to me with a smile. I couldn't contain my excitement. "there is no way is this big bad wolf my brother," I said with a smile before hugging him tightly. Reagan hugged me back with a warm embrace, and then kissed me on my forehead. "I'm so happy to know you're my sister," he said with a smile. I was over the moon to finally have found my brother. We spent the entire day getting to know each other, laughing, and sharing stories. He was everything I could have hoped for in a brother, and I knew that we would be close for a long time to come. Later that day, Jack, and his mate Harriet walked in. Jack was surprised to see Reagan there, and even more surprised to find out that he was our brother. "Are we missing out on something?" Jack asked with a smile. "Yes, meet dad's mate and our brother Reagan," I said, but Jack chuckled. "You're just finding out now that Reagan is our brother?" he asked incredulously. I nodded, pretendin
LAUREN'S POV As the preparations unfolded, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and excitement was palpable. From far and wide, members of various packs journeyed to join in the festivities, eager to witness the union of two destined souls and perhaps even find their own mates amidst the throngs of wolves. The air was filled with the scent of roasting meat, and the sounds of laughter and chatter echoed through the forest. The clearing where the celebration was to be held was adorned with colourful ribbons, and a large bonfire had been lit in the centre. As the sun began to set, the sky turned a deep shade of orange, and the first stars began to twinkle above. At the heart of the clearing stood my mate and I resplendent in our fur coats and adorned with feathered headdresses. we exchanged vows of love and loyalty, and the packs howled in approval. It was a moment of pure joy and unity, one that would be remembered for generations to come. It was a one-week program for ev