The TraitorThe forest is silent except for my hesitant footsteps crunching over fallen leaves. My nerves feel stretched thin. I glance over my shoulder, though I know no one is following. No one must know I'm here.Ahead, three women stand motionless, their flowing, floor-length dresses shifting like liquid shadows. They don't speak or move, their cold, unfeeling eyes seeming to look past me, as though I don't exist.I stand rooted to the spot, my palms clammy. The aura surrounding them is oppressive, otherworldly. It's not something I can ever grow accustomed to.Even from here, their presence feels like ice settling deep into my bones.Minutes pass.Finally, one of them-draped in a dress of emerald green-turns her head slightly, an acknowledgment. Without a word, they begin to move deeper into the forest, their gait as fluid as the fabric that flows around them. I follow, unbidden, my heart thundering in my chest.We pass a pack sentry, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, his
Diana The piercing pain jolts me awake, sharp and unforgiving, as though a thousand needles are burrowing into my bones all at once. I gasp loudly, my eyes snapping open in shock. Beside me, Dominicus sits up instantly, his expression shifting from groggy contentment to razor-sharp concern. His hand is on me in an instant, steadying me, his strong presence grounding me even as my body feels like it’s tearing itself apart. “You’re shifting,” he says urgently, his voice tight with worry. His words hit me like a bolt of lightning. My eyes widen, and despite the agony clawing at my insides, excitement sparks to life in my chest. Shifting? Finally? But just as quickly as the thought comes, it’s swept away by another wave of pain that tears through my body. My muscles contract violently, and I barely hold back a scream. Dominicus doesn’t waste a second. Within moments, he’s pulling on a pair of loose pants while slipping one of his oversized T-shirts over my trembling body. Befor
DianaThe weight of his words hits me just as another wave of searing pain tears through my body, and for a moment, I can’t think. I can only feel the fire coursing through my veins, the agony that refuses to let up.Dominicus doesn’t stop, his voice more urgent now. “It’s why your shift is taking so long. Your wolf is stronger—too strong for your body to handle easily.” His hands tremble slightly as he reaches for my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks, his gaze intense. “I should’ve realized sooner… Damn it, Diana.”I don’t know how to feel about this piece of information.An Alpha…Me.As someone who has lived life believing I was at the very bottom of the food chain- lowest rungs of werewolf society, to suddenly be told that I was actually meant to be at the top-the Apex, feels surreal.It feels like something out of a dream. And I have dreamt of it before. Many, many times. To wake up one day and no longer be powerless. To he strong enough to trample on all those who hurt me.But
Dianal open my eyes, and the world is... different. Everything is sharper, clearer.Colors seem more vibrant, and every detail stands out with startling clarity. I blink, stunned by the sheer vividness of the world around me.The sounds of the forest flood my ears— leaves rustling in the wind, birds chirping in the distance, the soft hum of insects. It's overwhelming, but not unpleasant.And the scents. My nose twitches as I pick up everything: the earthy aroma of the soil, the faint scent of water from a nearby stream, even the subtle musk of Dominicus beside me.I shakily get to my legs-or rather, my four legs. For a moment, I wobble, unsteady on my new limbs. Dominicus's hands hover close, ready to catch me if I fall.But then I steady myself, planting my paws firmly into the ground. The sensation is strange but exhilarating. I feel powerful, alive in a way I never have before.He kneels in front of me, his eyes shining with pride and relief. "Look at you," he murmurs, his voice t
DominicusDiana’s wolf, despite her excitement, listens. She doesn’t stray far, though her energy is boundless. I wait patiently, my eyes scanning the clearing for the flash of her coat. When she bounds back toward me, tail wagging furiously, I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. “Come on”, I say in amusement, “let’s go back home”.She yips excitedly snd follows me back- no, she runs ahead- practically leading me back. Once we break through the trees to the cabin, she runs a quick circle around me, her excitement radiating, before darting off again to explore the vicinity of the cabin.I follow her at a measured pace, my steps steady as I watch her. She moves gracefully, her muscles rippling beneath her fur as she zigzags through the trees, sniffing at every corner and shadow. There’s an undeniable joy in her movements, and every so often, she glances back at me, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement, as if to make sure I’m still there.She inspects everything—the tre
DianaI stir awake slowly, the faint warmth of the afternoon sun streaming through the windows and falling gently over my face. My body feels heavy, like I’ve sunk into the mattress, and for a moment, I can’t remember why I feel so… different.I blink, my eyes fluttering open, and I take in the familiar surroundings of my bedroom. Disoriented at first, I lie still, staring at the ceiling as the haze of sleep begins to lift. It’s then that everything crashes into me at once, and my eyes widen in remembrance.Yesterday.Yesterday- or was it two days ago?, Dominicus and I finally mated.My cheeks flush with warmth, and an uncontrollable giddy giggle escapes me. I hug the sheets close to my chest, rolling onto my side, and then onto my back again. The bond—our bond—is alive and strong, like a current thrumming beneath my skin. I can feel it as clearly as I feel my own heartbeat, tethering me to him. If I wanted to, I know I could follow it right now and find him.He’s in the house, I real
DianaThrough our bond, I feel her emotions—her pride, her love, her unwavering loyalty—and they fill every corner of me, washing away the pain and self-doubt that I’ve carried for so long.“You’re really here,” I murmur in incredulity, more to myself than to her.“Yes,” she agrees gently. “And I’m here to stay.”Her conviction is so absolute, so grounding, that for the first time in my life, I feel truly whole.For a while, we don’t speak. We just sit together in the shared space of my mind, letting the emotions ebb and flow naturally. It’s a healing silence, one filled with understanding and quiet support.For the next hour or so, we engage in heartfelt conversation. We talk about any and everything.Her voice is soft yet sultry, carrying a natural elegance that exudes both maturity and calm. It’s soothing, like the low hum of a familiar melody, and yet there’s an undeniable strength beneath it—a quiet power that speaks volumes without effort. Listening to her, I can’t help but mar
DianaThe kiss is toe-curling, stealing the breath straight from my lungs. It’s slow and deep, filled with an intensity that leaves me dizzy. I lean into him, my hands gripping his shoulders as my body turns molten under his touch.“Good morning,” he murmurs against my lips, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “Or should I say good afternoon, dulcis?” Yeah… it seems to be way past noon already.“Good morning,” I whisper back stupidly, dazed and breathless.His grin is devastating, lighting up his already handsome face. His smile so good looking it makes my head spin.He’s so gorgeous…He really is, my wolf sighs back dreamily.Dominicus steps back, his arms leaving my waist. My body nearly rebels as his warmth leaves me. I want his touch back on my skin. He smirks knowingly. “Don’t worry,” he says, his voice laced with promise. “We have all the time in the world.”The wicked glint in his eye sends heat rushing through my body, and I look away, suddenly shy. How is it possibl
Diana Inside, I sigh. He could’ve spared himself this trouble with a single question. One question and he would have been told that witches are masters of disguise and manipulators of perception. But no — this one has to bluster himself straight into a trap. And sure enough, Eleanor’s sweet smile only widens with every word. It’s a gentle, grandmotherly smile — the kind you’d expect from a woman who bakes cookies and knits sweaters — but the longer it lingers, the colder the air feels, until a faint, prickling thread of danger curls along my spine. Quietly, I inch a little closer to Dominicus. Eleanor’s been alive for thousands of years — and though she’s never told me exactly how old she is, one thing is certain: she isn’t the type to let this kind of disrespect slide. Finally, Eleanor tilts her head, her voice as soft as silk. “Would you like… a demonstration?” Alpha Stefan falls silent, his sneer sharpening, and makes a sweeping gesture with his arm — the smug, careless kind
Diana A low growl rumbles from Alpha Darius of the Plena Luna pack. His eyes glint with raw grief. “No. I will avenge my son. I’ll hunt down those bastards myself!” Dom’s sharp edge softens for the grieving father, though just slightly. His voice lowers, gentler, though still firm. “That won’t work, Darius. The best thing you can do — for your mate, for your pack — is live. The best thing you can do for your son is protect what’s left. If you rush out looking for a fight, you’ll only throw your life away. And that helps no one.” Alpha Darius’ eyes are red with rage and frustration. His trembling lips open and close for a moment before a strangled and pained sound is wrenched from him. Alpha Stefan however, is obviously not so easily convinced. He gives a sharp, sarcastic laugh. “You must be kidding me.” His eyes glitter with derision. “I’m not the kind of man who lets someone else decide his fate.” He sneers, gaze sweeping from me, to Dom, to Eleanor. “Especially not peopl
Diana Alpha Livia clears her throat delicately, her fingers tapping once against the table before she speaks. “So… as the Priest…” I lift my chin, my voice cutting clean through the room. “Priestess.” She pauses, a flicker of acknowledgment in her eyes, then corrects herself with a small nod. “Priestess. As the Priestess, how exactly would you seal the Dark Mage? Alpha Dominicus mentioned the Priest played a crucial role before — but he didn’t explain how.” And there it is. My stomach knots faintly. That’s the problem, isn’t it? I’m not entirely sure myself — not yet. But Dom and I plan to find out as soon as this meeting ends. Still, we had agreed beforehand: no hint of uncertainty, no gaps, no loose threads. We couldn’t risk sparking panic among the packs — or worse, letting anything slip that the dark witches might catch wind of. I part my lips, preparing to smooth over the gap, but Dom beats me to it. “Even if she explained it, you wouldn’t understand.” His voice is
Diana Her voice cuts crisply through the air. “The first time the Dark Mage was sealed… you said it took the Amadeus Alpha, the Primarch Arcana, and the Moon Goddess’s Priest.” Her eyes sweep the room, assessing. “Are you saying we’re going to repeat that now?” Dom nods once, calmly. “That’s right.” Alpha Livia’s brow furrows slightly. “And you, you’ll stand in for your ancestor?” Dom’s mouth curves in the faintest of smiles. “I will.” Her gaze sharpens. “That leaves the Primarch Arcana… and the Priest.” She casts a slow look around the table, then back at Dom again. “Until today, none of us even knew there was a Priest. Do you know where this Priest is?” Dom’s eyes flick briefly to me, and parts his lips to answer, “Yes. It’s-“ I finish for him. My voice quiet but clear. “-Me.” The room freezes. Every head turns. I keep my face composed, letting my voice carry evenly across the silent table. “Allow me to properly reintroduce myself. I am Diana Castellanos—Alpha o
Diana Suddenly, a voice slices sharply through the heavy silence. “We have to stop the ritual!” An Alpha halfway down the table shoots to his feet, his face flushed with urgency. His Beta, seated beside him, tugs lightly at his arm as if to steady him, but the Alpha shakes his head sharply, his eyes locking onto Dominicus. Dom doesn’t even flinch. His voice remains calm, almost weary. “Naturally.” He lets the word hang in the air for a beat, then tilts his head slightly. “How do you propose we do that?” The Alpha’s response is instant, raw with emotion. “Easy. We find them. We go to their coven and wipe them out—all of them.” Dom blinks once, slowly. Then gives a faint, almost pitying shake of his head. “Easy?” He leans in just slightly, his tone still smooth but edged with a dangerous undercurrent. “How exactly do you plan to find them? Don’t forget—these aren’t wolves we’re dealing with. They’re witches. You think you can find a witch who doesn’t want to be found?”
Diana The next Alpha my eyes land on pulls my attention instantly. He’s middle-aged, broad-shouldered, hulking—even among all these Alphas, he stands out as particularly powerful. His short-cropped hair and sharply cut features give him a severe, almost intimidating air. But what surprises me is the look on his face. Unlike the others, there’s no flicker of wariness, no veiled animosity in his gaze. Instead, he’s smiling. Calm. Almost amused, like he’s simply waiting for the meeting to begin, perfectly at ease. Intrigued, I shift my gaze to the third Alpha who stands out. And this time, I have to look twice. The Alpha, her Beta, and the two Gamma warriors flanking her… they’re all women. The Alpha meets my eyes directly—her expression steady, cool, unreadable. Then, with a small, polite nod, she acknowledges me before turning her attention back to Dom. All of this unfolds in seconds: quick assessments, sharp glances, the silent tension of predators sizing each other
Diana I spot Dom waiting just down the hall, his arms crossed, his sharp eyes flick up as soon as come out me. His face softens—just slightly—and he reaches out. I walk up to him and slip my hand into his. Eleanor falls into step behind us, quiet and peaceful, her presence a steady pulse at my back. Together, the three of us move toward the wide double doors at the end of the hall—the conference room where today’s meeting is about to hold. The air feels thicker here, heavy with the scent of too many wolves, sharp anticipation, and something almost metallic — the bracing edge of challenge, perhaps, or simply the weight of so many packs gathered under one roof. As we near, an Amadeus warrior steps forward. Clyde. He bows smoothly. “Alpha. Luna.” He gives Eleanor a polite nod. “Ma’am.” Dom gives him a curt nod in return, but I offer Clyde a small smile. Eleanor answers warmly, “Hello dear.” Clyde straightens and says, “The packs have brought a fair number of warriors w
Diana I blink, brow arching. Magnus almost mated to someone? That’s news to me. Can’t find it in me to care. The first girl nods eagerly. “Exactly! And it was super suspicious. It was supposed to be this huge deal — even our Alpha was invited — but just a week before the ceremony, it was called off.” She waves her hands for emphasis; the others nod vigorously. She leans in, voice dropping. “I heard Natasha left Zervos and went back to the Silvanus pack, then mated with an Omega from Plena Luna.” Another round of wide eyes and startled gasps. “It’s obvious why the ceremony was canceled,” she smirks. “Natasha met her real mate. Everyone thought Magnus set the match because he hadn’t found his mate yet… but he had. And he rejected her!” The gasps turn into soft curses. I catch words like scum and bastard tossed out under their breath, and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. The third girl eagerly nudges the first. “And? And?! What else?” The first girl glances around, th
DianaWhat were they thinking?A low voice, warm and smug, ghosts by my ear.“See?” Dominicus says. “I won.”I don’t turn. I can feel the smirk behind his voice and the presence of him just a breath away.I shake my head slowly, incredulous. “They actually came…”“And with a whole damn parade,” he says with a huff of amusement.“Pompousness and posturing,” I mutter.He chuckles. “That’s what you bet against, dulcis.”I scowl, still watching the arrivals, still baffled by the absurdity of it all.“And now,” he says, voice low as he leans down slightly, “you owe me.”I start to ask what the terms were again, but then I feel his lips brush the shell of my ear, and his whispered words burn hotter than sunlight across my skin.My breath catches. My entire body flushes.Damn him.Dom steps back and with a sweeping motion of his arm, the corners of his mouth quirking upward, he says, “Ladies, shall we?”I pull my gaze away from the window, and roll my eyes at him. “Lets.”Behind me, Eleanor