ログインThe firelight from Garrett's fireplace burned low, casting angry flickers across the stone walls of his private chambers. The stench of burnt scrolls and records still clung to his cloak as he paced.Two of his masked enforcers stood silently before him, with their heads bowed. The kind of wolf who did not need details, only orders. Garrett's voice was low, deadly calm."We are at your service, Beta Garrett," one of them spoke after a moment of silence."Your task tonight is simple and straightforward," Garrett said."You should go into Alpha's residence," he said. "There is a maid called Marah. She sleeps under heavy guard in a place that I do not know if but I trust you to find your way around it. "The two assassins nodded, wordless, although they had doubts in their hearts."No mess," Garrett added. "No noise. You can poison her if you can. But make sure to silence her before dawn."Before the command could be echoed, a sharp voice ran through the room:"Are you out of your mind?"
Across the territory, in Edwin's war room, Ralph relayed Miles' message with cold urgency."Are you sure that Miles can be trusted, Ralph?" Those were the first words that rolled out of Edwin's mouth."I have observed him for a few days, my lord. And I can now boldly tell you that he is now a changed man," Ralph said, boldly vouching for Miles."I really do know that you are right, Ralph." Edwin muttered, almost inaudibly. "I really hope so because, if not, we will be putting everything that we have managed to gather to risk. Our lives and loved ones included," "I assure you, my lord, but I will also make sure to do my own findings and confirm that he has told me nothing but the truth." He assured Edwin."The ball is in your court now, my friend." Edwin said, sounding uninterested in Miles. " But if he is telling the truth, what do you think?" "I think that Miles was telling the truth considering the fact that clearing his house is the best he could do for himself at the moment," Ra
The council hall's side chamber was not often used as it was too small for full gatherings and too quiet for formal decrees. But that evening, Edwin had deliberately chosen it for his secret meeting. The inside of the chamber was lit with a handful of lanterns. A thick silence hung in the air as three trusted Elders sat around the circular table: Elder Xavier, Elder Eric, and Elder Nena. These people were a rare and neutral voice respected by both Edwin and Garrett's sides.Edwin sat at the head of the table, waiting for the right moment to begin the meeting. Behind him, Ralph stood guard beside the door, taking guard and cover. Edwin was being extremely careful as he knew that Garrett might have caught a wind of him having meetings with other members of the council in his absence.In a seat not too far from the wall sat Marah. Her eyes were downcast but steady and Ralph felt something for her, pity.Her face was pale, but there was a flicker of something new in her expression. It di
Garrett stood at the head of theong table in his dining hall. On it, a map of the Dark Moon pack territories stretched out before him. But his eyes were not on the map. They were with one of the members of the council, Elder Mark, who stood at the doorway, shifting nervously."Mark?" Garrett called in a questioning manner."Yes, my lord," he nervously replied."Why are you here? What are you doing standing by the door, shaking and shivering like a little bird beaten by a heavy rain?" He said, stretching to his full length, away from the table, away from the map on it."I came here because you requested an update, Beta Garrett," Mark began, bowing slightly. "Like you just said, I requested a report not a guard who watches me like a creep." Garrett lightly chuckled."I am sorry to disturb your peace and quiet, my lord," Elder Mark quickly apologized."Can you please just tell me why you are here? I do not have all the time in the world to waste on you," Garrett scolded him." There is
Edwin froze out of disbelief, "you are starting to confuse us with your words, Marah," he lightly chuckled, thinking that she was just stressed and that was why she was saying gibberish.Marah shakily exhaled. "A few days before that unfortunate incident happened, Garrett summoned me," she spoke. " At first, I was happy because I had thought that it was for more money."" And as at that time, My family was desperately in need of money. My brothers had not eaten in two days, we were owing so many merchants and after buying food on credit," she sniffed."But there is one thing I want to understand here, Marah," Ralph said, finally speaking. " Why did you not just ask Beta George's wife for assistance then?" He said."Hmm," she sighed. "It was actually but that she would not have assisted myswlf and my family but i mean, I was tired from having to run to her whenever we needed financial assistance or supplies." Her voice cracked."That woman was always ready to lend helping hands, even t
All alone, Miles sat by the arena. His hands were rested on his knees, and his knuckles scabbed from sparring or maybe from guilt. The night air was still, and unusually quiet, the kind of quiet night that made memories and even thoughts louder.He stared down at his boots which were heavily coated with dust and worn. He could still see Ralph's glare, and hear Edwin's firm and unwavering voice, from a few days ago."Do you trust him?""I do not trust him enough to give him the access that he seeks but I want to believe that I trust that he wants to survive. That is enough."Those words continued fo echo in his head. "Hmm," he sighed, feeling guilty and incompetent at the same time. "You know that Ralph was right, Miles," his inner mind told him." That is what it had always been, hadn't it? You just wanted to survive, to live among the privileged and wealthy. You never really cared how you went about it, all that mattered to you was how to fill your pocket and escape your poor backg
Days rolled into days, and Tiara continued her life of great toil and sweat. From dawn to dusk, she did menial jobs, trying to make ends meet. Still, the people still whispered behind her back.And though she still lived in a broken cottage behind the arena, Tiara now walked with a quiet strength
After a very long day of doing the usual routine, Tiara finally got to go home, after enduring so much during the day.Not long after she jumped on her bed, she closed her eyes and patiently waited for sleep to engulf her.And in no time..... "Scrub the floor...." She mumbled in her sleep, finally
Tiara’s cloak was soaked. Mud clung to her legs. She had not eaten in two days.The town ahead looked more like a sprawl of crumbling roofs than a haven, but it was the only place left before rogue lands began.Flashback_____"Why didn't you two wait for me?" an old woman asked the gossiping ladies
Eventually, Tiara managed to secure a house in the unwelcoming pack she had wandered into.It was barely more than a shed—a forgotten cottage that was nestled behind the pack’s old arena, almost worn by time and molds. The windows in it were so rusty and would barely shut as they threatened to come







