LOGINThe Dark Moon pack gathered at the eastern gate. The air was heavy with the smell of steel and anticipation. Wolves shifted, shredding off every piece of clothing they had on under the pale moonlight, warriors took their positions, holding their shields as tightly as possible like a wall of silver under the rising sun.Edwin stood at the front, mounted on his black stallion. His armor gleamed, his hands also tight on the reins. His eyes scanned the horizon where Garrett's banners fluttered in the distance, a sea of rogues and warriors stretching like a dark tide.He raised his sword high, the blade catching the sunlight."Wolves and warriors of the Dark Moon pack, today we fight not for glory, not for selfish reasons," he thundered, his voice rolling like a storm, "but for survival. For our home. For our future. For our loved ones!"A deafening howl erupted from his warriors, echoing across the field
The message arrived at dawn, delivered by a servant who owed loyalty not to the Dark Moon pack's Alpha, but to Garrett. Garrett's wife, Lady Eliana slowly unfolded the scroll presented to her. Her lips curled into a cold smile as her eyes scanned the hurried script.They march at dawn. The walls will weaken. Be ready.She nearly folded the scroll neatly and slid it into her sleeve, her mind already racing. The chaos of battle would give her the right amount of cover she needed. No one would question her movements amidst the storm.Eliana summoned two men, who were both long-hidden loyalists who had infiltrated the Dark Moon as common attendants months ago. They knelt before her, with their heads bowed."You sent for us, my lady," one of the men finally said."That is because I have an urgent task for you both. One that needs to be executed carefully and discreetly,"
In Garrett's mind, the battle would not only be fought with swords and claws but instead, with shadows and betrayals, right inside Edwin's own walls. With the walls tearing down on their own.The courtyard of the Dark Moon Pack roared with energy. Warriors sharpened their blades, wolf howls echoed across the ground, and the air was thick with the scent of iron and resolve.From the high terrace overlooking them, Edwin stood in full battle armor, his presence commanding, his voice booming across the packlands."Alpha," Ralph called, sounding as ferocious as ever."Ralph," Edwin called back, without taking a look at him. "What do you think?" He asked, showing his uncertainty."What do I think about what, my lord?" Ralph asked, playing dumb, acting like he had no idea about what was being said."You know what I mean, Ralph," Edwin groaned.
The storm of Garrett's rage had finally gone still, but only into something colder and darker. He sat on a chair facing the ruined table, breathing heavily. His fingers drummed against the standing piece wood.His commanders stood in silence, waiting for orders. None dared to speak, not while his eyes burned with that feral gleam.Finally, Garrett spoke. His voice was low, yet deliberate. "Forget about Edwin. Forget the council. And forget this game of politics!" he snarled, leaning in. "This war now has one purpose now. And that is Tiara."The men exchanged uneasy glances, but Garrett slammed his palm against the tent's pole."She is the root of all that has happened and all that is yet to happen. The prophecy, the whispers!""But I thought she was the rightful Luna," a voice faintly echoed."The rightful Luna?" Garrett chuckled, his eyes searching for the man like he hoped to see who had just spoken. "Even if she is the rightful Luna, they all flock to her. As long as she lives, I
Garrett's command tent reeked of sweat, steel, and bloodied scrolls. He was hunched over a long wooden table, looking over a map of the Dark Moon Pack when a trembling Ashbane courier rushed into the tent, disrupting the silence in the tent. "Who is it?" Garrett flinched, quickly picking up an arrow."A message, my lord," the boy stammered, holding out a sealed scrap of parchment. "I am sorry to barge in here, but I come bearing a message for you," Garrett snatched it, ripping it open with a clawed nail. The handwriting was rushed, almost like it had been scribbled. He read silently at first, then suddenly, his voice went loud, with each word stoking the fire in his chest:"My lord,The Alpha has imprisoned the Luna, Lady Vanessa, in the lower dungeons. She was disgraced, dragged and humiliated right before everyone who stood to see her in the alpha's residence. And to make matters worse, I heard them talk about Tiara.I know that you must be unaware of this, but she is alive. She l
Vanessa did not flinch. She tilted her head, and smiled widely. "What will you do, Edwin? Now, you are sounding all strong and solid. What will you do, huh? Lock me up? Or at the most, kill me?" She scoffed. " It still will not stop my father from achieving his goal. It will only empower him the more, and you know it."Edwin's grip tightened around her wrist. Without another word, he dragged her across the room, past the stunned maids who shrank back against the walls. Vanessa did not resist or fight back, she simply laughed, releasing a hollow, mocking sound that echoed through the corridor."Such theatrics," she mused as he pulled her into the main hall. "You always prefer dramatics when you lost control."Guards and servants froze as Edwin hauled her down the marble steps, the pack witnessing the Alpha's fury unleashed."You are going to watch what you and your delusional father have caused," Edwin snarled. "You will watch and see the lives you are gambling with for power."With th
The torches flickered in the narrow corridor leading to the lower chamber, the air damp and heavy with tension. Inside, Marah sat silently, staring ahead, her wrists clenched tightly on her lap. Ralph had just stepped forward.Edwin remained still, his gaze fixed on her, jaw locked in quiet resolve
A few minutes later, Vanessa walked out of a place where Lena assumed to be her bathroom. She watched her as she took a seat before her. Dressed in a silky black robe. She crossed her arms, wearing an expectant expression ."And??" She coldly said.Lena immediately fell on her knees. Her face glued
The doors to the arena shut close with a heavy thud, and the lock slid into place. Only Edwin and Ralph remained inside. The fire burned with low intensity in the corner, casting jagged shadows across the walls. Neither of them said a word for a very long moment.Then Edwin finally broke the silenc
The raven Tiara had sent back flew into Edwin'sroom via his open window. A few hours just before dawn. Edwin was deep asleep to the extent that he did not notice when the bird flew into the room.Sleep had eluded him for so many days on his quest to unravel the mystery surrounding the corruption an







