Alyssa's POVThe air smells like dust and old sweat. The sun hangs high above the training court, beating down on my back like it wants to burn the truth into my skin. I wipe sweat from my forehead and try to focus. My hands tighten around the practice sword, but my mind… it’s far away.Someone is setting up troops to be hunted. The general’s words echo through my head. Not just killed… hunted.But who would do something like that? Someone here… in Fenrath? The thought turns my stomach."Pay attention, Alyssa!"Zev’s voice slices through the air like a whip.I blink and look up. He’s at the far end of the court, glaring at me like I’ve just betrayed him."The tournament’s not a joke," he says, walking toward me. "You could get seriously injured. Even die.""And why do you care, Zev?" I snap. My voice comes out sharp, like broken glass. I still can’t believe I agreed to this. Fighting in a tournament just to earn my right to leave. It’s insane.He stops a few feet away. His eyes burn w
Alyssa’s POVThe sun hangs low, casting a golden light over the rooftops of Fenrath. I walk fast, my boots crunching over gravel as I head toward the general’s house. The wind tugs at my hair, cool against my cheeks, but it does nothing to cool the heat inside me.My thoughts are a storm. Cara. The shuck. The truth we buried. I can't ignore it anymore.“Alyssa!”I freeze at the sound of my name. Zev.I don’t turn. I quicken my pace.“Alyssa, please. Stop.”My feet stop before I even decide to. I sigh sharply, shoulders tensing.“What now?” I ask without looking back. My voice is sharp, tired, brittle.“Where are you going?” Zev walks up beside me, his brow furrowed like I’ve personally offended the air around us.“To see your father,” I reply, facing him now. “Or is that a problem?”“No,” he says slowly, his eyes narrowing as if trying to read between the lines. “But… why now?”I cross my arms. “That’s none of your concern, Zev.”His jaw tightens. And then he does it grabs my hand. No
Alyssas POV“Where are you going, Alyssa?” the general calls after me. “We haven’t even gotten to Cara.”I stop, my hand on the doorknob. My heart beats hard against my ribs. Fast, angry, and confused.“Please,” he says, quieter now. “Sit down. I promise you… Nothing you say will leave this room.”I hesitate. His voice isn’t as commanding as before. It’s different now—steady but not hard. Like he actually wants to help.I turn slowly and walk back. My steps are slower this time, like I’m wading through water I didn’t realize I’d stepped into.I sit down, the chair creaking beneath me. My spine’s stiff, but I let myself rest into the seat just a little.Zev reaches over, his hand sliding across the space between us. His fingers find mine. Gently. Like he’s asking permission.I don’t pull away.Not now.Not when my chest is full of questions and my throat tastes like smoke.I need him. Just for this.The general leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Tell me about Cara.”“I… I know what I
Zev’s POVFear is a strange thing.It creeps in slow, like a fog at the edge of your vision. You don’t notice it at first—just a weight in your chest, something crawling behind your ribs. Then it wraps around your spine, and you can’t breathe quite right.That’s what I feel now.I’ve heard these stories my whole life. The ones they tell around firepits during long winter nights. Of cursed bloodlines and dark druids. Of the end of the world coming not from war—but from within.They always felt like stories.Something passed down to keep us sharp. To give meaning to all the training, the secrets, the silence.We were preparing… but none of us ever really believed it would happen.And now… it’s here.“Father,” I ask, my voice quieter than I expect. “Are you sure?”The general doesn’t flinch. His eyes are cold and clear. “Didn’t you ever wonder why Blood Clan’s grown so bold? Why they strike even inside territory lines?”He pauses, letting the silence press against us. “Every pack needs
Alyssa’s first-person POVI walk through the training yard with my thoughts louder than the clatter of swords and stomping boots around me. My head spins trying to make sense of it all.My mother… Could it really be Nora?I don’t want to believe it. Not her. Not the woman who’s done nothing but glare at me, doubt me, push me like I’m a mistake she’s desperate to erase. The goddess must have a twisted sense of humor. Why would she curse me with her?I remember the General’s voice, quiet but firm: “You mustn’t tell anyone. Not yet. Especially not Nora.”I shiver, not from cold but from fear. What if Nora finds out? What would she do to me? What has she already done?“This is bad,” I whisper to myself.I try to shake the thoughts away as I hear boots approach behind me.“Are you ready?” Cara asks, falling in step beside me.I give a small nod. “I think I am.”She smiles, wide-eyed, as she looks around at the crowds forming near the main gates. “I still can’t believe it. So many werewolve
Kira’s POV,The stone beneath my boots echoes with each step. I pace the corridor like a caged animal, fury burning in my chest.Nora was right. Everything she said—it’s happening. Slowly, yes. But surely. The web is tightening. And Cara? The perfect little thread, dangling right where I need her. The girl barely knows she’s being used.Pathetic.I hear footsteps—fast, uneven. I turn sharply.Cara.She stops in front of me, breathless, her eyes wide like she’s run all the way here.“Why are you here, Cara?” I snap. “Don’t just stand there like a frightened rabbit. Speak.”“I—” she swallows, “I don’t think your plan is working, Kira.”I narrow my eyes. “What do you mean?” My voice comes out colder than I intend. But I don’t care. I’m tired of excuses.“I just saw them.” Cara sucks in a breath. “Zev and Alyssa.”My heart skips. My nails dig into my palm.“What. About. Them.”“They were—kissing,” she says. “Outside. In the open. I don’t think she was even upset when I told her about the
Kiras PovThe air crackles around me.The trees stand tall and silent, like they're holding their breath for what’s about to happen. My heart races, but not with fear—with pure excitement.Finally, I get to end this little fairytale Alyssa’s been clinging to. No more sympathy. No more second chances. Just the truth.She’s nothing.The few soldiers Alpha Conan gave me wait nearby, crouched in the trees, their armor hidden by dark cloaks. Gwen stands to my right, Gen to my left. My most trusted blades. My wolves in waiting.I turn to them, keeping my voice low but firm. “Is the plan clear?”“It is,” one of the Moonborn soldiers answers quickly, eyes gleaming with eagerness. “And thank you for this opportunity to take down that traitor.”I nod. “Good. Then go. Now.”They vanish into the trees, swift and silent. The trap is set.I stay still, my body buzzing. I don’t need to move yet. She’ll come. She always walks straight into whatever mess her pride drags her into.And then, there.The
Alyssa’s POVPain slams into me like a falling mountain.It starts in my chest, spreads like fire down my arms, into my legs, until every bone inside me begins to twist, stretch, and snap. I curl in the dirt, clutching my sides. My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. Just air. Just pain.What is happening to me?! I want to scream it, but even my voice has abandoned me.Then she speaks.“Alyssa,” Shadow growls from somewhere deep inside me, her voice cold and raw like a winter storm, “we almost died. I took over. I’m going to kill all of them.”No—no, Shadow, don’t…I try to speak again. Try to scream. Beg. Anything.“Don’t, Shadow,” I finally whisper in my mind. “Please don’t kill anyone. Just… send a message.”But I can only watch.I’m not in control anymore.My body—our body—moves on its own. Stronger. Faster. Wilder. The world blurs as Shadow takes over completely, and I see through her eyes like I’m trapped behind a window in my own skin. The clearing opens wide before us. The tr
Kira's POVI run.Fast. Quiet. Head down. I hope no one saw me. I hope no one followed.What the hell was that?I keep moving through the trees, away from the clearing, away from the screams. The sounds are still ringing in my ears. Her scream. Their screams. That horrible howl.I can’t get it out of my head.I trip once and catch myself. My legs are shaking, but I don’t stop.Everything I thought I knew—everything I believed about her—it’s all wrong. Alyssa isn’t just some omega. She’s not weak. She’s not broken. She’s something else.And no matter how strong I get, how much power I gain... it will never be enough to match that.She shifted. Shifted. Into a full wolf. While injured. While we were still beating her down.And when she changed—Gods—I’ve never seen anything like it.I rush into the Moonborn camp, dodging warriors rushing toward the chaos I just left behind. No one notices me slip away from the crowd. Good.I head straight for Alpha Conan’s tent. I throw the flap open and
Alyssa’s POVPain slams into me like a falling mountain.It starts in my chest, spreads like fire down my arms, into my legs, until every bone inside me begins to twist, stretch, and snap. I curl in the dirt, clutching my sides. My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. Just air. Just pain.What is happening to me?! I want to scream it, but even my voice has abandoned me.Then she speaks.“Alyssa,” Shadow growls from somewhere deep inside me, her voice cold and raw like a winter storm, “we almost died. I took over. I’m going to kill all of them.”No—no, Shadow, don’t…I try to speak again. Try to scream. Beg. Anything.“Don’t, Shadow,” I finally whisper in my mind. “Please don’t kill anyone. Just… send a message.”But I can only watch.I’m not in control anymore.My body—our body—moves on its own. Stronger. Faster. Wilder. The world blurs as Shadow takes over completely, and I see through her eyes like I’m trapped behind a window in my own skin. The clearing opens wide before us. The tr
Kiras PovThe air crackles around me.The trees stand tall and silent, like they're holding their breath for what’s about to happen. My heart races, but not with fear—with pure excitement.Finally, I get to end this little fairytale Alyssa’s been clinging to. No more sympathy. No more second chances. Just the truth.She’s nothing.The few soldiers Alpha Conan gave me wait nearby, crouched in the trees, their armor hidden by dark cloaks. Gwen stands to my right, Gen to my left. My most trusted blades. My wolves in waiting.I turn to them, keeping my voice low but firm. “Is the plan clear?”“It is,” one of the Moonborn soldiers answers quickly, eyes gleaming with eagerness. “And thank you for this opportunity to take down that traitor.”I nod. “Good. Then go. Now.”They vanish into the trees, swift and silent. The trap is set.I stay still, my body buzzing. I don’t need to move yet. She’ll come. She always walks straight into whatever mess her pride drags her into.And then, there.The
Kira’s POV,The stone beneath my boots echoes with each step. I pace the corridor like a caged animal, fury burning in my chest.Nora was right. Everything she said—it’s happening. Slowly, yes. But surely. The web is tightening. And Cara? The perfect little thread, dangling right where I need her. The girl barely knows she’s being used.Pathetic.I hear footsteps—fast, uneven. I turn sharply.Cara.She stops in front of me, breathless, her eyes wide like she’s run all the way here.“Why are you here, Cara?” I snap. “Don’t just stand there like a frightened rabbit. Speak.”“I—” she swallows, “I don’t think your plan is working, Kira.”I narrow my eyes. “What do you mean?” My voice comes out colder than I intend. But I don’t care. I’m tired of excuses.“I just saw them.” Cara sucks in a breath. “Zev and Alyssa.”My heart skips. My nails dig into my palm.“What. About. Them.”“They were—kissing,” she says. “Outside. In the open. I don’t think she was even upset when I told her about the
Alyssa’s first-person POVI walk through the training yard with my thoughts louder than the clatter of swords and stomping boots around me. My head spins trying to make sense of it all.My mother… Could it really be Nora?I don’t want to believe it. Not her. Not the woman who’s done nothing but glare at me, doubt me, push me like I’m a mistake she’s desperate to erase. The goddess must have a twisted sense of humor. Why would she curse me with her?I remember the General’s voice, quiet but firm: “You mustn’t tell anyone. Not yet. Especially not Nora.”I shiver, not from cold but from fear. What if Nora finds out? What would she do to me? What has she already done?“This is bad,” I whisper to myself.I try to shake the thoughts away as I hear boots approach behind me.“Are you ready?” Cara asks, falling in step beside me.I give a small nod. “I think I am.”She smiles, wide-eyed, as she looks around at the crowds forming near the main gates. “I still can’t believe it. So many werewolve
Zev’s POVFear is a strange thing.It creeps in slow, like a fog at the edge of your vision. You don’t notice it at first—just a weight in your chest, something crawling behind your ribs. Then it wraps around your spine, and you can’t breathe quite right.That’s what I feel now.I’ve heard these stories my whole life. The ones they tell around firepits during long winter nights. Of cursed bloodlines and dark druids. Of the end of the world coming not from war—but from within.They always felt like stories.Something passed down to keep us sharp. To give meaning to all the training, the secrets, the silence.We were preparing… but none of us ever really believed it would happen.And now… it’s here.“Father,” I ask, my voice quieter than I expect. “Are you sure?”The general doesn’t flinch. His eyes are cold and clear. “Didn’t you ever wonder why Blood Clan’s grown so bold? Why they strike even inside territory lines?”He pauses, letting the silence press against us. “Every pack needs
Alyssas POV“Where are you going, Alyssa?” the general calls after me. “We haven’t even gotten to Cara.”I stop, my hand on the doorknob. My heart beats hard against my ribs. Fast, angry, and confused.“Please,” he says, quieter now. “Sit down. I promise you… Nothing you say will leave this room.”I hesitate. His voice isn’t as commanding as before. It’s different now—steady but not hard. Like he actually wants to help.I turn slowly and walk back. My steps are slower this time, like I’m wading through water I didn’t realize I’d stepped into.I sit down, the chair creaking beneath me. My spine’s stiff, but I let myself rest into the seat just a little.Zev reaches over, his hand sliding across the space between us. His fingers find mine. Gently. Like he’s asking permission.I don’t pull away.Not now.Not when my chest is full of questions and my throat tastes like smoke.I need him. Just for this.The general leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Tell me about Cara.”“I… I know what I
Alyssa’s POVThe sun hangs low, casting a golden light over the rooftops of Fenrath. I walk fast, my boots crunching over gravel as I head toward the general’s house. The wind tugs at my hair, cool against my cheeks, but it does nothing to cool the heat inside me.My thoughts are a storm. Cara. The shuck. The truth we buried. I can't ignore it anymore.“Alyssa!”I freeze at the sound of my name. Zev.I don’t turn. I quicken my pace.“Alyssa, please. Stop.”My feet stop before I even decide to. I sigh sharply, shoulders tensing.“What now?” I ask without looking back. My voice is sharp, tired, brittle.“Where are you going?” Zev walks up beside me, his brow furrowed like I’ve personally offended the air around us.“To see your father,” I reply, facing him now. “Or is that a problem?”“No,” he says slowly, his eyes narrowing as if trying to read between the lines. “But… why now?”I cross my arms. “That’s none of your concern, Zev.”His jaw tightens. And then he does it grabs my hand. No
Alyssa's POVThe air smells like dust and old sweat. The sun hangs high above the training court, beating down on my back like it wants to burn the truth into my skin. I wipe sweat from my forehead and try to focus. My hands tighten around the practice sword, but my mind… it’s far away.Someone is setting up troops to be hunted. The general’s words echo through my head. Not just killed… hunted.But who would do something like that? Someone here… in Fenrath? The thought turns my stomach."Pay attention, Alyssa!"Zev’s voice slices through the air like a whip.I blink and look up. He’s at the far end of the court, glaring at me like I’ve just betrayed him."The tournament’s not a joke," he says, walking toward me. "You could get seriously injured. Even die.""And why do you care, Zev?" I snap. My voice comes out sharp, like broken glass. I still can’t believe I agreed to this. Fighting in a tournament just to earn my right to leave. It’s insane.He stops a few feet away. His eyes burn w