“Cassian! Where are you going?!” Ryder's voice echoed through the chaos as he fended off an attacker with a swift shove. Our eyes locked for an instant before I was forced to look away, dodging a wolf's sudden attack from the darkness. I stumbled, but quickly regained my footing, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws mere inches from my throat. I grunted in effort as I grasped the wolf's head, forcing it back and then holding it in position with one hand long enough to sink my blade deep into its throat. The wolf recoiled with a pained yelp before stumbling back and then collapsed to the ground lifelessly.“I need to get to the packhouse!' I shouted to Ryder, my voice piercing through the chaos of the battlefield."What in the world are you talking about, Cassian?! We need you here, right now!” Ryder's voice was laced with anger, frustration, and a hint of desperation as he repeatedly stabbed a hunter, his movements swift, deadly, and precise. “Ivy and the pup are in danger!” I gritt
I've always dreamed of joining a pack. A warm house, clothes, food, and people who care about you… It's everything a rogue could dream of. We've tried our best to join different packs in the past but all they did was shoo us away like some dogs. Today, I'm in a pack ground, sitting in a chair in front of their alpha and luna. If this had happened in the past, I would've done everything to make them believe that we're harmless. But this time, I couldn't even utter a word. I was covered in dirt. My clothes were ragged and I'm sure I smelled horrible too. I don't know… I've gotten used to the smell. I was dehydrated and hungry. My eyes were lifeless and all I could muster up to do was look to the side to make sure my mother was alright. She had her head down, staring at the ground. Her body slumped on the chair like a rag doll. If her frail body wasn't moving every time she tried to breathe, I would've panicked thinking she left me too. I heard footsteps coming closer. A sweet scent
I jumped when a sudden knock echoed through the room. My mom was still sleeping so I decided to go open the door. I peeked through the crack before fully opening the door. I was relieved to see the luna waiting in front. "Have you eaten breakfast?" She asked with a bright smile as she got into the room. I nodded my head before looking at the plates. The food was delicious. My mom liked it too. I wanted to tell her all this but no words came out. I think she didn't mind my silence because she walked over to sit down on a chair and motioned me to sit with her. "Do you mind if I ask you some more questions, Ivy?" "I don't mind… " I replied softly."Good, thank you. Now, sit down so we can talk comfortably, " She said. I did as she told me. I liked her aura. She seemed sweet and innocent but powerful like a goddess. There was power radiating off her but also I could feel the warmth from her too. "How old are you, dear?""Seventeen… I-I'm going to be eighteen soon, " "Really? When
"So is there anyone who wants to go to the darkwood pack?" The alpha asked again.Everyone was silent.I looked down at my feet. I don't want to go. I know how much he tortured people just for being rogues. I've heard so much about it. But….. he lived even after his mate died…I want to know how he did that. What did he do? Maybe if I go there, I could find out. It seems to be the only way to save my mother. I don't want her to die.Whatever Alpha Cassian did, I want to find it out so I can save my mother. I slowly raised my hand, causing hushed whispers to arise in the room. I turned towards my mom to see her looking at me with panicked eyes. I gave her a small smile to assure her that everything is going to be alright.The alpha raised a brow. "Are you sure?" He asked."We'll be safe, right?" It was the Luna who replied to me. "Yes, of course. We guarantee that." She said before stepping forward.I smiled. "Then we'll go,""Alright, any others who are joining her and her mother?
My hands were cold and my heart was pounding. I felt so small in front of him.This man towered over all of us and his dominant pheromones made me want to kneel in front of him. Was he forcing us to submit or was it just a normal effect powerful alphas had on people. His eyes were fierce. So fierce that I couldn't even look at it for more than a few seconds. I was trying hard to understand what he was thinking but I couldn't make out anything from his stoic face. "All seven of them?" He spoke and I swear I felt a chill run down my spine from hearing his deep raspy voice. "Yes," The alpha of the shadow pack replied. "They're harmless. If there's any problem, I'll take care of it," The predator shook his head as he turned around. "If there's any problem, you won't have to worry Keiran. I will kill them before you hear about it," He scoffed, causing a few of us to flinch."Cassian, don't talk like that…" A middle aged lady interrupted in a stern voice. "That's no way to welcome new
"Mom, are you scared?" I looked at my mom. She was staring out into the woods from our window.She was silent for a minute before she spoke up. "I'm worried," I heard her let out a sigh. "I'm worried about what would happen to you when I'm gone," "Mom…" I closed my eyes. "You're not going anywhere," "We both know that's not the truth, Ivy,""I'm going to find a way. If Alpha Cassian could live, then you could too.""Is that why you decided to join this pack?" My mother turned to me. I stayed silent, causing her to let out a frustrated sigh. "Ivy, you're going to be eighteen soon. You need a pack to protect you and I think the dark wood pack could do that. Alpha Cassian seems strict but I think there's nowhere else safer than under his wings. He'll protect you and if you're lucky, you'll meet your mate. I want you to live comfortably and live a life your father and I couldn't give you. I want you to be happy. Stop worrying about me," "Stop talking like you're going to leave me," I
"I-I was just curious…" I stuttered. His hand was still on my chin."About what?" He raised a brow."J-Just…just—""Just what?" He snapped."Y-You!" I breathed, scared that he might lash out. "I w-was just curious about you…" His eyes scanned my face as he bit inside his cheek. "What do you want to know?" "Huh?" I muttered, wide eyed. "What do you want to know about me?" He tilted his head with an amused look."Oh…umm…nothing—nothing in particular—""I don't have time for lies so you better spit it out before I make you say it my way. And trust me, you are not gonna like that," He gave me a tight lipped smile.I gulped and stared at whatever was behind his head just so I could avoid looking into his eyes. I have to quickly come up with a lie! And the worst part is that my brain can't think straight! "Ugh…I-I heard a lot of s-scary stories about you…b-but you don't seem scary at all… I was wondering—""I don't look scary to you?" Alpha Cassian cut me off. He furrowed his eyebrows w
I could feel the intense gaze of everyone in the room on us as my mom and I sat down on the chairs. Alpha Cassian sat opposite to us and watched us with a stoic face. There were more people in the room than I thought there would be. It just made me more nervous. Everyone from the shadow pack and some people from the darkwood pack were in the room and they stood silently behind the predator.Luna Evelyn's presence did help to ease my beating heart a little bit. I was grateful that she was present. My attention fell back on the predator when he decided to lean forward and put his elbows on the table between us."Tell me your full names," He demanded. I gulped and nodded. "Ivy Elsher," I introduced myself. "and this is my mother Isabella Elsher." I looked at my mom.I saw Alpha Cassian frown for a moment before his face returned back to his usual stoic expression. "Hmm…" He hummed and scribbled something on the paper in front of him before looking straight into my eyes. "How old are y