FLASHBACK TWO YEARS AGOHis mind wandered back, two years ago, to the trip he had never wanted to take."Come on, Adam," Alpha Liam had said, tossing a manila folder onto his desk. "You’re the only one who can finalize this deal. You’ve got the charm, the brains, and the patience I clearly lack. Texas isn’t going to bite."Adam had groaned, already buried under a pile of logistics for the upcoming winter solstice gathering. "You’re the Alpha. Just flash your scary face and sign the contract."Liam had smirked. "Exactly why I’m not going."So Adam had gone. Begrudgingly. He'd flown out to Austin, spent the afternoon checking into a sleek downtown hotel, and prepared himself for what he assumed would be a mind-numbing dinner with a client who collected rare books and spoke in long-winded metaphors.That evening, dressed in a tailored navy blazer and nursing a dull headache, Adam had wandered from the hotel early, looking to kill time before dinner. The air was warm, the sun dipping lazi
He smiled after he ended the call with Sandra, his heart filled with an unspoken joy at how everything had unfolded. The quiet hum of contentment settled over him like a warm blanket, his chest rising and falling with a rare sense of peace. After months of delicate conversations, cautiously hoping, and silent prayers to the Moon Goddess, things were finally aligning. Sandra would get to meet his people—his world, his family, the place that shaped the man he had become. And in turn, they would meet her, the woman who held his heart so gently yet so firmly, as if she’d always known how to carry it. He let out a breath, slow and steady, the corners of his mouth lifting again in a smile that wouldn’t leave. His parents had not objected either—a fact that did not surprise him. He had never truly feared their disapproval. They had always trusted his judgment, had always known that he didn’t offer his heart lightly. Their quiet acceptance had been another affirmation, a thread of reassurance
The air in the pack was electric. From dawn, the territory buzzed with energy, every corner of the village echoing with laughter, the clatter of hands at work, and the occasional howl of excitement from younger wolves who could barely contain their anticipation. The Full Moon Festival was only a week away, and preparations had begun in earnest. Colorful ribbons were draped over the arched stone entryways, fluttering in the soft spring breeze like miniature flags of joy. Children ran barefoot through the field behind the pack house, chasing each other with garlands of wildflowers in their hands. Warriors helped raise long wooden poles for the ceremonial torches, while the kitchen omegas coordinated feasts that would feed the entire territory for days. It wasn’t just a celebration—it was a sacred time. A moment that echoed through the generations and tied them to something greater. And this year’s festival would be even more special. Not only would the full moon shine in her most radi
Alpha Liam stood on the upper balcony of his sprawling estate, eyes narrowed as he watched the flurry of activity below. His mother was standing beside him with crossed arms and taut expression.“She has no idea what a Luna is meant to do,” Lady Garvalle muttered. “Picking out dresses and preening like a peacock isn’t what the Moon Goddess taught us.”Liam sighed, slipping a platinum card from his pocket and handing it to the maid behind him.“Make sure Matilda gets this,” he said coolly. “Tell her I want her to travel abroad—get something extravagant for the festival. Something... fitting for a Luna.”The maid’s brows lifted in surprise. “Of course, Alpha. Shall I tell her you’d like her input for the ceremonial rites?”“No,” Liam replied flatly. “Tell her to take her time shopping. She can return the night before the festival.”Lady Garvalle smirked knowingly. “You’re sending her away to avoid the mess.”“She brings more chaos than charm,” Liam said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“No, no, like this,” Sandra said gently, adjusting a young girl’s work. “See? The stem needs to face upward—it represents hope.”“How do you know so much?” the girl asked curiously, her eyes wide.“I read the old festival manuscripts.” Sandra smiled, brushing dust from her hands. “Mrs Garvalle let me borrow them last night.”From across the garden, Mrs Garvalle watched, arms crossed, a rare glint of approval in her eyes.“She’s got the right hands,” she said to Luciana, who stood beside her. “Soft when needed, steady when things get tense.”Luciana nodded. “She listens. The pack feels it. That's more than I can say for—”Her words were cut off by the arrival of Matilda, gliding into the garden in a flowing lavender robe with gold embroidery. She wore expensive heels that stuck awkwardly in the earth, causing her to click her tongue in annoyance as she walked.“Ugh, this dirt,” she muttered. “Someone should’ve paved this section.”She stopped by a group of younger pack members folding
The room was warm with laughter, flickering candlelight reflecting off polished wooden panels and the soft rustle of napkins as dishes were passed from hand to hand. It wasn’t grand—no palace dining hall—but there was something distinctly comforting about Beta Cruz’s quarters: the mismatched armchairs, the scent of rosemary chicken wafting from the kitchen, the faint tick-tock of the grandfather clock in the corner. The kind of place that felt lived in.Sandra sat between her mother and Adam, her fingers curled loosely around her water glass. Her mother, Anita, wore a soft pink cardigan and kept dabbing at her lips with a napkin even though she’d barely eaten. Her father, Joseph, had finally relaxed after a second glass of wine, the creases on his forehead easing into something like curiosity. Across from them sat Beta Cruz—Adam’s father—and his wife Luciana, both smiling with a kind of effortless grace that only came with long years of leadership and experience."That roast was amazi
The sun had barely dipped beneath the horizon when the first howl echoed across the forest line, long and reverent, rolling over the valley. It was answered moments later—first by one, then two, then a chorus of voices rising and falling in haunting harmony. The Moon Festival had begun.Sandra stood with her parents at the edge of the torch-lit gathering field, wrapped in a soft woolen shawl. A warm breeze rustled the trees, and the smell of damp earth mingled with the spicy tang of burning herbs drifting from the ceremonial braziers. All around her, shifters arrived in groups—some in tightly-knit family clusters, others in laughing bands of young wolves, eager for the thrill of the night. Their eyes gleamed in the fading light, many already dressed in lightweight clothes they would soon discard before shifting.Adam stood beside her, his hand warm around hers, dressed in a loose shirt and track pants that could be removed easily before transformation. Beta Cruz, already bare-chested,
The road to Riverdale curved like a silver thread beneath the fading light of dusk. Pines lined the path in solemn vigil, their dark silhouettes casting long shadows over the sleek black SUV as it made its way deeper into the forest. Inside, Daniella sat beside Dalton, her fingers curled lightly in her lap, gaze flickering between the passing trees and his steady profile.Sophie sat in the back, practically pressed against the window, her wide-eyed wonder at the new pack's territory clear. The Riverdale Pack lands were known for their breathtaking scenery—rolling hills, mist-wrapped streams, and the faint music of nature that never quite went silent. But the real reason they’d come wasn’t for the land. It was for the Moon Festival—and for Daniella, something more she hadn’t dared to name aloud.Dalton reached across the console, his fingers brushing hers with casual intimacy. “Nervous?” he asked softly.“A little,” she admitted. “I’ve never… celebrated the Moon Festival in another pac
Liam stood rooted to the ground, the smile he’d worn moments ago stretched tightly across his face like a mask too brittle to hold. Daniella’s retreating figure moved with quiet resolve, her back straight, her shoulders squared against the world. She didn’t glance back—not once. That alone gutted him more than anything else.He swallowed hard, something bitter clinging to the back of his throat. It felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest and thrown into the wind, left to scatter in pieces he’d never gather again. The ache in his chest wasn’t sudden—it had been there for a while now, like an infection he’d ignored until it became impossible to ignore. But now, watching her walk away with that same quiet strength that once kept him afloat, Liam realized the finality of it. She was no longer his. Maybe she never had been.He blinked fast, furious even at himself, when he felt his vision blur. It was ridiculous. He wasn’t the kind of man who cried. He’d trained his whole life
A waiter handed Grace and Daniella a flute of sparkling wine. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile so much. Careful now. Your face might just get stuck like that.” Daniella let out a soft laugh, her eyes fixed on the dance floor where Dalton twirled Sophie around like she was made of air and starlight. The little girl’s laughter rang out, bright and unrestrained, her hands clasped tightly around Dalton’s as he spun her again.“Look at them,” Daniella whispered, her voice barely audible above the music. “He adores her.”Grace followed her gaze and smiled. “And she adores him right back. She hasn’t stopped laughing all evening.”A soft warmth bloomed in Daniella’s chest, almost too much to bear. Her heart swelled as she watched her daughter shriek with joy, her little shoes tapping against the polished wood as Dalton guided her gently, protectively, like she was the most precious thing in the world.A perfect moment.And yet…For the briefest flicker of a second, a shadow moved acros
It was already past noon when the wedding ceremony ended, and it was time for the reception. The garden outside shimmered under a thousand golden fairy lights, casting a warm, dreamlike glow over the venue. Music floated through the air, soft and romantic. Laughter rippled among the tables, clinking glasses, and heartfelt banter among the guests.At the heart of it all stood Dalton, tall and regal in a dark tailored suit that made his eyes gleam. Beside him, Daniella, radiant in another gown she changed for the reception. The gown was made of moonlight lace and soft pearl, and her hair was adorned with tiny blossoms. She smiled with trembling lips as the band shifted melodies."Ladies and gentlemen," the emcee announced with so much enthusiasm, "please turn your attention to the floor for the bride and groom’s first dance as husband and wife."Applause erupted as Dalton stepped forward and extended his hand to Daniella, bowing slightly. She placed her hand in his, her touch feather-li
WEDDING DAYThe sun rose that morning with a golden brilliance, casting its warmth over the Garvalle estate and bathing everything in a honeyed glow. There was a pulse in the air—a quiet buzz of anticipation that seemed to stretch into the trees, shake the birds from their nests, and awaken every wolf in the pack with a shared thought:Today was the day Daniella and Dalton were getting married.The pack had begun preparing days ago, but this morning, everything snapped into focus. The pack house, usually a center of training and council, had been transformed overnight into something magical. Banners in silver and deep forest green—the Hollow pack colors—fluttered gently in the breeze. Strings of delicate fairy lights were wrapped around the towering pine columns that lined the courtyard, and clusters of white roses were being fastened to every banister, doorframe, and post with painstaking care.In the great hall, pack members bustled with purpose, laughter echoing off the walls as fi
A DAY BEFORE THE WEDDINGThe grand hall of the Pack's estate buzzed with anticipation. Sunlight streamed through the towering stained-glass windows, casting vibrant mosaics of gold, crimson, and indigo across the polished marble floor. The scent of lavender and pine—blended with the faintest trace of ceremonial incense—drifted through the air, adding a sacred hush to the magnificence of the space.At the arched entrance beneath the crest of the Crescent Moon, Alpha Reid stood tall in a dark, ceremonial coat lined with silver embroidery. Beside him, Luna Maeve wore a flowing gown of midnight blue, the fabric catching the light like liquid stars. Her long auburn hair was pinned back with silver combs shaped like crescent moons, echoing the pack’s symbol and legacy.Reid adjusted the cuff of his jacket, casting a sweeping glance across the ballroom. His normally impassive face showed a rare flicker of uncertainty.“They’re all coming,” he said, his voice low but edged with tension. “Alph
PRESENT TIME (SOPHIE AND DANIELLA)Life didn’t snap back to normal the moment they walked through the front door, but little by little, Sophie and Daniella found their rhythm again.The mornings, once quiet and still, began with the familiar hum of the kettle and the comforting scent of chamomile and cinnamon. Daniella would wake before Sophie, padding through the house in her slippers, letting the silence settle around her. It helped her breathe—helped her remind herself that they were safe now.Sophie, once hesitant to leave her mother’s side even for a minute, slowly began venturing back into her own room, her laughter gradually returning. At first, she trailed behind Daniella like a shadow—silent, watchful—but eventually, she returned to her books, her sketches, the odd habit of humming while brushing her hair.They kept things simple in those first few weeks. Grocery runs were done together, hand in hand. They cooked meals with music playing in the background—sometimes jazz, some
Alpha Czar sat in his high-backed leather chair, a sealed ivory envelope resting in his palm. His fingers traced the wax seal embossed with the sigil of the Riverdale Pack—a howling wolf curled beneath a crescent moon. The letter had arrived just before dawn, hand-delivered by a warrior.Curiosity had flickered in his chest when he first opened it. Now, as his eyes scanned the invitation again, something strange unfurled in his chest—something old and aching.Together with their families, Alpha Dalton of the Riverdale Pack and Daniella Thornhill cordially invite Alpha Czar of the Emerald Pack to celebrate their union in marriage. The ceremony will be held under the full moon on the 14th of August, at twilight, in the sacred glade of Riverdale. A reception will follow under the stars. Your presence would honor us.Czar read it twice. Then a third time. He had received a personal invite, out of respect and a longstanding alliance with Alpha Reid, Dalton’s father.As his eyes
FIVE YEARS AFTER HIS LOSSAlpha Czar stood at the edge of the valley with his hands clasped behind his back. The scent of pine and frost filled his lungs, but it brought no comfort—not tonight. Not after all this time.He had come here on the same night every year for the past five years. A ritual of sorts. A silent vigil in the hope that the wind would change, that the earth would stir and return what had been stolen from him.His mate. His daughter.The memory still struck him with sharp, unforgiving clarity. One moment he had held her in his arms, his tiny daughter wrapped in her mother’s scent, warm and cooing softly against his chest. The next, there had been chaos—blood everywhere, screams in the darkness, and an aching silence that had never truly left him.He had searched every region, crossed every territory, called in every favour he was owed. Elders, seers, witches—he had begged them all. But each trail ran cold. And now… he was done.“I can’t do this anymore,” Czar murmure
The first thing Daniella remembered was warmth.After weeks—perhaps months, she couldn’t be sure—of cold stone, rough rope, hunger, and fear so constant it felt like a part of her skin, the heat of the blanket around her was a shock. Her eyelids fluttered as light seeped through, soft and golden, nothing like the oppressive dimness of the place she’d been held. For a moment, she didn’t move. She was afraid that if she opened her eyes, the illusion would shatter and she would find herself back in that place again, chained to fear.But then came the sound of gentle voices—real voices, not threats or barked orders. The lilt of care, the rhythm of kindness. And something else… laughter. Childish, light, and echoing through walls that didn’t drip with damp or desperation.Daniella's eyes snapped open.She sat up too quickly, and her ribs protested with a sharp ache. The pain was grounding, almost reassuring. She was real. Alive.The room was simple, but clean and cozy. Pale cream walls, a