The moon stood elegantly above the trees, glowing with a pearlescent light that cast silvery beams across the wooded landscape of the Blackwood estate. The excitement of the upcoming hunt thrummed in the air, but in a quieter part of the forest, hidden from the main event, Becca moved purposefully through the trees, her steps light but deliberate.She had seen Mira slip away earlier and her instincts told her to check on her. Her heart beat with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Mira had been tasked with one of the most dangerous missions tonight—sneaking into Desmond's private quarters to retrieve the elixir that had been controlling Eugene's wolf. The mission had been risky. If Mira had been caught, there would have been no way out.As Becca pushed past a tangle of hanging moss and emerged into a clearing, she froze. Standing a few feet away, changing from a modest forest-colored cloak back into the midnight blue ballroom gown she had worn earlier, was Mira."Mira!" Becca
The garden buzzed with tension as the final preparations for the Moon Festival Hunt were ongoing in full swing. Other wolves who intended to participate in the stimulating event were already halfway through their various strategy meetings with their seconds.This was sure to be an event to remember. The sky above the Blackwood estate had turned a bright silver glow due to the high rising full moon which couldn't be hidden by the tall trees. Numerous wolves could already feel the influence of the gift of the Moon given by the moon goddess and it felt so good.Becca went with her maids to change into her gown which would be worn to oversee the hunt. It was much comfortable to move around than her ball gown.She stepped into the moonlight dressed in her sleek ceremonial robe woven with silver thread and marked with her Luna crest.She walked behind Eugene and Max as they made their way toward the starting tree, eyes of admiration darting towards them."I don't know if they're all look
The garden buzzed with the mixed scents of moss, pine, and the earthy perfume of freshly trimmed hedges. The Moon Festival's second phase was near—the Hunt and it was sure to let the make wolves let loose and bring out their primal side as they hunt down a very powerful animal in the woods. A bear.This was a traditional spectacle of speed, strength, and cunning where the strongest wolves raced through the woods to claim the prize of dominance and honor.The winner of the hunt usually got to be given a huge celebration and declared the strongest wolf in the pack. Second to the Alpha and his court, that is.This was a big deal and Seraphina wasn't about to let such glory escape her hands.Seraphina stood in the deeper shade of an ornamental tree, adjusting the elegant fur-lined robe around her shoulders. Her sharp eyes watched Desmond as he slowly pulled off his ceremonial jacket and began unbuttoning the fine linen shirt beneath. His frame was broad and powerfully muscled, scarred
Mira tried as much as possible not to breathe. The soft pressure of a hand on her shoulder sent an icy chill racing down her spine. The scent-masking potion she had sprayed was supposed to be foolproof, but doubt crept in as she stood there in her maid's costume, the hem slightly muddy from her hurried steps and the white handkerchief tied tightly around the lower half of her face.“Are you sure you haven't seen a girl wandering around these halls? She would be looking nervous, suspicious even," Ava said, her voice showing that she didn’t entirely believe this girl.Mira swallowed, steadying her voice with as much neutrality as she could muster.She needed to keep her body language as perfectly normal as possible. Any suspicious movement might cause her entire cover to be blown.“No, my lady,” she replied, slightly bowing her head. “I haven’t seen anyone like that.”Ava gave a low hum, scrutinising her closely. Mira felt her heart pounding against her ribs, her fingers curling tig
The night air shimmered with energy as the Blackwood Pack gathered in the forest clearing. The lanterns burned tall and bright, casting flickering golden lights onto the trees, and the scent of roasted meats and sweet pastries hung thick in the air. The second part of the Moon Festival had begun, and spirits were high. But not everyone was lost in celebration.Jack’s jaw was tight as he paced near the entrance of the grand Blackwood mansion. He glanced toward the ballroom and then at the two guards stationed at the entryway. His fists clenched. Mira had been gone too long.“I need to get through,” he said, his voice low but urgent.One of the guards straightened. “Sorry, Beta Jack. We have strict orders from Luna Becca. No one is allowed inside the mansion during the second half of the festival. Only the cleaning staff.”Jack stepped forward, the aura of his authority flaring. “I’m not just ‘anyone.’ I’m the Beta of Alpha Desmond of this Pack. And I’m telling you that there’s a
Disguises, Mira reminded herself, were only as strong as the confidence behind them and she needed to be as strong as possible if she wanted to be able to achieve her goal tonight. Her palms were sweaty as she crept silently through the narrow back corridor of the mansion, her heartbeat hammering behind her ribs. She had successfully snuck through the side entrance after the crowd surged toward the ballroom exit for the outdoor festivities. Clutched in her hand was a stolen handkerchief, tied tightly across her lower face, and her frame was hidden beneath the plain folds of a maid’s dress she had found in the servant quarters.Everything she had planned was coming together but she wasn’t completely in the clear.The scratchy fabric itched her skin and the scent of cleaning chemicals clung to the apron, but she didn’t let herself dwell on it. With every step she took, her resolve hardened. She was doing this for Alpha Eugene and Becca.She entered Becca’s room quietly, double-chec
The air was sharp with tension and moonlight, heavy with the energy of celebration just beyond the grand ballroom doors. Jack stood near the edge of a wide archway, half-shrouded in darkness, his fists clenched at his sides. His gaze was not on the festivities but fixed on the quiet corridor leading to the east wing. His breath came in shallow bursts, his chest tight with anxiety. Desmond’s fury gnawed at his senses through their link, a constant, oppressive force. The Alpha's rage had been simmering all evening, but now it raged like an inferno, threatening to burn everything in its path.Jack pressed a hand to the cold marble wall, grounding himself. Desmond was far from here, outside with the elders, putting on the facade of calm leadership for the Moon Festival. But Jack could feel his discontent, and it mirrored Jack’s own inner turmoil.A flicker of movement caught his eye.Mira.She moved swiftly.Her footsteps were light, her path certain. Jack didn’t need to guess wher
Eugene’s eyes lingered for a moment longer on Desmond and Seraphina’s rigid expressions, absorbing the fury that simmered just beneath their carefully masked faces. Then, with quiet defiance, he turned away, lowering the hand that was still linked with Becca’s. The ballroom was filled with anticipation. Hundreds of eyes were focused him, their faces glowing with curiosity and admiration.He stepped forward, letting his voice rise with confidence.“My fellow wolves,” he began, projecting to every corner of the ballroom with a firm voice, “tonight is not just a celebration of tradition, but of resilience, of unity, and of the undying spirit that binds the Blackwood Pack together.”There was a murmur of agreement, soft but growing.“In the wake of darkness, we have found light. We’ve seen hardship, betrayal, and division. But despite everything, here we are—together, stronger than ever. And I want you to know… I will fight every day to ensure that the legacy of this pack not only survi
Jack stopped running when the ache in his bones and the guilt in his chest both throbbed in perfect sync. The hallway was dimly lit, the distant glow from the ballroom flickering on the polished floors behind him. He rested his back against the wall, dragging his palm across his sweaty forehead. He had done it. He had slipped the note through the door of the room where Eugene, Max, and Becca were holed up. It felt like splitting his loyalty in half, betraying Alpha Desmond after all he had done for him—after all he had made him.But he had to. He had to give Alpha Eugene a fighting chance.If Alpha Desmond and Luna Seraphina followed through with their plan, it wouldn't just be Alpha Eugene who suffered. Innocent wolves—children, elders, people who had nothing to do with this feud—would be caught in the destruction. He had seen what power and desperation could do. He had lived it.He couldn’t let the same thing happen here."Jack?"The sound of his name made him flinch. He look