LOGINThe heavy iron door slammed shut behind them, sealing Becca and Mira inside the cold prison cell beneath Alpha Desmond’s mansion.
The air was thick with the scent of old blood. Mira sat in the corner, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’ve never been in a place like this before.” Becca exhaled sharply, pacing the cell. She had been here before. Thrown into this very cell. The memory clawed at her mind—Desmond’s cold eyes, his mocking smile as he had ordered her locked away simply for trying to heal one of the maids. She clenched her fists. “This isn’t the first time Desmond has done this to me. He thinks throwing me down here will break me, but it won’t.” Mira’s wide eyes met hers. “But what if this time is different? What if he really—” “Stop.” Becca bent in front of her, gripping her shoulders gently. “We will get out of this. I promise you.” Mira swallowed hard and nodded, but fear still lingered in her expression. Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hallway. The guards were back. The cell door creaked open, and three armored guards stepped inside. Their eyes were filled with cruel amusement as they glared at Becca. One of them smirked. “You’ll be punished for your crimes, Omega.” Becca’s patience snapped. “What crimes? You dragged me here without giving me a single reason!” She stepped forward, fury burning through her veins. “Tell me what I did!” The guards exchanged amused glances. “An Omega doesn’t get to question us.” “Especially not a rejected one.” Becca’s hands turned into fists. “Cowards! That’s all you are. Desmond doesn’t have the spine to face me himself, so he sends his little lapdogs to do his dirty work!” One of the guards’ expressions darkened, and he took a menacing step toward her. “Watch your tongue, Omega, or you’ll lose it.” Becca scoffed. “I’d rather lose my tongue than sit here in silence while you bastards act like I’m supposed to accept my fate without a fight!” Mira tugged at her sleeve, whispering urgently, “Becca, stop—” But Becca wasn’t done. “I demand to know why I was arrested!” she shouted. “I healed a dying man! That’s not a crime!” The guards remained unfazed. Becca let out a bitter laugh. “Right. Of course, you won’t answer me. Because there is no crime. This is just another one of Desmond’s sick games.” The lead guard smirked. “We don’t answer to a worthless Omega like you.” Becca opened her mouth to fire back another insult, but before she could, the guards turned and walked out, slamming the cell door behind them. Silence settled in the room. Mira let out a shaky breath. “That was not a good idea, Becca.” Becca shook her head. “I don’t care. If they’re going to kill me, they might as well let me die with my dignity.” Mira shuddered. “Don’t talk like that.” Becca softened. She could see the fear in her friend’s eyes. Mira doesn’t belong here. She was just a healer’s assistant, thrown into this mess because of her. She reached for Mira’s hands and squeezed them gently. “Everything will be fine.” Mira bit her lip. “I hope so.” The hope in Mira’s voice was short-lived. Less than an hour later, the guards returned. “Get up,” one of them barked. Before Becca could react, they grabbed her arms and drew her to her feet. Mira tried to intervene, but a guard shoved her back, causing her to stumble. Becca struggled. “Let go of me!” The guards ignored her, dragging her out of the cell and down the long, narrow hallway. The further they went, the colder Becca’s blood ran. She knew exactly where they were taking her. The large hall. Where Alpha Desmond delivered his judgments. The moment they entered the hall, Becca was thrown to the ground. She landed hard on her knees. Laughter echoed through the room. Becca didn’t need to look up to know who it belonged to. Alpha Desmond. Slowly, she lifted her gaze. There he was. Sitting on his high throne, dressed in luxury, his cold golden eyes gleaming with amusement. His dark hair was slicked back, his powerful frame relaxed as if he were watching a performance. The sight of him made Becca’s stomach sick. “Well, well,” Desmond began, his deep voice filled with mockery. “Look at what we have here. The disgrace of my pack.” Becca’s jaw clenched. “What the hell do you want, Desmond?” The guards kicked her forward, forcing her to bow her head. Becca gritted her teeth. Desmond laughed. “Still as mouthy as ever. It’s amazing how an Omega like you never learns her place.” Becca shot him a glare. “I know my place, Desmond. I just refuse to bow to a tyrant.” The room went silent. A dangerous smirk played on Desmond’s lips. “You never fail to amuse me, Becca. You really don’t.” She spat at the ground. “I’d rather amuse you than fear you.” The guards reacted instantly, striking her across the face. Pain exploded across her cheek, but she refused to cry out. Desmond clicked his tongue. “You truly have no survival instincts, do you?” Becca wiped the blood from her lip. “Oh, I have instincts, Desmond. That’s why I knew you would try to pull something like this.” His expression darkened. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” Becca met his gaze without fear. “I don’t think, Desmond. I know.” The guards tightened their grips on her arms. Desmond leaned forward, his smirk vanishing. “I’ve had enough of you. I’ve been looking for a reason to rid myself of you, and now you’ve delivered yourself to me on a silver platter.” Becca’s heart pounded. “What crime did I commit?” Desmond’s eyes gleamed. “It doesn’t matter.” Becca’s breath caught. He doesn’t even care to justify it. Desmond motioned with his hand. “Executioner.” A door on the side of the hall opened. A large man stepped out, carrying a massive blade. Becca’s blood turned to ice. The guards forced her down, pressing her forehead to the cold floor. She struggled. “Desmond, you bastard! You can’t just—” Desmond chuckled. “Oh, but I can.” The executioner raised his sword. Becca closed her eyes. And then— A deep, powerful voice cut through the tension. “Stop.” Everything froze. Becca’s eyes snapped open. The large doors to the hall stood wide open. A man stepped inside. His presence filled the room instantly. The man from her clinic. Alive, awake and looking furious. Becca’s breath caught. What the hell was happening?Max's muscles screamed in protest, his shoulders burning, his palms already roughened and splitting beneath the leather wraps of his axe ash he used it to cut wood.Max welcomed the sting in his body because it drowned out the thoughts circling endlessly in his head, the memories that refused to loosen their grip.The cold morning air bit at his exposed chest, sharp enough to sting his lungs with every breath. Steam curled from his mouth as he exhaled, each breath coming harder than the last.The pile of chopped wood beside him had grown impressively large, logs stacked neatly. Max had stopped counting them long ago. He would keep chopping until his arms gave out or his thoughts finally broke apart.Whichever came first.Eugene’s face rose unbidden in his thoughts, as clear and sharp as if the Alpha stood before him now.Max’s jaw clenched as he brought the axe down again, harder this time. The blade buried itself so deeply in the wood that it stuck there, vibrating faintly from the
The corridors of Blackwood mansion was filled with hurried footsteps.Alpha Desmond moved like a storm unleashed. Servants pushed themselves against the stone walls, their heads bowed so low their foreheads nearly brushed the floor. None of them dared to speak. None dared to breathe too loudly.Behind him followed Jack, his expression tight with unease.“Desmond,” Jack said carefully, matching his pace. “You should slow down. The Luna is safe so there is no need—”“There is every need,” Desmond snapped without turning. “Someone dared to raise a blade inside my walls.”Jack's hand shot out as he grabbed Desmond's arm and try to get him to stop walking and not go charging in the room as if he's a lion ready to devour everything in his path."You need to get your emotions in check before you do something you might regret" Jack said, his voice hightened but he tried his best to sound as calm as possible so it won't seem like he's challenging his Alpha King.Desmond looked from Jack's fac
The council chamber of Blackwood mansion was filled with tension practically bouncing off its walls.Alpha Desmond sat at the head of the table. His posture was relaxed, almost lazy, one arm draped over the armrest of his high-backed chair, his fingers idly tapping against carved wood. Around the table sat the highest-ranking wolves of the Blackwood Pack, maps lay unrolled before them, weighed down by daggers and polished stones marking borders, strongholds, and lands.Brian sat among them but he was silent.His broad shoulders were rigid, his jaw clenched as he listened to the conversation unfold. He had not spoken since the meeting began, and no one had asked him to. Desmond leaned forward slightly, his eyes glinting as he traced a finger across the map.“Blackwood’s borders have grown stagnant,” he said smoothly. “We are surrounded by weaker packs clinging desperately to scraps of land they cannot defend.”One of the commanders nodded. “The Eastwatch wolves are already struggli
Ava’s sharp gasp still lingered in the air, her hand frozen halfway toward Seraphina’s arm as if she could pull her away from danger by sheer instinct but she was too late.Seraphina’s hand moved with speed as it connected sharply with Lira’s cheek and sent her to the floor."You stupid trash" Seraphina thundered.The other maids huddled backward against the stone wall, trembling so violently their aprons fluttered. None of them had expected the Lira to stand her ground even after being slapped, but now she held a knife.It was a kitchen blade, the kind used to peel fruit, but in her shaking hand, fueled by fury and heartbreak, it felt like a weapon capable of starting a war.Seraphina stared at Lira with a steady calm that was almost frightening. “Put that down,” Ava said, dragging her voice out slowly like she was speaking to a cornered wild animal. “You do not want to make this worse.”“Worse?” Lira breathed, her voice cracking. “You both stand here calling for the death of innoc
The Blackwood Mansion was unusually quiet that afternoon, its halls filled with soft light that streamed through tall arched windows. Soft footsteps echoed along the polished stone floors.Luna Seraphina walked with a measured grace, her gown trailing behind her like a whisper. Her hand rested on the gentle swell of her stomach, her pregnancy visible but not yet heavy enough to slow her stride. Beside her walked Ava with her sharp eyes staring down at servants passing through.Behind them followed four young maids, each carrying folded fabrics, polishing cloths, or small baskets filled with herbs and scented oils. Their heads were bowed, eyes downcast in respect and fear.Neither Seraphina nor Ava noticed the way the maids’ shoulders stiffened when their conversation began.Seraphina sighed heavily. “I truly cannot bear the growing arrogance of these resistance wolves. Every day, another group sneaks about the borders, whispering lies and stirring trouble.”Ava clicked her tongue.
The pale light of dawn crept through the narrow windows, painting the wooden beams in soft gold. The house was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the floorboards as the wind shifted outside. Eugene stood near the hearth, his arms crossed, his cloak falling in neat folds around his shoulders when he returned.The firelight flickered across his sharp features, casting long shadows that made his stern expression even more formidable.A soft shuffle echoed through the front doorway and Eugene’s eyes narrowed. He had anticipated this moment of Max returning, hoping to slip in unnoticed, hoping to avoid the consequences of last night.Max froze mid-step when Eugene’s piercing gaze fell upon him. The silence stretched between them, taut with unspoken tension.“Where have you been?” Eugene demanded, his voice low but laced with authority.Max hesitated, his hand brushing against the doorframe as if to steady himself. “I… I—”“Do not ‘I’ or ‘I’ me me me me,” Eugene interrupted, steppin







