LOGIN"Run!" Serena screamed, reaching out to grab her arm.But the strange wolf was already onto them. He lunged forward, his heavy paws hitting the floor with a loud thud.Isolde gasped and stepped back into some dry twigs, but she was too slow. The wolf bared his long teeth and swung a heavy paw, his claws tearing into her thick cloak. The impact sent Isolde flying sideways. She took a hard hit to her shoulder and fell straight to the dirt floor, sliding across the ground."Get away from her!" Serena shouted. Baring her teeth, with a slight transformation to her wolf self.Serena immediately charged at the wolf, throwing her whole weight into his side to force him away from the fallen Luna. The grey wolf snorted, his hot breath visible in the chilly morning air as he turned on her. He was large, strong, and clearly knew how to fight. He didn't lose his balance at all. Instead, he twisted and snapped his jaws inches away from Serena’s face.On the ground, Isolde let out a low groan, curli
"I didn't know Liora was Ronan's mate," Serena whispered. "Oh my god. So that was why she left after he chose Isolde."Jax did not say a word, he just stood near his desk with his arms crossed, watching her from the shadows. The room was quiet except for the sound of the burning wood.Serena felt a crushing feeling of guilt. No wonder Liora had been so broken. No wonder she had packed her small bag and walked out of the pack without back. Serena bit her lip until she tasted blood. She remembered sitting on the kitchen island back then, smirking while saying mean things to Liora. The memories felt like a slap in the face. She had been a terrible sister all along.She looked up at Jax, her eyes filling with hot tears. "You know... I thought... I thought she was just being dramatic. Or trying to get attention because she was adopted and always felt like an outsider.""You have always been the dramatic one, Serena," Jax cut her off, his voice flat. "Liora wasn't."Serena gave him a ‘reall
"Is this the paperwork for the southern trade routes, or are we still looking at old map data?" Ronan asked. He rested his large hands flat against the polished wood of the conference table. They were having a one to one meeting, concerning the alliance Ronan asked for. They were checking out the Lockwood's Pack trade routes and how Voss would come in if they eventually go ahead with the alliance."It's the new data," Damien replied.Before Ronan could answer, a soft knock came from the heavy double doors. The handle turned, and a senior pack warrior stepped inside. The man walked quietly across the stone floor, the scent of fresh pine and outdoor sweat coming off his jacket. He held out a thick white folder."The background check you asked for, Alpha," the warrior whispered, bowing his head."Leave it," Damien said, waving his hand.The warrior set the folder on the table beside Damien and walked out, the door shutting behind him with a clean click.Damien pulled the file closer, fli
By early afternoon, Jax pushed his chair back. He stood up and grabbed his jacket."You're leaving already?" Serena asked, her brow furrowing as she looked at the clock on the wall. "It's barely three o'clock.""I'm not feeling that strong today, Serena," Jax said, keeping his voice casual. "I need to go back to my chambers and get some good rest. My head is splitting."Serena bit her lip, a sudden look of guilt flashing across her face. She remembered how she had lashed out at him in the courtyard the other day, accusing him of being shady. She didn't want to push her boundaries any further or make him angrier, so she just let it go."Alright," Serena said softly, nodding her head. "Go get some rest. I'll finish up the rest of these filing logs for you.""Thanks, Serena. See you tomorrow," Jax said, walking out the door.Jax didn't go straight home. Instead, he took a quiet trail through the edge of the woods to see a woman on the outskirts of the territory. She was an older healer w
"Are you sure Isolde left the pack house?" Jax asked, keeping his voice down as he leaned against the corridor wall."Yes, Beta," the guard whispered back, looking around the empty hallway. "She took two guards with her. She said she wouldn't be back until late afternoon.""Alright. Keep your mouth shut about this," Jax said, tapping the man's shoulder.He waited until the guard walked away before he moved. The morning sun was just starting to hit the windows, but the corridors inside were still quiet. Jax walked fast, his boots making almost no sound on the floor mats as he moved. He wasn't supposed to be anywhere near the Alpha's private rooms without Ronan there, but Ronan was still away down south.Jax reached the heavy wooden doors of the Alpha's rooms. He looked left, then right. The hallway was completely empty. He reached for the handle, turned it slowly, and slipped inside. The door clicked shut behind him.The air inside smelled faintly of lavender. It was Isolde's favorite
Few weeks ago Isolde pulled her dark woolen shawl tighter around her shoulders, the thick fabric rough against her skin. She stepped out into the stone walkway, intending to finish a few quick errands before it got dark.But just as she was about to cross the walkway towards the Greenhouse, she heard a voice. It was Jax.She froze and immediately stepped back, hiding herself behind the thick stone corner of the palace wall. She pressed her back flat against the cold surface and held her breath to listen, her senses entirely on alert as the cool wind rustled her hair."This last search still led to a dead end, sire," a tired voice said. It belonged to one of the pack warriors. He sounded exhausted, his boots shifting in the dirt. "We checked the lower human villages just outside the border, but there was still no trace of her.""Alright. You can go," Jax dismissed him. His voice was completely flat."Yes, Beta."The warrior’s heavy footsteps faded down the opposite hallway. Isolde let
I sat by the dying fire, staring into the dark. Even though the others were asleep, the image of those black wolves on the ridge wouldn't leave me. Their yellow eyes felt like they were still burning holes in my back. I tucked my hands under my thighs to hide the shaking. When Kira glanced at me, I
The morning after Kira called me out, the air felt different, I felt lighter. The secret of my pregnancy had been a heavy wall between us, but now that it was down, I felt like I could finally breathe. I woke up to the smell of woodsmoke and the bitter, comforting scent of yesterday’s tea. Usually
I didn't stop walking until the sun started to peak over the trees. My legs were heavy and my feet were sore, but I kept moving. I kept looking back, half-expecting to see a patrol or hear the sound of a familiar howl, but there was nothing. Just the wind. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ronan’s
The next day, I was up before the sun. The cabin was quiet, except for Serena’s soft breathing in the next room. I got ready in the dark. It was cold, so I put on my black pants and a green shirt that matched the trees. I laced my boots tight and crept out so I wouldn't wake anyone. The village w







