LOGINStefan hurried through the hidden pathway leading toward the healer’s quarters, his cloak sweeping against the cold stone floor while the crimson moonlight followed him through the narrow openings above.His mind was racing too fast to settle.Ashbourne Academy had fallen and BloodFall had moved openly.And Silverfang was about to be attacked.Everything was spiraling far quicker than even he had anticipated.The healer opened the door before he could knock fully, clearly having sensed the urgency in his steps.“Beta Stefan—”“Where is the Alpha?”“In the inner room.”Stefan entered immediately.Kadel was already sitting upright on the bed he was fully his strong now. The medicine restoring his appearance had almost fully faded now, and although he still looked slightly pale, his eyes were sharp again.“What happened?” Kadel asked instantly.Stefan wasted no time.“The academy has fallen.”Kadel stiffened.“What?”“BloodFall attacked Ashbourne Academy tonight,” Stefan continued quickly
Meanwhile—Back at Crestmoon Pack…Beta Stefan was growing increasingly uneasy.The night felt wrong. Too quiet and too heavy.Inside his study room, he paced restlessly while glancing repeatedly toward the large window overlooking the moonlit pack grounds.The Red Moon hung high in the sky now.Bright and nnaturally crimson.Stefan’s expression darkened.His men should have reported back by now.Even if something had gone wrong—Someone should have returned.He stopped pacing briefly and rubbed his forehead tiredly.“…Please let her be alive…” he muttered quietly.Then— BANG! BANG! BANG!A loud urgent knock shook the door violently.Stefan’s eyes sharpened instantly.His heart sank. For one brief moment—He prepared himself mentally for the worst possible news.Quickly striding forward, he yanked the door open. One of his elite estate guards nearly stumbled inside. But surprisingly— The man was smiling excitedly.“Beta!” the guard said breathlessly. “Urgent news from our border scouts
The two men nodded instantly and disappeared into the chaos after Kaden.Lorne himself quickly turned toward Marko and Philipa.Relief flashed briefly across his face seeing her alive despite her condition.“You’ve done enough,” he said sincerely. “Thank you for saving our future Alpha.”Then he stepped forward carefully, extending his arms.“I’ll take Alpha Philipa from here—”The moment his fingers almost touched her—Draven moved not fast or violent way.He simply turned his head slowly toward Lorne. But the instant their eyes met—Lorne froze, his wolf nearly ripped out of his body in terror.Cold. Ancient and Predatory.That was all Lorne felt from Draven’s gaze now.“Don’t,” Draven said quietly yet the single word carried overwhelming pressure.Lorne’s breathing hitched as even his knees weakened slightly.“…dare me.”Lorne immediately stepped backward.His instincts screamed at him not to challenge the being standing before him.Something about Draven had changed after the coll
The explosion behind them shook the entire underground passage violently.Dust and shattered stones blasted through the tunnel like a raging storm, forcing everyone to shield their faces as they ran.Marko tightened his hold around Philipa’s unconscious body and kept moving despite the burning pain in his legs.“Move faster!” Jax barked behind him while dragging one of the captured elders across the ground like a sack of meat.Another tremor ripped through the tunnel.CRAAAACK—!!The ceiling split apart overhead.Large rocks crashed down violently behind them, sealing parts of the passage completely.“We’re running out of time!” Darren shouted.Ahead of them, the faint outline of the exit finally appeared.Moonlight. Fresh air and Hope.Marko gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder.Then—They burst out of the underground ruins.Cold night air slammed into their faces.One after another, the students and Crestmoon warriors stumbled out onto the academy grounds while the earth behin
The moment the invisible mirror barrier flung his hand away, something inside Draven snapped completely.For a split second, he simply stood there—breathing hard, staring at the unseen force separating him from her.And then Philipa’s cries broke him.“Draven… please don’t hurt yourself...!” Her voice trembled, weak, breaking, filled with pain and fear. It wasn’t loud, but it cut deeper than anything.Draven stepped back slowly, his chest rising and falling in sharp, uneven breaths. His fingers curled, unclenched, then curled again.“…No,” he muttered under his breath.Then suddenly—He lunged forward.BOOM—!His fist slammed into the invisible barrier with brutal force. The entire chamber trembled but the barrier held.A violent rebound of energy shot back into his arm, forcing him a step backward.Draven didn’t stop. Again.BOOM—!!This time harder. The impact echoed like thunder, rippling through the pillars, disturbing the rhythm of the bloody stream and the elders who were still u
Draven moved first. Fast and unhesitating.The moment the energy ripple passed, he surged forward into a sprint, the others barely reacting in time before following him.Marko’s heart pounded violently.“We’re close—!” he called out, voice tight.The red glow ahead intensified with each step, and the chanting grew louder but more distorted.… inhuman.Then— They reached it.The passage opened suddenly into a vast underground chamber, but the sight that greeted them—made Marko’s blood run cold.He knew such a place existed but had never imagined it to be more darker than Marvin had described to him months ago. But when he saw who was on the altar—Philipa. Tied and moving less, his wolf surged violently within him— Wanting to fight, but the dark energy in this evil place suppressed it relentlessly. Then he watches Draven stepped fully into the chamber. Silence followed his entrance, tot immediate, but noticeable like a shift.The air itself seemed to react to him.Draven stood at the
Lyria’s fingers trembled as she clutched the edge of the couch, her breathing uneven. She stared at her son as though seeing him for the first time.“No…” she whispered. “That plan—if it fails—”“It won’t,” Kaden interrupted calmly. His voice was steady, frighteningly so. “Father is desperate. Bloo
Two minutes later, Lyria left her chamber.Her face was carefully arranged into a picture of worry and concern—eyes soft, steps hurried but controlled. Anyone who saw her would think she was a devoted Luna burdened by fear for her mate.Behind her, Kaden stayed back, pretending to study after many
Using the immediate chaos, as some of the staff hurried toward where the alarm was blaring, Draven moved swiftly and decisively. He grabbed Philipa’s wrist and pulled her along dark corridors, keeping close to the walls, slipping through shadows and blind spots he clearly knew by heart. Curious st
Philipa kept a careful distance as she followed him through the dimly lit corridors.The academy at night felt completely different—quiet, heavy, as if the walls themselves were listening. Torches burned low, casting long shadows that stretched and twisted along the stone floors.Draven moved like







