FAZER LOGINThe destruction of the allied pack left the North in shock and Riven knew someone played them all for fools.Riven stood on the walls of the hidden keep looking out at the smoke still rising in the distance. He turned to Thorne. "This was no accident. Someone wants the packs to tear each other apart. We need to find out who."Thorne nodded grimly. "The council is already blaming Lucien for every death. They say his presence started this mess."Inside the main hall the council meeting turned loud fast. Garrick pointed across the table. "More packs will fall if we keep protecting him Riven. Lucien is the reason for all this death."Another alpha agreed. "Hand him over before we lose everything. The north cannot survive this division."Riven slammed his hand down. "Enough. Fear makes you fight the wrong enemy. Lucien is not the cause. Someone else pulls the strings and we will not give them what they want."Lucien sat quietly at the side of the room guilt heavy on his face. Later he foun
Sable's messenger left behind an impossible choice that hung over the keep like a blade.The council hall filled with shouting alphas as soon as the messenger rode away. Garrick pointed at Riven. "Hand Lucien over before sunrise. One life against an entire pack. That is the only smart move."Another alpha stood up fast. "Sable will destroy them if we refuse. Think of the families Riven. Your pride costs too much."Thorne slammed his hand on the table. "Surrendering him only encourages more demands. Today it is Lucien. Tomorrow it is someone else. We stand firm."Lucien stepped forward from the side of the room voice quiet but clear. "If my presence here brings this much pain then I will leave on my own. I will turn myself over if it saves innocent lives."The room went dead silent for a moment. Riven rose to his feet. "No. You are not leaving. Protecting our people does not mean sacrificing one of our own. Lucien stays under my protection. That is final."Garrick shook his head. "You
The arrival of Sable's army changed the air inside the keep to something sharp and ready to snap.War horns sounded from the borders as scouts reported Sable's forces setting up camps within striking distance. The hidden keep burst into full war preparations with warriors rushing along the walls sharpening blades and reinforcing gates. In the council hall voices rose hot and angry.Garrick slammed his hand on the table. "We negotiate now before more blood spills. Sable has four packs. We cannot win this fight."Another alpha leaned forward. "Fight and we lose everything. The north burns while you play protector to one man Riven. Send Lucien out and end this."Riven stood at the head of the table jaw tight. "We fight. Surrender is not an option. Lucien stays."Lucien listened from the side of the room. Later he pulled Riven aside in a quiet corridor. "That symbol on the gate. I remembered something today. It matches one from my childhood memories. The experiments. They carved it on the
The choice changed everything and gave them one rare day of peace.Riven walked the walls of the hidden keep with Lucien at his side. For the first time in weeks the air felt lighter. Warriors trained in the yard but no arguments broke out. Lucien glanced at him with a small smile. "You really picked me over your own alphas yesterday. I still cannot believe it."Riven shrugged but his eyes stayed warm. "I meant every word. Watching them turn on me hurt less than the thought of handing you over."Lucien stopped and faced him. "You are giving up so much for me. Your power your allies everything. Why do you keep doing it?""Because you are worth it," Riven said simply. "I see you now Lucien. Not the traitor. Not the prisoner. Just you."They continued walking. Lucien bumped his shoulder lightly. "Careful Alpha. People might think you like me."Riven laughed. "Let them think what they want. I stopped caring what they say the moment I chose you."Thorne approached them near the training ya
The room went silent when Riven chose Lucien over his own allies.They had barely returned to the hidden keep when the council meeting erupted into chaos. Alphas filled the long hall shouting over one another. News of another pack destroyed had spread fast and fear pushed even loyal warriors toward rebellion. Garrick slammed his fist on the table. "One prisoner's life is not worth the collapse of the north Riven. Surrender Lucien to Sable before we lose everything."Another alpha stood up red faced. "The bond clouds your judgment Supreme Alpha. Packs are turning against us because of him. Give him up and stop this madness."Lucien stood quietly at the side of the room looking tired. He finally spoke up voice steady. "If my presence causes this much bloodshed then I will leave the keep. I will turn myself over if it stops the fighting."The room erupted again. Voices overlapped in anger and surprise. Before anyone could respond Riven rose to his feet. "No. Lucien stays under my persona
The mysterious voice echoed louder across the valley and everything changed in an instant.Selene's face twisted with raw fear for the first time. She raised her hand and shouted orders to her forces. "Retreat now. All of you fall back. Do not engage it."Riven gripped Lucien's arm tight. "What is happening? Why are you scared of your own voice?"Selene ignored him and turned to her warriors. "Move. The shadows come for everyone."Dark shadows began spreading across the sky like living smoke. They reached down and devoured both monsters and warriors alike. Screams filled the air as men and creatures vanished into the blackness.Kael coughed hard in Sable's arms. "Riven listen to me. Whatever has awakened is far worse than the Hollow Moon. Get Lucien away while you still can. Run far from here."Riven shook his head. "I will not leave you behind Kael. Not after you saved him."Sable helped Kael stand her face set with fierce determination. "Then I am not leaving him either. I have lost
The bond would not let them deny the fire any longer.The storm raged outside matching the turmoil inside the keep. The ring of lies had exposed cracks that ran straight to the heart of their world. Riven and Lucien stood bound by more than marks now. Truth and emotion tangled tighter than ever.Riv
For the first time since the execution, Riven slept beside the man he was supposed to hate.Morning light crept into the chamber and Riven woke to the steady warmth of Lucien pressed against his shoulder.Their bodies had somehow tangled in the night neither one remembered falling asleep that way. L
The ring on Rowan's finger shattered everything they thought they knew.Riven grabbed Rowan's wrist in the dim torchlight of the hidden keep's main hall. "Explain this ring. I saw it in the shared vision with Lucien. Wolf shaped with the twisted rune. Start talking now."Rowan tried to pull away e
Trust died faster than any warrior.The hall stayed silent long after Rowan's accusation.Riven stared at Thorne.Thorne stared right back.Neither man moved.Finally, Thorne laughed."You really think I would sell you out?""Answer the accusation," Riven said."I just did.""No. You mocked it."A







