All Chapters of The Alpha’s Bane : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

In a short period of time, the pack moved on from the grieving atmosphere and lit the air with celebration. The band played beautiful music. Joy erupted in the pack; they had just won a battle. The medics moved around treating all who were mildly injured in the pack. Younger wolves ran around the hall. The caterers brought in all manner of delicacies, the dancers were all on display and murmurs of the war echoed in the room. “… Selene fought really well,” said a young wolf. “… I just slipped my dagger into his throat, foolish rogue,” said another. Aria stood at the corner. She had never experienced the Nightfang pack in such joy, yet her stomach churned with hate. The weight of Kael’s words pressed deep on her. At the center of the hall was a round table of elites — the Alpha, the Beta, Selene — the rumored Luna, Lucan and General Thorne. Beside them was another table of the pack’s best warriors — the shadow warriors. “Hey, get another bottle, please,” Lucan said to one of the ca

The morning bell rang at its usual time—enough of the celebration. Wolves were back to their routines. Aria jolted awake at the sound of the bell. She hadn’t slept well since her conversation with the Alpha. The dining room swarmed with wolves. Aria ate her meal rapidly, barely tasting the food, and in no time the next bell rang — a call to training. Aria made her way to the training hall and sat on a bench in the right corner. She sat still and watched other wolves train as commanders barked orders. Then a voice called out — it was General Thorne. “Lyra Vane!” he called out, his voice loud and sharp. He walked towards her. Aria stood up, and walked towards him without hesitation. “You no longer train in this hall. Come with me.”General Thorne led Aria out of the hall. The thumping of their boots echoed against the stony floor as they moved down the corridor. “Congratulations on your promotion, Lyra. You’ll now undergo several training phases for the shadow warriors before your

His dark stormy eyes met hers. In Kael’s mind, there was only silence, until a surge of electricity ran through him, just like at midnight. He clenched his fists and tried to get a grip on himself. Just then, Aria’s voice pierced through the silence. “Alpha,” she called out again. “Ly…Lyra, the mew moon is tomorrow night. You need to train for your initiation,” he said, running his hand through his hair as he struggled to put his words together. “What is she doing to me?” “Yes, my lord,” she responded. “Why was he staring at me like I’m a ghost?” she muttered. “What are you saying?” “Nothing, Alpha,” Aria replied, lowering her gaze quickly. “Beta Darian would be here any minute. He had to give a speech to start the purification rites,” he said as he walked further towards her. Aria stood still, confused. “Why does he have to come here? I can just wait around for Beta or he could have sent for me when he’s here not now,” she thought. “Come,” he said, grabbing her wrist befo

Aria and Beta Darian had trained the whole day; the air in the training hall was heavy with fatigue. Aria sat in the ring, her heart pounding and her sweat dripping to the floor. “That’ll be all for today. You should get enough rest in preparation for tomorrow’s drill and initiation,” he said as he buckled up his shoes and headed for the door. “Thank you, Beta,” Aria replied. Weakness in every word. “You’re welcome.”“Beta,” Aria called as she stepped out of the ring to meet him halfway into the hall. “Yes.”“Can I bring my mentor for my initiation? I promise I’ll be back by morning. I just have to inform him, please, Beta,” Aria said, putting her hands together in an attempt to beg Beta Darian. “If I let you go now, you have to be back before morning bells tomorrow. Can you do that?” “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” Aria said happily. “Hold on.” Aria paused. “Just one, we don’t normally allow rogues in our territory, but since he’s your mentor, the Alpha can put up with that.”“Y

Aria arrived safely at the rogue lands at midnight, after leaving Nightfang before nightfall. The Rogue lands were nothing like the structured territories of the packs. There were no borders, no patrols, no rules—only survival. At midnight, when most packs slept, the rogues were still wide awake. Aria’s boots sink into the earth as she walked through the forest. Her heartbeat remained calm. This was her home—the real place where she was her real self. “Aria!” A young wolf called out excitedly. She was Shadow’s only child, born to him at his old age. His mate had childbirth issues. She was only eight years old. Aria wasn’t surprised that she was awake at midnight. Rogues didn’t sleep, irrespective of their ages. “Ruby!” Aria shouted as they ran towards each other. Aria had lived with Shadow, and had been specifically trained by him. She was the only person who had access to his only daughter— his only jewel— aside from her mother. Ruby ran into Aria’s arms, hugging her tightly.