Alle Kapitel von Silver Throne Rising: Kapitel 1 – Kapitel 10

The full moon hung heavy in the sky, casting silver light across the clearing where my entire pack had gathered. Every single member of Crescent Moon Pack stood in a circle around me, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. Or maybe it was pity. I couldn’t tell anymore.“Aria Silvermoon, step forward.” Alpha Marcus Steele’s voice boomed across the clearing, and I obeyed, my legs shaking beneath my simple white dress.Tonight was supposed to be magical. Tonight, on my eighteenth birthday, my wolf was supposed to emerge. Tonight, I was supposed to discover that Damien, the future Alpha and the boy I’d loved for two years, was my fated mate.At least, that’s what I’d been telling myself for months.“The Moon Goddess blesses us on this night,” Alpha Steele continued, his weathered face stern as always. Beside him stood his son, Damien, tall and golden-haired, looking every inch the Alpha he was born to be. “We gather to witness Aria’s first shift and to discover if the Goddess has granted

Two days.I had two days left before I had to leave Crescent Moon territory forever. Two days to prepare for a life I couldn’t even begin to imagine.I spent most of the second day studying my mother’s journal. The pages revealed themselves slowly, only showing me what I was ready to see. So far, I’d learned basic meditation techniques meant to help me “connect with my inner wolf,” which seemed pointless given that my wolf was supposedly locked behind a curse. But the journal insisted I practice anyway.Trust the process, my mother’s elegant script had read. The curse will break when you’re ready. Not a moment before.How was I supposed to know when I was ready? What did “ready” even mean?A sharp knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. I quickly shoved the journal under my thin mattress and stood.“Aria Silvermoon,” a gruff voice called. “Alpha Steele requests your presence in his office. Now.”My heart sank. What could the Alpha possibly want with me now? Hadn’t he done enough?Tw

The first three days of my journey north were a blur of hunger, exhaustion, and constant vigilance.I learned quickly that the wilderness didn’t care about my grand destiny or royal bloodline. It only cared about survival, and I was woefully unprepared for it despite Sarah’s generous supplies.The dried meat ran out faster than I’d expected. The water bottles needed constant refilling from questionable streams that left my stomach cramping. And every night, I heard howls in the distance: rogues, wild animals, or worse.But I kept moving north. Always north.The compass became my lifeline, and my mother’s journal my constant companion. Each night, new instructions appeared on its pages: how to start a fire without matches when mine ran out, which plants were safe to eat, how to hide my scent trail from pursuing wolves.You’re doing well, my brave girl,* the journal read on the third night. But your body is reaching its limits. Tomorrow, you’ll need to rest. There’s a safe place ahead:

The attack came at dawn.I was in the clearing behind Elena’s cabin, practicing the staff forms she’d taught me, when my wolf suddenly screamed a warning.DANGER!I spun just as three wolves burst from the tree line, massive and coordinated. Not rogues. These were trained pack wolves, moving with military precision.They shifted mid-leap, bones cracking and reforming until three naked men landed in combat stances around me. All bore the same tattoo on their left shoulders: a mountain peak crossed by a crescent moon.Mountain Ridge Pack. I recognized the symbol from Elena’s lessons on regional territories.“Aria Silvermoon,” the largest one said, his voice a deep rumble. He had scars across his chest and arms, a warrior’s body honed by years of fighting. “We’ve been looking for you.”I gripped my staff tighter, taking the defensive stance Elena had drilled into me. “Well, you found me.

Blackthorn Pack territory was nothing like Crescent Moon.Where my old pack had been comfortable and modest, Blackthorn was magnificent. The pack house rose from the forest like a fortress, all dark stone and towering windows. Guards patrolled the perimeter with military precision. Everything spoke of power, wealth, and absolute authority.The warriors escorting me led me through gates that could withstand a siege, past training grounds where dozens of wolves sparred with lethal efficiency, and into the main building itself.Inside was just as impressive. High ceilings, dark wood, expensive furnishings. This wasn’t just a pack house. It was a palace.“Wait here,” the lead warrior said, gesturing to a sitting area. “Beta Ryker will be down shortly.”They left me alone, though I could sense guards just outside the door. I wasn’t a prisoner, exactly, but I wasn’t free to leave either.My wolf paced restlessly