Chapter 44: Allies and EnemiesLyraeus’ POV: I stood by the edge of the training grounds, watching Aria spar with Ryker. Each strike, each dodge, each maneuver was executed with a precision that spoke volumes of her determination and growing skills. I admired her resilience, her unwavering commitment to preparing for the battles ahead, but my heart ached at the growing distance between us.Since our argument that morning, Aria had been avoiding me. Every attempt I made to speak with her was met with cold indifference or outright dismissal. It was as if a chasm had opened up between us, one that I didn't know how to bridge. I turned away from the training session, my mind shifting to more pressing matters. The information I had received about the Blood Moon Pack’s enforcement was troubling. Kael was bolstering his forces, preparing for an all-out assault. We needed to be ready. I headed to the planning room, where I spread out a map of the territory on the table. I traced the routes
Chapter 45: Sneaking ShadowsLyraeus’ POV: “Do you have any information on the traitor?” I asked lieutenant Jason. He shook his head in affirmative, “Yes, Lyraeus. The traitor lives with you. He seems to be an elder that escaped from Kael’s den,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. I knew it. I knew Elder Ravenwood wasn’t real about his words. He was indeed a traitor. But why would he sell Aria out if he truly loved her?I stood at the edge of the training grounds watching Aria and Ryker train. They seemed to have taken their training so seriously that I felt left out. I stood there watching from the edge, my fists clenched at my sides. Aria and Ryker were sparring, their movements fluid and synchronized. Ryker was laughing, tucking a stray lock of hair behind Aria’s ear. My chest tightened with a jealousy I couldn’t suppress. It felt like a knife twisting in my gut every time I saw them together.Aria’s laugh rang out, clear and bright. She seemed happier, lighter, when
Chapter 46: Race against TimeLyraeus’ POV: Early the next morning Aria came knocking at my door, I was not in a good mood to engage in her story. “Lyraeus, please open up, we need to talk,” she said, knocking endlessly. I was quiet, my mind wavering from last night's event. Why was she so bent on believing Elder Ravenwood when he clearly was selling her out to the enemy? Was it a thing with the Blackwood family to trust blindly? “Elder Ravenwood is meeting with a spy from Blood Moon Pack tonight, we can follow him to know if he’s saying the truth or not,” she added, her voice breaking in tiredness. “We will follow him,” I finally replied. For the rest of the day I stayed up in my chambers ignoring everyone including Ryker. I needed my alone time to reflect on myself and my thoughts. Later that night the moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the dense forest as I made my way to a secluded spot. Elder Ravenwood had insisted this was where we would find a spy from
Chapter 47: The Curse Aria’s POV:The forest was still dark, shadows twisting around us as we sat there staring at Lyraeus’ still form. He wasn’t moving, he certainly was breathing but he looked so pale. I was scared, so was Ryker and the rest of the lieutenants. With each passing minute our fear grew rapidly. “It was a trap! Elder Ravenwood was in on this along with the so-called spy,” Lieutenant Jason said, his voice hoarse and raged with anger. The rest of the lieutenants present nodded in agreement. I felt betrayed, nervous and scared. ‘Was it really true that Elder Ravenwood was working hand in hand with Kael?’ This question kept gnawing at me. The previous night he had told me how he ran off from the Blood Moon Pack with the help of my guards he had helped in the past. He had no reason to lie to me. Was he truly in on this attack? Why did he run off the very second Thorne appeared? What was going on? Ryker placed his hands on my shoulder bringing me out of my thoughts, I tu
Chapter 48: Primal Attraction Aria’s POV: I sat by Lyraeus’ bedside, the weight of guilt pressing down on me like a physical burden. His face, usually so full of life and strength, was now pale and drawn. The curse had taken its toll, leaving him in the deep, unyielding coma. I reached out, my fingers brushing against his, and felt a pang of regret. If only I had been more aware, more attentive to the signs. Minutes turned into hours as I stayed by his side, refusing to leave him alone to his suffering. I tended to his body, cleaned his face and whispered words of encouragement and reassurance, hoping against hope that he could hear me. The pack had grown concerned, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave him, not even for a moment.That evening, as the moon cast its silver light through the window, Lyraeus began to stir. His face contorted in pain, and he murmured incoherently. I leaned closer, my heart racing. “Lyraeus, it’s me, Aria. I’m here,” I whispered, hoping my voice would re
Chapter One: Rejected“Silence!!!!”Elder Thorne’s booming voice echoed through the council chamber, calling the meeting to order. I stood before the esteemed elders, my heart racing with a mix of emotions. Today was the day I would officially announce my decision to hand over my position as the future alpha of the pack to my mate, Kael Darkhaven.The room fell silent, the weight of tradition and expectation palpable. I took a deep breath, my eyes scanning the faces of the elders, searching for any sign of dissent or disapproval.“Aria, daughter of the pack,” Elder Thorne began, his voice grave, “You have called this meeting to discuss your decision to relinquish your title as alpha. Tell us, why do you feel it is necessary to handover your inheritance to your mate?”I swallowed hard, my voice steady as I began to speak. “Elder Thorne, respected elders, my father had led this pack for many years before his death, and I am proud of his accomplishments. However, I don’t think I can con
Chapter Two: Left to Die Kael’s rejection echoed through the grand hall, leaving me stunned and humiliated. But before I could even process what was happening, he continued, his voice dripping with malice. “However, I do have a mate and Luna in mind. One who is worthy of the position.” He turns to Eliana Moon, who was watching the scene unfold with a mixture of shock and excitement. Kael’s eyes locked onto hers, and he smiled, his voice dripping with possessiveness. “Eliana Moon, from this day forward, you will be my mate and luna. Elder Oakley, crown her as such in the presence of this pack.” Elder Oakley looked taken aback, but he quickly recovered, his face expressionless. “As alpha, Kael Darkhaven, it is your right to choose your mate and luna. I will perform the ritual as commanded.” I watched in horror as Elder Oakley approached Eliana, who was beaming with joy. He placed the crown on her head, and Kael pulled her into a possessive embrace. “By the power vested i
Chapter Three: The Lycan’s ArrivalI laid there motionless, my body broken and bleeding. The tears in my eyes seemed to be the only thing still alive, glistening in the faint moonlight filtering through the trees. I was trapped in a limbo between life and death, unable to move or escape the agony consuming me.Suddenly, a rustling in the underbrush sent my heart racing. I was barely conscious but I could feel the presence around me. The sound grew louder, and I braced myself for the worst. A wild beast, perhaps, drawn by the scent of blood?But as the creature emerged from the shadows, I could hear the growl and snare from the creature. I knew it was no ordinary beast, it was a wolf, its fur a shimmering silver-gray, its eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intelligence. This was no ordinary wolf, but a Lycan, a dangerous species of wolves.The Lycan wolf padded around me, its snout twitching as it sniffed my body. I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me, as if this creature meant n