Kenrik I should be locked away in my room with Ahlana, creating an heir and readying myself to take over the throne from Father. Instead, I’m sitting in my office, waiting for her father, Alpha Jonah, to get here to transport her body back to Dark Fang. There won’t be a funeral here. Father said she hadn’t done anything worthy of a formal goodbye, and as she died before we could seal the chosen mate bond, she was nothing to the pack. Just when I thought she was finally becoming obedient, she had to go off for a run in the woods. I know I need a mate of alpha blood to keep the Adler heirs strong, but it’s such a hard spirit to break. The smell of burnt flesh has been permanently etched into my senses. The look of horror that her eyes held as they stared lifelessly as Anders carried her back to the castle was no match for the pure rage of Father’s eyes. Three tentative knocks rap out against my door. “Come in,” I growl. Our Gamma, Niko, slowly opens the door, dropping his head and
Thea My mind is still trying to wrap itself around Ahlana being killed. I’d only known her for a short time, but she was so young and innocent. When the talks of me being used for a deal came up, I knew she sympathized for me. I could see it in her eyes. That could have been my fate; traded off for an alliance to a cruel alpha or even being killed by rogues. I roll over on my bed and notice the time. I suppose I should get ready to meet Knox for training. I feel a little guilty that among all of this, I am still anxious to meet with Knox. I never got to finish what I went to his office to talk about anyways. After Knox and Bennet told me how bad the rogue issue really is and how they have been actively tracking them with the goal of eliminating them, I was stunned. They said they had to get the full team together to review all activities. No matter how much I wanted to sort out what happened at training, I wasn’t selfish enough to hinder their mission. I push myself to sit uprigh
Knox “I need time, Knox.” Thea’s words have been on a loop in my head for the last three days. Time was the least I could give her. I owe her that much to sort out her own feelings. If she wants to stay with Bennet, I told her I’d accept it. But I’d be a fucking liar if I said giving her time doesn’t have me on edge. Her body responded so perfectly to my kiss that night. Everything about that moment with her felt like a fucking dream… Focus, Knox. I sigh and return my attention to the latest rogue warfare updates from Bennet. Another large group of rogues has been spotted working its way through no man’s lands across the Southern Territory. It’s possible that the ones calling the shots are in this group and heading North to convene with the others that are still camping out at Bria’s borders. If our predictions of their movements are correct, they will pass by our borders tonight and be heading toward Golden Claw. With the full moon celebration and lunar lap tonight, I want to
Thea It’s been a whole week since Knox and the others left to hunt those foul fleabags. The packhouse now feels as lonely as the one in Golden Claw did. Tracy has taken over group training for Travis, while Harlow is helping me in the evening with extra sparring. Either Travis has to be taking it easy on me, or Harlow is just a savage. I have more bruises and sore muscles now than when I first started. I feel like I am bothering the girls enough though, so I keep my night runs to myself. The pack is familiar with my wolf now, so there isn’t any danger of not being recognized. It also serves as the perfect opportunity to be alone with my thoughts. After Bennet told me about the night I was brought here, the strange pull to Knox has intensified. I feel like a real jerk knowing I’m going to have to completely break Bennet’s heart. I really did feel something for him, but whatever I’m feeling for Knox is stronger. Bennet has been nothing but kind to me, and I hope he’ll still be my fri
Knox We’ve just stopped for the night on the outer edges of Crimson Valley pack lands. The Alpha and those on patrol know we are here but that’s it. We can’t afford for just anyone to know where and when we stop. The rogues have led us all across the south. We followed them past Golden Claw, and then they doubled back near Onyx ridge before returning back to Golden Claw. Finally, they are heading North, like we initially expected them too. It seems like the primary group we started following has been meeting up with the other groups before sending them North. I’m worried for Bria’s pack. I don’t know if they are strictly after royals or what but with the Luna to be of Golden Claw being killed, it’s safe to assume that Bria is in trouble. We took out a few of the smaller groups after the main group went through. With just a dozen of us out here, it's too risky to try to eliminate the large groups by ourselves. I know we are all eager to kill them off, to end this and get home but,
Bennet “Maybe she left on her own?” Harlow shrugs, “She did feel guilty about hurting you, with Dana challenging her and not to mention the snarky comments…” There’s a gnawing pain in my stomach as I hear more details about what happened while we were gone. I send the girls to check around Thea’s room for any clue as to where she is. I don’t think she’d go anywhere off territory, but I don’t like that people have been giving her a hard time. I’ll see what my dad knows, and we can address the pack about it later. Right now, I need to go find Knox. As I’m walking into the kitchen, a patio chair comes crashing through the glass of the patio door. Found him. I sigh as I step through the shards of glass and out onto the patio. The crunching of the glass beneath my boots makes Knox turn to face me. His eyes flicker from green to gold as he fights his wolf for control. “She was out for a run,” he grits out through clenched teeth as he holds up a pair of yellow cotton shorts and a whit
Thea I groan as I work to open my eyes. My body feels heavy, and it tingles like it’s flooded with static. My head throbs as I blink repeatedly to clear my vision. I can barely hear the blurry figure that hovers above me, shaking me by the shoulders as they whisper. “Princess? Princess, please wake up already.” I try to lift my hand but am met with resistance. I hiss out in pain as a severe burning sensation circles my wrist. “Oh Princess, thank the Goddess! Don’t move. They have you in silver chains.” My vision clears enough that I can see the panicked face of Gamma Niko staring down at me. Wait, Gamma Niko? Why is he here? Where is here? My mouth feels so dry, cotton mouth almost seems like an understatement. I swallow harshly, trying to get the slightest bit of moisture to clear the way. “Ga, Gamma…wh…where….” I finally manage. “Shhhhh,” Niko says with wide eyes as he glances around. “You are at Golden Claw in the dungeon. A rogue brought you here at-” “My order.” A
Knox The dust kicks up behind me as my paws smack down harshly against the forest floor. My legs scream as I push myself to keep going. My legs are tired, hell, my whole body is tired, as I finally cross back into Onyx Ridge territory. I’ve been running this loop so much that I’ve worn in my own trail. My wolf is restless and I can’t sleep. Every time I walk up to my room, I pass Thea’s door, and it's just a reminder of how my security failed, how I failed to protect another she-wolf. Another she-wolf I care about. ‘I need you to come back to me.’ Her last words replay in my head constantly, fighting any other thought for dominance. Her light eyes, contagious smile, and soft features are there, staring back at me every time I close my eyes. I came back for her. Damnit, I came back! I owned up to my fucking feelings, and this is what I get? This is why I didn’t want a relationship. When I open myself up and let others in, I always get hurt. I can’t break what I don’t share.