Chapter 32: DefianceLyraeus’ POV: As the last attacker fled into the darkness, I stood amidst the carnage, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My eyes tracked the movement of the feeling figure, a snarl curling my lips. The thought of Aria being in danger was what woke me out of my prolonged sleep. I had searched for her when I woke up but couldn’t find her, nor could I find Ryker. I had felt the need to rest my mind feeling that they might have gone out together but the lingering feeling of her being in danger called me out to the woods. I knew who would have the audacity to attack Aria, who would be ruthless enough to use wolf’s bane. My suspicions pointed to one person, but now was not the time to hunt down the perpetrator. Now, I needed to tend to Aria.I turned back to her, my fierce softening as I knelt beside her still form. Blood trickled from the wounds on her side, and her breathing was shallow, each breath a painful rasp. I carefully gathered her into my arms, my touch ge

Chapter 34: Tyranny’s GripEliana’s POV:I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers absently tracing the intricate patterns on the bedspread. My heart was a whirlwind of emotions. I had just discovered that I was pregnant, and the news had filled me with a sense of joy and hope I hadn’t felt in a long time.I placed a hand on my stomach, feeling the faintest hint of life growing within me. This child was a new beginning, a chance to build something pure and beautiful amidst the chaos that had become our lives. As I was lost in thought, the door creaked open and Kael walked in. His presence was imposing, his aura one of authority and control. I stood up, my heart racing. This was the moment I had been both anticipating and dreading. “Kael,” I began, my voice steady but soft. “I have something important to tell you.”He looked at me, his expression unreadable. “What is it, Eliana?”“I’m pregnant,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “We’re going to have a baby.”For a moment, there wa

Chapter 36: Traitor in the ShadowsKael’s POV: The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the pack’s settlement. I sat in my chamber, a goblet of wine in my hand, my mind clouded with thoughts of the pack’s unrest. The famine, the whispers of rebellion, and the visions of Aria—they all weighed heavily on me. As I sipped my wine, a knock echoed through the room, startling me from my reverie. “Enter,” I commanded, my voice echoing off the stone wall. An elder stepped into the room, his hood pulled low over his face. He moved with a quiet grace, his presence both unsettling and familiar. I narrowed my eyes, trying to discern his identity.“Alpha,” he greeted, his voice a low murmur. “Who are you?” I demanded, leaning forward in my chair. “And what do you want?”The elder chuckled softly, the sound sending a chill down my spine. “I am but a shadow, a whisper in the night. I come with a message, a warning.”“A warning?” I repeated, skepticism lacing my tone. “Yes,” the e

Chapter 38: Fragile BondAria’s POV: The moon hung low in the sky as Lyraeus and I made our way back to his hideout. The mission had been a painful reminder of the suffering my people endured, and the tension between us had only grown thicker. We walked in silence, the weight of our unspoken words pressing down on us like a heavy shroud. When we finally arrived, it was well past midnight. The area was quiet, the flickering light of the dying fires casting long shadows. Ryker was waiting for us, his keen eyes taking in every detail of our return. “You’re late,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “We had to be careful,” Lyraeus replied, his tone curt. “There was a lot to see.”Ryker nodded, his gaze shifting between us. “I can sense something’s off between you two. What happened?”Before I could speak, Lyraeus stepped forward. “It’s nothing, Ryker. Just…differences of opinion.”Ryker raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Differences of opinion? You two are supposed to be a team. If

Chapter 40: Indiscretions Kael’s POV: The sun had barely risen when I received the urgent message from my intel. The words scrawled on the parchment were enough to make my blood run cold: “Aria is alive. I’ve seen her face to face.” I crushed the note in my fist, my mind racing. Aria, the girl I had once loved and betrayed, had somehow survived the attack I had orchestrated. She was a threat to everything I had built. She had to be dealt with—again. I strode through the castle hills, my steps echoing ominously. The scent of power and fear clung to the air, a testament to the grip I held over the Blood Moon Pack. But now, that grip was being threatened. As I reached my chambers, my mind replayed the message over and over. Aria’s survival complicated everything. If she had allies, she could rally them against me. And with her knowledge of the pack’s weaknesses, she could strike us where it hurt the most. I needed to act quickly. Aria’s presence meant she was likely plotting her