The kiss is soft at first, slow and needy, as if we’re both testing the waters. But then it deepens, and the world around us fades away. His hands hold onto my waist tightly, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulls me closer, making me gasp at how powerful his grip is...It’s not just a kiss—it’s everything we’ve been holding back, all the emotions we’ve tried to suppress spilling over in a single, heated moment...His lips move against mine with a hunger that matches my own, and my wolf howls in approval, urging me closer, deeper...But then reality crashes back in, and I remember where we are, what we’re supposed to be doing. With a shaky gasp, I pull back, breaking the kiss but not the connection between us.Octavius stares down at me, his eyes dark and intense, his chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath. “Kaida…” he starts, his voice low and rough, but I shake my head, taking a step back.“I—” I start to say something, anything to explain myself, but the words won’t come
The walk to see Victor is silent as I remain behind Octavius. He leads us forward while Miyuki, Samson and a few others trail behind us, including Lucas, Akando and Rafe as well as a few other pack warriors.We are taken through the same set of cells I was brought to when I was first captured, and I can't lie, being back here, puts me on edge as I remember how tense things were between Octavius and me when I first arrived here. in all honesty, I understand why he did what he did, given the history the Raven Moon Pack has with Rogues. I was one, and I was dangerous to them, still am...At least now, I'm just glad that we've been able to find some common ground and work towards a single goal, and that is finding Lucien.As we approach the lower levels of the packhouse, the air grows colder, heavier. The cells are hidden deep underground—a precaution against escape, not that Victor could make it far. The Raven Moon Wolves don't seem to play when it comes to restraints, I've seen that firs
The air in the room shifts as Victor’s grin widens, a sinister glint in his dark eyes. I’ve never wanted to punch someone so badly in my life, and considering my history, that’s saying something. He’s baiting us, every word an instrument used to push us closer to the edge. And I hate to say... it’s working.Victor’s gaze drifts back to me, his smile sharp and cruel. “You know,” he begins, his voice smooth and venomous, “I’ve heard the Xarano wolves were a proud bunch. Always holding their heads high, acting like they were untouchable. Until they weren’t.”At the mention of my pack, my chest tightens, and I clench my fists at my sides, my heartbeat suddenly picking up as I narrow my eyes on him. “Don’t you dare...” I warn, my voice low and trembling with barely restrained rage.But Victor doesn’t stop. Of course, he doesn’t stop. “I was there, you know..” he says, leaning forward just enough for the chains around his wrists to rattle. “The day it all came crashing down. The flames, the
The sound of our boots echoes through the narrow corridors as we make our way to the cells where the prisoner is being held. The air feels heavier here, cold and damp, like the walls are pressing in. I keep my focus on the task at hand, though I can’t help but glance at Octavius now and then, checking for any signs of discomfort. His movements are sharp and purposeful, showing no signs of pain from the injuries from a few hours ago, but I know better than to assume he’s entirely healed.When we finally reach the reinforced steel door, one of the guards opens it with a mechanical click, revealing the man inside.The first thing I notice is his posture. He’s sitting on the edge of the cot, his elbows resting casually on his knees, but there’s a tension in his body, a readiness that sets my wolf on edge. His tanned skin is marred by faint scars, and his dark brown hair is dishevelled, falling slightly into his golden eyes as he looks up at us.The second thing I notice is the way Miyuki f
The evening air is crisp as I step outside the packhouse, the sky painted in hues of deep orange and purple as the sun dips below the horizon. The day has been long to say the least. From fighting Lucien's wolves, to Octavius getting hurt, to interrogating the captives and finding out some valuable information.My mind is heavy with thoughts as I glance around me. The packhouse is lit with the faint sounds of the pack going about their evening routines in the distance, I finally have a moment to breathe.Or at least I think I do.The sound of footsteps crunching against the gravel pulls my attention. I turn to see Miyuki approaching, her expression slightly guarded but softer than usual as she scans me curiously. She carries a casual confidence, but there’s something in the way she holds herself tonight... something a little more vulnerable...“Hey,” she says, stopping a few feet away from me just as I turn my full attention to her.“Hey,” I reply, crossing my arms as I lean against a
The packhouse is silent after everything that transpired today, cloaked in the kind of stillness that only comes late at night. My room feels too small, too suffocating, as I pace back and forth, my heart racing for no reason I want to admit. I should a shower would help but all it did was leave me with thoughts I can’t control, thoughts of Lucien, his people, of Victor and his involvement, if we are ever going to find his father and bring him to justice…And of Octavius. I run a hand through my dark hair, frustrated at myself for the thoughts spinning in my head.Octavius….Even his name sends a shiver down my spine, and it infuriates me. I hate how much space he takes up in my mind, how just the memory of his voice, his touch, can unravel me. My wolf is restless, pacing in my head, urging me to do something, anything about the bond I feel towards him. She wants him, and unfortunately… so do I…It’s ridiculous. I shouldn’t care this much. But I do.Before I can second-guess myself, I
The room is silent except for the sound of our breaths, heavy and uneven, tangled with the fire burning between us. Octavius’ body hovers over mine, his skin warm and solid, his icy blue eyes burning into mine with a heat that steals my breath. His scent surrounds me, intoxicating and wild, and I can feel my wolf stirring beneath the surface, responding to his every touch, every whispered breath against my skin.His lips find mine again, slow and powerful, drawing a soft sound from my throat as I curl my fingers into the fabric of his shirt. His kisses deepen, pulling me under, and I arch against him without meaning to, lost in the overwhelming pull of him.“Kaida,” he breathes against my lips, his voice rough, strained, as though he’s barely holding himself back.I don’t answer, my thoughts a whirlwind of desire and confusion. My hands slide up his chest, feeling the strength beneath his skin, and I swear I can feel the rapid beat of his heart beneath my palm.He kisses me again, hard
My breath catches, and my heart skips a beat. I know what his words mean, what this gesture symbolises. It’s not just a claim—it’s a bond cemented forever in the eyes of wolves, permanent and unbreakable, something that ties us together in a way that goes beyond words, beyond instinct, beyond anything I’ve ever known.My wolf stirs inside me, her excitement rippling through my chest like a wildfire. She wants this—wants him—but my human side hesitates, tangled in a web of emotions I can’t quite untangle. Am I ready for this? Am I ready for him...?Octavius watches me closely, his icy blue eyes softened by something I can only describe as warmth. He doesn’t rush me. He doesn’t push. He simply waits, his presence calm enough to soothe my raging mind.“Are you sure?” I whisper, my voice trembling slightly as I look up at him and I don't think I've ever felt this vulnerable in my life.He doesn’t hesitate, his hand lifting to gently cup my cheek. His thumb brushes lightly against my skin,
K A I D AThe next day...The morning air is crisp and cool, but the warmth of exertion burns through my limbs as I strike again. We're training early today. Octavius thought it would be best for us to waste no time ensuring we are in our best shape for when we face our enemy again. My foot slams against the wooden training dummy with a satisfying crack, the force sending it rocking backwards. I don’t stop. I pivot, fists up, and launch a second kick before following it with a sharp jab, my knuckles connecting with the hardwood.“Again,” Octavius commands from nearby, his voice firm but calm.I don’t hesitate. I strike again. And again.Around me, the training grounds are alive with movement. Warriors from both Raven Moon and Xarano Packs push their bodies past their limits, training harder than they ever have before. The intensity in the air is powerful, heavy with determination, urgency, and something sharper... fear.We all know what’s coming.Lucien is out there. Planning. Watchin
K A I D AA thick silence settles over us as my words linger in the air. Jace and the others exchange glances, but no one speaks right away. I’m sure they’re all just taking in what I’ve just told them… that we need to find out what bloodlines they descend from.I press my lips into a firm line, scanning each of their faces. “We need to figure out which bloodlines we all come from,” I repeat, my voice calm but urgent once I notice their reactions. “This isn’t just about heritage anymore. If the royal families were the originals Lycans, and Lucien is actively hunting Lycans down, then we need to know what we’re up against.”Jace tilts his head slightly, arms still crossed over his chest. “And how do you suggest we do that? It’s not like we have some magical family tree lying around.”“I’ll figure it out,” I say confidently, determination settling in my bones. “I’ve already been looking into Lycan history, and if I dig deep enough, I might be able to find something that connects us to t
M I Y U K IThe afternoon air is crisp, cool against my skin as I walk toward the training field, needing a moment alone.Needing space.Ever since the meeting ended, my head has been filled with too many thoughts—Lucien, Lilith, the upcoming battle. Kaida’s revelation about the royal families. And… Cole.I clench my jaw, shaking my head as if I can physically rid myself of the thought.He’s a distraction.And I don’t do distractions.I hear him before I see him.“Hey, princess.”I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to stay composed before turning around. Cole leans lazily against one of the wooden posts at the edge of the field, arms crossed, smirking like he owns the place.He always looks like he belongs anywhere he goes.It’s infuriating.I exhale, levelling him with a sharp glare. “What do you want, Cole?”He presses a hand to his chest in mock offense. “What, I can’t come check on my favourite Gamma?”I roll my eyes. “I’m the only Gamma here.”“Exactly,” he says, grinnin
K A I D AI find Jace on the other side of the room, leaning against the table like they have all the time in the world. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think they were completely relaxed. But I do know better. Even with their casual stances, I can feel the tension hanging over them like a storm cloud. They’re on edge.And considering the conversation we’re about to have, I can’t really blame them.Jace notices me first, a slow smirk forming on his lips as I approach. “You really couldn’t do without getting on Octavius’ nerves?” I ask.He chuckles in response. “You say that like it’s a challenge. I think I've come to like getting under your mate's skin...”"One day he's going to snap and I won't be able to stop what he'll do to you." I tell him seriously just as I finally reach them, my expression being enough to tell them that I mean all business.“Fine, fine... backing off.” He says casually, pushing off the table and standing up straight, his arms crossing. “What’s on your mind?”
K A I D AOnce the meeting ends, everyone disperses around the room, some warriors leaving to go about their business while everyone else remains lingering behind, each of us discussing the meeting, and what each of us is going to do now. Warriors, strategists, and allies scatter in different directions, each preparing for the battle ahead. The Raven Moon Pack is on edge, and the Xarano Pack, though powerful, is still an unfamiliar presence among us...They are still my people, but I'm now with the Raven Moon, I'm Octavius' mate, therefore the Luna of this pack. But I can't help but think what will happen when this is all over...I exhale deeply, rubbing the back of my neck as I step outside the meeting hall, my mind spinning as I think of everything happening.So much is riding on this.Lucien. Victor. My sister... Korra.I clench my jaw, swallowing the wave of emotions threatening to choke me. There’s no room for fear. No room for doubt.But still… it feels like too much.A familiar
K A I D AThe tension in the air hasn't simmered down since with started. Though no one is exchanging words currently, there's still the underlying feeling of the people in the room not liking each other. I sit at Octavius’ right, my arms crossed as I scan the room. Jace and the Lycans from my pack sit across from us, their expressions watchful as they pay careful attention to what's happening.. Lucas, Miyuki, Samson, and Cole are seated closer to us, across the conference table. Octavius and I thought that would be the best way to keep the peace. And so far it seems to be remaining. My mind begins racing, as we draw closer to figuring out what the hell we're going to do about Lucien.We’ve lost too much already. Every single person sitting here. Lucien has given us all a reason to want him dead. He has done nothing but destroy... my pack, my family, and now my people here. The recent attack still lingers in the air, the memory of blood and loss gnawing at the edges of my mind. The p
K A I D AThe air inside the packhouse is heavy. Heavier than usual.Jace and his people have been led inside, and though Octavius has accepted their presence for now, the entire Raven Moon Pack remains on edge. The Raven Moon wolves don’t trust easily, and the sudden arrival of outsiders, especially ones as strong as the Lycans from the Xarano Pack—has every wolf in the room on high alert. We make our way into the large meeting hall within the packhouse, a place where we can discuss things a bit more freely. The room quickly fills up as we all station ourselves around it. The quiet hum of low conversations carries in the air, but it’s the kind of quiet that’s too sharp, too strained. I can feel it in the way the warriors stand rigid, their bodies poised to react at the slightest provocation, their eyes glued on Jace and his people. Even Lucas and Samson, usually so composed, keep their gazes locked on Jace’s group with barely restrained suspicion.And then the doors swing open.Cole
K A I D AThe cool morning air settles over Raven Moon’s territory as I stand beside Octavius, my heartbeat steady but alert. The presence of Jace and his people is unexpected, and though I trust him to an extent, I can’t ignore the tension that crackles in the air like a brewing storm.Around us, several high-ranking Raven Moon wolves stand at attention, their eyes sharp, their postures rigid. Lucas, Miyuki, and Samson flank Octavius and me, their gazes trained on the group in front of us. Though they don’t outwardly bare their fangs or emit threatening growls, I can sense the barely restrained aggression simmering beneath the surface. After all, Jace isn’t just anyone... he's risen to be the leader of the Xarano pack. Though he is not outright calling himself an Alpha, I know he's stepped up where people needed him, where my sister nor I couldn't. He helped rebuild my pack when we weren't there, and for that, I owe him the utmost respect. However, his sudden arrival leaves me feelin
K A I D AStepping out of Octavius' room feels like the most difficult thing I've had to do in my life. I shouldn't be this nervous, right? I mean, people mate all the time. Back at my pack, there seemed to even be celebrations when two people finally completed the mating process. Everyone could actually tell when two people have finally mated.Great... just great... Meaning everyone in the house is gonna know I had my guts rearranged the night before."Just relax..." I hear Octavius voice snap me out of my thoughts, and that's when I remember that he is standing right next to me, and has been walking beside me this whole time as we make our way downstairs. I know my thoughts are probably too loud, and he can properly hear them..."Yeah, exactly..." He answers outloud and I sigh out of frustrattion and embarrasment as I look over at him."How are you so calm about this... Everyone is gonna know what we were doing last night..." I whisper to him, holding onto his hand for support as w