All eyes were on him. The round table of Eric had grown silent and the silence persisted for a moment. Eric looked at him, surprisingly but that didn't stop him from taking a sip from his cup.“Yeah, I've changed my mind,” he said again, his voice firm. “She needs to be punished for her carelessness.” Leo's heart sank at his decision. His hands curled into fists beneath the tables, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. He wanted to speak, to defend her but there was no way he could do that, not when his father was around.But the rage inside him was unmistakable. Ethan, sensing his frustration, discreetly reached under the table and placed a steadying hand on Leo's clenched fist. He turned his head to notice Ethan and Ethan made a gesture in which he understood too well.Leo but his lip, his eyes flickered and landed on Aiden. They were locked on him. Inside he was boiling but he forced himself to stay composed.Isabella, seated next to Aiden, could barely hide her satisfacti
The hall was empty now, the echoes of footsteps fading into the distance as everyone filed out, leaving only Aiden and Leo at the round table. There was silence between them and it was heavy. Aiden remained relaxed while Leo sat rigid, his hands still clenched beneath the table. For a few moments, neither of them spoke. It was a standoff, both aware of the situation at hand but neither of them was willing to break the silence—not until Aiden did as he noticed the gesture Leo made to get Isabella out of the hall, including Ethan.“You've been dying to say something, Leo.” Aiden said, his voice low but sharp. His eyes flickered with amusement as he leaned back slightly in his chair. “So, go ahead. Say what you've got to say.” He raised his head to notice him. “Don't think I didn't see what you did back there.” Leo raised an eyebrow at his words but didn't respond immediately as he waited for him to explain better about what he had done as he had no idea what he was talking about.“I
Lucy stood in the doorway, she looked smaller somehow, shoulders set as if bracing herself against the weight of all those gazes that followed her every movement. Isabella, standing at her side, held her firmly, almost like someone who was to be condemned.Leo's gaze was fixed on her, his posture rigid, thoughts stirring like a tempest in his mind. She doesn't deserve this. The words rattled through him like a drumbeat. He'd once cast her aside, let her drift from his life as if she meant nothing. She's my mate, he thought, feeling the weight of that reality hit him with a familiar, unwanted pain. And now I can't even shield her from what's coming.The memory of his father's words flashed through his mind. Alpha Eric's cold decree: Lucy would be disciplined. Her status as a mere servant made it difficult to stand up for her in front of his father. Leo found himself helpless, his own standing stripped away, his fists clenched to hide the tremor in his hands.Why did I let it come to t
Lucy paused, feeling her heart skip a beat. Did she believe it? Standing here with him now, feeling the warmth radiate from his presence. It was hard to reconcile the image of him she'd been given with the man before her. And yet, doubt lingered, like an old shadow that resisted the light.“I… I don't know,” she finally whispered, her words honest and trembling. “But it's hard to imagine… it's hard to believe…” Her voice faded, unable to find the right words. Her hands fidgeted, her fingers twisting together as if they could somehow ground her.He took a step closer, so close now that she could feel the warmth of him, his presence like a fire’s gentle heat in the coldness of the hall. Gently, his hands reached for her shoulder, his touch steady but was feather light.“Lucy,” he said softly, his voice like a balm against the uncertainty swirling inside her. “What they say about me… I suppose there's truth to it… I haven't been… kind, not always. But it doesn't mean I am incapable of ca
The door opened wide and the heavy sound of boots echoed off the stone floors as Leo entered the hall. He paused at the threshold, his gaze sweeping the room, searching for a sign of what had passed between them. Aiden sat calmly at the round table, fingers resting lightly on the wood, his expression as unreadable as ever. Across the room, Lucy stood with her head bowed, her posture still but tense, as if she were bracing herself.Leo felt a surge of frustration tightening his fists, questions swirling like the storm clouds in his mind. What did you do to her, Aiden? he wondered, anger rising like bile in his throat. He knew his Father's decree was beyond challenge—Aiden had been given free rein, yet Leo had held onto some stubborn hope that perhaps Aiden's arrival would spare Lucy from punishment. But seeing her now, silent and bowed, he felt his insides churn with a darker suspicion. How could she stand just there, as if she were nothing more than a piece in some twisted game? Who
The memory came rushing back to Leo, unhidden, a night painted in the vivid hues of shame and fury. It was the tournament season, the annual test of strength, strategy and dominance that determined the pecking order among the younger wolves of the pack. Leo had trained for months, his every waking moment dedicated to proving himself to his father. But when the final match ended, it was Aiden who stood victorious, his name resounding in cheers as he was crowned the winner.Leo stood in the arena, his breath shallow and uneven, his body bruised and bloodied. His father's gaze burned into him, a mixture of disappointment and expectations. Yet, Leo couldn't meet his eyes. He'd failed.Aiden, on the other hand, was radian in his triumph. The young Lycan exudes confidence, his smirk a dagger aimed at anyone who dares challenge his dominance. And with his victory came the privilege: the right to pass judgment on behalf of the pack.It began almost immediately. A group of rogues has been cap
The air outside was heavy with tension, the kind that settled like a storm cloud waiting to break. Isabella's voice rose sharply, cutting through the quiet as she stood in front of Lucy. Her arms were crossed and her face was a mix of frustration and barely veiled contempt.“You think you're special now, don't you?” Isabella sneered, stepping closer to Lucy, her tone harsh. “Just because you spent a few moments with Aiden there without any scratch? Don't think for a second that it makes you untouchable. I know all about you, Lucy. About how you faint, how you're too weak to handle even the simplest tasks.”Lucy flinched, keeping her gaze low. Isabella's words stung but she didn't dare respond.“I should put you back in the laundry room,” Isabella continued, her voice dropping with contempt. “You remember what it was like, don't you? Long hours, the heat, the endless piles of clothes. Maybe that would remind you where you belong.”Lucy's hands trembled at her sides, but clenched them i
The words hung in the air for a moment before Isabella straightened and began pacing slowly across the room, her voice hardening with each word. “It was a gathering of the packs. A treaty meeting, they called it. Aiden was already a leader in every sense of the word. As a Lycan and with his achievements in different contests with different contestants from different packs, his father had given him authority over several matters—touch authority if you ask me.” She stopped, her back to Lucy. “But then again, who would dare question him?”Lucy swallowed, her fingers twitching in her lap.“There was a rogue,” Isabella continued, turning her face to her. “A woman who had been caught stealing food from the camp. She was older, frail, and clearly desperate. She claimed she had cubs to feed, though no one had seen them. Most of us would've handed her over to her pack, let them seal with it. But not Aiden.”Isabella's eyes narrowed as if she could still see the scene playing out in front of h
Aiden and his men clashed fiercely with Leo's warriors. The sound of fists hitting flesh and the clang of claws echoes through the night. Aiden moved swiftly, striking down anyone who came near him. His strength was unmatched, but the numbers were against him.Leo stood back, watching the fight with cold eyes. A twisted smile played on his lips as she saw his men overpowering Aiden’s men one by one. Soon, only Aiden remained.Despite being alone, Aiden refused to back down. He had already taken down dozens, his movements sharp and precise, but the endless wave of enemy wore him down. Though he breathed heavily and his muscles ached, he didn't stop fighting.Leo's men surrounded him, moving in from every direction. Two of them threw a thick chain around his arm, another around his legs. Aiden struggled but more chains came. They pulled tight, dragging him to the ground. He tried to break free but the weight of the chains and the force of the guards holding them pinned him in place.Leo
Leo stood in his room, his hands clenched into fists as he stared blankly at the wall. His mind raced when the thoughts of the fight. The shame of losing to Aiden, openly, burned inside him, twisting his pride into rage.The door suddenly flew open with a loud creak. Alpha Eric stepped inside, his face was cold with anger. His sharp gaze pierced through the room as he slammed the door shut behind him.“What was that?” His voice sounded harsh. “You had the upper hand! How then did you lose to him?”Leo remained quiet, refusing to answer. Eric took a step closer, his frustration growing.“What did you do? You cheated, right?$ he hissed. “I know you did. You poisoned him—and still, you lost.”Leo didn't flinch. His heart pounded harder. “Answer me!” Eric snapped, raising his hand. Before Leo could react, a sharp slap struck his face, the sting echoing through the room.Leo slowly turned his head back to face his father, his eyes burning with anger. He had endured enough—his father's dis
Eric leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing. “Go on,” he allowed, his tone curious.Aiden didn't pause. “If I win against Leo,” he smiled. “I will take Lucy, the maid that held my hands back there with me.”For a moment, there was silence. The words hung heavy in the air, and the crowd exchanged confused glances. No one had expected such a demand, especially not for a maid. Isabella, who had been sitting quietly, stood up in an instant. A wide smile stretched across her face as excitement flashed in her eyes. If Aiden won and took Lucy away, it would solve everything. Lucy would no longer be a threat to her. But then, is it the best option… what would happen with her and Leo? She thought. And as for Leo, the request struck a nerve. His smile faded as he marched toward his father. Leaning close to Eric, he lowered his voice, hoping no one else would hear.“Don't agree to it,” he hissed frustration clear in his tone. “You can't let him take her.”Alpha Eric remained still for a mome
Aiden moved fast, charging straight at Leo. His fist swung towards him but Leo was quicker. He dodged Aiden's punch and struck back with a hard blow to his side. Without giving him a chance to recover, Leo landed another punch on his chest, then his ribs, hitting him from every direction.Each strike pushed Aiden back, weakening him more. Leo's eyes gleamed with victory as he spun and delivered a powerful hook to Aiden's jaw. The force lifted Aiden off his feet. His body twisted in the air before he crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.Dust rose where he fellz and the sound echoed across the field. He landed close to where Lucy and Marie stood. Lucy's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at his body. Around her, the crowd roared in excitement.Their voices filled the air, chanting Leo's name over and over again. Some clapped, others cheered loudly, praising their future Alpha.Eric leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile. He clapped his hands together, proud of his son
The field was crowded with pack members. The full moon hung high above, casting a pale glow over the open space. Excitement and tension filled the air as everyone waited. But the one person they had expected—Luna Ava— was still not there. Murmurs spread through the crowd, quiet questions hanging without answers. Alpha Eric sat at the head of the gathering, his face calm but his fingers drumming lightly against the arm of his chair. His sharp gaze swept over the field, but there was no sign of her. The longer he waited, the heavier the silence became.A figure moved toward him—a guard, stepping close enough that only Eric could hear. He bent his head and whispered something quickly. Whatever the words were, they made Eric's expression tighten. He gave a slow nod before standing up, his towering form commanding everyone's attention. The noise faded as the pack focused on him. “The Luna will not be joining us anymore.” his voice rang out. “There are matters to be handled elsewhere and
Evening settled iber the pack, casting a warm glow as the sun dipped low behind the distant hills. The air buzzed with energy—laughter echoed through the open fields, the scent of roasted meat drifted from the kitchen and every wolf seemed eager for the celebration that would soon begin. Lanterns hung from the trees, flickering softly as pack members hurried about, preparing for the night ahead.Meanwhile, Leo stood near a pole inside the main hall, his sharp gaze scanning the royals, the elders and other representatives from other packs. He had been searching for Ethan, but there was no sign of him. Frustration flickered in his chest as he swept his eyes across the familiar faces—men in black exchanging quick words, young wolves chasing one another in playful bursts, the elders speaking quietly among themselves—but not the one person he needed to see.He sighed quietly, shifting his focus toward the center of the hall. And there he was, that was when he noticed him—Aiden.He was dres
Leo walked with heavy steps, his fists clenching tighter with each stride. The sun was higher now, warming the air, but the heat inside him burned hotter. Isabella's words played over and over in his mind—Lucy was the wolf. And Aiden was there with her.He had suspected something was off for a while. Aiden's movement has always been too careful, too quiet. But without proof. It was nothing more than a feeling. Now, there was no doubt left. Aiden had been helping Lucy and without doubt was the one who unlocked her wolf. He had done it right under his nose, in his pack without leaving a single trace. Leo's jaw tightened as he thought about the night he had smelled blood on Aiden's fingers. He had brushed it off then, convincing himself it couldn't be Lucy. After all, she wasn't supposed to be out of her room. But now, it all made sense. Aiden had been watching her and protecting her this entire time. And what had he been doing—that got him angry as he wished it should be him doing all
The sun hung high in the sky, casting light over the pack's territory and inside her room. Isabella sat on the edge of her bed, her hands gripping the sides tightly. Her mind raced as she replayed everything she had seen the night before—the wolf, the way its growl had echoed through the woods and how right in front of her, it had shifted back into a human. But not just anyone. Lucy.The name twisted inside her like a thorn. Lucy was supposed to be gone. Dead. she had made sure of it when she sent those useless Omegas to handle it. Yet, here she was—alive and stronger than before. That wolf… it was no ordinary shift. Isabella had never heard a wolf growl like that—not even the strongest warriors in the pack. The power in Lucy's growl which was able to shake the trees even the pack itself was in itself stronger. It was different and intense and it made her heart pound.If Lucy was alive, what else had she survived? Had Aiden been protecting her all this time?A shiver ran down her at t
Lucy's eyes burned bright red as she stared at the figure that was distant from her. Her body was still tense, her claws digging deep into the ground, creating marks and shapes as they made contact. The air around her felt somehow heavy, thick with threat and danger. Aiden knew she was thinking straight—her wolf had taken over. Her wolf had never been let out and now that it had, everything around it felt like a threat… she wouldn't want to go back to that state where her wolf was locked.The figure standing a short distance away trembled, her hands shaking by her sides. It was Isabella. Aiden recognized her scent before his eyes fully adjusted. She stood frozen, her face a pale-like color and her mouth slightly open as if she wanted to speak but could not.“Who is that?” she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible. Aiden could hear the confusion in her tone, the disbelief. She didn't know who or what she was looking at. But sure, she could tell it was something differen