Beta MarcusI pace the length of my office, my footsteps echoing off the walls like the ticking of a time bomb. My blood boils with each passing second, the rage within me threatening to erupt like a volcano. The last report I received plays over and over in my mind, taunting me with its insufficiency.Unable to find Diana. The words mock me, fueling my anger to new heights."Incompetent fools!" I roar, sweeping my arm across my desk. Papers and trinkets crash to the floor, the sound doing little to satisfy the fury coursing through my veins.For weeks, I've had that little bitch running like a hunted animal. The bounty I placed on her head should have been more than enough incentive for every lowlife and scoundrel to turn her in. I had been so close, the net slowly closing around her. I could almost taste my revenge, imagining the exquisite pain I would inflict upon her.But now? Nothing. She's vanished like smoke in the wind.My fist connects with the wall, leaving a sizable dent in
Diana When I wake up the next morning, I am alone in bed. I stretch languidly and curl up in satisfaction. The events of last night begin to replay in my mind and a grin splits my face. I have another mate! Better than the other one too! And he actually wants me. He LIKES me! I cover my mouth and giggle out loud. He says that not even the gods can make him let me go. I squeal and roll in bed, making a mess out of my hair and tangling myself in the sheets, but I’m too giddy to care. He had held me so tenderly too, his words of unwavering devotion echoing in my heart. The memory of his fierce declaration - that he would never reject me, that I was his and his alone - sends a delightful shiver down my spine. He’s so handsome… and strong… and dominant… a dreamy sigh escapes me and I’m glad that I’m alone because I can imagine how silly I must look right now. When I finally force myself to calm down. I sigh again… but this time in disappointment… I miss him already… I look
DianaMy heart racing, I turn towards the voice. A young man stands at the entrance, holding a box that immediately draws gasps and whispers from the patrons. The air in the diner seems to thicken with curiosity and anticipation.Carefully, I make my way to the counter, trying to maintain a calm, collected facade despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach and my hands shaking. Each step feels deliberate, as if I'm walking through a dream."I... I'm Diana," I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper, betraying my nervousness.The delivery man's eyes light up, a friendly smile spreading across his face. "Great! These are for you." He hands me a medium-sized box, wrapped in simple brown paper. The package itself is unassuming, but it's what sits atop it that catches my eye - a single flower, its delicate petals a stark contrast to the plain wrapping.This time, it's a white flower that sort of reminds me of a rose. However, it has smaller petals, more rounded and layered, creating
DianaFootsteps come closer, and a figure appears. "Everyone's whispering about how you received a gift. I had to come see it for myself," Ellen's voice rings out, curiosity and excitement evident in her tone.I flush as I look up to see her grinning face. Her eyes land on the flower in my hand, and they round before she clasps her hands in front of her chest."Oh my! A white camellia," she gushes, her excitement infectious. "That's so cute!" She giggles, and I feel a mixture of embarrassment and pride swelling within me.She then looks at me with an excited glimmer in her eyes. "You know what a white camellia means in the language of flowers, right?"I shake my head in a daze, my mind struggling to keep up with this new information. Flowers have a language?"It means that the person who sent them thinks you're adorable," Ellen explains, sighing dreamily. "Young love," she murmurs before walking away, leaving me to process this new revelation.I look at the flower, this time with new e
DianaSometimes, when I go out, I'm stopped by random strangers with a gift, "from Dominicus." I'd go for a walk, and when I pass a bakery, the owner would rush out with a smile and hand me a box of freshly baked macarons or artisanal chocolates.When I go to the markets for groceries, they never take my money. Always, it's a knowing look with a, "It's been paid for, Miss Diana," and I find myself at a loss for words.Once, I was walking by a park when I was stopped by the most adorable little boy with missing teeth. With the most serious face he could muster, he said he was given a job to pass a message to Miss Diana. He handed me a beautifully crafted wooden puzzle box. With it came a note in a handwriting I would recognize anywhere now: "Use this to amuse yourself. Don't only be focused on working all the time."That day, I broke down in the park and sobbed my heart out. Not from sadness, but from a deep, overwhelming joy. I have never been so touched in my life.I've received the m
Alpha Magnus I stand before the full-length mirror in my spacious bedroom, adjusting my tie with practiced precision. The silk slides smoothly through my fingers as I tighten the knot, a perfect Windsor. Today is no ordinary day; we're expecting a delegation from another pack, and appearances matter.As I shrug on my tailored suit jacket, a sharp knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. "Enter," I command, my voice steady and authoritative.A young Gamma steps in, bowing his head slightly. "Alpha, the delegation from the Plena Luna Pack has arrived. Alpha Darius is among them."I nod, my face impassive. "I've heard. I'll be there shortly."Without another word, I stride out of my bedroom, my footsteps echoing through the halls of the pack house. The Gamma scurries after me, struggling to keep pace with my long strides.As I approach the conference room, I can sense the tension in the air. I push open the heavy oak doors, revealing a room filled with my most trusted pack members. My
Alpha Magnus The world around me blurs as I struggle to comprehend what just transpired. Natasha Silvanus, the woman I had chosen to stand by my side, had just uttered a word that shattered everything I had planned. Mate. The word echoes in my mind, a cruel taunt that mocks my carefully laid plans. I've known Natasha for years. Daughter of Alpha Lucien Silvanus, she comes from a bloodline of powerful Alphas. Her beauty is matched only by her strength and intelligence. I've seen her take on pack warriors twice her size and emerge victorious, a feral grin on her face. She exudes confidence and raw sexuality that draws others to her like moths to a flame. In my mind, she was the perfect Luna. Strong enough to lead my men, but not strong enough to challenge me. The only reason she wasn't next in line to be Alpha of her own pack was the cruel twist of fate that saw her born after her elder brother, who manifested the Alpha gene first. But in every other way, she was an Alpha thro
Alpha Magnus The cool night air does little to soothe the inferno raging within me. I stand on the balcony, my hands gripping the metal balustrade so tightly that it bends under my strength. The conference room I left ten minutes ago lies in ruins, a testament to the fury that had consumed me. Now, as I stare out into the darkness, my mind races with thoughts of betrayal and vengeance. The sound of the office door opening breaks through my brooding. Footsteps approach, and I don't need to turn to know who it is. Her scent, once a comfort, now only serves to stoke the embers of my anger. My jaw clenches, muscles working beneath the skin as I fight to maintain control. Natasha comes to stand beside me, her presence a mix of familiar and foreign. The nervousness and uneasiness radiating from her are palpable, filling the space between us with an uncomfortable tension. "Magnus," she begins softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know you're angry, but we need to talk about th
Alpha MagnusThe room is silent except for my ragged breathing. Shards of wood and splintered furniture litter the floor, a testament to yet another fit of rage I couldn’t contain. My office, once the picture of authority and control, looks like the aftermath of a hurricane. Papers lie scattered, walls bear the scars of thrown objects, and the desk I’ve destroyed for the fifth time is a heap of splinters.The anger and frustration gnaw at me, unrelenting, a beast I can’t cage. Ever since the Council hearing… no, ever since she walked away with him, I’ve been like this. Unstable. Volatile. A shadow of the Alpha I once was.The pack feels it, of course. They’re on edge, walking on eggshells around me. The silence in the halls is deafening, broken only by hurried whispers and the occasional sound of someone fleeing my vicinity. I’ve heard it in their voices, seen it in their eyes—they’re afraid of what I’ve become. The mighty Alpha Magnus, reduced to this.The plan was simple: deal with
DianaI adjust the loose clothes Dominicus had me wear—perfect for movement, he’d said—and glance at him.He stands a few paces ahead, his eyes locked on mine, the seriousness in his gaze making my stomach tighten. There’s no teasing smirk or gentle humor in his expression today. This is all business.“Previously, you mastered how to control your strength,” he begins, his deep voice steady, filling the quiet field. “You’ve learned how to hold back so you don’t hurt yourself or others. That was step one.” He pauses, his gaze unwavering. “But now it’s time to move on.”I nod, swallowing hard. This is what I’ve been waiting for—what I need.Taking a slow step toward me, he continues,“you need to learn how to use your strength. Restraint is important, but strength without direction is useless. It can make you a liability—to yourself and others. Even an Alpha, no matter how strong, can be brought down by a weaker opponent if they have training and you don’t.”His words settle heavily in my
DominicusThe torch flickers again, casting long shadows across the cell. I turn my head slightly, my lips curling into a snarl.Marcus died too quickly. Too easily. I should have slowed it down, tortured him some more- I should have prolonged his suffering. I fucking went too easy on him!Rage wells up inside me, my eyes tinging blue as my wolf stirs, threatening to surface. My fists clench, and I force myself to breathe deeply, steadying the storm within.I lean back against the cells behind me. And wait.It isn’t until a full hour later that Billy’s episode subsides. The once-raging wolf now slumps limp against the cold, damp wall. His head hangs low, his breathing shallow but steady. For a moment, the only sounds in the prison are the faint drip of water in the distance and his labored breaths.I don’t say a word as I watch him. There’s no need. He needs this moment to gather himself, to pull whatever fragments of clarity he has left together. I remain where I am, leaning casuall
Dominicus As I stand in the dim cell, staring at the broken man before me, my jaw tightens. His disheveled appearance, the trembling in his limbs, the chains biting into his flesh —it all cements the truth of the phone call I received days ago. The words replay in my head, clear as day. Flashback "And who was it?" I demand, my voice sharp. "An acquaintance of yours. Billy Myricks." "Billy?" I repeat, the name echoing in my mind. My thoughts immediately go to the man I saw at the Council hearing-sturdy, protective, and kind-hearted. It makes sense. Somehow, it makes too much sense. "Find a way to get me in touch with him. Immediately," I order, my grip on the phone tightening. The response is calm, almost too calm. "I anticipated that, Alpha. That's why l've already reached out to Gamma Billy." My irritation flares. "You've overstepped. That wasn't your order." The reply is polite but edged with subtle amusement. "Wasn't that going to be your next order though
Dominicus My footsteps are the only sound, crunching against the forest floor as I walk deeper into a place I rarely visit. I don't shift. There's no need. My steps are measured, deliberate, the journey giving me time to temper my thoughts. The ancient structure looms before me, old, nostalgic, and hauntingly beautiful- the ruins of my old home. The moonlight slipping through the dense canopy in silvery streaks cast a glow on the structure and I let myself take a moment to take it in. But this is not what I came for tonight. I turn and take another path to the right and walk deeper. The trees grow denser, the underbrush thicker, until the landscape opens to reveal a dark, moss-covered structure buried deep in the earth. The entrance is a jagged, weathered doorway that leads underground, the faint scent of damp stone and decay wafting up as I descend the narrow, winding steps. The Prison, or as the pack kids used to like calling it- the Dungeon- hasn't been used in nearly a centu
DianaFor the next hour, I sit curled up in Dominicus’s lap, his arms wrapped around me, holding me securely against him. At some point, he lit a fire in the fireplace so the room is warm and toasty. The room is quiet, save for the soft sound of our breathing. The warmth of his chest against my back lulling me.I sluggishly replay his words over, trying to come to terms with everything I’ve just learned. My mother… brave and desperate, staggering into Zervos territory with two newborns in her arms. What were her thoughts during her last moments? Was she scared? Angry? I wonder what she looked like. Do I look like her or like my father. My father… what kind of person was he? What kind of Alpha was he? Castellanos… a name I never knew carried such weight. A pack that might not even exist anymore.My chest tightens as my thoughts shift, unbidden, to Apollo. My twin. My blood. The boy I once clung to for comfort. The boy who abandoned me time and time again.I blink back the sting of tea
DianaOur eyes meet, and I see it—the same grim conclusion reflected in his golden gaze.Only if they’re all dead.The words echo in my mind, cold and final. A shiver runs down my spine as the weight of that possibility presses against my chest.After all, isn’t that what happened to Dominicus’s pack?But the Amadeus pack… that had been a singular, devastating incident. Could there really be another pack that suffered the same fate of being wiped out completely?Dominicus doesn’t speak. His jaw clenches tightly, his expression unreadable. I know he’s thinking it too, even if he doesn’t say it out loud.Finally, the silence becomes too much. My voice is soft, but it trembles with conviction. “The only way… would be if they’re all gone.”He looks at me sharply, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. “We can’t be sure,” he says, his tone strained. “Maybe there’s some other… extenuating circumstance. Something we can’t imagine.”But even as he says the words, I can tell he doesn’t
Diana“They weren’t like the Amadeus,” he says. “Where my pack was blessed with overwhelming physical strength, agility, and reflexes, they were… ordinary. At least in terms of strength.”“Then what made them important?”He shakes his head. “I don’t know. But whatever it was, it was vital. So vital that they went into hiding to protect it.”“Hiding?”“They erased their existence from history. No one knew where they were, not even the Amadeus Alphas. It was said they held the key to the survival of the supernatural world—and perhaps even the human one.”I stare at him, trying to wrap my mind around it. “But wouldn’t it have been safer for them to stay with the Amadeus? To have your pack protect them?”“No,” Dominicus says firmly. “Who’s to say even the most honorable wolves couldn’t be corrupted one day? If an Amadeus decided to take what they had, who would protect them then? They couldn’t take that risk. So they hid.”My voice is barely a whisper as I ask, “What was the name of this
DianaHe takes a deep breath, his hold on me tightening just a fraction. “I had someone investigate your past,” he begins, his voice steady but low. “Specifically, how you came to the Zervos pack.”My heart skips a beat, and I stare at him in confusion. “Came to the Zervos pack?”I wasn’t originally from there?!He nods, his gaze unwavering. “I also found out about your mother.”The words hit me like a jolt, and I’m suddenly very aware of my own heartbeat. My parents…I’ve always known they were gone. Orphans don’t hold onto fantasies of reunions with parents they’ve never known. But to hear him say it so plainly—to bring them into focus as real people, not just vague figures—makes my chest ache.“What did you find out?” I ask hesitantly.He’s quiet for a moment, as if weighing how much to say. Finally, he speaks. “Your mother appeared at the Zervos pack twenty years ago. She was gravely injured, carrying two newborn babies—you and your twin brother.”Apollo.That name brings a rush o