It was a feast fit for a king—platters of rare venison glistening with herb-infused butter, goblets of ruby wine catching firelight, and honey cakes dusted with cinnamon and sugar crystals that sparkled like diamonds.
The ancient oak dining hall echoed with laughter and heated debate as pack members devoured their meals, fangs occasionally glinting when someone threw back their head in raucous laughter.
At the head of the dining hall two thrones seated the Alpha Marcus and his soon-to-be Queen, Priya. They were enjoying the festivities as well hand-in-hand.
"When did Priya become a werewolf?" Ray asked Helena between mouthfuls of meat.
"I'm not sure." Helena said. "I did sense something different about her today."
"Enough of this!" Nina stood up from the table angrily.
Damien tried to stop her but she withdrew from his grasp. She made her way to the King and future Queen.
**
Jenna's vision swam with crimson. The battlefield stretched before her—a tapestry of carnage where werewolves and vampires tore at each other with savage desperation. Broken bodies lay contorted across trampled grass, their skin matted with mud and gore. The metallic scent of blood hung thick in the air, mingling with the acrid stench of fear and the low, guttural growls of those still fighting. In the distance, a lone wolf howled—a sound that pierced through the chaos like a silver blade through flesh.
That wolf was Marcus.
And on the other side was Kyle.
Jenna woke up in a cold sweat. She was still in her tent having been in a deep slumber. She had even missed the major announcement of that day.
Elliot woke up too. He was on a separate bed healing from Marcus's attack. "Where are you going?"
His sister was up and about. "To find Kyle and to stop this madness once and for all."
**
Marcus was in such a joyful mood he didn't notice the fury on his daughter's face.
"Hello Nina dear." Marcus said. "Here to welcome your stepmother-to-be?"
"For heaven's sake, Father!" Nina screamed.
The whole hall fell silent witnessing the drama unfold.
"She's your daughter's age." Nina continued. "Is she even a real wolf?"
The crowd gasped.
Priya showed Nina her shoulder. "I have your Father's mark. I will be Queen."
Nina took ahold of Priya's glass and threw wine at her face.
Marcus got up and slapped his daughter.
Damien tried to get up but Stephen pulled him back to his seat.
"Because of my fond memory of your Mother." Marcus said. "I will not banish you. But you must apologise to Priya."
Nina scoffed holding her cheek then walked away without uttering another word.
**
Helena and Stephen crossed the threshold of her parents' cottage, leaving behind the wild tension of pack politics. Inside, a fire crackled in the river-stone hearth, casting amber shadows across honey-colored oak beams. Handwoven tapestries depicting ancient forest scenes hung from walls the color of autumn bark. The air smelled of pine, cinnamon, and the lingering traces of her mother's herbal remedies—a stark contrast to the Moonwalker pack's tents with their perpetual scent of wet fur and dominance.
They were sitting on either side of the lounge sofa. Helena was writing in her diary while Stephen was lost in thought.
Dear Diary, Helena wrote.
I don't want to lose Stephen. I have already lost Damien to Nina. What should I do?
She wrote the last line as if the diary was an AI chat bot who could actually give her an answer to her dilemma.
"Look, Helena." Stephen said.
Helena put down the diary.
"I must be the one to sacrifice myself." He continued. "Damien is already married to Nina. He has a responsibility."
"What about us?" Helena asked.
"We're not married." Stephen explained. "We will find another way to be together again."
Helena started sobbing and Stephen comforted her. Cries slowly turn to warm kisses and they began to undress each other right there on the sofa.
They made love with desperate tenderness, their bodies moving together in the amber firelight. Every touch was a promise, every kiss a silent plea against the coming separation. As the shadows danced across their intertwined forms, Helena felt her wolf spirit rise within her—wild, untamed, claiming him as hers even as fate threatened to tear them apart.
**
The following night.
Helena was near the end of her shift at the diner. Two out-of-town male werewolves were seated at a table cracking obscene jokes. One of them slapped Helena on the ass.
"Wow, hottie!" The stranger exclaimed. "You've got a bright future behind you."
Both of the men started chuckling.
Helena was in no mood for that. She lifted the man by the collar of his shirt and threw him through the front door.
Manny ran toward the commotion.
I should have accepted Elliot's money for the door, Helena thought.