ter

he faint scent of pine and earth. Below, the distant hum of the city bl

ng Dairon with his hands clasped behind his back, broa

ient whispers, where bloodlines of both man and beast had intertwine

Lycant

k's legacy-until it vanished from history. But some memories lingered like

le as Alpha, along with a responsibility

g beyond the realm of ordinary wolves. And Lucian had never stopped wo

cia

d gravelly, it belonged to his Beta, Tobias, whose heavy f

e," Tobias said as he stood with one

an hour ago." He added wai

ia..." Even the name stirred a weight in his chest, but n

ticipation or desire, Luci

ertaining Sylvia tonight,"

ou know what's at st

council believes this marriage will secure stability between our packs. A

at the head of the Northe

o a humorless smile. "Po

ucian bore its weight with every step he took back t

estate, a sprawling manor of dark stone and towering spires, golden l

as a symbol of centuries-old power stone walls draped i

ors. His presence commanded instant attention. Eyes turned toward him, pack members, elder

ure, Sylvia Claw stood near the grand fireplace, her plati

him. Not because of her beauty, many admired her delicate features and icy poise, but bec

she stepped beside him. Her silver-blonde hair fell in perfect waves

entire room had melted away. "I was beginning t

Lucian replied, h

said lightly, though a thread

council and the guests chattering. Silence

ny of your future mate." She reached out, her fingers gr

p back, though every fiber of h

good of our packs Sylvia," h

n be more between us." Sylvia said, her smile faltered, a flicker of something c

s heart, caged as it was by expectation, had long since accepted that it

ng, you know," Sylvia a

hieve together, the strength of the Black Lunar and Crescent Moon Packs comb

doesn't interest me, Sylvia.

eyes burned with something d

what it means to be an Alpha's mate, to stand besid

bond." His voice dropped to a g

ething I don't want," Lucian ad

o sure. The council won't allow you to refuse. They need this alliance to m

to lead my pack?" Hi

ow, but don't mistake compliance for surrender."

said with a sly smile, cool and confid

rble floor. The faint rustle of her silk dress faded into the ai

different fate stirred in the shadows of Dairon. And though Lucian couldn't yet see the

ng was

to the legacy his ancestors had