The rebellious daughter of the alpha Madison, seventeen, is the only daughter of Logan Storm, the most respected Alpha in the region and the chief of the silver crescent. Lea, the partner of Logan and Madison's mother, is an ambassador who travels the world to represent their packs with other clans, which often leads him to be far from his family. Madison, whose rebellious character is as strong as that of her father, desperately tries to draw their attention, not hesitating to put himself in dangerous situations, to the great dismay of his father. After an attempted Madison kidnapping by Rivaux de la Meute, Logan decides to hire Caleb, a former warrior of trust, to become his bodyguard. Madison, irritated by this constant monitoring, does everything to escape and challenge him. However, Caleb gradually discovers real Madison: a young wolf full of potential and sweetness that only needs attention and tenderness. Against all expectations, he begins to develop feelings for her, although he had to fight to keep his distance and honor his duty. For his part, Madison finds himself attracted by his protector and will do everything to be with Caleb, even if his father opposes it because of their difference in status within the pack. A forbidden love was then born between them, between attraction, loyalty, and the strict rules of the pack.
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
Chapter 1
The full moon bathed the sky in a silver glow, casting shadows across the dense forest that surrounded the Storm home. A light breeze shook the branches of the fir trees and carried with it the sounds of the night, the distant cries of wild animals, the rustling of leaves. But for Madison, it was more than just a backdrop. This forest was both her refuge and her playground, the place where she felt free, far from prying eyes and expectations.
That evening, she walked along a familiar path, the hood of her sweatshirt pulled up to hide her long brown hair that twirled in the wind. His shoes barely made a sound on the damp moss. She needed this solitude, this escape, even though she knew very well that her father, Logan, would not approve of such a nighttime adventure. But it was stronger than her. As soon as she set foot outside, she felt an almost wild energy coursing through her, an energy that she did not always control but which constantly called to her.
"Always watching... Always telling me what to do, what to think..." she whispered, tapping her foot on a stone.
She sighed, her face raised to the moon. She loved her father, of course, and she knew he loved her too, but sometimes it seemed to her that Logan was forgetting who she was, that she was no longer a little girl, but a young woman of ten- seven years old with dreams and desires for adventure. Yet every day he tightened his grip, smothering her freedom under layers of rigid attention and overprotectiveness. She knew that he looked at her through the prism of her role as Alpha, that he saw in her not only his daughter but also the heir to the Silver Crescent pack. Maybe that was the problem: Logan treated her more like a future Alpha to be molded than like a teenager who just needed to live.
She stopped for a moment, stroking a rough trunk. This forest was her land, her secret domain, the place where she could get rid of this weight, feel like herself. She was perfectly aware that her rebellious behavior often put her at odds with Logan, but she couldn't help but search for her limits, to test how far she could go. It was like an irrepressible need to defy him, as if proving her independence also meant proving to her father that she was capable of protecting herself.
She quickened her pace, heading deeper into the woods, her heart pounding with excitement mixed with a slight sense of danger. At that moment, she heard a noise in the bushes, a crack that echoed in the surrounding silence. Instinctively, she froze, her senses on alert.
"Who's there?" » she whispered, although no one could hear her.
She had grown up knowing the secrets of the forest, the footprints left by wolves' paws, the scent of pine trees and damp moss. But this sound was not familiar. She suppressed a wave of fear, forcing herself to remember that she was a wolf, a daughter of Alpha, and that she had to be stronger than what was expected of her.
But as she advanced cautiously, she suddenly felt a presence nearby, a breath, a shadow sliding between the trees. Her survival instinct took over and she started running, her heart racing. She didn't even know what she was running from, but she felt an indefinable danger, an icy shiver running down her spine.
She ran without stopping until she finally saw the glow of her home in the distance, the vast Storm mansion standing proudly in the center of the clearing. His ragged breathing lifted his chest, and his heart pounded against his chest. She burst through the door, slamming violently behind her, her footsteps echoing in the entrance hall.
Logan was waiting for him, his arms crossed, his face closed. His piercing gaze passed through her, and she immediately felt the electricity in the air. He didn't even have to speak for her to understand that he was furious.
"Madison..." His voice was cold, full of reproach.
She stopped abruptly, avoiding his gaze, but she could feel the weight of his eyes on her, like a flame burning. She took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself for the confrontation.
"Where have you been?" » he asked in a low, but terribly firm voice.
She finally met his gaze, a mixture of defiance and weariness in his eyes.
"I...I needed some air." » She shrugged as if that justified everything, but she knew it wasn't enough of an excuse for him.
"Air? » Logan frowned, his gaze growing even darker. "Madison, do you realize how insane that was? Walking alone at night, when there are enemies everywhere, when threats weigh on us? Do you want to end up getting attacked? »
"Daddy, I'm not a kid anymore! » she replied, her voice trembling. "I know how to defend myself, I'm not..."
"No, you don't! » he interrupted abruptly. His tone was sharp, filled with thinly veiled concern. "Every time you leave like that, you put me in an impossible situation. Do you think it's funny for me to wonder if my own daughter is going to come home alive? »
She clenched her fists, feeling a pang of guilt, but she didn't want to give in. She fixed him with a hard look.
"And you, do you think it's fun living locked up here, being watched like a prisoner? » She knew her words would hurt him, but she was angry, so angry that she would never be heard. "Maybe if you gave me a little more freedom, I wouldn't need to escape! »
Logan's face softened for a moment, a look of hurt passing through his eyes. But he quickly resumed his Alpha mask, that of a father who had to make the difficult decisions.
"Madison, you don't understand... It's not about freedom or control. It's a question of safety, of responsibility. One day you will be responsible for this pack. If you want to prove your strength, start by being worthy of your place among us. »
The words hit her like a punch. She knew that for him it was a sacred duty, that he carried the entire weight of the pack on his shoulders. But she just wanted him to see her for what she was, to recognize his own inner struggles.
"Maybe I don't want this place! » she shouted, her voice shaking with frustration. "Maybe I just want to be Madison, not the Alpha's daughter, not someone you have to protect at all costs!" Just... me. »
Silence fell in the room, heavy and oppressive. Logan looked at her for a long time, as if seeing something he had never seen before. She felt like she had just crossed a line, confessed something that she had kept buried for years.
Finally, he nodded, his face closed.
"Very well, Madison. But as long as you live under this roof, you will respect my rules. Whether you like it or not. »
She looked away, feeling anger and sadness mingling within her. She abruptly turned away and went up the stairs, ignoring Logan's calls. She felt betrayed, misunderstood. Why was it so difficult to balance their love and responsibilities?
Once in her room, she fell onto her bed, exhausted by emotion. She stared at the ceiling, her jaw clenched, promising herself to never let Logan dictate her life again. No matter the consequences, she would find a way to be herself, even if it meant defying everything he had taught her.
And as the night continued to shroud the Storm house in its mysterious veil, Madison felt more alone than ever.
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