Born of a forbidden union, Ashen is haunted by the brutal murder of his mother. Seeking revenge, he infiltrates the powerful Obsidian Pack, determined to bring justice to those who shattered his world. Within the pack, he meets Penelope, the fierce and determined Alpha female destined to lead. Drawn to Ashen despite his outcast status, Penelope finds herself falling for the one man she's forbidden to love. Bound by unyielding tradition, her love for him threatens everything she's ever known. As Ashen's plan for vengeance unfolds, he must confront an impossible choice: sacrifice his growing love for Penelope or abandon his quest for justice. For Penelope, the stakes are just as high-will she risk breaking her pack's laws for a love that could destroy them all?
Chapter 1 1
The forest was alive with the whispers of night. Beneath the dense canopy, where silver moonlight barely kissed the ground, **Ashen** crouched low, his ears tuned to the distant murmurs of the Obsidian Pack. The scent of pine and damp earth filled his lungs, but it was the bitter stench of the pack's campfire that set his nerves alight. He had waited years for this moment-a chance to step into the lion's den without being torn apart on sight.
The mark on his chest burned faintly, a cruel reminder of the heritage that set him apart. The blood of his rogue mother, mingled with that of the Alpha who had betrayed her, pulsed within him. He had sworn to make them pay, each one of them. But vengeance required patience, and tonight was only the first step.
Ashen's sharp eyes caught movement through the trees. Two sentries patrolled the edge of the camp, their heavy footfalls oblivious to the stillness around them. They talked quietly, laughter occasionally breaking the silence. To them, this was just another night. To Ashen, it was the beginning of their reckoning.
Steeling himself, he adjusted the hood of his cloak and stepped forward, careful to keep his steps silent. The shadow of a hunter was all they would see if they turned too quickly. He had practiced this moment countless times, replayed every possible scenario in his head. His target wasn't the sentries, though-they were merely the door he needed to slip past.
The camp came into view, a sprawling cluster of wooden structures and open spaces. Wolves in human form moved about freely, their laughter and voices blending into the night. It would have been almost idyllic if Ashen didn't know the truth behind their camaraderie. These were killers, every last one of them. And among them was the Alpha who had stolen everything from him.
Infiltration was easier than expected. A pack like this relied too much on their strength, their arrogance blinding them to the possibility of a threat slipping through unnoticed. Ashen's eyes scanned the camp, his mind cataloging every detail. The central fire pit, the Alpha's lodge to the north, the training grounds to the east. Every piece of information mattered.
A sudden shift in the air made him pause. It wasn't the scent of danger, but something altogether unexpected. Turning, his eyes fell on **Penelope**, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to tilt.
She stood near the fire pit, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders like a midnight waterfall. The flames cast golden highlights in her eyes, a sharp contrast to the pale luminescence of her skin. Her posture was proud, commanding, yet there was a softness in her gaze as she spoke to the wolves around her.
Ashen's grip on the hilt of his dagger tightened. He hadn't anticipated this. Her presence was a complication he didn't need, but it was impossible to ignore the pull he felt toward her. She was the promised Alpha, the leader meant to guide the pack into the future. Everything about her screamed loyalty, tradition, and duty-the very things Ashen despised.
Penelope turned her head slightly, and for one horrifying moment, her gaze locked onto his. His breath caught, but he forced his body to remain still, hidden in the shadows. She couldn't have seen him, not really, yet the intensity of her gaze sent a chill down his spine.
The moment passed, her attention shifting back to the wolves around her, but the damage was done. Something about her unsettled him in a way he couldn't explain. It wasn't just her beauty; it was the aura of strength and warmth she exuded. For a second, Ashen hated her-not for who she was, but for the way she made him feel.
Night deepened, and the camp began to quiet. Wolves retreated into their lodges, the fire reduced to glowing embers. Ashen moved again, his steps calculated, his path deliberate. His goal tonight wasn't confrontation; it was reconnaissance. He needed to know the lay of the land, identify weaknesses, and most importantly, find the Alpha.
Approaching the Alpha's lodge, he crouched low, his fingers brushing the rough bark of a tree for balance. Voices filtered through the slightly open window, and he strained to hear.
"We need to secure the borders," a gruff voice said, one that dripped with authority. "Rogues have been too bold lately."
Another voice, softer but no less commanding, replied, "And what of the promised alliance? Penelope has yet to make her decision."
Ashen's heart pounded. The gruff voice had to belong to the Alpha, the man responsible for his mother's death. But the mention of Penelope sent a fresh wave of unease through him. What alliance? What decision?
He didn't have time to dwell on it. A sudden rustling nearby drew his attention. Someone was coming. Pressing himself flat against the tree, Ashen watched as a figure emerged from the shadows.
It was Penelope.
Her steps were light, her movements purposeful. She wasn't heading toward the lodge but into the forest, her gaze focused ahead. Against his better judgment, Ashen followed.
She moved with the grace of a predator, weaving through the trees with ease. Ashen kept his distance, his curiosity outweighing his caution. What was she doing out here alone?
Penelope stopped in a small clearing, the moonlight bathing her in silver. Her head tilted upward, her eyes closed, and for a moment, she looked like she belonged to the night itself.
"Who's there?" she asked suddenly, her voice sharp.
Ashen froze. He had been careful, but she had sensed him anyway. Slowly, he stepped out of the shadows, his hood still obscuring most of his face.
"Just a wanderer," he said, his voice low and steady.
Her eyes narrowed, suspicion clear in her gaze. "Wanderers don't come this far into Obsidian territory. Who are you?"
He didn't answer, instead taking a step closer. Her posture shifted, ready to defend herself if needed. There was no fear in her stance, only determination.
"You shouldn't be out here alone," he said finally.
"And you shouldn't be here at all," she countered.
The tension crackled between them, unspoken questions hanging in the air. Ashen knew he should walk away, disappear before she could learn anything more about him. But something in her eyes held him there, rooted in place.
"Be careful, Penelope," he said softly, her name rolling off his tongue like a secret. "Not everyone you meet in the shadows is as harmless as they seem."
Before she could respond, he melted back into the forest, his heart pounding in his chest.
Chapter 1 1
29/12/2024
Chapter 2 2
29/12/2024
Chapter 3 3
29/12/2024
Chapter 4 4
29/12/2024
Chapter 5 5
29/12/2024
Chapter 6 6
29/12/2024
Chapter 7 7
29/12/2024
Chapter 8 8
29/12/2024
Chapter 9 9
29/12/2024
Chapter 10 10
29/12/2024
Chapter 11 11
29/12/2024
Chapter 12 12
29/12/2024
Chapter 13 13
29/12/2024
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