LOGINAfter Alex said his goodbyes and headed toward the eastern border, Nova watched him disappear into the crowd before letting out a quiet sigh.“Well… that could’ve gone worse.”She had no interest in another argument with Ava.One encounter today was more than enough.“I think I’ve hit my daily quota for wolf drama,” she muttered to herself.Shoving her hands into her pockets, she turned and headed in the opposite direction.“Maybe I’ll head back to the cafeteria.”At least there was food there.And, hopefully, fewer angry she-wolves waiting to pick a fight.Nova wandered through the compound at an unhurried pace, now recognizing several of the paths Kael had shown her earlier that morning. Wolves passed by carrying crates of supplies while others prepared to head out on patrol. A few greeted her with polite nods. Others simply watched her with curious eyes before returning to their work.She was beginning to get used to the attention.As the cafeteria came into view, the familiar smel
After returning from her walk with Kael, Nova stood in her room for a few minutes, staring out the window. He had told her she wasn’t a prisoner. She could walk around the compound if she wanted.She wasn’t sure she believed him.But there was only one way to find out.With a quiet sigh, she left her room and stepped back into the hallway. Nobody stopped her. No guards followed behind her. No one questioned where she was going.“So he wasn’t lying,” she muttered.Nova wandered through the compound at her own pace, taking in the busy streets. Wolves moved between buildings carrying supplies, repairing equipment, and preparing for the day’s patrols. Mixed among them were human families going about their own routines. Children laughed as they chased each other through the open courtyard while a few older survivors worked in small gardens beside their homes.It was… normal.Far more normal than she had expected.As she walked, a few wolves glanced in her direction. Some nodded politely be
“Well, okay, Mr. Wolf,” Nova said, folding her arms. “Do you have a mate?”Kael’s steps slowed for just a moment. A flicker of tension crossed his face before he let out a quiet sigh.“…Yeah.”Nova looked around the path, expecting another wolf to appear.“Where is she?” she asked. “Because if it’s going to be a problem with me being around you, I’d rather know now. I think I’m over fighting wolves.”A quiet laugh escaped Kael.“You don’t have to worry. I don’t think she’ll be able to hurt you.”Nova gave him a doubtful look.“Are you sure?”Kael lifted his gaze toward the rising sun, its light just beginning to spill over the compound walls. A faint, bittersweet smile touched his lips.“I’m sure.”Nova studied him for a moment. There was something about the way he had answered that didn’t sit right with her. It sounded less like confidence and more like someone remembering something they couldn’t have back. She wanted to ask another question, but the words never came. Instead, she no
Kael and Nova continued through the compound completely unaware of the pair of golden eyes watching them from a nearby rooftop. Ava stood partially hidden behind a stack of supply crates, her arms folded tightly across her chest. Her gaze never left them. The sight made her stomach twist. Five years. Five years she had spent helping lead patrols, defending the pack, and standing beside her Alpha through one disaster after another. Then one human appeared. And suddenly everything changed. Ava clenched her jaw. The human wasn’t supposed to be here. Wasn’t supposed to matter. Yet somehow she had become the center of every conversation in the compound. The elders were talking. The warriors were talking. Even the healers were talking. And Kael… Kael only seemed to care about her. Ava’s fingers tightened into fists. Her thoughts churned dangerously. Part of her knew she should let it go. Part of her knew challenging her Alpha over his mate would only end badly. But anot
The next morning, Nova was woken by an annoying knock at her door. She groaned and rolled over before glancing out the window. The sky was still dark. Morning wasn’t even fully here yet.The knocking continued.“Ugh,” Nova muttered as she dragged herself out of bed. “If this is how this place operates, then me and the grumpy wolf are going to have a serious problem.”By the time she reached the door, another knock sounded.“What?” she shouted as she yanked it open.Kael lowered his hand.“Um… good morning.”Nova stared at him.“Good morning? Are you serious?” She pointed toward the dark sky. “The sun isn’t even out yet and you’re knocking on my door at God knows what time.”Kael looked mildly guilty.Nova rubbed her face and sighed.“What do you want?”“I was hoping you’d want to take a tour of the compound before everyone wakes up.”Nova blinked.“A tour?”Kael nodded.“Why?”“Because it’s quieter now. And because if I wait until later, you’ll probably spend the day avoiding me.”Nov
After closing the door behind her, Nova let out a long sigh and leaned against it. “What the hell was that?” she muttered to herself. She rubbed her face before dropping onto the edge of the bed. She shouldn’t care. She really shouldn’t. Who Kael talked to, dated, or hooked up with was none of her business. The wolf wasn’t hers. Hell, she barely knew him. All she was supposed to be doing was surviving, whether she liked staying in the compound or not. Yet for some reason, the conversation about Ava kept replaying in her head. Nova groaned and shook her head. “Not my problem,” she told herself firmly.Her gaze dropped to her hands. The events in the training room surfaced in her mind again. Ava attacking her. The crowd shouting. The strange surge that had exploded through her body. Then everything became hazy. The more she tried to remember, the less sense it made. It felt as though she had been watching herself from somewhere else entirely. She remembered being pinned beneath Ava, rem
The Alpha’s silver eyes locked onto Nova in the darkness of the ruined subway car. Rainwater dripped steadily from his massive black coat, pooling beneath his paws as the Hollowfangs whimpered around her. The infected creatures that moments ago had been trying to tear her apart now looked terrified
Rain hammered against the ruined train cars hard enough to make the metal groan. Nova Reyes tightened her grip on the rusted crowbar in her hand as she climbed through the narrow opening between two collapsed seats. Water dripped from the ceiling onto the back of her neck. The flashlight strapped
After Marcus’s outburst and Kael nearly putting him through the council table, the meeting eventually settled back into something resembling order.Eventually.Marcus sat noticeably quieter now.Funny how that worked.Kael leaned back in his chair while the elders moved on to more pressing matters.
Kael studied her carefully, his silver eyes searching for any sign that something was wrong.“How are you feeling?” he asked.Nova frowned slightly and looked down at herself. Other than her racing heartbeat and a few bruises, she felt normal. She flexed her hands and rolled her shoulders before sh







