In the highest tower of the Ironcrest fortress,Alpha Dike Fitzsimmons stood before the open balcony,the night wind tugging at his cloak.
Between his fingers,he rolled a string of ancient moon-beads.The cord was frayed,nearly breaking—but he could never bring himself to part with it.
It had been a gift from Savina.
His voice came low,tinged with bitter amusement.
“Back then,you were willing to sell every estate your bloodline owned,just to help that wolf rise from nothing.And afterward,you stayed by his side—content to be his nameless shadow.”
His tone hardened,cold as obsidian.
“I told you long ago,Myron Lestrange brings ruin,not peace.Walk beside him,and one day you’ll bleed for it.”
The wind swept down from the northern cliffs,carrying frost across Savina’s fur-lined cloak.She shivered and pulled it tighter around her shoulders,letting out a soft,bitter laugh.
“You were right,”she murmured.“I was blind then.But now…now,I finally see.”
Her breath caught.Then she asked quietly,“You once told me,no matter what happens—if I ever need your help—I could call upon you.Does that vow still stand?”
Silence hung heavy across the bondstone that linked them.
With each passing heartbeat,her chest grew colder.She didn’t blame him.The fault was hers.
Taking a slow breath,she whispered,“Forgive me.I shouldn’t have asked.”
She was about to release the bond when Dike’s voice cut through the silence,deep and sharp.
“Savina,I let you go once before.But now that you’ve called me again—I won’t let you walk away a second time.”
His tone dropped to a growl.
“Break your bond with Myron.When the next moon wanes,I’ll come for you myself.”
He paused,his voice lower,colder.
“Remember this,Savina.If you become mine,I could only be widowed—never abandoned.”
Before she could reply,the bondstone flickered dark.
The night wind lashed her face.She gave a faint,broken laugh.
Years ago,Dike had been the youngest Alpha to ever rise from the trade packs—a prodigy of the Moon Market,feared by elders and courted by clans.
For three years,he had pursued her,his patience unwavering.
Her heart had nearly yielded…until Myron appeared.
Back then,she had been a rising strategist among the merchant wolves,her name whispered across the continent.When she found Myron—wounded,discarded,desperate—she had pitied him.
One act of mercy became another.Pity turned to care.Care turned to love.
By the time she realized what she’d done,she’d already cast Dike aside.
Now,under the pale light of the moon,she swore that by the end of this moon cycle,she would settle everything—once and for all.
When she returned to her den,the first thing she did was summon her kin from the neighboring clan.
“Find my cub,”she ordered.“Whatever it takes—trace him from the healers’caves to wherever Myron has hidden him.”
Then she climbed to her sleeping chamber and began to pack.
Every relic Myron had ever gifted her—necklaces,carved stones,scrolls of promise—she wrapped and placed into wooden boxes.
Each piece was listed through the traders’exchange,one by one,until all of it was spoken for.
Just as she was moving the last box toward the door,Myron entered.
His eyes narrowed the moment he saw the luggage.His tone dripped disdain.
“Running again?”he scoffed.“You’re no longer a young wolf,Savina.I’ve no time to soothe your tantrums.”
He crossed his arms,the arrogance of an Alpha in his posture.
“If you can endure this life,stay.If not,leave.But the cub remains with me.Don’t even think of taking him.”
He said it with complete certainty,as though he believed she no longer had claws to fight back.To him,she was no longer the sharp,fierce wolf who once ruled the Iron Markets—just his tamed mate in a gilded den.
Savina laughed softly,though her heart ached.
This was the male she had loved for seven years.
If love could rot so completely,could family do the same?Could a father truly discard his own blood without shame?
Her hands curled into fists.She raised her head,her voice trembling but strong.
“Myron,I’ll ask you once more—will you truly not save our cub?Will you let him remain in that healer’s cave,trapped between pain and death?”
Myron’s expression darkened.His tone was calm,but sharp enough to cut.
“Must you always imagine horrors,Savina?Helene told me the healers’cave is for his recovery.He’s safe there.”
His frown deepened,annoyance replacing reason.
“Tell me—are you truly worried for the cub,or are you just jealous of Helene and looking for another fight?”
The light in Savina’s eyes dimmed.Her heart froze solid.
Even now,he thought it was jealousy.
He truly didn’t know that Helene had deceived him.
Savina had already learned the truth—none of the cubs taken into that healer’s cave had ever returned alive.
Her lips parted,desperate to warn him.
“Myron,Helene lied to—”
A sudden sound from the hall cut her off.
Myron’s face changed instantly.Panic flickered through his eyes as he rushed out.
When Savina followed,she saw him kneeling beside Helene,his hands trembling as he wiped a droplet of blood from her lip.
She had bitten herself on a piece of fruit.That was all.
Yet Myron called for the house healer,his voice frantic.
He didn’t even notice Savina standing there—nor the blood dripping from her own hand.
Her chest felt as though it would burst.
Then his voice came again,colder this time.
“Helene just returned from the Northern Courts.She has nowhere to stay,so she’ll live here for now.”
Before Savina could speak,Helene lowered her gaze demurely.
“Myron,that’s unwise,”she said softly.“Savina dislikes me.I’d hate to make her uncomfortable.”
Before Savina could answer,Myron’s tone sliced through the air.
“This is my den.If she’s unhappy,she can leave.”
Savina froze.
This den—this home—had been hers.He had once told her he built it for them.
Helene smiled sweetly then,eyes glinting like sharpened glass.She pointed at the pendant hanging from Savina’s throat.
“That moonstone you’re wearing—it’s lovely.I want it.”
Before Savina could even speak,Myron turned toward her,his tone firm and final.
“Savina,”he commanded coldly,“take it off.Give it to Helene.”
