He was the most dangerous Alpha in the Wolf clan; An Alpha with the rare ability to control shadows. They all feared him, as did I, because he wanted me dead. The last thing I wanted to do was be near him, but I needed something important from him; something I couldn't do without. I needed to get into his team, but the shadow Alpha only accepted males. So, I had to be a man. I was supposed to hate and fear this cruel man, but a part of me wouldn't stop yearning for him; for his touch. And I think he feels the same way, because he wouldn't let me go. If only he knew my secrets... And if only I knew his. We were never meant to be together. NOTE: This is a dark romance!!! My male character enjoys being bad and does not seek redemption. Feel free to read if you're ready to explore a whole new world of romance.
Chapter 1 PROLOGUE
XYRANA
"Why are we far away from the other wolves, mother? Why don't we live with them in Frostmoor?" I asked my mother as she dyed ny red hair black.
Frostmoor was a place where every single wolf resided with their various Alphas. I had always wished to live among them, but from birth, mother and father had us living in an isolated Pack.
Father owned a very small Pack. I was too young to understand why we were different.
Mother froze for a moment before snapping back to reality. "When the time comes, you'll understand, baby."
I wanted to argue that I was thirteen already and was capable of understanding, but then, arguments with my mother never ended well.
"But you must always remember," mother continued. "No matter where you find yourself, Xyrana, you must ensure you are never close to Alpha Aris of Rune Pack."
I cocked my head to look at her over my shoulder. It wasn't the first time she was saying this to me. "Why? Is it because he's the Shadow Alpha?"
Her hands gripped my shoulders with a firmness that made my pulse race as she whirled me on the chair to face her. Her eyes shone with an icy dread that sent a chill down my spine. "It's worse than that, Xyrana. He is bad for you. Both of you, you can never ever be together. I am saying this because I do not know what the future holds, but you must never find yourself in the same space with him."
Her hands moved across my arms, almost as if she were wiping something away. "You can never let him touch you. Never ever be friends with him, not even his enemy. Just be far away from him your whole life, although I pray daily to Seraphis to always ward off darkness and evil from you with her eternal flame."
Her words left me reeling, confusion clouding my thoughts. What was she trying to tell me? Before I could ask, a piercing wail shattered the moment.
The sound of chaos rushed in. Wailing voices mingled with the guttural growls of animals, and my heart clenched in fear.
"Mother? What is happening?" I asked, my voice trembling, as she darted to the window.
She gasped, recoiling in fright. The look on her face made my stomach churn. Before she could say a word, my twin brother, Xarvis, burst into the room.
"Mother, we are under attack!" he exclaimed, panting for breath.
His eyes found mine and he rushed over, pulling me into a hug. He smelled of wood smoke and the outdoors, a scent that usually calmed me, but not now.
"What is happening?" My voice cracked as I gripped the rough fabric of his tunic.
"They found us!" Mother exclaimed, covering her mouth with her palms.
Her eyes glistened with tears as she rushed to meet Xarvis and I.
"Quickly! Come with me!" She took our hands.
"Where is father?" Xarvis asked.
"He went to Otis' place. Quick! We do not have time!" She urged.
She tugged us into the small bedroom where she pulled at one of the floorboards. To my surprise, it revealed a hidden tunnel leading into the darkness.
"Go down. You'll come across a narrow path that'll lead you straight into the woods. You must keep running until you're far away, Xarvis. I'll go look for your father and join you. But you must not wait for us. Take your sister and keep her safe. Promise you'll keep her safe."
The situation was overwhelming. I was already in tears, hearing the continuous cries of the people. Our Pack was being raided, our houses set ablaze. My friends...
"I am scared, mother," I whimpered, wishing this night didn't happen and we were all in bed.
Mother glanced at the door, like she was scared the enemies might break in at any moment.
"You must go now," she touched my face, then Xarvis' next. "Now!" She ordered him.
Taking my hand, Xarvis led us down the path. The earthy smell of the tunnel mixed with the smoke that seeped through the cracks.
We hadn't gotten far when we heard a blood-curdling scream and quickly recognized the voice to be mother's.
My heart stopped.
"Mother..." I whimpered.
Xarvis shook his head and let go of my hand. "She might need help. I can't leave her, Xyrana. You must keep going."
Before I could argue, he was off, going back to where we'd just come from. He'd always been the brave one among us.
I ran after him, but I was slow and didn't find him when I reached the room.
I ran outside to the chaos and stood there, confused. Our people were fighting, but majority of them were getting killed.
Fear rooted me to the spot, and all I could do was cry. I'd always been the weak one.
Then, my eyes fell on him.
He was coming at me with his fangs out, his claws bared.
He was one of the enemies that had attacked us, yet I knew there was something different about this very boy.
He looked my age, but his dark aura carried a weight far beyond his years; like someone that had done terrible things.
He's going to kill me.
Yet, I couldn't bring herself to move but watched in fear as he kept getting closer, and closer. His fangs shot out. I closed my her eyes, screaming as I waited for the strike.
But it never came.
Opening my eyes, I found my brother engaging him in a fight.
He saved me.
"Run! Now!" Xarvis barked at me.
I shouldn't. I should save him, just like he'd saved me.
But the part of me that had always been a coward listened and I turned around. I ran back to the house, using the secret exit. And I did so without looking back.
Chapter 1 PROLOGUE
10/01/2025
Chapter 2 01
10/01/2025
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