Chapter 1
Village of Ashborn – Chapter One
The moon hung heavy over the stone walls of Ashborn Castle, casting long silver streaks across the courtyard. Sable pressed herself against the narrow window slit, her breath barely a whisper.
“One… two… four on the left,” she murmured, tracking the guards with razor focus. “Shift change hasn’t started yet. We move now. Come on, Lexa.”
Lexa’s ears flattened anxiously. “We’ll get caught, Sable. I’m telling you, this is a bad idea!”
Sable flashed a wild grin over her shoulder, eyes glinting with fierce determination. “Are you crazy? We’re not turning back now.”
Before Lexa could protest further, Sable’s bones cracked and reshaped beneath her skin. White fur rippled down her arms as her fingers curled into powerful claws. Blue eyes burned like frozen fire as she leapt from the window in full wolf form, landing silently on the roof below.
Lexa hesitated only a heartbeat before surrendering to the shift. Ash-brown fur spread across her frame as she transformed, following after her in a quieter, more cautious stride.
They dashed across the slanted roof tiles and into the shadow of the trees beyond the outer wall, paws barely making a sound. Sable climbed the old birch with ease, launching herself over the final barrier, disappearing into the cover of the forest.
Far from the castle now, the two wolves sprinted beneath the towering pines, paws pounding over moss and roots as the cold night wind whipped through their fur. The forest thinned as they neared the border of the village—Ashborn territory’s first rule: no royal-blooded wolves beyond the border without escort. And they were breaking it boldly.
“See?” Sable’s voice rang sharp and teasing through their mindlink. “Told you nothing would happen. We’re about to enter the damn village. Let your fear go already.”
Lexa growled under her breath. “Easy for you to say! If we get caught, my father will kill me—and King Aloha will kill him for letting you escape!”
Sable barked a laugh, skidding to a halt at the crest of a hill overlooking the faint lantern lights of the village below. She shifted back into human form, stretching as her fur vanished into pale skin.
“Relax,” she said aloud, tossing her white hair over her shoulder with a husky grin. “Just for tonight, let that fear go. You’re a beta’s daughter, not some trembling pup.”
Lexa followed more hesitantly, shifting back. Her chestnut curls clung to her forehead, her amber eyes still wide with uncertainty.
“A beta’s daughter,” she muttered, “who’s about to get grounded for life.”
Sable slung an arm around her shoulders, tugging her close.
“Then let’s make it worth it.”
With that, she led them down the hill toward the forbidden village.
The village was alive.
Music shook the ground beneath their feet as they descended the hill, Hundreds of werewolves—warriors, elders, pups and omegas—filled the streets in swirling celebration. Lanterns hung from every branch and balcony, painting the night in gold and crimson. The scent of roasted meat, sweet mead, and woodsmoke wrapped around them as drums thundered in the distance.
Sable’s eyes widened with delight. “Now this is living.”
Lexa spun slowly, staring in disbelief. “I’ve never… I’ve never seen anything like this. Father never let me attend the festivals.”
“Then tonight, you do,” Sable declared, bumping her with a grin. She pointed toward a roaring circle of flames where fire dancers twirled blazing staffs, sparks trailing like comets.
Lexa gasped. “Gods… look at that.”
Sable leaned close. “Stay here. I’m getting us drinks.”
Lexa snapped back to reality. “What—no! Don’t leave me alone in this crowd!”
Sable was already backing away, laughing. “Relax! I’m not going far. See that stall with the barrels? I’ll be right back. Just keep watching the fire show!”
With that, she vanished into the sea of bodies, swallowed by music and laughter.
Lexa’s pulse drummed in her ears, but the fire held her attention. Dancers spun in perfect rhythm, flames reflecting in her amber eyes. She didn’t notice the shift in the air… or the pair of silver eyes watching her from across the flames.
A shadow slipped through the crowd—tall, steady, deliberate.
Lexa didn’t notice him until he was right behind her. A warm breath grazed her ear.
“Enjoying the show, my lady?”
She stiffened. A hand brushed her shoulder—gentle, but firm.
Lexa spun, knocking his hand away with a sharp glare.
A man stood before her. Broad-shouldered, brown hair tousled like he’d just run through the forest, and eyes—silver, bright as moonlight. He looked amused.
Lexa didn’t wait for him to speak again. She darted into the crowd, pushing through bodies until she spotted Sable at a nearby stall, two wooden cups in hand.
Lexa grabbed her arm tightly. “Someone’s following us.”
Sable blinked. “Who?”
“Silver eyes. Brown hair. He—he touched my shoulder.”
Sable’s lips curled into a wicked grin. “Ooh. Sounds like he’s into you.”
“I’m serious, Sable. We need to leave.”
Sable glanced over Lexa’s shoulder casually—and caught the man’s gaze. He was indeed following, weaving through the crowd with unhurried confidence.
Instead of alarm, Sable raised her cup and waved at him with a teasing smile.
Lexa tugged harder. “Stop! Don’t encourage him!”
Sable only smirked. “Relax. Let’s hear what Mr. Silver Eyes wants.”
The stranger closed the last few steps between them, confidence rolling off him like heat from the fire.
“Hello, beautiful. Mind if I join you?” he asked, his gaze fixed on Lexa.
Before she could refuse, Sable flashed him a grin. “Sure, why not?”
Lexa shot her a murderous look, but Sable only shrugged innocently.
The man chuckled. “Your friend seems less enthusiastic.”
Lexa glared back in silence.
Sable stepped in smoothly. “Don’t mind her. We’re new in this village.”
“Oh? Fresh faces.” His silver eyes lit with interest. “Where are you from?”
“Elowen Village,” Sable lied easily.
He lifted a brow. “Ah, neighbors then.” He winked. “I live here. Allow me to be your guide.”
He motioned for them to follow, and Sable—delighted—did so without hesitation. Lexa reluctantly walked beside them, staying slightly behind.
As they made their way through the bustling festival, Lexa noticed something odd. Every few steps, a female wolf would pass by—smiling, winking, or even blowing a kiss toward the stranger.
And each time, he returned it effortlessly. A smirk, a chin tilt, a wink. Like it was a language he was fluent in.
“You’re quite famous here,” Sable remarked.
“And quite vulgar,” Lexa muttered sharply.
The man slowed… turning his head just enough to catch her eye.
“If vulgar pleases you, my lady,” he said smoothly, “I assure you—I can go even further.”
Sable burst out laughing, nearly spilling her drink.
Lexa’s face heated with outrage. “You—!”
Before she could finish, he stepped closer—far too close—and offered a wolfish grin.
“But only if you ask nicely.”
Before Lexa could snap back, a new voice cut sharply through the noise.
“My lord.”
A young warrior approached, bowing his head respectfully to the silver-eyed stranger.
“Someone crossed Ashborn’s border. The Prince demands your presence—immediately.”
Lexa froze.
Sable’s playful grin vanished, her face going pale.
My lord?
Prince?
…Who exactly had they been talking to?
The silver-eyed man smirked slightly, as if enjoying their shift in expression.
He gave them a lazy half-bow. “Well, duty calls, lovelies.” He flashed a wicked grin over his shoulder. “Don’t disappear. I’d hate for tonight to be our last encounter.”
Before either could respond, he disappeared into the crowd with his escort.
The moment he was out of sight, Lexa grabbed Sable’s arm. “We need to leave. Now.”
Sable’s eyes darted around nervously. “You think they recognized us?”
“They know someone crossed the border,” Lexa hissed. “And we’re about two minutes from being surrounded.”
Sable didn’t argue this time.
They broke into a sprint, weaving through crowds, racing past vendors and fires, ignoring the startled shouts behind them.
Their breaths grew heavy with panic.
“Head for the woods,” Sable said through clenched teeth. “We’ll shift once we hit the treeline.”
Lexa nodded, heart slamming in her chest.
But just as the forest came into view—
They tore across the hills at full speed, fur brushing against the wind as they sprinted toward the border. Moonlight streaked across their backs—white and ash-brown blurs racing for freedom.
Just a few more yards—
A shape dropped from the ridgeline ahead. Massive. Blocking their path.
Black fur. Larger than both . Eyes burning ember-red like molten lava.
He growled, low and thunderous, lips peeling back to reveal dagger-like fangs.
An Alpha.
Lexa skidded to a halt, claws digging into the dirt. Sable’s white wolf form stepped protectively in front of her, fur bristling, fangs bared.
The black wolf advanced slowly, head lowered—ready to kill or capture.
“Lexa,” Sable’s voice echoed through the mind link, calm but fierce, “I’ll keep him busy. Cross the border. If I don’t return—tell Father everything.”
Lexa snarled back through their link. “I’m not leaving you! We fight together!”
“No!” Sable’s mental command cracked like thunder. “He’s stronger than us both. One of us has to make it back. Go!”
Lexa hesitated, heart pounding.
“Please, Lexa. Father must know why we came here.”
That broke her.
With a final look—full of helpless rage—Lexa nodded.
Sable launched herself at the Alpha in a blur of white.
Claws met claws. Teeth snapped. A savage collision of fury.
Lexa ran.
Every instinct in her screamed to turn back—but she forced her paws forward, racing toward the treeline, tears burning her vision.
Behind her, Sable’s growls echoed through the night.
And then—a roar.
Deep. Dominant.
Not just a warning.
A claim.
