Twisted fate
Raphael’s POV
I couldn’t get her out of my mind.
The silver-haired wolf, the one I had passed in the woods. There was something about her, something that clung to me like a shadow, refusing to let go. Her eyes had been filled with so much pain, so much isolation, that I had wanted to shield her from all her pains yet underneath it all that pain, I had sensed something deeper. A strength she hadn’t yet realized.
I had walked away, knowing it wasn’t the time, knowing I had other duties to attend to. But even now, as I sat in my quarters, preparing for the Harvest Festival, her image haunted me.
"She’s different," Grey murmured in the back of my mind, his voice quieter than usual but no less commanding.
I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. Grey had never shown interest in anyone. In all our years of living, he had simply remained indifferent. We had no mate, and I had made peace with that long ago. To rule the realm meant to give up certain things. A mate was one of those sacrifices, I had hoped to be blessed with one but I have given up on it after endless years of waiting.
But now, Grey’s interest was piqued, and I couldn’t ignore it.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. It swung open before I could answer, revealing Caleb, my Beta, standing in the doorway. His expression was a mixture of impatience and amusement.
"You’re needed downstairs," he said, crossing his arms. "Everyone’s waiting for you."
I sighed, pushing myself to my feet. "I’m coming."
As I stood, I felt Grey stir again in the back of my mind. His voice was low, almost a growl. "I hope we meet her again."
I stopped, my hand pausing on the edge of the chair. Grey never cared for women, or for anyone, really. His focus had always been on duty, on the responsibilities we carried as the Lycan King. But now, his interest in this girl, the broken, silver-haired wolf, was undeniable.
"You like her?" I asked him, more out of curiosity than anything else.
There was a brief silence before he replied. "Yes. She’s very beautiful."
The admission took me by surprise. Grey, who had spent centuries by my side, who had never once been moved by the allure of women, found this girl beautiful. I wasn’t sure what to make of that. And yet, I couldn’t deny the pull she had on me, too. There was something about her that called to both of us.
I reached up, touching my hair as I felt the weight of the disguise I had been wearing. Black hair, black eyes, an illusion meant to keep me hidden among the pack. Few had ever seen me as I truly was, with my white hair and sharp gray eyes, the unmistakable symbol of the Royal family.
But I wouldn’t need the disguise for long. Soon enough, the time would come for me to reveal myself. For now, I shed the illusion, letting my true form resurface as I prepared to face the pack.
"You’re spending too much time up here," Caleb said, his tone half-joking as he leaned against the doorframe. "The festival’s already started, and you know how much everyone’s waiting to see you."
I rolled my eyes. Caleb and Gemma, the two who insisted on following me everywhere. They had been with me since the beginning, loyal beyond words, but sometimes, I just needed space.
"I wanted a moment alone," I said, my voice softer than usual. "To be with Theresa."
Caleb’s expression shifted, the teasing look falling away as he nodded. Theresa had been the heart of the Moon Stone Pack, and she had chosen to be buried here, close to her husband, even though she could have returned to the Royal Court. It had been her decision, and every year, I honored her memory by coming here.
I had left Caleb and Gemma behind this time, coming ahead of them to walk the lands alone. But they had caught up, as they always did, their loyalty unwavering.
"I know," Caleb said quietly. "We’ll give you more time later. For now, we need you downstairs."
I walked past him, stepping into the hallway. The packhouse was bustling with activity, the sounds of preparation filling the air. The Harvest Festival was a grand event, and the anticipation of my arrival made it all the more significant. The pack always viewed me as something untouchable, something larger than life, but I preferred to remain in the shadows until the moment was right.
As I descended the stairs, Gemma was waiting at the bottom, her sharp eyes watching me carefully. She had always been protective, almost motherly at times, though she’d never admit it.
"Are you ready for the show?" she asked with a smirk.
I gave her a slight nod, but my mind was still elsewhere. On her. The girl in the woods. Ava.
I didn’t know how, but I could sense that our paths would cross again. And when they did, I needed to understand why she had captured both my attention and Grey’s.
I wasn’t one for fate or destiny, but something about her… felt inevitable.
As I reached the entrance, the heavy doors swung open, and I stepped into the crisp evening air. The festival had begun, the pack’s members gathering in the clearing ahead. I could see Landon standing tall near the front, his eyes scanning the crowd. I knew him well enough to see the tension in his posture. His arrogance, however, was unmistakable.
And then there she was.
Ava.
She stood at the edge of the gathering, her silver hair catching the fading light. She was alone, as always, but there was something in the way she held herself now. Something different than how I saw her earlier.
Grey stirred again. "She’s stronger than she knows. She will be alright."
I watched her for a moment longer, a strange sense of anticipation building inside me.
The night was just beginning.
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