By Werewolf 283

Posted by Sara Lili, ? Views, Released on June 28, 2025

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Chapter 283

Rachel’s POV

The silence that followed Carter’s warning was shattered by Gina’s shocked gasp.

“Madison and Kael? Here? Now?

I forced my expression to remain calm despite the sharp jolt of fear that raced through me. My hands trembled slightly, but I clenched them into fists at my sides.

As everyone’s eyes turned to me, I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath.

“Selena, gather everyone at the altar,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “Carter, come with me.”

Carter nodded, his expression grim as he followed me to a quieter corner of the temple.

“How did you find us?” I asked.

“I came with Selena,” he explained, glancing toward where Nathan lay on the altar. “I’ve been in the woods nearby. I didn’t want to… stir things up. Nathan already has enough reasons to want to kill me.”

I studied his face, noting the dark circles under his eyes and the tension in his jaw. “And how do you know about Madison and Kael?”

“Lucas spotted them. He’s been tracking their movements and warned me through our mind link. They have a substantial force, Rachel. At least a thousand wolves, maybe more.”

My heart dropped. “How far away are they?”

“Three, maybe four hours. They’re moving quickly but carefully.”

I checked the time, calculating in my head. Nathan’s ritual still needed three more hours to complete, according to Selena.

Way to drop the ball on timing!

We gotta pick up the pace!

By now, everyone had gathered near the altar. Tyler stood protectively near his sister Victoria, while Gina remained close to Mateo, who was mercifully sleeping through all of this. Selena’s face was a mask of calm, but I could see the tension around her eyes.

I gave a quick nod and said, “Let me have a word with them real quick,” then we headed up to the altar together.

Carter repeated his warning to the group, ending with, “We need to move now. Get back to the castle in Nexus where we have walls and

warriors.”

I shook my head, decision already made. “We can’t leave yet.”

“What do you mean we can’t leave?” Carter’s voice rose slightly. “Madison and Kael are-”

“I know exactly who they are and what they’re capable of,” I cut him off. “But we’re not leaving. You all know why we re here. We still need three more hours to complete the ritual. Without it, all of our efforts will have been for nothing.”

Adam was the first to object. “Rachel, this is too risky! They have an army. This is suicide!”

“He’s right,” Selena added, her calm voice a contrast to the urgency in her eyes. “Rachel, Carter and Adam are correct. We cannot risk your safety. And as you mentioned, Alpha Nathan might recover completely before the enemy arrives and we could retreat.

Tyler nodded in agreement. “We should move while we still can.”

Chapter 283

“Rachel, Victoria pleaded, “think about Mateo,”

Gina stepped forward, her expression torn. “I don’t want to leave my brother either, but we need to be practical.

I looked at each of their worried faces, then back at Nathan’s still form on the altar. The stone beneath him continued to pulse with silver light. working to restore his soul.

Three more hours.

That’s all we needed.

“I’m not leaving,” I stated firmly. “And I’m not just saying this because of Nathan.”

Carter’s face hardened. “Rachel, as the Luna, this is irresponsible to the Ironjaw pack!”

I felt a flash of anger at his tone, but I kept my voice controlled as I turned to face everyone.

“I’m making this decision not just for Nathan, but for the civilians outside,” I explained. “Think about it. if Madison and Kael are coming here, they’ve likely split their forces.”

I scanned their faces, seeing the realization dawning. “If I leave now with Adam and the civilians, what happens if we run into them? What would happen to all those families out there?”

The silence that followed was heavy with understanding.

“Most of those people out there are families with children,” I continued, my voice growing stronger. “I will not put any of them at risk. I can’t!”

Carter was the first to speak. “Rachel, I don’t know if this is wise…” he paused, his expression softening. “But I support you.”

Victoria stepped forward next. “Rachel, tell us what to do.”

I took a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. “Carter, you’re the fastest and strongest among us. You need to bring reinforcements.

After a moment’s more hesitation, Carter nodded. “I’ll leave immediately.”

“Tyler,” I continued, “take our best warriors and set up traps or roadblocks. Anything to slow them down.”

Tyler straightened, slipping easily into his role as commander. “We could fell some trees across the main path. Force them to go through the forest where we can set more traps.”

“Do it,” I agreed. “Take whatever fighters you need.”

Victoria stepped forward. “I’ll help him.”

I nodded, then turned to Selena. “Contact the nearby villages. We need to evacuate all civilians immediately.”

“I’ll go with her,” Gina volunteered. “I know how to organize people quickly.”

As everyone dispersed to their tasks, the temple emptied until only Adam, Nathan, and I remained. I approached the altar where Nathan lay, his breathing shallow but steady.

“The moment the ritual is complete, we leave,” I told Adam.

He nodded, his eyes studying me with a strange expression. “You’ve changed, Rachel. I hardly recognize the timid girl who first came to us.

I gave him a bitter smile. “Believe it or not, Adam, this is the most terrifying day of my life.

Chapter 283

A commotion outside drew my attention. Through the temple doorway, I could see Jay, one of our commanders, speaking to the gathered civilians. Fear was evident on their faces.

I stepped outside, raising my voice to be heard. “Everyone, do not be afraid! We are here to protect you and ensure your safety! The crowd quieted, their anxious eyes fixed on me. “As long as you follow our instructions, the Moon Goddess will be with us!”

Tyler’s mind link came through, informing me their roadblocks were working well, hoping to delay the enemy by at least another hour.

Selena and Gina returned with more civilians seeking shelter.

I glanced at the clock inside the temple. Fifteen more minutes until Nathan’s ritual would be complete. My heart raced, and I tried to quell the rising panic.

In the distance, wolf howls and growls began to echo through the forest.

“Our time is almost up,” I said to Selena.

Tyler reported that they were ready. They had positioned the adult male wolves on the outer perimeter, with the females and pups in the center, making them appear from a distance like a military formation.

“Well done, Commander,” I praised Tyler as he and Victoria returned, their tasks complete.

The howling grew louder, closer. Every minute felt like an eternity as we waited.

Three minutes

Two minutes.

One minute.

Then, from behind me, came a deep, familiar voice. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

I whirled around to see Nathan standing there, his eyes clear and focused, his stance strong once more.

Chapter Comments

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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By Werewolf

Score 9.9

Status: Ongoing Type: Alpha Native Language: English

By Werewolf

Summary & Review: By Werewolf

The story opens on a dark, stormy night as Rachel runs frantically through the rain, her body aching and lungs burning. Every step feels like torture, but she can’t stop—she’s already late. And in her world, being late has consequences. The memory of her last punishment haunts her; she was only two minutes late then, and the beating left her unable to lie down for a week. Now, dread coils in her stomach. If her father is angry again, she fears he might actually kill her this time.

Soaked and trembling, she finally reaches her father’s office. Before entering, Rachel hears voices through the slightly open door. Her stepmother, Isabel, is speaking in a tone dripping with malicious glee. “Darling… in a few days, she won’t be our problem anymore.” Rachel freezes, her mind spinning. She? Were they talking about her? Isabel’s next words send chills down her spine — “…they’ll take her away, and we’ll get the money.”

Confusion and terror fill Rachel’s thoughts. Who would “take her away”? Why was there money involved? Before she can make sense of it, a familiar mocking voice whispers behind her, “Tick tock, Rachel. You’re late again.” It’s Daniel, her stepbrother — the one who has haunted her life for years with his unwanted advances.

Daniel eyes her soaked clothes with that same predatory gleam that makes her skin crawl. He reaches to touch her face, and she jerks away. “Don’t touch me,” she snaps, but he only smirks and pushes the door open, announcing her presence to the room.

Inside, her father, Henry Sullivan, looks up, anger already simmering in his bloodshot eyes. The heavy scent of whiskey fills the air. Isabel sits beside him, her long nails tapping impatiently against the desk. “I told you she was trouble,” she sneers. “Sneaking around and eavesdropping like a rat.”

Henry’s voice roars like thunder, shaking Rachel to her core. “Were you listening in on us?” She stammers, trying to think fast. “I—I brought the money I earned today…” She fumbles for her small wallet, hoping the offering will calm him down.

But Isabel’s cold laugh cuts through the air. “Trying to cover your crimes with a few dollars? How clever.”

Henry snatches the wallet from her trembling hands and dumps its contents on the desk. His eyes narrow. “This is all?”

“The rain kept customers away today,” Rachel says softly. “I gave you everything I earned.”

Her words only enrage him further. “You dare mock me? Are you saying I depend on you to feed me?” His voice rises, his face flushed with fury.

“No! I’m sorry—please don’t—”

But it’s too late. His hand strikes her with brutal force, sending her crashing to the floor. Pain explodes across her cheek, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth. Before she can recover, his fists rain down again, striking her back and head. She curls into a ball, sobbing, “Father, please stop!”

Isabel’s voice cuts in, not out of concern but calculation. “You’ll kill her, Henry. Remember—her pretty face and voice are her biggest assets. We don’t want to damage those.”

Henry’s hand pauses mid-air. Breathing heavily, he snarls, “She’s clearly not working hard enough. This money is nothing!”

Isabel sighs dramatically. “Anyway, you spoke with Tyler this morning. The plan for her is already in motion. In a few days, our financial problems will be solved, and she won’t be our concern anymore.”

Rachel’s mind spins. What plan? What are they talking about?

Henry looks down at her with a cruel smile. “You seem confused, daughter.”

Isabel leans forward, her eyes gleaming. “Tell her, Henry. I bet she’ll be thrilled about the news.”

Henry straightens, adjusting his shirt, and says with chilling calmness, “You’re going to do something important for us. Something that will change our lives forever. You will serve the Alpha of the Ironjaw Pack. He needs a breeder—and he’s willing to pay good money for one.”

Rachel’s heart stops. A breeder. She knows exactly what that means. Breeders are women used to produce heirs for powerful Alphas—nothing more than property, discarded once their purpose is fulfilled.

She stares at them, trembling. “No… please. Don’t make me do this.”

Isabel smirks, her voice coated in venomous sweetness. “Oh, come now, Rachel. You should be honored to serve the richest, most powerful Alpha of all. He may have killed many, but he’s famous. Being part of his pack is a privilege.”

Rachel can barely breathe. The Ironjaw Alpha is known throughout the region for his brutality. The stories about him—killing his own servants, even members of his pack—are enough to make anyone shiver.

Desperate, she crawls toward her father, clutching the hem of his pants. “Please, Father, don’t send me to him. I’ll work harder. I promise. I’m your daughter—your only child! I can still make you proud, carry your name—”

Henry’s face contorts with rage, and before she can finish, his fist slams into her ribs. She cries out, curling up on the floor. “How dare you speak to her like that!” he shouts when Rachel turns to Isabel for help.

Her tears flow freely now, blurring her vision as memories of a happier time resurface—back when her mother, Marie, was still alive. Back when her father had been kind and called her his “little lark.” The man who had once loved her was gone, replaced by this drunken monster.

“Father, please,” she sobs, “if Mother were still alive—”

She doesn’t get to finish. His hands wrap around her throat, lifting her from the ground. “You will do as I say,” he growls, slamming her against the wall. She claws at his hands, gasping for air as black dots cloud her vision.

Finally, he releases her and calls, “Daniel.”

Her stepbrother appears immediately, smirking. “Yes, Alpha?”

Henry glares down at Rachel. “Take her upstairs. Clean her up. Our esteemed guest will arrive soon, and I don’t want her looking like this.”

Rachel’s body trembles violently as Daniel steps forward, his eyes filled with the same sick desire as before. As he reaches for her, everything fades.

The last thing she feels before darkness takes her is the burning ache of betrayal — her father, the man who once called her his angel, has sold her to a monster.

Her mind echoes with one final thought as she slips into unconsciousness: How did it come to this?

She remembers her mother’s gentle voice singing her to sleep, whispering, “You have the voice of an angel, my little lark. One day, it will bring you happiness.”

But that prophecy feels cruelly ironic now. Her voice and her beauty — the gifts her mother once cherished — have become the very chains that seal her fate.

As sleep claims her, Rachel’s final conscious thought is filled with despair. Her life is no longer her own. She is nothing but a tool — a breeder for a ruthless Alpha whose name alone makes wolves tremble.

And somewhere deep inside her, a fragile hope dies, leaving only fear, pain, and the faint echo of the rain that still beats relentlessly against the window.