Here's Kaelan's POV, streamlined and polished for clarity and depth:
Kaelan's POV
I sat at the large oak table in the meeting room, flanked by Oliver, the alpha of the Obsidian Pack, and his mate Amanda, with Neil, my trusted beta, at my side. The meeting was supposed to be about the exchange of medicinal herbs—something crucial for the pack's health, especially after the long and harsh winter. Obsidian Pack may have weak defenses, but their knowledge of healing herbs was unmatched, and we protected them in return for their supplies.
Yet, even as I spoke, my mind was elsewhere. A nagging tension coiled in my chest, one that only grew as I finally got through to my head warrior, Orion. My growl erupted before he could speak, reverberating through the walls of the packhouse. The glass trembled, the air grew taut, and the highest-ranking wolves flared their senses, ready for a fight. This wasn't new—Ella's disappearance had left us on the brink of madness. My brother Kalix and I had felt ourselves teetering on the edge of feral, the pack's trust in us a thin thread that could snap at any moment. And now, the possibility that our pups had been taken stoked a dangerous fire in me.
I heard Orion's reply, and my fangs flashed in response. The words made me growl louder, and I knew the pack was listening in, eyes flicking to one another with uncertainty. I was furious—furious at the audacity of the Rogue Queen, the one who claimed to be Ella, the one who took our children away.
Ella. My mate, my Luna. The bond between us had never been severed; we felt her, a flicker of her presence that kept us alive. It was the only reason Kalix and I hadn't collapsed under the weight of longing. We both worked ourselves into exhaustion, seeking to protect the pack, to hold ourselves together for our pups and our people. The bond reminded us there was still hope that one day, Ella would come back to us.
I called Kalix, my brother and the other half of the force that had kept the pack from falling apart, and I informed him of what was happening. He didn't say anything, but I knew he was already planning and preparing to support me. We were bound by more than blood; we were bound by loss, by duty, by the hope that the children we'd lost would be safe and would come back to us.
What bothered me most was that neither Ragon, my wolf, nor Fenrir, Kalix's wolf, had sensed any threat from the pups. I didn't know if it was because they were being protected or if it was possible that they were truly Ella's children—my children—living under the shadow of the Rogue Queen.
Rumors said the Rogue Queen was something more than just a leader; she had taken command at only twelve years old, leading the rogues not by brute force but with cunning and vision. She'd brought order to an unruly, chaotic mass, turning the rogues into a formidable force, not through fear alone but through respect and loyalty. Her organization had grown so powerful that even the council had been unable to defeat them. An underground force, led by a woman who commanded the respect of every race, a force that could rival the might of my pack.
But the question I was left with was: How does one become that strong, that cruel, or that wise to command loyalty like that? What kind of power did she wield?
I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. Enough thinking. I had to get my children back now, before they became another casualty in this war of wills. I would not let them fall into the hands of a queen who had learned to conquer not just with force, but with unyielding resolve.
I took off for the lunar territory as they call themselves
Aurora POV
My wolf's anticipation surged as we neared the territory. Every step brought me closer to my mates, to the reunion that had felt like a distant dream. But before I could bask in the relief of seeing them, our path was blocked by a group of 20 werewolves, their eyes glinting with greedy intent as they masked their scent and circled us like vultures.
Being the Rogue Queen wasn't a life of comfort—it was a relentless dance over a bed of thorns. And today, I felt more than ready for that dance, though I would make it look like anything but. A grin tugged at my lips as I stood tall, feigning a tremble that came from somewhere between exhaustion and fear.
The leader, a hulking man with wild red hair and a scar that split his face like a lightning bolt, stepped forward. His eyes locked onto mine, and he scoffed. "So, you're the great Rogue Queen?" He spat the words like venom. "What can a little, helpless thing like you possibly rule? You're nothing but a stray mutt."
I let my eyes widen, the act of fear taking root as I drew in a shaky breath. "Please, I'll do whatever you want. Spare my people and take me," I said, my voice quivering with an exaggerated note of desperation.
The leader's smirk deepened, his confidence spreading like wildfire. "Good. Begging suits you," he sneered, stepping closer with a wicked gleam in his eye.
I didn't flinch. As he neared, I shifted my stance subtly, positioning myself so that my eyes were on the rest of his pack. "If you take me, you'll never have to worry about these—" I gestured at the kids in the car, "—little nuisances again."
He laughed, a deep, guttural sound that echoed through the clearing. "Nuisances? You think I care about them? You're more important, little queen. And if you beg like that again, I might just be convinced to take you as my mate."
A snicker bubbled up, but I stifled it and let my eyes dart to the leader's side, where a smaller wolf lurked with a glint of greed in his eyes. I hadn't missed his subtle nod to the others. He was signaling the ambush. I smiled inwardly, ready to let my strategy play out.
As the leader came within striking distance, I shifted, and with the grace of a practiced warrior, I launched myself, knocking him sideways into his own pack with a force that sent wolves sprawling. Astha surged forward, a blur of white and silver, as she leapt on the smaller wolf, pinning him before he could react.
I whispered to her through our bond, "Keep them guessing."
The other wolves hesitated, confusion sparking in their eyes as they watched their leader struggle to his feet. Before they could organize, I used their confusion to my advantage. I darted left, feigning a stumble, and a few wolves lunged after me, only to collide into each other in a tangle of limbs.
"Not so brave now, are you?" I taunted, turning to face them, my expression feigned weakness hiding a grin of triumph. The rest of the pack hesitated, their eyes flicking between me and Astha, who stood proudly with her head high, a dangerous glint in her eyes.
One by one, they attacked, driven by fear and the need to subdue me. I slipped through their attacks, guiding them into each other's paths, twisting and turning with practiced ease. A sharp kick here, a sudden spin there—each move calculated, each step bringing them closer to defeat.
The last wolf who stood came charging at me, eyes wide with panic. I stepped aside, pushing him into the pond nearby, where he splashed and sputtered, gasping for breath. Astha approached him, tail swishing, and gave him a final, intimidating growl.
The clearing fell silent, the wolves now lying defeated and groaning, some too afraid to move. I stood amidst them, breathing steady, eyes sharp.
"Next time," I said, loud enough for them all to hear, "consider your targets more carefully."
I glanced over at Fredrick and Roca, who were watching the kids with protective eyes, their expressions a mix of shock and awe. I moved toward the pond, washing the blood from my hands, feeling the exhilaration of victory coursing through me.
And then I caught it—the rich, intoxicating scent of dark sandalwood mixed with cedar. My heart thundered, and Astha's voice roared in my mind: Mate.
There he was, standing in the dusk glow with his black and grey coat, eyes burning with deep, powerful purple. My mate. Kaelan.