Kailey’s POVI woke up feeling feverish, my body shaking uncontrollably. My head throbbed, and my muscles ached as if I had run a marathon in my sleep. I tried to sit up, but every movement made me feel worse. Elyra walked in just then, balancing a glass of water and what looked like a plate of fruits. She froze the moment she saw me. “Kailey!” Her voice was sharp, laced with concern. She rushed to my side, placing the tray down on the bedside table. “What’s wrong? You look terrible!” “Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence,” I muttered, trying to smile, though it probably looked more like a grimace. “I’m serious,” she said, pressing a hand against my forehead. Her eyes widened. “Kailey, you’re burning up! Why didn’t you call me earlier?” “I didn’t want to bother you,” I whispered, wincing as I leaned back against the pillows. “I thought it would pass.” “Bother me? I’m your best friend and your baby’s godmother!” Elyra practically growled. “You *better* bother me next time. Now,
Kailey’s POV“Auren, go and give this bowl of food to your mother,” I heard Elyra call out from outside the hut. A few seconds later, my little boy came rushing in, balancing the bowl with his tiny hands. His steps were wobbly but determined, and his bright eyes lit up when he saw me.“Mum, Godmother Elyra said I should give this to you,” he announced proudly, holding the bowl up high.I smiled, taking it from him. “Thank you, sweetheart. You’re such a big helper.”He grinned, puffing out his small chest. “I’m a big boy now!”“You are,” I agreed, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. “Why don’t you go back and tell Godmother Elyra I’ll eat it soon?”He nodded eagerly, then spun around and toddled back outside, calling out as he went, “Godmother Elyra! Mum said she’ll eat it soon!”Elyra’s laugh drifted in through the door. “Good job, Auren! You’re my favorite little helper!”Over a year had passed since Auren was born, and he’d grown so much. Gone was the fragile newborn I cradled in my a
Kailey’s POVI was outside the hut one hot afternoon, chopping vegetables on a wooden board. The sun was high, and the air shimmered with heat, but it didn’t bother me. I liked the quiet moments like these when life felt simple—just me, my work, and the sound of the forest in the background.Auren came running up to me, his small face flushed with excitement. “Mum, can I go hunting today? Please?” He asked, his little hands clasped together as if he was praying.I sighed, wiping my hands on my apron. “Auren, how many times have I told you? Hunting is dangerous. You’re not old enough yet.”“But Mum, I’m big now! Godmother Elyra even said I’m a brave warrior,” he argued, puffing out his chest like he always did when he wanted to prove a point.“Auren,” I said, trying to keep my voice firm but kind, “being brave doesn’t mean you’re ready for everything. Hunting isn’t just a game. It’s serious.”He let out a dramatic sigh and plopped down on the ground, crossing his arms. “But I’ve been practi
Kailey’s POVThe tension in the room was unbearable. The air was thick with frustration, anger, and the suffocating weight of expectations. The elders were seated around the long wooden table, their expressions a mix of concern and fury. My head throbbed as their voices echoed off the stone walls of the council hall."This is a serious matter!" Elder Sia slammed her fist on the table, her sharp eyes piercing through me. "The crops are dying, humans are dying, everyone is dying. Alpha Ezekiel, this has to stop!""And what would you have me do?" I retorted, my voice steady, though my insides churned. "I have tried everything! The hunters have doubled their efforts. The healers are working day and night. I've prayed to the Moon Goddess more times than I can count! What more do you expect from me?""Results!" Elder Harren barked, his wrinkled face flushed with anger. "You’ve been Alpha for a year, Ezekiel, and in that time, this pack has only seen death and despair.""Do you think I don’t see
Ezekiel’s POV The first rays of dawn painted the sky as we gathered at the edge of the forest. The air was cool, and the atmosphere was tense. Brax stood by my side, his expression serious as always, while Liora adjusted the strap of her satchel filled with herbs and scrolls. Two of my strongest warriors, Dax and Kieran, flanked us, their presence reassuring but not enough to ease the knot in my stomach.“This is it,” I said, looking at each of them. “Once we leave, there’s no turning back. Are we ready?”“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Brax replied, gripping the hilt of his sword.Liora nodded, her face calm but her eyes alert. “The pack is counting on us. Let’s not waste any more time.”“Let’s move out,” I said, leading the way into the dense forest.The trees closed around us, their shadows long and imposing. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the soft crunch of our boots on the ground. No one spoke; the weight of our mission hung heavily in the air.After a while, Brax broke the
Ezekiel’s POVThe night was thick with silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. I lay on my makeshift bed, staring up at the canvas roof of my tent. Sleep was a fleeting thing these days, but I must have dozed off because the sound came suddenly, sharp and distinct.Footsteps.They were subtle but unmistakable, crunching softly against the forest floor outside.I sat up immediately, my senses on high alert. In the forest, far from the safety of the pack grounds, danger could come from anywhere. Rogues? A thief? Or something worse?I reached for the knife I kept under my bedroll, its cool handle fitting snugly into my palm. Quietly, I got to my feet, careful not to make any noise that might alert whoever—or whatever—was outside.The others were sleeping, their breathing steady and undisturbed. I moved toward the tent flap, my heart pounding as I peeked outside. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting eerie shadows on the ground.There, near the edge of t
Ezekiel’s POVThe forest was eerily quiet, and I kept following the boy. The faint crunch of leaves underfoot was the only sound as I moved carefully through the shadows. Suddenly, he vanished. One moment he was just ahead of me, and the next, he was gone.I froze, my eyes scanning the dense trees around me. “Where did you go?” I muttered under my breath. The darkness made it hard to see, but I wasn’t going to give up. He had to be here somewhere. My eyes darted upward to the treetops, and I noticed something. One of the trees had its leaves rustling, even though there was no wind.“This is it,” I whispered to myself, stepping closer to the tree. “Hey! I’m not going to hurt you,” I called out, trying to keep my voice calm.No answer.“Who are you?” I asked, my gaze fixed on the rustling branches.Still no response.I sighed and tried again. “Hey, come on. You can talk to me. I’m not here to hurt you.”Silence.Just as I was about to turn away, a small voice broke through the quiet. “My name i
Ezekiel’s POV“This is why people fear us,” Auren’s mother said. “Because they don’t understand. They see power and assume the worst.”“But you’re not hurting anyone,” I said.“That doesn’t matter to most,” the older woman said. “Fear makes people dangerous.”I nodded slowly, trying to process everything. “So you stay hidden. To protect yourselves.”“And to protect others,”ELyra said. “Power like ours can be dangerous if not controlled.”“I see,” I said. “But Auren… he’s just a kid. Doesn’t he deserve a chance to live a normal life?”“This is normal for us,” the older woman said firmly. “It may not be what you know, but it’s what we have.”“And you don’t think the world could ever accept yoThe room fell silent. Finally, Auren’s mother spoke. “Perhaps one day. But not today.”I nodded, understanding their caution. But a part of me couldn’t help but hope that they were wrong. That maybe, just maybe, the world could change.For now, though, I knew better than to push. “Thank you for trusting me e
JAMES POV.I watched as Cecilia walked out of the conference room together with the two rogues holding Auren and also the leader of the rogues,Damon.I hated how powerless I felt at that moment, I hated the fact that I could do anything to stop them from taking Auren.How could Cecilia do this?How could she be this wicked?How could she do this to Ezekiel's son?Even if he wasn't hers, why would she think of hurting him?.I shrugged off the thought asin brought myself back to the reality before me,the twelve rogues some holding swords while others had just their claws out. They were ready to tear me apart, I could see it in their eyes, the rage, the confidence that they have finally got me. I gulped, I knew it won't end here, or so I believe, I would never go down without a fight and I have promised Ezekiel that I was going to protect Auren till he gets back and that was exactly what I was going to do. Before I had the time to think, three of the rogues lounged at me, I dashed forwar
LYDIA'S POV My mind raced and my heart pounded heavily in my chest as Jon and I dashed through the long hallway of the pack house. I could hear the sound of my boots, not just mine but also that of Jon as we ran, each step echoing IIn the tense silence between the distant sounds of battle outside.I could hear and see the walls shaking causing dust to fall from the ceiling, Jon had seen this too.It was clear that the rogues had gotten into the pack house so much, and it was mostly in the area where we both were coming from.I could still remember vividly how my lungs almost burst from the thick smoke which covered the area at the time. Right now, I could hear angry growls and loud crashes from the direction we had just come from, My heart thudded so hard I could feel it in my throat.“Stay behind me, Lydia,” Jon said firmly, his hand gripping his sword as he led the way. His voice was calm, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. He was ready to fight if needed.The image
James pov The conference room was just a stone's throw from where I was right now, I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing, I couldn't really trust that rogue. However.I had listened to his heartbeat at the time, there was no way he could have lied to me.If Auren was taken to the conference room, then there must be a reason for that. Why was Cecilia doing this?.I had known her to be heartless but not to ti's degree, I have been doubting and forcing myself not to believe that Cecilia was behind all of this, but with the confession of the rogue, I didn't know what to think anymore. A serpent like Cecilia has been living in the pack house all this while. I shook my head as I began to jog through the hallway.The place was silent except for the sound of my boots connecting to the dry ground. My senses were at alert, and my eyes were watchful, I needed to be ready for anything. Right now my wounds had completely healed and I was back to my best, though not totally, it was all I
LYDIA'S POV. It had been aWhile since I Was in the store room, I sag with my let's curled up in a corner, my knees pressed to my chest with my arms wrapped around them. My heart pounded in my chest so hard it echoed in my ears. The thick silence inside the room was only broken by the distant sounds of battle, the clash of swords, growls, and screams. Smoke drifted in through the cracks of the wooden door, making it hard to breathe.Jon had told me to stay put. “Don’t come out until I return. Promise me, Lydia.” His voice had been firm but gentle. I had nodded, and he had rushed out, returning back to the battlefield. That was... a while ago and right now I was beginning to get worried, I had no idea what was happening to Auren and James. I just couldn't stay here any more. I didn’t know how long I had been hiding, but it felt like forever at this point. Every second stretched like an hour. My hands were shaking. I wanted to believe Jon was still out there, alive, and would com
James pov. With the few rogues I had encountered here inside the pack house, I was already convinced that they had gotten their way somehow.It was obvious there must have been an inside man, someone who had given them access into the pack house. Come to think of it, the rogues wouldn't dare attack the pack if they were not confident about the outcome. Someone was pulling the strings. I shook my head, holding my sword in my right hand. This was not the time to put my sword inside its sheath as there might be dangers lurking around the corners.Right now the wounds on my body had completely healed, however, the blood stains still remained on my cloak, a reminder of the battle I had been involved in a few minutes ago. The two who had taken Auren, they had come through this part of the pack house, I frowned, halting as I took on my surroundings. There was no one around, the whole place was totally silent, it was just like a graveyard, except for the loud screened from outside and
Lydia's pov. The battle continued as the loud sounds of howls and metal clanging filled the air. I pressed my hands against my ears, trying to block it out, but it was no use at this point. The pack house was shaking. The screams of warriors, the growls of rogues, and the crashing of bodies against walls was everywhere.“Move! Lydia, stay close!” Jon shouted, grabbing my hand and pulling me through the corridor.Jon was one of the best warriors in the pack, always calm, always sharp and James had ordered him earlier to get me to safety. Another warrior followed behind us, tall and strong, but I didn’t know his name. His face was set, eyes darting back and forth like he expected an attack any second.“I’m scared,” I whispered as we ran.“I know,” Jon said, his voice steady. “But I won’t let anything happen to you.” We turned a corner, and my heart dropped. Part of the hallway was on fire, smoke curling into the air.“They’re everywhere,” the second warrior muttered. “We need to g
Cecilia's pov. My heart raced, toes curled as I laid stretched out on the bed, both of my legs stayed handing in the air as all I felt at that point was pleasure, extreme pleasure.Damon continued moving back and forth, plowing into me with so much energy and I just couldn't hold back the moans which escaped my lips from time to time. I squeezed my legs, wrapping them against his wait and pulling him more into me as I reached my climax. My whole body spasm and in that moment, I also felt his rod twitching inside of me, in no time I could feel him filling me up from the inside.After that, Damon collapsed on me for a few moments before rolling off, we both laid back on the bed panting and trying to catch our breath.I can't believe I had given myself to him again, how could I do that? How could I let a rogue have so much power over me?. How could I let him have his way with me right here In the pack house?. Of Course I knew this as a disrespect to Ezekiel, I still had no regrets, a
James pov As I stood on my feet, eyes locked on the rogue in front of me, I had confirmed his strength already and I knew this wasn't going to be an easy fight at all. If I wanted to win this, I would have to be serious with this. “Come on” the rogue muttered, cracking his knuckles. And cracking his neck. At this point I could hear my own breathing, rough, ragged, loud in my ears. The hallway was quiet, but only for a second. Dust floated in the air. Blood stained the walls, Of Course it was clear it was from the little fight we had. Some of those blood were mine and the rest of his. He stood at the far end, chest rising and falling steadily. Right now, His claws were out, long and black, tipped with blood. He was grinning, enjoying this. I on the other hand was tired, sore, and bleeding, but I still had my sword. However, my wounds were already healing. “You don’t look so good, Beta,” he said, taking a slow step forward.“You talk too much,” I answered, lifting my blade.We
James pov. My mind was still occupied with the thought of how the rogues managed to get past the guards and into the pack house. A large frown appeared on my face as I inched deeper into the hallway. The pack soldiers had held their ground well, fending off the never ending wave of rogues, so how then were those two able to get into the pack house?.Seeing those two earlier only confirmed my fear, there were more of them inside the pack house, and these few must have not been in the sea of rogues who attacked the pack house. They must have snuck in through a secret passageway, there was no way they had done this themselves, it was clear that they had help from someone, someone inside the pack house. I gritted my teeth, my eyes sharp as I took in my surroundings. I wonder who it was, the one who had aided the rogues.Suddenly my mind went to Cecilia, I haven't heard or seen her since the beginning of the battle, where the hell has she been. Oh I just hope She has no hand in thisI