VIKTOR PRESENT DAY I watch as Calvin is being led into my study, his steps measured and controlled but with a hint of deference in them, some respect for where he is and who he is facing. That is good. At least, there is someone sane in that shit show of a pack. He is tall. About five feet 11, with a slim yet fit physique, suggesting he follows a regular workout routine, which means he is disciplined. His dark hair is neatly styled, framing his face without being distracting as he moves. A slight, polite smile highlights his strong nose and jawline, making his features look even sharper. He is wearing a simple light-colored T-shirt that fits well but isn’t too tight, showing off his toned arms and chest as he moves. His dark jeans are worn casually, giving him a relaxed look. A basic leather belt sits at his waist, and his feet are in scuffed but clean sneakers or loafers, making soft sounds as he walks. Overall, he radiates quiet confidence and self-assuranc
ROWAN “Do you miss me that much?” I ask with a smile as I collapse into my bed, my phone in my hands. “We talked a few hours ago and here you are calling me again.” “I missed you the moment you stepped out of my embrace and into the car. When are you coming back?” “Viktor, seriously?” “Fine. I have hot news for you. A lot of news.” “Oh?” “I just got off the phone with Kaylee,” he says, jumping straight to the point. “She told me about your request to find out things from the obsidian pack.” “I only mentioned it in passing, I didn't think she would take it to heart. What did she say?” I ask “She’s been keeping tabs on them,” he explains.“Says there’s a lot going on.” “How would she know that?” “ She’s got a spy in their pack.” I raise an eyebrow, even though he can’t see it. “A spy? In their pack? How did Kaylee manage that?” “She is resourceful. And vengeful, you know that,” he replies. “She is also very observant, especially when we are together. That’s how
VIKTOR Three days later, I am seated at my desk, bored out of my mind as the soft glow of my office lamp casts shadows across the papers strewn in front of me. The silence is thick, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the wall and I am completely lost in thought when a sharp knock breaks through the quiet. “Enter,” I call out Kael steps in, his eyes alert as he moves quickly to my desk. “Alpha, you have a message from Calvin,”he says without preamble, holding out a small folded piece of paper. I take it eagerly from him ,turning the note over in my hands, the paper crinkling under my fingers. “What is it?” I ask, more to myself than to Kael. “Did he say?” He shrugs. "Didn’t say much. Just that I should pass that to you at the earliest convenience.” I unfold the note, my eyes scanning the short, scribbled message. The message is simple and to the point. Meet me at the old mill. Midnight. Come alone. I sit back in my chair, my mind racing. Cou
DOMINIC.Traitors.Everyone around me are traitors Even the bastard that I am looking at right now.The night is thick, heavy dark clouds thanks to the approaching storm. Angry rolling stormsThe sky is a canvas of charcoal, only occasionally pierced by slivers of moonlight that creep through the clouds and thick canopy of tree branches. Without making a sound, I move after him, like a shadow within shadows with my steps deliberately soft, my breath controlled, blending seamlessly with the rustling of leaves. I stay a few paces behind him, my eyes locked on him, watching how his posture is stiff and his movements are hurried. He thinks he is alone. That he is smart.He thinks the shadows keep him safe, but he does not understand what it means to truly be a part of them. Like me.I am the god in this place.And nothing can evade me.My instincts have been screaming at me for weeks now, warning me that something is off with him. The way he avoids me, the way he keeps challengin
DOMINIC This is demeaning.I am a fucking alpha of a pack that has stood for over three centuries and here I am.Hiding in the dark, like some pathetic trading wolf I shouldn't be doing this It is beneath me.But what choice do I have when the wolves who are supposed to be doing this are below average?Should I just kill them all and start afresh?Hmm… now that is an idea. But for now…For now, I am here, lurking in the shadows just beyond the borders of Rowan’s settlement, waiting. Patience is something I have not perfected over the years, and tonight is no different. I can literally feel the tension coiled in my muscles, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice, but for now, despite my desires, I remain still, my eyes scanning the scene before me. From my vantage point, the buildings are little more than shodows against the night sky, dark and silent like tombs.A sham compared to my pack’s buildings How can she want to remain here?A flash of anger burns through me
DOMINIC“I know about Louisa! I know about her… and her daughter!”The wolf’s words slam into me, freezing my blood in my veins. “Rowan and her daughter?”Rowan… Louisa?Louisa has a daughter?A child?“VIKTOR!”The growl rips out of my throat like a sudden thunder echoing across the sky.How dare he?!How dare he touch what is mine?!The bastards.They will pay for this!If it is true of course.I look down to see my grip still tightened on Martin's collar, the fabric bunching in my fist. He is trembling, I can feel it, the fear radiating off him like heat. But he is not lying. He is terrified, and that is when I know it is real. It has to be.“Daughter?” My voice is a low growl, barely restrained rage simmering underneath. “What the hell are you talking about?”He flinches but forces the words out, stumbling over them. “Louisa… she has a daughter… five years old. Looks just like her.”Five years old. I do the math in my head, quick and sharp. Viktor had only met her early thi
VIKTORI hear Calvin before I see him.His footsteps crunching rapidly against the dry leaves, faster than normal. Frantic Panicked.That can't be good.I look up just as he breaks into the clearing, and I immediately know something is wrong. His face is pale, his eyes wide and frantic, darting from side to side as if he is expecting Dominic to jump out from behind a tree at any moment. Sweat beads along his hairline, and he’s breathing hard like he is been running, though the spot isn’t that far from where he usually comes.I frown, standing as he approaches. “Calvin… you’re late.” My voice is sharp, but my concern overshadows the reprimand. He looks worse than last time, more unraveled, like a man haunted by shadows he can’t escape.He doesn’t respond right away. Instead, he collapses onto the wooden bench, his hands shaking as he wipes his forehead with a trembling hand. For a long moment, he just sits there, his breathing uneven, and I can't help but get more panicked.Whate
ROWAN“What do you think he is planning?” Lisa asks, her voice breaking through the silence, her question hanging in the air like thick with tension and worry.I glance over at her, sitting across the desk with her arms crossed, her brows drawn tight together. Rina is perched beside her, a look of equal concern etched across her face. They are both watching me closely, waiting for answers I clearly don’t have. Leaning back in my chair, I heave out sigh, running a hand over my face.“I don’t know,” I admit. “None of this is making sense anymore.”Rina shifts in her seat, leaning forward. “But you talked to Kaylee, didn't you? Are you sure she is giving you the right information? You know how she can be biased. She sees everything Dominic does though dark tinted lenses. Maybe-”“She wouldn’t lie,” I cut her off, shaking my head. “Or make mistakes about this. Kaylee is not the type to mess around with something like this. And she has been good with her information so far.”Lisa purs