ROWAN“What name did he give?” I ask as we all head to the cells.“Louisa Kane.”His words freeze me in my steps.No. It can't be.They couldn't have found me.Not here.there is no way they could have known that I am here.Unless…Unless that wolf told them“Are you sure?” Lisa demands as she hurries closer to me and grips my hand, while still watching Gaines. “That is the name he said? Are you sure?”“Yes. I told him no one by that name existed here but he says he saw her come in.”No.No.No.This can't be happening.They found meHow did they find me?I was very carefulI changed my name.I did everything right.Why is he here?“Rowan!”Lisa's sharp tone brings me out of my spiraling thoughts, causing me to focus on her while bringing the rest of the world into sharp focus.“Wh- what?”“You need to calm down,” she says as she begins steering me to the mansion.“Aren't you coming to check on him?” Gaines calls after us. “Not now!” She calls back to him. “Have him detained. Use th
VIKTOR.Coward.Pathetic, sniveling wretch.Any man who would gang up to beat a woman should not be allowed to live.And he even has the audacity to come here.To ask for her.How dare he?Who the hell does he think he is?Just what kind of backing does he have that he thinks he can walk in and demand to see the woman he almost killed?What kind of men do we even have in this world?On and on, the thoughts circle in my head, urging me in and fueling me with rage until all I see is red.My steps are purposeful as I head to the cells.Just five minutes.That is all I need.Five minutes with him to see how he can hold up in front of a man.When he has no one to back him up No entourage to surround him.Just five minutes is all I need for him to regret his birth.I arrive at the cells only for Gaines to block my way.“I am going in,” I tell him.“No you are not.”“You can't stop me.”“Maybe, maybe not. If you get past me, you are just going to have to get past four others inside. Do you
ROWAN.“Fine, do your thing.”I give him a grateful smile before walking over to the gates.Before I could swing it open myself, it swings itself and Gaines walks out with the other wolves.“Guia. We have him chained in the interrogation room. He won't be able to move an inch,” he informs me “Thank you, Gaines. You may leave now.”They do as they are told and I, without looking back at the three waiting for me, walk in.The cells are one of the ugliest, most unpleasant places I have ever been in and let me say, I have been in some terrible places.The pack here had felt like that had no reason to take care of it.Rank with the scent of blood and urine, with rusted iron bars, cracked tiles, leaking roofs, peeling paints and the frequent scurrying of insects, it was appalling.When we moved in, we had to clean it up.Not to make it fancy or anything like that, but to spruce it up, make it more inhabitable.Yes, we are rogues and we might come across some really violent, and evil wolv
ROWANI don't know how long I remain, like this, standing here staring at my blood soaked hands, his headless body hanging in front of me, while his head is under the table.There is no coming back from this.It is only a matter of time before Dominic gets impatient and sends someone to come searching for him, or even worse, comes himself.We need to prepare.But before we do that, before I have to think about what we are about to take on, I just want to savor this moment.It has been a secret desire of mine, one I have never spoken aloud, not even to Lisa or Rina. I have always dreamt of one day avenging myself.Of killing everyone who had a hand in my torment.Violent? I know.But I have found that I have a secret violent and mean streak in me.One that only comes out at the thought of anyone from the Obsidian pack.I want them to burn.All of them.For the abuse. For turning away when they could have done something No one ever offered me help, all of them all so desperate to get
VIKTOR.Whack!Whack! Whack! Whack!Hit after hit, after hit, I let my anger and frustration at all that has happened pour out in the punching bag.It is a good bag.Sturdy too.If not, it would have crumbled into shreds at the amount of force I am using on it.“Why?!” I snarl out loud as I land another hit. “Why won't she just tell me which pack it is?! Why does she keep pushing me away?! What won't she let me in?!”I just don't get it.It has been weeks now.Weeks!And she still keeps me at arm's length And I don't know why.She has already told me her darkest secrets.So why is she still keeping me away?Unless…Unless she hasn't told me all of it.What could be worse than being assaulted?I am not sure I want to know.And yet, I have to.If I am going to build. A life with her, I need to know all her fears so I can defend her from it.And…I also need to be honest with her.About who I am.That realization takes the wind out of me, causing me to drop to the floor in a depressed h
ROWAN.“...and make sure to have our contacts alert their security officials. Any strange person should be immediately noted,” I continue.“Yes, Guia.”“Has there been any news on the supposed spy?”“None. He still has no idea who it might be.”“And you are sure it's not him?”“Yes, Guia. I am sure.”“Hmmm, that is unfortunate. Make sure that they all on a need to know basis, have the information being given to them fragmented, so that they will have no full picture of what we are doing. Any one who acts out of order should be apprehended.”Alden gives one more nod before taking his leave while I relax back in the chair with an exhausted but relieved sigh.“This must be the most I have seen you so focused for a while,” Lisa comments from her perch on the chair where she is laying on Rina's lap. “The last time you were this intense was when we took over the pack. Planning, execution and the aftermath. I almost feel bad for Dominic.”“I don't,” Rina says. “He deserves to feel the full w
VIKTOR“Alpha?!”I whirl around at the familiar title, eyes wide and shocked.Who…“Oh, goddess! It is actually you! You are alive!” Dan, one of my pack’s warriors exclaims as he bows to me. “Andre said you were alright but still… it is so good to see you.”“Why are you here?!” I demand.“Louis?” Jhenelle calls as her eyes flicks from me to Dan. “Who is he?”“Yes, Louis. Who is he?!”The voice makes the blood in my veins freeze.Rowan.“Mummy!” Jhenelle gasps as she gets off the swing while I, with trepidation, slowly turn towards her.Her eyes are steel.Frigid and cold as she stares at me, waiting for an answer “Mummy?” Jhenelle calls, her voice quiet with uncertainty. “Come here, Jhenelle,” she says without taking her eyes off me.Jhenelle looks between me and her before she obeys.“Alpha? Who is she?” Dan asks.Oh, goddess. Help me.“You stay out of this,” I mutter to him.“Alpha?” Rowan repeats. “You are an Alpha? Do you know this man, Louis?”“Louis? His name is not Louis… he
VIKTOR.I watch in horror and despair as she walks away from me, not even turning once to look at me.Jhenelle does.She keeps turning to me with tears in her eyes, as if she is begging to not let her go.Begging me to hold on to them.But I don't know how to.How do I reach her when she never really opened her heart to me.“By trying,” my wolf answers. “You keep trying.”“You don't understand. She-”‘I don't have to and I don't want to. The only thing I know is that she is our mate and we will never be okay without her. Don't let her go.`”“You heard her. She doesn't want to see me.”“And? You are just going to give in? Like that? When did you get so weak?”“I am not weak! I just… I have never been in a situation like this. In a place where the stakes are so high.”“How high? What could be worse than losing her?”“She could reject me,” I reply. “I'm case you haven't noticed, she never actually did so. I don't know why, maybe she forgot, maybe it hasn't crossed her mind. Maybe… maybe,
ROWAN“Mummy looks like a princess!”I laugh at the remark as I stand in front of the full-length mirror, fingers trailing over the delicate fabric of my mating dress. The soft white folds cling to my body like a second skin, flowing down in elegant waves to pool around my feet. The intricate gold embroidery along the bodice and hem catches the soft light, making it glimmer like stars across a night sky. The dress is modeled after ancient Greek designs, and yet it feels uniquely mine, as if it were made for this exact moment. Which it was.“You are right,” Lisa tells Jhenells as she adjusts the waist, while Rina’s fussing over my hair, placing small white flowers into the delicate braids. “But a queen instead. You are the princess.”Kaylee stands off to the side, smiling at me like she already knows what I am thinking.“You look... perfect, Rowan,” she says softly, her eyes filled with warmth. “Viktor won’t know what hit him.”I let out a small laugh, a nervous tremble in my chest
DOMINIC The world narrows down to just Viktor and me, as it was always going to be. This fight has been a long time comingHis eyes burn into mine from below, and I snarl down at him from the balcony. All the noise, all the chaos around us fades into nothing. Just him. Just me. My pulse thunders in my ears as I leap from the ledge, muscles coiling, ready to tear him apart.In mid-air, the change rips through me. Bones snap, skin stretches, and fur bursts from my skin. The transformation into my wolf form is savage, overwhelming. And in the space of a heartbeat, I am no longer a man but a beast. I barely register Viktor doing the same, his massive body surging upward to meet mine.We collide like thunder.Teeth flash, claws slash, fur and flesh tear. I drive him to the ground, snarling, biting, desperate to tear out his throat. But he fights back just as viciously, his teeth sinking into my shoulder with a brutal snap. The pain is white-hot, but I don’t feel it. Not really.
DOMINICThe fight surrounds me the moment I step into the clearing, chaos, mouse, bloodshed, everything swallowing up the night. Wolves… mone and outsiders…they are everywhere. It is impossible to tell who is who at first, just teeth, fur, and blood under the slivers of moonlight. They… Viktor and Rowan, they were ready for us. That much I expected, but what I didn’t count on was the sheer number of them.I should have been warned. I should have seen this coming. But no one told me. Not even Calvin.I can see Viktor and Rowan through the mayhem, cutting through my wolves like they knew every move we would make. Like someone had informed them of my protocols When I find who that fucking traitor is, he or she would wish their parents had never met.How the hell did they get so close? I wonder as my pulse quickens with anger, as I push through the bloodied mess to get to them.But then I see the others- Maxwell, Fin, Sven, Kaylee and her weakling husband, Donald. Traitors.Wha
DOMINIC“Let me out! I hate you!”Jhenelle’s voice rings out again, shrill and desperate, making the fragile peace I had hoped for, to be nothing more than a dream Her words slam into me, causing a visceral reaction that surprises even meHer small fists bang against the door, over and over, relentless. Each hit feels like a direct assault on my patience. She doesn’t understand. No.She refuses to understand. I stand just outside the door, my hands pressed against my temples, trying to drown out her cries. But no matter how hard I press, her voice breaks through, each shout like a blade carving away at my restraint. I have given her everything, more than Rowan ever could, more than anyone could. A life free from struggle, safety, power, a future in her rightful place by my side.As the future Alpha of the obsidian pack.What more could she possibly want?Why does she keep rejecting me? Why does she keep fighting me like this?“Jhenelle, stop!” I snap, but my voice is lost bene
ROWAN They say the truth always finds a way to come out.And that is better you let it come from your own mouth than anotherI just hope that is true.Especially now.The tension in the air is so thick, I can almost taste it. This the first time the settlement has been this packed, with wolves from all over have gathered, and it is like the entire place is holding its breath, waiting for an explosion. Their eyes are on me, waiting for answers. You can differentiate my wolves from the others.They are angry, confused, a little scared because of the foreign pack wolves but more than anything, they are restless. Dominic has crossed a line, touched their little wolf and they want blood.The other wolves are just curious about why they have been summoned and are waiting for an explanationIt is Kaylee that first steps forward first, her mate, Donald, right behind her.“What are we doing here, Rowan?” She asks, her voice cutting through the low murmurs of the other wolves. “You have e
ROWAN SLAM!The door to my study bursts open, crashing against the wall with a force that sends a shudder through the room, making me whirl around, heart racing only to see Alden dragging a trembling wolf behind him. A familiar wolf.Martin.One of the deserters.Oh, I knew it!I knew I shouldn't have accepted these scums into the Coalition Martin's face is ashen, his eyes wide with panic, darting around the room like a trapped animal. I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. "Alden, what is this?" My voice is steady, but there is a hint of rage that I can't hide.Alden says nothing at first, simply steps aside to let two others enter. A young woman and a young man, both wolves from the obsidian pack, step forward. Their faces are tense, their eyes locked on me.Lisa, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, rises to her feet, her eyes narrowing as she takes in the scene. Viktor, standing by the window, moves closer, his presence commanding the room while Rina
ROWANEverything is moving too fast, yet not fast enough. Wolves are running, voices are shouting, and I feel trapped in a slow-motion nightmare, each second dragging on while the urgency inside me screams for action. My heart is racing in my chest, fear gripping every part of me, and I know -I just know- that Jhenelle is no longer here. Dominic… he was here.He must have taken her out of the park.The bastard. "She is not here," I whisper, more to myself than to anyone else. But Viktor, standing close, hears me."Rowan, we are doing everything we can," he says firmly. His voice is calm, but I can see the tension in his eyes. He is scared too. But that fear, it is not enough. It will not bring her back. We have to do something. I have to do something. Sitting here, waiting for others to find her, is not an option. It just will not work."No," I say louder now, my throat tight as I turn to face him. "No, Viktor. You do not understand. She is not in the settlement. He would
DOMINICThe audacity!That fucking bitch!I can't help but seeth as I stand at the edge of the clearing, just beyond the flickering light of the bonfire, cloaked in shadow. The night air is heavy with the scent of pine and smoke, mingled with the sharp tang of burning wood. Wolves are scattered around the fire, their faces lit with joy and warmth. The air hums with celebration, laughter ringing out into the night as if they have nothing to fear.But they should fear me.I watch them, my eyes narrowing on the center of the celebration. There, in the glow of the fire, are Rowan and Victor, laughing together as if they have won. My chest tightens, a bitter taste rising in the back of my throat as I watch how her hair catches the light, gleaming like embers in the dark, her smile that should have been mine is now directed at that bastard, ViktorI clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. Louisa. How dare she get another mate after being rejected by me?How can the fucking goddess
DOMINICA DAY AGOThe crackling of the fireplace is the only sound in my study as I sit behind my desk, fingers drumming against the polished wood. The flickering flames cast long shadows across the room, but they do little to dispel the cold that has settled into my bones. It is taking too fucking long.How hard is it to get such simple Intel.This is what I get when I work with incompetents.My phone buzzes against the desk, bringing me out from my thoughts and I glance at the screen. It is Martin. It is about time.I bring the phone to my ear, answering in a curt manner “Speak,” I say, my voice calm but laced with the authority that makes sure nobody disobeys me.“Alpha,” Martin’s voice is quiet, like he is whispering, and there is an urgency behind it. “There has been a development.”“What is it?”“Alpha- Viktor Thorn is here. He arrived today. And then Ro- Louisa annoyed that there will be a bonfire party. They are holding it tomorrow night. Everyone’s going to be there.”I