The car ride home was agonizingly silent. I kept my gaze fixed on the trees passing by, but my mind was spiraling. My stepmother sat next to me, her lips pursed into a thin line, her knuckles white as she gripped the steering wheel. The moment we arrived, I stepped out and followed her into the house. It was the same as I remembered—cold and unwelcoming, despite its lavish furnishings. The walls seemed to close in on me as the memories I had buried deep began to surface. She slammed the door behind us, the sound reverberating through the empty house. I stood frozen in the foyer, her glare cutting through me like a knife. “Why did you lie to them?” I blurted out, the words escaping before I could stop them. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “What did you say to me?” “You lied,” I said, my voice trembling but resolute. “You told them you didn’t know I was an omega, but you knew. You’re the one who told me to hide it. You told me never to show my wolf.” She scoffed, her hand com
The darkness of the basement pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket. The air was damp, the walls covered in patches of mold, and the faint sound of rats skittering across the floor made my skin crawl. My throat was dry, my stomach growling in protest. But it was my spirit that felt the heaviest. How long had I been down here? Hours? A day? It was hard to tell. I ran my fingers along the rough, cold floor, searching for anything to distract myself from the growing ache in my body. The faint creak of the door opening made me freeze. My breath hitched as the light from the hallway spilled into the basement, and the silhouette of Steve filled the doorway. “Well, well,” he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. “How’s my little rat doing down here?” I didn’t respond. “Oh, come on, Ayla. Don’t be so rude,” he said, descending the stairs with exaggerated steps. He was carrying a tray of food and a glass of water. My stomach clenched at the sight, but I knew better than to h
The darkness was suffocating, pressing into my chest until I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My body ached from the beatings, my stomach churned from hunger, and my lips were so dry they felt like they’d crack with a single word. But the worst part wasn’t the physical pain—it was the hopelessness, the unrelenting thought that maybe this was it.Maybe I wasn’t meant for this world.I curled into a ball on the cold, damp floor, letting my thoughts spiral. I thought of my father, his warm laugh, and the way he’d hold my hand when I was scared as a child. I wanted that warmth again. I wanted him.Maybe if I let go, I’d finally be with him.The thought grew stronger, like a whisper in my mind, pulling me deeper into the abyss. Tears slipped down my cheeks, and I let them fall freely. What was the point of trying anymore? Jake hated me, Sophie and Fatima had abandoned me, and the world I had tried so hard to hold onto had crumbled beneath my feet.Then, out of nowhere, a voice.“Get up.”It w
**Sophie’s Perspective**Lunch was an unusually quiet affair, save for the occasional clinking of silverware against plates. Normally, there would be chatter between Fatima and me, or perhaps one of Jake’s dry remarks that I’d have to counter with a sarcastic quip. But today, the tension at the table was so thick it could’ve suffocated me.I sat there, absently picking at my salad, my phone clutched tightly in my other hand. My thumb hovered over Ayla’s name on the screen. Her last text was two days ago, nothing special, just a quick note about how the twins had been extra fussy. Since then? Silence. “Come on, Ayla,” I muttered under my breath, sending yet another message. **“Hey, are you okay? Call me ASAP.”** No reply. I sighed, my heart heavy with worry. It was unlike Ayla not to respond to me. We always replied to each other, no matter how busy things got. And her phone—it had been going straight to voicemail every time I’d tried calling. Jake sat across from me, looking f
**Alpha Jake’s Perspective**I didn’t ask Sophie what was wrong when she stormed back into the house after leaving so dramatically earlier. I didn’t need to. She always wore her emotions on her sleeve, and right now, the worry written all over her face was obvious enough to annoy me. I looked back at the documents on my desk, the words blurring together as I tried to focus. But something tugged at me—something I didn’t like to acknowledge. Ayla. Damn it. “What’s the problem?” I asked finally, my voice as calm and indifferent as I could manage. Sophie froze for a moment in the doorway, then turned to face me, her lips pressing into a tight line. “You mean besides the fact that you kicked Ayla out and made her the council’s public enemy number one?” I set my pen down and fixed her with a cold stare. “If you’re here to lecture me, save your breath.” Sophie rolled her eyes and threw her hands up. “I went to check on her, Jake. She wasn’t there.” I frowned, leaning back in
The darkness in the basement was so absolute that it felt like it swallowed me whole. I couldn’t see anything anymore—not the faint cracks in the old concrete walls or the rusty pipes that lined the ceiling. All I had left was the sound of my own shallow breaths and the aching in my throat. I’d lost track of time. Hours? Days? I didn’t know anymore. My lips were dry, so cracked they stung with every inhale. The weight of the chains around my wrists and ankles seemed heavier now, pressing me into the cold stone floor. I tried not to think about water. Or food. Or escape. But gods, the thirst. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth as I let my head fall back against the wall. The small gesture made me dizzy. How long had I been down here? How long before my body gave up and I joined my father? Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad—maybe it would finally stop hurting. I closed my eyes, wishing for just a second of peace, but the sound of footsteps pulled me from my haze. Slow, deliberate s
AYLA'S POV I couldn’t remember the last time I felt warm. The damp, cold cell pressed against my skin like a second layer of punishment, seeping into my bones. My body was weak, trembling from the lack of food and water. I had stopped crying hours—or was it days?—ago. Time was meaningless in this prison, the darkness swallowing every second and replacing it with an endless stretch of misery. Steve hadn’t been here in what felt like an eternity. Neither had my stepmother. At first, I had rejoiced in their absence. No sneering remarks, no threats. But now, I wondered if their silence meant something worse. Perhaps they had forgotten about me. Perhaps I would die here, alone, unloved, and unwanted. I slumped against the wall, my energy all but spent. My wrists ached from the shackles, and the rough stone bit into my back. My wolf had gone silent, her strength buried too deep for me to reach. “I can’t do this anymore,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I’m done. I don’t
Days passed in the pack house, each one colder than the last. Jake hadn’t spoken to me since he brought me back, his stoic walls firmly in place. When I tried to find him, he was always busy, shuffling between meetings or disappearing into his office with a curt “not now.” The bond between us, once a thread of warmth and potential, now felt like a frayed rope. Worse, whispers followed me wherever I went, quiet murmurs that cut like knives. “She’s just an omega. What does she know about being a Luna?” “She can’t even protect herself.” “Jake deserves better.” I tried to ignore them, but their words clung to me, festering in the quiet moments when I was alone. The pack, which had once welcomed me with open arms, now seemed to regard me with suspicion. My presence in the halls was met with polite nods, not the warmth I’d grown used to. Even Fatima had grown distant. She was always quick to make excuses—“I’m busy, Ayla. I’ll come find you later”—but she never did. I spent mos
I didn’t sleep that night. Even after Jake had walked me back to my room, his touch still lingered on my skin, and my mind was a storm of emotions I couldn’t untangle. What had we done? What did it mean? I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my fingers grazing my lips, remembering the way he had kissed me in the lake. He had pulled me close. Held me like he didn’t want to let go. Kissed me like I was something more than just the woman forced into his life. But when we left the lake, he didn’t say much. He had been quiet, almost thoughtful, his gaze flickering toward me more times than I could count. I wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but I was afraid of the answer. What if it meant nothing? What if it had just been the heat of the moment? I rolled over with a frustrated sigh. My body was exhausted, but my mind refused to shut off. Somehow, I must have dozed off at some point because when I opened my eyes, the room was bathed in soft morning light. I was still
The heat was unbearable. Even inside the packhouse, where the walls were thick and shaded, the air felt suffocating. Sweat clung to my skin, and I could feel my clothes sticking to me uncomfortably. The heatwave had settled over the territory like a thick, oppressive blanket, and it didn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.Sophie had already declared war on the sun, dramatically flopping onto the couch and refusing to move, while Fatima had gone to the kitchen, attempting to make some kind of iced drink that wouldn’t melt within seconds. The twins were in their nursery, the coolest room in the house, surrounded by enchanted ice packs to keep them comfortable.I, however, was suffering.Standing by the open window, I fanned myself uselessly, hoping for a breeze that never came. My hair was damp at the nape of my neck, and my tank top and shorts felt like they were trapping the heat against my skin instead of providing any relief.“I swear, I’m melting,” Sophie groaned from the couch.
Jake's office was exactly what I expected—neat, organized, and painfully impersonal.The large wooden desk was stacked with reports and maps, the shelves lined with books and ledgers. The only thing that seemed remotely personal was a framed picture on the far wall. Even from here, I could tell it was of Prisca.I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to look away.Jake was already at his desk, flipping through a folder. "Close the door behind you."I did as he asked, stepping further into the room. "So, what’s the plan?"He didn’t look up. "We need to tighten security. I want to know how someone got past our patrols and drugged the guards."I crossed my arms. "That’s obvious. But do you have any leads on who’s behind this?"Jake finally met my gaze. "Nothing solid. But whoever it is, they’re getting bolder."A chill ran down my spine. "Then we don’t have time to waste."He nodded. "Which is why I want you to go over the patrol routes with me. I need a fresh set of eyes."
The room was quiet except for the soft, rhythmic breathing of the twins. The dim glow of the nightlight bathed everything in a warm, golden hue, making the moment feel strangely intimate. Jake was still standing close, his presence looming but not suffocating. For once, there was no tension, no sharp words or cold glares. Just him and me, existing in the same space without fighting it. I exhaled slowly, brushing my fingers through Lily’s soft curls. "I don’t think they’ll ever be truly safe, Jake." My voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "Not when someone out there wants them." Jake's jaw tensed, his arms still crossed as he stared down at the twins. "Then we make sure whoever’s after them never gets the chance to try again." The protectiveness in his voice sent warmth through me, but I quickly pushed it down. I had to focus on the bigger picture. I turned in my seat, looking up at him. "We still don’t know why they want them or who’s behind it." His gaze flickered to m
Jake’s thumb brushed against my cheek, slow and deliberate, as if memorizing the feel of my skin beneath his touch. My breath caught, my chest tightening with emotions I wasn’t ready to name.I could feel his warmth, his presence surrounding me, and for once, he wasn’t pulling away. He wasn’t running."Jake…" My voice came out softer than I intended, almost a whisper, as I met his eyes.He held my gaze, his expression unreadable, but I saw the battle waging inside him. The hesitation. The need. The conflict.For the first time, it felt like he was allowing himself to just be here with me, in this moment, without the weight of his past dragging him back.His fingers tightened slightly on my jaw, his body impossibly close to mine. "You make it hard to stay away."A shiver ran down my spine. "Then don’t."Something in his expression shifted, something raw and vulnerable flickering in his eyes before he exhaled heavily. "You don’t know what you’re asking for.""Yes, I do." My hand came up
The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I stretched slightly, feeling the warmth beside me before reality set in. Jake was still here. He hadn't left before I woke up like he usually did. My heart did an involuntary flip at the realization. I turned my head slowly, trying not to disturb him, and took in the sight of his face, relaxed in sleep. His usual stern expression was gone, and in its place was something softer, almost peaceful. I had seen him vulnerable only a few times, but never like this—so unguarded, so human. I swallowed hard, resisting the urge to reach out and brush my fingers along the sharp lines of his jaw. This was dangerous territory. Before I could think too much about it, his eyes fluttered open, dark and sharp, instantly alert. It was fascinating how quickly he transitioned from sleep to full awareness. "You’re staring." His voice was rough with sleep, deeper than usual. I felt the heat rise up my neck and imm
The man knelt in the center of the room, his face battered and streaked with blood. His shirt was torn, stained with sweat and fear. Behind him stood two of Alaric’s men, their grips firm, unyielding. And then there was Alaric. He stood before them, every inch the cold, untouchable king. His suit was immaculate, his presence suffocating. In his hands, he toyed with a sleek dagger, twirling it between his fingers like an afterthought. He didn’t speak immediately, letting the silence stretch unbearably thick. “so you think you can steal from me? ” Alaric’s voice was a death sentence, quiet but unwavering. The man trembled, his breathing ragged. “I-I swear, I didn’t take the money! I was framed, I-” The crack of Alaric’s palm against the man’s face echoed through the room. I flinched. The force of the slap sent the man’s head snapping to the side, blood trailing from his split lip. “I didn’t ask for excuses,” Alaric said, his tone calm, terrifying. “I asked if you knew why you were
I took a deep breath as I stood outside Jake’s office. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might jump out of my chest. I had been waiting for this moment—to finally have a real conversation with him, to get everything out in the open. But now that I was here, an odd sense of hesitation filled me. Would he listen? Or would he just shut me out like he always did?No. I couldn’t afford to second-guess myself. Not now.I pushed the door open without knocking. He was sitting behind his desk, scribbling something on a piece of paper, his expression cold and distant. At the sound of the door opening, he looked up. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes—something I couldn’t quite place—before he masked it with his usual unreadable expression.“What is it?” he asked, his tone clipped and impatient.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay strong. “We need to talk.”“I’m busy.”My nails dug into my palms. “Too bad. I’m not leaving until we
I wasn’t sure what startled me awake at first. My body felt heavy, my limbs sluggish, and the warmth of my blankets begged me to stay curled beneath them. But something was wrong. The air around me felt… charged. A presence lingered in my room, unseen but **felt**, and a whisper brushed against my ears. **"Ayla… wake up."** My breath hitched, and my eyes snapped open. The room was dim, only faint moonlight streaming through the window, but I knew I wasn’t alone. My heart pounded as I pushed myself up, scanning the shadows. **Prisca.** I had heard her before, always in my dreams. But this time was different. This wasn’t a dream. **"Wake up. The twins."** Panic gripped me. I threw off my blankets and ran. The hallway was eerily quiet, the only sound my hurried footsteps as I rushed toward Lily and Logan’s room. Dread settled deep in my stomach, a horrible premonition clawing at my chest. When I reached the door, my heart stopped. The guard. He was slumped against th