TรMMY'S POVThe morning sun streamed through the dining room windows, bathing the room in a golden glow. The smell of fresh coffee and buttered toast filled the air, but I barely tasted the food on my plate. My appetite had disappeared the moment I woke up, replaced by the lingering sting of last nightโs humiliation. Jake. That arrogant, stubborn man had dismissed me in front of the entire pack. And Aylaโoh, that omega witchโshe had stood there looking smug, basking in the Alphaโs undeserved loyalty. I stabbed my fork into a piece of fruit with more force than necessary, ignoring the curious glances from a few workers clearing the table. Let them look. Let them whisper. Soon, theyโd see me as their Luna, and their pathetic opinions wouldnโt matter anymore. โMiss Tammy, would you like more juice?โ one of the servants asked timidly. โNo,โ I snapped, pushing my chair back with a loud scrape. The girl flinched, and I felt a flicker of satisfaction. At least someone still knew how
AYLAโS POVThe day started like any other, a routine that I was slowly getting used to despite the chaos Tammy brought into our lives. Breakfast had been quiet, surprisingly so, with Tammy nowhere in sight. It was almost peaceful, with Sophie cracking jokes and Fatima teasing Jake about his brooding expression. Even the twins were in good spirits, giggling and smearing jam all over their faces. By the time lunch rolled around, the quiet had lulled me into a false sense of security. Tammy, however, made her grand reappearance, striding into the dining room like she owned the place. But something was off. "Good afternoon," she said, her voice unusually soft. Her gaze swept across the room, lingering on each of us as she offered a small smile. Fatima blinked. Sophie froze mid-sip of her drink. I just stared, waiting for the punchline. "Tammy," Jake said evenly, setting his glass down. "Youโre late." "I know," Tammy said, her tone surprisingly humble. "And I wanted to apologiz
The morning started quietly, almost too quietly. The twins were playing in their room, and I had some rare time to myself. I stood in the kitchen, sipping on tea while I planned the day ahead. The warmth of the tea and the soft morning light through the window made me feel at ease, a feeling I hadnโt had in a long time. Jake had left for his early training, and I knew the twins would be bouncing off the walls soon. They had energy to burn, and Jake suggested we spend the day outdoorsโa play day, as he called it. I wasnโt sure what a "play day" entailed, but I was eager to see the twins happy and carefree. A soft giggle floated down the hall, followed by Loganโs unmistakable attempt at a word that sounded like โdoggy.โ It was his new obsession. I made my way to their room, leaning on the doorframe as I watched Lily try to climb onto Loganโs bed. She wasnโt very successful, but Loganโs laughter filled the room, encouraging her to keep trying. โLily, careful,โ I said softly. Sh
For the first time in what felt like forever, the house was quiet. Tammy and her father had left early in the morning to deal with some family issue, and the atmosphere had shifted dramatically. The usual tension that clung to the walls like a fog had dissipated, leaving behind a rare sense of peace. I stood in the kitchen, sipping my tea and enjoying the stillness. The twins were playing in the other room, their laughter echoing softly down the hall. It felt like a normal day, something I hadnโt experienced in ages. Jake walked in, shirtless and freshly showered, his dark hair still damp and tousled. I nearly choked on my tea. โMorning,โ he said gruffly, heading straight for the fridge. โGood morning,โ I replied, my voice a little higher than I intended. He grabbed a bottle of water and leaned against the counter, his piercing gaze settling on me. โWhatโs with the look?โ โWhat look?โ I asked, quickly averting my eyes. Jake smirked, taking a sip of his water. โYouโre sta
The peacefulness of the past couple of days felt like a distant memory when Tammy and her father returned. From the moment they stepped through the door, the air in the packhouse shifted. Tammy, who usually made an entrance with her over-the-top outfits and obnoxious attitude, seemed subdued. Her shoulders were hunched, her eyes downcast, and she barely said a word to anyone. At first, I thought I was imagining it. After all, it wasnโt like Tammy to be quiet. But as the day wore on, I couldnโt shake the feeling that something was off. Late in the afternoon, I walked past one of the side hallways and heard raised voices. โYouโre useless!โ Josephโs deep, menacing tone cut through the air. โDo you think this is a joke? Youโre failing, Tammy. Again.โ I froze, my heart pounding. His voice was so harsh it made my stomach churn. โI-Iโm trying,โ Tammy stammered, her voice shaking. โIโll do better, I swear.โ โTrying?โ Joseph sneered. โTrying isnโt good enough. Do you know how much
**Chapter: Tammyโs Web of Lies** *Tammyโs Perspective* The moment Ayla caught me in that heated argument with my father, I knew sheโd be a thorn in my side. She had this annoying habit of acting like some self-righteous savior, trying to fix things she didnโt understand. How could she possibly help me? She didnโt know what my life had been like, what Iโd endured, or what I still had to endure to survive. I didnโt need her pity. And I certainly didnโt need her poking around where she didnโt belong. The next morning, I woke up determined to avoid her at all costs. Ayla had this relentless energy about herโlike a dog with a bone. She just wouldnโt let things go. I could already feel her judging eyes on me, her pity oozing from every glance. As I stepped out of my room, there she was, hovering in the kitchen. Of course, she had made breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, baconโthe whole shebang. โGood morning, Tammy,โ she said brightly, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. โI thought y
AYLAโS POV The morning sun poured through the windows, casting a warm glow on the packhouse. I tried to distract myself by keeping busy. Jake was off in his office handling pack business, and the twins were with Fatima, who had taken them outside to play. I should have felt at ease, but Tammyโs presence was like an itch I couldnโt scratch. As I passed through the hallway, I spotted Tammy lingering near the staircase. She looked perfectly composed, her face set in that usual mask of practiced politeness. But when her gaze shifted to me, her expression flickeredโjust for a second. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but I caught it. A flash of contempt. I couldnโt figure her out. There was something beneath the surface, a simmering hostility she worked hard to hide. And then there was her fatherโJoseph. The way he spoke to her, the way he seemed to control her every move. It made my stomach churn. But Tammy? Tammy didnโt want my help. She made that crystal clear. I spen
Aylaโs PerspectiveThe sun was just starting to rise when I made my way downstairs, the warmth of the early morning spilling into the packhouse. For once, it was quietโa welcome reprieve from the constant chaos that seemed to follow Tammy around like a shadow. I hadnโt seen her yet, and I was fine with that. Peace wasnโt something I took for granted anymore.The twins were already up, their tiny giggles echoing from the playroom. I couldnโt help but smile as I stepped inside and found Lily and Logan sitting on a blanket surrounded by toys. Fatima knelt beside them, laughing as Logan proudly showed her a block heโd stacked.โYou two are early risers today,โ I said, dropping to the floor next to them.โLily dragged him out of bed,โ Fatima said, shaking her head. โSheโs got too much energy for this time of the morning.โLily beamed at me, her tiny hands grabbing for a stuffed wolf. She held it up proudly, her bright eyes sparkling.โIs that Alpha Jake?โ I teased, pointing to the stuffed
I didnโt 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 couldnโt 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 didnโt 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 didnโt 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 didnโt 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 wouldnโt 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.โI swear, Iโm melting,โ Sophie groaned from the couch.
Jake's office was exactly what I expectedโneat, 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, whatโs the plan?"He didnโt 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. "Thatโs obvious. But do you have any leads on whoโs behind this?"Jake finally met my gaze. "Nothing solid. But whoever it is, theyโre getting bolder."A chill ran down my spine. "Then we donโt 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 Lilyโs soft curls. "I donโt think theyโll 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 whoeverโs 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 donโt know why they want them or whoโs behind it." His gaze flickered to m
Jakeโs 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 wasnโt ready to name.I could feel his warmth, his presence surrounding me, and for once, he wasnโt pulling away. He wasnโt running."Jakeโฆ" 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 donโt."Something in his expression shifted, something raw and vulnerable flickering in his eyes before he exhaled heavily. "You donโt know what youโre 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 thisโso 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. "Youโre 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 Alaricโs 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 didnโt speak immediately, letting the silence stretch unbearably thick. โso you think you can steal from me? โ Alaricโs voice was a death sentence, quiet but unwavering. The man trembled, his breathing ragged. โI-I swear, I didnโt take the money! I was framed, I-โ The crack of Alaricโs palm against the manโs face echoed through the room. I flinched. The force of the slap sent the manโs head snapping to the side, blood trailing from his split lip. โI didnโt ask for excuses,โ Alaric said, his tone calm, terrifying. โI asked if you knew why you were
I took a deep breath as I stood outside Jakeโs 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 momentโto 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 couldnโt 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 eyesโsomething I couldnโt quite placeโbefore he masked it with his usual unreadable expression.โWhat is it?โ he asked, his tone clipped and impatient.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay strong. โWe need to talk.โโIโm busy.โMy nails dug into my palms. โToo bad. Iโm not leaving until we
I wasnโt 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 feltโฆ charged. A presence lingered in my room, unseen but **felt**, and a whisper brushed against my ears. **"Aylaโฆ 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 wasnโt 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 wasnโt 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 Loganโs 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