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 wasn’t like Tammy to be quiet. But as the day wore on, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Late in the afternoon, I walked past one of the side hallways and heard raised voices. “You’re useless!” Joseph’s deep, menacing tone cut through the air. “Do you think this is a joke? You’re failing, Tammy. Again.” I froze, my heart pounding. His voice was so harsh it made my stomach churn. “I-I’m trying,” Tammy stammered, her voice shaking. “I’ll do better, I swear.” “Trying?” Joseph sneered. “Trying isn’t good enough. Do you know how much
**Chapter: Tammy’s Web of Lies** *Tammy’s Perspective* The moment Ayla caught me in that heated argument with my father, I knew she’d be a thorn in my side. She had this annoying habit of acting like some self-righteous savior, trying to fix things she didn’t understand. How could she possibly help me? She didn’t know what my life had been like, what I’d endured, or what I still had to endure to survive. I didn’t need her pity. And I certainly didn’t need her poking around where she didn’t belong. The next morning, I woke up determined to avoid her at all costs. Ayla had this relentless energy about her—like a dog with a bone. She just wouldn’t 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, bacon—the whole shebang. “Good morning, Tammy,” she said brightly, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “I thought y
AYLA’S 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 Tammy’s presence was like an itch I couldn’t 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 flickered—just for a second. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but I caught it. A flash of contempt. I couldn’t figure her out. There was something beneath the surface, a simmering hostility she worked hard to hide. And then there was her father—Joseph. The way he spoke to her, the way he seemed to control her every move. It made my stomach churn. But Tammy? Tammy didn’t want my help. She made that crystal clear. I spen
Ayla’s 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 quiet—a welcome reprieve from the constant chaos that seemed to follow Tammy around like a shadow. I hadn’t seen her yet, and I was fine with that. Peace wasn’t something I took for granted anymore.The twins were already up, their tiny giggles echoing from the playroom. I couldn’t 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 he’d stacked.“You two are early risers today,” I said, dropping to the floor next to them.“Lily dragged him out of bed,” Fatima said, shaking her head. “She’s got too much energy for this time of the morning.”Lily beamed at me, her tiny hands grabbing for a stuffed wolf. She held it up proudly, her bright eyes sparkling.“Is that Alpha Jake?” I teased, pointing to the stuffed
The packhouse was quiet, the air heavy with the stillness of mid-afternoon. I wandered through the halls, my thoughts swirling with the events of the past few days. Tammy’s sudden disappearance, Joseph’s unsettling words, and Jake’s stoic indifference—it all weighed on me like a storm cloud that refused to break. I tried to distract myself by spending time with the twins, but even their laughter couldn’t pull me out of the haze I was in. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but I found myself walking toward Jake’s office. Maybe I just needed to see him, to ground myself in something familiar. The sound of muffled voices stopped me in my tracks. “…you’re overthinking it,” Tammy’s voice, soft and sickly sweet, drifted through the partially open door. I peeked inside, my heart sinking at the sight of her leaning over Jake’s desk. She was too close, her hand brushing his as she pointed to something on the papers in front of him. Jake didn’t move away, but he didn’t look particula
It had been a month since Tammy and her father stormed into our lives, and the tension in the packhouse had reached unbearable levels. Every day felt like a test of patience, as Tammy hovered around Jake, playing the perfect lady in front of the council while subtly undermining me whenever she could. Everyone in the pack, including me, expected Jake to kick her out as soon as the month was up. Yet, here we were—still stuck with her. And Jake? He was unreadable as ever, his thoughts locked behind that stoic expression. Was he really going to keep her around us? It's not like he was naive. Jake knew she was up to something ,he knew she didn't have good intentions ,but yet the girl was still here hovering around like an evil spirit. Despite me feeling sorry for her and whatever she was going through with her very suspicious abusive father, my wolf didn't like that Jake was tolerating her maybe a bit too much. He was my mate whether he liked it or not . The suffocating atmosphere was
Jake left early in the morning for a meeting with the neighboring packs, taking Joseph and some of the council members with him. The air in the packhouse felt lighter in their absence, though I could hardly complain about Jake leaving—it wasn’t like he was much of a presence lately, anyway. Tammy, surprisingly, had kept to herself after their departure, though I was sure she had some scheme brewing in her mind. Still, the silence was a welcome reprieve, and I was determined to make the most of it. The day started peacefully enough. I spent my morning with the twins, reading stories to Lily and Logan while they babbled excitedly, pointing to the pictures. Their laughter was contagious, and for a little while, it felt like nothing could disrupt the calm. But, of course, peace never lasts long in this house. It started with a soft cough from one of the pack pups playing in the courtyard. I didn’t think much of it at first—kids cough all the time, right? But then another child cou
The days felt longer without Jake around. The house was quieter, save for the usual buzz of activity from the workers and the occasional giggles of Lily and Logan. I hadn’t realized how much I’d grown used to Jake’s brooding presence until it wasn’t there anymore. But something else had shifted in the packhouse—Tammy. After her unexpected show of competence and kindness during the pack’s little health scare, she seemed... different. Or maybe it was just that I was seeing a different side of her, one that wasn’t cloaked in sarcasm and thinly veiled malice. That morning, I found her in the kitchen, of all places. She was chopping vegetables, her movements precise and efficient. “Good morning,” I said cautiously, half-expecting a snarky reply. To my surprise, she glanced up and nodded. “Morning.” I hovered near the counter, unsure of what to do. “What are you making?” “Soup,” she said simply. “For the kids. Some of them are still recovering.” “Oh.” I wasn’t sure what else
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