The forest stretched out before us, dark and oppressive, as if it were alive and intent on swallowing us whole. Every rustle, every crack of a branch underfoot, felt like a scream in the silence. Chris walked ahead of me, his steps cautious but deliberate. Marcus’s absence weighed heavily on us, a bitter reminder of how close this hunt had already come to disaster. Jake’s blood was our only lead now. The faint, coppery tang lingered on the air, guiding us deeper into the trees. Chris knelt briefly to inspect a patch of disturbed leaves, sniffing the air like a wolf on the trail. “He’s close,” Chris murmured, his voice tight. I swallowed hard, gripping the dagger Fatima had forced into my hand before I left. “Are you sure it’s not...?” My voice faltered, unwilling to say the word. Chris glanced back at me, his expression grim but resolute. “I’d know the difference, Luna. He’s alive.” That was enough for now. I pressed on, forcing myself to focus. Every step brought us clos
The tension in the pack house was suffocating. Wolves murmured among themselves, their anxiety palpable. Despite the chaos swirling around me, my focus was singular: Jake. He was out there somewhere, fighting to protect our pack, and I would do whatever it took to bring him home. I stood in the center of the war room with Chris, Selena, and Fatima. The weapons table was now a centerpiece of action: crossbows loaded with silver-tipped arrows, daggers forged from enchanted iron, and heavy axes were laid out for selection. “We leave nothing to chance,” Chris said firmly, strapping a long blade to his back. “If we’re going into Jona’s territory, we need to be ready for anything.” Fatima leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. Her human nature meant she lacked the enhanced senses and strength we possessed, but her fierce loyalty made her a formidable ally. “We can’t waste any more time,” she said. “Every second we delay, Jake is in more danger.” Selena, holding little Logan and
The tension in the pack was suffocating. Jake’s return had eased some of the panic, but unease still gripped everyone like a vice. Jacob was out there, planning his next move, and we had no leads. Selena and the twins were safe in their secret location, but their absence was a constant ache in my chest.Jake was healing physically, but emotionally, I could feel the weight of failure crushing him. Andrew was dead, and with him went the easiest path to finding Jacob.I stood in our room, arms crossed, watching Jake lace up his boots. He hadn’t stopped moving since we got back.“You’re going to wear yourself out,” I said softly.He glanced at me, his jaw tight. “I don’t have the luxury of rest, Priscilla. Not with Jacob still out there.”I took a deep breath. This wasn’t the right moment, but there never would be. “I can help you, Jake. There’s something I can do.”He froze, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. “What do you mean?”I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “Andrew’s body—it
The darkness wrapped around me like a suffocating shroud. It was the kind of pitch-black that wasn’t just the absence of light but a consuming void that seemed to press against my skin. I blinked, trying to adjust my eyes, but it was useless. There was nothing.I turned in place, my breathing loud in the silence, my heartbeat a steady drum in my ears. Where was I?“Lost already, little witch?”The voice sent a chill racing down my spine. Deep, mocking, and dripping with venom, it echoed from everywhere and nowhere all at once.“Jacob,” I whispered.His laugh slithered through the air, low and sinister. “Did you think you could toy with me? You have no idea what I’ve been through. You don’t know the meaning of pain.”I spun toward the sound, but there was nothing. Just the endless, oppressive dark.“You’re just a witch,” Jacob sneered. “A parasite clinging to a pack that isn’t yours. Jake took everything from me—everything. And now I’ll take everything from him. An eye for an eye, Pris
The tension in the room was suffocating. Jake’s jaw was clenched so tightly I thought it might snap. His eyes burned with anger, not at me but at the situation I had thrust us into. Yet, the weight of his frustration felt like a physical force. "You could have *died,* Priscilla," he said, his voice low and controlled, the kind of tone that carried far more weight than shouting ever could. I wanted to argue, to defend myself, but he wasn’t wrong. The dream, or whatever it was, had been too real. The cut on my arm was proof enough. But I was alive, and that was what mattered. “I didn’t die,” I said quietly, meeting his gaze. “I’m here, Jake. And now we have a lead.” “That’s not the point,” he snapped, standing abruptly and pacing the room. “You can’t just keep throwing yourself into danger like this! You’re not invincible.” I sighed, standing to face him. “I know the risks, Jake. I’m not doing this recklessly. But we don’t have a choice. Jacob isn’t going to stop until he dest
The first scream shattered the fragile quiet of the pack house. I bolted upright, my heart pounding, and instinctively reached for Jake. He was already out of bed, his blade in hand and eyes blazing with urgency. “Stay here,” he growled, but I was already reaching for my dagger. “Don’t even start,” I snapped, throwing on my coat. “I’m coming.” Another scream echoed, this one closer. It was shrill and raw, the sound of someone in unimaginable pain. My stomach churned, but I forced myself to focus. Jake gave me a look, half frustration, half resignation, and nodded. “Stay close.” The hallway was chaos. Doors were flung open, children crying, pack members shouting. The scent of fear was suffocating, mingling with something far worse—an acrid, sickly smell that made my skin crawl. “Jake!” Chris came barreling down the corridor, his face pale. “It’s happening all over the house. The damn spiders!” My blood ran cold. “Spiders? You mean—” “More of them,” Chris interrupted, br
The tunnels were heavy with tension, the air thick with the acrid scent of fear and desperation. Every face I passed bore the same expression—terror mixed with a flicker of hope. They were looking to me, and I couldn’t let them down. Jake walked beside me, his presence solid and grounding, though his jaw was clenched so tightly I thought it might crack.“They’re expecting you to fix this,” he murmured, his voice low but steady.“I know,” I said, though the weight of those words pressed down on my chest. Magic burned beneath my skin, restless and ready. Jake stopped walking, catching my arm and pulling me gently but firmly to face him. His sharp green eyes locked on mine. “Are you ready for this, Priscilla?”I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Do I have a choice?”His lips twitched in what could barely be called a smile. “You always have a choice.”I squeezed his hand briefly before pulling away. “Not when it comes to this. If I don’t take action, people will die. I can feel J
The faint glow of dawn barely reached the tunnels where we had set up our temporary refuge. Though the ground was hard and the air thick, people huddled together for safety, clutching their loved ones. Jake and I moved among them, offering what little comfort we could. His presence, steady and commanding, seemed to give the pack a glimmer of hope even in this nightmare.I paused beside an elderly woman lying on a makeshift cot. Her leg was bandaged, but the blood had seeped through. I knelt beside her and placed my hands over the wound, channeling my magic. Warmth radiated from my palms as I whispered a soft healing spell. Her labored breathing eased, and she gave me a grateful smile.Jake crouched beside me, his hand brushing my shoulder. “You’ve been doing this all night,” he said softly. “You need to rest.”“I’ll rest when they’re safe,” I replied, keeping my focus on the woman. The golden light from my hands dimmed as the spell completed. “How can I rest when there’s still so 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
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
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 hadn’t experienced in ages. Jake walked in, shirtless and freshly showered, his dark hair still damp and tousled. I nearly choked on my tea. “Morning,” he said gruffly, heading straight for the fridge. “Good morning,” 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. “What’s with the look?” “What look?” I asked, quickly averting my eyes. Jake smirked, taking a sip of his water. “You’re sta
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 hadn’t 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 outdoors—a play day, as he called it. I wasn’t 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 Logan’s unmistakable attempt at a word that sounded like “doggy.” It was his new obsession. I made my way to their room, leaning on the doorframe as I watched Lily try to climb onto Logan’s bed. She wasn’t very successful, but Logan’s laughter filled the room, encouraging her to keep trying. “Lily, careful,” I said softly. Sh
AYLA’S 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. "You’re late." "I know," Tammy said, her tone surprisingly humble. "And I wanted to apologiz
TÀMMY'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 night’s humiliation. Jake. That arrogant, stubborn man had dismissed me in front of the entire pack. And Ayla—oh, that omega witch—she had stood there looking smug, basking in the Alpha’s 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, they’d see me as their Luna, and their pathetic opinions wouldn’t matter anymore. “Miss Tammy, would you like more juice?” one of the servants asked timidly. “No,” 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
It was one of those days where I couldn’t seem to catch a break. Tammy had been hovering around Jake like a bad smell since breakfast, which wasn’t unusual, but today she seemed especially determined to cause trouble. I could feel it in the way her fake smile lingered a little too long and how her sugary tone had an underlying sharpness. Still, I tried to ignore her. If I let her get to me, she’d win, and I refused to give her that satisfaction. By mid-afternoon, I found myself in the library, organizing books that I didn’t even read just to keep my hands busy and my mind clear. It was peaceful, a rare sanctuary away from Tammy and her relentless drama. That peace was shattered when Sophie burst into the room, her face pale. “Ayla, you need to come to the main hall. Now.” I frowned, closing the book in my hands. “What’s going on?” “It’s Tammy,” Sophie said, her voice tight. “She’s—ugh, just come. You need to see this.” My stomach dropped. Tammy and her antics were never
It started with Fatima barging into my room like she owned the place, which wasn’t unusual. What was unusual was the manic look on her face. “She’s doing it again,” she announced, hands on her hips. I blinked at her, groggy from the nap I’d been enjoying. “Doing what?” “Being Tammy,” Fatima said, like that explained everything. It kind of did. “Ugh.” I rubbed my face and sat up. “What now?” Fatima pointed dramatically toward the hallway. “She’s in the kitchen. Again. She’s trying to tell Sophie how to ‘properly’ bake cookies. And—oh, you’re going to love this—she called her ‘sweetheart.’” I groaned. “Oh no.” “Oh yes,” Fatima replied, grinning now. “It’s about to go down.” Sophie was a saint, but there were limits to her patience. And Tammy? Tammy didn’t just push those limits—she drop-kicked them into oblivion. I sighed, dragging myself out of bed. “Let’s go before Sophie strangles her and we have to hide the body.” Fatima and I made our way to the kitchen, where
The day started off relatively quiet, which in this packhouse was almost suspicious. Tammy was nowhere to be seen for most of the morning, and for the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe without wanting to punch someone. The twins were playing happily in the garden, Sophie was organizing something in the kitchen, and I was curled up on the couch with a book, savoring the peace. Of course, it couldn’t last. By mid-afternoon, Tammy made her grand appearance. She had changed outfits—again—into something that could barely be classified as clothing. A tight red dress clung to her like a second skin, the neckline plunging so low it was practically indecent. She sauntered into the room as if she owned the place, her eyes scanning for Jake. When she didn’t find him, she pouted dramatically and turned her attention to me. “Where’s the Alpha?” she asked, her voice sugary sweet, though the venom underneath was impossible to miss. I didn’t look up from my book. “Busy.” Tam