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
The air was crisp with the promise of dawn as Jake tightened his leather armor, preparing for the hunt. His eyes held a mix of worry and determination, the lines of tension etched into his face deepening as he turned to me. I stood in the doorway of our room, arms crossed, pretending to be calm. "You don’t have to do this alone," I said softly. Jake stepped closer, his presence grounding. "This is something I need to do. Jacob is my responsibility, Prisca. He’s done enough damage, and it’s time I put an end to it."I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing a small smile. "I just don’t like the idea of you out there without backup.""Chris and a few others are coming with me," he reassured me, his hand brushing against my cheek. "But I need you here. The pack needs you." I nodded reluctantly. He wasn’t wrong. The pack was still reeling from the spider attacks, and while we’d managed to fend off the creatures, the scars—both physical and emotional—ran deep. "Promise me you won’t do
The air was sharp with tension as I led our group through the dense forest, my beta Chris close on my heels. We’d been tracking Jacob for days, and finally, his trail had led us here—to a crumbling house on the outskirts of town. The scent was fresh, practically leading us by the nose. Too easy, too deliberate. “It’s a trap,” Chris said, voicing the thought that had been circling in my mind. “Or he’s cocky,” I replied. “Either way, we’re ending this today.” The house loomed before us, its decayed frame looking as though it might collapse under its own weight. I paused, taking in the structure. It was unfamiliar to me, but I knew its significance. Jacob had grown up here, trapped in a broken home with a mother who had borne the brunt of our father’s failures. While I’d been raised with love and support, Jacob’s life had been forged in resentment and neglect. Our father had chosen my mother—discarding his—and Jacob had never forgiven either of us for it. “Surround the perimeter,”
The day began in quiet relief, the first in weeks where my heart wasn’t pounding with fear or rage. Our enemies were gone, their plans shattered, and for the first time, the pack felt safe. Jake and I had spent the morning walking hand in hand through the pack lands, greeting smiling faces and soaking in the serenity of it all.But beneath it, I could feel a dull ache—a longing that gnawed at me. My babies. It had been too long since I held them, kissed their soft cheeks, or heard their tiny giggles. The joy of victory felt incomplete without them.Jake noticed my distraction as we sat in the living room that afternoon. He leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You’re thinking about them.”I nodded, unable to stop the tears from welling up. “I just need to see them, Jake. I need to hold them, know they’re okay.”He kissed my forehead, his touch warm and grounding. “Then let’s bring them home. Selena will understand.”I smiled at him, grateful for his unwavering support. P
PART 2The sun filtered through the trees, casting golden rays over the pack’s main courtyard. Laughter echoed in the air—soft, light, and innocent. It came from Logan and Lily, my twins, as they toddled around, supervised by Sophie, their aunt and my sister. She knelt by the fountain, encouraging them to walk toward her with outstretched arms.Logan, always the more adventurous of the two, took shaky steps forward, his tiny legs determined to conquer the small patch of grass. Lily, quieter and more cautious, crawled her way toward Sophie, her little eyes focused and wide with wonder.Watching them, my heart twisted. They were so full of life, so blissfully unaware of the gaping hole in our family. A year had passed since Priscilla died...since she gave everything to protect them.I leaned against the porch railing, cradling a mug of coffee that had gone cold. My chest ached—not from exertion, but from carrying the weight of a shattered hear
AYLA'S POVI watched from the window as Jonas and Lydia walked down the driveway, their figures fading into the soft glow of twilight. My stepmother, Sarah, stood at the doorway, waving them off with that practiced, sugary smile she always wore around guests. The moment the car disappeared, the smile dropped, and I knew what was coming. The only thing Sarah hated more than me staying in her house was the burden I represented. My father had died just a few months ago, and already, she was itching to be rid of me. “Ayla,” she called, her voice thin and edged with impatience. I stayed silent, gripping the edge of the curtain. How had it come to this? How had my life unraveled so completely? It wasn’t like I didn’t know. I’d been cursed—or at least, that’s what everyone whispered behind my back. The day I met Ashton was supposed to have been the happiest day of my life. I remembered it like it was yesterday. --- --- ---It was the Jacaranda Festival, the streets alive with mus
The car ride to the packhouse felt like a funeral procession, slow and suffocating. My stepmother, Sarah, sat beside me, preening as if *she* were about to be named Luna. She’d spent the entire morning fussing over me, brushing out my wild hair until it gleamed and forcing me into a pale blue dress that clung too tightly to my figure. “You look fine,” she said, not glancing up from her phone. “Just...try not to embarrass me when we get there.” I bit back a retort, my hands clenching in my lap. It wasn’t worth arguing. Nothing ever was with her. When we arrived, the packhouse loomed ahead, its stone facade both grand and imposing. There was something about it—something that made my pulse quicken. I couldn’t explain it, but as soon as I stepped out of the car, a strange sensation washed over me, like I belonged here. Then, the voice came. “Protect them.”It was clear as day, ringing in my head like a bell. I froze, my breath hitching. “What are you doing?” Sarah snapped, her
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