The room buzzed with warmth and laughter, the kind that felt rare and precious in the packhouse. Sophie had just finished recounting a ridiculous story about tripping over her own feet during a pack hunt, and Fatima, for once, wasn’t biting back a cutting remark. Instead, she chuckled softly while rocking Lily, who was half-asleep in her arms. “This is nice,” I said, letting my head rest against the arm of the sofa. Logan, in Sophie’s lap, was gnawing on a teething ring, his little fists gripping it with determination. “It is,” Sophie agreed, her hair glowing in the soft lamplight. “We don’t get many moments like this, do we?” Fatima nodded, though her expression turned more serious. “And we probably won’t if we don’t address the elephant in the room.” I frowned. “What do you mean?” Fatima looked at me pointedly. “Jake. The twins. Whatever it is you think is going on with them—don’t you think he deserves to know?” I tensed immediately. “I don’t know if he’ll even listen to
The eerie stillness of the night was what woke me. At first, I thought it was just a bad dream, a shadow of paranoia lingering from Jake’s harsh words earlier. But there was something else—an unmistakable heaviness in the air, like the quiet before a storm. My heart began to pound, my wolf restless beneath my skin. Something wasn’t right. I swung my legs over the bed, pulling on a light robe as I crept toward the door. The hallway was quiet, the packhouse wrapped in the kind of silence that felt unnatural. As I neared the nursery, the faintest noise—a shuffle—set my nerves ablaze. I froze, straining to hear. There it was again, like someone deliberately trying to move quietly. My breath hitched. Without thinking, I pushed the door open just enough to peer inside. The sight sent a jolt of terror through me. A dark-cloaked figure stood by the twins’ cribs, their posture predatory. “No!” I burst into the room, my voice trembling with both fear and fury. “Get away from them!” Th
Perfection, that is all I could say about my life with Jake now. Everything was too perfect as if...it wasn't even real like it was all just a dream that could be snatched away if I dared to blink an eye. Jake was everything I have ever dreamed of, he was too handsome with a body built for a Greek God but he worked for it day and night. Working out was like something werewolves had to do without even thinking about it, they just did it because it's in their nature. Jake cared for me, I couldn't complain really but ever since he found out he was born of royalty he has been...distracted. "What are you thinking about so deeply," Jake asked, drawing circles on my naked back. I sighed, staring at the white fluffy pillow my head was resting on, "Nothing much." Jake growled playfully, turning my body around to face him, and I laughed."If it's nothing then why are you lying?" he asked raising a dark eyebrow. "Fine It isn't nothing, I'm worried about a few things. The next full moon is comi
Why are relationships so damn complicated sometimes? I wish things with me and Jake were just straight forward but Jake loves making my life so difficult. I was planning on calling Sophie Stephanie so we could go to the gym, I needed to release my stress.I went into my former bedroom and grabbed my phone. I quickly dialed Sophie's number, it didn't take long for her to pick up."Hey girl!" she shouted making me hold the phone a bit further from my ear. I giggled, "Hi Sophie, how you doin'!""Oh you know me I am always good as long as I have a romantic book with me my day will be perfect!" She said. Sophie Stephanie loved reading more than me and I used to consider myself the best reader.I smiled, "You better put that book aside and join me in the gym.""Oh, awesome! I was actually thinking about taking a walk or something. I will meet you there in ten minutes." "Great I will just get ready now," I said smiling and glad that she didn't have anything better to do or else I would hav
JAKEAfter Prisca left I sat back down on my chair and released a heavy sigh I didn't even know I was holding in. She was so damn difficult sometimes.The hard truth is I was indeed still stressed out about everything that had happened. I didn't know how to deal with the truth, that I wasn't really who I thought I was. That the evil bastard was my brother and that I was a royal. All of this new information changed everything, it meant my whole life was about to make a big turn.I had my mate now even though she was damn stubborn and naive most of the time. She didn't fully understand the wild ways of our werewolf culture and life. It really shook me how she actually thought completing the mating ritual was an option she could get out of after I marked her. Maybe I would have to fuck some sense into her, I smirked at the idea. I shook my head and my thoughts went back to the 'change' my life was going to go through.I didn't want to face this big change, the only damn good thing that c
Prisca's POV"Jake!Put me down right now!"I screamed at him as he carried me upstairs over his broad shoulders.He slapped my ass hard and it burned,this only fueled my anger."Behave yourself and your punishment won't be as bad as I have planned."he said casually,like this whole scenario was a normal thing.I tried kicking him which earned me another hard slap on my ass,I growled in anger. Me and my wolf were both very pissed off at the moment,our mate was being a total jerk! "You are being very barbaric right now,what is your damn problem?"He opened the door to his place and entered before replying me "I am being barbaric because you have forced me to act this way. You constantly defy me,oh let's not forget how you used your tricky magic on me this morning and then you dare raise your voice at me in front of my pack!Oh dear mate you have been asking for it a lot today and you are going to get It"he said his voice filled with mirth.I swallowed hard,he was right I have been acting ou
PRISCA’S POVAfter taking a long, much-needed shower, Sophie and I decided to wind down by watching the final season of *Game of Thrones*. Khaleesi had taken a dark turn, becoming more ruthless, and it was starting to annoy me. "Maybe her dragons should just burn her and turn to Snow," I commented, tossing a handful of popcorn into my mouth.Sophie gasped, still glued to the screen. She was far more addicted to the show than I was. "Girl, don’t even start! Those are her babies. Like, why would they abandon her for that shorty?"I rolled my eyes, "Oh, please. Don’t even dare insult Snow. He’s the real king—hot, too!"Sophie laughed. "You know nothing, team Snow. Just watch—our Queen will burn down every wretched city!""I hope she fries herself in the process," I scoffed. I loved Khaleesi, but she was being a total bitch this season.Sophie groaned, throwing popcorn at the screen. "Bitch, shut up! Stop hating and let the Queen rule.""Fine, fine. Whatever you say, woman." I fidgeted in
Pain—that's all I could feel as my eyes fluttered open. I tried to untangle myself from Jake so I could go pee, but the man didn’t budge an inch. Instead, he just groaned and squeezed me tighter. If I were human, I would have been suffering from a few broken bones.I sighed and took this opportunity to breathe in his scent and memorize every feature on his face. He looked so peaceful asleep, his lips pouty, swollen, and a deep cherry red from all the kissing we did last night. I blushed at the thought of it.Lord have mercy, last night was unbelievable. How could I have done all that? Never in my entire life did I dream of doing the things I did. I stared at his long dark eyelashes—his were longer than mine—lucky jerk. He looked too adorable for his own good, with his dark wavy hair falling all over his face.He needed a haircut. His hair was growing too long. His large muscled arm was holding me like I was his personal teddy bear. I smiled at how cute he was. He had a black werewolf
The eerie stillness of the night was what woke me. At first, I thought it was just a bad dream, a shadow of paranoia lingering from Jake’s harsh words earlier. But there was something else—an unmistakable heaviness in the air, like the quiet before a storm. My heart began to pound, my wolf restless beneath my skin. Something wasn’t right. I swung my legs over the bed, pulling on a light robe as I crept toward the door. The hallway was quiet, the packhouse wrapped in the kind of silence that felt unnatural. As I neared the nursery, the faintest noise—a shuffle—set my nerves ablaze. I froze, straining to hear. There it was again, like someone deliberately trying to move quietly. My breath hitched. Without thinking, I pushed the door open just enough to peer inside. The sight sent a jolt of terror through me. A dark-cloaked figure stood by the twins’ cribs, their posture predatory. “No!” I burst into the room, my voice trembling with both fear and fury. “Get away from them!” Th
The room buzzed with warmth and laughter, the kind that felt rare and precious in the packhouse. Sophie had just finished recounting a ridiculous story about tripping over her own feet during a pack hunt, and Fatima, for once, wasn’t biting back a cutting remark. Instead, she chuckled softly while rocking Lily, who was half-asleep in her arms. “This is nice,” I said, letting my head rest against the arm of the sofa. Logan, in Sophie’s lap, was gnawing on a teething ring, his little fists gripping it with determination. “It is,” Sophie agreed, her hair glowing in the soft lamplight. “We don’t get many moments like this, do we?” Fatima nodded, though her expression turned more serious. “And we probably won’t if we don’t address the elephant in the room.” I frowned. “What do you mean?” Fatima looked at me pointedly. “Jake. The twins. Whatever it is you think is going on with them—don’t you think he deserves to know?” I tensed immediately. “I don’t know if he’ll even listen to
The packhouse was unusually quiet as I sat on the plush carpet in the twins’ nursery. The sun streamed through the wide windows, bathing the room in a soft golden glow. Elias and Elara were sprawled out on their tummies, giggling at the ridiculous faces I was making to entertain them. “Come on, you two,” I cooed, lifting a soft toy in the air and shaking it playfully. “Are you going to crawl for me today? Or are you just going to laugh at my efforts, hmm?” Elias responded with a squeal, his tiny hand smacking the floor enthusiastically, while Elara’s green eyes sparkled with mischief. My heart swelled as I watched them. They were growing so quickly, and every moment spent with them felt like a gift. The sound of the door opening made me glance up. Sophie walked in, her ever-present warmth lighting up the room. “There you are,” she said with a smile. “I was wondering where you’d gone off to. What’s happening here?” “Just the usual,” I said with a grin. “Trying to convince these
The morning air carried the usual bustle of the packhouse, and yet, I felt on edge. Ever since Jake marked me, my emotions had been a storm. The bond was a constant hum in the back of my mind, connecting me to him in ways I didn’t fully understand. And while Sophie was her usual cheerful self, others—like Fatima—seemed to be watching me with something closer to disdain.I couldn’t quite blame her. She’d been so close to Priscilla, the former Luna, and now I was here, unasked for and unwanted, wearing a title that clearly didn’t sit well with her.Still, I had to try.Carrying a basket of herbs, I stepped into the kitchen, determined to help prepare breakfast for the pack. Maybe contributing would show them that I wasn’t here to replace anyone—that I only wanted to help.Fatima stood by the counter, chopping vegetables with a precision that bordered on aggression. Her eyes flicked to me briefly before returning to her task.“Good morning,” I said, forcing a smile.Her response was a lo
AYLA'S POV When I woke up, the first thing I felt was the searing ache on my neck. The bond. The bond that wasn’t supposed to happen. I shot up in bed, my hand flying to the spot where Jake had marked me the night before. The skin was still tender, the faint impression of his teeth unmistakable. I groaned, running my fingers over it as flashes of last night flooded my mind—his lips, his growl, the way he’d claimed me with such primal certainty. I’d always thought being marked would feel magical, like a spark lighting my soul, but this? This was chaos, heat, and hunger. 'What have you done, Jake?' What had 'I' done? I stumbled out of bed, pulling my hair over my shoulder to cover the mark. Maybe no one would notice. Maybe it would all go away. But it wouldn’t, because I could feel him now. His emotions, his turmoil—it all pressed against my consciousness, as if a part of him had rooted itself inside me. Even though he was avoiding me, I could feel his tension
ALPHA JAKE The first thing I noticed when I woke up that morning was her scent. It lingered everywhere. In the hallways, in the kitchen, even in my office. Sweet and maddening, like wild jasmine after a rainstorm. It clung to my clothes, settled in my mind, and refused to let me focus on anything else. Ayla. The second chance mate I never asked for. The second chance mate I didn’t deserve. I sat in my office, nursing my second glass of whiskey before the sun had even set. It wasn’t helping. It never did. The anniversary of Priscilla’s death loomed over me like a shadow, pulling me back to memories I fought to bury every single day. Her laugh, her scent, her touch—all of it had been mine, and then it was gone in a flash of blood and betrayal. And now, the Moon Goddess had the audacity to throw Ayla into my life. A woman who looked at me like I was something worth saving, who smiled as if the world hadn’t chewed her up and spat her out. I didn’t want her smiles.
The day had been heavy from the start. The air in the packhouse carried a palpable tension, as if the walls themselves were mourning. Even the twins seemed subdued, their usual giggles replaced by soft coos as I played with them in the nursery. I had overheard Sophie earlier, speaking in hushed tones to Chris about the approaching anniversary of Priscilla’s death. That explained Jake’s mood—or, more accurately, the storm cloud hovering over him. I hated how his pain bled into everyone else’s lives, turning the warm packhouse into a place of icy silence. I couldn’t fix his grief, but I could try to lift the pack’s spirits, if only for a moment. So I busied myself in the kitchen, deciding to cook a feast for everyone. --- The dining table was a masterpiece by the time I was done. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, and a rich berry tart sat in the center of the table. The twins were in their high chairs, babbling excitedly, and Sophie gave me a warm smile
The morning light spilled through the nursery windows, painting the room in soft gold. I sat cross-legged on the floor, Lily’s tiny hand in mine as she babbled away, a mess of syllables and giggles that made my heart swell. Logan was nearby, gnawing on a teething ring like it was his greatest nemesis. “They’re going to be geniuses,” I declared, ruffling Logan’s dark hair. “Just look at them. Babbling at six months? They’ll be discussing philosophy by the time they’re two.” Lily squealed, smacking my arm, and I laughed. As I turned to grab their favorite stuffed animals from the pile beside me, a prickle ran up my spine. That unmistakable sensation of being watched. Slowly, I glanced over my shoulder—and there he was. Jake. Leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his sharp eyes fixed on me and the twins. For a moment, I froze, caught in the intensity of his gaze. But then, a smile tugged at my lips, and I gave him a little wave. Jake’s lips twitched like he was fighting
The packhouse buzzed with news of Jake’s return before dawn, but it wasn’t the triumphant homecoming you’d expect from an Alpha. Instead, the whispers carried fragments of worry. Injured. Distant. Refusing medical help.I waited anxiously in the common area, pacing back and forth as the sun rose higher. I told myself it was because of the twins—that they’d missed their father. That was my excuse, anyway. When the heavy oak doors finally creaked open, the sight of him hit me harder than I expected. Jake strode in, tall and proud as ever, but his movements were stiff, his expression carved from stone. Blood smeared his shirt, and his left arm hung limply at his side. “Jake—” “Alpha,” he corrected coldly, his voice like a blade. The sharpness made me pause, but I squared my shoulders. “You’re hurt. Let me—” “I don’t need your help,” he snapped, brushing past me. I turned and followed him, frustration bubbling up. “You’re bleeding, Jake. This is ridiculous. At least let Sophie