Chapter One Hundred and Two Jenna’s POVCassie has been shockingly nice all day, her usual biting sarcasm replaced with an over-the-top eagerness to help. Every time I turn around, she’s either offering to assist with my tasks or asking if I want to grab lunch or go for a walk. It’s unnerving.It is difficult to reconcile this current version of her with what I have known and understood her to be. I wonder what she's really up to and what she truly wants. Her faux kindness and obvious need to overcompensate for her past bad behavior causes me to be further wary of her. “Need help restocking the cups, Jenna?” She asks for the third time today, a smile stretching across her face.I shake my head, trying to keep my tone polite. “No, I’ve got it, thanks.”Cassie lingers, hands fidgeting with the hem of her apron. “You sure? I was thinking, maybe after work, we could—”“Jenna!” Raina’s voice cuts through the tension as she strides toward me, tossing her apron onto the counter. “Ready to
Chapter One hundred and Three Jenna's POV I frown. “You think someone was watching us?”“Maybe,” she replies, her voice clipped. “Or maybe I’m just paranoid. Either way, I don’t like it.”I sit down on the couch, trying to shake off the unease creeping up my spine. “Do you think it’s... something we should worry about?”Raina’s eyes flick to the paintings on the wall, then back to me. “Maybe. Maybe not. But like I said before, Jenna—people like us need to keep our guard up. Always.”My heart skips a beat at her words. People like us. Does she know? Or is she just talking about the general dangers of living in a world where predators—both human and otherwise—exist?I open my mouth to ask, but something in Raina’s expression stops me. She’s watching me carefully now; her eyes narrowed, as if she’s trying to figure something out.“Let’s just say,” she adds, her voice low and cautious, “there’s more to this world than meets the eye. And not everyone is as they seem.”I nod slowly, my mi
Chapter Hundred and FourJenna's POV As I head for the door, a wave of unease ripples down my spine. My fingers barely brush the handle when the door swings open, and Eleanor stands there, eyes wide and shoulders tense. Before I can say a word, she grabs my arm and pulls me back.“We have to go,” she says, voice low and breathless. “Now.”I stumble, caught off guard by the sudden urgency. “What? Where? Maddie and Zoe—”“They’re gone.” Her words slice through me. “I couldn’t stop them. Maddie’s too scared to stay. She thought leaving would protect us—protect the shelter. But Jenna,” she grips my arm tighter, “we need to move, before it’s too late.”A chill settles deep in my bones. “Too late for what?”“The council,” she hisses, eyes darting around as if expecting someone to jump out of the shadows. “I’ve been hearing things—rumors from other rogues. They send spies, Jenna. My heart beats painfully against my ribs. “You think the council sent someone after us?”“Maybe.” Eleanor’s voi
Chapter Hundred and FiveJenna's POV Minutes stretch out like hours as Eleanor works quickly, cutting out the bullet and wiping the wound clean. Raina moans in agony, but I keep holding her hand, whispering reassurances that I’m not sure she can even hear.Finally, Eleanor ties off the wound, her hands slick with blood. “We need to move now. We’ll use her car.”I help lift Raina to her feet, her weight heavy and limp between us. Together, we guide her out of the apartment, every step a struggle. The streets are empty, but shadows seem to cling to every corner. I can’t shake the feeling that eyes are watching us.Once we’re in the car, Eleanor drives, her gaze steely and focused. I sit in the back, keeping Raina’s head cradled in my lap. She’s barely conscious; her breaths are shallow and labored.“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice strained.Eleanor’s eyes flick to mine in the rearview mirror. “Somewhere they won’t find us.”I swallow hard, nodding, though I have no idea where that
Chapter One Hundred and SixJenna's POV The fire crackles softly, its warmth spreading through the cabin, but it does little to chase away the chill settling in my bones. I kneel beside Raina, watching the shallow rise and fall of her chest. She looks so fragile, so unlike the confident, tough woman I’ve come to know. My heart clenches as I brush a stray lock of hair from her face. Her skin is pale and clammy, her breaths coming in uneven gasps.“She’s not getting any better,” I whisper, the tremble in my voice betraying the fear I’m trying so hard to contain. Eleanor, crouched by the fire, glances over her shoulder, her face tight with worry. “I know.”The unspoken truth hangs in the air between us—Raina is dying.“Can’t you do something?” My voice cracks. “Anything?”Eleanor stands, wiping her bloodstained hands on her jeans, and steps closer, her expression grim. “There’s only one thing that might save her now.” She pauses, as if weighing her words carefully. “But it’s not someth
Chapter Hundred and Seven Cassie's POV I hold my breath, crouched low behind the dumpster, heart hammering in my chest as I watch Jenna leave. She glances over her shoulder before disappearing down the street, leaving Raina standing at the door, watching her go. My body tenses as Raina lingers, her sharp eyes scanning the street, searching.She knows, I think. She can sense me… Raina steps out further, and I freeze. I duck lower, my pulse racing as I press myself against the cold metal of the dumpster, praying she doesn’t see me. I peek through a small gap between the trash bins, watching as she scans the street again. Every nerve in my body is on edge, waiting for her to come closer, waiting for the moment I’ll be discovered.But she doesn’t. After what feels like forever, Raina turns around and heads back inside, closing the door behind her. I exhale, my muscles aching from the tension, but I don’t move. Not yet. I stay crouched, listening for any sound that might suggest she’s c
Chapter One Hundred and Eight Jack’s POVThe days following our confrontation are a blur of frustration and uncertainty. Violet has been avoiding me, keeping to herself more and more. She moves through camp like a ghost, speaking only when necessary, her coldness cutting through me like a knife. It's as if she's a stranger now, someone I can no longer reach.I can’t shake the feeling that whatever is going on with her runs far deeper than she’s letting on. Something happened during that hunt, something that shook her to the core, and no matter how hard I try, she refuses to let me in.I’ve tried to be patient, to give her space, but it’s eating me alive. I need answers.That's why I find myself standing outside Jordan’s tent, my hands clenched at my sides. If anyone can help me understand what’s going on with Violet, it’s her father. He’s been my beta for years, a trusted friend. Maybe he’s seen something I haven’t. Maybe he knows what’s really going on with his daughter.I knock on
Chapter one hundred and NineViolet’s POVThe tether’s words haunt me, replaying over and over like a curse I can’t escape. “You’ll always be second best.” His voice, smooth and cruel, gnaws at my mind as if it's tearing apart every hope I had. Even now, hours later, the weight of his revelation presses down on me, suffocating me under its relentless force.I sit alone by the riverbank, the air thick with the scent of wet earth and the cool rush of water. The moon, high above, casts a pale glow on the forest around me, but even its light feels distant and unreachable. "You’ll always be second best."Those words have dug deep, burying themselves into my chest. It’s as if the tether had wrapped his dark, invisible hands around my heart, squeezing until I couldn’t breathe. Jack. Jack had loved someone else. Not just anyone—a rogue. Jenna. The one he was destined to be with, the one the gods themselves had chosen for him.Not me.The tether had been so certain, so mocking… “You were ne
Jack's POV The morning breaks sharp and cool, the kind that gets under your skin and wakes you up fast. I step outside the house, the crunch of frost under my boots the only sound for a moment. The younger ones are already stirring, their faces alight with a mix of excitement and nerves. They hover near the clearing we’ve set up, glancing at the knives laid out on a rough wooden table.And it reminds me of the first turn that they'd learnt to fight, but not without weapons, how they'd learnt to use the forest to their advantage and protect themselves. Eldris stands at the edge of the group, calm and composed, as usual. He’s giving quiet instructions to one of the older wolves, gesturing toward the targets we’ve rigged up from logs and rope. His efficiency never ceases to amaze me.I draw in a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day settle on my shoulders. It’s my job to guide them, to make sure they understand this isn’t about picking fights or proving dominance. It’s about survi
Jack's POV The house is too quiet, even with the faint hum of activity outside. The younger ones explore the space, their laughter and chatter muffled by the walls. It feels wrong—unnatural—to hear those sounds without the rustling of leaves or the distant howls of the pack in the background. Eldris stands in the doorway, his arms crossed and that familiar, calculating look on his face. He doesn’t say anything right away, but I can feel the weight of whatever’s on his mind. “What is it?” I ask, leaning back against the worn chair. “The younger ones,” he starts, stepping into the room and sitting across from me. “They’re restless. Eager to learn. I’ve been teaching them what I can, but it’s not enough. Jack, we need to consider sending them to school.” The words hit me like a blow. “School?” I repeat, leaning forward. “You’re talking about sending our kids into human schools? Among them?” “Yes,” he says, his tone calm and resolute. My fingers tighten around the armrests. “Y
Jack’s POVThe days pass in a blur of unease and fascination. Each morning, we wake to a world that feels alien—smooth floors beneath our feet, no damp earth or leaves clinging to our skin. The house itself is strange, with its glowing orbs that light up the night and its doors that shut with a tightness that keeps the wind and cold completely at bay. On the first day, Eldris shows us how to use the objects around us. He calls them “appliances.” A box that keeps food cold without ice, a stove that heats without fire, and strange fixtures in the walls that bring water at the twist of a handle. It’s all overwhelming, but there’s no denying how useful these things are. For the pack, adapting to human ways is harder than I expected. Eating from plates with knives and forks feels unnatural, but Eldris insists we must. “If you want to pass as human, you must live like them,” he tells us. “They eat with tools, not their hands. They use furniture, not the ground.” At first, the pack res
Jenna's POV The sharp crack of wood splintering jolts me awake, the sound echoing through the inn like a gunshot. My wolf growls deep inside me, her instincts flaring to life. Something is wrong. I’m out of bed in an instant, yanking open my door just as Eleanor appears in the hallway, her expression grim and focused. “They’re here,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “Humans?” I ask, already knowing the answer. She nods, her gaze darting toward the stairs. “Armed. Council dogs."My blood runs cold. The council wasn’t wasting time—they’d sent their human hunters to flush us out. “Wake Caleb and Mia,” I say, my voice hard. “I’ll find Greta." Eleanor nods and disappears down the hall as I race toward Greta’s room. The old wolf is already awake, her sharp eyes scanning the darkness. She doesn’t ask questions—she doesn’t need to. “We’re under attack,” I tell her. “You need to take Mia and run. Get her out of here." Greta frowns, her jaw tightening. “And leave you behind?
Jenna’s POVThe soft knock at my door jolts me awake, my wolf stirring restlessly at the disturbance. The inn is usually quiet at this hour, but the urgency in the sound puts me on edge. I swing my legs off the bed and pad to the door, opening it to find Eleanor. She stands with her arms crossed, her eyes holding a strange mix of calm and tension. “Come with me,” she says softly, gesturing for me to follow. I don’t question her. Something in her tone tells me this isn’t about the spy we’d uncovered earlier—it’s something else. I throw on a sweater and trail her down the creaky stairs, out the back door, and into the crisp night air. Eleanor leads me toward the cluster of trees at the edge of the inn’s property. There, in the faint moonlight, two figures emerge—a young man and a woman, their clothes worn and their faces etched with fatigue. “They showed up tonight,” Eleanor says, stopping a few steps away from them. “They need help." I glance between the strangers and Eleanor, my
Jack's POV The forest opens before us, the dense canopy giving way to the edges of human civilization. For days, we’ve trudged through the wilderness, the ground uneven and slick with fallen leaves, but now the terrain changes. The air smells different—cleaner yet tinged with the faint aroma of smoke and something else I can’t place. Ahead, Eldris halts and raises his hand, signalling us to stop. His sharp eyes scan the horizon, and I follow his gaze. Just beyond the treeline, the human settlement comes into view. It’s nothing like I expected. “Is that... brick?” Violet whispers, her voice unsteady. She steps forward, her amber eyes wide with disbelief, her usual guarded demeanour replaced with genuine curiosity. I nod slowly, though I can hardly believe it myself. The structure ahead is a small house, built from smooth red bricks that seem unnaturally uniform. The roof is sloped, its tiles perfectly aligned, and a strange reflective material covers the windows. The whole thing lo
Jack's POV The forest breathes with life as dawn breaks, the air crisp and laden with the earthy scent of dew-soaked leaves. I rise before the others, my senses attuned to every sound. The pack sleeps in scattered clusters, their forms wrapped in blankets and cloaks against the chill. Last night’s feast brought a rare sense of calm, but it won’t last. It never does. I stretch, my muscles tight from days of travel, and take a moment to survey the clearing. Eldris is awake too, perched on a fallen log near the edge of the camp. His eyes are distant, his posture stiff, as though he’s wrestling with thoughts; he doesn’t dare voice. It’s not unusual for him to keep to himself, but something about his demeanour today feels different. I approach him quietly, my footsteps deliberately light to avoid waking the others. He doesn’t flinch or startle as I sit beside him, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Couldn’t sleep?” I ask, breaking the silence. He shakes his head. “Not much use in it thes
Jack's POV The scent of the buck is sharp in the air, cutting through the familiar tang of the forest. My senses sharpen, every sound and movement amplified. Days of empty bellies and restless nights have made the pack restless, but this kill will change that. It has to. I raise a hand, signalling the pack to halt. “Quiet,” I whisper, my voice low and firm. They freeze behind me, their eagerness palpable, their breaths hushed. Eldris, as always, stays a step behind the group, watching with his usual calm detachment. His presence still stirs unease, though I’ve made it clear that he’s staying. His knowledge of the forest and Nightspire’s plans is too valuable. The buck comes into view—a magnificent creature, its antlers spreading wide, its body taut with strength. It grazes in a small clearing, blissfully unaware of the predators lurking just beyond the trees. My heart quickens, but my movements remain deliberate and precise. I glance back, meeting Violet’s eyes briefly. For a mome
Violet’s POV The pack trudges onward, exhaustion creeping into every step. Jack leads at the front, his movements steady despite the weariness I know he must feel. I linger near the back, my mind clouded not by fatigue but by the whispers of the tether. It coils around my thoughts like smoke, its voice soft and insidious. ‘Eldris doesn’t belong here,’ it murmurs. ‘He’s dangerous, a shadow in the fold.’I shake my head, trying to dispel the thoughts. But the tether persists, weaving doubt into every corner of my mind. It knows how to press against my insecurities, exploiting the fact that Eldris has been with us for days yet remains an enigma. When the pack pauses to rest near a shallow river, I feel the tether’s presence stronger than ever, a cold weight in my chest. Wolves fan out to gather firewood and prepare for the night, but I stay rooted in place, my gaze fixed on Eldris as he speaks quietly with Asa. ‘You should tell Jack,’ the tether urges. ‘Convince him to rid the pac