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
Chapter Hundred and Ten Jack’s POVDays have passed since I last talked to Violet, and with every passing hour, the gap between us widens. It’s like there’s a wall between us, one I can’t break through. The pack has gathered enough supplies to last for days, and we’re ready to move again. We’ve crossed the river and are making our way deeper into unfamiliar territory, but I can’t focus. I can’t stop thinking about her.I gave her space, thinking she’d shake it off. Violet’s always been strong, able to handle more than most. But now, something’s different. She’s distant, colder than I’ve ever seen her. The fire in her is gone, and the pack is starting to notice. I find her sitting alone at the edge of the clearing, beneath the oak tree, staring into nothing. It’s unsettling. This isn’t the Violet I know. I’ve always been able to read her, but now... I don’t know what she’s thinking.As I head toward her, Little Adam runs ahead, clutching a wooden toy he carved. His face is lit up wit
Chapter Hundred and Eleven Violet's POVJack’s words hang heavy in the air as I walk away from the clearing. I can still feel the weight of his gaze on my back, the way his voice softened when he spoke about us—about choosing me. There was a time when those words would’ve been enough, when hearing him claim me as his lunar, his partner, would’ve made me feel whole. But now… I can’t shake the emptiness inside me.I want to believe him. I want to trust in the bond we once had, the unspoken connection that always brought us back together. But something has changed—something inside me that I can’t explain. It feels like I’m trapped between two worlds, one where I still care for Jack and another where I don’t know who I am anymore.I glance back toward the camp. The women are gathering near the trees, preparing to collect sticks for tonight’s fire. I should go help; keep myself busy. Maybe then I won’t have to think about Jack’s words or the way my heart faltered when he said he chose me.
Chapter Hundred and Twelve Jenna's POV The days have passed, albeit slowly. I have tried to be more involved in pack activities. And my effort has seemed to put Jack at ease. We had traveled the entire day. And by nightfall, Jack had called for a halt and for us to make camp. Everyone had released a sigh of relief, happy to rest their legs for a while. Jack sits on the opposite side, talking in low voices with Jordan and the others. Every now and then, his eyes meet mine, a silent promise lingering in the air between us.But even as I sit among the pack, surrounded by familiar faces, I feel more alone than ever.The tether’s words haven’t left me. They echo in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts, turning every glance and every touch from Jack into something suspicious. Doubt crawls under my skin, no matter how much I try to push it away. I want to trust Jack—I need to—but the tether’s voice has planted seeds of uncertainty that I can’t seem to shake.I stand and slip away from the fire
Chapter Hundred and Thirteen Jenna's POV The fire crackles softly, the only sound in the cabin, casting flickering shadows across the walls. I sleep lightly, my arm draped over Raina’s blanket, instinctively keeping close in case she needs me. Her breathing, still shallow but steady, is the rhythm I cling to in the quiet. The fear of losing her hasn’t left me, even though she’s stable now. I can’t shake the terror that grips me every time I think of what almost happened.A light tap on my shoulder pulls me from my fitful sleep. At first, I think I’m dreaming, but the touch comes again—insistent.“Jenna.”Raina’s voice is soft but unmistakable. My eyes snap open, and I blink against the dim light. For a moment, I don’t quite understand what I’m seeing. Then, the world sharpens into focus, and there she is—sitting up. Awake. Alive.“Raina?” I whisper, my voice cracking. My heart leaps into my throat as I stare at her, my mind barely able to register it.She smirks, though it’s weak. “
Chapter Hundred and Fifteen Jenna's POV The fire flickers weakly, casting long, wavering shadows against the walls. But its warmth does nothing to chase away the chill creeping into my bones. The council. The mere thought of them makes my stomach turn.I glance at Raina, who’s still wearing that smirk, as if this whole situation is a joke. But I see it—the faintest flicker of fear behind her eyes, no matter how hard she tries to hide it. I swallow the lump in my throat and force myself to speak, though my voice shakes just a little.“We can’t stay here,” I say, quieter this time, but the urgency is clear. “If the council’s after us, it’s only a matter of time before they find this place. We’ll be sniffed out. They’ll track us like animals.”Raina sighs dramatically, rolling her eyes as she shifts on the bed, her smirk faltering for a second. “Wow, Jenna, always the optimist,” she says, but there’s tension in her voice, and I know I’ve hit a nerve.“I’m serious, Raina,” I snap, sharp
PrologueJenna’s POVThe house is a haven of warmth and calm, filled with the low hum of contentment. Outside, the world continues to bustle—the sounds of children’s laughter echo through the air, accompanied by the chatter of pack members as they go about their tasks. We’ve built something here, something beautiful, and I never imagined it would feel like this. I sit in a sturdy chair by the window, my feet propped up and my swollen belly cradled gently in my hands. It's almost time—our child is growing inside me, and the thought brings a mixture of joy and anticipation. The days are passing slowly now, each one bringing us closer to the arrival of our little one. And with Jack by my side, I know we can face whatever the future holds. I hear footsteps approaching and look up to see Mia standing in the doorway, a soft smile on her face. She holds a bowl of warm water and a cloth in her hands, her expression a mix of eagerness and affection. “Jenna,” she says, her voice light. “I wa
Jenna’s POV The next morning, I find Veronica standing by the edge of the clearing, her silhouette framed by the soft light of dawn filtering through the trees. The previous day had been filled with lots of hugs of goodbye. I had witnessed people cry as they'd embraced and promised to stay in touch. Greta had decided to return to her inn and rebuild it again. She had enjoyed the thrill of fighting and was glad that she was on the right side of history, but she needed to rest, and she couldn't think of a better place to do it. Raina and Caleb, though, had chosen to stay with us. And I was more than happy to still have them. Veronica looks serene despite her exhaustion, her posture as graceful as ever. It’s a sight that brings a pang of nostalgia to my chest, a reminder of the countless hours we’d spent together training, laughing, and sharing dreams of a better future. I approach her slowly, hesitant for reasons I can’t quite articulate. She notices me immediately, her lips curvi
Jack’s POV “Are you both joined together by the hip?” Raina asks as she approaches Jenna and I. Jenna lets out a low chuckle as she disentangles from me and moves towards her friend to warmonger in a hug. “We did it!” I hear her say as she continues to stay in her embrace. Raina rubs her back fondly, returning Jenna's hug with a soft, sad smile. “We did it, even though we're no longer complete.” Jenna steps back and looks at Raina, whose eyes are now wet with tears. “The last thing I expected was Eleanor's betrayal.”Jenna's shoulders slump in sadness as she nods. “At least we still have Greta and Caleb.”Raina smiles again as she clasps Jenna's hands in hers. “At least we still do.” As they continue to talk, Caleb and Greta join them, and I decide to step away and give them the privacy to talk and reunite. As soon as I am a considerable distance away from the group, Zephyr approaches me with a calm but deliberate stride, his golden eyes steady and unreadable. He stops a few f
Jack’s POV Jenna has returned to the women, helping them with whatever she can and rationing the last of our supplies. I watch her, marveling at how far she’s come. She’s not the same woman I foolishly rejected all those years ago. Jenna has always been brave, but now she’s a force to be reckoned with—a leader in her own right. Her quick wit and relentless courage have saved me more than once, and I know, deep down, that I owe her more than just my life. As she laughs softly at something Raina says, my chest tightens with a mix of pride and longing. Maybe I needed to be stupid enough to let her go back then to realize what I’d lost. Maybe my reckless decision to reject her wasn’t just a mistake but a painful lesson I had to learn to truly see her worth. And gods, she’s worth everything. I watch her for a moment longer, my wolf pacing restlessly within me, yearning to be close to her. The thought of spending the rest of my life with her—of building something lasting when all this
Jack’s POV The forest is quiet, save for the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional crackle of the embers still smoldering behind us. The air feels heavy, laden with the scent of ash and smoke from Violet’s pyre, and though her flame has burned out, the weight of her memory lingers. I catch sight of Jenna standing with Raina and a few of the other women. They're all talking and laughing, their voices ringing out steady and true. The sound of it makes my heart warm. We might have experienced our own loss, but we had emerged victorious. Jenna is beautiful in a way that makes my chest ache, her blonde hair catching the light and her shoulders held high despite the exhaustion I know she’s feeling. She’s always been like that since we met again—strong, unwavering. My anchor in a storm I was too blind to see for years. As I watch her, my mind drifts back to the look in her eyes earlier, when I spoke about Violet. It wasn’t judgment or anger I saw there, but confusion. Maybe even
Jenna's POVThe trek through the forest is quiet, somber. Jordan carries Violet’s body in his arms, his face set in a grim mask of determination. None of us speak, but the weight of what we’ve endured is palpable. Every step away from the battlefield feels heavier than the last.We find a small clearing as the sun begins to rise, its pale light filtering through the trees. The others gather around, their expressions weary but resolute. Zephyr and his people—no longer strangers but allies—stand a respectful distance away. Even Veronica, her frailty evident as she leans against Zephyr for support, watches silently.Jordan kneels, carefully laying Violet’s body on the grass. He brushes a strand of her hair away from her face, his hands trembling. “I’m taking her home,” he says, his voice raw. “She deserves to rest where she belonged.”For a moment I wonder whether he even remembers that there is no home for now. “Jordan…” Jack steps forward. “Carrying her all that way isn’t practical. I
Jenna’s POVAs we prepare to leave the hideout, I look around, still in utter disbelief that it's really over. Blood stains the ground, and the metallic scent of it lingers in the air. The bodies of the council elders lie scattered, their once-mighty forms now lifeless and cold.Violet’s lifeless form rests where she fell, and though I ache to go to her, to pay my last respect, something else draws me forward.Eleanor.She’s still kneeling where we had chained her. She doesn’t look up as I approach, her head bowed, her long hair falling in a curtain around her face.Sue doesn't look up, nor does she say a thing as I approach. I watch her, my heart acting as I recall all that we had been through together. I remember the first day I had arrived the shelter, saved by a wonderful woman by the name Caroline. A kind human that I'd never forget. When I had gotten to the shelter, Eleanor had been one of the sheltered women who had been introduced to me. I had known as soon as I saw her that
Jenna’s POVThe laughter of the elders grates against every nerve in my body, but it’s Jordan’s raw cry that truly shatters me. The sound of his grief echoes through the chamber, cutting through the taunts and jeers like a blade. Violet’s lifeless body lies in his arms, her sacrifice an unbearable weight on all of us. “Get up, Jordan,” Jack commands, his voice cold and fierce. His hazel eyes are fixed on the elders, blazing with an anger I’ve never seen before. “She gave her life for this fight. Don’t let her sacrifice be in vain.” Jordan doesn’t respond at first, his shoulders shaking as he clings to Violet. But then, something shifts. A low growl rumbles from deep within his chest, growing louder until it fills the room. He lifts his head, his eyes no longer just filled with sorrow but something far darker—pure, unrelenting rage. When he speaks, his voice is guttural, barely human. “You’ll pay for this.” The ground beneath us trembles as Jordan rises, Violet’s body lifelessly la
Jenna’s POV The battle rages on, each moment more chaotic than the last. The air crackles with energy, the shouts and snarls of my pack mixing with the mocking laughter of the council elders. Blood stains the ground, and the scent of it makes my stomach churn, but I can’t let myself falter. Jack fights with the ferocity of a true Alpha, his hazel eyes blazing as he clashes with the leader of the council. She meets his every move with a smirk, as though she’s toying with him, her power radiating in waves. Nearby, Jordan fights with an unmatched intensity, his movements fueled by both desperation and determination. He’s holding his own against a wiry elder, but I can see the strain in his stance, the exhaustion creeping into his limbs. “Jordan, fall back!” Jack shouts, his voice commanding even amidst the chaos. But Jordan doesn’t retreat. He presses on, his strikes fierce but reckless. I can’t blame him—his daughter had not only betrayed her own pack but had been chained and kept