Jack's POVThe air is thick with tension as we move through the dense woods. A faint rustling above signals the presence of an owl, but even the forest seems unusually quiet today. The only sound I hear clearly is my own breath, steady and controlled. But that doesn't stop the unease creeping into my chest. Violet is ahead, just within sight. I can see the tension in her posture and the way her eyes scan the darkness between the trees, vigilant as ever. She’s become a shadow of the woman I once knew; her edge dulled, and the fire that once burnt within her flickering weakened.I don’t know when it happened. Maybe it was the attacks, or maybe it was the pressure of the responsibility I placed on her shoulders. But something is off. The fierce, unyielding force I admired in her feels distant now, submerged beneath layers of coldness. The bond we once shared is fraying, thin threads pulling apart with each passing day. The silence between us feels heavier than it ever has before.I canno
Jenna's POVThe next morning, the air in the inn feels lighter. The sun spills through the cracks of the old, wooden beams, casting a warm glow over everything. I’m at the long table, watching the others as they move around the kitchen. Eleanor and Raina chat in low voices, more relaxed than they’ve ever been. After everything we’ve been through, this feels like the calm before the storm. But it’s a nice calm, the kind that almost makes you forget how much danger we’re really in.The kitchen door swings open, and Greta steps in. It’s the first time she’s come down for breakfast since we got here. There’s a softness in her eyes, a little less tension in her posture. She moves toward the table with a small, genuine smile, her eyes lingering on each of us.“Morning,” she says simply, taking her spot at the head of the table.We all greet her back, but it’s the first time the atmosphere feels truly comfortable. It doesn't feel like she's just tolerating us anymore. I think she’s starting
Jack’s POVAs sunlight recedes and darkness descends, we continue to move through the forest, understanding that it is better to be as far away from the Nightspire pack as possible. Now that they had tasted victory from our hands, they could try to follow us, to loot. But fatigue tightens my joints, and as I signal for the pack to halt and settle in for the night, a strange weariness creeps into my bones. “Lay camp here,” I call out, trying to keep my voice steady. “Rest while you can.” The pack disperses, spreading their sleeping mats on the forest floor and setting up small fires to keep the chill at bay. They move with an unspoken understanding, everyone aware of the dangers that surround us, even in sleep. I should be used to this, leading my pack through hostile lands, but tonight feels different. For the first time, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re not safe here—or anywhere.I sit down on a fallen log, my eyes tracing the shadows shifting in the distance. I can hear the l
Jack’s POVThe morning sunlight breaks through the trees, warming the forest and lifting some of the night’s chill. My pack stirs, stretching their bodies, rubbing their eyes, and shaking off the weight of exhaustion. We've been on the move for days, staying alert, avoiding enemies, and keeping close together. Every morning brings new worries, but today, there’s something different in the air—a kind of quiet peace that I can’t quite put my finger on.I walk around the camp, checking in on everyone. Just as I’m about to call out to Bryce, a howl rings out, strong and joyous, echoing through the trees. My head snaps in his direction, and I see him just beyond the clearing, his eyes wide with excitement and disbelief. He’s standing close to another pack member, Talia, a young wolf I’ve known since she was a pup. She’s looking up at Bryce, her eyes bright with surprise and joy.I pause, realising what I’m seeing. Bryce and Talia... they’re mates. They’ve finally found each other.The pack
Jack’s POVThe camp settles down as the pack prepares for our journey. We’re all tired, both from the physical exhaustion of running and the mental weight of not knowing what lies ahead. I know I’ve made the right choice, but there’s a lingering feeling of tension in the air. We’ve lived in the forest for so long that the idea of leaving it behind seems almost impossible.I barely finish my thoughts before I notice Jordan approaching, his face shadowed with concern. As my beta, he’s been by my side through every battle and every decision. I can tell by his look that he’s got a lot on his mind.“Alpha,” he starts, his voice low but steady. “I never thought I’d see the day we’d leave these woods. I’ve been thinking of all kinds of ways we might survive—hiding in caves, moving to remote places, maybe even somewhere like the icy lands where no one would think to look. But the last thing I expected was to move to a human town.”I nod, understanding the weight of his words. “I know, Jordan.
Jenna's POV The next morning, I meet Raina and Eleanor for another training. The inn is quiet at this hour, and the silence around us feels like it’s setting the stage for something intense. Today’s training feels different, like there’s an unspoken anticipation building between us.Eleanor gives me a nod, her expression focused. Raina stretches, rolling her shoulders, looking ready. I take a deep breath, feeling a strange energy coursing through me—a power I’ve never fully tested but somehow know is there, waiting.We start off simply, going through our usual warm-ups. But the moment we begin sparring, I realise today’s going to be different. I don't know whether it's because of the secluded area which allows me to be myself, or the fact that I am almost in the middle of nowhere, far from the bad humans. Each move I make feels effortless, as if my body’s on autopilot. I dodge Eleanor’s punch with ease, and when Raina tries to surprise me from the side, I sidestep and counter so fast
Jenna’s POVAfter a long day of training, we all disperse. Eleanor wants to check out the town again, and Raina wants to fix up the bedstand in her room. The inn falls into its usual quiet, one that I have quickly become accustomed to. The inn reminds me so much of my old life. Its tranquility reminds me of times in the pack when I had constantly been in the company of papa, and Elise. I’m wiping down the counters in the kitchen when I hear footsteps. Turning, I see Greta watching me with a look that’s hard to read, like she’s weighing something heavy in her mind. “Jenna,” she begins, her voice calm but firm. “I’ve been thinking about this renovation idea.”I pause, feeling a spark of excitement. Greta had already given her approval, but there’s something in her eyes now that makes me think she’s looking at it in a new way.She crosses her arms, studying me with a steady gaze. “Seeing you train today… You’re more determined than I realized. There’s strength in you that goes beyond
Jack’s POV I lay down on the cool, hard ground, pulling my cloak tighter as I glance around at my pack resting nearby. The earth beneath me feels solid, grounding me, as if it’s lending me its strength. The stars above are bright, almost comforting, but even their light can’t ease the weight in my chest.Tonight, I’m surrounded by family, by wolves who have followed me through every danger, every hardship. Tomorrow, we leave our forest behind for a human town—a place none of us truly know. The thought of it fills me with a strange unease. I want to believe this is the right choice, that leaving the forest will give us the safety we need. But doubts linger.The soft sound of breathing around me reminds me of the lives I’m responsible for. I close my eyes, forcing myself to rest. Slowly, the world fades.When I open my eyes again, I’m standing in the middle of a battlefield, surrounded by smoke and the loud blasts of gunfire. The forest is still here, but it’s shrouded in darkness, wit
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