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
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
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?
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
Jack's POV“Hades will freeze over before I accept an omega as my mate.” I growl, anger snaking through my veins as I regard the hapless-looking woman who stands before me, eyes downcast, arms wrapped around her midriff as if trying to ward off my wrath.For two whole years, I had waited to feel this connection and to find my mate. And I finally do so with Jenna? The young, naive girl who can hardly carry her weight?Was this the god's hilarious attempt at a sick joke?If word got out that my mate was a young omega who was still wet behind the ears, the pack was going to be an easy target for constant attacks. And I couldn't allow that.I couldn't accept Jenna as my mate. Not when there was a war going on. I needed a mate who would fight ruthlessly by my side to keep the pack.I look towards Jenna, the daughter of David Abbot, who was killed two seasons ago. David had been one of the strongest wolves in the pack, whose strength had waned the older he got.Why wasn't his daughter like
Jenna's POV“I'm coming!” I yell out as I give my hair a final run-through with the wooden brush that had been a gift from my father.I brush my fingers over the engraving on the comb, remembering the evening Papa had called to me and handed me the beautiful comb.“I found it while I was hunting.” He'd mentioned it as I squealed in delight at the beautiful gift.Father was no more, and tonight wasn't the time to allow grief to ruin my day or for tears to cake my already washed face.I had a feast to attend, and I couldn't be late.“What's taking so long?” Elise asks, her voice tinged with impatience.I hurry through the doors of my trunda to find Elise waiting, foot tapping against the grass.“Sorry,” I apologize as we begin to make our way towards the path that would lead us to the alpha's abode, and my heart thrums with trepidation at what is to come.Memories of the conversation I had with the alpha from this morning flood me, and I shudder at the memory of those hazel eyes, which
Jack's POVWhen I scan the crowd again, I do not find Jenna anymore, with those bright green eyes that had been filled with so much trepidation and hope.Pain suddenly slams into me, and I stagger back, shocked at its intensity.Warm hands settles on my shoulders.“Are you alright?” Violent asks, eyes filled with concern and care.“I am alright.” I whisper, even though I am anything but. Violet doesn't look convinced, and those knowing eyes darken in suspicion.I take her hands in mine and drop a light kiss on her wrist, her pulse jumping at the first brush of my lips against the smooth flesh. I look up through hooded eyes to watch her, enjoying the sight of blood that rushes to her cheeks.“Trust me, there's nothing to worry about.”Violet nods with a beaming smile, and I right myself to take her hands, leading her towards a further corner, slightly darker, to afford us more privacy.“When you said you wanted to hold a feast tonight, I didn't know what to expect.” Violet admits.“Wel
Jenna's POVI don't know how long I'd lain on the forest ground, but as I slowly come back to myself, I realise that I might have been there for far too long, long enough to attract prey.As I crack one eye open and look around, the still midnight air alerts me to the dangers that lurk in these forests. And for a moment, I regret leaving the pack.However, now is not the moment to scrutinise hastily made decisions. Now is the time to get up as stealthily as I can and get the hell away from here.I can't help but remember the tales that Papa had told me about avoiding the forest as a younger child. I had first learned about rogues and shapeshifters from Papa, who had told me that they would never come into the pack to cause trouble, but getting lost in the forest could mean being harmed by them.I get up slowly, wincing when pain shoots through my ankle. I must have sprained something when I fell over the shrubs.Trying to make as little noise as possible, I begin to limp towards where
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
Jack’s POVThe pack finally stops for a rest after hours of trekking through the dense forest. The sun hangs low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the clearing where we gather. The younger wolves sprawl out on the ground, exhaustion evident in their movements. Some older wolves take watch, their eyes scanning the tree line for any sign of danger. I stand near the edge of the group, observing, calculating, and trying to find a moment of peace in this chaos. Eldris, as always, is nearby, his presence a mixture of comfort and intrigue. He’s been with us for days now, ever since he arrived with news of Nightspire’s plan to declare war. His knowledge has proven invaluable, though I’ve yet to fully decide if I trust him. He has a way of knowing too much, of seeing too far ahead. Still, I can’t deny the truth in his words or the insight he’s offered. “Jack.” His voice breaks through my thoughts, low and deliberate. I turn to face him, finding his pale blue eyes already fixed on
Jenna's POVThe inn is silent, save for the occasional creak of its wooden beams, the kind of stillness that comes with the deep hours of the night. I lie awake, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts spinning like a restless storm. The spy’s mocking smirk lingers in my mind, his words echoing over and over: ‘The council knows. And they’re coming.’Eleanor insisted we would question him in the morning, but the anticipation burns in my chest. I can’t just sit here and wait. Every fiber of my being urges me to act, to uncover what he knows before it’s too late. I throw on a sweater and quietly slip out of my room, padding through the dimly lit hallway. The old floors groan under my feet, but I move carefully, listening for any sign that someone might be awake. The spy is locked up in the small storage room near the back of the inn, a makeshift holding cell we had no choice but to use.When I reach the door, I hesitate, my hand hovering over the latch. My wolf stirs beneath the surface, r