Jack’s POV I sit slumped against the cold stone wall of my cell, my head in my hands. The air is thick with despair, a suffocating weight pressing down on me. Violet’s betrayal replays in my mind over and over, each word cutting deeper than the last. She knew about Jenna. She had always known. But how? I never told anyone. Not even Jordan. It was my burden to carry, my secret to bury. Did Jenna somehow let it slip? No—she wouldn’t do that, not intentionally. And yet, the thought gnaws at me. I can’t remember ever feeling this defeated. My pack is gone, my people captured, and now Violet—someone I once trusted implicitly—has turned her back on us all. Her words about being second-best, about being broken, echo in my head, and guilt claws at my chest. Had I failed her, too? A loud clang jolts me from my spiraling thoughts. The cell door creaks open, and one of the hunters steps inside, a sneer plastered across his face. He throws a stale piece of bread at me, the loaf bouncing off
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 POVThere is still no sign of Jenna anywhere, and even though I try to ignore my wolf's whining, I feel her absence keenly.Suddenly, I miss those green eyes that had followed me everywhere tonight. Those large innocent eyes that had been filled with so much longing earlier tonight. So much longing, desire and hope.I had looked her in the eyes and squashed that hope because I had needed her to understand the impossibility of us being together. I had needed to make a favourable decision for the pack.If what I'd done had been for the safety of the pack and for the good of everyone, why did I feel so empty? Why was this sadness and longing for Jenna refusing to go away?I couldn't talk to my beta about this; I had already lied to him. And I couldn't bear the shame of going to him now with the truth.He would reproach me for it and could trust me less... I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't let anyone see me as weak. It could be used against me. I had to learn to live with the
Jenna's POV“There she is. Get her!”I pick up pace, fear propelling my legs faster and faster as I continue to run, ignoring the pounding of feet behind me. For a moment, I regret this decision. I regret leaving the pack, leaving my friend behind, and thinking it was a wise idea to leave the safety that Jack had afforded. I should have stayed. I should have sucked up the rejection and tried to court one of the eligible bachelors in the pack who were looking to find their mate. I should have remained there. I should have learnt to disengage. But I had allowed emotions to overrule logic, and now I was nearly at the mercy of strange neanderthals.Cold, callous hands clamp on my shoulders and reel me backwards, flinging me against a tree stump. My ribs connect with the hardness of wood, and I let out a scream as I land on solid ground. There's sudden silence as I lay on the ground, my head reeling from the acute pain that shoots from my side. I put my hands on my burning ribs, makin
Jack's POVWe search the entire cave without any signs of Jenna. We don't find her in her trunda either. Guilt eats at me as my guards and I continue the search, hoping that we find her before sunrise.This would not have happened if I had not denied Jenna as my mate. She would still be here, she would not have fled. This is all my fault, isn't it? “Alpha,” Sav murmurs several hours later. “I don't think we would find the girl.”I pause and then turn to my head-guard. We are now at the perimeter of the pack, the large land that divides our pack from the forest where the rogues and shapeshifters roam. Jenna understands what crossing this border means. After several hours of our futile search, I have begun to hope that she hadn't done the unthinkable. We have rules guiding our packs. And one of those rules, which is older than time itself, has always been to never cross the borders without the consent of the alpha. The only time anyone's ever been required to leave the pack has bee
Jack’s POV I sit slumped against the cold stone wall of my cell, my head in my hands. The air is thick with despair, a suffocating weight pressing down on me. Violet’s betrayal replays in my mind over and over, each word cutting deeper than the last. She knew about Jenna. She had always known. But how? I never told anyone. Not even Jordan. It was my burden to carry, my secret to bury. Did Jenna somehow let it slip? No—she wouldn’t do that, not intentionally. And yet, the thought gnaws at me. I can’t remember ever feeling this defeated. My pack is gone, my people captured, and now Violet—someone I once trusted implicitly—has turned her back on us all. Her words about being second-best, about being broken, echo in my head, and guilt claws at my chest. Had I failed her, too? A loud clang jolts me from my spiraling thoughts. The cell door creaks open, and one of the hunters steps inside, a sneer plastered across his face. He throws a stale piece of bread at me, the loaf bouncing off
Violet’s POVI step out of the luxurious bathroom with a satisfied sigh. It had taken me nearly an hour to figure out how the shower worked. The humans and their inventions... ‘Well done, Violet. Finally, you have done something worthy of note.’ The tether's voice whispers, coiling around me like a vice, making it almost impossible to breathe. I swallow hard. I should feel happy; I should feel proud that I have finally done something the tether likes; I should be enjoying the lauding, but no. I am ridden with guilt, remembering the pain on Papa's face when I had stepped towards Eleanor. What have I done? ‘Are you having second thoughts, little one? Do you want to go back to Jack? To be locked in a rat-infested cell awaiting death?’The door to the private room creaks open, and Eleanor steps in, her predatory smile firmly in place, the tether's presence fading away at the intrusion. I sit at the edge of a surprisingly plush bed, the warm bath I’d just taken doing little to wash aw
Jenna’s POVZephyr’s golden eyes glimmer faintly in the dim light of his cell, their intensity muted but not extinguished. He leans heavily against the bars, his strength clearly diminished. The sight of him, once so strong and unyielding, now reduced to this fragile state, makes my chest tighten. “I never thought I’d see you again, little flower,” he murmurs, his voice low and hoarse, barely loud enough to cross the narrow hallway separating us. Hearing that nickname again after so many years sends a wave of warmth through me, thawing the icy fear that’s been gripping my heart since the van door slammed shut. Memories flood back—memories of a time when I’d thought my life was over, only for him to appear like a storm and save me. “Zephyr…” My voice cracks as I speak, the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “You saved me from those savages. You took me in. Treated me like I was your guest…” He nods, a faint, almost wistful smile tugging at his lips. “I remember.” I grip the bar
Jenna’s POVThe council’s house looms before us, a sprawling, fortress-like structure shrouded in shadows. Its high, jagged walls are topped with razor wire, and ominous black towers rise into the night sky, their floodlights sweeping over the grounds like watchful eyes. The very air around the place feels oppressive, heavy with the weight of suffering and despair. As we’re herded closer, I can make out the details—the thick iron gates, the barred windows, the faint, distant cries of prisoners echoing through the night. My stomach churns, dread pooling in my chest. This isn’t a house. It’s a prison. Inside, the hallways are narrow and dimly lit, lined with heavy steel doors. The scent of mildew and sweat hangs in the air, and the faint sound of dripping water adds to the suffocating atmosphere. The hunters lead us forward, their guns never wavering, and the bracelets on our wrists hum softly, draining our strength with every step. We’re not allowed to talk. The hunters bark orders
Jack's POV Her words hang in the air, and for a moment, no one moves. Then Jenna speaks, her voice steady but low. “You’re bluffing.” Eleanor’s smile widens. “Am I?” She gestures to the interior of the van. “Take a look around.” I glance up, and my stomach tightens. Strapped to the walls and floor of the van are small devices, each with a blinking red light. Bombs. A murmur of alarm spreads through the group. Raina’s eyes widen, and Greta’s face goes pale. Even Violet, always the most composed among us, lets out a soft curse under her breath. “I suggest you behave,” Eleanor continues, her tone almost playful now. “Unless you want to see what happens when I press this little button.” She holds up a small remote, her thumb hovering over it. Eldris growls low in his throat, but I shoot him a warning look. Not yet. “You are disgusting, Eleanor. You're the biggest piece of shit for doing this.” Jenna growls, the hairs on her body standing, her voice changing. For a second, I fear th
Jack’s POV The van’s interior is suffocating, the air thick with tension and the faint scent of blood. Every jolt on the uneven road rattles the metal walls and the people inside. I keep my head low, my arms resting loosely on my knees, but my mind races. I can feel the eyes of my pack on me, searching for answers, waiting for direction. Jenna’s group sits nearby—tense, silent, and wary. When our eyes meet, her gaze softens with understanding. She trusts me now, but the others don’t yet. That’s a problem I’ll have to fix soon. Eldris shifts beside me, his breath hot against my ear as he whispers, "What the bloody hell is really going on?" "You tell me." I shrug. “This isn’t going to end well, Jack. You know that, right?” Jordan leans closer, his tone equally low but filled with frustration. “You’re too calm. They’re leading us straight to a slaughterhouse, and we’re sitting here like sheep.” I glance toward Violet, who’s sitting with her back pressed against the van wall, her f
Jack’s POVThe weight of betrayal hangs thick in the air, and I can see it etched into Jenna’s face. Her expression is raw—disbelief, heartbreak, and guilt all tangled together in her wide eyes and trembling lips. It’s the kind of pain that cuts deep, the kind you can’t just shake off. And yet, I can’t say I’m surprised. I had warned myself from the beginning not to fully trust them. Their desperation had been too palpable. But seeing Jenna like this, I almost wish I hadn’t been right. Almost. Eleanor’s knife remains steady at Greta’s throat as the last of us surrender our weapons. Jordan and Violet exchange glances, their stances tense, but they follow my lead. I meet Jenna’s gaze briefly, and the apology in her eyes is unmistakable. She doesn’t say a word, but she doesn’t need to. Her emotions are written all over her face, and for a moment, I feel a pang of something I can’t quite name. As the hunters bark orders, herding us like cattle, a plan begins to take root in my mind. I
Jenna’s POVThe weight of her betrayal crashes over me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless. My mind races, trying to piece together the shards of disbelief and reality as I stare at Eleanor, her knife pressed firmly against Greta’s throat. I suddenly recall Raina’s warnings, her sharp, skeptical words about trust. My eyes dart toward her, finding her face etched with sadness and resignation. She isn’t surprised. She knew—maybe not everything, but enough to suspect this. Why had I doubted her? Why had I dismissed her words so easily? Believing that Eleanor would never do a thing like this. That is because she had never given me any reason to suspect. My chest tightens, and I step forward, the need for answers overriding my fear. “Eleanor,” I say, my voice trembling, “what are you doing?” She doesn’t meet my gaze, her focus fixed on Greta, whose wide, terrified eyes plead for rescue. “This isn’t you,” I continue, my voice rising as anger seeps in. “This is insane! You taught
Jenna's POV For a moment, I hesitate, torn between following them and ensuring the safety of my group. That’s when my eyes land on Mia, trembling as Caleb tries to shield her with his body. “Elise,” I whisper, the name slipping from my lips before I even think about it. I spot her near the hallway, ushering two younger children toward the basement door. Her once-familiar face is now a mask of determination, her shoulders squared with an authority that’s both foreign and familiar. “Elise!” I call, moving toward her with quick strides. She turns sharply, her eyes locking on mine. Shock flickers across her face, but it’s fleeting, replaced almost instantly by a cold, unreadable expression. “Elise, please,” I say, my voice trembling as I gesture toward Mia. “Take her with you. She’ll be safer in the basement.” Elise doesn’t reply, her lips pressing into a thin line. For a moment, I think she’s going to refuse. “Jenna, are you serious?” Caleb growls from behind me. “We can’t just h