Chapter Forty Five Jack's POVWhen I step out into the bright sunlight and warm air, I find pack members huddled around each other, faces crestfallen and their expressions bereft of hope. A little boy of five is the first who catches sight of me, his eyes widening and quickly filled with excitement as he points in my direction with an excited shout. “Look, it's the alpha!”“He's awake,” they cry with joy.And just like that, the crowd breaks into a joyous roar of excitement. Seconds later, some of the women begin to dance around me, while the bold men invade my personal space to deliver pats on my back. Jordan is one of those men, his eyes filled with relief and a little bit of mischief. “For two whole days, you kept me worried that I was going to be forced to choose a new alpha for your people.”Jordan's crude joke pushes a short laugh out of me. “Well, it's not my time to join our ancestors yet.”“Welcome back to the land of the living.” Jordan smiles with a fond expression as
Chapter Forty-SixJenna's POV I am harshly woken up by Veronica, who shakes me almost violently. “Wake up, Jenna.” Her voice is a little bit above a whisper, filled with fear. I am instantly awake, alert but confused as I look around through bleary eyes. “What is it?”“We have to leave now.” Veronica drags me out of the bed and creeps towards the door. As we peep through the cracks on her door, I begin to hear the voices of men. “You have to be careful; these animals are ruthless. They'll tear you into unrecognisable pieces before you can say jack. Remember, we are here for the young women and children. We gun down the rest of them on sight.”My eyes widen at their words, and I turn to Veronica, whose heartbeat thumps so loudly and erratically. “Who are these people?”“Humans.” Veronica spits with venom. “Oh gods..” I exclaim as palpable fear snakes through me. “What are we going to do now?”“You have to escape to safety. But I have to try to keep my people safe.”“Safety?” I as
Chapter Forty-sevenJenna's POVThe hurricane roars harder, a monstrous wall of wind and dust that obliterates everything in its path. The humans have begun to flee the natural disaster, their weapons discarded. I look wildly around as everyone continues to scamper towards safer grounds. The whirlwind appears targeted at the humans, whipping them in its terrifying churn, their bodies twisting and turning abnormally in the angry cone of dust and debris. That is when I catch sight of the wolf again, the one who appears to be the instigator of this strange magic. The furious wolf stands tall, still the largest I have ever seen, with its fur fluttering against the wind. As if the wolf can sense my gaze, it turns and its eyes, like molten silver locks with mine, and a shudder goes through me at the almost unnatural sight. And suddenly, I became aware of who this is. Zephyr. Relief washes through me when he gives an almost imperceptible nod of recognition, and I break into a run toward
Chapter Forty EightJack's POV"We should," is my reply. Violet glances back at the trunda from which we had both exited, then turns her gaze back to me."They're preparing Adam's bath." When I'm with him, he cooperates better. Her eyes look deeply into mine, like she really wants me to understand, like she really hopes I do. "The little boy will be fine." "He's been through so much, Jack." Violet says in a shaky voice as she wraps her hands around herself, eyes filled with sorrow. "They took some of the children," she whispers, shutting her eyes, but two lone tears slip down her cheeks, and my heart cracks open at the obvious pain that she is going through. I had failed. I failed to protect the people that I had sworn to. The children, the lovely children, so little and innocent in their ways, without strength and fighting skill, had been rudely taken from their homes. Manhandled like they were adults. I ball my fist as rage surges in me. “I am going to kill every single one of
Chapter Forty NineJenna's POVZephyr does not say anything to me as we continue to make our way towards the castle, the silence between us isn't comfortable, but not overwhelmingly unbearable either. I wonder what is going on in his mind. I am also filled with questions about the attack—questions that I am well aware are too early to ask.“So, Veronica told you about us?” Zephyr is the first one to break the silence with a question that gives a pause. Had he been thinking about what I said? “Yes, she did.” I answer candidly. “What else did she reveal?” Zephyr's voice is brittle, but his face registers no emotion. “I don't think that's what we should be talking about right now. We have someone to find.”Zephyr does not say anything after that. We continue our journey until we arrive at the castle, where we find a few men waiting outside. As soon as they catch sight of Zephyr and me, they move towards us and bow their heads slightly to him. Zephyr regards them with an air of super
Chapter FiftyJack's POV My head spins at Violet's story, and I find it a little hard to wrap my head around all that she's told me. “So, your blood was what brought me back to life?” I ask, unable to keep the disbelief out of my tone. Violet shakes her head like she's disappointed at my unbelief. “You were not dead, Jack.”And then we both fall silent, each lost in thought. I think about the story, which I know to not be entirely bizarre. Papa told tales of how the women in earlier times had the power to heal, and this power only came upon them on rare occasions, like during the blood moon or very brutal wars where too many lives were lost. I had thought of the story as mere tales, told for entrainment. I had never believed that I would ever witness it happen, nor that it would happen to me. “The blood moon came in record time, and I am more than happy that it did, because that means that we still have you.” Violet's voice for the first time is tinged with relief and happiness.
Chapter Fifty OneJack's POV “I won't sit around again and wait for the humans to come with their guns and take my life.” Xavier all but growls.A few people have come out of their trunda to listen, and some have a look that suggests that they stand with Xavier. With unnatural speed, I fly towards Xavier and slam him to the ground, my rage burning so fiercely that my body half turns, my skin prickling with the presence of my fur, my fangs out and long, making speech a lot harder. But I growl out my words anyway.“We have lost too many people this season, but I wouldn't hesitate to pierce your throat with my fangs if you ever talk to me like that in the presence of others.”Xavier swallows hard and nods, but even though his fear is obvious, I don't let up. “I shall not tolerate disrespect.” I get up slowly, but Xavier still remains on the ground, pinned there by my gaze. “I have ruled this pack for seasons, and I can predict the perfect time to strike. Do you not think that I feel
Chapter Fifty TwoJenna's POVVeronica still does not return, and the pack looks like it's been cast in darkness and folly.The moon doesn't shine as brightly, and even the birds of the air seem to have mysteriously disappeared. Zephyr looks beside himself as everyone falls into mourning.I find it difficult to return home, but I find solace and hope in Zephyr's presence, whose pain and heartache I can relate to.Zephyr is in the garden, tending to Jan flowers. All I do is stand and watch, content to watch as he pulls out unwanted weeds and evens the soil.I remember the conversation that we had last right before the unexpected howl pierced the air and interrupted it.And I wonder about Veronica and her true identity. She didn't appear to be more than just a human, at least not beyond what I knew her to be.She had been full of life and had not exhibited any strange traits. So, what was her true identity, and if she had not been killed by humans or taken away, then where was she?Know
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