Chapter Seventy-One Jenna’s POVThe sun is barely rising when I slip out of bed the next morning, nerves dancing in my stomach like a pack of restless wolves. Today’s the day. My first real job—if you can call waiting tables a "real job." But to me, it’s more than just a way to make money. It’s a way to blend in, to observe the humans up close without raising suspicion.Eleanor does not know this, but she's provided me with the best cover. It would be so easy to carry out my try mission undetected. Things couldn't have progressed any better. Eleanor is up early too, but I know that it's not due to nerves or anything like that. As I get ready for the day, Eleanor does the same. And we walk in silence as we each go about our morning business. I have to make sure breakfast is ready. Eleanor says, after we've both showered and downed our clothes. I nod and watch as she slips through the door. At breakfast, Zoe chatters away as usual, telling me about her new stuffed animal, Toddles.
Chapter Seventy-TwoJack's POV The crowd slowly disperses, the people murmuring to one another, discussing the sudden command to leave. The dread in the air is palpable, but beneath it, I sense a thread of reluctant acceptance. They know we cannot stay here, not with the threat of humans looming over us. And though it tears at my heart to leave our home, our ancestors' resting place, I know it is the right decision. The only decision.As I walk toward my own den to prepare for the journey, my mind races with thoughts of the upcoming challenge. Leading a pack to a new home is no simple feat. I have to be strong—stronger than I feel at this moment. Strong enough to make the hard decisions. For their sake.The night stretches long, sleepless, as I prepare for the dawn. When the first light breaks across the horizon, we gather once more at the base of the mountain. The air is crisp and cold, biting at exposed skin. The people are bundled up, their bags packed with whatever little they ca
Chapter Seventy-three Jack's POV We push on for hours, stopping only briefly for water or to rest our legs. The young children cling to their parents, their small faces streaked with dirt and weariness. The older wolves keep watch, their eyes sharp, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. But so far, the forest has been quiet. Too quiet. By the time the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the trees, I know we need to stop for the night. "We’ll rest here," I announce, my voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Set up camp. We'll continue at first light."There’s a collective sigh of relief from the pack, and they begin to set down their burdens, their tired limbs sagging with the promise of rest. I watch them for a moment, my eyes scanning the group. Many of them are too vulnerable, too unprepared for the dangers that might lie ahead. The human attack was a harsh reminder that we can’t rely solely on our strength to protect us. We need mor
Chapter Seventy-Four Jack’s POVAs I stand back, watching the scene unfold, Violet steps up beside me, her eyes shining with satisfaction and pride. "They’re doing well," she says softly.I nod, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "They are. This will make a difference.""We’ll be ready," she replies, her voice filled with quiet determination.I turn to her, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "You’re incredible, you know that?" Violet has greatly demonstrated that I make no mistake choosing her as my mate. I had known that I needed someone strong and agile, someone who could match my energy and vigor. Violet jag greatly fits that description. My mind goes back to Jenna; I had begun to think about her less and less. But she remained at the back of my mind, never building to the surface. Her large green eyes sometimes flickered through my mind's eye, and sometimes I found myself wondering about her. Thinking about what had become of her. Maybe she had sojourned in another
Chapter Seventy-FiveJenna’s POV“I didn’t order egg sandwiches,” he says as soon as I drop the food on his desk. “I’m sorry about that,” I reply, looking down at my writing pad. Eleanor had taught me to write words; it had been quite easy to learn, and I had caught up in no time. “It says here egg sandwiches for table five.” “Are you deaf? I freaking didn’t order that. I said that I needed bagels and a cup of plain coffee.” I shake my head at the man who looks a little intimidating in his expensive suit. That’s far from what you ordered. “Are you implying that I am lying? Is that what you’re implying?” His voice is cold, and his tone is deadly. “Are you trying to push the blame on me for your foolishness and incompetence?” His voice has begun to rise, grabbing the attention of the other patrons, who turn to listen in on the conversation. My heart beats loudly, and I try to rein in my anger. I had been taught that the customer is always right, even though this suit man is clear
Chapter Seventy-Six Raina’s POVI watch Jenna walk away; her steps are light and graceful. She’s beautiful in a way that makes it seem effortless, like she doesn’t even realise the kind of effect she has. Her long, waist-length blonde hair catches the light, and when she moves, there’s something almost ethereal about her. Men in the café eye her, some of them staring a little too long, but she doesn’t notice. Or if she does, she doesn’t care. Her focus is entirely on the job—getting orders right, cleaning tables, doing what she’s supposed to do. She’s all about the task at hand, and I can’t help but admire that.But as much as Jenna looks like the typical girl next door, there’s something else about her. Something that feels... different. There’s an energy that radiates off her—something subtle but powerful. It makes me wonder, just for a moment, if she might be like me. If she’s hiding something under the surface, just like I am.I’ve always been good at sensing things in people. I
Chapter Seventy-Seven Raina’s POVThe days at the café slip by quickly, and it’s hard to ignore how fast Jenna is picking things up. She’s good at this, maybe even better than I gave her credit for. Despite the rude customers and the chaos of the morning rush, she keeps her cool. Jenna's been sticking around during my cigarette breaks lately, which is unusual. It’s not like she’s taken up smoking; in fact, the smoke makes her eyes water, and I can see her holding her breath sometimes, trying not to inhale too deeply. But she’s there, keeping me company, chatting about mundane things, like the way the clouds look today or how the coffee machine keeps breaking down. It’s nice, but the more I’m around her, the more curious I get. She doesn’t talk much about herself, but when she does, it’s in small, careful doses. I know she’s staying at a shelter, but I don’t know why. Whenever the topic of her past comes up, there’s a shift in her. She stiffens, her eyes grow distant, and the conver
Chapter Seventy-Eight Jenna’s POVBack at the shelter, the familiar sound of quiet conversations and the clinking of dishes greets me as I step through the door. The place is bustling with activity as usual, people coming in and out, some seeking comfort, others trying to find a moment of peace in a life that never seems to slow down. I’ve gotten used to the rhythm here. At first, it was strange—being around so many people yet keeping my distance. But now, I’ve started to settle in, even bonded with a few of the others.There’s Shirley, a woman in her sixties who never talks about anything except her dogs. She used to have three of them before she ended up here, and she talks about them like they’re her kids. Every time we sit down for dinner, she tells me about how much she misses them and how they were the only family she had. She’s got this soft spot for them, and I’ve grown used to hearing her stories. There’s a warmth in her voice when she talks about those dogs, and I can’t h
Jenna’s POV “You’re not fine,” I snap, my wolf growling low in agreement. “If you don’t let Eleanor take care of that, you won’t make it to morning. Stop being stubborn.” Caleb looks at me for a long moment, and I see the flicker of resistance in his eyes. But it fades quickly, replaced by exhaustion and a begrudging understanding. With a sigh, he drops his hand from the wound, revealing the full extent of the damage. Eleanor doesn’t say a word, just moves closer and gets to work. She pulls out her supplies, her movements efficient but not without care. Caleb winces when she cleans the wound, muttering something under his breath, but he doesn’t complain beyond that. While Eleanor focuses on Caleb, I glance over at Raina. She’s sitting cross-legged by the fire, absently tracing a finger along the scarlet stain that seeps through her makeshift bandage. She meets my gaze, her lips twitching into a crooked smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Still alive, huh?” she says, her voice
Jenna’s POV The world feels distant, as if I’m watching everything unfold from the outside. My side throbs, a constant reminder of the bullet lodged deep in my flesh. The cool air bites at my skin, but the pain is worse, gnawing at me like an animal digging in my gut. Eleanor kneels beside me, her fingers surprisingly gentle as she peels back the fabric of my shirt, exposing the wound. Her face is set in hard lines, but there’s a quiet intensity to her movements, as though she’s done this a hundred times before. I’ve seen her heal others, but I didn’t expect it to feel so... personal. “You’re lucky it didn’t hit anything vital,” she murmurs, her voice focused. She dabs the wound with a damp cloth, and I flinch, the coolness stinging like fire. “Just get it over with,” I mutter, the words escaping before I can stop them. Eleanor doesn’t respond, but I see her eyes flicker to my face, assessing the depth of my discomfort. She doesn’t push me to talk, just continues working, wh
Jenna’s POVThe smoke clings to my lungs as I crouch by the edge of the forest, my pulse thundering in my ears. The flames consuming the inn crackle and roar, lighting up the dark night like a funeral pyre. My claws ache from the fight, my body trembling from exhaustion, but I can’t stop moving. Not yet. Greta and Mia are safe, but the council won’t let us have this small victory for long. My wolf growls low in my chest, restless and furious. She wants to chase after the hunters to finish what we started. But I force her back, knowing the cost of giving in to that instinct. The council’s hunters are trained for this—calculated, ruthless, and relentless. Tonight was just a warning. I glance around the clearing. Raina stands a few feet away, her usually playful smirk replaced by a hardened glare. She wipes blood from her knuckles, muttering something under her breath. Eleanor is near Caleb, examining the gash across his cheek with her practiced precision. Despite the chaos, her hands
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