Brocks Point of View-Dr. Mildred was already there, her eyebrows furrowing, not at the situation at hand, but at the peculiar scene of a potential alpha wolf apologizing to an unconscious woman as if she could admonish him for being too rough."Put her down here, gently!" Dr. Mildred instructed as she guided the gurney beside me.I obliged, taking all measures to secure Stephanie's ease, but as the doctor attempted to dismiss me, a fierce protectiveness surged within me. She was my mate, and the primal beast within—my wolf—threatened to unleash havoc, adamant that we are not torn from the side of our destined Luna.Dr. Mildred exhaled loudly, her gaze flickering between the nervous interns peeping through the door and the hulking alpha male before her, whose eyes sparkled with undue intensity. "Fine," she said, pressing a hand to her temple. "You can stay, but only if you behave. This is
Alpha Yadiel -- My voice thundered through the chamber, echoing off the stone walls. "What is this Rogue?" I demanded, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. "What happened to the team I entrusted to you? And where is the Captain?" I loomed over the rogue, my eyes burning with fury. The quivering figure fell to his knees, head hung low in shame before me. "Why have you brought this pitiful human, instead of Alpha Lexington's daughter, Stephanie?" My words hung heavy in the air, each syllable carrying the weight of my disappointment and disdain. Rogue— Trembling with terror and the imminent threat of death, I could feel the weight of Alpha Yadiel's disdain for incompetence bearing down on me. I was the last rogue or vampire remaining from our once formidable team, and I had no doubt that he would make a chilling example of me. As I struggled to find my words, the fear of my impending fate choked the breath from my lungs. I had brought the wrong woman—this woman was not the on
Melody -Each fleeting glimpse I caught of him stirred the sleeping embers of our history—a friendship birthed in the heady days of high school, where he had once been a rogue and his wolf had haunting red eyes, which were now intense in his wolf form.Our bond had been laced with illicit whispers and stolen kisses in shadowed corners; stolen moments that now weighed heavily on a conscience I hadn't realized was so burdened.Now, as I shed the layers of my past along with my clothes, my transformation into my wolf Sariah was a metamorphosis of more than just flesh. She embodied the wild joy of freedom, yet at this moment, she became the embodiment of my inner turmoil—a vocal reminder chiding me against revisiting a flame that had no right to burn any longer.Her presence was at once a liberation and a vexation, goading me with the truth I tried to ignore. It's not merely about informing an old flame that the future has been irreversibly altered. I had found my mate, my destined other.
Bart and I rose in unison, a maneuvering so familiar it was almost instinctive. He inclined toward me, his lips beckoning a kiss, a silent pact we had honored countless times before. Enveloped in his warm embrace, I was hit by an avalanche of conflicting emotions. My heart, a traitor to my conscience, whispered longings I thought I had buried deep. As I teetered on the brink of succumbing, a sudden awareness clawed at me, urging me to retreat. But it was too late—my hesitation was shattered as Uncle Brock, fueled by a thunderstorm of rage, catapulted Bart from me, his hands unforgiving as he pummeled Bart's face while he lay on the ground.My screams tore through the chaos, primal and laden with a betrayal that anchored in my throat. “Stop!” I yelled, my fists beating against Uncle Brock's broad back in desperation. Each blow was a silent scream of the inner turmoil that raged within me—my loyalty to my family clashing with the remnants of affection for Bart.Amid the frenzy, I caught
Brocks point of view -- I couldn't stand the fact I wasn't at the hospital with my mate. Soon, that little brat would experience the full extent of an Alpha's wrath. I racked my brain, trying to place his lineage, and then it hit me—he was from an Alpha bloodline. Tragically, Yadiel's father had slaughtered their entire pack. Only a handful escaped the massacre, including a few from the Alpha's own family. Those survivors turned rogue, but my father gave them sanctuary. They had been fugitives for roughly a year when my father had encountered them and took them under the packs wing. Exhaling deeply, I gestured for everyone to take a seat around the table in my office. Despite her overzealous nature, I allowed my niece to remain and take a seat as well. As I massaged my temples, the pressing question loomed over me: Why was this young man surveilling my mate in the hospital? If he refuses to divulge the truth, I'm prepared to detain him in the cells. My niece's inevitable tantrum won
Brocks Point of View:I weighed his words, the unease in my chest unwinding slightly. He had a point; the timing was a bit too convenient to be just coincidence. “And what’s the price for this… ‘investment’ you’re talking about?” I asked. Behind Rylan’s nonchalance, there had to be a catch.He leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving mine. “We both know Yadiel’s a common enemy, and right now, I need pack strength. I need… sanctuary.”A murmur of shock rippled through wolves at my table. Offering sanctuary to a rogue wasn't unheard of, but it was an invitation riddled with risks.Alpha Brock was now on his feet, his expression hard. “You want refuge in our territory?" Alpha Brock's voice was incredulous, like he'd been asked to babysit a porcupine.Rylan didn't break stride. "I want more than refuge," he said. "I want to join your pack."The room erupted into chaos. Chairs scraped against the floor, growls mingled with snarls, and my head began to throb with the beginnings of a
Stephanies Point of View -My head throbbed as if a sledgehammer was pounding inside my skull. I reached for the call button, desperate for some relief. Unable to lay down, I sat up and massaged my temples, hoping to ease the pain.Brock and my dad had left some time ago and hadn't returned. It puzzled me that they were getting along so well. I couldn't shake the unnerving thought that maybe I was actually dead. Their camaraderie felt off, and it stirred an unsettling feeling within me.Questions raced through my mind. Had they captured the rogue? Was Melody safe? I forced myself to stop dwelling on it, as the pounding in my head intensified.Thankfully, the nurse arrived with a pain shot, which I suspected was some form of morphine to dull my wolf's heightened senses. The medication took hold, and within minutes, the pain eased enough for me to lay on my side, avoiding aggravating the wound on the back of my head.As I drifted towards sleep, a rustling outside shattered the calm. An
Linda’s Point of View -I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. "Actually, it's 'birdies.' Plural. As in more than one," I corrected him defiantly, but my attempt at bravado was undercut by the high-pitched waver in my voice.Brock's gamma, a burly man named Hank with a nose that had been broken more times than I had hot dinners, sneered—a gold tooth glinting amongst the decay. "Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise. Two little birdies to play with."Stephanie inched closer to me. "Did you really have to correct him? Now is not the time to be a grammar Nazi, Linda."Linda, trying to diffuse the tension, chimed in with her characteristic deadpan, "In her defense, being captured by a traitorous gamma doesn't mean we have to succumb to grammatical anarchy."As if on cue, Hank lunged forward but stopped short, his eyes flickering with confusion as he collided with the invisible barrier shielding Stephanie and me. Hank, baffled by the sudden and unseen force before him, stumbled backward, r
Chapter One-Hundred Sixty-Six: Ezra, Enzo, and Esme's Fate Stephanie's Perspective: Time has passed swiftly, and the triplets have become a source of both worry and profound anguish. Aware that the moon goddess foretold the darkness in one of my children, I also clung to her assurance that we could save this child. She warned me of the numerous trials Esme would face, yet I was unprepared for the extent of her frailty and deformity. Parenting in such conditions leaves me at a loss. Each night, I plead with the moon goddess for guidance, as it is I who feels covered in darkness. Yet I heard nothing from her. It almost feels like punishment. I am a fierce Alpha female of the pack, I had made it through giving birth to triplets - Ezra, Enzo, and Esme. I remembered how much when the boys were born, how much Ezra and Enzo, were identical in every way, with their light blonde hair to me. But it was Esme, the runt of the litter, who stood out with her black hair that mirrored her father,
Brock's perspective: I crouched by Stephanie's side, stroking her pale cheek, willing her to fight through. Dr. Mildred was a blur of motion, her hands swift and sure as she worked to stop the bleeding, her brow furrowed with concentration, her lips moving in silent prayer or perhaps a list of medical steps. The clock on the wall ticked in mockery of my racing heart, its hands moving too slowly for my liking. It seemed time itself had conspired to increase the torture, drawing out each moment into an unbearable eternity. Minutes - or was it hours? - passed and finally, Dr. Mildred straightened with a tired sigh, peeling off her gloves. "We've managed to stop the bleeding," she announced, her eyes meeting mine. It was the first hope I'd clung to since it had all begun.With that small reassurance, I allowed myself to draw a breath, my grip on Stephanie's hand loosening just slightly. Then the heart monitor screamed out with a shrill tone showing Stephanie's heart had stoppe
Third-Party Perspective:As the Suburban sped down the back road, the trees blurred past in a green and golden haze, a stark contrast to the tension coiled within the vehicle. Stephanie's grip on Brock's hand tightened with each wave of pain that wracked her body, her forehead beaded with sweat despite the cool autumn air seeping through the cracked window.Brock's heart raced as he watched his mate, Stephanie, contort in agony on his lap. He couldn't bear to see her in such pain, but he knew that they were running out of time. The driver's voice cut through the air, a note of urgency lacing his words as he asked if they needed to pull over.Stephanie knew time was not on their side, and she felt a growing urgency to act. Accustomed to living without powers, she had forgotten that she could simply wish herself and Brock directly into the safety of the pack hospital. "No, keep going," I gasped, clutching at Brock with one hand while the other grasped at the shards of my fading humanit
Stephanie’s Perspective:As the driver for I and Brock navigated the winding road towards the Silverton pack territory, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The truth about my parentage had shaken me to the core, leaving me feeling as if I was floating in a sea of lies and deceit. I clutched my swollen belly, feeling the reassuring kicks of her unborn twin boys, a reminder of the new life I was about to bring into this world.The cool autumn air whispered through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and damp earth. My mate, Alpha Brock, sat beside me, his hand resting on my thigh in a silent show of support. I glanced at him, grateful for his unwavering presence in my life, especially in this tough time for me.As we arrived at the Silverton pack territory, I felt a mix of apprehension and determination swirling within me. I knew I needed to confront my parents, to demand answers and closure, no matter how painful the t
Stephanie’s Perspective:I was aware of my issues with emotional control, which is why I couldn't face visiting my parents just yet. The guilt weighed on me, especially since my mother had just given birth and my father was now in intensive care. I had received word that my father and his men had been ambushed by rogues while returning to my former pack.Everyone anticipated that my mother would give birth to another boy; however, she had a girl instead. The sonogram had misleadingly suggested the presence of a penis, but it turned out to be merely the umbilical cord.I called Crystal, now back in the packhouse and in her own room thanks to Linda. I asked her to tell our parents that I don't hate them. Rather, I am a danger to be around until I can control my emotions and my magic.I had never deeply appreciated how blessed I was to have Linda as a friend. She provided the tough love I needed. Without her physically pulling me out of that bed, I don’t know how much longer I would have
Stephanie's Perspective:A rank odor filled the air. As I glanced around, nothing appeared wrong, which led me to realize the unpleasant smell was coming from me; okay, maybe I hadn't showered in a few days.I rummaged through my closet and picked out a pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. After that, I opened my dresser and chose some underwear. Embracing a gradual approach, I completed my outfit with fuzzy socks, opting for comfort above all today. Laying my chosen outfit on the bed, I grabbed a towel and made my way to the shower. The water hissed and sputtered as I turned on the tap. The steam curled up around the room, wrapping me in a comforting embrace.As I stepped into the shower, the hot water was a sharp contrast to the coldness that had settled into my bones over the past few days. Water cascaded over me, its soothing rhythm a backdrop to my troubled thoughts.I admit I had let my depression take over me, crippling me mentally for the past week? I am not even ce
Brock’s perspective:Darkness had encircled the pack since Stephanie brought chaos to an end with the war. A persistent shadow of dark gray clouds, with occasional thunderstorms, lingered over our pack, each storm an echo to Stephanie's tears.I had to reach her, to break through the pain that confined her to her room. Only Crystal and I could occasionally console her through her sobs; it was hardly a conversation.I asked Sapphire and Selena about her powers' origins, but they refused to reveal them. Stephanie stayed quiet, not even confiding in her best friend Linda.I juggled pack responsibilities and calls about Stephanie's well-being. It all became too much, as Stephanie had excelled as both co-alpha and was an outstanding Luna. I missed having her here to help run the pack.Sapphire had to resume her duties overseeing the secret, cursed pack, a curse her mother insisted on maintain
From Stephanie's Perspective:Selena and Sapphire rushed to my side, encircling me with a protective shield to safeguard those around me from the bursts of anger I seemed powerless to restrain. It was as though I was a living embodiment of the Fourth of July, with outbursts erupting repeatedly and without control.I saw the wolf-wizard rushing toward me, his face contorted with anger and bewilderment. Sapphire stepped in front of him, placing her hands on his chest to halt his advance. Despite being enclosed in my protective bubble, where I shouldn't have been able to hear them. I could catch snippets of their conversation.I watched Brock argue with the witches and the warlock; Linda joined the fray as well.Brock questioned Selena and Sapphire about what had transpired with me. Meanwhile, Linda shared my confusion. For some inexplicable reason, the warlock was under the impression that he was my biological fathe
Stephanie’s Perspective:I positioned myself to see both astral Brock and Vincent. It became clear Vincent didn't want to harm me; he was torn because he simply aimed to rescue his mate from Adrian. I empathized if Adrian had taken Brock, I'd go to great lengths to reclaim my mate."Vincent!" I shouted, struck by a plan to retrieve his mate without jeopardizing myself or upsetting Brock by using me as bait."Listen, I have an idea. We'll need Sapphire's assistance. Without another viable plan, we can't break through the barrier.Additionally, I've concealed a special gift from most. I don't want people to feel uncomfortable around me, thinking I am reading their mind twenty-four seven. Truthfully, the ability is sometimes annoying. I really don't want to know what people think. What I can do is establish a telepathic connection with almost anyone, except for pure humans. I'll use this ability to mentally inform Adrian tha