Stephanie’s Perspective:As I strode into the conference room, anticipation curled in my stomach—a crucial debrief loomed about the teenagers' knowledge of Yadiel, whose death had cast a shadow over us all. Our pressing concern, however, was uncovering their insights into the girl now commanding Yadiel's pack.Contrary to expectations, the conference room lay barren, the silence humid. My next destination was clear: Brock's office. Upon arrival, a charged scene unfolded before me. The teenagers sat rigid on chairs before Brock's desk, and the air was thick with tension as the male teen and Brock exchanged potent glares."Brock! Explain yourself!" I demanded.He jerked upward, surprise etching his features. In a bewildered gesture, he jabbed a finger toward the defiant boy. "He had the nerve to call me a 'stupid ass'!"Rowen, simmering with anger, shot back in defense, "And he's no better—labeling me an idiot for not awaiting the m
Staphanie’s perspective: The Fate of Beta Johnson: Alpha Morrison's Justice I insisted on respect; without establishing firm boundaries from the outset, it would forever remain tenuous. So, right from the start of our dialogues, I laid down the law. "Alpha Silverton-Simmons," he began, a note of unprecedented respect coloring his tone, "I must confess, I've yet to encounter a wolf possessing strength comparable to that of yours. I propose that one of my men partake in interrogating them." I contemplated his suggestion before replying, "The issue at hand, you see, is the intense anxiety your men harbor towards you as their Alpha. This fear could shroud the truth, leaving us only with half-truths or worse, silence. I believe our Gamma is better suited for this delicacy—the questioning of the young wolves. Under his charge, not only can you and your mates supervise to prevent any misconduct, but we're also more likely to eli
Alpha Morrison’s Perspective:I am not sure if I have run out of Alpha Brock’s territory or not. My Wolf and I needed reprieve from all the drama of losing my best friend, and disappointment in myself for not knowing that he was abusing his mate and pup. “How could I not have seen this; how could I have been so blind? How has he been treating my pack?” At this point, I felt like the worst Alpha to walk on this planet.I wasn’t certain how I could react to his pup and mate. I just executed their mate, and father. Then out-of-the-blue Adrian popped out. I knew him from the times he visited my beta. The beta constantly asked me to accept him into my pack, but there is already wanted posters of him being a beta to Alpha Yadiel.How Crystal Silverton got tied up with Adrian is beyond me, but that boy is trouble.In a pained corner of my heart, I harbored a shred of sympathy for Adrian. Years ago, Alpha
From Stephanie's Perspective: Under the shroud of nightfall, Alpha Morrison charged onto our pack's territory, breaching the darkness with his frantic pace. The urgent summons came almost instantly; Brock and I were to confront the intruder, escorted by our pack's watchful guards. A flicker of recognition gnawed at me—I sensed Alpha Morrison's distinct presence. Yet the unpredictability of Adrian, shrouded in his rogue Alpha aura, left a sliver of doubt. Caution was our unwavering ally in these treacherous times. Silently, we padded back to the packhouse, our paws whispering secrets to the forest floor. Alpha Morrison trailed alongside us, his dominant stride marred by a telltale limp. The walls of Brock's office would soon repeat with his account, unraveling the mystery of his stormy run. I had called my father, as he needed to know we had captured some Yadiel Sympathizers, and one had been executed. My father and my brother of course where on their way over
Stephanie’s Perspective:I pursued my mother with frantic swiftness, only to witness her collapse on the bed, consumed by sobs. Clumsily, with the oversize belly of my pregnancy obstructing me, I nestled beside her. My arms, awkwardly encircling her, offered a solace that was as much for me as it was for her.In that embrace, my own heart shattered, echoing her grief. A tormenting thought plagued me: what if Crystal hadn’t been swayed by dark influences? Could we truly contribute to the war effort when our own emotions were a battlefield? The uncertainty gnawed at me, yet a perilous resolve took root – to seek out Crystal myself. But Brock, with his hawk-like vigilance, would never grant his consent. I would have to engineer my own escape, shrouded in secrecy.The ruse would require a diversion. I'd enlist Agatha – her allegiance was an unpredictable thing, loyal only to her mother. II could rest easy, knowing
Stephanie’s Perspective: Agatha must have sensed the surge of anticipation through her witchy ways, because she arrived soon after, flitting through the open window like a wisp of midnight mist. Her presence enveloped the room with a frosty hush, the air suddenly dense with secrets and silent promises of aid. "Agatha," I began, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest, "we need your help, and we need your discretion." Her sharp eyes, gleaming with the eerie light of her witchcraft, settled on me, keen and calculating. "Stephanie," she breathed, the corners of her lips curling into a knowing smirk, "when have I ever been indiscreet? What mischief brews in your minds this evening?" "We're hatching a plan to bring Crystal back. She's lost to us, and I fear that without our intervention, she'll drift beyond our reach forever." I paused, steeling myself for what came next. "We want you to cloak Daphne in your shrouds of
Stephanie's Perspective:I was certain that by the time the ambulance charged through from the pack hospital, with the doctor barking out orders to the EMTs, she would've spilled everything to Brock.Crossing the threshold, the rich aroma of bacon entwined with the earthy notes of the forest assaulted my senses. Being pregnant meant such smells were both a curse and a lure, drawing me inevitably toward the kitchen to satiate my relentless craving for bacon.Trailing Brock's distinct scent, with my mother in tow, I made my way to his office. I steeled myself for the confrontation; Brock's temper was as fierce as my current emotional turbulence, exacerbated by the pregnancy that seemed to leave me weeping at the drop of a hat.Brock’s Perspective:Alpha Brock, every muscle tense, paces the length of his office with a furrowed brow. His eyes ablaze with a swirling mix of anger and worry, the arrival of his mate Stephanie and her mother Luna Silv
Brock’s Perspective:The forest is alive with the whispers of the night, soothing Jasper's distressed mind with every bound we take. Branches lash against my fur like whips, but the physical sting is trivial compared to the emotional turmoil coursing through our shared heart. Jasper's mood swings between anger, confusion, and a poignant grief that threatens to consume us both.Sprinting across the dew-laden underbrush, we came to a clearing bathed in the silver glow of the moon. The majestic orb in the sky pulls at us, a silent beckon for reflection, magnifying our inner discord. As the Alpha, I am meant to lead with clarity and purpose, yet the bond with Stephanie, my mate, has been tainted by doubt, an unfamiliar darkness that Jasper and I are unprepared for.Under the moon's watchful eye, I force the shift back to my human form, a process that normally comes with ease but now feels laborious, a testament to my internal struggle. Naked and
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