Julia's povI stared at my hand, fingers trembling slightly, the blood smeared across my palm sticky and drying in patches. Gray’s blood. It sickened me, and I wanted nothing more than to scrub it off until my skin was raw, but that would have to wait. Right now, none of that mattered. Penelope mattered.The door to the operating room was still shut, and the doctors—God, how long were they going to take? Every minute that passed felt like a piece of my sanity was being shaved off, little by little. The anxiety was gnawing at me, digging its claws in deeper with every second of silence. Penelope’s life hung in the balance, and the thought of something going wrong sent waves of nausea rolling through my gut.I wasn’t built for this. Not this kind of waiting. Not this kind of helplessness.Across from me, Kaneand Alex paced like caged animals. The air in the hospital waiting room felt too thick, too heavy. It pressed down on all of us, suffocating. Alex ran a hand through his hair for th
Julia's povI sank deeper into the silence, my mind swirling with thoughts I didn't want to confront. Penelope's hand was still cold, lifeless in mine, and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't shake the weight of guilt pressing down on me.Then, as if on cue, there was a soft groan from the bed.Penelope.I shot up, gripping her hand tighter as her eyes fluttered open. Her gaze was distant at first, unfocused, but then slowly, they settled on me. My heart stuttered, relief flooding through me. “Penelope? Can you hear me?”She blinked a few times, her lips parting as if she was trying to form words but couldn’t quite manage it yet. Her throat must have been raw, her body still weak. But she was awake. She was here."J-Julia…" her voice was barely a whisper, but it was the most beautiful sound I’d heard in what felt like an eternity."I'm here. You're safe." I leaned closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Don't try to talk too much, okay? Just rest."Her eyes softened,
Julia's pov “Good night Julia.”and I bowed. “Goodnight Alpha Kane.”The door closed and I remained standing just staring at it,my hands itching to open and see if he was gone,but I held myself back. He's not mind,fate might have brought us together but reality will surely keep us apart. I walked towards the door in the sense of locking it, however,I opened it and met Kane standing there. He did not leave. His expression was neutral.In a flash we were entangled ,our lips locked in a kiss. Kane's hand travelled down my body, igniting a fierce emotion I didn't know I harboured. I wanted him so badly,every inch of him,deep inside my core. I had never had such feelings,but with him I wanted it. Too much to add.Kane took my hand, and the room seemed to shrink around us. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears as he led me towards the bed. The soft glow of the bedside lamp made the shadows on the wall stretch, casting the whole room in a kind of golden haze. My nerves were shot; i
Kane's pov I lay there, watching Julia sleep, the rise and fall of her chest so steady, so calm, like the world outside didn’t exist, like everything in my life hadn’t just been turned upside down by her. The way her face softened, completely relaxed in her dreams, hit me harder than I wanted to admit. I could still feel the warmth of her skin against mine, could still taste her on my lips, that faint hint of sweetness that lingered in my mind. Her pink lips—soft, inviting, perfect. And her hair… God, her hair, so soft between my fingers when she clumsily tried to match my rhythm, each moment with her feeling like it was made just for me.She was adorable. A little unsure, maybe, but it only made me want her more, made me want to protect her in ways I never thought I would want to protect anyone. It was like she had crawled under my skin without even trying, and now she was just… there, like she had always been. My wolf stirred within me, his instinct to claim her, to make sure ev
Julia's povThe faint light of dawn seeped through the curtains as I stirred, reaching out instinctively to the empty side of the bed. My fingers brushed cool sheets where Kane had been only hours before, and a pang of disappointment settled in my chest. He’d slipped away early, probably for pack duties, I reasoned. But I couldn’t help but wonder where he’d gone, especially after the night we’d shared. It had been… everything I had dreamed and more. Yet, now, lying alone, doubt crept in, whispering dark thoughts that left me unsettled.I pushed them away, forcing myself out of bed and preparing for the day ahead. I dressed in a soft blouse and jeans, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of Kane’s absence. A knock at the door drew my attention, and I opened it to find Harry, Kane’s loyal Beta, standing there with a composed expression.“Good morning, Julia,” he greeted with a polite nod. “Good morning Beta Harry.” I replied “Alpha Kane instructed me to be by your side today, to ensure y
Kane's pov.“Alpha Kane,” Hudgens said, his voice calm, a chilling facade barely concealing his anger. “What is this rumor about you choosing that low-life omega over my daughter?”I blinked, genuinely thrown off. “What rumors?” I replied, barely containing my surprise.He tilted his head, his lips twitching into a dark smile that held no warmth. “A lot has been said, Alpha Kane. So tell me, what game are you playing?”I held his gaze, feeling my own irritation rising. I wasn’t in the mood for these games, least of all from him. “I’ll have you know that I am not one to be insulted, Alpha Hudgens,” I said, my tone low but firm, making sure he knew I wasn’t here to play along. “I've done nothing to your daughter. I simply decided to give my people the choice—to let them have a say in who will stand by my side as their Luna. Isn’t that what a true leader does?”Luna Karla’s face twisted into an angry scowl. She slammed her hand down on the desk with a loud bang, startling me. “No relevan
Selena's povI clenched my fists, staring at the shattered vase pieces scattered across the floor. The adrenaline coursed through me, pulsing at my temples and making my hands tremble. How dare Kane speak to me that way, all because of Julia? The anger clawed at my chest like a feral beast, and I could practically see red every time I thought of her smug face. Julia, the woman who had managed to snake her way into everything.I took a deep, shaky breath, forcing myself to calm down. Strangling Julia might feel satisfying for a fleeting moment, but it wouldn’t solve anything. I needed a real plan, one that would make her regret ever stepping foot in the pack house. One that would remind everyone, especially Kane, who really held the power here.With renewed determination, I swept out of my room, barely noticing the maids who scurried out of my way as I made my way down the hall. The corridor was quiet, the distant murmur of voices barely audible. I knew where I needed to go—Dylan’s roo
Julia's pov TWO WEEKS LATERIt had been two weeks since the attack, and while the shadows of that day still lingered around me like smoke refusing to clear, the suffocating grip had loosened a bit. I had taken small victories where I could find them. Sleep came easier, breathing felt more natural, and I didn’t flinch at every loud sound. Progress, no matter how painstakingly slow, was still progress.Today,I volunteered to follow Penelope to the mall. Mostly because the idea of staying alone with my thoughts felt like staring down the barrel of a loaded gun. Pen had to restock supplies, something mundane and almost boring, but the normalcy of it was a balm I couldn’t resist."Seriously, who buys these?" Penelope said, holding up a candle labeled Midnight Whisper. "What does a whisper even smell like? And why does it cost thirty bucks?"I snorted, shifting the weight of my shopping bags to my other hand. "Probably smells like regret and empty wallets."Pen laughed, her eyes crinkling
AUTHOR'S POV The night outside the Pack House was quiet, the air heavy with the chill of winter. Inside, however, the atmosphere was anything but calm. Dylan had arrived.He wasn’t early, nor was he particularly late—it didn’t matter. The coronation tomorrow had officially crowned him Alpha, and his presence here was merely to solidify his claim. He strode through the grand halls, his dark hair slightly disheveled but his expression sharp and composed. The entourage behind him moved silently, their loyalty unquestionable.The maids had scrambled at his arrival, wide-eyed as they led him through the labyrinth of corridors. Their hushed whispers followed him like a shadow. “The new Alpha,” they murmured. “He doesn’t even look like he belongs here.” Dylan caught snippets of their chatter but paid it no mind. He’d been underestimated before.His boots clicked softly against the polished floors as they guided him to his chambers—Kane’s chambers. He paused in the doorway, his green eyes sc
AUTHOR’S POVJulia killed the engine, her hands gripping the wheel a moment longer than necessary. The palace rose before them like a ghost in the moonlight—cold, unfeeling, and absolutely massive. The air carried a chill that crept beneath her skin, but it wasn’t the temperature that set her nerves alight.Beside her, Alex adjusted his leather jacket, his movements sharp and impatient. He glanced at her, his jaw tightening like he was holding back a comment. Casey, lounging in the back seat, let out an exaggerated sigh and popped her gum.“So, what’s the grand plan, Jules?” Casey asked, her tone dripping with mockery. “We storm the gates, guns blazing? Or is this a sneak-and-pray situation?”Julia shot her a look over her shoulder, her green eyes sharp. “You’re the distraction, smartass.”Casey grinned, slow and wicked. “Distraction? Oh, honey, that’s my specialty.”“Good,” Alex cut in, his voice low and steady. “Just keep him busy. Jules and I will handle the rest.”Casey slid out o
After Harry had been pushed to the sidelines, the elders wasted no time getting to work. The air around the pack shifted as they dived into the logistics of making Dylan alpha. Paperwork stacked high, rituals were rehearsed, and every detail of the upcoming ceremony was put into motion. For them, this was tradition, structure, order. For Harry, it was betrayal, but no one seemed to care about that.Meanwhile, the world outside spun on. Julia, still in the hospital, was beginning to piece her memory back together. Slowly, but surely. She could barely speak—her words stuck like thorns in her throat—but there was progress. Her body might’ve been healing, but her spirit? That was another story entirely.Grant, Cassius, and Dylan, however, seemed to have no trouble moving forward. They were out at Grant’s mansion, living it up like kings. The finest liquor, the rarest meats, the most exclusive guest list. It was a celebration disguised as camaraderie, and no expense was spared.Among the g
Harry's POV.Seamless—that’s the word. That’s how it felt watching Levi, cornered like a rat in a burning maze. His pack, the once-feared Black Fang, was already in ruins. Overrun. Overwhelmed. Women, men, children—slaughtered because of his arrogance. Screams echoed through the flames as his mistakes came back to haunt him, clawing at his heels like rabid wolves.Levi. Pathetic Levi. The coward who thought he could stand tall after killing Kane. That arrogant son of a bitch actually believed he could wear his sins like armor, raise his kids, and play alpha after murdering the most revered wolf among us. I couldn’t stomach it. The sight of him—shaking, sweating, eyes darting like a trapped animal—made my stomach churn.I spat on him. Right in his face. “You made your choice,” I said, my voice as cold as the night air. “You chose wrong. Wrong man. Wrong time. Wrong everything.”His lips trembled. His eyes—those damn eyes—tried to plead, but there was nothing left to bargain with. "I—I
Dylan's POV. A man’s dream is always the same—to be the best. To walk into a room and own it without saying a word. And me? I’m this close to becoming the Alpha of the entire pack. Let that sink in. Do you know what that means?I’d own shares in every damn company the pack has its claws in. Lands? All mine. Territories? Mine. I’d have warriors—over a hundred of them—at my beck and call. And the pack house? That place isn’t just some fancy mansion. It’s a fortress. A vault of secrets no one talks about but everyone fears. I’d have the kind of power that makes people stand when I walk in, that gets governments to pick up the phone when I call. And the cherry on top? The psychic connection to my wolves. That’s not just power; it’s omnipresence.This isn’t just a dream—it’s the dream.I sat in my chamber, the air thick with the scent of wood polish and leather, sipping tea that was just shy of boiling. The kind of tea that warms your chest but has enough kick to remind you it’s not playi
Harry's POV The pack was a mess, everyone barking orders, sharpening claws, and gearing up to take down the Black Fang. And while they were busy growling and hyping each other up, I had my own mission. One that didn’t involve fangs or blood.Julia.I didn’t care what she was doing or who she was doing it with. Whether she was wrapped up with Dylan, painting her nails, or binge-watching reality TV, none of it mattered. I needed to see her. Face to face. I had to tell her the guy she swore she loved was gone. Dead. And it had to come from me.It was early as hell when I hit the road. Too early for anything sane, but hey, life doesn’t wait for you to get a good night’s sleep. The air was cold, my car heater barely keeping up, and the roads were so quiet it felt like the world hadn’t woken up yet.Her family house looked exactly how I remembered—clean, calm, and way to put-together. It was the kind of place where the neighbors probably judged each other on lawn care and holiday decoratio
Harry's POV Kane’s remains were brought back to the pack in silence. It wasn’t just quiet—it was heavy. Like the kind of quiet that settles in right before a storm breaks loose. No one said a word, and no one dared to look me in the eye. They all knew better.As for the rogues? Their corpses were nothing but ash by the time we left that warehouse. I made damn sure of it. They didn’t deserve a trace left behind—not even the memory of what they were.When we got to the pack house, I was already on edge. My body was running on fumes, the adrenaline long gone, but the rage? That wasn’t going anywhere. The second I stepped through the front door, I let it out.“Out. All of you. Now.”The servants scattered like leaves in the wind. I didn’t care how late it was or that some of them had probably been sleeping. Their wide eyes and quick feet told me they got the message loud and clear. I needed space. I needed silence.I needed to think.Kane was supposed to come back to us alive. I’d spent
David's POV.Larkmart Warehouse was a few rides away, and yeah, I’d called for backup. Had to. Let’s be real—this whole “spiritual intervention” stuff? It’s not my thing. I like practical things. Tangible. Something I can see, touch, or at least punch if it gets messy.When the spiritual leader—an old guy with robes that looked like he raided a thrift store and a voice like he smoked one too many cigars—did his thing, I wasn’t impressed. I sat there, arms crossed, watching with what I can only describe as professional skepticism. Cassius, though? He was eating it up. Nodding along like the guy was reciting holy scripture.Cassius isn’t just old; he’s ancient. He’s got this air about him, like he’s forgotten more about the supernatural world than the rest of us will ever know. And he’s respected, which is why I put up with his belief in spirits and rituals and all that. I don’t share the belief, but I wasn’t about to say it to his face. Not outright.Because here’s the thing: I might b
Cassius' POV. The road ahead was dark, nothing but the hum of the engine and the faint glow of my headlights cutting through the night. Levi, being Levi, decided he needed to ride with me. He didn’t ask—he just opened the door, slid into the passenger seat, and stretched out like he owned the damn car.“So, what’s the plan?” he asked, leaning back and propping his boots on the dash.I shot him a look. “Get your feet off.”He smirked but obeyed, shifting to sit up straight. “We going back to the pack?”“Not yet,” I said, keeping my eyes on the road. “We need to lay low first.”Levi frowned, leaning toward me like he didn’t hear me right. “Lay low? For what?”I glanced at him like he’d just asked the dumbest question in the world. Which he had. “You seriously think the cops aren’t going to be crawling all over this by morning? We just leveled a warehouse and left bodies in our wake. Heading straight home is asking for trouble.”He scratched his jaw, chewing that over. “Alright, fair. W