Julia's POV. It felt awkwardly quiet when I came inside the house– maybe it's tied to the fact that I've been missing for quite a while–I mean, I was expecting a little shindig. I shrugged as I got in, slightly nudging the door close, apparently someone had left the door open. “Mom— Alex– Anyone home? ”For a moment, I literally heard nothing; that felt weird I. I any case I went down to the living room, and it was empty– the silence felt lethal– I paced down the hallway, but then I found myself bumping into my room, just a few inches off and the door was slightly open.I stood close, eyeing whatever was inside… realizing that it's my mom. She hunched over, distracted by the diary she was holding. She flipped through the pages and I could hear her–I could hear her sobbing. She whispered prayers and begged the moon goddess to bring her daughter back– but I was here… I smiled, with tears gathering at the corners of my eyes. With a sigh, I opened the door; the creaking sound drawi
Julia's POV.“Why the dramatic look– wouldn't you come on in?” He gulped down his saliva and walked in, closing the door. By mere staring, Alex was on the verge of exploding into a buoyant amount of joy. His chest was beating heavily, but he tucked up his emotions– something I'm familiar with and came over to give me a hug, drenching me in his own sweat. A blush covered my cheeks as I pulled away, “I haven't seen you so overwrought, you mind sharing? ” He made only spasmodic attempts to stay calm but his words came out otherwise, “What the fuck’s happening!” He said with a bold laugh. “Well, pretty much what it seems like,” Mom replied, chuckling. “For real. ” He shook his head, still surprised, “You know when I got the news I was like– I couldn't believe my ears, ” his eyes twitched, “Like is this for real?”“Yup– it's all me, Alex. It's as real as it can get. But you said you got the news? ” I curiously asked, “I haven't told anyone else… well for the most part i haven't, so
Selena wasn't keen on giving her foes too much respect, the bitch thinks it's costly – so why should I expect anything short of distasteful words. I caught her attention while she was cascading down the corridor with her elegant flock of maids.I looked away, hoping she hadn't seen me but the irony of it all was that she did. The unfortunate coincidence left me striving to stay composed as she approached.Selena grimace,“It’s sad that you'd come back here to finish what you started– who's that naive?” She spat in annoyance.“I’m happy to meet you too Selena” “Oh don't give me that crap,” She shot back at me, almost growling, “ you know what you did. ” Oh, did I? I sedated myself, trying so hard not to make eye contact with the greater than life Selena. A part of her wanted to rave and rant, but she lay off almost instinctively, as her words were caught in her throat seeing Harry, Kane and some guards progress down the quadrangle. She knew not would Kane berate her actions but she r
Julia's pov The key barely turned before the door groaned open, and there I was—home. Or at least, the closest thing to it. The faint scent of lavender and old wood hit me as I stepped inside, but the warm, comforting vibe I usually got? Gone. Replaced by a weight pressing down on my chest. The Alpha wasn’t going to see me. Not now, not ever, if the whispers I’d heard were true.I didn’t even have time to kick the door shut before I saw her—Casey. She was sitting cross-legged on my couch like she’d been camped out for hours, one hand holding her phone, the other swirling a glass of wine like she was trying to imitate some high-society socialite.The second her eyes landed on me, she lit up. “Julia!” she squealed, jumping up so fast she nearly sent the wine flying.“Casey,” I said, not exactly matching her energy. It wasn’t that I wasn’t happy to see her. I was... sort of. It’s just that the news about the Alpha was gnawing at me like a dog on a bone. I couldn’t shake it, no matter ho
Kane’s povI sat at my desk, fingers tapping the worn wood in a rhythm that mirrored the mess in my head. The study was dim, just a lamp in the corner casting shadows across stacks of papers I hadn’t touched yet. I should’ve been focusing on the pack’s reports—they needed to be ready for the elders tomorrow—but my mind kept drifting to Julia. Again.I didn’t want to admit it, but thinking about what I had to do made my stomach twist. Rejecting her wasn’t something I took lightly. It wasn’t like I wanted to—hell, every instinct in me told me to keep her, to fight for her. But my instincts hadn’t dealt with betrayal before. My sanity, my legacy—they meant more than whatever time we shared.The door creaked open, and Harry strolled in without knocking. Typical. He always walked in like he owned the place, not like he was my Beta. He didn’t bother with pleasantries, just raised an eyebrow at the clutter around me before flopping into the chair across the desk.“You’re busy,” he said.I gr
Julia’s POVMom got back that evening, and I could tell from the second she walked through the door that something was off. She had this look—tight around her mouth, eyes darting like she was trying to solve a puzzle in her head. She didn’t even say hi, just dropped her bag, kicked off her shoes, and called me into the living room.I figured it was serious because my brother wasn’t back yet, and she didn’t wait for him. Normally, family meetings were a package deal. Not this time.I sat down on the couch, tucking my legs under me. “What’s up, Mom?” I asked, trying to sound casual even though the air between us was thick.She sat across from me, her hands wringing together like she was fighting herself. “Something’s been bothering me,” she started, her voice quieter than usual. “And I didn’t want to bring it up before because, well... you’ve been recovering, and I didn’t want to add more stress to your plate.”That was Mom for you—always trying to protect me, even when it wasn’t necess
Kane's povToday was the day.The day everything between me and Julia would end.No more "what-ifs." No more lingering glances or sleepless nights drowning in guilt. Today, I’d make the cut. Clean. Final. It was going to hurt, like a blade straight to the gut, but there was no way around it.The elders were already assembling in the meeting room downstairs—three of them, handpicked. Small group, no fuss, just the decision-makers. They didn’t need the full pack council breathing down my neck for this. Selena was out of the house; I made damn sure of that. Sent her on a wild goose chase for groceries she didn’t need, all under the pretense of keeping her busy. The servants had strict instructions to keep her out of my hair until the dust settled.This wasn’t something she needed to see.I was in my study, pacing like a damn caged wolf, every second dragging me closer to the moment I was dreading. A knock snapped me out of it, and Harry strolled in, his usual swagger making my irritation
Julia's pov As the guards yanked me away from the pack house, I didn’t even try to hold back the tears. They spilled over, hot and messy, while I thrashed and clawed like my life depended on it. And maybe it did. My heart felt like someone had ripped it out and tossed it into the dirt. Kane stood there watching, his expression unreadable. Not angry, not sad—just… blank."Let me go!" My voice cracked, raw from screaming. I tried to twist out of their grip, but these guys were like freaking statues. Unmoving, unbothered, like I wasn’t even human.Oh wait, right—I'm not.“Stop fighting,” one of the guards muttered, like I was some kid throwing a tantrum at Walmart. I wanted to scream at him, You don’t get it! You don’t know what this is like!But I couldn’t even form the words. All I could do was kick and cry until my muscles burned and my throat felt shredded.By the time they shoved me into the car, I was a sobbing, gasping mess. My mom climbed in next to me, her face a mix of concern
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