Chapter 21Tangled FatesQuinton’s POVI stared at the shattered remnants of our lives, pieces of the past scattered around me like debris after a storm. Everything had spiraled out of control, faster than I ever could have predicted. The tension in the air was almost suffocating, like the calm before a violent storm. There was no denying it—the darkness that had haunted us had returned. But now, it wasn’t just lurking in the shadows. It was a part of us, wrapped tightly around Fiona and me, pulling us deeper into its sinister web.I could still feel the echo of the shadow's attack, its cold grip tightening around my mind. It hadn’t just been an external force—no, something had reached deep into both of us, leaving a scar that wouldn’t fade. And while Fiona had been the primary target, I felt every bit of it. I had failed to protect her. The thought gnawed at me, feeding the anger that simmered just below the surface.Fiona was safe for now. At least, physically. But her mental state
Chapter 22Wolves Of The DarkQuinton’s POVThe room exploded into chaos as the shadowed figure lunged at us. Instinct kicked in, and I dove to the side, narrowly avoiding its outstretched claws. Fiona was right beside me, moving with the grace and speed of a seasoned wolf. For a second, our eyes met, and I could see the determination and fear flashing in hers. We were in this together, but this wasn’t just about survival anymore—it was about understanding the new threat that loomed over us.The shadow-wolf’s presence was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. Its energy was oppressive, suffocating, as if the air around it was being drained of life. It was both a wolf and something more, something ancient and malevolent.Caleb stood unmoved, watching us with an unsettling calm. He didn’t seem to be fazed by the creature’s sudden attack, and I couldn’t help but wonder how deep his involvement with this “shadow pack” went.“Quinton, stay sharp!” Fiona’s voice snapped me back to reality,
Chapter 23Rising StormFiona's POVThe night was darker than usual, the weight of the sky pressing down as if even the stars were afraid to shine. The tension in the air clung to my skin, thick and suffocating. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, unsettled, sensing the danger lurking just beneath the surface. Tonight, something was going to happen—I could feel it in my bones.Quinton was close by, his presence a steady hum against the crackling energy around us. I had grown used to the comfort his nearness brought, the way his strength grounded me. But tonight, even he couldn’t calm the storm brewing inside me.The packhouse was alive with whispers. Everyone felt it—the shift, the unease. It had started with the arrival of Dorian, a threat we couldn’t fully comprehend yet, but one that was becoming harder to ignore. His appearance had cracked something open, revealing a world of danger we weren’t ready for.I stood near the edge of the clearing, my eyes scanning the treeline. The for
Chapter 24Shadow Of The BeastFiona's POVThe wind roared in my ears as the monstrous wolf lunged at us, its jaws snapping shut with a sickening sound. Quinton’s body collided with mine, pushing me out of its path just in time. We tumbled to the ground, his warmth engulfing me, but the adrenaline surging through my veins left no time for comfort. We had to move.I scrambled to my feet, my heart hammering wildly against my ribs. The massive creature stood before us, its glowing red eyes locked on me, its breath hot and rancid as it snarled. I had never seen anything like it before—it was ancient, primal, radiating a power that sent chills down my spine.My wolf howled within me, ready to fight, but there was a hesitation, a sliver of doubt that wasn’t usually there. I glanced at Quinton, who had shifted back into his human form, his chest heaving with exertion. Blood smeared his skin, and I knew he was barely holding it together, but his eyes—those deep, burning eyes—were focused, det
Chapter 25The Mark Of ShadowsFiona's POVThe moment the wolf crashed into the cabin, time seemed to slow down. The sheer size of the beast was overwhelming, its red eyes glowing with a malevolent hunger that sent a shiver down my spine. It was no ordinary wolf—its fur was mottled with darkness, tendrils of shadow clinging to it like smoke. Every movement it made rippled with unnatural power, as though it was not merely flesh and bone but something far more sinister.Quinton stood in front of me, his stance protective, ready to fight despite the impossible odds. I could feel his tension, his breath coming in short, shallow bursts as he prepared to defend us. But I knew, in that split second, this was a battle we couldn't win head-on.The beast lunged, its claws extended, aiming for Quinton. He dodged with lightning reflexes, grabbing a piece of the broken wooden beam and swinging it at the wolf with all his strength. The impact sent the beast staggering back for a moment, but it quic
Chapter 26Whispers Of The UnknownQuinton's POVThe darkness that surrounded me was not the comforting silence of sleep but a suffocating void that pressed against my chest, heavy and stifling. It felt as though I was drowning in it, unable to claw my way back to the surface. The weight was unbearable, and yet, I couldn’t wake up. My body felt distant, almost numb, as if it no longer belonged to me.Then, gradually, there was a faint sound. A soft voice that pierced through the fog, a whisper that pulled me from the void. It wasn’t a voice I recognized, but it was calming, familiar in a way that made no sense. It grew louder, urging me to fight, to wake up.I jerked awake with a sharp gasp, sitting up so fast that pain shot through my chest. My breath hitched, and I winced as the memories of the attack flooded back. The wolf—no, the monster that had torn into me, its eyes glowing with that unnatural light. I’d fought it, but I hadn’t been strong enough.“Fiona!” I called out, my voic
Chapter 27The Gathering StormQuinton’s POVThe ash swirled around me, thick and suffocating, as I stood frozen in place, staring at the charred remains of what had once been our safe haven. The cabin was gone, reduced to rubble and smoldering debris. But none of that mattered. Not the destruction, not the fire that had ripped through the woods. All I could think of was Fiona.My chest tightened with a panic I couldn’t control. She was nowhere to be found.“Fiona!” I shouted, my voice hoarse as I ran forward, ignoring the heat that radiated from the embers beneath my feet.I could still feel her. She was alive, but her presence was weak, distant. The bond between us pulsed faintly, like a dying heartbeat, and it terrified me.I stumbled through the clearing, my eyes scanning the wreckage for any sign of her. But there was nothing—just ash and smoke. My hands shook as I sifted through the debris, frantic. She couldn’t be gone. She couldn’t.“Where are you?” I muttered under my breath,
Chapter 28The Beast WithinFiona's POVThe wind howled through the clearing, whipping the leaves into frenzied spirals as I stood frozen, heart pounding in my chest. The massive, black-furred creature loomed before us, its eyes gleaming with a sickly yellow light that sent chills down my spine. I could feel its power radiating, heavy and suffocating, unlike anything I had ever encountered.Quinton’s presence next to me was a small comfort, but even he seemed tense, his body coiled and ready for a fight. This creature—it wasn’t like any werewolf I had seen before. It was something darker, more primal. My wolf stirred anxiously inside me, growling at the intruder, but even she seemed wary of this monster.“Stay behind me,” Quinton growled under his breath, stepping in front of me protectively.I wanted to protest, to stand and fight beside him, but something about the way this creature moved—its sheer size and the malice in its glowing eyes—made me hesitate. I wasn’t sure if we could t