CamelliaI won’t ever be the same again, and somehow, I’m okay with that. When I first heard that I won’t ever have my memories returned to me, I thought that was it. I’ll never be the old Camellia everyone is used to and Nero won’t love me the same as before.But I was wrong. Nero loves me regardless, and I finally admitted that I love him as well. Osiris has been avoiding me, and that was before he asked to leave the pack house for a while. Nero says it’s because he needs to find himself again, and I can’t fault him for that. Everyone says he changed, but I understand more than they think.He lost his old life, grieved for it and then suddenly got it back. There’s no way he’d be the same again. I don’t know what made me think I’d ever be the same Camellia if I ever got my memories back. It’s late and Nero isn’t home yet. I know he and Orion had some pack business to take care of, so I’m not too worried. Nereo is tucked in, Aeron has decided to stay with a friend on his college cam
NeroI sit in my office, staring at the map of our territory laid out on the desk. My mind is racing, trying to piece together everything we’ve learned. The Summer’s Edge Pack.The thought that their Luna brainwashed our mother before she died makes my blood boil. She’s the reason our mother wasn’t the woman we remembered during Morana’s pregnancy. She’s the reason Morana was cursed with that Meraloth.Orion walks in, his expression as dark as mine. He knows what I’m thinking, and he’s already on board. This can only end with death, and it sure as fuck won’t be ours.“We need to take them down,” he says, his voice cold and resolute. “They’ve taken too much from us, Nero.”I nod, clenching my fists. “I’m not letting this fucking slide. They’re responsible for everything—the memory loss, the curse on Morana, even the shit we’ve gone through with the pack. We need to end this.”Orion steps closer, leaning over the map. “The Summer’s Edge pack is small, but they’re well-defended. The Lun
NeroCamellia is laying in bed reading a book when I walk into our bedroom. She looks up when she hears me and her eyes widen when she sees me stripping my clothes off.“Nero?” she asks, putting the book on her nightstand and watching me stroke my cock as I approach her. “What—”But I don’t give her a chance to ask me questions before I’m on her, kissing her like she’s the very air I breathe. She wraps her arms and legs around me, pulling me close to her and I can already smell her arousal.Trailing my kisses down her neck, I bite her lightly and grip her nightdress in my hands, tearing it from her body. She gasps when my mouth is on her nipples, carding her fingers through my hair and making those sounds that have my cock painfully throbbing against her.“Nero… What’s going on?” she asks in a breathy voice. “Is everything… Gods, is everything okay?”“Everything is perfect, baby,” I murmur against her skin, suckling her nipple into my mouth. She whimpers when my hand slides in between
NeroI pace back and forth in my office, the weight of Seraphine’s words pressing down on me like a fucking boulder. My mind’s a mess of anger and frustration, and I know there’s only one person who can help me make sense of all this—Nova. But when I dial Creed’s number, I already have a sinking feeling that things won’t be that easy.The phone rings, each passing second cranking up my tension. Finally, Creed picks up, his voice steady as ever. “Nero.”“Creed,” I reply, trying to keep the impatience out of my voice. “I need to speak to Nova. It’s urgent.”There’s a brief pause on the other end, and I hear the faint sounds of wind and rustling leaves. Creed must be outside. “She’s not available right now,” he says after a moment. “She’s dealing with some pack business. What’s going on?”I grit my teeth, trying to rein in my frustration. “I don’t have time to explain the whole thing. Luna Seraphine mentioned something during our… conversation, and I need Nova to confirm if it’s true.”
NeroCamellia and Orion are in my office with me before the meeting with Creed today. I hate keeping her out of the loop about pack issues and never understood how other Alphas did that to their Lunas. Camellia was never going to be just a pretty face; she’s my partner in every way that matters.“Do we know what to expect when he gets here?” she asks from the chair to my left. “I mean, from what you’ve told me, you’ve only recently become amiable.I nod. “Yes, our relationship before all this wasn’t all that good, but no. I don’t know what to expect from this visit. The fact that he feels like he needs to be here already has alarm bells going off in my head.”Orion is leaning against the opposite wall watching our exchange. “This would only be his second time in our pack lands, it’s definitely something to be worried about.”Before I can agree with him, I feel a ripple in my wards and know Creed has arrived. I look at Camellia and Orion and nod. “Creed’s here. Better go be the welcome
NeroCreed’s words hang heavy in the air, and I can feel the tension radiating off him. There’s a darkness in his eyes that I don’t see often, a cold calculation that sends a shiver down my spine. He’s not just pissed off—he’s ready to tear this whole thing apart, one piece at a time.“There’s something more she’s not telling us, and I’m going to rip it out of her one way or another,” he says, before he cracks his neck and lets out a low growl.I don’t argue. I’ve seen Creed in action enough times to know that when he’s in this mood, it’s better to just let him do his thing. Seraphine’s eyes widen when she looks at Creed, and she scrambles back against the wall, sensing the shift in the air.“Wait,” she starts, her voice shaking. “I told you everything I know! Marle’s curse is tied to the bloodlines, to the ancient packs—”“Shut up,” Creed snaps, stepping forward with a predatory gleam in his eyes. “You’re hiding something. I can smell it on you.”Seraphine’s breath hitches, and she t
CamelliaSitting in Nero’s office, I try to process everything he’s just told me, but it feels like my mind is spinning out of control. I’m staring at the polished wood of his desk, my hands clenched into tight fists in my lap, but I can’t seem to find any sense of calm. How could things have gotten so much worse? It’s not just about my memory loss anymore; it goes so much deeper than that. The Meraloth, this Marle person , a curse—it’s like our entire world is unraveling, and I don’t know how to stop it.“Nero,” I murmur, barely recognizing my own voice. It’s shaky, unsure, nothing like the steady tone I usually strive for. “I don’t understand… How could this have been going on all this time, and we never knew?”Nero’s standing by the window, his shoulders tense, his jaw set in that way that tells me he’s barely holding it together. He looks at me, his dark eyes filled with a mix of anger and regret. “We were too focused on the Meraloth, on keeping you safe. We missed the bigger pic
NeroThe room feels too quiet after I tell Camellia my plan. She’s standing by the window, her arms wrapped around herself, staring out at the forest that surrounds our home. Nereo’s upstairs, probably playing with his toys, blissfully unaware of the storm coming our way. I can’t help but feel a knot of guilt tightening in my chest. I know what I’m going to ask her to do isn’t easy, but it’s the only way I can keep them safe.I walk over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She doesn’t flinch, but I can feel the tension in her body. “Camellia,” I start, my voice rougher than I intended, “I need you to take Nereo to the safe house, deep in our territory. It’s out of the way, and I’ve got warriors there I trust with my life. They’ll keep you both safe.”She turns to look at me, her eyes searching mine. “I don’t want to leave you, Nero. I don’t want to run away when things are falling apart.”“I know,” I say, and I mean it. I want her by my side, where I can keep an eye on her, make
OrionNero’s office has the kind of quiet tension you can feel in your bones, the kind that comes after months of chasing shadows and uprooting every twisted part of that ring. Osiris and I are settled across from him, listening intently as he wraps up the conference call with Arkyn and Creed. My brother’s voice is steady as he discusses the last few details. It’s taken months to dismantle, but here we are, finally piecing everything back together.“Look,” Creed’s voice crackles over the line, blunt as ever, “everyone’s been dealt with. But Legacy’s name hasn’t come up in any interrogation or confession, not even once. He’s protected. Everyone’s too fucking scared to name him.”Nero sighs, fingers rubbing at his temples. “He’s the one wild card. Every single person higher up has been captured, but Legacy? Silence. And we all know silence from someone that powerful isn’t accidental.”“Leave Legacy to me,” Arkyn’s voice cuts in, dark and simmering with barely contained fury. “He’s still
OrionThe cool earth beneath us grounds me as I lay there, my arm draped over Zane, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest. His scent—apples and something inherently him—fills the air around us, mingling with the sharp, raw scent of our freshly marked bond. The ache of his mark on my nape throbs in time with my heartbeat, a constant reminder that he’s real, that he’s here.I trail my fingers down his arm, feeling the warmth of his skin, the familiar shape of him that I thought I’d lost forever. Everything about this feels surreal, like I’ve stepped into a dream I can’t bear to wake from.“We should probably… head back,” I murmur, though the thought of leaving this spot, leaving him even for a second, feels impossible. But there’s a part of me that knows we can’t hide here forever, that we owe it to my family, to everyone who believed Zane was gone, to know the truth. “They’ll want to know what happened.”Zane chuckles, a low, familiar sound that makes something tighten in my c
OrionI hold him, my arms wrapped so tightly around him I’m half-worried I’ll break him. But I can’t let go. My mind’s struggling to process this, and I keep expecting to blink and find the empty forest around me, cold and alone again. But he’s here, solid and warm in my arms, and his scent fills the air—apples, fresh and grounding, just like it always was. Just like home.“Ri,” he murmurs, his hand moving to rest against my chest, fingers splayed over my heart like he’s memorizing the feel of me. “You look like you’re seeing a ghost.”“Maybe I am,” I admit, my voice low, rough. “I don’t know if I’m going to wake up any second and realize this is all just… wishful thinking.”I pull back slightly, my eyes searching his face, taking in every detail, every line and scar I’d memorized so long ago. My fingers tremble as they brush over his jaw, his cheek, his lips, as if I’m trying to convince myself this isn’t some twisted trick. “You’re… you’re really here,” I murmur, my voice catching
ZaneMy eyes flutter open, and I find myself surrounded by mirrors, an endless maze of reflections that stretch in every direction. I blink, disoriented, confusion settling in as I try to make sense of where I am. The last thing I remember is Orion’s hand tightening around my neck, the darkness closing in as everything faded away. So why am I here? Why am I … still here?A soft voice, melodic and soothing, echoes behind me. “Welcome, Zane.”I turn slowly, my eyes widening as I see her. She’s walking toward me, an ethereal glow surrounding her, golden light radiating from every step. Her long, flowing blonde hair cascades over her shoulders, and a beautiful gown drapes around her in waves, moving as if it’s part of the light itself. Her eyes are a shade of gold that feels ancient, otherworldly, yet warm. A black teardrop pendant hangs from her neck, glinting softly in the glow that envelops her.My heart skips a beat as realization dawns, and my knees buckle, pulling me to the floor.
OrionThe path to Natasha’s hideout is a blur, every step a pulse of barely controlled rage. The air hums with the charge of dark magic, a twisted energy that beckons me, taunting me. My hands tremble with the beast’s fury, simmering just beneath my skin, but I haven’t let it loose yet. Not fully. There’s a strange clarity to my anger—a focus that makes every sense sharper, every movement precise.The moment I reach the edge of the hideout, I don’t stop to think. I kick down the door, wood splintering under the force of my boot, and I step inside, feeling every ounce of anger, every piece of heartbreak, flood through me like a dam breaking. The witches turn, eyes wide with shock, but I don’t give them a chance to scream.The first one goes down without a sound, my hand gripping her neck as I lift her off the ground. She thrashes, her mouth opening in a silent plea, but I don’t hesitate. I twist, the snap echoing through the room, and drop her to the floor like the insignificant piece
OrionI’m trapped, locked inside my own body as I watch my fists swing, my legs move, every calculated hit landing with ruthless precision. But it’s not me—not really. I can’t stop it. Can’t control it. All I can do is watch from somewhere deep inside, helpless as I fight against the people I swore to protect.Nero’s face twists in pain as my fist connects with his ribs. Osiris tries to grab me from the side, but I counter, landing a brutal blow to his shoulder, hearing the sickening crunch. They’re all holding back—I can feel it in their strikes, in the way they hesitate just before their fists meet flesh. They’re trying to save me, trying to fight me without hurting me. But I don’t feel that same mercy. Whoever is controlling my body… they’re enjoying this.Two Alphas should have me on my knees by now, but Natasha planned this perfectly. She knew they wouldn’t give it everything; she counted on it. And the part of me that’s still here, watching, feels every bit of the twisted ple
ZaneThe past three days have been a hell I can barely stomach. I’ve been confined to Nero’s territory, shackled by suspicion, and only allowed out of the locked room to help strategize. And I am trying—I’m trying everything I can think of. But it’s never enough. No matter what I say or how much I beg them to let me help, they’re always watching me, waiting for some slip that proves them right.Today, it’s worse. Nero had used his Alpha Sight on me, sifting through memories and thoughts, and I didn’t fight him. I let him dig, let him see everything, hoping he’d find something that could give us an edge. But there was nothing—nothing useful, anyway. Just more dead ends.Nova’s been working nonstop, her face growing more exhausted with each passing hour, trying spell after spell, looking for anything that could point us to Orion’s location. The tension is mounting, everyone on edge, barely able to look at each other without a fight breaking out.I’m pacing the war room, barely hearing
ZaneThe sound of heavy footsteps echoes in the hallway outside my locked room, and I know it’s Nero before he even steps inside. There’s a weight to his presence, a dark edge that fills the space long before he even opens the door. When the lock clicks and the door swings open, he’s standing there, arms crossed, his expression a storm of anger and something I can’t quite read.He doesn’t say anything at first, just stares at me, and I feel the hostility radiating off him like heat. He’s still angry—hell, probably furious—and I know exactly why. This isn’t just about what’s happening now. It’s about everything I did to Orion, every lie, every betrayal.“Start talking,” he finally says, his voice low and controlled, but I can tell it’s taking every ounce of his restraint not to rip into me right here and now.I take a breath, trying to steady myself, and meet his gaze. There’s no use in holding anything back now. It’s time for him to know the truth—the whole, brutal truth.“She’s goin
ZaneThe jet touches down with a low rumble, and I can already feel the tension in the air as we approach Nero’s territory. This is Leonetti land, and stepping onto it feels like walking into the lion’s den. I know the reception I’m about to get isn’t going to be friendly.As soon as the door opens and I step out, the familiar scent of pine and earth fills my senses. But that sense of home is quickly overshadowed by the heavy tension that hangs in the air like a storm waiting to break. Nero is already waiting for us at the landing site, and the second he lays eyes on me, his expression darkens.Before I can react, he’s moving toward me, his eyes blazing with fury. Every muscle in his body is tensed, ready to tear me apart, and for a second, I wonder if I’ll even survive the next few minutes.“Zane!” he snarls, his voice echoing across the open space. “You’ve got some fucking nerve showing your face here.”I don’t move. I can’t. I’ve expected this, and part of me knows I deserve it. Bu