EvaThe diner is busier than usual, but I don’t mind. I’m actually in a really good mood today. As I move between tables, refilling coffee mugs and taking orders, I can’t help but smile. My thoughts keep drifting to Osiris. Everything just seems... lighter now. I never expected him to ask me out, let alone share the connection we’ve been building over the last few weeks. Things are really starting to look up for me, for us.Sophia’s been happier too. She’s so fond of Osiris, and he’s amazing with her. It’s like things are finally falling into place, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like maybe I’ve found a little bit of happiness, a small slice of peace in this chaotic world.“Hey, Eva, table four’s ready to order,” one of my coworkers, Michelle, calls out.“Got it!” I say, grabbing my notepad and heading over with a spring in my step.As I approach the table, I glance out the window, catching sight of the sunshine streaming down, making the day feel even brighter. I’m a
OsirisI walk through Aeron’s dorm building, the cold concrete walls seeming a little too sterile for a college campus. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel isolated, even in a crowd. I tug my hood lower over my head, keeping my face in the shadows. I’m not exactly inconspicuous here, but I don’t need anyone knowing who the hell I am. My brother’s been missing for days, and I’m not leaving any stone unturned.I stop in front of his door, my stomach twisting as I fish out the key he gave me for emergencies. This qualifies. I push the door open and step inside.The room is a mess. Papers scattered, clothes tossed haphazardly across the floor, his bed unmade. It’s like Aeron never gave a shit about cleaning up. But that’s not what bothers me.It’s the fact that everything feels... wrong.Aeron’s scent is faint, like he hasn’t been here in days. Which makes sense, given that he’s missing. But there’s something else—an unease crawling up my spine as I walk further in, scanning the ro
OsirisAs soon as I walk into the office, I can feel the tension crackling in the air. Nero and Orion are already waiting for me, both of them looking as grim as I feel. I shut the door behind me, knowing this conversation isn’t going to be a pleasant one.I toss Aeron’s decrypted laptop onto Nero’s desk and scrub a hand over my face. “I found out where Aeron’s been.”Nero’s eyes narrow, and Orion straightens in his chair. “What did you find?” Orion asks, but the edge in his voice makes it clear that he’s already dreading the answer.“Aeron sent us on a wild goose chase when he left that piece of his shirt by the old mill,” I take a deep breath, meeting their eyes. “He’s been recruited by Legacy Vega.”There’s a beat of silence, the name hanging heavy in the room before Nero lets out a string of curses under his breath. He slams his palm down on the desk, making a coffee cup rattle.“Fuck, Legacy Vega? That little fucker has been running around like he’s untouchable, gathering warrior
**The following chapter contains Non-Con elements. Please read with caution******EvaI sit quietly beside Sophia, watching as she swings her legs back and forth in the seat, her wide eyes filled with excitement. The plane touches down softly, but the pit in my stomach feels like it’s going to swallow me whole. This place… this hell we’ve been dragged back to… it’s as if the moment we crossed the borders of Darius’ territory, every bad memory, every instance of his cruelty, came rushing back.But Sophia doesn’t know that. She doesn’t remember. I made sure of it.The flight was nothing short of a nightmare for me, but for Sophia? Darius has managed to win her over, talking to her softly, giving her the attention I’ve always tried so hard to protect her from. His charm, that fake warmth he uses to manipulate, worked on her. And now, as she’s pulling at my sleeve, asking me how much longer until she gets to see her new bedroom, I can barely muster the strength to smile.“Not long now,
OsirisI pace the length of my room, phone in hand, dialing Eva’s number for what feels like the hundredth time. Every time I hear the line go dead, a new knot tightens in my chest. It’s like something’s squeezing the life out of me, and I can’t explain it. I’ve called her cell. I’ve called the landline. Nothing.“Come on, Eva, pick up…” I mutter under my breath as I hit redial again, holding the phone to my ear.This time, it rings three times, then... nothing. Just silence, followed by that dull, monotone disconnect sound that grates on my nerves. My mind is racing, and the anxiety building up is too much. It’s not like her to just disappear without a word. Not after everything we’ve been through, after that kiss we shared, after…Something’s wrong.I feel a sharp pang in my chest, like my instincts are screaming at me that something’s seriously messed up. I toss my phone on the bed and rake a hand through my hair. I’ve got two options: I can stay here, stick with the plan of findin
OsirisAs I get closer to Darius’ pack lands, the air feels thicker, like I’m walking into a place where the darkness has taken root. The more I dig into this guy, the worse it gets. His name pops up in all the wrong places—rogue dealings, packs disappearing, even rumors of his involvement in trafficking. It’s enough to make my blood boil, knowing that Eva and Sophia are trapped in his world.I pull over by the side of the road, far enough from his pack’s borders that I won’t trigger any alarms, but close enough that I can feel the buzz of his territory’s energy. I’ve found it. I pull out my phone and hit Nero’s number.He picks up after the first ring. “You found him?”“Yeah,” I say, glancing in the direction of the pack’s lands. “I’m close. I know exactly where his pack is. How do you want to play this?”Nero exhales on the other end. “Good. Come back to the pack house. We need to regroup before we do anything rash.”I grip the steering wheel, frustration prickling beneath my skin.
OsirisI move through the shadows of Darius’ pack house, slipping past the guards with ease. The place reeks of fear and dominance, a stench I know all too well from packs like his. But right now, all I care about is finding Eva. The thought of her being in here, under his control, makes my blood boil. I clench my fists as I move, forcing myself to stay focused. I can’t afford to lose it now.Nero’s in the meeting with Darius, keeping him distracted. It was a good setup, buying me enough time to find her. But I’m on a ticking clock here. The moment something feels off to Darius, this place will lock down, and getting out won’t be as easy as getting in.I push through another hallway and finally spot the room. It’s tucked away at the far end of the house, isolated, guarded by two wolves. I watch them for a moment, sizing them up. They’re not paying attention—arrogant, lazy. I could take them out quietly, but that would raise suspicion. No, I need to be smarter than that.A few minutes
OsirisAs I walk away from Darius’ pack house with my head’s spinning. Every instinct I have is screaming to go back, to take her and Sophia, and get the hell out of this place. But I know that’s not how this works. Eva’s too scared to make that kind of move right now, and pushing her will only make things worse.I step outside, the air cool against my skin, and head toward the SUV I parked a couple of blocks down. My hands are shaking, and I clench them into fists, trying to steady myself. She’s so close to breaking free, but Darius has her trapped in a fear so deep, it’s hard for her to see a way out.And there’s Sophia. That little girl deserves better than growing up under the control of a twisted Alpha like Darius.I reach the SUV, pull the door open, and slump into the driver’s seat. My breath comes out in a sharp exhale as I lean back, staring at the ceiling. The anger I’ve been trying to bury bubbles up again, and I smack my hand against the steering wheel, the sharp sound ech
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