Gregory POV (Lily’s father)A storm was already brewing as we drove into the borders of Royal Hunters Pack.Even as an alpha, Alpha Kai was not one of my favourite Alphas to visit. He was always by himself even during meetings and when he speaks, he speaks so softly that we usually have to strain our ears to hear him. Everyone was afraid of him… including me but this was necessary. I need to find out if Lily is alive or still dead.The sky darkened, casting darkness on an afternoon. I didn’t want to take it as an omen but I had a feeling that things would not go the way I wanted. Our car pulled up to the old hunting lodge, it was a neutral ground. Seeing they wanted to meet at a neutral ground, it means they don’t intend for it to be a lasting meeting. At least, I know he’s hot seeking for alliance.As me and Vanessa opened the doors of our car to alight, as if on cue, a bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating the scene before us. The cottage stood like a sentinel, filled with d
Gregory POV (Lily’s father)The scar that stretched across his face seemed to deepen more as he turned and our gaze met, making him look more threatening.Kai’s gaze flickered from me to my daughter, his gaze lingering more on Vanessa before coming back to my face. There was something unreadable in his expression, a cool detachment that sent a chill down my spine. He said nothing at first, simply observing us as if he were weighing us in his mind.The bastard!Finally, he spoke, his voice low and even. “You’ve come a long way from Golden Moon Pack. That’s impressive!” he said taking my hand that I had stretched towards him since a minute ago.I couldn’t also help but notice that he was the tallest among all the werewolves present including me. He towered over everyone else, his presence dominating the space even when he stood perfectly still.I could also swear that he would be toughest to fight against among all the alphas I knew. I mean; I’ve encountered a lot of really good Alphas
Lily POVMy entire body felt like it was engulfed in flames.The heat pulsed through my veins causing every nerve in my body to scream out in protest. My skin was sensitive and sore. I tossed and turned in my bed, the sheets tangling around my legs, every inch of my body covered with sweat.Earlier, when Celeste’s grandfather had come in to check on me – I barely remembered coming to my bed too. Although I had seen his face hovering over me etched with concern as he placed his cool hand on my forehead. I couldn’t recall all that he said but I remembered him saying words like ‘shift’ and late bloomer’ in his conversation as I drifted in and out of consciousness.In my fever-muddled mind, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was going to shift. Was it even possible after all this time?For years, I had thought the Moon Goddess had forsaken me – that she hated me so much and didn’t care whether I had my wolf or remained human. I remembered watching all my friend getting their wolves, bonding
Lucas POVThe moon hung low in the sky when I moved swiftly through the shadows, my senses were on high alert as I crossed the border into Alpha Kai’s territory – The Royal Hunters Pack.I lay in the shadows for a bit, my heart pounding from fear and determination. This wasn’t the first time I was sneaking into another Pack’s land but Royal Hunter was no ordinary pack – it would have been impossible given the fact that their borders were always heavily guarded with warriors patrolling day and night.But tonight was different. The air was heavy with tension but the usual patrols were absent and I knew why.All the guards on duty have been summoned to guard the cottage where the meeting of both Alpha Gregory – Lily’s father and Alpha Kai, was taking place. At least, that was what one of the warriors who had escorted both Lily’s father and her sister Vanessa had told me earlier on.With the guards not at their posts, it created an opportunity for me. As I moved saliently through the Pack
Kai POVThe cottage was thick with tension that seemed to weigh down everyone present in the room including me who sat at the head of the long oak table. I leaned back in my chair, my eyes studying, Alpha Gregory who was twitching at every point with unease though his eyes still shone with defiance as he levelled his gaze at me.The question he asked me hung in the air between us, still unanswered. Alpha Gregory-Lily’s father had repeated the question about an intruder being in our territory whose name was Lily and I didn’t know how to respond without losing my cool.Liam must have sensed how much I was trying to control myself because he was the one who finally answered breaking the tense silence.“We deal with intruders properly here at Royal Hunters Alpha Gregory,” Liam said, his voice smooth” You don’t have to worry about such matters. We have full control over our borders.”I barely paid attention to what Liam was saying, my focus was on Alpha Gregory who seemed to relax at Liam’
Kai POVAlpha Gregory must have sensed that his story had a lot of loopholes so he was trying his best to make up for it.“You may not believe this Alpha Kai, but once, Lily tried to poison me,” he started, his tone growing sombre. “I mean you’d never expect that something like that would come from your house but it happened. She put an adequate amount of grounded silver in my food and it was my favourite food, so I was never going to notice, thankfully, it fell from the table somehow and you know what Silver does to wood right?”He leaned in and said with a conspiratory tone “It burned a hole so deep in the wood that I had to change the entire floorboard of the dining room. There was another time when it was arsenic and I survived by a hair’s breadth but back then, I was able to endure it because I was her daughter and every parent loved their children right?” he sighed.“But then she became even worse. She got in between her sister here,” he stopped and pointed at his other daughter
Lily POVIt felt like days had passed since the fever started.Slowly, the fever began to subside. The fire that had coursed through my body began to cool too; my temperature returned to normal. Although I was still in a state of unconsciousness – still trapped in the dream world, I could tell I was feeling better and my wolf’s voice was becoming clearer.“You’re awake!” she said warmly. “I’m glad. How do you feel?” she asked.“I’m feeling better,” I murmured “Thank you.”“That’s a relief,” she sighed. “Do you still remember that I’m your wolf? I think it’s time I introduced myself to you properly. My name is Nala and I’m your wolf. I couldn’t appear to you earlier because someone has been feeding you a dangerous substance – The root of Wolfsbane. It’s a dangerous drug and it prevented you from feeling me and also me from awakening and it kept me locked away all these years.”A chill ran down my spine at the revelation and the first name that came to my mind was ‘My father’. “It was m
Kai POVThe news was so shocking that I rose to my feet abruptly. The room fell silent as everyone turned to stare at me in surprise and confusion.“Alpha?” Liam rose and came to stand next to me “Is everything alright?”I barely heard him. My mind was focused on the news I had just been told now. If Lily was going to shift, it would mean a ton of things for me. I needed to be there… she would need me once she finally took her wolf form. I must be there.“My apologies,” I said quietly “An urgent matter just came up that requires my attention now. I need to leave but, in my place, my Beta – Liam would continue the meeting.”Liam was surprised but quickly masked his surprise by nodding in agreement while Gregory was staring at me suspiciously. Without waiting for their response or refusal, I strode to the door, fighting the urge not to run because of the stares on my back.I slammed the door behind me, gritting my teeth against the pouring rain but that wasn’t going to stop me now, not
Lucas POVI sat in my study, nursing a glass of whisky as a storm brewed in my mind.The revelation that Lily wasn’t Alpha Gregory’s biological daughter had changed everything. It explained so much—the coldness she had endured, the scorn from certain members of the pack, the maltreatment from both her father and her sister. It all made sense now.I clenched my jaw, the glass trembling slightly in my grip.No wonder he had been determined to drive her out of the pack in the middle of the night with nothing but an old rickety car. Alpha Gregory, the man who had raised her, who had pretended to be her father, had been behind it all.My wolf snarled beneath my skin. How many times had Lily cried herself to sleep, believing she wasn’t good enough? How many times she had endured the pack’s whispers, the subtle jabs that she killed her mother and the not-so-subtle exclusion?I set my glass down, leaning back in my chair as a grim determination settled over me. I had failed to protect Lily in
Lily POVI flinched at the words but I held my tongue.“You’re not the mate I would have chosen for my son,” she continued coldly. “But Kai made his choice, and as much as I disagree, I have to respect it.”I swallowed hard, my heart sinking further with every word. I thought the learning sessions with her occasionally meant we were bonding. Guess I was wrong.“Luna Helen, I-”“Don’t,” she raised her hand, stopping me mid-sentence. “I’m not here to scold you. I’m here to warn you.”The air in the car seemed to grow thicker.“But before I do that,” she continued lowering her voice as if she wanted to tell me a secret, “this situation with the she-wolf is different. It’s dangerous. Well, the woman is not dangerous in the way you might think, but dangerous.”My brows knitted in confusion. “Dangerous? How?”Luna Helen’s expression darkened. “You don’t understand the influence someone like her can have over an Alpha. A connection—whether from the past or something more recent – can disrupt
Lily POV“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “But I need to talk to Kai.”Luna Helen pursed her lips, but she gave a stiff nod. “We’re not finished here,” she said to Kai before turning and walking away, her heels clicking against the polished floor. As soon as we were alone, Kai sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. He looked exhausted, shadows under his eyes, and tension etched into every line of his face.“What are you doing here, Lily?” he asked. His tone was not unkind but distant.I stepped closer, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. “I could ask you the same thing. You’ve been avoiding me for days, Kai. If it’s not this hospital, it’s somewhere else. What’s going on, Kai? What about us? Who is she, truly?”His expression hardened and his gaze drifted to the almost lifeless form of the woman lying on the bed, then back at me. Suddenly, he stirred me towards the door, taking one last glance as we closed
LilyI took Celeste’s advice.My heart pounded as I made my way to the pack hospital. The air was crisp, and the faint scent of pine mingled with the distant sound of chirping birds returning home to their nests for the evening, but none of it eased my nerves.I could hardly sleep last night, going over Kai’s distant behaviour, replaying every word, every moment where he had ignored me, and it was driving me mad.It was not just about the mysterious she-wolf anymore, but about Kai shutting me out completely. I feared the growing distance between us would become insurmountable if I didn’t confront him now.But today, I could confront him.When I reached the hospital, I continued to the VIP floor. The VIP floor was a world of its own. It was quiet, exclusive, and reserved for only members of the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma families. I had been here before, but today felt different.As the elevator stopped and I stepped onto the floor, squaring my shoulders, preparing myself for whatever lay
Lucas POVSince our mating ceremony, I didn’t only gain Vanessa’s trust but also the pack’s respect.The grand hall of the Golden Moon Pack shimmered with opulence, with crystal chandeliers casting soft, golden light across the gathering. Tonight, it was a celebration of the annual Moonlight Gala, the most prestigious event in our social calendar every year.I stood beside Vanessa, my arm loosely draped around her waist. She looked stunning in a deep emerald gown that clung to her curves, her radiant smile drawing attention from everyone in the hall. This would be our first appearance as mates since our ceremony.The gala celebrated the pack’s achievements for the year. Speeches were made, and awards were distributed. Aside from that, this would be a perfect opportunity to begin my plan. I wanted the pack for myself.I was tired of waiting for Alpha Gregory Stone—Vanessa’s father- to die or willingly retire before he handed over the reins of the pack to me entirely. I wanted to be in
Lily POVThat evening, I walked towards the Pack Hospital. Each step felt like walking on hot coal. I wasn't sure what I would find there or what I even wanted to say, but I needed answers.I was sure it was just the maids gossiping, as usual. I was sure it wasn't Kai, but somehow, for the sake of all the doubts running around my head, I needed to clear them.The pack hospital was quiet as I approached. Using the signs, I took the elevator to the VIP floor until I stopped at the door that read 'Alpha'. Steeling myself, I moved closer to the door, wondering if knocking would be a better option or something else.Just as I contemplated, the door swivelled open, and a team of healers and nurses stepped out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Thankful for the quick fix, I moved closer and peeked in.Kai was sitting beside the bed of the injured she-wolf. His shoulders were sagged as if the world's weight was on him. He stared intently at her as if his gaze were her oxygen. The sh
Lily POVThe day passed in a blur.I attended all my classes, barely able to concentrate as my thoughts kept drifting back to Kai. I replayed our last few interactions from a week ago, searching for clues or signs I might have missed.But there was none.So, what was the problem?After my last class, I rushed to the pack house, determined to wait for Kai. I won’t let his distance or silence push me away. If he needed time, I would give it to him, but I needed to hear the words from his mouth—I deserve that honesty, at least.I waited all afternoon for him, but he didn’t come home. Suspecting he was held up at the office, I decided to work on my school project.By evening, there was still no sign of him. I busied myself with inconsequential tasks around the house, hoping he’d come home soon.I opened several gift boxes sent to Kai… Some were already a year old. I reheated dinner—I didn’t eat yet; I wanted us to eat together and in my mind; I kept rehearsing everything I would say to hi
Lily POVI paced the length of the living room in the pack house, my mind replaying everything that had happened that day.Kai’s cold dismissal at the hospital had stung more than I wanted to admit. I’d come to his side out of concern, but he’d pushed me away as though I was some stranger.I had left out of anger and the plan was to go back to my dormitory and never bother myself with him again until he reached out, but here; I was still waiting for him. I made some food for him, hoping he would come back any moment soon.But after 9 pm, I was growing worried.It was well past midnight when I heard the front door creak open, announcing his arrival. I froze where I sat on the couch in the living room, my heart racing with fear and anger. Deciding I would approach calmly and reasonably. I had to address what happened today.As he stepped into the living room, I rose to my feet, watching as he paused slightly; his face was pale and weary, dark circles shadowing his features. His shirt w
Kai POVI cradled the lady in my arms, gazing at her. This was definitely the face of the woman I’d been seeing in my visions. The eyes, the nose, the lips, everything about her was familiar.I felt a close affinity with her, even though everything was just so mysterious. But at least, I knew her name—Maya, and that was something.A while later, the ambulance arrived and the Para-healers that had come with it gave her first aid, after which they strapped her onto a stretcher and loaded her behind the van.“She’ll be fine, Alpha,” one of the Para-healers said assuring. “Her vitals are good, although she has loosed a lot of blood, but she’ll be fine. We’ll take her to the pack hospital immediately.”I nodded. “Thank you so much for coming at such short notice.”“No problem, Alpha. I’ll give you feedback on how everything goes from here on.”“You don’t need to do that,” I brushed past him, hoisting myself to the back of the ambulance “Because I’m going with you to the hospital.”The Para