Hunter’s POVI stood up and walked to the door, then turned back to the bed again. This was the third time I had done this since Akira left my room a few minutes ago. My mind was a mess, trying to replay everything that had happened between us. Her words, her tears—they wouldn’t leave my thoughts. Did she really mean it? Did she truly want me to claim her, to mark her as mine?It was the last thing I expected to hear from her. I knew she had been feeling remorseful after everything that had happened, but this? I never imagined she would go this far. I wanted to believe her, but was she saying it out of desperation, or did she genuinely want me? In as much as I wanted to claim her, to make her mine, I didn’t want her to feel like she had to do it just to win me over.The truth is, she didn’t need to win me over. She already had me. I had feelings for her, feelings I most times can’t control. The way she said she would stand by me, support me, even with the operation sweep mission…d
Akira’s POVI opened my eyes slowly, blinking as I adjusted to the morning light reflecting in the room. The room looked strange, different from what I was used to. I glanced around, trying to figure out where I was. It took me a moment, but then I realized—I was in Hunter’s room. My heart raced. How did I end up here?I turned my head, and there he was—Hunter—lying next to me, staring right at me with a playful smirk on his face. Before I could even react, a startled scream escaped my lips.Hunter burst into laughter. "For someone who wandered to the memorial ground in the dead of night, I didn’t expect you to be this jumpy," he teased, his eyes full of mischief.I looked at him and quickly looked away, not because I was mad at him for startling me, but because; damn! he looked so handsome this morning. He was shirtless, his muscular body on full display, and I couldn’t help but admire how perfect he looked. His skin, his arms, the way his muscles flexed as he laughed—it was almos
Akira’s POVHunter and I removed our lips after minutes of kissing, we gasped for air. But again, Hunter’s lips met mine again, and I couldn’t resist teasing him with my tongue, gently coaxing his into my mouth. His low groan of desire filled my ears as our kiss deepened. My hands instinctively moved to his sleek, dark hair, my fingers tangling in it as I pulled him closer. I felt a thrill shoot down my spine as his hands slid up my back, caressing me, making me shiver in pleasure. He held me tighter, pressing me against his strong chest. I couldn’t get enough of him. Every kiss made me crave him more, every touch sent me into a deeper spiral of desire.Hunter responded to my need, effortlessly pulling me from where I sat on the edge of the bed, lifting me like I was weightless. Now, I found myself sitting on his lap, face to face with him, my legs straddling his hips. The heat between us was undeniable. He paused for a moment, his intense gaze locking with mine. His eyes were fi
Seth’s POVI stepped into Hunter’s office, immediately noticing the strange energy in the air. He was sitting on the edge of his table with a broad smile plastered across his face. "Oh hey, Seth," he greeted me, his voice lighter than usual, which only deepened my confusion."Hunter," I greeted back, my eyes narrowing as I tried to make sense of the odd atmosphere. His smile was unsettling. Hunter wasn’t the type to smile for no reason—at least, not like this."What have you been up to?" he asked, still wearing that grin. "I’m good," I started to say, but I stopped myself. Something was off. I watched him closely, trying to figure out what it was. "Are you alright, Hunter?"He chuckled, his eyes lighting up with amusement. "Of course I am! Why do you ask?"I shrugged, still skeptical. "I don’t know, you seem different this morning. You’re acting like a little pup that just got a new toy or something." I couldn’t help but wonder what had him in such a good mood.Hunter burst into lau
Seth’s POVAs Hunter and I entered the meeting room, the atmosphere shifted immediately. The men who had been ranting and talking fell silent, their eyes turning to us with surprise and curiosity. I could see it on their faces—they didn’t expect Hunter to call this meeting. Not after the last one where he gave them no hope, no direction. The pack had been left hanging, unsure of where we stood after our enemies had attacked us. The uncertainty had worn on them, and it was all written on their faces.I knew some of them weren’t entirely happy with Hunter, especially after how distant he’d been lately. They wanted him to take action, to lead them like the Alpha he used to be, but lately, it felt like he had been lost or less concerned about the pack’s troubles. Even so, no one dared question his authority outright. After all, he was still their Alpha, and the entire mission had originated from him.As I scanned the room, I could see the indifferent expressions on some of the men’s fac
Akira’s POVTaking care of things around the estate had become something I unexpectedly grew to love. At first, I thought it was punishment for my betrayal, but over time, it became one of my favorite ways to spend the day.The garden, the kitchen, the grocery runs—it all brought a sense of peace to me, like I was part of something bigger than myself. Although, Hunter had told me several times that I didn’t need to do the work. He suggested I leave it to the workers, but I refused. There was something soothing about being busy, about putting my energy into making this place feel like home. I loved cooking and helping out in the kitchen, loved the quiet moments in the garden, watering the plants and caring for the rose bushes. The memory ground, where we honored fallen pack members, became a place where I could reflect. And then there was the library—my personal sanctuary. I could spend hours there, losing myself in the old, musty books. This was my way of escaping the past, of rede
Akira’s POVThe gentle breeze blew across the garden, causing the flowers to sway softly, their fragrance filling the air. I took a deep breath, hoping the sweet aroma from the flower would somehow ease the restless thoughts racing through my mind. Ever since my conversation with August, guilt had been gnawing at me instead of the peace I had hoped to find.The first feeling of guilt came from the way I might have led August on. Maybe he believed there could be something more between us, something romantic. I hadn't meant to mislead him, but I couldn’t shake the thought that perhaps my actions, my kindness, had made him believe I wanted a relationship. When he walked away that day, it hurt me. Not because I wanted to be with him, but because I had never meant to make him feel rejected or like an enemy.Looking back, there had been moments when I thought August might have been the right person for me. When things weren’t going well between Hunter and me, I wondered if August would b
Jackson’s POVWhen my guards informed me that Akira was here to see me, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of eagerness. I knew she wouldn’t come all this way for nothing. She had to have vital information for me, something I could use. But as much as I wanted to see her and hear what she had to say, I couldn’t afford to be careless. Akira might have been working for me, but I wasn’t stupid. Trust wasn’t something I gave freely.I ordered my guards to search her thoroughly. I didn’t want any surprises—a wired tape, a hidden weapon, anything that could pose a threat. Thirty minutes later, they finally let her approach. I watched as she entered the room, her eyes scanning her surroundings, something she always do even though she has been her a couple of times, before locking onto me.“Akira,” I called out with a forced smile that didn’t reach my eyes. I knew she could see through my facade, but I didn’t care.“Oh please, Jackson,” she replied, rolling her eyes as she sat down without wa
Kestrel’s POVI hurried back to the kitchen as fast as I could. My failed attempt to pry information from Akira still stung, but I wasn’t giving up yet. That servant, the one who had boldly insulted her, was my next target.Surely, she wouldn’t be as difficult as Akira.When I stepped into the kitchen, I was met with silence. The loud commotion from earlier had completely dissipated. A few servants were busy with their tasks—chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and kneading dough—but there was no sign of the one I had come for.I stood there, scanning the room, unsure of what to do next. Should I ask the other servants about the incident? Would they even tell me anything useful?Before I could decide and almost made up my mind to ask the other female servant, the kitchen’s storage room door creaked open, and she stepped out.I smiled to myself. Perfect.The servant looked different now. Her shoulders slumped, and her face carried an air of sadness. It was strange. She had been so fierc
Kestrel’s POVI watched Akira disappear down the hallway, out of the kitchen and the small estate and heading to the main estate. Her steps hurried, almost as though she was trying to escape the harshness of the words hurled at her in the kitchen.My mind swirled with questions about what I had just witnessed. Seeing her humiliated like that, seeing her near the brink of tears— it was oddly satisfying. I couldn’t deny it.A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. She deserved it, every bit of it.Still, an idea crept into my head, one I couldn’t ignore.What if I went to her now, pretending to care? It would be a perfect opportunity to dig deeper, to find out what was really going on. The mighty Akira brought low was a rare sight, and I wasn’t about to waste it.Without bothering to grab the snack I had originally gone to the kitchen for, I quickly followed her down the hall.“Akira,” I called out, my voice laced with a false sweetness.She didn’t stop. She didn’t even turn around inst
Kestrel’s POV Standing at the desk in sitting room of Hunter home, I tossed the paperwork I had been pretending to work on across the table. My head pounded from staring at the meaningless columns of numbers, my eyes darting repeatedly toward the clock. No matter how hard I tried to focus, my mind always circled back to Hunter— and Akira. I stretched my arms above my head, rolling my shoulders. My muscles were tense, a clear reflection of my frustration. Pretending to support their ridiculous union had been more exhausting than I had anticipated. Coming here to apology weeks ago had been my only way back into the pack’s fold, but every word I’d spoken had burned my tongue. Apologize to that Akira? A mere upstart who had stolen everything from me? I sighed remembering how they had acted when I walked in on them apologizing for the very thing I hated; their union. No matter how it may still sound, Hunter was mine. Or at least, he should have been. Why shouldn’t we be together? W
August’s POVTaking a deep breath, I forced a neutral expression onto my face and opened the door. “Seth,” I said, feigning surprise. “Didn’t expect to see you here. What brings you by?”He didn’t answer immediately, his sharp eyes scanning me from head to toe. “Can I come in?” he finally asked, his tone unreadable.I hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping aside to let him in. “Sure. Make yourself at home,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual.Seth walked in, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey, his tall frame casting a shadow across my dimly lit living room. My heart raced, pounding in my chest like a trapped bird, but I forced myself to stay calm. I plastered a neutral expression on my face, hoping it would mask the sheer panic bubbling beneath the surface.Inside, my mind was racing. What was he doing here? Had Akira told him what she saw? Did he suspect me? Did he know? Had Akira seen more than I thought?He didn’t sit down, he ju
August’s POVThe air in my house was stifling, and my shirt stuck to my skin as I leaned against the wall, catching my breath. My heart was pounding like a drum, my lungs struggling to keep up after the frantic sprint through the woods.Damn Akira!If she had caught me sneaking around Hunter’s estate tonight with Jackson, I wouldn’t be standing here. The thought alone made my blood boil.I ripped off my torn shirt which was in pieces as a result of transforming back to human form, letting out a growl of frustration. Turing to werewolf to speed off my running speed was the best decision I had done immediately I had sighed her and I was glad that was swift.I had barely escaped, and now, I had to deal with Jackson and his incessant complaining. Grabbing my phone from the table, I punched his number and pressed it to my ear. The line rang twice before he answered.“August,” his gruff voice barked. “What now?”“What now?” I snapped back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “What now is that I
Hunter’s POVThat same evening, the evening air felt thick with tension as I stood by the window, staring out into the fading light. Akira had vanished into the shadows not long ago, heading off to confront Jackson. I had did as my instincts had told me and tried to stop her, but she was as stubborn as the day was long. She had insisted she’d be fine, and I had to trust her. Still, the worry gnawed at me.I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something wasn’t right.Behind me, I heard footsteps entering the living room. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Seth had always moved with a deliberate stride, and he didn’t bother hiding his presence.“That was a quick meeting,” Seth said, coming to stand beside me. His voice was casual, but I knew him too well. He was fishing for answers.“Yeah,” I replied without turning to look at him. My focus remained fixed on the direction Akira had gone. The shadows stretched longer across the compound, and with each passing moment, my
Akira’s POVAs soon as the older Alphas walked out of the sitting room, I turned to Hunter. “Did you see the look Jackson gave me?” I asked, my voice low but tense.Hunter leaned back slightly in his seat, his eyes narrowing as he replayed the scene in his mind. “Of course, I saw it,” he replied. “The man’s full of spite. He hates you because he thinks you’re not being the spy he expected you to be.”My mind wondered in so many thoughts.Jackson’s gaze wasn’t just hateful; it was accusing, as though he’d been wronged. And the way his eyes lingered on me—it sent a chill down my spine. “I’ll go talk to him,” I said, standing up abruptly.However, before I could take a step, Hunter grabbed my wrist. His grip was firm, almost protective. “No,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. “With the way things went here, he might unleash his anger on you. I won’t let that happen.”I looked into Hunter’s eyes, seeing both his worry and his resolve. But I also knew Jackson well enough to
Seth’s POVThe estate felt colder tonight, or maybe it was just the weight of the task ahead pressing on my chest. Hunter had always expected loyalty from me, but tonight, I could feel the edges of doubt creeping into my thoughts. I couldn’t afford hesitation. Not now. Not when everything was on the line. The double agent had to be dealt with before Jackson made his move. Hunter had given me a simple task: find the traitor, and eliminate him quietly. I wasn’t blind. I knew that even the smallest mistake could unravel everything we’d worked for, so I was meticulous. I followed the usual routes— checked in with the informants I trusted, observed the pack’s movements— but something felt off. There was a flicker of something different, something I couldn’t quite place. My instincts itched at the back of my mind, telling me there was more going on beneath the surface.The first clue came when I noticed Aric’s nervous behavior. Normally, he was sharp, confident, but lately, his movements
Kestrel’s POVI stood in front of Hunter’s door, ready to knock, but noticed it was already half-open.Curiosity got the better of me, so I peeked inside. My heart sank as I saw them—Hunter and Akira—wrapped up in each other. She was sitting on his lap, his arms possessively around her, and they were kissing, laughing, and talking softly. The way they looked at each other made my stomach turn. It wasn’t just physical; it was deeper than that. They were now connected. The kind of connection I had always wanted with him but never had when I was literally gracing his bed. I sighed. My hands clenched at my sides as I watched them. They looked like a power couple—two people who were not only lovers but friends. That was the part that hurt the most. Hunter and I had never had that kind of relationship. Even when I tried to start something he was always distant with me, now he ended up being cold. But with Akira, he was soft, playful, and affectionate. I could feel my anger boiling insid