Hunter’s POVIt had been a month since Seth's burial, and his absence was a constant weight on my shoulders.Every time I stepped into the meeting room or heard the wolves training in the courtyard, I felt it—the gaping void left by my closest friend, my second in command, and the one person I trusted with my life.The pack had been patient with me, understanding my reluctance to appoint a new commander-in-chief.The truth was, I didn’t want to, I really don’t want to. What’s the need of it anyway?No one could ever replace Seth. He wasn’t just a warrior; he was loyal, selfless, and sharp. He had a way of thinking ahead, of anticipating not just my needs but the pack’s. How could I even begin to consider someone else for his role?However, reality doesn’t wait for grief to subside.The pack was vulnerable without a commander, especially now. Seth’s death had left questions unanswered. Who had killed him? And why? On top of that, we still hadn’t rooted out the spy working with Jackson
August’s POVAs soon as I closed the door of my car, I couldn’t hold back the grin spreading across my face.This is so freaking awesome! I thought to myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly.Me, August, the second-in-command of Hunter’s pack? It felt surreal, almost like a dream. I started the engine, my heart pounding with excitement, but I kept my composure.I was still in Hunter’s estate, and the last thing I needed was to show my true feelings here.Everyone was still mourning Seth’s death. They hadn’t even fully discussed what it meant for the pack yet.Celebrating openly would only give the impression that I was glad Seth was gone—that I’d wanted him out of the way. And that was an impression I couldn’t afford to give, not now, when everything was starting to fall into place.I drove out of the estate, keeping my face as neutral as possible until I was well beyond anyone’s watchful eyes.The moment I was clear, I let out a scream of pure joy, slamming my hands against the d
Akira’s POVThe screams from the hallway caught my attention immediately. I sat up, straining my ears to make out what was being said.The words were rushed, almost incoherent, but the urgency in the voice made my heart race. I stood and made my way to the door, barely a step away when loud, frantic knocking startled me.“Alpha! Alpha! Alpha!”The voice was desperate, calling out for Hunter. My chest tightened, and I hesitated, unsure of what awaited me on the other side.Taking a deep breath, I opened the door to find one of the pack members standing there. His wide, frantic eyes darted over me, then he hesitated, his expression hardening as if remembering who I was.The disdain on his face was unmistakable. After my betrayal to the pack, none of them saw me as anything but a traitor. It didn’t matter that I was trying to redeem myself, trying to prove my loyalty again. They treated me like I didn’t belong, and while I had learned to endure it, now wasn’t the time for petty grudges.
Akira’s POVThe teacher’s words echoed in my mind again like a haunting melody: “The 12th graders were kidnapped by masked men and taken away.” My breath hitched, and my chest felt like it would explode as I tried to suppress the horrifying thoughts running through my head.Those kids weren’t just taken; they were likely targeted for human trafficking.Boys would be sold for organ trafficking, and girls… probably for sex trafficking. My claws flexed involuntarily at the thought, rage boiling in my veins. Those monsters targeted these children because of their age—15 to 18—the perfect range for their sick plans. But they made one grave mistake: they took Brielle.Brielle wasn’t just any child. She was someone I cherished, someone I had grown to love. I had failed her once by not being there to protect her. That wasn’t going to happen again—not while I had breath in my lungs.This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, it has happened in both human and werewolf school a
Akira’s POVBrielle lay in bed now, she had eaten and freshened up. Now, her face calmer than I had seen it in hours. Sitting beside her, I couldn’t help but ask her again, for what seemed like the millionth time, “Are you okay? Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”She smiled at me—a warm, genuine smile that lit up her face. “Yes, Akira. I’m okay. Like I said, thanks to you, nothing happened to me or the other kids.” Her voice was steady, and I knew she wasn’t pretending.I had come to know Brielle so well over time that I could always tell when she was joking or hiding something. But this? This was real.Still, her gaze shifted, lingering on my body. Her expression changed as she noticed the cuts and tears marking my skin, reminders of the fight earlier.“What about you?” she asked softly, her brows knitting in concern. “Are you okay? You’re all injured.”Her concern made my heart swell. Even after what she’d been through, she was worried about me. I smiled at her, touched by her
Akira’s POVIt was the evening of the day after the incident, and I was pacing my room, my mind swirling with anger and frustration.Jackson.That name burned in my mind like a cursed brand. Having learnt that he was behind the operation to kidnap the children, my mind hasn’t rested. The thought of Brielle and the other kids almost being trafficked, butchered, or worse had my blood boiling all over again.“That old bastard has bitten off more than he can chew,” I murmured to myself, clenching my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms.My heart was thrashing with rage, my thoughts racing with images of what could’ve happened if I hadn’t intervened.Brielle, the one person I lived for, could have probably been lost forever by now.The clock on the wall read 10:30 p.m. Hunter wasn’t back yet; he was still in a meeting with his pack members, no doubt discussing plans to take Jackson down. But I knew how these things went—planning, strategizing, analyzing. It would take time, and
Akira’s POVJust as his rage was highly up, Jackson didn’t give me a chance to continue with my words.One second, I was glaring at him with all the hatred I could muster, and the next, his body barreled into me like a cannonball, slamming me into the wall with so much force that I felt the wind rush out of my lungs.My head hit the wall hard, and for a moment, the world spun. I gasped, trying to draw in air as pain radiated through my back and shoulders. My instincts screamed at me to transform, but Jackson wasn’t giving me a second to think.“You dare come into my house and speak to me like that, you traitorous brat!” he roared, grabbing me by the arm and slamming me onto the floor.Pain shot through my ribs as I landed hard, and I bit back a cry. Jackson was on me in an instant, his iron hand—a cruel replacement for what Hunter had did to him months ago—crashing against my face.The blow sent stars shooting across my vision.His strength was unbelievable. Of course, it was, I wasn’
Akira's POV As the clock approached midnight, the pack's ballroom glittered with the glow of crystal chandeliers and flickering candle lights. Several guests from several packs filled the room. The air was thick with laughter, tinkling of champagne glasses and happiness. I took a deep breath as I stared into the mirror of my vanity dresser. My finger gingerly touched the diamond necklace around my neck. I wished I wouldn't have to wear it but it was my father's favourite. If I wanted him to be happy, I would do his bidding without argument, he had said. The pink, flowery ball gown I was wearing was designed by one of the top fashion designers in the world. It took over 500 hours to make the hand sewn dress and over 200 more people joined him to complete the work. It must have cost my father a fortune but he said it was nothing. I'd smiled when they brought the dress but the goddess knew just how much I didn't want it.I hated it!I wanted a simple, normal birthday party, one that w
Akira’s POVJust as his rage was highly up, Jackson didn’t give me a chance to continue with my words.One second, I was glaring at him with all the hatred I could muster, and the next, his body barreled into me like a cannonball, slamming me into the wall with so much force that I felt the wind rush out of my lungs.My head hit the wall hard, and for a moment, the world spun. I gasped, trying to draw in air as pain radiated through my back and shoulders. My instincts screamed at me to transform, but Jackson wasn’t giving me a second to think.“You dare come into my house and speak to me like that, you traitorous brat!” he roared, grabbing me by the arm and slamming me onto the floor.Pain shot through my ribs as I landed hard, and I bit back a cry. Jackson was on me in an instant, his iron hand—a cruel replacement for what Hunter had did to him months ago—crashing against my face.The blow sent stars shooting across my vision.His strength was unbelievable. Of course, it was, I wasn’
Akira’s POVIt was the evening of the day after the incident, and I was pacing my room, my mind swirling with anger and frustration.Jackson.That name burned in my mind like a cursed brand. Having learnt that he was behind the operation to kidnap the children, my mind hasn’t rested. The thought of Brielle and the other kids almost being trafficked, butchered, or worse had my blood boiling all over again.“That old bastard has bitten off more than he can chew,” I murmured to myself, clenching my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms.My heart was thrashing with rage, my thoughts racing with images of what could’ve happened if I hadn’t intervened.Brielle, the one person I lived for, could have probably been lost forever by now.The clock on the wall read 10:30 p.m. Hunter wasn’t back yet; he was still in a meeting with his pack members, no doubt discussing plans to take Jackson down. But I knew how these things went—planning, strategizing, analyzing. It would take time, and
Akira’s POVBrielle lay in bed now, she had eaten and freshened up. Now, her face calmer than I had seen it in hours. Sitting beside her, I couldn’t help but ask her again, for what seemed like the millionth time, “Are you okay? Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”She smiled at me—a warm, genuine smile that lit up her face. “Yes, Akira. I’m okay. Like I said, thanks to you, nothing happened to me or the other kids.” Her voice was steady, and I knew she wasn’t pretending.I had come to know Brielle so well over time that I could always tell when she was joking or hiding something. But this? This was real.Still, her gaze shifted, lingering on my body. Her expression changed as she noticed the cuts and tears marking my skin, reminders of the fight earlier.“What about you?” she asked softly, her brows knitting in concern. “Are you okay? You’re all injured.”Her concern made my heart swell. Even after what she’d been through, she was worried about me. I smiled at her, touched by her
Akira’s POVThe teacher’s words echoed in my mind again like a haunting melody: “The 12th graders were kidnapped by masked men and taken away.” My breath hitched, and my chest felt like it would explode as I tried to suppress the horrifying thoughts running through my head.Those kids weren’t just taken; they were likely targeted for human trafficking.Boys would be sold for organ trafficking, and girls… probably for sex trafficking. My claws flexed involuntarily at the thought, rage boiling in my veins. Those monsters targeted these children because of their age—15 to 18—the perfect range for their sick plans. But they made one grave mistake: they took Brielle.Brielle wasn’t just any child. She was someone I cherished, someone I had grown to love. I had failed her once by not being there to protect her. That wasn’t going to happen again—not while I had breath in my lungs.This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, it has happened in both human and werewolf school a
Akira’s POVThe screams from the hallway caught my attention immediately. I sat up, straining my ears to make out what was being said.The words were rushed, almost incoherent, but the urgency in the voice made my heart race. I stood and made my way to the door, barely a step away when loud, frantic knocking startled me.“Alpha! Alpha! Alpha!”The voice was desperate, calling out for Hunter. My chest tightened, and I hesitated, unsure of what awaited me on the other side.Taking a deep breath, I opened the door to find one of the pack members standing there. His wide, frantic eyes darted over me, then he hesitated, his expression hardening as if remembering who I was.The disdain on his face was unmistakable. After my betrayal to the pack, none of them saw me as anything but a traitor. It didn’t matter that I was trying to redeem myself, trying to prove my loyalty again. They treated me like I didn’t belong, and while I had learned to endure it, now wasn’t the time for petty grudges.
August’s POVAs soon as I closed the door of my car, I couldn’t hold back the grin spreading across my face.This is so freaking awesome! I thought to myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly.Me, August, the second-in-command of Hunter’s pack? It felt surreal, almost like a dream. I started the engine, my heart pounding with excitement, but I kept my composure.I was still in Hunter’s estate, and the last thing I needed was to show my true feelings here.Everyone was still mourning Seth’s death. They hadn’t even fully discussed what it meant for the pack yet.Celebrating openly would only give the impression that I was glad Seth was gone—that I’d wanted him out of the way. And that was an impression I couldn’t afford to give, not now, when everything was starting to fall into place.I drove out of the estate, keeping my face as neutral as possible until I was well beyond anyone’s watchful eyes.The moment I was clear, I let out a scream of pure joy, slamming my hands against the d
Hunter’s POVIt had been a month since Seth's burial, and his absence was a constant weight on my shoulders.Every time I stepped into the meeting room or heard the wolves training in the courtyard, I felt it—the gaping void left by my closest friend, my second in command, and the one person I trusted with my life.The pack had been patient with me, understanding my reluctance to appoint a new commander-in-chief.The truth was, I didn’t want to, I really don’t want to. What’s the need of it anyway?No one could ever replace Seth. He wasn’t just a warrior; he was loyal, selfless, and sharp. He had a way of thinking ahead, of anticipating not just my needs but the pack’s. How could I even begin to consider someone else for his role?However, reality doesn’t wait for grief to subside.The pack was vulnerable without a commander, especially now. Seth’s death had left questions unanswered. Who had killed him? And why? On top of that, we still hadn’t rooted out the spy working with Jackson
Akira’s POVThe sight of him standing there, motionless, broke something in me.After the few words he said to me, few minutes ago, Hunter hadn’t said much since Seth’s body was brought back to the estate, but his silence spoke volumes. It was the kind of silence that weighed on the air, so heavy it felt like it could crush you.I stood a few steps away, watching him. He hadn’t moved in hours, still staring at Seth’s lifeless body. The pain radiating from him was palpable, and I couldn’t help but wonder how much heavier it must have felt for him. If I, who had only recently gotten closer to Seth, could feel this much grief, how much worse would it be for Hunter?Seth had been more than just his commander. He was his brother in all the ways that mattered. He was the one Hunter trusted with his secrets, his plans, and his heart. And now he was gone, ripped away without warning or reason.I let out a quiet sigh, my chest tightening as I thought about the bond they shared. Seth was the on
Hunter’s POVMy heart pounded in my chest, so loud it almost drowned out the thoughts racing through my mind. Seth? Dead? No. That couldn’t be true.I bolted down the hallway, pushing past anyone in my way, desperate to see for myself. For the past few days, Seth had been unreachable. His phone calls went unanswered, his home was silent, and his scent had gone cold.At first, I told myself he was just taking some time off, maybe to clear his head. That wasn’t like him, sure, but Seth was his own wolf, and I trusted him to handle himself.But dead? That possibility had never crossed my mind.Seth was strong, stronger than most wolves. Hell, he was my second-in-command, a commander who inspired fear and respect in every corner of our community. He was untouchable—or so I’d thought until now.This morning, I got the call.“Seth’s body has been found.”Those words echoed in my head, tearing me apart. I stood there frozen, clutching the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. His body.