Akira’s POVHunter didn’t answer the question.Instead, he pulled her back in for another kiss, his hands roaming over her body as if he couldn’t get enough of her.My chest tightened painfully. What was this? Some kind of twisted show meant to humiliate me even more?When Kestrel finally broke the kiss, she turned her head, her eyes landing on me with a look of disgust that was impossible to miss. She eyed me up and down, her lips curling into a sneer.“So this is the infamous Akira,” she said with disdain, her voice dripping with contempt. “The daughter of that monster, Alpha Lupin. You look exactly like I imagined—a pathetic, broken thing.”Her words were like a punch to the gut. I don’t even know who the hell is this woman and she already hates me.It’s seemed like I’m popular around here, but not in a good way.I bit my lip, holding back whatever was about to spill over.I had always known the right answer for women like her, but somehow, I refused to succumb to her spitefulness.
As I stepped into the dungeon, the place was dark as always with tiny faint lights entering into the room. The chilly air that the room walls bring out nipped my skin and I wished I had a jacket or something that covered my skin.This single handed black even gown I’m wearing is no match for this chillness that comes in this room.Brielle was already fast asleep on the cold, hard ground, her small frame curled up tightly, seeking warmth that wasn’t there.Next to her was Lisa, she was still sitting up, her eyes wide open, staring into the darkness as if lost in thought. When she noticed me, she greeted me in a low tone, her voice barely above a whisper.“You’re back,” Lisa said, her voice soft but with an edge of curiosity. “What happened today? We didn’t see you since morning when you left to clean the hallway and lake the garden. Was the work too tedious? Especially bending on your knees to mop the hallway floor with that tiny towel?”I shrugged, trying to push away the weariness th
Akira’s POVI was back in my parents’ mansion, surrounded by the familiar scent of blooming roses in the garden. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over everything.I was laughing with my mother, feeling light and happy, like nothing could ever go wrong. My mother’s laughter was the sweetest sound, and was as comforting as ever.But suddenly, something shifted.My mother’s joyous expression faded, her face turning pale as if all the color had drained away. Her eyes widened in shock and fear, and then, without warning, she began to collapse.“Mom!” I cried out, rushing to her side as she dropped to the ground.My heart pounded in my chest as I knelt beside her, holding her fragile body in my arms.“Mom, please, talk to me!” I pleaded, shaking her gently, but there was no response. Her eyes were open, but they stared blankly ahead, unseeing.Panic surged through me as I looked down at her, and that’s when I saw it. Blood. There was blood spreading across her stomach, soak
Akira’s POVAs we walked down the hallway, I could feel my nerves tightening.The guard stopped in front of a door I didn’t recognize. This wasn’t Hunter’s library or his study, the places I’d been dragged to countless times before.No, this room was different, and the guard seemed hesitant, as if he was scared to knock. After what felt like an eternity, he finally knocked gently on the door, but there was no response. He tapped again, even softer this time, his hand trembling slightly.I couldn’t take it anymore.Frustrated, I stepped forward and banged heavily on the door, the sound echoing through the quiet hallway. The guard shot me a look of panic, but I didn’t care.“This isn’t the time for your gentle tapping,” I muttered under my breath, irritation lacing my words.Just as I was about to bang on the door again, it suddenly swung open.Hunter stood there; his muscular chest exposed as he tried to slip into a robe. He was cursing under his breath, something about taking the head
Akira’s POVIt had been two long weeks since Brielle had fallen ill. The first three days were filled with a flurry of activity as the doctor Hunter had requested began treating her. But despite his efforts, Brielle’s condition didn’t seem to improve.I spent those days in a constant state of anxiety, watching her struggle to breathe, her small body weakened by the fever that wouldn’t break.Then, out of nowhere, Hunter ordered that Brielle be moved from the dungeon to the servants' quarters.It was a decision that took me by surprise, but one I was grateful for, even if it meant that Lisa and I were left behind in this cold, dark cell.Every day and night since then, I couldn’t stop wondering about Brielle—whether she was responding to the treatment, if she was eating well, if she was being cared for properly.Whenever the servants came to bring food for Lisa and me, I would ask them about Brielle.“Is Brielle okay?” I’d inquire, trying to mask the desperation in my voice. But none o
Hunters’ POVThe evening was cool, and the moon shone brightly in the sky, casting a silver glow over the woods. The air was crisp, and the weather was decent enough for a run—just the way I liked it.This time of day was usually solitary for me, a time when I could exercise and clear my mind. I shifted into my werewolf form and felt the familiar rush of power as my muscles expanded, fur sprouting over my skin.With a low growl, I took off, my paws hitting the forest floor in a steady, powerful rhythm.Running like this, with the wind against my fur and the scent of the earth filling my senses, was the one thing that brought me peace.I’d been doing this since I was ten years old. I still remembered the first time I’d run through these woods. Back then, I was just a scared little boy, unable to protect my mother from my father’s wrath.Alpha Silver, the head of the Silver Moon pack, my father, had been a cruel man.I had watched helplessly as he battered my mother in the living room.
Hunter’s POVI froze, disbelief washing over me. It couldn’t be.But there she was, lying on the ground beneath me, her clothes slightly torn. Her breathing was ragged, her eyes wide with fear and pain.I dropped my claw. I turned to my human form. stepping back in shock. What the hell had I done?I stared down at her, my mind racing to make sense of what had just happened.Why was she out here? Why was she running? The questions bombarded me, but none of them mattered now.My chest tightened as I watched her struggle to breathe, her face contorted in pain.Then, she passed out.As I sat in my study, my mind churned with a storm of emotions, none of them was good. Akira lay unconscious on the couch, her chest rising and falling with each breath. I’d checked her pulse the moment I brought her in, and it was steady, but that didn’t do much to ease the anger boiling inside me.I was angry at her for trying to escape—again.I was angry at myself for almost hitting her, a woman, something
Akira’s POVWhen I quietly pushed open the door to our room that early morning, I saw the surprise flash across Lisa’s face. She probably thought I’d be long gone by now, far away from this mansion and the hellish grip of Hunter.Yesterday morning, when I told her I was planning to escape again, I could tell she wasn’t comfortable with the idea. But I assured her that I would leave alone by using my werewolf abilities to speed my escape and when I get help, I will come back for them. She didn’t even have to say much then; the worry in her eyes was enough to know what’s om her mind.“Akira,” Lisa whispered as I stepped into the room, her voice thick with concern. “What happened? You were supposed to be gone by now.”I sighed, closing the door behind me as I leaned back against it. “I got caught,” I said flatly, not wanting to relive the humiliation of being tackled by Hunter in the woods.Lisa’s eyes widened. “Caught? By who? Hunter?”I nodded, feeling the anger bubbling up inside me a