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
Akira POVHunter rang the bell again, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes in frustration. That was the fifth time in the last thirty minutes. Each time, it’s been some petty errand designed to wear me out, and I was getting sick of it.I walked into his study, half-expecting another pointless task, but instead, he looked up at me and said, “Prepare yourself. This evening, I want you to dress and be at your best. We’re hosting a little party.”I stood there, silent, not even bothering to hide my irritation. What business did I have with his party? He already had a woman glued to his side—Kestrel.He looked up at me from his desk, with those questioning eyes, clearly expecting a response, so I finally spoke up.“What does your party have to do with me?” I snapped. “Since you already have a woman, why else would you want me to dress up and play your mate?”His lips curled into that devilish smile that I despised. “Am I truly preserving jealousy from me, doll?” he asked, clearly enjoying
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