Akira’s POVI was relieved when a female servant from Jackson's home came to my door, saying that Alpha Jackson wanted to see me. I practically jumped off the bed and rushed out of the room, my heart racing with a mix of hope and anxiety.It had been three days since I arrived at Jackson's estate, and while he had promised to protect me and deal with Hunter, he hadn't said anything specific since then.I didn’t want to pressure him or seem like I was being too pushy, so I’d kept my distance, hoping he would reach out when he was ready.When I hurried into the living room, I expected to see Alpha Jackson waiting for me alone. But I stopped short, surprised to find about seven older Alphas sitting there, their eyes turning towards me as I entered.A movement of unease washed over me. This doesn’t feel like a meeting but an act of summon.Why were all these powerful Alphas gathered here? My heart started to pound faster. I glanced around the room, trying to gauge their expressions, but t
Hunter’s POVI stared at the plan Seth had sketched out on the paper, a rough map of Alpha Jackson's house with red lines and circles showing how we could break in. When I first mentioned to Seth that I planned on invading Jackson’s home to take back Akira, he had wasted no time in drawing up a strategy. According to his plan, it would be best to strike at midnight when the house would be quieter, with fewer of Jackson’s pack members around. The attack would need to be silent and swift.I studied the plan carefully, still not sure if I wanted to go along with it. If it were up to me, I’d march into Jackson’s territory in broad daylight, letting everyone see. After all they were all used to admitting how cruel I was and how bloody I am, ‘a cursed blood sucking monster’ they had said. I equally don’t mind. It would have been good to use Alpha Jackson as a scapegoat to my called cruelty.However, I knew I had to be careful. I had to maintain my composure and not do anything that would
Hunter’s POVHer presence like a shockwave that caused an overexcitement through me.My wolf groaned, its frustration and longing echoing in my mind as I watched Akira walk into my study. I wasn’t sure what surprised me more—seeing her here or the fact that Seth, who had trained himself to be stoic and rarely showed any emotion, shot up from his seat the instant she entered. This was the same Akira we were planning to reclaim, the one I had just been discussing with Seth, yet here she was, standing before us like some ghost returned from the grave.I scanned her from head to toe. She looked different somehow—more vibrant, more alive unlike how tiring she had always looked when she was here.Does been with him really weigh her down that much? Probably it was because of all the hate she had for him that she had concealed.Her blonde hair was tied in a high bun with a little extra hair laid out by the sides of her ears. Her lips were covered in a more vibrant red lipstick; I have never
Kestrel’s POVI examined the red gown in my hands once more, turning it over to catch the light. This will be perfect, I thought to myself. If Hunter sees me in this, the image of how I look will be seared into his mind. I knew exactly why I’d chosen this dress—it was all to impress Hunter, to make him see me in a way he had never before. Probably, to look at me in the same way he looked at that little wench, Akira, at the party. The image which still burned in my memory.I could recall it vividly: the way Hunter’s eyes never left Akira, how his gaze followed her around the room like she was the only person there. I knew Hunter well enough to recognize that those looks weren’t just for show, weren’t just part of the act they were putting on to fool the werewolves at the gathering. No, there was something more. Something filled with admiration and desire. It pained me to admit that Hunter had never looked at me that way, not once, even after all these years of being by his side.We’
Kestrel’s POVEven though it was just the two of us alone in the study, Hunter’s mind seemed miles away. He was staring at the door with a look on his face I couldn’t quite read—something calculating, something intense. I took a step closer, making sure my movements were slow and deliberate, the way I knew he liked. "Am I interrupting something?" I asked with a playful smile.It wasn’t until then that he looked up and finally seemed to notice I was there. For a moment, I wondered what could have him so deep in thought. He’s usually so focused, so aware of everything going on around him. I’d never seen him this distracted.“You didn’t even know I was here, did you?” I teased, leaning down to press a soft kiss against his lips. He responded, but I could tell his mind was still elsewhere. “What’s going on?” I asked, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes.Hunter shook his head reluctantly, his expression guarded. “It’s nothing,” he said, but I could tell he was lying. I knew h
Akira’s POVAs soon as I left the study room and walked down the long hallway, I let out a huge sigh of relief. The tension inside that room had been unbearable, like a heavy weight pressing down on my chest. My heart was still pounding from the effort of keeping my lies straight and convincing Hunter that I truly wanted to come back and be his mate. Even though I had put her hair in a tight high bun and wore a bold red lipstick to make my appearance look somewhat sophisticated as much as I can and to make me look as if I meant business; yet I almost fooled myself. It was not as if I just rushed into Hunter’s house unprepared. All through my ride from Holtsville to Melford; in Silver Moon Pack, I had gone over those words in my head so many times. Telling myself I will pull it off perfectly when step foot in Hunter’s house, but even with all that practice I did, my words almost failed me.Inside the study, every moment then felt like a time without end. The way Hunter’s curious ga
Akira POVI made my way to the servant quarters, my heart was drumming in my chest. I couldn’t help but wonder if I would find Lisa and Brielle there, safe and sound. I had wanted to ask Hunter if he had done anything to them, but I held back. I couldn’t risk letting him know how much I cared about my friends or hint that my return had anything to do with them. That would only complicate things and potentially put them in more danger.I knew that checking the dungeon first would have been the smarter option since that was Hunter’s favorite place for dumping prisoners. But the fear of what I might find—or not find—down there kept me from going.I couldn’t face the possibility that my friends might be locked away or worse.When I finally reached the room, I hesitated at the door. I took a deep breath and silently prayed to the moon goddess they were inside, or maybe just out working somewhere nearby. Gathering every ounce of courage I had, I slowly opened the door and peeked inside.
Akira’s POVI carried the bag of grain into the kitchen and tossed it into the cabinet with a sigh. This was the tenth bag of grain I’d hauled today, and tomorrow, it might be making large quantities of bread again. I still had no idea where all the bread we normally make in this house went to, but I usually didn’t ask questions.A cloud of grain dust exploded around me, making me cough. I wiped my face with the back of my hand, grimacing as the dust clung to my skin.I had gotten used to doing jobs like this, even though they left my body aching all night. I wasn’t complaining, though—I knew it was all temporary. Besides, one thing I’d learned while working as a servant in Hunter’s home was that chores wouldn’t kill me. As long as I got to eat and rest for a while and at the end of the day, I could manage. And fortunately, in Hunter’s home, there were rest hours for every servant, which was a luxury compared to my parents’ home.It had been three days since I came back to Hunter’s h
Akira’s POVI stood by the window of my room, dressed in my wedding gown; something I had once thought I might never wear. The white fabric felt cool against my skin, flowing down to the floor in elegant waves. The sun outside was setting, forming warm golden hues over the trees and hills. It was the perfect backdrop for the ceremony Hunter and I had decided on— a wedding in the heart of the estate, surrounded by our pack.I couldn’t stop smiling. The happiness that had been radiating from me since the moment Hunter proposed refused to fade. Everything felt… right. The pack was thriving, and after months of challenges and uncertainty, the members now looked at me as their Luna.When did that happen? Was it when I stood up to Jackson’s men and rescued the kidnapped school children? Or was it the day I killed Jackson myself, ending his trafficking business? Maybe it was when August confessed to the crimes I had been wrongfully accused of. I wasn’t sure exactly when the shift occurred
Hunter’s POVThe flower room was where I always found Akira when she needed a different kind of solace. It was her sanctuary— and, over time, it became mine too. The scent of roses, in full bloom, mixed with the faint traces of her unique floral aroma. This room was more than just a collection of beautiful flowers; it held the memories of us. We had laughed here, fought here, and even shared our most intimate moments. It was the one place where we could be ourselves without interruptions from pack members, guards, or the chaos of leadership.With two glasses of blood wine in my hands, I entered the room, a smile tugging at my lips. Akira was seated on the wooden bench surrounded by cascading vines of red and pink roses. Her eyes were closed as she took in a deep breath of the fragrant air, a small, contented smile curving her lips.I leaned against the doorframe for a moment, just watching her; my mate. How did I get so lucky to have someone like her?“Enjoying yourself?” I teased, s
Akira’s POVHunter and I prepared for the council meeting even though the atmosphere was tensed. It was the first time in years that he and the Council of Older Alphas were in agreement over anything. For once, the council wasn’t against us, and this time, the stakes were higher than ever.They had come to us in desperation, pleading for help to stop Alpha Lupin—my father. According to them, Lupin had grown more dangerous, killing four older alphas who dared to stand against him. They called him a tyrant, a rogue disguised as a leader, but I didn’t need their words to convince me.I had seen it with my own eyes. The memory of my father’s hands around my throat, squeezing the life out of me, still haunted my dreams. The man I had once admired as a little girl had turned into a monster, and now, the entire werewolf community feared him.Hunter, however, was hesitant to get involved. When the council approached us, their desperation clear, Hunter had outright refused. "These are the sa
Akira’s POVThe morning light filtered through my bedroom window as I stared at the message on my phone for the seventh time that day.“Hello baby girl, it’s Dad. Can you please come home? I miss you and wish to see you. Love, Dad.”I sighed, the words blurring as I read them again. It wasn’t the first message I had received from him, but it was the first one I seriously considered answering. The last time I saw my father— alive and breathing— I had frozen in fear. The café where we had met had felt like a dream, a surreal encounter with a ghost from my past.Hunter’s words echoed in my mind from the other night under the oak tree. At least he’s alive. That should bring you peace.Was it peace? I didn’t know anymore. I was glad I hadn’t pulled the trigger that night, but knowing what my father had done, maybe I should have. The lives he ruined, the people he hurt— those memories haunted me. But I wasn’t the one to pass judgment on his life.Still, I had questions. I needed answers— no
Hunter’s POVThe cool evening breeze brushed against my face as I stood in the middle of the memorial grounds. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and pine, mingling with the subtle hint of tension that seemed to pulse from the men standing behind me. They were all here— every pack member I could summon at a moment’s notice.They were confused, of course.Meetings like this were typically held in the hall, not out here among the graves of our fallen brothers and sisters. Some assumed I had gathered them here to honor those we’d lost, but that wasn’t the reason.My eyes scanned the quiet land that has the ashes of each one of the pack member remembering the lives we’d buried. Here was a reminder of the failures that had led us here. But tonight wasn’t about mourning.It was about justice.It had been over an hour since I sent word for August to meet us, and, as usual, he was late. I gritted my teeth.He always made a show of being unreachable, of having something more imp
Hunter’s POVThe night was calm, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the old oak tree under which Akira often sat. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the pack's territory. The chilly air was soothing, but I doubted it could ease the storm inside me.I hadn’t found Akira in our room earlier, but I knew where she’d be. The oak tree had always been her refuge— a place where she could think. As I walked toward it, my mind replayed the shocking revelations Adolf had shared.I knew tonight’s conversation would be heavy, and I hoped the peaceful night would soften the blow.When I reached the tree, there she was, sitting on the swing attached to one of its sturdy branches. Her dark hair swayed in the breeze, and her hands rested limply on her lap. She was lost in thought, so much so that she didn’t even notice me approach.I stepped closer and sat beside her, the creak of the wooden swing breaking the silence. I turned to look at her, and my chest tensed. Her fa
Hunter’s POVI sat in the corner of the faintly lit pub, my hood pulled low over my face. The smell of stale beer and fried food mixed with the faint tang of sweat and spilled liquor in the air. It was noisy, crowded, and the last place anyone would expect to find me—Hunter Silver, Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack.I hated being here. Not just because it was beneath me, but because it was dangerous. Any one of my enemies could be watching, ready to strike. But Adolf had insisted on meeting here, saying he had critical information about the spy in my pack. It wasn’t every day someone dared to exploit me, and I wanted to see if he was bluffing.I checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. One hour late. My patience was wearing thin. If Adolf doesn’t show up soon, I’m dragging his sorry ass here myself, I thought, clenching my jaw.The occasional whispers and stolen glances from the people sitting and drinking in the pub annoyed me. Some of the people there had recognized me bu
Akira’s POVI sat cross-legged on my bed, staring blankly at the open book in my lap. The words on the page blurred together, no matter how hard I tried to focus. I must have read the same paragraph ten times, but nothing stuck. I find myself reading the same passage close to ten times. My brain was like an empty cavern, unable to process anything.It wasn’t the book’s fault. My thoughts were consumed by the nightmare I’d had last night. Or was it a dream? I wasn’t sure, but whatever it was, it had shaken me to my core.Hunter had tried to reassure me. “Dreams are just your mind playing tricks, you should pay more attention on it,” he’d said earlier, pulling me close as I recounted the strange experience. But no matter how many times he said it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the dream meant something. And aside what it truly meant, everything thing in that dream felt real, especially when my father was stabbing those women, those helpless women who did nothing wrong to him. Com
August’s POVThe transformation was startling. I stood by the door, watching Alpha Lupin comb his fingers through his now neatly trimmed hair, gathering it into a bun that gave him a sharp, almost regal look.He had trimmed his once unruly beard, and the wildness that had consumed him in the cave was now masked beneath a calculated exterior. Yet, his eyes—those sharp, piercing eyes—still burned with the same ruthlessness that had once made him the most feared name in our world.It wasn’t his appearance that commanded respect; it was the aura that clung to him, dark and unyielding. He wasn’t just an alpha—he was a force of nature, the kind that toppled hierarchies and sent seasoned wolves cowering.“Looking good,” I said with a sly grin, arms crossed as I leaned against the wall.Lupin turned to me, his lips curling in a faint smirk. “Good enough to reclaim what’s mine?”“More than,” I replied. My chest swelled with pride. Today was the day I proved my loyalty—and my cunning.The counc