Akira’s POVIn a few minutes, the doctor arrived, an older man with eyes that spoke of years of experience. He moved swiftly, not wasting any time as he set to work on Hunter. The guards stepped aside to let him through, and I watched, still frozen, as he began the process of treating him. My chest tightened as I realized just how serious this was. My heart raced, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the scene in front of me. Hunter looks pale and covered in blood, his breathing shallow but looks still.The doctor injected him with something. I assumed it was pain medication; and then began to carefully remove the bullets from his chest. I counted them as they came out. One... two... six bullets. All silver. Of course, they were silver. It’s only silver bullets could have done this to him, given how strong and resilient he was. No ordinary bullet would have caused such damage. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, realizing just how close he was to death.I suspected the doctor was
Akira’s POVWhen Seth stormed out of the room, leaving me alone with Hunter, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the situation crash down on me. I sat at the edge of the bed, staring at him; this man who had been strong and indestructible only hours ago, now lying there so vulnerable. His wound was perfectly clean and looking much better and the blood wasn’t pumping blood anymore, thanks to the doctor’s efforts, but Hunter was still fighting for his life as his breathing was shabby and instable. My mind was a chaotic mess, flooded with guilt, fear, and confusion. The faces of the four men who I don’t know who they are but had died because of my information haunted me. I didn’t know them personally, but they were Hunter’s men, obviously loyal to him. Did their deaths make me a murderer? I shuddered at the thought.A soft knock pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. Lisa entered the room, carrying a bucket and a mop to clean the pool of blood that had soaked into the floor. Her
Akira’s POVThe following four days of keeping an eye on Hunter, caring for him, and helping him recover have been far more difficult than I ever expected. It scared the hell out of me, honestly.One minute, he’s lying there and seemed fine, like he was on the mend, and the next, his temperature would skyrocket, as if he were burning from the inside.Thank the Moon Goddess the doctor kept his word, visiting every day to check on Hunter and monitor his progress. But it was the nights that terrified me the most. Every night brought a new crisis. His body would heat up like flames licking his skin, leaving me panicked and helpless. Without Lisa, I wouldn’t have had a clue what to do.The first night it happened, I was frantic. Hunter was burning up so badly I thought he’d melt away. Desperately, I ran to Lisa, she’s the only one I can talk to about this. I ran to her, waking her up in the middle of the night, and begged for her help, even though I don’t know if she could do anything.
Akira’s POVThe first person to come into Hunter’s room the next morning was Kestrel — the very last person I expected, or rather, the last person I wanted to see. I was prepared for Hunter's doctor, not her. She didn’t even bother knocking. The door flew open, and there she was, storming in like she owned the place. She didn’t say hello. Not that she had ever said any since I met her. Instead, she rushed straight to Hunter, her face almost crumbling into tears.“Oh, Hunter!” she cried, her voice shaky. “Who could have done this to you? Who would hurt you like this?”Her hands moved over him, gently brushing his hair back, touching his arm, his chest, as if her touch alone could heal him. “I didn’t know you were hurt. Why didn’t you reach out to me? I was so angry with you for not calling after... after that night at the hotel.”Her words hit me like a truck. The hotel? What night was she talking about? So, they are both spending nights out at the hotel? I kinda felt a small pang of
Akira’s POVI was deep asleep when I felt something brush across my face. At first, I ignored it. My body screamed for more rest—I hadn’t slept well in over a week. Although last night had been less hectic, with Hunter not having a fever, I still woke up several times to check on him. Everything had seemed normal, which allowed me to finally drift into a much-needed sleep. I rested my head on the bed beside him, while sitting on a chair. My legs ached from the awkward position, but even that was better than no sleep at all.The touch came again, this time a bit firmer, playful though. I groaned and swatted the hand away, not wanting to be disturbed. But just as I was about to drift back to sleep, I felt someone gently pinch my cheek. Startled, I shot up, ready to tell off whoever was messing with me, only to be met with Hunter’s smiling face.I gasped. “Hunter!” I blurted out, still half-asleep and a bit bewildered."Do you miss me that much, that you had to sleep by my bedside?" h
Hunter’s POVAs soon as Dr. Dennis and Akira left, I knew Seth was going to bombard me with questions and information, especially about what he had just interrupted between Akira and me. I glanced at him, noticing the serious frown on his face—he wasn’t here to mess around.Before he could speak, I decided to lighten the mood. “Just before you start, Seth,” I said, smiling. “Remember I’m a sick man just recovering, so go easy on me, okay?” I joked, hoping to coax a smile or laugh out of him.Seth did smile, but it was brief, and his face quickly returned to its stern expression. “Honestly, Hunter, this isn’t a laughing matter,” he said. “We almost lost you. There’s an enemy in our midst, someone who could have ratted us out.”His words hit me hard, I know about that but then, not in the way he is implying it.I looked at him closely, realizing what he was implying. “By ‘enemy,’ you mean to say Akira?” I asked, my voice low. “You think Akira told Alpha Sabastine of Reidvilla that we w
Akira’s POVThe burner phone rang again, and I hesitated before reaching for it. I was glad I was alone in the room, able to pick it up quickly before anyone else could enter. Not that I expected anyone unauthorized, beside, Lisa and Brielle were the only ones usally in my room or else one of the servants came to deliver a message. Still, the ringing made me uneasy, especially when I saw Jackson’s usally number on the screen. I didn’t want to answer his call. I wasn’t in the mood to hear another lecture about avenging my parents' death, as if I had forgotten. Of course, I hadn’t, wasn’t it the reason why I was in this house.Sometimes, though, I felt like Jackson was using me. He acted like he was helping me fulfill my parents' revenge, but it felt like he had his own agenda. There were things he wasn’t telling me—like the fact that he had another informant. That knowledge stung. It meant he didn’t trust me enough; didn’t believe I could do the job. And then there was the raid.He
Akira’s POVI waited for a few minutes after Hunter left. I needed to be sure he wasn’t coming back, so I stood there, listening for any signs of his return. When I was certain the coast was clear, I rushed to the door and locked the bolt, my hands trembling slightly. I couldn’t afford any more surprises tonight.Immediately, I pulled the burner phone from its hiding place and dialed Alpha Jackson’s number. The phone felt heavy in my hand now, like it carried the weight of every lie I had to tell. As the line connected, I forced myself to calm down.I didn’t want to snap at Jackson, but it was hard to keep my frustration in check.Jackson’s voice came through before I could say anything. “I figured someone interrupted you, which is why I didn’t call back,” he said, his tone smooth, almost patronizing.I rolled my eyes. “Yes, well, Hunter was here. I could’ve gotten caught,” I replied, irritation creeping into my voice. “Can you try not to call me until I call you? It’s risky.”There w
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