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
Akira’s POVI was excited as I prepared for my date with Hunter. It wasn’t just because this date felt different from the forced, pretend ones he had made me do in the past. I was simply curious—curious to see what kind of taste he had when it came to taking care of a woman. Knowing Hunter’s brutal side, my expectations for the night weren’t high, but still, there was a flutter of excitement in my chest.I chose a simple short red dress and flat shoes. Lisa had tried to convince me to wear the heels I had worn on my date with August, but I stood my ground. It wasn’t that I couldn’t walk in heels—after all, I’d been getting used to them. But I didn’t want Hunter to think I was overdressed or trying too hard for him.The simple red dress and flats felt just right. Besides, I had no idea what Hunter had planned for the evening. His behaviors are usually unpredictable, and if he ended up stressing me out, I needed to be comfortable. At least comfortable enough to walk home in barefoot.I
Akira’s POVWhen we reached home, Hunter held my hand as we walked through the hallway. For a moment, I wondered if he had forgotten we were already back at the house. His grip was warm, firm, and I found myself savoring the feel of his hand in mine, as if he was reluctant to let go. He walked me to my room door before gently releasing my hand."I really had a great time tonight," I told him, smiling softly."Me too," he replied, his own smile warm and genuine. "Goodnight," he said, but just as I was about to turn, he moved closer, surprising me. His hands gently slid around my waist, pulling me against him, and before I could catch my breath, his lips found mine.The kiss was soft at first, exploratory, but it quickly deepened as I parted my lips, allowing him in. His lips moved against mine with a hunger that sent a rush of heat through me. We stood there, kissing for what felt like an eternity, wrapped up in each other. When he finally pulled back, I felt dazed, breathless, and
Seth POVI walked into the bar, my eyes scanning the crowd for Adolf. The place was packed, and the noise of conversations, laughter, and clinking glasses filled the air. The short, mischievous werewolf was always a headache to deal with. Most people mistook him for a dwarf, and for good reason. His size and antics often led people to underestimate him, but I knew better; my years with me had tell me how clever he actually is.Adolf loved to drain my energy with pointless chatter before he will finally give me the information I needed, despite the fact I always paid him for his services.I sighed and looked around again, growing more frustrated by the second. He had to be here somewhere, probably flirting with some woman and drowning himself in alcohol. Women and drinks were his weak points, and this bar was his preferred meeting spot, even though I had told him numerous times it was my least favorite place. Adolf, of course, mocked me for it, telling me to “grow some balls” and “man
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.