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 POVI was bent over, feeding the chickens in the poultry house, when I felt a firm grip on my waist. Someone pressed against me from behind, and I didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was. His scent gave him away immediately—it was Hunter. My wolf had already started that little jiggle it did lately whenever he was around, and I knew why. Ever since I her given her a taste of what it felt like to be close to her mate, she had been craving more.“Hunter,” I murmured with a smile, turning to face him. His mischievous grin matched mine. I hadn’t seen him since the night of our outing as I woke up the next morning to see him gone, but here he was. Remembering that night alone made my chest flatter.“I was starting to think you didn’t recognize me,” Hunter teased, his eyes gleaming with humor.I laughed softly. “How could I not? I can smell you from miles away.”He chuckled, leaning closer. “Really? I thought your wolf wasn’t that sharp, considering how you struggle to c
Hunter’s POVI was sitting at my desk, going through some files when soft music played in the background, helping me concentrate. I had always found a certain calmness in moments like these, but today, my mind kept wandering back to Akira. The thought of her made me smile as I worked. The intense feeling we share lately was surprising but and it was hard to keep my mind off of her. As I hummed softly to the music, suddenly, the door to my room burst open.Seth stormed in, his face twisted in fury. I was taken aback by the sheer rage radiating off him. He looked like he was ready to tear something apart.“Whoa, Seth, what’s wrong? You look like you’re about to murder someone,” I asked, half-joking but concerned. It wasn’t often I saw him like this.Seth wasn’t in the mood for humor, judging that he didn’t laugh at my joke. His eyes were blazing, and his fists clenched tightly by his sides. “I told you, Hunter. I told you my gut was right, but you didn’t want to believe me. What’s the
Akira’s POVThe heat of the afternoon clung to me like a second skin as I stepped into my room, as I wiped the sweat from my forehead. I had just finished working in the garden with the other servants, and all I wanted was a quick shower and some time to cool off. My shirt clung to my body, and I was halfway through undressing my shirt when the door burst open.Startled, I spun around to see Seth storming in, his face twisted with anger. Behind him, Hunter entered slowly, his expression more controlled but no less tense. My heart jumped into my throat.“What’s going on?” I asked, confused and trying to keep my voice steady.Seth didn’t answer right away. He stood just a few feet in front of me, his fists clenched like he was holding back the urge to snap. Hunter walked past him, his eyes locking with mine. He didn’t say a word, just reached out and gently pulled my shirt back over my shoulder, covering my half-exposed body.His hands lingered there for a moment, resting on my shoul
Akira’s POVSeth ordered the men to search the entire room, not just the cupboards. I didn’t even flinch. My mind was elsewhere, trying to figure out where the phone could be. The two men turned the room upside down, searching every corner and crevice. Every few minutes, they reported back to Seth, shaking their heads and confirming they found nothing.I watched them, but I wasn’t truly focused. All I could think about was the missing phone.Seth's gaze darted around suspiciously before ordering the men to search Lisa and Brielle’s rooms. More minutes passed, and I could hear the sound of things being tossed around from the adjacent rooms. Finally, the men returned, confirming thought—they had found nothing. All this time, I hadn’t said a word. My heart was pounding, my mind running wild with questions. Where was the phone?Then, Seth’s voice snapped me back to the moment. “Search her,” he ordered.Just as the men moved toward me, Hunter’s voice cut through the tension. “That’s eno
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