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
Seth’s POVI was pacing up and down the hallway after leaving Akira’s room, my mind a mess of anger and frustration; it was inside simmering inside of me like boiling pot of water ready to explode. Something was gnawing at me—this couldn’t be a coincidence. It had to be her. Every instinct screamed that she was the one, and Aldof couldn’t be wrong either. There’s no way both of us were wrong. Maybe she saw us coming and hid whatever she was using to communicate with Alpha Jackson. Ever since that overpampered girl came into this house, nothing has felt right. Everything is falling apart, and innocent people are paying the price for her betrayal. The worst part is that what frustrated me more than anything was how Hunter was handling the whole situation.The old Hunter I knew wouldn’t have hesitated nor let this slide. He was the Alpha who didn’t tolerate nonsense, always was quick to act, he was the one who acted ruthless and decisively no matter who was involved. But now... it’s li
Hunter’s POVI climbed over the fence of Alpha Sabastine’s estate, careful not to make a sound. The night was pitch-black, and I could barely make out the guards patrolling the grounds. They walked lazily, probably thinking they had nothing to worry about at this hour. But that’s exactly why I chose now—past midnight—when everyone’s guard was down.When they never expect I Hunter to be here.I had already calculated the time it would take to get to Reidvilla and finish this mission, then return to Melford before anyone even noticed I was gone. No one knew I was here; not even Seth. This was my battle, and I had to see it through alone.I scaled the wall of the house with the help of my wolf claws, moving swiftly and silently. I had done this enough times that it came naturally, but tonight was different. My arm throbbed from the injury I’d sustained on my last mission here. Doctor Dennis would be so mad right now to see me doing this, as he had told me hundred times to rest, but I c
Hunter’s POVI returned home well past midnight, feeling a sense of satisfaction deep in my chest. The mission had gone exactly as I planned—Sebastian was dead, and his sick legacy had finally been put to an end. That raid where I had nearly lost my life and lost three good men had taught me to never go into a fight without a backup plan. This time, I had both Plan A and Plan B, and thankfully, I didn’t need the latter.They say revenge never brings satisfaction, but for once, it did. Not just for myself, but for my men who died fighting by my side. The only thing I regretted was not torturing that bastard Sebastian. But time wasn’t on my side, and I wasn’t about to lose myself to the same darkness that consumed him.I wasn’t him, and I would never be.As I walked through the house, I found walking to the garden. It was my favorite place to think; a small, enclosed area filled with vibrant flowers of every kind. The scent of jasmine and roses filled the air, and the soft rustling of
Alpha Jackson POVI tossed the girl around again, making sure the buyers could get a good look at her. She was young, about 16, and in good shape. She would bring in a lot of money, especially for an experienced trafficker like the old man standing before me. But like always, selling them was the hardest part. Everyone wanted a good deal, but no one wanted to pay for high quality.“Oh, come on,” I said, my voice smooth, almost rehearsed. “Look at her! She's strong, able-bodied, and perfect for a variety of tasks. Put her on the streets, and you’ll be making hundreds, if not thousands, every week. You’ll have your investment back in no time.”The old Phil gave me a skeptical look, tossing the girl around like she was a piece of meat. She cringed, but kept her head bowed, clearly scared. “I’ll give you 30,000 usd,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ve got more to buy today; she won’t be the only one.”I tightened my jaw. Old Phil had been doing business with me for over ten years, and while I
Hunter’s POVI was deep into my press-up routine, sweat dripping off my brow as I powered through my 457th repetition. Afternoon exercise like this, can so satisfying yet painful.Every muscle in my body screamed, but the pain was a welcome distraction. It helped me focus, to prepare myself mentally and also to put my body back in shape. As I pushed myself to the limit, I caught a glimpse of Seth walking towards me, that usual grin plastered on his face.“You need to give yourself a break, or you’ll end up breaking a bone,” Seth joked, folding his arms as he stopped a few feet away from me.“If you haven’t broken a bone, then you haven’t even started,” I shot back with a grin, pushing myself up for another rep. “That’s the fun part, isn’t it?”Seth laughed. “Don’t let Dr. Dennis see you like this, though. That old man will wear himself out worrying about you.”I laughed with him. It was true; Dr. Dennis treated me like I was made of glass, always fussing over every scrape and bruise e
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