Akira’s POVThe days was dragging slowly, as usual, but something between Hunter and me had changed. Our relationship had gotten closer, much closer. Conversations between us no longer felt tense, and I found myself talking freely with him. More often than not, I forgot the reason I was here; to be his informant. That reality haunted me, especially at moments like this. It was the same worry that had plagued me the night Hunter saw me by the flower house. He had asked me what was on my mind, and I had wanted so badly to tell him the truth: that being an informant was killing me, that it was tearing me apart because I was so attracted to him. But instead, I lied, telling him that the newness of our relationship was what weighed on me.I had promised myself I would stop him the next time he tried to kiss me. But every time he touched me, every time his lips met mine, all my thoughts vanished. My body craved his touch, and even though we had never had sex but only romance, the tension
Kestrel’s POVI had been sitting on Hunter’s bed for hours, waiting for him. Eight long hours. The guard had told me he will be back soon, but it was obvious that was a lie. I tried calling him, over and over again, but he ignored every call. Eventually, his phone just switched off, and with each attempt, the rejection stung deeper.Hunter would never have done this to me before. He was never the type to dismiss me so easily, to treat me like I was nothing. I just don’t want to jump into conclusion, but I told myself to be patient. No matter how long it took, I would wait. I wasn’t going anywhere. I needed to see him. I pulled all my clothes and remain there naked.I glanced around the room, this familiar place where we had shared so many intimate moments. His scent still lingered in the air, the memory of our steamy nights together filling my mind. But tonight wasn’t about rekindling that old flame. It wasn’t about trying to make him fall for me all over again. I just wanted him to
Akira’s POVYesterday was a whirlwind of emotions— so much happened, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all. It started out sweet, with that little picnic with Hunter, where everything seemed almost perfect. But then, in the blink of an eye, it turned into something darker.The shock of hearing that my father killed Gwen, the woman Hunter loved, still hasn’t settled. And then, to make things worse, I walked in on Kestrel naked, practically locked in an erotic moment with Hunter. That image of Kestrel, all over him had hurts more than I expected.I didn’t sleep much last night.My mind wouldn’t even let me rest. I kept tossing and turning, replaying everything Hunter said about Gwen and my father.So many questions was on my mind. Why did my father kill her? Was it out of hatred for Hunter? Was there some old grudge that spiraled into murder or was it something more personal?It’s hard to believe my father, the man who raised me, could be capable of something so cruel. Sure, h
Akira’s POVBy the time I entered Lisa’s room, I was beyond exhausted— emotionally and physically drained. Without saying a word, I collapsed on her bed, letting out a long sigh. Today had taken so much out of me, and I just wanted to disappear into the soft covers and forget about everything.Lisa was sitting at her vanity, brushing her long hair slowly, humming a tune to herself. She paused for just a second when she glanced at me through the mirror, and with one look, she knew something was wrong.“You know, Akira, you really need to start learning how to express yourself,” Lisa said, turning slightly in her chair to look at me. “Not everyone can read your expression, no matter how obvious you think it is.” She gave me a teasing smile as she spoke.I groaned softly and sat up, running a hand through my messy hair. Lisa rolled her eyes dramatically before adding with a chuckle, “And please, if I dare ask what’s wrong, don’t tell me ‘nothing.’ I don’t have the persistence of August.”
Akira’s POVI approached Hunter’s office, and wondered if he was still there, or if I will see Kestrel there too; naked Kestrel. My mind was a whirlwind of doubts, but I needed to push them aside, at least for now.Taking a deep breath, I slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Hunter sat at his desk, immersed in some paperwork. His intense focus faltered when he saw me, and he smiled softly.“Hey, Doll,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “I wasn’t expecting you. How are you?”I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”But I wasn’t. And Hunter could tell. His eyes narrowed slightly, reading me in that way he always did.“What’s wrong, Doll?”I walked closer, trying to hid the conflicting emotions that are bearing down on me. I wasn’t sure if I was really ready for what I was about to say. But I had to. “I came to apologize,” I began, my voice sounding more unsure than I intended. “For my father… for whatever pain he caused you.”Although, I said the word, but there was a pa
Akira’s POVThe moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over Hunter’s study. The room was filled with a calm, cozy silence, the aftermath of our intense night still lingering in the air. I lay there, tangled in Hunter’s arms, feeling the warmth of his body pressed against mine. We were both naked, our breaths heavy and in sync, as if our bodies were still attuned to each other. I could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest, and his grip on me was tight, like he didn’t want to let me go.Despite the serenity of the moment, my mind was racing. I had come here with a purpose, a mission of my own. Yet, after everything that had just happened, it felt almost impossible to bring it up. How could I, when all I wanted to do was bask in this strange feeling of comfort with him? But I had to. I needed answers.Hunter broke the silence first. “Hope I wasn’t too rough on you?” His deep voice rumbled in the quiet room, and I could feel the concern laced in his tone.I wasn’
Akira’s POVThe moment I entered my room, I had no time to waste. I rushed to the drawer where I had hidden the burner phone with a bunch and quickly dialed Alpha Jackson’s number. The phone rang, and almost immediately, he picked up."I was beginning to think you’d never turn this phone on," Jackson’s voice boomed through the line. "You understand that this phone is supposed to stay on 24/7 for easy communication and emergencies..."I rolled my eyes, barely able to hold back my frustration. I didn’t call to get a lecture. I needed to warn him. "Alpha Jackson," I snapped, cutting him off before he could go any further. "I’m not here for a sermon, can you hold that for some time?"There was a pause, and I could feel his temper flaring through the silence. "No, you listen, young lady," he snapped back, clearly irritated by my tone. "If you think you’re going to be helpful, then maybe start by following instructions""Enough!" I cut him off again, not wanting to let his bad mood ruin my
Akira’s POVWhile I was still replaying my conversation with Jackson on my head, just then, the door to my room creaked open, and I saw Lisa step in. It was well past midnight, and I thought she had already gone to bed. Seeing her startled me.“Lisa? What’s wrong?” I asked, watching as she quietly sat on the edge of my bed. She looked at me with a serious expression, her usual warm demeanor nowhere to be found.She sighed deeply, making me sit up straighter. “What is it?” I asked with a nervous smile, trying to lighten the mood, but Lisa didn’t return it. Instead, she looked like she had something heavy weighing on her mind.“Akira,” she began, her voice low and hesitant. “I overheard your conversation with Alpha Jackson.”My heart skipped a beat. How much had she heard? I stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue.“I don’t think you should’ve told him about Hunter’s plan to attack his home,” she said bluntly. I blinked, confusion swirling in my chest. “Jackson… I believe he’s into th
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