NATHAN'S POVWe burst into the food storage building, our eyes scanning the dimly lit space for any sign of the intruders. The raiders, caught off guard, were quickly overpowered by our superior strength and numbers, closing in on themselves.One of the werewolves, a tall and lean figure with yellow eyes, obviously the leader of this little raid group, growled, leaving the little circle they had formed.I watched his movements. I could tell the warriors were tensed up for his attack, but I communicated to them in my head. “Hold. I'll handle this.”“Are you sure, Alpha?” One of them asked. He was obviously one of the newer warriors and has never seen me fight.“Take notes, would you?”Just as I had finished this thought, I watched as he tensed up, then ran at full speed, lunging at me. I waited until he was close to me and could not change directions, before side-stepping him, using a burst of strength to push his body into the wall. He crashed into the structure and howled in pain.Bu
NATHAN'S POVI stared hard at the girl, trying to discern any lies. “You mean, the same pack leader of the Silverfang?” I asked, and the girl shivered as her lips trembled in fear as she spoke.“Yes, him, our Alpha,” she said, and one of the warriors snorted.“Yeah, no kidding.”Cutting him a look, I gestured for the girl to continue, and she gathered herself, and then started to speak.“Malachi is our Alpha. He was the one who sent us here. In just a few years, he had the majority of the pack under his control. No one defies him, and his rule is absolute.”As she said that, the werewolf broke into shivers again, and I coughed. That seemed to bring her back to her senses, and she continued talking.Still, I couldn't help but wonder just what this Malachi did to make her fear him.“He is far more vicious than anything I could imagine. All those who tried to challenge him wished for death. Even now, I can still…”Her words broke off again, and I sighed and gestured for one of the warrio
NATHAN'S POV“What!” I half-yelled, and almost everyone present stiffened up as Lewis jumped to his feet.Rodney may have lost Lewis, but he was still one of the best members of the pack in combat.If he escaped, that would put all members of the pack at risk.Judging from the bloodstains, it seemed like he was willing to hurt even his own pack members in order to escape.“Everyone! The meeting today will be postponed until further notice. For now, just go back and make sure your families are safe,” I ordered, and the council members seemed to understand the gravity of the situation and nodded before leaving the room.“Haa… just what is going on?” I groaned and nodded at the guard who delivered the news.“Take me to his cell. Perhaps we might find some clues there.” The guard nodded and began leading the way, and I followed.We walked until we left the residential area of the territory and arrived in a place isolated from the rest of the pack.The guard opened the gates to a stone bui
NATHAN'S POV“Search the grounds!”I wasted no time in yelling out, but no one moved. I could see that those around me were in shock at the sight in front of them. Although we wolves were used to a lot of harshness, the man in front of us looked almost unrecognizable. His skin looked tinted like his blood had been laced with something….Silver.No, that's not possible. No wolf would do that to their fellow wolf. But it might just be… I'll have to look into it later.“I said, search the grounds!” This time, I imbued authority into the command with my Alpha voice, and everyone snapped out of it. They got into action, running in different directions but in organized numbers of three.Beta Lewis walked up to me. “Alpha Nathan, I can't go with them. I have to make sure Victoria is safe.”“Go.” I nodded in understanding. He left, and I turned to some others to my left.“You two, with me,” I called out to Theon and one other guard.We were about to leave when the other guard called my attent
NATHAN'S POVThe words didn't seem to compute in my brain, but I needed to calm down and sort things out one step at a time.“Lewis, calm down. What do you mean, she's gone?”Beta Lewis was still on edge, and I knew his mind was racing with possibilities of what could be happening to his daughter right now.“Beta Lewis!” That caught his attention, and he stopped pacing and pulling his hair. “Tell me what happened.”He took a deep breath to calm himself down. “I walked to the house, all intent on apologizing and making sure everything was okay with her. My angel. I can't believe she is gone.”“Lewis, I believe I meant what happened with her being gone. How are you so sure?”“Everywhere was scattered. The first thing I noticed was the door open, hanging by the hinges. Everything in the house was torn apart. That was when I picked up the pace and scoured the whole building, but I could not find her anywhere. But on the wood of the door was blood. I almost dismissed it, but something unfa
NATHAN'S POVMalachi fully emerged from the shadows. I could truly see him. And it was like I could see him for the first time.He was dressed in all black, meant to blend in well with the dark. His hair was cropped short and he had a scar running from his left eye to his jaw. His mouth held a wicked grin, and in his hands, a blade – a short pocket knife that he played with, switching it from hand to hand as he spoke.“What? Cat got your tongue? Can't speak?” He mocked, his voice raspy and gravelly like engines were grinding rocks in his throat.I growled at him, my eyes flashing wolf. “You have some nerve talking to me that way, especially after what you did five years ago.”He grinned like I was simply a dog playing wolf and not someone capable of ripping out his throat faster than he could say his name. “Oh, that? I can't believe you're still caught up on that. Where is she, by the way? I can't wait to get another taste of her. What was her name? Sophia, right?”Only the knowledge
NATHAN'S POVI looked back up at Malachi, and my knees buckled as I collapsed to the ground. Malachi grinned as he approached me and rested his hand on the handle of the knife.“Sorry about that. Here, let me help,” he said and ripped it out, twisting it with every inch he pulled out.I groaned as pain assaulted me, but I was too full of questions to bother.What happened? As a werewolf and one ranked Alpha, even a stab would just weaken me slightly. The only thing capable of doing this was the nemesis of all werewolves.“How is it? I had it specially made for you.” Malachi twirled the knife in his hands, and I hissed from my position below him.“Silver. How are you able to hold it?” I croaked out as the burning in my chest slowly spread throughout my entire body.“Who knows?” Malachi didn't give an answer and just smiled, stepping forward while waving the knife like it was his favorite toy.“I see no need to tell you. But wait. You're a big bad Alpha, aren't you? Why don't you just g
SOPHIA'S POV “And there.” I closed the case and took in a deep breath as I stood up. Tonight was the day the charity ball was being held, and I was a little bit nervous. From what I've managed to gather, a lot of New York's finest were attending this ball. It may be a casual thing for Lucas, but for me, it was a chance to make my name known properly. Socializing and making connections with influential people. That was my goal for today. And naturally, I had to dress for the part. I took in a deep breath and looked at myself in the vanity mirror. It's one of the few things I splurged on. My short hair was carefully attended to by the best stylist I knew, giving it a smooth glow as it was carefully tucked into the golden dragon-shaped hairpin I bought some time ago. I wore a fitted, knee-length dress that hugged my curves, showcasing my curvaceous physique. The dress's rich, jewel-toned fabric complemented my eyes, making them shine like precious gems. My bare shoulders and arm
SOPHIA’S POV The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Alex's room. His fever had finally broken, and his soft, even breaths signaled the end of a week-long battle with illness. He had been well enough when he left the hospital two days ago, but he had gone under again unexpectedly. I couldn't risk taking him back to the hospital again. It was a miracle they had not detected anything wrong with his vitals. During my labor with the twins, they had thought something was unusual with my readings but attributed it to the birth. Now, there was nothing that would stop them from taking a better look at him and finding out something they shouldn't. I gently brushed a curl from his forehead, my heart swelling with relief. “Mommy?” His voice was a mere whisper. “Yes, my love?” I leaned in, my hand still resting on his cheek. “I'm hungry.” A faint smile played on his lips. “That's the best news I've heard all week.” I chuckled softly. “How about some pancak
NATHAN'S POVThe air smelled strange—thick with human sweat, oil, and something bitter and metallic. Not like the forests of my home, where I had grown up there, and being here was somewhat unsettling. There, the earth beneath my feet was soft, the wind carrying scents of pine and prey.Here, in Brooklyn, the ground was hard, the sky choked with light. Yet even amidst this chaos, I could feel the pull of nature, her heartbeat buried beneath layers of concrete. It was what Elara had sent me to do. I just knew it. Why else would she send me out of the Willows?No. That wasn't right.She didn't send me out. I decided to leave. After spending five days there, I wanted to know how the world was outside that haven for creatures like us.Seeing that little boy ignited something in me that I didn't know, nor could I place a finger on. He looked so free, like the world was his to explore, and venture on a journey that only he knew the path of.Elara had sensed something in me when I got back t
SOFIA'S POV “Mr. Walters, what can I do for you?” I said, fixing a pleasant smile on my face. “Miss Sophia, no need to be so formal. Call me Simon. You've earned it, after this wonderful birthday you've thrown me. It's ten over ten from me.” “Thank you, Simon. Happy birthday once again, sir.” I nodded with a smile. “I must admit, when I picked this restaurant from Andrew's recommendations, I had my reservations, but this has surpassed my expectations. Reminds me of the good old days when the restaurant business had both class and originality, ay? Good job, Andrew,” he said, his laugh booming as he slapped the back of someone on his right. Just so happened to be Andrew. It was funny to watch Andrew sputter as he tried to come up with a response. “Thank you, sir.” “He's a good lad. Here, have my business card. We'll speak more later,” he said, reaching into his suit pocket and bringing out a card. I was stunned for a moment, then regained my composure, accepting the card. “Thank
SOPHIA'S POVThe kitchen of my restaurant hummed with activity, pots clanging and orders being shouted back and forth as I tried to stay focused on the task at hand. The birthday party for the President of The Fusion Flavors was being hosted.It was already underway, but my mind wasn’t on the hors d’oeuvres or the champagne flutes being filled in the dining room.It was on Alex.I can't believe he fainted, collapsing in the back seat of the car without warning. I could still picture his limp body as I scooped him up and rushed him to the hospital, Alexia clutching my arm, her wide, terrified eyes echoing the panic I felt. The image was still clear in my mind as I tried to make sure everything was going smoothly.I hadn't wanted to leave him, but Lucas had arrived after about two hours.I looked up when he came in. “Lucas.”“I came over as fast as I could. Is he okay?”“Yeah, he's stable now.” I still couldn't get over the fact he was here. “How are you here?”“Grace called me. She sai
SOPHIA'S POVThe insistent chirping of my phone alarm dragged me from sleep. It's five in the morning. Another day, another phase of life.Today, however, felt different. Today was the day the CEO of "The Fusion Flavor," the biggest in the culinary industry, had booked my restaurant for the President's birthday party. I had to be there on time, making sure everything was where it was supposed to be.Kate was also coming in today. It was going to be an all-hands-on-deck day. Today was going to be perfect.Groaning, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. My twins, Alex and Alexia, were still fast asleep, their tiny chests rising and falling in rhythmic slumber. I tiptoed out of the room, the floorboards creaking a soft protest under my bare feet.The kitchen was a flurry of activity. I quickly brewed a pot of strong coffee, the aroma already invigorating. My mind raced. Would the CEO be impressed with our locally sourced produce? Would he enjoy the signature dish, my mentor's secret
NATHAN'S POVThe moon hung heavy in the sky, casting long shadows across the clearing. My pack, a cacophony of growls and snarls, watched me with a mixture of fear and awe. I, their Alpha, was leaving them.“I'll be back soon. No one else can know I'm gone.”I looked at the small gathering of the people I trusted—Theon, Rachel, and Beta Lewis amongst others.I was leaving them for the unknown, for the treacherous human world.But they didn't know that.All I had told the small gathering of wolves was that I was going to hunt for Malachi before he came to hunt for us.But, unbeknownst to them, I was really going to search for my mate and follow Elder Jesper’s advice.Elder Jesper, the only werewolf I knew who knows about the ancient ways, could not come with me. He was still severely injured from Malachi's attack, and it was all he could do to guide me onto the right path. But he had also given me one last tool. He knew someone who had left the werewolf world and now lived among the hu
SOPHIA'S POVThe sun, a warm beacon in the cerulean sky, cast long shadows as we made our way through the park. It was a late morning on the next day. Their school had called earlier that morning to inform us, the parents, that it was a fumigation day and the kids had to stay home. I had to call Kate to let her know I wouldn't be coming in and that all the preparations for the President of The Fusion Flavors—his birthday was tomorrow—had to go perfectly.Alex, my adventurous son, was already racing ahead, while Alexia, ever the cautious one, clung to my hand.The kids had been asking me to go to the park for weeks now, so I figured, why not?And here I am, hours later, wondering why I agreed to this on my one day off and why it was this crowded on a Tuesday morning.Walking beside me was Lucas, his easy smile and gentle eyes making my heart flutter a little faster than usual. This wasn't just a simple family outing; it was a chance to spend time with Lucas, a friend who was slowly—but
SOPHIA'S POVThe aroma of cinnamon and apples filled the kitchen as I stirred the pot of simmering stew. I had just gotten back from work, and the day was eventful. Just thinking about the lady from earlier filled my heart with different emotions. I liked that I had been able to help her, and she had been better when she left, but I didn't like that the type of thing that happened to me happened to a lot of women everywhere.I knew there were good men out there. My dad was one of them, and my brothers were too if they had grown up. Tears threatened to well up in my eyes, but I shut them down.There were good men out there. And speaking of good men….I checked my watch, noting the time was six o'clock. That means that he'll be here soon. He's always on time.Alex, my curious little whirlwind, perched on a stool beside me, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Mommy,” he began, his voice serious, “where did we come from?”I smiled, knowing this was the beginning of many such conversation
SOPHIA'S POVThe aroma of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked and cooked meals filled the air as I unlocked the door to "Sophia’s heart," my little haven, my pride and joy.Having dropped my kids off at school, it was time to begin the day. I entered my car to begin the drive to work.But after settling in my seat, I had taken a moment for myself. Watching them enter the school gates and waving them goodbye had filled my heart with a sense of accomplishment that could not be rivaled. They had grown up to be such amazing children."Five years ago, I wouldn't have thought this possible. In fact, I would have told myself it wasn't. That I wasn't fit to be a mother or to own a restaurant. It had seemed like such a daunting task, but if there's anything I've learned, it's that with every new thing in life, you have to carry yourself with the determination and poise you hope to project to it. Having an open mind, and not limiting yourself to any construct or standard, helped in more way