NATHAN'S POV“Theon, what’s your progress on weakening their defenses?” I asked, marching into the meeting room.“Alpha!” Several people chorused.“Alpha, you should still be resting,” Beta Daniel said. He was the newest addition to the council meeting, replacing Beta Rodney. I'd be lying if I said his absence wasn't felt, but I decided the most I could do now was avenge him.I stood at the head of the table carved out from the stones of the ground, my piercing gaze sweeping across the assembled council members. The air was thick with tension, the weight of our mission settling heavily on my shoulders."My loyal pack," I began, my voice low and commanding. "Our pack mate, Victoria, remains captive under Malachi's tyranny. Tonight, we devise a plan to infiltrate his pack and bring her home."Beta Lewis, Victoria’s father, spoke up, his eyes burning with determination. "We can't wait any longer. Malachi's already broken pack law."Gamma Ava, another new addition, spoke up and nodded vig
NATHAN'S POVThe training ended, and people dispersed, heading home. I noted that they hadn't ignored my advice, walking home in teams of two. While people were shaken by the events of recent times, I knew it would take more than that to break my pack.“Alpha Nathan,” Theon called out to me. I waited for him as I caught my breath, the adrenaline still pumping through me from the fight.“Yes, Theon?” I grabbed water off the holder, chugging it. He waited for me to have my fill before he spoke.“How about you? How many guards would you like situated at your house?”I took a moment to think. “None. Station them around the pack. Protect the pack. They're the number one priority.”“But Alpha, Malachi has already attempted an attack on you. And he managed to get to Rodney too. There's no telling what he's capable of.”“Theon, I appreciate the concern but–”“You're the strongest of us all.” He interrupted me. I let him continue out of respect and his concern for me. “If something happens to
NATHAN'S POVI woke up with a start. My first thought was to search my surroundings for any intruders.“I’m safe,” I say out loud. The space was quiet, with only the sound of water running down a stream behind the structure.What was that?The dream I had was so lucid, it felt real. I looked around again, taking note that I was still in the meditation room. I remembered only wanting to clear my mind and search within myself for serenity. But had I actually been more exhausted than I thought I was?The insistent chirping of birds outside the window of the room dragged me from the clutches of slumber. I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in my hands. The dream, vivid yet frustratingly elusive, still clung to the edges of my consciousness. It had been a collection of symbols in harmony, a cryptic message delivered in a voice that resonated with the otherworldly hum of the full moon.The figure, her face obscured by a veil of moonlight, had appeared in my dream, her eyes like pools
NATHAN'S POVHis tone suggested that all was not well. I just knew this would not bode well for me.I looked up to the skies. Although the day had passed, it meant it was now closer to dusk again. How did the day go so quickly, and I had accomplished little to nothing?The man next to me still waited to hear my reply to his statement.“Good news and bad news, you say?”He bowed his head deeply. “Yes, Alpha Nathan.”I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “Alright. Let me have it.”He cleared his throat and began speaking. “Well, Alpha. I might not be entirely sure, and keep in mind that I could be wrong, but that figure in your dream? That was the Luna goddess.”My eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. “Luna goddess? There's no way. She has never met with any one of our kind before. Why now?”“Correction, Alpha. She has. Long ago, there was an organization of wolves called The Luna Pack. Legend says they were the most highly trained, skilled, and blessed wolves in our history. The
NATHAN'S POVWhy would the warning gong be sounding?I turned back to Elder Jesper, and he nodded in understanding. “Go. We will speak about this later on. Protect your pack.”I needed no other urging as I turned my back on him and ran towards the sound of the gong.I got to the clearing and saw people already gathered there. “Theon!” I barked, marching towards where he stood close to Beta Lewis and Rachel. Beta Lewis was currently a man who looked worse for wear, as the toll of his daughter's kidnapping was showing on his skin.But that also meant, that although he was the second highest in command, he would not be the best option for tactical operations.“What is going on? Status report,” I asked as I briskly crossed the clearing. People lowered their heads in respect as I passed them, and I nodded back.“Malachi sent a messenger to deliver something.”“Show me.” My mind raced at the possibilities of what it could be.Theon revealed a lock of hair, and I knew immediately that the th
NATHAN'S POVIt was almost time for me to meet the others at the agreed-upon spot. Everything was set. We had the element of surprise. We were sure Malachi wouldn't be expecting us so soon. We were trained, and we were ready.The only thing left was the silver around their territory.It kept bugging me how Malachi had been able to hold the knife even though it had been coated with silver. My chest seemed to throb from the ghost of the injury. I flexed it absentmindedly, deep in thought.“How had he held the knife?” I said out loud as I paced the forest. I was alone and close to the edge of the territory, my feet having taken me there of their own accord.But that's not the question I should be asking now.How did they get silver around their pack? They had formed a barrier around there with it.“I bet it was Malachi who did it,” I thought to myself. But how…I snapped myself out of it, deciding instead to focus on how to break it. I had promised that I would solve it, and it was up to
NATHAN'S POVThe air hung heavy with the metallic tang of blood and the acrid bite of ozone, a grim testament to the ferocious battle just waged. A storm had started brewing in the distance, lightning decorating the skies. My lungs burned with each ragged breath, but the adrenaline still coursed through me—a potent cocktail of fear and relief. Victoria, pale and trembling, was finally safe in the arms of the pack, her eyes wide with terror and disbelief.But the victory felt hollow. Malachi, the eccentric figure who had orchestrated this entire ordeal, had vanished into the night, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a chilling sense of dread."He's gone," I growled, my voice hoarse. "Just like that." But it confirmed what I had always thought about him. He was never a true leader. This one act of fleeing the battle and abandoning his pack members had seen to that.Theon, who had gone after him, his skin matted with blood and his eyes blazing with fury, nodded grimly. "H
SOPHIA'S POVLast night with Lucas was incredible. It had been such a long time since I had enjoyed myself to that extent, and it was honestly freeing.I thought about the events as I poured hot water into my coffee maker. It was one of the few human pleasures I had allowed myself to enjoy over the last couple of years. At first, I did not enjoy the taste, but I soon realized it was a constant staple in the lives of humans, particularly New Yorkers. And I must admit, it does have a certain taste to it that grows on you in a way other beverages do not.After pressing and separating the liquid, I poured it into a cup, taking a whiff of it.Hmmm, the smell is just divine.Taking a sip, I savored the flavor while savoring a flavor of a different kind – the one from the memories of yesterday. Unfortunately, we had to leave immediately after the storm passed, with Lucas leaving to see his sister in the hospital and me taking a cab home.It had been sweet how much he had apologized for not b
SOPHIA’S POVThe house felt lighter. Warmer. As if the weight that had been pressing down for days had finally eased.Alex was better.It was like waking up from a nightmare only to realize that morning had come, and the world hadn’t ended after all. One day, he had been weak, fevered, and barely able to hold a conversation without exhaustion pulling him under. The next, his color had returned, his fever had vanished, and his laughter – his bright, carefree laughter – filled the house once more.It was a miracle.I didn’t trust miracles.I watched him now from across the living room as he sat with Alexia on the floor, eagerly showing her a new book I had picked up for him. His hands moved animatedly as he explained something to her, his voice filled with excitement, no trace of the weakness that had held him captive just days ago.I should have been relieved. And I was. But beneath that relief lay something else – something sharp and uneasy.Nathan.The thought of him sent a fresh wav
LUCAS' POVThe morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, illuminating the sleek, modern space with a golden hue. The city stretched out below me, a sea of movement, a constant reminder that the world never stopped in New York City – not for heartbreak, not for personal enta, and certainly not for me.I welcomed it.It was easier to focus on work than to dwell on the mess I had walked away from last night.Sophia.Nathan.The weight of that confrontation still sat heavily on my chest, but I pushed it aside. There was no room for distractions today.A sharp knock on the door pulled me back."Come in," I called.Emma, my executive assistant, strode inside, tablet in hand, her usual efficiency cutting through the air like a blade.“The acquisition is finalized.” She said without preamble. "Emerald Ventures wasn’t happy about it, but they didn’t have much of a choice. Their client signed with us the moment the ink dried."I allowed myself a small, satisfied
SOPHIA'S POVThe house was too quiet.Even with Alex and Alexia upstairs, even with Elara somewhere in the background, the silence pressed in on me like a tangible weight.Nathan’s presence still lingered in the air, thick and suffocating, despite the fact that he’d left a few minutes ago. And Lucas – Lucas had barely said a word before leaving, his jaw tight, his expression unreadable.I let out a slow breath, pressing a hand to my temple.What the hell just happened?I had spent years keeping my past buried, locked away behind carefully constructed walls. And yet, in the span of a single night, it had cracked open, spilling out at my doorstep. Nathan was here. Lucas had confronted him. And in the middle of it all was me – standing between two men, two forces that refused to yield.A bitter laugh escaped me. Perfect.Just what I needed right now. A mate coming back to claim me and Lucas being there. I turned away from the front door, heading upstairs. My body was tense with the weig
NATHAN'S POVThe moment Lucas spoke those words, “He was looking for you,” something inside me snapped into focus.I had spent weeks fighting my instincts, pulling back, restraining myself. I had let go of vengeance when my home was burned down. I had turned the other cheek when my own pack doubted me.But this?Someone dared to come after my mate?I took a slow step forward, my wolf rising to the surface. The low growl rumbled in my chest, barely contained. “Tell me everything you know.”Lucas didn’t move from the steps. He didn’t even flinch. If anything, his stance grew firmer, as if planting himself between me and Sophia. His sharp blue eyes locked onto mine, unwavering.“I’m handling it.”A slow, humorless chuckle left my lips. “You’re handling it?”“Yes.”I took another step forward. “I don’t think you understand what’s happening here.”Lucas scoffed, crossing his arms. “Oh, I understand just fine. Someone attacked my friend, and now you’re looking for an excuse to sink your tee
SOPHIA'S POV The knock at the door wasn’t just a sound – it was a shift in the air, a weight pressing against my chest. I froze. For a moment, I convinced myself I had imagined it. That my desperation had conjured up something that wasn’t real. But then it came again – firm, deliberate. I glanced at the time on the wall, several hours after I'd called him. Could it finally be him? “Go, child. Open the door.” Elara gently pushed me towards the door. I barely realized I was moving until I was standing in front of the door, hand hovering over the handle. The mate bond was still there, faint but present, like an unsteady heartbeat beneath my skin. It thrummed softly, the connection between us impossible to ignore. I sucked in a sharp breath and pulled the door open. And there he was. Nathan stood on my doorstep, drenched in sweat, his dark shirt clinging to his broad frame. His breathing was uneven, his chest rising and falling with the force of it. His eyes – sharp, gray, pierci
SOPHIA'S POV The moment the bond snapped taut, I gasped, my breath catching in my throat. It was like a thread pulled too tight – painful, urgent, undeniable. The kitchen blurred, the dim glow of the light overhead fading into the background as something else took hold. A presence. Strong. Familiar. Nathan. My knees buckled, and I gripped the counter, my fingers digging into the cool surface as the bond flared to life with a force I hadn’t expected. It pulsed, thrumming like a second heartbeat, and I knew – he heard me. He was listening. The connection flowed through me, raw and overwhelming. But just as quickly as it surged, the exhaustion followed. A crushing weight pressed down on me, the sheer force of it nearly suffocating. Elara had left the room, and I had no idea where she was. I had no idea how long it had taken me to reach him. I had no idea. Period. Would he come? I wasn’t sure I had the right to ask for him. Not after everything. Not after I had pushed him away, r
NATHAN'S POVThe next morning came all too quickly. Sleep had eluded me, like a partner hell-bent on being away from me. I'd spent the night roaming my pack, the one place I'd considered my only home, but now seemed like the farthest thing from it. But I couldn't just bring myself to leave. This was where I'd had the best memories with Sophia, where the good times still shone.But now perhaps, the bad times were starting to outshine the good here. Is this not a sign? That I should find somewhere new?I sighed, almost wishing for the days when the Luna goddess appeared to guide me. But I also knew that if I were to see her now, it would not be without danger following behind. I didn't realize it until I was there, but I was back at the edge of the territory, where Malachi had stabbed me. And had survived. My smile was melancholic when it crossed my face. In many ways, that was the cannon event for everything. “No Nathan. This all started when you banished our love. Our mate.” My wo
NATHAN'S POVThe moment I returned, I could feel it. The shift in the air.The crowd had gathered near the ruins of my home, their eyes on me the second I stepped into their sights. But this wasn’t the usual respect, the unwavering loyalty I had once commanded. This was hesitation, doubt.And resentment.Whispers spread through the pack, a quiet murmur of voices laced with frustration and disbelief. I heard bits and pieces – enough to know what they were saying."He let them go?""How could he spare her?""What kind of Alpha does that?"I could see it in their eyes – the ones who had once stood at my side, wolves I had fought for, bled for. Some still believed in me, but others? They wanted blood. They wanted a leader who would avenge, not restrain.Theon stood by my side, his expression dark as he scanned the gathered wolves. He had known this would happen. We both had.But knowing didn’t make it easier.The silence stretched, suffocating. Then, a voice cut through it."Alpha.” An ol
SOPHIA'S POVElara stood in my doorway, the morning light catching in her silver-streaked hair, her piercing gaze locking onto mine. There was something unreadable in her eyes, something weighty – like she already knew the depths of my desperation.I swallowed hard. “I need your help.”Elara’s gaze flickered past me, her face betraying nothing. “I know.” She said simply. “Let me in.”I stepped aside, my heart pounding as she crossed the threshold. She moved with quiet confidence, her presence filling the space in a way that was both grounding and unnerving.She took one look at Alex and let out a slow breath."Tell me everything.” She murmured, kneeling beside him.I didn't hesitate. “I followed the instructions exactly. The herbs, the remedy – I did everything right.” My voice cracked. “And it worked. For a little while. But then he got worse. Worse than before.”Elara pressed the back of her hand to Alex's forehead. His fever had climbed again overnight, his breathing shallow, his s