Ella’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as her mind raced with questions, her thoughts darting from one possibility to another, filling her with anxiety. What could Kevin be doing with Moore? Had he hurt him? Her breath quickened as the image of Moore in danger haunted her. She felt a pang of guilt in her chest—he was in this mess because of her. But then, another thought rose, darker and more unsettling. ‘Why had Derek kept the information about her agreeing to help to himself?’ He had seemed so calm earlier, as if he had everything under control. Was he truly trying to protect her, or was there something more sinister at play? Could Derek and Kevin be working together? The idea seemed absurd, but she couldn’t ignore it. ‘What if this was all a setup?’ What if Derek had lured her into this situation, pretending to be her ally while secretly plotting with Kevin?Her heart pounded harder, doubt creeping into her thoughts like a shadow. ‘How did Kevin even get to Moore in the first
In a hidden, shadowed location, a figure stood in silence, frustration simmering beneath the surface. She slammed her phone down after the call ended, her voice sharp with anger.“Damn it!” The curse echoed through the dimly lit room, but the figure remained cloaked in darkness, her identity concealed.“Who could have thought Ella was the highly sought healer?" she muttered, her voice low and indistinct filled with venom.The figure paced, clearly unsettled, her movements deliberate, as though calculating her next steps. “I will do everything within my power to make sure she doesn’t return to the South.” She clenched their fists, resolving to stop her at all costs.Meanwhile, in the quiet of the hospital, Ella slowly stirred, her eyelids heavy as she struggled to wake. The first sensation that hit her was the dull, throbbing ache in her limbs, a persistent reminder of the attack she’d endured. Her body was weak, and with each attempt to move, pain surged through her, making her gasp s
Derek turned around to check on Ella and noticed she was awake, her eyes locked on him, a mixture of confusion and determination reflected in her gaze. He could tell she had a thousand questions swirling in her mind. With a sigh, he pulled a chair closer and sat down across from her.“How are you feeling?” Derek asked, his voice soft.“You saved me,” Ella replied weakly, her voice barely a whisper. “Thank you.”Without thinking, Derek reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “You’re still weak,” he said, concern etched on his face. “The doctors did what they could for the silver burns, but you need more time to rest and regain your strength.”Ella winced as she tried to shift on the bed, her thoughts racing. “Moore… he’s in danger,” she said, her voice laced with worry. “I need to be by his side, Derek. I have to get to the South.”Derek shook his head, his expression firm but laced with concern. “They won’t harm him, Ella. They still
Ella lay in her hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. She was healing, but the weight of everything going on outside these walls kept her on edge. Moore was still in danger, and Kevin was out there, probably plotting something worse. The rogue attack earlier didn’t help, and now, she felt like time was running out, Derek had gone out to attend to something important or so he had said.The door opened, and Nurse Sara entered, pushing her usual cart of supplies. Sara had been the one to take care of Ella since she was admitted. She was always calm and friendly.Ella smiled softly at the sight of Nurse Sara walking into the room. For days now, Sara had been nothing but a comforting presence, always ready with a gentle word and warm smile. She was human—an ordinary person in a world where beings like werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural creatures often clashed. Maybe that’s why Ella found it so easy to trust her.“Good morning, Ella. How are you feeling today?” Sara asked, her voi
To the outside world, the Devil’s City was a place of myth and legend—a land where darkness reigned, where nothing thrived but death and shadows. Tales of terror whispered through the lands, painting pictures of a place cloaked in eternal night, where vampires ruled with iron fangs and talons of blood. But the truth was far more dangerous—and far more beautiful.The Devil’s City was a marvel of dark enchantment, a kingdom of eternal twilight kissed by the silver glow of a crescent moon. Its towering blackstone buildings glistened like polished obsidian under the soft, ethereal glow that bathed the city in a perpetual soft, dreamlike hue. The air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of night-blooming flowers that lined the streets, their petals a kaleidoscope of deep crimson, violet, and gold. Intricate lanterns hung from elegantly wrought iron posts, illuminating the cobbled streets with a warm, golden light that danced with an unnatural grace, casting moving shadows that seemed to f
The night was still as Maxwell stood in the shadows, preparing for his journey beyond the boundaries of Devil’s City. The air was thick with the scent of impending rain, but he moved with an unbreakable focus. Valen’s words still echoed in his mind: Confirm the healer wolf’s existence. Find the truth.For centuries, Maxwell had been Valen’s trusted scout and enforcer. Tonight, however, his mission felt charged with greater purpose. The rumors surrounding a healer wolf were impossible to ignore, even if they seemed as improbable as any he’d heard. Valen’s previous purge of healer wolves had been merciless, leaving none to spare, or so they’d believed. But if one had truly survived, this could reshape everything they understood about their species—and reignite old wars.Maxwell slung his gear across his back and blended into the night, his steps soundless as he made his way through the outskirts of the city. His senses were sharp, taking in the hum of life beyond the walls. He would nee
Ella Brown stood in front of her full-length mirror, a soft smile playing on her lips. The delicate lace of her gown draped her curves perfectly, the fabric shimmering in the low light of her bedroom. Tomorrow was the day she had dreamed of her entire life. She’d be turning eighteen at midnight, finally awakening her wolf and completing the bond with her fiancé, Alpha Kevin Taylor. The thought sent a shiver of excitement down her spine. By tomorrow night, she would be his mate, officially declared Luna of the Silver Moon Pack. She traced the neckline of the gown with her fingers, imagining Kevin’s hands replacing hers, his lips grazing her skin as he whispered promises of forever. Her body tingled at the thought of him—strong, powerful, and hers. “Just a few more hours,” she whispered, her cheeks flushing as fantasies of their future swirled in her mind.Her daydream was interrupted by a muffled sound from the hallway—a low, sultry moan. Ella frowned, her brow furrowing as she str
The dim lighting of the bar flickered, casting shadows over Alpha Derek Kingston of the Moonstone Pack as he downed another shot of whiskey. His tall, imposing frame was hunched over the bar, a scowl fixed on his face as he ignored the brunette who had been shamelessly trying to seduce him for the last half hour. Her hand slid up his arm, her voice dripping with desire, but Derek didn’t even glance her way. His mind was elsewhere, uninterested in the shallow advances of yet another desperate woman.“Get lost! ,” Derek said coldly, his voice a deep growl that sent shivers down her spine. He pushed her hand away roughly, eyes fixed on his drink. “Find someone else.”The woman pouted, but eventually took the hint, walking away with a huff. Derek exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark, tousled hair. He wasn’t here for this—he was here to escape the relentless responsibilities of being Alpha, even if just for a few hours. The pressure weighed heavily on his broad shoulders, but n