LUCY'S POVThe stench of fear mixed with the sharp tang of silver and wolfbane, permeated the dungeon. Darkness wrapped itself around the cold stone walls, and Alenjro’s muffled gasps for air echoed within. The silence in between each scream was thick, and heavy with the weight of what was unsaid. I could hear him attempting to hold back his agony, but it was useless. His control shattered each time I pressed the searing iron that was already wrapped in wolfbane vines, against his skin. “Ahhhh!” Alenjro’s scream filled the room again, slicing through the air, raw and broken. A satisfying chill crawled up my spine as I watched his body convulse against the restraints, his skin blistering from the poison.When his scream died down to a low moan, he lifted his head, eyes glazed with defiance but flecked with terror.“Do you think this will erase what you are?” he spat, a mocking tone laced with an undertone of pain. “Do you think it’ll change the fact that your ‘precious’ son was father
Shenaya's POVThe early morning light fell like a soft blanket over the Crescent pack’s territory. Dew clung to the grass, shimmering under the sunlight, as though the earth was dressed in celebration of our wedding day. Today, I was marrying Aiden, my Alpha, best friend, and partner in fierce and fragile love.I could feel the energy in the air as the whole pack bustled with preparations. I spent the morning getting ready, surrounded by close friends, family, and members of the pack who all wore excited smiles as they darted around to help, offering me congratulations and teasing glances. The field we had chosen as our wedding site was dressed in rows of pristine white chairs, lined up in front of a wooden podium decorated with garlands of roses, lilies, and green ivy. My heart felt full, overwhelmed with love and gratitude for everyone who had come. Even Skylar, Aiden’s former mate and my one-time enemy, was here today, holding her daughter Zoey’s hand, standing in the crowd with a
Shenaya's POVThe days he dragged on with an ache that settled deep into my bones. Every morning, I woke in an empty bed, my hand instinctively reaching out to the space Aiden should have filled but he wasn’t there. He was in a coma, lying in the infirmary, his once formidable strength now silent and still. The doctor had said his wolf, Smoke, had sacrificed himself to save Aiden’s human side. The blow was heavy, but I knew it was what Smoke would have wanted—to keep Aiden here with me, even if only in part. But without his wolf, Aiden was more vulnerable than ever, and the emptiness gnawed at me with each passing day.My, Lily, had fallen silent in grief, her sorrow mingling with my nominee's loss of her mate had hit her hard, and now, in the long hours I spent patrolling the pack grounds and handling pack business, I felt her absence as acutely as Aiden’s.In Aiden’s stead, I had taken charge of the pack, managing the day-to-day challenges of leadership while also keeping a wary eye
Aiden's POVSlowly my lumbering eyelids dragged themselves apart and I stared at the harsh glare of the hospital ceiling light above. I could feel the slow pulse that spread dull and aching behind my eyes as if my very brain was aching with pain. My body finally responded, alert and rigid, as if the heavyweights of lead had draped around my bones and as a trial to flex my muscles, shooting spasms of lingering pain.The surroundings of the room were bleached and motionless, the steady sound of appliances providing me with a clear sensorium of time. For a moment, I understood that I was in a hospital, and while that much was clear, the why eluded me like a shadow that slipped across the grass just as one turned to pursue it. Something was amiss, there must have been a big hole in my head that I couldn’t locate or perhaps fill. Irritation started to build up beneath the thick layer of confusion when I tried to find something in my head that wasn’t there.Before I could breathe, thinking
Shenaya’s POVI lay awake on my bed looking at the ceiling while the morning sun streamed through the curtains, I felt like I had no heart for it was overpowering me. Aiden had finally woken up after days of unconsciousness, but the man who opened his eyes wasn’t the one who had promised me forever. Now, it has been a week, which had been a week of empty sorrow and true suffering despite the fact that Aiden was alive. A week today he stared at me with that blank look on his face and then walked out with Skylar.I slid my hands along the edge of the bed where he once slept, and I suddenly realized there was no one. Aunt Belle had tried to reassure me, she tried explaining how Aiden’s memories had returned jumbled, woven with pieces of his past with Skylar. She’d assured me that the things he remembered doing with her were our memories, they were things he did with me, our moments but somehow, he saw Skylar’s face in them. I clung to that explanation, but it didn’t ease the ache. It did
Aiden's POVThe sun was setting in faint, soft hues over the horizon, casting long shadows over Skylar’s garden. The fading light made the colors dimmer, the sky was heavier than usual. I sat under a tree, alone, lost in my thoughts, still feeling like a stranger within my own skin. I was near Skylar, my mate yet I felt hollow, like I was adrift, floating in a place I didn’t recognize, I recognized Skylar to be my mate but the emptiness I felt within me since the day I decided to follow her could not be comprehended. Her presence felt distant, as though I were standing in a foreign city, lost among faces that should have been familiar but weren’t.Memories flitted through my mind, strange and elusive. Images of Skylar were clear, I knew that we’d been through so much. I could recall being bonded to her, yet somehow, I felt as if someone else was missing, as if part of me was struggling to break free, to remember. Shenaya’s name floated to the surface of my thoughts, insistent, and wi
Shenaya's POVThe air was thick with anticipation as I prepared for the journey that lay before me. Aunt Belle’s hut was filled with the scent of herbs, their pungent aroma lingered in the air as she arranged them into intricate patterns around a large circular tapestry. The room was very heavy with energy, the air tingled with the magic that would guide me to Aiden’s mind where I would search for his lost wolf and his broken memories.“Shenaya,” Aunt Belle said gently to balm against my frayed nerves, “I hope you still remember that this is not a physical Journey. It’s a journey within your mind. It's a place where memories are intertwined with emotions and spirit. I’ll be here to guide you, but only you can reach him.”I nodded slightly as I knelt on the tapestry, and my hand began to shake. My thoughts kept drifting to Aiden’s face, his empty eyes when they looked at me. His eyes used to be very warm whenever he looked at me but now they are filled with distance which I hate so muc
Skylar's POVI stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the Crescent Moon Pack grounds from the shadows. My heart was heavy with a weight I had carried for years—a burden born of betrayal, power, and regret. The whole betrayal thing had scarred me, it drove me to chase power to fill the void left. In the process, I had betrayed everyone, hurt Shenaya, and nearly destroyed everything I once held dear, just because of Andrew's fuel for power.I feel so lonely, I live in isolation, no one talks to me, and I live as a shadow that was why I insisted on having Zoey around. Deep down I want to have a purpose too, I wanted respect but all the power I possess right now keeps radiating without using it. Watching the Roux and the Casaer family from afar for years, I could see the consequences of my actions. Aiden was no longer the man I once wanted. Shenaya, his chosen Luna, had become the Alpha I never thought she could be, so strong, commanding, and loved by the pack. And I, a rogue in spir
Zoey's POV (10 years Later)Three years ago, everything changed. Everyone I knew got their wolves, a monumental rite of passage that marked the transition into adulthood for those of wolf blood. But for me, there was nothing—no surge of power, no howling spirit joining mine. The realization hit like a dagger to the chest: I was wolfless. I was sitting in front of the mirror while on the edge of my bed and could only see my reflection, candlelight started to flicker. My loose, thick, brown hair had fallen on my face framing it loosely, and my blue eyes gleamed fiercely, as they did when I was young. I became the most powerful witch in the entire region; a position that attracted both reverence and horror. But it wasn’t enough. My heritage lay heavily on my chest like a weight rapping me around the fingers that I was a witch – a witch whose blood ran thick with power. All charms, all enchantments, all lost sorcery of my forefathers was given to me in trust of the command. And yet, he
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue across the rolling hills surrounding our pack lands. It was one of those rare days when duty could wait, and family took precedence. Since Leo expressed his feelings about being overshadowed, Shenaya and I had made an unspoken vow to ensure our pups knew they were cherished. Today was about them, about us. A day without war councils, patrol strategies, or territorial disputes—just a family date to remind ourselves of the simple joys in life. I stood in the courtyard, watching as Shenaya helped Zoey into the wagon. The little girl’s laughter rang out as her mother tickled her sides, her bright blue eyes shimmering joyfully. Shenaya’s red hair glowed like fire under the sunlight, her smile more colorful than any star. "Papa, can I sit up front with you?" Leo’s voice broke my thoughts. I had to look at him, he had messy black hair, and he looked at me with anticipation and apprehension. Leo had been more open since our conversation, bu
Shenaya’s POVThe warm scent of vanilla and lavender filled my room as I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my navy blue dress. It was simple yet elegant, perfect for a family dinner. I glanced at the perfume bottle on the table and picked it up, I sprayed a bit more to mask my new scent. My hand lingered on my abdomen for a moment—a silent acknowledgment of the tiny life growing inside me. Today was special. Not just because I had something monumental to share about my career but because the second announcement would change everything for our family after going through so much chaos that could tear us all apart but we still stand tall regardless. The din of laughter and chatter greeted me before I even reached the dining area. The large room was alive with energy, the long oak table nearly groaning under the weight of plates and bowls of food. Isla and one of the Omegas were bustling about, adding finishing touches to the spreads, their faces glowing with pride at the beauti
LUCY'S POVThe cold, damp air of the dungeon wrapped around me like a suffocating shroud, but I didn’t care. Not anymore. Alenjro was shackled to the stone wall, his once-proud figure reduced to a trembling heap. His screams had dulled into a low, guttural groan after hours of torment. I pressed the hot silver bar into his back once more, and the satisfying sizzle of his skin made me smile bitterly. "No matter how much torment you give me, you will never get your wolf back," he spat out, though his voice shook. I chuckled darkly, crouching down to meet his bloodshot eyes. "I would have left you," I said calmly, "but your mouth wouldn’t allow it. You’re not in the position to torment anyone right now." He glared at me, but the fire in his eyes had long since burned out. Good. He deserved every ounce of pain I gave him. Every scar. Every burn. Anika stirred faintly in the back of my mind. My wolf, my constant companion, had been silent for far too long. Alenjro’s betrayal had shatter
Skylar's POVI stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the Crescent Moon Pack grounds from the shadows. My heart was heavy with a weight I had carried for years—a burden born of betrayal, power, and regret. The whole betrayal thing had scarred me, it drove me to chase power to fill the void left. In the process, I had betrayed everyone, hurt Shenaya, and nearly destroyed everything I once held dear, just because of Andrew's fuel for power.I feel so lonely, I live in isolation, no one talks to me, and I live as a shadow that was why I insisted on having Zoey around. Deep down I want to have a purpose too, I wanted respect but all the power I possess right now keeps radiating without using it. Watching the Roux and the Casaer family from afar for years, I could see the consequences of my actions. Aiden was no longer the man I once wanted. Shenaya, his chosen Luna, had become the Alpha I never thought she could be, so strong, commanding, and loved by the pack. And I, a rogue in spir
Shenaya's POVThe air was thick with anticipation as I prepared for the journey that lay before me. Aunt Belle’s hut was filled with the scent of herbs, their pungent aroma lingered in the air as she arranged them into intricate patterns around a large circular tapestry. The room was very heavy with energy, the air tingled with the magic that would guide me to Aiden’s mind where I would search for his lost wolf and his broken memories.“Shenaya,” Aunt Belle said gently to balm against my frayed nerves, “I hope you still remember that this is not a physical Journey. It’s a journey within your mind. It's a place where memories are intertwined with emotions and spirit. I’ll be here to guide you, but only you can reach him.”I nodded slightly as I knelt on the tapestry, and my hand began to shake. My thoughts kept drifting to Aiden’s face, his empty eyes when they looked at me. His eyes used to be very warm whenever he looked at me but now they are filled with distance which I hate so muc
Aiden's POVThe sun was setting in faint, soft hues over the horizon, casting long shadows over Skylar’s garden. The fading light made the colors dimmer, the sky was heavier than usual. I sat under a tree, alone, lost in my thoughts, still feeling like a stranger within my own skin. I was near Skylar, my mate yet I felt hollow, like I was adrift, floating in a place I didn’t recognize, I recognized Skylar to be my mate but the emptiness I felt within me since the day I decided to follow her could not be comprehended. Her presence felt distant, as though I were standing in a foreign city, lost among faces that should have been familiar but weren’t.Memories flitted through my mind, strange and elusive. Images of Skylar were clear, I knew that we’d been through so much. I could recall being bonded to her, yet somehow, I felt as if someone else was missing, as if part of me was struggling to break free, to remember. Shenaya’s name floated to the surface of my thoughts, insistent, and wi
Shenaya’s POVI lay awake on my bed looking at the ceiling while the morning sun streamed through the curtains, I felt like I had no heart for it was overpowering me. Aiden had finally woken up after days of unconsciousness, but the man who opened his eyes wasn’t the one who had promised me forever. Now, it has been a week, which had been a week of empty sorrow and true suffering despite the fact that Aiden was alive. A week today he stared at me with that blank look on his face and then walked out with Skylar.I slid my hands along the edge of the bed where he once slept, and I suddenly realized there was no one. Aunt Belle had tried to reassure me, she tried explaining how Aiden’s memories had returned jumbled, woven with pieces of his past with Skylar. She’d assured me that the things he remembered doing with her were our memories, they were things he did with me, our moments but somehow, he saw Skylar’s face in them. I clung to that explanation, but it didn’t ease the ache. It did
Aiden's POVSlowly my lumbering eyelids dragged themselves apart and I stared at the harsh glare of the hospital ceiling light above. I could feel the slow pulse that spread dull and aching behind my eyes as if my very brain was aching with pain. My body finally responded, alert and rigid, as if the heavyweights of lead had draped around my bones and as a trial to flex my muscles, shooting spasms of lingering pain.The surroundings of the room were bleached and motionless, the steady sound of appliances providing me with a clear sensorium of time. For a moment, I understood that I was in a hospital, and while that much was clear, the why eluded me like a shadow that slipped across the grass just as one turned to pursue it. Something was amiss, there must have been a big hole in my head that I couldn’t locate or perhaps fill. Irritation started to build up beneath the thick layer of confusion when I tried to find something in my head that wasn’t there.Before I could breathe, thinking