Far beyond the compound…“Alpha, we’ve arrived behind the mountains. We await your signal,” Craig’s voice rang through the mind link, clear and focused.“Perfect,” Dylan replied, his own tone hard as stone. “We move as planned.”Thanks to the tracking device hidden in Kara’s necklace, Gigi had triangulated the location. The building stood cloaked in the deep southern forest, a remote expanse of tall trees and jagged peaks. Officially, it was a weapons manufacturing site. Unofficially, it belonged to ASA.Their strike force had been split: Rodrigo and his men approached the front, Craig’s unit climbed the mountain paths to the back, and Dylan himself led the assault through a secret tunnel unearthed by the hackers.“Everyone in position?” Dylan asked through his earpiece, the forest wind whipping around him.“Copy. Ready,” Rodrigo answered.“Born ready, Alpha,” Craig followed.“Gigi?” Dylan pressed.“Systems hacked. We’re in place,” she called out.“Move. Now.”Dylan’s order cut throug
“Chase them down and kill them all!”Rodrigo’s voice shattered the tension like a lightning strike, reverberating through the blood-soaked hallway. His face, usually measured even in battle, was twisted in fury—his lips curled, his eyes alight with the fire of vengeance. He was no longer just a man. He was the beast, unchained.The air reeked of blood and sulfur. Bodies lay in mangled heaps across the shattered corridor—some still groaning, others already lost to the slaughter. The screams of the dying echoed faintly in the distance, a haunting soundscape to the chaos.Rodrigo’s men obeyed without hesitation. Boots pounded against the floor as they surged forward, their snarls and the animalistic grunts of close combat. Craig and his elite team moved like a black tide, intercepting the retreating enemies, overwhelming them in a blur of calculated violence.“Alpha, do you copy?” Craig’s voice strained through the mind link, threaded with panic, breathless and urgent. He tried again. “
DYLAN'S POVWe ran. As fast as our legs could carry us, driven by the piercing, heart-shattering scream echoing down the hallway. My heart pounded, skipping beats with each sound of her agony. My Wolf thrashed within me—wild, desperate, terrified for our mate. As we reached the door, Craig, Bryson, a few others—and Gigi—were already there. Bryson stood frozen, eyes wide. The second my gaze fell on her, goosebumps flooded my skin. She was on the ground. Curled up like a child cowering from thunder. Her screams tore at my soul.“Don’t come close! Please—don’t hurt me!” she cried again and again, her voice ragged and raw.The fear in her eyes was unlike anything I’d ever seen—dense, broken, haunted. Without thinking, my feet moved. I rushed to her, aching to touch her, to calm her, to bring her back—but she flinched and snarled at me.“Leave me alone! I’m begging you—please stop! It hurts! Don’t come close!”My world shattered.My mate didn’t recognize me.“Baby, it’s me… it’s Dylan.
Kara's POVIn the heart of a breathtaking garden, I stood—alone. Vibrant blooms of every shape and color surrounded me, swaying gently beneath a sky painted in shades of cerulean. The air was fragrant with life. My gaze drifted until it caught on a cluster of roses, their petals blushing red, stretching proudly across the garden floor like a sea of velvet. But as I stepped closer, unease bloomed in my chest. *Where am I?*Then, a voice—familiar and strange all at once—cut through the quiet. I turned, and there he was.Dylan.He stood just a few steps away, arms outstretched, his expression soft, inviting. And without even thinking, I ran to him. My body collided with his, and warmth enveloped me in a way that felt real—painfully, desperately real.But it didn’t last.A sudden rift tore through the earth between us, yanking us apart. The winds shrieked with violence, ripping the petals from their stems. The sky, once a perfect blue, darkened into something wicked and heavy. Dylan f
Kara sobbed uncontrollably in the arms of her mate, her body trembling as the weight of truth tore old wounds wide open. The room had gone still, heavy with silence. Every person seated was frozen in shock, the gravity of Bryson’s words sinking like stones in their chests.“I remember just like yesterday the day she died,” Kara choked through her sobs, her voice fragile. “I was at school when the accident happened. Both my parents died… their bodies couldn’t be found because of the fire.”Rodrigo leaned forward, disbelief etched across his face. “If what you say is true, then why didn’t Marjorie’s family search for Kara all these years? And how did ASA end up in the hands of that lunatic Dave?”Bryson exhaled slowly, the tension pressing into his shoulders. “After Marjorie lost her father, she got news that her mother wanted to see her. But her husband, Freddy, refused to let her go back. So, her longtime friend and cousin met with her in secret. They talked… and she decided to sign
The old lady began her story as the entire group listened carefully.“Marjorie was only eighteen when she met Freddy back in college. She was the brightest person I have ever known—so full of life, with a beautiful soul. Though her father was filthy rich, she never let that get to her head and treated everyone with respect. When Freddy came into the picture, she decided to hide their relationship from her family and also the public. Well, except me—I was the only one who knew of their relationship.”“In no time, she became overwhelmed with the love he showered on her, and had given not just her heart but also her body to Freddy. They were both lucky to conceal the relationship until after college without being caught… until Freddy proposed to Marjorie.”“What happened next?” Kara asked.“Marjorie finally introduced him to her parents. However, her father—who had known of their relationship all along—was against their marriage that instant, causing his daughter pain. The old man tried
Kara's povThe sweet sensation crammed through my body, scattering goosebumps across my skin and dragging me out of slumber. Warm hands roamed my skin, exploring like they’d missed me, and then—a kiss. Soft lips pressed against mine, coaxing my eyes to flutter open. And there he was. The most handsome man I'd ever laid eyes on. Those cute, sleepy puppy eyes blinked at me, and I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips. “Good morning, baby…” his voice was seductive, rough like gravel soaked in honey. He captured my lips again in a sizzling kiss, sucking gently, tenderly, with so much care it made me moan softly into his mouth. My body responded with need, alive under his touch. “Good morning to you too, boss,” I whispered, breathless when we broke apart. Dylan growled low at the word, making me laugh. “I hate it when you call me that,” he grumbled, voice thick with mock annoyance. “I think I’ll have to punish you whenever you do.” “I think I’d love to taste your p
Kara’s POVThe next day, I decided to wake up early and make breakfast myself. Of course, he had people for everything—but I’d given them the day off. I wanted to do this for him. I made most of his favorite meals. Cooking wasn’t something I did often, and definitely not for just anyone. It was something sacred to me. A gesture, a soft confession. If I cooked for you, it meant I held you dear. It was my way of showing care when words didn’t quite cut it.Dylan’s kitchen was massive—luxurious and modern, yet oddly untouched. His fridge was stocked with everything: cans, raw meats, fruits, ingredients I hadn’t seen in ages. Everything I needed was there, and before long, I had breakfast ready. Warm. Personal. Made with love.I was still setting the table when I heard the sharp sound of heels clicking against the tile. Footsteps. My heart skipped. With my back to the door, I imagined it was him, my mate—maybe about to sneak up behind me and wrap those strong arms around my wais
Kara’s POVThe next day, I decided to wake up early and make breakfast myself. Of course, he had people for everything—but I’d given them the day off. I wanted to do this for him. I made most of his favorite meals. Cooking wasn’t something I did often, and definitely not for just anyone. It was something sacred to me. A gesture, a soft confession. If I cooked for you, it meant I held you dear. It was my way of showing care when words didn’t quite cut it.Dylan’s kitchen was massive—luxurious and modern, yet oddly untouched. His fridge was stocked with everything: cans, raw meats, fruits, ingredients I hadn’t seen in ages. Everything I needed was there, and before long, I had breakfast ready. Warm. Personal. Made with love.I was still setting the table when I heard the sharp sound of heels clicking against the tile. Footsteps. My heart skipped. With my back to the door, I imagined it was him, my mate—maybe about to sneak up behind me and wrap those strong arms around my wais
Kara's povThe sweet sensation crammed through my body, scattering goosebumps across my skin and dragging me out of slumber. Warm hands roamed my skin, exploring like they’d missed me, and then—a kiss. Soft lips pressed against mine, coaxing my eyes to flutter open. And there he was. The most handsome man I'd ever laid eyes on. Those cute, sleepy puppy eyes blinked at me, and I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips. “Good morning, baby…” his voice was seductive, rough like gravel soaked in honey. He captured my lips again in a sizzling kiss, sucking gently, tenderly, with so much care it made me moan softly into his mouth. My body responded with need, alive under his touch. “Good morning to you too, boss,” I whispered, breathless when we broke apart. Dylan growled low at the word, making me laugh. “I hate it when you call me that,” he grumbled, voice thick with mock annoyance. “I think I’ll have to punish you whenever you do.” “I think I’d love to taste your p
The old lady began her story as the entire group listened carefully.“Marjorie was only eighteen when she met Freddy back in college. She was the brightest person I have ever known—so full of life, with a beautiful soul. Though her father was filthy rich, she never let that get to her head and treated everyone with respect. When Freddy came into the picture, she decided to hide their relationship from her family and also the public. Well, except me—I was the only one who knew of their relationship.”“In no time, she became overwhelmed with the love he showered on her, and had given not just her heart but also her body to Freddy. They were both lucky to conceal the relationship until after college without being caught… until Freddy proposed to Marjorie.”“What happened next?” Kara asked.“Marjorie finally introduced him to her parents. However, her father—who had known of their relationship all along—was against their marriage that instant, causing his daughter pain. The old man tried
Kara sobbed uncontrollably in the arms of her mate, her body trembling as the weight of truth tore old wounds wide open. The room had gone still, heavy with silence. Every person seated was frozen in shock, the gravity of Bryson’s words sinking like stones in their chests.“I remember just like yesterday the day she died,” Kara choked through her sobs, her voice fragile. “I was at school when the accident happened. Both my parents died… their bodies couldn’t be found because of the fire.”Rodrigo leaned forward, disbelief etched across his face. “If what you say is true, then why didn’t Marjorie’s family search for Kara all these years? And how did ASA end up in the hands of that lunatic Dave?”Bryson exhaled slowly, the tension pressing into his shoulders. “After Marjorie lost her father, she got news that her mother wanted to see her. But her husband, Freddy, refused to let her go back. So, her longtime friend and cousin met with her in secret. They talked… and she decided to sign
Kara's POVIn the heart of a breathtaking garden, I stood—alone. Vibrant blooms of every shape and color surrounded me, swaying gently beneath a sky painted in shades of cerulean. The air was fragrant with life. My gaze drifted until it caught on a cluster of roses, their petals blushing red, stretching proudly across the garden floor like a sea of velvet. But as I stepped closer, unease bloomed in my chest. *Where am I?*Then, a voice—familiar and strange all at once—cut through the quiet. I turned, and there he was.Dylan.He stood just a few steps away, arms outstretched, his expression soft, inviting. And without even thinking, I ran to him. My body collided with his, and warmth enveloped me in a way that felt real—painfully, desperately real.But it didn’t last.A sudden rift tore through the earth between us, yanking us apart. The winds shrieked with violence, ripping the petals from their stems. The sky, once a perfect blue, darkened into something wicked and heavy. Dylan f
DYLAN'S POVWe ran. As fast as our legs could carry us, driven by the piercing, heart-shattering scream echoing down the hallway. My heart pounded, skipping beats with each sound of her agony. My Wolf thrashed within me—wild, desperate, terrified for our mate. As we reached the door, Craig, Bryson, a few others—and Gigi—were already there. Bryson stood frozen, eyes wide. The second my gaze fell on her, goosebumps flooded my skin. She was on the ground. Curled up like a child cowering from thunder. Her screams tore at my soul.“Don’t come close! Please—don’t hurt me!” she cried again and again, her voice ragged and raw.The fear in her eyes was unlike anything I’d ever seen—dense, broken, haunted. Without thinking, my feet moved. I rushed to her, aching to touch her, to calm her, to bring her back—but she flinched and snarled at me.“Leave me alone! I’m begging you—please stop! It hurts! Don’t come close!”My world shattered.My mate didn’t recognize me.“Baby, it’s me… it’s Dylan.
“Chase them down and kill them all!”Rodrigo’s voice shattered the tension like a lightning strike, reverberating through the blood-soaked hallway. His face, usually measured even in battle, was twisted in fury—his lips curled, his eyes alight with the fire of vengeance. He was no longer just a man. He was the beast, unchained.The air reeked of blood and sulfur. Bodies lay in mangled heaps across the shattered corridor—some still groaning, others already lost to the slaughter. The screams of the dying echoed faintly in the distance, a haunting soundscape to the chaos.Rodrigo’s men obeyed without hesitation. Boots pounded against the floor as they surged forward, their snarls and the animalistic grunts of close combat. Craig and his elite team moved like a black tide, intercepting the retreating enemies, overwhelming them in a blur of calculated violence.“Alpha, do you copy?” Craig’s voice strained through the mind link, threaded with panic, breathless and urgent. He tried again. “
Far beyond the compound…“Alpha, we’ve arrived behind the mountains. We await your signal,” Craig’s voice rang through the mind link, clear and focused.“Perfect,” Dylan replied, his own tone hard as stone. “We move as planned.”Thanks to the tracking device hidden in Kara’s necklace, Gigi had triangulated the location. The building stood cloaked in the deep southern forest, a remote expanse of tall trees and jagged peaks. Officially, it was a weapons manufacturing site. Unofficially, it belonged to ASA.Their strike force had been split: Rodrigo and his men approached the front, Craig’s unit climbed the mountain paths to the back, and Dylan himself led the assault through a secret tunnel unearthed by the hackers.“Everyone in position?” Dylan asked through his earpiece, the forest wind whipping around him.“Copy. Ready,” Rodrigo answered.“Born ready, Alpha,” Craig followed.“Gigi?” Dylan pressed.“Systems hacked. We’re in place,” she called out.“Move. Now.”Dylan’s order cut throug
“How on earth was she able to do that? You explained how the collar would prevent her from shifting, yet you saw for yourself…”Dave’s voice trembled with disbelief, his eyes still wide from the sight he’d witnessed earlier. He stood in the center of the room, gesturing wildly as he paced in frustrated circles.“Relax, Dave,” Adora drawled, reclining in her chair with the practiced ease of someone used to holding power. Her voice was smooth, almost dismissive. “We have her under control, and that is what matters.”But before Dave could respond, the atmosphere in the room shifted—tightened. The heavy door slammed open with a loud, commanding crash that echoed like a threat. Both heads turned instantly.The man who stepped in didn’t walk—he claimed the space. Each stride was soaked in dominance, his presence pressing into the walls and choking the air. He wore a dark suit like armor, his expression unreadable, cold as polished steel. “Boss, you're here,” Dave choked out, stumbling back