JAKE'S POV Three days had gone by since the assault, and its burden still weighed heavily on Shadowclaw. The atmosphere still reeked of anxiety and fear. The last time something like this occurred was years before I was born. My father told me stories of it when I was much younger.The door of the chamber flung open, snapping me back to reality as the members walked in, taking their seats. Their expressions were blank. My Beta, Damon sat to my right, his typical composed demeanor overshadowed by a furrowed brow and a tight jaw. Bradley, who stayed behind to assist with the aftermath of the attack, was also present.All attention fell on me as I cleared my throat to speak. I could feel the weight of their expectations, their fears, their hopes were on me.“Three days ago,” I began, my voice steady but low, “The pack was attacked.” This information was greeted with sighs and shaking of heads. “ We lost quite a number of people to the heinous attack, a few were injured and are currentl
JAKE'S POVThe foul smell of blood on the wet floor hung in the air with dim light casting eerie shadows on the wall in the dungeon. I stood in the center, my arms crossed, staring down at the suspect seated in front of me. His arms were tied behind him, his face bruised. Despite the series of punches from Damon, He remained unyielding. His jaw tightened.“You're wasting your time,” He spat, taking in short, labored breaths with a smirk on his face. His teeth bloodied. “You do realize you’re dead either way,” I said, stepping closer. “But you get to choose how painful your end will be.”He sat forward, looking straight into my eyes. “You can do your worst,” he said, laughing at me with his bloodied teeth.Damon let out a loud growl in frustration, landing another hit on him. This time, on his jaw. He fell backward, coughing but still refused to speak.“Who sent you?” Damon barked, pulling him and punching him over and over in a particular spot.Frustration began to creep through my s
JAKE'S POVA sudden silence lingered between us, dense and overwhelming. A mole? In my Pack? The thought twisted my gut. I stood there motionless wondering how things could have gone wrong. I had always been cautious—observing, evaluating, and making sure everyone in this pack was treated well; from my council members down to the omegas. Yet, somehow, someone betrayed me.“You were saying?” I prompted, my voice low and sharp.Bradley’s growl rumbled beside me. “You better start talking,” he barked.Randy grimaced, his puffy eyes barely open. “I’ll tell you who it is,” he rasped, “but you'd promise to spare me and my family”I bared my teeth, my fists clenching at my sides. Every instinct urged me to snap but I had to get a hold of my emotions. “And why should I believe anything you say?”I stared at him, anger curling in my veins. “You want a deal?” My voice was dangerously low. “After what you did?”His bloodied lips parted in a smirk. “You need me alive, don’t you?” he croaked.“All
JAKE'S POVI stood by the curtain in my room, staring out of the window, listening to the early morning songs of the birds. It was just the perfect way to absorb good energy from the new day. The pack was beginning to sound alive after these past days of fear.Just when I was beginning to sink into the moment, a loud knock on the door shattered the moment. “Who the hell is that?” I barked. My voice was laced with irritation.“It's me, Damon,” A voice answered from behind the door. Damon? Why the rush this early morning? I thought, heading to the door. I flung the door open and Damon rushed in, his face pale. His chest heaved like he had seen a ghost.“What is it? Why are you breathing like someone is after you?” I asked, My brows slightly raised.“Alpha Jake, it’s Randy—he’s gone!” he exclaimed. My heart sank. “What do you mean, gone?” I demanded. Damon hesitated. “Someone attacked the guards. Randy’s dead.” My blood ran cold. His words hit me like a punch in my face. For a momen
JAKE'S POVI sat in my chair, biting down my lower lip. My jaw and fist clenched while rocking my seat back and forth. My eyes stared into space, yet nothing was in focus. Several thoughts ran through my mind as I slowly tapped my fingers on the armrest.As much as I had something pointing to Damon as the black sheep, I couldn't bring myself to believe Damon was the mole. Damon had been my right-hand man even before I became an Alpha. He has been loyal, so loyal to a fault. How could this be true? Maybe I was being paranoid. Maybe the weight of all these dramas was messing with my mental state.On the other hand, as an Alpha, I couldn’t afford to show weakness or any soft spot. The pack was watching, and my decisions had to be firm, even if they tore me apart inside.The door flew open, and Lisa, Damon's mate stormed in, her face streaked with tears making her eyes puffy. She fell to her knees with her hands held together, pleading for mercy.“Alpha Jake, please I beg of you,” she yel
JAKE'S POVI felt a blade of betrayal cut through me. I couldn't tell if it was Derrick's betrayal or me betraying my friendship with Damon. For a moment, my pulse raced. How could I have been so blinded by my pursuit, not to see through this?Damon had always had my back. But Derrick, he has always opposed me. Just a few days ago, he tried turning the council against me. For what exactly? My mind pondered on why Derrick would want to go this length just to see me out as Alpha. Derrick wasn’t just a council member; he was someone I had trusted implicitly, he was my cousin!. How could he do this? How could he betray the pack, betray me?As much as he always wanted to rule, my father was the rightful heir and not his. So why fight for something that wasn't his?“Jake,” Lyra called out. Her slithery voice shattered my thoughts. “What do you intend to do now?” She asked.I inhaled deeply, compelling myself to concentrate. "I must see Damon," I said, maintaining a calm tone even as turmoil
DERRICK’S POVI walked into the chamber in calculated steps, my mind reading the surroundings trying to figure out if I had been compromised. But how could I be? I made sure I left no traces, no trail! Beta Damon had been held accountable for Randy's death so, I had nothing to fear.I took a seat at the edge of the table and slightly adjusted my collar, careful not to expose the spot Randy had ripped open while he struggled for his life. I watched as Jake took his seat at the head of the table; a spot I have coveted all my life. A spot I could kill for.Braun’s hatred for Alpha Jake was the perfect way to get through with my plan. No one would be able to trace it back to me. But with Randy’s capture, I had to do something before he spilled the bean.I glanced at the faces of other members for clues as to why this meeting was called but they were blank, confused, and curious as I was.“I want to thank you all for making it here. I apologize for the short notice,” Jake began. “There has
LYRA'S POV I watched the crows feed on Derrick's lifeless body as it swayed in the wind at the Death Arena; a spot where executions were carried out for everyone to see. The rope around his neck dug deep into his neck. His face was frozen in an expression of shock as if death had taken him by surprise in its final, merciless grip. I should be happy I guess. Derrick had always opposed my stay in this pack, he questioned my capabilities to rule as Luna. I would have sworn he wanted my place as luna. However, my heart ached at the sight of him hanging like a piece of meat. This wasn't right. As much as it was meant to send a message across to anyone who would think of betraying the pack, there were other ways to do that other than this.“You're too soft Lyra!” Tara tore through my thoughts. “You must make a statement as a leader for your subjects to fear and respect you. Wait till our minds get to sync properly, I'd change a lot in you.” She scoffed.“I wish I could disown you right n
LYRA’S POV“Pregnant?” I asked, walking back to the bed with shock over my face.“No, I’m not! Why would you think that?” I retorted.I’ve already been through enough, getting pregnant by someone who has practically rejected me will be the last straw that would break the camel’s back. A rejected pregnant Luna? Hell no! That would be a disaster. I don't think I'd be able to stand such a level of jest and shame. I heaved a sigh trying to shake off the thought from my mind.“I wouldn’t be totally wrong asking,” Lisa said, with her brows slightly raised. “As much as there are no physical signs chances yet, we cannot rule out the possibility. Not like Alpha Jake is impotent, plus the day you got out of coma,...”“Yes! The day I got out of coma,” I said, rolling my eyes. I remember throwing up but that should be the side effect of the medications I had gotten.” I retorted, cutting her assumptions off. “Me and Jake were not always in each other's bed except for one time; the day he came to
LYRA’S POV"Lyra, please come on, we've got to go now," Lisa pleaded as she crossed her arm into mine pulling me away from the choking tension.I stood there frozen, and I didn't realize she was pulling me to walk away. My heart at that instant was drowning with emotions. The moment Jake refused to deny Ella’s claim, something inside me cracked—something I wasn’t sure could ever be repaired.I got a hold of myself and decided to listen to Lisa. I walked blindly, letting Lisa lead me while I wished I'd somehow open my eyes to realize it was just a nightmare.Sadly, it wasn't. My mind kept playing back everything that had just taken place, from Jake’s cold response and expressions to Ella’s sneers.I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely noticed when Lisa stopped walking. I looked up to see Tessa standing in front of me. As much as I tried to be calm, none of them was left out in my wrath. From Jake to his mother, down to the council members. They all knew about this.“Lyra…” she sta
LYRA’S POV"Do you know who she is?" I whispered to Lisa still maintaining a firm stance while she walked in, in a chaotic manner. I briefly turned to Tessa, who looked like she expected it but not so soon. I took a few steps forward, meeting up with her halfway into the house. “I don’t know if you have issues with hearing, but I just asked a question a few seconds ago?” My voice came out sharp. “I am going to ask you one more time, what are you doing in my house or do you have the wrong address?” I asked again.She threw her chestnut-colored hair behind her shoulder with a smirk on her face while scanning me with her emerald-colored eyes as if checking if I was worth a response from her or not. She was tall and slim, and her curves were obviously not hidden. She carried herself effortlessly in a way that suggested she was used to luxury. Her shiny designer dress and the glittering accessories made a statement but I care less about those.She arched her perfectly carved brow. "Oh, I
LYRA’S POV“Oh, Thank goodness you’re here!” I overheard Tessa talking to Lisa from behind my door. It’s been three days now since my encounter with Jake and I haven’t stepped out to feel the sunlight. I wasn’t ready to have the eyes of the pack members on me and obviously the crazy gossips that would be flying around. Just yesterday, I overheard some maids talking about me from the laundry cot which was just behind my window. I was clothed in shame. How can I stand the faces of everyone who had thought so highly of me. But on the brighter side, I’m still Luna. I can’t let Jake’s flimsy attitude get the better of me. I should have gotten used to it by now.“Please open the door, Lyra!” Lisa pleaded, followed by her incessant knocks on the door.“Please go away, Lisa. I don’t want to talk to anyone. You all should let me be, Please.” I echoed back to her, sliding down to the hard floor with my back leaning against the door.“Just let me in, please. I promise not to talk. I just want
LYRA'S POVA grave of silence spread through the chambers, very thick and suffocating. I knew if I yelled from now till centuries later, it would only take the command from Alpha Jake to make them leave the chambers. How can the heart of man be so wicked, I kept wondering with my heart pounding hard in my chest. I could feel the heat of my anger escaping through my nostrils as I waited for an unfortunate person who would dare speak to me so I could lace them with my venom.The council members moved uncomfortably in their seats, staring at each other without a word. I had stood behind the door listening to them argue before walking in, though it came as faint whispers, I couldn't make out the reason for the argument. Gamma Rhea’s lips parted in shock, while Elder Gregor, who had been the loudest in his opposition earlier, seemed momentarily at a loss for words.Jake’s voice sliced through the tension breaking the silence. “Leave us.” He ordered. His tone was low yet firm as he sat ba
JAKE'S POVMy words hung heavy in the chamber and hearts of everyone seated around the neatly polished conference table. The murmurs and gasps still simmered within. I could feel the disappointed looks and the disbelief etched into their expressions as they tried to suck in my words. Even my most loyal advisors seemed shaken, Damon especially. He still hadn’t lifted his head.I sat patiently waiting for them all to kick against my decision because I knew it was inevitable in this situation. But, what they didn’t understand was, I wasn’t doing this out of cruelty. I'm doing this to keep Lyra safe. I am very sure they do not know what it feels like to have blood in your hands and I'm not willing to go down that lane.I bit down on my inner lip, trying to get myself ready to hear several angry tongues lash out at me."I think you are joking, Your Grace, because you can't be serious," Elder Gregor finally spoke, his voice laced with disbelief. He was the oldest member of the council, his
JAKE'S POV“Do you want to question my authority?” I barked at the maid standing in front of me. My chest heaving as I spat at her.“No..No sir!” the maid responded, her voice trembling as she bowed before me.“I thought as much. Now get out of my sight before I throw your miserable self to the dogs to feed on!” I hissed.“Ye.. yes sir!” She responded before running off from my presence. My heart fell into my stomach immediately when she left my presence. This is obviously the toughest decision I have ever made as an Alpha. Hurting someone I care about without flinching. Not intentionally, but it was necessary to save them. “I hope Lyra gets to understand this hard choice later on,” I muttered to myself.“Jake!” I heard my mum yell my name while storming into the house. Whenever I hear her call me by my name in that manner, I know I'm about to have my head on a plate, but I care less right now. With time they will all understand why I have to do this.“Yes, mum?” I responded casua
LYRA’S POV“I don't know exactly what is wrong with Jake,” I yelled. “One moment he's nice, the next, he treats me like a piece of furniture decorating the house,” I busted out in anger.“You have every right to feel this way, Lyra. But what can I possibly say? I'm facing the same problem with my husband. He has been distant from me and that is so unlike him.” Lisa said. I don't know if those words were meant to comfort me, but they did nothing to calm my mind. If this was how other mates suffer in their union, maybe the moon goddess would have considered making me a loner, other than pairing me with a nut head. I paced up and down the room, sneering in anger.“I overheard my husband talking about a new pack ruled by a vicious Alpha, Leo and he is threatening to take over our territory. I think they are engrossed with handling the threat,” she suggested in a low tone.I flinched at the mention of that name. “Leo?” I asked. My tone was laced with a bit of curiosity.My brother, Leo,
LYRA'S POV "Who are you?" I voiced out, in search of who was talking. "You should know better than hiding behind those trees, you coward! Show yourself!" I barked."The moment is drawing near Lyra..it's time!" I heard the voice whisper into my ear again. This time around, I felt chills forming on my skin and my eyes pushing out of its sockets in fear. I could hear my heart banging in my chest until someone held my arm from behind. My heart immediately sank into my stomach.“Oh my God!” I muttered under my breath, slowly turning around to see who it was. A woman with an eerie figure stood behind me. I couldn't make her face but her eyes glowed from the dark veil across her face.“Who.. who are you?” I stuttered, my body trembling. I waited for a response but got none. I tried to summon courage this time around, “Who are..” I was cut off forcefully.She pulled out my hand with a speed I never expected, making a straight cut on it. “What do you think you're doing?” I asked, groaning a