JAKE'S POVI was going through the business plans, flipping through pages and marking important notes when Caspian’s phone buzzed in my hand. My gaze instinctively fell on the name displayed above the document I was checking out.“Lyra?”The name on his screen shot through me like a lightning bolt, making my entire body jolt. I held tighter on the phone, my heart pounding in my chest as I stared at the name glowing on the screen like some twisted joke.I batted my eyelid once, twice and the third time hoping my senses were playing tricks on me but It didn’t go away. Every fibre in me pulled hard inside me urging me to minimize and find out who this Lyra is.The name has haunted my every breath, every waking hour since the day she vanished. I had searched every possible realm, spoken to the Moon Seers, even interrogated rogues in the dungeons—and yet nothing. And here it was, her name… lighting up another man’s phone.What are the odds she was who I was looking for? What if it’s a diff
LEO’S POVI stood in front of the mirror checking out my abs after an intense two-hour session of cardio and muscle toning exercises. Beads of sweat ran down my temples, dripping from my chin and from my neck lining the contours of my abs and disappearing into the waistline of my thick pants. I wiped at it absently with the back of my hand, only for more ripples to form from my pores. I pulled down my singlet which stuck to my body, soaked with sweat from the intense session I just finished. My muscles ached, throbbing from the weight lifts, yet I embraced the discomfort. The pain and weariness served as reminders I was still in control—of my body and choices.I reached for the towel on the side table and dragged it across my face and neck, then snatched up the bottle of energy drink, gulping it down in three swallows. The citrus sting hit the back of my throat and I exhaled, wiping my mouth with my forearm.That’s when the door creaked open.“Your Grace.” Aemond’s voice sliced thr
LYRA'S POV"Get her!!"Leo's loud voice cut through like thunder, sharp and commanding, distorting the peace of the moment. Something about him was entirely different. I didn’t have the time to decipher what was going on as my body reacted before my brain could catch up. My legs immediately wheeled into motion driving me straight into the forest path.I ran so fast like my life depended on it. Dry branches stung my face and arms like a long whip, piercing my skin through my clothes as I raced through the thick forest. My lungs ached as I sprinted, pushing through the obstacles. The pounding of my heart and the quick loud gasps of air deafened my ears. They were louder than the snarls of guards chasing after me from behind. The guards were close. Too close. I looked over my shoulder, observing how close they were when my foot caught on a root. My hands flew up to brace myself, but it was too late. I stumbled, rolling over into a nearby ditch, till I got stopped by a huge root. I gro
JAKE’S POVThe lightning sent a bolt of charges across the sky followed by the roaring and loud drumming of the thunder as heavy rainfall splattered on the roof down to the floor. The streets were deserted, and only a few could be spotted running back to their homes. I stood on the balcony with a cup of hot coffee and milk covered with thick woolen robes and socks gazing far into the road.It’s been a week since I ordered surveillance to be mounted on Caspian Reed, yet till now, no tangible information has been collected about him- he was indeed a ghost, or possibly a chameleon, perfectly camouflaging and good at covering his tracks. I had hoped he could lead my men to find out who this Lyra was, but so far, it only led to dead ends.“It’s a cold night, Your Grace. Wouldn’t it be rather comfortable and more relaxing being in each other's arms other than standing out here alone, staring into the dead, cold night?” Ella asked, sneaking up on me from behind with a soft seductive tone. S
JAKE’S POV“How on earth is that possible? Blood Moon Pack?” my stomach churned with anger. “How were they able to sneak in and out of Shadowclaw, kidnap Lyra, and walk away freely and no one noticed?” I thundered, my chest rose and fell as I fumed.“I wish I had an answer to that, Alpha Jake,” Dmon replied evenly. “I was out on a business trip when the incident occurred. There couldn’t have been a way I would have known or suspected any malicious act was brewing under our nose,” Damon explained in a curt tone.I wasn’t ready to listen to what Damon had to say. My senses were clouded, my blood boiling. How could Lyra be scooped up by a neighboring Pack like some trash can? “I want to know the chief guard in charge on that day! This is the height of incompetence and I would not condone such a level of carelessness,” I barked.I turned sharply, my gaze fixed on Damon. “I need a message sent to Alpha Leo, declaring war! If he wants to play the dirty game of politics then I’m all out for
LYRA’S POV"Stay here, baby, and remain quiet. Do not make a sound”. My mother whispered, her voice trembling. “Yes mama”, I replied. My voice, a fragile whisper. She stretched out her pinkie finger and I interlocked mine with hers- that was our secret way of sealing our promises. “Good girl”, she said, forcing a faltering smile. Leaning in, she placed a warm kiss on my forehead which contrasted her cold, shaking hands as she tilted my chin up a little with her finger before sweeping my hair behind my ear. “I love you Lyra”, she said. Her icy blue eyes reflected with a mixture of love and terror. “I love you too mama”. I managed to voice out. My heart thudded heavily and loud in my chest like a clanging bell in a cathedral. I watched through a crack as mum paced protectively, ready to fight. The noise outside intensified. The screams, the vicious snarls and the sound of jaw- snapping smash sent a bolt of terror running down my spine. Suddenly, the door exploded open.A tall mascu
LYRA’S POVWelcome to Howling Hills Central Park! The signage read as Dad pulled into the parking lot.He parked the car and stretched, his grin as broad as ever. "Ready to enjoy your big day, Tinkerbell?"I scoffed at his nickname. "I am 18, Dad. Perhaps it's time for an upgrade?"Never," he answered, patting my hair with a kind smile. “You'd always be my tinkerbell”.As I stepped out of the car, the warm wind brushed over my skin and hair, delivering the pleasant aroma of the blossoming flowers right into my nostrils. The park was brimming with activities. Joggers ran along meandering routes, and street entertainers entertained a small throng with cheerful melodies. As we stepped in, my nostrils were filled with the smell of cotton candy- I had always loved them. The park wasn't a bad idea after all, I thought.“Look who we have here! The birthday girl”. Emily exclaimed. Her blond curls bouncing in her shoulders as she rushed over to hug me. “Happy birthday Lyra”, Greg added befo
JAKE POVThe hum of the V16 engine of my sleek SUV filled the air as Ryan maneuvered through the winding road that cut through howling hills. Damien, my beta, sat beside me, scrolling through his iPad with his typical intensity.“Do you think life has a way of playing tricks on us?” I asked in a half-joking manner peering out the window and adjusting my collar.“You mean like having us drive out here for a meeting that could have been sorted out over a ten-minute phone call?” Damien, my beta, responded with a smirk on his face, his face laced with irritation as he scrolled through his iPad, sorting out the business proposal for the meeting.“The Alpha Council wants face-to-face negotiations. Without this treaty, we risk losing the eastern borders to Draven’s pack. We need this alliance!”. I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease the tension that had been building for weeks.Damien's expression softened though with a wry smile. “ I hope their hospitality includes some good bottles of whis
JAKE’S POV“How on earth is that possible? Blood Moon Pack?” my stomach churned with anger. “How were they able to sneak in and out of Shadowclaw, kidnap Lyra, and walk away freely and no one noticed?” I thundered, my chest rose and fell as I fumed.“I wish I had an answer to that, Alpha Jake,” Dmon replied evenly. “I was out on a business trip when the incident occurred. There couldn’t have been a way I would have known or suspected any malicious act was brewing under our nose,” Damon explained in a curt tone.I wasn’t ready to listen to what Damon had to say. My senses were clouded, my blood boiling. How could Lyra be scooped up by a neighboring Pack like some trash can? “I want to know the chief guard in charge on that day! This is the height of incompetence and I would not condone such a level of carelessness,” I barked.I turned sharply, my gaze fixed on Damon. “I need a message sent to Alpha Leo, declaring war! If he wants to play the dirty game of politics then I’m all out for
JAKE’S POVThe lightning sent a bolt of charges across the sky followed by the roaring and loud drumming of the thunder as heavy rainfall splattered on the roof down to the floor. The streets were deserted, and only a few could be spotted running back to their homes. I stood on the balcony with a cup of hot coffee and milk covered with thick woolen robes and socks gazing far into the road.It’s been a week since I ordered surveillance to be mounted on Caspian Reed, yet till now, no tangible information has been collected about him- he was indeed a ghost, or possibly a chameleon, perfectly camouflaging and good at covering his tracks. I had hoped he could lead my men to find out who this Lyra was, but so far, it only led to dead ends.“It’s a cold night, Your Grace. Wouldn’t it be rather comfortable and more relaxing being in each other's arms other than standing out here alone, staring into the dead, cold night?” Ella asked, sneaking up on me from behind with a soft seductive tone. S
LYRA'S POV"Get her!!"Leo's loud voice cut through like thunder, sharp and commanding, distorting the peace of the moment. Something about him was entirely different. I didn’t have the time to decipher what was going on as my body reacted before my brain could catch up. My legs immediately wheeled into motion driving me straight into the forest path.I ran so fast like my life depended on it. Dry branches stung my face and arms like a long whip, piercing my skin through my clothes as I raced through the thick forest. My lungs ached as I sprinted, pushing through the obstacles. The pounding of my heart and the quick loud gasps of air deafened my ears. They were louder than the snarls of guards chasing after me from behind. The guards were close. Too close. I looked over my shoulder, observing how close they were when my foot caught on a root. My hands flew up to brace myself, but it was too late. I stumbled, rolling over into a nearby ditch, till I got stopped by a huge root. I gro
LEO’S POVI stood in front of the mirror checking out my abs after an intense two-hour session of cardio and muscle toning exercises. Beads of sweat ran down my temples, dripping from my chin and from my neck lining the contours of my abs and disappearing into the waistline of my thick pants. I wiped at it absently with the back of my hand, only for more ripples to form from my pores. I pulled down my singlet which stuck to my body, soaked with sweat from the intense session I just finished. My muscles ached, throbbing from the weight lifts, yet I embraced the discomfort. The pain and weariness served as reminders I was still in control—of my body and choices.I reached for the towel on the side table and dragged it across my face and neck, then snatched up the bottle of energy drink, gulping it down in three swallows. The citrus sting hit the back of my throat and I exhaled, wiping my mouth with my forearm.That’s when the door creaked open.“Your Grace.” Aemond’s voice sliced thr
JAKE'S POVI was going through the business plans, flipping through pages and marking important notes when Caspian’s phone buzzed in my hand. My gaze instinctively fell on the name displayed above the document I was checking out.“Lyra?”The name on his screen shot through me like a lightning bolt, making my entire body jolt. I held tighter on the phone, my heart pounding in my chest as I stared at the name glowing on the screen like some twisted joke.I batted my eyelid once, twice and the third time hoping my senses were playing tricks on me but It didn’t go away. Every fibre in me pulled hard inside me urging me to minimize and find out who this Lyra is.The name has haunted my every breath, every waking hour since the day she vanished. I had searched every possible realm, spoken to the Moon Seers, even interrogated rogues in the dungeons—and yet nothing. And here it was, her name… lighting up another man’s phone.What are the odds she was who I was looking for? What if it’s a diff
CASPIAN'S POVPeople often assume the worst monsters are beasts with claws and teeth while the sweetest of souls come bearing flowers with wide smiles on their faces. But, they’re wrong.Monsters wear tailored suits. They speak gently. They smile as they chain you, Just like I do.My name is Durello Caspian popularly known as Caspian Reed; a bastard son of Reed Durello, former CEO of Reed mining firm. Former, right? Well, I killed him and his son to assume the position of CEO of Reed’s mining firm.Left to fend for myself at a very young age after the death of my mother, I grew up in the pits of Draymoor, where boys were taught to survive, not dream, till I met my savior, a popular Mafia billionaire Carlito Santo-Maria.Carlito owned the largest human trafficking shipment in Draymoor. At sixteen, I had already trafficked my first girl across the border, smuggled inside a wine barrel. By eighteen, I was managing shipments of humans like livestock. They say time changes everything but
JAKE'S POV The oak desk trembled under the weight of my clenched fists. Papers—maps, reports, meaningless pages of failed updates—scattered onto the floor as I slammed them away. The silence in the room was heavy, but not nearly as heavy as the storm brewing inside me. Damon stood at a distance, tense, his jaw set like stone."How the hell did you lose her? She was right there, all you had to do was, walk in and find her!" I spat, my voice sharp and cracking with frustration.Damon didn’t flinch. He rarely did. But I saw the flicker of regret in his eyes. "Jake," he started, his voice low and calm. “We have combed through the entire city, but we can't seem to find her.”“Do not give me that crap, Damon!” I blurted out in frustration, veins bulging my forehead and neck. "What do you mean you can't find her?” I asked. “Rio is not that much of a big city! Check every damn street, every village, estate, and whatever there is!” my tone laced with frustration as I yelled.“But Alpha, I alr
AEMOND'S POV“Finally, it is gradually coming through! You think of me as a fool! A sheep destined to be led all through life. I have worked my ass off, my sweat, my blood, yet you keep taking credit for all! No acknowledgement! Wait till I take everything from you and have you stripped on the street,” I spat venom at Leo in my head, still maintaining a submissive look. I nodded with my gaze fixed on him, with a forced smile, while I tightened my fist away from his view.“I am happy you're beginning to see reasons with me, your Grace. I'd reach out immediately to Zephyr. I am certain he would be able to give me more insight about the pendant,” my voice rang with so much excitement as I stood up to exit the bar.My phone buzzed in my pocket, I reached out to see it was Ella. I took a sharp glance at Leo. Luckily his face was buried in his phone. Clicking on the message icon, I realized it was Ella.I AM YET TO GET AN UPDATE ON THAT BITCH. WHY IS SHE STILL BREATHING? JAKE ALMOST BUMPED
LEO’ S POVWhy are younger siblings so difficult to handle? I thought, tearing through rogues coming at me from the front gate. I had no idea who they were and why they were attacking. All that mattered to me at this point was to hurry off and get Lyra out of this before she got hurt or worst of all, taken.I disabled the last rogue coming at me before racing off to find Lyra. “Lyra!” I called out, darting through the woods with branches and leaves, slapping and tearing my chest as I ran. All I heard was the sound of dry leaves crushing under my feet as I raced till I heard a scream, my heart stopped. “Lyra!” I whispered, my eyes popped out in fear. “No no no,” I growled, changing my direction towards the east wing.What my eyes saw made me halt in my tracks. I lost my breath for a minute. Bodies littered all over the place. “What the hell happened?” I whispered to myself, my eyes darting from left to right when I spotted Tara, standing on a hill.Her thick white fur was stained with