Damian's POVI had barely slept the previous night. Ilena had tried to seduce me again last night, and the memory made my blood boil.I hadn't gotten over that small mischievous gjame she'd tried to play with me. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.Now I was wondering if the warning I'd given her was even stern enough. A part of me wanted to reach he again and give her the stern warning.We moved camp that morning. Now, as we walked, I replayed the scene in my mind. I cursed under my breath, loud enough that the wolves close to me gave me wary glances. I ignored them. My patience was thin, and I had no time to explain myself.We had been walking for hours when I heard a faint rustle in the bushes. I stopped, raising a hand to signal the others. My pack froze instantly.“Who’s there?” I called out. My voice was sharp, my wolf close to the surface.The bushes parted, and a man stepped out. He wasn’t young, but not old either. His hair was wild, his clothes worn and patched.
Lyra's POVThe tent was quiet. The kind of quiet that made you feel like the world outside didn’t exist. I sat on the floor, leaning against the soft fabric wall, rubbing my belly. My hands moved slowly, tracing the curve of my growing bump.The babies were active today. I could feel tiny kicks, soft movements that reminded me of the lives I carried within and the power that came from the lives I carried. It was a strange feeling and it was both comforting and heavy. These little lives depended on me.I sighed, closing my eyes. For their sake, I needed to be safe. I couldn't let myself be hurt and it was for their sake.My thoughts were all over the place. Damian, Eloisa, the wolf hunters...everything was a mess. But here, in this moment, it was just me and them. My babies.As my palms rested on my belly, something strange happened. A warm sensation spread from my hands, deep into my skin. It wasn’t normal. It wasn’t just the usual warmth of my body. This was...different.My eyes flew
Rylan's POVThe evening air was cool, and the camp was quiet. Most of the others had settled for the night, but I couldn’t rest. My thoughts were heavy, filled with Lyra. I stood near the edge of the camp, staring into the dark woods, when I heard footsteps behind me.“Couldn’t sleep?” Caspian’s voice was low but steady.I turned to see him, his tall frame outlined by the faint light of the campfire. Caspian had been my friend and trusted warrior for few years, but I felt he understood me more than anyone I'd met in recent times. If anyone could handle the storm in my head, it was him.“No,” I said simply.He stepped closer, folding his arms. “What’s on your mind? Want to share?”I hesitated. Caspian wasn’t one for emotional talks, but he was loyal, always willing to listen.“It’s Lyra,” I admitted.He raised an eyebrow. “Lyra?”I nodded, looking back at the trees. “I can’t stop thinking about her, Caspian. She’s... she's in my head whether I want it or not.”He didn’t say anything, j
Eloisa's POVThe moonlight poured into my room as I looked into the mirror. My reflection was calm, but my mind was far from it. If I wanted control, I needed allies. Not just anyone, but powerful ones. Someone like Vincent.Vincent was the second in command to Damian but he was weak enough to watch the other of things move slowly from what it'd been when Damian first left the pack to go and search for Lyra. But now it occured to me that he was perhaps planning something that I didn't know of. What if he had plans?I had to get him on my side.Vincent had always been loyal to Damian, but loyalty was fragile. It could bend, even break, with the right push. Tonight, I would push.I called for him. He didn't waste time. He came to me as soon as he was called and soon he arrived. His tall, broad figure filled the doorway, his face unreadable.“You wanted to see me, Eloisa?”“Yes, Vincent,” I said with a smile. “Come in.”He stepped inside, standing stiffly as if unsure of my intentions. H
Lyra's POVI could have stayed silent as I sat down on a roughly made stool Olivia had found for me to sit on. I could have acted like I wasn't anywhere close. Or that Rylan didn't seize a few seconds to look at me occasionally while he spoke to Caspian and Finn, giving them specific orders on things to do while we stayed in the camp.Rylan was still there, speaking with some of his men. His voice was steady, commanding. He always seemed to know what to do. That’s why I trusted him. But this time, I had to tell him what I felt.“Rylan,” I called, my voice low but commanding attention.He turned, his brows furrowed as he walked toward me. I didn't hold his gaze. I wanted him to reach me so I wouldn't have to let my voice be so loud when I told him what I wanted to tell him. Behind him, Caspian and Finn were silent. They respected me enough and wouldn't interrupt when the alpha was talking to me.Rylan reached me and I tensed for a bit. Feeling his eyes on me and having my emotions stra
Eloisa's POVKaius had his mouth all over me and even if I wanted to make him stop until we were in my chambers, my body wanted more. My body clamoured for more and he knew this. He understood what it meant to make me feel wanted. He knew how to get my sexual life brimming and that was simply magical.“Kaius….stop. someone might come out here and find us like this,”I said between gasps, but he did not seem to have heard me. His hand went under my dress and he slowly started to lifted it. My breathing became heavier and my panic could be heard in my voice when I spoke again.“Kaius….we have to get to my chambers or this might actually be a problem.” I was frantic this time, knowing well that this was not the image I needed to portray.“I could take you right here and right now and no one would say anything. You're the Luna and you can do whatever the hell you want to do,” he muttered against my skin as he nibbled on me, leaving small bites on me.I clung to his shoulder. For while, I
Rylan's POVFor two days, the camp had been tense. Everyone expected Damian to show up, but he didn’t. I kept scanning the woods, expecting to see his men at any moment, but the forest remained quiet. Too quiet.I sat near the fire, sharpening my blade. My men were restless, the air around us heavy with anticipation. Lyra stayed in her tent most of the time, probably trying to keep calm for the sake of her unborn children.“He’s not coming,” Caspian said as he walked up to me, his arms crossed.I glanced at him. “You don’t know that.”“It’s been two days, Rylan,” he said, sitting down beside me. “If he was coming, he’d be here by now. Maybe he lost our trail.”I frowned, considering his words. It was possible. Damian might’ve taken a wrong turn in the dense woods or been slowed down by something else.“We can’t stay here forever,” Caspian added. “We’re low on supplies, and the men are getting antsy.”He was right. We couldn’t wait any longer. “Fine,” I said, standing up. “We’ll move c
Damian's POV The air was thick with the smell of blood and smoke as the last of the hunters retreated into the woods. My body ached from the relentless fighting, every muscle straining to keep moving, but the battle was over, for now.Rylan and I stood amidst the carnage, surrounded by the broken bodies of hunters and our own injured. For a moment, neither of us said a word. The weight of the situation hung heavy between us.“We pushed them back,” Rylan said, his tone neutral, as though we weren’t enemies.I nodded, wiping blood from my face. “You've been out here in the wild for long enough. You should know that they always come back. Didn't they attack a while ago?”He had a frown on his face for a while but he said nothing. I took a deep breath.“They always come back. They never defeat us. That's a consolation.”I scoffed “If I hadn't happened to be here at the time they showed up, you'd be as good as dead. You and the lot of your folks.”He didn’t reply, just glanced at his me
Lyra's POVThe room was silent except for the soft rustling of the bedding and the quiet hum of Olivia and Mildred as they worked, moving about the room with the same gentle care they always gave the babies. I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands resting in my lap, fingers nervously twisting the fabric of my dress as I stared at the floor. My mind wouldn’t settle.Damian was on my mind."No," I whispered to myself, shaking my head in frustration. "It’s not true. You don’t feel anything for him anymore.""It is true," Snow, my wolf, replied in a calm but insistent voice inside my mind. "You’re still drawn to him. Stop trying to deny it."I bit my lip, trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to spill over. "I don’t," I muttered, more to myself than to Snow. "It’s only because he’s the father of my babies. And my former husband. That’s it.""Lyra," Snow said, her voice soft but firm. "You know that’s not the whole truth. You still have feelings for him. You’re still attract
Damian’s POVAs I left the nursery, I couldn’t help the anger simmering beneath my skin. My fists clenched at my sides as I stomped down the hallway, my chest tight with frustration. The image of Lyra leaning into Rylan, her trust in him so clear, replayed in my mind like a taunt. It stung more than I wanted to admit.It wasn't just a knowledge that he was in love with her. I could see it now. It didn't make it hurt less. If anything, the more I thought of it, the more exasperated I got over the knowledge of it.The way he looked at her, the way he hovered protectively—it was obvious. But seeing Lyra respond to him like that, seeing her find comfort in his presence, was a slap in the face. I’d hoped, prayed even, that she hadn’t fallen for him. Yet, what I saw in that room spoke volumes.They were already a pair, weren’t they? A couple.They are running the pack together after all. What did I expect?The thought tore at my heart, and I felt a pang of jealousy so sharp it almost brough
Rylan's POVLyra didn't ask for me to keep Damian away from the babies. Later when she said she was calm enough, she asked for Damian to come take a proper look at the babies.But I wasn't sure she'd completely gotten over her anger like she said she had.Standing near the door, I watched Lyra’s body tense, her anger sharp and clear as she confronted Damian again. The same thing she'd said she would not do. She looked so strong, but I knew the pain behind her cold words. I took a deep breath and walked to her side.“Lyra,” I said softly, draping my arm over her shoulders. “You don’t need to do this. Forget that terrible night. Forget what he did. You’re in a better place now.”Her body relaxed against me, just slightly. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for me to feel her leaning into me. I kept my hand there, steady and firm, silently reminding her that she wasn’t alone.Damian turned then, his eyes catching the way we stood together. His jaw tightened, and a frown spread across his
Lyra's POVThe room was calm, quiet except for the soft voices of Mildred and Olivia as they talked about the babies. I listened, nodding along, but my mind wandered. The boys slept peacefully in their cot, their tiny chests rising and falling, oblivious to the chaos around them.The door creaked open.I looked up sharply, my body immediately tensing. Rylan stepped inside, his expression unreadable, but before I could ask him what he was doing, someone else appeared behind him.Damian.My breath caught, and my chest tightened. The sight of him made my stomach churn. His gaze found mine, and I felt my anger flare instantly. I gripped the arm of my chair, willing myself to stay calm, but it was nearly impossible.“He needed to see the babies, Lyra,” Rylan said, his voice steady.Those words knocked the wind out of me. I felt my anger dissolve, but only slightly. I couldn’t let it fade entirely—not when Damian was standing there, looking at me as if nothing had happened. I clenched my ja
Eloisa's POVDamian wanted to get his babies. And of course their mother too. There was no way he would bring back babies without their mother.He left me behind. He doesn’t care about me or my position here. He’s going to see Lyra. If he brings her back, she's going to take back her place and I will be kicked out of this pack that I’ve worked so hard to take control of. That’s what I’m worried about. What if he comes back with her? What if she manages to worm her way back into his heart?No. Maybe she didn't want him. But what if he found a way to convince her that she still wanted him?What if she takes revenge on me for what I did? I’ve stolen her place, her title. She’s going to hate me for it. And I don’t know if I can handle it. She was always a threat to me, and now, with Damian gone, she could very well come back and take everything. She could ruin all my plans, and I would be left with nothing.I curl my fingers into a fist, clenching them tight as I try to control my breath
Damian's POVI stand in the royal pack house, looking around the room they’ve given me. For a moment, I feel a rush of anger. This is not where I belong. I shouldn’t be here, stuck in this foreign place with Rylan in charge. I’m an Alpha. I should be calling the shots. But as I scan the room, the fact that I’m being treated like an Alpha here is hard to ignore.They’ve brought me food, fitting for someone of my status. A roasted leg of lamb, vegetables cooked to perfection, and bread that’s warm, soft, and fresh. It's not what I would have chosen for myself, but I can’t deny that it’s well prepared. It’s almost as if they’ve tried to remind me of my former standing. I hate Rylan, but even I can’t argue with the care they’ve taken to serve me.The food is good. The treatment is what I’m accustomed to. But still, this isn’t my home. This is Rylan’s home. He’s the one with control now, not me. It burns me to think about it. I’ve spent years leading my pack, the Blood Nest Pack and it's a
Lyra's POV I sat alone in the nursery, staring at the two little faces that were resting peacefully in their cribs. The door to the nursery creaked open, and I turned toward it. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Rylan step into the room. His expression was serious, and there was a weight to his steps, like he was carrying something heavy that he needed to share."Rylan," I greeted, my voice steady but cautious. "What’s going on?"He didn’t answer immediately, his eyes flicking over to the babies, before he met my gaze again. "I need to talk to you about something," he said, his tone firm but calm.I already knew what this was about. There was no need for him to tell me. But I also knew that Rylan had never been one to leave things unsaid, so I didn’t interrupt. I just folded my arms over my chest and waited for him to continue."If it’s about Damian that you let into the pack," I said, trying to keep my voice even, "then you should know by now that I’ve heard. It’s not a secret."R
Rylan's POVThe grand hall of the pack house was empty, save for a few of my trusted men who had been ordered to stand guard. They glanced up as we passed, their expressions serious but unreadable. I was sure they were as alert as I was. Damian had always been a wildcard, and there was no telling what kind of trouble he might stir up if left unchecked.When we reached the center of the hall, I stopped and turned to face him."Damian," I said, my voice firm, "I’m only letting you into the royal pack house because you claim you’re not here for trouble. You’ve made your intentions clear, and I’m choosing to believe you.”He didn’t speak right away, just watched me, as if sizing me up. It was clear he wasn’t intimidated by me, and why should he be? We had been enemies for years, and yet there was still some mutual respect between us."But let me make something very clear," I added, making sure my words cut through the silence. "I’ve already sent men to comb the woods surrounding the pack.
Lyra's POVI was pacing back and forth in my room when Olivia pushed the door open. Her face looked tense, and I could tell something was wrong. The air in the room felt heavy, and I could feel my pulse quickening as I turned to face her.“What is it?” I demanded, unable to hide the impatience in my voice.Olivia hesitated, like she was trying to figure out how to deliver the news. That only made me more anxious.“Alpha Damian’s in the pack,” she said finally, the words tumbling out like they had been too heavy to hold back.For a moment, it was like the floor had dropped out from beneath me. Damian? Here? That didn’t make any sense. My heart pounded as a wave of anger rose in my chest.“What do you mean Damian’s in the pack?” I snapped. “How could that even happen? And why would Rylan let him in?”Olivia flinched slightly at the edge in my tone, but she stood her ground. “From what I’ve heard, he came to see the babies,” she explained quickly. “He told Alpha Rylan he’s here for peace