Apologies for this short chapter. I am currently dealing with a lot of stuff, which is why I couldn't update for the last two days. Hopefully, everything will be settled soon, and I will get back on track with the story. Thanks for understanding.
MikhailCrossing my territory, I head toward the construction site where we are helping Jake in building houses for the packless.After gathering information from Sophia, we decided to make different sets of houses for everyone to fulfil their needs. The packless have both mated and unmated wolves, while there are some families, as well. So that they don't have issues settling into their new home, we are trying to keep everyone's requirements in mind while building their house.The sharp, earthy scent of fresh timber and the hum of construction fill the air as I approach the site. My wolves and some of the wolves of the packless are working tirelessly, hauling beams, mixing cement, and stacking bricks to complete the houses as soon as possible.I glance over to where Jake is directing a group, his voice carrying over the sound of hammers and saws. His attention to detail is remarkable, making sure everything is perfect down to the smallest measurement, keeping the comfort and safety o
SophiaI can sense Mikhail’s emotions before I even see him. It’s like a wave crashing over me, a blend of raw anger and frustration simmering beneath the surface. I feel it prickling through our bond, hot and unsettling, making my own pulse quicken.To feel someone else's emotions so intensely feels weird, as if his emotions are my own.My chest tightens as I close my eyes, trying to steady myself, but his rage bleeds into me, unfiltered and sharp.He’s never been one to hold back when he’s furious and it seems like his anger is rubbing on to me.The intensity of his anger begins to fuel mine. And even though it feels foolish suddenly, I feel like killing someone. And I don't even know why. I push aside the book in my lap and stand, my legs already moving, before I make the conscious decision to find him. Dammit, I need to find this crazy wolf because I am seconds away from exploding from this anger.Finally, I reach the edge of the training field, where Mikhail stands alone, fists
MikhailDamn, if I wasn't in love with Sophia, I would be so pissed at almost losing that fight.But I can't bring myself to feel anything but pride.She’s good, and my wolf is pacing in my mind, practically bursting with pride and admiration for our mate.I can feel the thrum of his excitement blending with my own.Sophia is powerful, fierce, and everything that drives me wild.It just strengthened my belief that if there is anyone who could have been my better half, it is her.A part of me is relieved to know that she is capable of protecting herself. She is not vulnerable enough to allow anyone to overpower her.The Alpha blood running in her veins ensures that she never submits to anyone, not even me, her mate.However, the feeling of being seen is something that I have only felt with her, and that makes her even more amazing.As long as I can remember, I have been labeled with so many names... called horrible things... called cruel and ruthless. Some even associated bad luck with
MikhailAtlas and Artemis are the first ones to come, even though I have called them for the meeting in the last.Their hands carry a couple of bags, and the excitement in their eyes says that these are for Rose. Another people add to the ever-growing list of people to spoil my pup with love. Artemis surprises me when she comes and gives me a side hug before she goes inside the house.I watch Artemis disappear inside the house, a smile tugging at her lips as she calls out to Sophia. The sound of their voices mingling reaches my ears, light and carefree. My eyebrows slightly raise at her welcoming behavior."She is in a good mood today." Atlas looks at me and shrugs. "She did go a little overboard with the shopping, but if that makes my mate happy, then I don't mind."This is the point of commonality between me and him. We both desire to keep our mates happy, and the rest of things don't matter to us. “So,” Atlas continues, shifting his stance, “What’s this meeting about?"“We need
SophiaI watch from the doorway as Mom gently tucks Rose under her blanket, smoothing the wisps of hair away from her little face. Rose stirs slightly, murmuring something incoherent before settling back into sleep.The tenderness in Mom's expression stirs something deep inside me—a longing I didn’t even know I was carrying.It’s strange how the past still holds me in its grasp despite everything I’ve gained.I was afraid that she might overlook me because of how she was getting attached to Rose. It is so embarrassing that the years of doubts and feelings of being unwanted made me feel insecure of my own daughter.When Mom turns and sees me, she smiles. It’s warm and genuine, the kind of smile that cradles you in comfort. For a moment, I hesitate, but then she opens her arms, and I step into her embrace without thinking. Her touch is steady and reassuring, and it makes me feel like a child again, safe and loved."Mom, " I breathe out while tightening my hold on her. Just like that, al
Sophia"Your suspicion was right."Elder Merope slowly nods her head as she looks at Mikhail."What suspicion?" I look between Merope and him.Mikhail's body begins to tremble, and his eyes turn darker. He emits low growls while the grip on my hand becomes painfully tight."Somebody tell me what is going on?" Placing my hand on his arm, I look at Elder Merope for answers."Alpha found out why Gregor wants you back." The grave expression on Elder Merope's face only adds more to my anxiety.The growl emitting from Mikhail becomes louder as fur begins to sprout on his skin. Grabbing me with my waist, he picks me up and forces me to sit on his lap while he places his nose against my neck."Let him hold you." Mom glances at Mikhail and then looks at me. "Our touch and our scents calm our mates."Mikhail’s grip tightens around my waist as he pulls me close. I can feel the roughness of fur brushing against my skin, the barely contained wildness radiating from him.His breaths are harsh, ragg
SophiaSometimes, even when you know everything, your mind tells you that there is something that is still missing.That's how I am feeling.Maybe I am wrong, but what if I am right?I don't know; everything seems so confusing.Placing my hand over my mark, I feel it pulsating beneath my fingertips.Warm and comforting.Has Moon Goddess truly blessed me, or is it something just from the stories written thousands of years ago?Another question whose answer I don't know, but what I do know is that this mark definitely means something.I trace the mark while looking at it through the mirror. It is beautiful, and every time I see it, a hint of pride swells inside me. It has given me an identity and helped me reunite with the strength that was buried inside me.Special or not, this mark is always going to be a blessing for me.The door of the bathroom opens, and Mikhail steps inside.His dark hair is tousled, and his blue eyes searched mine before they traveled down and stopped on my mark.
SophiaThe air is sharp with the bite of morning as I stretch my limbs, the first traces of light spilling through the trees. My skin tingles, and I feel the familiar pull deep in my bones—my wolf, restless and eager to be free. She’s there, waiting, urging me to give her the control that she wants.I give in.With a sharp exhale, I shift, the bones in my body cracking and realigning, my senses flooding with the sharp clarity of the wolf's world. The air smells richer, the sounds crisper. Every rustle in the leaves, every twitch in the branches, is amplified in a way that feels like everything is coaxing me to let every thought go and focus on this moment.I take off, running through the forest, the ground soft beneath my paws, the wind a steady rush in my fur. My wolf howls with joy, pushing us faster and farther, losing ourselves in the freedom of the run; from a distance, I can hear Mikhail's chuckle as if he is sharing my wolf's joy.The restlessness that’s been gnawing at me begi
JakeThe moment my paws touch the earth, everything sharpens. My focus narrows, instincts taking over as I charge straight for the rogue closest to Anastasia. He doesn’t hear me. Doesn’t see me. Not until my weight slams into him.Teeth meet flesh. His howl is cut short as I rip through his throat, hot blood coating my muzzle. He crumples beneath me, lifeless before he even knows what hit him.Caleb crashes into another rogue, bringing him down fast. Snarls and the clash of bodies fill the air.Anastasia freezes for barely half a second, her wide eyes locking onto mine. My chest heaves, blood dripping from my muzzle, but I don’t take my eyes off her. I expect her to tense, to brace for an attack. But instead, her lips part, and in the softest, most surprised whisper, she breathes my name.“Jake.”Something tightens in my chest.How? How does she know it’s me?She has never seen my wolf before. There’s no reason she should recognize me.But she does.For a second, everything else fades
JakeThe scent of home-cooked food lingers in the air, the moment I step into the packhouse. Warmth surrounds me... not just from the crackling fireplace but from the people inside. "Jake, look at you," a voice calls out, full of warmth and nostalgia. "All grown up, young wolf."Before I can turn, arms wrap around me in a firm but familiar hug."Hi, Aunt Crys," I say, hugging her back.Crystal pulls away just enough to look at me properly, her sharp eyes scanning my face. "You look just like your dad did at your age," she muses, shaking her head. "Same build, same eyes… And you got your mother's smile."Raymond, who has been watching quietly, lets out a low chuckle. "But he hasn't smiled yet."Crystal smirks. "Exactly. That’s why I said he got Artemis’s smile. When have you ever seen her smiling often?"That actually makes me snort, because she’s right. My mother is a lot of things, but lighthearted isn’t one of them.Uncle Raymond steps forward, nodding at me in greeting. "Atlas woul
JakeI pull a shirt over my head, barely paying attention to what I’m doing. My hands move on their own, grabbing my jacket, fixing my sleeves, but my mind is somewhere else. Or more like stuck on someone else.Anastasia.It’s been days. Maybe longer. Time doesn’t feel the same anymore. I keep telling myself to let it go, to push it aside, but the restless feeling inside me won’t quit. It sits heavy in my chest, clawing at the edges of my thoughts.I exhale, running a hand through my hair. I should be focused on the bonfire, on the pack, on the people who are still here. But even as I step into my boots, I can feel it... the unease curling in my stomach. My wolf feels it too.He has been quiet since she left. Cold. Shut down. I guess it was his way of handling things, the same way I threw myself into anything that would keep me busy. But now, there’s a shift. It’s subtle, but it’s there. A low hum of agitation under my skin, like my wolf is pacing, restless and alert.I grip the edge o
JakeHas it been ages, decades, or just days? I don’t know anymore. Time feels stuck, looping back to that moment when I gained and lost everything all at once.Anastasia. I trusted her. And then she shattered that trust. But this stupid heart of mine, it still refuses to believe she could do something like this.Even after I told her, after I made it clear how dangerous hunters are to my family, she still led one here. And now, because of that, I’ve lost the trust of someone who has been closer to me than most.Sophia.I never thought there would be a day where things felt different between us, but they do. The shift is subtle, but I feel it. Even through our bond, there’s a distance. Her walls are up, and no matter how much I try to ignore it, I can’t.I miss my sister. I miss the way things used to be. But there’s nothing I can do about it.Because she’s not wrong. Her anger isn’t misplaced. If we hadn’t gotten there in time, if we had been just a little too late… Rose could have—I
AnastasiaEthan has become my shadow, and all I want is to turn the damn lights off so I can kill it.But then again, no one else is bothering to come near me, so maybe it's not the worst thing in the world. As much as I hate having someone tailing me, at least I don’t have to deal with anyone else. It’s kinda bearable.Barely.I can tell he’s been trying to pry things out of me. The way he asks questions, how he keeps his tone light, casual, like he’s just making conversation. But I know better.To someone else, it might seem harmless. Just a guy getting to know his new partner.But I see right through it.He wants to figure me out, to pick apart my words and my reactions. He’s analyzing me, trying to piece together who I am and what he’s dealing with.Good luck with that.The mess hall hums with chatter and the clinking of utensils. People are gathered in small groups, some deep in conversation, others just eating in silence. It’s always the same. Everyone sticks to their circles, t
AnastasiaWiping away the sweat that clings to my skin, I drag the small towel across my forehead. My muscles burn, my breath still a little uneven from training, but the ache feels good. Tossing the towel over my shoulder, I turn to leave when a water bottle appears in front of my face, stopping me mid-step.Arching an eyebrow, I follow the arm holding it and find a guy nearly my age standing just a step away. Tall and lean, he has the kind of build that favors speed over brute strength. His golden hair is tied back at the nape of his neck, a few strands slipping free to frame sharp features.Glancing from him to the bottle, then back again, I cross my arms. "And you are?"Smirking like he expected the question, he tilts his head slightly. "Ethan," he says, voice calm, unhurried. "Figured you could use this."Studying him, I notice something different. He doesn’t look nervous, which is rare. Most people—especially the ones who don’t know me well—tend to tread carefully around me. But
AnastasiaI push open the heavy wooden door and step into the meeting room adjacent to Pete’s office. The air inside is tainted with the scent of old leather and faint traces of cigarette smoke, probably from whatever hunter was here before me. A few men are already seated around the table, their eyes flicking up as I enter. Some nod in acknowledgment, others barely look at me.Fine by me.I take my seat, setting a folder down in front of me like I belong here—not like I have something to prove. My position in this mission isn’t exactly what I want. I’ve been assigned to oversee things from the base, to strategize and guide from behind the scenes. But that’s not where I need to be. I need to be out there, in the north territory, handling things myself.A slow burn spreads across my chest, a reminder of the silver from yesterday’s training. I force my hands to stay still and breathe through it. It’s not unbearable. I’ve dealt with worse. And if it does kill me… well, it won’t be today.
AnastasiaTurning on the tap, I let the water rush out in a loud stream to cover the sound of my coughing. My hands grip the edge of the sink as I bend forward, my body shaking with each rough, tearing cough. It feels like my insides are burning like acid is eating me alive from the inside out.A sharp, metallic taste fills my mouth, and when I pull back slightly, my eyes widen at the sight of dark red streaking the white porcelain.Blood.Fuck.So, the silver did affect me.But how? It only works on wolves, and I am definitely not one.I grip the edge of the sink, my breath coming out uneven. The taste of metal lingers on my tongue, sharp and bitter. My chest feels like it’s on fire, every breath is a reminder that something isn’t right.I glance down. Blood stains the porcelain, bright and stark against the white. My fingers tremble as I turn on the faucet, watching the water swirl red before it fades down the drain.This shouldn’t be happening.I press a hand against my ribs, hoping
AnastasiaA wave of shock rolls through the room, settling thick in the air. I can see it in their faces, in the way their eyes widen and dart toward each other, searching for some kind of confirmation that they heard right. This isn’t normal...not something they see every day. But it isn’t unheard of, either.There have been times before when hunters were pushed to do something like this, forced to prove their loyalty in the most brutal way possible. Some survived. Some didn’t.My expression calm, as I hold Alvin and Pete's gaze unflinchingly, before turn my entire attention to Alvin, "Bring me the silver."Pete's face is unreadable, but his jaws tighten while uncertainty seeps into his eyes. Alvin watches me like he’s waiting for me to take it back. Like he expects me to crack, to realize what I just agreed to.Too bad for him.I may not know exactly what will happen when I drink that silver, but I know one thing for sure.I won’t lose. Especially, not to them.A few hunters shift un