Mikhail “Not every Alpha at the meeting is Gregor’s ally." Jake leans back, arms crossed, his jaw tight with irritation. "That’s about as good as it gets. Two council members are neutral at best. Not allies, but not enemies either." His tone is laced with frustration. “The rest?” Alexei adds, his tone as grim as his expression. “Most are firmly on Gregor’s side. And three of them—hell, they’re from the Redwood Pack itself.” I sit still, my hands folded on the table in front of me. My face doesn’t betray what I’m feeling—nothing, not the simmering anger tightening my chest or the fire itching to explode in my veins. Of course, Gregor would stack the council with his own people. “The majority of the council is still backing him. Even with the neutrals, we’re outnumbered.” Caleb states, what we already know. My wolf paces inside me, restless and snarling, urging me to act, to destroy. But giving in to rage won’t solve this. Gregor would love that—me acting recklessly, proving e
MikhailI’m sitting on the porch steps, staring out at the dark treetops swaying in the distance. The stars above are faint, their light dim compared to the storm swirling in my chest. My fingers dig into the wood beneath me, the ache in my grip grounding me, barely.I can’t go back inside. Not yet. Not when Sophia is lying there, so still, so pale. The sight of her is a knife I can’t pull out, cutting deeper every time I imagine stepping into that room.I failed her. Again.The thought claws at my mind, and I clench my jaw to keep from growling at the empty night. She’s suffering, and I’m out here waiting—useless, powerless. This isn’t how a mate is supposed to be. I should have been faster. Stronger. Smarter. Something. Anything but this.The creak of the door behind me breaks through my spiral of self-loathing. I don’t have to look to know who it is neither I don't care who it is, because whoever they are, they are not Sophia.“Mikhail?” Artemis steps onto the porch, her footsteps
MikhailAfter Artemis has left, I spend some more time out here. But after talking to her, seeing her trust in me, the weight in my chest feels slightly lighter.Just slightly. The restlessness is still there, gnawing at me, but I know now it won’t leave until Sophia is awake, looking at me, speaking to me. Until then, I just have to bear it. Learn to deal with it.With a deep breath, I push off the steps and head back inside. The door creaks faintly as I close it behind me, and the house feels oppressively quiet. Each step I take up the stairs feels heavier than the last, the ache in my chest threatening to drown me again.I reach our bedroom door and stop, my hand resting on the frame. The air in the room beyond feels heavier, like it’s holding its breath, waiting. My pulse quickens, and for a moment, I can’t move. I can’t bring myself to walk in, to see her like that again—so still, so quiet. It’s like staring at a nightmare I can’t wake up from, and the thought alone has my han
MikhailThe soft glow of morning filters through the curtains touching her face, making her look like the angel she is. My eyes flicking back to Sophia every few seconds, as I get ready. She’s still lying there, as peaceful and as still as she was last night. My eyes shift to the rise and fall of her chest, calming me slightly as her breaths soft but steady. She is here.“Important day today,” I say quietly, my voice breaking the silence of the room. It feels strange to speak aloud, knowing she won’t respond, but I’ve been doing it anyway. Talking to her keeps me grounded, like she’s still here with me in the ways that matter. “The council’s meeting. And those bastard will try everything to break me, because they are Gregor's pigs. ""Only Goddess knows how much I want to release my wrath on them and finish each one of them once and for all." I growl as fury swirls inside me and I clench my hands into fists.My uncurling my hands, I take a deep breath before I turn to her fully. She
MikhailThe silence in the room stretches as one of the councilmen clears his throat, rising to his feet. His robes shift as he steps forward, an attempt at composure masking the unease I can smell in the air. His name is Elias Castor, a senior council member who fancies himself the voice of reason among his peers."I am Elias Castor, Senior Councilman," he begins, his voice steady but lacking the usual confidence. "And these are my colleagues: Councilmen Victor Hale, Marcus Draven, Edgar Flynn, Rowan Dorne, and Tobias Vren. Together, we form the governing body tasked with maintaining order among the packs."I heard a scoff coming from Caleb as Elias introduced themselves.As he lists their names, each councilman gives a slight nod. Some try to meet my gaze, but none hold it for long. I smirk, the corner of my mouth lifting just enough to remind them of the predator standing before them.Elias’s gaze shifts then, landing on Artemis and Atlas. His composure falters for a fraction of a
MikhailGregor’s face twists into an ugly scowl as he glances toward the councilmen, searching for support. His gaze flickers with frustration when none of them move or speak. Then he turns to me, glaring with all the defiance he can muster."How can you let him talk here like this?" he spits, his voice loud and grating as he addresses the council. "He is disrespecting you, and you are doing nothing about it!"Gregor’s lips curl into a mocking sneer. "Sophia is nothing to him," he snarls, gesturing toward me. "Not his mate, not a so-called Luna. If anyone has the right to her, it’s me. She belongs to my pack, and I am her Alpha.""You," My voice drops to an icy tone, "are nothing. You think you can stand here and claim her? You don’t even deserve to speak her name, let alone call her yours." I laugh coldly, the sound devoid of humor."She is not a bargaining chip to be traded or claimed by anyone else," My tone dripping with disdain. My eyes lock on Gregor. "And you will not speak of
MikhailElias looks momentarily stunned by the turn of events.He glances toward Gregor, and the two exchange a fleeting, charged look. I can see the silent communication between them, a mix of desperation and strategy playing out in their expressions.Elias clears his throat and straightens, quickly regaining his composure.His gaze shifts to Artemis, sharp and pointed.“The council cannot take the word of someone who has been deemed unstable,” he declares, his voice firm but carrying a slight edge of uncertainty. He tries to stand tall and project authority.Artemis doesn’t flinch. Her icy gaze is locked on Elias, unwavering, as if daring him to say more.“Enough, Elias,” Rowan interrupts, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority. “Nothing has been proven here, and you cannot project your personal opinions onto the council.”Elias stiffens, his lips pressing into a thin line. For a moment, I think he might argue, but Rowan’s unyielding gaze stops him. He glances around th
MikhailArtemis doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t move. She’s seen this coming and is doing nothing to stop it. One look at her face, and I know exactly what she’s planning. Her cold, composed expression is a mask, but beneath it, I see the sharp glint of strategy. Artemis is playing the long game, and Gregor just handed her the perfect opportunity.Atlas is trembling beside me, his fury barely contained. His hands clench and unclench as his entire body vibrates with the effort to hold himself back. He’s ready to snap, and I can’t blame him. But for now, he waits, his eyes locked on Artemis.Gregor crashes into her, and the impact sends her sprawling. She rolls to her side, curling protectively around her torso as blood gushes from the wounds his claws leave behind. A low growl escapes me, but I had to restrain myself from ruining the plan. But Atlas doesn't need to hold himself back as being her mate Gregor has just called for his wrath when he attacked Artemis.Like a storm breaking free,
AnastasiaThe second Jake’s lips touch mine, something shifts inside me. It is not just a kiss—it is a pull, a force wrapping around my heart and tugging me toward him like I have no choice but to give in. It is overwhelming, like gravity itself has changed, and he is the center of it. The longer he kisses me, the stronger it gets, until I don’t know if I should fight it or let it take me wherever it wants.I have heard and read about kisses before. How they can be full of passion, need, grief, hunger, love. How they can demand or offer, hurt or heal. But nothing could have prepared me for this. This feeling has no name. It is raw, deep, and consuming, wrapping around me like fire and drowning me all at once.I don’t know what to do with it.His lips move against mine, and every part of me feels awake, alive in a way I have never known. It is too much and not enough at the same time. My fingers curl into his shirt, holding onto him without thinking, like I am afraid letting go will br
AnastasiaSophia has let me borrow some of her clothes since we wear the same size. I’m relieved when I go through them and realize her style is pretty close to mine. She picks comfort over everything else, just like I do. No flashy stuff, no weirdly tight outfits that make it hard to breathe... just simple, easy clothes that feel like me.Hurriedly, I tug on the jeans and my hands move fast, my pulse a little too quick, but I ignore it. This isn’t a big deal. I’m just... curious. That’s all.Jake shifting into his wolf shouldn’t be interesting. I’ve seen it before. Plenty of times. And every single time, it meant a fight, blood, and making sure I walked away instead of them. But now? The thought of seeing him shift makes something stir inside me.I tell myself it’s just because I want to see if he’s different. That’s it. Nothing else.Taking a steady breath, I pull open the door and step out, only to freeze when I find him already there, leaning against the opposite wall like he’s be
AnastasiaSteam curls around me, thick and hazy, clinging to my skin like a second layer. The water rushes over my shoulders, hot enough to sting, but I barely notice. My mind is somewhere else.I drag my fingers over my ribs, tracing the faint lines where deep wounds should be. Almost like a day before, they were raw, torn open, pulsing with pain. Now? Nothing but thin, almost invisible marks. If I hadn’t seen the blood, felt the sharp bite of the injury, I’d think I imagined the whole thing.This isn’t normal. No one heals this fast.I press my palm flat against my side, half-expecting some kind of pain to remind me it’s real, that I didn’t just dream it. But there’s nothing. Just smooth skin and a lingering unease curling in my stomach.It is not just physical healing... something inside me also feels different. There’s a strange lightness inside me, like some invisible weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It’s not something I can explain, just this… feeling. Like I had been ca
AnastasiaJake rests his head against mine, his breath warm and steady. For a moment, neither of us move. I tell myself I should push him away, that I should put space between us, but my body betrays me. Instead, I find myself leaning into him, just slightly, just enough to feel the weight of him against me.I don’t know what’s happening, but something about the way he exhales, like he’s carrying something too heavy, tugs at something deep inside me. The distress in him does something to me, something I don’t want to name.Yeah, real good, Anastasia. A few minutes ago, I was ready to kill him, and now I want to comfort him? What the hell is wrong with me?Damn him for making me this confused, emotional mess. I don’t even know if confused-emotioned-person is a real word, but it sure as hell describes exactly what I feel right now.Is he sniffing me?I freeze, my whole body going still as I feel his breath near my neck. My heart stumbles in my chest, unsure whether to speed up or stop co
AnastasiaThe silence stretches, thick and heavy. I stand perfectly still, barely breathing, listening. The feeling of being watched presses against my skin, raising every hair on my arms. My pulse thuds in my ears, but I don’t let it distract me.Whoever... or whatever is out there, they’re good. No obvious movement, no careless sounds. But I know better than to trust the quiet.I let my body relax just enough to lull them into thinking I don’t sense them. My hand stays loose around the knife in my pocket, my feet shifting slightly like I might just turn around and head back inside.A trick. A test.And then—there.A flicker of something just beyond the trees, barely more than a shadow against the darker night. My eyes snap to it, and my instincts scream.I don’t hesitate.I move fast, charging toward the presence with steady, even steps. The crunch of leaves under my feet is the only sound as I close the distance, heart pounding, mind sharp.The air changes. A shift, like the forest
AnastasiaEver since I woke up here, one thought won’t leave me alone.Why hasn’t anyone come looking for me?Thankfully, I lied to Mom and Dad before I left. Told them I was heading to a music festival in the next town and wouldn’t be home for a week or so. They won’t be looking for me. Won’t be worried. Because I couldn’t tell them the truth.I couldn’t tell them I was going on a mission with the other hunters.If I had, Dad might have actually forgiven me for once, but Mom? She would have put two bullets in me before I even got out the door.Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating. But still. Mom would have almost killed me.I know if they knew, they would have found me by now. Hell, they wouldn’t have even let me go missing in the first place.But they don’t know.The people who do know, the ones who should have been looking, the ones who swore to have my back... where the hell are they?This place is the closest set of houses near the woods where we were. If my team realized I was missing,
JakeThe steady rhythm of the axe hitting the log fills the shed, the sound sharp and familiar. I lift the axe again, bringing it down with force, splitting the wood clean in half. The motion is automatic, something I have done a thousand times before, but my mind is nowhere near the task at hand.It is on her.Anastasia.I don’t know when it started, this thing where she takes up space in my head even when I am not trying to think about her. It is frustrating. Distracting. But no matter how many times I tell myself to stop, she is still there. In every damn thought.And my wolf constant nagging to go 'mate' isn't helping me either.I grab another log and place it on the block. My grip tightens around the axe, and I swing again, letting out a slow breath as the wood splits apart. It should be enough to clear my mind, but it isn't.My head is a mess.So many questions, so many pieces that don’t fit. I go over everything again and again, trying to make sense of it, but nothing adds up.
AnastasiaSurreal. That’s the only word that comes close to describing how I feel right now.Maria holds her newborn daughter, her eyes still teary but shining with something soft and overwhelming. Her fingers brush gently over the baby’s tiny cheek, and she looks up at me with so much gratitude that it steals my breath for a second."Thank you," she whispers. "I don’t know what I would’ve done without you."I blink, caught off guard. People around us nod in agreement, offering smiles and murmurs of appreciation. Someone claps me on the shoulder, another woman touches my arm, her grip warm and full of thanks.It’s strange. Not bad—just different.Back home, I’m not unappreciated, not exactly. But when I step up to help, it’s because I’m expected to. There’s no moment like this, no heartfelt thanks, because it’s just what I’m supposed to do. My responsibility. Nothing special. Nothing to be grateful for.But here? Here, they look at me like I did something that matters. Like I made a di
AnastasiaAfter finishing lunch, I decide to step outside the room. Sitting around isn’t going to give me answers. If I’m going to be stuck here, I need to know more about these people.Sophia mentioned the kitchen earlier, saying I could grab something if I needed it. That seems like a good place to start. As I make my way there, I stop in my tracks, my instincts flaring up.A huge man is sneaking up behind Sophia.She doesn’t notice him at all, completely oblivious to the fact that someone is moving toward her with silent, measured steps.Oh, hell no. Not on my watch.Before I even think about it, my body moves. I grab a knife from the sink, keeping my steps light as I approach. But before I can get close enough, he suddenly turns around. His reflexes are fast, but not fast enough to stop me.I drive my foot into his gut, making him stumble back. The moment his balance shifts, I push forward, forcing him to his knees and pressing the knife against his throat."Who are you?" My voice