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,
MikhailThe rage inside me hasn’t settled. It simmers, threatening to boil over, and I feel like I’m seconds away from ripping Gregor apart for everything he’s done to Sophia. My hands clench into fists, and I grit my teeth, fighting the pull of the darkness clawing at me. I need Sophia. I need her to calm me before I lose control.I’m about to slide into the car when Artemis and Atlas walk up. Atlas steps closer, his expression unreadable, while Artemis lingers just behind him. My gaze flickers to her, and I pause.She looks fine, as if she wasn’t injured at all.We have fast healing, but she has healed even more quickly than us. The only sign of what happened is the blood staining her shirt, stark against the fabric.“How are you?” I ask, my voice low but steady, masking the storm raging inside me.She smirks, crossing her arms. “I’m not so weak that a pathetic person like Gregor could hurt me,” she says, her tone dripping with mockery.I study her for a moment, noting the confiden
MikhailThe corridor leading to the cells is dark, the faint scent of blood and damp stone filling the air. My steps echo as I descend into the basement.As I approach the row of cells, the dim light reveals Alexei leaning casually against the bars of one. His knuckles are smeared with blood, and a cocky grin spreads across his face when he sees me.“Ah, finally,” he says, straightening up. “I was starting to think you’d keep me waiting all night.”My eyes flick to Gregor, slumped in the corner of the cell behind Alexei. His face is battered, one eye swollen shut, and blood drips from a split lip onto his shirt. He doesn’t look so smug now, his breathing labored and his body trembling.“What happened?” I ask, my voice low and even, though the sight of Gregor like this doesn’t bother me in the slightest. If anything, it satisfies a small part of the beast inside me.Alexei shrugs, flexing his fingers as if shaking off the last remnants of tension. “He was irritating me. Something about
SophiaThe darkness surrounds me, heavy and oppressive. I don’t know where I am. The air feels cold and damp, and the silence is suffocating, broken only by the echo of my own footsteps. Each step I take feels like it leads me deeper into a place I don’t understand.I try to focus, to find some clue, but everything looks the same. Shadows stretch and shift, playing tricks on my eyes. The walls, if they are walls, ripple as if alive. I move forward, but it feels like I am going in circles. No matter where I turn, there is no end, no exit. Just endless darkness.I stop for a moment and press my hand against what feels like a cold, smooth surface. It pulses under my palm, faint and rhythmic, as if it has a heartbeat of its own. I pull back sharply, my breath hitching.This place is wrong.“Where am I?” I whisper, more to myself than to anyone.My voice echoes, sounding small and fragile against the vast emptiness. There is no response, just the faint whisper of something I can’t quite h
MikhailThe ticking of the clock is louder than it should be.Gregor’s words loop in my head, each one sinking its claws deeper into my thoughts. He said I can’t protect her, that I’ve already lost.He’s wrong.He has to be wrong. I grip the edge of my desk, the wood solid under my hands, grounding me.Losing Sophia is not an option. Whatever it takes, whatever the cost, I will find a way to save her. I’ll tear the world apart if I have to, but I will save her.Leaning back in my chair, I stare at the map on the wall as if it holds the answers I need.Every possible lead is marked in red, but none of it feels like enough. I press my fingers to my temples, trying to focus, to think of what I’m missing. There has to be a way to get ahead of Gregor and figure out what he’s planning.He is working alone. Someone is with him, but who are they?The door opens, and Alexei steps inside. His expression is serious, the set of his shoulders tense. He closes the door behind him and strides acro
Lucas My chest feels tight, like I can’t get a deep enough breath no matter how hard I try. My thoughts are a tangled mess, looping back to one thing... one person.Sophia.She didn’t ask to be my sister, but she stepped into that role like it was the easiest thing in the world. She didn’t just show up when it was convenient; she was always there. Even when I didn’t deserve it.The day when she risked herself to save me, I swore to never take that for granted.She’s tough as hell, but right now, she’s the one who needs someone to be with her... someone who helps her break the cage and free herself. And that someone is me.I rub my hands over my face, trying to push down the weight sitting heavy on my chest. It doesn’t budge.My wolf, though? He’s steady. Unshaken. Not for a second does he think we can’t do this. He knows we can. I feel his trust in me, in us, like an anchor.If anything, he’s itching to make whoever did this to her regret it. And so am I.I stand up, pacing the room,
LucasI step out of my room, and the air outside is cooler than I expected. I make my way to the side of the house, where I know Caleb’s been camping out. Sure enough, there he is, sitting on the steps with his elbows resting on his knees.His energy is all over the place, restless and sharp. He’s been like this since Sophia collapsed, and I know why. He hasn’t let his wolf out. That kind of restraint messes with you. I can see it in the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw is locked, and the way his foot taps against the ground like he’s barely holding it together.“Caleb,” I call out, stepping closer.He glances up at me, his eyes narrowed. There’s something in his expression that’s hard to read, like he’s fighting himself. He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me for a second before looking away, his fingers running through his hair.“Elder Merope asked me to meet her at the ritual circle in an hour,” I say, keeping my tone steady.Caleb stiffens at that, his hand freezing
LucasI make my way to the ritual circle.The closer I get, the more it feels like something’s pulling me forward, tugging at some invisible thread buried deep inside me.When I step into the clearing, the circle is right there in the middle, carved into the earth like it’s been waiting for centuries. The lines are sharp and perfect, symbols etched into the dirt that I can’t even pretend to understand. Stones sit at the edges, worn smooth by time, each one marking a point on the outer ring.The grass around it is pressed flat, like something too powerful for words pressed its weight here and left behind its mark.And there, in the center, is Elder Merope.She’s sitting cross-legged, her back straight, hands resting lightly on her knees. Her eyes are closed, and her face is calm, almost too calm. It’s like she’s a part of the circle, part of the energy that’s humming through the air. I can feel it buzzing in my chest, crawling along my skin.I stop at the edge, not wanting to step in w
Anastasia I knew I wouldn’t be the same when I came back, but I didn’t think it would feel like this. It’s not just sadness. It’s something deeper. There’s this hollow space inside me, like something important is missing and nothing fits right anymore. Like I left a part of myself behind and now I’m walking around trying to function without it. And maybe that’s exactly what happened. Maybe I did leave a part of me behind. With him. With Jake. The distance between us is eating at me. Four days. Just four damn days, but it feels like I’ve been stuck in this weird stretch of time where everything moves in slow motion and nothing feels real. It’s like my body’s here, going through the motions, but my heart’s somewhere else, still wrapped up in the way his voice sounds when he says my name or how his eyes lock on mine like they know me better than I know myself. Every second drags like it’s meant to remind me I’m not where I’m supposed to be. It punishes me for leaving, and no matter
AnastasiaJake’s arms are wrapped around me, warm and solid, his heartbeat is the only sound I care about right now. It's slow under my ear, steady like the rise and fall of his chest. The grass tickles my arm a little, and the scent of pine and damp earth fills the air, but all I can focus on is the way Jake’s fingers brush lazy circles against my back.I’ve got my arm slung over his chest, my head tucked right into that perfect spot where shoulder meets neck. It feels safe here, even though we’re lying out in the middle of the woods with nothing but leaves above us and sky peeking through.I don’t want to move. I don’t even want to blink too fast, like doing anything more than breathing might break this spell. We’ve both found a kind of peace in this stillness.Jake drops a soft kiss on top of my head, lips lingering for a second, and I feel it all the way through me. My eyes flutter closed just for a beat, soaking it in. Then I feel his chest expand with a quiet sigh, and his arm t
AnastasiaJake presses a kiss just above my collarbone, and a delicious shiver runs through me. My fingers sink into his hair without even thinking, loving the way his lips linger on that exact spot. I feel his smile, soft and warm, against my skin before he kisses the same place again, slower this time like he’s memorizing it.Then he leans back a little and locks eyes with me. There’s something in his gaze that makes my heart stutter."This is where you’ll carry my mark," he whispers, his voice rough, like gravel dipped in honey. "For the world to see that you belong to me… but not now."His eyes drop to my neck, and I see it... the tug of war playing out inside him. The desire for his mate to proudly carry his mark for everyone to see against the instinct to keep her safe."Hey…" I grab his face gently in my hands, thumbs brushing his cheekbones as I smile at him, trying to placate him. "I can’t wait for the world to see that my man is a possessive wolf who totally loses his mind if
AnastasiaJake stares at me like I’ve just dropped the moon in his lap. His mouth parts like he wants to say something, but nothing comes out. His eyes... God, his eyes, they darken so fast, it’s like watching a storm roll in. The idea of marking me has him lit up from the inside out. I can practically feel his need crash into me like a wave. But even though I’ve said yes, even though I’m right here, offering myself to him in a way that’s as vulnerable as it gets... he holds back.I see it all over his face—the war. It’s in the way his jaw clenches, the way his chest rises and falls like he can’t get enough air. His wolf is right there, just under the surface, clawing to get out. I can almost feel it, that hunger. That need. His wolf wants to claim me. To mark me. To pull me close and never let go.But Jake? Jake’s trying so damn hard to hold back. He thinks he’s doing the right thing. Thinks if he lets go, if he gives in, I’ll pay the price. That this will somehow hurt me. That he’s
AnastasiaI think my body forgot how to breathe.Like, actually forgot. My lungs feel like they just hit pause, and my heart... God, my heart... it’s thumping weird, like it’s not sure what it’s supposed to do after Jake said those words. So simple. So calm. Yeah, I do.And now I’m just... frozen.I don’t even know how those words slipped out of my mouth in the first place.But you love me.What was I thinking? I wasn’t. That’s the truth. I wasn’t thinking at all, which is rare for me. I’m usually careful, always in control, always one step ahead. But in that moment, I wasn’t any of those things. I was just... me. And he saw it.I still can’t tell if it was the best thing I’ve ever said or the worst slip-up of my life.My head’s a mess, feelings tangled like wires I don’t know how to separate. But one thing sticks out through all the noise... loving Jake doesn’t scare me. That’s the weird part. It should, right? It should terrify me. But it doesn’t. It feels like I’ve already been doin
JakeI feel like the air just got knocked outta my lungs.She says it like it’s nothing. Like it’s just some random fact. But it’s not. It’s silver. She drank silver.I stare at her, and my brain short-circuits. My ears ring, and I swear for a second I don’t even hear the rest of the room. Just her voice, echoing over and over again in my head.I was made to drink silver.My whole body is shaking. My hands ball into fists and my claws almost break through. I’m trying to breathe, trying to keep control, but it’s not working."They tried to kill you," I whisper, my voice shaking so bad I can barely get the words out.My heart's pounding so hard, I feel it in my throat. I look at Magnus and Melissa, and find the same kind of anger visible of their faces at this discovery, but mine is much worse. My vision blurs red."I’m gonna kill him." I growl it so low, so deep, it barely sounds human. I’m not even sure who I’m talking about, but if I ever find the bastard who did this, they’re dead.
AnastasiaMagnus reacts just as fast, his own shift tearing through the air like thunder.Claws clash. Teeth snap.The two of them collide like a storm, fur, and rage tangling in a blur of violence. Jake’s darker wolf is pure muscle and fury, slamming into Magnus like the thirst of his blood craves him.Magnus isn’t any less fierce—his white-gray coat stands out, but he moves with power, meeting Jake head-on without hesitation.The sound of their snarls and growls tears through the space, sharp and raw. Dust kicks up around them, and the wolves crash into trees like they’re nothing.My legs move before my brain does. I scramble to my feet, my heart slamming in my chest, and I’m halfway to them when a strong grip yanks me back.“Anastasia, no!”He pulls me against him, holding me there as I struggle.“Let me go!” I shout, pushing against Caleb’s arm again, but he doesn’t budge. “They’re going to kill each other!”I glance around, expecting someone — anyone — to jump in to stop this mad
AnastasiaWhat the hell is Jake doing here?First he says he doesn’t care. And now, just when I’ve started trying to pull myself together, trying to not let him take up space in my head, he’s back. Popping up like I somehow invited this mess. Over and over again, he keeps showing up like some test the universe is throwing at me just to laugh at me.I follow right behind Magnus as he walks toward the front of the pack house. His steps are quick, his expression unreadable. I’m not trying to make a scene, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want answers. Especially about who this other Alpha is that decided to tag along with Jake and Caleb.Is one of the other Alphas whose pack is here? If yes, then I need to use this to my advantage and gain his trust as well.I keep my head up and face calm, even though inside, I’m already planning how to make the best of this situation.Jokes on you, universe; I will use every challenge you throw at me for my own benefit.The moment I step closer, I f
AnastasiaWe’re sitting in Alpha Magnus’s office. The room is bigger than I expected, filled with heavy, dark wood furniture and a large desk at the center. Magnus leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, looking at me like he knows I am here not just to meet them but I am something important to share. Luna Melissa stands beside him, one hand resting on the back of his chair, the other idly playing with the pendant around her neck. The quiet in here is heavy, but it feels... comfortable, like something similar to when I discuss something with Mom and Dad.Without wasting any more moment, I come straight to the point, “I’m part of a mission the Hunters are planning. It’s to clear out rogues in the northern region. They’ve been growing in numbers, and it’s becoming too much of a risk. We’re supposed to neutralize them... take them out, wipe them off the map."My gaze travels to Nova, who is standing beside the window with his arms crossed.Then I meet Magnus’s eyes, and I don’t flinch. “