MikhailShe’s clinging to Alexei, her face buried in his chest, but then she pulls back just enough to look up at me. Her eyes are wide, and there’s something in them that makes my stomach drop.“He killed them all,” she whispers, her voice so soft it’s like she’s afraid of the words themselves. “He killed them... and she... she killed them too.”Her whole body starts trembling like she’s remembering something too awful to even say out loud. Alexei’s arms tighten around her, his face a mix of confusion and worry, but he doesn’t interrupt. Neither do I.Emily’s gaze darts between us, and she leans closer to Alexei, like she’s trying to shrink into him. Her voice drops to barely more than a whisper.“She ate them alive,” Her lips trembling as she gets the words out.Emily keeps repeating it, her voice barely above a whisper, like she’s locked in a place of fear.“She ate them alive.” Her body is still trembling, like the words are coming from somewhere deep inside her, something she can’
Lucas I can’t see a damn thing. It’s pitch black, like someone just snuffed out the sun, and I’m stumbling through this nothingness with only this weird pull to guide me. It’s like a tug at my chest, faint but steady. It’s all I’ve got to hold onto. But man, this feels like a twisted game, something designed to mess with my head. Every now and then, the pull shifts. Sometimes, it splits, like it’s coming from every direction all at once, trying to yank me one way and then the other. It’s overwhelming, and I can feel the frustration bubbling under my skin. My wolf stirs uneasily, and I grit my teeth to keep from losing it. But I know better. The strongest pulls, the ones that hit me like a punch in the gut, those aren’t her. They can’t be. It’s too obvious, too easy. Somewhere deep down, I just know the faintest pull, the one that feels like a whisper instead of a scream, that’s the one that’ll lead me to her. So I focus. I block out everything else. Every strong tug trying
SophiaEverything feels heavy like I'm sinking into a thick, black ocean. My head's a mess, thoughts slipping away the second I grab onto them.The darkness is so deep it’s almost choking me. I don’t know how long I’ve been here. Hours? Days? Weeks? Time stopped making sense a while ago.That woman’s voice echoes in my head, soft but edged, like I should know it. Familiar, like an old dream or a name on the tip of my tongue, but it’s gone.Who is she? Her voice is the only thing that constantly rings in my head... sometimes I feel like my head will explode. No matter how much I try to block her voice, it is always there. The edges of my vision pulse and blur, and my thoughts scatter like dead leaves in the wind. All I know is that this place, this nightmare, is eating me alive. I just... I just want to wake up.My body is breaking, little by little. Every breath is heavier than the last, like this place is squeezing the life out of me.I know exactly what she wants. She wants me to
LucasI can’t believe it. Sophia is right in front of me. My mind almost refuses to accept it, but my heart knows it’s her. A flood of emotions hits me all at once, each one fighting for control.Joy. I’ve finally found her. After everything, after searching and fighting, she’s here. Relief washes over me so strong it nearly brings me to my knees.Pain. She looks like she’s barely hanging on. Weak, tired, like the life is being drained out of her. It’s unbearable to see her like this. The glow that always surrounds us is almost dimmed to nothing. This is place is killing her, slowly, and I can feel it.And anger. Burning, searing anger. Whoever did this to her, whoever put her through this hell, will pay. I can’t stop the rage that rises in me, and I don’t even try.“Sophia.” My voice is thick with emotions that I don't try to conceal as I step closer to her.Sophia tries to push herself up, but her legs wobble. Before she can stumble, I’m at her side in a heartbeat, steadying her. She
SophiaLucas’s presence is a comfort I didn’t know I needed. Just having him here, seeing his face, hearing his voice—it feels like a lifeline. But there’s this small, nagging thought at the back of my mind, this awful what-if that I can’t completely shake. What if he gets stuck here with me? What if this place swallows him up the same way it’s been trying to swallow me?I push that doubt away. No, that’s not going to happen. It can’t. We’re both getting out of here. We have to. Too many people are counting on us, waiting for us. We can’t let them down.Mikhail’s face flashes in my mind, and this wave of longing hits me so hard it feels like I can’t breathe. My heart twists, like someone’s squeezing it too tight, and there’s this emptiness inside me, this awful void where the mate bond should be. It’s like a piece of me is just... missing, and no matter how much I try, I can’t fill it.I don’t even try to reach out to him. I can’t. If I do, he’ll feel everything I’m going through, and
SophiaShe’s here. I can feel her, even though she’s too much of a coward to show herself. She’s playing games, just like always.Every time I think I’ve got the upper hand, she pulls this disappearing act, hiding in the shadows and letting her presence crawl over my skin. It’s her way of saying she’s in control that I’m just a pawn on her board.Tapping into my wolf, I let her strength flow through me. It’s like a spark igniting in my veins, a rush that steadies my hands and sharpens my focus. I need her right now, and she knows it.She growls softly inside me, just enough to remind me she’s here, ready and waiting. The sound hums in the back of my mind, a quiet promise that we’re in this together.My mind starts spinning as random visions crash over me like waves, pulling me under. Some are memories, others are my worst fears. I know this is her doing, trying to mess with my head, but I fight to stay connected to myself instead of letting myself get lost in these visions. I won’t le
SophiaIt feels so strange to witness this moment because I don’t remember any of it.I remember being locked in that dark basement, the cold, damp air, and the pain that completely overtook my senses when I went through my first shift.But apart from that, my memory is all hazy, like it’s wrapped in fog. It’s like there’s a part of me that was lost back then, a piece that I still can’t quite reach.And there’s this feeling inside me, a deep, gnawing desperation to uncover what’s been locked away all these years. It’s like there’s a door inside my mind that I can’t open, and every time I try, it feels like I’m just brushing up against the edges of it but never quite getting through.I want to remember.I need to know what happened, what I’ve forgotten.It eats me from inside, that longing to understand, to reclaim the memories that are kept away from me.I watch my wolf pacing in the room, her restless energy practically vibrating off her. She moves in tight circles, like she’s itchin
SophiaMy knees hit the ground beside her, and my hands tremble as I reach out. She lies there unconscious, her chest rising and falling just enough to let me know she’s alive.Tears threaten to spill as I look at her, beaten and broken.The pain etched into her body feels like it’s carved into my soul, too.I know this isn’t real—just memories. But knowing that doesn’t make it hurt any less.It doesn’t erase the fact that once upon a time, this wasn’t a memory. It was my reality. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice breaking. My apology falls flat in the empty space, swallowed by the stillness of the room.Closing my eyes as tears slip free, hot and heavy. “You deserved better,” I choke out. “I should’ve been stronger. For both of us.”Her body doesn’t move, doesn’t react. Of course, it doesn’t. She’s just a reflection of who I was back then.I close my eyes for a moment, letting the cold from the floor seep into my knees. This place... this moment... it’s like the walls themselves reme
AnastasiaCaleb’s whole body changes as we move through the trees. His shoulders are tense, every step calculated. There’s this no-nonsense vibe rolling off him that feels totally different from the usual sarcasm and eye-rolls I get from him. It’s weird seeing him like this. Focused. Sharp. Like a soldier in the middle of a mission. And I hate to admit it, even to myself, but right now, he feels… reliable.Jake still hasn’t shown up, but I know he’s close. I can feel it, the way the air shifts just enough to tell me that he is here.Suddenly, Caleb throws an arm out in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. I glance at him, confused, but don’t say anything.His head lifts, nose slightly tilted as he sniffs the air. His jaw tightens, and for a second, I swear I see something like concern flicker in his eyes before he looks at me.I lift an eyebrow, silently asking what’s up, but then I hear it too.Footsteps. Not just one or two. Multiple. The crunch of boots on leaves, and somewhere b
AnastasiaI never expected Jake to trust me. Trust is something you earn, not something you demand.I have lost that trust, and I need to earn it back.But the way he said he doesn’t care about me? That hurt the most.He said I was his mate… and isn’t every wolf supposed to care about their mate? Isn’t that supposed to be instinct? Being angry is one thing, but not caring? That’s different. That feels worse.My heart cracks at his words, and I know if I don’t walk away now, he’ll see just how much he hurt me.Tears threaten to spill, and I hate crying. Always have. So, the next thing that follows is anger. It always does. When I get upset, I get angry. Mostly at myself, for letting something, someone, have this much power over me.I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t care what he meant. Not right now.I keep my steps quick, not looking back. My chest feels tight, but I push it aside. I can’t afford to fall apart, not here, not now.The cold air stings against my skin, or maybe that’s
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.