Mikhail Sophia’s rejection hits me like a physical blow, and I stagger, struggling to stay upright. The world shifts beneath my feet as Sophia's words sink in. This is all I ever wanted since the moment I found her... to reject her and this bond. But then why am I feeling this emptiness like someone has squeezed the life out of me? "Sophia, no!" My voice is raw and desperate, but she doesn’t look back. The hunters drag her away. However, a thundering growl erupts from me when someone hits her, nearly causing her to fall. They don't even wait for her to get to her feet as they continue dragging her across the ground. Her white dress is now tainted with dirt and her blood, but still, she doesn't look back. What scares me the most is that she is not fighting at all to free herself from them, as if she has resigned herself to this fate. It's like the fire inside her has been extinguished. I try to stand and reach for her, but my injured leg buckles beneath me, sending a sharp pain s
MikhailMy ears twitch at the sound of whisper yells mixed with the conitnuous beeping sound. My mind feels haze and disoriented, while there is a hollowing ache inside my heart.I frown and try to open my eyes when I hear low growls emitting from somewhere near me. However, my eyelids feel heavy to obey my command.Where am I?What is going on?And what is this annoying sound?My senses start to become sharper as I am feeling more awake by every moment.The sterile scent of antiseptics and the faint beeping of what sounds like a medical machine tell me I’m in the pack’s infirmary.Why am I here?Abruptly, everything comes back to my mind. The attack, those bastards, the broken bond... and Sophia.I wake up with a start. I struggle to sit up, but the sharp pain in my leg makes me gasp.Looking down, I notice an IV places in my right arm while my leg is in a cast. My shoulder is also bandaged.Suddenly, the sounds that I earlier heard dies down, apart from the beeping sound which has b
Mikhail"Alexei, what is the situation of the pack?Different thoughts are running inside my mind, but I need to focus on finding Sophia, and then later, everything can be taken care of."Thankfully, the quantity of the wolfsbane found in the food was less, but still most of the pack members are still recovering from the effects. Elder Merope is helping the members, but first, she helped the warriors so that the pack is secured." Alexei runs his hand through his hair and lets out a frustrated sigh, "I have enforced more patrols on the border, and I have personally made sure that our pack is secured.""I will come with you to the border and check myself if there is any sign that can lead us to the hunters," I remember them ambushing us from the western side of the border, that border is near the neutral territory. "Maybe we can send a search team in the neutral territory to check if they have seen Sophia or hunters there.""Mikhail, you have not recovered. You need to rest." Layla plac
MikhailStaring at the floor, I wait for the answers to all the questions that are swirling inside my mind. Elder Merope sits on the front couch while she looks in some deep thoughts.Alexei's presence beside me is comforting because it carries a hint of familiarity that I have been used to throughout my life. "Mates are known to heal each other." Elder Merope finally looks up, her gaze holding amazement and awe, "But to see something like this is nothing short of a miracle.""But if it was because of mate bond, then his vision should have been restored when he first marked her." Alexei frowns, looking confused, "But why now?"Elder Merope even seems confused because Alexei's question is valid."Maybe it wasn't because we haven't completed the mate bond." Looking up, I glance at them.It still feels surreal to see the faces whose voices and presence have been ingrained in my mind. "What do you mean?" Merope asks, her eyebrows scrunching together in confusion. "Mating and marking wer
Sophia Groaning, I turn on my side as pain shoots up in my body. I don't know how much time has passed... Maybe it has been hours, maybe days, or maybe even months. The small cell in which I have been kept has no window, and it is always dark. There is a small wooden bucket placed in the corner that they told me to use if I need to answer nature's call, as they are not going to allow anyone to leave the cells. This place smells so horrible that I ended up puking a few times when I was first brought here. That ended up in more beating, and that is the only constant thing here. These stupid people think that they can weaken a wolf by beating them. But it is almost the opposite, as their beating will only fuel the revenge that the wolf is planning, and once it gets a chance, it will make sure that these people will regret their every action. However, unfortunately, I don't have a wolf. Grunting, I push myself up and lean against the wall for support as the sound of screams echoes
SophiaThe hours crawl by, each minute stretching into eternity.In the course of time, I have realized they not only make you go through physical torture, these hunters makes you suffer mentally as well.They force you to listen to the agonizing screams for your cell mates, the cries of pain and the sounds of torture that they put these wolves through. Each time when exhaustion takes over me, I drift into the darkness hearing these torturous sounds.I curl up, trying to find some comfort even though I am aware that nothing can safe me from whatever fate is awaiting for me.I don't even know how it is possible, but I find myself drifting off to sleep. Maybe it is a coping mechanism, because once I am asleep then I will no longer be confined in this cell. Sometimes, I wish when I sleep don't ever wake up again, but then when does what I wish for ever comes true?The cell door creaks open again, and I startled awake by a harsh kick on my side.Instinctually, I tense, bracing for another
SophiaI can feel my entire body trembling like a leaf when I slowly start to gain consciousness. Every single bone of my body hurts like they have been broken a thousand times. I can hear the sound of faint voices coming from somewhere around me. My hand flexes and the feel of something sticky and wet makes me internally frown.Forcing my eyes to open, I blink a few times to adjust my vision.My eyes widen at the amount of blood in which I am covered. But what actually shocks me is the brutally ripped bodies of the hunters lying across the room. It seems like some feral animal has attacked them, leaving nothing but the shreds of flesh of them."Oh, this is nothing." My eyes snap to the voice, and now I notice I am not alone, but there are a few guys standing in front of me. "You should see that bastard." He grins, pointing at something to his right.I can sense these all are werewolves, so I relax a bit. Silently, I look in the direction that the guy has pointed, and suddenly, eve
Sophia"Cousin?" I narrow my eyes at them with suspicion. "I don't know you guys, and I definitely am not your cousin. And what if you give me this mark."It is possible they all are lying, even though my heart is telling me to believe them.Caleb steps forward, his expression turning serious. "We didn't give you that mark, Sophia. It's something you're born with. A mark of our lineage.""Our lineage?" I echo, still trying to wrap my mind around everything.Jake, who has been quiet up until now, finally speaks. "Yes, our lineage. We come from a long line of werewolves, and those marks signify our heritage. They appear when we first shift.""But, it wasn't there when I shifted for the first time... and that was the only time I shifted until now," I protest weakly. "I thought my wolf was... gone.""She was never gone," Lucas says gently. "Just dormant. Something must have triggered her awakening.""Triggered her awakening?" I mutter, thinking back to the intense anger and the voice that
JakeMy body shakes as my wolf pushes harder, breaking through the thin line between us. My skin stretches, bones shift, and I fight the change with everything I’ve got, but it’s like he doesn’t care. He’s done waiting.He’s angry. And scared.And so am I.Sophia’s voice is somewhere nearby, soft but panicked. “Jake? What’s happening? Jake!”But I can’t answer. I can barely breathe.All I know is I feel her. Anastasia. Not just the bond tugging... this is something more.She’s hurting.And that pain? It’s mine now, too.I slam a fist into the dirt and snarl, trying to get control back, trying not to lose it completely.Pain flares in my body like a wildfire, and I can hardly breathe. My vision goes all hazy, like I'm looking through a foggy window. I blink hard, trying to clear my head, but it’s no use. Everything around me turns into a blur. I’m dimly aware of the sounds around me, but they’re distant, like I’m submerged underwater. My mind is racing, but it’s too focused on one thin
JakeThere’s this heat sitting right under my skin, like fire trying to crawl out of my bones. It’s been there since I woke up, simmering just below the surface. I keep telling myself it’s nothing, that I’m overthinking it, but I know better.Something’s wrong.I can’t explain it, not in a way that makes sense. It’s like my instincts are pulling at me, dragging my thoughts to one place. Or rather… one person.Anastasia.I close my eyes and try to focus on the reports in front of me, but it’s useless. All I can see is her face. The way she looked when she left.... not angry, not cold, just… hurt.I didn’t want her to leave. Not like that.I wanted more time. Just a little more. I would’ve stolen her from the world if I could, even if it was selfish. But after that talk she had with Sophia, I saw it in her eyes... she was hurting.From Sophia's words, she might have gotten the impression that Sophia is against our bond, which is untrue. However, Sophia is slightly disappointed with me.
Anastasia“I don’t think this plan will work.”Ethan leans forward in his chair, arms crossed, wearing that annoyed look like everything’s just wasting his time.Pete just finished laying out the whole plan — my plan — and I can already feel the tension rising.“We’re not weak,” Ethan adds, like he’s trying to remind everyone of something they never forgot. “We don’t need to waste time spying on mutts. We should just attack, wipe them out, and take their Luna. Simple.”He shrugs like he just solved everything in two seconds. Like it’s just that easy.I can't stop myself from rolling my eyes, as I shake my head.Since everything is taking a three-sixty turn, all the high-ranking hunters are also part of this meeting, even Edwin and his group.Edwin, who’s been quiet the whole time, finally speaks up.“One of the biggest mistakes any hunter can make is to underestimate their enemy,” he says, his eyes locked on Ethan like he’s done babysitting his ego. “What do you think they are, helples
AnastasiaI keep my eyes forward, lips pressed in a straight line, like none of this rattles me. Like I’m not absolutely burning from the inside out. Pete’s words keep echoing in my head. Take away their Luna.He knows. He has to. That look he gave me… like he was testing me. Like he wanted to see if I’d crack. I can’t show it though. That’s what he wants. To see me flinch, to catch some hint of guilt or panic in my eyes. But he’s not getting that. Not from me. I’ve had too much practice keeping my mask in place, hiding the cracks. I can rage later.Right now, I have to think.I have to warn Jake.But how?I can’t just send a message. I know better. Cellphones are a joke in this place. Everything’s tracked. Calls, texts, even burner phones—Pete’s paranoia makes sure nothing slips through. He’s probably waiting for me to try, just so he can pounce with evidence.And if I get caught trying to contact someone outside the group, especially someone like Jake? That’d be the end of everythin
AnastasiaFrom Jake’s place, I head straight home. I don’t stop anywhere. No detours. Just straight to my parents’ house. My bag’s already half-packed, but I need a few more things, and more than that, I need to see them before I go.Mom’s in the kitchen when I walk in, humming under her breath while chopping something. She looks up and her face lights up, but it dims just a little when she sees my expression. She knows that look. The look that say she would like the news that I have to share. She doesn’t say anything though, just wipes her hands and pulls me into a hug.Dad walks in a moment later, looking like he’s been working in the garage. He pauses when he sees me, his brows pulling together just slightly. Like he’s trying to read the tension in the air. He's never been the emotional type, but I can tell he's not thrilled I’m heading out again.I sit them both down, explaining the basics. Just enough so they’re not left in the dark if something happens. I tell them that if anyth
AnastasiaThe sky’s just beginning to lighten when my eyes blink open. It’s quiet, the kind of soft stillness that only comes just before dawn, and the world feels like it’s holding its breath. I barely slept, and I know Jake didn’t either, but we’re both wired like this. Waking up early isn’t something we plan... it just happens because it a habit ingrained in us since forever. And honestly, I kinda love it.Jake’s still in bed beside me, his arm draped across my waist like he has no intention of letting go. I shift just a little, and his grip tightens. His voice is low and raspy near my ear, “You're up too?”“Barely,” I murmur, nuzzling into his chest. “But if you’re awake, then I’m awake.”He hums before kissing the top of my head, and for a few more minutes we just lie there, wrapped up in each other, like time doesn’t exist yet. I wish it really didn’t.Eventually, I give him a lazy smirk and peel back the covers. “Shower?”He stretches, gives me that slow grin I love, and follow
Anastasia Jake’s eyebrow lifts real slow when I reach into the front of my dress and pull out my car keys. His eyes don’t leave mine for even a second as I click the unlock button and toss the keys at him. He catches them like it’s nothing, fingers curling around them with ease. Then, without a word, his hand comes around the back of my neck, firm and warm, pulling me in. His lips crash into mine, and it’s not soft or sweet. It’s deep and consuming and exactly what I need. “Where you wanna go?” he murmurs as we start walking toward the car, his voice still a little rough from the kiss. I glance at him, not even thinking twice. “As long as you’re with me, I don’t care.” My fingers brush his as we walk. “I’m running low on my vitamin J, so all I want right now is to be with you and away from all these fuckers who are testing my tolerance.” He laughs, the sound low and familiar and the only thing that’s felt right all night. Then he opens the passenger door for me, holding it like so
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