Mikhail Even if I want, I can't tear my gaze away from her... something about her draws me to her. Even my wolf peeks up at her sight, feeling curious. There is something about this girl that's captivating my attention. My heart jumps into my throat as the little girl darts between the two fighting wolves. Instinctively, I reach out, but I freeze as I witness the scene unfolding before my eyes. "Stop!" Her tiny voice rings with authority, and to my amazement, the growling immediately ceases. The wolves lower their heads near her, their fierce eyes softening. She pats them with a squeal of delight. "Look!" she exclaims, her hands gently stroking their fur. Lucas quickly intervenes, scooping her up in his arms. "Let's get away from these stinky wolves and watch the fight," he says, tickling her sides, causing her to giggle and squirm in his arms. As Lucas brings her over to where Jake and I are standing, Jake's stern expression returns. "What did I tell you about running into
MikhailI can notice her eyes are slightly widen in shock; her gaze swirling with different emotions, happiness, fear, and pain. The last emotions makes me frown, but then she again quickly masks her emotions behind a blank look.Her gaze never wavers from my face as she bends down and picks up her daughter. Seeing their faces, I can clearly see a hint of resemblences in them. However, the pull which I am feeling towards this woman is undeniable, and that is concerning because obviously she belongs to someone else.However, when I try to get a whiff of her smell, I catch a very faint smell of something familiar that stirs restlessness inside me."Do we know each other?" I can't stop myself from asking because I am getting agitated with these overwhelming feelings that I am experiencing at this moment.My wolf claws inside me, but I block him because I can't take the risk of letting my wolf out anywhere near them because he has been unstable since Sophia left.Her hold on her daughter
SophiaAll my fears, hurt, pain, and betrayal come rushing back to me the moment I see him standing in front of me. It's like a tidal wave crashing down, threatening to pull me under.I can barely keep my emotions in check, but I have to. For Rose and for myself, I am not going to fall weak. I have built myself from the ashes of my past, and I refuse to surrender to those memories and feelings that are somewhere still deep buried inside my heart.However, even after everything, I can't control the happiness that momentarily surges through me when I realize his gaze no longer has that blank look. I can't believe that his vision has been restored.He always have that purposeful and confident stride, yet when he walks in my direction the confidence he is radiating is something so different.His eyes are holding mine in an invisible lock, and even if I want to, I can't look away.His eyes search mine, confusion etched into his features. I can tell he's struggling to place me, but he can't
SophiaTears of frustration begin to gather in my eyes when Rose refuses to get down for a nap. Although she is not normally a difficult child, there are times when she becomes cranky and stubborn.However, today, when my emotions are already haywire, it is getting difficult not to feel overwhelmed. Grabbing her arm, I stop her from running away when she tries to sprint outside, most probably to her uncles. Because she knows they always give in to her demands. Even though Jake disciplines her, she still has him wrapped around her fingers, and he will eventually fall weak in front of her cries.Holding her shoulders, I force her to look at me so that I can mindlink her.Very early after her birth, I figured that I could mindlink her. However, as she is growing, she has somehow learned to ignore my voice; that's why I have to make sure she is listening to me."Rose!" I scold her through mindlink, "It's nap time.""No." She shakes her head adamantly and begins to cry, "No, nap, mama."C
SophiaI am not surprised to find Jake and Lucas waiting for me in the living room when I step outside after putting Rose down for her nap."Why didn't you tell us that Alpha Mikhail was your mate?" Lucas asks as soon as he sees me.They have never asked me anything about my past, but now I have to tell them, even if it means reliving the humiliation that I am trying so hard to forget."When you left his pack, had he known that you were with his pup?" Jake asks after giving Lucas a warning glare.I know they must have been discussing how to talk to me so that they don't hurt me or my feelings. I take a deep breath, steadying myself for the difficult conversation ahead. Jake, Caleb, and Lucas have always been my support, my chosen family, and they deserve to know the truth.Gesturing to the couch, I silent ask them to sit down while I am trying to buy time to figure from where I should I start.They follow my lead, their eyes fixed on me, waiting for answers but at the same time they
Mikhail I had to leave from there before my wolf did something crazy. The truth is that since Sophia left us, my wolf has turned unstable. Once he takes over, I have no control over it. It is his way of punishing me for letting her go. I can't blame him; what I am feeling is nothing compared to his loss. His pain is ten times more than mine because he has accepted her as his mate the moment we found her. He knew what I failed to realize at that moment. He was not an idiot like me, not to realize that she was all I needed and wanted. The bond I so carelessly discarded still pulls at me, a constant reminder of my foolishness. Returning to my room at the BlueLagoon pack, I try to calm the raging storm within me. My wolf paces, restless and angry. His growls echo in my mind, relentless and restless for some reason that I fail to understand. He doesn't communicate with me; all he does is growl. I try to find the reason, but whenever I do, it feels like he might take over... som
MikhailI can still clearly remember the intoxicating smell of my mate, the soft, tender touch of her hands, and her voice, which was more peaceful than the sound of calming waves at night.At the same time, the intensity of her hate and the pain of betrayal in her voice when she found the truth still haunts me every time I close my eyes.How could I ruin someone so pure and so precious?Maybe my physical blindness wasn't my real curse, but my inability to see what was right in front of me. My arrogance and stubbornness blinded me to the truth that Sophia was my perfect match, the one who could complete me."I have hurt her in the worst way possible. I betrayed her trust and crushed her heart with my own hands because of my arrogance and selfishness. It was not the hunters that took her away from me, but it was me who made her leave me... But look, even while hating me, she gave me everything." A bitter, rueful smile curves my lips as I turn to face Russo, "She freed me from the curse
SophiaClosing my eyes, I take a deep breath, and then again, I try to imagine myself speaking. Opening my mouth, I force my vocal cords to work while trying to make a sound... but all I get is to manage a grunting sound.Sweating starts to form on my forehead as the sun beats down on my skin... but the exhaustion that I am feeling is from pushing myself hard to speak.Last night, Rose told me she wants me to talk normally like everyone... she doesn't want me to talk to her in her head.I don't know how to explain to her that I try so hard to be a normal mom for her, but I can't.Looking up, I wipe my fingers beneath my eyes and clear the tears that escape my eyes.My emotions are all over the place, and it has something to do with Mikhail.Seeing him again was a reality check for me because, for all these years, I thought his presence wouldn't affect me, but I was wrong.He still affects me.And I don't know what to do about it; his presence rattled me from inside, stirring those emo
Jake“How do you know Anastasia?” I ask, trying hard to keep my voice level. I don’t want to scare him off if he’s got real information. But damn, it’s tough when every second I can feel her pain twisting inside me like a knife.He leans on that broken branch a little, then shrugs like it’s no big deal. “We are… or were… friends.” His voice drops a little at the end, more to himself than to any of us. “I’m saying were because I know once she sees me, she’ll probably try to kill me for abandoning her.”He gives a short, humorless laugh that doesn’t reach his eyes. I don't laugh with him. None of us do.“That’s not what you should be worried about,” he says, looking back up at me, his eyes sharp. “Your focus should be on Ana. I don’t trust a damn soul over there. They’re vultures, all of them. But Ana’s smart. Smarter than most. She’ll know what’s going on. I trust her to get herself out.”I am still skeptical whether to trust a word coming out of his mouth, especially when I heard he a
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