MikhailI stand at the edge of the forest, the scent of pine and earth filling my senses. My blindness sharpens my other senses, making the world around me more vivid in ways most can't comprehend.Being blind hasn't made me weak. In fact, it's made me stronger, more ruthless. A cruel smirk appears on my face when I recall what happened to those who considered me weak and challenged me. I can still feel the warmth of their blood on my skin as I tore them limb from limb with my bare hands. Those bastards weren't even worthy of fighting against my wolf; even in my human form, they were no match for my strength.I haven't earned the title of Cruel Blind Alpha for nothing. Killing is my second nature. As the Alpha of the strongest pack in the northern territory, my pack and I are known for being ruthless and fierce. My father might not have been a loving father, but he was a great mentor. He taught me never to let anyone consider my sightlessness as a weakness.His methods were harsh, al
SophiaMy face turns towards the right while the skin of my cheek stings with the impact of the slap.My eyes burn with tears, which I refuse to release as my gaze is trained on the floor."Apologize to Cynthia right now!" My father bellows causing me to flinch. "How dare you disrespect my wife and your Luna by questioning her actions?!"My mother died soon after giving birth to me, and my father blamed me for her death. When I turned three, councilmen asked my father to take a second chance mate because his wolf was going crazy without his mate. Even though he didn't want to, he had to find another mate because, slowly, his wolf was going insane. Since my mother was his true mate, he never wanted to give her place to anyone else, so instead of taking Cynthia as his second chance mate, he married her. Cynthia is what you can call a true definition of an evil stepmother. She hated me from the moment she married my father and made it clear to me that I was unwanted in her house.But s
MikhailThe door to the office opens after a soft knock on the door, and I immediately recognize the scent of my Beta, Alexei. Lifting my head, I look at the blurred figure of his frame."Alpha," he says, his tone serious. "We've received an invitation.""Invitation?" I raise an eyebrow.It is strange because nobody wants to invite me into their territory because of my reputation. "Yes, for the Full Moon Ball at Redwood Pack." He places an envelope on my desk and pushes in my direction until it touches my fingertips. "It's from Alpha Gregor.""What does he want from us this time?" I reach out and run my fingers over the envelope, feeling the embossed seal of the Redwood Pack. Gregor.Alexei takes a seat in front of my desk before he speaks."From what I have gathered, he's inviting all the prominent packs. Probably to form alliances as there has been a rise in rogue attacks.""Do you plan to attend, Alpha?" Alexei asks.The idea of mingling with other Alphas doesn't appeal to me, but
SophiaThe Full Moon Ball is only a day away, and the pressure is on. Each year different pack hosts Full Moon Ball and this is year it is Redwood Pack's turn to arrange this annual ball. My father is leaving no stone upturn to make sure our pack's Full Moon Ball is one of the best balls that has been witnessed in the years. Determined to get through my day without drawing any attention, I keep my head low and busy myself with the long chores that I have been assigned. My stomach grumbles with hunger but ignoring the hunger pangs I continue sweeping the hallways floors until it is shiny enough for people to see their reflection.Standing up with a sigh, I pick up the bucket of dirty water and carry it outside to throw the water in the bushes before resuming the cleaning of the guest house where all the Alphas and their families will be staying.As I am polishing the silverware in the dining room, I overhear some of the higher-ranking wolves talking about the guests who will be arri
MikhailAlexei sits beside me as we travel to the Redwood pack. I can sense his curiosity and slight apprehension about this trip, but he knows better than to voice it.I normally don't attend such events, but for some reason, I felt intrigued to go there. It is almost like something is calling me. "How much longer?" I ask, my voice cutting through the quiet."About an hour," Alexei replies. He momentarily stops using his phone as the sound of his typing stops.Nodding, I lean back against the leather seat.The number of rogue attacks has been increasing, and while I prefer to handle things within my own territory, I cannot ignore the potential benefits of forming alliances. Maybe coming to this ball is not a bad idea, as it sounded to me earlier.Abruptly, Alexei's words about the true mate bond come to my mind. A mate, destined by the Moon Goddess, created for me alone. I shake my head, trying to dismiss the thought.Layla is enough. She will be my Luna."We're almost there," Ale
SophiaChecking my reflection in my small mirror, I tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear, which have escaped from my braid. Running my hand over my white dress, I try to smoothen it as much as I can. Honoring the Moon Goddess, all the she-wolves wear white, especially the unmated she-wolves. This is the only nice dress that I own that I have been wearing for the past few years on the Red Moon. But since tonight is Full Moon Ball, I decided to wear it even though it is not Red Moon because I want to look a bit presentable in front of others.Wiping my face with the small hand towel, I once again check my reflection before I head out towards the training ground to help others prepare the ground for the Full Moon shift. All the unmated wolves will try to find their mates during the ball. And later, when midnight strikes, everyone would come outside and shift into their wolves and go for the run. Newly mated wolves will celebrate their unions while the other will run alongside their
MikhailThe coversation dies down to almost a murmur when I step into the grand hall where Full Moon ball is taking place. I can sense the feeling of apprehension along with distrust in the air upon my arrival. Alexei guides me through the mindlink, so I effortlessly walk into the hall without bumping into anything or anyone. I could feel eyes upon me; it is no secret that my reputation precedes me. The ruthless Blind Alpha whose hands are covered with the blood of thousands of people. Despite the tension in the air, I maintained a composed demeanor, my Alpha authority radiating subtly yet unmistakably.Even though nothing seems unusual, my wolf is restless since the moment we have stepped here. He is clawing inside me, demanding to be set free. I am struggling to keep my wolf in control.As if sensing my struggle, Alexei is instantly by my side.The last time I remember him behaving like this was when rogues attacked our pack. "Out now." I manage to get these two words through b
SophiaI drift in and out of consciousness, the pain in my throat throbbing with every breath. Memories of Kane’s attack flash through my mind, mixed with confusion and fear. But there’s something else too—a strange kind of feeling. Gradually, I become aware of my surroundings. I can hear voices, muffled and distant, but growing clearer with each passing moment. My body feels heavy, and my throat is dry, making it difficult to swallow.The bed beneath my body seems far too soft and warm, unlike the cold hard floor that I sleep on. This enough forces me to shake of the haziness to clear my mind.I blink my eyes open, the bright light of the room making me squint. As my vision clears, I see unfamiliar surroundings. Certainly, I am not in my room. But it is one of the guest rooms that I have cleaned and prepared for the guests.Quickly, I sit up, afraid if someone finds out I was sleeping here then surely I will be severely punished. The sudden movement cause a wave of dizziness hit me,
JakeBefore I can even blink, Anastasia throws the knife across the room and, to my horror, she digs her hand right into the wound she just made. Blood gushes out, running down her arm and dripping onto the floor. She bites her lip so hard trying not to scream that her teeth tear through the skin, blood mixing with the sweat on her face."What the hell are you doing, Anastasia?" I rasp out, my heart slamming against my ribs. I grab her wrists, trying to stop her from tearing herself apart, but she fights me like she doesn’t even hear me.Nothing I say is getting through that crazy haze she’s trapped in. It’s like she’s somewhere else, lost in her own mind, and I have no clue how to pull her out of it. Watching her hurt herself like this is ripping me apart. I’m scared outta my damn mind."I have to find it," she grits out between her teeth, her voice rough and broken. She keeps digging into her own flesh surprisingly it looks like she doesn’t even feel the pain. "He fucking can’t cont
JakeI carry Anastasia toward the cells, not loosening my hold even a little. I can hear Sophia and Mikhail following close behind, their footsteps quick but not rushed. They know something’s up even if they don’t have all the pieces yet.When we get to the old brick building, Mikhail steps around me and tells the guard to open the door. The guy fumbles with the keys for a second before the lock clicks and swings open.The place smells like metal and damp stone, but I hardly notice. All I see is her. All I feel is her heartbeat against my chest.Anastasia stirs a little and tugs at my shirt weakly.She shifts a little in my arms. "Put me down," she whispers, her voice soft but firm.My wolf snarling in protest. Every part of me wants to keep her close, safe, where nothing can get to her. Letting her go feels wrong, like I’m cutting off a piece of myself. But I can't let my own fears and emotions get in her way, undermining the strength and power she carries.So, even though it goes ag
JakeI skid to a stop near the border, my heart slamming against my ribs so hard it feels like it might shatter. Mikhail and the rest of the patrol are crouched low, hidden behind trees and thick bushes. For a second, I don't get it. Why the hell are we hiding? Anastasia could be right there, so close I can almost taste her in the air.My wolf fights me hard, clawing at the inside of my chest, roaring at me to move, to tear through anything standing between me and her. But my human side digs in, just barely keeping control. I suck in a ragged breath and crouch low, reminding myself that rushing in without thinking could cost Anastasia her life.I notice the black hummer rolling down the old dirt road just outside the border. The windows are tinted so dark I can't see a damn thing inside. Every part of me wants to charge in and flip the damn thing over, but I grind my teeth and stay low."That's them..." Irwin says in a low voice from where he’s crouched behind a fallen log. He nods hi
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