Bear with this short update. The original chapter was longer, but it and two more chapters accidentally got deleted. Since they were not backed up, I am rewriting them again, which is no fun at all. I know some of you are waiting for the updates, and I didn't want to keep you guys waiting another day. That's why I wrote a shorter version of the original chapter.
MikhailA golden glow is spread over the grass as the sun begins to set.Rose is still sitting in my lap, her little body resting against my chest, but she is quieter now.Glancing down, I press my nose against the top of her head and inhale her sweet smell. My mind is filled with different thoughts, but still, somewhere, my heart is at peace.Making things right with Sophia isn't just about her. It's about giving Rose the family she deserves— the family where she is loved and protected. I don't know anything about being a good father, but for Rose, I will be the best dad. I will do everything that I need to be the dad that she deserves.My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Sophia steps out onto the porch, her gaze immediately finding us. There's a flash of something in her eyes—maybe sadness, maybe regret—but it's gone before I can be sure. She's gotten good at hiding her emotions from me, and I can't blame her. After everything I've put her through, sh
MikhailIn the guest house kitchen, I baked a small cake for Rose; since I didn't know what flavor she would like, I made a chocolate cake. Because I recalled how much she likes chocolate cookies, so I am just guessing that my daughter loves chocolates.The warm scent of chocolate fills the small guest house kitchen as I carefully pull the cake from the oven. It's the first time I've baked anything in my life, but for Rose, I'm willing to try anything—even if it means watching endless tutorial videos and figuring things out on the go.It would have been easy if I had bought a cake from the bakery, but I could not feed my pup anything whose ingredients I don't know.People might think I am being overly possessive, but I don't care. My wolf and I are not ready to trust anyone with her. Alphas are known to be possessive over their families, and since she is my firstborn from whom I had been separated, my wolf is insatiable. I am trying to be there for her, but this can't make up for the
SophiaI don’t regret it—not for a second, I regret killing those rogues. The moment those rogues set their sights on Rose, my instincts took over, and there was no going back. I had to protect her. She’s just two, far too young to understand why her mother had to become a monster to keep her safe. But still, seeing the fear in her wide eyes, directed at me, cuts deeper than any wound I’ve ever known.My hands are still trembling as if they are still stained with the remnants of the rogue’s blood. To Rose, I’m no longer just her mother. I’m someone capable of violence, of taking a life right in front of her innocent eyes.I swallow hard, pushing down the rising ache in my chest. She’s afraid of me. The thought lingers like poison in my mind. She had always come to me for comfort, to feel safe. But now, she seeks comfort in Mikhail’s arms.I know it’s normal. She’s too young to grasp the reality of what just happened, to understand that I was protecting her. But that doesn’t make the s
SophiaHe keeps holding me while I continue to sob... it hurts...it hurts so much.It feels like my heart will explode.The low rumble of his voice comforts me as he whispers comforting words while swaying me slightly.The sudden burst of anger consumes me as I push him away and glare at him. "All my life, I was made to feel unwanted and unloved, but nothing could have broken me. Because I knew it was all temporary, there was someone whom Moon Goddess had made for me... just like I was born for him." I step closer to him, my hands trembling as I clutch the front of his shirt again, feeling the rough fabric under my fingers. My voice cracks as I speak, but I don’t care. The raw pain in my heart is too much, too overwhelming, "I was tortured, I was humiliated, I was forced to feel worthless, but still, I had hope.""I had hope that one day... one day... my mate would come and put an end to all my suffering." I harshly push him away, "And then my mate came."The words have been buried i
Mikhail Hearing Rose's cries was one of the most painful things that I could have ever experienced... and trust me, I have experienced hell. I felt so helpless and angry because there was nothing I could do. Her grip on me not once loosened as if she was still scared that someone might hurt her, and it broke my heart. The face on which I have always seen a bright, mischievous smile was coated with fear.So I can't even imagine how Sophia might be feeling when Rose feared her as well, it must have devastated her. The moment I step into the living room with Rose cradled in my arms, I feel the weight of Sophia’s eyes on me. Her presence is like gravity—impossible to ignore, even from across the room. But now all I can think about is Sophia. I lower myself onto the couch as gently as I can, careful not to wake Rose. She shifts slightly in her sleep, her little head resting against me, completely unaware of the chaos that almost consumed us both. I feel the low rumble of my wolf,
SophiaI still feel the heat of his touch, the way his lips melded against mine, desperate and raw, yet it only deepened the ache inside me. Could I trust him? Could I trust a man who shattered me?What is the guarantee that he will not once again break my heart? The weight of Mikhail's kiss lingers on my lips, a confusing mix of comfort and pain. But somewhere, my heart knows that there is no turning back because the sincerity that I have felt through his actions has managed to crack the walls that I had built around my heart.I turn my gaze away from Mikhail before he can catch me staring at him as he stands near the window and looks outside.Rose shifts in her sleep, her small body curled up on the couch. The innocence on her face, untouched by the horrors we’ve faced, soothes a part of me. But my heart clenches painfully when I remember how she recoiled from me earlier—how her eyes filled with fear, the same fear I saw in the eyes of the enemies I've defeated. My own daughter was
Sophia Mikhail and Jake instantly stop talking and turn to me when I step outside the house. The bright light of the afternoon sun causes me to squint as I walk toward them.Mikhail subtly shifted in front of me, shielding my eyes from the sun's glare. When I glance at Jake, he has a teasing look in his eyes as he raises his eyebrows at me questioningly. Embarrassment coats my face, and I try my best to hide the blush because everything feels so awkward. But I guess I failed because now even Mikhail has a hint of a playful smile on his lips.Jake, sensing my awkwardness, clears his throat and turns serious before he speaks."Sophia, I feel it is time that you should tell Rose about Mikhail. She should know that he is her father. We all can see she already loves him, and somewhere, she recognizes him as someone who is strongly connected to her. We can see the connection between them from the moment they have met, earlier, we couldn't understand why, but now we know the reason." Jake gl
SophiaSince the moment Rose was born, I promised myself to protect her from every pain and harm. That even included keeping her away from her father because I didn't trust him to accept her. I was afraid of her sharing the same fate as mine.But Mikhail proved me wrong.He loves Rose, and there is no doubt about it. The way he looks at her, the bond they already share—it’s undeniable. And it fills me with an emotion I can’t quite explain.There’s a part of me- the selfish part-that still wants to keep Rose all to myself, that protective instinct that tells me she’s mine and only mine. But I know that’s not fair.Not to her and certainly not to Mikhail.They belong to each other too, and it’s time I fully accept that.Rose is just waking up, and momentarily, fear grips my heart as her sleepy eyes look at me. I still can't entirely shake away the image of her fearful eyes looking at me. Picking her up, I hold her while slightly rocking her.But when her eyes meet mine, all I see is tru
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.