SophiaI’ve been staring at the same four walls for too long.My legs itch to move, and my body feels heavy with the kind of stiffness that comes from lying in bed for far too long. Normally, I am busy with running after Rose and doing things for her. But Rose is with Lucas and he is looking after her until I am fully recovered. I don't sit idle neither lying all day and doing nothing is not cup of my tea. I need to do something before I lose my sanity.A shower. That’s what I need—a shower, something to refresh me and clear my mind. Maybe that will help me to feel like myself again.I glance over at Mikhail, who has been sitting quietly beside me, his eyes flicking over me.Slowly, I push the blankets off and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. The cold floor bites at my bare feet, but it’s a welcome sensation. I grit my teeth and start to rise, my body protesting the movement as though it has forgotten what it’s like to stand on its own.I steady myself for a moment, testing
SophiaIt’s been a few days since the attack, and even though life is slowly returning to normal, the lingering tension is hard to shake. Everyone is still on edge, senses heightened, and every movement feels sharper, more deliberate—like we’re all waiting for the other shoe to drop.It feels anything can happen at any moment.Mikhail is in touch with Alexei, but nothing helpful has been found. I don't know whether Mikhail has told Alexei that he has found me or not, because Mikhail never talked about anything related to pack with me. However, I have sensed he seems a bit agitated whenever he talks to Alexei. I didn't ask him what is happening back at the pack because I don't know where I stand when it comes to pack matters.I sit outside on the porch, bundled in a light blanket despite the mild chill in the air, watching the others train. Jake is leading the session, his voice carrying across the field as he barks orders, pushing everyone to their limits. Who can say these people are
MikhailThe fire crackles softly, filling the room with a quiet warmth, but it does little to dissipate the tension that hangs in the air. I sit with Jake, Caleb, and Lucas, the remnants of dinner lingering in the kitchen as Sophia takes Rose upstairs to bed.Jake sits across from me, his expression as unreadable as always, though there’s a subtle edge to his demeanor tonight. Caleb is next to him, quieter than usual, but his eyes meet mine every so often—something that didn’t happen before the attack. There’s no animosity in his gaze now, just a sort of grudging acceptance, or maybe understanding.We may not be close, but after what we’ve been through, we’ve reached a kind of truce. We both care deeply about the people around us, even if we show it in different ways.I glance at Lucas, who’s sitting off to the side, his brow furrowed, lost in thought. Out of all of us, he looks the most troubled. His eyes flicker toward the stairs where Sophia and Rose disappeared moments ago, his wor
Sophia I stretch slowly under the blankets, taking a moment to savor the peacefulness of the early hours. For the first time in days, there’s no overwhelming heaviness dragging me down, no sharp ache that makes me want to curl up and stay hidden. I feel… better. Not entirely back to normal—my body is still sore, and my energy isn’t anywhere near what it should be—but the fog of exhaustion has lifted, and the familiar hum of my wolf’s presence is stronger now, steadying me in a way that’s comforting. It’s been so long since I felt her this clearly. For a while, it was like she was barely there, just a faint whisper in the back of my mind, too weak to even respond when I called. But now… I can sense her stirring, her warmth seeping through my veins, though I know she’s not ready to come to the surface yet. Shifting would be too much right now. I can feel it in the way my muscles protest even the slightest movement, the way my bones still feel fragile, as if they haven’t fully mende
Sophia When Mikhail had gone to answer his phone, the idea of picnic suddenly came to me. After everything we’ve been through, a small escape seemed like the perfect way to make new memories. When I shared this idea with him, he instantly agreed because he felt it might be good for Rose to meet his wolf in a place where she is already relaxed. The lake has always been a special place for Rose and me. I have been taking her there since she was a baby. Whenever she used to cry and I couldn't know how to comfort her, I used to take her there. And still now it’s where I’d take her when we needed a quiet moment, just the two of us. A place surrounded by tall trees and the soft shimmer of the water. I always felt connected to nature there, and I could see that same sense of connection in Rose whenever we visited. It became our little special place. Rose and I have made some beautiful memories together and are still making them, and now even Mikhail deserves to make some of his own with
SophiaMy gaze follows Rose as she chases after a fluttering butterfly, her laughter echoing through the trees. She looks so free, so full of life. My heart swells with joy as I watch her. This moment, this peace, feels like a dream I’m afraid to wake from.Beside me, Mikhail is stretched out, his eyes closed, the weight of the world seeming to ease off his shoulders for the first time in a long while. His face, which usually carries a hardened, battle-worn expression, now looks soft and peaceful, but I notice the dark circles under his eyes.I shouldn’t stare, but I can’t help it. Mikhail has been through so much, and seeing him like this—so vulnerable, yet so strong—stirs something inside me. Without even thinking, my hand reaches out, my fingers gently grazing the skin under his eyes, as if I could somehow erase the exhaustion that clings to him.Instantly, his hand shoots up, grabbing my wrist with a firm yet gentle grip. His eyes snap open, alarm flashing in them for a brief mome
Sophia The sun dips lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden light across the field as Rose clings to Mikhail’s neck. She is talking his ears off, but he doesn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he is soaking in all the attention that he is getting from her. Mikhail gently sets her down, but she stays close, her fingers clutching the edge of his shirt. Her eyes are wide, curious, as she gazes up at him with a seriousness that makes her look like a copy of him. I can see Mikhail is trying to fight of the smile that is threatening to appear on his face because she looks so adorable with her serious expression. "Dada," she says, her voice small but determined. Mikhail crouches down, bringing himself to her level. “Yes, Rose?” “I... I want to see it.” Her words come out in a rush, her tiny brow furrowing in concentration. “See what, pup?” Mikhail blinks, clearly not understanding. “Dada,” Rose suddenly murmurs, her voice sleepy as she climbs in my lap and rests against me. “Can I s
SophiaThe coldness that washes over me as Mikhail looks at me with a predator's gaze is like ice water over my skin. All the warmth, all the comfort that fills my heart when he’s near—gone. In that moment, he’s no longer the man I love, the father of my child. He’s a stranger, a threat. And that look in his eyes—the wild, untamed hunger—it’s like I’ve never known him at all.My breath hitches, my muscles locking in place. His growl deepens, a sound so raw and primal it sends a shiver down my spine. My heart races, but I refuse to back down. I refuse to let fear control me.I harden my gaze, every tear that had gathered moments ago drying up as something darker takes over inside me. I lock eyes with him, feeling the shift in the air, the tension, the instinct to survive. A growl rumbles from my chest, low and fierce, something I haven’t felt in years.“I don’t want to hurt you,” I growl back, my voice steady but laced with a warning. “But I won’t hesitate if you push me.”His wolf’s l
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
MikhailI push deeper into Redwood territory, my wolf on high alert and my body still thrumming with the haze of bloodshed.The air is heavy with the scent of battle, the kind that clings to your skin and doesn’t let go.My claws are itching for another fight, my mind barely pulled back from the edge.Then I see a small girl, no older than six, crouched behind a tree.Her big eyes are wide with fear, and she’s clutching something—maybe a stuffed toy—like it’s the only thing keeping her together.I freeze for a second, my instincts warring with the sight in front of me.My wolf growls low, still riding the high of the fight, but I force it back.Slowly, I breathe, dragging myself out of the haze.It takes a few moments, longer than it should, but I manage to push down the anger.My claws retract, and I shift back into my human form. I move toward her, careful to keep my steps slow and non-threatening.The girl flinches but doesn’t run.“Hey,” I say softly, crouching a few feet away. “Y
LucasIt starts with this strange, light feeling, like something’s lifting all the weight off me. My chest, my limbs—everything just feels... free.I feel liberated.Then it hits me, this sudden, wild sensation like I’m being yanked out of my body. It’s not gentle. It’s forceful, almost violent like invisible hands are dragging me toward something huge, something endless.I try to fight it, instinct kicking in, but the pull just gets stronger... like I am drowning underwater... like someone is pulling me inside, and no matter how much I try to break free, I am spiraling downwards.My head’s spinning, my heart’s racing, and panic claws its way through me.That’s when I hear her voice.Merope.It’s faint like she’s speaking from the other side of a canyon, but it’s her. Clear enough to cut through the chaos.“Lucas, calm down,” She speaks in that steady and soothing tone of hers... like her words are laced in some kind of spell and maybe they are because often you would hear this tone f
JakeMerope’s voice sounds like it is coming from a distance, and it takes me a few moments to recognize her voice.“Keep your focus on them. Continue strengthening them. Don’t break the circle. The moment you hesitate is the moment everything could fall apart." Her eyes are focused on the flame of the candle that is lit between the circles.There's no room for doubt now. Lucas is in another realm, and I don't even know what that means. But I do know that if we stop, if we let go for even a second, we could lose him.We could lose them both.I squeeze Lucas’s hand harder, willing myself to give him all the strength I have. My wolf’s pacing inside me, growling and scratching at the walls of my control. It wants out, wants to do something, anything. But I hold it back. Now isn’t the time for losing control. Now is the time to hold steady.Caleb’s hand tightens around mine, his pulse steady.He’s focused too, locking into the bond just like Mom said.Together, we keep feeding the circle,
JakeCaleb and I walk toward the clearing where the ritual circle is formed.I swear I can feel the tension buzzing like electricity under my skin. The whole place is eerie—candles flicker, shadows twist, and the damn chanting that Merope is doing won’t stop drilling into my head. But none of that matters.My focus is locked on Lucas and Sophia lying in the center.Merope kneels beside Lucas and slices his throat in one swift motion. An involuntary growl erupts from Caleb while even my wolf comes forward, wanting to go and protect Lucas. Blood spills down his chest, bright and horrifying, and for a second, I can’t breathe. My whole body trembles in fury watching Lucas in this condition because I have never thought I would ever witness a day in my life when my brother has to go through something like this.I am almost on the verge of losing my control... as my eyes are fixed on the blood gushing out of his throat and pooling around his body. But I can’t lose it.Not now.I force mysel
LucasI make my way to the ritual circle.The closer I get, the more it feels like something’s pulling me forward, tugging at some invisible thread buried deep inside me.When I step into the clearing, the circle is right there in the middle, carved into the earth like it’s been waiting for centuries. The lines are sharp and perfect, symbols etched into the dirt that I can’t even pretend to understand. Stones sit at the edges, worn smooth by time, each one marking a point on the outer ring.The grass around it is pressed flat, like something too powerful for words pressed its weight here and left behind its mark.And there, in the center, is Elder Merope.She’s sitting cross-legged, her back straight, hands resting lightly on her knees. Her eyes are closed, and her face is calm, almost too calm. It’s like she’s a part of the circle, part of the energy that’s humming through the air. I can feel it buzzing in my chest, crawling along my skin.I stop at the edge, not wanting to step in w
LucasI step out of my room, and the air outside is cooler than I expected. I make my way to the side of the house, where I know Caleb’s been camping out. Sure enough, there he is, sitting on the steps with his elbows resting on his knees.His energy is all over the place, restless and sharp. He’s been like this since Sophia collapsed, and I know why. He hasn’t let his wolf out. That kind of restraint messes with you. I can see it in the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw is locked, and the way his foot taps against the ground like he’s barely holding it together.“Caleb,” I call out, stepping closer.He glances up at me, his eyes narrowed. There’s something in his expression that’s hard to read, like he’s fighting himself. He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me for a second before looking away, his fingers running through his hair.“Elder Merope asked me to meet her at the ritual circle in an hour,” I say, keeping my tone steady.Caleb stiffens at that, his hand freezing
Lucas My chest feels tight, like I can’t get a deep enough breath no matter how hard I try. My thoughts are a tangled mess, looping back to one thing... one person.Sophia.She didn’t ask to be my sister, but she stepped into that role like it was the easiest thing in the world. She didn’t just show up when it was convenient; she was always there. Even when I didn’t deserve it.The day when she risked herself to save me, I swore to never take that for granted.She’s tough as hell, but right now, she’s the one who needs someone to be with her... someone who helps her break the cage and free herself. And that someone is me.I rub my hands over my face, trying to push down the weight sitting heavy on my chest. It doesn’t budge.My wolf, though? He’s steady. Unshaken. Not for a second does he think we can’t do this. He knows we can. I feel his trust in me, in us, like an anchor.If anything, he’s itching to make whoever did this to her regret it. And so am I.I stand up, pacing the room,
MikhailThe ticking of the clock is louder than it should be.Gregor’s words loop in my head, each one sinking its claws deeper into my thoughts. He said I can’t protect her, that I’ve already lost.He’s wrong.He has to be wrong. I grip the edge of my desk, the wood solid under my hands, grounding me.Losing Sophia is not an option. Whatever it takes, whatever the cost, I will find a way to save her. I’ll tear the world apart if I have to, but I will save her.Leaning back in my chair, I stare at the map on the wall as if it holds the answers I need.Every possible lead is marked in red, but none of it feels like enough. I press my fingers to my temples, trying to focus, to think of what I’m missing. There has to be a way to get ahead of Gregor and figure out what he’s planning.He is working alone. Someone is with him, but who are they?The door opens, and Alexei steps inside. His expression is serious, the set of his shoulders tense. He closes the door behind him and strides acro