Liam's POVThe sound of Mabel’s heels clicking against the tiled floor was the only noise breaking the heavy silence as we walked toward the operation room. She glanced at me, a faint smirk tugging at her lips, her words sharp enough to cut. "You seem to be very close with Freja," she said, her tone casual but loaded with insinuation. Her comment was like a spark to dry tinder. My jaw tightened as I forced myself to keep my composure. "Close or not, it’s none of your business," I replied coldly, my voice low and firm. "Don’t overstep your boundaries because of what you just witnessed." She chuckled, her laugh light but biting. "Oh, you mean what I witnessed? You acting all intimate with Freja? Sure, I won’t overstep my boundaries," she said mockingly, quickening her pace to leave me behind. The audacity. I clenched my fists, the frustration boiling in my veins. Why did everyone feel the need to test me today? Her words lingered, gnawing at my thoughts like an itch I couldn’t
Freya's POVThe warm soapy water slid over my hands as I scrubbed the last of the dishes, the workers chatting quietly around me. Their voices created a comforting hum in the background, but my thoughts felt heavy. The morning had been quiet, almost too quiet, and I welcomed the simple task of cleaning to distract myself. Just as I dried my hands, I turned to leave the kitchen and bumped into Roy. His broad frame blocked the doorway, and his expression was lighter than usual, almost mischievous. “You’re dressed. Are you going somewhere?” I asked, my eyes trailing over his casual but practical outfit. “It’s been ages since I stepped beyond the woods. I figured it’s time to go out for a bit, stretch my legs,” he replied, his tone easy and relaxed. I nodded, understanding the restless energy that seemed to hum around him. The woods were his retreat, his escape. “You know,” he added, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought, “maybe you should come with me. You’ve barely gone out s
Steven's POVThe moment I stepped into the mansion, an eerie silence greeted me. The usually bustling pack house felt deserted. "Where is everyone?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the stillness as I spotted Williams loitering by the staircase. "They all went out," he replied hesitantly, sensing my frustration. "Go get them, now!" I barked, my tone leaving no room for argument. Williams flinched and rushed out of the mansion. I began pacing, my mind racing with the gravity of the news I had just received. The demon wolf was alive. Andre was right all along. But what was more alarming was the revelation that Maya was working with it. This wasn’t just a threat; it was a declaration of war. As I walked to the massive windows overlooking the woods, I saw Liam and Freya returning from their run. "Where the hell have you two been?" I demanded as they approached. "Working out in the woods," Freya said, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "Is there a problem? And where ar
Freja’s POVThe hospital's pale fluorescent lights buzzed above me as I paced the corridors, each step echoing with anxiety. Nurses moved around briskly, their chatter and clinking tools creating a background hum that I barely registered. I stopped near the nurses' station, gripping the counter to steady my trembling hands. "Did you find her?" I asked Mabel, who had just come back from the emergency wing. "I’ve searched everywhere—every hallway, every room, even the supply closets. She’s not here," she replied, her voice thick with worry. "What about you? Any luck?" "None," I admitted, shaking my head. "I called home, but she isn’t there either." "Then where is she?!" Mabel’s frustration mirrored my own, her voice breaking slightly. "Maybe she felt suffocated here and decided to leave," I suggested, trying to remain calm. "Does she have any friends or relatives she could have gone to see?" Mabel's shoulders slumped, and she leaned against the counter. "Ashley is a simple g
Freya's POVMaya flung me through the air like I weighed nothing, and I crashed to the ground with a loud thud. Pain shot through my body as I gasped for breath, but I clenched my fists, forcing myself to rise. "Is that all you've got?" Maya sneered, brushing dirt off her hands. "Honestly, I expected more from you, Freya. Such a disappointment." Her words stung, but the rage bubbling inside me was stronger. My vision blurred for a moment before my eyes shifted to a dark, glowing gold. Maya raised an eyebrow. "Oh, looks like someone’s angry now. Come on, Freya. Show me what you've got!" She barely had time to finish her taunt before I charged at her with supernatural speed, landing a solid punch to her face. The satisfying crack of bone echoed in the air, and she stumbled back, touching her lip. Her fingers came away stained with blood. Her smile faded. "Enough of these games. It's time for you to die." Before I could react, she lunged, grabbed me by the throat, and slammed
Ashley’s POVI kept running, my heart pounding so loudly it drowned out everything else. The cold wind slapped against my face, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. My legs felt like jelly, but I couldn't stop—not now, not after what just happened. The moon's light guided me as I stumbled upon the old cottage by the lake. It was the same place where I had spent countless afternoons as a child, its wooden frame weathered but still standing tall. Collapsing in front of the door, I gasped for air, clutching my chest as panic clawed its way through me. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and I felt my throat tighten as the memory of the arrow flashed before my eyes. I hugged myself, trying to feel a semblance of safety, but my tears flowed freely. *An arrow. They shot an arrow at me.* “I’m scared… I’m so scared, Mom,” I whispered, my voice breaking. ******Memories crashed over me like a tidal wave. I was deep in the woods, clutching Leon’s limp body as I wailed. My cries
Liam's POVWe got back home, and as soon as we stepped into the living room, Freja was pacing back and forth, her face tight with worry. "I’ve been trying to reach you guys! What happened to her?!" she exclaimed, rushing toward us as we helped Freya settle onto the couch. "What happened to you?" Freja asked again, her voice filled with concern. "Got into a fight with Maya, and things got messy," Freya muttered, brushing off the concern. "What?! Maya dared to touch you?!" Freja’s eyes blazed with fury. "I'm fine, Freja. Nothing serious happened," Freya insisted, but Freja wasn't convinced. "Nothing?!" Freja said incredulously. "You’re limping, and you look like you’ve been through hell! How dare that woman lay a hand on you?!" "I only fractured my ankle, and it’s already healing," Freya said firmly, her tone silencing Freja's protests. "There’s no need to worry. Just help me to my room, please." Freja clenched her fists. "Liam can take you upstairs. I need to go find th
Ashley's POVThe pale light of dawn crept into the sky, breaking the oppressive darkness of the night. Relief flooded me as I opened my eyes and stretched, the stiffness in my muscles from the previous day slowly easing. "Yes! Finally! Let's go home!" I exclaimed, standing up and brushing the dirt off my clothes. Steven, who had been leaning against a tree, stood up with a groan. "You seem unusually happy to see the morning," he muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "After everything that happened yesterday, this sunrise feels like a blessing," I replied with a grin. Steven raised an eyebrow. "Spending a whole night alone with you almost made it the worst night of my life," he said with a smirk as he started walking ahead. "Trust me, the feeling is mutual," I retorted, jogging to catch up with him. As we walked, the silence of the early morning surrounded us. The occasional rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds were the only sounds accompanying our s
Steven's POV"Oh, about Maya," Liam said, breaking the silence, "she's still being held in the cottage. So what do you plan on doing with her?"I glanced at him and smirked, my thoughts already set. "I’ll go to check up on her now. I’m sure she has been missing me so dearly," I said, already standing to take my leave. Liam accompanied me as we approached the location where Maya was being held.Maya's eyes widened with shock and rage as we entered the room. "You!!!" she yelled, her voice full with anger.I couldn’t help but smile. "Don't you ever change? Even now, you still have the energy to scream when you see me," I replied, my tone light and even humorous."I will surely pay you back for this," she screamed, her eyes filled with rage. "I'll get you back for everything you've done, Steven!""Do you really think I'm going to let you out of here alive?" I asked, my voice hardening. "You’ll be dead soon enough, Maya. I kept you alive for a reason, and that purpose is finished. I just w
Ashley's POV“Don’t look at me like that, don’t pity me!” he snapped, his voice rising as he stood up abruptly. “You’ve heard my story, now do your work and finish those designs. And they better be good.”He turned to walk away, but I reached out and grabbed his hand, my grip tight with concern. “I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through,” I said softly, my heart heavy with sympathy. “I had no idea... you’ve endured so much, and—”“Don’t pity me!” he shouted, cutting me off, his anger flaring. “I don’t need your pity! I’m not that weakling anymore. I’m an Alpha now, ruthless, and you should be afraid of me, not pity me!”“I... I don’t fear you,” I whispered, my voice trembling with both certainty and sorrow. “You shouldn’t be feared, Steven. You should be understood. You’re not ruthless; you’re... you’re broken. Damaged.”“I am not damaged!” he shot back, his fists clenching at his sides as his eyes burned with defiance. “I’m stronger than you think. Stronger than you can ever i
Ashley’s POVI walked back into the room, my thoughts swirling with the chaos of the day. After a quick shower, I slipped into something comfortable—just a simple casual outfit. The soft fabric was calming against my skin, but my mind couldn’t quite relax. I sat down on the couch, trying to find focus, when Steven strode into the room.His expression was dark, frustration radiating from him like a storm ready to break."Did you get the phone?" I asked, already knowing the answer from the scowl on his face."No," he admitted, his tone sharp with annoyance. "They were too many of them, and they’re too fast."A laugh escaped me, and I couldn’t help the teasing edge in my voice. "So the mighty, ruthless Alpha lost to his two sisters and cousin brother?" I said, letting the mockery drip from every word."Just shut up and focus on your work," he snapped, clearly in no mood for my jokes."Oh, I’ve stopped working," I replied nonchalantly, leaning back on the couch as I crossed my arms.His e
Freja's POVFreya gave me a dubious glance as I placed the last plate on the table and took a step back to examine the setup. Her brows were slightly raised, and her lips curved into a playful smile."Ok, Freya, spill it. What's up with this look?" I asked with my arms folded.She cocked her head, her smile broadening into something that disturbed me. "I'm just... shocked, you know?""Shocked about what, exactly?""It's just that you're not the 'help-out-in-the-kitchen' sort.""You're more of the 'action and chaos' type," she joked, her voice full of laughter.I rolled my eyes, breathing sharply. "I just decided to help today." Can't a girl shake things up once in a while? Now stop staring at me like that—it's weird."Freya shrugged lightly, but her smile remained constant. "Alright, but I have to say, this is very... unlike you.""Enough already," I snapped. But her expression sparked curiosity in me. "Wait—why are you smiling like that? What are you hiding, Freya?"Her face faltered
Steven's POV"All done, happy now?!" I groaned, falling into the couch with a sigh of frustration."Not really," she responded nonchalantly, without even looking up. "I need water."I blinked incredulously. "What?!"She looked up and gave me an innocent shrug. "Well, it is your fault. You brought me food, but not drink, and the jug is empty."I leaned back and pinched the bridge of my nose. “So now it’s my fault? You’re blaming me while I’m solving your problems for you?"She smiled slyly. "Only because we made a deal. I save your company’s image, and you spare Maya’s life.""You seriously think I brought you food because of that deal?" I shot back. "Don’t flatter yourself. Maya sent assassins after you, and I hate her just as much as you do.""Then why don’t you want her dead?"Her face softened, and for a moment, she almost looked vulnerable. "It’s not that I don’t want her dead. I just don’t want you to be the one to kill her. I hate it when you kill people, Steven. It changes you—
Liam’s POVHer lips were soft, warm, and alluring. The way they fit against mine made my heart race so fast that it blocked out all other thoughts. I closed my eyes and savored the moment, allowing it to stay with me.But as swiftly as I slipped into the kiss, reality slammed me like a cold wave.I retreated abruptly, my voice hoarse and wobbly. "I... I'm sorry.""Liam..." she started, her tone unsure, but I couldn't let her finish.“I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know what came over me,” I murmured, retreating before she could answer. I needed to get away, needed space to think. My chest felt heavy, remorse combining with the lingering warmth of her kiss. What was I thinking? How could I let my emotions get the best of me?*****Steven’s POVI awoke to an empty bed. Strange. Luna never gets up before me.I stretched and stood up, noticing her on the couch, laptop poised on her knees, eyes fixed on the screen."What are you doing?" I inquired, my voice hoarse from sleep.Without
Ashley’s POVThe dining room felt empty as I sat between Roy and Liam. A thick silence surrounded us, heavy and stifling. Freya’s anger loomed in the air like a relentless storm, and Steven—well, he was just being Steven, bearing the weight of his choices like a sturdy fortress.The sound of footsteps approaching broke my concentration. I looked up to see Freja, her expression resembling dark thunderclouds.“Where have you been all day?” I asked, trying to mask my curiosity.“I don’t want to discuss it,” she retorted, her voice cutting like a knife. Without further explanation, she marched upstairs, her fury trailing after her like a whirlwind.I exhaled. Freja’s rage, Freya’s sorrow, and Steven’s silence—it was all overwhelming. This family was the perfect image of disorder, a work of art in dysfunction. And here I was, somehow caught in the chaos.After finishing my dinner, I dragged myself upstairs to face the man at the centre of the storm. Steven was already in bed, lying there l
Ashley’s POV“I said apologize!” Steven's voice roared, his anger evident, his gaze filled with rage.Maya, her voice shaking, replied softly, “Never.”A chilling grin appeared on Steven’s lips. “I suppose you’re looking forward to your demise then.”“Brother, don’t,” Freya’s voice cracked, her desperation clear. “Please, don’t kill her because of me.”Steven shot her a quick glance before replying, his voice calm. “If that’s your concern, then just let it go. Even if she hadn’t harmed you, I was always planning to take her out in the end.”In one fluid motion, he thrust his hand deep into Maya’s chest. Blood bubbled in her throat, and a choked cry escaped her mouth. I felt my breath catch in my throat.“Stop!!!” I yelled, sprinting forward, but Steven didn’t flinch. His hand was still buried deep in Maya’s chest, like he was crushing her very soul.“Kill her,” I said, my voice trembling but resolute, “and I’ll kill myself too.”I grabbed the sharpest knife from the table, my hand sha
Ashley's POV Freya and I paced restlessly around the living room, my thoughts racing."Where is he?" Freya's voice trembled with concern, her eyes darting toward the door, her anxiety palpable in the air."He’ll be back soon, Freya," I said, trying to reassure her, though I wasn’t entirely sure myself. "Maybe he just went to the woods, working off some of his anger. You know, punching it out on a few trees."Before she could respond, the door suddenly slammed open, sending a chill through the room. Steven stepped inside, his presence dominating the space. His suit, once pristine, was now soaked with blood, and in his grip, he dragged Maya’s lifeless, mutilated body across the floor. The sight was horrific.My heart stopped.Maya’s body was barely hanging on, blood dripping from her wounds, and I felt my stomach churn with fear. But then, everything shifted in a flash, and before my eyes, Steven’s hands were buried in Maya’s chest. He pulled out her still-beating heart, the raw brutal