Avery's pov The morning unfolded like a gentle song, drawing me down the stairs with the tempting aroma of brewing coffee and the sweet scent of freshly baked pastries. As I entered the kitchen, a sense of warmth enveloped me. Cady was dancing around, a notepad clutched in her hand while she hummed tunefully, and Zane stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with a skilled precision I had long come to admire. Sunlight poured through the windows, casting a golden glow over everything, as if celebrating the day with me.“Good morning, sunshine!” Zane called, glancing over his shoulder, his grin wide and infectious. “Join us for breakfast! You won’t want to miss Cady’s secret pancake recipe.”“Secret or just a hint of extra sugar?” I quipped back, sliding into my seat at the table, the warmth of our morning ritual wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.“Hey, a little sweetness goes a long way!” Cady shot back, sticking her tongue out playfully while finishing her note. “What’s break
Carolina's POV I opened the door a crack, just enough for his tall figure to slip through, and I stepped back, wary of his presence. Alpha Zane looked at me, his expression a mixture of concern and determination. “We need to talk, Carolina,” he started, his voice firm yet gentle. “About your attitude toward Avery.” Here it was, the conversation I had been dreading. I crossed my arms defensively, feeling a rush of indignation. “What’s there to talk about? She’s effectively trying to replace Craig. She has no idea what I have been through.” Alpha Zane took a breath, his gaze steady. “She’s not trying to replace him. Avery is grieving too, and she’s trying to navigate a situation that’s just as complicated for her. You can’t take your anger out on her; it won’t help either of you.” I shook my head, the bitterness rising in me. “How can you have sympathy for her? She’s moved on like he never existed.” “Because as much as you’re hurting, she’s hurting too. And you need to under
Carolina’s pov As the door clicked shut behind Alpha Zane, I leaned against the wall, struggling to process everything he had said. My heart raced, caught between anger and confusion. The room felt stifling, every breath a reminder of the battle raging within me. I wanted to scream, to throw something, to lash out at the walls that seemed to close in on me. But more than that, I wanted to cry—to let the weight of my grief pour out and take shape. I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Zane was right. Accepting Avery into my life felt like a betrayal to Craig, as if inviting her in meant erasing him. And yet, deep down, I understood that holding onto my bitterness only trapped me in a cycle of sorrow that I wasn't sure I could escape. That notion frightened me.Drawing a slow breath, I glanced out the window, my eyes catching the soft glow of dusk settling over the pack's territory. The trees swayed gently in the evening breeze, their branches weaving a tapestry of shadows and fad
Carolina’s pov “What do you mean by that?”Avery took a tentative step closer, her gaze steady but filled with uncertainty. “I know you’re hurting, Carolina. I can’t pretend to know exactly what you’re feeling, but I want to support you as best as I can. If that means helping you with pack duties or just being a friend—however you need me—I’m here.”I studied her, weighing her words against the backdrop of my own grief. On one side, there was the ever-present reminder of Craig, the weight of his absence pressing down on my heart. On the other, there was this woman—stranger or ally—offering me a lifeline I didn't know I needed. “Why, though? Why do you care about helping me?”Avery hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. “Because I know what it’s like to feel alone and unwanted. Joining the pack has been terrifying, and I feel like I’m always walking on eggshells. I don’t want that for you. Plus, Craig was important to me too, and I’d hate to see the bond you two had become a source o
Carolina's POVAs soon as I saw him again, I felt sick to the pit of my stomach. "Why?" I exclaimed; the frustration was getting better now, and I needed answers. proper answers. "Why did you do this? Why fake your death like that?" I could feel the tears stinging in my eyes. Craig froze, stunned at my outburst. "Carolina, I had my reasons. I promise you that I did not do this for fun." He gently wiped my tear-stained face, and as much as I wanted to push him away from me, I could not. All those nights, I lay in my bed wishing he was with me and longing to be close to him. It was all I wanted—all I had ever wanted. "Just tell me the truth; you owe me that at least." Craig took a deep breath, his expression shifting from disbelief to something softer, more vulnerable. "Carolina," he began, his voice low and earnest, "a stranger came to me weeks ago. I thought I was getting back on track, trying to find a direction after everything. But then he dropped a bombshell on me… a truth I n
Carolina's POV I looked into his eyes, searching for the boy I had loved so fiercely, and the man he was becoming—a stranger wrapped in a cloak of secrets. “Yes,” I breathed, the word escaping my lips before I even had a chance to doubt it. “I’ll stand by you, Craig. Whatever it takes.”A flicker of relief washed over his face, but I could see the weight of his situation still pressed heavily on him. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice breaking slightly. “I promise I won’t drag you into the darkness of my past more than necessary. I just need someone who believes in me now.”I nodded, the gravity of the moment settling in. “Then let’s uncover the truth together. We’ll start by figuring out who this stranger is and how he knows so much about your past. If he has proof, then maybe he can help us confront Zane, or at least warn us about what’s to come.”Craig’s grip tightened around my hands. “Exactly. But we have to be careful. If Zane figures out that I’m alive—”“He’ll come after y
Carolina pov My heart soared at his words, a spark of hope igniting within me. Craig was right—Zane might have assumed he had won, but he had underestimated our resolve. We would fight back, and we wouldn’t do it blindly. Together, we could uncover the truth and dismantle the remnants of Zane's control over Craig’s past.“Okay then,” I said, taking a deep breath to compose myself. “Let’s move quietly. We’ll position ourselves where we can overhear them without drawing attention.”Craig nodded, his expression serious, yet I could see a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. Maybe my presence was a stabilizing force for him, just as he was for me in this moment. Carefully we edged out from behind the tree, slinking through the brush like shadows.As we advanced, I could gather snatches of their conversation. The voices were casual and carefree, contrasting sharply with the tension weaving through my own body. Would they truly remain oblivious to our intentions? Or would we end up as pawns i
Carolina's pov Together. The promise hung in the air between us like a pact forged in uncertainty and bravery. As Zane continued to lay out his plans, my mind raced with potential strategies. We needed another way to gather intel without tipping our hand, to find allies who would stand with us against Zane’s burgeoning tyranny. I strained to catch every word Zane spoke, knowing that the details could be the key to unraveling his ambitions. “I’ll have eyes everywhere,” he declared, his voice low and dangerous. “Once I crush the defiance, no one will dare challenge my rule again.”Fear surged within me, but it didn’t steal my resolve. Craig needed to know everything, not just for himself, but to safeguard everyone who could potentially fall victim to Zane’s ruthless grip. “Listen,” I murmured, focusing on Zane’s words. “He’s talking about exerting control over the neighboring packs, but there’s more. He mentioned spies. We need to learn who they are; if we can reach out to any in the
Avery’s POV Alpha Zane? Luna Avery?” a gentle knock on the door brought us back from our own little world and I could feel Zane’s irritation as he curled his tongue and tutted. “And what is the problem now?” he wrenched open the door to reveal Dominic standing the other side looking hot and flustered from running. I frowned wondering what was going on. Pulling myself up from the bed, I sauntered over to the door and gently touched my mate on the arm soothing his anger almost instantly. “What is the problem?” I looked up at the mighty warrior with kind eyes. He bowed to me and looked slightly more relaxed. Zane sighed and rolled his eyes, I knew he wanted me to himself but something was going on otherwise we would not have been interrupted. “Its Carolina.” he finally uttered. “Carolina?” I exclaimed, a shiver ran down my spine. “What about her? Have you found her?” Zane demanded to know but Dominic shook his head. “Unfortunately not. But, we found this and if sends us into the d
Avery's pov The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow through our shared living space. Shadows danced across the walls as Zane and I sat on the couch, a pile of name suggestion lists and baby books precariously stacked on the coffee table. The excitement from our earlier conversation still buzzed in the air.“Alright,” Zane said, flipping through a book filled with names. “What do you think of these?” He pointed to a few options, reading them aloud dramatically, “How about ‘Gideon’ or ‘Ariana’?” I rolled my eyes playfully. “You know, I have to veto ‘Gideon’ right off the bat. It sounds like a character in a bad sci-fi movie.”“Alright, alright. No Gideon,” he chuckled, jotting it down as a no-go. “What about ‘Zara’? It’s strong, like you.”My heart warmed at his compliment, but a small part of me hesitated. “Zara is pretty, but it feels almost… too trendy? I’d want something with a bit of history.”“Fair point,” he replied, his pencil tapping thoughtfully against
Avery's Pov The warmth of his embrace eased the flutter of nerves in my stomach. With Zane's arms around me, I felt a mix of safety and excitement. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, peering into the unknown—terrifying but exhilarating all at once. "Have you thought about names?" he asked, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes, a spark of playful curiosity igniting his features. I laughed, the sound bubbling up like a burst of sunshine through clouds. "Maybe it's a bit too early for that, don't you think?” “Not at all,” he replied, his grin widening. “We can brainstorm! I mean, we have to be ready for the baby name book, right?” A new wave of amusement washed over me, and I couldn’t help but picture ourselves poring over names together. “Okay, if we’re doing this, I need to include your criteria for names,” I teased. “What constitutes a ‘Zane-approved’ name?” He pretended to ponder for a moment, placing his hand on his chin thoughtfully. “It has to be strong an
Avery's POVThe truth hung in the air, thick and heavy, as the reality of Kendra’s words crashed over us. I was pregnant. The phrase echoed in my mind, a blend of disbelief and a rush of emotions that felt almost overwhelming. Joy, fear, excitement, and anxiety erupted within me, a chaotic storm swirling in my chest.Zane’s arm tightened around my shoulders, grounding me as my thoughts spiraled. He captured my gaze, his eyes shimmering with a mixture of emotions that mirrored my own. In that moment, the world outside lost its significance, and all that mattered was us—what we had created together. “I—” I struggled to articulate my thoughts, words tumbling over one another in my mind. “What do we do now?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as I searched his expression for answers.“We figure it out together,” Zane replied, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “We take it one step at a time.” There wasn’t a hint of doubt in his demeanor, and as the gravity of my situation sa
Avery’s POV A heavy silence settled around us, punctuated only by the ticking clock on the wall and the soft rustle of packaging as Kendra set up the pregnancy test. Time felt suspended, each second stretching into eternity. My heart raced, caught between fear and anticipation, while my mind churned with unanswered questions. Zane’s presence was a steadying force beside me. His hand remained entwined with mine, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my palm. I wanted to focus on the comfort of his touch, but the enormity of what was about to happen loomed large in my thoughts. “What if I’m not ready for this?” I repeated, more to myself than to him, the thought echoing like a haunting melody. “Avery, nobody is ever fully ready,” Zane replied, his voice a low rumble of support. “But we’ll figure it out together. Whatever this result is, we’ll tackle it as a team." His unwavering confidence was soothing, yet my own doubts antagonized me. I didn’t want to let fear dictate my life, bu
Craig’s POV As Delilah led the way through the thicket, I kept a vigilant eye on our surroundings, scanning for any signs of danger the moment we stepped away from the safety of our temporary haven. I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears, each beat echoing the urgency of our situation.“Where exactly are we going?” I whispered to Delilah as we navigated the dense undergrowth, branches snagging at my clothes as if they were trying to hold me back from the path ahead.“To the old hunting lodge,” she answered quickly, darting glances behind us. “It’s abandoned, but it should be worn enough that no one is likely to search it.”“We can’t stay there long,” I warned, my gut twisted with the knowledge that time was not on our side. “What if they track us?”“They might, but the longer we stay away from Alpha Zane’s territory, the better. They’ll be searching for you, no doubt. We need to throw them off your trail.” That thought should have reassured me, but instead, fear twisted tighter i
Zane’s grip on my hand tightened as he considered my question, his brow furrowing under the weight of uncertainty. “Then we take it one step at a time, just like Kendra said,” he replied softly, his voice steady despite the turmoil in the air. “We’ll talk about it. We’ll figure it out together. No matter what.”His confidence was both comforting and terrifying. I opened my eyes and met his gaze, searching for reassurance amidst the chaos of my thoughts. “But what if I’m not ready for this, Zane?” My voice trembled as I spoke, fear and vulnerability tumbling forth like a flood. “What if I can’t be the person that a baby needs?”Zane’s expression softened, compassion radiating from him. “Avery, none of us are ever fully ready for things like this. Life throws us challenges, and we just adapt. You’re strong; I've seen you face things that would break others. Plus, you wouldn’t be doing this alone.” I felt a spark of warmth at his words, but doubt still lingered. “And what about you? Are
Avery's POV As I gazed into Zane’s eyes, a warm afterglow surrounded us, melting away the remnants of our earlier conflict. But as that sense of connection enveloped me, I felt a sudden wave of nausea crash over me. A bead of cold sweat trickled down my back as I pulled away from Zane, the world around me beginning to spin.“Um, I—” I stammered, my voice faltering. “I think I need to sit down for a—”Before I could finish my sentence, the room tilted precariously, and I stumbled, clutching my stomach. Panic surged through me as I rushed to the side, barely making it to the bathroom just in time. I barely managed to turn on the light before the contents of my stomach surged forth, heaving violently as dry heaves followed. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, more from the shock than the physical discomfort.“Avery!” Zane called out, his voice echoing with alarm just outside the door. I could hear his footsteps rushing in my direction.The door swung open, and I looked up to see hi
Avery's POV“I understand more than you think,” I said, matching his intensity with my own. “But I refuse to let that weight crush my spirit—or my ability to fight for it.”“For once, can’t you just trust that I know what’s best?” he demanded, his voice thick with emotion. “Trust goes both ways, Zane,” I countered, my heart pounding in my chest. “If I can’t trust you to hear me out, if I can’t have a say in our direction, then I might as well be standing alone in this fight.”“Fine then!” Zane thundered, his frustration spilling over as he turned away from me, fuming under the pressure of our conversation. “If you want to defy me, I will take actions necessary to ensure you’re safe, even if it means locking you in here.”My breath hitched in my throat, anger flaring once again. “Are you really willing to go that far? To actually isolate me from everything and everyone?”“Maybe I need to!” he snapped, but his voice faltered as he saw my expression. “Avery, I don’t want to—but you leav