Carolina’s POV "Craig? Beta Craig?" “Yep. Hello Carolina. It's good to see you, but you look like you've seen a ghost,” he chuckled, and I shook my head in disbelief. I felt like I was going to faint. Was I dreaming? How could this be real? We had only buried Beta Craig, and now I was staring at what? His ghost? I pinched myself and tried to wake up from whatever was happening in my chaotic mind. I knew it had been a lot to take in the last few days, but this? My mind was playing stupid tricks on me. "You're not dreaming, and I faked it. I did not die." He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at me with a smirk. I blinked a few times before raising a hand to slap him hard across the cheek. I didn't realise what I had done at first. My hand stung a little, and the look of shock on his face made me realise that this wasn't a dream. It was reality. Craig wasn't dead. "What the hell are you doing? You're supposed to be dead! How sick are you to do such a stupid and cowa
The following day, I woke to bright sunlight streaming through the open window and one of the maids entering the room with a tray of delicious-smelling breakfasts. I blinked a couple of times before I realised that I was not in my own bedroom. I was in Alpha Zane's bedroom, and everything suddenly flooded back to me."What am I doing in here? In the Alpha's room?" I gasped out loud, causing the maid to look up with concern. My eyes widened in disbelief as I pulled the covers over me, suddenly feeling embarrassed. Zane was nowhere to be seen. Why had he left me alone in his bedroom, and what was the maid doing here? Had she even knocked on the door?"Miss, forgive me. I did not mean to startle you. Alpha insisted that I bring this to you since he had an important meeting to attend this morning. He told me to inform you that he would return shortly. Is there anything I can do for you?" The maid bowed her head to me, and it felt awfully strange. "No, thank you. Juliet." I noticed the na
"Alpha Zane," I breathed, taking in his pure sight. He looked so handsome, and how he looked at me made me melt into a pile of mush. Taking a step closer, he reached out for me and snaked his arms around my waist so we were nose to nose. I let out a girlish giggle and bit my lip. I wondered if he knew how he made me feel deep inside. This was something that I never felt with Craig; it was more potent and clearer. All I knew was that the more time I spent with Alpha Zane, the more I couldn't be away from him. He took my hand and brought it to his lips, not looking at me. I opened my mouth to say something, but he suddenly placed a finger underneath my chin, bringing my lips closer to his. Without a word, he brushed his lips against mine, and we embraced passionately. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he scooped me up and pulled me closer; a moan of pleasure escaped my lips. I did not want that moment to end; I could feel his excitement growing against me as we continued kissing. Bu
I dreaded facing the waiting crowd of pack members. I was sure they would dislike me, besides their Alpha, as their Luna. I knew how they had all loved and adored Beta Craig. As had I, he had always treated me well. It was just seeing him in bed with Carolina had hurt me badly—Even though I had no memories of my life before this place. We barely saw Alpha Zane; he was never here. Craig had put up with so much as Beta; he was the one everyone had looked up to and respected. I thought that was why so many had given me the time of their day. But I could not help but wonder, did they all feel the same way about me as Carolina? Was Alpha Zane confident he should be with me?Alpha Zane tightened my hand as if sensing my nerves. I smiled and kept my eyes on the ground as I walked beside him. He pulled me closer, and I melted at his touch."Everything will be just fine, you will see," he whispered into my ear as he kissed my earlobe, causing me to gasp loudly.My cheeks flushed at his gentle
Carolina’s POV The state of her! What was she doing up there? All smug and smirking? Didn’t she have an ounce of regret for Craig? I swallowed hard, unable to contain my anger a moment longer. The elder's voice suddenly filled the room, declaring her the Luna. I couldn’t believe what was happening. It was too much for me to process, along with the whole thing that had happened last night in the forest. Being sworn to secrecy and knowing that Beta Craig was not dead. He had faked his death for whatever reason. I still could not figure out why he would do such a stupid thing. What would everyone’s reaction be if they knew the truth? I shook my head and commanded myself to remain calm and silent. I couldn’t let Craig down. He had put his trust in me on this. Alpha Zane and his stupid Luna would pay for taking Craig from me and our pack. I had loved Craig for all my life and always believed that one day we would be together. That all changed when Avery Woods came along and stole him from
I watched Carolina leave the grand hall and wondered what she was doing. I knew deep down that she resented me, but judging from how everyone was so lovely to me, it looked like hardly anyone shared her negatively. Either that, or they were all good actors in front of Alpha Zane and all the elders. “Luna Avery sounds so damn good on you,” Cady squealed as she rushed to congratulate me. I hugged her back and beamed from ear to ear. “I feel so lucky, I can't believe it,” I told her. “You look so beautiful, and don't worry about Carolina; she got what she deserved.” Cady laughed. I frowned, unsure what she meant by that, but I didn't get a chance to question her further since Alpha Zane pulled me back to him, and I forgot all about Carolina and her strange behaviour. “So, my Luna, how about you and I disappear for some alone time? It's been a long day, and I want you to myself.” He whispered seductively, and I couldn't help the excitement that washed over me. I looked up at Alpha Za
Cady’s POV I watched as Alpha Zane walked away with Avery; he probably thought they would not be missed by everyone for a few moments. I knew what he and her were planning to do, and I could not deny the pain it caused my heart. I always believed that deep down, he should be mine. What was so amazing about her anyway? I clenched my jaw and pulled my gaze away as they disappeared into the distance. I thought about how Avery had wholly trusted me and how she believed I was her best friend throughout all this. But underneath it all, I did not like her so much. Nor did I care for Carolina. I wanted to be closer to Alpha Zane.There was something about him that had always gained my interest. He was an interesting character—an alpha with a dark mind and probably many secrets. Although I wasn't an official member of this pack, I was always welcomed here because I was Avery’s friend. I just wanted to be around Alpha Zane and have him notice me. But that was all ruined now that Avery had take
Avery's POV That playful glimmer in his eyes took my breath away and I felt myself surrendering to the electric intensity of our bond. The sensation of being lifted and cradled in his strong arms, only intensified the feeling of excitement that coursed through me. i could feel the taut muscles in his back as he held me close, his warmth enveloped me like a cocoon of security. Everything around us at that moment faded away and all that mattered was us - the heat we generated, the rhythm of our hearts and the pleasure that was building up deep within me. Alpha Zane knew how to make me feel good, it was something I could not easily explain. My lips found Zane's, igniting a fire under my skin. I marvelled at the way that he expertly kissed me. I clung to him, cradling his face in my hands. "Oh, Zane. I want you so badly." I said, breaking our kiss for a moment to catch my breath. Staring into my eyes, I smiled back at him and he said. “ It is because we’re meant to be, Avery. There’s
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
Avery's POV“I think you're being ridiculous now.” I told my mate crossly. I had had enough of being treated like a child. Did he forget he was my mate not my parent? Zane’s face darkened with determination, and I could see the internal struggle playing out in his eyes. “I’m not compromising your safety for the sake of freedom, Avery,” he said, voice low but laced with urgency. “The last thing I want is for something to happen to you because I wasn’t vigilant.”“Vigilant?” I echoed incredulously, feeling the heat rise in my chest. “This isn’t vigilance; it’s imprisonment! You can’t just decide to lock me away because you think it’s for my own good.”His expression hardened, frustration flickering just beneath the surface. “You think it’s easy for me to do this? You’re not seeing the whole picture! If that rogue is a genuine threat, I won’t allow you to put yourself in harm’s way.”“And what do you think you’re doing by ordering me around?” I countered, every word coated with convicti