Carolina’s POV Two days had passed since I had stood in that grand hall, and the weight of my words lingered heavily in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. I had watched the pack teeter on the brink of loyalty and doubt, and I knew it wouldn’t take long for the balance to shift. My challenge hung over Avery like a guillotine, and I could almost taste the naivety radiating from her as she navigated her new role as Luna.In those two days, the atmosphere within the pack shifted subtly. Avery had thrown herself into tasks, trying to bond with the members and prove she belonged, but I could see through her efforts—the smile was sometimes too strained, her laughter too brittle. She was a girl playing dress-up, and I was determined to show everyone just how ill-prepared she truly was.I spent my time meticulously observing, listening for whispers and gathering information from those who were still hung up on our loss. Craig's absence had created a vacuum of leadership, and I was all
Carolina’s POV I waited almost an hour for Craig to appear, but he didn’t come, and the disappointment of not seeing him was getting me down. I clenched my fists tightly together when I heard a rustle of leaves and twigs breaking. Freezing, I held my breath. A growl echoed around me, and I felt myself stiffen. “Who’s there?” I called out, not seeing anyone in sight. I broke into a run and hurried through the dense forest, not daring to look back, when suddenly someone grabbed me from behind, and I let out an almighty scream. I was sure that Alpha Zane and the pack would soon be at my side, hearing my screams, but then I stopped. The smiling face and twinkling eyes standing before me were him. It was Craig. I wanted to punch him for frightening me like that, but I couldn’t. Instead, I threw my arms around his shoulders and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back, and I closed my eyes, imagining none of this hell had ever happened to us. I wished so much for that to be true. “Oh, you
Avery’s POV “Carolina? What are you doing out here? Are you alright?” I frowned when I spotted her sitting with her knees hugged under her chin. She glanced up and scowled when she saw it was me. I wanted to go over it and see if she was okay. I know she hated me in the past, but I was Luna now, and I should at least try to get along with her. I knew it would be much easier at our pack if we all got along. I knew how Zane hated to think of anyone causing a rift. However, I did understand her reasons. Craig was a big part of the pack. He hadn’t just been my mate or the beta. Everyone loved him and adored him. He had shown me love and kindness from the start. Even though I had found a second chance with Zane, it didn’t take away the thoughts and love I would always have for Craig. He would want me to be happy, and I was. “What do you want?” she hissed, looking back out at the distance. I sighed and approached her. “I don't want to speak to you, Avery.” she moved slightly away from me.
Avery's POVI sighed as Carolina left me on my own. She didn't like me, and I was unwilling to force her to. My mind wandered back to when Craig had taken me to this part of the forest on one of our crazy adventures, just the two of us on the edge of the border. It was where he had first found me. I don't remember much about it other than how safe he made me feel. This place was stunningly beautiful. Something about it made me feel closer to Craig, almost like he was here with me. “Avery. Avery. Where are you?” a voice called out, shaking me from my thoughts and back to reality. Shaking my head, I chuckled to myself. I was supposed to be out picking apples with Cady whilst Zane attended to some things back in his office. Even as his Luna, he still wanted to take the weight off my shoulders and let me relax a little, so Cady and I decided to come out and collect some apples for the omegas to cook up a huge apple pie for the next day. “Oh, there you are,” she gasped with relief when s
Carolina’s POVI didn’t want to admit it, but as I walked away from her, the weight of Avery’s words lingered in my mind like an unwelcome shadow. I could feel the bitterness pooling in my chest, and I hated how her insistence pierced through my defences. It wasn’t fair that she came into my life like a whirlwind, bringing with her the echoes of what I had lost and the anguish of the new reality I had to accept.Yes, I was angry. Furious, even. I wanted to throw it all at her, to unleash the tidal wave of my grief and resentment. Craig had been my anchor, and in an instant, he was gone, replaced by someone who, through no fault of her own, now took his place beside Zane. A part of me wanted to scream that she could never be him and that our memories were mine to cherish.As I stepped into the confined space of my room, I slammed the door shut behind me, letting the silence envelop me like a thick fog. I paced back and forth, my heart pounding in my chest. Guilt gnawed at me as I repla
Avery's pov As we gathered the final few apples, I tried to shake off the heaviness that Cady’s words had inspired in me. I focused on the sun peeking through the leaves, casting a perfect golden hue over everything. It was beautiful, and for a moment, I allowed myself to exist in that beauty, filling my lungs with the crisp autumn air.“Do you think we have enough?” I asked, glancing at the bulging basket. There was an abundance of red and green, gleaming in the sunlight like little trophies of our hard work. Cady flashed a grin, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.“Oh yes! This should be more than enough for a giant pie. Maybe we can even make a few turnovers too?” she suggested, her voice bubbling over with excitement. I nodded, feeling a spark of joy return as we made our way back toward the pack house.“Turnovers sound great!” I chimed in, letting her infectious energy momentarily lift my spirits. As we walked, the path wound through old trees that had witnessed countless storie
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
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