Logan's POV The words on the scroll refused to leave my mind, carved deep into my thoughts like an inescapable truth. Arianna’s child... was mine. The revelation struck like a thunderclap, filling my veins with a storm of emotions—rage, desperation, betrayal. Sergio claimed the child was his. Arianna swore by it. But the scroll—the ancient, undeniable testament—told me otherwise. And deep down, I had always felt it. Always suspected. That child was mine, and they had stolen her from me. I couldn’t let this stand. I wouldn’t. I needed answers, and there was only one man who could give them to me. My father. I stormed through the halls, my footsteps echoing against the cold stone. The guards outside his chambers tensed but knew better than to stop me. Without hesitation, I shoved open the heavy doors and strode inside. The dim glow of candlelight flickered across the room, casting shadows over my father’s hardened face. He sat behind his grand desk, an unreadable expression maskin
Chapter 52 SERGIO’S POV After Arianna had taken her drink, she had fell right back into unconsciousness prompting me to call on the doctor immediately but now that he was here, I could feel my chest tightening. The weight of the silence in the room was suffocating. Every breath I took felt heavier, like the walls were closing in, pressing against my ribs, threatening to collapse upon me. My gaze remained fixed on Arianna’s unconscious form, the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest the only assurance I had that she was still here—that she was still breathing. The pack doctor had been tending to her for what felt like hours, his movements meticulous, his expression unreadable. My patience had been stretched thin, my instincts screaming at me to do something—to fix this. But all I could do was stand there, fists clenched at my sides, waiting. Finally, the doctor turned to face me, his eyes shadowed with something dark. Not concern. No, this was something deeper. Something that sent a
Logan’s POV The candle light flickered against the damp stone walls of my chamber, casting long shadows that danced with every shift of the flame. I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled in front of me, eyes locked on the old woman standing before me. Her hunched frame barely moved, but her presence held weight. She had come with news, and from the way she clutched her shawl tighter around her frail shoulders, I knew it was exactly what I had been waiting for. "The scroll is gone," she whispered, her voice rough with age. A slow smile crept across my face. So, someone had taken the bait. "Good," I exhaled, letting satisfaction settle into my bones. The plan was working. I had placed the scroll in her care, instructing her to leave it in a location where it would be found—where it was meant to be found. If it disappeared, it meant the message had reached the right hands. "You’re sure it wasn’t misplaced?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. She nodded quickly. "I left i
SERGIO. The news struck like a bolt of lightning, leaving me frozen in place. Poison. Not stress. Poison. My mind raced, replaying every moment of the past few days, searching for anything—anything—that could have hinted at such treachery. My hands clenched into fists at my sides. I wanted to tear through the walls, find whoever had done this, and make them suffer. But before I could do anything, a sudden, frantic knock on the door shattered my thoughts. "Alpha!" The voice was sharp with urgency. "Alpha, you need to come now!" I turned to find one of the guards standing there, his breathing labored, his face pale. Instinct gripped me, and I was already moving toward him before I even processed what was wrong. "What is it?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous. "It’s—it’s the young miss. Athena," he stammered. "She’s gone." Everything inside me stilled. "What?" The words barely left my lips before I shoved past him, sprinting through the halls. The walls blurred as I moved, my
Chapter 55 SERGIO'S POV The night had never felt so suffocating. I stood at the edge of the pack house, my hands clenched at my sides, my breath slow and controlled—but only just. Every muscle in my body tensed as the weight of an impossible decision bore down on me like a mountain pressing against my chest. Two choices. Neither of them acceptable. Arianna lay inside, fragile and fighting for her life. The poison was still coursing through her veins, and although the healers had managed to slow its spread, they had no cure—at least, not yet. Someone had tried to kill her. Someone within my pack. Leaving her now meant trusting that whoever was behind this attack wouldn’t try again. But my daughter—Athena—was gone. Taken. Stolen from under my roof, right from her bed, and I had no idea where she was or who had her. The scouts had found faint traces of a path leading into the dense forest, but nothing concrete, nothing that told me how close—or how far—she was. If I didn’t go now, I
Sergio's POV The night was cold—too cold—and the wind seemed to slice through my coat like a blade. I could feel it on my skin, a sharp, biting reminder that something was off. I was no stranger to the chill of the wild, but tonight it felt different. There was a weight in the air, a tension that gripped my chest as we approached the gates of the Night Shade Pack’s stronghold. Behind me, I could hear the soft rustle of my pack members—silent, watchful, their movements a quiet acknowledgment of the danger we were walking into. I didn’t need to look at them to know they were just as tense as I was. The King of the Night Shade Pack wasn’t someone you walked up to without expecting consequences. I had heard whispers about him for years. Some called him a ghost, a tyrant, others claimed he had made a pact with the shadows themselves. Whatever the truth was, I wasn’t sure, but I was here now, and I would find out. It was time to face the man who had been a legend in the pack for so long.
Sergio's POV I marched into Logan's pack territory with a coldness that matches the air around me. The wind bites at my skin, tugging at the hem of my jacket as if to warn me that the answers I’m searching for won’t be so easily found. But I don’t care. I’ve crossed too many lines and fought too many battles to let hesitation slow me now. Not when there’s a child involved. Not when there’s a lie festering at the heart of everything. The scent of the pack is thick in the air, familiar but altered—darker, more unsettling than I remember. I don’t know why it strikes me this way now. Maybe it’s because I’m not here to negotiate, not here to be a part of their politics or their games. I’m here for something that belongs to me, something I’ve lost—and I’m not leaving without it. As I approach the clearing near Logan’s home, I can see him standing there, his broad form silhouetted against the fading light of the evening. The way he stands—still, poised—there’s no mistaking his power, his s
Sergio's POV The meal Miriam laid out wasn’t extravagant, but it might as well have been a feast for the way it filled the hollowness inside me. Roasted vegetables, seasoned to perfection, warm bread fresh from the oven, and a hearty stew that chased the chill from my bones. Each bite was a reminder of what I’d been missing, the kind of comfort that couldn’t be bought or forced—only given. We ate in companionable silence, Daniel and Miriam slipping into their familiar rhythm of light conversation and gentle teasing, their affection for each other a steady undercurrent that made the walls of their home feel more alive. I listened, contributed when I could, though my mind was still spinning with Logan’s lies and the gnawing uncertainty of Athena’s whereabouts. When the plates were cleared and Miriam set a steaming cup of tea in front of me, her eyes found mine with that soft, motherly concern that always unraveled my defenses. “Sergio,” she began gently, her voice a balm on the r
Arianna's POV“Sergio, she’s just a maid,” I said, exhaling deeply. “She’s not just a maid,” Sergio snapped, his eyes narrowing. “I’ve been Alpha long enough to know when someone is hiding something.” I crossed my arms, leaning back against the armrest of the couch. “She’s scared, Sergio. You confronted her like a criminal. Of course she panicked.” Sergio paced the room, his shoulders tense. The glow of the moon spilled through the window, illuminating his furrowed brows. “Arianna, I can’t ignore this. Something about her feels... wrong.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Not everyone who’snervous has a hidden agenda. She’s new. She’s trying to adjust. Please, let it go.” His sharp gaze softened slightly as he turned to me. “You always see the good in people.” “And you see the bad,” I countered, offering a faint smile. “That’s why we balance each other.” Sergio finally sat down beside me, his hand finding mine. The warmth of his touch sent a ripple of comfort th
à 34 Arianna’s POV My mouth fell open as I stared at Mia, the revelation knocking the breath out of me. “Y-you’re Sergio’s cousin?” I stammered, my eyes darting between the two of them. Mia stood there with a smirk plastered on her face, looking far too pleased with herself. Sergio, on the other hand, was barely holding back a grin. “Oh, come on, Arianna,” Mia teased, folding her arms. “Did you think I was just some random wolf who wandered in and decided to stick around?” I blinked, trying to process the information. “I mean...yes?” Sergio chuckled, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through me. “Mia’s been part of my life since we were pups. She’s practically a sister to me.” “But how?” I demanded, my voice rising. “When did she even get here? She wasn’t around when I first came to the pack.” Mia shrugged, clearly enjoying my confusion. “I arrived not long ago. Sergio called me back from an assignment when things started heating up with the rogues. I
Chapter 70 ARIANNA'S POV I inhaled deeply, trying to steady my nerves as I walked toward the storage room where the healers kept the herbs and fresh towels. My hands were still slightly unsteady, my mind a tangled mess of emotions after everything that had just happened with Elena. The fight. The anger in her eyes. The way I had won—something I knew neither of us had expected. And then Alaric. I clenched my jaw, shaking my head as I pushed the thought away. Now wasn’t the time. I had come out here for a reason—to gather the herbs and towels for Sergio. I needed to focus on that, not on the way my body still felt charged from the confrontation, or the way Alaric had looked at me when he had stepped in. I forced my mind into a blank state, moving quickly as I gathered the things I needed. My fingers automatically picked out the right herbs—lavender for calming, comfrey for pain relief, and a few dried leaves of wolfsbane for disinfecting wounds. I grabbed a stack of soft l
Chapter 69 ALARIC’S POV A sharp pain tore through my chest, an invisible force gripping my ribs and squeezing until I could barely breathe. I clenched my teeth, my hands balling into fists as I braced myself against the wave of agony rolling through me. My wolf howled in my head, a mournful, gut-wrenching sound that sent shivers down my spine. Damn it… I had expected the rejection to hurt—but not like this. It was as if claws were raking through my insides, tearing at the bond that once connected me to Elena. My body felt like it was burning from the inside out, and for the first time in years, I felt weak. Mia must have noticed because her brows furrowed with concern as she moved closer. "Alaric?" I sucked in a sharp breath, forcing myself to stay upright. "I’m fine," I gritted out. "Liar," she muttered. Before I could protest, she knelt beside me, her hands hovering uncertainly over my arm. "It’s the rejection, isn’t it?" I let out a rough exhale, beads of sweat formi
Chapter 68 ALARIC'S POV The tension in my chest was unbearable. My mind replayed Elena’s broken expression over and over again, but I shoved the guilt aside. I knew I had done the right thing. Mia walked ahead of me, her posture stiff as she led me through the dimly lit halls. The silence between us was thick, filled with unspoken words. When we finally reached her room, she pushed the door open and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. I hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, the soft click of the door closing behind me sealing me in with my thoughts. Mia leaned against the wooden desk, her arms crossed over her chest as she studied me. Her sharp eyes were unreadable, but I could tell she had questions—ones she wouldn’t let me walk away from. "Sit," she said. I sighed but obeyed, sinking into the chair beside her bed. My body felt heavy, as if the weight of my decision had finally settled onto my shoulders. Mia exhaled and tilted her head slightly. "Why?" I
ARIANNA'S POV Silence hung thick in the hallway, broken only by the sound of my uneven breathing. My hands still trembled, my body humming with the remnants of my power. My eyes had returned to their normal color, but the weight of what had just happened lingered, suffocating. Alaric’s hands were still on my shoulders, steady, grounding. But it wasn’t him I was looking at—it was Elena. She stood frozen a few feet away, her chest heaving, her lips pressed into a thin, angry line. The moment Alaric had stepped between us, her expression had changed—not just from rage, but something deeper. Fear? Alaric finally let out a slow, controlled breath, releasing me as he turned to face Elena. His presence seemed to darken, his authority rolling off him in waves. "Explain," he demanded, his voice sharp as a blade. Elena crossed her arms, her nails digging into her skin. "You saw what happened," she bit out. "I was putting her in her place." I clenched my jaw, anger flaring in
Chapter 66 ARIANNA'S POV "You did this!" Elena's voice was raw with rage, her eyes blazing like molten gold. "You brought this curse upon him!" I clenched my fists, feeling the sting of my nails digging into my palms. "You think I wanted this?" My voice wavered, but I held my ground. "You think I wanted Sergio to get hurt? I would die before letting anything happen to him!" Elena sneered, stepping forward. "Yet here we are, Arianna. He’s fighting for his life because of you!" The accusation struck deep, a dagger to my already wounded heart. I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing myself to meet her glare. "You don’t understand," I murmured. "Then make me understand!" she spat. "Because all I see is a mate who keeps bringing destruction to the man she claims to love!" Her words snapped something inside me. I had endured pain, betrayal, and loss, but this—being blamed for the one thing I feared most—was unbearable. "Enough." My voice came out low and deadly. "I have
Chapter 65 Arianna’s POV As soon as we stepped inside, I guided Sergio toward the couch. His body was warm but trembling, a mixture of exhaustion and pain radiating from him. I felt it in the way he leaned into me, his grip firm around my waist, as if letting go would mean losing himself completely. “Sit down,” I murmured softly, brushing my fingers through his disheveled hair. “I’ll get some towels, oils, and herbs for your wounds.” His fingers tightened around my wrist just as I turned to leave. “Stay,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, carrying something unspoken, something fragile. My chest ached at the plea in his voice, but I shook my head gently. “I’ll be right back. Let me take care of you.” Sergio exhaled sharply but nodded. Just as I stepped away, he pulled me back, his fingers curling around mine, rough yet desperate. “Arianna…” His voice was barely above a whisper, almost pleading. Before I could ask what was wrong, his lips crashed against mine. A startled
Chapter 64 ARIANNA I felt my world crashing out as the revelation of what Alaric just told me hit me fully, given the kind of person he is even though I couldn't remember him yet as he said, I was very much aware that he wasn't bluffing. My life was falling apart. I was poisoned. My daughter was kidnapped. The pack was in a time of chaos because of me and yet I was all around throwing tantrums. What did the servant's think of me now? A self absorbed, non condescending Luna that didn't care about her people? That would absolutely be fair. If I were the one, I would have called myself way worse names. I gritted my teeth as I staggered into my room, shutting the door behind me. "Don't be too hard on yourself though, Zora." I heard Alaric yell as I pressed my back to the door, sliding all the way down till I landed on my butt with my knees crouched up. "Why is this happening to me?" Tears filled in my eyes ran down slowly as I began playing with my fingers while biting my lips