A NIGHT AT THE BALL RHEA’S POV I stood by the window, staring out into the stormy night. Rain drummed steadily on the roof. Droplets slid down the glass in uneven patterns, illuminated by occasional flashes of lightning streaking across the dark sky. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ward off the chill creeping into my heart. Memories I thought I had buried began surfacing, one by one. No matter how much I promised myself I wouldn’t cry over Miles anymore, the pain had a way of sneaking in when I least expected it. Tears welled up, stinging my eyes as the storm outside continued. FLASHBACK Miles strode into the ballroom, leaving me trailing behind like a stray dog. My heels were elegant but also merciless and I struggled to keep up with him. This was our first ball as a married couple, and Miles was supposed to introduce me to the other Alphas and high-ranking werewolves as his wife and Luna. But I doubted he would do that. He didn’t even bother to hide his disd
COLD NIGHTS, COLDER HEARTS RHEA’S POV FLASHBACK CONTINUES “What the hell was that?” Miles snapped, turning to face me. His eyes blazed with an intensity that made me shrink back slightly. We were now inside his car after the party, about to go home. He had dismissed his driver, opting to drive himself. He hadn’t been able to reach me after that dance with Alpha Zane because another Alpha had caught his attention as he approached me. Instead, he had carried the anger until after the party. And here we were about to have this dreaded conversation. “What was what?” I asked, trying to keep my voice firm and nonchalant, though I could hear the slight tremor in my words. “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” he growled, his tone low and dangerous. “Dancing with Zane? Letting him put his hands on you?” I frowned, confusion and frustration bubbling to the surface. “Why does it matter to you, Miles? You ignored me all night. You’ve made it abundantly clear you don’t care abo
THE VERDICT MILES’ POV A month later... Elder Aldric Silvermane cleared his throat and scanned the council room. The room fell silent as he began: “Roxy Chapman, you stand before the Wolf Council accused of grave crimes that strike at the heart of pack law and harmony. These crimes are not minor transgressions; they are deliberate and malicious acts that endangered lives, undermined leadership, and tore at the fabric of our society. The charges against you are as follows: identity theft, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraudulent manipulation, endangering pack stability, false reporting, and the misuse of pack resources. Each of these charges has been supported by substantial evidence, witness testimony, and your own actions. The Council finds you guilty on all counts. Guilty of stealing Luna Rhea’s identity to advance your ambitions. Guilty of hiring someone to ram into Alpha Miles’ car, an act that could have cost him his life. Guilty of orchestrating a staged
Alpha’s Desperation YURI’S POV “Rhea! Rhea!” The commotion outside jolted me awake, and I rose from my bed with a groggy sigh. I had just returned from Crimson Peak Pack, where Rhea was safely pursuing her college education. Zane’s pack was perfect, safe for her and the child, far enough from mine and Miles’ territory. Miles would never think of looking for her there. He would never guess that she was under Zane’s protection, and frankly, I wouldn’t allow him to find her. Not again. He had his chance. Hell, he married her, and he ruined it in ways that still made my blood boil. The man was lucky, no, he was blessed to have had someone like Rhea. A woman who loved him with everything she had. And what did he do? He tossed it all away like it meant nothing. If only he knew how many of us would have given anything just for a moment of Rhea’s attention. Back in high school, she was a lot of the boys' secret crush. Even his beta, yes, that spineless coward had a thing for her. I co
Tides of Guilt and Grief MILES’ POV I watched as Roxy’s mother was escorted into the dimly lit interrogation room; her hands were bound with silver cuffs that gleamed under the harsh light. Her face was streaked with dried tears, her eyes swollen and red. She kept her gaze firmly on the floor, avoiding mine like her shame was written on my face. Maybe she was replaying all the lies, the fake tears, the elaborate dramas she staged over Rhea’s pain and loss. And now, the truth was suffocating her. The gamma gestured for her to sit, and she sank into the chair opposite me like her knees couldn’t hold her anymore. “You know why I’m here, Mrs. Chapman,” I said, my voice cold. She shook her head slightly, her voice barely audible as she mumbled, “I don’t know, Alpha.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table, and let my voice drop lower, harsher. “I’m here for the truth. No more lies, no more games. Do you understand me?” Her head bobbed in a small, hesitant nod. “Yes,
Fate's Double Edge Seven Months Later... MILES’ POV I woke with a jolt as thunder roared across the night sky, followed by a flash of lightning that lit up the room for a brief moment. My heart was racing, though I couldn’t tell if it was from the storm or the dream I had just escaped. My sleep had been troubled for many months now. A lot of horrible things had happened, but at the top of my list was the disappearance of Rhea. I had searched everywhere, exhausted every lead, but it was as if she had been swallowed by the earth. I hadn’t given up, could never give up, but I had learned to function through the ache. Roxy and her mother had died on the same day. The poor woman couldn’t take the news of her daughter’s death; she had died of cardiac arrest. Things were gradually beginning to return to normal in Snowfall, although I knew deep down that nothing in my life would ever be normal again. It was only a matter of time before the pack started requesting a new Luna and an heir. B
Another Rejection SEVEN YEARS LATER... RHEA’S POV “Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!” The off-key chorus from the crowd around me and the cake was both endearing and mildly amusing. I couldn’t help but smile widely as they clapped and cheered, their enthusiasm infectious. Then, as expected, the chants for me to cut the cake began. The lively group consisted of my colleagues from the clinic, my household help, and, of course, my little ray of sunshine, my son, Sekani. “Hip, hip, hip!” Stella shouted. “Hooray!” the others chorused. Sekani darted forward, clearly hiding something behind his back. His small face lit up with a grin. “Happy birthday, Mom! And congratulations on your big award!” “Aww, my sweet boy.” I cupped his cheeks with both hands, planting a kiss on his forehead. His hair smelled faintly of oranges, no doubt from the juice he had spilled earlier. Grinning, he thrust a brightly wrapped box into my hands. The shiny paper was tied with a lops
Closed Hearts MILES’ POV “Miles, the reporter from Alante is in the mansion. Remember what we discussed,” Evans’ voice came through the phone. “This is good for the business. Please don’t scare the poor woman away with your frosty alpha demeanor.” I grunted in response and ended the call without another word. Evans had spent weeks convincing me to let a reporter come into my home, considering how little interest I had in reporters snooping around my personal space, and I still wasn’t sure why I had caved. The last seven years had been rough on me, although internally. With Rhea gone and nowhere to be found, I had poured all my love and dedication into developing my pack, especially after that fatal blow I had from a rogue’s spear. I had developed Snowfall so much that we had tourists from all parts of the world coming in to spend holidays. Rico and I had expanded our businesses together, going into different ventures. Real Estate, stocks, technical assistance, name it. Mondragon h
Bruises Beneath the SkinMILES’ POV Holmes eased the car to a stop in front of Rhea’s house. The sun was just beginning to peek through the early morning clouds, casting long shadows across the driveway. Rhea was standing on the porch with Sekani at her side. His suitcase was already packed and resting at his feet. Rhea had dressed him warmly for the day, zipped him into a soft navy hoodie. Her hair was tied back in that same no-nonsense bun she wore on work days. She was already in her scrubs, her arms folded across her chest. They both looked like a portrait I could never quite touch. Like something behind a glass frame, beautiful and distant. I pushed the door open, gripping the crutch in my left arm, and stepped out with effort. My leg still ached with every step, but I was getting better. I limped up the short path to the porch. Sekani didn’t smile nor rush toward me, he just stared down at his sneakers. We've not had any time alone since my parents left. He wasn’t avoiding m
Where We StandRHEA'S POVFive days later. “Mummy! Grandma took me to an ice cream shop!” Sekani announced the moment I stepped into the hospital room.The sound of his excited voice was the first thing that hit me, followed by the cool scent of antiseptics and the soft hum of machines. I smiled gently as I closed the door behind me. “Oh, did she?” I asked, walking toward Pa Dennis' bed. Sekani was perched on Ma Lisa’s lap, his legs dangling off the edge as he scooped ice cream from a bright blue bowl. He grinned at me, his lips already smeared with vanilla. “Yeah! And she let me get two scoops!”I let out a soft chuckle. “Two scoops? That’s a lot of sugar, champ.”Ma Lisa winked at me over his head. “It’s only once in a while.”Miles was seated in the chair beside the window, his head still wrapped in bandages. A single crutch leaned against the wall beside him. His right arm was in a cast, but he looked better and stronger. I was relieved when the doctor said his gen
A Soft Place to FallRHEA’S POVI stood by the doorway of Pa Dennis ward, my heart pounding with uncertainty. I wasn’t sure what kind of reception awaited me. Would Ma Lisa lash out again? Would she say more things that would leave me shattered?I sucked in a deep breath. Ma Lisa turned at the sound, and her eyes landing on me. I braced myself for another storm. But what happened next caught me completely off guard.Her face crumpled. “Rhea,” she whispered, voice trembling, “my dear… how could I be so hard on you?”She stood shakily, clutching the edge of the hospital bed for support. “How did I say all those awful things to you… when you’ve suffered more than any of us?”I stared at her in bewilderment. She came over and hugged me tightly. My chest heaved. "Oh, my dear, you don't deserve all of that," she wept. "Please, forgive me. Forgive me." Her body shook with tears.Tears welled up in my eyes and without a second thought, I wrapped my arms around her and burst into tears. Her s
Between Love and Law Rhea’s POV The sky was just beginning to turn pale outside the kitchen window, that soft grey blur that comes before dawn fully arrives. The house was quiet. None of the live-in staff was awake. Not even the birds had started their morning song. I sat alone at the kitchen table; a half-drunk cup of tea had gone cold in front of me. My elbows rested on either side of an open law book, a few printed articles, and drafted letters scattered across the table. Child custody laws in our region. Alpha-bloodline inheritance rights. Exceptions for rogue-born offspring. I had read them all. And I was still reading. One of the letters was addressed to the Council of Regional Alphas, petitioning an investigation into Alpha Yuri Cassian's repeated violations of the protective order I had placed on file years ago. Another was a formal complaint to the Inter-Pack Justice Committee, detailing how Yuri had disregarded multiple warnings to stay away from Sekani, culminating in
Mothers at War Rheas's Pov "He’s fine," Dr. Singh said gently. "No internal bleeding, no head trauma. Just a few scrapes and bruises. We’ve cleaned them up, and he’s doing great." I closed my eyes for a second, letting out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Finally, my lungs pulled in air properly again. Ms. Lucy gave my back a reassuring pat as I nodded slowly. “Thank you,” I breathed. Dr. Singh gave me a kind smile, his hand resting briefly on my shoulder. “Nurse Marston, you can take a breather now,” he said warmly. “You can take tomorrow off if you wish.” "Thank you, Dr. Singh," I replied with a faint smile. With a final nod, he turned and walked away. I turned and reached for Sekani’s hand. His little fingers clutched mine tightly. He looked smaller somehow, his face pale, his shoulders slouched, his eyes shadowed with guilt. He didn’t say a word, and neither did I. He just walked quietly beside me, while Ms. Lucy trailed behind in silence. My chest felt like it
In the Name of the Son THIRD PERSON POV (I will use the third person's POV here because a lot of events are going to take place in this chapter. Please pardon me.) Sekani lowered his gaze, twirling his tiny fingers in his lap. “Mommy won’t let me talk to you. She won’t let me tell you anything. So I thought… maybe this way…” His voice trailed off to a whisper. Yuri stared at the boy, unsure whether to yell or cry. Sekani peeked up at him with those soft, innocent eyes. The look on Yuri’s face made the boy shrink slightly. Maybe he had done something really bad. Maybe Uncle Yuri was angry. “I’m so sorry, Uncle Yuri,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean to make you mad.” Yuri closed his eyes and exhaled slowly through his nose, trying to stay calm. “Come on, Sekani… I’m not mad at you. But sneaking into my car and following me all this way? That’s not okay, champ. Your mom’s probably going crazy right now.” Sekani shook his head, gaze dropping again. “Ms. Lucy thinks I’m asleep. Nobo
(I'm using the third person's POV for this chapter because so many events will happen at the same time. Please, pardon me.) Faster Than Fear THIRD PERSON POV Yuri sped down the highway, his foot heavy on the gas, engine growling as the city blurred past in streaks of color. His jaw was tight, and the muscles ticked with tension. His fingers gripped the steering wheel like it had personally wronged him. He weaved between cars, honking without restraint, his eyes fixed ahead like he was chasing something, or running from it. But he couldn’t outrun her words. “Because I don’t love you! I never did. And I never will!” They kept playing in his head. Was it that hard to love him? After all these years. They could easily pass as a couple. He knew Rhea would have loved him back if Miles didn't fucking show up. He slammed his palm against the steering wheel. BAM! “Fucking bastard!” he muttered under his breath, honking at a car that appeared in front of his, as he cut across another
The Edge of Letting Go RHEA'S POV “Ree, I know you’re mad at me, but just hear me out,” Yuri pleaded, his voice barely holding together. “Yuri, what’s there to hear out? That you’ve been lying to me for goddess knows how long?” His face twisted in frustration. “I did what I had to do. I was trying to protect you. You said you didn’t want to hear about him anymore.” “I did say that,” I snapped, blinking hard. “But it was still my life. You didn’t have the right to make choices for me. I never told you to lie. Never asked you to twist the truth. Yuri, you told me Miles didn’t want his child. Sekani grew up without a father because of you!” "But I have always been there," he defended. “You didn’t have to!” I shot back. The words ripping out of me before I could stop them. He stared at me, eyes wide like I had slapped him. Like he couldn’t believe I just said that. I knew I had hurt him. But he had hurt me first. Deeper. And the truth was, yes, he had been there for Sekani. Yes, h
Of Boundaries and Blood RHEA'S POV Sekani beamed at his new wristwatch, his small fingers turning it this way and that as I pulled into the driveway. “I love it so much,” he said, eyes sparkling. I smiled at him from the rearview mirror. “I’m glad you do,” I replied. “Promise me you’ll always wear it.” "I promise, Mom. It's so cool." I smiled again, watching how something as simple as that customized watch had lifted his spirits. I had made a stop on our way home to pick it up, hoping it would cheer him up. It worked. The melancholy that had weighed him down earlier seemed to vanish by the time we reached home. But my smile faded the second my gaze caught the car parked right in front of my porch. My brow creased. I didn’t need a second guess to know who it belonged to. The familiar sleek black car. As I killed the engine and unlocked the doors, Sekani glanced up, following my line of sight. His face lit up instantly. "Uncle Yuri is here!" he yelled, throwing the car door open