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
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
Team Sekani MILES’ POV Taking Sekani to his game was the highlight of my day. We weren’t exactly on the same page yet, but I could tell, he was glad I came. He didn’t say it outright, but it was in his eyes, in the way he kept glancing over from the field like he wanted to be sure I was still there. The sun bathed the school field in warm, golden light, casting long shadows over the grass. Kids ran in every direction, their colorful jerseys flashing with movement. Sekani didn’t know it, but under my tracksuit, I was wearing something special. The moment the game kicked off, I unzipped my jacket, revealing the custom jersey underneath; black and white, with “SEKANI 10” bold across my back. I was here for him. Win or lose. “Let’s go, Sekani! That’s my boy!” I yelled, cupping my hands around my mouth. He looked over mid-run, his curls bouncing as he smiled, just for a split second. It was enough. My heart did a full backflip. I had never done this before—being a dad. I wa
RHEA'S POV My name is Rhea, I am Fourteen years old. I have never felt my mother’s love for a single day, and that hollow feeling has only grown sharper since my father passed away. My mother seems to hunt for the smallest reasons to tear me down, while she showers my twin younger sister, Roxy, with so much love. When I was younger, I chalked it up to Roxy needing more attention because she was younger. Innocent me thought maybe that explained why I got the cold shoulder. But as I grew up, it became glaringly obvious that wasn’t the reason. It wasn’t about age or who needed what. It was about Roxy. She was the family’s golden child, the classic beauty with a crown of charisma and academic prowess to match. Meanwhile, I studied till my eyes went numb, but somehow, Roxy still managed to shine just a bit brighter, she was the beloved daughter, the girl everyone wanted to be friends with. Tonight, my mother and I had an ugly fight—again, over Roxy, as always. But this time, she struck
Four years later... RHEA'S POV The final bell rang, and as the teacher exited the class, I practically bolted out of my seat, stuffing my books into my backpack like I was running from a crime scene. My aim was to evade Yuri, the alpha’s son on loan from another pack for training. No matter how stealthy I tried to be, Yuri had a knack for finding me. When everyone else in school acted like I was invisible, Yuri had this strange habit of seeking me out when he was still here in our school. He claimed he was "intrigued" by me, but honestly, I could do without the intrigue. His attention only put a neon sign over my head that screamed “Bully Target Here.” Most of the girls in school had quickly turned mean the moment Yuri started hanging around me. Even my sister, Roxy, wasn’t thrilled; she was used to soaking up all the attention like a sponge. Suddenly, her spotlight had competition, and the only thing more terrifying than Yuri's persistence was Roxy’s irritation. Today, though, I
MILES' POV “One! Two! Ready! Go!” Rico bellowed over the thumping bass that filled the room, his voice competing with the music as he raised his shot glass. Evans and I downed our drinks, slamming the empty glasses on the table. I let out a sigh, glancing around at my friends who were practically buzzing with energy. Evans clapped me on the shoulder, grinning wide. “It’s good to have you back, man! Snowfall just isn’t the same without you.” “It’s good to see you two again,” I replied, matching his grin. Coming back home felt surreal after four years away. I had missed these guys. Rico leaned in; eyebrow raised with a mischievous glint. “So, tell us, Miles—found your mate yet? Bet there were some beautiful girls in the Riverwood pack.” I shook my head, feeling a bit sheepish. I knew what I was about to say would sound like a joke to them, but I didn’t care. “Actually… there is someone. Someone I met before I left.” Their eyes went wide as dinner plates. “Wait, who is this g
RHEA'S POV A sharp, searing pain jolted me awake, cutting through my sleep like a hot knife. My whole body was on fire, each limb screaming in agony as my bones twisted and cracked. I lay on the cold kitchen floor, groaning, as realization dawned: it was happening. I was shifting. It was midnight—the time when werewolves my age would meet their wolves for the first time, under the watchful eye of the full moon. I managed to crawl to the kitchen door, clutching the frame for support as my body contorted painfully. I stumbled out into the backyard, gasping for breath. The moon hung high and brilliant, casting an eerie glow over the yard. Somewhere in the distance, I heard the howls of others who were also shifting. The sound should have been comforting, but right now, every nerve in my body was too overwhelmed to feel anything other than pain. My fingers lengthened into claws, my face stretched painfully into a muzzle, and my body grew, tearing through my dress as if it were nothi
MILES' POV "You did what?" my father roared, his face clouded with disbelief and fury. "Rejected your mate? That’s unheard of. No one in our lineage has ever rejected their mate, and it’s not going to start with you." I held my ground, feeling that familiar, crushing weight he always managed to pile onto my shoulders. He had always wanted to dictate everything happening in my life. I had spent years away trying to prove that I could stand on my own, that I could make my own choices—but here he was, still pulling the strings. "It’s my choice, Dad," I said, keeping my voice steady. "It shouldn’t be!" he snapped. My mother placed a hand on his arm, and I watched as the anger drained from his face, his shoulders relaxing. It was an effect only a mate could have—their scent, their touch, instantly calming. I had felt a touch of that bond last night, even though I had fought it, I couldn’t deny what I felt from the bond. "Honey, calm down," my mother said gently. "We don’t need y
Team Sekani MILES’ POV Taking Sekani to his game was the highlight of my day. We weren’t exactly on the same page yet, but I could tell, he was glad I came. He didn’t say it outright, but it was in his eyes, in the way he kept glancing over from the field like he wanted to be sure I was still there. The sun bathed the school field in warm, golden light, casting long shadows over the grass. Kids ran in every direction, their colorful jerseys flashing with movement. Sekani didn’t know it, but under my tracksuit, I was wearing something special. The moment the game kicked off, I unzipped my jacket, revealing the custom jersey underneath; black and white, with “SEKANI 10” bold across my back. I was here for him. Win or lose. “Let’s go, Sekani! That’s my boy!” I yelled, cupping my hands around my mouth. He looked over mid-run, his curls bouncing as he smiled, just for a split second. It was enough. My heart did a full backflip. I had never done this before—being a dad. I wa
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