Chapter 80 – The Phantom’s Gambit The forest was eerily silent as Jessica and her makeshift group moved through the underbrush, their steps heavy with exhaustion and unease. Dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, but the beauty felt hollow against the weight of what they’d just endured. Every snapped twig or rustling leaf made them flinch, their nerves frayed to the breaking point. Jessica carried her children carefully, their small forms limp in her arms. They hadn’t woken yet, and though she could feel their steady heartbeats against her chest, panic still gnawed at her insides. What had been done to them? Would they recover—or worse, would they remember? Kade walked beside her, his presence a quiet anchor in the storm raging within her mind. His injuries were superficial—bruises and scrapes—but the haunted look in his eyes mirrored her own turmoil. He hadn’t said much since the fortress collapsed, but his silence spoke volumes. Behind them trailed Lucas and Selen
Chapter 81 – The Silver Stranger The light was blinding, searing through Jessica’s vision like a supernova. She stumbled back, shielding her eyes with one hand while clutching her children protectively with the other. Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat echoing like a war drum as the figure stepped closer, their presence commanding every ounce of her attention. “I believe I can help with that,” the stranger repeated, their voice resonating with an ethereal calm that somehow felt both soothing and unnerving. When the brilliance finally dimmed, Jessica lowered her arm cautiously, squinting to make out the figure’s features beneath the hood of their silver robes. Their face was obscured by shadow, but their staff—a towering artifact etched with glowing runes—pulsed steadily, casting an otherworldly glow over the clearing. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound strong. The figure tilted their head slightly, as though amused by her q
Chapter 81 – The Silver Stranger The light was blinding, searing through Jessica’s vision like a supernova. She stumbled back, shielding her eyes with one hand while clutching her children protectively with the other. Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat echoing like a war drum as the figure stepped closer, their presence commanding every ounce of her attention. “I believe I can help with that,” the stranger repeated, their voice resonating with an ethereal calm that somehow felt both soothing and unnerving. When the brilliance finally dimmed, Jessica lowered her arm cautiously, squinting to make out the figure’s features beneath the hood of their silver robes. Their face was obscured by shadow, but their staff—a towering artifact etched with glowing runes—pulsed steadily, casting an otherworldly glow over the clearing. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound strong. The figure tilted their head slightly, as though amused by her q
Chapter 82 – The Echo of Shadows The howl lingered in the air like a shard of broken glass, sharp and unrelenting. It wasn’t just the sound that sent chills down Jessica’s spine—it was the weight behind it, the raw emotion cutting through the stillness of the forest. Bryan’s voice had always been steady, grounded. But this… this was something else entirely. A cry born of pain, longing, and something darker—something unhinged. Jessica froze in the doorway, her fingers tightening around the frame as if bracing herself against an unseen force. Beside her, Kade stiffened, his wolf stirring beneath his skin. Even Selene, who rarely betrayed any sign of unease, paused mid-step, her gaze locked on the treeline. “Was that—” Lucas began, his voice barely above a whisper. “Yes,” Jessica interrupted sharply, her tone laced with tension. “It was him.” Kade turned to her, his expression grim. “What does he want?” “I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice trembling despite her best effort
Chapter 1: The Last AnniversaryMy hands trembled as I stared at the third pregnancy test, the two pink lines unmistakable against the white plastic. Just like the other two tests scattered across my marble bathroom counter. After five years of trying, of monthly disappointments and tearful nights, our miracle was finally happening.I pressed my palm against my still-flat stomach, fighting back tears. *Our pup.* The wolf inside me purred with contentment, already fiercely protective of the tiny life growing within. "Alpha Female Jessica?" Maria's voice carried through the door. "The ceremonial preparations are complete."I quickly swept the tests into my drawer. "Coming!" The anniversary celebration could wait. Tonight, after the pack gathering, I'd tell Bryan everything. I imagined his golden eyes lighting up, his strong arms lifting me in joy. Five years of trying had strained our bond, but this would make everything perfect again.The great hall buzzed with activity as pack member
Chapter 2: Shattered PiecesThe steady beep of hospital monitors pulled me from darkness. Everything hurt – my body, my pride, my heart. But my first conscious thought went straight to my stomach.*Please*, I prayed, trying to move my hands. They felt like lead. *Please let my baby be okay.*"Don't move." A nurse's firm grip on my shoulder. "You've been in and out for three days. The pups are stable."Pups. Plural.My eyes flew open, vision blurry but focusing on the nurse's sympathetic face. "What did you say?""Twins," she said softly. "We almost lost all three of you, but your wolf... well, I've never seen maternal instincts that strong. You transformed while unconscious, created a protective cocoon around your stomach. Saved their lives."Twins. Bryan's twins. The irony almost made me laugh, but it came out as a sob instead. He'd thrown away not just me, but three lives. All for his precious pack status.The door opened, and Adam slipped in, looking like he hadn't slept in days. H
Chapter 3: Blood TiesSandra's hand never made it to my IV line. The syringe clattered to the floor as both of us froze at the sound of shattering glass. Through the broken window, a massive white wolf landed in my hospital room, fangs bared."Step away from my daughter."The words didn't come from the wolf, but from the doorway where a woman stood – elegant, powerful, with eyes exactly like mine. My birth mother. The Rivera Pack Alpha.But Sandra just smiled."Right on time, Elena." She pulled out her phone, showing a live video feed. "Your rescue plan was so predictable. That's why Bryan's already at the council meeting... with your son."My... what?"I have a brother?" The monitors spiked with my shock.Elena's face went ash-white. "How did you—""Find your precious heir-in-hiding?" Sandra's laugh was bitter. "Let's just say Bryan's not the only one who's good at keeping secrets. Speaking of secrets..." She turned to me. "Did you know your precious advisor Adam has been working for
Chapter 4: New Heartbeats"I need a gurney at the emergency entrance! Multiple premature delivery!" Through the haze of pain and exhaustion, I registered unfamiliar voices as EMTs rushed me into Saint Mary's Hospital. Three hours of white-knuckled ambulance ride had left me drained, but my babies were fighters. They'd held on."BP's dropping," someone called out. "Get Dr. Mitchell!""No," I managed to gasp. "Dr. Carter. I need Dr. Carter."The EMT squeezed my hand. "Dr. Carter's the best NICU specialist in the city, but he's not on call tonight—""I'm here." A deep voice cut through the chaos. "Move aside, please."Even through my pain-clouded vision, the man who stepped up to my gurney took my breath away. Tall, with kind eyes and surgical scrubs that did nothing to hide his athletic build. But it was his scent that made my wolf stir – pine needles and rain and something wildly familiar.His hands stilled on my chart. I knew he'd caught my scent too.*Mate.*"I'm Dr. Ethan Carter,"
Chapter 82 – The Echo of Shadows The howl lingered in the air like a shard of broken glass, sharp and unrelenting. It wasn’t just the sound that sent chills down Jessica’s spine—it was the weight behind it, the raw emotion cutting through the stillness of the forest. Bryan’s voice had always been steady, grounded. But this… this was something else entirely. A cry born of pain, longing, and something darker—something unhinged. Jessica froze in the doorway, her fingers tightening around the frame as if bracing herself against an unseen force. Beside her, Kade stiffened, his wolf stirring beneath his skin. Even Selene, who rarely betrayed any sign of unease, paused mid-step, her gaze locked on the treeline. “Was that—” Lucas began, his voice barely above a whisper. “Yes,” Jessica interrupted sharply, her tone laced with tension. “It was him.” Kade turned to her, his expression grim. “What does he want?” “I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice trembling despite her best effort
Chapter 81 – The Silver Stranger The light was blinding, searing through Jessica’s vision like a supernova. She stumbled back, shielding her eyes with one hand while clutching her children protectively with the other. Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat echoing like a war drum as the figure stepped closer, their presence commanding every ounce of her attention. “I believe I can help with that,” the stranger repeated, their voice resonating with an ethereal calm that somehow felt both soothing and unnerving. When the brilliance finally dimmed, Jessica lowered her arm cautiously, squinting to make out the figure’s features beneath the hood of their silver robes. Their face was obscured by shadow, but their staff—a towering artifact etched with glowing runes—pulsed steadily, casting an otherworldly glow over the clearing. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound strong. The figure tilted their head slightly, as though amused by her q
Chapter 81 – The Silver Stranger The light was blinding, searing through Jessica’s vision like a supernova. She stumbled back, shielding her eyes with one hand while clutching her children protectively with the other. Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat echoing like a war drum as the figure stepped closer, their presence commanding every ounce of her attention. “I believe I can help with that,” the stranger repeated, their voice resonating with an ethereal calm that somehow felt both soothing and unnerving. When the brilliance finally dimmed, Jessica lowered her arm cautiously, squinting to make out the figure’s features beneath the hood of their silver robes. Their face was obscured by shadow, but their staff—a towering artifact etched with glowing runes—pulsed steadily, casting an otherworldly glow over the clearing. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound strong. The figure tilted their head slightly, as though amused by her q
Chapter 80 – The Phantom’s Gambit The forest was eerily silent as Jessica and her makeshift group moved through the underbrush, their steps heavy with exhaustion and unease. Dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, but the beauty felt hollow against the weight of what they’d just endured. Every snapped twig or rustling leaf made them flinch, their nerves frayed to the breaking point. Jessica carried her children carefully, their small forms limp in her arms. They hadn’t woken yet, and though she could feel their steady heartbeats against her chest, panic still gnawed at her insides. What had been done to them? Would they recover—or worse, would they remember? Kade walked beside her, his presence a quiet anchor in the storm raging within her mind. His injuries were superficial—bruises and scrapes—but the haunted look in his eyes mirrored her own turmoil. He hadn’t said much since the fortress collapsed, but his silence spoke volumes. Behind them trailed Lucas and Selen
Chapter 79 – The Breaking Point The moment Kade stepped into the crumbling fortress, he felt it—the oppressive weight of power radiating from Jessica like heat off a wildfire. Her transformation was complete, her hybrid nature unleashed in its rawest form. Golden light pulsed around her like a second skin, illuminating the chaos: shattered walls bleeding crimson, frost spreading across the floor, and the shadowy figure recoiling as though burned. But it wasn’t just her appearance that had changed—it was her presence. The air itself seemed to bow before her, charged with an energy so primal it made his wolf bristle in both awe and fear. And then there were her eyes—once warm and familiar, now glowing with an otherworldly intensity that pierced through him like daggers. “Stay back,” she growled, her voice layered with echoes, as if her own soul had fractured into a chorus of voices. “Or I’ll kill you too.” Kade froze, torn between instinct and reason. Every fiber of his being sc
Chapter 78 – The Bleeding Walls The voice slithered through the air like smoke, wrapping itself around Jessica’s throat and squeezing until her breath hitched. It wasn’t just the words—it was the weight behind them, heavy with malice and power. She recognized it immediately, though she’d never heard it aloud before. This was no ordinary presence; this was something ancient, something primal. “Who are you?” Jessica demanded, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to sound strong. Her father chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with a cruel satisfaction as he gestured toward the shadows pooling at the edges of the room. From the darkness emerged a figure cloaked in black, its form shifting unnaturally, as if it were made of liquid shadow. Its face—if it could be called that—was featureless, save for two glowing red slits where eyes should have been. “I am what you’ve feared most,” the figure said, its voice layered with echoes, as though countless voices spoke in unison. “I
Chapter 77 – The Voice Within The voice hit Jessica like a thunderclap, jolting her to her core. It wasn’t just the sound of Bryan’s voice that startled her—it was the clarity, the raw emotion behind it. He sounded as real as if he were standing beside her, his breath warm against her ear. But that was impossible. Bryan was dead. She had mourned him, buried him in her heart, and carried his memory with her through every trial since. Yet here he was, speaking to her as though no time had passed at all. “Remember who you are, Jessica. Don’t let them change you.” Her knees buckled, and she stumbled back, clutching her head. Around her, the monstrous hybrids prowled, their glowing eyes fixed on her with an unsettling intensity. Selene watched silently, her expression unreadable, while Lucas hovered nearby, torn between concern and confusion. “What is it?” Lucas asked urgently, gripping her arm. “What’s wrong?” Jessica shook her head, trying to steady herself. “Did you hear tha
Chapter 76 — The Devil in the DetailsTo be sure, Kade walked forward, his shape silhouetted by a sun on the rise. Behind him, a group of warriors stood—his pack, their faces grim and unreadable. But it wasn’t their presence that made Jessica’s blood run cold; it was the way Kade was looking at her. His eyes flashed with a heat she couldn’t read — anger? Betrayal? Or something else that is much more dangerous?“Kade,” she gasped, her voice a whisper.He didn’t answer immediately, looking around at the scene in front of him, the roar of battle still raging around them, Lucas standing close by Jessica, protective as ever, and Selene leaning in the shadows, her expression unreadable. At last he spoke, a low voice laced with steel.“You’re not making this easy for me.”Jessica’s stomach churned. She had anticipated some anger from him after walking out so suddenly — but this? This felt different. As if he already knew everything.“What are you doing here?” she said, moving closer despite
Chapter 75 – The Web WidensJessica and Lucas crept through the underbrush, moving quickly yet carefully through the forest, a strange silence around them. Every snap of twig or rustle of leaves felt like an accusation — someone watching, waiting. Jessica’s mind whirled with unanswered questions. Who had betrayed them? Why now? And most importantly, where were her kids?The thought of them made her chest feel tight. She could still see their faces in her mind — how they had looked up at her with trust before she had been forced to go. Then they were just babies, too young to understand why their mother had vanished from their lives. Years later, now, she didn’t even know if they remembered her.“Do you think they’re safe?” she suddenly asked, splitting the tense silence that had sat between them.Lucas looked back over his shoulder, his expression inscrutable. “I don’t know. But we’ll find out.”His words were not particularly comforting, yet Jessica held on to them. For weeks — no, m