Zara's POVAs I sat on the worn bench in the park, my eyes drifted over the playground, where children laughed and ran around, their carefree joy filling the air.I tried to focus on anything but the bitter thoughts in my head. I wasn’t here to brood—I told myself that much.But the truth was, I couldn’t stop thinking about everything that had gone wrong. I didn't want to keep blaming myself for letting Grandpa know about Ember, which made him want her back in the pack.A heavy sigh left my lips. Just as I was feeling somewhat grounded, a flash of auburn hair caught my attention.I squinted, my gaze zeroing in. It took only a second to recognize that familiar figure—Ember.My heart twisted in disgust. She stood by the edge of the park, close to the old rusty building, talking with Doctor Caleb. Watching her, I felt a familiar sting of anger bubbling up.Ember, the omega who was married to but rejected by Alpha Thane, was here, in Claw Bane pack’s territory. And she looked far too comf
Ember's POVStanding at the edge of Scar Moon Pack's boundary, my heart pounded like a drum, each beat filling me with a fear I tried to ignore.The trees stood tall around me, their shadows stretching out and closing in. I felt my hand clutching at my chest, as if that could help calm the storm inside.I couldn’t believe I’d actually found her here—Zara, at the park of Claw Bane Pack, just outside the pack house. I never expected her to be here of all places.The sight of her brought back every single one of her biting threats, as sharp and painful as if she’d just said them.“If I find you back here, I won’t hesitate to tell everyone the cunning Luna you really are.”Her words rang in my head, clear as day, and I felt fear clawing at my insides.The whole pack knowing the truth wouldn’t shatter me, but my son, Loak, knowing? Seeing his disappointment in me? That thought nearly broke me.I couldn’t let him look at me and see someone he couldn’t be proud of. And if Alpha Rowan discove
Rowan's POVAs I pinned Ember against the cold, hard wall, my eyes bore into hers, searching for answers. Her breath was shaky, and I could feel her fear as if it were something I could reach out and touch.She wasn’t giving me what I wanted—where had she gone? The silence between us was so tense that it felt like the air itself was cracking under its weight.I opened my mouth, ready to push her again, demanding that she finally tell me the truth. But before I could even get the words out, the door swung open with a loud bang, cutting through the silence.“Sorry to intrude, Alpha Rowan, but we have a problem,” Beta Nathan said, bowing his head respectfully but with urgency.My Beta’s face was tight with worry, his jaw set in that familiar way that told me this wasn’t just the usual matter.I took a deep breath, irritation coursing through me. His timing was beyond terrible, yet something in his tone kept me from snapping.Still holding Ember in place, I turned just enough to look over
Rowan's POVThe hall was silent, tense, as if everyone were holding their breath. The old wood-paneled walls seemed to close in around me, as if the entire pack’s history was watching me, waiting to see what I’d do.I looked from one elder to the next, my patience barely holding.Then Elder Thomas stood up, adjusting his robe as he cleared his throat. “Your Luna is responsible for the sudden deaths in the pack,” he announced, his voice booming across the room.The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and anger flared up inside me.How could they accuse Ember of something so vile? I slammed my fist on the desk, the sound echoing in the room, and narrowed my eyes at Thomas. “What are you talking about?” I demanded, my voice sharp. “Explain yourself. Now.”Another elder leaned forward, his face grim. “Since Ember came into the Scar Moon pack as your mate and Luna, people have been dying,” he said, his words slow and deliberate. “It can’t be a coincidence. She’s the reason behind it, Alp
Rowan's POVI stood outside my room, my hand hovering just above the doorknob, my mind spinning with the elders’ accusations against Ember.They had accused her—my Luna—of the recent and countless murders in the Scar Moon Pack, just because she was known as the omega who had left the pack and returned years later.The thought alone made my blood boil, not to mention the recollections of the scenes in the hall.How could they even think that? Ember wasn’t capable of such a thing—was she? She only left me seven years ago. She was the one soft omega I knew who wouldn’t hurt a fly.No, it didn’t matter. Thinking about whether she did it definitely didn’t matter. She was mine, and I wouldn’t let anyone treat her this way. I would take responsibility, just as I had informed the foolish elders of the pack.I pushed the door open harder than I intended, and it slammed against the wall. Ember, who was inside, jumped, startled, and her wide eyes met mine.She sat on the edge of the bed, looking
Rowan's POVThe sting of open wounds gnawed at my skin, but I ignored it. My focus stayed on Ember as we left the dark place where we were attacked, with Beta Nathan guiding us swiftly through the woods.The thick clouds in the sky blocked most of the moonlight, leaving us in darkness except for the occasional slivers of light breaking through.At this point, we weren't heading to the Howling Pack anymore, as they would clearly know we’d gone there.To avoid another surprise attack, we had to change our destination to the Claw Bane Pack.Ember clung to my side, her breath shallow, her footsteps stumbling over branches and stones she couldn’t see. She was still shaken; I could feel her trembling against me.We pushed through, crossing into new territory from behind as the scents shifted. The forest floor flattened, opening up to the view of the Claw Bane Pack’s grounds.No one from Scar Moon would risk following us here. We were safe, for now.I glanced down at Ember. Her eyes darted a
Rowan's POVThe night was cold, quieter than usual, with only the distant rustle of leaves as the breeze swept through.I sat outside alone, my back pressed against the rough wall, head tilted back, eyes almost shut as exhaustion pulled me under.My arm throbbed, a relentless ache that pulsed with every heartbeat, yet the pain was a welcome distraction.It kept me tethered to the present, away from the past that haunted my every thought. Just as I was close to drifting off, a sharp sting jolted me awake, piercing through the haze.My eyes snapped open, instincts kicking in as I tensed, hand curling into a fist, ready to strike—until I saw him.“Nathan.” I let out a rough exhale, recognizing my Beta, who knelt beside me, his hands already hovering over my injured arm.“Stay calm, Alpha Rowan,” Nathan said softly, his voice calm but firm. “Let me help you with that wound.”I jerked my arm back, the motion shooting another wave of pain through me. “I can handle it myself,” I muttered, at
Rowan's POVAs I stepped back into the room, the silence wrapped around me like a thick fog. My gaze swept across the room until I found Ember on the couch, fast asleep.Her hair spilled over her shoulder, and her face was softened by sleep in a way I hadn’t seen in years.I stood in the doorway for a while, just staring, wondering if she’d wake up and notice me. But she didn’t stir.I had planned to ignore her—God knows I’d practiced it enough by now—but something held me in place.Then I noticed her position: she had leaned a little too far toward the edge of the couch. It didn’t take a genius to see she was about to fall.Before I knew it, my feet moved of their own accord, and I rushed forward, reaching out instinctively.My hand slid behind her head just as she began to tilt dangerously. Her head rested against my palm, and for a second, I froze.She didn’t wake up. Instead, her breathing continued, soft and even, unaware that I was there, holding her head to keep her from hittin
Rowan's POV. I burst into the room, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. The scent of blood and sweat filled the air, but it was her scent—soft and familiar—that made my wolf, Crawls, roar in my mind. There she was, Ember, lying on the cold floor like a broken doll. Her fiery red hair was tangled, her face pale, and her body still. For a moment, I froze.“Ember,” I whispered, my voice trembling. My knees hit the floor beside her, and I gently scooped her up into my arms. She was far too light, her frame frail, and the warmth I always associated with her was gone. Crawls howled again, desperate and full of rage, but I forced him back. Now wasn’t the time to lose control.“I’ve got you,” I murmured, pressing her close to my chest. “I’ll keep you safe now. I swear it.”Without wasting another second, I rushed out of the room, my boots echoing against the hardwood floors. The house was eerily quiet, the signs of battle evident in the shattered windows and overturned furniture.
Rowan's POVStaring at Loak, who stood before me, my hands holding his shoulders, I tried to piece it all together. His uncanny resemblance to me, his ability to calm me down even after raging.His scent. He was definitely of Alpha blood. Could he be my son? I pondered deeply, but just as I was still trying to understand it all, the door to the room pushed open, and Beta Nathan stormed in.It seemed more like they hadn’t left the pack yet.“Alpha Rowan, we’ve got news,” he declared the second he walked in, making me stand to my feet and turn to him.There was no doubt that I would solve the situation between Loak and me later. Right now, Ember mattered the most.“Speak up!” I commanded with a deep, grumpy voice, and immediately, he began to speak.“Our spies in the Claw Bane pack just sent a message to us that Luna Ember is in the Claw Bane pack. Alpha Thane took her that night!”The second Beta Nathan let out those words, I felt an intense sense of rage and fury course through my vei
Rowan's POV“What do you mean you can't find her? Is she some ghost now who can just disappear without a trace?” I shouted as I struck my tightened fist on the table before me.After the misunderstanding between Ember, my Luna, and me, she left the pack house. I was going to chase after her, but Beta Nathan asked me to stay back. He pleaded with me to stay back. Now, I don't know where she is.I have no idea where she ran off to. It's been close to three days, and my mate hasn't returned to the pack house. So where the fuck is she?“I’m so sorry, Alpha Rowan, but we've searched the entire Scar Moon pack for her and are unable to find her. I don’t know, but maybe she left just like seven years ago.”The second he let such bitter words leave his lips, I stormed to my feet in anger. “Enough, Beta Nathan!” I could see him take a step backward, recoiling away from me.“She loves me! Only me! She wouldn't dare leave the pack like before. Don’t say what you aren’t sure of!” I warned him ster
Ember's POVA throbbing ache in my head welcomed me back to reality. The stinging light pierced into the dark room through the cracks on the wall. Don’t get me started on the cold that engulfed me instantly.“Where am I?” I struggled to speak, my eyes squinting as I held my head, trying to stop the pain that coursed through my veins.I wasn’t expecting my morning to be this way—finding myself on the ground and looking all pale. Just as I was trying to understand what was happening, I recalled it. I recalled last night.I had seen Alpha Rowan with a lady—a half-naked lady at that. He was on her. The Rowan I knew wouldn’t dare to cheat on me, but because of my assumptions, I believed it and fled from the pack house without realizing it was a plot to get me where they wanted me.Uncle Baron had taken me in and drugged me. And the last voice I heard was that of Thane. Does it mean Alpha Thane was part of this plot? He carried me last night, which meant just one thing… “I am in the Claw Ba
Zara's POVI kept hearing weird sounds—disturbing ones at that—as I lay in my room. I had been unable to rest all day, and just as I was about to do so, this happened.With a frustrated groan leaving my lips, I sat up on the bed, rubbing my eyes gently to check what time it was. It was clearly midnight, so why was I still hearing whispers from outside my room?It seemed like something fishy was going on, and whoever was responsible didn’t want anyone to know about it.“Who could that be?” I pondered briefly before I stood up from my bed and walked out of the room.My eyes scanned the area, as vigilant as always. In case the pack house was being robbed, I definitely shouldn’t let myself fall into danger immediately.Just as I was trying to understand what was going on, I couldn’t help but halt abruptly in my tracks at the sudden sight of a door partly creaked open by my right side.With my brows furrowing, I turned on my heels and headed closer to the door. Peeking through the tiny ope
Ember's POVI wasn't sure what Beta Nathan was trying to do, but one thing I knew was that I didn’t, and couldn’t, fall for it.I ignored him and headed straight toward the room. I was tired of standing out in the cold. I needed to rest. I had been through so much already, and I was certain that standing there and listening to him speak for another second could make me collapse.He tried to call out and stop me, but I didn’t—I couldn’t stop. After what felt like an eternity, I finally arrived at the door to the room.For some reason, I kept hearing voices inside the room. It couldn’t be Beta Nathan because I had just been with him, and from the tone of the voice, it sounded more like a female voice, which made my brows furrow immediately.“What’s happening? Why is there a female in the Alpha's room?” I questioned, my curiosity piqued as I reached for the door handle.I knew that Rowan rarely let the maids come into his room after I began staying with him. Without another thought, I pu
Rowan's POVOne week later*It's been a week, a wonderful week since Ember healed up from being poisoned by wolfsbane. She was poisoned by that demon called Zara, who pretends to be a cool and kind lady in front of Thane. She's just using him.Well, that's not the point. The point is that the second Ember walks through those doors, I won't hesitate to embrace her, kiss her, and tell her how much I have always loved her, despite being rude and harsh to her.That was never my intention. I just wanted her to see how much leaving me hurt—leaving me all alone after taking some money from my uncle. But right now, I don't care about any of that, as it might all just be lies.As I stared at myself in the mirror, a bright smile curling across my lips, I couldn't help but think about what she'd say when she walks in.I was preparing for her alone. I wanted her to see me as a good Alpha she could trust, someone she could open up to, and not as a monster. I didn't want to be a monster anymore.Tu
Uncle Baron's POV.“High Lord Baron, are you certain that Scott's plans will work?” Ricky asked as he drove the car.We were heading back to the pack house so I could rest and also act like nothing happened—like we hadn't left the pack house.I turned my gaze to look outside the car. I knew Scott was still young, but that didn't mean he wasn't thinking or that he was useless.“What will be will be, Ricky. So long as you want it, it'll happen. I don't care about the plans Scott has. I care about the outcome, and we have to make it happen,” I said in a low grunt, my eyes not turning back to look at him.I was sure he had kept staring at me through the rearview mirror, but I still didn't give him a glance from where I sat.Just as we were still heading back to the pack house, the sudden ringing of his phone echoed inside the car, pulling his attention to it.I didn't care. I didn't want to, but the minute he mentioned Alpha Thane, I felt my hairs stand. There was no doubt that the plans
Uncle Baron's POVJust as I stood by the window, my grip around the glass cup I held in my hand tightened, a deep frown etched across my face as I looked outside.Rowan dared to confront me because of that bitch. That omega, whom I had warned to stay away from the Scar Moon pack. We had an agreement—she was expected never to show up, but she did, and right now, she was ruining my plans for me. My plans to take over the Scar Moon pack.And whoever threatens to destroy what I have tried to build for so long—I'm sorry, but I can't let them live.“She has to go.” My grip tightened even more until I crushed the glass cup, letting the pieces pierce through my skin, just to show how furious I was.I wasn't expecting to see her in the Scar Moon pack.Just as I was still reeling in anger and rage, a sudden knock came at my door, bringing me back to reality for a split second.“Who?” My deep voice echoed in the room as I asked.“It's Gamma Ricky, Sir,” the voice came in, sharp and abrupt.“Come