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
Ember's POVI woke up the next morning feeling more refreshed than I had in a while. Blinking my eyes open, I stared up at the ceiling, taking in my new surroundings.The bed was comfortable, the sheets smelled clean and crisp, and sunlight was sneaking through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room.As I looked around, it hit me that Alpha Rowan wasn’t here. But I wasn’t surprised—not even disappointed. Lately, I’d gotten used to waking up alone.Things had changed between us, and I wasn’t sure if we’d ever go back to how we used to be. I let out a sigh, rolling onto my side, just thinking for a minute.Then I remembered: we had come here last night. Somewhere away from the Scar Moon pack, a place where Alpha Rowan said we’d be safe. He hadn’t shared many details, and I’d been too tired to ask. But today, I needed answers.Pushing the covers back, I swung my legs off the bed and stood up. I stretched, feeling my muscles relax as I moved.There was something comforting in the
Rowan's POVI slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake Ember. Her breaths were soft and steady. For a moment, I watched her lying there, her face softened in sleep, and felt a pull to stay.But today was important, and the pack demanded my attention. Ember had been through enough, and I didn’t want to drag her into more problems—especially after everything that had happened the night we fled from the Scar Moon pack.So, without a word, I turned, slipped on my clothes, and stepped out.Beta Nathan was already waiting by the doorway, his stance alert. He gave me a nod as I joined him, his eyes hinting at the united purpose we both felt today.Together, we moved silently through the morning mist, the weight of the previous night pressing heavily on my shoulders.I could feel Beta Nathan’s energy, ready for whatever might come, and as Alpha, I was determined to get to the bottom of these attacks—and protect my Luna at any cost.As we reached the border of the Scar Moon pack lands
Rowan's POVIn the deep quiet of the night, I strapped on my armor, feeling each buckle and fastener tighten against my body.The cold steel felt right, fitting perfectly over the shirt I wore beneath. Midnight had come, casting everything in shades of gray and shadow.I’d been waiting for this moment, carefully laying every piece in place, setting the trap. I had to do what I did with Elder Elite so he’d definitely lead us to him, giving us more reasons to take hold of him.Soon, Beta Nathan entered my room, his steps almost soundless, his face unreadable under the dim glow of the night."The cars are ready, Alpha," he informed me with a respectful bow of his head.A smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. Beta Nathan and I were bound by trust, and he knew better than anyone what was going to happen tonight.I gave him a firm nod and strode past him, each step a little heavier with the weight of what I intended to do.I’d seen it—the scorpion tattoo on Elder Elite’s wrist. Subtle, ye
Rowan's POVSitting in the back seat of the sleek black car, I leaned back, feeling the familiar rush of excitement bubbling inside me—the kind that made my fingers drum restlessly against the leather seat. I was going back. Back to Claw Bane Pack, from my own pack.For the first time in a while, things felt… settled.After everything Elder Elite had done—sending men to kill me, framing Ember, my mate, for those sudden deaths in the pack—I had finally punished him, and justice had been served.I looked out the window, watching the trees and fields blur past. The sky was dimming, casting a deep golden glow over everything.It was peaceful, calming in a way that I hadn’t felt in ages. Ember’s face came to mind, and the corners of my mouth curved up involuntarily. Maybe things could change.Maybe we could start over. I shook my head, forcing myself to keep a level head. I couldn’t let her get too close, not after everything. She’d broken my heart before, and I wasn't about to give her th
Rowan's POVThe silence in the room was thick, filled only by the relentless pacing of my footsteps. I could barely breathe as I moved back and forth, my fists clenching and unclenching, my heart hammering a furious rhythm in my chest.It was unlike her to just leave, to slip out of the house without a single word—not without telling me.I didn’t know what could’ve made her leave, but something was wrong; I could feel it gnawing at me, twisting my insides with worry and anger.Maybe she wanted to go back to the Scar Moon Pack? I wasn't sure.“Find my mate and bring her to me. Now!” I commanded, my voice rough with barely controlled panic as I turned to Beta Nathan.He immediately dipped his head in obedience before disappearing from sight.The moment he left, I was alone in the suffocating quiet again, feeling like the walls around me were closing in.I rubbed a hand over my face, desperately trying to ground myself, but every passing second she wasn’t here only made the tension grow
Rowan's POVThe morning light crept through the small crack in the curtains, casting a faint glow across the room where I sat in silence.For hours, I had been waiting, watching from the shadows as Ember stirred in her sleep.My senses were razor-sharp, alert to every subtle movement, every breath. She had been acting strangely lately, keeping to herself, disappearing now and then without explanation.I couldn’t ignore the feeling gnawing at me: Ember was hiding something, and I was going to find out what.The day before, she had told me she was going for a stroll. A stroll. In a pack she knew nothing about? That was a lie if I'd ever heard one.Today, I’d decided to keep a closer eye on her, to see if she would try to sneak out again.I stayed in the shadows, listening and waiting for any signs that she was about to leave.Then I heard it—the faint rustle of fabric and the soft sound of her footsteps.She was up, and quietly, as if not wanting to be heard, Ember slipped out of the be
Ember's POV.The late afternoon sun glowed a deep amber as I made my way to the rusty old building by the park.This place had seen better days; its brick walls were cracked and weather-beaten, and rust crept over the metal frame, giving the whole place a heavy, forgotten feeling.But here, among the peeling paint and broken glass, I felt hidden enough to meet Caleb.As I approached, I caught sight of Caleb leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the surroundings nervously. When he spotted me, he pushed himself off the wall and raised an eyebrow.“Ember,” he greeted, his tone more chipper than I wanted in a place like this.“Caleb,” I replied, letting a bit of my irritation slip through. “I told you not to call me here… or anywhere else outside the pack’s grounds. How many times do I have to plead this with you?”He scratched the back of his neck, grinning like he was brushing off a minor inconvenience.“Look, I know, I know… but you’ve been a little hard to reach th
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