Kamrynn's POV The rest of the day passes in a blur of chores and work, but no matter how focused I try to be, an eerie feeling clings to me. It’s as if someone is watching me from the shadows, lurking just beyond my vision. Every creak, every faint rustle has me glancing over my shoulder. I try to brush it off, but the feeling leaves me unsettled and hyper-alert.Finally, after dinner, I retreat to my room, grateful to close the door behind me. I drift off quickly, exhausted from the day, but my rest doesn’t last long.The dream comes again, just as vivid as before.Rmonica stands in her beautiful garden, a serene smile on her face as she tends to the flowers. The colors are vibrant, petals glistening under the soft morning sun. But then, night falls, and the shadows deepen.A cloaked figure appears once again, moving silently among the flowers, carrying the same vial of poison. This time, though, their steps are more hurried, the liquid they pour onto the soil darker, thicker. The p
Kamrynn's POV I’ve gone over the scene in my head a dozen times, but no matter how I look at it, the whole thing feels wrong. I can’t keep it to myself any longer. After helping with a few chores, I head to Rmonica’s quarters to see if she’s back from her outing with the Alpha. I find her sitting by the window, a content smile on her face as she watches the sun dip behind the trees.“Kamrynn!” she calls, her face lighting up as she gestures me inside. “Come, sit. I just got back from the orphanage.”I sit beside her, noticing the brightness in her eyes. “You look happy, Rmonica. How was it?”“Oh, it was wonderful!” she exclaims, almost bouncing in her seat. “The pups were so excited to see us. They practically mobbed the Alpha and me at the door. We spent hours playing with them, and I even let them teach me their version of hide and seek—though I think they cheated by scenting me out every time I hid!”She chuckles, a sparkle of joy in her eyes. “There was one little boy who kept tu
Kamrynn's POV A few days pass uneventfully, and I do my best to keep my head down. I'm busy cleaning the kitchen, scrubbing the countertops, and trying to keep my mind off everything. I’m bent over, scrubbing a stubborn stain, when I feel a presence close by. I look up to see Eloane standing in the doorway, arms crossed, her eyes fixed on me with a look of cold disdain.“So,” she begins, her voice low and sharp. “Enjoying yourself, are you?”I straighten up, trying to mask my surprise. “Just doing my work, Eloane.”Her lip curls. “That’s interesting, considering all the time you seem to have for gossiping about me to the Luna.”My heart skips a beat, but I quickly force myself to stay calm. “Gossiping? I don’t know what you mean.”“Oh, don’t play dumb with me,” she snaps, stepping closer. “Rmonica might be too kind-hearted to see through you, but I’m not. You think I don’t know what you’ve been saying behind my back?”I blink, genuinely taken aback. Rmonica would never betray my conf
Calvin's POV It’s been two months since Kamrynn slipped out of the Pack, leaving behind nothing but a memory and the burn of anger that refuses to die. Every day, I send warriors out to track her, pushing them harder, swearing to find her and bring her back. She can’t have gotten far. And when I do find her… she will pay. And I’ll have my pup.But the days grind on with no sign of her. No clues, no trails, just endless emptiness. The frustration gnaws at me, turning everything dark, everything sour. I even snapped at my mother a few days ago, something I’ve never done before. She looked shocked, and though I muttered an apology, the irritation only simmered hotter. Why am I this angry? Without an outlet, it’s like there’s this constant fire beneath my skin, just waiting to tear out.Tonight, I’m done fighting the relentless anger that claws its way through me every waking hour. So, for the first time since Sherelle… I reach for someone else, someone whose face I won’t remember, someo
Kamrynn's POV The suspicion has been clawing at me for days. I can’t shake the idea that Rmonica’s health is being sabotaged, and my dreams feel like warnings I’d be a fool to ignore. There’s only one way to find out if I’m right, but it’s risky: I need to get hold of Rmonica’s medication from Eloane’s room and have it tested to see if they're really hypothyroidism medication. If there’s any tampering with her pills, I’ll find it out once and for all.But there’s a problem. Eloane never leaves her room unlocked. I’ve watched her movements over the last few days, and she’s meticulous, always slipping her keys into her pocket like her secrets would spill out if she let them go for even a moment. Every glance over her shoulder, every smirk she sends my way, tells me she’s on high alert. The woman is hiding something. The only way to know for sure is to get those keys.If I’m going to do this, I need a solid plan—and I need her to be completely unaware.After shadowing her for the next t
Kamrynn's POV My heart falls to my feet and my stomach twists with anxiety as I try to come up with an excuse.“It's not like that… I was just…” But she quickly cuts me off with the raise of her hand. Her harsh gaze falling on her key still held tightly in my palm.“It seems I underestimated you, you little parasite. Such a curious little thing, aren't you? Even after my warning, you still had the gall to cross me. You even went as far as stealing the key to my room. How bold of you.” She said and leaned closer, her voice a sinister whisper in my ear.“Unfortunately, I'm not the type to forgive. You dug your own grave so I hope you enjoy it because I'm about to bury you myself. I'm going to expose you right now and destroy you in the process. You're going right back to prison.” She chuckled softly and her words went straight to my spine, making my feet suddenly feel my jelly.She snatched the key from my hand before stepping back and clearing her throat softly, preparing to put on a
Kamrynn's POV After the close call with Eloane, I make it back to my room and take a deep breath, pressing the small container of pills to my chest. My heart still pounds, adrenaline humming in my veins. I carefully hide the pills in the back of a drawer, tucking them away where they’ll stay safe until I can get them tested.Sitting on my bed, I force myself to think calmly. How can I get these tested without raising suspicion? I need a solid reason to leave the palace. And then, it hits me. My prenatal checkup is coming up soon, and Rmonica had already planned to accompany me. It’s in three days, but if I can just manage to stay under the radar until then, it’ll be the perfect opportunity.For the next three days, I avoid Eloane as much as possible, keeping my head down and sticking to tasks that won’t draw any attention. Each night, I double-check that the pills are still safely tucked away. Every time I see Eloane passing by, I feel the hairs on my neck stand up. I know she’ll try
Kamrynn’s POVThe tension in the grand living room is thick as I keep glancing toward the entrance, trying to look like I’m just focused on the cushions, the vases, anything. But every time I look at the door, my heart races. Any minute now, the results should be here. I’ve waited the entire day for this, and it’s my one chance to confirm what Eloane’s really been up to.As I reposition a vase for the third time, I feel a presence behind me. My stomach tightens before I even turn around. Eloane.She narrows her eyes at me, crossing her arms. “What exactly are you doing, Kamrynn?” she asks, her tone sweet but laced with venom. “It’s almost like you’re… waiting for something.”I keep my focus on the vase, ignoring her as best I can. “Just doing my chores, Eloane,” I respond as evenly as possible, hoping she’ll lose interest.“Oh, but I don’t believe that for a second,” she purrs, stepping closer. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Sneaking around, watching the door like a little mo
Kamrynn’s POVI practically ran into my room, clutching Astor against my chest like he was my lifeline. My hands were shaking so badly that it took two tries before I managed to turn the lock, securing the door behind us.Rmonica followed close behind, still holding Arabella, her face dark with confusion and concern.“Kamrynn,” she said, voice firm but laced with worry. “What the hell just happened? Who was that man?”I let out a shuddering breath, my chest heaving as I pressed my back against the door, needing its solidness to ground me. I turned my gaze to Rmonica, whose sharp green eyes were burning with questions.“That was Calvin,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Rmonica’s entire body stiffened. “Calvin?” she repeated, as if saying his name would somehow make the situation less real.I nodded. “He—he was here at the party. He approached me. Asked for my forgiveness.”Rmonica’s eyes flashed with pure, unfiltered rage. “That bastard had the guts to show his face? After eve
Kamrynn’s POVThe second I stepped into the bathroom, I barely had time to lock the door before my legs gave out beneath me. I crumpled onto the floor, my hands trembling as I clutched at my dress, gasping for air. My chest felt tight, as if someone had wrapped their hands around my throat and was squeezing, forcing out every last bit of control I had left.And then the first sob tore through me.It was raw, ugly, painful. The kind of cry that came from deep inside, from a place long buried under layers of strength and survival. The kind of cry I hadn't allowed myself in a very long time.My shoulders shook violently as I pressed a hand over my mouth, muffling the desperate sounds escaping me. My heart pounded against my ribs, the weight of everything crashing down all at once. I had held it together for as long as I could. I had faced Calvin without breaking, without giving him the satisfaction of knowing just how much he still had the power to hurt me. But now that I was alone, the
Calvin’s POVUpon arriving at the Blue Bell Pack’s celebration, a rare feeling of satisfaction settled in my chest. The plan was working. The guards at the entrance had barely spared me a second glance when I handed over my invitation, granting me access without suspicion. The grand hall was filled with energy—laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses creating a welcoming atmosphere.I had come here with a purpose. My Pack was barely holding on, resources dwindling to dangerous levels. This was my chance to negotiate with the Alpha of Blue Bell, to form an alliance, to secure a trade deal that could keep my people from starving. That was all that mattered.Or at least, it was. Until I saw her.At first, my mind couldn’t register it. I was making my way through the crowd when my eyes landed on a familiar figure at the buffet table. It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.Kamrynn.My heart lurched in my chest, an erratic, painful thud. It had been so long—so long since
Kamrynn’s POVThe room felt like it had been frozen in time. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at Calvin, the last person I ever expected—ever wanted—to see here. My back hit the buffet table, and I scrambled for balance, but his hands gripped my shoulders, steadying me.His touch burned through the fabric of my dress, sending a shiver down my spine. I inhaled sharply, steeling myself. I wouldn’t let him intimidate me. Not now. Not ever again.“What are you doing here?” My voice was low, sharp, laced with venom.“I need to talk to you,” he said simply, his voice calm but urgent.Before I could react, he removed his hands from my shoulders, his fingers sliding down to clasp my hand instead.“Let go of me,” I hissed, trying to pull away, but his grip was firm as he began leading me toward the edge of the hall.“Kamrynn, please. Just come with me. I don’t want to make a scene.”“Oh, I’ll make a scene,” I snapped, trying to dig my heels into the floor, but he was already pulling me
Kamrynn’s POVAnxiety curled in my stomach like a stubborn weed, refusing to be uprooted no matter how hard I tried to shake it. It had been two days since the nightmare, but Calvin’s haunting gaze and his bloodied hands still lingered in my mind like a stain. Every time I closed my eyes, the vision of him whispering, “You’re my salvation,” echoed in my ears. The memory left a bitter taste in my mouth, a warning I couldn’t decipher. I couldn't help but wish over and over again that I would never have to cross paths with that man.I tugged absently at the hem of my dress, my mind racing. The party. I still wasn’t sure I wanted to attend. In fact, every fiber of my being screamed to stay behind, to shut myself away with my twins and avoid the crowd altogether.The sound of soft gurgling pulled me from my thoughts. I turned toward the crib and found Astor and Arabella lying side by side, their tiny hands waving in the air as they grunted at each other. They were only a week old, yet they
Calvin's POVThe rhythmic ticking of the clock on the far wall grated on my nerves as I sifted through the endless paperwork littering my desk. Numbers, trade routes, inventory lists—all of it blurred together into meaningless scribbles. My mind wasn’t here, couldn’t be here, not when Kamrynn was still out there, somewhere. The gnawing frustration and helplessness had become a constant ache in my chest, and no amount of work could drown it out.A sharp knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I straightened in my chair, my voice sharp and unwelcoming. “What?”Franklin stepped in, his expression carefully neutral. He always wore that mask when dealing with me these days, likely to avoid triggering one of my outbursts. “Alpha,” he greeted me with a respectful nod.I wasted no time. “Do you have news?”Franklin hesitated, the pause long enough to stoke my irritation. He knew better than to drag his feet, especially about this.“Well?” I demanded, my tone harsher than I intended.“No
Kamrynn’s POVIt had been five days since I gave birth to my twins, and the world felt both miraculous and impossibly heavy. The aftermath of childbirth wasn’t something I’d fully prepared for, no matter how many stories I’d heard or how many reassurances I’d been given. My body felt like a battlefield, and I wasn’t sure if I was winning or losing the war.My first real struggle came from the constant bleeding. Every movement reminded me that my body was still in recovery, and the dull ache in my abdomen served as a persistent reminder that my body had gone through something extraordinary—and excruciating. I shifted uncomfortably in bed, my hand brushing against the bundle of blankets where my twins slept.The exhaustion wasn’t just physical. Sleep was a distant memory, a luxury I hadn’t experienced since their arrival. Every cry woke me in a panic, my heart pounding as I scrambled to soothe whichever baby needed me more. Even when they were quiet, I found myself lying awake, afraid s
Calvin's POV The moment the witch’s words settled in my mind, I knew what had to be done. Kamrynn was the key to saving the Pack, the only chance to break the curse that had turned our lives into a living nightmare. The realization felt like a hammer striking my chest. I clenched my fists, a mix of dread and determination swirling within me."Thank you," I said to the witch, my voice hoarse. She regarded me with wary eyes, as if unsure whether I meant it.“Remember, Alpha,” she replied, her voice sharp like a blade. “Your Pack’s salvation depends on her forgiveness. Nothing else can save you.”I nodded grimly and left her dwelling, the air around me feeling colder than ever. Kamrynn was out there somewhere, not just carrying the hope of my Pack’s survival, but also my child—my heir. She must have given birth by now, and the thought of her raising my child, away from me, filled me with an unbearable mix of frustration, yearning, and guilt.Returning to the Pack, I knew there was no ti
Calvin's POV“If you think I'd ever—” I had begun my strong rebuttal when I felt Franklin's hand on my shoulder.“We don't have a choice, Alpha. Just do it, please. For the sake of the Pack. She's our last hope.” He pleaded.I knew that all too well but still…I clenched my fists, trying to rein in my temper. “Please,” I said through gritted teeth, bowing my head in surrender. “Please help me, my people are dying. If you know something, please tell me and you'll forever have my gratitude.”She quirked an eyebrow but a smile finally settled on her face. “That wasn't so hard now, was it?” She quipped after a long pause. “Step inside.”The room we entered was darker than the hallway, lit only by the faint glow of a fire in the hearth. The air was even heavier in here, suff