Calvin
There are no words to describe how much I hate her.
Every time I look at her, it boils inside me, this burning rage that never dies. I thought I knew her once. I thought she was a good friend, someone I could trust. We grew up together—me, Sherelle, and her. We were inseparable, or so I thought. But all along, she was nothing but a manipulative, disgusting bitch who wanted to destroy my happiness.
I can’t stand the sight of her. I hate everything about her. The way she looks at me with those wide, innocent blue eyes, like she’s done nothing wrong. Like she hasn’t ripped my life apart. The way she whimpers and shakes when I touch her, pretending she’s the victim when she’s the one who killed Sherelle. My Sherelle. My mate. My love.
I don’t just hate her—I despise her. And I take pleasure in seeing her suffer. Every bruise, every scream, every tear—it’s justice. It’s what she deserves. I enjoy making her life a living hell, watching the light drain from her eyes as she realizes no one will save her, no one will believe her. She’s nothing. Less than nothing. And I’ll make sure she pays for every second of Sherelle’s death with every breath she takes.
I didn’t always think this way. There was a time when I thought Kamrynn was a friend, someone I could rely on. We were close as kids, me, her, and Sherelle. I never imagined she was capable of the kind of evil she’s shown. But the truth always comes out, doesn’t it? The moment Sherelle became Luna, Kamrynn showed her true colors. Jealous, conniving, and twisted.
I thought she loved her sister. I thought she cared. But no. The moment Sherelle was carrying my child, Kamrynn’s jealousy poisoned her. She couldn’t stand to see us happy, to see us build a future together. So, she took it all away. She killed Sherelle in cold blood. She murdered my child before he ever had a chance to take his first breath.
And I’ll never forgive her for it.
The day Sherelle died still haunts me. It was supposed to be a normal day—she was out walking with Kamrynn, pregnant with our son. The guard was with them. Everything was fine. But then Kamrynn returned, covered in blood, screaming like she had no idea what had happened. Sherelle’s body was nowhere to be found. The guard swore he saw Kamrynn attack her, saw her kill Sherelle with his own eyes. And then, he mysteriously died, and Sherelle’s body vanished.
I had to bury an empty coffin.
Every day since then, I’ve been tormented by the fact that I don’t even know where Sherelle’s body is. That’s what keeps me up at night. Kamrynn refuses to say where she’s hidden it, no matter how much I beat her, no matter how much I make her suffer. She won’t break. But I don’t need to kill her. That would be too easy. She deserves to live with the pain she’s caused. She deserves to suffer, to feel the weight of her crimes for the rest of her miserable life.
She took Sherelle from me. She took my child, the future of this Pack. So, she’ll replace him. It’s the only reason I haven’t torn her apart with my own hands. She will give me another child, and once she does, her fate will be so much worse than anything she’s endured so far. She’ll beg for death, but I won’t let it near her.
I hate having to touch her. She disgusts me. But she looks so much like Sherelle that it’s almost unbearable sometimes. Every time I take her, I see Sherelle’s face in hers, and it makes my blood boil. But this is necessary for the future of the Pack. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make, no matter how much I hate her. Once she gives me a child, I’ll have no more use for her.
As I head back from the meeting, I spot the doctor leaving the hallway that leads to Kamrynn’s room. My brow furrows in confusion. The doctor? Why would she be here? Kamrynn’s taken plenty of beatings and she’s never needed a doctor before. She’s resilient, I’ll give her that. She’s taken everything I’ve thrown at her and she’s survived.
So why is the doctor here now?
A suspicion forms in my mind, one I hadn’t considered before. Something urgent must have happened. Something… like pregnancy.
My heart races at the thought. Could it be?
I head straight for the room, the idea swirling in my mind. If she’s pregnant, everything changes. I’ll finally have my child. And then, when the baby is born, I can make Kamrynn’s life an even greater hell. She’ll beg for death, but I won’t give it to her. I’ll keep her alive just to see her suffer more.
As I enter the room, I immediately notice the sheets. Fresh. Changed. And Lysaa is here. My suspicions grow. Kamrynn has taken beatings before—she never needed her sheets changed after a few bruises. Something is different. Something is wrong.
"Alpha," Lysaa greets me with a bow, her voice calm, steady but there's an edge to it. Something is going on here.
I narrow my eyes. "Leave."
She dips her head quickly and scurries out of the room like the coward she is. The second the door closes behind her, my gaze falls on the woman chained to the bed.
Kamrynn.
I step closer, and as I do, I see her body tense. She’s terrified. Good. She should be. My suspicion grows as I watch her shift uncomfortably, her face pale, her hands trembling. I stare at her for a long moment, and then the question spills from my lips.
"Are you pregnant?"
Her entire body goes rigid, and for a brief second, I see the panic in her eyes before she hides it. My lips curl into a sneer. She’s hiding something.
“Answer me, bitch. Are you carrying my child?” I demand, stepping closer to her.
She shakes her head, her voice barely a whisper. "I’m… I’m not pregnant."
"Liar," I hiss. I lean over her, my hands gripping the edge of the bed. "Don’t you dare lie to me."
"I’m not!" she cries, flinching as I move closer. "I swear, I’m not pregnant."
I narrow my eyes, studying her face. She’s good at this. She’s been lying to me for months, hiding Sherelle’s body, hiding the truth. I’ve beaten her, tortured her, done all sorts of things but she’s never cracked. Never broken. But this time… this time she might have slipped.
"Then why was the doctor here?" I ask, my voice low and menacing. "Why did she come if you’re so fine?"
Kamrynn’s lips tremble as she swallows hard. "I… I couldn’t breathe," she says, her voice shaking. "From the… the broken rib."
I don’t believe her. Not for a second. She’s hiding something, and I’ll drag it out of her one way or another. I lean in closer, my face inches from hers.
"Don’t lie to me, you stupid pig," I growl. "Tell me the truth. Now."
Her eyes meet mine, and for a split second, I think I see something—something flicker in her gaze—but then she speaks. "I’m not pregnant," she says firmly, her voice steadier now. "I’m not."
I search her face, my eyes narrowing. She’s too calm. Too sure. There’s no sign of a lie, but there’s also no relief in her voice. It’s almost like… she doesn’t care.
I grit my teeth, my frustration boiling over. I raise my hand and smack her hard across the face. Her head snaps to the side, and a red mark blooms on her cheek almost immediately.
"Are you even capable of having children?" I snarl. "I’ve been fucking you for nine months straight and nothing. Maybe the Moon Goddess is punishing you for your crimes, making you barren."
She stays silent, not even daring to look up at me.
"I don’t care how you do it," I say, my voice dripping with venom. "You will give me a child. You’ll replace the one you killed."
She doesn’t answer. She never does.
I grip her chin, forcing her to look at me. "Maybe I’m not fucking you hard enough," I sneer. "Get on all fours."
For a moment, she hesitates, her eyes flickering with something that almost looks like defiance. Then she speaks, her voice shaking. "I’m… not feeling well."
I open my mouth to respond, but before I can, my mother’s voice comes through the mind link, urgent and insistent. She wants to meet with me in her room. Something important.
I let out a growl of frustration and release Kamrynn’s chin, pushing away from the bed. "Fine," I snap. "But don’t think this is over, bitch. I'll break you one way or another."
I throw the door open and storm out, the fury simmering in my chest. I hate leaving her alive like this. I hate knowing she’s still breathing, still in my Pack, still here after everything she’s done.
But I need her. I need her to carry my child, to replace the future she stole from me. And once that’s done… then I’ll take everything from her. Everything.
I make my way down the hall, my mother’s mind link buzzing in my head. Whatever she wants to discuss better be important. I can’t shake the image of Kamrynn lying there, as if she has nothing left to give. But she’s hiding
something. I know she is. I’ll figure it out, and when I do… she’ll wish she’d never been born.
Kamrynn The anxiety twists deep in my stomach, an uncomfortable knot of dread that I can’t shake. My head throbs, the ache relentless. It’s almost time for Calvin to return, and the thought alone makes my entire body tense up. I’m so weak that even the weight of my bones feels unbearable. I’ve barely eaten in days—he only let me have food two days ago, leftovers I was forced to eat off the floor like some wild animal. My stomach growls, hollow and painful, but there’s nothing I can do. I run my tongue over my dry, cracked lips and look down at myself. Tears well up in my eyes before I can stop them. I’m nothing but skin and bones now, my body covered in bruises, scars, and sores. My ribs stick out sharply from beneath the rags I’ve been forced to wear. Every part of me hurts—my arms, my legs, my back. The chains bite into my wrists and ankles, and my hands and feet have gone numb from being restrained for so long.How did it come to this?I used to be strong. I used to be full of li
Kamrynn “Where are you going with this skank?” he demands, his voice sharp.Lysaa doesn’t miss a beat. She straightens up, her expression fierce. “The Alpha’s orders,” she snaps back. “He wants her moved to the lower quarters. Now get out of our way.”He hesitates, clearly unsure. Lysaa glares at him, her expression full of authority I’ve never seen from her before.“Move,” she growls.The man steps aside, and Lysaa pulls me past him, not even giving him a second glance. I can barely breathe, my heart hammering in my chest, but we make it through the doors and into the night.The cold air hits my face, a sharp contrast to the stuffy room I’ve been chained in for so long. The darkness surrounds us, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel a sliver of hope.Lysaa helps me down the path, the blanket pulled tight around me to protect me from the chill. The Pack house is behind us now, but we’re not safe yet. I can still hear the shouts and the chaos, but it’s distant. No
Kamrynn's POVMy heart races in my chest as the reality of my situation sinks in. I’m about to be sold at an auction like some piece of livestock. My skin prickles with humiliation, but the fear is stronger. I can’t let them take me. I can’t let this be my end—not after everything I’ve endured to get this far. I tug at the ropes binding my wrists, my movements desperate and futile. The rough fibers dig into my skin, biting harder with every struggle, but the knots hold tight.Think, Kamrynn. You need a plan. You have to get out of here.But my mind feels like it’s covered in a thick fog. I can’t think clearly, can’t focus. The noise of the auction, the lewd murmurs from the men, the cries from the other girls—it all swirls around me like a storm. I clench my jaw, fighting back the panic threatening to swallow me whole. I don’t have my wolf to help me, but I’m not giving up. I’ve come too far to let it end like this.I glance around, scanning the crowd and the platform for anything—any
Kamrynn's POVThe word hits me like a blow to the chest, stealing the breath from my lungs. A rogue. They think I’m a rogue. It shouldn’t surprise me, not after I cut all ties with the Obsidian Pack, but hearing it said aloud feels like a final blow. Rogues are infamous for a reason—lone wolves cast out from their Packs, known to wreak havoc and bring chaos wherever they go. They’re dangerous, unpredictable… and they’re usually killed on sight.The first warrior frowns, his gaze hardening. “Is that true?” he asks, his voice laced with suspicion. “Are you a rogue?”I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. I can feel the sting of the word—rogue—like it’s branding itself onto my skin, marking me with a fate I never wanted. Panic surges through me as the other warriors exchange a look, their postures growing tense and threatening.“She has no identification,” the second warrior snaps, his hand drifting toward the knife at his belt. “We should deal with her here and now. Can’t ha
Calvin's POVThe chaos began the moment I received my mother’s mind link, a frantic plea for help. Her voice had been laced with desperation, something I wasn’t used to hearing from her.“Calvin!” My mother's voice echoed in my head, urgent and strained. “Come to my chambers immediately. It’s an emergency!”I had been moments away from dealing with that worthless whore, Kamrynn, but when my mother called, there was no hesitation. I had to go. The situation in her chambers was nothing short of a disaster. The servants were running around in a frenzy, shouting orders and trying to control the smoke billowing out from the corridor.“Something seems to have gone wrong with the heating system,” one of the guards reported, his face pale with worry. “It overloaded and caused a fire in the Dowager Luna’s room. We’re still trying to get it under control.”I stormed inside, the smoke stinging my eyes and burning my throat. My mother was coughing, held up by two servants, while the flames flicke
Calvin's POVThe tension in the central hall is thick enough to choke on. Fenrir is pacing restlessly inside me, his growls echoing in my mind, his rage mirroring my own. Whoever helped Kamrynn escape is out there, among these cowards, hiding in plain sight. I can feel it. I’m not leaving until I have their blood on my hands.Suddenly, a man steps forward, his head bowed. His hands tremble slightly as he raises them in surrender."Alpha," he begins, his voice quivering with fear. "I… I saw her. I saw Lysaa. She… she helped Kamrynn escape."The confession hits me like a spark to a powder keg. My rage ignites, flaring to life with a force I can barely contain. I feel Fenrir surge to the surface, his presence nearly overwhelming, his voice a guttural snarl in my head. “Let me out. I’ll tear her apart.”My vision blurs with red as my eyes shift, Fenrir’s rage and mine blending into one. It takes everything in me to hold him back, to keep him from breaking free and ripping this entire hall
Kamrynn's POVTime doesn’t exist in this place. It’s hard to tell the days apart when every moment feels like an endless loop of misery. But if I had to guess, I’d say it’s been at least two weeks since I was thrown into this cell, though it feels like so much longer. Two weeks since I was "rescued" from the auction, if I can even call it that. Two weeks of surviving in this pit of despair, where my only company is hopelessness and a gnawing fear that I’ll never get out.The warriors bring me meals twice a day—gruel in the morning and some hard, crusty bread at night. It isn’t good food by any means, but it’s enough to keep me and my child alive. I’m grateful for that, at least. If nothing else, I don’t have to starve.No one has told me what will happen to me. I’ve heard no word about my fate, no hint of a decision being made. I don’t know if I should consider that good news or not. Every day that passes feels like a death sentence drawn out slowly. And while the uncertainty is madde
Kamrynn's POVThe first thing I notice when I open my eyes is the softness beneath me. It’s not the hard, cold floor of my cell. The mattress yields slightly under my weight, and the blanket draped over me feels smooth and cool against my skin. A sharp smell stings my nostrils—medicine, disinfectant, and the sterile air that can only belong in a hospital.I blink against the harsh light, my eyes struggling to adjust as I take in my surroundings. White walls. Monitors beeping steadily. The ache in my body is a dull throb, a reminder of the beating I endured. I try to shift, and pain slices through me, forcing a wince. I’m covered in bruises, and my muscles scream with even the smallest movement."You're awake," a familiar voice says.I glance over and see Elara sitting beside the bed, her arms crossed and her expression set in a stern frown. She looks like she’s been there for a while. I can’t tell whether that’s a good or bad thing. The last time I saw her, she wasn’t exactly sympathe
Kamrynn’s POVSleep refused to come.I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind an endless swirl of questions. The key sat hidden beneath my pillow, yet it might as well have been burning a hole through the mattress.I couldn't stop thinking about it.For once, I was grateful that Lorien had chosen to sleep in the living room tonight. The distance between us gave me a rare moment of solitude, a chance to breathe without his watchful gaze lingering over me.I sat up slowly, careful not to make any noise. The room was dim, moonlight casting silvery streaks across the floor. My fingers hesitated for only a moment before I reached beneath my pillow and retrieved the key.Holding it up to the light, I turned it over between my fingers, studying the intricate grooves along the metal.What if this was a mistake?What if Lorien had placed the collar around my neck to protect me from something?I clenched my jaw, gripping the key tighter. No. That didn’t make sense. If it was for my safety,
Kamrynn’s POVI stared at the key in my hand, turning it over between my fingers, the weight of it sinking into my skin.What did it open?My mind ran through possibilities, but nothing seemed to make sense. Lorien had hidden it carefully, tucked away where I’d never think to look.My hand drifted up, almost absentmindedly, brushing against the shackle jewelry thing around my neck.I froze.A keyhole. That's right, the other day I realized it had a keyhole. Which is very much strange for something that's supposed to be jewelry.I turned the key over in my palm, my fingers tracing its cool, metallic surface. It was small, unassuming—yet its existence unsettled me in a way I couldn’t quite put into words.I inhaled sharply, my grip tightening on the key as realization slithered through my mind like a shadowy whisper.Could this key… unlock it?If it did, that would mean this wasn’t a necklace.It wasn’t a piece of jewelry meant to symbolize love, devotion, or commitment.It was a shackl
Kamrynn’s POVIt had been days since I heard that name."Kamrynn."A voice in my head had whispered it so clearly, so intimately, that it sent shivers down my spine.And I hadn’t been able to get it out of my mind since.I didn’t understand why it unsettled me so much. I knew my memory wasn’t whole—I had long accepted that pieces of my past were missing. But was Kamrynn someone I used to know? Someone important?Someone I had forgotten?I should ask Lorien.It was the logical thing to do. He would have answers.And yet, every time I thought about it, something held me back.I couldn’t explain it. It was just an instinct, a whisper in the back of my mind warning me to stay quiet.But why?Why couldn’t I bring myself to tell him?I had no reason to hesitate. Lorien had always been there for me. He was my husband, the only person I had ever known. The only one who had ever cared for me. He had been nothing but patient with me, always so gentle, always—I trusted him.Didn’t I?I sighed,
Calvin's POVI gritted my teeth, weighing my options.I had no idea how long it would take for Rmonica to fall asleep—or if she was even a heavy sleeper to begin with. Every second I wasted was a risk, a gamble I couldn't afford to take.I had to act. Now.Overpowering her would be easy, especially in her current state, but that didn’t mean I could just pin her down and walk out of here. She was the Alpha’s mate, the Luna of this Pack. One mind link, one call for help, and I’d be dead before I even reached the front gates.I was already screwed. No matter what I did, the odds weren’t in my favor.Just as I clenched my fists, readying myself to take the risk, Rmonica suddenly sat up in bed.I froze, holding my breath.She pressed a hand to her mouth, her expression twisting in discomfort. Then, with a sharp inhale, she shot up from the bed and rushed out of the room.Gone.She left.A wave of relief crashed over me.She was probably going to throw up.That meant I had minutes—maybe seco
Calvin’s POVI remembered it as clear as day; their scent. Though they were too young to have developed their own unique scent, especially with no wolf, I could tell their presence from a mile away.Soft, warm, pure. A delicate blend of milk, the gentle sweetness of talcum powder, and that inexplicable, almost heavenly aroma that only babies carried—the scent of innocence itself.It tugged at something deep inside me, something primal. They were close by.I closed my eyes for a brief moment, allowing my senses to fully absorb it, to let it guide me. I had memorized this scent from the very moment I had discovered their existence. No matter where they were, I would always find them.Astor. Arabella.Selene, please let them be safe. Please don’t let them be in the same room as Rmonica or Orion.I took another deep breath, following the softest traces of their scent, weaving through the corridors with careful, calculated steps. The palace was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the dista
Calvin’s POVThe air was thick with tension as we arrived at the outskirts of the palace under the cover of night. The towering walls loomed ahead, their stone faces bathed in the pale glow of the moon. Every inch of the palace was guarded, every pathway watched. One mistake, one misstep, and this mission would be over before it even began.I clenched my fists. Failure is not an option.Lysaa stood beside me, clutching her white cane tightly. She was tense, but she had agreed to do this. Franklin was positioned with the car a safe distance away, waiting for my signal."Alright," I whispered. "You remember what to do?"Lysaa exhaled sharply. "Unfortunately, yes.""Good. I’ll direct you from here. Just walk straight ahead for now."Lysaa took careful steps forward, tapping her cane against the ground. The two guards patrolling the walls immediately noticed her and rushed over."Halt!" one of them barked. "Who goes there?"Lysaa flinched, playing the part of a vulnerable blind woman perf
Calvin’s POVThere was a time when I had firmly believed that there was nothing I couldn't do. But lately I've been reminded over and over again that I'm still a mere mortal, one who the moon goddess herself had to humble. This was one of those situations.The bitter feeling of helplessness had become a common presence in my life of late. This wasn't any other situation, this was my flesh and blood we were talking about. Every second that passed, my children were slipping further away.Franklin paced in front of me, his boots crunching against the gravel. Lysaa sat stiffly on the hood of the car, arms wrapped around herself, her expression unreadable."What the hell are we supposed to do now?" Franklin finally spoke, his frustration evident. "Blue Bell doesn’t remember Kamrynn, and they sure as hell won’t just hand over the kids. We can’t fight them for this. So what’s the plan?"I didn’t respond right away. My mind was working through every possible option, every path that could lead
Kamrynn's POV I should feel something when I think of him.Butterflies. Warmth.But there was nothing.Only familiarity.Only dependence.I relied on him. He was the only person I had in this world. The only one I trusted.I liked him.I really did.Lorien was kind to me. He was attentive, always making sure I was comfortable, always treating me with care. He was affectionate, in his own way—gentle words, teasing smiles, an unwavering presence that never left my side.He was… sweet.And yet, there were no sparks.No rush of warmth when he touched me. No butterflies in my stomach when he whispered my name. No longing when he held me close.I wanted to love him the way a wife should love her husband. I should have loved him that way.But I didn’t.I felt safe with him, yes. But not desire. Not connection.Sometimes, it felt like he was treating me more like a pet than a wife—something delicate to be doted on, sheltered, and kept in place.But I always brushed it off as my imagination.I
Kamrynn’s POVLorien’s arms were warm. Strong. Protective.His steady breaths brushed against the back of my neck, deep and even, rising and falling in perfect rhythm.I should have been asleep.I wanted to be asleep.But no matter how much I willed my mind to quiet, I remained painfully awake, my eyes open, staring into the dimly lit bedroom.Something felt… off.I didn’t know what.I just knew that an odd, restless feeling gnawed at my insides, making my fingers twitch and my heart race for no reason.Carefully, I shifted against Lorien’s embrace, trying not to disturb him.It wasn’t easy.His arm was heavy across my waist, and even in sleep, he held onto me like I was something precious, something he wasn’t willing to let go of.I swallowed, hesitating.I shouldn’t move.If I left his arms, he’d wake up.He always did.Lorien was the lightest sleeper I had ever known. A single stir from me and his crimson eyes would snap open, his protective instincts kicking in immediately.And yet