Raina shakes her head. “Not much, but I can tell he’s worried. The pack’s been on high alert, but they’re trying not to panic anyone. If there’s something bigger going on, they’re keeping it close to the chest.”A sense of unease settles over me. I’ve seen Luke’s tension, the way he checks his phone more often, the quiet conversations he has with his father and brother when they think I’m not paying attention. And now that Raina’s confirmed what I’ve been sensing, it feels like a weight pressing down on my chest.“What should we do?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.“Stay vigilant,” Raina says, her tone firm but comforting. “And keep your eyes open. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, let someone know. We’re in this together, Cheryl.”I nod, trying to take comfort in her words, but the gnawing feeling in my gut won’t go away. “I just wish I knew more. I hate feeling like something bad is coming, and I’m powerless to stop it.”Raina reaches out, squeezing my hand. “You’r
The world outside fades away completely, and it’s just the two of us, lost in our own private paradise. The romantic setting, the candles, the necklace—it all adds to the magic of the moment, making everything feel even more intense and beautiful.As we continue to kiss and touch, the intimacy we share feels more than just physical; it’s a deep, emotional bond that makes every touch, every kiss feel like a celebration of our love. Eventually, the intensity of the moment softens, and we find ourselves lying together on the couch, wrapped in each other’s arms. The firelight dances over us, casting a warm glow that feels like it’s part of our own little world. I snuggle closer, feeling the steady rise and fall of Luke’s chest beneath me in this quiet, intimate space, surrounded by the soft light and the warmth of our love, I feel a profound sense of contentment and happiness. The night passes in a comfortable blur of warmth and closeness. We drift off to sleep on the couch, wrapped in ea
It’s been two days of relentless searching, but the woods are empty, and the warehouse offers no new leads. Every step I take feels heavier, my heart sinking with each false hope that fades away. The pack is exhausted, their faces marked by fatigue and frustration, and I can’t shake the guilt gnawing at me.Callum, and my father, the pack’s alpha, finally call us together. His expression is stern, but there’s a hint of sadness in his eyes that mirrors my own. “We’ve covered a lot of ground, but we’re not making any progress,” he says, his voice carrying the weight of authority. “We need to regroup and come up with a new plan.”The pack murmurs in agreement, their weariness evident. I know Callum is right—we’ve pushed ourselves to the limit, and continuing in this state is only going to make things worse. But it doesn’t make the decision any easier.I stand at the edge of the gathering, my gaze fixed on the ground. The weight of responsibility presses down on me. I can’t shake the feel
I’ve lost track of time, each hour blending into the next as I’m moved from one location to another. The places are dark and cold, and I’ve become accustomed to the harsh reality of being constantly on the move. My hands are bound, and the ropes chafe against my skin, but the physical discomfort is secondary to the fear and anxiety gnawing at me.The wolf hunters are relentless, questioning a barrage of demands and threats. They want information—anything they can use to their advantage. Each time they ask a question, their voices are laced with a menacing undertone that makes my skin crawl.“What’s your mate planning?” one of them demands, his voice rough and unforgiving. “We know you’re connected to him. Tell us where he is.”I can’t bring myself to answer. The bond between Luke and me is a lifeline, a thread that connects us even though we’re apart. I cling to that connection, drawing strength from it, even though it’s faint and intermittent. The thought of giving away any informati
I look up at him, my heart sinking as I try to read his intentions. “What are you talking about?” I ask, my voice steady despite the rising anxiety.He smirks, the expression almost cruel. “I’m handing you over to the hunters. They’ve been patient, but their patience is wearing thin. They’re not as... merciful as I’ve tried to be.”My stomach drops at his words. “You can’t be serious. You’re just going to hand me over to them?”Donovan’s eyes flash with something akin to vindication. “I’ve tried to reason with them, but they’re not interested in negotiating. You’re about to find out just how far they’re willing to go to get what they want.”My mind races as I process the gravity of the situation. The hunters’ reputation for cruelty is well-known, and the thought of what they might do to me is terrifying. But panic won’t help me escape; I need a plan, and I need to act quickly.Donovan steps closer, his tone almost taunting. “I’d say good luck, but I doubt you’ll get any. They’re not g
I drive Cheryl to her parents' house, my grip on the steering wheel tight as I navigate the quiet streets. The tension in the car is palpable. Cheryl’s shaken, and I can see the fear in her eyes as she stares out the window, lost in her thoughts. I want to reassure her, but words seem inadequate right now.When we pull up to her parents' house, I can see the lights on and the front door slightly open, a beacon of warmth and safety in the darkness. Cheryl’s parents are standing there, their faces a mix of worry and relief. As soon as I put the car in park, they rush out to greet us, their expressions softening as they see Cheryl.“Cheryl!” her mother exclaims, her voice trembling with emotion. “Oh, thank God, you’re safe!”Cheryl’s father wraps her in a tight embrace, his relief evident. I can see the tears in his eyes as he holds her close. Cheryl clings to him, her own tears flowing freely as she finally lets go of some of the fear she’s been holding in.“We were so worried,” her mot
The door creaks open, and Cheryl and I slip inside, our footsteps barely making a sound. The room is dimly lit by a few flickering overhead bulbs, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Raina and her accomplices are gathered around a table, engrossed in what looks like a map and some documents. The tension in the room is palpable, and I can feel Cheryl’s hand tighten around mine.Raina’s voice cuts through the silence. “We need to act quickly. The information we’ve gathered will allow us to take down the pack once and for all. The time for subtlety is over.”I exchange a glance with Cheryl. This is it—Raina is planning something catastrophic. We have to stop her before it’s too late. I nod to Cheryl, signaling that we should move in, but just as we’re about to make our move, a loud crash echoes from the back of the building. “What was that?” one of Raina’s accomplices says, his voice filled with alarm.I freeze, realizing that our presence might have been detected. The distraction buys
As the pack gathers in the main hall, the atmosphere is tense. Word has spread quickly about the betrayal within our ranks, and everyone’s on edge. I stand beside Cillian, Callum, and Cheryl, waiting for the moment when Cillian will address the pack. The weight of what’s about to happen hangs heavily in the air.Cillian steps forward, his presence commanding the room. He looks out at the assembled pack members, his face a mix of authority and empathy. “Pack members,” he begins, his voice carrying the gravity of the situation, “we’ve discovered that we have a traitor among us. This betrayal goes deeper than we initially realized, and it’s time you all know the truth.”A murmur ripples through the crowd, and I can see the confusion and concern in their faces. The revelation of a traitor is unsettling enough, but when it’s someone as close as Raina, it hits even harder.Cillian continues, his tone steady. “Raina, our trusted ally and Callum’s mate, has been working with Donovan Sullivan