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
The bell above the door chimes as another customer walks into The Matcha. I glance up from behind the counter, offering a welcoming smile out of habit. The café has been my refuge these past few weeks, a place where I can escape from the chaos of pack life and all the complications that come with being with Luke. In order to just take a step back and figure out what I want, I got a little gig. Here, everything is simpler—or at least, it usually is.The woman who walks in is familiar. I’ve seen her around town before, though I can’t quite place her name. She’s in her late forties, with sharp features softened by age and dark hair streaked with gray. She’s dressed neatly, but there’s a stiffness in her posture that sets me on edge.“Good afternoon,” I say as she approaches the counter. “What can I get for you today?”Her eyes narrow slightly as she looks at me, and I feel a flicker of unease. There’s something in her gaze that’s not quite right—a coldness that makes my stomach tighten.
He opens the door just a crack, enough to see who’s on the other side without exposing too much of the room. I can’t see who it is, but the look on Luke’s face tells me everything I need to know. Whatever is happening, it’s not good.“Get inside,” Luke growls at whoever is out there, his tone brooking no argument.The door swings open wider, and Raina steps into the cabin, her face pale and drawn, her eyes wide with something that looks suspiciously like fear. My stomach drops at the sight of her. I don’t trust her—not after everything that’s happened. She’s part of this, somehow, and I’m not sure if she’s here to help or to betray us once again.“What the hell are you doing here?” Luke demands, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine.Raina’s eyes darted between us, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. “Luke… they know. The hunters… they’re coming. You have to get out, both of you. Now.”The world tilts on its axis, my mind struggling to catch up with her word