The room is thick with tension, the air heavy with everything that’s just been revealed. Raina sits on the floor, her knees drawn up to her chest, trembling. Callum hovers nearby, his face a mask of pain and confusion. I stand by Luke, my heart pounding in my chest as I try to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling around me.Raina’s sobs echo through the room, raw and unrestrained, each one a dagger to the heart. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” she chokes out, her voice ragged. “I never wanted to hurt anyone… I swear it.”I glance at Luke, who is as tense as a coiled spring. His jaw is set, his eyes hard, but there’s a flicker of something softer beneath the surface. Understanding, maybe. Or pity. I’m not sure which, and I don’t know if it even matters right now.“Raina,” I say softly, taking a tentative step toward her. “We know you didn’t want this. But we need to know everything—every detail that might help us stop them.”She looks up at me, her eyes bloodshot and h
The night air is crisp and cold as Cheryl and I carefully maneuver Raina through the dense forest. The tension between us is palpable, the weight of recent events hanging heavily over our heads. We’re all acutely aware of the stakes, and every sound seems magnified in the stillness of the woods.The figure steps into the light, and my heart skips a beat as I recognize the face of Donovan—the very person we’ve been trying to outmaneuver.“Didn’t expect to find you here,” Donovan says, his voice dripping with cold amusement. “But it seems I’ve stumbled upon a little family reunion.”Before I can react, Donovan’s gaze sweeps over the room, settling on Raina with a look of twisted satisfaction. “So, the traitor returns to her old friends,” he says, his tone mocking. “And here I was thinking we’d have to go looking for her. It seems you’re all so eager to make this easy for me.”Panic surges through me as I exchange a glance with Cheryl. We’re caught off guard, and Donovan’s presence is a
The day is heavy with an oppressive sense of urgency. The sky outside is overcast, as if the weather itself is mourning our current predicament. In the pack house, the atmosphere is a mix of anxious anticipation and grim determination. Alpha Cillian has called an emergency meeting with the pack leaders of neighboring territories, and the sense of dread is palpable.I sit in the corner of the room, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The recent attacks, the betrayal of Raina, and the increasing threat from Donovan and his hunters have left us all on edge. Luke is pacing nearby, his face etched with worry as he waits for the other alphas to arrive. His frustration is evident, but he’s trying to maintain a facade of calm for the sake of the pack.Cillian stands at the head of the table, his presence commanding respect and attention. His face is a mask of stoic resolve, but I can see the weight of the situation bearing down on him. The pack’s safety is at stake, and the gravity of the situat
The pack house is a whirlwind of activity. The energy in the air is a blend of urgency and determination as wolves of all ranks prepare for potential threats. Training sessions are in full swing, with pack members honing their combat skills and practicing coordinated maneuvers. The atmosphere is tense, but there's an underlying sense of purpose that drives everyone forward. I’ve moved into the pack house for the time being, a decision Luke and I made after weighing the potential risks of me being alone. The reality of the threat from Donovan and his hunters has sunk in, and the pack is taking every precaution to ensure our safety. Even though the pack house feels like home, with its familiar scents and the comforting presence of Luke, the weight of recent events hangs heavily over me.The first few days have been a blur of activity. I’ve been settling into my new space, trying to adapt to the bustling environment, and doing my best to stay out of the way while the pack trains. It’s c
The sterile smell of the hospital is suffocating. Every beep of the machines and whispered conversation in the corridor feels like an intrusion into the fragile bubble of hope I’m trying to maintain. My father’s surgery is over, and the doctors have given us a glimmer of good news—his condition is stable, but it’s still critical. The uncertainty hangs heavy in the air. My mother is seated across from me, her eyes red from crying, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. We haven’t spoken much since the doctor’s update, the tension between us palpable.Finally, the door to the waiting area opens, and the doctor emerges. He looks tired but relieved, his expression a mix of professional detachment and empathy. As he leaves, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. My mother’s gaze is fixed on the floor, her hands still clutched together. I walk over to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.“Mom, it’s going to be okay,” I say softly. “Dad’s going to make it through this.”She
The tension in the pack house is palpable. The air is thick with unease as we prepare for what might be another attack. I try to focus on the task at hand, ensuring that our defenses are strengthened and our people are ready. But my mind is preoccupied with Cheryl and the message she received.The pack has been on high alert since the news broke. We’ve increased security measures, setting up additional patrols around the perimeter and reinforcing the cabin’s security. Every member of the pack has been assigned specific duties to ensure we’re prepared for any eventuality. It feels like we’re bracing for a storm that could hit at any moment.In the midst of all this, Raina is being kept hidden from the pack. Callum and I agreed that it’s the best course of action for now, given the volatile situation and the distrust that’s brewing among our people. We’re keeping her in a secure location, away from prying eyes, while we try to make sense of the situation and figure out our next move.I
I’m in the hospital room, but my mind is racing, overwhelmed by everything that’s happened. I’ve been trying to keep it together, but the weight of the world feels like it’s crashing down on me. My father’s condition, the fear, the chaos—it's all too much. I’ve never felt so helpless, so lost. I look at Luke, sitting beside me, his face etched with concern, but right now, it feels like he’s a world away.The room is quiet, but it’s suffocating. I can’t bear to see the pain in his eyes, knowing that he’s been by my side through everything. I’m the one who’s been torn apart by this whirlwind of violence and uncertainty, and now, it feels like I’m standing on the edge of a precipice, unable to hold on any longer.“Luke,” I begin, my voice trembling despite my efforts to remain calm. “I need to talk to you.”He looks at me, his eyes full of worry. “What’s wrong, Cheryl? Are you in pain?”“No, it’s not that,” I say, trying to steady my breathing. “It’s just—everything that’s happened, it’s
The hospital room feels like my world now. It’s a small, sterile space with its white walls and beeping machines, but to me, it’s a sanctuary—one where I can focus solely on my parents and block out everything else.I sit by my dad’s bed, holding his hand as he sleeps. His face is pale, and the IV drip attached to his arm makes me ache with worry. The surgery went well, but it doesn’t feel like enough. I’m desperate for him to wake up, for him to tell me everything will be okay. My mom is in a chair beside me, her eyes red and tired, but she’s trying to stay strong for my dad. I see her looking at me occasionally, her gaze filled with concern and something else—something that makes my heart heavy.The doctors and nurses come in and out, but their words are a blur. I nod and smile, but I’m not really listening. I’m too focused on the slow rise and fall of my dad’s chest, the steady rhythm of the heart monitor. Every beep feels like a lifeline, a reminder that he’s still here with us.I