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
I’m still reeling from the doctor’s update when my mom’s shaky voice breaks the silence. We’re back in the waiting room, the oppressive weight of the situation hanging over us like a thick fog. She’s been holding it together remarkably well, but the strain of everything—Dad’s condition, the danger we’ve faced, the ongoing threats—seems to have finally taken its toll on her.“Cheryl,” she begins, her voice soft but filled with a deep, heartfelt sincerity. “I need to tell you something.”I look up from where I’ve been sitting, my hands gripping the armrests tightly. I’ve been trying to keep my emotions in check, but it’s getting harder by the minute. “What is it, Mom?”She takes a deep breath, her eyes welling up with tears. “I’ve been thinking a lot about everything that’s happened. About what I said to you before about leaving.”My heart skips a beat. “Mom, you don’t need to—”“No, I do,” she interrupts, shaking her head. “I was wrong. I was so overwhelmed and frightened that I made y
The room’s door swings open again, and this time it’s a group of police officers and security personnel. Their serious expressions make my stomach drop. They begin to question us, asking for details about recent events and whether there have been any unusual occurrences.My mom’s face pales even further as she answers their questions, her voice barely audible. I feel a knot forming in my stomach, the brief moment of joy we had feeling increasingly fragile.As the officers begin to leave, I notice something strange—a man in a dark coat, standing just outside the door, watching us intently. His gaze meets mine, and there’s something cold and unsettling in his eyes. I feel a shiver run down my spine.“Mom,” I whisper urgently, “who is that man?”She turns, following my gaze, but the man is already slipping away down the corridor. Her face pales even more, and she grasps my arm tightly.“I don’t know,” she says, her voice trembling. “But I think we need to be careful. Something doesn’t fe
I hold Cheryl close, trying to offer comfort as best as I can after the ordeal she's faced. Her parents are stable now, but the threat still looms large, and the blood on my hands is a stark reminder of how perilous our situation has become. As Cheryl pulls away slightly, her eyes searching mine with a mix of relief and apprehension, I know I have to tell her about Raina.I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the weight of the words I’m about to deliver. "Cheryl, there’s something you need to know about Raina."Her gaze sharpens, her expression shifting from worried to puzzled. "What happened? Is she...?" Her voice trails off, clearly dreading the answer.I struggle to find the right words, feeling the weight of the situation pressing heavily on my shoulders. "Raina couldn’t take it anymore. After everything that happened, she sought forgiveness from Callum. But... It's different for a wolf when their mate betrays them. It’s not just the loss—it’s a deep, personal hurt that’s almos