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
The day is draped in an ominous gray as I prepare for the departure. The sky, a heavy blanket of clouds, reflects the turmoil churning inside me. My heart feels like it’s been squeezed tight, and the lump in my throat makes it hard to speak. The safe house Cillian arranged for my parents is supposed to offer them protection, but it’s hard to shake the fear that clings to me. I feel like I’m being torn in two directions—between the desperate need to keep my family safe and the overwhelming desire to stay by Luke’s side.Luke stands beside me, his presence a small comfort amidst the chaos. He’s been a rock through everything, his determination and strength unwavering. But even his support can’t fully alleviate the anguish I feel as I watch my parents prepare for their departure.The pack members, including two of Cillian’s most trusted wolves, are ready to escort my parents to the safe house. They are to stay in the neighboring pack’s territory, shielded from any threats that might come
I’m still processing the sight of the figure in front of me when the shadowy figure steps into the light, and the world tilts on its axis. The recognition hits me hard—it’s an old acquaintance, someone I thought was lost to us. Their presence here is both unexpected and troubling. I take a deep breath, forcing my mind to focus despite the racing thoughts. “What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice steady but edged with tension. “You shouldn’t be here.”The figure’s eyes, sharp and calculating, narrow slightly as they take in my reaction. “I’m here because I need to talk to you about the hunters,” they say, their tone serious. “I have information that could change everything.”I tense up, my mind whirling with questions. “Why should I trust you?” I demand. “Last time we met, things didn’t end well.”A flicker of pain crosses their face, but they quickly mask it with a determined expression. “I know I’ve made mistakes,” they admit. “But the situation has changed. The hunters are planni
The night is eerily quiet, but my mind is anything but. I pace the length of the room, the message on my phone gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. The threat is direct and menacing, promising consequences I can’t ignore. I need to stay focused, but the weight of responsibility is suffocating. I need to make sure the pack is fully prepared, but before I can even think of starting on that, another buzzing interrupts my anxious pacing. I glance at my phone and freeze. It’s from Cheryl. The message is brief but packed with urgency:You need to come quickly. Something terrible has happenedMy heart pounds as I sprint toward the pack house. The urgency in Cheryl’s message is palpable. What could have happened now? As I burst through the front door, I see her standing in the hallway, her face pale and eyes wide with fear.“What’s wrong?” I demand, my voice strained with worry.Cheryl doesn’t immediately answer. Instead, she leads me to the living room, where the pack members are gathered,
Callum nods. “Yes. She had a tracking and communication device built into it. We might be able to use it to find out where the hunters are, or even turn the tables on them.”Cheryl’s eyes meet mine, a spark of hope flickering in them. “If we can find out where they are, we might be able to anticipate their moves and cut them off before they strike again.”I agree. “Let’s get the locket and see what we can do with it.”The pack has already retrieved Raina’s locket from her belongings, carefully removing it from its hiding place. It’s an elegant piece of jewelry, but its true significance lies in the technology embedded within. I can see the intricate wiring and tiny components through the transparent casing.“Okay,” I say, addressing the group gathered around. “Let’s see if we can access the communication channels and tracking data.”We set up a makeshift workstation in the pack house, using a laptop and some technical equipment to interface with the locket. The process is delicate, an