BEATRICEI never meant for her to grow up learning how to survive in cages.I sit on the edge of the bed, watching Bailey as she picks at a slice of warm bread, humming to herself like we’re not locked away in a room we didn’t choose.I don’t know how we ended up here — how running turned into this. She should be outside, laughing, chasing the wind, not comforting me like this is normal.“I’m okay, Mom,” she says gently. “As long as we’re together, we’ll figure it out. We always do.”Despite being captives, they feed us well, better than I expected. We’re not starved. Three meals a day, delivered like clockwork, and they’re… actually good. Every meal is hot, balanced, and flavorful.It’s not what I imagined. But that’s also the reason I haven’t fallen apart yet. At least my daughter doesn’t go hungry.Back home, we were taught that Lycans lived like savages — primitive, bloodthirsty things that tore through raw meat and howled at the sky. But here?Here, it almost feels normal. It’s
BEATRICEI’ve never hated being wrong this much.The doctor finishes checking Bailey over while Maxwell watches from the corner, silent as ever. I sit at the edge of the bed, barely breathing, eyes locked on my daughter’s face.“She’s alright,” the doctor finally says. “Her stomach’s just reacting to the change. New food, unfamiliar place — it’s just normal in kids. A little medicine and some rest, she’ll be fine.”I nod quickly, wiping at my eyes. “Thank you. Really, thank you.”She gives a small nod and packs up her things. Maxwell hasn’t moved.I spend the next hour tending to Bailey, cooling her forehead, making sure she takes the medicine, brushing her hair away from her damp cheeks. She’s still quiet, but she’s resting. Her breathing’s deeper and a lot easier now.When I finally look up, Maxwell is still there. He’s still watching me take care of Bailey.I get to my feet slowly. “Thank you,” I say. “For sending the doctor.”He doesn’t respond.“And… I’m sorry,” I add, eyes drop
ENZOHow the fuck is it this hard to track down one woman?I sent out almost half of our warriors… Still, nothing. All of them are useless.My Beta went sniffing around Rogue City, said he followed a lead, only to end up running into Lycans of all things. He didn’t even get to finish the damn search. The coward tucked his tail and left to avoid conflict, said he “didn’t want to cause problems.”Fucking pathetic.I’m in the war room, looking over another worthless report. Thalia walks in without so much as knocking.“You look pissed,” she says, flipping her hair over her shoulder.“I am pissed,” I snap. “Weeks of searching and all I get is this bullshit?” I shove the paper across the table. “They can’t find one woman and a kid?”Thalia raises an eyebrow. “You’re not going to like what I know, then.”I look up, narrowing my eyes. “What do you mean?”“I heard from someone in Rogue City. Someone who owes me,” she says smoothly. “They saw her. Beatrice. Just outside the southern market.”I
BEATRICE“Mommy, I heard a voice in my head last night.”I freeze mid-step, the water bowl in my hands nearly slipping.Bailey’s sitting up on the bed. Her cheeks are flushed pink, but not from fever this time. Her eyes are glowing with something wild and new.“What did you say?” I ask, setting the bowl down slowly.She grins. “A voice. She said she’s my wolf. Her name is Lira and she’s mine forever.”I just stare at her for a second. How is this even possible?She’s only six years old. Wolves don’t wake up until at least twelve — sometimes later. It takes maturity, trauma, or bloodline power… She’s still just my baby.But the bond in her voice tells me it’s real.“Oh, Bailey,” I whisper, pulling her into my arms. “You’re special. So, so special.”This is more than early awakening. It’s so rare, some packs don’t even believe it’s real.It means Bailey is destined for more than just strength. It means she’s marked for leadership… maybe even rule. Early wolf awakenings like this only hap
MAXWELLWhenever Beatrice gets too close, my wolf Scar, stirs just a little. It’s not out of instinct or bond, but curiosity. She’s not my mate. I know that. Scar can't feel her wolf. But there’s something about her that doesn’t let me look away.She’s told me plenty about her daughter. It’s enough for me to believe that she truly loves that child more than anything in this world. That part, I respect. She’s a mother who would bleed, run, and beg just to protect her pup.That’s a woman worth admiring. But that’s not enough for me to fully trust her.She came from the enemy’s side and lied more than once. Still, I can’t ignore the way she carries herself. She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t flinch when I speak the truth. She’s smart and brave — the kind of person who sees more than what’s right in front of her and reacts accordingly.I like people like that even when they make things complicated. And Beatrice is nothing but complicated.She’s a puzzle — one I haven’t solved yet. Bu
BEATRICE"Mom, Dad hasn't been home for a month. Other boy-wolves said that he had another family and didn't want us anymore." My daughter Bailey looks up at me with wide eyes.I see her blinking fast to keep them from spilling over. I feel heartbroken."My silly girl, you know your dad's busy. He's the Alpha, and he has a whole pack to look after." I hold Bailey’s face in my hands, "and he won't forget that today is our Bailey sweetheart's birthday."Today is my little girl's birthday. How do I convince Bailey that what those annoying boys who like to bully others say is not true? Or part of it?Her dad indeed doesn’t care enough to show up. That he never wanted this family in the first place.My husband is Alpha Enzo of the Silverfang Pack, a perfect Alpha who puts his duty above all else. But to Bailey and me, he’s the man who’s never there when we need him.Three hours later, the sky is already ink-dark. Bailey barely keeps her eyes open. It’s way past her bedtime. But she still l
BEATRICE Enzo couldn’t even wish Bailey a happy birthday. But he’s here celebrating another child’s birthday. What kind of father is he? The pain I felt all day snaps into a silent rage. My hands clench so tightly that my knuckles turn white. As Bailey’s mom, this is unacceptable. I need some answers! I storm into the restaurant, my heart pounding so hard it drowns out everything else. I think of all the ways to confront Enzo and Thalia. They’re not getting away with this bullshit. But the woman at the front desk quickly blocks my path. "Excuse me, ma’am," she says with a tight smile. "Do you have a reservation?" I barely slow down. "I don’t. This is a personal matter. I’m looking for my husband." My gaze stays locked on Enzo. He smirks as he listens to Thalia. When she laughs, he chuckles too, shaking his head like she just said the funniest thing in the world. My stomach twists as if I ate bad sushi. "I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t let anyone in without a reservation," t
BEATRICEThe world feels like it’s closing in.All the noise around me fades away. It’s like I’m not even in the restaurant anymore.Enzo’s words loop in my head. I don’t care about you or your daughter.I can’t breathe. He really meant every word of it.The whispers around me get louder. I don’t catch everything, but I hear enough. "She’s obsessed.""It’s pathetic. Alpha Enzo clearly doesn’t want her.""Who even is she? Just some bitter ex?""She’s making a fool of herself. Look, I guess Thalia might be our Luna."My stomach drops. No one in our pack knows I’m their Luna. Enzo never told anyone outside our family. And he never gives me Luna's responsibilities. I’m never allowed to be involved in Luna's matters.He never claimed me as his. I’m his wife, but only in name. Hidden away, ignored, and treated like an outsider in my pack.To everyone, I’m just some desperate woman making a scene over a man who doesn’t want her.I know Enzo has never liked me. Maybe he’s even hated me.We
MAXWELLWhenever Beatrice gets too close, my wolf Scar, stirs just a little. It’s not out of instinct or bond, but curiosity. She’s not my mate. I know that. Scar can't feel her wolf. But there’s something about her that doesn’t let me look away.She’s told me plenty about her daughter. It’s enough for me to believe that she truly loves that child more than anything in this world. That part, I respect. She’s a mother who would bleed, run, and beg just to protect her pup.That’s a woman worth admiring. But that’s not enough for me to fully trust her.She came from the enemy’s side and lied more than once. Still, I can’t ignore the way she carries herself. She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t flinch when I speak the truth. She’s smart and brave — the kind of person who sees more than what’s right in front of her and reacts accordingly.I like people like that even when they make things complicated. And Beatrice is nothing but complicated.She’s a puzzle — one I haven’t solved yet. Bu
BEATRICE“Mommy, I heard a voice in my head last night.”I freeze mid-step, the water bowl in my hands nearly slipping.Bailey’s sitting up on the bed. Her cheeks are flushed pink, but not from fever this time. Her eyes are glowing with something wild and new.“What did you say?” I ask, setting the bowl down slowly.She grins. “A voice. She said she’s my wolf. Her name is Lira and she’s mine forever.”I just stare at her for a second. How is this even possible?She’s only six years old. Wolves don’t wake up until at least twelve — sometimes later. It takes maturity, trauma, or bloodline power… She’s still just my baby.But the bond in her voice tells me it’s real.“Oh, Bailey,” I whisper, pulling her into my arms. “You’re special. So, so special.”This is more than early awakening. It’s so rare, some packs don’t even believe it’s real.It means Bailey is destined for more than just strength. It means she’s marked for leadership… maybe even rule. Early wolf awakenings like this only hap
ENZOHow the fuck is it this hard to track down one woman?I sent out almost half of our warriors… Still, nothing. All of them are useless.My Beta went sniffing around Rogue City, said he followed a lead, only to end up running into Lycans of all things. He didn’t even get to finish the damn search. The coward tucked his tail and left to avoid conflict, said he “didn’t want to cause problems.”Fucking pathetic.I’m in the war room, looking over another worthless report. Thalia walks in without so much as knocking.“You look pissed,” she says, flipping her hair over her shoulder.“I am pissed,” I snap. “Weeks of searching and all I get is this bullshit?” I shove the paper across the table. “They can’t find one woman and a kid?”Thalia raises an eyebrow. “You’re not going to like what I know, then.”I look up, narrowing my eyes. “What do you mean?”“I heard from someone in Rogue City. Someone who owes me,” she says smoothly. “They saw her. Beatrice. Just outside the southern market.”I
BEATRICEI’ve never hated being wrong this much.The doctor finishes checking Bailey over while Maxwell watches from the corner, silent as ever. I sit at the edge of the bed, barely breathing, eyes locked on my daughter’s face.“She’s alright,” the doctor finally says. “Her stomach’s just reacting to the change. New food, unfamiliar place — it’s just normal in kids. A little medicine and some rest, she’ll be fine.”I nod quickly, wiping at my eyes. “Thank you. Really, thank you.”She gives a small nod and packs up her things. Maxwell hasn’t moved.I spend the next hour tending to Bailey, cooling her forehead, making sure she takes the medicine, brushing her hair away from her damp cheeks. She’s still quiet, but she’s resting. Her breathing’s deeper and a lot easier now.When I finally look up, Maxwell is still there. He’s still watching me take care of Bailey.I get to my feet slowly. “Thank you,” I say. “For sending the doctor.”He doesn’t respond.“And… I’m sorry,” I add, eyes drop
BEATRICEI never meant for her to grow up learning how to survive in cages.I sit on the edge of the bed, watching Bailey as she picks at a slice of warm bread, humming to herself like we’re not locked away in a room we didn’t choose.I don’t know how we ended up here — how running turned into this. She should be outside, laughing, chasing the wind, not comforting me like this is normal.“I’m okay, Mom,” she says gently. “As long as we’re together, we’ll figure it out. We always do.”Despite being captives, they feed us well, better than I expected. We’re not starved. Three meals a day, delivered like clockwork, and they’re… actually good. Every meal is hot, balanced, and flavorful.It’s not what I imagined. But that’s also the reason I haven’t fallen apart yet. At least my daughter doesn’t go hungry.Back home, we were taught that Lycans lived like savages — primitive, bloodthirsty things that tore through raw meat and howled at the sky. But here?Here, it almost feels normal. It’s
BEATRICEMaxwell doesn’t care who I am. He just thinks I’m dangerous.He justl stares at the bounty a moment longer, then tosses it onto the table like it’s nothing.“So,” he says, crossing his arms, “are you going to tell me what kind of spy you are, or should I keep guessing?”I blink. “What?”“Don’t play dumb,” he says flatly. “You’re clearly important. Alphas don’t put out bounties for nobodies.”“I’m not a spy,” I say through clenched teeth. “I told you — I was just trying to get my daughter to safety.”“Right. And that Alpha just happens to be scouring the continent for a random mother and child?” he scoffs. “You expect me to believe that?”“He’s not just any Alpha. He’s — ”I stop myself. No. I can’t say it. I won’t.Maxwell narrows his eyes at me, studying my hesitation like he’s piecing together a puzzle.“An executive, then?” he asks. “High rank? Elder? You’ve clearly got some pull.”“I’m not part of his pack,” I snap.He leans in slightly, voice lowering. “You either ran fro
BEATRICEI’ve made a mistake that could get us both killed.I took Bailey straight into lycan territory — and I didn’t even know it.And Bailey’s too young to have a wolf..She has no way to warn her.Which means neither of us saw it coming. And now we’re here… in the hands of him.The man they just called King Maxwell.Lycans were never supposed to be part of our lives.They were a different race — older, stronger, and always separate from us. For centuries, werewolves and Lycans stayed in their own corners of the world. We didn’t cross into their land, and they didn’t cross into ours.But that started to change in the last few years.There were fights. Territory lines blurred. Patrols went missing. Tension grew fast, and suddenly, it wasn’t just stories anymore.In our pack, Lycans were seen as evil — violent, wild, and inhuman. They weren’t like us. They didn’t live by rules or honor. They were bloodthirsty beasts who lived in the dark and only came out to hunt.I never told Bailey a
BEATRICEI should’ve known better than to trust a man with dead eyes. Now I can only obey.The blindfold is tight, but I can still feel the walls shift around me. My wolf is still silent, but I force myself to stay alert.I count footsteps. Listen to the faint hum of overhead lights. The sharp metallic scent in the air tells me we’ve passed through at least one secured door. There’s moisture here too — damp walls, maybe. They’re leading me somewhere below ground.I try to memorize the way. Left. Then right. Another right. Down a slope. I have to.If Bailey and I get the chance to escape, I need to know how to get us out of here.The moment the door opens, someone shoves me forward. I stumble and land hard on the floor. Cold stone bites into my knees and palms.The door slams shut behind me. Then — click.My breath catches in my throat. The blindfold presses against my lashes and I fumble to pull it off. My hands are shoved away before I can.“Not yet,” someone mutters.The next thing
BEATRICEI hit his chest so hard that it knocks the breath out of me.“Shit, sorry,” he says, stepping back.I finally get a proper look at him. He’s easily over six feet and handsome. He has broad-shoulder with a lean build like someone who fights more than he talks. His jaw is sharp, clean-shaven, and there’s a small scar that cuts through his brow. But it’s his eyes that make me stop breathing for a second —pale, gray, unreadable. He looks detached, like nothing shocks him anymore.This man is dangerous. I can see that, and powerful. He says nothing and starts walking past us.Then I see Beta Luka behind the stranger. He’s moving toward us quickly. Shit.I don’t have time to think. I reach out and grab the stranger’s arm.“Please,” I whisper. “Someone’s trying to kill me. Me and my daughter. I need help.”He stops but doesn’t turn. His body stays still, but I feel the shift in his attention. Finally, he glances at me over his shoulder.“Why would I do that?” he says flatly. “What