Author’s povStark was shocked at this behavior of hers but before he could open his mouth properly to ask what she was doing, her lips assaulted his with bruising force.Stark stiffened against her, hands likewise fisted at his sides as if he could hold her off by not touching her. He knew what they were doing… their fatal mistake. And if Alpha Ryder ever found out it would be his death.“Luna…” he whispered between her demanding lips, sounding so shaken she wondered what he was shaking for. “We… we shouldn’t be doing this. If the Alpha finds out, he’ll have my head.”Freya pulled back slightly, a playful smirk on her lips as she traced a finger down his chest. “Oh, Stark, you’re such a child,” she whispered, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Always so frightened. Don’t you trust me?”Stark swallowed hard, his heart racing in his chest. “It’s not about trust, Luna. It’s about staying alive. The Alpha is not someone to anger.”Freya laughed softly, pressing her lips against his jaw.
Authors povRyder had been pacing through the packhouse, his head full of frustrations and doubts. Unsettled had been how he’d felt around Freya for over a long time now, but he’d ignored his intuition, pushing it aside as though their problems were minor.He reached her study as he knew it was time to confront her and ask her deep questions but while there, he heard quiet moans from inside which halted him in his steps. Heart racing, inexplicable dread widening its grip on him, he knew something was wrong.He pushed open the door and what he walked into hit him like a blow to his face. There in her study, Stark, a trusted guard, was on top of Freya. Ryder saw red and didn’t stop to question just exactly how fast he was moving as his fist met Stark’s head with a force enough to propel the man across the room as stark landed on the floor with an unconscious slump.Freya scrambled to cover herself, her mouth open in shock and her heart pounding against her chest. “Ryder, wait, please—”
Author’s povFreya’s heart broke with his admission – the pain lacing his words so evident. She had done this. She had destroyed everything they had worked towards and now she had nothing left to give him.“I don’t want you to…” Her voice cracked, hot tears welling in her eyes. “I can’t bear for this to be over.”But Ryder turned his back on her, moving to the window to stare out at the packhouse grounds. He was tense all over—as though he was carrying a great burden—and he didn’t look her way when she finally found her tongue.“I think—it—hurts us both,” she managed in a stilted whisper.“Go to your room. I’ll see what to do with you later.”Freya just stood there, not able to say anything more. There was absolutely nothing left in the room. The silence between them was so loud that no one could stand it.She had lost him. Freya left the room silently, her heart thumping painfully against her ribs. She knew what was going to happen next. Ryder didn’t forgive as a rule; she’d messed
Authors povRyder stood in his study, breathless from the rage that had overtaken him only a few minutes before. The whip lay sprawled across the marble floor, metallic spikes stained with Stark's blood. Now the room was still but for his breaths, they were ragged through the silence. He stepped to the doorway, pulling it open and speaking coolly to the guards stationed outside. "Enter."The guards came in then, faces like stone and eyes that gave nothing away. They had heard Stark screaming, and they were too smart to ask any questions. “Take him to the dungeon,” Ryder said softly, his voice just loud enough to be heard. “Lock him up.” He leaned down into Stark’s face until they were nose-to-nose. “And he doesn’t leave until I say so.”The guards nodded hurriedly and rushed forward. They seized Stark by his arms and yanked him to his feet. Stark screamed in agony, his legs buckling beneath him, but the guards held him upright as they hauled him up and out of the room. A train of th
Authors povAlpha Ryder of the Shadowclaw Pack sat in his study, the only light a candle flickering on his desk. The room smelled of old parchment and ink; it was a scent that both soothed and excited him. His eyes scanned the reports laid out before him, all detailing incidents regarding rogue wolves on his land. Frowning, he drummed his claws against the worn oak surface. The rogues were growing more daring and erratic with their attacks each day.But he had no time to devote to the problem just yet. He would leave it for the next day then. At that point, a soft creaking closed door caused Ryder’s dark head to raise sharply, lips parting in warning. Jarek, one of his border guards, entered hesitantly. If anything bothered Jarek enough for him to implicitly risk interrupting Ryder without word or ceremony then it couldn’t be good.“What is it, Jarek?” Ryder asked but his voice was calm. “I told the maids I wasn’t to be disturbed. You can show up tomorrow if it’s not too important.”
Authors povWithout another word, Ryder turned and walked out of the healers quarters. The forest was quiet for early morning but it did nothing to calm his beast down. He moved swiftly through the pack’s territory, his mind set on what must be done. Telling no one what he was going to do; Ryder knew there would be no time for explanations.Coming to a stop at the edge of his territory, Ryder looked back, seeing all that had been his, all that he was leaving behind and felt his heart break but his mother was his world and he would move heaven and earth if it meant getting her back even if she didn’t know him.The journey to the Blackthorn Mountains was long and hard. Ryder moved quickly, his long powerful legs taking him over rough ground and through thick forests. The river Maren had told him about would be his guide. It sparkled in the sunlight as it wound through the land he traveled over. The farther into the mountains he got, the rougher it became. Hills turned to cliffs with sha
Authors povRyder spared his mother one final glace over his shoulder, before stepping out of the healers’ den. His mood was somber as he trudged through the dust toward the packhouse, his mind whirling with new information and plans. He reached his office and closed the door behind him, taking a seat at the desk in a room lit only by a single candle.He pulled out the paper that described where to start looking. *A blacksmith father, a weaver mother. Near the forest, on the outskirts of town.* It wasn’t much to work with, but it would be enough.Ryder pulled out a stack of old records from a drawer in his desk. They were files he kept on every family in the Shadowclaw Pack—their names, what they did for work, where they lived. He started going through them, one after the other, looking for any mention of a blacksmith or a weaver.Time ticked by. The flame on the candle grew shorter and shorter. Ryder’s eyes felt heavy, but he wouldn’t quit. He couldn’t. Not until he’d found that fami
Authors povThe woman nodded, tears welling in her eyes, but Ryder could tell the tears were fake. “Yes, Alpha. hazel was given to us. We raised her as our own. She was… she was like a daughter to us.”Ryder’s chest tightened, and he leaned back in his chair, struggling to process the information. Hazel—the girl he had banished—was the one he had been looking for. The one who could save his mother. The irony of it all was almost too much.“Where is she now?” Ryder asked, his voice barely louder than a breath.They shared another look and their eyes turned sad. “We don’t know,” the man admitted reluctantly with a trace of regret, “After you drove her away she left the territories. We haven’t seen or heard from her since.”Ryder’s fists clenched at his sides, his nails biting into the skin of his palms hard enough to draw blood. “You know something. You have to. Where would she have gone? Who would she have turned to?”The woman’s expression crumbled as a river of tears cascaded down he
Author’s povThe throne room of the Red moon pack was a buzz with thick tension as Hazel who had returned, stood proud and tall. She called for a meeting with both the elders of the red moon pack and the shadowclaw pack. It had taken Orion a leap of faith to extend an invitation to every important dignitary as he knew that Hazel who looked looked different this time after her travels had something important to say.She looked different from how she had been before traveling.With everyone seated in the court while she stood in the middle, she started the meeting. Hazel’s voice didn’t waver. “I’ve had no reason to doubt you before, Ryder,” she said, her eyes still locked on his. “But I wouldn’t have called this meeting if I wasn’t one hundred percent sure. You owe me justice―and you’re going to give it to me today.”Ryder laughed in disbelief and leaned back even farther in his chair. “Justice?” he asked disdainfully. “What kind of justice do you think you’re entitled to? Seriously?
Evelyn’s POVThe cell was damp, and cold, the hard stone felt as if it would close in on me. I didn’t know how long I had been down here since Kael had tossed me in this hole but it didn’t matter the time right now because if anything my anger had just intensified. My hands were shackled before me but that didn’t bother me. What bothered me was why I was here.I had done nothing wrong in my book.The heavy boots pounded down the hallway. I straightened, lifting my chin as the door creaked open.Kael stepped in, towering over me as much as he filled the small space. His expression was a mask, but I saw the tightness in his jaw, the anger in his sharp eyes. He folded his arms over his chest and studied me.“Where did you take Hazel?” The question was soft, and controlled, but I could hear the blame lacing it.I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “You’re delusional, Kael. I didn’t take Hazel anywhere.”His expression darkened. “Don’t lie to me, Evelyn. I know you were involved in her disappearanc
Hazel’s povI journeyed for a long time before I arrived at the spot Ryder had directed. There, tucked in between those boulders, was a large dark cave. Everything became dead silent all around me and for a moment, I stood still and doubted myself. But it quickly ended when my eyes landed on her.Alongside the entrance to the abyss, a figure sat there and it was an elderly woman, with long silver hair sliding down her back. She looked as if she would crumble right under herself yet something about her seemed so powerful.I took a step forward, opening my mouth to speak but before I could get a word out she lifted her head and looked straight at me."Hazel." She said softly.I froze.How does she know my name?Before I could ask, movement flickered in my periphery. More people were stepping out from the shadows of the mountains. Men and women in dark cloaks. Their gazes held something I couldn’t quite grasp. Recognition. And... happiness when they saw me.“She’s come back,” someone bre
Hazel’s povRyder shook his head, desperation pouring from his eyes. “No, Hazel. That’s not all. I…” His voice cracked. “I didn’t know.”She sliced her hand through the air, severing his words. “But you did,” she said with sharp, brutal conviction. “You really knew.”Ryder sucked in a deep breath and desperation filled his eyes. “I know I fucked up, Hazel. I know I hurt you but I didn’t know you were pregnant, or that the baby was Orion’s. If I had known—”I cut him off, my voice sharp. “Stop acting like you didn’t know. But you did know I was pregnant, Ryder. You knew, and you still banished me. In front of my parents. Do you have any idea how much that hurt? Do you have any idea how much you humiliated me?”Ryder’s shoulders slumped, and he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know, Hazel. I know I hurt you. And I’ll never forgive myself for that. But I’m here now. I’m trying to make things right.”I sighed, my face softening slightly. “I already said I’d help your mother, R
Hazel’s povI woke up the next morning and an ungodly heaviness sat on my chest. The argument from yesterday was the first thing I thought of—Evelyn’s betrayal, my escape, Kael stopping me. It left me angry and feeling restless and I couldn’t lock myself in this room all day to lick my wounds. I needed some air—to breathe, to think.With that said, I got out of bed and dressed quickly while making a path for the door. There wasn’t much noise in the rooms as made it way down the hallway, except for a faint hum of footsteps… the maids were working no doubt. No one was in the garden when I arrived so early this morning.But as I stepped foot into the garden, my feet froze. There, with his back to me, stood someone I never expected to see again—Alpha Ryder of my old pack. My heart skipped a beat and I was hit with a wave of emotions—anger, terror, confusion. What in the world is he doing here? After everything he had done to me—after banishing me from my own pack when he found out about m
Hazel’s POV He untied my hands, rough but not sloppy. I don’t think he wanted to hurt me. Not yet. I worked my wrists when he was done, enjoying the tingle as circulation returned.Mark yanked me upright by one arm, easy enough that it wasn't painful. He marched and dragged me towards the only partially closed door at the far end of the room, his eyes flicking around, wary.But so was I.I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me and my heart pounding. This was it. My only chance. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and then I waited for a while before I exited the door into the room.Mark was standing a few feet away from me, his back turned as he used his lighter to light a cigarette. He didn’t turn his head when he heard my footsteps coming toward him. He had no fear in that moment. And that’s when I got him.With every ounce of strength I had, I kicked him. Hard. Behind the back of his leg, at his knee. He let out a grunt of pain as he stumbled forward and d
Author’s povRyder wrinkled his nose, his annoyance heightening. “Why?”“Because she’s busy,” Kael said in anger.“Busy doing what? I told you it was important. My mother is dying.”Kael’s mouth flattened and he closed the distance between him and Ryder, speaking in a low, rigid voice. “I said she’s busy, Ryder. That’s all you need to know. And if you’re hurt and in need of healing’, our pack has plenty who are more than qualified for the job.”Ryder narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “With all due respect, Kael, I didn’t come here for your healers. I came here for Hazel. She’s the only one who can help my mother. So, if you know where she is, tell me.”Kael’s gaze hardened as he took another step closer. His voice was sharp when he spoke again. “I don’t owe you anything Ryder. You’re a guest here and you will respect our rules.Hazel is not available to you. End of discussion.”Ryder clenched his fists at his sides, feeling his patience—what little he had left of
Orion’s povThe following morning, I awoke early, my mind full of the day’s agenda. One of the first things I had to do was let Hazel know that her old alpha, Ryder, would be coming to the packhouse. She and he had a… difficult history, and I wanted to warn her in advance. I dressed quickly then headed down the hall to her room.I rapped on her closed door and called out, “Hazel? It’s Orion; we need to talk.”There was no answer. I knocked again, harder. “Hazel? Are you home?”Silence. I squinted my eyes and reached for the doorknob. Something was not right. The door swung open and creaked under my weight.No one was there. The bed was made perfectly and looked exactly as it did before she left this morning—empty.“Hazel?” I called out again, my voice bouncing back in the empty room.Silence. I took a few steps toward the dresser and pulled on the handle. It opened easily, revealing Hazel’s neatly folded clothes. All of her personal items were still there, exactly as she’d left them w
Orion’s povKael stared at me for a long moment before he finally nodded his head, his voice quiet. “Alright, Orion. I’ll trust you on this but if things go wrong it’s your head.”I smiled in reassurance and relief. “I know. And I’m ready to take that responsibility.”Kael dropped back down into the chair again, his voice still so serious for one so young. “So what’s the plan then? How do we help Ryder’s mother without putting the pack in danger?” I stood up straighter, my mind spinning with ideas. “We’ll start by sending some healers to Ryder’s pack. They can check on his mother and try to heal her if they’re able. But they’ll also be guarded in case Ryder tries anything.”Kael agreed with a slow nod, his gaze distant. “Okay. That’s a good precaution to take, but we can’t afford not to plan for the worst case either. How about bringing him into our own pack.”“I don’t like the idea, Kael. Bringing Ryder into our pack? After everything he’s done? It feels like we’re inviting trouble.