Serena's POVThe moon hung high in the sky, its glow spilling through the large windows of Alpha Henry’s office. I sat in the chair opposite him, my hands resting on my lap, nervously twisting the fabric of my dress. Henry’s sharp, calculating gaze pinned me to my seat, his features set in stone. Whatever he had called me here for was important.“Serena,” he began, leaning back in his chair, his fingers steepled together. “You know I’m glad you’re pregnant. It’s... reassuring. The pack needs a future, and you’ll give me that.”I swallowed hard. His words sounded more like a statement of ownership than affection. “I know, Henry,” I said softly, searching his face for a hint of warmth that wasn’t there. “But why call me here now? At this hour?”He leaned forward, his voice dropping. “Because I need your help.”My heart skipped a beat. Henry didn’t ask for help—he demanded it. The fact that he was framing it as a request was unsettling. “Help with what?”His jaw tightened, and he hesita
Serena pov His sharp, calculating gaze seemed to see straight through me. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing."Tesla," he said, his voice low but commanding, "why is she really here?""She's just a friend," Tesla replied quickly, too quickly. I could feel her tension, and I knew she was trying to protect me, though I wasn’t sure why. "She came to see me."His piercing eyes flicked back to me, skeptical. "A friend? From Henry’s pack?"I felt like a mouse under the gaze of a hawk. "I—I’m leaving," I stammered, taking a small step back toward the door. "I delivered the message. That’s all. I’ll be out of your way now.""You won’t be going anywhere," the Alpha said, his tone final.I froze, my heart hammering in my chest. His words weren’t a suggestion; they were an order."But I don’t want to stay!" The words burst out of me before I could stop them. "I don’t belong here. I—""You entered my territory," he interrupted, his voice cutting through mine like a blade. "I decide
Alpha Henry's POV I paced back and forth, my frustration mounting with every step. Serena should have returned by now. "Where is she?" I muttered under my breath, my voice low but sharp. My beta, Marcus, stood by the door, his arms crossed. "She’s late," Marcus said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Obviously," I snapped, shooting him a glare. "I sent her for a simple task, and she’s not back. What could be taking her so long?" Marcus hesitated before speaking. "Maybe the rogues didn’t take kindly to her showing up. Or maybe…" "Maybe what?" I demanded, stopping in my tracks to face him. "Maybe she’s been captured," Marcus said bluntly. The thought made my jaw tighten, though not out of concern for Serena. She was carrying my heir—my future. If anything happened to her, the child might be at risk. That was all that mattered. "Captured?" I scoffed, waving the idea away. "Tesla wouldn’t harm her. Not if she’s smart. She knows what’s at stake." "Tesla isn’t the only one in rogue territ
Kael’s POVThe sun already up. I stretched, the muscles in my back flexing as I stood, shirtless, at the edge of the bed. The morning chill bit at my skin, but I didn’t mind. The ache in my bones from years of hardship was a constant companion—a reminder of the life I lived.As I inhaled deeply, a familiar scent reached me. Warm, earthy, with a hint of lavender. Tesla.My brows furrowed. She wasn’t a prisoner, not technically, but she had far more freedom than anyone in rogue territory should have. That unsettled me. Prisoners didn’t wander around freely, and they didn’t spark curiosity in me the way she did. But she was here for a purpose—until I found something to use against Henry. Nothing more.Before I could delve deeper into my thoughts, her voice broke through the silence.“You should stretch more often,” Tesla said, her tone light but her eyes trailing over me, lingering a moment too long.I turned sharply to find her leaning against the doorframe, her lips curved into a fain
Tesla’s POVI paced the small room, my thoughts a tangled mess. Had I pushed too far? Kael’s anger was fierce, his words sharp and cold, but underneath it all, I thought I’d seen something else. Pain.But what if I was wrong? What if my curiosity was crossing boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed?I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Maybe I should apologize. Kael was ruthless, but he wasn’t unreasonable—or so I hoped. If I didn’t at least try to mend things, this tense dynamic between us would only get worse.Decision made, I stepped out into the hallway. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth, but my heart pounded as I approached Kael’s quarters.Before I could reach his door, I saw him standing at the end of the hall, his posture rigid, his eyes fixed on something—or someone. Following his gaze, I spotted Serena. She was crouched near a side room, her movements calculated and quiet.Kael’s expression was unreadable, but the tension radiating from him was p
Kael’s POVI sat in the room, the silence oppressive, my posture rigid as I watched him. The man before me was no ordinary figure in my life. He wasn’t just my mentor; he was the one who took my sister and me in when we had nothing, when everything had been stripped away. He’d forged me into the person I was today, someone capable of standing tall even in the face of overwhelming odds.His presence commanded respect. His dark eyes assessed me as if peeling back the layers of my soul. Finally, he broke the silence, his deep voice calm yet pointed.“I remember the day I found you, Kael. You were just a boy then, barely holding it together. But your eyes…” He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “Your eyes were full of fire. Revenge. That was what drove you, wasn’t it?”I nodded, unsure where this was going. “Yes, sir.”“I expected that fire to grow every day,” he continued, his gaze sharp. “But now, I’m not so sure. You’ve changed, Kael. Haven’t you?”“Respectfully,
Tesla’s POVKael’s footsteps echoed as he walked away, his parting words ringing in my ears.“Stay here. Don’t go anywhere until I say.”I watched him disappear through the door, his rigid posture betraying no emotion. I sighed heavily, crossing my arms as I stared at the now-closed door.“What just happened?” I muttered to myself, shaking my head. Kael was an enigma, wrapped in a storm of contradictions. He’d just defied the one man who seemed to hold ultimate power over him—for me. Why?I slumped into one of the room’s plush chairs, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. “I guess I don’t know him as well as I thought,” I murmured.My gaze wandered, landing on the rows of books lining the walls. A small laugh escaped me as I got up and approached the shelves. “Books, books, and more books. Seriously, Kael? Is this what you do all day? How boring.”I ran my fingers over the spines, half expecting to find something mundane, maybe a dusty old guide on ancient battle strategies. I
Alpha Henry povThe cool night air hit me as I stepped out of the meeting room, the lingering tension from hours of negotiation still coiling in my chest. I pulled a cigarette from my pocket, lighting it with a sharp flick of my wrist. The first drag was calming, the smoke curling around me like a trusted ally.“Alpha.”I turned to see Jared approaching, his expression serious. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “We’ve got the message. Confirmation on the rogue camp.”“Go on,” I said, exhaling smoke.“They’ll be celebrating the Moon Festival tomorrow night,” Jared continued. “Their defenses will be down. The informant says it’s the perfect time to strike.”I took another drag, my mind already working through the possibilities. “And the secret entrance?”“It’s real. Hidden by the east side of the forest, near the cliffs. We can get in without alerting the perimeter guards.”I smirked, the thought of finally crushing those rogues stirring a dark satisfaction in me. “Good. Tell
The old man’s smirk widened at Kael’s accusation. His sharp, calculating eyes gleamed in the dim firelight, reflecting the carnage around them. His hands, still clasped behind his back, twitched slightly—just enough for Kael to notice. Tesla’s trembling grew more violent. “You…” Kael’s voice was low, almost a whisper, but filled with restrained fury. “You did this to her.” The old man inclined his head, as if entertained by Kael’s discovery. “Indeed.” Kael clenched his fists. His body ached from the battle, but rage burned through him stronger than pain. “You turned her into… *this*.” A slow, amused chuckle rumbled from the old man’s throat. “Turned her?” He shook his head. “No, no, boy. I simply *unleashed* what was already there.” Tesla snarled, her body still locked in place, trembling, fighting something unseen. Her silver eyes flickered between recognition and complete void—between her and the monster clawing for control inside her. Henry gritted his teeth. “We’re s
The battlefield was still. Only the crackling of burning trees and the heavy breaths of wounded wolves filled the night. Scar, now in his monstrous wolf form, towered over Tesla, his golden eyes gleaming with malice. He took slow, deliberate steps toward her, his massive paws sinking into the bloodstained ground. Kael and Henry stood at a distance, watching tensely, their bodies aching from battle. “This isn’t good,” Kael muttered. Henry growled lowly. “She’s strong… but Scar is something else.” Tesla’s white wolf didn’t move. Her silver eyes burned with something primal, something ancient. She stood firm, shoulders squared, her fur bristling as the wind swept through the clearing. Scar bared his fangs. “You think because you unlocked some hidden power, you can stand against me?” His voice was deep, laced with arrogance. “I am your end, little wolf.” Tesla didn’t respond. She lunged. The force of her attack sent shockwaves through the ground. She was fast—unnaturally
The air grew tense. The moment Henry and Kael heard the snapping of branches behind them, they knew—Scar had caught up. A low, guttural growl rumbled through the darkness. Kael barely had time to shift before something massive slammed into him, knocking him sideways. Henry roared, his body already shifting mid-motion. Bones snapped, muscles expanded, fur sprouted along his skin. By the time he landed on all fours, his white fur gleamed under the moonlight. Scar’s men came like a storm, their snarls ripping through the night. Shadows moved fast, fangs flashing, claws striking. Kael barely had time to dodge the first attack before another wolf lunged. He twisted, kicking off a tree trunk, launching himself into his enemy with deadly force. His jaw clamped down on the wolf’s shoulder, his claws raking down its side. A yelp. A thud. But there was no time to breathe. Another came at him—then another. Henry was already deep in battle, his powerful form tearing through en
The night stretched long and cold, the air thick with the scent of blood and damp earth. The battle had ended, but the war was far from over. Scar emerged from the shadows, his towering frame moving with deadly grace. His fur, a deep shade of charcoal, gleamed under the moonlight. Scars littered his body, marks of past battles, proof of his dominance. His golden eyes flickered with something unreadable as he stopped in front of the crumpled figure on the ground. Aldric. He was barely conscious, his breaths ragged, his body sprawled in the dirt, the wooden shard still embedded in his ribs. Blood pooled beneath him, dark and thick. He had lost. Scar tilted his head, a slow, measured movement. Then, without a word, he crouched down, gripping Aldric’s throat with one clawed hand. “Where are the others?” His voice was low, dangerous. Aldric’s lips curled into a weak snarl. He was in no condition to fight, no strength left to even lift his head. But he still had his pride. Sca
The wolves lunged. A blur of furs clashed under the moonlight, fangs bared, claws tearing at the earth as they collided with bone-crushing force. A snarl ripped through the air. Henry struck first, fast and brutal, his jaws snapping dangerously close to Aldric’s throat. But Aldric was faster. He twisted at the last second, his massive paws striking Henry’s side, sending him skidding across the dirt. Lina let out a small cry behind me, but I didn’t turn. I couldn’t. My eyes were locked on the battle unfolding before us. Henry recovered in seconds, his white fur now streaked with dirt and blood, but he didn’t hesitate. He launched himself at Aldric again, jaws snapping— Aldric dodged, but Henry was relentless. He struck again. And again. Each attack more brutal than the last, his fangs sinking into Aldric’s shoulder— Aldric snarled in pain, but it didn’t slow him down. If anything, it only made him angrier. With a vicious growl, he twisted, his claws sl
The blade came down. A sharp gasp lodged in my throat, but before I could make a sound, something clamped over my mouth. A hand. Strong. Unrelenting. I thrashed, my fingers clawing at the grip, but Aldric’s hold was ironclad. "Shh," he whispered against my ear, his breath cool, his voice eerily calm. "You don’t want to wake them just yet." The old man lay still. Unmoving. For a moment, my chest seized with fear, but then I saw it—his shallow, uneven breaths. He wasn’t dead. Not yet. Aldric must’ve realized he didn’t finish the job because his grip on me tightened, his frustration seeping through. I bit down. Hard. He let out a sharp curse, his hand jerking away just enough for me to suck in a deep breath— But I didn’t get the chance to scream. Because before I could, he yanked me backward, dragging me toward the barn doors with inhuman strength. I kicked, elbowed, fought— But he was faster. Stronger. I barely registered the doors swinging open b
The forest had a way of making you feel small. The towering trees, the endless darkness stretching beyond where the eye could see—it swallowed you whole, made you feel like you were nothing but a fleeting presence in a world that had existed long before you and would continue to exist long after. I sat with my back against the rough bark of a tree, Lina curled up beside me, her breathing deep and even as sleep finally claimed her. I wished I could rest as easily. But exhaustion was a weight on my shoulders, pressing down, dragging me toward unconsciousness, yet my mind refused to let go. I wasn’t the only one. Kael sat a few feet away, sharpening a blade absentmindedly, his eyes trained on the trees, as if daring something to step out. Henry was on the other side of the clearing, lying down but not quite asleep, his arm resting over his eyes, lost in thought. Aldric sat against another tree, silent, unmoving. He hadn’t said much since earlier, and I wasn’t sure if I preferred
TeslaOur footsteps were quiet, barely rustling the undergrowth as we moved through the forest, but the silence between us was louder than words. I kept my focus ahead, keeping close to Lina, who clung to my hand. Henry walked on my right, his jaw set in quiet determination, while Kael led the way with an unshaken confidence that made it seem like he always knew exactly where we were going. Aldric was behind me. Not too far. Not too close. Until he moved forward. I tensed. “I know you don’t trust me,” his voice was calm, even. “But you have to believe me—I didn’t do anything.” I didn’t answer. Didn’t even look at him. But he kept walking, his presence drawing closer, his voice lower now, just enough for me to hear. “I don’t expect you to trust me, Tesla,” he murmured, as if reading my mind. “But at least don’t see me as an enemy.” My fingers curled into a fist. “I never said you were my enemy.” Aldric exhaled softly. “But you think I could be.” I didn’t
TeslaScar’s growl echoed in the night as he ran off, his wounded pride as deep as the gash across his chest. His brother limped beside him, their figures disappearing into the darkness like ghosts, leaving behind only the scent of blood and bitterness. I watched them go, my breath still uneven, my muscles aching from the fight. But there was no time to dwell on it. Henry shifted back into his human form beside me, his skin still marked with the traces of battle. Without hesitation, he crouched down, lifting the blind old man onto his back. “We need to move,” Henry said, his voice firm. Aldric gave a small nod, silent as ever. We left without looking back. Kael took the lead, moving through the darkness with his usual quiet precision. Aldric walked beside me, his senses sharp, still wary of another ambush. I kept my eyes ahead, my mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions, lingering doubts, and the weight of everything that had just happened. But the moment we stepped int