Tesla's POVThe guards surrounded me, their eyes watchful and bodies tense. I had surrendered myself to them—it was the only way to get the purple Floricent flower. Sneaking into Alpha Henry’s garden was impossible, and I didn’t have the luxury of time to gamble on failure.As we entered the massive estate, my breath caught. The grandeur was overwhelming, but I forced myself to focus. Kael’s life depended on me.The guards led me through the corridors until we stopped in front of a large oak door. One of them knocked, and a deep, muffled voice answered.“Come in.”The door swung open, revealing Alpha Henry. He was shirtless, drenched in sweat, mid-workout. His chiseled physique gleamed under the soft light, each movement deliberate and powerful. For a fleeting moment, I cursed myself for noticing.Henry paused, his head lifting as though catching a scent. His sharp gaze locked onto me, and a slow, knowing smile spread across his face.“Well, well,” he drawled, grabbing a towel to wipe
Kael’s POVPain. That’s all I remembered before I blacked out. Now, I woke up to the cool softness of silk sheets against my skin. My eyes snapped open, and I found myself lying on a king-sized bed, shirtless, with no sign of the deep gashes that should’ve killed me.I sat up abruptly, my heart pounding. "Tesla," I muttered under my breath, scanning the room. Where was she? Was she safe?The door creaked open, and the doctor stepped in, holding a tray of supplies. He froze, his eyes widening when he saw me awake.“You’re... awake,” he stammered, almost dropping the tray.“No kidding,” I growled, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “Where is Tesla?”The doctor hesitated, his hands fumbling with the tray. “Sh-she went to look for an antidote. For your wounds.”“What antidote?” I demanded, my voice sharp. “Stop stammering and get to the point.”The doctor swallowed hard, avoiding my gaze. “She… she went back to Alpha Henry’s territory.”The air around me seemed to freeze. “What?”
Alpha Henry’s POVI stood up slowly, savoring the tension in the room. “I need to prepare a proper welcoming for my old-time friend Kael. It’s been far too long since we’ve had a conversation, and I’d rather not leave him hanging.”I signaled for my guards to watch over Tesla. They stepped forward without a word, and I left the room, a smile still playing at the corners of my lips.It felt surreal, being back in the mansion again. Walking down the familiar halls, I couldn’t help but reminisce about our childhood. Kael and I were inseparable back then. We used to play in the streets, dreaming of ruling the world together, of never leaving each other. It was a bond forged in youth, one that I thought would never break.But power… power changed things. It changed both of us. I had grown into the man I needed to be to control everything, and Kael? Well, he’d become something different too. Something less focused, more impulsive. And in the end, it was that impulse that drove him here, rig
Alpha Henry's POVI stared at Kael for a moment. He wanted Tesla, and he thought he could just waltz in here and demand her release. I couldn’t help but laugh again, shaking my head at his audacity.“You’ve got guts, Kael. I’ll give you that,” I said, my voice laced with sarcasm. “But guts only get you so far. Do you even understand what you’re asking for?”“I know exactly what I’m asking for,” Kael shot back, his voice firm and unwavering. “Tesla doesn’t belong here, Henry. You’re keeping her against her will, and I’m not going to stand by and let it happen.”“Against her will?” I scoffed, stepping closer to him. “You think you’re her savior? That she’s waiting for you to come charging in like some hero? Let me tell you something, Kael—this isn’t a fairy tale, and you’re no knight in shining armor.”Kael didn’t flinch, didn’t move an inch. “Maybe not, but I’m the one standing here, ready to do what it takes to get her back. Can you say the same?”I felt the heat rising in my chest, a
I turned away from the window and paced the room, my mind racing. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. They were going to kill each other, and for what? Pride? Control? Me?I took a deep breath, forcing myself to think clearly. I couldn’t just stand here and watch this happen. If they wouldn’t stop, then I’d have to make them stop.Without hesitation, I ran for the door. The guards stationed outside looked at me, but I didn’t give them time to react. I darted past them, my feet carrying me as fast as they could to the mansion grounds.The scene outside was worse than I imagined. Henry and Kael were locked in combat, their wolf forms bloodied and battered. Each strike, each growl, felt like a hammer to my chest. They didn’t even notice me as I approached, their focus entirely on each other.“Stop!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos.They ignored me, Kael lunging at Henry with a ferocity that sent them both crashing to the ground.“I said STOP!” I screamed again, louder th
Marcus’s gaze shifted to Kael, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. “Kael, this isn’t your decision to make. You know how this works. Step aside.”“No.” Kael’s voice was firm, his fists clenched at his sides. “I won’t let you take her.”Marcus sighed, almost as if he’d expected this response. “I was hoping you’d cooperate, but it seems I have no choice.” He turned slightly, and suddenly, wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing in the dim light.We were surrounded.Henry’s growl grew louder, his sharp gaze scanning the wolves that now encircled us. “You’ve brought an army onto my land?”Marcus’s tone was calm, almost regretful. “I brought protection. I didn’t want it to come to this, but I won’t leave without her.”Kael moved to stand directly in front of me, his voice cold and sharp. “No one’s taking Tesla except me.”Henry shifted closer to me as well, his claws glinting under the moonlight. “If you want a fight, Marcus, you’ll get one. But you won’t leave here
Tesla pov I took a shaky step forward, my legs trembling as the weight of Marcus’s words pressed down on me. Every fiber of my being screamed at me not to do this, but the sight of Henry lying helpless beneath Marcus’s paw made the decision for me. “Stop,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I swallowed hard and tried again. “I’ll go with you. Just let him go.” Kael’s head snapped up, his eyes blazing with anger and desperation. “Tesla, no! You don’t have to do this.” Marcus tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a cold smile. “A wise decision.” “I said, let him go!” I shouted, forcing strength into my voice. “Now.” Marcus stared at me for a moment, then lifted his paw from Henry’s chest, the pressure easing but the threat still lingering in his gaze. Henry coughed weakly, his sides heaving as he tried to recover. Kael staggered to his feet, his body swaying as he fought to stay upright. “Tesla, this isn’t the answer. We can still fight.” “Fight?” I snapped, my v
I turned to look at Henry, but he wasn’t much better off. Blood stained the earth beneath him, his body limp, his breath shallow and labored. I wanted to go to him, to try and stop the bleeding, but the way Marcus had taken him down with ease was still fresh in my mind. Henry wasn’t just injured; he was broken. And it was my fault too. I should’ve been faster. I should’ve—“Kael,” a voice broke through my thoughts, and I looked up, realizing it was Henry’s weak whisper. He was looking at me, his face pale, his eyes barely open.“You’re still breathing,” I rasped, my voice hoarse from everything I was holding in. I bent down beside him, but I couldn’t offer him any comfort. I couldn’t even lift him.“I’m not… not for long,” Henry said, grimacing. “Marcus—”“I know,” I interrupted, my voice tight. “I’ll make it right. I swear, Henry. I’ll get her back.”Henry’s eyes fluttered. “Don’t make promises… you can’t keep.”I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out. I couldn’t promise him
Henry’s POVMarcus’s massive paw pressed against my throat, cutting off my air as I struggled beneath him. His crimson eyes gleamed with triumph, his voice rumbling with satisfaction.“You thought you could control me?” Marcus sneered, leaning closer. “You’re nothing, Henry. No one can match me. No one.”I clawed at his arm, gasping, but his strength was overwhelming. My vision blurred, and I felt my wolf cowering within me, retreating.“All the territories,” Marcus continued, his voice cold and calculating, “will fall under my rule. Your petty little packs will bow, or they’ll burn. Starting with you.”Suddenly, a howl echoed through the chamber, cutting through Marcus’s gloating. His head snapped up, and he released me, allowing me to collapse to the ground, coughing and gasping for air.He turned toward the source of the sound, his lips curling into a mocking grin. “Well, well,” Marcus said, his tone laced with amusement. “Kael’s wolf. You’ve claimed it back, have you?”I followed
Henry’s POVI leaned against the cold stone wall, the cries of the infant echoing through the room like a sweet melody of triumph. The scent of blood and despair lingered in the air, thick and intoxicating. It was over. Finally, after all the scheming, after all the sacrifices, I had the child. The ultimate weapon.Tesla stirred on the cot beside me, her lashes fluttering as she began to wake. I crouched down, waiting for the moment her eyes opened.“Ah, Tesla,” I murmured as she blinked in confusion, her disorientation palpable. “Welcome back to the land of the living.”Her gaze darted around the room, and I saw it—the moment she realized where she was. Then, her eyes landed on me. Hatred. Fear. A dash of sorrow. It was all there, written across her face.“Where is he?” she whispered, her voice hoarse.I grinned, savoring the question. “Oh, Kael? Right there.”Her head whipped around, and her breath hitched as she saw him. Kael stood at the far end of the room, his arms tied behind h
Kael's POV I tightened my grip on Jarek’s arm as we crouched behind the cluster of crates. Marcus’s massive wolf form prowled through the ruined alley, his growls reverberating through the air like a storm about to break. Jarek’s breathing was ragged, his fear evident as he glanced toward the hospital in the distance. “We can’t keep hiding,” Jarek whispered, his voice barely audible over Marcus’s snarls. “He’ll find us.” I nodded, my mind racing. There was only one way out of this, and it wasn’t one we could both take together. “Listen to me,” I said, keeping my voice calm despite the chaos. “You’re going to run to the hospital. Now. I’ll distract him.” Jarek’s eyes widened in disbelief. “No! Are you insane? He’ll kill you!” “Jarek,” I snapped, grabbing his shoulders and forcing him to look at me. “I’ve faced worse than Marcus. I can handle this. But if you stay here, we both die. You need to go.” He shook his head, his resolve wavering. “I can’t just leave you here—” “Yes, you
Tesla's POVMy lungs burned as Ana and I sprinted through the narrow hallway, her grip on the baby firm yet protective. The service exit Serena had mentioned was in sight, but the echo of heavy boots and snarling voices behind us reminded me that Henry wouldn’t let us escape so easily.“Faster, Ana,” I urged, my voice hoarse with desperation.“I’m trying!” she hissed, the baby starting to fuss in her arms.We burst into the dimly lit alley, but the moment we did, Henry’s imposing figure materialized from the shadows ahead, blocking our path. His smirk was sinister, his presence suffocating.“Going somewhere?” he drawled, tilting his head mockingly.Ana stumbled to a halt, clutching the baby closer to her chest. “Stay back!” she spat, her voice trembling but determined.Henry ignored her, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto me. “Tesla, Tesla… running doesn’t suit you. It’s pathetic, really.”I stepped in front of Ana and the baby, my body trembling but my resolve unshaken. “Leave th
Serena’s POVThe sound of Henry’s voice brought me to a standstill. I froze for a heartbeat, then quickly turned to face the hall where the heavy footsteps were approaching. I could feel Tesla tensing behind me, and Ana instinctively pulled the baby closer to her chest.“Well, well,” Henry drawled, stepping into view with his men flanking him. His piercing gaze landed on me, a smirk curling his lips. “Serena. I expected better from you. By my side, doing as you were told. But no, here you are, busy siding with Tesla. How disappointing.”“I’m not here for you, Henry,” I said firmly, standing my ground.He chuckled, his eyes glinting with dark amusement as he shifted his gaze to Tesla. “Tesla, you look… good. A little worse for wear, perhaps, but still stunning.” He blew her a kiss mockingly, and my blood boiled. “If only you’d accepted my offer. I would’ve given you everything—protection, power, your child’s future secured. no, you turned me down. And now, well…” His smirk widened. “I
I blinked, taken aback. Leave? What was she talking about?“What do you mean, leave?” I demanded, pushing myself up from the bed. My body screamed in protest, but I ignored the pain. “Why are you here, Serena? Aren’t you with Henry?”Ana stood up, protectively positioning herself in front of the baby as though instinctively sensing the shift in tension. Serena raised an eyebrow, her gaze hard.“I’m not here to explain myself,” Serena said, her voice growing more insistent. “Henry knows you’re here. He knows about this place. And he’ll be coming for you.”I felt a cold shiver run through me. Henry? How could he possibly know? This wasn’t the first time I’d escaped his reach, but if he was after us again...“How do you know that?” I asked, my voice trembling with the gravity of the situation.Serena looked over her shoulder, her expression cautious, almost paranoid. She closed the door behind her, ensuring no one else was around before she stepped closer to me, lowering her voice.“It d
Kael’s POVI felt the hair on the back of my neck rise as Marcus smiled, his eyes flashing with an unsettling gleam. Without warning, he dropped into a crouch, his body trembling with energy. And then, in a moment that happened so fast I almost didn’t catch it, his form rippled and shifted.In an instant, he wasn’t human anymore.Marcus had transformed into a massive wolf, his fur bristling with power. His glowing eyes locked onto mine, filled with a feral hunger. My heart pounded in my chest, but something was wrong. I didn’t feel the usual pull to shift into my wolf form. My body refused to cooperate. It was as if my wolf... was gone.I snarled inwardly, trying to force the shift. But nothing. My wolf didn’t respond."What's wrong, Kael?" Marcus’s voice rumbled from the giant wolf’s mouth, the words almost mocking. "No transformation? Looks like living the peaceful life comes with a cost."I gritted my teeth, frustration building in me. This was impossible. My connection to my wolf
Kael’s POVThe quiet hum of the room was almost soothing as I stood there, watching the doctor carefully adjust Tesla’s unconscious body on the bed. She was pale, her chest rising and falling shallowly as the doctor worked with an air of practiced calm. It was frustrating to see her like this—weak, vulnerable. But I knew she’d survive. She was strong, stronger than most. The doctor had assured me of that, but it didn’t make the sight of her any easier to stomach.“You’re sure she’ll be alright?” I asked again, my voice low, a tone of disbelief still lingering in the words.The doctor didn’t flinch, his hands moving expertly as he checked the IV line he’d just set up. “She’ll be fine, Kael. She’s just exhausted. Give her some time to recover, and she’ll be back on her feet.”I nodded stiffly, eyes never leaving Tesla’s still form. I wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t. Not yet. Not until I saw her open her eyes again. I clenched my fists at my sides, muscles tense.“Take care of her,
I pushed further into the factory, each step calculated, cautious. My eyes flicked around the room, looking for anything that might give me a clue. The place was littered with broken crates, empty wood piles, and rusted equipment. But there was one thing that caught my eye—the remnants of a struggle. Some marks on the floor, scratches in the wood—some kind of evidence.I sniffed again, honing in on the source.Kael had been here.I knelt beside the marks, tracing them with my claw. The floor had been disturbed, the wood gouged deep. Whatever had happened here was messy—too messy to ignore. Something told me I was getting closer. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I stood again, my senses sharp, my body tense.I turned toward a set of stairs leading to an upper level. My instincts screamed at me to climb, to get higher and get a better view of what was going on. With one swift motion, I bounded up the steps, my claws scraping against the metal.The air on the upper level was t