Tesla POVI woke up in the middle of the night, my mind restless. My thoughts raced, circling around the council’s cryptic words about the child I was carrying. Part of a prophecy? The idea was absurd, but the conviction in their voices had been unsettling. I turned on the narrow bed, trying to force myself to sleep, but it was impossible.The room felt suffocating, and the shadows seemed alive, whispering my doubts back to me. Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle of the wind, felt like a warning.Then, a knock at the door shattered the silence. My body froze.Who would be knocking at this hour? Slowly, I stood and walked to the door, hesitating for a moment before opening it.Marcus stood there, leaning casually against the frame, his expression unreadable.“You’re awake,” he said, stepping inside uninvited.I frowned. “What are you doing here? It’s the middle of the night.”He smirked, that same unsettling grin that made my skin crawl. “I could ask you the same thing. Why ar
Henry POVI stood by the window, staring at the moon hanging low in the night sky. Its light seemed cold, distant—mocking. The memory of my defeat replayed in my mind, each moment sharper than the last. Marcus had beaten me, humiliated me in front of everyone. That was all anyone could talk about now—the Alpha who fell.I clenched my fists, the anger at myself burning hot. I’d failed as a leader. Failed as a protector. And with Serena carrying our child, that failure weighed heavier than ever. How could I keep them safe when I couldn’t even defend myself?Kael’s words echoed in my mind from our earlier conversation: “People change, Henry. You’re not the same man you were.” He was right, damn him. I wasn’t the man I used to be. The strength, the confidence—they were gone, replaced by doubt and weakness. But maybe... maybe I could change again.If I was going to reclaim what I’d lost, I needed to face Marcus. But not like last time, blindly charging in and hoping for the best. No, I nee
Tesla POVThe sound of my name being called repeatedly cut through the fog of my restless sleep, dragging me back to reality. My mind still reeling from the conversation with Marcus hours ago, I had barely managed to drift off when the pounding on the door started.“Tesla! Open the door!” came Marcus's voice, sharp and insistent.I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head and trying to ignore it, but the constant banging was impossible to block out. Grumbling, I finally threw off the covers and stumbled to my feet, my body stiff from lack of proper rest. I was already irritated, but when I saw the time on the clock—too early, too damn early—I was beyond pissed.I opened the door, half-expecting Marcus to be standing there with that annoying smirk of his. Instead, his face was drawn tight, eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. The usual unsettling grin was gone. He looked… tense. Serious. Definitely not in the mood for small talk.“You need to take a bath,” he said without preamble. “W
Tesla POVWe arrived at a place that didn’t look anything like I expected. It was an old building, the kind that had probably seen better days, maybe decades ago. The walls were cracked, the windows boarded up, and the air around it smelled damp, like it hadn’t been disturbed for a long time. There was no sign of life, nothing that gave me any reassurance about what we were doing here. I glanced around, feeling the weight of the unknown pressing against my chest.Marcus had stayed close, not speaking a word as we walked through the small group of people. His eyes were sharp, scanning the surroundings. I wanted to ask him a thousand questions, but the way he moved—so precise, so focused—told me he wasn’t in the mood to answer them. We were in this together, and yet, it felt like I was being pulled in one direction while he was being dragged somewhere else.As we stepped through the door, I was immediately hit by the darkness inside. It smelled musty, like old books and forgotten memori
Kael POVNine months had passed since everything changed. Nine months of living in a place that wasn’t home, not truly. I had learned things, seen things that I wished I could forget, but that’s not how life works. When you’re tied to something bigger than yourself, you don’t get to walk away unscathed.And now, here I was, staring at Alpha Henry, the man who had done everything in his power to break me. But now he was handing me a key. A small, simple thing. Heavy in my hand, heavier in my chest.“This is for the deal,” Henry said, his voice as cold as I remembered. His eyes, sharp and calculating, watched me carefully, like he was waiting for something.I didn’t know what he expected me to say. Gratitude? A thank you for the freedom I was about to have? No. I wasn’t about to make that mistake. Not after everything that had happened between us.I looked at the key in my hand, turning it over and over, trying to decide if I could even trust it. Trust him.“You’re letting me go,” I sai
Panic surged through me. No. No, no, no. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to be running for my life again. The sound of boots pounding the ground grew louder, sharper. They were coming for me. I didn’t have time to think. I didn’t have time to plan. I just ran. My feet carried me faster than I had ever run before, the city’s streets becoming a blur as I darted between alleyways, desperate to stay one step ahead of the guards who were already hot on my trail. I could hear them shouting orders to each other, their voices cutting through the night. "Spread out! Don’t let him get away!" It felt like the whole world was closing in on me. The weight of the key in my pocket seemed to grow heavier with every step, a constant reminder that I had made a deal that might have just been my downfall. My heart pounded in my chest as I pushed myself harder, feet slamming against the pavement, lungs burning from the effort. I didn’t know where I was going, but I couldn’t stop. I
Marcus POVThe room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn, allowing just a sliver of moonlight to creep in through the gaps. The air was thick, the kind that pressed against your skin, making you feel like you were trapped in a space too small, too tight. But I was used to it.I sat across from the priestess, her calm demeanor barely hiding the sharpness in her eyes. She was beautiful in a way that made people forget who she truly was, but I never did. I had seen what she could do, the kind of power she held beneath that serene exterior. And I knew, deep down, she was just like everyone else in the council—a tool to be used, a pawn in a game far bigger than any of us realized.“What’s the status?” I asked, my voice quiet but firm, the kind that demanded attention even in the silence of the room.The priestess didn’t look up from the altar in front of her. Her hands moved delicately over the old texts, her fingers brushing across the ancient symbols, as if they held some kind of secr
Priestess POv Tesla, lying on the altar, was still, save for the rise and fall of her chest. She had already given so much—her body, her spirit—everything that was needed to bring this moment to life. But even with her power, I could sense she was nearing her limit.Her face was pale, beads of sweat clinging to her forehead as she clenched her teeth, her hands gripping the edges of the altar. The ritual’s magic was coursing through her, but she was fading, her strength slipping away faster than I had anticipated.I glanced over to the table where Marcus stood, watching with that insatiable hunger in his eyes, the same hunger I had seen in countless others before him. The hunger for power, for control, for more than they could handle.“This is it,” I whispered to myself, even though I knew it was a lie. This was only the beginning. But the child. Tesla’s child. She was the key to everything, the reason we had gone through all this trouble. I could feel her stirring, already reachin
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