The room was quiet, save for the soft breathing of Tesla beside me. She had fallen asleep not long after we settled in, her face relaxed in the peaceful slumber she so often deserved. I couldn’t help but glance at her in the dim light, her features softened and serene in a way I rarely saw. Her dark hair was spread across the pillow, and the faintest smile tugged at her lips. She looked so at ease, so far from the constant chaos we had known, that it made my chest tighten with something unnameable.I smiled, but it didn’t quite reach my eyes. I was still adjusting to this new version of us—this life we were trying to carve out of the fragments left behind by everything we had endured. There had been so much loss, so many moments that seemed to stretch on endlessly, but now… now, for the first time in a long while, I could feel something different. A sense of calm, of stillness. It was tempting to hold on to this feeling, to imagine that maybe, just maybe, this was all we needed. A qui
Alpha Henry pov The cold morning air bit at my bare scalp as the servant carefully continued shaving my head smooth. The blade scraped against my skin with a precision I had demanded. My reflection in the polished steel bowl of water before me stared back, a sharp, unyielding figure. Yet, beneath that exterior, my thoughts churned with a storm of anger and humiliation. Lies. My entire existence now felt entangled in deceit, one string of dishonesty pulling at the next until it threatened to suffocate me.Nine months—no, nearly ten now—and Serena had still not delivered the child she had sworn she carried. I clenched my fists against the armrests of my chair, the aged wood groaning under the pressure.“Nine months of deceit,” I muttered, the venom in my voice barely masking the hurt underneath. The words felt sour in my mouth, each syllable cutting as deeply as the betrayal I had uncovered. The memory of the doctor’s hesitant confession was still fresh, like an unhealed wound. She
Kael’s POVThe morning light filtered through the cracks in the wooden shutters, nudging me awake. My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the dim light. I sat up, rubbing my face. My legs, heavily bandaged, reminded me of yesterday’s struggles. The sharp, dull ache was still there, but it wasn’t unbearable.I looked over at the bed beside me, expecting to see Tesla. Empty. Frowning, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood, testing my weight. It held. My steps were slow but steady as I limped toward the window.Outside, Tesla stood talking to Jarek’s wife, her laughter light and carefree. She looked radiant, the morning sun catching her hair, making her seem...different. Peaceful. Beautiful.I sighed, shaking my head. “Get a grip,” I muttered to myself, pulling on my shirt.I headed for the door, my stomach grumbling softly. As I stepped out into the hallway, I nearly collided with Jarek, who was brushing his teeth.“Finally awake, huh?” Jarek said through a mouthful of foam. “
Tesla’s POVI paced the small living room, my arms crossed over my chest. The child sat in the middle of the floor, babbling to herself, her little hands waving in the air. Despite her cheerful demeanor, unease gnawed at me. Kael had been gone for hours now, and I had no idea where he’d gone or why.Jarek’s wife, Ana, had been her usual reassuring self. “They probably just went out for a stroll,” she had said with a wave of her hand when I’d asked. But something about Kael’s abrupt departure nagged at me. He wasn’t one to wander off without saying anything.I glanced toward the window, catching a glimpse of the sun dipping lower in the sky. “He should’ve been back by now,” I muttered under my breath.“What was that?” Ana called from the kitchen.“Nothing,” I replied quickly, forcing a smile as she peeked around the corner.Ana wiped her hands on her apron and smiled warmly. “Kael’s a grown man, Tesla. He can take care of himself. Stop worrying so much.”I nodded absently, though her w
Kael’s POVI swung the axe down hard, the sharp crack of splitting wood momentarily drowning out the noise in my head. The pile of firewood at my feet was already massive, but I didn’t stop. Sweat trickled down my face, and my arms burned with the effort, but the ache felt better than the chaos in my mind.The child.That damn tattoo.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw it—the intricate design etched into her skin, glowing faintly as if it were alive. I’d tried to convince myself it was nothing, that I was overthinking it. But no matter how much wood I chopped or how hard I worked, the questions lingered.What did it mean? Why her? And why now?The girl was just a kid, barely old enough to string a sentence together. But the way she looked at me sometimes, with those wide, knowing eyes... It was like she saw through me, straight to the parts of myself I’d rather keep buried.I brought the axe down again, splitting another log clean in half."Kael!"I looked up to see Jarek leaning agai
Tesla’s POVI helped Ana pack the last of the groceries into the kitchen, wiping the sweat from my brow as the afternoon sun beat down. The truck had been heavy with supplies, and now that the work was done, I could finally relax. Ana seemed a little more at ease today, though I could sense her usual restlessness—there was always something, some kind of tension in the air whenever we were out here. But today, she smiled as she closed the fridge door, taking a step back.“Thanks for the help,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron.I nodded, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. “Anytime. I’ll just check on my daughter.”Ana gave me a half-smile, her lips tight. “She’s in the other room, sleeping.”I let out a soft sigh of relief. Ever since we’d arrived, I’d been keeping a close eye on her. My little girl was all I had left, and I couldn’t afford to let anyone take her from me—not after everything that had happened. The thought of her being in danger made my heart race.I walk
Kael’s POVThe night had already swallowed the sun by the time Jarek and I staggered down the path, our steps heavy and uneven. The alcohol had done its work, and it was a struggle to keep us both upright. Jarek leaned on me for support, his arm slung around my shoulder, his feet dragging."You sure you’re okay, man?" I asked, keeping my voice low, not wanting to draw attention.Jarek muttered something incomprehensible, and I chuckled, though it was more a reflex than anything else. We’d been drinking for hours, trying to let off steam after a long week of dealing with shit that neither of us cared to unpack. Still, we kept moving, one step at a time, toward his home.Then we saw it.Ana.She was lying on the ground in front of the broken door, unconscious. My heart skipped a beat.I stopped dead in my tracks, Jarek bumping into me. His eyes narrowed as he saw her. “What the hell happened to her?”I didn’t need to say anything. The damage was clear—the door had been shattered, splint
I barely had time to process Jarek’s sudden appearance before he slammed his truck into one of the werewolves, sending it sprawling across the ground with a sickening crunch. The impact was enough to knock the beast off balance, but not to put it down for good. The wolf growled in fury as it staggered to its feet, but Jarek didn’t hesitate. He shifted into gear again, revving the engine as he floored the pedal, heading straight for the second wolf who had been on our tail.“Go! Get the baby!” Jarek shouted, his voice laced with urgency.I nodded, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I turned toward the small bundle of life that I was clutching in my arms. Tesla’s daughter—her small body was limp when I first grabbed her, but the moment I cradled her closer, her eyes flickered open. She let out a soft, terrified whimper, her tiny fists flailing as if instinctively searching for something familiar.“It’s okay,” I whispered, my voice low, reassuring her. “You’re safe now.”I patted he
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