AnnaCool shadows wash over my sweaty skin, disguising me as I moved through the corners of the abandoned warehouse courtyard. The night sky was beautiful, stars danced and twinkled. I could have loved to enjoy something like this, happily lie under the stars and let the night air cleanse my tired body and overworked muscles. But unfortunately that was not it. I needed to escape. I do not know how much time I had left before Hades would notice that I was taking too long in the bathroom or when an alarm would sound. I scanned my surroundings of any sign of Ethan or his guards. There was none. I sighed in relief before moving through the darkness again. Frogs sing in the distance as my feet crunch the sand. I had no idea where I was or where I was going, so I just followed the lamplights that illuminated the pathway ahead. The ominous shadows seemed to play tricks on my senses, making every rustle of leaves or distant creak an unsettling echo.As I cautiously advanced, the distant
DavisInside the car, windows opened as Anna felt claustrophobic. She rested her head on the head rest and I watched her sleep. My hands were shaking as I picked up the blanket to cover her. She had lost some weight. I felt bad that I was not able to find her on time. That she had to find me before I found her. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Anna was here, and she was safe now. As I pulled out of the barn's vicinity, I decided to make a call to Cameron, my trusted detective."Cameron," I said as he picked up, "I need information on an Ethan, the one involved with Claire's kidnapping. I don't have much to go on, but she mentioned the name. There is no surname so just find any Ethan related to us or our business."Cameron sighed on the other end, "Ethan is a common name, but give me a moment. I'll see what I can find."While waiting for Cameron to gather information, I glanced at Anna, her face serene in sleep. I felt a mix of relief and frustration, grappling with t
Selena’s POV A party in my name…it was the least expected. Maids surrounded me like flies. I was a giggling mess. The room was lavishly decorated, a stark contrast to the rustic cabin I had grown accustomed to. Sitting at the vanity, I watched as the makeup artist expertly applied the final touches. My skin glowed, and my eyes sparkled with excitement. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this happy.One of the maids brought in a dress, and I gasped. It shimmered like the night sky, the fabric dark and speckled with tiny, glittering stars. It was so beautiful that I didn't want to take it off, even after the party.The dress hugged my body perfectly, flowing down to the floor in a cascade of elegance. It felt surreal to be wearing something so exquisite. I twirled once, watching the fabric ripple and shimmer, unable to hide my delight.As I was led to the main hall, nerves began to creep in. The room was packed with people, all here to celebrate my victory. When I was announced,
My eyes moved down his body slowly, admiring his muscles, his hands, and his obvious…okay, that's enough. I averted my eyes and looked at the twinkling stars. "Is there...a reason you are out?"He hummed, but no words came."Do you want to...um...talk about it?"He didn't say anything, and I turned to look at him, startled to find his emerald eyes fixed on me. I gulped. "Are you-""Am I going to be a bad husband?" Leo's voice was soft but the question hit me like a ton of bricks."What do you mean?" I asked, confusion evident in my voice.He sighed, looking away for a moment. "Even though I don't want to admit it, every time I look at you, my heart skips a beat.""Leo," I started, unsure of what to say."It's just...I'm supposed to marry Tiana. But with you, it's different. I feel something I've never felt before," he confessed, his eyes searching mine for understanding. “It all started when…after that shooting scene. The archery. You just looked so different…”I was surprised by thi
Claire's POV"I, Daniel Jordan, reject you as my mate."A collective gasp rippled through the hall, the words hanging in the air like a lead weight. My hand faltered, releasing the delicate glass that shattered upon impact with the marble floor. The room seemed to tilt on its axis as I stared at him, disbelief and hurt etched across my features.Have you ever loved someone so profoundly, their very presence feels like home? That was me. My upbringing had sculpted me into the ideal mate, primed to complement the partner the goddess bestowed upon me. I'd become so engrossed in fulfilling that role that I'd neglected my own growth.I'd watched friends suffer the sting of rejection, shun away from their packs, and convinced myself my fate would be different. My heart whispered that he was different.But as the moon hung heavy in the night sky, casting a soft glow over the lavish mating ball, Daniel uttered those words. Those dreaded words that shattered my hopes and dreams.A hush fell ov
Claire's POVIn the vast expanse of time, never would I have imagined myself crossing the threshold of the pack house once more. Each step I took within those walls echoed with memories, a tapestry of pain and heartache that I had desperately tried to unravel and leave behind. Rejection and sorrow had left their mark, etching into my very being. Yet, here I stood, against my better judgment, within the confines of the meeting room, seated directly across from him.His presence still held the power to command attention, just as it had years ago. Those eyes, dark and piercing, seemed to bore into my soul, uncovering emotions I had long buried. His hair, as dark and well-kept as I remembered, was a testament to his unwavering commitment to appearances. It was hard to deny that he exuded a magnetic allure, an enigmatic charm that had captured not only my heart but the hearts of many.He looked as handsome as ever, a fact I begrudgingly acknowledged. The chiseled jawline, broad shoulders,
Claire's POVDaniel took a deep breath in, his chest rising and falling with a mix of emotions. My revelation had clearly struck a chord within him, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of his response. When he finally spoke, his voice was laced with a weariness that only added to the layers of complexity between us. "A witch," he mused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the information. "Haven't you heard that to trust a witch is to invite your very demise?"My heart sank as I lowered my head, the weight of my actions and their consequences settling heavily on my shoulders. I couldn't argue with his skepticism; the supernatural world was filled with treacherous alliances and hidden agendas. Trusting a witch was a risk that could lead to unimaginable consequences.Daniel let out a heavy sigh, his gaze still fixed on me. "If what you say is true, if it's really a witch who's behind this, we're going to need help," he stated firmly, his expressi
Selena's POVThat day I had a great sleep. No nightmares. No worries. As the morning sun filtered through the curtains, I stretched lazily, a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. Last night’s kiss with Leo still lingered on my lips like a sweet, lingering promise. It had been years since I felt such unfiltered joy. The way Leo’s lips had pressed against mine, tender and full of unspoken words, made me feel alive in a way I hadn’t thought possible.I sprang out of bed, my feet barely touching the floor as I bounced towards the shower. Water droplets danced across my skin, refreshing my senses and leaving me tingling. I slipped into a dress that burst with color, its floral pattern spinning around me like a whimsical tale. With each step, the skirt fluttered, releasing tiny tremors of delight. I caught myself in the mirror, and my gaze lingered, mesmerized by the way the fabric shimmered, as if infused with the magic of the previous night. My lips still curved upwards, frozen in a s
The world around me was hazy, the sharp pain in my chest stealing my breath. Darkness encroached, but somewhere in the distance, I could hear voices—familiar ones—calling my name. Eli, Noah... their shouts pierced through the numbness. I clung to that sound, refusing to let go.This couldn’t be the end.With a herculean effort, I forced my eyes open, my body feeling like it weighed a thousand pounds. Above me, the sky stretched endlessly, a deep and inky black, but the shadows that had once loomed so large were gone. The dark force was defeated—or at least, it should’ve been.I felt a hand on my arm, tugging me back to the present. It was Noah, his face pale, his usually calm eyes wild with fear. "Lily! Stay with me!"Eli crouched beside him, his expression a mix of fury and anguish. "Don’t you dare die on us, Lily. Don’t you dare!"My vision swam as I tried to sit up, but the pain ripped through me again. My hand went to my chest, feeling the warm slickness of blood where the final s
The pack gathered at the edge of the forest, their faces grim. The air buzzed with tension as everyone prepared for the battle that would determine their future. I stood at the front, trying to keep my nerves in check. This was it—the final stand. The moment I had trained for, fought for, bled for.Leo, my father, approached me, his expression unreadable. Despite the trials, the betrayals, and the pain we’d endured, his presence always carried the weight of leadership. But today, he wasn’t the Alpha. Today, the pack looked to me."You’re ready," Leo said, his voice steady.I looked up at him, my heart swelling with emotion. "I hope so."He placed a hand on my shoulder, the gesture more tender than I expected. "We all trust you, Lily. I trust you."Selena stepped forward, her usual sharp demeanor softened by the gravity of the moment. She didn’t say anything, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes. She trusted me too, and for the first time, I felt the full weight of my responsibility
The air in the sacred chamber was heavy with anticipation. My footsteps echoed on the stone floor as I walked toward the center of the room, my heart racing in my chest. This was it—the final Luna trial. Everything I had fought for, everything I had endured, had led me to this moment. But I wasn’t prepared for the weight of it, the crushing pressure of what was at stake."You’ve got this," Rose said quietly from beside me. Her voice was soft, free of the usual bite that accompanied our exchanges. Ever since the battle with the traitor, she had changed. Maybe it was seeing Eli hurt, or maybe it was the realization that we were all in this together. Either way, Rose was standing by me now, for the first time in years, and that meant more than I could put into words.I gave her a small nod, grateful for her presence, even though fear gripped my chest like a vise.Noah stood just behind us, his arms crossed as he surveyed the chamber. He had been distant since the battle, quieter than usu
"After them!" I shouted, my heart pounding as I sprinted forward, Noah and Selena close behind. The traitor had disappeared into the shadows of the hall, slipping away like a ghost. We rushed through the narrow corridors, the weight of betrayal pressing down on us.The traitor—a former ally, a trusted figure—had turned against us. My father, Leo, the man who had built this pack from the ground up, was now in danger. I couldn’t allow them to succeed.As we turned a corner, a loud crash echoed from up ahead, followed by the unmistakable sounds of a struggle. I picked up the pace, the urgency pulling me faster than my legs wanted to go.When we burst into the central chamber, chaos greeted us.Eli was already there, locked in a brutal fight with the traitor. Blood stained his shirt, and his movements were sluggish. My heart lurched. He was injured.Leo stood behind him, trying to defend himself with whatever strength he had left. But he wasn’t the man he once was. Age had slowed him, and
The figure reached out, fingers curling around the edge of their face, pulling the skin away as if it were a mask. I gasped, my throat tightening in shock, but no sound escaped. Where Rose had stood moments ago, a stranger now stared back at me. Dark eyes glittered with satisfaction, a sneer twisting their lips. My heart hammered in my chest, but I couldn't move, rooted in disbelief. "You’ve been deceived, bitch," the stranger spat, the familiar warmth of Rose’s voice replaced with something cold, mocking. I blinked, my mind racing. Who was this? My pulse thrummed in my ears, drowning out everything around me. "Where’s Rose?" I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt. The stranger grinned, baring teeth like a predator toying with its prey. "Closer than you think." Noah stepped forward, his presence grounding me. His eyes flickered over the figure, suspicion darkening his features. "Who are you?" The stranger chuckled, the sound hollow. "Someone who’s been watching this pack f
The early morning sky was bruised with dark clouds, heavy and foreboding. The distant rumble of thunder blended with the cacophony of preparation in the pack’s camp. The pack members scrambled to their positions, their faces etched with grim determination. I stood at the edge of the camp, watching the horizon, my heart pounding in my chest. The rogue army was almost upon us.The scent of rain mixed with the tang of adrenaline, and the air was charged with tension. I tried to focus on the task at hand, forcing myself to take deep, steady breaths. Our defenses were set, but the traitor’s sabotage had thrown our plans into disarray. We had already lost precious time repairing breaches and reinforcing weak points.“Lily!” Rose’s voice cut through the din, and I turned to see her running toward me, her eyes fierce. “The scouts reported that the rogues are just minutes away. We need to be ready.”“I know,” I replied, nodding. “Everyone’s in position. We just have to hold the line until rein
The sky was overcast, the heavy clouds pressing down as if to mirror the gravity of our situation. The atmosphere around the pack's central gathering area was tense, a low hum of worried voices mingling with the clatter of preparations. The rogue army was advancing, and time was running out. I stood on a makeshift stage at the center of the clearing, the weight of the pack’s fears pressing down on me like a physical force. I needed to rally their spirits, to inspire them to face the threat head-on.The pack members were assembled, their faces a mix of fear and determination. I took a deep breath and stepped forward, trying to push aside the doubts that gnawed at me. Rose stood beside me, her expression guarded, while Eli and Noah flanked me from either side. The tension between them was palpable, but there was no time to address it now.“Everyone, listen up!” I called out, raising my voice to be heard over the murmurs. “I know that many of you are scared. I am too. But we cannot let f
The pack’s council chamber was a vast, echoing space, its high ceilings and ancient stone walls bearing witness to countless decisions made for the safety and future of our pack. Tonight, it felt more like a labyrinth of secrets and shadows than a place of governance. The atmosphere was thick with tension as Eli and I stood before Councilor Whitman, who had agreed to meet with us under pressure.Councilor Whitman, a tall man with graying hair and a stern demeanor, sat behind his large oak desk. His eyes, though weary, held a sharpness that made me wary. Eli stood beside me, his expression serious as he prepared to question Whitman about the troubling clues we’d uncovered.“Councilor Whitman,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady, “we have reason to believe that there’s a traitor among us, and that this traitor is providing information to the Blackthorns.”Whitman’s eyes narrowed. “This is a serious accusation, Lily. I would appreciate it if you had concrete evidence before making s
The moon hung high and heavy in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows over the pack’s territory. The night was quiet, but the stillness felt oppressive, as if the very air was thick with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The betrayal I feared was not just a whisper in the dark—it was a tangible threat, and it was close.I paced the length of my bedroom, trying to sort through the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that had taken hold of me since the meeting with the Blackthorns. Noah’s words echoed in my mind, growing louder with every passing hour. Someone from within our own pack was working with Killian Blackthorn, and it wasn’t just a matter of figuring out who—it was a matter of finding them before it was too late.Rose had been insistent that I was letting paranoia cloud my judgment. She’d accused me of letting the stress of leadership consume me, and while her words were sharp, I could see the underlying jealousy and frustration. I had a purpose now—one she felt had been