Zane’s POV: I was trying to work, or at least, I attempted to, right before the sound of rapid knocking filled my ear. I was in a bad mood, always had been after running into the stinking mutt at Jule’s Crop, and was about to send whoever it was knocked away, that is until the faint smell of Cana’s pheromones drifted into my nose.It was subtle, but enough to tell me it was her.My mood lifted slightly but was overlapped by the worry evident in her knocking. I abandoned the documents in my hand and headed for the door.“Cana,” The moment I opened the door, the sight of a worried Cana greeted me.Her scent was filled with panic; her face was contorted with fear, and her entire body trembled with worry.She looked at me and hesitated, almost as if she didn’t want to tell me at first, but after several seconds, she blurted out.“Something’s happened to Mia.”My brows creased. “Mia?”“My closest friend,” She explained, wringing her fingers together in an anxious way. “She called me ea
~Cana’s POV:Immediately after the guard’s words, power in the entire house went out, plunging us into a world of darkness.From beside me, Mia yelped in surprise. I also would have done the same if not for the comforting presence that I recognized in front of me in seconds. It was Zane, quickly acting like a protective shield if something was going to happen to me; I knew. Sadly, as much as I appreciated his effort, it made things harder for me. His acting the way he has always done was making things harder for me. “What is the meaning of this?!” Axel demanded, looking around in the dark room. “What’s going on?”His words were followed by a loud shatter and a scream.The sound of something falling came after that, along with several grunts and groans.It was like a war was raging, and we could only hear the aftermath of it.“Someone’s fighting?!” Ivy’s voice was filled with panic. I could vaguely see the way she stepped back, preparing to bolt at any given time. I shook my head.
The entire pack was in chaos for the first hour. Medical staff rushed here and there, attending to the injured while the corpses were carried away.I sat in the familiar living room with Zane beside me, watching as all this unfolded. Trust me, I wanted nothing more than to be out of this place right now, but I couldn’t do that, at least not when I hadn’t gotten the information I wanted. “What happened?”The familiar voice tore me out of my dazed state. I raised my head and watched as my father walked in. He questioned a few of the guards around before he even took notice of Zane and I’s presence, and he did not look the happiest to see me. “Why are you here Cana? What did you do this time around? You know what, don’t answer that; answer the first: why are you here after I explicitly told you that the banishment is for three years?”He fired all questions at me all at once and honestly, I felt saddened by the fact that all he cared about was whether I had broken the rules given, rat
~Zane’s POV:I sat at the edge of my bed, face buried in my palms as my mind replayed my interaction with Cana.Oh, why did I snap the way I did? She must have been scared of me by now. ‘Damn,’ I cursed, knowing fully well that even under the minimal pressure she was putting me under by asking those questions, I should have kept in check. But for some reason, I snapped, and I-Ah, I sighed and cut my thoughts off before they could travel any further. Thinking about what I did to Cana shouldn’t be so discomforting, yet it was. Perhaps because I knew my actions would bring forth a boundary of walls that I was working on breaking down.I stood up from the bed and took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down.It worked, and after a few minutes, the raging desire that was ready to take over my body was tamed and I was able to think about the more pressing matter at hand. Cana wanted to know all about the creatures that attacked. Somehow, she seemed to have a hunch that I knew what th
Dinner was...strange. Talia sat with us, a fresh change from it just being I and Zane alone, yet, I couldn't bring myself to enjoy the meal nor focus on the pack story she was telling me. My mind drifted between the creature we had encountered, the training I had woefully failed, and Zane's words. I wasn't ready. For what? The danger that came with Knowledge? And if that was it, how dangerous was knowing? I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't notice Talia had stopped speaking. "Is everything okay, Lady Cana?" She asked, tilting her head to the side in a cute manner, one I would have acknowledged if I wasn't too jumbled with all my thoughts. Forcing a smile, I nodded. "Yes, just, tired." Turning my attention back to my half-eaten meal, I caught Zane staring at me from across the table, but he made no effort to talk. Neither did I. It was clear that things were still a bit awkward, after the things I had said. Averting my gaze, I tried my best to continue eating, but n
~Cana's POV:Perhaps it was fate or my stupid carelessness, but the moment I stepped into the storage room in search of the material I had been sent to get, the door behind me slammed shut, and only a second later, a dull click resounded in the echoing room. I spun on my feet instantly and raced for the door as realization set in. "Hello?" I called out, banging my fist against the door. "Is someone there?" My calls went unanswered, but as I searched my body for my phone, I could have sworn I heard muffled chuckles before footsteps trailed away from the door."Hello!" I called out once more and banged my fist harder.When I received no reply, I realized that whoever had been here, had left and I was stuck in. Another realization soon dawned on me. I wasn't with my phone. Shit, I cursed and turned around, trying to find another way out of the storage room. The space was filled with boxes, and each corner was covered with a blanket of dust, telling me that no one had visited there i
~Estella POV: I watched the video that had been sent to me with clenched jaws. Seeing Zane getting chummy with another girl that wasn’t me made my insides burn in a fiery rage. Standing beside me, he also had a displeased look on his face, a frown, knowing fully well that I wouldn’t like this as much as he didn’t. “What’s the meaning of this?” I asked, sounding calm and calculated, yet I was sure he could hear how angry I was. “Who is she?” “Some stray,” He was quick to answer. “Zane’s being humble and looking after her because he feels pity for her after she’s been banished from her pack-“ “Pity?” I snapped. “Look closely at this video, Callahan. Does the emotion written on his face look like pity?” “Please, calm yourself.” He pleaded. “This is all a misunderstanding, I assure you. Zane’s yours, it’s been that way since the very beginning-“ “Then you better keep it that way.” I sneered. “And that thing,” I glanced back at the screen and scowled. Even my wolf felt dis
~Cana's POV:I stared at Callahan, speechless. Did he just...offer me five million dollars? To leave the pack in return? "Can't believe it, can you?" He questioned, eyes scanning my face and lips quirking upwards at the sight of disbelief on my face. "But it's true. I'll pay you five million dollars if you just-"He didn't get to finish what he was saying as I interrupted him. "Why? Why do you want me to leave this pack so desperately? Why don't you want me to be around Zane?"His face hardened like I had touched a topic I wasn't supposed to. My wolf perked up with curiosity, giving me enough courage to approach him in a daring step. "Why?" I repeated, holding his gaze with the same intensity he held mine with. "You're too nosy for your good. Just take the money and go, while I'm asking nicely."While he was asking nicely. That was ironic. Now, don't get me wrong. Being offered five million dollars to leave the pack wasn't a bad idea; after all, I wanted to be out of Zane's sight b
The next dayThe evening was quieter than usual, but Cana’s mind roared louder than ever. Mia's words replayed in her head like a relentless drumbeat."You need to tell him, Cana. The longer you keep this from Zane, the worse it'll be."Cana paced around in the master bedroom while Zane was still in the office, clutching the edges of her sweater. The guilt was unbearable, a heavy weight crushing her chest. She had lied to the one person who had stood by her through everything. Yet, the idea of seeing Zane’s face crumble as she revealed her betrayal felt even worse.She collapsed onto the bed, her fingers trembling as she toyed with the edges of her phone. Could she do this? Could she tell Zane the truth and risk losing him forever?Mia knocked and entered the room, her expression one of concern and determination. “You’ve been sitting here all night. If you’re not going to tell him now, then we need to start thinking about how to fix this.”“Fix this?” Cana’s voice was hollow. “How do
Chains of DeceptionMia’s footsteps echoed softly through the corridor as she approached Cana’s room. Her heart was heavy with the knowledge she had uncovered. The whispers of Cana’s connection to Axel had spread like wildfire among Axel’s loyalists, and Mia could no longer ignore the sinking feeling of betrayal. She pushed the door open without knocking, startling Cana, who sat on the bed, her face pale and weary.÷÷__÷÷She slowly walked up to her and slapped her, “You know who Axel is and what he has done to you; you should have told me, Cana. I trusted you.”“I know,” Cana whispered. “And I’m sorry.”Cana’s heart dropped. The air seemed to thicken, making it hard to breathe. “Mia... can you allow me to explain .”“Explain?” Mia’s voice cracked, a mixture of anger and hurt. “Explain how you betrayed all of us. How did you let that monster manipulate you?”“I didn’t betray you,” Cana whispered, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t have a choice.”Mia’s eyes softened, but her anger d
Shadows of PowerThe morning sun filtered through the thick curtains of Zane's house, but Cana barely noticed. Axel hadn’t contacted her telepathically for a while, so she decided to get him off her mind by trying to tap into the dark powers within her; sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor of her room, she focused on the strange energy that had been stirring within her for weeks. The dark power hummed beneath her skin, urging her to let it out. She closed her eyes, her breathing steady as she tried to channel it.At first, nothing happened. But then, a spark of energy surged through her fingertips, and the air around her seemed to shimmer. A vase on the nearby table rattled and then shattered into pieces. Cana flinched, opening her eyes.“What the hell was that?” she muttered to herself.The door to her room burst open, and Mia appeared, her eyes wide with alarm. “Cana! What’s going on in here?”Before Cana could answer, Mart peeked in from behind Mia, his usually calm demeanor re
Zane sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on the reports in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere. The conversation with Cana replayed over and over in his head. She had apologized, but the lack of clarity still gnawed at him. Her words felt more like a pacifier than the truth.“Are you going to stare at that paper until it bursts into flames?” Mart’s voice jolted him out of his thoughts. Mart leaned against the doorframe, a knowing smirk on his face.Zane sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I can’t shake this feeling. She’s hiding something, and it’s not just about that night. There’s more.”Mart entered the office, closing the door behind him. “Look, Cana’s been through a lot. Maybe she’s trying to protect you or herself. Have you thought about that?”Zane shook his head. “That’s the problem. I don’t want protection. I want honesty. If she’s keeping secrets, it could put all of us at risk.”Mart frowned. “You think it’s connected to Axel?”Zane nodded. “ I don’t think so.”Meanwhile,
“Do you think he knows?”Zane sat in his office, his hands clasped together tightly on the desk as he listened to Mart’s incessant pacing. The tension in the room was palpable, the soft shuffle of Mart’s shoes across the floor punctuated only by his muttered thoughts. Cana and Mia sat nearby, exchanging glances, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity.Mart finally stopped, turning toward Zane with wide, panicked eyes. “Do you think he knows?”Zane leaned back in his chair, his gaze calm but calculating. “Knows what?”“This morning,” Mart began, his voice trembling, “the cops called me. Apart from Axel, there were 4 other buyers for your shares; today, They were asking questions about the four clients who…died. How the hell did all four of them just end up dead.” He paused, swallowing hard. “I am sure he’s behind it; do you think Axel figured it out? That I’m a fake? That I had something to do with it?”Zane’s expression darkened slightly, though he remained composed. “It
Cana crept through the front door, the soft creak of the hinges reverberating through the quiet house. She glanced at the clock: 12:03 AM. Everyone should be asleep by now, she thought, her footsteps light as she made her way to the stairs.“Where are you coming from?”The voice, sharp and unmistakable, stopped her in her tracks. She turned, her heart sinking when she saw Zane standing in the living room, his arms crossed, his eyes cold and piercing.“I went to see a friend,” she replied, her voice barely steady.“Don’t lie to me,” Zane said, stepping toward her. His tone was controlled, but there was an edge of fury in it that Cana had never heard before.Her pulse quickened. She could feel her heart hammering in her chest, and Zane could hear it too.“You never told me you were leaving,” he continued, his eyes narrowing. “And your heart is racing. Where. Were. You?”Cana had never seen this side of him before. Zane was always calm, gentle, and understanding. But this version of him—
The air was thick with tension as Cana reluctantly made her way to Axel’s private suite as usual. But tonight was different; she didn’t leave Zane's house by 3 am his time each step she took felt heavier than the last, and the weight of Axel’s control pressed down on her. The blackmail hung over her like a dark cloud, and though she despised being summoned, she had no choice but to comply.Axel had requested her presence to “celebrate,” but Cana knew better than to trust his motivations. She clutched the straps of her bag tightly, her mind racing with strategies to deflect his probing questions and maintain her composure.When she arrived, the door was slightly ajar. She knocked gently before stepping in.“Ah, Cana,” Axel’s voice was warm and inviting, but she could see the calculating glint in his eyes. He gestured toward a table laden with expensive wine and delicacies. “Join me. Tonight, we celebrate new beginnings.”Cana forced a small smile and moved cautiously to take a seat acr
Zane sat alone on the edge of the master bed, his eyes fixed on the glow of the bedside lamp. The shadows danced on the walls as his thoughts went back to Axel. Every time he tried to bury the past, every time he tried to forget, the memory of Axel attacking Cana while he was at the diner was still fresh in his mind; well, at least, that was what he believed from Cana. That moment had made his hatred wor and cemented his plan to destroy Axel piece by piece.But patience was key. The shares he secretly held were more than just a financial asset; they were leverage. Selling them now would give him the funds he needed to launch his next move without exposing himself. Axel had no idea who the real shareholder was, and Zane intended to keep it that way.A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.“Come in,” Zane called out, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.Mart stepped in, his face a mix of weariness and curiosity. He had been running errands for Zane all day and had th
Axel’s POVThe dim light of the early morning entered through the curtains as I laid back against the plush pillows, my eyes fixed on Cana. She moved quietly around the room, gathering her things, avoiding even the slightest glance in my direction. I could still feel the lingering warmth of her presence, and I couldn’t help but smirk at the thought of how conflicted she must feel.“Enjoyed yourself tonight?” I asked, my tone dripping with mockery.Her shoulders stiffened at the sound of my voice, but she didn’t bother to turn around. She continued dressing as if I wasn’t even there.“Don’t contact me ever again,” she muttered coldly, picking up her belongings and heading toward the door.I chuckled softly as I propped myself up on one elbow, watching her walk away.“I’ve told you this so many times; your words don’t match what you showed me tonight, Cana,” I said, more to myself than to her.She slammed the door behind her without another word, leaving me alone in the luxurious pentho