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
~Cana's POV:I targeted the moment I heard Zane's footsteps, light and untroubled, walking out of his room and towards the training ground. Without delay, I jumped off my bed, scrambled through my wardrobe, and found an attire that could be considered training material worthy.Quickly dressing myself up, I grabbed my phone, shoved it in my pocket, and rushed out of my room towards the training ground.I met Zane throwing on some punching gloves and for the first time, actually took my time to examine his build. The dress he wore, a black pair of joggers and a plain black t-shirt, hung on his body, accentuating his lean, muscular figure and toned legs.Damn, once again, I was sure I'd be drooling if I had stared longer. "Cana," He called, catching my attention. My eyes traveled from his body to his face, finding a frown etched on the features of his face. "What are you doing here? Talia isn't here today, your training is posted for""I know Talia isn't here," I interrupted him, tak
~Cana's POV:"Aren't you going to answer it?".Zane asked as he watched me decline the call and place my phone back on the bench. I shook my head. " No, not at all."I had no intention of answering Axel's call because deep down, I knew he was either calling to request I apologize again or some other new gimmick. Either one of the two, I wasn't in the mood for it and I didn't want my training mood to be ruined. "Are you sure?" Zane questioned, again, but I could tell, hear that he didn't want me to answer that call. I chuckled silently before nodding. "Yeah. Whatever shit he has to say can go to hell for all I care."Zane smiled subtly at this and nodded his head. "Alright, get back in the ring."I nodded, more than happy to do so. Training continued for another two hours before Zane dismissed me, stating that I needed breakfast and rest if I wanted to continue training. I agreed because no matter how strong I wanted to get, I learned in the early hours of training that my stamina
“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
Lionel leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming on the polished surface of the conference table. The quiet hum of the room was broken only by the occasional rustle of paper from Larz and Akam, his two closest allies. Both sat opposite him, their postures tense and their eyes expectant. Lionel exhaled slowly.“That’s the plan for now,” Lionel said, his voice low but filled with determination.Larz, the larger of the two, leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “So we just wait? Until she’s... pregnant?”Lionel’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Unfortunately, yes. That’s Axel’s focus right now.”Akam shook his head, his fingers tapping impatiently on the table. “And what about Zane? We all know Axel doesn’t care about him. He’s leaving him to rot, but Zane’s still a problem—for you”Lionel’s smirk widened. “Zane is no longer a problem. He’s a pawn. Broken, desperate, clinging to what little he has left. Axel may not care, but I do. Zane’s pack will be mine soon enough.”Larz raised an eyeb
The sunlight passed through the hospital room windows, casting a soft glow on the e walls. Cana sat on the edge of her bed, the hospital sheets tangled at her feet. She was fully healed, her supernatural abilities healing the wounds overnight. Yet, the bruises on her soul felt raw and unrelenting.Zane’s voice drifted from the hallway as he spoke to the doctor. She strained to catch their conversation, hoping to discern whether her story from the night before had been convincing.“She’s recovering well,” the doctor said. There was a pause, and Cana’s heart raced as if it sensed trouble.“What concerns me,” the doctor continued, “is that her injuries... they appear to be self-inflicted. The cuts, the angles—it’s highly unusual. You may want to speak with her about—”“That’s enough,” Zane interrupted sharply.Cana’s stomach twisted. She couldn’t see his face, but his tone betrayed his unease.Moments later, Zane entered the room, his expression guarded. “Ready to go home?” he asked, his
Zane’s absence was already gnawing at her nerves, but Cana held steady. She could handle Axel; she had faced greater dangers and come out alive. Yet, as soon as the door opened, and Axel stepped into the house, Cana felt her pulse quicken with an unease that she hadn’t anticipated. Cana tried to reach Zane telepathically, stretching her senses to find any trace of his energy. Nothing. It was as if a thick, impenetrable fog blocked her mind. Panic began to claw its way up her spine as Axel took a step closer, his presence filling the room with a predatory calm.With a deep breath, she let her claws emerge. “Axel,” she warned, her voice low and firm. “Get out.”Instead of reacting, Axel smiled, a calm, almost indulgent smile that sent chills racing down her spine. Just before she lunged at him, he let out an invisible wave of Alpha pheromones. The scent hit Cana instantly, disarming her defenses and clouding her mind. She stopped in her tracks, caught off guard by the intoxicating arom
Zane had never felt this powerless. Each day that passed, the emptiness of his bank accounts and the silence from his contacts made the reality hit harder: everything he had built was gone. The wealth, influence, and respect he had taken for granted had been stolen in an instant, leaving him with nothing but the remnants of his former life. No matter how many times he replayed it in his mind, the betrayal by Leno gnawed at him, a deep, festering wound. He knew Leno was the only one who could’ve orchestrated such a calculated attack, but without solid evidence linking him to the transfer, Zane’s hands were tied. Cana tried to offer comfort, but her efforts were bittersweet. She’d offered financial help, and while Zane appreciated her kindness, the thought of depending on her chipped away at his pride. Cana wasn’t just his partner; she was his equal, and he didn’t want her to feel burdened by his downfall. He felt a huge guilt each time she reassured him, knowing that she, too, was af