The night was unnervingly quiet as Zane stood outside his house, scanning the woods with suspicion. Lionel stood by his side, mirroring his wariness. Zane had always been hyper-aware of the threats lurking beyond the perimeter of his territory, but tonight was different. Something felt wrong, and it set his instincts on edge.The wind shifted, rustling through the trees, but it wasn’t enough to mask the faint disturbance Zane had sensed. He took a deep breath, allowing his hyper smell and hearing to expand outwards, searching for anything unusual. His eyes glowed with a soft red hue, signaling his heightened alertness.“I don’t like this,” Zane muttered, his voice a low growl.Lionel glanced at him, his brow furrowing. “You’re still picking up on something?”Zane nodded, though his senses didn’t detect anything concrete. “There’s something out there. I can feel it. It’s too quiet.”Lionel sighed, rolling his shoulders as if trying to shake off the tension. “Maybe it’s nothing. A stray
Axel stood in the clearing, his face partially illuminated by the pale light of the moon. His expression was hard to read—calm, but with a glint of something darker lurking beneath. The figure before him, cloaked in shadow, spoke in a low, even tone, their words barely audible but full of significance.“Everything’s in place,” the informant said. “You’ll have what you need soon. I’ll be in touch.”Without another word, the figure turned and walked straight into the darkness, disappearing as if they had never been there. Axel stared after them for a moment, his mind reeling from what had just transpired. He had anticipated many things, but this... This betrayal was far beyond anything he had expected.A slow, twisted smile crept onto his face, and within seconds, he burst into laughter, the sound harsh and echoing through the silent woods. He threw his head back, his eyes gleaming with amusement.“Who would’ve thought?” he muttered to himself between chuckles. “Of all the people... you
Ivy’s POVIt’s been over two weeks since I began staying with Cana, and I can feel the walls closing in on her, even if she doesn’t know it yet. Gaining her trust has been surprisingly easy—much easier than I’d thought it would be. She’s kind, too kind, and it blinds her. I’ve always been able to play the role when I needed to, but it helps that she’s so naive, so willing to see the good in people. It’s almost insulting how quickly she’s taken to trusting me, despite everything.But it works in my favor. Cana sees me as an ally now, someone who’s turned away from their old path and embraced a new one. She believes I’m here because I want redemption, to help her fight the forces that are out to destroy her. If only she knew.I take a deep breath as I sit in the kitchen, scrolling through my phone. I’ve been keeping Jeremy updated on everything, but now it’s time to speed things up. He’s been growing impatient, and I understand why. The longer Cana is left unscathed, the greater the ris
Cana’s eyelids felt heavy, her body aching with a dull throb as she stirred awake. The events leading up to the crash swirled in her mind, hazy and fragmented. A muffled groan escaped her lips as she blinked against the dim light filling the room. Her head pounded from the impact, her body weak, but it wasn’t the pain that alarmed her the most—it was her surroundings. This wasn’t Zane’s place. The familiar scent hit her senses first. The earthy, masculine smell she once knew all too well—the scent of Axel. Panic rippled through her veins as her vision cleared, and she turned her head to see him seated beside her, his gaze steady and intense. “Drink this,” Axel’s deep voice broke the silence as he handed her a bowl of some herbal concoction. “It’ll help with your injuries.” Cana hesitated, eyeing the bowl before reluctantly taking it from him. She knew he wasn’t one to poison her, but being in his territory unnerved her. She sipped the liquid cautiously, its bitterness cutting thr
Axel stood near the fireplace, his eyes fixed on Cana. The room had emptied, leaving just the two of them. His second-in-command had followed orders and left quietly, leaving an unsettling calm between them. Axel’s gaze softened as he knelt beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch was gentle, but the intensity in his eyes betrayed his true thoughts.“You’re special, Cana,” Axel said, his voice low and steady. “I never realized how special until now. If I had known from the beginning that you were a hybrid, everything would have been different.”Cana, still too weak to move much, narrowed her eyes at him. “Different how?”Axel leaned back, folding his arms. “I would have made you my mate, not Ivy. Your blood... your power... it would have made us stronger, our future stronger.”Cana stared at him, horrified by his words. She had expected many things from Axel, but this? He didn’t see her as a person but as a tool, a breeding vessel to strengthen his pack. The thou
"I can smell your name written all over this." Zane’s voice was low, his words cutting through the tension like a blade. He stood still, locking eyes with Axel, their gazes intense and unyielding. The two Alphas faced each other, each standing their ground. Zane's anger was palpable, but Axel remained composed, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips."Why don’t you find out from Cana what happened before you start pointing fingers?" Axel's voice was calm but laced with a challenge. "I came here to drop off my beloved, and now that I know she’s safe, I have things to do." He turned on his heel without waiting for a response, walking away with the air of someone who knew exactly how to push buttons.Zane stood frozen for a moment, the word "beloved" lingering in his mind, filling him with a strange mixture of rage and confusion. He watched as Axel got into his car and drove off without another glance. "Beloved?" Zane muttered under his breath, a weird look crossing his face as the c
The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light filtering through the trees and casting long shadows over the forest floor. A group of five men sat around a campfire, the warmth of the flames pushing back the evening chill. Laughter filled the air as they joked, drank, and tore into chunks of fried meat. The night was quiet and peaceful, with only the crackling of the fire and the occasional rustle of leaves.One of the men, a tall werewolf with sharp senses, suddenly tensed. His laughter died on his lips as he glanced into the dark woods surrounding them. “Someone’s here,” he muttered, his eyes narrowing as he tried to focus on the sounds of approaching footsteps.The others immediately became alert, standing up from their spots around the fire. They exchanged glances, the easy camaraderie of moments before replaced by the instinctive wariness of seasoned warriors. The leader of the group, a gruff man with gray streaks in his hair, took a step forward, his hand hovering over the weapon
Dawn broke, casting pale light over the quiet house. Zane had been up for a while, already feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him. He wandered into the kitchen, opening the fridge door, searching for something to eat. Grabbing a fruit, he took a moment to breathe. The events of the previous night still lingered heavily on his mind—Axel’s sudden appearance, Cana’s recovery, and the looming questions about Ivy’s true intentions.A knock on the front door interrupted his thoughts. Zane frowned; it was too early for visitors, and he wasn’t expecting anyone. He put down the fruit and slowly walked to the door, his senses on high alert. As he opened it, his surprise deepened when he saw Raquel standing on the doorstep.“Raquel?” he greeted, exchanging pleasantries. “What are you doing here so early?”Raquel, always a beacon of strength, walked inside without hesitation. “We need to talk.”Zane blinked, slightly caught off guard. “Cana isn’t really in a good shape to train right
The soft morning sun filtered through the curtains of their modest home in Ashbrook, painting the walls with warm hues of gold and pink. Cana stirred awake, the sound of tiny footsteps pattering down the hallway pulling her from her dreams. A soft giggle followed—a giggle she could recognize anywhere.Cana smiled and turned toward Zane, who was still fast asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful. She reached over to nudge him.“Your daughter is up,” she whispered.Zane groaned but smiled, keeping his eyes closed. “Our daughter,” he corrected, but he didn’t make any effort to move.Cana chuckled and threw the blanket off. “Fine, I’ll get her. But you’re on pancake duty.”That got him to open one eye. “Deal.”As Cana walked toward the living room, she found Peace sitting in the middle of the floor, surrounded by her stuffed animals. She had one of her birthday presents—a small toy piano—in front of her and was pressing random keys, creating a chaotic but delightful melody.“Good morning, m
EpilogueThe soft hum of laughter and the gentle clinking of glasses filled the air as a warm breeze swept through the backyard. The space was alive with celebration, a reflection of a life rebuilt from the ashes of chaos and pain. Cana adjusted the balloons on the arch for what felt like the tenth time, ensuring they were perfect. She stepped back to admire her handiwork and smiled as her gaze landed on Zane, who had their daughter, Peace, perched high on his shoulders.Peace squealed with uncontainable delight, her tiny hands gripping her father’s thick black hair as he prowled around like a pretend wolf.“Rarrrr! The big bad wolf is coming for you!” Zane growled playfully, eliciting another round of giggles from his daughter.“You’re spoiling her,” Cana teased from across the yard, her tone light and affectionate.Zane looked over, his mischievous grin softening. “She deserves to be spoiled, especially today.”Cana chuckled and shook her head. She loved seeing Zane like this, care
The house was eerily quiet as Cana stood in the middle of the living room, a half-packed box of belongings at her feet. The walls that once bore memories of battles, fleeting moments of laughter, and unshakable grief now felt foreign to her.Her fingers rested there as Zane entered the room, his arms full of folded clothes. He set them down on the couch and studied her face.“You sure about this?” he asked softly, breaking the silence.Cana nodded. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”Zane sighed, leaning back against the couch. “I’ll miss this place, you know. Not everything that happened here, but the good parts. It was home for a while.”“Home isn’t a place, Zane,” Cana replied, her voice steadier now. “It’s us. Wherever we go, that’s home.”Zane smiled at her, but there was a trace of sadness in his expression. He knew leaving the pack was necessary, but it didn’t make saying goodbye any easier.Lionel appeared in the doorway, his ever-present smirk subdued for once. He held a
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the forest that stretched beyond the small town Cana and Zane had called home. The evening breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and damp earth. Cana sat on the back porch of their cabin, a blanket draped over her shoulders, her hands cradling a steaming mug of tea. Zane leaned against the railing, his arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes fixed on the setting sun.Now that Axel is behind bars for the first time in what felt like years, there was silence. No battles, no cries for help, no looming threats. And yet, the quiet carried its weight.“You’ve been quiet,” Cana said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft but carried a trace of concern.Zane turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Just thinking.”“About?”He hesitated for a moment, then pushed off the railing and sat down beside her. “About us. About what comes next.”Cana frowned, setting her mug down on the smal
Cana stirred awake, her body aching and her mind clouded with fragmented memories. The last thing she recalled was the overwhelming rush of power coursing through her veins, her hands shifting into claws, and her body morphing into something primal. She felt the pull of the wolf—a force so ancient and raw that it left her trembling. The familiar scent of cedar and leather told her she was in Zane’s cabin.Her eyes fluttered open to see Zane sitting beside her bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his face etched with worry. His knuckles were bruised, his clothes torn, but his relief was palpable as their gazes met.“You’re awake,” he said softly, his voice heavy with emotion.“What happened?” Cana croaked, her throat dry. She winced as she tried to sit up, every muscle in her body screaming in protest.Zane reached for a glass of water on the bedside table and handed it to her. “You shifted, Cana. Fully. Into a wolf.”The words hung in the air, and Cana’s heart raced. She clutched the
Seven Months AgoThe cell was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of rust and despair. Ashley sat slumped against the cold metal wall, her wrists shackled and her expression weary but defiant. She heard footsteps echoing through the corridor and turned her gaze toward the source. Lionel stepped into view, a sly smile curling his lips.“What do you want now?” Ashley snapped, her voice dripping with disdain.Lionel leaned against the bars of her cell, his posture relaxed but his eyes calculating. “You’re the one who replicated wolfsbane,” he began. “What was your intention?”Ashley snorted. “I had no intention. I was just following Jeremy’s orders.”Lionel tilted his head, his smirk unfaltering. “And now that he’s gone? What’s the plan?”Ashley’s lips twitched in a mock smile. “I’ll think about that part when I’m free of these chains.”Lionel chuckled, a low, almost sinister sound. “You know, we don’t necessarily have to be enemies here.”Ashley narrowed her eyes. “What’s that suppo
Axel stormed into his house, his mind swirling with anger and disbelief. The Elders had banished him, taking everything from him without a second thought. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep his temper in check, but it was impossible. Everything he had worked for, every plan he had carefully laid out, seemed to be crumbling beneath his feet.“Just wait,” he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing. “I’ll make them all pay. But first, Zane... you will finally pay for always standing in my way.”The next morning, Axel woke to a loud knock on his door. His head was pounding, and his frustration hadn’t waned in the least. He trudged to the door, swinging it open to reveal three figures standing in his doorway: Lionel, Larz, and Akam.They exchanged brief greetings before stepping inside. Axel didn’t bother with pleasantries; his mind was focused solely on one thing.“So, tell us, Axel,” Lionel asked, his voice calm but curious. “Why the rush to kill Zane?”Axel clenched his fists,
The air in the dimly lit room was thick with tension. Five Elders, each radiating authority, sat in a semicircle as Axel stood before them. His expression was calm, almost smug, as he prepared to deliver what he believed was a triumphant announcement."My Elders," Axel began, his voice steady but laced with an undertone of pride. "I bring good news. I will soon have an heir."The room remained silent for a moment, the Elders exchanging glances. Finally, one spoke. "Why tell us this?"Axel straightened, confidence surging through him. "Because I want to lead my pack again. An heir solidifies my claim to the title of Alpha."A scoff broke the silence. Another Elder, his eyes sharp and unforgiving, leaned forward. "Even after killing your kind? One of your pack?"Axel's confidence faltered, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. How did they know? He wondered, his mind racing."How did you find out?" Axel asked, unable to hide the shock in his voice."That doesn't concern you," the Elder snapp
Cana hadn’t expected Axel to find her so quickly. She had chosen this small, nondescript motel for exactly that reason—to be far enough from the chaos of her past life to be safe, to think, and to plan. But the moment she heard the knock on her door, her stomach sank. She didn’t have to look through the peephole to know who it was.The deep, almost predatory knock sounded again, and with it came the familiar sense of dread that always seemed to follow Axel. She’d seen his manipulations, his lies, his promises. She knew what he was capable of—what he was still capable of, and she couldn’t afford to be caught off guard.Cana opened the door, and there he was, standing in the hallway with a smug smile that made her stomach twist with disgust. Axel, the man who had once been everything to her, was now a reminder of all the worst decisions she had made. His eyes gleamed with that same cold, calculating look that always came right before he dropped the hammer. The same look that had broken