Cana felt the surge deep within her as Larz stood above her, his eyes glowing a brilliant blue. The grief of losing Raquel, the terror of seeing Zane so close to death, and the helplessness of being unable to protect those she loved swirled inside her, igniting something she had never felt before. Power. It roared within her, pulsing through her veins, ready to erupt.She could feel it—this incredible force, something that had always been there, locked away deep within. Her heart raced, and her mind buzzed with thoughts too fast to hold on to. The air around her trembled, and the very ground beneath her began to quake. Larz stared down at her, unimpressed. His icy smile never wavered, and before Cana could fully harness the power rising in her, he reached down, his fingers cold as death, and pressed them gently against her forehead.The world went black in an instant. Cana’s body slumped, her power dissipating as quickly as it had come, and she fell into a deep, unnatural sleep.Acros
The living room of Zane’s cabin felt tighter than usual, a suffocating weight hanging over them as Zane and Axel argued for the third time that day. It had been two days since the hellhounds Larz and Akam attacked, leaving a trail of death and devastation in their wake. The once formidable pack was a shadow of its former self, struggling to heal physically and emotionally. The gaping wounds inflicted by the twins would have taken humans months to recover from, but thanks to their supernatural abilities, their healing was well underway. Still, even werewolf rapid healing could not soothe the deeper scars — the scars of failure, of betrayal.Zane paced back and forth, his fists clenched as his eyes bore into Axel. “We were both too weak! She needed us, and we couldn’t do anything to save her. What kind of Alphas are we?”Axel shot him a look of equal frustration. “You think I don’t know that? Do you think I don’t regret it every second since they took her? But you keep acting like blami
The tension in Zane’s home had reached a boiling point. It had only been two days since the hellhounds attacked, but with each passing hour, the frustration and tension between Zane and Axel grew sharper, like a blade being honed. They couldn’t go a single day without clashing, each one’s frustration feeding into the other’s until it was a combustible force neither could control.Zane stood across from Axel, his jaw clenched as he barely kept his anger in check. He couldn’t hold back anymore. “Why are you still here, Axel?” he asked, his voice tight. “You claim to be in love with Cana, yet you were just as useless as I was when she needed us most. If you care so much, why don’t you do something?”Axel’s eyes flashed with irritation. “You think you have a right to lecture me?” he shot back, his voice rising. “You’re the one who let her get taken. You should be asking yourself why she’s even involved in this mess in the first place.”Zane’s fists clenched. “Don’t you dare act like you h
The room was dark, save for a single sliver of moonlight that slipped through the cracks in the heavy iron door. Cana sat on the cold, unforgiving floor, her body aching, her spirit battered but not broken. Days had passed in this cell, stretching endlessly, blurring night and day into one relentless experience of isolation and despair. She barely felt the hunger anymore; it had become a dull ache she shoved aside, along with everything else that weakened her.The hellhounds hadn’t said much in those first few days. Larz, the more twisted of the two, took apparent pleasure in taunting her, dropping cryptic hints that suggested something far worse than mere capture awaited her. It made her uneasy, knowing that whatever plans they had weren’t finished. She was caught in a web she didn’t understand—yet.Tonight, though, something felt different. There was a tension in the air, a tightness she couldn’t shake, as if the darkness itself was pulsing with something terrible. Cana’s mind, weak
:As dawn broke, Lionel returned to Zane's place, moving cautiously. He looked around, making sure he hadn't been followed and that no one was awake to witness his arrival. He’d been careful to leave no trace of his recent visit to Cana, and now he needed to cover up any lingering suspicion. Knowing he needed a more convincing look, he took a sharp breath and roughly deepened his bruises, wincing at the self-inflicted pain.After a few moments, he moved with careful purpose toward Raquel’s cell. His face held a smug confidence as he opened the door, the metal creaking softly. Raquel looked up, her expression one of both fury and weakness. Her defiance had not waned, but her spirit had taken a beating; Lionel could tell she’d been weakened by her confinement.He leaned against the door, his voice a low, taunting whisper. “Zane’s planning your fate as we speak, Raquel. You can sit here and wait for his justice, or… you could make a deal with me.”Raquel's gaze narrowed. "Oh, so you're o
Ivy’s POVThe silence outside Axel’s house felt like the calm before a storm. I took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage to face him. Ever since Jeremy’s death and the hellhounds’ attack, I’d been drifting, lost, with no real direction. But now, I needed help. I needed Axel.As I stood before his grand iron gates, I had to fight down the wave of dread that was rising in my chest. If anyone had told me a few weeks ago that I’d end up begging Axel for forgiveness, I’d have laughed in their face. Yet, here I was, hoping he’d even let me through the door.When his second-in-command finally appeared, I forced myself to meet his questioning gaze. He looked me over with something like contempt before nodding and walking away. “Wait here,” he said over his shoulder.Minutes later, the door to Axel’s office swung open. I stepped inside, keeping my head down, unwilling to face him right away. A part of me was too ashamed to look into his eyes, to see the judgment I knew would be waitin
A chilling silence settled over the room. Cana lay slumped against the wall, trying to make sense of her fate as her eyes flicked over to the two looming figures in the shadows. The hellhound twins, Larz and Akam, stood like statues on either side of her, their eyes cold and unfeeling. They were silent but watchful, as though every breath she took was an affront to their very existence.Yet, tonight, something was different. Cana noticed a flicker of something deep and unsettling behind their gazes, almost like the ghosts of memories long buried.“Still clinging to hope?” Larz sneered, his voice low and almost reflective, a far cry from his usual harshness.Cana lifted her head, meeting his eyes with a spark of defiance. “I’m not afraid of you.”Akam chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through the room like distant thunder. “You should be.”As he spoke, an old memory seemed to wash over him, and his gaze grew distant. Cana sensed a shift, a crack in their menacing façade that hin
Axel entered his office with a sharp, focused look. He had just returned from his meeting with Lionel and Zane, and his mind was already racing with the web of lies he had spun to keep Zane from getting closer to the truth. He closed the door, sinking into his leather chair as he contemplated his next move.Axel knew he needed someone to act as the face of his false narrative. Someone who could pass as a powerful figure capable of tracking hellhounds, but who would also be entirely under his control. A pawn. He tapped his fingers against the polished wood of his desk, thinking through his options, running scenarios in his mind.Finally, an idea struck. There was one person who would do just fine: Leno, a beta in his pack. Leno was timid by nature, easily intimidated, and had always done as Axel commanded without question. Perfect for the task at hand. Axel summoned his second-in-command Martin, who entered within minutes, followed by Ivy, who looked at Axel with a mix of hesitation an
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