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
Zane stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks with meticulous care. The faint reflection of city lights bounced off the glass, casting a dim glow that added a certain somberness to his expression. Tonight was another calculated step, another piece of the puzzle, and he couldn’t afford to misstep. His mind was focused on Cana, on her presence that felt ever-fleeting, but still close enough to grasp if he played his cards right.Just as he fastened the last cufflink, he heard a soft knock. Lionel walked in, also dressed in a sleek suit, his movements deliberate, echoing Zane’s focus. Lionel adjusted his cufflinks with a casual smile, though Zane could see the underlying tension in his friend’s eyes.“So, this Leno,” Lionel started, leaning against the doorframe. “Do you think he’s trustworthy? Or is he just another pawn in Axel’s game?”Zane let a faint smirk cross his lips. “It’s too early to tell. I mean, we’re yet to meet the guy; Axel wants Cana found just as much as we
The echoes of the party still lingered in Axel’s mansion as the last guests departed, their laughter and murmurs fading into the night. Axel watched from the balcony, the faint hum of luxury cars driving away. With a calculated smirk, he turned back inside and summoned Leno to his office.Moments later, Leno entered, his head bowed respectfully, still in his carefully constructed “Alpha” persona. Axel studied him for a moment, noting the transformation Leno had embodied tonight. The nervous, hesitant Beta had vanished, replaced by a confident figure who walked among high-profile guests as if he belonged there.“Tonight was impressive,” Axel said coolly, his gaze steady on Leno. “You played your part flawlessly. Almost convincing enough to make me believe it myself.”Leno managed a small, grateful nod, though Axel’s words didn’t entirely ease his anxiety. “Thank you, Alpha. I only followed your instructions.”“Let’s keep it that way,” Axel replied, his tone sharpening. “What you achiev
The muffled footsteps of Axel’s heavy boots echoed off the stone walls as he left Cana’s cell, leaving her in the cold, damp room once again. The weight of her captivity pressed down on her like a suffocating fog. Just as the door closed behind Axel, Cana’s gaze shifted to Ashley, who had lingered a moment longer, her expression smug.As Cana’s breaths came shallow, she knew she needed to keep her mind clear, her words even. “Ashley,” she murmured, her voice thin but steady, “I need to speak with Lionel.”Ashley scoffed, flicking an indifferent glance her way. “You don’t give orders here, Cana. And you certainly don’t summon people.”Cana swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “Tell him if he comes, I’ll talk. I’ll tell him… everything.”Ashley’s brows rose, and a glimmer of interest flickered in her eyes. She hesitated, clearly weighing the potential advantages. With a scowl, she spun on her heel and exited the cell, the door slamming shut, locking Cana once again in darkness.In t
The stone walls felt like they were closing in around Cana, stealing what little warmth she could gather from herself. It had been weeks—she’d stopped counting the days after thirty—of sitting in this bleak cell, alone with her thoughts, the silence broken only by the occasional creak of footsteps or the clink of metal outside her cell door. Even her breathing seemed foreign as if it belonged to someone else, someone who had become as ghostly as the light filtering through the high, barred window.A damp chill clung to her skin, her muscles aching and weak from lack of movement. Hunger gnawed at her, an emptiness that felt both physical and mental. But this wasn’t enough to break her. No. If anything, it hardened her, sharpening her focus, making her resolve colder, like steel forged in icy fire.She pressed her back against the rough stone wall, forcing herself to sit up, ignoring the biting discomfort. Every ache, every shiver—it was all a reminder of what she had to endure, and she
The cool autumn air clung to Zane as he pulled up outside Axel’s compound, his hands clenching the steering wheel as a low growl reverberated in his throat. His patience had all but snapped. It had been days since Leno reassured him that they were closing in on Cana’s location, but the silence since had left him simmering with doubt and suspicion. Today, he was determined to get answers, even if it meant dragging them out of Axel himself.As he parked, he took a steadying breath, pushing down his frustration. But the gnawing ache in his chest was relentless, an angry reminder of how many sleepless nights he’d spent, turning over every possible lead that might bring him to her. As much as he wanted to believe in Axel’s support, something about the delays grated against his instincts.When Axel finally appeared, Zane’s eyes narrowed, catching the faint smirk on his face. “What took you so long?” Zane bit out, his tone clipped. “It’s been days, Axel. I don’t know how much longer I can ju
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