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 trees blurred together as Cana stumbled forward, her legs numb and weak, her body aching with every step. The sun was low, casting soft, golden light that passed through the leaves. It should have been comforting, but after weeks locked away in darkness, the brightness felt blinding. Her eyes squinted as she fought through the pain and exhaustion.Her mouth was dry, her throat parched. She hadn’t sipped water since the night before, and the pang of hunger gnawed at her stomach. Still, the feel of air, fresh and clean, filled her lungs with hope and determination. She leaned on tree trunks to steady herself, each step feeling like it might be her last, but she refused to give up.Somewhere nearby, a twig snapped. The sound echoed through the forest, sending chills down her spine.She knew what it was—the hellhounds. Their sense of smell was nearly infallible, and they’d be able to track her down in minutes. She squeezed her eyes shut, summoning every last bit of energy she had. Pre
A dull ache throbbed through Cana’s muscles, drawing her to the edge of consciousness. She felt heavy, her limbs like lead, and fog lingered in her mind, dulling any sense of clarity. The last thing she remembered was collapsing in the dirt after running for hours, feeling the world fade as exhaustion and pain consumed her.But now, as her senses sharpened, she noticed something different—the faint scent of pine and wood, not earth and decay. Beneath her, she felt the coarse texture of a thin blanket over a hard surface. Forcing her eyes open, she blinked against the dim light filtering through the small window. She was inside a cabin, its rustic, simple interior hinting at a life detached from society.Struggling to sit up, she winced as pain radiated through her ribs and down her arms. Her legs felt like they’d been through a gauntlet, raw and bruised from her escape. Just as she began to survey her surroundings, a figure emerged from the doorway.“Easy there,” he said gently, movin
The dim light from the kitchen cast shadows across the room as Cana blinked, gradually regaining consciousness. Every part of her body ached as though she had been dragged through the fire, but she pushed through the pain, feeling something new surging within her—a strange power that pulsed with an intensity she hadn’t felt before. She struggled to breathe, her vision fading in and out, yet determination drove her to move, driven by an unexplainable energy. Her skin tingled, as though she’d been overtaken by something ancient and powerful.Before her, Lionel cracked his neck, brushing the dust from his clothes as he steadied himself. A faint sneer twisted his lips as he approached her, an arrogant gleam in his eyes. “I must admit, I didn’t think you still had it in you, Cana,” he mocked, his voice dripping with disdain. “Thought you’d be too weak to even lift a finger after everything I put you through.”Cana took a step forward, though she felt the weight of exhaustion dragging her d
Lionel stumbled into the shadowed warehouse, each step scraping along the concrete as blood dripped steadily from his wounds. He reached for his neck, hissing in pain, and then sank into the nearest chair. The memory of Cana’s fierce power—the blackened eyes, the crawling darkness in her veins, and her merciless strength—was burned into his mind. What had happened to her? She was supposed to be weakened, practically broken. Instead, he had narrowly escaped with his life.As he breathed heavily, two hellhounds approached from the far end of the room. Akam’s gaze assessed him with an amused, unimpressed expression, while Larz stood quietly beside him, hands folded as he observed Lionel’s injuries.“Well, well,” Akam said, folding his arms and letting his voice cut through the silence. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”Lionel glared up at him, biting back his retort, though the pain in his body made it hard to keep his calm. “It’s not funny.”Akam shrugged, giving Larz a sidelong
Cana woke in the morning light, feeling the comforting warmth of Zane’s presence beside her. For a fleeting moment, everything felt normal. She looked over at him, his face softened by sleep, his hand still loosely holding hers. The memories of the previous night lingered—a shared sense of belonging that had finally brought them both some peace. She allowed herself a small, contented smile, savoring the memory of his touch and the quiet they had found together. Reluctantly, she slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him, and walked to the kitchen. After the chaos of recent days, she wanted to do something simple, something grounding, like cooking breakfast. But as she opened the fridge, a twinge of disappointment set in. It was nearly empty, save for a lonely jug of milk and a few eggs. She checked the cabinets—mostly bare. It was clear that, in the midst of everything with Axel, Zane hadn’t had the chance to stock up. The sound of footsteps stirred her from her thoughts. She lo
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
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