Zara’s POV The forest is too quiet. The kind of quiet that makes my skin crawl, like the world is holding its breath, waiting for something to break. The twins are safe—for now. Selene and Silas sit beside me, their small bodies pressed close, their marks still pulsing faintly with that dark, malevolent light. The packs are scattered around the clearing, their faces grim, their senses sharp and alert. But the silence is suffocating. Ryland stands at the edge of the clearing, his back to us, his shoulders tense. He hasn’t said much since we escaped the forest. Just stared out at the trees, his jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscle twitching. I want to go to him, to ask him what he’s thinking, but I can’t. The twins need me. They’re trembling, their breaths shallow, their eyes wide with fear. “Mommy,” Selene whispers, her voice trembling. “Is it gone?” I brush a strand of hair from her face, my hand trembling. “For now, sweetheart. But we need to be ready. It’s not ove
Zara’s POV The growl reverberates through the trees, low and guttural, like the earth itself is groaning. The twins freeze beside me, their small bodies trembling, their marks pulsing faintly with that dark, malevolent light. Selene’s golden eyes widen, and Silas’s silver gaze flickers with fear. “It’s coming,” Silas whispers again, his voice barely audible over the sound of the forest shifting around us. I tighten my grip on them, my heart pounding in my chest. “Stay close,” I say, my voice firm despite the fear clawing at my insides. The packs are on their feet, their movements sharp and efficient as they form a protective circle around us. Ryland stands at the front, his Alpha aura blazing, his claws extended. His gray eyes scan the trees, his jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscle twitching. “Show yourself!” he snarls, his voice rough with fury. The forest responds with a low, mocking laugh. It’s not a sound that comes from any one direction—it’s everywhere, e
Zara’s POV The forest is eerily quiet, the kind of silence that makes my skin crawl. My wolf is on edge, her instincts screaming at me to run, to hide, to protect the twins at all costs. But I can’t. Not this time. “Mommy,” Selene whispers, her small hand gripping mine tightly. “I’m scared.” “I know, sweetheart,” I say, my voice trembling. “But we’re going to be okay. I promise.” Silas walks beside me, his little face set in a determined expression that reminds me so much of Ryland it hurts. He doesn’t say anything, but I can feel his fear, his uncertainty. He’s trying to be strong, but he’s just a child. They both are. We shouldn’t be here. We shouldn’t be running through the woods in the middle of the night, hunted by wolves who want to use my children for their power. But we don’t have a choice. Not anymore. “Zara,” Ryland’s voice cuts through the silence, and I turn to see him stepping out of the shadows. His face is grim, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and det
Zara’s POV The wolves emerge from the shadows, their eyes glowing in the darkness like embers. My wolf snarls, her instincts screaming at me to protect the twins, to fight, to do whatever it takes to keep them safe. But there are too many of them. Too many. Ryland steps forward, his body tense, his wolf close to the surface. “Stay back,” he growls, his voice low and dangerous. The lead wolf, a massive gray beast with scars crisscrossing his muzzle, steps forward, his lips curling back in a snarl. “Give us the children,” he says, his voice rough and guttural. “And we’ll let you live.” “Over my dead body,” Ryland snaps, his eyes flashing with fury. The gray wolf laughs, a harsh, grating sound. “That can be arranged.” I pull the twins closer, my heart pounding in my chest. Selene is trembling, her small hands clutching my arm, while Silas stands tall, his little face set in a determined expression that breaks my heart. “Mommy,” Selene whispers, her voice trembling. “What’s g
Zara’s POV The cave is cold, the damp air clinging to my skin as I hold the twins close. Selene is trembling, her small hands clutching my arm, while Silas sits quietly, his little face pale and drawn. The sound of howls echoes in the distance, growing louder with each passing moment. My wolf is restless, her instincts screaming at me to run, to fight, to do something. But I can’t. Not now. Not when the twins are counting on me. “Mommy,” Selene whispers, her voice trembling. “Is Daddy coming back?” I swallow hard, my heart aching. “I don’t know, sweetheart,” I admit, my voice breaking. “But he’s strong. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep us safe.” She nods, but I can see the doubt in her eyes. She’s scared, and I don’t blame her. I’m scared too. The sound of footsteps outside the cave makes my heart skip a beat. I tense, my wolf rising to the surface as I prepare to defend the twins. But then Ryland steps into view, his face grim and his clothes torn. “Ryland,” I brea
Zara’s POV The cave is too quiet. Even the rush of the waterfall outside can’t drown out the twins’ ragged breathing or the frantic drumming of my heart. Selene curls into my side, her tiny fingers digging into my arm, while Silas stares at the cave entrance like he expects the elders to burst through at any second. They’re too still, too silent. They shouldn’t have to live like this—hunted, afraid. “Mommy,” Selene whispers, her voice trembling. “When can we go home?” I swallow the lump in my throat. Home. The word feels foreign now. Our cramped apartment above the bakery, the smell of fresh bread, the sound of Mrs. Whitmore’s laughter—all of it feels like a dream. “Soon,” I lie, brushing her hair back. “Daddy’s making sure it’s safe.” Silas glances at me, his eyes narrowing. He knows. He always knows. But he doesn’t call me out. Instead, he presses closer, his shoulder bumping mine. “They’re coming,” he murmurs. I don’t ask how he knows. The air shifts, the faintest ripple o
Zara’s POV The forest blurs into streaks of shadow and moonlight as I run, the twins’ weight dragging at my arms like anchors. Selene’s face is buried in my neck, her tears hot against my skin, while Silas clutches my shirt so tightly the fabric threatens to rip. My wolf’s paws slam against the earth, each stride tearing through underbrush and mud, but the elders’ snarls still chase us. Closer. Always closer. ***Faster. Faster.*** But I’m already bleeding—a gash on my hind leg from Livia’s claws, the wound burning with every step. The metallic tang of blood mixes with the sour stench of fear. My fear. “Mommy,” Silas whimpers, his voice muffled against my fur. “Where’s Daddy?” The bond in my chest—the fragile thread that’s tethered me to Ryland since the moment he marked me—is cold. Silent. I don’t let myself think about what that means. Can’t. ***Alive. He has to be alive.*** A howl splits the night behind us, closer than before. Not the elders. Deeper. Hungrier. *Shado
Second Person POV You wake to the scent of pine and cold stone. Your skull throbs, a dull ache radiating from the base of your neck to your temples. The air is sharp, sterile, like the inside of a mountain cave. Your fingers twitch against smooth rock, and when you pry your eyes open, the world is a blur of flickering torchlight and shadows. *Where are they?* Panic claws up your throat before your vision clears. Silas and Selene huddle beside you on a stone slab, their small bodies pressed together like frightened rabbits. Silas’s nose is crusted with dried blood, his eyes half-lidded and glassy. Selene trembles, her fingers tangled in your sleeve. Alive. They’re alive. “Mommy,” Selene whispers, her voice cracking. “The scary lady’s here.” You follow her gaze. The woman stands at the mouth of the chamber, her white hair cascading over shoulders draped in wolf pelts the color of fresh snow. Her eyes—pale blue, fractured like ice—bore into you. Behind her, two massive wolves
Zara’s POV The forest is unnervingly quiet this morning, the usual chorus of birdsong replaced by a heavy silence. I watch from the edge of the clearing as Silas and Selene kneel beside Lyra, their small hands pressed to the frost-laced ground. Lyra’s voice is a low murmur, her silver hair blending with the pale dawn light. “Focus on the currents,” she instructs. “The Veil is not a tool—it is a living thing. Respect its rhythm.” Selene’s glow brightens, tendrils of light spiraling from her fingertips into the earth. Beside her, Silas scowls, his palms flat against the soil. “It’s fighting me,” he grumbles. “Because you’re forcing it,” Lyra chides. “You must *listen*, Silas. The Veil responds to intention, not dominance.” I clutch my cloak tighter, the cold seeping into my bones. Every lesson feels like a step closer to losing them—to this destiny that demands too much, too soon. Ryland’s hand settles on my shoulder. “They’re getting stronger,” he says, but his voice lacks
Zara’s POV The Veil’s Guardian—Lyra, as she introduced herself—has taken up residence in a secluded corner of the Bloodfang territory. Her presence is both a comfort and a reminder of the weight the twins carry. Every morning, Silas and Selene disappear into the forest with her, returning hours later with stories of lessons that sound more like riddles. “She says the Veil is like a river,” Selene explains one evening, her glow flickering as she mimics Lyra’s graceful hand movements. “And we have to learn how to swim in it without drowning.” Silas rolls his eyes. “It’s not that hard. You just have to focus.” I exchange a glance with Ryland, who’s been unusually quiet since Lyra’s arrival. “What do you think of her?” I ask later, as we prepare for bed. He hesitates, his gray eyes shadowed. “She’s powerful. And she cares about the twins. But I don’t trust her.” “Neither do I,” I admit. “But if she can help them control their powers…” “Then we’ll let her stay,” he finishes. “
**Zara’s POV** The first snow of winter blankets the Bloodfang territory, turning the forest into a glittering wonderland. The pack is quieter now, the echoes of battle replaced by the soft crunch of snow underfoot. But peace is fragile, and I can’t shake the feeling that it’s only a matter of time before the next storm hits. The twins are outside, their laughter ringing through the clearing as they chase each other through the snow. Selene’s glow leaves faint trails of light in her wake, while Silas’s silver eyes glint with mischief. They’re children, but they’re also so much more. “They’re growing up too fast,” I murmur, watching them from the porch. Ryland steps beside me, his arm brushing mine. “They’re strong. They’ll handle whatever comes their way.” “They shouldn’t have to,” I say, my voice tight. He sighs, his breath fogging in the cold air. “I know. But they’re not just our children, Zara. They’re the pack’s future. And they’re already proving they’re ready for it
**Zara’s POV** The elders’ fortress looms like a skeletal hand clawing at the sky, its black stone walls slick with frost. The air is thin here, each breath sharp as a blade, but the pack presses on. Behind me, warriors from Bloodfang and Shadow territories move in unison, their growls a low, thunderous hymn. Silas and Selene walk at my side, their hands clasped in mine. “Stay close,” I murmur, though I know they won’t. They never do. Selene’s glow pulses faintly, her eyes wide but unflinching. “They’re waiting for us,” she whispers. Silas tightens his grip on my hand. “Let them wait.” Ryland strides ahead, his black fur bristling as he shifts to human form at the base of the fortress. “This ends today,” he says, his voice carrying over the wind. “For our pack. For our future.” The howls that answer shake the earth. ---**Ryland’s POV** The elders’ magic stings the air, a poison that makes my wolf snarl. They stand atop the fortress, cloaked in shadows, their chants we
**Zara’s POV** The northern mountains loom in the distance, their jagged peaks cutting into the sky like broken teeth. The air is colder here, sharper, and the scent of pine and snow does little to mask the underlying tension in the pack. We’ve been traveling for days, following Kael’s lead, and every step feels heavier than the last. The twins walk beside me, their small hands clutching mine. Selene hums softly, her glow flickering like a candle in the wind, while Silas scans the horizon with a seriousness far beyond his years. “Mommy,” Selene whispers, tugging at my sleeve. “Do you think the bad men will come tonight?” I force a smile, brushing a curl from her face. “Not if we can help it, sweetheart.” Silas frowns. “But what if they do? What if we’re not ready?” I kneel, pulling them both into a hug. “You’re stronger than you know. Both of you. And we’ll face whatever comes together.” Ryland approaches, his expression grim. “We’ve set up camp ahead. Kael’s scouts have
**Zara’s POV** The morning after the battle, the camp is eerily quiet. The air smells of damp earth and healing herbs, and the wounded wolves rest under the watchful eyes of the healers. Selene sits cross-legged in the center of the clearing, her tiny hands glowing as she mends a warrior’s broken ribs. Silas stands beside her, his arms crossed, his silver eyes scanning the crowd like a miniature Alpha. I watch them from the edge of the clearing, my chest tight with pride and fear. They’re so small, so fragile, and yet they’ve already done more for this pack than I ever could. “They’re remarkable,” Ryland says, appearing beside me. I don’t look at him. “They’re children.” “They’re more than that,” he says, his voice soft. “They’re the future of this pack. And they’re stronger than we give them credit for.” I turn to face him, my anger flaring. “They’re *five*, Ryland. They shouldn’t have to be strong. They shouldn’t have to fight.” He meets my gaze, his gray eyes steady.
**Zara’s POV** The camp erupts into chaos. Wolves snatch weapons, children are herded into the center of the clearing, and the air thickens with the sour tang of fear. Ryland barks orders, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade, but all I hear is the roar of my own pulse. *The rogues are coming. The twins aren’t safe.* I grab Silas and Selene by their wrists, dragging them toward the healer’s tent. “Stay here,” I command, shoving them inside. “Do *not* move.” Silas crosses his arms. “We can fight!” “You’re five years old,” I snap. “Five and a *half*,” Selene corrects, her glow flickering defiantly. “Stay. Put.” I slam the tent flap closed, tying it with a shaking hand. Ryland appears beside me, his face bloodless. “The rogues are closing in. They’ve got wolfsbane arrows.” My stomach plummets. Wolfsbane meant for *children*. For *my* children. “Get them out of here,” I say, my voice cracking. “Take them and run.” He grips my shoulders. “They’ll hunt us. The
Zara’s POVThe scent of ash and iron lingers in the air, a grim reminder of the battle that rewrote our fate. Bloodfang and Shadow wolves move through the clearing like ghosts, their eyes darting to the twins huddled near the fire. Silas pokes at the flames with a stick, his brow furrowed, while Selene hums softly, braiding moonflowers into her hair. Innocence and power, coiled together. Ryland stands at the edge of the clearing, speaking with Kieran and a scarred Shadow wolf I recognize as Jarek—Zane’s former second. My stomach twists. *We’re supposed to trust them now?* “They’re staring again,” Silas mutters, glaring at a group of Bloodfang warriors. “Let them stare,” I say, adjusting the bandage on his scraped knee. “They’re just curious.” “No, they’re *scared*,” he corrects, his voice too sharp for a child’s. “They think we’re monsters.” Selene’s humming stops. “Like the bad men?” “No, sweetheart,” I lie, sweeping her into my lap. “They’re… surprised. That’s all.” Ry
Zara’s POVThe forest explodes in a cacophony of snarls. Shadows burst from the trees—wolves with teeth bared and eyes glowing like embers. My grip tightens on the silver dagger, its hilt biting into my palm. Ryland shifts beside me, his wolf form towering and lethal, but I don’t look at him. I can’t. If I do, I might forget how to hate him. “Stay behind me,” he growls, fur bristling. “I don’t need your orders,” I snap, but the words die as a wolf lunges at us. Ryland intercepts it midair, jaws clamping around its throat. Blood sprays the grass, metallic and sharp. Another wolf darts toward the cottage, and my heart stops. *The twins.* “Silas! Selene!” I scream, sprinting past the fray. The door swings open before I reach it. Silas stands in the doorway, his small frame rigid, eyes blazing an unnatural silver. Behind him, Selene clutches her stuffed wolf, her curls glowing faintly under the moonlight. “Mommy, the bad men are here,” she whispers. “Get back inside—” A snarl