Zarek POV
I slammed the book shut, my fingers trembling slightly as I set it down on the side table. The familiar weight of the worn leather cover should’ve brought me comfort, but today it did nothing. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t breathe.
Lunette’s scent was everywhere.
It clung to the walls of the house, to the furniture, to the air I breathed. Sweet, like wildflowers blooming after a rainstorm, but laced with something more dangerous—something that made my wolf stir restlessly beneath my skin.
The pull was inescapable, and no matter how hard I tried to shut it out, it was there, tugging at the edges of my self-control.
I ran a hand through my hair, the strands damp with sweat. The library, which had once been my sanctuary, now felt suffocating.
Even here, her scent had managed to seep in, like a taunt, reminding me of her presence in the house. 
Axel POV The rhythmic thud of my fists against the padded training dummy echoed in the open air.I focused on my movements, each thought sending a ripple of tension down my spine. I had been at it for hours; the rhythmic sounds of my fists were the only thing keeping me grounded these days. Martial arts was a human art, but I loved it. It had always been my escape, the one place where I could channel my frustrations, and lately those frustrations were all about Lunnette.The scent of pine and earth grounded me, but it did little to ease the storm brewing inside. Lunnette.Just the thought of her made my chest tighten, sweat dripped down my forehead, and the burning ache in my muscles was the only relief I had. She was mine—and Zarek's—but things weren’t that simple anymore, not with my father now involved.I threw another punch, harder this time, trying to shove away the confusion and the jealousy, because that did me no good at this point. I threw a kick, the bag swaying violentl
Axel POV I blinked slightly, the lights blurring behind my eyes, blood flowing into my mouth. Zarek’s growls echoed through the walls, guttural and harsh.He was fighting; his brother was trying his best even as the beast inside him was fighting tooth and nail to break free. I clenched my fists. I was going to help him. Rising to my feet, my body leaning against the wall, I winced my contorted in pain. His eyes had already started glowing that unmistakable red—the sign of a shift we all feared.“Dammit,” I muttered under my breath, heart racing; this was spiraling out of control."Brother, you really need to snap out of this." I hissed. The room was thick with tension, the scent of aggression filling up the place all at once. The door burst open, and Lunnette rushed back in, Curtis right behind her. Her face was pale, but her eyes roamed over their faces. “Help me, Curtis!” I called out, already sidestepping Zarek; his body started the shift, and his wolf growls filled the room,
Lunnette POVFrom the moment my door had banged against the walls to the point when Zarek’s screams had started echoing through the walls, my heart had been in my throat, and it had stayed there.I sat frozen in the corner of my room after they had dragged him out, hugging my knees to my chest, trying to focus on anything but the sounds of agony pouring through the corridor.I had never heard Zarek scream like that before. He had shouted at me a few times in a deep commanding tone, but this was different; it was as if he had been filled with raw, unbridled agony. He was hurting—I wasn't sure what it was—but I couldn't help; I was afraid I would only make him worse.Another roar echoed from the corridor again, and I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails bit into my palms; the pain was a welcome distraction. If I focused on that, maybe I could block him out. I tried to breathe, in and out, slow and steady, just like Curtis had shown me. But I only managed shallow breaths.The do
Lunette POV I couldn’t sleep.Even though Axel had told me Zarek would be fine, that his screams were normal and just part of the healing process, every agonizing cry that echoed through the wallsslicing through the quiet of my already restless sleep left my body tensed involuntarily each time.It wasn’t normal—not to me and not when the sound tore through the quiet night like a wounded animal begging for mercy. Iturned, pulling the blankets over my head as if that would block out the sound. It didn’t.I couldn’t stand this anymore. I couldn’t just lie here and pretend everything was fine when every fiber of my being told me he needed me.Axel was wrong. Zarek was not fine.Throwing the covers off, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood; the floor was cold under my feet, grounding me for just a moment.Moving quickly, I raced across the room, my bare feet padded against the floor, making no sound. I didn't want Axel or Curtis finding me; I followed the sounds of his scre
Zarek POV I stood there, the door open behind me, my eyes scanning over Lunette's face. She looked up at me, her face pale, her hands hovering over the bed frame. Her scent hit me like a train on railroad tracks; it was undeniable that I wanted her. Nothing had ever left me feeling this kind of want; it was like all of me was out of control and reaching.My wolf growled, spinning out of control as muscle spasmed and contracted, the pain becoming almost unbearable.She stood there, her eyes filled with fear, and my wolf welcomed it, even as a rational part of me fought to stay away from her and not attack her like it yearned to do. Istood there, my body tensing, my muscles coiling, so I was ready to pounce. Lunette was backed up against the wall, her face pale with fear. I didn't hear when it happened, but suddenly I was stumbling into a wall with a heavy weight on my chest shoving me in place. I blinked rapidly, stumbling upright to my feet, my gaze snapping to his almost immediate
Lunette Pov Zarek roared, and I hissed in pain at his nails digging into my skin. "You need to leave," he roared, and she shook her head."No, no, you don’t understand. You shouldn’t be here.” He cried out, his other hand shooting out and gripping my wrist in an awkward movement due to the chains binding his limbs.His touch was almost desperate. “It’s not safe.”“What do you mean it’s not safe? It’s just you and me.” I hissed, twining our fingers together. "I'm safe with you," I muttered, and I meant it; he was my mate, so there was no one I could be safe with if it weren't him.His eyes squeezed shut, and another guttural groan ripped from his throat. His grip on my wrist tightened painfully, but instead of pulling away, I leaned closer, my fingers brushing lightly against his cheek; his skin was burning up hot and feverish.Something wandered beneath his skin.“I can feel it,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.“There’s something inside you, Zarek." I looked to him in
Lunette POV Zarek was staring into my eyes; he had never done that before, not when he found out that we were mates and definitely not when his father had decided to claim me as his.He had always looked at me like he was ready to strangle him, and he would if given the chance. But as it stood now, if he harmed me, he would get in trouble with the alpha.The thing though was that no matter what way he looked at me, when he did, I felt it deep within me, but somehow it was the way he looked at me now with lust and care.I swallowed, feeling hot all of a sudden. Maybe the room was a little too quiet, or was that just me? I stilled, my finger lingering over the bed sheets. Zarek looked stressed still, his arms wrapping around his body as if he were still in pain, but he leaned into me, his hands running over the callouses of mine. I swallowed deeply. "You should rest," I mumbled, and he laughed, and I blinked in surprise. That was the first time he had done anything remotely kind to me
Zarek's POV "You're so goddamn beautiful, and I want you so badly. I whispered, running my hands over her face, although the room light was dim, tiny shadows of a flickering firelight dancing across the walls and over her face. My body was still tense, the lingering effects of a forces shift, or was it the kiss that I had just shared that left my limbs burning up?Her scent surrounded me—wildflowers and something sweet, something that was just hers—iit was enough to clear thefog of my mind. “I don’t want to hurt you,” I managed to say, my voice sounding strainedeven to myself. “You won’t,” Lunette whispered, her lips brushing my ear. “You’re stronger than that.” I exhaled slowly, my breath ragged, closing my eyes. “Lunette,” I rasped, my voice rough. "How do you believe in me so much?" I asked, looking into her eyes, meeting her gaze. Her dark eyes were filled with heat—the same heat I felt in me. She smiled, her hands sliding up to my neck, her thumb brushing along my jaw."Be
Lunette POV The moment that Varda fired that bolt I had been sure it would hit Axel. So sure in fact that the world had slowed around me, my breath caught in my throat as I braced for the worst. But then Lorraine had stepped in. While she quarreled with her mother all I could feel was relief—until Varda struck again, until I saw the bright red blood spreading across her clothes as she crumpled to the floor. Varda had tried to kill her own daughter. For a second, all I could do was stare. I stood frozen, watching in horror as Axel caught Lorraine before she hit the dirt. Lorraine’s body trembled, her hands pressing against the wound, her lips parted in shock. Varda turned back to Axel but before I could react, Zarek moved. A low, guttural growl ripped from his throat as his body twisted and grew, his Lycan form bursting free. He lunged at Varda, his teeth bared in a snarl. Varda barely had time to turn before his fangs sank deep into her neck. Her scream was cut off as he to
Zarek POV They attacked us first, or they tried to anyway, after our escape we made plans to draw them out, it would be the best way to even our playing field and she was pissed when she discovered we were missing. She had brought her men in immediately,"Kill them all!" She roared and the battle that followed afterwards was pure chaos. Snarls and screams filled the night air as blood soaked the dirt beneath my feet. My muscles burned, but I couldn’t stop. Not now. Not until Varda was dead. The Lycan curse poured through my veins like fire, pain following it and pushing me past my limits. My body twisted, the monstrous power within me taking over. My claws lengthened, my teeth sharpened, and a guttural roar tore from my throat. Varda’s men hesitated at the sight of me. Good. They should be afraid. With a single leap, I tore into the nearest warrior, my claws ripping through armor and flesh like paper. The scent of blood thickened in the air as another wolf lunged at me his
Axel POV The weight of Curtis’s death still hung heavy in the air, but we had no time to grieve. The dungeon might have been cold and suffocating, but the fire of rage burning inside me made it bearable.We had to escape, and we had to bring Varda down. Zarek sat against the wall, arms crossed, jaw clenched. He hadn’t spoken much since Curtis died. I could see the storm brewing inside him, the need for vengeance, for blood. I felt it too, and it wasn't just the curse, to know that our mother had died at the hands of such a man. But Lunette—Lunette was different. She stood between us, but she didn’t cry anymore, the tears from earlier seemed to have dried up. "We have to kill her." Zarek hissed and shook his head "No." “We have to be smart,” he continued, voice steady. “We can’t just rush into a fight. Varda is dangerous. If we attack without a plan, we’ll lose.” “She killed our mother,” he growled, his voice raw. "She killed our father. She has to pay for it.” Lunette,
Lunette POV I couldn’t move, I couldn’t breathe. To have Varda standing before me, tall and proud no hint of remorse in her eyes, her golden hair catching the flickering light of the candle in the cabin we had run to, and her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she looked down at me, at all of us. "You look surprised, darling." She purred, stepping closer, the scent of death clung to her, or was that Curtis blood pooling over the floor making my stomach churn. "Surely, you knew this day would come." I shook my head, willing myself to speak, but nothing came out. “Where’s Alpha Slade?” Axel asked, his voice low and dangerous. His hands curled into fists at his sides, barely restrained fury radiating off him. "He has to know that this won't end well for him." Varda sighed dramatically. “He's outlived his usefulness honestly it was such a burden waiting for him to kick the bucket" My father… dead? My legs nearly gave out, and I staggered back. “No,” I whispered, my voice ba
Axel’s POVThe council chambers were suffocating me, and Lorraine standing beside me was not doing me any favors to be honest, her face composed but I saw the glint in her eyes. She had me wrapped around her fingers and the council was helping her squeeze. They had all but declared, Lunette, Curtis and Zarek traitors to the pack. “We cannot allow them to run free,” Lorraine said, her voice dripping with false concern."If Zarek and Lunette are left unchecked, they’ll bring ruin to Grey Moon. We have to act before it’s too late.” I clenched my fists at my sides, barely containing my anger because I knew she didn’t care about the pack, only her own ambitions but her performance was flawless and the council bought it, murmuring their agreement,“Alpha Axel,” elder Fred addressed me. "You must send your soldiers to apprehend them. For the good of the pack.” I had gotten used to those words over the last few days, even more than I had gotten used to my own father's death. Maybe it wa
Varda POV I heard the news about Alpha Cormac's deathly injury, while I was cleaning up my new room, it had been one of the best news I had in a very long while.I knew it was time.When I had sent the assassins to finish off Lunette, it had never occured to me that I would catch bigger fish in my endeavor.The alpha Cormac, the biggest alpha om our coast and the most respected, it was a coup. A storm of satisfaction had spread through me, filling me, this was good. I needed this chance now, cold determination settled over me as I leaned back in the ornate chair in Slade's–my study now. The Grey Moon pack was vulnerable. Their leadership in shambles this was the time for me to get more than I had wanted with the chaos that was no doubt already starting to spread. I had my opening.And while Lunette wasn't dead yet, that wasn't something I couldn't solve later.Lunette. The name was a bitter taste on my tongue, that little brat was a thorn in my side. She was a loose thread, the la
Zarek POV "Have you lost your mind?” I snarled, at my brother my voice low and dangerous.“You think locking Lunette up is going to solve anything? She didn’t kill Father, Axel.” The tension in the room was suffocating and I really didn't need to be pissed, Axel stood at the head of his table, his arms crossed over his chest, his jaw set tight, I stood across from him bracing my hands on the surface of the table, it was barely enough to keep myself from reaching across and shaking some sense into him. “I didn’t say she did. But until we know for sure who’s behind this, I can’t take any chances.” “Chances?” I barked, slamming my fist on the table.“You’re not just taking a chance, you’re condemning her. The council will see this as an admission of guilt. Do you understand what you’re doing?” Axel’s lips pressed into a thin line. “What I understand is that the council is already breathing down my neck. If I don’t handle this carefully, we risk losing everything.” “Losing wha
Lunette POV My whole body ached from hours of training with Zarek, each and every muscle group screamed in protest as I settled into the chair beside Alpha Cormac’s bed. With the room dimly lit, the only light coming from the faint glow of the monitors tracking his vitals.The steady beeping was oddly comforting, I could at least hold on to the fact he was still with us. I watched him breath in and out guilt gnawing at my insides. He looked a bit better today, not so pale, maybe soon he would wake up. He had nearly died protecting me. He shouldn’t have risked himself for someone like me. I slumped into the chair by Alpha Cormac’s bed and I told myself I’d only rest my eyes for a moment, just long enough to catch my breath. “I’ll make it right,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I’ll find a way to fix this, to protect your pack... your family.” But the steady rhythm of the machines and the quiet hum of the room lulled me into sleep.I didn’t even realize when my eyes closed,
Lorraine’s POVIt was dark outside and quiet wrapped around the pack house like a shroud, it had never been this quiet in a long time the stillness was broken only by the occasional creak of the old walls or the distant howl of a wolf. This was a perfect time for what I had to do, it was the perfect cover.I slipped through the hallways, keeping my footsteps as silent against the wooden floors as possible, my heart pounded in my chest, but it was not from fear. No, this wasn’t fear. This was anticipation. Alpha Cormac’s injury had given me the perfect opening because now with him bedridden and Zarek too preoccupied with training that brat girl Lunette, Axel was the only one fit to step up as acting Alpha. And if Axel became Alpha, well... I would ensure that I was by his side as Luna. It was time to act. Time to turn the chaos to my advantage, meaning there was no room for error tonight. I tightened my grip on the small syringe hidden in my sleeve. The attack had been... unex