QUINNTheodore felt like a time bomb inside the manor. In the beginning, they made a pretense of ignoring it. They nodded politely as he went by; pinched smiles were offered in his presence; they kept their distance.There began the whispers along the hallways. The glances were lasting a bit too long. The smiles narrowed, and suspicion kindled.What is listening? "Too much time spent with him.""Didn't she reject Alpha Perrin?""Why is the other one here then?" "She is playing both sides."I tried to ignore it. Reminding myself that I had made my choice. I had rejected Theodore. I had chosen to stand with Perrin.But that wasn't the view in which everybody shared. Even the guards who had formerly looked up to me with respect had begun developing doubts. The Luna they held in honor had become a source of quiet gossip, and I felt powerless to stop it.---"I thought you said you took care of him," Keira whispered angrily beside me as we walked along. "Why is he still here?""I dealt
PERRINI didn’t trust him at all.Not even when the bond was broken. Not even when Quinn chose me. I still didn’t trust Theodore.It had nothing to do with jealousy.It had to do with the way he looked at her. As though she were the sun following a long winter, as though, no matter how many times she turned away, he would keep hoping to turn back again. And worst of all?But he never said it in the presence of Quinn. Smiled, played the respectful guest. However, when her back was turned, just us two, the claws came out. ---This happened for the first time when we were in the eastern yard for training.It had been a tiring day: scouts had been informed of rogue noises on the border, and there was very little sleep from the previous night. My patience was thinning already.Theodore was standing there with the younger warriors, giving them lessons as if he were one of them as if he had a say in how such things were done in my pack.I approached him, nodding as I passed the warriors. "
QUINNThe space between Perrin and me had suddenly shifted into something unspoken, something very cold that quietly set in between us.I could feel it every time he passed my way without brushing my hand like he used to. Every time he answered my questions with a nod or a blunt reply. Every time I reached out and tried to hold him, he sidestepped away from me in such a delicate way that it could be construed as nothing—yet I felt it.And I hurt far more than I would have wanted to confess.In my deluded mind, choosing him would have been the cure for any confusion. It would have silenced the voices in my head. It would have eased the storm that raged in my chest. But then it did not. Actually, the bond with Theodore was not even the major culprit anymore.It was us.Perrin and me.I didn’t know how to fix us.---Theodore had stirred too much about the manor.He was rude, proud, conceited, and good at getting on one’s nerves, but so was the dark one. Wherever he was, Theodore had bee
PERRINFor weeks, Quinn and I had been walking ghosts under the same roof.We would nod to one another, ghostly pale...well, something like this, as we passed in the hall; maybe emit a few meaningless words when necessary; maybe eat when necessary or not at all-somehow one of us would make an excuse to leave, while the other pretended not to notice.I did not know how things were coming to be.Maybe it had something to do with Theodore. Or maybe it was the simmering fear that neither of us wanted to acknowledge. Or maybe it was both of us slowly drifting away and refusing to admit it.What hurt the most was that I loved her, and it seemed that it did not matter anymore.Some nights I would lie awake with her just a few feet away, curled upon the edge of the bed as if afraid to take up space. I would watch her breathe and wonder whether that would be the beginning of the end.And part of me, the one I hated, had already begun to ready itself.---Neither of us ever voiced it, but I kne
QUINNTheodore’s words stuck with me long after we went our separate ways, their echo a whisper of something I hadn’t experienced in years: agency in my own life.But I didn’t run.Instead, I stayed.Because as much as Theodore had been a respite, I wasn’t prepared to leave Perrin behind. Not yet.But something had changed between us. Not merely because of what we’d gone through, but because the Perrin was attempting — actually attempting. He asked questions rather than issuing orders. He preferred listening to talking. And sometimes, if we sat there together in silence long enough, I could feel him hoisting up the guilt he carried around like another layer of skin.He no longer attempted to conceal it. And perhaps it was that honesty, that quiet vulnerability, that finally had the walls between us start crumbling.One night, curled on the window seat in our room, I finally said what I’d never thought I’d say out loud.“I hated you for so many years.”Perrin didn’t flinch. He nodded—o
QUINNThe wind was strong. I was still in the garden, dwelling on what Theodore said. So much had already happened, and my heart was weary. I needed some peace, just a little peace to think.But I didn’t get it.Suddenly, a loud howling erupted in the distance. The air changed. I glanced around, feeling danger in the air. As a few guards rushed past me, I heard one of them yelling, “We’re under attack!”What?Before I could get out of the way, someone caught my arm. I spun around, ready to fight, but stopped when I saw Theodore.“Come with me,” he said, hurriedly. His eyes were wide, serious. “It’s not safe here.”“What do you mean?” I asked. “Where’s Perrin?”“He’s holding the line. He’s battling with the other warriors to defend the pack,” Theodore said, motioning for me to follow. “He told me to get you to safety.”It didn’t sound like Perrin. He would have never left without saying anything. Still, I followed. Maybe it was really bad.Theodore took me to the back gate. A black car
QUINNHe paused for a moment before saying, “I didn’t bring you here to hurt you, Quinn. I did it to keep you safe.”“I know,” I said. “But I need to see him. Please.”Theodore stared down, pondering.Finally, he nodded. “Okay. I’ll take you back.”Relief flooded me. I wasn’t sure what awaited me when I returned to the pack, but I had to face it. With Perrin. Together.We hopped back in the car and began the long drive home. My pulse raced the entire trip there.When the pack house came into focus, I noticed the damage. Some trees were broken. The fence had scorch marks. It really had been a battle.Theodore parked way in the back, like he didn’t want anyone to see him.“You’re going to be fine from here,” he said. “If you need me again… you know how to find me.”So I nodded and opened the door and stepped out. I turned once to look at him. “Thank you. For trying.”He gave me a sad smile. “Always.”Then I ran.I dashed all the way toward the main hall, the rhythm of my heart exploding
QUINN POVDays passed, and I did not see Perrin. I asked Theodore about him every day but he always had an excuse as to why Perrin couldn’t join.“He’s occupied with the pack,” Theodore said one morning.“He’s dealing with some urgent matters,” he told me the following day.“Making sure everybody’s safe,” was his excuse the next day.I started to worry. If he could have, Perrin would have come to see me. Something didn't feel right.One evening, I was sitting next to the window as the sun went down. The sky turned orange and pink, and I felt no pleasure. I missed Perrin. I mourned his voice, his touch, his presence.I turned to Theodore. I want to see Perrin,” I said adamantly.He looked surprised. “Quinn, he’s busy doing some very important stuff. He'll come when he can."I shook my head. "No. I need to see him now."Theodore sighed. “I know, but it’s not safe yet.”"Safe from what?" I asked. You told me “the danger was over.”He hesitated. "There are still threats. We need to be cau
PERRIN The stench of blood permeated the walls, long after the battlefield had gone silent.Even days later, it seemed to be seeping into everything - soil, stone, air. It brought back terrible memories of an earlier time, another night when I was too young and far too innocent.When I had believed in the word "alliance."When I had believed in mercy.---Seventeen was the age at which, one dark night, my parents were murdered.It was a violent attack, completely without reason- the rogues had come easy in the storm, covered from rain and wind; when the alarms were sounded from our warriors, the packhouse was already alight.I had already fought. I was too young to be Alpha but was old enough to know what bleeding for your people meant.I held my mother while the last of her life slipped away. The waning light in her eyes: the message came from my father, torn throat whispering:"Protect them."I did what I could: the youngest, the eldest, the too wounded to stand - huddled them toge
QUINNShall I say they felt extraordinarily long? Indeed, they did.Waking every morning with a wish for peace inside, it was but a wish-I would never find it. Though Perrin lay beside me, holding me as if nothing else mattered, whispering false, insincere promises that I was safe now, worry would not leave my heart leaden and mind restless. I should be happy. I had Perrin. I had returned to the pack. Freedom.Deep inside, I felt that something was amiss. It kept gnawing away at me — all that had happened. About Theodore. About the lies. About the danger I didn’t see coming.And always, the voice in my head said:What if it happens again?That day, Perrin had gone out on pack business, and I sat alone on the wall-less bed, gazing into the empty expanse around me. Only the old, relentless ticking of the clock could be heard that day throughout the unusual quietness in the house. My heart felt tight in my chest.I couldn't take it anymore.It was answers I longed for. I needed help. I
QUINN POVThe days that followed seemed quiet but heavy. The events left me unable to stop thinking about everything that had happened. Theodore’s duplicity, how he deceived me, and how Perrin finally found me. My heart felt like it was still catching up to all the pain and the shock.But Perrin stayed close. He never left me alone, not once. When I woke up, he was there. His hand was in mine when I walked.“Are you okay?” he asked me over and over.I would nod. I was trying to be okay. I had to be.The pack circled around us, stepping away. Everybody seemed to know something big had happened, but no one asked questions. They stared at me with soft eyes and sometimes sad smiles, but Perrin kept them all away. He knew I needed time.I sat outside the pack house on the steps one morning. The sun warmed my face, and Perrin was quiet, simply holding my hand.“I’m sorry,” I finally said after a long silence.He turned his head fast. “Why?”“For that day when I hugged him,” I whispered. “Fo
QUINNI didn’t see Perrin for days. Theodore told me why Perrin couldn’t come every day.“He’s busy with the pack,” Theodore said one morning.“He’s dealing with some urgent business,” he told me the following day.“He’s making sure everyone is safe,” was his justification that day.I started to worry. If Perrin could he would have come to visit me. Something didn't feel right.One night, I sat by the window as the sun set. The sky went orange and pink and there was no joy. I missed Perrin. I missed his voice, his touch, his being.I turned to Theodore. “I want to see Perrin,” I said adamantly.He looked surprised. “He’s busy, Quinn, with serious business. He'll come when he can."I shook my head. "No. I need to see him now."Theodore sighed. “I know, but it’s not safe yet."Safe from what?" I asked. “You said everything was safe.”He hesitated. "There are still threats. We need to be cautious."I didn't believe him. I felt trapped.That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about
QUINN POVDays passed, and I did not see Perrin. I asked Theodore about him every day but he always had an excuse as to why Perrin couldn’t join.“He’s occupied with the pack,” Theodore said one morning.“He’s dealing with some urgent matters,” he told me the following day.“Making sure everybody’s safe,” was his excuse the next day.I started to worry. If he could have, Perrin would have come to see me. Something didn't feel right.One evening, I was sitting next to the window as the sun went down. The sky turned orange and pink, and I felt no pleasure. I missed Perrin. I mourned his voice, his touch, his presence.I turned to Theodore. I want to see Perrin,” I said adamantly.He looked surprised. “Quinn, he’s busy doing some very important stuff. He'll come when he can."I shook my head. "No. I need to see him now."Theodore sighed. “I know, but it’s not safe yet.”"Safe from what?" I asked. You told me “the danger was over.”He hesitated. "There are still threats. We need to be cau
QUINNHe paused for a moment before saying, “I didn’t bring you here to hurt you, Quinn. I did it to keep you safe.”“I know,” I said. “But I need to see him. Please.”Theodore stared down, pondering.Finally, he nodded. “Okay. I’ll take you back.”Relief flooded me. I wasn’t sure what awaited me when I returned to the pack, but I had to face it. With Perrin. Together.We hopped back in the car and began the long drive home. My pulse raced the entire trip there.When the pack house came into focus, I noticed the damage. Some trees were broken. The fence had scorch marks. It really had been a battle.Theodore parked way in the back, like he didn’t want anyone to see him.“You’re going to be fine from here,” he said. “If you need me again… you know how to find me.”So I nodded and opened the door and stepped out. I turned once to look at him. “Thank you. For trying.”He gave me a sad smile. “Always.”Then I ran.I dashed all the way toward the main hall, the rhythm of my heart exploding
QUINNThe wind was strong. I was still in the garden, dwelling on what Theodore said. So much had already happened, and my heart was weary. I needed some peace, just a little peace to think.But I didn’t get it.Suddenly, a loud howling erupted in the distance. The air changed. I glanced around, feeling danger in the air. As a few guards rushed past me, I heard one of them yelling, “We’re under attack!”What?Before I could get out of the way, someone caught my arm. I spun around, ready to fight, but stopped when I saw Theodore.“Come with me,” he said, hurriedly. His eyes were wide, serious. “It’s not safe here.”“What do you mean?” I asked. “Where’s Perrin?”“He’s holding the line. He’s battling with the other warriors to defend the pack,” Theodore said, motioning for me to follow. “He told me to get you to safety.”It didn’t sound like Perrin. He would have never left without saying anything. Still, I followed. Maybe it was really bad.Theodore took me to the back gate. A black car
QUINNTheodore’s words stuck with me long after we went our separate ways, their echo a whisper of something I hadn’t experienced in years: agency in my own life.But I didn’t run.Instead, I stayed.Because as much as Theodore had been a respite, I wasn’t prepared to leave Perrin behind. Not yet.But something had changed between us. Not merely because of what we’d gone through, but because the Perrin was attempting — actually attempting. He asked questions rather than issuing orders. He preferred listening to talking. And sometimes, if we sat there together in silence long enough, I could feel him hoisting up the guilt he carried around like another layer of skin.He no longer attempted to conceal it. And perhaps it was that honesty, that quiet vulnerability, that finally had the walls between us start crumbling.One night, curled on the window seat in our room, I finally said what I’d never thought I’d say out loud.“I hated you for so many years.”Perrin didn’t flinch. He nodded—o
PERRINFor weeks, Quinn and I had been walking ghosts under the same roof.We would nod to one another, ghostly pale...well, something like this, as we passed in the hall; maybe emit a few meaningless words when necessary; maybe eat when necessary or not at all-somehow one of us would make an excuse to leave, while the other pretended not to notice.I did not know how things were coming to be.Maybe it had something to do with Theodore. Or maybe it was the simmering fear that neither of us wanted to acknowledge. Or maybe it was both of us slowly drifting away and refusing to admit it.What hurt the most was that I loved her, and it seemed that it did not matter anymore.Some nights I would lie awake with her just a few feet away, curled upon the edge of the bed as if afraid to take up space. I would watch her breathe and wonder whether that would be the beginning of the end.And part of me, the one I hated, had already begun to ready itself.---Neither of us ever voiced it, but I kne