SIERRAI opened my eyes slowly, groaning as the blinding lights stabbed into my skull like a thousand needles. Everything felt wrong, my head spun, my body ached, and I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Days? Weeks? The haze that clouded my mind was only now starting to lift. I tried to move, but the ropes digging into my wrists reminded me I wasn’t going anywhere.The room was dark except for a harsh light hanging above me. My voice cracked as I called out weakly, “Hello? Is anyone there? Please, help me!”The heavy creak of a door opening made my heart pound. I turned my head to see him, Harold. His smug grin made my skin crawl.“Well, well,” Harold said, strolling into the room like he owned it. “The mighty Sierra, brought down by her own desperation. I knew you’d fall into my trap.”I clenched my fists, feeling the ropes bite deeper into my skin as I glared at Harold. My voice cracked as I demanded, “Where’s my sister? Where’s the baby?”Harold’s laugh was low and chilling.
DANEThe first thing I felt was the cold. The second thing was the tight grip of chains around my wrists and ankles. My head throbbed as I forced my eyes open, and it took me a moment to realize I was sitting on a stone floor. Panic surged through me when I saw Zane and Kane slumped nearby, also chained.“Guys,” I rasped, my throat dry. “Wake up!”Kane groaned again, his body shifting slightly as he started to regain full consciousness. Zane blinked a few times, his eyes narrowing as he took in the strange, dimly lit room. He looked around quickly, his face hardening.“What the hell happened?” Zane’s voice was rough, but there was an edge of anger to it. He was trying to make sense of everything.I shook my head, the confusion still clouding my mind. “I don’t know. Last thing I remember… Gerald’s laugh.” The sound still echoed in my ears, haunting, twisted, and so unnatural. It made my skin crawl just thinking about it. The memory of that laugh made my stomach churn like I had just sw
KANEMy voice was rough, and demanding, as I pulled against the chains that bound me.“What are you doing with Harold, Gerald?” My eyes narrowed with frustration. Gerald’s laugh echoed through the room, dark and chilling. It made my blood run cold.“Isn’t it obvious, Kane?” he said, almost mocking him. “I’ve been the one pulling the strings from the very beginning. Everything you’ve seen, all of this, it’s been my plan.”I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Gerald, of all people, was behind all of this. The betrayal hit me like a punch to the gut. He had been working with Harold this whole time. I was already furious, and it only got worse as Gerald laughed at us, a smug, almost gleeful look on his face.“If it’s not clear by now, I’m the one who organized everything from the start,” Gerald said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “I wanted Sierra all to myself. She’s special, you know. I knew from the moment she came into our pack that she had something... something unique.”My
DANEThe sound of the heavy wooden door creaking open made my heart lurch, but I kept my face stoic. It was Gerald. Of course, it was Gerald.“Ah, Dane,” he drawled, stepping into the room with his trademark smirk. “How’s our brave warrior holding up?”“What do you want, Gerald?” I snapped, glaring at him with all the venom I could muster. “Haven’t you had your fun yet?”He chuckled, his eyes glinting with malice. “Oh, not even close. You see, there’s still something I need from you. From all of you, actually. But let’s start with you.”I narrowed my eyes, my chest heaving. “Spit it out already.”Gerald’s grin widened. “I need you to reject Sierra. One by one, all of you must sever your ties with her. Do that, and maybe I’ll consider letting you all go."The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I didn’t let it show. I leaned forward as much as the chains allowed and sneered. “You’re delusional if you think I’ll ever do that. Go to hell, Gerald.”The smirk never left his face. He
SIERRAThe sound of Dane’s voice echoed through the room, raw and filled with pain. I could barely see through my tears as I watched the screen. Harold’s laughter cut through my heart like a knife, and every scream from Dane felt like a stab in my chest.“Please, stop this!” I begged, my voice cracking. “Let him go! He hasn’t done anything to you!”Harold smirked, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. “Oh, Sierra,” he said, his tone mockingly sweet. “This is entirely up to you. Give up your powers, reject your mates, and agree to marry Gerald, and I’ll let your precious Dane go.”My body trembled, not with fear but with fury. “You’re a monster,” I spat, tears streaming down my face. “You’ll never win.”Harold shrugged, unbothered. “I’ve heard that before,” he said. Then he gestured to the screen, where Gerald’s smug face appeared, holding a silver dagger.“No!” I screamed, my voice piercing. “Please, don’t hurt him! I’ll do anything!”Gerald chuckled, his eyes cold. “Anything? Then
ZANEThe moment Sierra’s body slumped, I caught her instinctively, my arms curling around her trembling form. Her weight was light, too light, and it terrified me.“Kane, grab Dane! We need to get out of here,” I barked, my voice cracking under the pressure. Sierra’s shallow breathing filled my ears, and her baby sister, bundled in a cloth, let out a weak cry. I adjusted the child in my grip, cradling her carefully while holding onto Sierra.Kane didn’t hesitate. He hoisted Dane over his shoulder, though he struggled under the weight. “Let’s move,” Kane growled, his tone sharp with urgency.The halls felt endless as we ran, each step echoing like a drumbeat in my chest. Sierra was still out cold, her head resting against my shoulder. The baby’s cries grew louder, a desperate, heart-wrenching sound.“Hold on, Sierra,” I whispered, my throat tightening. “We’re almost there.”We burst out into the open air, the cool breeze stinging our sweat-drenched skin. Luna Maya and Alpha Thane were
SIERRAI couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Kane’s words stung, deep in my chest, like a dagger twisted to make sure it hurt.“What do you mean by that?” I asked, trying to stay calm, but my voice wavered. I could feel the anger bubbling inside me, but I didn’t want to lose control. Not yet.Kane’s eyes were dark, his face twisted in frustration. “You know exactly what I mean, Sierra,” he spat, his voice rising. “Stop your bullshit right now. We’re all dealing with enough, and you’re still acting like everything’s about you!”I opened my mouth to respond, but Zane cut in before I could.“Hey, Kane, chill out,” Zane said, his voice firm but trying to be soothing. He stepped in front of me, putting a hand on Kane’s chest to push him back. “You’re going too far.”But Kane wasn’t having it. “No, Zane, I’m done holding back!” he yelled. “She went against our wishes and went there alone. Look at the mess she made!”I flinched at his words, but I couldn’t stop myself from defending what I
SIERRAKane’s words rang in my ears, sharp and unrelenting. The room was suffocating, their stares cutting into me. My chest tightened, and before I could stop them, tears welled in my eyes. I tried to blink them away, but it was too late—Kane had already seen.“You’re right,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I do ruin everything.”Zane turned to me, his expression twisting in confusion and anger. “Sierra, stop. You don’t need to take this from him!”I shook my head, stepping back. “Zane, apologize to him.”“What?” Zane blinked at me, completely taken aback. “Why would I do that? He was disrespecting you!”I let out a small, pitiful laugh that didn’t sound like me at all. “Because I deserve it,” I said bitterly. “He’s right. Everything’s a mess because of me.”Zane seemed to want to argue, but I didn’t wait to hear it. I turned away, my hands trembling as I wiped my tears. I couldn’t stay here any longer. The tension was unbearable, the air too heavy to breathe.“I’ll leave you both t
SIERRAI gasped as my eyes flew open, my body jerking upright. My chest felt like it was caving in, my throat raw like I had been screaming for hours. The room was dark, the air thick with something I couldn’t name. My hands trembled as I clutched at the sheets, trying to ground myself, trying to make sense of where I was.“Sierra!”Hands gripped my arms, firm, steady, holding me in place like I might collapse at any second. My head snapped toward the voices. Zane. Kane. Dane. All of them hovering over me, eyes filled with worry, their faces tense. The warmth of their touch should have reassured me, but it only made the panic claw deeper into my chest.“What’s wrong?” Dane’s voice was sharp, demanding, like he needed to know immediately.“You screamed,” Kane added, his grip on me tightening. His jaw was clenched, his brows furrowed. “You scared the hell out of us.”I tried to swallow, but my throat was too dry. My breaths came in short, uneven gasps. My heart pounded so hard it hurt,
SIERRAI blinked.Once.Twice.The ceiling above me wasn’t familiar. The walls were different. Everything was different.I sat up fast, my heart slamming against my ribs.Where the hell was I?The air was thick, pressing against my skin like invisible hands. Heavy. Unnatural. It clung to me, making it hard to breathe. I swallowed, forcing myself to stay calm.The room was dim, the light coming from… nowhere. No lamps, no windows, but still, a glow. Faint. Cold. My fingers curled into the sheets beneath me, silk. Soft, too soft. It sent a chill through me. This wasn’t my bed. This wasn’t my room.I turned my head, scanning the space. Large. Empty. The walls stretched endlessly, shifting between deep blue and silver, almost like they were alive, moving, breathing. The air hummed with something ancient, something powerful. My stomach twisted.Nothing made sense.And then I saw her.Standing in the corner, silent.A presence too strong to be ignored.Silver hair cascaded down her back, sh
SIERRAThe second I stepped inside, I froze.Blood. So much blood. It stained the floor, the walls, the furniture. The smell of it, thick, metallic hung in the air, making my stomach turn. My heart pounded as my eyes darted to my friends, their faces pale, their clothes splattered in red.“What the hell happened here?” My voice came out sharp, urgent.Kane wiped a hand down his face, smearing red across his cheek. “Sierra…”I looked at Zane, then Dane. They all looked shaken.“Someone tell me what happened,” I demanded.Dane swallowed hard. “Astrid came.”I frowned. “What?”Zane exhaled, rubbing his temples. “She showed up out of nowhere. She was bleeding, barely able to stand. She tried to talk, but…”“She exploded,” Kane finished, his voice flat.I blinked. “She what?”They all exchanged glances, like they weren’t sure how to say it again. Like somehow, saying it out loud would make it more real.Dane cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. “She… exploded. Like, literally.
KANE“Hurry up, Dane! That banner looks like it’s about to fall.”Dane grumbled as he adjusted the string, his fingers fumbling with the knot. “If you’re so concerned, do it yourself.”I rolled my eyes. “I would, but someone has to make sure the cake doesn’t end up on the floor like last time.”Zane snorted from across the room as he stacked plates on the table. “That was one time. Let it go.”“One time was enough,” I shot back, giving him a pointed look. “Sierra nearly cried.”Alpha Thane chuckled as he set down a crate of drinks. “I can’t believe you boys planned all this. Sierra’s going to love it.”I smiled, glancing around the room. Balloons, streamers, and twinkling lights covered the walls. A table was stacked with gifts, food, and an enormous cake that, this time, was safely positioned far from the edges.“She deserves it,” I said. “She’s been through too much.”Dane climbed down from the chair, wiping his hands. “Yeah, and she never asks for anything in return. This is the le
SIERRAI blinked. The room was spinning, and my body was heavy like I had been dragged through a storm. My throat was dry, and my head ached like I had been fighting in my sleep.Voices. So many voices.“Sierra?”I turned my head, confused by the way everyone was looking at me, worried, scared, relieved. “What?” My voice came out rough. “What’s wrong?”Dane stepped forward first. “Is it…you?”I frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”Kane let out a breath. “Your wolf took over.”I stared at him. “What?”“You weren’t here, Sierra,” my mom said gently. “Your wolf spoke to us.”A shiver ran down my spine. “She… spoke?”Zane nodded. “Yeah. She said you’re different. That you need help.”I pressed a hand to my temple. My head was pounding. “I don’t understand.”“You don’t remember?” Kane asked.I shook my head. “No. I just… I woke up, and now you’re all looking at me like I died or something.”My mom touched my face, her warm hands grounding me. “You scared us.”I swallowed, my chest tigh
ZANEI couldn’t shake the feeling. Something was wrong.Sierra hadn’t spoken in hours. She hadn’t moved, hadn’t blinked. Just sat there, staring at the wall like she wasn’t even here. And that scared the hell out of me.I rushed to find my family. I didn’t care if I sounded crazy.“She’s not okay,” I said, breathless. “Something’s wrong with Sierra.”Luna Maya frowned. “What do you mean?”“She’s just…staring. Not talking, not moving. It’s like she’s not even in her own body.”My father stood up immediately. “Where is she?”“In her room.”We didn’t waste time. Everyone followed me, their footsteps heavy with worry. When we got there, Sierra was exactly how I left her—sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands resting on her lap, her eyes empty.“Sierra?” Luna Maya called softly.No response.“Sierra?” Dane tried, stepping closer. Still nothing.Luna Maya’s face paled. She rushed forward, kneeling in front of Sierra and grabbing her hands. “Baby, look at me,” she pleaded. “It’s Mom. Can
SIERRAThe fire was out, but my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. The smell of smoke still clung to the air, burning my nose, and making my throat tight. I could still hear the screams, the crackling flames, the chaos.I pressed my palms against my face, trying to push it all away. Just breathe. Just calm down. But it wasn’t working. The panic clawed at me, twisting my insides into knots. My whole body felt wrong, like I wasn’t even in control of it anymore.A warm hand landed on my shoulder. Kane. His touch was steady, grounding. “You okay?” His voice was soft, careful. But I could hear it. The worry underneath.“No,” I whispered. My voice barely worked. “I don’t think I am.”I wasn’t okay. Not even close.Dane crouched beside me, searching my face. “You want to tell us what happened?”I let out a shaky breath. Where did I even start? The dream? The fire? The fact that I was losing control over something that should’ve been mine to command? I curled my fi
SIERRA The first thing I noticed was the cold. Not the kind that gives you a little shiver and makes you pull the blanket up. This was bone-deep, icy, like I’d been dumped in a frozen lake. I blinked, confused. The soft warmth of my bed was gone. “Where am I…?” I whispered, sitting up slowly. Everything looked strange. The sky above me wasn’t blue. It wasn’t night, either. It was…gray, swirling, like thick smoke. The ground beneath me was damp and cold, like wet stone. “Hello?” I called out again, louder this time, my voice echoing back at me like I was yelling into a bottomless pit. Nothing. No answer. Just thick, suffocating silence. I swallowed hard, my heart pounding as I stood up, my legs trembling beneath me. The ground felt damp and cold, like stone soaked in icy water, and a chill raced up my spine. Wherever I was, it wasn’t anywhere normal. I squinted into the grayish haze that hung in the air, swirling around me like smoke, and that’s when I saw her. Ariel.
SIERRAIt felt so damn good to be home.The air smelled fresher, like pine and freedom, and everywhere I turned, familiar faces smiled at me. I wasn’t used to all this attention, but I couldn’t lie, it made me feel warm inside.“Can’t believe you’re really back,” Alpha Thane said as he handed me a drink. His grin stretched wide, and for once, he wasn’t scowling or trying to lecture me.“Surprise,” I teased, clinking my glass against his.“Party’s for you, you know,” he added, nodding toward the bonfire they’d just lit. “Whole pack’s been waiting for this.”I looked around and smiled. Wolves were laughing, drinking, and dancing. It felt alive. For the first time in forever, things felt right. No Ariel. No chaos. Just peace. And it was all ours.“Think they’ll fit in?” I asked, nodding toward the new wolves. They still looked a little awkward, standing in a tight group near the food table.“Give them time,” Alpha Thane said. “They’ll come around.”“Hope so,” I muttered.Just then, someo