Phoebe's POVThese days when I walked past members of the pack, I heard rumours that had sprung up suddenly.“She’s not truly one of us.”“She let Duncan take her too easily.”“If she were really loyal, why didn’t she fight harder?”I didn't have to wonder why everything was going the way it was. Elizabeth was behind it. “Phoebe,” a voice called.I turned to see one of the she-wolves approaching. Lena. She had always been distant but polite—until now.“Are you training alone?” she asked, though her tone wasn’t friendly.“I needed space,” I replied evenly.She gave a slow nod. “I heard something today. They say Duncan only attacked because of you. That he wanted you back. That maybe you still want him too.”I stiffened. “And do you believe that?”Lena shrugged, crossing her arms. “I don’t know what to believe. But I do know this—our Luna should be someone we trust. Someone who isn’t tied to our enemies.”I held her gaze, my heart tightening at her words. “I have never been tied to the
Phoebe's POVI was in my room, sitting by the window, when I heard a familiar voice outside.“Where is she?”I stood up immediately, recognizing it.Luke.I rushed to the hallway, my boots clicking against the wooden floor as I hurried toward the entrance. When I stepped out, I saw him standing there, looking anxious. His hair was slightly messy, and his clothes were wrinkled.“Luke?” I called.His head snapped toward me, relief flashing in his brown eyes. He took long strides in my direction before stopping right in front of me.“Phoebe,” he said, his voice tight. “It’s my dad. He’s sick. You need to come now.”My stomach twisted. “Sick? What do you mean?”“He collapsed yesterday. He’s been in bed ever since. The pack healer is doing what he can, but he keeps asking for you.”I swallowed hard. Uncle James had been like a father to me after my parents died. I couldn’t ignore this.“I have to go,” I said without hesitation.Luke exhaled, nodding quickly. “I already got us a cab waiting
Nathaniel's POVI stood in my office, arms crossed, watching as my warriors stood before me. They had just finished their patrols, but I needed answers. The attack on Phoebe wasn’t random. Someone had planned it, and I wasn’t going to let it go.“She was ambushed,” I said, my voice steady. “Two men, waiting for her to arrive. That doesn’t happen by chance.”Harrison, one of my most experienced warriors, shifted slightly. “We checked the area after you brought her back. There were no signs of lingering scents. Whoever they were, they knew how to cover their tracks.”I clenched my jaw. That meant they weren’t amateurs.“Who would want to harm her?” one of the younger warriors asked. “She hasn’t done anything.”I exhaled. “She doesn’t have to.”Phoebe was my mate. That alone was enough to make her a target.“I want every entry point checked again,” I ordered. “Trace their movements. I want to know where they came from and where they went.”The warriors nodded and left the room. But even
Phoebe's POVNathaniel didn’t say a word as he led me away from the pack house. His grip was firm but not rough, his fingers wrapped securely around mine as we moved through the quiet paths leading into the woods. It was just him and me.We walked until we reached a small clearing, a place I hadn’t been before. There was a large flat rock near the edge, and without a word, Nathaniel pulled me toward it, guiding me to sit.He crouched in front of me, his hands resting on my knees as he searched my face. “Talk to me.”I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I didn’t even know where to start. Everything inside me felt tangled, like a knot I couldn’t untie.Nathaniel waited, his gaze steady.I took a shaky breath. “I don’t even know what to say.”“Say whatever’s on your mind.”My throat felt tight. “It’s been too much,” I admitted. “All of it. Being here, trying to be what everyone expects, the attack, my uncle being sick… I feel like I can’t breathe.”Nathaniel’s fingers tightened sligh
Phoebe's POVI had never paid much attention to Alexander before. He had always been there—watching, waiting, brooding in the background—but I had kept my focus on my own struggles. Now, I couldn’t ignore him. There was something about the way he carried himself lately, the way his frustration seemed to grow with each passing day.Nathaniel dismissed him as a sore loser, still bitter about the challenges, but I wasn’t so sure it was just that. There was something else, something darker.So, I started watching.I didn’t make it obvious. I wasn’t foolish enough to let him or anyone else know what I was doing. I simply paid attention—where he went, who he spoke to, how his expression changed when he thought no one was looking.At meals, I noticed how he barely ate, his fingers tapping against the table like he was thinking too much. When he trained, his movements were sharp, aggressive, as if he was holding back anger.At night, when most of the pack had gone to sleep, I listened. The pa
Phoebe's POVI knew I couldn’t wait. Waiting would be a disaster. I had to inform Nathaniel of what I'd found. But then, when I snuck back into the pack house and back into our took successfully, I knew it would be unwise to try to wake him up and tell him what I'd just found out. But at the same time, I knew he was always up very early and would soon be out in the training grounds or in his office to finish whatever work he might have not finished the previous day.My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I laid next to him, hoping that the day would come fast so I could tell him what I'd learned. My wolf growled at the back of my mind. “Going out was perhaps the best decision you've made in a while.”I nodded. Without argument, it was the smartest thing I'd done on impulse, for a while now. As soon as the sun rose, I found Nathaniel in his office, sitting behind his desk. He looked up when I entered, his expression softening for a brief moment before he saw the look on my face. Hi
Phoebe’s POVScreams tore through the night. The clash of metal, the growls of wolves, the thud of bodies hitting the ground—it was chaos. My breath came fast, my muscles tensed as I stood amidst the battle. Warriors fought around me, defending the pack, but something about this attack felt wrong.This wasn’t just a random ambush.Then I saw him.Alexander.He stood away from the battle, near the treeline, watching. He wasn’t fighting. He wasn’t even moving. His posture was too relaxed for someone whose pack was under attack. His arms were crossed, and while warriors around him struggled, he remained untouched.Not a single enemy had gone for him.That was no coincidence.Realization struck me. This wasn’t just an attack. It was a betrayal.A rogue lunged at me before I could process it further. His blade aimed straight for my throat. I ducked, twisting my body, barely avoiding the slash. I grabbed a fallen dagger from the ground and drove it into his ribs before he could react. His b
Nathaniel’s POVThe battlefield was littered with bodies. Some groaned in pain, others lay still. Blood soaked the ground, the scent thick in the air. My warriors had done their job, forcing the rival pack back. But the fight wasn’t over.I saw Alexander slipping away.He moved quickly, staying near the shadows of the trees, trying to disappear while everyone else was still caught in the chaos. He thought I wouldn’t notice.He was wrong.I started after him, my strides long and determined. My blood boiled at the thought of what he had done. He had betrayed us, let our enemies into our home, watched as our warriors bled and died. And now, he wanted to run.Not a chance.I caught up to him just as he reached the edge of the forest. He stopped when he heard me, but he didn’t turn around.“Going somewhere?” I asked, my voice cold.Alexander let out a slow breath before facing me. His expression was calm, too calm for someone who had just lost. “It’s over, Nathaniel.”“You’re right. And yo
Nathaniel’s POVI sat in my office, staring at the stack of reports spread across my desk. The papers detailed everything from patrol schedules to supply inventories. I had been going over them for the last hour, but my focus kept slipping.The recent invasion had left some damage, but we were recovering. Duncan’s forces had been dealt with, and the borders were secure again. That wasn’t what was weighing on my mind.Alexander was.Even after everything, he still hadn’t given up his claim to the Alpha position. He had no right to it, not while my father was still alive and certainly not while I was the one handling pack affairs. But Alexander didn’t see it that way.I sighed and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. The constant power struggle was draining, and I didn’t have time for it.Before I could push the thought aside, my phone vibrated on the desk. I glanced at the screen. A message from my father.We need to meet in my office. Now.I stared at the words for a second be
Phoebe’s POVI sat on the edge of my bed, gripping my phone tightly. I had been staring at the screen for a while, debating what to do. My uncle was still in the hospital, recovering, and even though Nathaniel had told me not to worry, I couldn’t help it. He had handled everything, from the medical bills, getting the best doctors and the best care—but I needed to see for myself that my uncle was okay.I took a deep breath and scrolled through my contacts until I found the name I was looking for.Mark.I hesitated for a second before pressing the call button. The phone rang a few times before he finally answered.“Phoebe?” His voice sounded uncertain, as if he hadn’t expected me to call.“Hey,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I want to visit Uncle. Are you free?”There was a pause. “You want to go today?”“Yes.”Another pause. Then, “Alright. I’ll meet you there.”I exhaled, relieved. “Thanks.”After ending the call, I got up, grabbed my coat, and stepped out of my room. Natha
Phoebe’s POVThe sky was still dark when we returned to the packhouse. The cool air clung to my skin as I stepped inside, my body heavy with exhaustion. The weight of the night still pressed on me, but a strange sense of peace followed.Nathaniel walked beside me, his presence steady. He hadn’t let go of my hand since we left the woods, and even now, his grip was warm, grounding.When we reached the door of his chambers, I hesitated. My fingers curled slightly against his. “Nathaniel…”He turned to me, eyes searching. “What is it?”I glanced down, suddenly uncertain. “Maybe I should go to my own room.”Nathaniel didn’t let me pull away. Instead, he cupped my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “Stay,” he murmured.It wasn’t a demand. It wasn’t even a request. It was a quiet promise—one I didn’t have the strength to deny.I nodded.Nathaniel led me inside, closing the door behind us. The room was dimly lit, the air warm and familiar. I had been here before, but never like this. Nev
Phoebe’s POVThe chaos was dead and Elizabeth and Alexander had been put in their rooms under heavy watch. Nathaniel didn't let me just go to the room and sleep. He said he wanted to take me to his escape so I could have a good time, away from the troubles. It hadn't even helped that Elizabeth and kAlexander now hated me more than anythingIt felt different here, away from the packhouse, away from the weight of everything that had happened.But despite the silence, my mind refused to rest.I lay beside Nathaniel, our bodies pressed close, his warmth seeping into me. It should have been comforting—it was comforting—but it wasn’t enough to quiet the thoughts spinning in my head.Everything had changed so quickly.The battle. The betrayal.Elizabeth and Alexander’s hatred for me had been simmering for a long time, but now it burned hotter than ever. And I knew—it wasn’t over. Not really. They would never forgive me for exposing them.A shiver ran through me, even though I wasn’t cold.N
Phoebe’s POVSleep wouldn’t come. No matter how many times I turned over or adjusted my pillow, my mind refused to quiet. Every time I closed my eyes, the memories came rushing back—Alexander’s betrayal, the attack. I had caught myself trying to make excuses for Alexander, for why he could want the downfall of his own pack simply because his younger brother was the alpha, but the more I tried to make those excuses, the more ridiculous it became to even me. “Envy is sure to tear a people apart,” I muttered under my breath. Mia scoffed inside me. “Alex has always never loved his brother as you like to think. He never did, not since they were kids.” I sighed. It was easy to believe. Nathaniel looked more handsome, had his way with people and generally charmed people. He was also smart, their father would ask his opinion on certain pack issues but Alexander never gave equally genius opinions on things and so didn't get the attention that Nathaniel got from their father and other pack
Nathaniel’s POVThe battlefield was littered with bodies. Some groaned in pain, others lay still. Blood soaked the ground, the scent thick in the air. My warriors had done their job, forcing the rival pack back. But the fight wasn’t over.I saw Alexander slipping away.He moved quickly, staying near the shadows of the trees, trying to disappear while everyone else was still caught in the chaos. He thought I wouldn’t notice.He was wrong.I started after him, my strides long and determined. My blood boiled at the thought of what he had done. He had betrayed us, let our enemies into our home, watched as our warriors bled and died. And now, he wanted to run.Not a chance.I caught up to him just as he reached the edge of the forest. He stopped when he heard me, but he didn’t turn around.“Going somewhere?” I asked, my voice cold.Alexander let out a slow breath before facing me. His expression was calm, too calm for someone who had just lost. “It’s over, Nathaniel.”“You’re right. And yo
Phoebe’s POVScreams tore through the night. The clash of metal, the growls of wolves, the thud of bodies hitting the ground—it was chaos. My breath came fast, my muscles tensed as I stood amidst the battle. Warriors fought around me, defending the pack, but something about this attack felt wrong.This wasn’t just a random ambush.Then I saw him.Alexander.He stood away from the battle, near the treeline, watching. He wasn’t fighting. He wasn’t even moving. His posture was too relaxed for someone whose pack was under attack. His arms were crossed, and while warriors around him struggled, he remained untouched.Not a single enemy had gone for him.That was no coincidence.Realization struck me. This wasn’t just an attack. It was a betrayal.A rogue lunged at me before I could process it further. His blade aimed straight for my throat. I ducked, twisting my body, barely avoiding the slash. I grabbed a fallen dagger from the ground and drove it into his ribs before he could react. His b
Phoebe's POVI knew I couldn’t wait. Waiting would be a disaster. I had to inform Nathaniel of what I'd found. But then, when I snuck back into the pack house and back into our took successfully, I knew it would be unwise to try to wake him up and tell him what I'd just found out. But at the same time, I knew he was always up very early and would soon be out in the training grounds or in his office to finish whatever work he might have not finished the previous day.My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I laid next to him, hoping that the day would come fast so I could tell him what I'd learned. My wolf growled at the back of my mind. “Going out was perhaps the best decision you've made in a while.”I nodded. Without argument, it was the smartest thing I'd done on impulse, for a while now. As soon as the sun rose, I found Nathaniel in his office, sitting behind his desk. He looked up when I entered, his expression softening for a brief moment before he saw the look on my face. Hi
Phoebe's POVI had never paid much attention to Alexander before. He had always been there—watching, waiting, brooding in the background—but I had kept my focus on my own struggles. Now, I couldn’t ignore him. There was something about the way he carried himself lately, the way his frustration seemed to grow with each passing day.Nathaniel dismissed him as a sore loser, still bitter about the challenges, but I wasn’t so sure it was just that. There was something else, something darker.So, I started watching.I didn’t make it obvious. I wasn’t foolish enough to let him or anyone else know what I was doing. I simply paid attention—where he went, who he spoke to, how his expression changed when he thought no one was looking.At meals, I noticed how he barely ate, his fingers tapping against the table like he was thinking too much. When he trained, his movements were sharp, aggressive, as if he was holding back anger.At night, when most of the pack had gone to sleep, I listened. The pa