Chapter 56: AloneKate pov With my back against the chilly concrete, I crouched in the corner of the cell. My skin scraped against the rough wall through the thin fabric of my shirt. My sore throat swelled and felt raw. I hadn't had any sleep. I hadn't had any food. Time was now just a whirl of tiredness and terror. The harsh, uncaring voices of the guards floated through the iron bars. This one is problematic. two days later, made two attempts to flee." Indeed, she needs to be broken. That kind of spirit is not appropriate here." "Take her to the camp for slaves. That should quickly resolve her issues." Before I could choke it back, a sob broke free. I bit my knuckles to be quiet and clamped my fist to my mouth. I desired not to be by myself. My biggest fear was being forgotten and abandoned. That seemed to be my precise fate now. Aside from that, I was going to be tortured in this "slave camp." The sound of the cell block door clanging open reverberated off the barren walls. Watchm
Chapter 57: Slave camp Kate pov She withdrew, staring at me with those cold blue eyes. "This location? It's intended to shatter you. to be stripped of everything that makes you, leaving only a little, submissive slave. Do you want to leave this place with your soul unbroken? You pick up their style of play." I took a deep breath and digested her remarks. I said, "Why are you telling me this?" Razor shrugged and made his way to the top bunk. Maybe I'm in a giving mood. Perhaps it's the way you look. Or perhaps all I want to do is see how long you survive." She smiled again, her fangs bared. "Guess you'll have to figure that out for yourself." Before I could reply, there was a loud beep. Razor hopped off the mattress. "My dear, it's dinnertime. "Aim to avoid getting killed on your first day." She walked out of the cell, and I followed her after a moment's hesitation. The mess hall was a large room with long tables and hundreds of voices. The smell of institutional food, which was blan
Chapter 58 Heart breakAvyaane pov As we made our way back to the Alphas' place, the chilly night air felt nice against my skin. In the silent darkness, Jade's footfall crunched on the gravel next to me, maintaining a steady cadence. Ever since we left the diner, we had hardly spoken. Nothing much needed to be said. Unspoken but tangible, the day's events weighed heavily on both of us. Long shadows from streetlights distorted our figures, making us look like odd, elongated versions of ourselves. With every light we passed, I felt on the inside equally as distorted and unidentifiable as I saw my shadow grow and shrink. Jade stated, "This is where I leave you," as soon as we arrived at the porch. Although she spoke in a harsh tone, I could see concern in her eyes. Her often harsh features were softened by the porch light's illumination of her face. "Try to get some rest, okay?" Unconfident in my voice, I nodded. My throat felt choked, bound by feelings I could not place. Jade squee
Chapter 61:A Taste of FreedomAvy Jade wrenched up the driver's door as we drove into the school parking lot. The car's speakers played a ridiculous pop song that would stick in your brain for days. Jade shouted out the lyrics, her voice trembling at the high notes. "I'm walking on sunshine, whoa-oh!" She screamed, banging her palms against the driving wheel. I cringed, the sound cutting against my already frazzled nerves. "Please, for the sake of all that is sacred, stop. I would wish to maintain my hearing." Jade smacked my arm playfully, her emerald eyes full of mischief. "Party pooper." "You used to love this song." I used to enjoy a wide range of activities, I recalled. But I didn't say it outright loud. Instead, I mustered a smile. "Maybe in another life." We stumbled out of the car, the fresh morning air a shock after the stifling cabin. Jade was still humming, off tune and carefree. For a minute, I felt light. Free. Like, maybe today will be different. I noticed the stare
Avyaane pov For the first time in weeks, I felt close to liberated. I wasn't sure where we were heading or what would happen next. But I didn't really care at the time. I had had enough of being the good girl, the sufferer, and the reject. It was time to become someone new. As we walked, the others made jokes and laughed. I let their voices wash over me without truly listening. My thoughts were still at school, repeating Alison's words. What exactly did she mean about Kate? And why was it important to me? But then Jade wrapped her arm through mine, drawing me into the conversation. "Earth to Avy," she whispered, her voice full of alarm. "You still with us?" I blinked and focused on her face. On the faces of these strangers who had no idea or cared about my past. Who viewed me as just another girl skipping class. "Yeah," I said, managing a real smile this time. "I'm here." And I was. For better or worse, I was stepping into a new world. A world where I wasn't defined by my lost wo
Chapter 63: Fundraising Avyaane pov The sun burned down on my neck as I walked to our location behind the old gas station. Sweat flowed down my spine and soaked into the waistband of my jeans. The air in my lungs was thick and heavy with the scent of gasoline and scorching asphalt. I strained against the glare and noticed Zeke and Brick already there. They were shoving each other while giggling. A stupid game. Boys. Jade's shoulder brushed against min juste as we neared. "Looks like the idiots started without us," she added, amused. I grunted. I didn't have anything to say. My head was elsewhere, thinking about Chad. He'd seen me that day at the café, skipping class. I had readied myself for an explosion at home. The yelling. Maybe even the hitting. But it never came. He didn't come home for two days straight. The others didn't appear to care what I'd been up to either. No lectures. No punishment. Just nothing. It ached, that void. But that was preferable to being their punching
Chapter 64: Conflicting Choice Chad pov I tapped my fingers on the round marble table. The sound resonated around the room, breaking through the quiet murmur of conversations. Twelve elderly people encircled me, their features etched with age and distrust. Beta Henderson sat to my right, a continuous reminder of what I had to gain. And lose. The oldest senior, a woman with steel-gray hair and flint-like eyes, spoke first. "I'm Elder Margaret. "I manage the pack's finances." Her voice cracked with age, yet there was steel beneath it. "You'd do well to listen to my counsel, young Alpha." I nodded, keeping my expression calm. Her voice was full with scorn. She felt I was too young. They all did. One by one, theythe elders introduced themselves. Each speech was the same. Their role. Their importance. How they would guide me. The underlying message never changed. You're too young. You're not ready. Elder Thomas, a portly man with a permanent scowl, leaned forward. "I manage inter-pack
Chapter 65: Cheating Chad pov I let myself in, the door unlocked with a gentle click. The home was silent, and the air seemed dense and oppressive. My footsteps boomed across the hardwood floor as I walked directly to the stairs. Her room was located on the second level, at the end of the hallway. As I neared, I heard something that caused me to hesitate. Moans. Soft at first, then booming. The moist noises of kissing, of skin on Skin. The aroma of desire assaulted me, making me dizzy. My heart raced in my chest. It could not be. She would not. I came closer, remaining silent on the carpeted floor. The door was slightly cracked open enough to see inside. A bedside lamp provided the only light in the room, giving a gentle, golden glow over everything. Alison lay on her bed, naked and squirming. Her head was flung back, her golden hair strewn across the pillows. Logan is on top of her. My brother. "God, you're so much better than Chad," Alison exclaimed, raking her nails down Logan's
Chapter 111: Eternal LoveAvyaane pov As I stood on the balcony, looking out over the vast expanse of the pack lands, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of thankfulness and astonishment. The sun was just starting to set, painting the sky in a stunning array of reds and golds, and the gentle breeze carried the familiar scents of home - the earthy richness of the forest, the sweet fragrance of the blooming wildflowers, the faint hint of pine that had always been a comforting presence in my life. I felt completely at peace in moments like these, when the world appeared to slow down and all of the noise and commotion of daily life faded away. This area, this pack, and this family. It was where I belonged, where I had discovered the unconditional love and acceptance I had sought for so long. A gentle giggle from behind me grabbed my attention, and I turned to see Chad stroll out onto the balcony, a playful grin on his lovely face. "Penny for your thoughts, my love?" He muttered, throwi
Chapter 110: Family Avyaane povAnd we were. In the weeks and months that followed, the darkness of Allison's breakdown vanished, giving way to the dazzling, unshakeable joy that filled our lives. The triplets thrived, becoming more beautiful and lively with each passing day, and Chad's commitment to them - and to me - appeared to grow stronger every time. The rest of our family took note of the transformation as well. Logan, Killian, and Blair, who had previously viewed Allison's presence in Chad's life with a mixture of wariness and hatred, Now she welcomed our growing family with open arms, adoring the babies with a zeal that touched my heart. "Look at you, all grown up and starting a family of your own," Killian had taunted one day as he cradled our daughter. "I never thought I'd see the day." Chad had chuckled, his arm wrapped securely around my waist. "Yeah, well, don't get too comfortable," he had said. "You three are next in line, you know." The accompanying laughing and frie
Chapter 109: Closure and New LifeAvyaane pov Finally, the day came. As I held our baby daughter in my arms, the intensity of my love and appreciation threatened to overwhelm me. Her tiny, flawless features—the button nose, the delicate rosebud lips, the thick, dark lashes that fanned across her plump cheeks—filled me with a sensation of astonishment that I had never felt before. When I looked up, Chad's eyes were filled with tears of joy, his gaze riveted on the small infant cradled in my embrace. He reached out and carefully touched the curve of our daughter's cheek, his touch gentle and reverent. "She's... she's perfect, Avy," he said softly, his voice full with emotion. "Absolutely perfect." I felt a flood of pride and love wash over me, so I leaned into his touch, enjoying the warmth and comfort of his presence. After all of our hardships and tribulations to get to this point, finally having our family together and whole was more than I could have asked for. My heart swelled as
Chapter 108 :HomecomingAvyaane pov "I'm glad you're here, Avy," he muttered. "We all are." I nodded and moved my gaze over to where Chad was standing, watching the reunion with a soft, almost reverent face. Our eyes connected, and I knew I'd made the proper decision. This was where I belonged, with him and his family—my family. As time passed, it became evident that this return was not without difficulties. Allison, Chad's on-and-off-again girlfriend, was not pleased with my homecoming and made no secret of it. "I can't believe you're just letting her waltz back in here, after everything she's done," she snapped one evening, her eyes narrowing with anger as she stared at Chad. Chad, to his credit: stayed calm, his voice steady as he responded. "Avyaane is my dear companion, Allison. She and our child belong here, alongside me. I will not turn my back on them again." Allison's lips tightened into an angry line, but she said nothing more and walked away with a huff. I watched her leav
Chapter 107: Second Chance Avyaane pov The subtle click of the church door shutting behind me echoed in my ears, drowning out the quiet murmuring of the guests inside. My heart hammered in my chest as I stood there, grasping the fabric of my dress, torn between the life I had chosen and the one offered to me. Just moments earlier, I had been standing at the altar, ready to devote my life to Ethan, to start a new future with him. A future that was secure, straightforward, and free of the complexities that had plagued my past. A future that, while not what I had hoped for, seemed like it could bring me happiness. And now, in only a few heartbeats, That well planned future had been turned on its head. Because standing in front of me, with desperation and hope engraved into every line of his face, was the man I had loved with every fiber of my being - and still loved, if I was honest with myself. Chad. The sight of him storming through the church doors and yelling to halt the wedding ha
# Chapter 106: Last-Minute RescueChad pov The road stretched out before Chad, a ribbon of tarmac cutting across the thick jungle. His hands held the steering wheel so firmly that his knuckles became white, and his gaze was locked on the horizon, as if he could will his destination into view with sheer willpower. Avyaane was getting married. The words rang in his thoughts like a constant drumbeat, matching the pounding of his heart. Married. To somebody else. To a human who will never completely understand her or offer her the life she deserves. Chad's jaw clinched as he imagined this unknown man - Ethan - holding Avyaane, petting her, and nurturing the child he should have had. Their child. He had no idea the youngster existed until only a few hours before.Guilt and regret rushed over him in waves. How had he let things get this far? How had he allowed Avyaane slip away, making her believe she had to face this alone? "I should have fought for her," Chad mumbled, barely audible abov
Avyaane pov Blair's face was lighted by the gentle glow of the computer screen in his darkened room. His fingers paused over the keyboard, hesitating for a little minute before he began typing: *Hello, Avy. * *How do you feel? Is the small one causing you any problems? Blair pushed send and leaned back in his chair, running his hand through his unkempt hair. It was late (or early, depending on your perspective), but he knew Avyaane would be up. She reported in her last email that the baby had been really active at night. Sure enough, a response came in almost immediately: *Blair! I'm fine, just sleepy. Your niece or nephew appears to believe my ribs is a soccer ball. *How are things doing on your end? Blair's lips curved into a faint smile. Even through the impersonal medium of email, he could hear Avyaane's voice and imagine the sarcastic twist of her lips as she complained about the baby's antics. *Same old, same old," he texted back. *Logan is still on his redemption trip, Killian
Chapter 103: New BeginningsAyvyaane povWillow Creek, a small town, was not at all like the pack areas I had left behind. Nestled in a valley surrounded by rolling hills, it was a community where everyone knew everything about everyone else, and outsiders were received with equal parts curiosity and distrust. It had been three months since I left the quadruplets and my previous life behind. Three months spent creating a new identity and learning to navigate the human world on my own. And after three months of watching my body transform, the small life inside me becomes stronger by the day. I had found work at the neighborhood bookstore, a little business that smelled of old paper and possibilities. The owner, a kind-hearted woman named Margaret, had taken one look at me: alone, pregnant, and plainly out of my element, and gave me not only a job, but also a home in the small apartment above the business. It wasn't a lot, but it was mine. A location where I could start over, where I c
Avyaane povKillian's gaze became gentler. "I am aware that you have," he mentioned. "And perhaps you are correct. However, Avy, at what price? To what extent are you prepared to give up part of yourself in the hope that Logan might transform?"His words had a strong impact on me, leading me to face the questions I had been ignoring. To what extent was I ready to sacrifice? Was it right to make Killian wait while I sorted it out?"I confessed, barely whispering, "I'm not sure." "I simply understand that I must make an attempt."Killian nodded, his face adorned with a melancholic smile. "I comprehend," he responded. "And I'll be here, Avy. No matter what happens, I'll be here."As he pulled me into a hug, I felt a wave of gratitude and love wash over me. Whatever happened with Logan, I knew Killian would always be my rock.The next day, I sought out Chad. Of all the quadruplets, he was the one I knew least. He'd always been on the periphery, quiet and watchful. I found him in the train