( KY POV )I watched Cassy practically force Teddy into his truck after she tossed Phin in the back seat. I stepped toward her, hoping to say something that might calm her down. Before I could say anything, she spun around. "Before you lecture me, you need to go talk to your two lookalikes inside before I kill them!" she yelled.She quickly caught herself and apologized. "I'm sorry for yelling at you, Ky. It's just... They need to get their shit together. This isn't the time to act like kids."I sighed, taking a few deep breaths before heading inside. If I was being honest, I was tired of it too. We had three kids now, and this constant chaos couldn't keep happening. We had to figure out how to handle this before it tore us apart. Or they had to grow up in the kinds of messes we did. As I made my way to the packhouse, my thoughts drifted back to Naomi. I had been in love with her for nearly a decade. We were marked and bonded, and I was ready to spend my life with her. But then she
(KNOX POV)As soon as I returned to the house, the pressure hit me like a physical force. Something was wrong. Really wrong. The packhouse was eerily quiet. I barely had time to process the change from dead still to chaos before Ky rushed up to me, panic radiating off him."Knox, we lost Oxxy."That knocked the wind out of me. My heart started pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. "What do you mean you lost him? How could you let him out of your sight?" The panic in my voice was undeniable, but I couldn't help it. The fear was already taking over, squeezing at my chest like a vise.Ky's eyes were wide with fear. "I'm sorry, I just... I turned around for a second, and he was gone. I thought he was just running back to the house, but he's nowhere Knox. We can't find him. Where the hell could he have gone? It was less than a minute."The blood drained from my face as the reality of what he was saying hit me. Oxxy was missing. I immediately jumped to the worst possible scenari
(KNOX POV)"We found him."The delta's voice crackled over the radio, and everything around me seemed to freeze. Still, I couldn't fully relax. I needed to see him with my own eyes. Needed to know he was safe."Where?" I shouted into the radio, desperation pushing my voice louder than intended."By the pond," came the reply. "He's just sitting there, Knox. You need to get down here."I didn't wait for more information. I shifted and sprinted through the woods, driven by the overwhelming need to reach him. My heart raced, thoughts spiraling through every possible scenario. The idea of him being out there all alone and the what-could-have-happened scenarios if we hadn't found him made me sick to my stomach.Seeing him nearly brought me to my knees as I reached the pond. He was perched on a large rock, his little legs swinging back and forth like he hadn't just scared us all half to death. Relief hit me so hard that I almost stumbled, but I kept moving."Oxxy!" I called out, rushing tow
(KNOX POV)Sitting at the kitchen table, my phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from the pediatrician's office about Oxxy's upcoming surgery. They asked about insurance information and the final payment arrangements. I didn't hesitate to respond that I'd pay cash. Money wasn't an issue when it came to Oxxy's well-being.The reply came almost immediately, but it wasn't what I expected. They mentioned needing some papers signed and, since I wasn't the custodial parent, they would need his mom's signature to proceed.My heart sank. I stared at the message, trying not to panic. The thought of needing Essie's involvement made my stomach twist. She had been out of the picture after running away from the rehab, and now they were saying we needed her? It felt like a slap in the face.Sky entered the room and noticed the strain in my posture. "What's wrong?" I didn't say anything, just handed her the phone. After reading the message, she sighed and ran her fingers through my
(KNOX POV)Teddy called later that day. I could hear the hesitation in his voice, which was rare for him. "Knox, I just heard Essie's been seen near the old rogue housing units by the beach. They said she is staying in the stray house near the edge," he told me. He didn't have to say more. I knew exactly where he meant.It was the same place I had taken her before when things were spiraling out of control.I didn't want to bring anyone with me, especially not Sky. The memories of how deep I had fallen, how Burk and Fletcher manipulated me into that dark pit of sex addiction, were too raw. She didn't need to see that side of me. No one did. This was something I had to face alone.The truck's engine roared to life, the same one I'd driven that night years ago. I prayed she'd recognize the truck, which would trigger something in her or at least make her talk to me about that night.As I pulled up to the house, my heart pounded against my ribs. The place looked as rundown as ever. I sa
In the shaded confines of our small shack, nestled in the heart of the Louisiana swamp, anticipation and unspoken fears filled the air. My mother, Lulie, her hands shaky yet determined, worked to arrange my unruly mousy brown curls into something resembling elegance. Her eyes, once mirrors of the vibrant soul within, now reflected a life marred by hardship and resignation. "Skyla, this ball in New Orleans... it's not just any social event. It's rumored to be where the high society pack wolves find their fated mates or pick their chosen ones," she explained, her fingers trembling as they threaded through my hair.I pulled away, my skepticism evident. "Mama, you really believe what those papers say?"She paused, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror's reflection. "It's more than just tales, baby. The papers related to high society are generating a lot of buzz. This year, several prominent names will be there. The Beta from the Bayou Pack, you went to school with him. Alphas from neighbor
Cassy, with a confidence I envied, led me towards the grand staircase, its ornate railings gleaming under the chandeliers' soft light. I paused at the top, a sudden fear gripping me. "I'm pretty sure I'll fall if I try to go down those steps in these heels," I whispered. She laughed. "Just hold on to the rail. You'll be fine. And if you do fall, it'll make for a grand entrance!" With tentative steps, I began my descent, Cassy beside me. Then I noticed it. The eyes. Dozens of them, all fixated on me. I was the center of attention, a position I had never imagined myself in. Each step became more daunting as I felt the weight of their gazes, yet I continued, one slow step at a time. Halfway down, I caught sight of Knox coming up the stairs towards me. Relief washed over me as he reached me, offering his arm with a charming smile. "I can't keep relying on you to rescue me," I said playfully. He chuckled, "I don't mind." That's when Cassy leaned in, her voice filled with playful ch
Kael stepped forward, his expression calm despite my growing panic. "No worries, I'll take you home." The night had taken an unexpected turn as Kael led me out of the ballroom to his car. To my surprise, Cassy and the other two triplets followed close behind. Their eagerness to bid me farewell was puzzling. Why were the Monroes, known for their prestige and power, so interested in the company of a rogue? As we strolled together, Cassy mused aloud, "It's funny, in a way, how that awful man's behavior earlier led to you meeting us. It's almost like it was fate or something." A noticeable tension rippled through the group, their steps momentarily hesitating at her words. Kael's expression turned stern as he asked, "What happened earlier?" Everyone hesitated, obviously aware of the reaction he would have. Kael's patience thinned. "Don't make me drag it out of you," he said, his voice now edged with the unmistakable authority of an Alpha. The effect was immediate. Everyone, including