CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR TYLA Point of View I didn't want to return to my room after leaving my father's house, so I drove around for hours. Everything I had learned was causing my mind to race. I was feeling like I was drowning in lies, and nothing made sense anymore. It was late when I eventually made it back to my room, and I was worn out. Even though I hadn't changed, I collapsed onto my bed, but I couldn't fall asleep. I gazed at the ceiling while reflecting on Jonathan, my father, and Damon. And who was speaking the truth? Who was I supposed to trust? Morning came, and I hadn't slept at all. I felt empty inside, hollow. The weight of everything was pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe. I was slowly getting depressed. Nothing felt right anymore. I got up and took a shower, hoping the hot water would clear my head, but it didn't help. As I got dressed, I realized I needed to do something. I couldn't just sit around waiting for things to happen. I needed to b
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE TYLA Point of View I spent hours getting ready for the meeting. I chose my outfit carefully—formal but not too formal. I wanted to blend in, to look like I belonged there. As I applied my makeup, I kept rehearsing what I would say, how I would act. I needed to be convincing. When I was finally ready, I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror one last time. I hardly recognized the woman staring back at me. She looked confident, composed. Not at all like the mess I felt inside. Jonathan was waiting for me outside my room. He smiled when he saw me, his eyes lighting up in a way that made my stomach twist with guilt. But I pushed the feeling aside. "You look beautiful," he said, taking my hand. "Thank you," I replied, squeezing his hand. "Ready to go?" He nodded, and we walked together to his car. The drive to the meeting hall was mostly silent. I was lost in my thoughts, trying to prepare myself for what might happen. Jonathan seemed co
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX DAMON Point of View I sat at the long table, looking at the faces around me. All eight alphas were there, along with the elders, betas, and gammas. The room was tense, and everyone was waiting for the meeting to begin. I tried to keep my expression neutral even though my mind was racing after my conversation with Tyla. She had warned me not to come, but I couldn't back out now. Too much was at stake. Elder Ramirez cleared his throat and stood up. "Now that everyone is present, we can begin." I glanced across the table at Tyla's father, the alpha king. His face revealed nothing, but something in his eyes made me uneasy. Jonathan sat beside him, looking too confident for my liking. "Before we discuss the territorial agreements," Elder Ramirez continued, "there's a serious matter we need to address." The room went quiet. I felt the weight of several stares turning in my direction. "Rogue alpha Damon," Elder Wilson said, his voice carrying across the r
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVEN TYLA Point of View I made it back to the meeting room just in time. Jonathan gave me a questioning look as I slipped into the seat beside him, but I just smiled and whispered that I'd gotten lost. My father was watching me too, his eyes sharp and suspicious. I kept my face neutral, trying not to let my panic show. He also gave me this warning glare. I was sure that he had not forgotten our last conversation so easily. I had threatened to tell the truth if Damon was in danger. I was not sure what I would do with that threat right now. The room was full now. All eight alphas were seated around the large table, along with the elders, betas, and gammas. The air felt heavy with tension. I glanced across at Damon, who had managed to get in without being stopped. Our eyes met briefly before we both looked away. Elder Ramirez stood up and called the meeting to order. I tried to focus on what was being said, but my mind kept drifting back to Damon and our
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-EIGHT TYLA Point of View I paced my room that night, unable to sleep. Everything was spiraling out of control. My father's plan to bring down both Damon and Jonathan was moving forward, despite my attempts to derail it. I needed another option, another path. That's when I thought of Bryan. He was one of my father's most trusted advisors, but he had always had a soft spot for me. If anyone could help me navigate this mess, it was him. I knew a lot about the princess, Tyla. Being in her body, meant knowing much about her. So I would not screw things up, of course. I sent him a text asking to meet. His response came quickly: "Usual place. One hour." The "usual place" was a small café downtown, tucked between two larger buildings. It was quiet, discreet, and open late. Perfect for conversations that needed to stay private. I changed into casual clothes and slipped out of the house, careful not to wake anyone. The night was cool, the streets mostly empty as
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-NINE DAMON Point of View I couldn't trust anyone else to clear my name. The accusation that I was working with hijackers had already spread through the packs, poisoning my reputation. If I wanted the truth, I would have to find it myself. My office was quiet as I pored over financial records. I'd been at it for hours, combing through every transaction from the past six months. My eyes burned from staring at my laptop screen, but I couldn't stop. Not when my future depended on what I might find. "This doesn't make any sense," I muttered, rubbing my eyes. According to these records, there had been five separate payments from my business account to an offshore account linked to the hijackers. Large payments. The kind that couldn't be explained away as a mistake. But I hadn't made those payments. I would have remembered transferring that kind of money. I checked the authorization logs. All five transactions had been authorized using my credentials. Someone
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY JESSICA Point of View I found Tyla sitting alone at the small café where we used to meet before everything fell apart. She hadn't seen me yet, and for a moment, I just watched her. She was stirring her coffee slowly, staring out the window with that distant look I knew too well. The look she'd been giving me ever since I betrayed her trust. My stomach twisted with nerves as I approached her table. This meeting had taken three texts and a call to arrange. She'd been avoiding me for weeks, and I couldn't blame her. "Thanks for coming," I said, sliding into the chair across from her. Tyla looked up, her expression carefully blank. "You said it was important." I nodded, struggling to find the right words. I'd practiced this conversation a hundred times in my head, but now that she was sitting in front of me, my carefully planned speech vanished. "I needed to ask you something," I finally managed. Tyla waited, not helping me out at all. The silence stretched
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE JESSICA Point of View I stayed at the café long after she left, replaying our conversation in my mind. Every word she'd said had been true. I had been controlling, manipulative even, all while telling myself I was just being a good friend. The realization was painful, forcing me to confront parts of myself I didn't want to see. By the time I finally left the café, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the street. My phone buzzed with a text from the packs messenger, reminding me about the pack dinner tonight. I'd forgotten all about it. "Will you be there?" the text read. "Everyone's asking about you." I stared at the screen, thinking about facing the pack, putting on a smile, pretending everything was fine when my world was falling apart. The thought made me physically ill. "Not feeling well," I texted back. "Staying in tonight." I turned off my phone before he could respond, not in the mood for his concern or questions. Back in Mt room,
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SEVEN THIRD POV Three months had passed since the pack's last gathering, and the air was electric with excitement as the Cornrow Pack prepared to witness a historic moment – the coronation of their new Alpha King, Damon. The sun was setting over the pack's territory, casting a warm orange glow over the gathered crowd. The atmosphere was alive with chatter and laughter as the pack members eagerly awaited the ceremony. At the center of the gathering stood an elegant stage, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols of the pack's heritage. Before the stage, a beautifully crafted altar held a delicate, gemstone-encrusted crown, awaiting its new owner. The Luna ceremony was about to commence, and Tyla, Damon's chosen mate, stood poised and radiant, her long, dark hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of night. Her eyes shone with happiness as she gazed at Damon, who stood beside her, his eyes burning with adoration. Elara, the eldest elder, steppe
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SIX TYLA Point of View Days turned into weeks, and I remained holed up in my room, struggling to come to terms with what had happened. I had gotten my revenge on Jonathan, but it didn't feel as satisfying as I thought it would. Instead, I felt lost and uncertain. I had been so focused on my quest for revenge that I hadn't thought about what would come next. Now that Jonathan was out of the picture, I was left to pick up the pieces and figure out how to move forward. As the Alpha of the Cornrow Pack, I had a responsibility to my pack members. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't ready to lead. I was still reeling from the aftermath of my encounter with Jonathan, and I didn't know if I had the strength or the courage to take on the challenges that lay ahead. But as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I knew that I couldn't stay hidden away forever. I had to face my fears and my doubts head-on. I had to find a way to move forward, to heal and
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE JAY Point of View I walked away from Damon, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I was worried about Jess, and I regretted the way I had treated her. I couldn't believe how I had ignored her, pushed her away when she needed me most. I had been so caught up in my own problems, my own guilt and shame, that I had neglected the one person who truly cared about me. Now, it seemed like it was too late. Jess was hurt, and I didn't blame her. I had broken her trust, and I didn't know if I could ever repair it. I felt a pang of sadness and regret. I wished I could go back in time, do things differently. I wished I could amend things, make it right between us. But it was too late now. The damage was done, and all I could do was hope that someday, somehow, Jess would be able to forgive me. I sighed, feeling a sense of despair wash over me. I had messed up, and now I had to live with the consequences. I walked back to my quarters, feeling lost and
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR DAMON point of View I stood in front of the large map of our territory, studying it intently. We had been searching for the missing goods for weeks, and I was determined to finally recover them. I had been working tirelessly, following every lead, every hint, every rumor. I had spoken to every pack member, every ally, every enemy. And finally, after all this time, I had a breakthrough. I had received a tip from a reliable source that the missing goods were being hidden in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of our territory. I had assembled a team of my most trusted pack members, and we were ready to move. We arrived at the warehouse under the cover of darkness. We moved stealthily, our eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. I gave a hand signal, and my team moved into position. We burst into the warehouse, our flashlights illuminating the dark space. And there, in the center of the room, were the missing goods. Crates of food, medi
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY Three I watched as Tyla packed up her bags, her movements swift and efficient. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, knowing that she was leaving. Damon walked into the room, his eyes locked onto Tyla's. "Hey, Jess, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked, his voice soft. I nodded, curious. "What's up, Damon?" I asked, walking over to him. Damon's eyes locked onto mine, his expression serious. "I was wondering if you'd consider not going with Tyla back to the Cornrow pack," he said, his voice filled with emotion. I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Why?" I asked, curious. Tyla spoke up, her voice soft. "Because, Jess, I need some time to heal. And everything in the Cornrow pack...it's just too much. It'll never let me heal." I nodded, understanding. I knew that Tyla had been through a lot, and the Cornrow pack was a constant reminder of her past. I couldn't blame her for wanting to get away from it all. "Okay, Tyla," I said, smiling softly. "I'll
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY Two DAMON point of View As we sat there, hands clasped together, the tension between us was palpable. It was as if the weight of our confessions had lifted a burden off our shoulders, and we were finally free to express our true feelings. I looked into Tyla's eyes, and I saw the same desire reflected back at me. Without a word, I leaned in, my lips brushing against hers in a gentle, tender kiss. Tyla's response was immediate, her lips parting to deepen the kiss. I felt a surge of passion run through me, and I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. We kissed for what felt like hours, our lips locked together in a passionate, all-consuming kiss. I felt like I was home, like I had finally found the missing piece of my soul. As we broke apart for air, I looked into Tyla's eyes and saw the same love, the same desire reflected back at me. Without a word, I stood up, pulling her to her feet, and led her to the bedroom. We made love with a passion, a
Chapter 171CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY ONE DAMON Point of View I sat in the dimly lit living room, my eyes fixed on the flames dancing in the fireplace. It had been a long day, filled with tension and drama. Jessica safely tucked away in bed, I had a chance to unwind. Jessica had complained about feeling sleepy, and I had asked Tyla to put her to sleep. Iwas starting to relax when, I heard a soft voice behind me. "Damon, can I talk to you?" I turned to see Tyla standing in the doorway, her eyes hesitant. I nodded, gesturing for her to come in. She walked over to the couch and sat down beside me, her eyes fixed on mine. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened today," she said, her voice soft. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What about it?" I asked, my tone neutral. Tyla took a deep breath before speaking. "I know you're still angry with me, and I don't blame you. But I want you to know that I never chose Jonathan over you. I was just playing along with him, trying to get clos
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TYLA Point of View I watched as Damon pulled out his phone and dialed a number. He spoke in a low tone, his words indistinguishable, but his expression told me that he was giving orders. Suddenly, a group of pack members appeared out of nowhere, their faces somber as they surveyed the scene before them. Damon nodded at them, and they quickly sprang into action. "Take Jessica's car and Jonathan's car away from here," Damon instructed, his voice firm. "Take them back to the cornrow pack." The pack members nodded, their movements swift and efficient as they worked to remove the cars from the scene. I watched, still trying to process everything that had happened. Damon turned to us, his eyes locking onto mine and Jessica's. "Let's get out of here," he said, his voice soft. "We'll take my car." Jessica nodded, her eyes still shining with tears. I followed her lead, my body feeling numb and disconnected. As we walked towards Damon's car, I couldn't help but
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY NINE JESSICA Point of View Tyla's eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the fear and resignation there. We both knew that Jonathan was beyond reason, and that our pleas were falling on deaf ears. We held each other tightly, waiting for the inevitable. I could feel Tyla's heart racing against mine, and I knew that she was bracing herself for the impact. I was doing the same, my mind racing with thoughts of our families, our friends, and our pack. We were going to leave them behind, and the thought was almost too much to bear. But then, just as Jonathan's finger was about to pull the trigger, we heard the sound of gunshots ringing out through the air. Tyla's grip on me tightened, and I felt her body tense up, preparing for the impact. But it never came. Instead, we heard Jonathan's cry of pain, and the sound of his body crashing to the ground. Tyla and I slowly opened our eyes, our hearts still racing with fear. That's when we saw him... Damon, standing