CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO DAMON Point of View Standing outside the pack's safehouse I felt the tang of disappointment that Tyla had left with the door shutting behind her. I made the foolish mistake of advancing toward a kiss but it turned out to be a terrible error in judgment. The door’s closure left me feeling defeated as I watched it disappear in front of me. I wondered if she could ever grant me forgiveness. At that moment my phone started emitting a buzz. It was a text from her. I carefully opened the text message while my hands shook until I finally saw her short wording: “How did you get my number?” I couldn’t believe it. My feelings of shock and embarrassment collided while I hurried to make a call back to her. She answered. "Uhmmm, hello Tyla". I said, trying to steady my voice. "How did you get my number?" She asked "But you were the one who sent me a message, so I should be asking you". Anyways, I'm sorry for what happened today. Forgive me please. I pleaded. Our remaining discu
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE TYLA Point of View I had been trying to reach Damon for hours. Every time I dialed his number, my heart pounded a little harder, only to be met with silence or a cut “I’m busy.” I knew he was still recovering from his injuries, but the complete lack of response filled me with anxiety. I paced the floor of my room, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The cool night air outside only reminded me of how trapped I felt inside the pack house. I kept thinking about Jessica. She was generally so vivacious, always prepared with a grin, a kind word, or a gentle giggle, even in the worst situations, as I recalled from my final encounter with her. However, I couldn't get rid of the impression that something was seriously amiss tonight. When I had walked by her room earlier in the day, I had seen that the door was securely shut. Nothing, not even the slightest hint of movement, could be heard when I pushed my ear on it. She appeared to have been imprisoned. I first knocked lig
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR Damon Point of View I sat in the dim light of the meeting room, my body still aching from the beatings I had suffered, the pain a dull reminder of last night’s struggles. The air was heavy with tension as all eyes in the room turned toward me. The allegations felt like new wounds, even though I knew what was coming. "We have evidence that suggests you sent a spy to the Oakwood pack," Alpha Jamel said in a measured but irate tone. Ryder has admitted that you deployed him to undermine our activities. I tried to hide the annoyance that roiled within of me by scowling and leaning back in my chair. I said calmly, "I don't know what you're talking about," even though every word seemed to pull me farther and deeper into mistrust. "I didn't send anyone. I would never act in such a careless manner. The room fell silent, and I could feel every pair of eyes glaring at my face, searching for any hint of deceit. Jonathan’s gaze, hard and unyielding, bore into me as if he were
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE JONATHAN Point of View Up until that day, I had never experienced disappointment so sharply. The betrayal by Ryder was more than a single error; it was a rift in the fabric of everything I had put so much effort into creating within our pack. My rage consumed me when I got back from the conference. When such betrayal endangered the honor and order of our entire community, I could not allow it to continue unpunished. I knew Ryder would be held in the dungeon, so I marched right there without hesitation. With controlled rage, my hands shook as I gave the guards the order to secure him right away. I snarled, "Lock him up—no one is to see him until I want to." I needed him to understand the weight of his betrayal, to see that loyalty to our pack was not something to be toyed with. Ryder was sitting with his head lowered in the chilly, poorly lighted dungeon, a shameful expression imprinted on his face. Trying to make sense of the guy I had once trusted and the traitor
CHAPTER SIXTY SIX TYLA Point of View I lay on the floor, my body screaming in agony as Jonathan's fists rained down on me. Each blow felt like a wave of fire, burning through my skin and muscle. But even as I cried out in pain, my eyes remained fixed on the silver dagger nestled in the cup on my dresser. It was a fragile thread of hope, a reminder that I might still have a way out of this nightmare. I slowly moved towards the dresser, rolling on the floor. I hoped that I would be able to grab it and save myself from Jonathan’s wicked claws. As Jonathan's blows continued to fall, I felt my consciousness begin to slip away. My vision blurred, and my thoughts grew disjointed. But still, my gaze remained locked on the dagger. It was as if my eyes were drawn to it, mesmerized by the glint of silver in the dim light of the room. I felt as if the dagger was somehow absorbing my pain. But the pain was still there, a dull ache that throbbed through my entire body. I could feel my bones bruis
Chapter SIXTY SEVEN DAMON Point of View I paced back and forth in my chambers, my mind racing with confusion. "What is Jonathan up to?" I muttered to myself. I stopped pacing and stood in front of the window, staring out into the night. "He's willing to sacrifice his own trusted man, just to get to me?" I thought aloud. "That's desperation." I turned away from the window and began pacing again. "Everyone knows how dreaded Jamel is. Jonathan must be playing a dangerous game indeed." As I paced, I couldn't help but think of Tyla. Where was she? Was she involved in Jonathan's plans somehow? What if they were both working together and Tyla was only pretending? I shook my head. Tyla would never betray Jessica and I. I stopped pacing and sat down on the couch, running my hands through my hair. "Think, Damon, think," I muttered to myself. I pulled out my phone and dialed Tyla's number, but it didn’t go through. I tried again and again, but she didn't answer. “Fuck!” I cursed under my breat
CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT DAMON Point of View I watched as the stranger turned to leave, but then I called out to him. "Wait," I said. He turned back to me, a questioning look on his face. “Yes?" he asked. There was this glow in his eyes as though he was offended, but it quickly disappeared. "You're welcome to stay in our pack until you find somewhere else to go," I said. "You don’t have to leave right away if you don’t have anywhere to go.” The stranger's face lit up with gratitude. “Thank you," he appreciated. “Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for keeping me, and for feeding me for all these days.” I nodded as a smile suddenly appeared to my face. “You're welcome," I said. "Just be sure to keep out of trouble." The stranger nodded, and then he turned and disappeared into the night. I was smiling as I watched him walking away. I was happy that I was able to help him in the little way that I could. As soon as he was gone, my mind turned back to Jonathan. I knew he was responsible fo
CHAPTER SIXTY NINE THIRD Point of View Tyla's eyes scanned the cold, dark cell, her mind racing with thoughts of escape. She had been imprisoned for what felt like an eternity, and she knew she couldn't wait any longer. It was only a few days, but of course, it seemed like she had been there forever. She refused to eat or drink anything, knowing that the guards would try to drug her or poison her. Tyla knew that she needed to stay alert to be able to leave the place in peace. She was trying to map out her revenge plans, but it was not working out the way she wanted it to. Everything seemed to not work out for her. Her plans seemed foolish and useless. All of them! She wondered how Jonathan was doing. If it would be possible for the healer to get the poison out of him and heal him. Tyla prayed inwardly for Jonathan to survive. She had never thought she'd be in a situation where she'd be praying for his survival, but here she was. She always wanted him to die. Every day, she prayed fo
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