CHAPTER NINETY TWO DAMON Point of View I stood alone in the heart of the pack, the silence deafening. Tyla's absence was like a gaping hole, leaving me feeling empty and lost. I missed her. I missed our conversations, our laughter, and our quiet moments together. I missed the way she smiled, the way her eyes sparkled, and the way her presence made me feel alive. Regret overwhelmed me, thinking about the circumstances that forced her to leave. I wished I could turn back time, wished I could change the course of events. I wished that she didn't have to go. But life didn't work that way. Some things were beyond our control, and all we could do was accept and move on. She needed ro attend the meeting, and to also return to Jonathan. It was not possible for her to stay here forever. It would only cause more and more war. I sighed, feeling the weight of loneliness settle in. Everywhere felt empty, too quiet, and too still. I wandered through the park, searching for something, anything, to
CHAPTER NINETY THREE TYLA Point of View I stood in stunned silence, my eyes fixed on Jessica as she spoke words that cut deeper than any knife. She testified against me, her voice steady and convinced, as she told the elders that I had manipulated her, influenced her negatively, and ruined her happy home. "I was at peace with Jonathan before Tyla came into our lives," she said, her eyes cast downward. But Tyla changed everything. She taught me how to sneak around, how to disobey my husband, and how to disrespect him." Anger consumed me as I listened to her lies. but I bit back my words, refusing to interrupt. I wanted to hear the full extent of Jessica's betrayal. "We didn't want to bully Jonathan," she continued, "but Tyla hated him. She was angry that he had married her as his second wife, and she wanted to get back at him." The room seemed to spin around me as I struggled to process Jessica's words. How could she lie about me like that? How could she turn against me after everyth
CHAPTER NINETY FOUR JONATHAN Point of View The satisfaction coursing through my veins was intoxicating. Everything had unfolded exactly as I had planned—better, even. I couldn't stop the smirk that spread across my face as I walked down the hallway toward Tyla's room. The memory of her face when Jessica betrayed her was something I would cherish forever. The shock, the hurt, the disbelief. it was beautiful to witness. The guards posted outside her door straightened as I approached. They knew better than to question me. "I need a moment with my wife," I said, my voice dripping with authority. They nodded, unlocking the door without hesitation. The power I wielded now was exhilarating. The elders had sided with me, Jessica had betrayed her closest ally, and Tyla was now nothing more than a prisoner in her own home. The door swung open, revealing Tyla huddled in the corner of the room. The chains around her wrists rattled slightly as she raised her head to look at me. Her eyes, once de
CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE JESSICA Point of View I'd lost count of the days. The small window in my room didn't give much light, and Jonathan had taken my phone, my watch—anything that could help me keep track of time. The only marker I had was when the old pack maid brought my single meal each day. The room wasn't terrible—it was still my bedroom after all, with the king-sized bed and the expensive furniture Jonathan had insisted on buying when we first mated. But a gilded cage is still a cage. The door was locked from the outside, and the window had been nailed shut after my second escape attempt. I was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, when I heard the maid's shuffling footsteps outside my door. The lock clicked, and she entered with my tray. "Any news?" I asked, sitting up quickly. My head spun from the sudden movement—I was getting weaker. The maid glanced nervously at the door before setting the tray down on the small table. Her wrinkled hands trembled slightly. "You shouldn'
CHAPTER NINETY-SIX DAMON Point of View The message from the general council sat on my desk like a physical weight. I'd read it three times already, but the words remained unchanged: Alpha Damon, The Council of Elders wishes to remind you that the appointed date for your challenge against Alpha King Damisus approaches. As per supernatural law, we must confirm your intention to proceed. Should you wish to withdraw your challenge, you must declare so formally before the next full moon. We await your response. —The Council of Eight Packs I crumpled the paper in my fist, feeling my claws extend involuntarily and pierce the parchment. The implied insult burned like acid in my veins. Withdraw my challenge? After everything Damisus had done? "Cowards," I muttered, tossing the ruined letter aside. I paced the length of my office, trying to calm the rage that threatened to consume me. The sun was setting now, casting long shadows across the land we'd fought for. Land that might soon be conte
CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN JONATHAN Point of View The council chamber felt too small for the gathering of elders who sat in judgment before me. They had arrived at dawn, their convoy of vehicles kicking up dust as they rolled through the main gates of our territory. The Cornrow Pack hadn't hosted a full council investigation in years. I adjusted the collar of my shirt, aware of how the fabric pulled tight across my shoulders. I'd lost weight during my illness, but I was regaining it quickly now. Regaining my strength. My authority. "Alpha Jonathan," one of the elders said, her voice carrying despite her advanced age. "We've reviewed the inventory discrepancies from the last three supply exchanges." I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. The missing goods, weapons, mostly, and some of our more valuable medicinal herbs. "Yes, Elder," I replied, my voice appropriately respectful. "A most concerning matter. I've personally been overseeing the investigation from the unset." The head elder na
CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT DAMON Point of View The phone rang just after midnight. I'd been poring over maps of the neutral territory where the challenge would take place, memorizing every hill and hollow, every stream and stone that might provide advantage or disadvantage. My eyes burned from fatigue, but sleep had been elusive these past nights. The display lit up with a number I didn't recognize. Few people had this private line. Fewer still would dare to call at such an hour. "Who is this?" I demanded, pressing the phone to my ear. A low chuckle came through the speaker, rich with authority and arrogance. "You don't recognize the voice of your king, young Alpha?" My blood ran cold. Damisus. The Alpha King himself. I straightened in my chair, my free hand curling into a fist on the desktop. "You're not my king." "You have not agreed still? Not yet," Damisus agreed, his tone pleasant as if we were discussing the weather. "But soon enough, when you kneel before me in defeat, you'll addre
CHAPTER NINETY-NINE JAY Point of View Tonight, the pack house's hallways appeared longer and the shadows darker. Anybody listening could hear my approach because every step I took echoed through the stone floors. Anger, betrayal, and guilt were all competing emotions in my thoughts, tugging me in different directions until I felt like I might burst at the seams. Jessica. Just hearing her name used to make me feel warm. My tongue now tasted like ash. I believed what we had in common to be genuine. The promises she spoke in the dark, the way she gazed at me, and the grin that appeared to be reserved just for me. I had entirely collapsed, giving up all I believed to be my identity to the enticing potential of us. Then she disappeared, and my world collapsed into a single, desperate mission to find her. I'd searched relentlessly, barely sleeping, barely eating. The fear of what might have happened to her consumed me. I imagined the worst—that she'd been taken, hurt, or worse. Now I knew
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