IRIS'S POVPOISONEDI stared at the message for a moment before hitting send, my stomach twisting. I wanted to hear from him, needed to hear from him, but nothing. Silence.Cursing under my breath, I tried to steady myself. It wasn’t like him to ignore me, especially after everything. He would want to be here.I scrolled through my contacts and found Jerry’s number, my finger hovering over it for a moment. He’d been evasive last night, but maybe now he’d give me something—anything—about where Gavin was or what he was doing.The phone rang once before Jerry’s voice came through the line. “Iris? What’s going on?”“It’s Gavin’s mother,” I blurted out, my voice thick with worry. “She’s in the hospital. It’s bad, Jerry. I’ve tried calling Gavin, I’ve texted him, but there’s no response. I don’t know what to do.”Jerry was quiet for a moment, and I could hear the gears turning in his head. “Iris, stay calm. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Don’t worry, okay? I’ll find out what’s going on.”“
IRIS'S POVREGRETS“What?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. I felt like the floor had just dropped out from beneath me.Jerry tensed beside me, his fists clenching. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice sharp, like he was holding back his own surge of shock.The doctor nodded gravely. “We’re certain. The substance is a slow-acting toxin, likely ingested. It’s not one we commonly see, but it’s known to cause symptoms like the ones your mother experienced. The good news is that we caught it early, and we’re treating her to flush the poison from her system. She’s not out of the woods yet, but we’re optimistic.”I couldn’t process it. Poison? Who would do something like that to Gavin’s mother? My mind raced, searching for answers, but all I found was more confusion.“Do you know how long she’s been exposed to this?” Jerry asked, his voice strained.“It’s hard to say,” the doctor replied. “But based on the amount in her system, it’s likely been building up over days, maybe even weeks.”
IRIS'S POVTIME'S RUNNING OUTI took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. This wasn’t the time to fall apart. There were too many people depending on me, Gavin’s mother, the pack, the kids. I couldn’t afford to let the weight of it all crush me. Not yet.Just as I was about to go back inside, Jerry returned, his face as grim as it had been when we first got here. He didn’t say anything at first, just looked at me, waiting for me to break the silence."Did you find out anything?" I asked, my voice sounding small in the empty hallway.Jerry sighed and shook his head. "Not yet. But I’ve got people looking into it. We’ll find out who did this. It’s only a matter of time."I nodded, but the knot of anxiety in my chest didn’t loosen. Time. That’s the one thing we didn’t have. Gavin’s mother was hanging on by a thread, and whoever had done this was still out there, lurking in the shadows. I felt powerless, and I hated it."The nurse said they’re doing everything they can," Jerry added
GAVIN'S POVDAD'S DECISIONI awoke to the cool, sharp breeze of the forest cutting through the small hut we had found for the night. The fire outside had long since died down, leaving the night eerily silent except for the occasional rustle of the leaves.I blinked, disoriented at first, and then remembered where I was, deep in the woods, far from the pack, far from Iris and the kids, and far from anything that felt like home.Thalia. The witch’s name was like a sour taste in my mouth. We had gone to her, looking for answers, looking for a way out. I had been desperate to break this curse, to fix the part of me that was shattered.But she had offered nothing but cruel choices. The worst of them all being a sacrifice a life for a life. The thought alone made my blood run cold.No. I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t sacrifice anyone to reverse this curse. No matter how badly I wanted to be free, no matter how much I ached to be whole again, I wasn’t going to take an innocent life.I turned my
GAVIN'S POVWILLED TO BE THE SACRThe morning light filtered through the thin walls of the hut, soft but insistent. I groggily blinked awake, disoriented by the heavy scent of the forest and the strange tension that hung in the air.I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes and looking around. The others were already stirring, the pack officials grumbling softly as they gathered their things for the day.But something was wrong.I glanced around the small space again, my stomach twisting with unease. My father wasn’t there. I stood up, my pulse quickening as I searched the dim hut for any sign of him, but his spot was empty. His bag, his clothes, everything was gone.A sick feeling coiled in my gut. I stepped outside, hoping that maybe he’d just wandered off for some fresh air, but the clearing was empty too. The fire from the night before had burned down to embers, the ash still glowing faintly in the cool morning air.I turned back toward the hut, urgency tightening my chest. "Where’s my fat
Gavin’s POVDAD IS GONE!Time seemed to stop as my father’s words echoed through the cave, sealing his fate with a finality that hit me like a blow to the chest. My heart pounded in my ears, the realisation crashing over me, he was really going to do this.I was too late."No!" I surged forward, desperate to stop him, but Thalia raised her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, I was frozen in place.A force wrapped around me like invisible chains, tightening against my muscles. My jaw clenched as I struggled against the spell, but it was no use. I couldn’t move.Thalia’s cold, amused smile turned toward me, her dark eyes glinting with malice. "You should be thanking him," she purred. "He’s about to give you the one thing you’ve always wanted. Freedom."I could only watch, helpless, as my father stepped closer to her. The firelight cast flickering shadows over his face, making the determination in his eyes all the more painful to witness. He was doing this for me — throwing away his lif
Gavin's POVTHE CURSE HAS BEEN REVERSED“Bring. Him. Back," I repeated, each word dripping with venom. Behind me, the pack members who had followed me into the cave stepped closer, their faces grim, ready to act on my command.Thalia’s gaze flicked toward them, then back to me. Her smile widened, mocking. "You think you can threaten me? You think you can make demands after everything I’ve given you?"Without warning, I lunged at her, my body acting on pure instinct. The others followed my lead, charging toward the witch with every intent to take her down. I barely registered their movements as I reached for her, my hand outstretched, ready to crush the life out of her just as she had done to my father.But before I could even lay a finger on her, a powerful force slammed into me, sending me flying backward. I crashed into the cave wall, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. The others weren’t spared either—each one was thrown back by the invisible force, their bodies hitting t
GAVIN'S POVFINDING THE WITCHThe other pack members exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to respond. I knew they were exhausted from the fight, and truthfully, so was I. But the need to chase, to hunt, was consuming me. Every instinct I had was telling me to find Thalia and finish what we’d started.But a voice inside me—a voice I barely recognized—whispered that now wasn’t the time. My father’s body still lay behind us, a silent reminder of what had been lost. If I ran off now, if I let the wolf take over completely, I might never come back.Slowly, painfully, I forced myself to shift back. My claws retracted, my fur receded, and the raw power that had surged through me began to fade. The shift was brutal, and I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air as the last of the transformation left me.Leon stepped forward, reaching out to help me up. "Gavin, we need to regroup. Thalia’s gone for now, but we have to take care of your father’s body. We can’t just leave him here."I nodded, tho
*NO POV* HAPPY EVER AFTER The next morning dawned clear and bright, the warmth of sunlight filling the hospital room where Gavin’s mother, Mrs. Russell, lay resting. Gavin, Iris, and the kids entered, greeted by her gentle smile. Lyra and Logan rushed to their grandmother’s side, their laughter filling the room as they shared stories of their bravery, their voices animated and full of life. Mrs. Russell’s laughter was a soft sound, joyful and content as she listened to her grandchildren, her heart brimming with pride and relief. Iris watched the scene with a smile, holding Gavin’s hand as they stood by. It was a moment of family, of love, and of hope, one she’d longed for but hadn’t allowed herself to truly believe could happen. And now, it was here. The threat of Tyler was gone, and they could finally start to heal, to rebuild, and to look forward without the shadow of fear hanging over them. Just as they were leaving the hospital, Iris’s phone buzzed, and she saw her father’s
GAVIN'S POV BATTLE WON Night had come and the moon shone on the war ground. It was cool and dark, and the clearing was quiet before the storm. Iris and I alongside Iris's father, took our wolf forms, our muscles tense, eyes gleaming with fury and determination. Tyler’s rogue wolves surrounded us, an overwhelming number against only three, but that didn’t matter. We were here to end this, and they would do it together. Tyler, towering and ruthless, commanded his wolves forward, sneering with a dark pleasure as the ambush ensued. The fight was brutal, claws tearing into flesh, growls echoing through the trees, and the thick scent of blood filling the air. Each wolf knew their place in this battle, and none were willing to give an inch. Iris fought with the strength of every wrong she’d suffered, every harm Tyler had caused. She had only just discovered that this twisted man was her stepbrother, a revelation that was almost incomprehensible. But the bond of blood didn’t erase his
JERRY'S POV SAVED The dim corridors seemed endless, but Helen and I kept moving, pushing through each door, each obstacle, with only one thought in our minds—finding Lyra and Logan. The scent trail was faint but clear enough for us to follow, mixed with the reek of rogues we’d taken down along the way. My hands were still shaking from adrenaline as we moved swiftly through this maze, hearts pounding. Just then, we caught sight of a room ahead, voices muffled behind the thick door. I motioned for Helen to stay quiet as we moved closer, pressing my ear against the door. I heard a voice, shrill and taunting, and my blood ran cold as it registered. It couldn’t be… Ciara. She was supposed to be dead, lost in the flames at the station. Yet, there she was, alive, and from the sound of it, taking pleasure in tormenting Gavin’s kids. My jaw clenched, a mix of rage and shock roiling inside me. “Jerry… is that…?” Helen’s voice was barely a whisper, her expression as horrified as mine. “Y
GAVIN'S POV The walls of the cell pressed in on me, cold and unyielding, as Jerry and I worked tirelessly to remove the device clamped around our necks. Every time I twisted my fingers around its edges, a fresh surge of anger rushed through me, fueling me to keep trying even though the damn thing wouldn’t budge. I needed to get to Iris and the kids. I couldn’t stand the thought of them in danger, held somewhere in this hellish place by people who’d already done so much damage. Jerry, sweating and grimacing, glanced at me, and I could see the same desperation in his eyes. “We’ve got to get these off if we’re going to get anywhere.” “Tell me something I don’t know,” I muttered, forcing another yank at the device. My mind raced, trying to figure out how I’d get to Iris, how we’d find Logan and Lyra. The thought of Ciara, of her twisted satisfaction if she succeeded in hurting them, made my fists clench until my knuckles ached. Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down th
IRIS'S POV MY STEPBROTHER IS THE DEVIL The sharp sting of pain sliced through my head as I staggered forward, clutching the back of my skull where a rogue’s first had landed hard. My vision swam, but I forced myself to stay focused. I had to get to Logan and Lyra. I’d seen Ciara pulling them toward a waiting car, but this ambush by her pack of rogues was forcing me into a fight, wasting precious seconds. I planted my feet, fists raised, and fought back. With each punch, kick, and dodge, the fiery need to protect my children fueled my every move. One of the rogues lunged at me, but I ducked and drove my fist into his ribs, hearing him grunt in pain. But there were too many of them. I knew I couldn’t last long. Just as I managed to kick another rogue back, I heard someone calling my name. My blood ran cold as I glanced over my shoulder, spotting my father. He’d followed me, and now he was calling out, looking stunned to see me in this fight. For a heartbeat, I was caught off guard
IRIS'S POV CIARA'S NOT DEAD As I pulled away from the hospital, the fleeting moments of joy faded, replaced by a creeping sense of unease. Just as I rounded the corner toward the ice cream shop, a familiar car pulled into the hospital parking lot. My heart sank as I recognized my father’s imposing figure stepping out of the vehicle. He spotted me immediately, his face set in that stern expression I knew all too well. The last thing I wanted right now was to deal with him, not when I was finally trying to focus on my kids and my own peace of mind. I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm as he approached. “Iris!” he called, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. I hesitated, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. I didn’t want to hear what he had to say. I knew it would only lead to discussions about the pack, expectations, and everything I was trying to escape. “Dad, I really don’t have time right now,” I replied, trying to keep my tone steady. “This is impor
IRIS'S POV GRANDMA'S IS WELL AGAIN I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles white as I navigated the winding roads leading to the hospital. Lyra and Logan chartered excitedly in the backseat, their youthful energy a stark contrast to the heaviness in my heart. As much as I tried to focus on their laughter, my mind was consumed with worry for Gavin, Helen, and Jerry. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow inside the car, but I felt none of its warmth. My fingers tapped anxiously against the leather of the steering wheel as I tried to push away the nagging thoughts swirling in my mind. They should have answered by now. Where were they? Had they found Helen? With each passing moment, my anxiety deepened. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. I had insisted that Gavin stay behind to focus on the search for Helen, but I had a sinking feeling that he was in danger, too. The thought of anything happening to him made my stomach
HELEN'S POV FIESTY LITTLE HELEN As I was pulled down the hallway, I turned back, my eyes searching for a glimpse of my friends. “Gavin! Jerry!” I shouted, straining against the rogue’s grip. “Don’t worry about me! I’ll find a way out!” But the rogues only tightened their hold, their expressions cold and unfeeling. “Save your breath,” one of them sneered. “You’ll need it for later.” We turned a corner, and the corridor opened up into a lavishly appointed bedroom, a stark contrast to the sterile environment I had just left. The walls were draped in deep crimson, adorned with elaborate tapestries that seemed to watch me as I was thrust inside. The plush furnishings and decadent decor felt like a mockery of the grim reality I faced. The Boss stepped in behind me, his presence suffocating as he surveyed the room. “Welcome to my humble abode, Helen,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “I trust you’ll find it… comfortable.” I fought against the rogues as they pushed me forward, fear cl
HELEN'S POV As I stood in the oppressive darkness of the chamber, the tension in the air thickened like a tangible force. The Boss's gaze was piercing, and his smile seemed to carry the weight of impending doom. I could feel every heartbeat echoing in my ears, a reminder that I had to remain resolute, even as fear threatened to wrap around my throat like a vice. "What do you want from me?" I asked, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the tremor in my hands. The Boss stepped closer, his presence looming like a shadow stretching across the floor. "You are here because I have an interest in your little pack and Luna's precious alliances. You see, Helen, it’s not just about capturing Iris. It’s about breaking her spirit, dismantling everything she holds dear." His tone was smooth, almost persuasive, as if he believed I would crumble under his words. I shook my head, anger flaring within me. "You’re wrong if you think you can use me to get to her. You don't know her at all. She