Gavin’s POVTHE RETURNThe journey back to the pack felt like a storm was building within me. My mind reeled, still haunted by the confrontation with the witch and the weight of burying my father in the middle of nowhere.This wasn't the farewell I would have wanted for him. I longed to give him a proper goodbye, to honor him as family should, but we didn’t have that luxury.And I had a nagging feeling that Iris and the kids were on the other side of this forest, waiting for me—or worse, needing me.The wind rustled through the trees, and I picked up my pace, desperate to close the distance between me and the pack. My gut twisted, screaming that I was already too late.Finally, the familiar outline of the pack’s territory emerged from the dense trees, the sprawling grounds spread out in front of me like an old sanctuary.The second I stepped foot onto the grounds, I knew something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it was as though the air held a residue of tension, and ever
IRIS’S POVMOTHER’S FEARGavin’s words stayed with me long after he left the hospital room. I sat in the quiet stillness, watching over his mother, whose shallow breathing was the only sound in the room.His confession had left me feeling strangely steady, our troubles ran deeper than I’d known, yet there was a clarity in knowing the truth.But my heart ached with worry. My children were somewhere in this very building, and I’d been too wrapped up in anger, fear, and suspicion to truly think of them. What kind of mother was I if I couldn’t protect them?With one last look at Gavin’s mother, I rose and headed down the dimly lit hall, my mind racing with every step. Helen had assured me they were fine, but nothing would calm me until I saw them myself.I rounded the corner to the waiting room, and there they were, my entire world in two small bodies curled up in Helen’s arms. Lyra’s hair was a wild mess of dark curls, and Logan’s face was pressed against Helen’s shoulder, eyes closed in
CIARA'S POVMOUTH LEAKED SECRETSI stood outside Gavin’s mother’s hospital room, clutching the basket of flowers I’d brought, my heart pounding. The hallway was empty, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone would appear any second.Gavin was supposed to be off on a mission, far from here, and I’d thought it was safe enough to make another visit. But seeing Jerry’s car outside the hospital made my stomach twist with anxiety. I didn’t have much time.Taking a shaky breath, I slipped into the room and let the door close quietly behind me. Gavin’s mother lay still in her bed, her face pale against the stark white of the hospital sheets, her breaths faint and shallow.My pulse raced as I looked at her, guilt clawing at me from the inside. None of this was supposed to happen. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.I set the flowers on the small table by her bed and stepped closer, the words slipping from my mouth in a trembling whisper. “I’m… I’m sorry.” My gaze drifted down, unable
Ciara's POVCAUGHT ON GUARDHis gaze didn’t soften; he looked at me with nothing but disdain. “You think I’d let you walk out of here after what you’ve done?” He gestured to his mother, lying still in the bed.“You nearly took her life, Ciara. And now you want me to just let you walk free? You’re delusional if you think I’d ever show you mercy.”My desperation turned to terror. This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t go to prison, couldn’t let my life be over because of one mistake.My mind raced as I searched for an escape, and I saw the door just a few feet away, the hallway beyond it. My last chance.Without thinking, I turned and ran, shoving the door open and sprinting down the hallway. Behind me, I could hear Gavin’s furious shouts, calling for security, for anyone who could stop me. But I didn’t look back. My heart thundered, my lungs burned, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Not now.My chest was tight as I tore down the hospital corridors, my heart thundering so loudly it dr
GAVIN'S POVLIGHTHEARTED MIGHT BE WRONGI sat beside my mother, watching her steady but shallow breaths as the monitor softly beeped in the background. The guilt settled heavy in my chest. She didn’t deserve this; she was strong, selfless, always there for me.I clenched my fists, swallowing the surge of anger that threatened to choke me. Ciara had put her here, lying through her teeth, all for some twisted obsession with getting rid of Iris. It was unthinkable.My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen—it was Jerry. I swiped to answer. “Yeah?”“We’ve got her,” he said without any preamble. His voice was steady, but I could hear the strain, the disgust he was holding back. “Caught her trying to make a run for it. We’re on our way to the station now.”Relief, anger, and frustration hit me all at once. Finally, she’d be held accountable. I let out a slow breath. “Good. I’ll be there soon.”Just then, I heard the door open, and I looked up to see Iris steppi
Gavin's POVDOING THE RIGHT THINGAre you ready?” Jerry asked, breaking the silence.“Yeah,” I replied, taking a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.”Jerry opened the door, and I stepped into the room, my eyes never leaving Ciara. She looked up as I entered, her face shifting from fear to something else, something almost pleading. She opened her mouth to speak, but I held up a hand, stopping her before she could start.“Save it, Ciara,” I said coldly, taking a seat across from her. “I’m not here to listen to any more of your lies.”She flinched, her gaze dropping to the table, but I could see the wheels turning in her mind. She was trying to figure out her next move, how she could manipulate the situation.“I’m… I’m sorry, Gavin,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “I never meant for any of this to happen. I was only trying to—”“Enough,” I interrupted, my voice hardening. “You were only trying to what, Ciara? Kill my wife? Hurt my family? Put my mother in a hospital bed?”Her
IRIS'S POVPRISONER RHYS ESCAPED!I sat beside Gavin in his mother’s hospital room, the steady beeping of the heart monitor, the only sound breaking the quiet. She looked so fragile lying there, a shadow of the woman I knew her to be.Gavin’s mother had always been strong and resilient, the kind of person who commanded respect and had a quiet strength that could be felt from across a room.But now, after the poison, her skin was pale, and her breathing was shallow, each rise and fall of her chest an agonizing reminder of the danger she’d been through, all because of Ciara’s twisted jealousy.The door opened, and the doctor walked in, his face composed but with that slight frown that made my heart skip. Gavin tensed beside me, and I placed a hand on his shoulder, hoping to provide some comfort, though I could feel the tension radiating from him.“The good news is we’ve managed to extract the poison from her system,” the doctor began, his voice steady, though his eyes held a flicker of
IRIS'S POVRHYS HELPERAs we left the hospital, Gavin’s hand stayed firmly at the small of my back, a silent reassurance amid the storm that seemed to be brewing around us.He had asked Jerry to stay with his mother, who was still resting, her condition delicate. Knowing she was in trusted hands allowed us to turn our focus to the pack. Rhys’s escape had thrown everything into disarray, and I needed answers.The drive to the Blue Moon pack felt longer than usual, the weight of unspoken worries hanging heavily between us. Gavin’s face was set in a determined line, the anger from earlier replaced by a hardened resolve.This was the side of him that always awed me, the Alpha who would do anything to protect his pack and family. As we neared the pack grounds, I squeezed his hand gently, grounding both of us in the moment.When we arrived, we found Leon and several pack officials combing through the area in the soft evening light.The air was thick with tension, every person we passed glan
*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