IRIS'S POV UNINVITED GUEST His words settled over me, comforting and yet stirring that familiar frustration, my need to be strong, to be capable, especially now. But as he watched me, his presence steady, I felt that wall breaking down, if only for a moment. The snap of a twig announced Jerry’s return, and he set down a bundle of branches by the clearing, stacking them into a small pile. The spark and crackle of flames followed soon after, bringing a welcome warmth into the chilly night. “We’ll rest here,” Jerry said, glancing between Gavin and me. “Just for a little while. Enough to let the bleeding stop.” I sighed, leaning back against the tree trunk, letting my exhaustion take over for the time being. I watched the fire flicker, shadows dancing around us, and the weight of everything pressed down on me. “I should have seen this coming,” I murmured, barely audible over the crackling flames. Gavin’s brow furrowed. “Iris, this isn’t your fault.” “But it feels like it is. Every
IRIS'S POV JOURNEY AHEAD The rogue laughed again, but before he could respond, Gavin lunged. The two of them collided with a ferocity that sent them both sprawling into the underbrush. Jerry moved to help, but another rogue emerged from the shadows, blocking his path. I clenched my fists, ignoring the pain in my arm. I stepped toward the rogue facing me, my gaze locked onto him, daring him to make a move. "If you think I’ll let you walk out of here, you’re sorely mistaken." The rogue snarled, lunging at me. I ducked, adrenaline dulling the pain in my wounds, and kicked out, catching him off guard. He stumbled back, a look of surprise flashing across his face. But it was all the opening I needed. With every ounce of strength I had left, I struck, feeling the impact resonate through my body. The rogue crumpled to the ground, and I stepped back, breathing hard, the throbbing in my arm now impossible to ignore. I looked up to see Gavin and Jerry standing over the other rogue, both of
GAVIN'S POV GOT US! The forest had an unnerving quiet as Jerry and I moved deeper in, leaves crunching softly underfoot. The chill of early dawn wrapped around us, but adrenaline kept me alert. Leaving Iris back home with the kids was the hardest decision, but it was necessary. She was safe, Leon was there, and she’d keep an eye on my mother, who was still healing in the hospital. Still, every step away from them was another step weighed down by worry. “Shouldn’t be too far now,” Jerry murmured beside me, his eyes scanning the trees. He didn’t need to say it, but the tension in his voice matched my own. We both knew this mission was dangerous, but the thought of Helen alone somewhere kept me pushing forward. Finally, we came to the edge of a large clearing. Through the trees, we could just make out a high stone wall, stretching around what seemed like a vast, deserted estate. Vines clawed their way up the cold stone, clinging like something alive. There was an address etched in
GAVIN'S POV THE ESCAPE Jerry took a step forward, his voice hard. “Where the hell is Helen? You freaks!” The man smirked, shaking his head. “Helen was just the start. There are bigger games at play here, gentlemen. And you’re just pieces on the board.” With that, he turned and walked out, the door slamming shut behind him. The sound echoed through the small room, a harsh reminder of our captivity. I clenched my fists, my heart pounding. We’d find a way out of here. For Helen, for Iris, and for every person depending on us. Whoever this guy was, he didn’t realize who he was messing with. “We’ll get through this,” I said quietly, more for my own reassurance than anything. Jerry nodded, a steely resolve in his eyes. “We’ll make them pay. And we’ll bring everyone back safely.” The silence after the door slammed shut was thick and stifling. The man’s mocking words replayed in my mind, grating against every nerve. I glanced at Jerry, who was still glaring at the door, jaw clenched,
GAVIN'S POV WE'RE ALMOST THERE As I pressed on through the forest, the reality set in that I hadn’t actually found Helen yet. The scent, the faintest trace of her floral perfume, had dissipated, leaving only the damp, earthy smell of the forest. Every clue, every lead had led me to dead ends, and each moment that passed seemed to mock my urgency. After leaving Jerry, I’d ventured farther than intended, pushing myself past familiar territory and into parts of the forest we rarely patrolled. I was too far from the pack, and yet I knew turning back wasn’t an option. I couldn’t face Iris and tell her I had found nothing. Not yet. I needed something concrete, some sign that Helen was close. The wind rustled the leaves above, creating a low, unsettling murmur that only made the silence more profound. I kept moving, tracing every sign, every break in the foliage. It was easy to imagine her somewhere out here, hidden away, but the thought only drove the dread deeper. What if I wasn’t fa
Gavin's POV FOUND I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay calm. “They’re trying to keep us running in circles. I found one of their decoys back there, some guy planting markers to lead us off track. Whoever’s behind this… they know exactly how to play the game.” Jerry’s eyes hardened, his jaw clenching. “We need to get ahead of them. Figure out their next move instead of reacting to it.” I nodded, my mind racing as I looked around the clearing, trying to piece together any information from the faint signs on the ground. “They’re likely keeping her somewhere close. They know we’re combing the forest, and they’d want to keep her nearby to keep us running in circles.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched across his face. “So we keep pushing forward. If they’re hiding her out here, there has to be some kind of structure or camp they’re using as a base.” “Let’s go,” I said, determination hardening inside me. The two of us moved with purpose, retracing my pa
GAVIN'S POV FOUGHT THE ROUGES The air grew heavy with tension as we guided Helen out of the cabin, every sense on high alert. She was leaning on me for support, her breaths shallow and labored, but her spirit unbroken. Jerry walked slightly ahead, his steps cautious, his eyes scanning the trees for any sign of movement. We had barely made it a few yards from the cabin when a low growl rumbled through the dense forest, reverberating through the ground like a warning. My pulse quickened, and instinctively, I stepped in front of Helen, shielding her as Jerry and I exchanged a quick, grim look. We weren’t alone. Out of the shadows, figures began to emerge, three, then four, then six rogues, all with the same feral, hungry look in their eyes. They moved in a loose circle, closing in on us, their snarls filling the air, eyes gleaming with a twisted sense of victory. They must have known we’d come. This was a trap, and we’d walked straight into it. "Stay close, Helen," I murmured, my v
HIDDEN RELATIVE He was right, but that didn’t ease my frustration. The rogue’s network was deeper than we’d realised, and they clearly had enough intel on us to set traps and manipulate our weaknesses. I’d thought this was about Helen, a personal vendetta or attack on her alone. But seeing the organised assault, the way the rogues had gone about it, this was bigger than Helen, bigger than any single person. This was an attempt to destabilise us, to make us vulnerable. “Gavin,” Helen’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper, as she glanced up at me. “I… I overheard something while they were holding me.” Her words brought me to a halt, and I motioned for Jerry to stop as well. “What did you hear?” She swallowed, the exhaustion replaced by a hardened resolve. “They kept talking about a larger plan… something about ‘reclaiming power.’ I don’t know what that means exactly, but it sounded like more than just a random attack.” Jerry and I exchanged a look, his expression mirroring the g
*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