I showed up at Navian's office for my routine tests, the kind of visit I've been keeping up to make sure the brain tumor doesn't return. I was so tired of calls and meetings that day that I was itching for a break.But, it was obvious by the look on Navian's face that leisure was not on the schedule as soon as I walked in.Even though Navian was buried in paperwork at his desk, it was obvious that his thoughts were elsewhere. His lips squeezed into that tight line he knew so well, and his brows were furrowed. There seemed to be something off and I suspected what it might be.“Navian?” I called softly, moving closer.He looked up, meeting my gaze briefly before his expression shifted back to guard. “Anna, you're here.”I sat down across from him. “Is everything okay? You seem... distracted.”He sighed, rubbing his temples. “It’s Elena. She’s been different lately.”“Different how?” I asked, though I already had an idea. Elena had always been a bit possessive, but recently it seemed to
After that chat with Navian, I made an effort to maintain my distance, although it was not as easy as it seemed. Our lives had grown so entwined that I was reminded of it every time I saw him or heard his voice.But I knew I had to follow through on the plan: to give him and Elena some room, to resolve their differences without me interfering.After a few days of little to no communication, I was beginning to believe that maybe, just maybe, things would get better. However, the stress seemed to increase rather than decrease. And then there was the night when everything boiled over.The day had been boring until something happened. I had spent most of the afternoon attempting to concentrate on my work but couldn’t stop thinking about Owen.He was my life, and I wanted everything to be perfect for him. At five, it occurred to me that I leave the office so early and pick him up from school by myself instead. I longed for him; nothing felt better than seeing his smile when he saw me.I pa
On our way back home, there were no sounds apart from the silence between us though so many things had happened during dinner time. The words Elena said hit me hard in my chest with an ache that grew heavier each minute. When I invited them over for dinner, I expected awkwardness but not this quick transformation of our conversation into one filled with blame and anger. And it all began when Navian picked Owen up from his school.Through my rearview mirror, Owen sat there looking out into space quietly enough for me not to hear anything else except what was going through his head. Now he was absent of his usual chattiness replaced by silent worry squeezing my heart like a vise grip. He was too young to know anything about adult relationships but there was something wrong in an unclear way that only he could feel. That made me hate myself for having caused him this distress; after all, he did not ask for it.When we got home I unbuckled him from the car seat and lifted him into my ar
The next day, the weight from last night still filled the atmosphere like an anchor. I woke up earlier than usual already troubled by thoughts of what had transpired at supper.Elena’s sulky countenance and Navian caught between her claims of his loyalty and my friendship with me played inside my skull like a broken record.I glanced over at Owen who still lay asleep in his bed, his chest rising and falling peacefully as if he was being rocked to sleep. I watched him for a while in silence allowing the sight of him to calm me down.Despite all that happened, he was still my first priority. I can’t allow him to be harmed or to suffer because of whatever is going on between Elena and Navian.I sighed and fumbled out of bed not to disturb Owen. It was time for me to think clearly before the day kicks off. I padded down the hallway into the kitchen where morning sunlight was just beginning to filter through windows. The house was quiet, as only could be at those first moments of dawn.At
The first thing that struck me when I entered the bar was the expression on Navian’s face that resembled fatigue and some other feeling that was hard for me to define.Each step I took in his direction caused an uncomfortable pain in my chest; it became tighter with every stride I made.This man who has undergone so much for the sake of both myself and Owen was simply sitting there all worn out and dejected. It was because of him that Owen and I were still alive, still safe.He had risked everything to protect us from those men Hannah had sent. And here I was, living comfortably, while his life seemed to be falling apart.The weight of that realization struck me hard. I had never meant to cause a rift between him and Elena. She was the perfect woman for him—strong, beautiful, and deeply in love with him.But this jealousy she felt toward me was driving him crazy. I never wanted that. I wanted him to be happy, to feel secure in his relationship. And now, I was the reason he was going t
I turned to leave, feeling Elena’s glare burning into my back as I walked away. The humiliation of it all clung to me like a heavy cloak, making each step out of the bar feel like a mile.I could still hear their voices behind me, Navian trying to calm Elena down, Elena’s anger refusing to be soothed.As I stepped outside into the cool night air, I let out a shaky breath, my hands trembling slightly.My heart ached for Navian.He was in a very difficult situation and he was struggling to make a decision that would benefit everyone while at the same time it was breaking him.And no matter how much I wished to stay close to him, I could not help thinking that I only worsened his state. Every move seemed such a labor and getting back to my car was not easy at all. Every move became my cross to bear, the guilt and shame suffocating me from left, right, and center.I respected Navian as a friend, and I was sure that he always will remain an important person in my life. But Elena… Elena di
Landen's PovBefore my desk were old papers covered in dust for years now. Some days like today are not annoying because they allow us to reflect on what has happened but today is just like any other day.The messy shuffle of memories amazed me when a small envelope with frayed corners attracted my attention. My heart sank upon seeing Anna’s handwriting It was delicate yet familiar; I had not seen that envelope for too long and I had forgotten about it even longer.But as I pushed it out and opened it like wet leaves in spring seasons when flowers start to bloom again, my heartbeat increased within me.The photographs are faded due to time but inside one corner is an image of Anna taken during previous years. For a while, I just fixed my gaze on this image where she is immortalized while time goes on beyond comprehension that is in terms of beauty and gracefulness. She stood there before the window of our old house while light filtered through her silhouette creating some hazy halo ef
Hannah’s POVSince we returned home from that business trip, something about Landen had changed, and not in a way I could appreciate. Even when he didn't have any urgent business to perform, he had grown cold and would frequently withdraw from his sturdy.Initially, I made an attempt to convince myself that this was merely travel stress, However, through those days, I found it hard to ignore that uncomfortable feeling inside me.Landen was hiding something from me.I had learned, through my careful attention to details, that he had sent some important family heirloom to Anna's only brother, Bethel Luther. The mere thought of it made my blood boil. Bethel, the only remaining heir to Anna’s pathetic family, had always been a shadow in the background of our lives, never a threat because he kept to himself.But now, with Landen's sudden generosity towards him, I found myself questioning everything.Why? Why was Landen doing this? He had ignored Anna’s existence for so long—hadn’t paid her
The living room was filled with the soft hum of conversation and occasional laughter, the warmth of companionship wrapping around me like a familiar blanket.Navian sat beside me, his eyes reflecting both relief and concern. I glanced around at the others—Rita, Mikel, and someone I hadn’t expected to see—Elena, Navian’s fiancée.Having Elena in the room made me feel off and it only got worse when she took a step forward, the atmosphere thickening. Her eyelids were puffy and her cheeks were crimson.It looked like she had been sobbing non-stop for many hours. I studied her with caution because I didn’t know what to anticipate.Elena said with a trembling voice, "Anna." “I—I need to apologize. For everything.”I frowned, glancing at Navian for an explanation, but he nodded, silently urging me to hear her out.“I—worked with Hannah to get you and Owen kidnapped,” she continued, her words tumbling out in a rush.“I was jealous and insecure. I thought—thought Navian still had feelings for
I watched as Landen cradled Owen in his arms and rocked him back and forth like a baby. I could see the tenderness in his gaze as a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Seeing him this protective and caring kind of guy reminded me of their planned connection. "He's so peaceful when he sleeps." I walked over to them and whispered, “Like all the pain and chaos we’ve been through never touched him.”Landen glanced up at me, his eyes shining with a warmth I hadn’t seen in years. “It’s because of you, Anna. You’ve always protected him, kept him safe when I couldn’t.”I smiled softly, reaching out to brush my fingers through Owen’s hair. “We both protected him, Landen. We’re both his parents.”A flicker of something—guilt, regret—crossed his face. He looked down at Owen, his jaw tightening.“I failed him. I failed both of you. I let you go… let you suffer alone because I didn’t see what was right in front of me.”“Landen,” I whispered, my voice gentle but firm. “We’ve been throug
Anna's POVI found myself in the middle of the pack house, surveying the crowd spread before me. Some faces were known to me, while a few were unknown but friendly faces, filled with respect and warmth.It was heartwarming to hear Landen’s voice echo around the room, announcing my presence after such a long time.“Today, we acknowledge what should have never been questioned,” Landen declared, his gaze steady on me.“Anna is the rightful Luna of the Moonlight Pack. Her strength, courage, and unwavering loyalty have proven that time and again. And,” he paused, his voice softening as he looked at Owen, “our son, Owen, is the true heir of this pack.”Around us, cheers broke out. I felt a wave of emotions rush through me as a result of the music. I blinked back the tears that pricked at the corners of my eyes while maintaining a straight face. I had believed I had lost this moment and this realization forever.I glanced over at Owen, who was standing beside Landen, a proud smile on his sma
I wasn’t separated from Anna for hours it seemed like I had been watching over her the whole day. Each day washed the other away, sleepless nights and hours of waiting where the days became a blur. I sat by her bedside and only got up occasionally to attend to Owen or get something I needed.It mattered not whether the roof above was made of iron or gold; it mattered not whether the earth below was stone or sand; it didn’t matter whether the food on the table was plain or grand; the only thing that was important was to be here with her, waiting for her to wake up and give me her smile once again, to hear her laughter, to hear her say “I’m fine.”It was very silent in that room, the only audible noises were the …beeping of the heart monitor, and the sound of the equipment. I saw how Anna’s chest was moving up and down, but she was so weak, so slim, so unlike the woman I had married.I reached out and touched her gently on her hand, afraid to grip it too firmly lest she break.“Anna,” I
Gerald was finally behind bars, I was standing just outside of the cell, looking at him across the heavy barred iron, I looked at him that way.He looked right back at me and his eyes were filled with anger and hate that had been brewed deep within him.“You think this is over, Landen?” Gerald sneered, his lips curling back. “You may have won this round, but you’ll never truly defeat me. The bond I have with Anna—”“Shut your mouth,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “You lost, Gerald. There’s no bond, no claim. You’ll rot in this cell for the rest of your miserable life.”I turned on my heel, walking away before I could do something I’d regret. I couldn’t afford to let Gerald’s words affect me now. Not when Anna’s life still hung in the balance. I glanced at the pack warriors standing guard.“No one goes in or out without my express permission,” I ordered. “He doesn’t get to speak to anyone. Understood?”“Yes, Alpha,” they replied in unison, their stances firm and unyielding.Sa
I glanced up as the two warriors dragged a struggling, screaming Hannah towards me. Her screams broke through the mayhem and blood that had marred the evening, resonating throughout the warehouse.My so-called wife, the one who had destroyed all I had ever held dear, was the object of my unwavering gaze.“What is the meaning of this?” I growled, narrowing my eyes at the warriors.My voice came out low and dangerous, but I couldn’t help it. Anger coursed through my veins like fire. “You dare to handle my wife like that?”The words slipped out before I could stop them, but even as I said them, they felt foreign on my tongue. I didn’t recognize them as mine.Was she really my wife? Could I even call her that when Anna—my true mate—was lying on the cold ground, bleeding out in front of me?“We apologize, Alpha, but…” One of the warriors hesitated, glancing at his partner before meeting my gaze again.“We saw the Luna pull the trigger that just shot Lady Anna.”All I could feel was cold, a
Gerald shrieked in agony as my claws tore into his side. I saw him stumble back, breathing in short breaths as blood spattered on the concrete floor. His fur was matted and saturated in blood—some of it mine, most of it his. We circled each other, breathing fiercely, but I felt like I was winning this time. The look in Gerald’s eyes wasn’t one of a confident victor anymore. It was the gaze of a desperate man who realized he was losing everything.“Come on, Gerald,” I growled, lowering my stance. “Is this the best you can do? After all the planning, the scheming—you thought you’d just waltz in and take my family?”He growled, baring his teeth, but there was hesitation in his movements now. His attacks came slower, less precise. I could feel his strength fading as we clashed again and again. With each bite and claw stroke, I pushed him farther away and neared victory.His voice quivering with a mix of tiredness and wrath, he growled, "Shut up!" He came at me, but I effortlessly sideste
The moment my bones cracked and shifted, fur bursting through my skin, I knew there was no turning back. My wolf form, dark and massive, towered over Gerald as he shifted in response.The air hummed with energy and anticipation, our growls vibrating through the large warehouse like thunder.Everything around us blurred—my warriors, Gerald’s men, Navian desperately trying to untie Anna from those cursed red bindings—but none of it mattered.It was just Gerald and me. Alpha against Beta. We lunged at each other simultaneously, teeth bared, claws ready to rip through flesh.Our bodies collided with a sickening thud, and we rolled across the concrete floor in a tangle of fur and fury. Gerald’s fangs snapped at my throat, but I twisted, using my larger frame to pin him down. He snarled, kicking me off with a powerful shove that sent me skidding back.I regained my footing quickly, leaping at him again. This time, my teeth found purchase, sinking into his shoulder.He groaned in pain and hi
As we approached the warehouse, it appeared as a dilapidated prison instead, its decayed skeleton cutting sharp tongues of shade on the ground that was bathed in the light of the moon.My team and I went a little faster, heading toward Gerald's hideout. We had managed to follow him to this godforsaken location with only one intent in mind: to shoot and bring both Anna and Owen home.That feeling lingered in the atmosphere, the second skin feeling when your body was alert and screaming for you to run. Each and every step we made resounded faintly in the silence.My heart was a drumbeat of fury and fear. When we reached the doors, I signaled my men to halt. The scent of wolves—more than I had expected—hung heavy in the air. Gerald hadn’t just hidden away; he’d prepared for war.I glanced at my warriors. Each one looked back at me with grim determination, their muscles taut, ready for action. I nodded, and they braced themselves. Pushing open the creaky metal doors, we stepped inside, we