Elena's steps were slow and elegant, but my heart beat in rhythm with them, thudding hard against my chest. Each step she took felt like a countdown to disaster, and I could barely breathe.If she began her usual drama right here, in front of Landen and Hannah, everything I had been working so hard to build would crumble in just a few seconds.They would see through the lies I had carefully constructed, and that would mean Owen would be in danger again.As she approached, her eyes locked on me like a predator sizing up its prey. Navian was still holding Owen, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing behind him.I pinched him lightly, trying to bring him back to reality. The dread on my face must have registered with him because his expression quickly mirrored mine."What the hell—" Elena started, her voice sharp as a blade, but before she could continue, she was interrupted."Miss Elena!" A man dressed in a sharp suit approached her, cutting her off mid-sentence.His posture and tone s
Going around the boutique to see how well everything was going today, sales had dropped drastically, and the thought of meeting Landen and Hannah never left me in the midst of that turmoil.The first thing that I noticed in the clothing racks was a few inches of his body height—Landen. Even in a horde, one could still pick him out from the back of the boutique effortlessly.A shudder while feigning a drink would have been less than my heart did with disbelief and agony buried deep inside me years ago. Why did he come back again? At least the last time we met there it was more of a coincidence than anything else as far as I was concerned.But this time when I saw him again there in this same spot, it dawned upon me that maybe it wasn’t pure coincidence after all. Perhaps he’d been searching for me?Running away was my immediate response; I didn’t want to face him anyway. But something inside me kept me standing there, no longer was I the woman he left behind—now she had grown stronger.
A faint click rang in my ear as the door of the boutique closed behind me, but that noise got lodged in my head and battled against my heart. I dashed out of the street as if I tried as much as possible to run far away from Landen.Even when I accelerated my pace and walked as fast as my legs would carry me, I was unable to run away from the strong emotions that were triggered by the sight of him.Gripping my bag which was made of leather and which was damp from my sweaty hands, my hands were shaking hard. I had believed he was gone and out of my life.I had assured myself that I had moved on, that the impacts he had brought upon me had faded away. The rush of realizing his presence was however very painful. There are feelings I managed to bury so deep, that I thought they were long gone and would never come to surface again.Pieces of our conversation played in my mind, and his voice moved with images of us to penetrate the threatening headaches. The way he gazed at me and the way h
Hannah’s POVLanden had been acting strange for days now. Initially, I thought it was just stress from work but after observing him closely I became convinced that there was something deeper than that.He always appeared to be preoccupied with other things even when we were together. This made him seem far away yet near because he was never fully present in our midst and this started to irritate me.In the living room, Jasper played quietly with his toys on the floor and I could not resist checking out Landen every now and then. He sat in his favorite armchair staring blankly at a wall while holding an unopened book for half an hour or so.His forehead creased but there was no visible reason for this tension as he seemed to be carrying some heavy burden within himself“Landen?” I called softly, hoping to snap him out of his reverie.“Hm?” His head jerked slightly as if he had just remembered where he was. He looked over at me, his eyes dull and distant.“What is it?”“What’s going on
Anna’s POVLike an unwanted ghost from the past, the invitation had shown up in the mail. An exquisite invitation to an elite social event in the city, written in a golden envelope with fine script.The type of gathering where entrepreneurs mingled and struck up business over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. It was the kind of thing that individuals like Hannah and Landen would surely end up at.I spent hours staring at it and considering my alternatives. It was an excellent chance. I had been putting a lot of effort into building my business, and going to this event might help me reach people I haven't even tried to reach yet.However, it also seemed like stepping into a trap.I knew Landen and Hannah would be there. I knew the moment Hannah saw me again, she’d start digging into my life. She’d start wondering why I was still alive when she thought I was long dead.I wasn’t ready to face them again. Not yet. Maybe not ever.At the window I stood clutching the invitation tightly in my ha
The sound of murmurs and glasses clinking surrounded me as I entered the huge ballroom, but all I could think about was breathing. I nodded and smiled at a few familiar faces as I made my way through the crowd, the silky fabric of my emerald dress skimming the ground.My heart was thumping harder than the background symphonic music beneath my ribs. Hannah and Landen were here, and I knew it.It was a question of time till our paths crossed.I had not planned to attend. The idea of seeing Landen again, especially with Hannah at his side, felt like walking into a storm. But Navian had insisted.This event was too important for our business, he’d said. I couldn’t let my past keep dictating my future. And he was right, I knew that. But knowing didn’t make it any easier. Now I was just Anna, a mother and a businesswoman trying to keep her life together. But tonight, with so many familiar faces from that past life, it felt like I was being sucked back into the storm of old memories and unr
LANDEN'S POVAnna. My mate. My heart stopped for a split second, then picked up its pace, beating faster than it had in years. The air had heaviness to it as if populated by opposing forces of life itself and my wolf became restless inside me.He wanted out, wanted to charge toward her, claim her again as if nothing had changed.But everything had changed.What a sight, she was more exquisite than what I could imagine! The emerald dress she wore fit her physique so well that every contour looked familiar to me.Her tresses flowed down like a river over her shoulders crowned with gentle curls while those eyes, which used to greet me each dawn, seemed lost in another world far away from mine. Not anymore.I clenched my fists, my wolf growling inside me, frustrated and possessive. I could feel his rage bubbling up. She was our mate, the one the Moon Goddess had chosen for us, and yet, there she was, mingling in the crowd with another man.Navian.He was the one holding her now. The one wh
HANNAH'S POVI couldn’t believe it—Landen was slipping away from me. Slowly but surely, I could feel it. His mind wasn’t with me anymore, and his heart? It hadn’t been fully mine for a long time.No matter how hard I tried to hold onto him, I knew I was losing him. I didn’t need more proof to know that he was fighting the bond he still had with Anna. I could see it in his eyes, the way they followed her at the business event.The way he looked at her, even though we were right there, together.I hated the way Anna carried herself with such confidence, acting like nothing had happened between us all those years ago. She walked around like she was untouchable like she hadn’t stolen Landen’s heart, even if he was my husband now.And that little boy, Owen. There was something about him that didn’t sit right with me.The more I thought about it, the more the pieces started coming together. That boy wasn’t just some random child. He had to be Anna’s son from four years ago—the one I thought
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