Landen's PovI was in my working space, looking intently at the stack of documents before me while in reality, my thoughts were somewhere else. Something was amiss—like a flickering ember hiding in the deepest corners of my mind.I couldn’t exactly tell what it was, but the sensation was unsettling enough to make concentrating impossible. There was a clear feeling of discomfort and apprehension in the air, thickening it.Gerald has been acting weird these days. At first, I thought it was due to the pressure that came with dealing with rogue attacks and other dangers straining our territory.He was my Beta, the one whom I held dear and trusted the most. We read each other like open books, spinning out plans, strategies, and even doubts. We had never had any secrets.But now, I wasn’t so sure.A couple of days back, for instance, I was listening in on some idle chatter between two of our warriors. I was not trying to spy on them, but I could not help it when I heard this part of their c
3rd Party PovHannah paced back and forth in her small sitting room. Her movements were quick, her breath coming out in short gasps. She tried to calm herself, but it wasn’t working.The fear she had been pushing down for so long was starting to take hold.When Gerald first approached her, everything seemed clear. He spoke of power, control, and securing a future for their son, Jasper. He wanted to make Jasper the rightful heir of the pack. At the time, she thought it was the perfect plan. Gerald was strong, and determined, and would do anything to make their son great.But lately, things were different. Gerald was acting strange. He was getting rather insensitive as he was gradually leaving her out of key information regarding some of his intentions.The twinkle in those eyes that roasted intently on her sometimes gave her goosebumps. There was something new in his eyes: some darkness she had not seen earlier.She looked at the door and for a moment she hoped he would come in. If he
Elena sat on the couch all by herself. She was staring blankly at the phone clenched in her fingers. Inside the house, the silence was deafening. It had been days since Navian was last home.It had been days since she had seen him, had been wrapped up in the warmth of his presence, or heard his voice. She looked at the clock and then the phone again hoping to find a missed call or a message from him but the screen was still blank.She let out a heavy breath. Calling the guy many times did not work out since he never answered any of the calls. It made her stomach anxious each time it rang and no one picked it up. Or is this it? Is this how they were going to part?Elena felt her heart sink at the thought. She knew there was always a possibility of things turning out like this but she never thought it would be this hurtful. Navian had always been the rock whom she could always count upon. And now it was she was losing him – not that she was breaking up with him, butfelt like he was sli
Navian sat in his office, staring blankly at his phone screen. Messages and missed calls filled the screen—most of them from Elena. He scrolled through them, his heart clenching with every word she’d typed.“Navian, please call me back.”“I’m worried about you. Are you okay?”“Why are you ignoring me? Please, I need to hear your voice.”“I’m so sorry, Navian. Please don’t hate me. I’m scared.”It wasn’t that he wanted to ignore her. He simply hadn’t had the time. Everything was falling apart, and each second he wasn’t working to find Anna and Owen felt like a wasted moment.He’d thought he could handle it all—deal with the chaos, find them and then go back to reassure Elena. But looking at these messages, he realized how much pain he’d caused her by shutting her out.“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, rubbing a hand over his tired face. “I need to go see her. I can’t keep leaving her like this.”But there was something urgent he needed to handle first.Steeling himself, Navian g
LANDEN'S POVNavian sighed, a sad smile plastered on his lips that visibly aged him. Leaning back in the chair, he placed his hands on the desk in front of him as though steeling himself for what was to come.I could not help but stare at him; my heart was beating horrendously. I had come here for answers, but now, I was afraid of what I might hear.“Alpha Landen, I want to tell you Anna’s real story,” Navian began softly. His eyes locked onto mine, serious and unflinching. “The story you’ve never heard. It started three months after your divorce.”“Three months?” I repeated, frowning. “I thought she… I thought she had moved on. That she left everything behind after our divorce.”Navian nodded slowly. “That’s what she wanted you to think. But the truth is, she didn’t just leave because of the divorce, Landen. She left because her life—and your son’s life—was in danger.”My breath caught at his words. My son? What is he saying now? I’d always assumed Anna had wanted to cut ties with t
My fingers clenched around the folder as I marched through the packhouse. Each step sent a wave of anger coursing through me. My pack members glanced my way and quickly looked away, sensing the fury boiling inside me.They knew not to get in my way right now. I was almost on the verge of being unable to control myself. All I stood for, all I knew to be the truth had been nothing but a lie.When I finally arrived at our room, I burst in the door and there she sat – Hannah – leaning against the window, as calm as if nothing had happened. I was shocked when she finally turned to look at me, her lips parting into a smile that I once believed was for me. Unfortunately, it was now more of a symbol of what a fool I had been to let it all control me.“Landen, what’s wrong?” she questioned in a low tone, quietly, as if there was nothing more terrible that she could have done to hurt him deserving her.“Sit down,” I said in a roughly commanding tone that left no room for argument. My hands sho
I was alone in my office, simply gazing at the various documents and pictures that covered my desk. An invisible claw seemed to clutch at my heart, tearing it to shreds with every painful thought that threatened to cross my mind. I’d been an ass—an utter moron.Anna, my beautiful and caring soul-mate, the woman who went out of her way to make me a father, got pregnant post-divorce even with a child who is my son. And I didn’t even have a clue. How could I have been that hopeless?I shut my eyes and reclined on the chair, overwhelmed with the weight of some hard-hitting truth. After years of fighting, of us battling to have a child and raise a family, it finally came to be—for I was the one who cast her away.I was so caught up with being Alpha that I could not see clearly the Elders’ insinuation.To be Alpha, I had to ensure the survival and legacy of the pack by producing an heir. And I listened. I believed them instead of trusting the bond I had with my mate.When Anna and I divorce
It had been several days since our failed attempt to find Anna and Owen. I felt like I was slowly going mad. I hadn’t slept properly in days, and when I did, my dreams were haunted by the image of Anna’s terrified face and Owen’s tiny, helpless form. I kept imagining what Gerald might be doing to them. The rage and helplessness were unbearable. Every lead we’d followed, every trace we’d picked up, led us to dead ends. Gerald had covered his tracks well. Too well.“Alpha,” Bryce called softly from the doorway. I looked up, my face grim.“No news yet from the scouting team we sent to the west border. It’s like they’ve disappeared completely.”“Damn it!” I slammed my fist down on the table, the sound echoing through the room. Everyone around me flinched.“How is it possible that we can’t find him? We have people searching day and night. We’ve checked every inch of this territory and beyond. How is it that Gerald is just… gone?”Bryce hesitated, his eyes reflecting the worry that mirrore
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