HANNAH’S POVI stood before the pack elders, my wrists bound in the cold grip of silver shackles. The metal bit into my skin, but the pain barely registered in my mind. My heart pounded so loudly that it drowned out the low murmur of the council members as they conferred among themselves.I could feel the weight of the other pack members' judgmental gazes pressing down on me, a suffocating force that left me struggling to breathe.The elder in charge, a stern old man with a face weathered by years of harsh decisions, finally turned his cold gaze toward me. His eyes, dark and unreadable, locked onto mine. The air in the room grew heavier as he spoke, his voice carrying the finality of a death knell."Do you confess to the crime you’ve been accused of?" he asked, his tone devoid of any emotion, as if my fate was already sealed in his mind.I swallowed hard, feeling the dryness in my throat, and nodded. "Yes," I whispered, the word barely escaping my lips. "I did it. I killed her."The r
HANNAH’S POVAs soon as they took me away, I was locked up in a dark, cold cell, waiting for morning to be judged according to the pack's rules and traditions. The heavy iron door slammed shut behind me, echoing through the narrow hallway, and I was left alone with my thoughts.My heart pounded within me as if it were trying to escape my chest, and I couldn't sit still. I began pacing the length of the small cell, my feet shuffling against the rough stone floor. Every time I reached one end of the wall, I spun on my heel and hurried back to the other, trying to keep my mind occupied.But it was no use. My thoughts kept drifting back to whatever fate awaited me and Coby. I had asked him to come, begged him even, but as the minutes dragged into hours, my anxiety gnawed at me like a restless beast."Where is he?" I whispered to myself, my voice trembling. "Why isn't he here yet?"The more time passed without him making an appearance, the tighter the knot in my stomach grew. My hands star
HANNAH’S POV*Back to Present*The verdict had been delivered, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my face. I didn’t want to cry—not here, not now—but the sight of Cecilia, my stepmother, weeping so bitterly for me shattered any resolve I had left.Her sobs echoed through the cold courtroom, each one a painful reminder of the agony I had caused her. I could see it in her eyes, in the way her face crumpled with grief. She looked so fragile, so broken.“Oh, God,” she whispered, her voice quivering as though it might break altogether. “Where did I go wrong? I promised your father I’d take care of you.” Her words, filled with a desperate kind of sorrow, were more than I could bear.My throat tightened as I struggled to speak. “I’m so sorry, Cecilia,” I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper. “This isn’t your fault. One day, I’ll be able to tell you the truth.” I reached out, wanting to hold her hand a little longer, to somehow convey the apol
HAVANA’S POV“W-what?”I blinked, unsure if I had heard him correctly. But the cold, unfeeling stare in Coby’s eyes told me otherwise—he wasn’t joking. He had really called me a murderer. My heart sank as his words echoed in my mind. How could he say that? What had twisted his soul so deeply that he could utter such vile accusations? Was he under some kind of spell, or had he always harbored this darkness within him?I swallowed hard, my throat tightening with the effort to hold back tears. “Coby… why?” I asked, my voice trembling as I fought to maintain some semblance of composure. “Why are you saying these things to me? You promised… you promised you’d get me out. You know I’m innocent, Coby. You know it.”For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, to my horror, Coby chuckled—a low, cold sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Naive,” he sneered, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. “So incredibly naive and foolish. It’s almost amusing, really, how clueless you are.
HANNAH’S POVThe cold, damp air of the cell clung to my skin like a suffocating shroud, intensifying the weight of the betrayal that had shattered my heart. Curled up in the darkest corner, I cried, the sobs ripping from my chest as though they could tear free the anguish that had rooted itself deep within me.I had tried so hard to be strong, to pull myself together and face the pain with a steely resolve, but Coby's betrayal was too much to bear. His rejection was a wound I hadn’t seen coming—a knife thrust into my back by the very person I had trusted above all others.I had loved him with every fiber of my being, sacrificing my freedom so he could become the Alpha. And now, here I was, left to rot in this cell while he ascended to power."Don’t do it; you might regret it!" Andrew’s warning echoed in my mind, the words that had seemed so unfounded now glaringly true. He must have known, must have seen through Coby’s charming facade to the cold, calculating heart beneath.Oh, how fo
HANNAH’S POVWhen I finally began to regain consciousness, the first thing that registered was the sound of voices—low and urgent, as if they were trying to keep something secret. I blinked, my eyelids heavy, and let the voices guide me back to reality. One of them, more familiar than the other, struck a chord in my muddled brain. That voice... I knew that voice.With effort, I pried my eyes open, my vision swimming before it settled on two figures standing in my cell. As my gaze sharpened, the conversation ceased, and both men turned toward me. My heart skipped—Andrew was there, Coby’s beta and, at one time, my friend. But after everything, I’m not so sure anymore.The other man, older and stooped with age, was the pack’s doctor. I remembered him from a visit to the clinic when I had a stomach bug, but seeing him here, in this dark, suffocating place, made my mind whirl with confusion.Andrew’s face tightened as he saw me awake. He dropped to his knees beside me, his voice thick with
XAVIER’S POVIt was late into the night, and the house was quiet except for the sound of my footsteps as I slipped out of bed, threw on my clothes, and walked away from the room, leaving Eva behind. I had just closed the door on her—the red-haired female Lycan who had become my go-to when I needed a quick release.For me, it was always just sex, nothing more. No strings attached, no emotions to complicate things. That’s how I wanted it—just two horny Lycans fulfilling each other's needs.Eva knew the deal from the start; she knew I wasn't a man to get attached to. Yet, she kept coming back, willing and eager. Every time, I felt the same disgust churning inside me as I did now—a sour taste in the back of my throat.I clenched my jaw as I strolled down the hallway, trying to shake off the lingering feeling of revulsion crawling under my skin. My mind wandered, but I couldn’t find any solace in the empty corridors. I needed air, space, something to clear my head.As I made my way toward
HANNAH’S POVI woke up with a sharp gasp, my heart pounding in my chest, momentarily confused. The white ceiling above me was anything but familiar. I clenched my eyes shut, the memory of my escape and that Lycan’s claw squeezing at the back of my neck flashing through my mind.My hand shot up to my neck, fingers trembling as they brushed against my skin, half-expecting a jolt of pain where that brutal strike had landed. But instead of the searing agony I anticipated, there was only a dull soreness."Savage bastard," I muttered under my breath, the words tinged with anger and fear. But beneath the anger was a surprising wave of relief. I was alive. Not dead, not rotting away in some cold, dark dungeon. I exhaled a shaky breath, trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart. I needed to focus, to figure out where I was.The bed beneath me was soft—too soft—like sinking into a cloud. A king-sized bed, I noted, with silken sheets that brushed against my skin with a delicate, almost too-
ELIJAH’S POVThe air in the dungeon clung to my skin, damp and heavy, thick with the stench of mold and rotting straw. Every breath felt like inhaling decay. Somewhere in the distance, chains scraped against stone—a hollow, metallic sound that slithered into my ears like a cruel whisper.I shifted, the jagged wall biting into my back, but the pain barely registered. My mind was elsewhere, unraveling the web of deception that had ensnared me.The note—my handwriting, every letter a perfect imitation—was a noose tightening around my neck. A threat against Vivian, as damning as it was false. I knew my own script: the rhythm of my strokes, the slight imperfections born from years of habit. But this? This was a forgery, designed with precision and purpose. And now, with Vivian dead, the stage was set for my fall.My fists clenched in my lap. Who wanted me gone badly enough to orchestrate something so meticulous?Xavier or Coby.Xavier was calculated, a man who moved like a shadow on a ches
XAVIER’S POVI left Hannah standing in the living room, her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. Her lips were parted as if she wanted to say something—anything—but no words came. The fear in her eyes cut deeper than I wanted to admit.I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.The afternoon sun slapped against my skin as I stepped outside, sharp and unforgiving. But it did nothing to cool the fire raging in my chest. My breath came fast and uneven. The note crinkled in my fist, its inked words seared into my mind like a brand.This wasn’t just evidence. It was a death sentence.Elder Elijah—my advisor, the most respected among the elders, the man who had stood beside me for years, whispering counsel in my ear and earning my trust—had ordered my son to be poisoned. He had orchestrated Vivian's murder.A growl rumbled low in my throat as my Lycan clawed beneath my skin, restless and enraged. My muscles tensed, every part of me demanding blood, vengeance. I forced my legs to move, stead
HANNAH’S POVThe drive home felt endless, each turn of the wheel dragging against my muscles like lead. My grip tightened on the steering wheel, the note on the passenger seat a searing weight on my conscience. Every word on that paper was carved into my mind—cold, deliberate, and damning.Whoever wrote it knew what happened that night. It confirmed once more that Vivian’s death wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a mistake. It was planned.A breath shuddered through me as I pulled into the driveway. The house stood silent, its windows dark like hollowed-out eyes. I wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t ready to face Xavier—not when my thoughts were a tangled mess of fear and fury. But there was no time to process, no space to hesitate.I stepped out of the car, the note still clutched tightly in my hand, and made my way to the door, my steps slow but purposeful. I couldn’t hesitate now.Inside, the house was quiet. I didn’t need to search for Xavier—I could feel his presence even before I found
HANNAH’S POVThe morning sunlight slanted through the window, painting golden streaks across the wooden floor. The warmth should have been comforting, but it wasn’t. It’s been a week since mom was buried and also the first time am about to leave the house alone.I knelt, adjusting the strap of my shoes with steady hands, but my heart pounded in a slow, uneasy rhythm. Behind me, the quiet hum of Jackson playing with his blocks filled the air, the soft clatters of plastic meeting the floor. But I felt him watching me.Xavier.He stood by the door, arms crossed, his stormy eyes dark with unspoken thoughts—concern? Frustration? Both, maybe.I didn’t look up. Not yet.“You’re sure you don’t want me to drive you?” His voice was low, careful—controlled. But underneath it was something raw, a plea dressed as a question.I forced a small smile, finally meeting his gaze. “I’ll be fine, Xavier. It’s just my mother’s house.”His jaw tightened, a flicker of doubt flashing across his face. He dragg
First, let me take a moment to say how much I appreciate all of you who have stuck with this book from the very beginning. Your support means everything to me, and I wouldn’t be here without you.As some of you may have noticed, this month’s daily updates have come to a close. But don’t worry—this is just the beginning! Act One of the story has officially wrapped up, and Act Two is coming next month. Expect tangled loose ends to unravel, shocking betrayals, and explosive moments from both heroes and villains. Trust me, the drama is just heating up.Before we move forward, though, I have some serious questions for you. Let’s get real, dive deep, and stir the pot:1. Who is your favorite character—and do you think they’re as good or as heroic as they seem? What flaws do you see in them that others might not?2. Which villain do you secretly root for? Come on, admit it—some of them have charm, wit, or motives that make them oddly irresistible. Who’s your guilty pleasure villain, and why?
XAVIER’S POVWhen I walked in with Jackson in my arms, I half-expected to find Hannah where I’d left her—probably curled up in bed, either crying or staring at the ceiling in exhausted silence. Instead, the sharp, rhythmic sound of a knife against the cutting board greeted me.She stood at the kitchen counter, sleeves rolled up, dicing vegetables with a precision that bordered on mechanical. I stopped in the doorway, the sight hitting me harder than I expected.Her movements were smooth but rigid, her shoulders tight, her jaw clenched. She wasn’t just cooking dinner—she was trying to hold herself together, gripping that knife like it was the only thing tethering her to the ground.I set Jackson in his high chair by the table. He giggled, his little legs kicking with unfiltered joy.“Stay here, buddy,” I whispered, brushing a hand over his soft curls.As I moved closer to Hannah, I softened my footsteps. She didn’t look up, didn’t even acknowledge me. Her focus was unyielding, each cho
HANNAH’S POVTwo days later, the Shadow Moon Pack gathered beneath a gray, brooding sky, heavy with unshed rain. The damp earth clung to our boots as if nature itself shared in our mourning. Grief hung thick in the air—almost tangible—pressing down on every chest, every breath.We hadn’t yet recovered from Ella’s death, and now we stood here again, burying Cecilia. The ache was relentless, a gaping void that refused to be filled.The whispers about Vivian’s death had not died down. They lingered, a low murmur of unanswered questions and unspoken fears. Her mysterious and unresolved passing hovered like a ghost at the edges of our collective mind. No one dared speak of it during the ceremony, but I saw it in their eyes—a quiet unease weaving through the crowd like a thread pulled too tight.I stood at the head of the grave—Cecilia’s grave. Her name felt foreign and jagged in my mind. As the only family she had left, the task of leading the rites fell to me. My voice didn’t waver as I s
Hannah’s POVI stayed by Cecilia’s bedside all night, my fingers interlaced with hers as though my grip alone could anchor her to this world. The doctor’s words replayed in my mind, relentless and cold: Her heart is getting weaker.What if she woke up and I wasn’t there? What if the moment I left, she slipped away? The thought clawed at me, suffocating. So I stayed rooted by her side, refusing to move an inch.The dim hum of the monitors was both a comfort and a threat, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat a fragile promise. I watched her chest rise and fall, willing each breath to continue. Her skin was pale—translucent almost—as though the light of life inside her was dimming.By morning, exhaustion wrapped around me like a heavy coat. I rested my head on the edge of her bed, the blanket warm and worn beneath my cheek. Sleep stole me in brief, flickering moments where memories danced—Mom in the kitchen, the smell of vanilla and cinnamon filling the air, her laugh a melody I hadn’t rea
COBY’S POVFor a brief moment, his smirk faltered. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but I saw it. That tiny crack in his armor bolstered me."You think I don’t see what you’re doing? You’re trying to bait me, Elijah, but it’s not going to work. I came here for justice, and I’ll get it—whether you like it or not."Elijah’s playful demeanor evaporated, replaced by something colder, sharper. "Careful, Coby," he warned, his voice icy. "You’re treading on dangerous ground. If you want to keep your precious little life intact, I suggest you tread lightly."I leaned in close, so close I could feel his breath against my face. "You don’t scare me," I hissed. "You’re nothing but a coward hiding behind your power. And when the truth comes out, the pack will see you for what you really are."I turned and walked away, my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel his gaze boring into my back, but I didn’t look back. Not now. Not ever.He might think he’s clever, trying to pin this on me, but I w