HANNAH’S POV
The 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 foolish, how naive I had been to dismiss his concerns, to believe in love over the voice of reason. The tears streamed down my face until I thought I had none left to shed. My breath hitched as I wiped away the last of them, my fingers trembling as I sniffed back the remnants of my despair.
With a shaky exhale, I forced myself into a sitting position, leaning my head back against the rough stone wall. Continuing to cry over what was lost wouldn’t change my fate. I needed to think, to find a way out of this hellish nightmare and prove my innocence. But first, I had to reach out to the one person I was sure would stand by me—my sister, Vivian.
If there was anyone other than Andrew who would believe me, it was Vivian. But then again, as I paced the narrow confines of my cell, the darkness pressing in on all sides, I wondered why she hadn’t come to see me yet. Had she heard the news? Did she believe the lies being spun about me? The questions swirled in my mind. Or had she fallen sick? My questions were a relentless storm that only added to my unease.
Just as I began to lose myself in the turmoil, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. I froze, my heart hammering in my chest as I strained to listen. Could it be her? Could it be Vivian finally coming to see me? I held my breath, the seconds stretching into an eternity as the footsteps drew closer.
I held my breath, hope flaring in my chest. Please, let it be Vivian. When the figure finally appeared before my cell, I nearly sobbed in relief.
"Vivian!" I cried, rushing to the bars, reaching out to grab her hands. The familiar touch grounded me, and for a moment, everything felt right. "Thank you for coming to see me," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
But Vivian remained silent, her face unreadable. Her eyes, usually so full of warmth, were cold and distant. A chill ran down my spine, and I hesitated. Was she upset? Disappointed? "Vivian, I'm so sorry," I blurted, my voice trembling. "Please, forgive me. It wasn't my fault."
She finally spoke, but her voice was icy—a tone I had never heard from her before. "What do you mean?"
I swallowed hard, feeling a knot of fear tighten in my chest. "It wasn't me who killed the servant," I said, desperation creeping into my voice. "I'm innocent, Vivian. I took the blame for Coby. He... he's the real culprit."
Vivian's gaze bore into me, her expression unchanging. The fear turned into a sharp pang of dread. Didn't she believe me? I had to make her see the truth. "I swear on our late parents' names," I pleaded, gripping the bars tightly. "Please, Vivian, believe me."
Her silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity before she finally nodded. "I believe you," she said, her voice softening just a fraction.
I exhaled a shaky breath, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Vivian. With your help, I can prove my innocence. We can set things right."
But then her next words shattered me. "I believe you," she repeated, "not because you claim innocence, but because I know who the real killer is."
A wave of confusion crashed over me. "Yes, it's good you know Coby is the real killer," I said, trying to piece together what she was saying.
Vivian let out a low, humorless chuckle, and the sound sent a chill down my spine. "How naive you are," she said, her eyes narrowing with something dark and twisted.
My heart pounded in my chest. "What do you mean by calling me naive?" I whispered, dread curling in my stomach.
Vivian’s gaze turned cold, her lips curling into a sneer. "You're not just naive, but dumb enough to think Coby was the culprit when the real killer is standing right in front of you. I mean, how else do you think the guards showed up so fast?”
My eyes widen, “It was you! You told them!”
“Bingo!”
I recoiled, disbelief clawing at my chest. "No, that can't be true," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. "Vivian, you're not a killer. You can't be."
Desperation clawed at me as I grabbed her hand through the bars, holding on as if I could pull her back from the edge of whatever madness had taken her. "Is Coby manipulating you? Is he making you say these things?"
Vivian yanked her hand away, her expression twisted with disdain. "Stop acting so dumb already," she spat. "I'm not being manipulated. Coby loves me. He’s announced me as his chosen Luna."
“What?” Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Coby and Vivian? I stumbled back, the truth crashing down on me with brutal force. "Vivian, you're my sister," I whispered, my voice breaking. "You can't betray me like this."
Vivian's eyes blazed with hatred, a fury that I had never seen before. "You are no sister of mine," she hissed. "All I feel for you is pure hate and disgust."
Her words cut through me like a knife, each one slicing deeper than the last. I stared at her, the sister I had grown up with, the sister I thought I knew. How could she say these things? What had I done to deserve this?
"Why, Vivian?" I choked out, tears blurring my vision. "What did I ever do to make you hate me this way?"
Vivian's face twisted with anger, her voice laced with venom. "I hate everything about you," she seethed. "Your face, the sound of your name, everything. Our father saw you as his perfect little girl while I came in second as his stepdaughter. Even my mother preferred you to me. But where you really crossed the line was getting mated to the man I loved from the moment I set eyes on him. Coby is mine, and not even you could come between us."
I felt the tears I was fighting so hard to keep at bay spill over, but I fought to keep my voice steady. "Vivian, please," I begged. "We're family. Don’t do this."
She laughed then, a harsh, bitter sound that echoed off the cell walls. "Family? You are nothing to me. If you hadn’t ended up in jail, I would have gotten rid of you myself, just like that dumb maid who thought she could tattletale on me when she caught us kissing in his study that night."
The finality of her words crushed me, and I dropped to my knees, clutching my chest as sobs wracked my body. Vivian's laughter continued, a haunting sound that stayed with me long after she left.
I cried until I could barely breathe, the weight of betrayal from both my mate and my sister too much to bear. My vision blurred, and the room spun around me. Just before darkness claimed me, I heard someone calling out my name, but I couldn't hold on. Everything went pitch black as I slipped into unconsciousness.
Okay, hold that thought! I know what you’re thinking—"Who is Silas?" Don’t worry, all your questions will be answered soon.Before we dive in, I’m thrilled to announce that we’re starting a brand-new book centered on your favorite trio: Jackson, Liam, and Laila! Trust me, you do not want to miss this—we’ve got so much excitement, drama, and fun planned for you.And yes, Silas will play a major role in our beloved Alpha family’s lives. His story—along with many surprises—will unfold in the next book. Stay tuned!But first, I need to take a moment to say thank you to all my incredible readers. You’re the reason I do this, and I can’t express how much your support means to me.Quick favor: If you’ve enjoyed the story so far, please consider leaving a 5-star review! Here’s how:Click the three dots at the top of this chapter.Select the book title.Scroll down to reviews and add yours!Your reviews help more readers discover our book, and I’d be so grateful.Updates for the next book will
XAVIER’S POVThe pack house buzzed with restless energy. Everywhere I turned, someone was hovering—bringing me water, adjusting the blankets around me, their eyes flickering with unspoken fear.I forced a smile, waving them off. "Come on, kids. It’s nothing serious," I insisted, my voice rougher than I intended. "I just need rest."But Hannah—Gods, Hannah—she saw right through me.Her fingers trembled as she brushed a strand of hair from my forehead, her deep blue eyes searching mine like she could pry the truth straight from my soul. "Xavier," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please."I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "I’m fine, love." The lie tasted bitter in my mouth.She didn’t believe me. Of course she didn’t. Within minutes, the pack doctor was summoned, his weathered hands pressing, prodding, listening. But when he stepped back, his frown only deepened. "Nothing’s physically wrong with the Alpha," he admitted, confusion lacing his words.The moment the door clicked shut
XAVIER’S POVThree more years.Had it really been three more years since that day? Time slipped through my fingers like grains of sand, each moment fleeting, each memory a fragile thing. The morning air was crisp as I stretched, feeling the tension in my muscles ease.Today was a special day—one of those rare moments I got to spend alone with my little girl. While Jackson and Liam trained with the warriors, I had promised Laila a run through the woods.The shift came like a second breath—bones cracking, muscles reshaping, fur erupting across my skin. My Lycan form towered over her, massive and powerful, but to Laila? I was just her ride. Though she was already twelve years old, she was still my little girl as her small hands gripped my fur.“Ready, Daddy?” she chirped, fingers twitching at her sides like she could barely contain herself.I smirked, rolling my shoulders. “Hold on tight.” As soon as I felt she was secure, I took off, sprinting through the dense forest. Her laughter rang
Hannah’s POVSix Years LaterTime had woven its quiet magic around us, stitching the years together with laughter, love, and the steady rhythm of our growing family. Jackson, now twelve, carried himself with the quiet confidence of a young Alpha in training—taking after Xavier.Liam, at six, was quieter, thoughtful, and always observing, but he had the strength and resolve of his father too. He took everything seriously, from his training to his studies. Laila, on the other hand, was full of boundless energy.She was fierce, confident, and determined, much like Xavier and Jackson. Despite my gentle protests that training was for boys, she never listened."Mom, I can do anything Jackson and Liam can do!" she would say, hands on her hips, her bright eyes glowing with determination.I sighed, trying once more to reason with her. "Sweetheart, training is tough. It's dangerous and—""I don't care!" she interrupted, shaking her head. "I want to be strong like Daddy and my brothers. Just watc
HANNAH’S POVOne Year LaterThe twins’ first birthday had arrived in a whirlwind of laughter, tiny hands grabbing at everything, and sleepless nights that somehow still left my heart full. A whole year—twelve months of first smiles, first steps, first words. A year of watching Laila and Liam grow, their personalities blooming like wildflowers, bright and unstoppable.The house was alive with celebration today, every corner bursting with color. Balloons bobbed against the ceiling, streamers fluttered in the breeze from the open windows, and the scent of vanilla frosting from the cake mingled with the warm, earthy aroma of pack members gathered close. Their voices blended into a comforting hum, a chorus of love that wrapped around me like a second skin.Laila was in her element—unstoppable, radiant. Her tiny feet pounded against the wooden floor as she darted between guests, her dark curls bouncing with every step. She squealed as Jackson, ever the doting big brother, chased her in circ
To Our Amazing Readers,We are so grateful you’ve stayed with us this far in the story! Your support, comments, and enthusiasm mean the world to us. If you’ve laughed, cried, or felt any emotion in particular while reading, then you already know how much heart we’ve poured into this journey—and we’d love to hear your thoughts!Since you’ve made it this far, you’ve got a front-row seat to everything that’s unfolded. Would you consider leaving a 5-star review? It helps more readers discover the story and lets us know what resonated with you.But wait—the adventure isn’t over yet! We still have a few more chapters to go before the grand finale, and trust us… you won’t want to miss what’s coming. The next updates arrive on April 1st, followed by a big announcement we can’t wait to share.Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support fuels every word we write.With love, FlyingDove🕊️