XAVIER’S POVAt Hannah's request, I allowed my features to settle into a more serious expression, my gaze locking onto hers. Her eyes, usually so full of light, now reflected a deep concern that sent a jolt of worry through me. The subtle lines of worry etched into her forehead told me something was off—something that had been gnawing at her in my absence."What’s wrong? Did something happen while I was away?" My voice softened, dropping to a gentle tone as I tried to coax the truth from her.Hannah hesitated, her breath catching as if she were weighing each word carefully. Finally, she took a deep breath, the rise and fall of her chest mirroring the tension between us. "I—I went out of your room," she started, her voice faltering. But before she could continue, my instincts flared, and I interrupted, unable to suppress the panic rising within me."You did what?" My voice was sharper than I intended, the fear I felt twisting my words. "Hannah, I thought I told you to stay here until I
XAVIER’S POVHannah and I continued talking about the upcoming party, sharing ideas and plans, when I noticed her expression shift. Her eyes dimmed, and the smile that usually brightened her face faded. Something was clearly bothering her.I reached out, gently taking her hand in mine, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers. "Hannah," I said softly, my voice laced with concern, "what's wrong? You know you can tell me anything."She hesitated, her gaze dropping to our intertwined hands. The silence stretched between us, and I could almost hear the unspoken words weighing on her mind. Finally, she looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity. "Xavier," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "you've never talked about your parents. Why is that?"The question hit me like a cold wind, and I felt my heart constrict in my chest. I hadn’t expected this. My eyes drifted away from hers, focusing on a distant point in the room as memories flooded back, pulling me
Xavier’s POV Kasper’s eyes narrowed, his jaw set in a firm line. "I’m not against you showing her off, Xavier. I’m just saying, be cautious. A grand party will put Hannah in the spotlight, making her a target. A simple dinner would be safer."A low growl rumbled in my throat, but I kept it in check. "You’re being paranoid, Kasper," I growled, barely restraining the irritation that bubbled to the surface. "As long as Hannah remains within the pack’s territory, she’s safe. That bastard wouldn’t dare try anything on our land. Besides, I want Hannah to feel welcomed. A grand party is exactly what she needs, and that’s final."Kasper met my gaze, his expression unwavering. "I understand your desire to make her feel at home, Xavier, but I have to look out for her safety—and yours. We don’t know what ‘he’ is planning. A public celebration could be the perfect opportunity for him to reappear."I leaned back in my chair, trying to rein in the frustration that gnawed at me. Kasper’s caution wa
HANNAH’S POVThe day of the welcoming party had finally arrived, and despite Xavier’s reassurances that Kara—his Beta’s mate—would be coming around to help me get ready, I couldn’t shake the nervousness gnawing at me.The way Xavier had spoken about Kara, his eyes lighting up as he described her, made me believe she would be kind. Yet the fluttering in my stomach persisted—a mix of anxiety and anticipation twisting within me.Xavier had left early that morning, muttering something about needing to check on the party preparations. But I knew better; it was just an excuse to give Kara and me some space. I appreciated the gesture, especially since I was feeling both lazy and nauseous from the pregnancy hormones.The mere thought of dragging myself out of Xavier’s king-sized bed felt like an Olympic feat. But I had to look presentable before Kara arrived, so I forced myself up, each movement a small victory over the fatigue weighing me down.The cold tiles sent a shiver up my spine as I p
HANNAH'S POVEver since arriving at the Blue Moon pack and being confined to Xavier's room, the outside world had become a distant memory. The walls of his quarters were both my shelter and my prison, with only fleeting glimpses of the world beyond through half-closed curtains.So when he finally told me about the party, I could only think of one thing: freedom, at last. But the momentary joy was quickly replaced by a creeping sense of dread. Xavier mentioned that he had invited all the neighboring packs and allies.Could Coby be among them?The thought sent a cold shiver down my spine, my palms dampening with the anxiety that gripped me. As we walked down the long hallway, my fingers instinctively tightened around Xavier's arm, my anchor in this storm of uncertainty."Are you okay?" Xavier's voice, always so controlled, now had an edge of concern. His eyes flickered toward me, softening at the sight of my tension.I forced a smile, though my stomach was in knots. "Yeah, just... a litt
HANNAH’S POVMy breath caught in my throat the moment I saw him—Andrew. His familiar chiseled jawline, the messy hair that always looked like he had just woken up, and those deep brown eyes that always seemed to be watching, observing everything. My heart stuttered for a second as a mix of shock and something else—something I didn’t want to name—rushed through me. I hadn’t seen him in weeks, and I certainly didn’t expect to find him at Xavier's lavish party. The room around us faded; the hum of laughter and clinking glasses reduced to a dull buzz as my eyes locked onto him. “Andrew?” The word slipped out, barely above a whisper, my voice betraying my disbelief. I swallowed hard, feeling the sudden dryness in my throat. “What are you doing here?” His lips curled into a small smile, but his eyes... they told a different story. A hint of something—perhaps relief, or maybe something darker—flickered there. “Hannah,” he said softly, his voice like a memory. “It’s good to see you again.”
HANNAH'S POVI gazed at Eva, my expression cold, disinterested. Every muscle in my face was deliberately still—no flicker of warmth, no hint of openness. The air between us felt thick, suffocating, as if the tension had manifested into something tangible. But Eva, unfazed, stepped closer. She forced a smile—tight, strained—and extended her hand, a hollow gesture wrapped in forced civility. “Let’s start again, Hannah.” Her voice was coated with a sickly sweetness, each word dripping with an effort to seem kind. I could hear the tension beneath it, the way her vocal cords tightened with resentment she couldn’t fully mask. “I think we got off on the wrong foot. Maybe we should reintroduce ourselves, try to make amends. Who knows—we could become allies, if not friends.” A sigh escaped me, slow and deliberate, laden with disinterest. “I’m not interested in becoming your ally or friend, Eva.” The words came out clipped, each syllable sharp, as though I was too exhausted to even bother w
HANNAH'S POVXavier’s face shifted, his brows drawing together in concentration. His voice, calm yet calculated, broke the silence. "Eva was no one, Hannah. Just another pack member. You didn’t need to worry about her."I studied him, my mind racing as I pieced together what I’d heard. My eyes narrowed as I searched his face for the truth. "That’s not what I’ve been told," I said, my voice firmer than I intended. "I heard you were going to make her your Luna before I came along and ruined your plans."His expression changed—shock, confusion, and finally, a flicker of anger briefly clouding his features. But beneath the mask he wore, I caught a glimpse of something else. Guilt. It was subtle, but it was there."Who told you that?" Xavier’s voice dropped, edged with a dangerous calm, as though he were barely holding back a storm.I lifted my chin, refusing to back down. "Does it really matter where I heard it? The point is, you’re not telling me the truth. You and Eva—you were together,
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
Coby’s POVAfter parting ways with Xavier that morning, I decided I wasn’t going to sit back any longer, waiting for justice to stumble around like some blindfolded fool. Elijah might innocent but I knew he was hiding something—my gut screamed it—and if no one else would confront him, then it would have to be me.The hours crawled by as I trailed him, every muscle in my body taut with purpose. He moved like smoke through the pack—slippery, calculated, as if he knew how to blend into the background. But not to me. I saw every sidestep, every careful glance.It was late afternoon when my chance came. He stood alone near the edge of the training grounds, his lean frame angled toward a figure who left the moment I appeared. He turned his back to me, unaware—or maybe just pretending.I didn’t falter. My boots crunched deliberately against the gravel as I closed the distance. His shoulders tensed—just a flicker—before he turned, a smug smirk already painting his face.“Well, if it isn’t Cob
Coby’s POVThe next morning, I stood outside the coroner's office, a knot of unease twisting in my stomach. The dawn light washed the street in muted grays, the quiet air punctuated only by the faint rustle of leaves. My breath hung in visible puffs as I exhaled, each one feeling heavier than the last. Sleep had been an elusive luxury—every time I closed my eyes, the weight of what was to come pressed harder against my chest.The sound of measured footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. Xavier’s figure emerged from the misty street, his stride calm and deliberate. Even in the low light, his presence seemed to command the world around him."Morning," he greeted, his voice steady but tinged with an edge I couldn’t quite place. His piercing eyes met mine, searching for something beneath the surface."Morning," I replied, forcing my tone into something resembling calm. My hands, buried deep in my pockets, clenched into fists."Did you sleep?" he asked, his brow lifting in faint skepticism.