HANNAH’S POVTHREE YEARS LATERThree years can slip by like a gentle breeze—swift and subtle—yet in those years, my life had transformed. Jackson, my beautiful boy, had become the sun around which my world revolved. And Xavier—he had been my anchor, always steady, always there. From the moment Jackson’s first cry broke through the air, Xavier became a man who lived for us.I remember that day like it was yesterday: the exhaustion, the pain, and then... the overwhelming joy. I saw something new in Xavier’s eyes when he held our son for the first time—pride, yes, but also a kind of fierce tenderness.As he whispered Jackson’s name, a name he chose to honor his late father, I knew our lives had shifted forever. The bond between us deepened in that moment. Whatever doubts I had about his commitment faded away like mist under the morning sun.One night, when Jackson wouldn’t settle, his tiny voice demanding Xavier’s presence, I glanced at the clock. Nine p.m. had come and gone, and still, n
HANNAH’S POV"Crimson Pack." The name hit me like a blow, and for a moment, all I could hear was the rush of blood in my ears. The Crimson Pack—the one pack I had hoped never to cross paths with again.My breath hitched. The hesitation in Xavier’s voice before he uttered the words should have confirmed my worst fear—it was my old pack. Memories crashed over me, each one cutting deeper than the last.Three years had passed, but the scars still remained, hidden but not forgotten. I had worked so hard to bury that part of my life, but now, it was rising to the surface, threatening everything I held dear."No, this can't be happening." My mind raced with fear and anger. "What would this mean for me, for my son, Jackson?" The thought of Alpha Coby coming here, seeing him, and realizing he was his own son sent a jolt of panic through my veins."Oh no! What if he tries to take Jackson away from me? It would be over my dead body," I swore to myself. Jackson was mine—no one would take him, not
HANNAH’S POVThe next day, the Shadow Moon Pack grounds buzzed with life. Everywhere I looked, pack members were busy, their movements quick and purposeful as they prepared for the Crimson Pack’s arrival. The air itself seemed to hum with their energy.I watched as people rushed about—some carrying boxes, others organizing supplies. In the communal hall, stacks of food, clothing, and other essentials lined the walls. Normally, this show of unity would calm me, but today, a knot tightened in my stomach, stubborn and unrelenting.I forced myself to focus on the pile of donations in front of me, trying to block out the thoughts creeping in. Every time my mind wandered, it went to Coby. Just the thought of him sent a cold shiver up my spine."Why does he have to come back now?" I had rebuilt my life here—Xavier, Jackson, and the pack had become my world. But with Coby’s return, everything felt fragile again, like a delicate balance waiting to tip over.I paused, my fingers gripping a soft
COBY’S POV"Coby, our relocation to the Shadow-Moon Pack has been approved by the council." Andrew's voice cut through the stillness of my office.The room had been suffocating with endless paperwork and thoughts of a crumbling future. I looked up at him, the exhaustion weighing heavy in my eyes. For a moment, his words lingered in the air like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man.I blinked. Had I heard him right?"Are you serious?" My voice cracked with disbelief as I stood, knocking the chair back slightly. Relief surged through me, but it felt strange—almost foreign.Andrew nodded, a small smile playing at the edges of his lips. "We’re moving, Coby. We’ll start over."I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. For months, Andrew had been my rock, even when I didn’t deserve it. Through all my failures, he stayed by my side. His tall frame stood firm, but I could see the weight of these past years in his eyes too. He was as worn out as I was.I exhaled slowly, feeling a small
COBY’S POV"Welcome. I'm glad you all could make it," Xavier’s voice reverberated through the air, his tall, commanding figure framed against the entrance of the packhouse. His presence demanded attention, like a king surveying his court.I stepped forward, nodding with deliberate respect. "Thank you for having us. My people and I won’t forget your kindness, Alpha Xavier. This is my Luna, Vivian, and my second-in-command, Andrew."Vivian, her smile warm yet regal, took a small step forward. "It's a pleasure to meet you, King—" Her words hung in the air as Xavier cut her off, his focus shifting away from her entirely."Welcome, Andrew, everyone," he said, reaching past Vivian to clasp Andrew’s hand. His grip was firm, his tone polite but distant, as if Vivian hadn’t spoken at all. "It’s good to have you. Unfortunately, I have pressing matters to attend to. Please, make yourselves comfortable. I’ll see you all at the welcoming fest tonight."Andrew returned the handshake, glancing brief
HANNAH’S POVThe cold air brushed against my skin, seeping through the cracks in the window as Coby's figure slowly disappeared down the pavement. My heart lurched in my chest, a pit forming in my stomach. What was he doing here? I clenched my fists without even thinking, tension shooting through my arms.Most importantly, what had Kasper said to make him leave? I could almost feel the questions slamming into each other in my mind—chaotic and urgent.“Did he know about Jackson?” My pulse spiked, but I forced myself to breathe. Now wasn’t the time to fall apart. The Crimson-Moon Pack’s welcoming party was moments away, and I needed to show up like the Luna I was.I curled my hands into fists, grounding myself. Tonight had to go smoothly.I forced myself to let go. “He doesn’t matter anymore. Coby is part of the past.” I had to focus on the welcoming party. The Crimson-Moon Pack was here, and I needed to be Luna—not some broken girl haunted by memories.The soft click of Kara’s heels pu
HANNAH’S POVCoby's eyes, darker than I remembered, held a depth that unnerved me. There was sorrow—subtle but unmistakable—that flickered there, and for a second, my anger wavered. I hated that flicker. I hated him.I almost let it go, but then the betrayal rushed back, hitting me hard, pulling me back into the jagged edges of our history. I couldn’t afford to forget. Not now."Of all the Packs in the world," I said, my voice like a blade, "why Shadow-Moon, Coby?" The words cut through the tense air between us. I didn’t even try to hide the bitterness.He didn’t answer right away. His eyes lingered on me a second too long, searching for something—maybe the part of me that used to trust him. But I was cold now. His gaze slid to Xavier, standing just beside me, a silent sentinel."Shadow-Moon is home to the Alpha King," Coby finally replied, his voice steady, though there was a strain there I hadn’t heard before. "And it’s his duty to protect those under his rule. I came for refuge. Tha
VIVIAN’S POVThe moment we returned to our quarters, my rage erupted. I couldn't contain it any longer. My fists clenched and unclenched as I paced, the floor beneath me creaking with each angry step. My breath hissed between my teeth, sharp and fast, like the sound of a cornered animal.“That stupid bitch!” I spat, my voice raw with fury. “How dare she threaten me?”Heat surged under my skin, twisting my insides like coiling flames. I could feel my heart pounding—not from fear, but from the sheer weight of my anger. I glanced at Coby, who stood by the window, his eyes following me as I moved.He had that maddeningly calm look, the one that always made me feel like a firestorm—wild and untamed—while he remained the steady rock, weathering the storm.His silence dug into me. Why wasn’t he saying anything?“She thinks she’s so powerful, doesn’t she? Luna of the Shadow-Moon Pack?” My voice broke into a near-scream, shaking with the weight of all the bitterness I’d buried inside. “She’s s
COBY’S POVI stumbled out of Eva’s house, my chest heaving as if I’d run miles, though my legs barely registered the steps beneath them. My mind was a storm—rage and regret swirling so violently that I couldn’t think straight.Each breath felt sharp, cutting through the tightness in my throat. My feet moved on their own, pulling me farther from the suffocating weight of what I’d just done—farther from her house.Eva’s face wouldn’t leave me. That pale, terrified expression—the way her lips trembled as she backed away from me. The memory tightened around my ribs like a vice. My hands curled into fists at my sides.I’d come so close. Too close to choking the life out of her tonight.Her fear had thrilled me for one terrible second. That scared me even more than anything else. But she deserved it, didn’t she? After everything she’d done? For the lies, the pain, and the part she played in Vivian’s destruction?Vivian.Her name ripped through me like glass. I stopped dead in my tracks, my
EVA’S POVCoby's words hung in the air like smoke, clinging to every breath I tried to take. His eyes, sharp and relentless, bore into mine, alive with a storm of emotions I couldn’t begin to unravel. When he stepped closer, his movements deliberate, almost predatory, my heart raced. His voice, low and serrated with urgency, sliced through the suffocating silence."I know you know something, Eva. Don’t lie to me." His words were a command, not a plea. "This isn’t the time for games. If you have even the slightest idea who’s behind this, you have to tell me."I stumbled back, the intensity of his presence nearly knocking me off balance. My chest heaved as panic swirled in my gut. "I—I don’t know anything, Coby." My voice was barely audible, a quivering whisper trying to rise above the weight of his accusation. "I swear, I don’t know what happened."Coby’s eyes narrowed, his frustration turning to something darker. "You don’t get it, do you? This isn’t just about Vivian. Someone’s tryin
EVA’S POVThe floor felt cold against my legs, grounding me in the oppressive silence. My chest heaved, but I couldn’t fill my lungs. Fear clawed at me, digging deeper with every second. My hands trembled, my fingers numb as if I’d been gripping ice for hours.How long could I keep running? Every escape route seemed to collapse the moment I thought of it. Doors slammed shut before I even reached for the handle. And the pack...their rules, their suffocating watchfulness—they were closing in. My throat tightened. Was there even a way out?The suitcase at my side felt impossibly heavy as I hauled it upright. The weight wasn’t just in the fabric or the few belongings I’d managed to shove in. It was the memories. The questions I couldn’t shake. It was Vivian—her face, her voice. The way her laugh used to light up a room. The way her death had shattered everything.I stood up slowly, dragging the suitcase with me. It felt heavier now, as if the very weight of it mocked my attempts to escape
EVA’S POVThe drive home was a haze of headlights and shadows, my thoughts a chaotic swirl refusing to settle. Elijah didn’t kill Vivian—I knew that in my bones. But if it wasn’t him, then who? The thought sent icy fingers crawling up my spine. Someone out there knew too much. Someone was watching, waiting. And they weren’t done yet.My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my fingers throbbed, but the pain barely registered. Fear gnawed at me, a silent predator with its teeth sunk deep into my chest. Vivian was dead, and if they could kill her, what was stopping them from coming after me? I wasn’t innocent—I was as tangled in this nightmare as anyone else. Maybe even more.When I finally pulled into my driveway, the familiar sight of my house didn’t bring the comfort it once had. The front porch seemed strange, darker. Every creak of the trees in the wind felt like a warning. My pulse thundered as I scanned the street, the yards, the empty windows of the neighboring houses. Was
ELIJAH’S POVEva’s eyes flickered around the room, wild and restless, like a bird caught in a cage. Her chest rose and fell with quick, shallow breaths, and her fingers clutched the edge of the table until her knuckles turned white.“What if we can’t figure it out in time?” she whispered, her voice trembling as though it might shatter under its own weight. “What if they come for us before we even know who it is?”I leaned against the desk, feigning a calm I didn’t feel. My stomach churned with unease, a dull ache radiating through my ribs, but I kept my voice steady.“That’s not going to happen,” I said, though the certainty in my words felt borrowed, hollow. “We’ve survived worse, Eva. We’ll survive this. But we can’t falter. Not now.”Her laugh was sharp and brittle, cutting through the room like broken glass. She raked a hand through her disheveled hair, her movements jerky with frustration.“Worse than this? Are you kidding me, Elijah? Vivian is dead. Do you get that? Dead. And wh
Elijah’s POVI paced the office, my shoes scuffing the worn hardwood, my chest tight with unease. Every second stretched thin as the chaos from last night churned through my mind like a relentless storm.Vivian.Her name clung to my thoughts, heavy and unsettling. Her death wasn’t surprising—I’d predicted it, even counted on it—but it felt wrong. Like a picture slightly askew. Someone else was moving pieces on the board, and the thought made my gut twist.I stopped mid-step, running a hand through my hair as the question gnawed at me. I had planned for disruptions, but this—this was different. The timing was too perfect. Or maybe… too convenient.Inhaling deeply, I pressed my hands against the desk. The cool wood steadied me, but my thoughts wouldn’t follow suit. I couldn’t shake the sense that I was being played.A sharp, hurried knock came at the door, and before I could respond, it flew open. Eva stood there, breathing hard, her red hair wild as if she’d run through a storm to get
Hannah’s POVMy breath caught in my throat as Xavier and I lunged toward her.“Mom!” My voice cracked, panic breaking through my usual composure. I knelt beside her, pressing trembling hands to her shoulders and shaking her gently. “Cecilia, can you hear me?”Xavier was already at her neck, his expression locked in grim determination. His fingertips searched for her pulse.“She’s breathing,” he said, a whisper of relief cutting through his low, firm voice. “Faint, but steady.”I sagged for a fleeting second before urgency yanked me back upright. Xavier didn’t wait—he slid his arms beneath her with careful precision, lifting her as though she weighed nothing. The sight of her limp frame in his arms sent a shiver racing down my spine.I scrambled ahead, fumbling with the car door, my fingers betraying their weakness in the face of fear.“She’ll be okay,” I muttered under my breath, though the words felt hollow—like a desperate plea wrapped in fragile hope.The drive to the hospital was
HANNAH’S POVInstead of calling Cecilia to deliver the devastating news of Vivian’s death, I decided to go in person. She deserved that. She deserved the truth spoken face-to-face, no matter how much I dreaded the moment her world would shatter.Xavier agreed to come with me, though we both knew his presence wouldn’t lessen the weight of the task. Before heading to Cecilia’s, we stopped by Kara’s to drop off Jackson.The car ride was suffocating, a silence thick with the words we weren’t saying. My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my sleeve as I stared out the window, watching the world blur by. When Xavier parked in front of Kara’s house, I broke the quiet.“I’ll talk to Kara,” I said softly, barely looking at him. “She might ask... questions.”He nodded, his hands gripping the steering wheel a second too long before he released it. “Take your time,” he murmured.With Jackson in my arms, I walked to the door, every step feeling heavier than the last. Kara opened it almost instantly,
XAVIER’S POVAs Kas and I stepped out of Eva’s house, silence fell between us—heavy and electric, like the air before a storm. I couldn’t shake the image of Eva’s face: pale, defiant, her eyes darting like a trapped animal. She’d insisted she had been home all night, yet the quiver in her voice betrayed her words.“She’s hiding something,” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the crunch of gravel beneath our boots.Kas walked beside me, silent at first, his profile rigid. Finally, he glanced my way, his eyes sharp but restrained. “You think she did it?”I sighed, the weight of uncertainty pressing harder. “I don’t know,” I admitted, shaking my head. “But she’s involved. The way she reacted—shaken but not broken—it doesn’t add up. We’re missing something.”Kas didn’t respond. His gaze drifted to the horizon, as if searching for answers among the fading stars.We drove in silence, each lost in our thoughts. The early morning hours were quiet, but my mind was anything but. I couldn’t