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
VIVIAN’S POV“Vivian. I’m here to speak with Alpha Coby,” Andrew said, standing rigid in the doorway. His formal tone matched his stiff posture. He always sounded like he had swallowed a rulebook.I shot him a sharp glare, my lips curling slightly. “It’s Luna Vivian,” I replied, letting the words drip with disdain. How many times did I have to remind him?Andrew’s jaw twitched, but his expression didn’t change. Before he could open his mouth, Coby’s voice boomed from inside the room. “Come right in, Drew!”I huffed, the dismissal of my title simmering in my chest. Andrew strode past me without a second glance, ignoring me as if I were a piece of furniture. My fingers twitched, but I held back, following him into the room. One day, I would wipe that indifference off his stupid face.“Coby, I’ve received word from the Shadow-Moon Pack. They’ve scheduled a training session for our warriors.”Coby, sitting by the sofa, raised his eyebrows. “Already?” he said, surprise in his voice. “Xavie
VIVIAN’S POVLily approached cautiously, her eyes wide, sparkling with curiosity. There was something innocent about her, yet a quiet determination simmered beneath the surface. Her steps were light but purposeful, as though she had already assigned herself a role in this tense situation.“This is Vivian, wife of the Crimson Pack Alpha,” Hannah's voice cut through the room with an unsettling coolness. She barely glanced at me, her gaze holding a calculated indifference that stung more than her words. “She’ll be working with our Pack to ensure her people are... taken care of.”My jaw tightened. I saw the slight curve at the edge of Hannah's lips—a signal of control. It made my teeth clench, the faint condescension in her tone unmistakable.Lily’s gaze flicked between us, unsure, her brow furrowing slightly. There it was—her uncertainty. She should be wary. This was not a game for the naïve."Vivian needs guidance," Hannah's tone sharpened, her voice brooking no argument as she stared st
HANNAH’S POVAs I stepped through the front door, exhaustion hit me like a wave—a heavy weight pressing down on my chest. Every muscle felt like it had been wrung out, and my head pounded in time with my heartbeat. I could still hear Vivian’s biting words echoing in my mind, sharp and cutting like daggers.The bitterness of that meeting clung to me, leaving me drained, as though I had brought the tension home with me.The moment Xavier looked up from the couch, I saw worry flash across his face. His soft, dark eyes studied me, taking in the tired lines on my face and the way my shoulders sagged. He didn’t need to ask to know something was wrong.“You look exhausted,” he said quietly, his voice wrapping around me like a soft blanket. “How’d it go with Vivian?”I dropped onto the couch beside him, the cushions sinking beneath me. His warmth seeped into my skin, and for a second, I felt like I could breathe again. Without thinking, I reached for his hand, needing the solidity of him. As
HANNAH’S POVAs soon as I laid Jackson in his crib, I lingered for a moment, watching his little chest rise and fall. His soft breaths filled the room, and for a second, I felt a wave of calm wash over me. But then I remembered who was waiting in the other room, and a nervous excitement crept into my chest. Quietly, I made my way back.Xavier was already in bed, stretching out lazily. He looked so comfortable, one arm flung behind his head, his muscles relaxed under the dim light of the room. I climbed onto the bed, straddling his waist, my knees sinking into the mattress on either side of him.“Feeling sleepy already?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.Xavier let out a low chuckle and nodded, eyes half-closed, his mouth curving into a lazy smile.I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against his ear. “That’s a shame,” I whispered, my voice barely audible but thick with intent. “I wanted to do something... just for us tonight.”His eyes flicked open, that familiar spark flashing in them. “
HANNAH’S POVThe next morning, I woke up in Xavier's arms as usual, his deep blue eyes the first sight to greet me as I blinked open my eyes. "Good morning, beautiful," he said before pressing his lips to mine in a kiss.I smiled into the kiss, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. I couldn't get enough of this man who was my mate. Perhaps we could go another round this morning before the sun crawls out.And just as the thought popped into my mind, Xavier pulled away. "I have to get up and get ready for work. You should get up too, sweetheart."Xavier was right. I did need to get up and get ready for work, but I also wanted to cuddle with him a little bit longer."Are you trying to get rid of me?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at him."Never," Xavier growled lowly before reaching down for another kiss. After he pulled away, I sighed in defeat."Fine," I mumbled, getting out of bed before smacking his ass from behind.Xavier chuckled and made his way to the bathroom to get ready
COBY’S POVI watched Hannah disappear into the elevator, a storm of frustration swirling inside me. My fingers twitched at my sides as my mind replayed the encounter that had just spiraled out of control. "Stubborn as always," I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair.This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Not even close to how I imagined it would be.I had imagined—no, hoped—that somehow she’d listen to me, give me a chance to explain. But why did I think it would be any different this time? Did I really believe she’d welcome me with open arms like we are old friends? Still, I needed her to hear me out, to understand. But she wouldn’t even give me that.My hand balled into a tight fist as helpless anger simmered beneath the surface.If that girl, Lily, hadn’t shown up, I might have gotten through to her. My jaw clenched. Hannah had slipped away—again. She was always slipping away, just out of my reach. Now, I’d have to wait. A bitter thought. But waiting wasn’t my s
ROSS’S POVFor ten years, I’ve waited. Ten long years, each one heavier than the last. The weight of her absence has never lifted, never faded. Laila. My mate. My beautiful light. She was the only good thing in my life, the only person who could see past the darkness inside me. And he took her from me.Xavier.I don’t care if it was an accident. What matters is that her blood spilled at his fucking hands. What matters is that I had to watch as the life drained from her beautiful eyes—the same eyes that used to look at me with nothing but love. Xavier stole her from me, and for that, he must pay. He will pay.I’ve bided my time, waiting, planning, gathering my strength. Over the years, I’ve had offers—wolves eager to see Xavier fall. But none of them understood what it would take. It wasn’t enough to just kill him. No. That would be too easy, too quick. I needed him to suffer. I needed him to feel the same pain that has torn me apart every single day since I lost her.For ten years, I’
XAVIER’S POVThe moment Hannah told me she was pregnant, the world seemed to stop. A rush of joy—raw and electric—surged through me, so intense it stole my breath. My heart pounded in my chest, and for a second, I couldn’t speak.Another baby. A piece of us.I pulled her into my arms, holding her so tightly I worried I might hurt her. But she laughed—a sound so light and full of hope it made my chest ache. I kissed her, my hands trembling against her face, and for that one perfect moment, everything else faded away.But as we left the hospital, the joy began to crack.Ross.The name slithered into my mind like a snake, cold and unrelenting. My stomach twisted, and I clenched my fists to keep them from shaking. He was out there. Watching. Waiting. The thought of him anywhere near Hannah, near Jackson—near this new life growing inside her—made my blood run cold.I could almost see his face: that cruel smirk, those empty, cold eyes. My jaw tightened, and I forced myself to breathe, to ke
Hannah’s POVThe thought made me smile, but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. I needed to be sure before I said anything to Xavier. The last thing I wanted was to raise his hopes—or mine—if it wasn’t true. Still, the possibility made me feel warm inside, and I couldn’t help but imagine another child, a sibling for Jackson.Once I was dressed, I found Xavier already waiting for me, his eyes watching my every move. He didn’t say much, but the way he hovered close to me, the gentle touches on my arm and back, spoke volumes. He was worried, though trying to hide it. I could tell.As we headed downstairs, I kept thinking about that small possibility—could I really be pregnant?Jackson was still fast asleep when we peeked into his room. His little body was curled up under the blankets, clutching his stuffed bunny. I smiled at the sight, but my thoughts wandered to how different things could be soon if there was a new addition to the family. The idea made my heart flutter."Let’s go befo
HANNAH’S POVI stirred awake the next morning, feeling the warmth of Xavier’s body beside me. His lips brushed against my cheek, trailing down to my collarbone, and I smiled before my eyes even opened. When they did, he was there—his face inches from mine, his dark emerald eyes crinkling at the corners as he grinned down at me.“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured, his voice low and rough with sleep.I reached up to touch his face, my fingers grazing the stubble along his jaw. “Morning,” I whispered back, my voice still thick with sleep.He leaned in, his lips hovering over mine, but I turned my face away with a playful squeal. “Xavier, no! I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.”He chuckled, the sound warm and rich, and I felt it vibrate through his chest. “I don’t care,” he said, his breath tickling my ear. “You’re still you.”Before I could protest again, his lips found mine—soft and insistent. I melted into him, my hands sliding up to tangle in his hair. His kiss was slow and deliberat
HANNAH’S POVThe dinner table felt too big tonight. The empty chair across from me glared like an accusation. The food in front of me had long lost its steam—the mashed potatoes hardening at the edges, the chicken growing cold.It wasn’t like him to be late, not like this. He’d been so absorbed in finding Elijah ever since he disappeared, and I understood the toll it was taking on him. He wouldn’t let it go until he found the truth, no matter how long it took. But tonight… something felt off. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t just about Elijah.I sighed softly, a mix of frustration and worry swirling inside me. I’d been waiting so long, hoping for a message, for any sign that he was coming home soon. Just as I was about to call him, my phone buzzed on the table. My heart leaped as I saw it was a message from Xavier.“I won’t be home for dinner. Don’t wait up. Kiss Jackson goodnight for me.”I stared at the message, my chest tightening. Another long night without him. But I u
XAVIER’S POVThe door clicked softly as Kas left, but the sound barely registered. My mind was already unraveling, pulled back into the past by a force I couldn’t fight. The office—its polished wood, the faint scent of ink and leather—faded into nothingness.All I could see was her. Laila. My baby sister. Her face, so full of life, so full of light, flashed before me, and the ache in my chest—the one that never truly left—flared like a fresh wound.“Xavier, you’re being unreasonable!” Her voice echoed in my mind, sharp and pleading all at once. I could still see her standing there, hands on her hips, those wide, gentle eyes blazing with frustration. “Ross isn’t the monster you think he is. He’s my mate, Xavier. My mate. Don’t you understand what that means?”I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening as I glared at her. “I understand perfectly, Laila. I understand that the Moon Goddess made a mistake. Ross is a killer, a predator. He thrives on chaos and bloodshed. You’re too good for him
XAVIER’S POVThe sun was starting to set as I stood by the window in my office, my fingers gripping the sill until my knuckles turned white. The view below should have been comforting—the sprawling territory of the Shadow Moon Pack, alive with movement and purpose. But today, it felt like a taunt. Everything was as it should be, except for the one thing that wasn’t.Elijah.He was still gone. Vanished. Like a ghost.My men had scoured every inch of the territory, chased every lead, but he’d slipped through our fingers again and again. And now? Nothing. Not a trace. Not a whisper. It was as if the earth had swallowed him whole. The frustration gnawed at me, a relentless ache in my chest. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was failing everyone.Elijah wasn’t the first to disappear. Alpha Coby had done the same—vanished into thin air after being found guilty of Vivian’s murder. One moment he was there, and the next… gone. Like smoke. I’d sent messages to every neighboring pack, called i
COBY’S POVThe moment I saw him, my breath hitched, and the world seemed to tilt. Elijah. That name alone was enough to make my blood boil with rage. My chest tightened, and my pulse thundered in my ears like a war drum.What the hell was that old geezer doing here? My stomach churned, bile rising in my throat as memories of Shadow Moon clawed their way to the surface—Vivian’s lifeless body, Hannah’s betrayed eyes, the lies I’d spun to survive. I thought I’d left it all behind. I thought I was safe here.But now, standing there in the corner, Elijah was a living reminder of everything I’d tried to bury. His presence was a threat, a ticking bomb waiting to explode. If he told Alpha Ross the truth—who I really was, what I’d done—I’d lose everything. My stomach twisted into knots, panic gnawing at the edges of my mind. I couldn’t let that happen.I stayed hidden, my back pressed against the rough edges of the pack house, watching as the guards led Elijah to one of the guest cabins. The a
ELIJAH’S POVFor a moment, Ross stared at me in silence, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he burst into laughter—loud, deep, and unsettling. It filled the room, reverberating off the stone walls.The sound was so unexpected and jarring that I stood frozen, unsure whether he was genuinely amused or if he had suddenly gone mad. The laughter stretched on, and the guards exchanged uneasy glances, as if they too weren’t sure what to make of it.Just as abruptly as it had started, the laughter stopped. Ross’s face hardened, and the coldness returned to his eyes, sharper than before. “How… predictable,” he said, his voice now devoid of any humor.He flicked his hand dismissively at the guards. “Take him away.”The guard at my side motioned for me to follow, and I turned quickly, eager to leave the room before Ross’s mood shifted again. As I walked away, the sound of his laughter still echoed faintly in my ears—a dark reminder that I was now in the company of a man as dangero