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
Xavier’s POVAs I watched Coby walk toward the door, a low growl rumbled in my chest, my instincts coiled tight, ready to strike. My eyes narrowed into slits, tracking his every step. The itch to rip him apart clawed at me—a primal urge I struggled to rein in. How dare he? How dare he come to me under the guise of appreciation, as if I couldn’t see through him? Did he really think I was a fool?“I’m not a threat to your union with her,” his words echoed in my head, mocking me with their empty assurances. Coby’s eyes had betrayed him. That spark—sharp, hungry—flickered when he said Hannah’s name. The bastard still lusted after her, still craved what was mine.I didn’t realize my fist was clenched around the pen until it snapped with a sharp crack. I stared at the broken pieces in my hand, feeling my blood hum with barely contained rage. The memory of Coby’s betrayal—how he left Hannah to rot in jail for his crimes—burned in my mind. And now, after all that, he thought he could crawl ba
HANNAH’S POVOnce inside, I led Coby to the dining table and gestured for him to sit. He sank into the chair heavily, as though gravity had claimed a special hold on him.Without a word, I poured him a cup of coffee. The kettle hissed softly, and the bitter scent of the brew filled the air. I placed the mug in front of him, the faint clink against the table the only sound between us. “Here,” I said simply.“Thanks,” he muttered, his voice rough and small. He wrapped both hands around the mug, his fingers trembling slightly. He sipped, his shoulders slumping further, as if the heat in the cup could thaw the cold inside him.I sat across from him, my gaze sharp and unwavering. He avoided it, staring into the dark liquid like it held answers he was too afraid to speak aloud.The Coby I remembered wasn’t this… diminished. He used to carry himself with a sharp-edged arrogance, always ready to cut someone down if it suited him. Now, that sharpness was gone, dulled to something that looked u
HANNAH’S POVI woke to the soft, rhythmic sound of Jackson’s breathing beside me, his little chest rising and falling with such perfect innocence that it made my heart ache. The pale sunlight seeped through the curtains, painting his face in a golden glow. For a moment, I didn’t move, just watched him—the curve of his cheeks, the flutter of his lashes.He looked so peaceful, and in that stillness, I found a fleeting sense of calm. Leaning down, I pressed a gentle kiss to his warm cheek, my lips lingering for a heartbeat.Slipping from the bed, I tightened my robe around me and padded silently to the bathroom. The cool splash of water on my face was like a reset button, wiping away the remnants of sleep. As I dried my face, the thought of pancakes floated to mind—unbidden but welcome. Jackson loved pancakes, especially with a swirl of honey.Back in the bedroom, I changed into Xavier shorts and leggings before pulling my hair into a loose bun.Humming softly, I headed to the kitchen, t
EVA’S POVThe sharp knock at the door tore through my sleep like a blade, yanking me from a fragile dream. I groaned, rolling onto my stomach and pressing my face into the pillow, hoping whoever it was would take the hint and leave.The knocking came again, harder this time, rattling the thin door. “Whoever it is, go away!” I shouted, my voice thick with sleep and irritation.“Eva! It’s me—please, open up!”Vivian? Her voice cracked, raw and unfamiliar, and an uneasy prickle shot through me. I dragged myself out of bed, my head foggy as I stumbled across the room.She never sounded like that—not Vivian, not the girl who could chew someone out without breaking a sweat.When I pulled the door open, whatever I was about to say died in my throat. She stood there, trembling, barely holding herself upright.Her hair stuck to her forehead in damp strands, and her oversized shirt—definitely not hers—hung awkwardly off one shoulder. But it was her eyes that hit me the hardest. They were swolle
VIVIAN’S POVThe night was alive with tension, each breath of wind carrying the weight of my choices. The six guards surrounded me in a loose circle, their postures sharp, hands resting near weapons that might as well have been unsheathed.Their eyes burned with the kind of suspicion that came only from long, hard training. Predators. My wolf stirred beneath my skin—a coiled spring of instinct and fury. I swallowed it down with a low growl, a sound that straddled the line between warning and restraint.This wasn’t the time. Not yet.I pulled air into my lungs, slow and deliberate, willing my wolf to retreat. The shift back to human form hit like a vice tightening around every bone in my body, each joint snapping into place with brutal finality.When it was over, I stood there bare and trembling, the cool night air a sharp reminder of how fragile this form could feel. My breaths came unsteady, but I forced my voice to remain calm. Steady.“I’m Luna Vivian, wife of Alpha Coby of the Cri
VIVIAN’S POVThe taillights vanished into the yawning dark, swallowed by the endless stretch of road. A lump rose in my throat—sharp and suffocating—and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.My chest hitched as I choked down a sob that threatened to claw its way free. He’d done it. Coby had really left me—abandoned me—without a second glance, without a shred of hesitation.The cold pressed against my skin like icy needles, but even that was nothing compared to the hollow ache churning inside me.The forest loomed beyond the crumbling pack house, its gnarled branches clawing at the moonlit sky like skeletal fingers. Shadows pooled beneath the trees—dark, alive—and my gut twisted.Rogues could be out there, lurking, watching, waiting. I shivered, but not from the cold. The fear pressed down on me, heavy and relentless, making my pulse race and my breaths come shallow.“Get a grip,” I whispered, though my voice barely broke the silence. My legs felt leaden as I forced them to move, each step
COBY’S POVThe car hurtled down the desolate road, the growl of the engine loud but not loud enough. The chaos in my mind was deafening. My fingers clamped around the steering wheel, nails biting into the leather. My jaw ached from clenching so hard.I had done it. Finally. I had walked away from her for good.But her voice—raw, broken—clung to me like a ghost. “Coby, please! Don’t go! Don’t leave me like this!”Her scream had shattered something inside me, something I wasn’t sure I’d ever get back. Even now, the memory of it tightened around my chest like a vice. But I couldn’t stop. Not after what she’d done.The name came unbidden: that damn Elijah.Just thinking his name made my blood boil. How could she? After everything we had been through, after everything I had sacrificed for her, how could she betray me like this? I slammed my hand against the wheel, the sharp pain in my palm doing nothing to ease the rage burning through me.She had stood there, tears streaming down her face
VIVIAN’S POVHis grip on my throat faltered, a flicker of uncertainty flashing across his stormy eyes. I gasped, dragging air into my burning lungs, coughing as if it might stop the world from spinning.“For us?” His voice dropped to a low growl, quieter now but seething with danger.“Yes!” I choked, my words tumbling out through tears that burned hot trails down my cheeks. “Everything I did, Coby, I did for us. Do you think I wanted this? That I—” My voice cracked, and I gritted my teeth, forcing the words past the lump in my throat.“Do you think I enjoyed it? Being near him, letting him think he had control over me? I hated every second of being with him. But I thought—” I faltered, my voice trembling like brittle glass. “I thought if I gave him what he wanted, we could have his resources and support. It was the only way. For us. For our future.”His fingers twitched, loosening slightly, though they lingered at my throat. His breath was uneven, his chest heaving with restrained rag
VIVIAN’S POV“What truth are you talking about, Coby?” My voice came out sharper than intended, the sharp edge of fear making it crack. I couldn’t help it—the way he’d been acting, the things he’d been saying—it wasn’t like him.Coby didn’t answer. He didn’t even flinch. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked deeper into the ruins, his boots crunching over broken glass and rotting wood.“Coby!” I called after him, my voice rising in pitch—a mix of frustration and panic. My pulse thudded in my ears as I watched his retreating figure. He was acting so strange, so... off.Whatever madness had taken hold of him that night, I had to stop it. I needed to drag him out of that place before something terrible happened—something we couldn’t come back from.He was slipping away—both physically and emotionally—and I couldn’t let that happen. Not now.I hurried after him, stumbling slightly as I tried to navigate the broken remains of the house. The scent of damp wood and decay filled my nostri
VIVIAN’S POVThe hum of the car filled the silence—a low, steady sound that echoed the unease building inside me. I sat in the passenger seat, staring out into the darkness as the road stretched endlessly ahead.Coby hadn’t said a damn word since we left the shadow moon pack, and the longer we drove, the more I realized how stupid I had been not to ask questions.What exactly was I thinking? I came home, exhausted after a long day with Eva and Elijah, and there he was, telling me to get in the car.I didn’t even ask why or where we were going—I just went along. And Now, hours later, with nothing but the dim glow of the dashboard and his silence for company, I felt like an idiot to say the least.I turned my head to look at him. His face was set, his eyes locked on the road like it held some kind of answer. His hands gripped the wheel, his knuckles pale under the faint light.“Coby,” I said, breaking the silence, though my voice sounded smaller than I intended. “Where the hell are we g