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 POVI stood by the window, watching my family. Xavier's laughter mixed with Jackson's giggles as he lifted our little boy into the air in the garden.For a brief moment, I let myself sink into the warmth of the scene. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the cloud that had lingered over me since Coby's visit. His sudden appearance at our doorstep had stirred a storm of memories I’d fought to bury.His lies, his manipulations—they always left scars. But unless he was here to finally admit the truth about Elise’s death, I had nothing left to say to him.With a sigh, I pulled myself away from the window. Tonight wasn't about Coby or the painful past he represented. It was about my stepmother, Cecilia. I hadn’t had much time with her since the last welcoming party, and I had missed her—her kindness, her warmth.The house buzzed with the quiet hum of preparation. The soft clink of dishes as the maid set the table, the faint aroma of garlic and roasted potatoes wafting
HANNAH’S POV"Who is it?" I asked, already sensing it would disrupt my brief moment of calm.Helen, my maid, replied softly, "It's Lily."I glanced over at my mother, Cecilia, sitting nearby. We exchanged a look, and I sighed inwardly. "Show her to the study," I said, my tone firm but not unkind. "I'll meet her there."Helen bowed and left swiftly. I turned to my mother, guilt gnawing at me. "I wish we could chat longer, Mom," I said, trying to smile despite the heaviness settling in. "But duty calls, as usual. I'll come visit as often as I can."Cecilia’s warm eyes softened as she stood, pulling me into a hug, her familiar scent of lavender surrounding me. "I understand, dear," she murmured, her voice rich with understanding. "You’ve always had so much on your shoulders, but I’ll hold you to that promise."I hugged her tighter, lingering in her warmth a moment longer. "Thank you so much for coming tonight, Mom. It means the world."She kissed my cheek, a gentle, comforting touch. "I’
ELIJAH’S POVThe air in the dungeon clung to my skin, damp and heavy, thick with the stench of mold and rotting straw. Every breath felt like inhaling decay. Somewhere in the distance, chains scraped against stone—a hollow, metallic sound that slithered into my ears like a cruel whisper.I shifted, the jagged wall biting into my back, but the pain barely registered. My mind was elsewhere, unraveling the web of deception that had ensnared me.The note—my handwriting, every letter a perfect imitation—was a noose tightening around my neck. A threat against Vivian, as damning as it was false. I knew my own script: the rhythm of my strokes, the slight imperfections born from years of habit. But this? This was a forgery, designed with precision and purpose. And now, with Vivian dead, the stage was set for my fall.My fists clenched in my lap. Who wanted me gone badly enough to orchestrate something so meticulous?Xavier or Coby.Xavier was calculated, a man who moved like a shadow on a ches
XAVIER’S POVI left Hannah standing in the living room, her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. Her lips were parted as if she wanted to say something—anything—but no words came. The fear in her eyes cut deeper than I wanted to admit.I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.The afternoon sun slapped against my skin as I stepped outside, sharp and unforgiving. But it did nothing to cool the fire raging in my chest. My breath came fast and uneven. The note crinkled in my fist, its inked words seared into my mind like a brand.This wasn’t just evidence. It was a death sentence.Elder Elijah—my advisor, the most respected among the elders, the man who had stood beside me for years, whispering counsel in my ear and earning my trust—had ordered my son to be poisoned. He had orchestrated Vivian's murder.A growl rumbled low in my throat as my Lycan clawed beneath my skin, restless and enraged. My muscles tensed, every part of me demanding blood, vengeance. I forced my legs to move, stead
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