COBY'S POVI stumbled out of Xavier's office, my lungs desperate for air. My throat burned where his hand had been, and I rubbed the bruised skin as I leaned against the hallway wall. The ache spread with each breath, but it wasn’t the physical pain that unsettled me.Xavier's strength, the raw power behind that grip, rattled me. It was unnerving—unexpected. I had underestimated him."Damn Lycan," I muttered, wincing as I tried to straighten up.I had underestimated his protectiveness toward Hannah. But I couldn’t back down now. Hannah wasn’t guilty—not yet. She was key to my plan. If I could manipulate things just right and get the council to believe she was guilty, then Xavier would be cornered.He’d have no choice but to bow to me. I’d get what I wanted, and he wouldn’t even see it coming. Vivian had laid out the path perfectly. Together, we would climb to the top, no longer living like outcasts.My footsteps echoed down the empty corridor as Xavier's fury lingered in my mind. His
ANDREW’S POVI watched Coby’s stiff back as he walked away, tension radiating off him. My chest tightened, a sense of unease creeping in. What is he hiding? His words echoed in my mind, deliberate and cold.“Loyalty comes first.”Loyalty to whom, though? The question rattled around in my skull. To Vivian or to the truth? I swallowed hard, suspicion gnawing at me. The pieces didn’t fit. Coby was acting strange, and Vivian... she was somehow tangled in all this. I just didn’t know how. If I’m going to do anything, I need proof.After training, my body screamed for rest. Every muscle ached, but my mind was relentless, circling back to Coby, Vivian, the poison. Nothing added up.“Damn it,” I muttered, scrubbing a hand through my hair. Maybe a shower will help.Back in my room, I peeled off my sweat-drenched clothes, feeling the weight of exhaustion. The cold water did its best to relax my body, but the knots in my stomach refused to untangle. No amount of scrubbing could wash away the dre
ANDREW'S POVThe thought hit me like a punch to the gut. I hadn’t felt anything like this since... well, since Hannah. But with Hannah, it was one-sided, unreciprocated. This felt different. Deeper. I couldn’t stop the questions from swirling in my mind as I tossed and turned, the tension in my body refusing to let me sleep until exhaustion finally pulled me under.The next morning came too soon. The sun’s early rays filtered through my window, and I knew I wouldn’t find any rest lying there. I needed to clear my head. Grabbing my clothes, I headed outside, the crisp morning air biting at my skin. My wolf stirred restlessly, eager to run, to stretch. Without a second thought, I shifted, feeling the familiar rush of power as my brown wolf took form.The forest welcomed me as I ran, the cool earth beneath my paws grounding me. Each stride burned away the restlessness, but the questions lingered. Why did I feel this pull toward Lily? What was happening to me?By the time I returned to wh
HANNAH’S POVThe wind tugged at my hair, cold and biting, as I leaned against the balcony railing. The early morning chill wrapped itself around me, creeping into my bones. I tightened my grip on the cold metal beneath my fingers and stared at the horizon. Maybe, just maybe, the answers I sought would appear if I looked hard enough.But they didn’t.A knot of unease twisted in my chest, a weight that hadn’t lifted in days. My thoughts circled back to the council’s summons—an ever-present shadow. The accusations, the looming trial.The poisoned refugees. The wolves I had tried to help were now the cause of my trial, and despite my innocence, the truth felt just out of reach.“They’ll condemn you,” a small voice whispered in the back of my mind. “Just like they did before.”I squeezed my eyes shut, inhaling sharply, trying to quiet the voice. But fear clawed at me, refusing to be ignored.Later that day, I made my way to the clinic. My heart pounded against my ribs, my steps too quick,
Hannah’s POV"With the help of the doctor, an investigation was carried out on the victims," I said firmly, my voice steady despite the knot of tension in my chest. "The truth has revealed itself. You just have to take a look."The council murmured among themselves, a low buzz filling the chamber as I pulled out the doctor's report from my bag. My fingers brushed against the worn paper, feeling the weight of its significance. Lily, always quick to assist, handed it to Councilor Elijah, who accepted it with a nod."Honorable council," I continued, my eyes scanning the room, "I present this evidence to support my claims."A heavy silence fell as the councilors read the document, the only sound being the rustling of pages as they passed it along. I watched Elijah closely; his eyes moved over the words with sharp, focused intensity.Finally, Elijah spoke, his voice cutting through the silence. "The doctor's report and test results confirm wolf's bane and silver in deadly quantities."At t
Vivian's POVI could feel the heat rising in my chest, anger pushing at the seams. "Damn that stupid councilor, and every one of them," I muttered under my breath, fists clenched so tight my knuckles went white. How could they believe her so easily?The echo of Councilor Elijah’s voice gnawed at me: "A team will be formed to investigate and gather more evidence."My stomach twisted. They were buying into Hannah’s ridiculous theory. Worse, Andrew’s betrayal sealed it. His support tipped the scales. He was supposed to be loyal to his pack, to me—not her. Not now.I shot a seething look at Andrew from across the room, my glare sharp enough to cut through him. Traitor. His back was turned, pretending I didn’t exist. The coward.Coby sat beside me, his scowl mirroring mine, and I knew he felt the same. We were in this together, and now our alliance was hanging by a thread. The council’s prying eyes would uncover everything soon—my role in the poisoning, my plan to frame Hannah.But I could
VIVIAN’S POV"Is that so?" I asked, tilting my head, trying to read the flicker behind Eva's eyes. Her lips curled into a playful smirk—the kind that never quite reached her eyes.She nodded, slow and deliberate. "I can be of great help to you." Her voice was smooth, with a quiet undertone that felt like a trap, a secret wrapped in silk.I crossed my arms, narrowing my gaze. "What kind of help?" I demanded, liking exactly where this was going.Her grin widened, like she had just pulled the strings of a marionette. She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a near whisper, the intimacy of her words prickling my skin. "The kind that can bring Luna Hannah down. But first," she paused, her eyes gleaming, "you have to become my friend."I felt my muscles tense. "What's in it for you?" My voice was sharper now, suspicion laced into every syllable.Eva shrugged, her eyes never leaving mine. "Mutual benefits. You want her gone, and I do too." She leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. "If
COBY'S POVI watched Andrew walk away, the silence between us shattered by Vivian’s voice. It cracked like a whip—sharp and angry."Have you lost your damn mind, Coby?" she snapped, her arms crossed so tightly over her chest that it seemed like she was holding herself together."We will see," I said simply."Explain yourself, or I swear, you'll have me to contend with," she pushed.I exhaled slowly, forcing calm into my voice, though my mind was already swimming in a pool of rage. "Trust me, Vivian," I said, turning my head slightly to meet her gaze. "I'm not about to forgive Andrew for his betrayal. Not that easily."Her eyes flickered, narrowing as she leaned closer, suspicion tightening her features. "Then why even meet with him?" she demanded, her words biting, daring me to explain, to give her something she could cling to—something that made sense.A faint smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. I glanced away from her, looking out into the distance."Because he needs a reminder,
ANDREW’S POV The room erupted into a frenzy of motion as the doctors rushed in, their faces a mix of shock and forced calm. My chest heaved, and my hands trembled at my sides, slick with sweat. The echo of my own voice still rang in my ears—raw, desperate, pleading for help. My eyes stayed locked on Lily, her fragile form almost swallowed by the sterile white sheets. But she was alive. Awake. Her eyelids fluttered, and the sight hit me like a sucker punch. Relief and guilt crashed together in a storm I couldn’t begin to sort out. The doctors moved around her with practiced precision, their murmurs a low, clinical hum. I stood frozen, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. Every second stretched into an eternity, every beep of the monitor a cruel reminder of how close I’d come to losing her. Finally, one of the doctors—a woman with kind eyes and a no-nonsense air—turned to me. Her smile was small but real, and it felt like the first crack of sunlight after a lon
ANDREW’S POV The cold, damp air of the dungeon clung to me like a second skin as I burst into the open. My chest heaved, not just from running, but from the raw, unrelenting fury burning in my veins. Beatrice was gone—her lifeless body left behind in that cursed cell—but Elijah… Elijah was still out there. And he would pay. I shifted into my wolf form, my paws pounding against the earth as I raced toward the main house. The guards and servants scattered like leaves in the wind, their shouts fading into the background. They weren’t my concern. My focus was singular, unyielding: find Elijah. Make him suffer. Make him regret digging his claws into what was mine. But as I tore through the forest, my wolf’s instincts sharp and unerring, I collided with a force that stopped me dead in my tracks. Alpha Xavier and his men stood before me, their presence commanding and unshakable. Xavier’s piercing gaze locked onto mine, and I shifted back into my human form, my body trembling with a mix
ANDREW’S POV The heavy dungeon door creaked open, and Beatrice stepped inside, her boots echoing against the cold stone floor. She carried a plate of food, her grip tight, knuckles whitening. Her eyes flicked to me, and for a split second, I saw it—hesitation, a flicker of doubt. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a hard, angry glare. She was trying to convince herself as much as me. My heart hammered in my chest, but I kept my face calm. This was my chance—my only chance to break free. “Beatrice,” I said, my voice low but steady. “You don’t have to do this. Let me go. I’ll make sure Xavier knows you were just following orders. You don’t have to go down with Elijah. He’s just using you.” She stopped short, her lips curling into a sneer. “Save your breath, Andrew,” she spat, her voice sharp but with a tiny crack in it—a fracture. “You’re going to die soon anyway. Why don’t you just shut up?” She dropped the plate in front of me. The bowl clattered, soup slos
HANNAH’S POV Elijah’s footsteps faded down the hallway, and I finally let out the breath I’d been holding. My chest felt tight, my heart hammering so hard I thought it might burst. I turned to Lily, my hands trembling as I reached for her. Her face was pale, her chest rising and falling in shallow, mechanical breaths. I leaned closer, my fingers brushing her wrist to check for a pulse. It was there—faint but steady. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. The image of Elijah hovering over her, his cold gaze lingering, sent a chill through me. He hadn’t come to check on her. He’d come to finish what he had already started. “Lily,” I whispered, my voice breaking. I took her hand, squeezing it gently as if I could will some of my strength into her. “Please, wake up. You have to fight. We need you.” My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard, blinking back tears. “You’re not alone, okay? I’m here. Xavier’s here. We won’t let him hurt you again.” Her hand twitched—just the sl
ELIJAH’S POV The heavy dungeon door groaned as it swung shut behind me, its iron hinges screaming in protest. My boots scraped against the uneven floor, each step a deliberate act of defiance as Andrew’s muffled groans faded into the oppressive darkness. My chest tightened, a volatile mix of anger and satisfaction coiling deep within me. He deserved this. Every agonizing second of it. Beatrice caught up with me, her face a mask of worry. “We need to kill him before Xavier returns and finds out. If we’re caught, it’ll be over for both of us.” I glanced at her, slightly irritated. “Not yet, Beatrice. I want him to suffer more before I end him. He stays alive for now, and that’s final.” She sighed, shaking her head. “You’re making a mistake. Keeping Andrew alive is too dangerous, especially with Xavier sniffing around. It’s not about Andrew himself—it’s about what happens if Xavier returns with more guards to search for him.” I considered her words for a moment, the scenario
ANDREW’S POV The cold was the first thing I felt—sharp, biting, like teeth sinking into my skin. It wasn’t just the chill of the dungeon; it was alive, slithering through the air, wrapping around me until I could barely breathe. My head throbbed, each pulse a cruel reminder of the blow that had knocked me out. My body ached, every muscle screaming as I shifted slightly. Then came the sound—a sharp, metallic clink. Chains. My wrists were shackled, the cuffs digging into my flesh, and my ankles were anchored to the floor with heavy iron. I was trapped. I blinked, my vision swimming as it adjusted to the dim, flickering light. The walls were slick with moisture, the stones jagged and uneven, as if they’d been carved to inflict suffering. The air reeked of mildew and decay, a nauseating stench that clawed at my throat. This wasn’t just a cell; it was a tomb, a place designed to crush hope. And then I saw him. Elijah stood a few feet away, his silhouette sharp against the gloom.
XAVIER’S POV I stormed out of the hospital, my mind racing as I headed straight for Elijah’s compound. Andrew’s impulsive decision to confront Elijah alone was reckless, and I knew it could only end in disaster. Elijah wasn’t the kind of man you confronted without a plan, and Andrew’s grief and rage had clouded his judgment. I had to stop him before it was too late. When I arrived at Elijah’s house, the guards at the gate immediately tensed, their hands hovering near their weapons as they recognized me. I didn’t have time for their games. “I need to speak to Elijah,” I said, my voice sharp and commanding. “Now.” The guards exchanged uneasy glances but eventually stepped aside, allowing me to pass. I strode through the compound, my senses on high alert. The place reeked of arrogance and deceit, and I hated every second I had to spend there. Elijah was waiting for me in the main hall, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. “Xavier,” he said, his voice smooth and mocking. “To wh
ANDREW’S POV The night air was cold, biting at my skin as I stormed through the streets. My mind was a whirlwind of anger, grief, and desperation. Every step I took felt fueled by the fire burning in my chest—a fire that had been ignited the moment I saw Lily lying there, broken and bleeding. The image was seared into my mind, playing on repeat like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. And now, the doctor’s words echoed in my ears: “She’s hanging on by a thread.” Elijah did this. He hurt her. He took the one person who meant everything to me and tried to destroy her. I didn’t care if it was a calculated move or some twisted message to the pack. All I cared about was making him pay. He was going to regret ever laying a hand on her. My fists clenched at my sides as I picked up speed, my feet carrying me toward Elijah’s territory. I didn’t have a plan, and I didn’t care about the consequences. All I knew was that I couldn’t sit there and wait while Lily fought for her life. I had
HANNAH’S POV Andrew’s sobs tore through me, raw and unrelenting, as he clung to my shoulder. His body shook against mine, each cry a knife twisting deeper into my chest. I held him tighter, my fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt as if I could somehow anchor him to this moment—to me. The sterile smell of the hospital burned my nose, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart. Lily—sweet, fierce Lily—was just beyond those doors, fighting for her life. And Andrew… he was breaking in my arms. “Why?” he choked out, his voice muffled against my shoulder. “Why her? Why today?” His words were ragged, each one laced with a pain so deep it felt endless. I didn’t have an answer. There was no answer. The world was cruel, and it had chosen them—two of the kindest souls I knew—to bear its cruelty. I pulled back just enough to cup his face, my thumbs brushing away the tears that wouldn’t stop falling. His eyes were bloodshot, his cheeks streaked with grief. “Andrew,” I whis