COBY’S POVI stormed out of the woods, leaving Andrew behind, each step heavy with anger. My hands were clenched so tightly my knuckles throbbed. His voice still echoed in my head, sharp as broken glass, cutting deeper with every passing second.“Hannah had a son... two years ago... and he’s yours too.”I stumbled as the words rang in my ears, my breath catching in my throat. A son. My son. Every fragment of the past—Hannah disappearing, the sleepless nights wondering what had happened to her—now snapped into a cruel, undeniable picture.She hadn’t just escaped. She had left with our child in her womb. And for two whole years, I had lived in ignorance.I could feel my pulse pounding in my temples as disbelief fought with the fury bubbling beneath my skin. How could she? How could she keep something like this from me? And Andrew—he knew. He knew, and yet he said nothing.The thought turned my anger into a fire I could barely contain. I shoved my fists into my pockets, trying to steady m
COBY’S POVThe days had blurred together, each one a heavy fog of guilt and secrecy. My heart pounded under the weight of a truth I couldn’t reveal. Every glance from Vivian—sharp, questioning—was a needle pricking deeper into my conscience. She was no fool.Her suspicions were growing, a silent storm building between us. And every day, I felt the pull—our son, somewhere within the pack. The thought gnawed at me constantly, a relentless ache.I couldn’t take it anymore. It had to end. I had to know, to face it all. I needed to see Hannah. Confront her. Get the answers that had eluded me for too long.Before I knew it, my feet were moving, taking me out of our quarters and straight to Xavier’s mansion. The closer I got, the harder my heart pounded, each step fueled by a mix of anger, desperation, and a flicker of hope.The guard at the entrance stood tall, his face a mask of indifference, but his eyes betrayed suspicion. His hesitation only fanned the fire inside me.“I need to see Han
COBY/HANNAH’S POV*Coby’s POV*“What do you mean, Hannah? You think I would hurt my own son?”I barely recognized my own voice—it was sharp, defensive, almost aching. Her accusation cut deep, like a wound I didn’t know could exist between us. My eyes darted over her face, searching for a sign, any sign, that she didn’t truly believe it. But there was no comfort in her expression. Just fear. Fear of me.Hannah’s lips formed a thin line, her eyes hardening. “Not you, Coby,” she said quietly, “but Vivian would. And I can’t take that risk.”Vivian. That name—it twisted something inside me. My gut churned, though I tried to push the thought away. I couldn’t let myself believe it. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t. But doubt crept in, slow and unwelcome, wrapping itself around my resolve. My fists clenched at my sides as I tried to shake it off. Vivian was capable of a whole lot of things, there was no denying that.“Vivian wouldn’t dare.” The words came out firm, though the certainty wasn’t there
VIVIAN’S POVI sat on the couch, book open, but the words blurred together, unread. My eyes followed Coby’s every movement as he grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. He paused for a second, glancing back at me. I quickly pretended to turn a page. My heart pounded, but I forced a casual smile. He wasn’t buying it. Neither was I.The door clicked softly behind him, and the silence that followed felt deafening. I tossed the book aside and stood, my chest tight with unease.Something was wrong. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach, that gnawing sense of dread I couldn't shake off. Coby had been distant since his meeting with Andrew that night, shutting me out with that maddening, dismissive line he always gave whenever I asked what was wrong: “It’s nothing, Vivian.”I clenched my jaw. It wasn’t nothing. His smile didn’t reach his eyes anymore, and when he laughed, it felt hollow, like he was forcing it for my sake. But worst of all, he wouldn’t meet my gaze. Every time I looked
VIVIAN’S POV"Trouble in paradise?" A voice cut through the tension behind me, thick with mockery. I froze, my pulse quickening. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.Eva.I whipped around anyway, my eyes narrowing as I met her gaze. She stood there, arms crossed, a smug grin plastered on her face—the kind of grin that made my skin crawl.Ever since our last encounter, I had done everything to avoid her. Coby’s warning about her not being trustworthy echoed in my mind. But now, here she was, baiting me."Trouble in paradise?" she repeated, savoring the words like some sort of victory. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and the sight of it made my stomach twist.I clenched my fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms. The sharp sting helped anchor my rising anger. "I don’t have time for your games, Eva," I bit out, trying to keep my voice steady. The last thing I wanted was for her to see just how much she was getting to me.She tilted her head, her grin widening. "Oh, but I
ANDREW'S POV I walked away from Vivian, the cool evening air brushing against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the chaos inside me. Her words still clung to me, replaying in fragments, each one soaked with desperation and ignorance. Seeing how angry she was, It was obvious she had no clue about Coby’s secret—the child with Hannah. A slow, satisfied smile crept onto my lips. Finally, Coby was growing a fucking spine, keeping Vivian in the dark about something as important as this has to be the first. For once, he was making decisions without her claws digging into him. Maybe he was ready to stand up to her. Maybe not. But I couldn’t help wondering what his endgame really was. Was he truly hiding everything to protect the child from her evil schemes, or was he preparing for something bigger? The possibilities swirled around in my mind like smoke from a fire I couldn’t control. Maybe I should go see Hannah and talk to her but I doubt she would want to see me, not while she was tha
ANDREW’S POVI stood there, torn between confusion and overwhelming concern for Lily. The shift from passion to rejection hit me like a punch, leaving me off balance.Something was wrong. I could feel it, and the thought gnawed at me, deepening my resolve. I couldn’t let her vanish into the night—not like this, not when she was hurting.My breath hitched as I stepped out into the cool evening air. The distant hum of laughter and conversation from pack members enjoying their night felt wrong, like it belonged to a world separate from the one Lily and I occupied.My footsteps echoed down the path as I quickened my pace, my mind spinning. What had happened to make her push me away? Was it something I had done? Or was she battling something deeper?By the time her house appeared in the distance, my chest was tight with worry. The windows glowed faintly, a sign that someone was home. Relief flickered through me. I could still reach her. I just needed her to let me in. I reached the door, k
LILY’S POVI could feel my heartbeat—each pulse pounding, aching, like a quiet scream within me. Andrew sat beside me, close but not too close, his face a mixture of compassion and worry.He searched my face, as if he could somehow read the pain written there, wanting so badly to understand, to help carry whatever burden weighed me down. I hadn’t wanted him here. I’d told him to leave, but he stayed. And a part of me—a small, bruised part I barely acknowledged—felt grateful.“Lily…” he murmured, his voice a gentle, steady plea. “Please, talk to me.”Words seemed too dangerous, too revealing. I pressed my lips together, shaking my head, fighting against the tears stinging my eyes. “I... I don’t know how,” I whispered, barely finding the strength to say it. My voice broke, a small, fractured sound.His gaze softened even more. “I’m here,” he said simply, a promise in those two words. “For you, no matter what.”His kindness felt like a blade slicing through old scars, painful in its gent
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