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
ANDREW/LILY POVAndrew’s POVI closed Lily’s door softly, feeling the ache of her words like a bruise in my chest. Leaning against the cold wall outside, I clenched my fists, replaying every moment of our conversation. She’d been so close to opening up, and then… like a door slamming shut, she pulled away, shutting herself down.Her words echoed in my mind: “damaged.” The raw pain in her voice, the defeat in her eyes—both haunted me.“Dammit,” I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my short hair.I knew she was hurting; it was written in every guarded glance, every tense silence. But hearing her call herself damaged… it twisted something deep inside me. I took out my phone, fingers hovering over the screen as I wrestled with what to say.Finally, I typed a message. Simple, but true. “I’m not going anywhere, Lily. When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here.”I hit send, hoping, praying she’d understand. I meant it. Whatever she was carrying, whatever shadows she was fighting,
HANNAH’S POVTwo days. It felt like a lifetime since I’d told Coby he had to choose—two days of gnawing doubt and restless nights. I paced my small, dimly lit office, arms folded tight against the wave of hurt and frustration building inside me.Was it really so hard for him to choose his own son, to stand up against Vivian’s manipulation? The thought bit into me like ice, and I swallowed hard, ignoring the sting of angry tears.I clenched my fists, muttering, “How could he choose her over Jackson, over his flesh and blood?” The thought spun in my head, cruel and relentless, and I cursed myself for holding onto any hope he’d do the right thing. Xavier had been right—Coby was blind to anything but her.Then a knock shattered the silence. My heart leapt, but irritation quickly took over. I didn’t want to talk. Not to anyone.“Come in,” I managed, keeping my voice steady.The door opened slowly, and there he was—Coby. He lingered in the doorway, his face lined with a weariness I couldn’t
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