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
VIVIAN’S POVI pulled up to my mother’s house, feeling the weight of the past week pressing down on me. The familiar walls promised some relief from the storm brewing between Coby and me. But as soon as I spotted Hannah’s car in the driveway, my stomach twisted. Why was she here?Stepping out, I considered leaving, but my pride kept me rooted in place. This was my mother’s home, not hers.Pushing open the front door, I was greeted by my mother’s warm, delighted smile. “Vivian, darling! Come in, come in.”I forced a smile and scanned the room. Hannah sat on the couch, her posture relaxed, her expression smug. She didn’t even try to hide her satisfaction at my discomfort.“Mother, what’s going on?” I tried to keep my voice steady, but it held a hint of frustration.Before my mother could respond, Hannah jumped in, her voice laced with mock sweetness. “Oh, relax, Vivian. I just came to visit Mother. If I’d known you’d be here, I’d have picked another day.”“Cut the crap, Hannah,” I snapp
VIVIAN’S POVEva took a breath, her eyes darkening. “You were right. There’s something going on between Coby and Hannah. But… it’s worse than you thought.”My heart dropped, and my voice came out as barely a whisper. “You’re sure?”She nodded, her gaze steady. “I’ve seen them together, and I’ve heard things. There’s… a plan. A plan to bring you down.”A smile tugged at the corner of my lip. “That’s not true. I mean, Coby wouldn’t dare,” I said, but my voice sounded small and unconvincing, even to my own ears.“Well, that’s where you’re wrong. Coby’s already picked a side—and it’s not yours, dear Vivian.”I stared at her, feeling as though the ground was slipping away beneath me. “But… why? What does he stand to gain?”Eva’s face was grave. “It’s about his son, Vivian. Coby has a lot to gain by staying close to Hannah’s child, who is also his.”My world crumbled. What child was she talking about? Coby’s child with Hannah? What sort of sick joke is this?I felt hollow, as if something c
VIVIAN'S POVI entered the house, and there he was—Coby, standing by the window, shoulders stiff, gaze unfocused. He didn’t turn as I approached, but his body language spoke volumes. Guilt rolled off him like a sour scent.“Vivian,” he said, his voice cracked and low. He glanced at me, eyes pleading. “I... I can explain.”“Explain?” I spat, cutting him off sharply. “Explain how you planned to betray me?” My voice dripped with bitterness that had been festering inside me. “How dare you even think of stabbing me in the back… for her.”He flinched as though I’d struck him. His face paled, then his jaw clenched in a poor attempt at control. “Who told you that?” he demanded, trying to maintain a shred of composure. But I could see right through him; he was crumbling.A bitter laugh escaped me. “Don’t play innocent. After all we’ve done together? Don’t insult me.”His eyes darkened, a flash of anger twisting his features before fear settled back in. “Vivian,” he began, his voice low, almost
COBY’S POVI leaned against the counter, arms folded, the cool edge pressing into my back as I stood there, silent. My eyes stayed on them—Hannah, her arms wrapped tight around Jackson, his head tucked under her chin like it was where he belonged.Her face was hidden, buried in his messy curls, and for a moment, I couldn’t tell if she was smiling or holding back tears. Either way, I wasn’t part of it.Jackson’s laughter cut through the heavy silence like sunlight piercing storm clouds. It was bright, full, and innocent in a way that made my throat tighten.The sound pulled a smile from me despite everything, but it was fleeting. The joy in his laugh felt like a reminder of everything I wasn’t—everything I’d lost.“Can I have pancakes?” he asked, his small, hopeful voice breaking the quiet.“Pancakes?” Hannah repeated, tilting her head to look down at him with a teasing glint in her eye. “Hmm… what about broccoli pancakes instead? So healthy. So delicious.” Her voice was playful, soft—
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