HANNAH’S POVLater that evening, I held Jackson close, his soft snores a gentle balm against the tension knotted in my chest. The confrontation with Coby still replayed in my mind, like a thorn I couldn’t pull out.How could he even think I’d lie about my own child? The sting of his accusation made my skin crawl. If it were up to me, he never would’ve known about Jackson at all. But Andrew… Andrew had to go and spill everything, and now I’m left to deal with Coby’s games all over again.I glanced at the clock, sighing. Where was Xavier? He’d said he wouldn’t be long, but the silence of the empty apartment felt heavy. My fingers hovered over my phone, tempted to call, when Jackson stirred against me, letting out a soft whimper.“What’s wrong, sweet boy?” I whispered, rocking him gently. “Are you hungry?”He relaxed again, his little mouth forming a tiny “O” as he drifted back to sleep. Just then, the faintest scent—warm, woodsy, unmistakably Xavier—filled the air, grounding me. A momen
HANNAH’S POVI looked at Xavier and gave him a slight nod, trusting him implicitly. The living room felt heavy with silence as we waited for Coby to arrive. The air between us was tense yet unspoken, each of us lost in our thoughts. Finally, the doorbell echoed through the quiet.“I’ll get it,” Xavier said, breaking the silence as he rose. He moved toward the door with purpose, his footsteps quiet yet firm. He opened it, and I heard Coby’s voice—a mix of apprehension and gratitude.“Xavier, thank you… thank you for agreeing to this,” Coby said, stepping inside.As he entered, his gaze landed on me and lingered for a moment before shifting to Jackson, who was sitting on my lap. For a second, a softness washed over Coby’s face—a glimmer of longing that made me look away, not quite ready to process it.Coby swallowed, his voice barely above a whisper. “Can I… can I hold him?”I looked at Xavier, who gave me a small nod, his eyes calm but watchful. “Okay,” I murmured, handing Jackson over
HANNAH'S POVXavier kissed down my chest, between my breasts, sending chills across my skin. Each touch was deliberate, every press of his mouth electric. He explored every inch as though he had all the time in the world.My chest rose and fell, breaths coming in shallow gasps as he drifted lower, his mouth brushing past my navel. Each kiss stoked the heat inside me, pushing me closer to an edge I could hardly stand."Xavier," I managed, my voice barely more than a whisper. My hands gripped his shoulders, feeling the hard muscle under my fingers. "I don't know how much longer I can..."He looked up, meeting my gaze with a smoldering intensity. A slow smile curved at the corner of his mouth. "Patience," he murmured, his voice a velvet promise. "I want you to feel every second of this."A shiver ran through me as he drifted lower, his breath warm, tantalizingly close. When he finally reached me, his lips pressed down with a mix of gentleness and fire that made me gasp.His tongue moved
HANNAH’S POVI stepped quietly into the nursery, watching Jackson as he sat on the floor, his tiny hands twisting and stacking his wooden blocks with intense concentration. His baby babble filled the room, and he made little sounds of triumph with each successful stack.Ella sat beside him, her warm, motherly smile never wavering. She looked up at me with a chuckle. “He’s been at it for hours. This little guy’s going to be an engineer, mark my words.”I couldn’t help but laugh. “Then let’s hope he gets his patience from Xavier.”As I watched Jackson play, a flicker of excitement rose within me. Our anniversary was approaching, and I wanted to make it unforgettable. I reached for my phone and typed a quick message to Kara. If anyone could bring magic to the occasion, it was her.“Meet me at the café outside the Pack. I need help planning something special.”A final glance in the mirror confirmed I was ready to go. With my purse in hand, I stepped outside, my heels tapping against the t
HANNAH’S POVAs I pulled up to the house, the mysterious message played over in my mind, lingering just beneath my thoughts. But I pushed it aside and stepped out of the car, trying to focus.When I entered the living room, I found Xavier standing by the window, his back to me. His whole posture radiated tension.I cleared my throat softly. “Xavier?”He turned slowly, his eyes dark, jaw clenched. “Coby reached out.”The words landed like a rock in my chest. I swallowed, feeling a knot of worry tighten. “What does he want now?”Xavier’s gaze was hard—the look of a man carrying a burden. “Another meeting with Jackson,” he said, his voice edged with frustration. “Apparently, he wants to be... involved in his life as his father.”“Involved?” I echoed, anger sparking within me. I scoffed, folding my arms. “As his father? Is he out of his mind or just freaking delusional right now?”Xavier’s face softened as he reached out to touch my arm. “I know,” he murmured, his voice quieter, “but... h
XAVIER’S POVAs the door clicked shut behind Hannah, I spun around, pinning Kas with a sharp look. "Anything new?" I demanded, my voice low and tense, weighted with the urgency of what we needed to know.Kas hesitated, his eyes flicking away as if still deciding how much to share. Then he leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. “I dug into the rogues. Found something you need to hear.”Silence stretched taut between us, and I forced my expression to stay calm. “Tell me,” I urged, though my voice betrayed the impatience simmering beneath.He took a steadying breath, glancing around. “These rogues... they bear marks. The same marks as the ones that attacked the Crimson Pack.”A chill settled in my stomach. I kept my face neutral, but my voice held a razor edge. “Coincidence? Or something intentional?”Kas met my gaze, unflinching. “I think it’s intentional, Alpha. They're too organized to be random.”I clenched my fists, my words dropping like stones. “Bring Alpha Coby to me. Now.”
XAVIER’S POVI glared at Elder Elijah, feeling a raw heat coil up from deep within, spreading through my veins like wildfire. My fists clenched, jaw taut, as I leveled him with a look that could cut glass. "What were you insinuating, Elder?" I said, voice low, each word edged with a warning he couldn't miss.Elijah held my gaze, unflinching, as if he were carved from stone. He leaned in just slightly, his voice dropping to a near-whisper that still carried like thunder through the silence. “Coby’s claim… about Jackson's parentage.”A growl built in my chest, low and fierce, threatening to escape. “That’s a lie,” I hissed, slamming my hand down on the desk. The wood splintered beneath the force, a jagged crack forming that mirrored the fracture in my control.Pain shot through my hand, sharp and grounding, but it only fed the fire simmering inside me. Elijah’s expression remained placid, unfazed. "I've heard rumors, Alpha. The Luna is said to be… involved with Alpha Coby. Naturally, qu
ANDREW’S POVAs I walked away from Hannah, a weight lifted almost instantly, like I’d been holding my breath for days and could finally exhale. A strange peace crept into my chest, loosening knots I hadn’t even realized were there.Her forgiveness wrapped around me, warm and gentle, and for once, the guilt that had shadowed me for so long began to fade. I tilted my head to the sky, breathing in the crisp air. The breeze was cool and refreshing, pushing away the last threads of tension that clung to me.After a few steps, I pulled out my phone, checking for a message from Lily. My thumb hovered over the screen as I frowned, realizing she hadn’t replied. I’d texted her first thing this morning—she usually answered right away.Why hadn’t she this time? Anxiety twisted inside me. What if something had happened? What if— My thumb hovered over her name, but just as I was about to call, I saw her.Lily stood across the street, but she wasn’t alone. A man stood close to her, his presence dark
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