HANNAH’S POVI woke to the soothing sound of Xavier’s soft snores that morning. Next to me, my mate’s chest rose and fell with each peaceful breath, his broad shoulders and chiseled features relaxed in slumber. Smiling, I brushed a stray lock of his dark hair from his forehead.“You’re even handsome when you’re snoring, you know that?” I whispered, knowing he couldn’t hear me.The memory of our pre-anniversary dinner date lingered in my mind—the soft candlelight, the exquisite Italian cuisine, and the way he ravished me afterward with his tongue. Everything about it still sent shivers down my spine. Leaning in, I brushed a soft kiss against his lips, lingering for a moment before pulling away.“Wake up soon, love,” I murmured, careful not to disturb him. I slipped out of bed, my feet meeting the cool hardwood floor, and began my morning routine.In the kitchen, early sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow. The sweet scent of pancake batter soon filled the air. Fr
Hannah’s POVAfter Xavier left, Jackson and I settled into his room for a morning of playtime. He was at his most imaginative, lining up his colorful blocks to build a tower he proudly called "Dada's big castle.""Momma, look!" Jackson exclaimed, stretching on his tiptoes beside the precariously leaning structure."What’s this, my little architect?" I said, holding my hands out to steady it. "Be careful, though—if it falls, you might get squished!"Jackson giggled, his dark eyes twinkling mischievously. Before long, gravity won, and the castle came crashing down, blocks scattering everywhere. Instead of crying, Jackson burst out laughing, clapping his tiny hands."Boom! Dada's go boom!"I couldn’t help but laugh along with him. “You’re right. Boom! Now, let’s see if we can make it even taller this time.”We spent the next hour building, knocking down, and rebuilding, the room filled with his infectious laughter. Eventually, his boundless energy began to wane. Jackson crawled into my l
HANNAH’S POVThe day of our anniversary felt alive, the air buzzing with an energy that seemed to seep into every corner of our home.Laughter echoed through the hallways, mingling with the hum of music, the clinking of glasses, and the soft shuffle of footsteps on polished floors.What began as an intimate gathering of our closest circle had grown into something grander—a celebration where our pack and friends came together in joy.The air smelled faintly of lavender and cedarwood, the signature scents of our people, blending with the rich aroma of the feast prepared in our honor.As I descended the stairs, the soft rustle of my gown brushing against the carpeted steps, my gaze locked with Xavier’s. His piercing blue eyes were like a beacon in the crowd, pulling me toward him.His lips curved into a small smile that sent warmth flooding through me, but it was his eyes—filled with adoration and pride—that made my breath hitch. Clad in a sleek black tuxedo tailored to perfection, he ex
Hannah’s POVThe music faded, leaving an expectant hush in its wake. Xavier’s commanding voice sliced through the silence like a blade—steady and deliberate.“Loved ones, friends, and pack members,” he began, his tone carrying a weight that gripped everyone’s attention. “Today, we celebrate not only our love but also the future of our pack.”He turned then, his piercing eyes locking onto Jackson, who rested against my chest—small and blissfully unaware of the world’s expectations. For a fleeting moment, Xavier’s expression softened, the intensity giving way to a flicker of pride and tenderness.“My son, Jackson, is more than just my child,” Xavier declared, his voice firm yet laced with affection. “He is the future of our pack.”A ripple of murmurs spread through the gathered wolves. Uneasy whispers filled the room, their meaning clear even in fragments: Too young. Not even a Lycan. Is he serious? But none dared openly question Xavier’s authority. His presence was a force that demande
Xavier’s POVAs the last guests drifted out, their laughter fading into the cool embrace of the night, I turned toward Hannah. Her smile was still there, soft and steady, but her eyes betrayed her—a shadow lingering in their depths. The kind of shadow I’d learned to recognize.“You were incredible tonight,” I murmured, stepping closer and wrapping my arms around her. My voice was gentle, a thread meant to pull her into me. “Everything was perfect, thanks to you.”Her lips curved faintly, but the warmth didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m glad you think so,” she said, her voice calm but thin, as if she’d spent the last of her energy on the evening.“Hannah,” I pressed, brushing a stray curl from her cheek. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve seemed... distracted.”Her lips curved again, a shadow of her usual warmth. “I’m fine, Xavier. Just tired, that’s all.”I didn’t believe her, but I nodded, not wanting to push her in the middle of our farewell to the guests. Still, a pang of unease lod
COBY’S POVI stormed out of the pack house, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. Fury coursed through my veins, hot and relentless. Xavier’s smug grin and Hannah’s unwavering stare replayed in my mind like an unforgiving loop.They thought they could strip me of my claim—my right to Jackson. My son. My flesh and blood. The air was crisp, biting against my heated skin as I stalked toward the quarters. The muted crunch of leaves beneath my boots barely registered over the roar of anger in my head.He thinks he can just name and parade Jackson as his heir? The thought was a match to the gasoline fueling my rage. He doesn’t know what’s coming.Xavier’s smug smirk flashed in my mind again, paired with Hannah’s cold, unyielding stare. My fists clenched at the memory. “My son Jackson will be my heir,” Xavier had said, his voice dripping with conviction. “He will be the next leader of this pack.”Hannah had stood beside him, beaming with pride. My son. My flesh and bl
COBY/VIVIAN’S POV*Coby*I followed Vivian, my curiosity blazing with each measured step. Her movements were deliberate, her presence magnetic in a way that felt maddeningly intentional. The faint scent of jasmine lingered in the crisp morning air, teasing my focus.Ahead, she approached the elder’s quarters, and my heart thudded as I recognized the destination—her mother’s residence.At the door, she hesitated, glancing briefly over her shoulder. My pulse quickened as I pressed myself against the rough bark of an oak tree. If she sensed me, she didn’t let it show. Instead, she knocked softly, and after a pause, the door opened. Her mother’s warm, melodic voice greeted her.“Vivian, darling!” Her mother embraced her with genuine affection, her laugh light and musical.“Mother,” Vivian replied with a small smile, her tone betraying no tension.I exhaled slowly, relief washing over me. Maybe I’d been too quick to assume she was off to see someone else. The quiet suspicion that had gnawe
VIVIAN’S POVThe sun was harsh overhead as I approached Elijah’s house, its midday rays casting sharp shadows across the aged wooden porch. My stomach churned, and my fingers brushed against the folds of my dress as I adjusted it for the third time.Get a grip, I told myself, inhaling deeply before knocking on the heavy oak door. The sound echoed like a heartbeat in the stillness.A moment passed. Then another. The door creaked open, but it wasn’t the young servant I expected. Instead, an elderly woman stood before me, her honey-colored eyes glinting with sharp intelligence. Her expression was unreadable, though a faint air of disapproval clung to her posture as her gaze swept over me.Her voice was calm, yet it carried weight. “Can I help you?”“I’m here to see Elder Elijah,” I said quickly, the words tumbling out before I could second-guess myself. Her stare held mine, unwavering, as if she were searching for something I wasn’t aware I had hidden.Her lips pressed together, forming
XAVIER’S POV The night clung to us like a suffocating shroud as we crept toward Elijah’s house. The forest was alive with the restless whispers of the wind. My men moved like wraiths behind me, their presence a steady, silent hum of loyalty. Kas was at my side, his sharp eyes darting across the dark corners, his jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscle twitching. My mind was a blade, honed to a razor’s edge. No hesitation. No mercy. Not after what Elijah had done. “Search the house,” I ordered, my voice low but slicing through the stillness. “Bring him in—dead or alive.” The words hung heavy, a storm brewing in the air. My men nodded, their movements precise as they fanned out. But as we neared the front door, my Lycan senses prickled. The familiar scent of pine and damp earth was tainted—sharp, acrid. Gasoline. My nostrils flared, and a growl rumbled deep in my chest, raw and guttural. “Stay back!” I barked, throwing my arm out to halt them. My heart hammered against
ELIJAH’S POV The hospital’s sterile air clung to my skin as I left Hannah behind, her words echoing in my mind like a death knell. Xavier wasn’t a man who forgave, and his wrath would be a storm I couldn’t outrun. But I couldn’t think about that now. Andrew was the priority. Finish him, then vanish before Xavier’s claws could find me. I hurried home, my heart pounding like a war drum. The streets blurred as I drove, my knuckles white on the steering wheel. Beatrice. She didn’t know how close we were to the edge. She didn’t know how much danger we were in. As I neared my home, my lycan stirred uneasily, a low growl rumbling in my chest. Something felt... off. The ache in my chest wasn’t just fear—it was something deeper, something close to dread. When I pulled up to the house, the silence hit me like never before. There were no guards. No servants. Just an eerie stillness that made my skin crawl. My lycan’s growl turned into a whine, a sound I hadn’t heard in years. “Beatrice
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