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
VIVIAN’S POVI gasped, my chest tightening as air caught in my throat. My eyes darted to Elder Elijah, searching his face for any hint of humanity, any shred of doubt—but his expression was carved in stone: cold and unyielding.The thought of killing a child horrified me. I hated Hannah, yes, with every fiber of my being. But killing an innocent child? My conscience recoiled in revulsion.“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “That’s not possible.”Elijah’s unyielding expression locked onto mine. “It’s necessary,” he countered, his eyes glinting with cold determination.“Necessary to kill a child?” The words left my lips in a trembling whisper, each syllable heavy with disbelief. My stomach churned violently. “No… I can’t. I won’t.”Elijah’s gaze pierced me, sharp and predatory, daring me to flinch. His tone was devoid of compassion—a blade wrapped in ice. “You misunderstand, Vivian. It’s not a matter of want. It’s a matter of survival. That child’s very existence is a threat to everyth
EVA’S POVAs soon as Vivian walked out, the heavy wooden door to the study clicked shut behind her. The sound echoed in the stillness of the room. I waited a beat, then stepped out from my hiding spot behind the massive bookshelf, the scent of old leather and parchment still clinging to me.Elder Elijah stood by the desk, his arms folded, his sharp eyes locked on the door. His face was a portrait of calculation—cold and meticulous.“Do you think she’ll agree to do it?” I asked, my voice barely audible, almost swallowed by the tension in the air.He turned slowly, his gaze meeting mine. His expression didn’t soften. If anything, the shadows in his eyes deepened.“That remains to be seen,” he said. “But make no mistake—Xavier’s heir won’t live to see the next moon. Not if I have anything to say about it.”The sheer conviction in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, one that wasn’t entirely fear. A wicked thrill coiled in my chest, twisting into excitement. I stepped closer, my movemen
EVA’S POV“Yes,” I moaned softly, squirming as his tongue flicked into my ear. It was ironic how he asked for permission now when he’d never done so before.He pushed me against his large desk, and I spread my legs to make room for him. I smirked as he slid my skirt and panties down, his eyes darkening as he took in the sight of me.“Damn,” he muttered, biting his lip. “So pretty.”Elijah bolted the door, and I chuckled, excitement surging through me. When he returned, he knelt between my legs, nibbling and kissing up my thighs, hitting all the spots he knew would make me tremble.His finger slid between my already wet folds, and I shivered as he tasted me. Then, without hesitation, he slid a finger inside me, his movements confident and deliberate. My eyes fluttered closed as I surrendered to the pleasure of his touch.It didn’t take him long to find my G-spot. With deliberate pressure, he had me gasping and grabbing my legs, spreading them wider for him. My walls clenched around his
ANDREW’S POVThe night wrapped around us like a velvet cloak—cool and fragrant. The sweet scent of blooming wildflowers lingered in the air, carried by a gentle breeze that rustled the edges of the woods.Crickets chirped in harmonious rhythm, and in the distance, a lone wolf’s mournful howl echoed faintly. Every sound seemed amplified in the quiet, every step deliberate as we emerged from the pack’s outskirts, where we had gone for a walk.I glanced at Lily, her face softly illuminated by the silvery glow of the moon. Her auburn hair shimmered like molten fire under the moonlight, and her serene expression sent my heart into overdrive. My stomach churned with a mixture of nerves and hope.“Lily?” I murmured, breaking the silence, my voice barely above a whisper.“Yeah?” she replied, her voice as gentle as the breeze.“Can I ask you something?” I asked, my heart racing with anticipation.“Anything,” she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity—like stars shining brightly in the night s
ANDREW/LILY POVLily’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her voice trembling with a mix of shyness and determination. “I liked him too, Luna. A lot.” Her words hung in the air, fragile yet undeniable, as her eyes flickered down to the dirt beneath her shoes. It was as though admitting the truth had stolen her strength.Hannah’s grin was instant—bright and mischievous. She clapped her hands together, her delight spilling over like a bubbling stream. “Well, that settles it then! You should go with him, Lily. No point hanging around here when you could be... you know.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.“Wait, are you serious?” Lily’s brows pulled together in a small frown, her gaze darting between Hannah and me. “We still have—there’s stuff we haven’t finished—”“It’s fine,” Hannah interrupted, her tone light and airy but with a layer of knowing beneath it. She leaned closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “Go, Lily. Don’t overthink it. I’ll take care of the rest.”I stepped forw
LILY’S POVThe first lick of creamy vanilla hit my tongue like a sweet, delicate promise, and I couldn’t stop the grin spreading across my face. The richness, the perfect balance—it was heaven in a cone.Andrew’s smirk grew as he watched me, his brown eyes sparkling with amusement. “Tastes good, huh?” His voice carried a playful lilt, one brow quirking as he raised his chocolate cone, waiting for my response.“It’s better than good,” I said, licking the side where it threatened to drip. “This is what vanilla dreams are made of.”He chuckled, a low sound that rumbled through the lazy summer air. “Vanilla dreams? Alright, let me one-up you,” he said, taking a deliberate, exaggerated lick of his chocolate. He closed his eyes, humming as though he’d just uncovered the secret to life itself. “This, my dear Lily, is chocolate nirvana.”I rolled my eyes, laughing. “You’re ridiculous.”“Ridiculously right,” he shot back, his grin widening.We strolled along the park path, the afternoon sun ca
LILY’S POVThe familiar sight of the pack house greeted us as Andrew’s car rolled to a stop in front of my place. Andrew turned off the engine, his fingers lingering on the key for a moment longer than necessary. He exhaled softly—a sound that felt like the release of a weight neither of us wanted to name.“I had a great time today,” I said, turning to look at him. My voice was light, but my chest tightened, betraying how much I meant it.His eyes, warm and steady, found mine. A smile tugged at his lips—soft but earnest. “I did too, Lily. More than you know.”A blush crept up my cheeks, and I looked down briefly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “We should do this again,” I ventured, the words leaving my mouth before I could second-guess them.Andrew’s smile deepened, his gaze never wavering. “Definitely.”The quiet that followed wasn’t awkward. It was charged, filled with the kind of unspoken tension that makes you hyper-aware of every detail—the soft tick of the cooling e
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