COBY’S POVThe guilt clawed at me as I led Vivian toward the bathroom, its weight pressing heavily on my chest. I couldn't escape the echo of my earlier actions—the way I’d been with her. Reckless. Possessive.That wasn’t me. Or at least, it wasn’t the me I wanted to be. But the nagging doubt that had burrowed into my mind had festered into something uncontrollable.Her soft hand in mine felt fragile, almost unreal, as though I could shatter it with a single wrong move. I glanced back at her, searching her expression for something—remorse, deception, anything. But all I saw was that serene, almost ethereal calm she always carried. It only fueled my unease.The moment Andrew had called, his voice tight with certainty, saying he’d seen her at Eva’s house, my pulse had quickened. When she came home, I waited like a predator on the doorstep, my senses on edge.I wanted to smell the truth on her—the earthy, rich scent from the last time she’d claimed to be with Eva. But instead, there was
Coby’s POVThe morning air carried a strange weight, pressing against my chest as I sat at the breakfast table with Vivian. She spoke animatedly, her fork gesturing midair, but her words blurred into a low hum in my ears.I forced a smile, nodding absently. My thoughts weren’t with her—they hadn’t been since I woke up. They were elsewhere, with someone else.Jackson. My son. His name was a stone in my gut, an ache that wouldn’t ease.“Coby?” Vivian’s voice pulled me back. Her brows knit slightly, concern flickering in her green eyes. “You’ve barely touched your food. Are you okay?”“I’m fine,” I lied, pushing my chair back. “Just some pack duties. I’ll be out for a while.”Her gaze lingered, searching my face for answers I wouldn’t give. “Okay,” she said softly, her voice hesitant. “Be careful.”I mumbled a thanks, grabbed my jacket, and stepped into the chilly morning. My feet moved with purpose, my heart hammering as Alpha Xavier’s estate loomed into view.The wrought-iron gates sto
HANNAH’S POVAs soon as Coby disappeared down the path, I let out a breath that felt like it had been trapped for hours. My hands trembled, refusing to steady no matter how tightly I crossed my arms.Anger, fear, and frustration coiled in my stomach, each emotion jostling for dominance. It was always like this with him—chaotic, overwhelming, suffocating.“Hannah,” Kas’s voice cut through the storm in my head, anchoring me.I turned, relieved and ashamed in equal measure to meet his concerned gaze. His expression, sharp and ready just moments ago, softened as he stepped closer.His presence was steadying, but the way he looked at me—like I might shatter—made my throat tighten.“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low and gentle yet edged with restrained tension.I nodded too quickly. “I’m fine,” I said, though the waver in my voice betrayed me. “Thank you for stepping in.”Kas didn’t look convinced. His eyes searched mine, his jaw working as if he were holding back words. “He grabbed yo
HANNAH’S POVI gripped the phone tightly, forcing my voice to steady as I answered, “Hello?” I tried for casual, but even to my ears, the attempt sounded thin.“Hannah.” Xavier’s voice came through warm, though tinged with concern. “Hey. Is everything okay? You sound… off.”A familiar pang echoed in my chest. Xavier always saw through me, even over the phone. My free hand clutched the soft edge of Jackson’s blanket, grounding me.I pressed out a hollow laugh, trying to shake the unease from my tone. “I’m fine,” I said too quickly. “It’s just been a long day. Nothing unusual. How’s the meeting?”A pause. Brief but heavy. I could imagine him rubbing the back of his neck, the way he did when deciding how much to say. “It’s dragging,” he admitted, his sigh audible. “And it’s about to get worse. The board extended it—two more days.”“Two more days?” The words slipped out soft, nearly a whisper. My chest tightened, disappointment coiling low in my stomach.“I know.” His voice dropped, raw w
VIVIAN’S POVThe moment I left the house that afternoon, my nerves buzzed with unease. Elder Elijah’s voice on the phone had been sharp, clipped—urgent in a way that knotted my stomach. I hadn’t called Eva. She hadn’t picked up the previous day, nor had she bothered to call me back, and I didn’t want her involved in whatever this was.I told myself it was fine. I could handle it. Right?The path to his house stretched wide and empty as I walked, the occasional rustle of leaves brushing against the eerie silence. Elijah’s estate loomed ahead, its grandeur almost oppressive, like a giant beast lurking in the amber glow of the setting sun.When the front door creaked open, a servant I didn’t recognize greeted me. Her face was drawn tight, her lips pressed into a disapproving line that made my palms sweat.For a second, I thought it might be Beatrice, Elijah’s suspicious and ever-watchful wife. But it wasn’t her. Just a servant, all business and no warmth.“Elijah is expecting you,” she s
Vivian's POVReluctantly, I stepped between Elijah and Eva. "That's my girl," Eva squealed in excitement, hugging me close. Elijah turned me back to face him and claimed my lips in a deep, passionate kiss.His tongue slipped into my mouth, and I sucked on it while Eva's hand slipped into my blouse and began to pinch my already hard nipple.Waves of tingling sensation shot up my body like a spark of electricity, and I moaned into his mouth as he deepened the kiss.I broke off our kiss and slipped Elder Elijah's cock into my mouth, sucking on the tip while Eva ran her tongue up and down his shaft. After half a minute of this, we switched, with Eva taking his cock in her mouth while I wet his shaft with my tongue."Yeah, just like that," Elder Elijah said, watching intently. From his expression, I could tell he'd never been with two girls at the same time before, and so far, it was immensely satisfying.I dropped my head down a bit and pushed towards him, allowing me to take his balls in
Vivian's POVElder Elijah did what he could, rising up a bit to give himself more leverage. Then, using that leverage, he hammered his cock as far into Eva's pussy as it would go. He slammed his hips up against her ass, making it jiggle with every pump."Yeah, baby, yeah!" Eva cried, turning her head to look back at him. "Just like that! Just like that! Keep fucking me! You're going to make me cum! You're going to make me fucking cum!"Even though he was running out of steam and desperately needed a break, Elder Elijah continued fucking Eva with reckless abandon. He gave her what she wanted, knowing that the harder he fucked her, the sooner she would cum, and the sooner she cummed, the sooner he could catch his breath.With this in mind, Elder Elijah reached out and grabbed a handful of Eva's hair, yanking it back to force her to arch her back to relieve the pressure.Eva let out a yelp of pleasure, and Elder Elijah knew he had her. She loved getting her hair pulled; it always put her
VIVIAN’S POVSmiling, I nodded, though the expression felt as forced as a broken clock ticking on time. Eva didn’t seem to notice—or maybe she did and chose to ignore it.She pulled me into another hug, her arms warm and reassuring, but I couldn’t summon the strength to reciprocate. Her embrace felt like a lifeline thrown to someone too tired to swim. My chest tightened further.When we finally pulled apart, I bent to gather my clothes from the floor. My hands trembled as I struggled to button my blouse, the small task inexplicably monumental.The fabric seemed determined to evade my fingers, only worsening my frustration. My breath hitched, each inhalation shallow, the walls seeming to close in with every passing second.Across the room, Eva hummed to herself, twisting her red hair into a lazy braid. The soft melody might have been soothing in another life, but right now, it grated against the whirlwind of thoughts tearing through my head.What would Coby say if he saw me today? He’d
Coby’s POVThe next morning, I stood outside the coroner's office, a knot of unease twisting in my stomach. The dawn light washed the street in muted grays, the quiet air punctuated only by the faint rustle of leaves. My breath hung in visible puffs as I exhaled, each one feeling heavier than the last. Sleep had been an elusive luxury—every time I closed my eyes, the weight of what was to come pressed harder against my chest.The sound of measured footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. Xavier’s figure emerged from the misty street, his stride calm and deliberate. Even in the low light, his presence seemed to command the world around him."Morning," he greeted, his voice steady but tinged with an edge I couldn’t quite place. His piercing eyes met mine, searching for something beneath the surface."Morning," I replied, forcing my tone into something resembling calm. My hands, buried deep in my pockets, clenched into fists."Did you sleep?" he asked, his brow lifting in faint skepticism.
COBY’S POVI clenched my hands into fists, my resolve hardening as I thought about everything. Before I could further my plans involving Elijah. I would find a way to eliminate any evidence in that report linking me to the crime and expose Elijah for the monster he truly was.When Xavier and the pack saw the truth behind his mask, I’d ensure he was the one who paid the ultimate price. No one else needed to know my secret. As far as the world was concerned, Vivian’s killer was still out there—and I would keep it that way.I walked briskly to my car, my mind racing with possibilities. They couldn’t get too close. I couldn’t let that happen. If they found out, it would all be over—my plan, my revenge, my life as I knew it.Sitting behind the wheel, I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. My thoughts wouldn’t stop spinning. I needed to think, to figure out how to stay one step ahead of them. Because if the truth came out, there would be no escape. Not for me.The driv
COBY’S POVThe chill of the evening clung to my skin as I left the training grounds, sharper than the sweat cooling on my back. But it was nothing compared to the ice coiling in my chest. The hospital loomed against the night sky, its white walls muted in the dim glow of the streetlights when I arrived.I lingered by the side entrance, my pulse steady but my breath shallow. From here, I could hear them—voices threading through the stillness. I hadn’t come to eavesdrop; I’d come to check on Cecilia, to see if there was any improvement. But now, I found myself rooted to the spot, my feet betraying me, my ears straining to pick up the conversation between Hannah and Xavier.Hannah’s voice drifted down the lobby, soft yet strained. “I can’t leave, Xavier. What if she wakes up and I’m not here? I need to be with her.”I peeked around the corner, watching as she stood firm, her arms crossed in that determined way of hers. Xavier sighed, his tone calm but edged with frustration. “Hannah, you
COBY’S POVI stumbled out of Eva’s house, my chest heaving as if I’d run miles, though my legs barely registered the steps beneath them. My mind was a storm—rage and regret swirling so violently that I couldn’t think straight.Each breath felt sharp, cutting through the tightness in my throat. My feet moved on their own, pulling me farther from the suffocating weight of what I’d just done—farther from her house.Eva’s face wouldn’t leave me. That pale, terrified expression—the way her lips trembled as she backed away from me. The memory tightened around my ribs like a vice. My hands curled into fists at my sides.I’d come so close. Too close to choking the life out of her tonight.Her fear had thrilled me for one terrible second. That scared me even more than anything else. But she deserved it, didn’t she? After everything she’d done? For the lies, the pain, and the part she played in Vivian’s destruction?Vivian.Her name ripped through me like glass. I stopped dead in my tracks, my
EVA’S POVCoby's words hung in the air like smoke, clinging to every breath I tried to take. His eyes, sharp and relentless, bore into mine, alive with a storm of emotions I couldn’t begin to unravel. When he stepped closer, his movements deliberate, almost predatory, my heart raced. His voice, low and serrated with urgency, sliced through the suffocating silence."I know you know something, Eva. Don’t lie to me." His words were a command, not a plea. "This isn’t the time for games. If you have even the slightest idea who’s behind this, you have to tell me."I stumbled back, the intensity of his presence nearly knocking me off balance. My chest heaved as panic swirled in my gut. "I—I don’t know anything, Coby." My voice was barely audible, a quivering whisper trying to rise above the weight of his accusation. "I swear, I don’t know what happened."Coby’s eyes narrowed, his frustration turning to something darker. "You don’t get it, do you? This isn’t just about Vivian. Someone’s tryin
EVA’S POVThe floor felt cold against my legs, grounding me in the oppressive silence. My chest heaved, but I couldn’t fill my lungs. Fear clawed at me, digging deeper with every second. My hands trembled, my fingers numb as if I’d been gripping ice for hours.How long could I keep running? Every escape route seemed to collapse the moment I thought of it. Doors slammed shut before I even reached for the handle. And the pack...their rules, their suffocating watchfulness—they were closing in. My throat tightened. Was there even a way out?The suitcase at my side felt impossibly heavy as I hauled it upright. The weight wasn’t just in the fabric or the few belongings I’d managed to shove in. It was the memories. The questions I couldn’t shake. It was Vivian—her face, her voice. The way her laugh used to light up a room. The way her death had shattered everything.I stood up slowly, dragging the suitcase with me. It felt heavier now, as if the very weight of it mocked my attempts to escape
EVA’S POVThe drive home was a haze of headlights and shadows, my thoughts a chaotic swirl refusing to settle. Elijah didn’t kill Vivian—I knew that in my bones. But if it wasn’t him, then who? The thought sent icy fingers crawling up my spine. Someone out there knew too much. Someone was watching, waiting. And they weren’t done yet.My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my fingers throbbed, but the pain barely registered. Fear gnawed at me, a silent predator with its teeth sunk deep into my chest. Vivian was dead, and if they could kill her, what was stopping them from coming after me? I wasn’t innocent—I was as tangled in this nightmare as anyone else. Maybe even more.When I finally pulled into my driveway, the familiar sight of my house didn’t bring the comfort it once had. The front porch seemed strange, darker. Every creak of the trees in the wind felt like a warning. My pulse thundered as I scanned the street, the yards, the empty windows of the neighboring houses. Was
ELIJAH’S POVEva’s eyes flickered around the room, wild and restless, like a bird caught in a cage. Her chest rose and fell with quick, shallow breaths, and her fingers clutched the edge of the table until her knuckles turned white.“What if we can’t figure it out in time?” she whispered, her voice trembling as though it might shatter under its own weight. “What if they come for us before we even know who it is?”I leaned against the desk, feigning a calm I didn’t feel. My stomach churned with unease, a dull ache radiating through my ribs, but I kept my voice steady.“That’s not going to happen,” I said, though the certainty in my words felt borrowed, hollow. “We’ve survived worse, Eva. We’ll survive this. But we can’t falter. Not now.”Her laugh was sharp and brittle, cutting through the room like broken glass. She raked a hand through her disheveled hair, her movements jerky with frustration.“Worse than this? Are you kidding me, Elijah? Vivian is dead. Do you get that? Dead. And wh
Elijah’s POVI paced the office, my shoes scuffing the worn hardwood, my chest tight with unease. Every second stretched thin as the chaos from last night churned through my mind like a relentless storm.Vivian.Her name clung to my thoughts, heavy and unsettling. Her death wasn’t surprising—I’d predicted it, even counted on it—but it felt wrong. Like a picture slightly askew. Someone else was moving pieces on the board, and the thought made my gut twist.I stopped mid-step, running a hand through my hair as the question gnawed at me. I had planned for disruptions, but this—this was different. The timing was too perfect. Or maybe… too convenient.Inhaling deeply, I pressed my hands against the desk. The cool wood steadied me, but my thoughts wouldn’t follow suit. I couldn’t shake the sense that I was being played.A sharp, hurried knock came at the door, and before I could respond, it flew open. Eva stood there, breathing hard, her red hair wild as if she’d run through a storm to get