ANDREW’S POVCoby tilted the whiskey bottle back as if it owed him everything, draining it to the last reluctant drop. When it was empty, he slammed it onto the table with a force that seemed to shake the room.His hand wavered as he leaned forward, bloodshot eyes narrowing on me. “Andrew,” he drawled, the word sliding out of his mouth like a dare, “another bottle. Now.”His voice was jagged, a mix of command and plea, but I’d heard it too many times to falter. I held my ground, meeting his gaze with a steadiness I didn’t entirely feel.“No,” I said, firm but not unkind. “You’ve had enough. Go home, Coby. Sleep this off before you regret it.”A laugh tore from his throat—harsh and empty. “Regret it?” He slapped the table, his movements as erratic as his tone. “I’m already there, Andrew. Regret’s a goddamn river, and I’m drowning in it.”He leaned back, dragging a hand through his disheveled hair, his fingers trembling. “This?” He gestured vaguely at the bottle. “This just keeps me afl
EVA’S POVI slammed the door behind me, the echo shaking the walls. My chest heaved with uneven breaths, and my hands trembled, still buzzing with adrenaline. My throat ached—his grip had been so tight I could still feel the ghost of it pressing against my skin. How close had I come to dying? Too close, all because of her.Shoes cluttered the entryway, and I kicked them out of the way, stumbling forward. The air in the house felt suffocating—hot, like I couldn’t escape fast enough. Before I could even catch my breath, Vivian appeared in the hallway, her face a storm of concern.“Eva! Thank God you’re back. How did it go with Coby? Did you—”“Don’t.” My voice sliced through the air, sharper than I intended but not sharp enough to cut through my anger. “Don’t talk to me about Coby.”She stopped mid-step, blinking as if I’d slapped her. “What? What happened? Did—did something go wrong?”A bitter laugh forced its way out of me—raw and jagged. “Go wrong?” My hand shot up, raking through my
EVA’S POVI stood in the kitchen for a moment, gripping the edge of the counter, trying to steady my breathing. My hands trembled—not from fear but from sheer frustration. How had things spiraled so far out of control?I could hear Vivian moving around in the living room, her steps light but erratic, like she couldn’t decide what to do next. Part of me wanted to go back in there, to say something to reassure her, but what could I say? I was drained.Her voice broke through the silence.“Eva,” she called out softly, her tone hesitant.I didn’t answer right away. I wasn’t ready to have another conversation. But the desperation in her voice tugged at something in me. I sighed, forcing myself to push off the counter and walk back into the room.Vivian sat on the edge of the couch, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. She looked up at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.“I don’t know what to do,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen
VIVIAN’S POVI followed Eva’s advice and summoned the courage to go home and confront Coby. Maybe, just maybe, I could beg him, and we could work things out. Yes, I had slept with Elder Elijah, but I didn’t love him. It was Coby I loved, and that had to count for something, didn’t it?As I approached the quarters we shared, my heart pounded with a mix of fear and anticipation. I knocked softly on the door, waiting for Coby to answer.I was met with silence. There was no response. Still, I knew he was inside—the faint flicker of light through the window and the low hum of the old fan gave it away.Figuring he might be asleep, I turned the doorknob and found it wasn’t locked. I pushed the door open cautiously and stepped inside. The living room was dim, and there he was, sprawled on the couch, fast asleep.I hesitated, watching him for a moment. His shirt was wrinkled, his face unshaven, and the sour scent of alcohol filled the air, an obvious sign that he has been drinking.My heart cl
VIVIAN’S POVI hesitated, my mind racing for the right words, but there were none. “Elder Elijah,” I said finally, my voice cracking under the weight of the confession.His eyes widened, and for a moment, he was silent, as if processing what I’d just said. “Elder Elijah?” he repeated, his tone incredulous. “You were going to poison him with this?”I nodded again, my throat dry. “That was the plan. But I didn’t go through with it, Coby. I couldn’t do it.”He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “The plan? Whose plan exactly? What have you gotten yourself tangled with, Vivian?”“He’s been blackmailing me, Coby. I didn’t know what else to do,” I said, my voice trembling but firm enough to sound convincing.Coby’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as he stared at me. The room felt suffocating under the weight of his silence, his disbelief clear on his face.“Blackmail?” he repeated, his tone dangerously low. “You expect me to believe that bullshit?”“It’s the truth,” I lied, clutching the
Dear Lovely Readers,Thank you so much for your incredible support and for joining us on this journey. Your readership, feedback, and encouragement mean the world to us.We excited to let you know that we’ve finished updating chapters for this month. As we wrap up the year, we’re taking a short break to recharge and prepare for what’s ahead. But don’t worry—our regular schedule of two daily chapter updates will resume on January 1st!In the meantime, we’ d love to hear from you! Please don’t hesitate to leave your reviews, comments, and opinions. Your thoughts not only motivate us but also help us improve and shape the story in ways that resonate with you.As the year draws to a close, we’d like to wish you a Happy New Year in advance! May your upcoming year be filled with joy, success, and wonderful moments.Thank you for your patience and understanding. We hope you enjoy what’s already been released and look forward to sharing more of this story with you soon.Warm regards,FlyingDov
HANNAH’S POVI held the cake steady in my hands, careful not to let the flickering “3” candle tilt. Its warm, golden glow danced across Jackson’s eager face, his round cheeks catching the light as his dimple deepened with a grin.Beside me, Xavier’s arm brushed against mine. He leaned in, his grin mirroring our son’s, his presence grounding and steady as we all sang him a birthday song.“Alright, Jack-Jack,” I said, my tone playful but full of love. “Time to make a wish. Blow out the candle!”Jackson puffed up his tiny chest, his lips rounding into a determined O. He blew, a fierce little burst of air, but the stubborn flame flickered and held its ground. His brow furrowed in concentration.“Grr!” he huffed, trying again.Xavier chuckled, his laughter low and comforting. He crouched down beside Jackson, placing a gentle hand on his back. “Need a little backup, buddy?”Jackson nodded quickly, curls bouncing. “Help me, Daddy!”“Alright, team effort,” Xavier said, his voice a warm rumble
HANNAH’S POVHer words caught me off guard. Cecilia wasn’t one to openly acknowledge the distance that had existed between us since Vivian and Coby happened. I looked at her, the sincerity in her eyes tugging at something deep inside me.“You’re here now,” I said, my voice quieter than I expected. “That’s what matters.”She nodded, her smile softening. “Thank you for letting me make up for lost time.”Before I could respond, Jackson came barreling toward us, his little legs pumping as fast as they could.“Mommy, look! A dino!” he exclaimed, holding up the plush dinosaur Lily had given him.Cecilia’s face lit up as she crouched down to his level. “Oh my goodness, that’s the cutest dinosaur I’ve ever seen! What’s its name?”Jackson tilted his head, thinking hard. “Hmm… Dino-Squish!”“Dino-Squish?” Cecilia repeated, laughing. “That’s a perfect name, Jackson!”She scooped him into her arms, and he giggled as she spun him around. Seeing them together like that—Jackson’s laughter ringing ou
COBY’S POVMy heart dropped the moment Elijah’s face changed. The calm mask he’d been wearing earlier slipped, and a slow, icy smile spread across his lips. It wasn’t the kind of smile that brought hope—it was the kind that made my skin crawl.“No,” He said. And for a second, I thought I’d misheard him, but his next words made every hair on the back of my neck stand straight.“I’m not going to help you,” Elijah said, his voice flat and empty. The warmth I remembered—the camaraderie, the shared purpose—was gone. “In fact, I can’t wait to see Ross take down every single one of them.”My hands balled into fists, nails digging into my palms, as my mind scrambled to make sense of what he was saying. “What—what the hell are you talking about?” My voice cracked, a mix of disbelief and anger bubbling up in my chest.I was this close to snapping at him but I clenched my fists tighter, trying to keep myself grounded. I couldn’t lose it—not yet. Not until I understood what the hell this old geez
COBY’S POVThe way Elijah was looking at me, I was sure he would expose me—so certain he would let slip something that would ruin everything. But to my surprise, he didn’t. He kept his composure, playing along just as we had agreed. I exhaled, relieved, though my heart was still pounding in my chest.Ross turned to Elijah, his tone shifting to something more private, more serious. “We have things to discuss,” he said, glancing at me as if I were suddenly an outsider.I tensed, curious about what they needed to talk about. Whatever it was, I needed to know. But before I could say anything, Ross looked at me sharply. “Excuse us, Coby. This is between Elijah and me.”I nodded stiffly, swallowing the bitter frustration that rose in my throat. I had no choice. “Of course, Ross,” I said, bowing my head before turning and walking out.The door closed behind me with a heavy thud. I leaned back against it, pressing my ear against the wood. I tried to focus, to pick up any sound of their conver
COBY’S POVThe moment Ross said he was going to take Xavier’s family and make him watch, the world seemed to tilt. My stomach dropped to the floor, and a cold sweat prickled at the back of my neck. My heart thudded unevenly, like a drumbeat gone wrong, and for a second, I couldn’t breathe.But I couldn’t let Ross see. I couldn’t. My face hardened, my jaw tightening as I shoved the panic down, burying it deep. I’d spent months perfecting this mask—cold, unfeeling, loyal. But inside, I was screaming.Hannah. Her name echoed in my mind, sharp and suffocating. Her laugh, her smile, and our son—our son—his tiny hands clutching mine, his wide, trusting eyes. Xavier loved him like his own. If Ross touched them... if he even looked at them... I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t.I swallowed, my throat dry as sandpaper, and forced myself to think. Think, Coby. Think. I couldn’t protect them openly—not without Ross figuring it out. But I had to do something. Anything to stop this madness.I
ROSS’S POVFor ten years, I’ve waited. Ten long years, each one heavier than the last. The weight of her absence has never lifted, never faded. Laila. My mate. My beautiful light. She was the only good thing in my life, the only person who could see past the darkness inside me. And he took her from me.Xavier.I don’t care if it was an accident. What matters is that her blood spilled at his fucking hands. What matters is that I had to watch as the life drained from her beautiful eyes—the same eyes that used to look at me with nothing but love. Xavier stole her from me, and for that, he must pay. He will pay.I’ve bided my time, waiting, planning, gathering my strength. Over the years, I’ve had offers—wolves eager to see Xavier fall. But none of them understood what it would take. It wasn’t enough to just kill him. No. That would be too easy, too quick. I needed him to suffer. I needed him to feel the same pain that has torn me apart every single day since I lost her.For ten years, I’v
XAVIER’S POVThe moment Hannah told me she was pregnant, the world seemed to stop. A rush of joy—raw and electric—surged through me, so intense it stole my breath. My heart pounded in my chest, and for a second, I couldn’t speak.Another baby. A piece of us.I pulled her into my arms, holding her so tightly I worried I might hurt her. But she laughed—a sound so light and full of hope it made my chest ache. I kissed her, my hands trembling against her face, and for that one perfect moment, everything else faded away.But as we left the hospital, the joy began to crack.Ross.The name slithered into my mind like a snake, cold and unrelenting. My stomach twisted, and I clenched my fists to keep them from shaking. He was out there. Watching. Waiting. The thought of him anywhere near Hannah, near Jackson—near this new life growing inside her—made my blood run cold.I could almost see his face: that cruel smirk, those empty, cold eyes. My jaw tightened, and I forced myself to breathe, to ke
Hannah’s POVThe thought made me smile, but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. I needed to be sure before I said anything to Xavier. The last thing I wanted was to raise his hopes—or mine—if it wasn’t true. Still, the possibility made me feel warm inside, and I couldn’t help but imagine another child, a sibling for Jackson.Once I was dressed, I found Xavier already waiting for me, his eyes watching my every move. He didn’t say much, but the way he hovered close to me, the gentle touches on my arm and back, spoke volumes. He was worried, though trying to hide it. I could tell.As we headed downstairs, I kept thinking about that small possibility—could I really be pregnant?Jackson was still fast asleep when we peeked into his room. His little body was curled up under the blankets, clutching his stuffed bunny. I smiled at the sight, but my thoughts wandered to how different things could be soon if there was a new addition to the family. The idea made my heart flutter."Let’s go befo
HANNAH’S POVI stirred awake the next morning, feeling the warmth of Xavier’s body beside me. His lips brushed against my cheek, trailing down to my collarbone, and I smiled before my eyes even opened. When they did, he was there—his face inches from mine, his dark emerald eyes crinkling at the corners as he grinned down at me.“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured, his voice low and rough with sleep.I reached up to touch his face, my fingers grazing the stubble along his jaw. “Morning,” I whispered back, my voice still thick with sleep.He leaned in, his lips hovering over mine, but I turned my face away with a playful squeal. “Xavier, no! I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.”He chuckled, the sound warm and rich, and I felt it vibrate through his chest. “I don’t care,” he said, his breath tickling my ear. “You’re still you.”Before I could protest again, his lips found mine—soft and insistent. I melted into him, my hands sliding up to tangle in his hair. His kiss was slow and deliberat
HANNAH’S POVThe dinner table felt too big tonight. The empty chair across from me glared like an accusation. The food in front of me had long lost its steam—the mashed potatoes hardening at the edges, the chicken growing cold.It wasn’t like him to be late, not like this. He’d been so absorbed in finding Elijah ever since he disappeared, and I understood the toll it was taking on him. He wouldn’t let it go until he found the truth, no matter how long it took. But tonight… something felt off. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t just about Elijah.I sighed softly, a mix of frustration and worry swirling inside me. I’d been waiting so long, hoping for a message, for any sign that he was coming home soon. Just as I was about to call him, my phone buzzed on the table. My heart leaped as I saw it was a message from Xavier.“I won’t be home for dinner. Don’t wait up. Kiss Jackson goodnight for me.”I stared at the message, my chest tightening. Another long night without him. But I u
XAVIER’S POVThe door clicked softly as Kas left, but the sound barely registered. My mind was already unraveling, pulled back into the past by a force I couldn’t fight. The office—its polished wood, the faint scent of ink and leather—faded into nothingness.All I could see was her. Laila. My baby sister. Her face, so full of life, so full of light, flashed before me, and the ache in my chest—the one that never truly left—flared like a fresh wound.“Xavier, you’re being unreasonable!” Her voice echoed in my mind, sharp and pleading all at once. I could still see her standing there, hands on her hips, those wide, gentle eyes blazing with frustration. “Ross isn’t the monster you think he is. He’s my mate, Xavier. My mate. Don’t you understand what that means?”I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening as I glared at her. “I understand perfectly, Laila. I understand that the Moon Goddess made a mistake. Ross is a killer, a predator. He thrives on chaos and bloodshed. You’re too good for him