### Lena's POV Kelvin approached me with a sly grin, the kind that made my stomach churn. His presence reeked of deceit, and I felt my skin crawl as he spoke. “Well, before we continue discussing Alvin and how to kill him—or anything else—you need to know this: you shouldn’t die with a particular secret,” Kelvin said, his voice calm, almost casual, as though we were discussing the weather. A chill ran down my spine. “What secret?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Kelvin’s grin widened. “Let’s just say it’s something you’ll hate me for,” he said, leaning closer, his dark eyes glinting with malice. I couldn’t help but take a step back. My heart raced, pounding so loudly that I thought he could hear it. “Kelvin,” I said, my voice shaking. “If someone told me you were capable of all this, I wouldn’t have believed it. So, it’s true? You work with the wolf hunters?” His smirk faltered for a moment before he burst into laughter, a hollow, joyless sound. “Wolf hunters? Le
**Alvin's POV**As we ventured deeper into the woods, unease clawed at my chest like a rabid wolf. My instincts screamed at me, louder than ever. Something was wrong—terribly wrong. Lena. Her name burned in my mind, her image flashing before my eyes. The bond we shared wasn’t just a connection—it was a lifeline. I could feel her joy, her sorrow, her every heartbeat. But now, there was nothing. No flicker of warmth, no tether pulling us together. Just an icy void that chilled me to the bone. I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening as a wave of dread surged through me. "Stop," I commanded, my voice sharp and unwavering. Mario and Sarah halted in their tracks, exchanging worried glances. Without another word, I pulled out my phone and dialed my supervisor back at the packhouse. My heart thudded loudly, the silence on the other end stretching unbearably long before he answered. “Alpha,” his voice wavered, and I knew bad news was coming. “We’re sorry for not calling you sooner, but Miss
### Alvin's POV When I finally connected with Lena through the mind-link, a wave of relief swept over me. My muscles unclenched, but the anger simmering beneath the surface didn’t dissipate. If I hadn’t reached her… I would have killed everyone in my path. Losing her was not an option—*could* never be an option. Lena wasn’t just my Luna; she was my life, the air I breathed, the reason my heart beat. She was the one my soul yearned for. Her voice had trembled slightly, but she assured me she was fine. She mentioned the basement, and I knew exactly where that snake Kelvin had taken her. It was clear as day—his plan to use her as leverage, to kill her, then me, and claim the title of Alpha for himself. Kelvin had always been like this. From the time we were pups, he envied me, coveted everything I had, and never stopped scheming. But what burned the most was why he was working with the Wolf Hunters. Did he really think they’d spare him? That they’d let him live after he handed me o
Lena's POVI stumbled out of the basement, my heart hammering against my ribs like a caged bird desperate for escape. My breaths were short, shallow, as if the air around me had thinned. The sound of my boots echoed in the silent night, but all I could hear was the pounding in my chest. I had left Sarah and Miriam behind, but I didn’t have a choice—Alvin needed me. The thought of him out there alone sent a shiver of dread down my spine. The bloody-eye wolves were ruthless, their reputation enough to make even the strongest werewolves tremble. Alvin might be powerful, but no one was invincible. *We have to do this together,* I told myself, pushing my legs to move faster. My mind raced just as frantically as my feet. Were we going to win this war? Was one of us going to die, leaving the other behind? The thought tightened my chest. It hit me then, with the force of a blow—I couldn’t lose Alvin. Somewhere along the chaos of this war, my feelings for him had shifted into something d
**Lena's POV** The chaos around us was deafening. Mr. Nelson’s voice echoed in my mind, his trembling yet firm tone pleading with his son, Calvin. The words cut deep—*“The end is now. The war is over.”* For a fleeting moment, I felt relief, like a gentle breeze on a suffocatingly hot day. But that relief was fleeting because Calvin was no longer the man I once knew. His eyes, once warm and full of life, were now hollow, devoid of humanity. The twisted smirk on his face sent shivers down my spine. His hand was steady, the gun aimed at me. The weight of the moment pressed down on my chest. Calvin, the man I once trusted, now saw me as nothing more than an obstacle. Mr. Nelson stepped forward, his face a mix of sorrow and disappointment. His calmness in the face of danger was almost unnerving. “You don’t have to do this, Calvin,” he said, his voice trembling with restrained emotion. His eyes bore into Calvin’s, searching for a trace of the son he once k
Lena's POV I cradled Alvin's lifeless body, my heart hammering wildly in my chest as my hands trembled uncontrollably. His skin was pale, his breath shallow and labored. The silver bullet wound on his side was seeping blood with every breath he took. The air around us felt thick, like time itself had frozen. But even as I tried to keep the panic at bay, a voice deep within me screamed in agony—how could this be happening?I had failed. I had failed to stop him from fighting. Kevin's treasonous actions were unforgivable, yes. He had murdered an elder, slaughtered wolves who had stood beside him for years. But Alvin—my Alpha, my mate—wasn’t supposed to be here, bleeding out in front of me.Tears blurred my vision as I whispered, almost as if pleading with the universe itself, "Please, Alvin... Please don't leave me."My hands trembled as I gently touched his face, wiping away the blood, the dirt, the remnants of his battle. His usually fiery eyes were closed, his expression soft, as if
Lena's POV I slowly stirred from the heavy slumber that had weighed me down for days, my limbs feeling like lead as the remnants of exhaustion clung to my body. A coldness lingered on my skin, and for a moment, I wondered if the chill had seeped into my very bones. The air was thick with stillness, almost too quiet. I blinked, my vision blurred at first, my surroundings swirling in hazy, uncertain patterns.Then, gradually, the room began to take shape—our bedroom. I was lying in the familiar bed I shared with Alvin. I could feel his warmth beside me, his steady breath against the side of my face. His hand, soft yet firm, was holding me protectively, as if he never wanted to let me go. The scent of him, deep and comforting, reached me like a lifeline in the storm of my disoriented thoughts.What had happened? How long had I been here? I tried to gather the fragments of memory, but everything felt fragmented and distant. A rush of questions tumbled in my mind, but the one thing I clun
Lena's POV I never expected this. If someone had told me a few moons ago that I would be standing here, ready to take on the role of Chief and Chieftess, I would have laughed in disbelief. A week Luna from a pack that had nearly killed me, the girl who once ran away from my Alpha, and barely escaped the claws of betrayal, never imagined this fate. Yet here I was—my life had spiraled in so many directions, the ups and downs had tested me in ways I couldn't even fathom. At times, I wondered if I was living a dream. A dream where I found love—the kind of love I never thought was possible. And not just any love, but love from Alvin, the man who stood beside me, never letting go, no matter how turbulent the journey. I found a pack that I could finally call home. They weren't perfect, no pack ever is, but these wolves—they had become my family, the ones who saw me for who I truly was, flaws and all. Yet, life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? I had met good people, but I h
Kira arrived at her bakery that morning, determined to open early. She had received multiple orders from clients who wanted cakes and other baked goods, and she needed to get started right away. Recently, she had bought an ice cream machine, something she had been excited to introduce to her shop. The moment she posted about it online, the demand for ice cream cups skyrocketed, and now she had to meet her customers' expectations. As she approached the entrance, she shifted her bag onto her shoulder and reached into her pocket for the keys. But just as she was about to unlock the door, she felt it—a distinct tap on her shoulder. Her breath hitched, and she spun around so fast that her long, dark curls bounced over her shoulder. Her heart pounded. Someone had definitely touched her. But when she turned, there was no one there. The street was empty except for a few distant passersby who were too far away to have been the culprit. A chill ran down her spine. *Was I hallucinating?*
Cooper stepped into his penthouse, his muscles aching from exhaustion. The day had been long and grueling, his mind burdened with the weight of everything that had happened. His jaw clenched as he shrugged off his suit jacket, tossing it onto the couch. His thoughts swirled like a violent storm, refusing to settle. Eva’s behavior had been… odd. The moment Kira mentioned the card, Eva had reacted too quickly—too sharply. Why? Why had she been so eager to steer the conversation in a different direction? It didn’t sit right with him. Cooper knew the restaurant was something he wanted to invest in, yet Eva seemed far from pleased about it. It was as if she had some hidden agenda, something tied to the bakery, and maybe even something personal against its owner. But what? He exhaled deeply, rubbing his temple as he loosened his tie. That wasn’t even the worst of it. What truly unsettled him was Diego’s men. The sight of them hovering around Kira like vultures had sent a wave of ang
Kira woke up to the soft golden sunlight streaming through her small apartment window, the rays illuminating the delicate necklace Cooper McDonald had gifted her. She had placed it on her nightstand, where she could admire its intricate beauty each morning. Her fingers lightly traced the pendant, a bittersweet smile forming on her lips. “It’s time to move on, Kira,” she whispered to herself. “He has a girlfriend. I need to stop dreaming.” She shook off the pang of longing and rose from bed, stretching her arms as she gathered her strength for the day ahead. After freshening up and throwing on her favorite apron over a plain pastel dress, Kira headed to her tiny kitchen. Breakfast was a quick affair—a slice of toast and coffee—her thoughts already drifting to the bakery she had poured her heart into. As Kira unlocked the door to her bakery, the familiar scent of flour, vanilla, and hope filled the air. She smiled, glancing around at the little shop s
After her dinner date with Cooper, Eva stormed into her apartment, her face flushed with a mix of anger and unease. Her thoughts swirled as she paced the small living room, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. "What does Cooper even want?" she muttered under her breath, her brows knitting together. She clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up inside her. Yet, beneath the irritation, there was something else—an undeniable pull toward him. Eva flopped onto the couch, her head falling back against the cushions. "I need Cooper," she whispered, her voice trembling with determination. "He's handsome, rich, tall... those gorgeous eyes and those lips..." She trailed off, biting her lip as a faint smile crept onto her face. The thought of Kira suddenly intruded, making her expression darken. "I don't want Kira to ruin my moment with the love of my life," she spat, her voice sharp and bitter. When Cooper dropped her off earlier, she'd lied about wher
Eva couldn’t hide her emotions as she stepped out of the taxi in front of the restaurant. The plan was simple: meet Cooper, the man she had been dreaming of since the day they met, for a date that she hoped would solidify their connection. But fate had other plans. Her heart froze when her eyes caught sight of something—or rather, someone—she hadn’t anticipated.There they were, standing just outside the restaurant, in front of the shopping mall next door—Kira, her childhood best friend, and Cooper, the man she wanted for herself. Eva took a step back, her body trembling with disbelief as she watched Kira wrap her arms around him in a warm embrace. Cooper didn’t resist; in fact, he smiled at Kira as though she was the only person in the world. Eva’s stomach churned, a bitter taste rising in her mouth. A wave of anger mixed with jealousy surged through her, leaving her momentarily unable to breathe. Her chest tightened, and tears threatened to spill, but she blinked them back. **"How
Kira looked up from the pastry counter, her brows furrowed in confusion as the man who just walked in addressed Cooper as "Mr. Delarosa." The name rolled off the stranger’s tongue like he’d practiced it, but it was wrong. She tilted her head slightly, her lips parting to say something, but Cooper beat her to it. “Ah, you must be new here,” Cooper said with a relaxed chuckle, his sharp suit somehow making the moment feel less awkward. He clasped a hand on the man’s shoulder, his charming grin never faltering. “It’s Cooper. Always Cooper.” Kira’s gaze flickered between the two men, trying to piece together the odd exchange. Her stomach twisted uneasily, a quiet warning she couldn’t ignore. She wiped her flour-dusted hands on her apron, her voice wavering as she interrupted their conversation. “Um, excuse me. I think I need to close up the shop for the day. My partner isn’t here, and, well, with all the commotion earlier…” Her voice trailed off, and she glanced at Cooper nervously.
Kira was still talking with Cooper when he offered to help her. His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable firmness in his tone when he said, “I’d like to invest in your bakery.” Kira hesitated, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. Her lips parted as though to respond, but she closed them again, frowning slightly. “I appreciate the offer, but… I can’t accept it,” she said, her voice soft yet resolute. “Why not?” Cooper asked, tilting his head slightly, his piercing gaze fixed on her. “It’s not because I disregard your kindness,” she said quickly, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her apron. “But my shop—it’s not worth it. I can’t let you waste your money on something so… small.” Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the vulnerability she was trying to hide. Cooper smiled faintly, leaning forward. “Small? Kira, your bakery is more than just a shop. It’s a reflection of your hard work and passion. That makes it more than worth it.” Kira’s eyes softened, and for a
Kira’s mind was still spinning from the revelation that this man, Cooper McDonald, was willing to invest such a large sum in her struggling bakery. He had insisted on helping her, pushing a check for $100,000 into her hands, but she had rejected it. She couldn’t bring herself to accept something so overwhelming, especially from a man she didn’t know well enough to trust.“Please, you don’t have to do this,” she had said, her voice a mix of gratitude and discomfort. “I’m sure if I sold everything in my shop right now, it wouldn’t even come close to half of this amount. I can’t—”Cooper had interrupted her, smiling that confident, reassuring smile of his. “I’m an investor. And I’m officially investing in your business.”She had hesitated for a moment, trying to find some logic in his offer. But there was something unsettling about him. The way he spoke about it, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to hand over such a sum of money to a
Kira’s mind spun as she watched the man standing before her. His movements were fluid, his strikes precise, yet there was something unsettlingly ruthless about the way he fought. Every punch, every calculated step, exuded raw power. Yet his voice... it carried a soothing warmth that made her question everything she thought she knew about him. He adjusted his glasses as if shielding something, but Kira couldn’t shake the feeling that behind those lenses lay secrets—ones she desperately wanted to uncover. She stood frozen, clutching the edge of the counter at her small bakery, her heart thudding against her ribcage. For the first time in years, someone had fought for her. Her mind drifted back to Eva, her only friend, who had abandoned her months ago. Their broken friendship left Kira lonelier than ever, her introverted nature making it hard to form new connections. And yet, this man—a stranger—had stepped in, defending her with a ferocity that took her breath away. When the fight