(Lysander’s POV)“Wooohhh! Let’s party!”The sound of people cheering and dancing filled my ears. The club music is ringing my eardrums, while the whiskey burns as it slides down my throat. But that didn’t stop me from drinking. I didn’t even slow down. I drank it like water.I let it flood my system, dulling the mixture of rage and betrayal I’m feeling inside.“Woooohh!”Loud music pounds through the club as women surround me. Their hands are trailing over my arms, and their bodies are pressing against mine. One is straddling my lap, while her fingers are tracing lazy circles over my chest.I looked at her with blurred vision.“Lysander,” she purred, leaning in, her breath hot against my neck. I can feel her pressing her boobs to me.I didn’t react. I could barely hear her.I’m at a party, but my mind is somewhere else. It keeps replaying the same fucking thing. I’m stuck in a loop of memories I can’t erase. Almira’s face—her eyes, her scent, the way she felt in my arms that night. T
(Almira’s POV)The wind is howling in my ears as the boat rocks over the dark waves. It’s around 2 AM in the morning, and it’s pitch darkness here on water. The only thing that's giving us light is the small lamp that the sailor brought.I pulled my coat tighter around me, but it’s not enough to fight off the cold creeping into my bones.It didn't take long before Rich noticed.Without a word, he moved closer, and wrapped an arm around me. His warmth calmed my shaking body. I let out a quiet sigh as I leaned into him.“You should sleep,” he said.I closed my eyes, feeling the air blowing into my face.“I’ll take care of everything.”I hesitated.I’m not the biggest fan of any bodies of water. I’m practically traumatized with the thought of sinking into the darkness beneath.The sea is unpredictable, and something about traveling at night unsettles me.But then I felt the exhaustion pull at my limbs. It’s probably the hormones and medicine that I took before I left the hospital.With e
(Almira’s POV)“You good?” Rich asked as soon he buckled my seatbelt on the backseat.I could sense Mom and Dad watching us from the rear view mirror. It’s not new to them to witness Rich taking care of me like this. But I have to say that he is extra caring with me right now.It’s probably because of the babies.It didn't take long before we finally reached my parent’s current abode in Italy. The wooden house smells like home with the scent of cocoa and fresh croissants filling the air.We stopped by a bakery earlier. Mom said she wanted me to try these, especially now that I’m pregnant.It’s making my stomach growl embarrassingly loud.“Come, sit here.”Rich helped me on the soft sofa, while Mom set up the food on the coffee table. The last thing I ate that I remember was meat, and I’m really craving something sweet right now.As soon as the sweet treats were on the table, I didn’t even hesitate to reach for a croissant and take a big bite.My eyes sparkled in joy.This is so good!
(Almira’s POV)[5 Years Later]The sound of my pen scratching against the paper fills the four corners of my office. I could hear from where I’m sitting the faint hum of the city slipping through the floor-to-ceiling windows.I have been working nonstop for seven hours straight now.I plan to finish everything today because I have dinner plans later tonight.I’m excited to see them again.I barely look up as I grab another paper to sign another document. My wrist is already aching from the endless approvals, and it’s honestly starting to feel numb.Just then, I heard the door open to my office."Director Almira," a voice interruptedI glanced up to see my secretary, Niki, standing by the door. She's holding her tablet with a professional expression."The Chairman is already waiting for you in his office," she informed me.I arched my brows.I did promise him that I’ll finish everything before five o’clock in the afternoon. He’s sure a sharp old man.I nodded briefly as I set my pen do
(Almira’s POV)At the diner, my twins and I eat chaotically with their Uncle Rich. I wanted to cut half with the bill, but he refused, saying that it's the first time in a long time that he’s buying us food, and that I should let him.We allowed the kids to choose which place to eat, and they chose this 60’s inspired American Diner, a few drives away from the company.The diner is alive with the sound of music playing in the jukebox, and the warm scent of grilled burgers and fries filling the air. The neon lights flickering outside makes the atmosphere more retro and nostalgic. I like this place. It reminds me of home.Hazel and Asher are sitting across from me beside their Uncle Rich. Their little hands are busy stuffing fries into their mouths. I smiled, while looking at the ketchup stains in the corners of Asher’s lips. And how Hazel’s eyes sparkled as she hummed happily between bites is just too cute to ignore.I watched them, smiling.Rich took a slow sip of his coffee as he watc
(Almira’s POV)[Three Days Later]After five years, I’m finally back in America. Leaving my kids and family behind wasn't easy, but I promised them that I will not stay here for a long time.Just like the plan, I’m going to represent our pack in the assembly.That's it.Despite my personal plans to form alliances here, I thought I should do that once I get a better grip of the situation here in America.A lot can change in five years.But that remains the same here is the power of the people who almost killed me. Everywhere I look, I see only one thing. I see the logos of their company plastered everywhere like decorations on the walls. It reminds me how powerful they are, and why I had to leave.But they don’t scare me anymore.In fact, the first thing I did as soon as I left the airport was to head straight to the venue of the werewolf assembly.And like what I was expecting, it is hosted by the Hitwell family.“Thanks,” I said to the thoughtful chauffeur who carried my suitcase for
(Lysander’s POV)The meeting is now over, but the room is still buzzing with Alphas and Betas gathering in small groups, discussing the alliances and strategies that we discussed in the meeting.And of course, they’re talking about her, too.I should be leaving. I should be heading straight to my pack’s estate, focusing on more important matters. But my feet stay planted in the venue. My eyes unwillingly stay locked on her.Almira.It’s been five years since I last saw her.She’s stealing the spotlight from the crowd effortlessly, speaking with leaders who are twice her size and three times her age like she belongs here.Because, apparently, she does.She’s different now. Confident. Powerful. Completely unshaken by the attention she’s drawing.And damn, she’s beautiful.Her silver, blonde hair is tied in a messy bun, exposing her slender neck. She’s wearing a sleeveless black dress that hugs her curves like a glove. Her black stilettos make her legs look longer, sexier. Almira’s excre
(Almira’s POV)This isn’t happening.This shouldn’t be happening.But it is.Lysander’s lips are on mine.For a second, I feel my world has stopped. The past and the present are mixing. I can't feel anything other than his lips that are kissing mine. My body is currently betraying me in the worst way possible. I want to push him, but my body is doing otherwise.My fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket, gripping it tightly as butterflies rumbled in my stomach.His deep, woodsy scent is intoxicating me. It’s wrapping around me like a warm embrace, making it too easy to forget everything that came before this moment.It’s like all the hatred I kept all these years vanished in just a few seconds that our lips are touching.No…I can’t let this happen.I won’t.*RING!* *RING!* *RING!*Just then, a loud ring cut through the moment, snapping me back to my senses like a bucket of ice cold water was thrown over me. My eyes flew open, and for the first time, I truly saw him.Lysander.Th
(Rachelle’s POV)They’re here.The twins. Almira’s children.I hear it from the servants before breakfast — whispered between dusting and folding towels. I’m sipping tea on the balcony, watching birds land on the railing like they know I’m in a mood.“Did you hear?” the younger one says, not knowing I’m listening. “The twins are back. Damon brought them straight to the Alpha’s quarters.”“Their mother too,” the older one adds, a little too loud. “She’s staying for a while.”I set my teacup down gently. The clink of porcelain is the only sound I allow.So, she’s here. Again.I rest a hand on my stomach, just enough to play the part. A gentle rub, a soft sigh. The baby bump is small, but it’s there. People soften when they see it. Men open doors. Women smile. It’s almost too easy.The first time I heard about the twins’ abilities, I didn’t believe it. It sounded like nonsense. Glowing eyes. Shadows that move. One of the servants even said Asher made a wolf go still just by looking at it
(Almira’s POV)The fortress looms just past the olive trees, half in ruins, half reinforced by tech that doesn’t belong in a place this ancient.Motion sensors. Night vision cams.No doubt, someone rich and dangerous has paid good money to make this dump invisible to regular eyes.We crouch behind the brush, breathing slow. Damon’s a few paces behind, watching the road. Lysander is too close to me for comfort.“You take the west wall,” I say. “I’ll go straight in.”He frowns. “You always want to be the bait, don’t you?”“I don’t trust anyone else to do it right.”“Even me?”“Especially you.”His jaw tightens. “You really think I’d let anyone touch our kids?”“I think you’ve lied to me before,” I shoot back. “You’ve made decisions like you were the only one who mattered. Forgive me if I’m not thrilled to hand you my trust again.”He doesn’t respond. Maybe because I’m right.I don’t wait for his reply. I slip through the shadows, cloak pulled over my head, senses tuned to every sound. M
(Almira's POV)We arrive in Italy just before sunrise. Damon’s driving like he’s got fire in his veins, but it still feels too slow. Every minute my kids are out there with God knows who is a minute too long.As we pull up to Lysander’s estate, I see him already standing at the front steps like he’s been waiting. Of course he’s waiting. Perfect posture. Blank expression. Just like always.I don’t even let Damon stop the car fully before I jump out. My boots hit the ground hard, and I march straight toward him.“You’ve got nerve,” I say, arms crossed, staring him down. “Standing there like you didn’t just have my children taken.”Lysander raises an eyebrow. “Almira, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“Don’t play innocent. You sent Damon to sniff around them. You’ve been poking into their lives without telling me. Now they’re gone. You really expect me to believe that’s a coincidence?”His eyes narrow. “I didn’t take them.”I let out a dry laugh. “Right. You just *happened* to be
(Reginald’s POV)The silver cage stands stark against the dim light filtering through the trees. It’s a place of containment, a carefully designed prison made to hold creatures like them. I stride toward it, the weight of authority heavy on my shoulders. Inside, the twins lay unconscious, their small bodies vulnerable against the cold metal.I watch as my men secure the locks, ensuring that the cage is impenetrable. They’ve been prepared for this moment for some time, but seeing it in action brings a strange satisfaction. These kids, with their inherited powers, will be the key to my strength and influence.“What now, Alpha?” one of my guards asks, looking between the twins and me.I consider them, each breath they take a reminder of their potential. “We wait. They’ll wake up soon enough. I want them to understand the power they possess—and what happens when they choose to defy it.”Another guard steps closer. “What if Almira comes looking for them?”I wave my hand dismissively. “Let
(Reginald’s POV)“Hold him tighter, damn it. He’s just a pup!”The guard stumbles, struggling to keep Asher pinned. The boy kicks and thrashes like a wild thing, teeth bared, his little body sparking with power. Impressive. Dangerous.“Let me go!” Asher yells, his voice cracking with rage.The other guard grips Hazel, who is crying now but still managing to bite down hard on the man’s wrist. He curses, shaking her off, blood dripping from his hand.I step out of the shadows, expression unreadable. My coat flaps in the wind, and the twins freeze when they see me.Asher’s eyes burn. “You—who are you? Let us go!”I don’t answer. I simply nod to the handler standing beside me. He pulls out the syringe.“No!” Asher screams, bucking harder. The first guard yells as Asher’s claws dig into his side. Blood spurts out. “Alpha—he’s—he’s too strong—”I step in and grab the boy’s jaw, holding him still.“Sorry, little wolf,” I say calmly. “Can’t have you tearing my men apart before we even get sta
(Almira’s POV)My body feels numb. My mind is screaming, but I can’t hear anything. Just the sound of the car speeding away, carrying my children—my whole world—with it.I can’t move.No. That’s a lie.I don’t want to move.Because the moment I move, it becomes real. The moment I let go of this frozen second, it means they’re gone. Really gone.“Asher… Hazel…”Their names fall from my lips like a prayer. Like a curse.A growl rises from deep inside me. Low at first, then louder. I shift back into my wolf form, my silver-white fur glowing under the pale sky. The blood of the rogues clings to my paws. I look at the remaining ones surrounding me.They’re not even running.They want to die.“Fine,” I whisper through the link. “Then die.”I charge.Something inside me snaps. I don’t hold back. I don’t think. I tear through flesh and muscle like paper. My power lashes out from my body—violent, chaotic, barely in control. The earth trembles beneath me. I don’t know what I’m doing, only that
(Almira’s POV)I feel the shift before it even happens. My bones crack. My skin stretches. My vision sharpens as fur replaces flesh. My white wolf form bursts through with a wave of raw power. Silver streaks shimmer under the moonlight. The cold air bites at my fur but it feels good. It feels alive.I growl low, steadying my stance. They're here.The wild rogues.One. Two. Six… nine of them. They charge without warning. No strategy. No hesitation. Just blind rage. Teeth bared. Claws out. Madness in their eyes.I leap at the first one. My jaws clamp around his shoulder and I slam him to the ground. He yelps but doesn’t stop. Another wolf barrels into me from the side, knocking me off balance.I hit the dirt hard, roll, and rise again.They keep coming.I swipe. Bite. Kick. Blood splashes across the ground but they don’t slow down. They don’t even seem to feel it.They’re not just wild. They’re… wrong.“Asher! Hazel!” I turn quickly to check on the kids. They’re still in the car, wide-e
(Almira's POV)This is the right thing to do. I know that. I just hope that Lysander doesn't find his way to us. I can't let him have my children.The hum of the engine is the only thing filling the silence of the car. My hands grip the steering wheel tightly as the sun creeps higher over the trees. The twins are sitting in the back, unusually quiet.I know they're confused about our sudden plans to leave our house. I just told them that I'm pulling them out of their school to leave for a new place. It's not exactly something they wanted to do right now.“Where are we going again?” Hazel piped up.I glanced at her through the rearview mirror and force a calm smile. “A little trip, sweetheart. Just for a few days.”“To where?” Asher pushed. “We didn’t even pack our toys.”“It’s not about toys this time,” I said.“We just… need a little break from the city.”Asher folded his arms. “Is this about the new neighbor? The one across the street?”I blinked. “What?”“Yeah,” Hazel joined in. “Th
(Almira's POV)I shove another shirt into the bag, my hands working fast. There’s no time to second-guess this. Lysander is back in America. That means he’s no longer lurking around, watching us from a distance, waiting for the right moment to make his move. If I don’t act now, I might lose the chance forever.The room is dimly lit, just the bedside lamp casting a soft glow. My heart pounds as I fold a small hoodie and tuck it in next to the other clothes. The twins will need warm clothes where we’re going. It’ll be safer.I hear the door creak open, and I freeze for a moment before exhaling when I see Rich step inside. His hair is messy, and he’s rubbing sleep from his eyes.“They’re awake,” he mutters, voice thick with grogginess. “Why’d you tell me to wake them? It’s still early.”I zip up the bag and turn to him. “Because Lysander left for America. We need to move now.”Rich frowns, stepping further into the room. “You mean—you’re taking them to the base pack?”I nod. “I have to.