(Almira’s POV)I gripped the steering wheel tighter. My heart pounded as the road stretched endlessly ahead.In the back seat, the twins are fast asleep. Their soft breathing is the only sound you can hear in the car. I glanced at them in the rearview mirror.My chest tightened. They had no idea what was coming.Rich wanted to come, but I refused. I wanted to take the kids with me alone. I’m taking them to a place not even the closest friends like him knows. It was something that my parents and I hid from the world in the longest time.I diverted my attention back to the signage that says Silverwood Pack.If you’re coming here as a new one, you’d probably think that this is just another branch we have here in Italy.But inside was a secret. Hidden from the world. It wasn’t like other packs that thrived on traditions and ran through the woods under the moon. We had buried ourselves deep in the mountains. Advancing in ways no werewolf should.And I had done worse.I swallowed hard and t
(Almira’s POV)“Mommy, do we really have to do this?” Hazel asked, looking up to me with beautiful round eyes. I smiled faintly, kneeling to level my face to her. I looked at her and Asher. “I’m a little scared.”My heart clenched as I watched her pout her lips. I have always known that this is something that they would find scary, but I still pushed into it.After all, I’m doing this for their own sake. I want them to be safe.“There's nothing for you to worry about,” I said, smiling. “Think of it as playing a game.”Both of them exchanged reluctant stares. I sighed deeply. “I know that a physical examination sounds intimidating, but think of it like just a simple game. All you have to do is follow what grandpa Josh tells you to do, okay?” I said, giving them a reassuring smile.I glanced at the waiting old man by the door. We’re a few steps from entering the extended reality facility.The hum of machinery filled the air as we stepped into the testing room. The walls are gleaming wit
(Almira’s POV)The restaurant smelled like melted cheese and grilled meat. Hazel and Asher sat across from me, eyes bright as they flipped through the kid’s menu. Their excitement was contagious, making me forget—just for a moment—the weight of everything we had just learned."What are you getting?" I asked, watching Asher drum his fingers against the table.He grinned. "Burger. The biggest one."Hazel sighed, glancing at him. "You always pick the biggest one.""Because I can eat it."Hazel rolled her eyes but smiled. She chose chicken tenders, her usual.The waitress took our order and disappeared. Just as I was about to start a conversation, my phone rang.Rich.I glanced at the twins. They were chatting, completely at ease. "I’ll be right back, okay? Stay here."They barely acknowledged me, already distracted by the coloring pages that came with their meals.I stepped just a little further, still keeping them in my sight. I answered the call. "Hey.""How did it go?" Rich asked.I h
(Almira’s POV)"Asher, Hazel—go to the car. Now."My voice trembled, but I reached for them anyway, my hands unsteady, my heartbeat thundering like a war drum in my chest.Asher didn’t move right away. His hand hovered near mine, but his eyes were fixed on Lysander. That small, furrowed line between his brows deepened, as if he were staring at a riddle the world hadn’t prepared him to solve. Hazel clung to my side, her tiny fingers fisting the fabric of my dress like a lifeline."Asher," I repeated, sharper this time, the panic slicing through my tone. "I said go*l."He jolted at my voice—just slightly—then grabbed Hazel’s hand and pulled her along, his steps stiff with confusion. I didn’t turn until I saw them both climb into the car and shut the door behind them.Only then did I face Lysander.My blood surged with fury. "Why are you here?" The words snapped from my lips, harsher than I’d meant—but I didn’t take them back. "Why, Lysander? Are you really that desperate to ruin my life
(Rachelle’s POV)The forest was darker than usual. Looking above, I find it amusing to see the trees twisting like skeletal fingers. I smirked to myself.Nothing scares me when I just became the happiest woman in the whole world.I pulled my cloak tighter around me as I stepped deeper into the forest. I can feel my heart pounding with excitement.She is waiting for me.I stayed at the spot she told me to meet her. It didn't take long before she finally emerged from the shadows like the dark entity she is.I would have called her out for being ugly already if she hadn't helped me."You came," the entity said, its voice smooth, almost comforting.I nodded quickly, pressing a hand to my stomach. "Of course. I did everything you told me to do." I smiled, unable to hide my giddiness. "Lysander and I… we slept together. And soon, I’ll have his baby."The entity didn’t respond.I held my stomach, tilting my head as if I could already feel the life growing inside me. "I can’t wait. This baby
(Almira’s POV)The moment we got home, the twins were on me."Mom, who was that man?" Hazel asked, crossing her arms. "Why wouldn’t you talk to him?"I sighed, rubbing my temples. "It’s none of your concern.""None of our concern?" Asher scoffed. "He was looking right at us like he knew us.""Yeah, and you looked like you knew him too," Hazel added.I shook my head. "Drop it, both of you.""But I think I look like him." Asher’s voice was quieter this time, but his words hit me like a dagger. "I think… he’s our father."My breath caught.I looked at my son, his sharp eyes locked onto mine, demanding an answer I couldn’t give.My chest tightened.What are they implying?"That’s ridiculous," I muttered. "Now stop talking about it.""But—""Enough!" My voice cracked through the air, harsher than I intended.Hazel flinched. Asher clenched his jaw.I wanted to take it back, to say something softer, but before I could, a familiar voice cut through the tension."Alright, that’s enough for ton
(Lysander’s POV)I don't know how long I have been standing by the window, with both of my hands in my pockets, staring across the street.From here, through the massive glass wall of the house across from me, I see them. Almira sits on the couch, her silver blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she talks to the twins. Hazel leans against her, completely at ease, while Asher sits on the floor, fidgeting with something in his hands.They look… normal. Like a perfect little family.My family.But I’m not there.They’re right in front of me, yet I feel like I’m a world away.Behind me, Damon is talking to the real estate agent, handling the final details of the sale. The man chuckles, probably amused by how quickly I threw money at this deal.Five times the original price just to kick out whoever had already placed a deposit.A small price to pay.The man finally walks up to me, holding out the keys. I take them without a word. I could feel my fingers tightening around the cold metal.
(Reginald’s POV)I scanned through reports, but my mind isn’t on them. Something has felt off all morning.I’ve ruled this pack long enough to know when something isn’t right.And today, something is definitely not right.A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts.*Tok!* *Tok!* *Tok!*“Enter,” I commanded.The door creaked open, and Beta Harold stepped inside, his face tight with unease. I arch a brow. My Beta doesn’t get rattled easily.“What is it?” I ask.“It’s Rachelle,” he says.I sigh, already irritated. “What has she done now?”“That’s the thing,” he hesitates. “She’s… changed.”I lean back in my chair, narrowing my eyes. “Changed how?”He exhales sharply. “She’s not acting like herself. The servants are talking about it. This morning, an Omega spilled water in front of her.”I wait for the part where Rachelle humiliated the poor girl, tore into her for being incompetent.“She smiled,” Harold says instead.I blink. “She what?”“She smiled. Told the Omega to be careful and w
(Almira’s POV)The best way to catch a snake is to make it feel safe in the grass.So I pretend. I act like I’m softening. Like I believe Rachelle’s cooing and concern. I start inviting her more often to “bond” with the twins. I don’t hover—but I watch from a distance. I let her think she’s winning.Mid and I set everything carefully.We pick a day when Damon is out with the border patrol. The pack house is quiet. The kids are painting in the garden. I leave a worn leather journal on the garden bench—the one that supposedly contains notes about the twins’ powers and some fake “ritual symbols.”It’s bait.Rachelle arrives exactly on cue.“Almira,” she says, all sweet and surprised. “You’re letting them paint outside alone now?”I smile. “They’ve been so calm lately. I think it helps them feel… grounded.”She nods. “May I?” she gestures toward the kids.“Of course,” I say. “I’ll be in the herb room. Call if you need me.”I walk away slowly, but not too far.I wait.Minutes pass. Then I
(Almira’s POV)I don’t trust her smile.Not the one she gave my daughter when she asked if she liked painting, her voice all syrup and false warmth. Not the one she flashed at Asher when she offered him cookies she hadn’t even baked herself, pretending to care.And now, after what Mid told me… it all makes sense.She’s watching them. Not like children—but like riddles she’s desperate to solve. Every glance, every question, it’s calculated. Measured. Like she’s gathering data.I pace by the window, arms folded, eyes locked on the backyard. The kids are playing, completely unaware. So innocent. So normal. Asher’s shadow dances at his feet as he laughs, his joy loud and unfiltered. Hazel’s kneeling on the stones, drawing suns and hearts in chalk, her hair catching the light like strands of gold.
(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