The morning sunlight peeked through the heavy drapes of my room, casting long shadows over the floor. It felt deceptive—too bright and warm for the chaos simmering beneath the surface of our lives. I ran a hand over my belly, seeking some comfort in the quiet stirrings of the life growing inside me. Despite everything, my child was here, nestled safely within me. But could I keep them safe?I stood, bracing myself for the day. Gaius’s voice carried faintly through the halls as he barked orders into his phone. He had barely slept, consumed by the explosion at one of his companies, the rumors tying him to the chaos, and the protests growing louder with each passing hour. His mind was a world away, wrestling with problems I couldn’t solve.Mine, on the other hand, was preoccupied with a more intimate pain—Ben, Amelia, and the other missing child. The police investigation felt slow, almost deliberately so. My every request for updates was met with polite but unconvincing reassurances. I h
EvelynThe tension in Gaius’s study was unbearable. The usually warm, inviting room, with its dark oak furniture and flickering fireplace, felt suffocating. Gaius stood at the far end of the room, his back to me, staring out of the window. His broad shoulders were tense, and his hands rested on the windowsill, gripping it so tightly his knuckles had turned white.Adam and Lisa exchanged uneasy glances from where they sat. They knew something—something that I didn’t.“Adam,” Gaius said finally, his voice sharp and commanding. He turned to face us, his dark eyes blazing with determination. “I want a full investigation into the explosion. Start with the workers at the site. Find out if anyone’s been acting strange or if there have been threats. I want names. I want answers.”Adam straightened, nodding. “Understood. I’ll get on it right away. If there’s a trail to follow, I’ll find it.”Gaius shifted his gaze to Lisa. “You need to contact the fourth associate. Update her on what happened
Evelyn.“Evelyn,” Gaius began, his deep voice rumbling low, almost soothing. Almost. “It was a long time ago.”He was trying to be gentle, but his words felt more like a dismissal than reassurance. I stared at him, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, a shield against the unease that bubbled inside me.“A long time ago,” I repeated, my tone sharper than I intended. “And yet, here she is, still part of your life.”Gaius sighed, his hand brushing over his jaw in that way he always did when he was trying to keep calm. “She’s not part of my life, Evelyn. She’s part of the plan. Nothing more.”That word—plan—should have reassured me, but it didn’t. I pressed on, unable to stop myself. “Do you really expect me to believe that? After everything? After—”“After what?” he interrupted, stepping closer. His hands found my shoulders, firm yet tender. “Evelyn, Raven means nothing to me. You know that.”“I don’t know that,” I whispered, the words slipping out before I could stop them. I hated how
Lisa’s smirk was in full bloom as she leaned back in her chair, arms crossed like she was watching a particularly amusing play. “Well, you can’t blame Evelyn for being a little jealous,” she said, her tone full of mischief. “It’s not every day you find out your mate is still working with his ex.”I pinched the bridge of my nose, my patience thinning. “Lisa, enough.” My voice carried the edge I knew she respected, but her smirk only wavered slightly.“Just saying,” she continued, unfazed. “Evelyn’s not wrong to wonder. History like that doesn’t just vanish overnight.”“There’s no history,” I said sharply, leaning forward and fixing her with a glare that would have sent most people scrambling for the door. “Raven is part of the plan, nothing more. I made that clear a long time ago. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t joke about it anymore.”Lisa’s smile faded, and she nodded, finally sensing the seriousness in my tone. “Got it. Sorry, Alpha.”Before I could say more, the shrill ring of
GaiusEvelyn was gone before I even realized it. The moment the news of Amelia's kidnapping hit, she darted out of the room, her worry sharper than words. I barely had time to call after her before she disappeared down the hall.“Evelyn!” My voice echoed through the mansion, but I already knew where she was heading.Her scent was a trail of desperation and determination, leading me straight to the pack’s orphanage. My chest tightened as I sprinted after her. For Evelyn, the children weren’t just a duty—they were her solace, her way of healing. Losing Amelia had shaken her to her core.By the time I reached the orphanage, Evelyn was already inside. The room was filled with chaos—shuffled feet, murmurs of fear, and the faint sound of stifled sobs.I stepped through the doorway, and every eye turned to me. The kids huddled in small groups, some clutching each other, others staring wide-eyed at Evelyn as she tried to calm them.“Everyone, please,” she said, her voice trembling but steady.
EvelynThe morning air was crisp, the kind that cleared your head and sharpened your focus. My muscles ached with the pleasant burn of progress as I adjusted my stance, listening intently to Matthias’s instructions.“Keep your balance steady, Luna,” he said, holding up the padded target. His tone was calm, almost detached, but I’d come to recognize the faint glimmer of approval in his eyes.I nodded, shifting my weight onto my back foot. With a sharp exhale, I swung my leg upward, aiming for the pad.The first kick fell short, skimming the edge.“Again,” Matthias instructed, his expression giving nothing away.Gritting my teeth, I reset my position, drawing a deep breath. I had to get this right. Not for him, not even for myself—but for my child. Each session brought me closer to feeling capable of protecting what mattered most.I tried again, pushing through the strain in my legs. My foot hit the target squarely, the sound reverberating through the quiet clearing.“Yes!” I shouted, a
“Gaius,” I started, my voice trembling as I stared at the photographs spread across his desk. “This isn’t what you think.”“Isn’t it?” he snapped, his voice cold and clipped. The calm façade he’d worn moments ago had cracked, revealing the storm simmering just beneath the surface.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “It was nothing. I was just training with Matthias. I finally managed a high kick, and I hugged him—”“You hugged him,” Gaius repeated, his tone laced with disbelief and anger. He shoved the photos closer to me, his green eyes burning into mine. “Do you have any idea how this looks? To the pack? To me?”My heart pounded, and I shook my head, trying to find the right words. “I wasn’t thinking about how it looked. I was just—”“Exactly,” he cut me off, his voice rising. “You weren’t thinking, Evelyn. You’re my Luna, and your actions reflect on this pack. Do you know what kind of damage rumors like this can cause?”I opened my mouth to respond, but his words kept coming, sharp a
The guilt sat heavy in my chest, an unbearable weight that refused to lift. I paced the length of my room, Layla standing nearby with an expression that hovered between curiosity and impatience. My thoughts kept circling back to Matthias—the betrayal etched in his face when Gaius had him dismissed from his duties earlier that day.It was my fault.All of it.If I hadn’t been so careless, so impulsive in showing my excitement during training, none of this would have happened. The pack wouldn’t be whispering behind my back, Gaius wouldn’t be questioning my loyalty, and Matthias wouldn’t have lost the honor of serving as my guard.“Do you always wear the floor thin when you’re feeling guilty?” Layla asked, her voice breaking through the fog of my thoughts.I stopped, turning to face her. “He didn’t deserve this.”Her eyes gleamed with something I couldn’t quite place—was it satisfaction? Amusement? “Maybe not,” she said lightly, adjusting the cuffs of her dress. “But you can’t undo it no
Evelyn's povThe scent was unmistakable. As soon as I opened my eyes, it hit me—the rich, comforting smell of the meals my mother used to make. It was a blend of herbs, spices, and something warm and hearty, familiar and safe. I could almost hear her humming in the kitchen, the sound that always seemed to follow the delicious aroma of her cooking. For a moment, I thought I had drifted back in time, back to when everything was simpler, when my biggest concern was running through the halls of the packhouse with my siblings, laughing and carefree.I rose slowly from bed, the lingering warmth of the covers against my skin making me want to sink back into them. But the smell pulled me out of my stupor, and I couldn’t resist. I slipped into my slippers and walked quietly down the hall, following the scent like a trail.When I entered the kitchen, my steps faltered. There, standing at the stove, was Clara. She was stirring something in a pot, her focus completely on the task at hand. I co
Evelyn's pov.The day felt heavy, as though the weight of everything I’d been struggling with had finally caught up to me.My steps were slow as I made my way through the corridors of the packhouse, my hand resting on my stomach. The baby inside me had grown stronger, more active, and yet I could feel the toll it was taking on my body.I’d been so caught up in the chaos of everything around me—Roman, my father, Gaius, and the constant pressure of the pack—that I hadn’t taken the time to care for myself.Today, I was going for my checkup, and I could only hope that the doctor would have some good news.Gaius walked beside me, his presence a constant source of comfort. His hand brushed against mine every now and then, a subtle reminder that no matter what was happening around us, I wasn’t alone.“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice low and concerned.“I’m fine,” I said, though my words didn’t feel as convincing as I wanted them to. “Just tired.”“You need to rest more,” he said,
Evelyn’s P.o.vThe weight of uncertainty hung heavy over the room. Gaius, Lisa, Adam, and I sat in the study, the air thick with tension as we tried to piece together our next move. My father’s whereabouts—or what Roman believed to be his fate—loomed over every word spoken.“We need to consider the possibility that Cyrus has him,” I said, breaking the silence. My voice trembled slightly, but I forced myself to speak clearly. “If Roman isn’t lying, and if my father’s not dead, there’s no one else who would go to such lengths to keep him hidden.”Lisa nodded thoughtfully, her gaze sharp as she exchanged a glance with Adam. “It would make sense,” she said, tapping her fingers against the armrest of her chair. “Cyrus would gain leverage over you that way. And we know he doesn’t shy away from using people as pawns.”Adam leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “If Cyrus does have him, we need proof before we act. Otherwise, we’re walking into a trap.”“I know that,” I replied, try
Evelyn’s P.o.vThe silence between Gaius and me stretched long and thin as the car sped away from my father’s packhouse. I couldn’t shake Clara’s words, her hesitant voice playing on a loop in my mind.He’s not coming back. Roman thinks he’s dead.No matter how many times I replayed it, I couldn’t accept it. My father—dead? No. It wasn’t possible. He was too strong, too clever to be taken down so easily. But the doubt wormed its way into my thoughts, gnawing at my resolve.Gaius’s steady grip on the wheel was the only anchor keeping me tethered to the moment. I could feel his glances, the weight of his concern, but I didn’t have the energy to meet his gaze. Instead, I stared out the window at the passing trees, their green blur doing little to distract me from the storm in my chest.“Evelyn,” Gaius said softly, his voice cutting through the hum of the engine.“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said flatly, not looking at him.“You’re not fooling anyone,” he replied, his tone gentle bu
Evelyn's P.o.vThe air in the packhouse was suffocating. My wolf moved uneasy beneath my skin, her unease mirroring my own as Roman stood before me, his expression a mixture of defiance and barely concealed fear. His hands were clenched at his sides, his jaw tight, but his eyes betrayed him. “I told you,” he said, his voice wavering despite his attempt at control, “I don’t know where Father is.” “Liar,” I said, taking a step closer. My voice was steady, but inside, my anger simmered, threatening to boil over. “You’re hiding something, Roman. Just tell me the truth.” “I’m not hiding anything!” he snapped, though his gaze darted to Gaius, who stood at my side, silent and imposing. Gaius didn’t speak, but his presence alone was enough to make Roman flinch. I narrowed my eyes, my wolf growling low in my chest. “Do you think I’m stupid? Do you think I don’t see through you? I know you know something. Stop wasting my time.” Roman’s lips pressed into a thin line, and he took a st
The faint glow of moonlight spilled through the window, casting a soft, silvery light over the room. I stirred, shifting restlessly against the sheets, my body heavy with exhaustion but my mind refusing to quiet. For days now, the nightmares had plagued me, leaving me weak and anxious.A low, soothing hum filled the room—a sound I realized came from Gaius. His arms were wrapped securely around me, his warmth seeping into my chilled skin.“Evelyn,” he murmured, his voice a deep rumble against my ear. “You’re safe. Just breathe.”I clung to him, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as I tried to ground myself. The echo of the nightmare still lingered, a shadow at the edges of my mind, but his presence was a balm against the fear.“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice hoarse.“There’s nothing to apologize for,” he replied firmly. “You’ve been through so much. It’s no wonder your mind is restless.”I nodded weakly, the lump in my throat too thick to speak. Gaius shifted, his hand
Gaius’s POVThe council chamber was unbearably stifling, despite the faint breeze filtering through the high windows. My knuckles pressed against the smooth surface of the table as I locked eyes with the lead councilor. His expression remained neutral—too neutral—and I already knew what was coming.“After careful deliberation,” he began, his voice steady but devoid of any urgency, “the recording you provided has been deemed irrelevant to this case.”The words hit me like a cold slap, though I kept my expression steady. My wolf growled faintly in the back of my mind, mirroring the frustration boiling in my chest.“Councilor,” I said, my voice measured, though it took effort to maintain, “that recording exposes Cyrus for the manipulative liar he is. How can you possibly call it irrelevant?”A murmur swept through the chamber. Some of the other councilors exchanged uneasy glances, but the lead councilor remained unperturbed.“The recording lacks sufficient context,” he replied, folding h
Evelyn’s POVThe court hall was packed to the brim. The tension in the air was thick enough to taste, a mix of hushed conversations and the occasional snap of a camera shutter. I sat in the gallery, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, trying to ignore the whispers behind me.“Do you think Cyrus will get away with it?”“I heard he’s bribed half the council already.”“Gaius won’t back down. He’s not that kind of Alpha.”My wolf stirred uneasily, sensing the waves of doubt. Despite my faith in Gaius, I couldn’t shake the fear that Cyrus might wriggle out of this, just as he had with so many other schemes.The wooden doors at the back of the courtroom creaked open, and a ripple of murmurs spread through the room as Gaius entered, his presence commanding as ever. He didn’t glance at anyone, his piercing green eyes fixed straight ahead as he strode to his place. He looked calm, collected, but I could see the tightness in his jaw, the way his fingers flexed slightly as he adjusted his suit j
Cyrus’s POVThe sun streamed through the towering windows of my office, bathing the room in a golden glow. But its warmth did nothing to ease the chill running through me. My fingers tapped rhythmically against the polished wood of my desk, the sound sharp and precise, as I waited for the call.I had built this empire brick by brick, crushed every rival in my path, and climbed higher than anyone dared to imagine. Yet here I was, waiting for the Council of Elders to call me. My patience was wearing thin.The sharp buzz of my phone cut through the silence, and I snatched it up immediately. The screen displayed a single name: Council of Elders.I pressed the phone to my ear. “This had better be good,” I said, my voice cold and clipped.“Alpha Cyrus,” came a measured voice on the other end. It was one of the Council’s representatives—no doubt chosen for their ability to speak without emotion, to remain neutral. “The Council has reviewed the ongoing situation with Alpha Gaius Hartwood and