Evelyn's pov.“They’re working with the Shadow.” The words came out from Victor's cracked lips, his voice trembling as though he could barely speak them out loud. His eyes scanned around the dim room, his shoulders slumping in defeat, but Gaius's presence, standing tall in front of him, seemed to suffocate any hope he might have had left. It's obvious that the man was nothing more than a pawn, but he had information we needed.Gaius’s gaze never shifted from him, it kept lingering, his green eyes sharp and unforgiving. "The Shadow?" he repeated, his voice low, filled with a dangerous tone. "Explain yourself."I stood off to the side, my arms folded tightly across my chest, anger still boiling inside of me. I couldn’t let it show—I needed to remain focused. But everything in me wanted to scream, to hit something, to make this man tell us everything we needed to know right this moment. The image of Clara's smug face from the television screen still ached in my mind, the fury rising onc
Gauis “This is a waste of time,” I muttered under my breath, adjusting the cuffs of my suit jacket as I stepped into the grand ballroom. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and the faint smell of power—a heady mix that set my wolf on edge.“It’s necessary,” Zack replied quietly at my side, his gaze scanning the crowd. “You know that.”Necessary didn’t mean I had to like it. The Iris Ball was nothing more than a display of wealth and self-importance for the Council of Elders, a thinly veiled excuse for them to flaunt their power and connections. But tonight, I had a purpose.The room was grand, its high ceilings adorned with glittering chandeliers and decors that screamed excess. Council members, pack leaders, and influential figures from across the territories mingled in groups, their laughter and conversations a low hum beneath the orchestral music.My wolf growled softly, uneasy with the crowd. I rolled my shoulders, forcing myself to relax as I moved deeper into
Gauis“We’ll need to move quickly,” Adam said, his voice cutting through the tense air. He stood across from me, his brow furrowed, the map of the safe house spread across the table between us. “If this intel is accurate, they’ll be expecting someone—maybe not us, but someone.”“They’ll be ready,” Lisa added, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, lingering on me for a moment. “And if this ledger is as important as Raven claimed, they won’t hesitate to kill anyone who gets too close.”“I don’t plan on giving them the chance,” I said firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument.The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the mission settling over all of us. The safe house wasn’t just any location—it was a stronghold, heavily fortified and swarming with Cyrus’s men. The risk was high, but the reward was greater. The ledger held the key to unraveling his operations, a chance to expose his alliances and cut off his power at the roots.Adam
Evelyn.“Help me,” my father cried, his voice barely audible.I froze in the doorway, my breath catching in my throat. James Knight—Alpha of the Silverpine Pack, my father—looked nothing like the man I remembered. His once-commanding presence had been reduced to a gaunt, trembling figure slumped against the cold, damp wall.“Gaius,” I whispered, my voice shaking as I turned toward him.Gaius stood at my side, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight before us. “Evelyn, stay back,” he warned, his tone low and edged with caution.I ignored him, my feet carrying me forward as though drawn by some invisible force. My father lifted his head slightly, his dull, unfocused eyes meeting mine.“Evelyn?” he croaked, a flicker of recognition passing over his face.“What happened to you?” I asked, my voice trembling.“Get him up,” Gaius ordered, motioning to one of the soldiers who had followed us in. “But be careful. The last time he was in my pack, he tried to kill me.”The soldier hesitated,
Evelyn“Start talking,” I demanded, my arms crossed as I stood at the edge of the infirmary. My father sat hunched over a small table, the leather-bound ledger open before him. A guard stood by the door, his presence a silent reminder that James Knight was still far from being trusted.My father glanced up, his sunken eyes flickering with weariness, but there was defiance in them too. “You don’t waste time, do you?”“I’ve wasted enough of it on you,” I shot back. “You said you could interpret the ledger. So do it.”Gaius, standing just behind me, stepped forward. His voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it. “Every second you stall is another second those children remain in danger. If you know something, you’d better speak now.”James’s hands trembled slightly as he traced the faint ink on the page. “This… isn’t just a ledger,” he began, his voice low. “It’s a map. Each entry corresponds to locations Cyrus has used for his operations. Some are warehouses. Others… detention cente
Cyprus"How in the hell did this happen?" I growled, slamming my fist on the table. The sharp crack echoed through the dimly lit chamber, and every man in the room went tensed as though they feared the next blow would land on them.Kellan, the wiry scout who had earned a reputation for always knowing too much and saying too little, cleared his throat nervously. "Alpha Cyrus, the CCTV footage confirms it. Gaius infiltrated the facility."I turned my gaze to the screen on the wall, where the grainy footage played in a maddening loop. There he was—Gaius, his movements swift and confident, the ledger clutched in his hand as he slipped into the shadows like a damn thief.“Gaius,” I muttered, my wolf snarling beneath my skin. “Of course, it’s Gaius.”The men around the table exchanged uneasy glances, their silence only erupting the fire in my chest. My wolf paced restlessly, urging me to act, to strike back before Gaius could use what he had stolen.Tobias, my second-in-command, finally fou
EvelynThe tension in the air was heavy as Clara was dragged into the packhouse, her wrists bound and her head held high despite the murmurs of the guards surrounding her. My wolf stirred uneasily as I watched her approach, her face pale but determined, her lips pressed into a firm line."Put her there," Gaius ordered, his voice a low growl. He pointed to the chair in the center of the room, his eyes blazing with fury. The guards shoved Clara down, and she didn’t resist, though her sharp gaze immediately sought me out."Evelyn," she said, her voice trembling but defiant. "I didn’t kill your child. You have to believe me."My chest tightened at her words, and for a moment, the memory of the pain—the devastating loss—threatened to overwhelm me. I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay calm. “Why would I believe anything you say?” I replied, my tone colder than I felt.“I didn’t do it,” Clara repeated, her voice rising slightly as if the constant insistence could make it true.“Liar,”
Gauis“Double the perimeter guard,” I barked, my voice cutting through the tense air. “I don’t want a single rogue slipping through.”“Yes, Alpha,” the head of the watch replied, bowing sharply before rushing off to relay my orders.The night was cold, but the heat of the impending ambush roiled through my veins like fire. I stood on the balcony overlooking the coalition meeting grounds, every muscle in my body taut as I scanned the dark forest beyond. The knowledge of Cyrus’s planned attack weighed heavily on me, each passing moment feeding the tension simmering in my chest.The rogues were coming—I was sure of it.Adam, approached swiftly, his steps purposeful. “The scouts have reported activity on the eastern ridge,” he said, his voice low. “Movement consistent with rogue patterns. They’ll be here soon.”I nodded, my gaze still fixed on the tree line. “Good. Let them come.”Adam hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “Do you think Clara was telling the truth? About Cyrus’s
EvelynThe pain came in waves, sharp and relentless. My breathing was shallow as I clung to Gaius’s hand, his steady presence the only thing keeping me grounded. I had prepared for this moment—or at least I thought I had. But nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming pressure, the way my body felt like it was tearing apart.“Breathe, Evelyn,” Gaius said softly, his voice calm but firm. “You’ve got this.”I nodded, though the words felt distant. Another contraction hit, and I cried out, my wolf stirring restlessly inside me.Grace entered the room, followed by the midwife, a kind but no-nonsense woman named Marion. She took one look at me and started giving instructions, her voice steady and reassuring.“You’re doing great, Evelyn,” Marion said, kneeling by the bed. “But the baby isn’t in the right position yet. It might take some time.”I groaned, my grip on Gaius’s hand tightening. “I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face.“Yes, you can,” G
EvelynThe ride back to the pack was quiet. Gaius sat beside me, his hand resting on my knee, a comforting weight in the stillness. I leaned my head against the window, watching the trees blur past. My mind wandered, replaying the confrontation with Roman.His words didn’t haunt me the way I thought they might. Instead, I felt a strange calm, like I’d closed the door on a part of my life that had long held me captive. I wasn’t afraid of him anymore. He couldn’t hurt me now.Gaius’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “You’ve been quiet,” he said softly, glancing at me.I turned to him, offering a small smile. “Just thinking.”“About Roman?” he asked, his tone careful.I nodded. “He’s bitter. Angry. But he’s nothing now. Just a shadow of what he used to be.”Gaius squeezed my knee gently. “You’re stronger than him, Evelyn. You always were.”His words warmed me, and I placed my hand over his. “Thank you,” I said softly.The pack house came into view, its familiar structure a welcome si
EvelynI stood barefoot on the sand, the turquoise waves lapping at the shore. Gaius walked up behind me, his arms circling my waist as he pulled me against his chest. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, his voice low and comforting.I smiled, leaning into him. “I was just trying to remember the last time I felt this peaceful.”He kissed the top of my head. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”“It feels like a lifetime ago,” I admitted.Our honeymoon had been nothing short of magical. After everything we had been through—the battles, the loss, the constant chase of Cyrus’s shadow—this felt like a dream. We had traveled to a secluded island, a place untouched by war or worry, where the only sounds were the waves and the laughter of the locals.For the past few days, we had let ourselves forget about the rest of the world. We’d explored hidden waterfalls, hiked through lush jungles, and shared quiet meals by candlelight. It felt like we were rediscovering each other, peeling back th
EvelynThe days after the healer’s news were filled with quiet worry. At first, I thought I was just exhausted from everything we’d been through—the battles, the losses, the rebuilding. But my body felt heavier with each passing day, and the symptoms only grew worse.Gaius barely left my side, his eyes constantly flicking to me with a worry he tried to hide. But I could feel it in his touch, in the way his hand would linger on mine, or how he’d wrap an arm around me as if afraid I might disappear.“You need to rest,” he told me for the hundredth time as I sat on the couch one afternoon, my head resting against his shoulder.“I am resting,” I said, though the ache in my body made it clear that rest alone wasn’t enough.“We’re seeing the healer again,” he said firmly. “Something isn’t right.”I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the energy to.The healer, an older man with kind eyes and steady hands, greeted us warmly when we arrived. But as he examined me, his expression grew serious. He did
EvelynThe land was quiet, the chaos of the fight replaced by an eerie stillness. It was over. Cyrus was gone, and his reign of terror had ended.But as I walked through the remains of the battlefield, the weight of everything we’d lost pressed heavily on my chest. Those that died were being gathered, their bodies lined carefully, as survivors worked tirelessly to restore some semblance of order. I spotted Gaius in the distance, directing soldiers and healers with the same calm authority that had always been his strength. Even from here, I could see the exhaustion etched into his features, but he didn’t falter. He turned as I approached, his eyes softening when they met mine. “Evelyn,” he said, stepping closer. His hand rested gently on my arm, his touch grounding me. “You shouldn’t be out here. You need to rest.”“I’m fine,” I said, though the truth was far from it. My body ached in ways I didn’t fully understand, and every step felt heavier than the last. But I couldn’t sit idl
GaiusThe battlefield was eerily quiet. Smoke curled in thin tendrils from scattered fires, and the once deafening sounds of battle had faded into an uneasy silence. Around us, Cyrus’s forces lay defeated, either dead or having fled into the shadows. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, it seemed like we might actually win.But Cyrus wasn’t done.He stood alone in the clearing, his once-pristine black coat torn and bloodstained, but his stance was still defiant. His smirk, cruel and venomous, clung stubbornly to his face as though he knew something we didn’t.I tightened my grip on my blade, my wolf pacing restlessly inside me. “It’s over, Cyrus,” I said, stepping forward. “Your army is gone. Surrender now, and maybe we’ll let you live.”His laugh echoed across the field, cold and sharp. “You think I’m afraid of dying, Gaius?” he spat. “You think this is the end for me?”“It is,” I said firmly, my voice calm but unyielding. “You’ve lost everything.”Cyrus took a step forw
GaiusAs I carried Evelyn’s unconscious form through the dense forest. My arms tightened around her as I pushed forward, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and urgency. She felt so fragile in my hold, and the thought of her being hurt clawed at me.Behind me, Raven led the way, limping but determined. Despite her battered appearance, her eyes burned with a fierceness I hadn’t seen in years. She had gathered guards and allies in a makeshift camp deep in the woods—a safe zone where we could regroup and plan our next move against Cyrus.The soft murmurs of voices and the faint glow of campfires appeared ahead. Relief flooded through me. At least we’d reached some measure of safety for the moment.The guards at the perimeter stiffened as we approached, their weapons raised until they recognized us. “Alpha Gaius!” one of them called out, rushing forward.“Clear a path,” I ordered, my voice tight. “She needs care.”They stepped aside without question, their faces etched with concern a
CyrusThe chamber reeked of sweat and blood. My throne, carved from blackened stone, felt harder beneath me as I stared at the rogue kneeling before me. His head was bowed, his body trembling.“How many this time?” I asked, my voice low and steady.The rogue flinched, his fear bleeding into the silence. “Three squads, my Lord,” he stammered. “They... they deserted last night.”I sat back, my fingers curling around the armrests of the throne.“Three squads,” I repeated slowly, “And what did they take with them?”“S-supplies, my Lord,” he whispered, barely able to meet my eyes. “Weapons, food... they stole what they could carry.”My wolf stirred, snarling at the edges of my mind. Traitors. After everything I had done—everything I had sacrificed—this was how they repaid me?“You’re telling me,” I said, rising from my seat, “that a third of my army has turned tail and fled? That they think they can run from me?”The rogue didn’t answer. He didn’t dare.“Look at me,” I commanded, my voic
Evelyn My chest burned with each breath, my muscles aching from the effort of keeping Gaius moving. He leaned heavily on me, his strength waning, but his stubbornness kept him upright.“He’s getting closer,” I said breathlessly, glancing over my shoulder.The warrior loomed in the distance, his enormous frame tearing through trees and underbrush with ease. His glowing green eyes locked on us.Gaius gritted his teeth. “We just need to make it a little farther.”“No, we don’t,” I said, coming to a sudden stop.Gaius staggered as I pulled him to a halt. He turned to me, his face pale and bloodied. “What are you doing?”I straightened, letting go of his arm. “We can’t keep running. You can’t keep running.”“Evelyn, don’t,” he said, shaking his head. “We have to keep moving.”“No,” I said firmly. “We won’t make it. He’ll catch us, and when he does...” My voice trailed off, the words catching in my throat.Gaius’s eyes softened, but only for a moment. Then his jaw set, and he stepped in fr