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
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
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 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 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 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 povWhen I woke, the world was muted, hazy around the edges, as though I were emerging from a thick fog. The sharp ache in my body was overwhelming, radiating from my abdomen and seeping into every nerve. My lids fluttered open, and the dim light of the room filtered in, casting long shadows on the walls.The first thing I saw was Gaius, seated at my bedside. His hand clasped mine tightly, as if letting go would cause me to slip away. His face was pale, his eyes red-rimmed, his usual controlled demeanor replaced by an expression I’d rarely seen on him: anguish.“Evelyn,” he breathed, his voice breaking with relief. “Thank the moon.”I tried to speak, but my throat was dry, and my lips felt cracked. “What… what happened?” I managed to rasp, the words scratching painfully as they left me.“You were poisoned,” Gaius said, his voice low but laced with fury. His eyes darkened as he spoke the word, and his jaw tightened as though he was forcing himself to remain calm.The memory of
Evelyn's pov“Evelyn, you need to eat something,” Gaius said softly, his voice filled with worry as he knelt beside me. His hand reached for mine, but I pulled it back, squeezing further into myself on the couch. The blanket wrapped around my shoulders felt like the only thing keeping me together.“I’m not hungry,” I muttered, my voice low.“You’ve been saying that for days,” he cut in, his tone strict now, though not unkind. “You can’t keep doing this. Your body needs—”“My body needs nothing,” I interrupted, my voice sharp as my gaze finally met his. “What’s the point, Gaius? Why does it even matter?”He flinched, but instead of arguing, he moved closer, his green eyes searching mine. “It matters because you matter, Evelyn. Don’t you see that? I can’t lose you too.”My throat tightened, the weight of his words settling over me like a heavy wood. “You deserve better than this,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Better than me. I couldn’t even…”“Stop,” he said firmly, cutting me o
GaiusEvery step Raven and I took was deliberate. We moved in silence as we approached the secluded location of the Shadow’s grand gathering.The intel we got was just enough to confirm Cyrus’s presence and the purpose of the meeting. The rogues were gathering to swear loyalty to their new “Supreme Alpha” and witness the unveiling of his latest weapon.Raven walked ahead of me, her features covered by the hood of her cloak. “This isn’t just a meeting,” Raven whispered as we neared the clearing. “It’s a show of power. Cyrus wants to remind them why they follow him.”I nodded, adjusting the mask covering my face. “Then we’ll make sure we see everything,” I said, my voice low.The clearing came into view suddenly. The rogues had gathered in a makeshift amphitheater carved into the earth, a steep circle of jagged rocks surrounding a central stage. We slipped into the crowd unnoticed, our disguises blending with the rogues around us. The sounds of murmured conversations and the occ
EvelynThe house was quiet.It was the kind of calm that should have been soothing but instead made me uneasy.I sat at the dining table, stirring my tea until the liquid had cooled to the point I felt it was undrinkable no more.My mind churned with the thoughts of Gaius’s mission preparations, Raven’s lead, and the decisions we had to make. Just knowing that Cyrus was still out there, regrouping, left a constant ache in my chest. My wolf stirred uneasily.A knock came at the front door, the sound startled me enough as the spoon from my hand jolted. Grace appeared moments later, holding a pale envelope. She had an unreadable expression written on her face.“This just arrived for you, My Lady,” she said, handing it to me.I frowned, taking the envelope cautiously. There was no name or address on it, just the words Luna Evelyn written in elegant, handwriting. The paper felt rough beneath my fingers. It smelt like herbs.“Who delivered this?” I asked.Grace shook her head. “A cou
GaiusI sat in my office, staring at the map laid out before me, my thoughts a storm of frustration and helplessness. The fractured bond between Evelyn and me lingered in my chest like a physical ache, but there was no time to dwell on it. Not when Cyrus remained a threat, regrouping in the shadows like the viper he was.A soft knock on the door broke my reverie.“Come in,” I called, my voice heavier than I intended.The door opened to reveal Raven, her expression unreadable as she stepped inside. She no longer carried the air of detached confidence that once defined her. Living among the pack, isolated and distrusted, had stripped away some of her bravado.“What is it?” I asked, my tone guarded.“I have a lead,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the room.I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. “A lead on Cyrus?”She nodded. “He’s moving to regroup with the Shadow’s leadership. There’s an old abandoned stronghold in the eastern mountains. It’s isolated, for
EvelynCyrus’s laughter echoed through the cave, each note grating against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. His smirk widened as he turned his attention to me, his predatory eyes gleaming with amusement.“And you, dear Evelyn,” he drawled, his tone dripping with condescension, “how the mighty have fallen. Tell me, does it ever get tiring, hiding behind stronger men?”My chest tightened, his words hitting a tender spot I hated to acknowledge. My wolf growled beneath my skin, restless and furious, but I held her back. This was not the time to lose control.“I hate you,” I spat, my voice trembling with fury.Cyrus’s smirk deepened. “Oh, I’m counting on that.”His taunts cut deep, stoking a fire that had been burning since the moment he destroyed everything I held dear. He turned to Roman, his shadow, who stood still and silent, his gaze locked on me. Something flickered in Roman’s expression—something cold and unreadable—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.“You’re a coward,
EvelynCyrus’s laughter echoed through the cave, each note grating against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. His smirk widened as he turned his attention to me, his predatory eyes gleaming with amusement.“And you, dear Evelyn,” he drawled, his tone dripping with condescension, “how the mighty have fallen. Tell me, does it ever get tiring, hiding behind stronger men?”My chest tightened, his words hitting a tender spot I hated to acknowledge. My wolf growled beneath my skin, restless and furious, but I held her back. This was not the time to lose control.“I hate you,” I spat, my voice trembling with fury.Cyrus’s smirk deepened. “Oh, I’m counting on that.”His taunts cut deep, stoking a fire that had been burning since the moment he destroyed everything I held dear. He turned to Roman, his shadow, who stood still and silent, his gaze locked on me. Something flickered in Roman’s expression—something cold and unreadable—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.“You’re a coward,
GaiusThe cave swallowed us in darkness as we moved deeper into its belly. The narrow, jagged walls were damp and oppressive. The only sounds were the crunch of gravel underfoot and the steady drip of water somewhere in the distance. Every step heightened the tension, and made my wolf restless under my skin. The scent of damp earth mingled with a faint metallic tang that I couldn’t place—an unnatural smell that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.Raven moved ahead of us, her steps silent, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. Evelyn trailed behind her, her form tense. I followed closely, my hand hovering near my weapon. The air was thick with unease, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched.“We’re close,” Raven said, pausing to examine the faint glow of light spilling through a jagged crevice in the rock ahead. “That’s the entrance to the facility.”Evelyn stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. “It’s small,” she said softly.“It’s supposed t
EvelynThe moon hung low in the sky, casting a cold silver glow over the gathered group as Gaius finalized the details of the mission. His voice, steady and commanding, carried through the clearing as he spoke to the soldiers and strategists around him. I stood slightly apart, my arms crossed, a stubborn determination settling over me.“We’ll move at dawn,” Gaius announced, his piercing green eyes scanning the crowd. “This won’t be an easy mission. The facility is heavily fortified, and the terrain will work against us. But if we strike swiftly, we can destroy it before Cyrus realizes we’re there.”As the crowd murmured their assent, Gaius turned to me, his jaw tightening. “Evelyn, I need you to stay behind.”“No,” I said immediately, my voice firm.“Evelyn,” he began, his tone edged with frustration, “this isn’t—”“This isn’t your decision to make,” I interrupted, stepping closer to him. “You keep saying we’re in this together. That we’re equals. But every time something like this c
GaiusThe sun was low on the horizon, painting the pack lands in hues of gold and orange, but I barely noticed the beauty of the evening. My focus was locked on my phone, on the brief, urgent message from Raven:We need to meet. I have intel on Cyrus’s next move.I let out a breath. Dealing with Raven was always a gamble—a fine line between necessary collaboration and inviting chaos into our lives. But this time, I couldn’t dismiss her. If Cyrus had set up a hidden production facility for the serum, as she claimed, we couldn’t afford to ignore it.But Evelyn...I turned and headed toward the training grounds, where I knew I’d find her. The sound of her fists pounding against the punching bag echoed long before I saw her, each strike fueled by the storm of emotions that had been swirling between us.“Evelyn,” I called as I stepped into the clearing.She didn’t stop. Her punches were sharp, relentless, as though trying to silence whatever demons haunted her.“Evelyn,” I repeated, my ton
EvelynThe training grounds were unforgiving, the midday sun shining down with relentless heat. My fists slammed into the punching bag with a rhythm that matched the storm in my mind. Each strike sent a sharp jolt through my arms, but I welcomed the pain. It dulled the ache in my chest, the one that had taken root ever since my encounter with Roman.“Harder,” Matthias barked, pacing behind me. His voice was sharp, cutting through the haze of my focus.I growled low in my throat, channeling the frustration into my next punch. The bag shuddered violently on impact, swaying on its chain.“Better,” Matthias muttered, though his tone carried the unmistakable edge of disapproval. “But your form is slipping.”I ignored him, my fists flying faster, the strikes becoming more erratic. Sweat dripped from my brow, stinging my eyes, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was the sound of my knuckles connecting with leather, the satisfying thud that drowned out the chaotic mess of my thoughts.“Stop