Evelyn.The early mornings were my sanctuary now. The soft light of dawn creeping through the trees, casting a gentle glow across the land. I would stand at the window, my hand resting on the swell of my growing belly, watching the world slowly wake up around me. The pack was quiet in the morning hours, the noise of the previous day giving way to a peaceful stillness. It was in these moments, before the day truly began, that I could gather my thoughts, center myself, and feel grounded in this new life I was building with Alpha Gaius.He had always been an early riser, though his morning routine was much different from mine. While I spent time quietly reflecting, he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. As Alpha, there were always responsibilities waiting for him, issues to manage, conflicts to resolve. But lately, I noticed something different about him—anxiety hidden behind his normally calm demeanor. He worried about me. About the baby. He told me I should take it easy, that
EvelynThe days after Ben’s disappearance were endless, dragging on as though time itself had decided to slow down, to hold me in place while my mind raced. The first few hours had been filled with frantic searching, calling his name over and over, hoping for some sign, any sign, that he hadn’t just vanished into thin air. But no matter how many times I combed the pack's grounds or searched the woods, there was nothing. No tracks, no sign of struggle, no clues. Just silence.But the silence wasn’t empty—it was filled with the sound of the whispers."Maybe he wanted to leave," one of the workers had murmured to another. "He never seemed happy at the orphanage. Maybe she was too hard on him."I froze when I heard that. Too hard on him? Was that really what they were saying? The accusations stung, even though they were barely audible. I wasn’t blind to the fact that life in the orphanage wasn’t always easy, but I was doing my best. I was giving them everything I had. And yet, these peopl
Gaius's POVI strode through the dense forest, my breath visible in the crisp morning air, tension winding through my muscles. Zack and Dan trailed silently behind me, their footfalls muffled by the thick layer of fallen leaves. My mind churned as I tried to piece together the growing mystery of the missing children.Three gone now. Three families broken and desperate for answers. I couldn’t bear the thought of another family waking up to an empty bed, of a mother’s cries echoing through the packhouse.“We’ve searched the north boundary twice,” Zack murmured, his tone measured but edged with unease. “It’s as if they vanished into thin air.”“They didn’t vanish,” I replied, the words clipped. “Someone is taking them, and I’ll find out who.”The scent of pine mingled with the faint trace of smoke from the packhouse chimneys, a stark reminder of the fragile peace that hung in the air. My pack was restless, whispers of fear and suspicion spreading like wildfire. I couldn’t afford to let t
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 news of Cyrus’s latest attack had spread like wildfire, leaving fear and uncertainty in the minds of everyone.I stood near the large window in our study, staring out at the pack grounds. People were gathered in small groups, their hushed voices and wary glances betraying their fear. I could feel their doubts, their growing mistrust, and it stung more than I wanted to admit.Gaius sat at the desk behind me, his head resting in his hands. His normally strong, and commanding presence seemed dimmed, burden by the pack’s safety.“They’re scared,” I said quietly, not turning to face him. “I can feel it. Their fear is everywhere.”Gaius lifted his head, his green eyes meeting mine. “And they’re turning that fear into blame,” he said, his voice heavy. “They don’t think we can protect them anymore.”I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest. “We’ve faced worse before, Gaius. They know what Cyrus is capable of, but we’ve always fought back.”“This time feels different,” he mu
CyrusThe photograph of my father lay on the desk before me. It's edge was worn and the image slightly faded, but his eyes still seemed to pierce through me as they always had.“You doubted me, didn’t you?” I muttered, leaning back in my chair.“You thought I’d never amount to anything more than a disappointment.”I picked up the photo, running my gloved fingers along the frayed edges. His expression was as cold and unforgiving even in death as it had been in life. My lips twisted into a sharp smile.“But look at me now,” I said softly, my tone almost mocking. “I’ve surpassed even your wildest dreams. A world where the strong rule unchallenged, where no council, no laws, no Alphas can stand in the way—that’s what you always wanted. And I’ve made it a reality.”The smile faded as my wolfs growl rumbled low in my chest, the sound filling the silence of the room. “All that’s left are the two thorns in my side. Gaius and Evelyn.”Their names rolled off my tongue like a curse. They h
EvelynGauis sat across from me in silence, his eyes distant, fixed on something far beyond the room we were in.“You’ve barely said a word since you got back,” I said softly, my voice low. “What’s wrong?”He turned to meet my gaze, his jaw tightening before he spoke. “At the amphitheater,” he began, his voice low, as though speaking too loudly might shatter the moment, “I saw someone.”I tilted my head, frowning. “who?”“A woman,” he said, shifting slightly. “She was backstage, standing near the edge of the crowd.” He paused, asif searching for the right words. “She looked like you, Evelyn.”The room seemed to spin, his words throwing me off balance. “Like me?” I whispered.Gaius nodded, his gaze intense. “Not just in appearance. The way she moved, the way she stood—it was so familiar. And her face... It wasn’t completely clear, but...” He hesitated, the lines on his face deepening. “I think it was your mother.”I felt air leave my lungs in a rush, and I gripped the edge of
GaiusThe forest grew quieter the farther we ran, the shadows swallowing the sounds of pursuit until it felt like we were alone with the whispers of the trees. The boy clung tightly to me, his small hands gripping my shirt as though letting go would mean the end of his fragile safety. Raven loped beside me in her wolf form, her breathing ragged but steady, her injured shoulder leaving a faint trail of blood on the forest floor.The hideout was less than a mile away, an old hunting cabin reinforced to serve as a temporary safe house for situations exactly like this. The closer we got, the more I allowed myself to hope we might make it without further incident.Raven reached the clearing first, shifting back into her human form with a sharp grunt of pain as she clutched her injured shoulder. She didn’t look at me as she opened the cabin door, but I could feel her frustration radiating like heat.Inside, Adam and Lisa were waiting, their tense postures relaxing only slightly when the
GaiusCyrus stood tall on the stage, his voice booming with twisted conviction as he flaunted his power. The sight of the boy, trembling and locked in that cage, burned in my mind, and I knew there was no time to hesitate.Raven, beside me, moved with practiced stealth as we crept along the perimeter of the massive gathering. Her hood had concealed most of her face, but the tension radiating from her was unmistakable. “Gaius,” she murmured under her breath, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd, “this is madness. Even if we get the boy, we’ll have every rogue in this forest on our heels.”“I know the risks,” I replied, my voice low. “But leaving him here isn’t an option.”Her jaw tightened, and for a moment, she said nothing. Then she exhaled sharply. “Fine. But if we’re doing this, we’ll need to create a distraction. Something big enough to scatter them.”“Leave that to me,” I said, my mind racing with possibilities.We moved quietly through the group of rogues, careful not to draw
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,