EvelynGaius and I moved in silence, our exhaustion evident. The water crisis had drained us, both physically and emotionally, but we found solace in small moments of togetherness.“We should visit the orphanage,” I said softly as we finished a quick breakfast. “It’s been a while since we’ve checked in. It might help to see the children.”Gaius nodded, though his expression remained grim. “You’re right. They’ll remind us why we’re doing this.”The walk to the orphanage was quiet, the tension between us choking. When we reached the familiar building, the sight of the cozy brick structure brought a fleeting sense of peace. This was one of the few places untouched by the chaos that Cyrus had unleashed—or so I thought.The moment we stepped inside, something felt off. The usual warmth and chatter of children playing was absent, replaced by an eerie stillness. Grace, the orphanage’s caretaker, appeared almost immediately, her face pale and drawn. She clutched her apron tightly, her hands
EvelynThe sharp knock on the study door shattered the silence between Gaius and me. He stood by the window, his back rigid, staring out into the night. The weight of Cyrus’s threat lingering heavily on the both of us, and the air in the room felt suffocating.“Come in,” Gaius barked, his voice laced with irritation.Grace stepped in hesitantly. “My Lady, Alpha... Clara is here. She says it’s urgent.”My stomach churned at the mention of her name. Clara. The woman who had poisoned me and killed my unborn child. The sight of her was a scar I didn’t think I could bear, let alone the sound of her name.Gaius’s expression darkened immediately. “Send her away,” he growled. “We don’t have time for her games.”“She said it’s about the children,” Grace added nervously.I exchanged a glance with Gaius, my heart racing. “Let her in,” I said, despite the bile rising in my throat.“Evelyn,” Gaius snapped at me, his tone sharp. “We don’t have time for her lies. You know what she’s capable of.”“I
EvelynThe damp air of the tunnel clung to my skin, each step echoing faintly as I followed Clara deeper into the underground passage. My wolf paced restlessly within me, its unease growing with every stride. The rusted ladder we had climbed down loomed behind us.“How much farther?” I asked sharply, my voice cutting through the oppressive silence.“Not far,” Clara murmured, her tone curt and distant.I narrowed my eyes at the back of her head, suspicion curling in my stomach. She had been unsettlingly calm ever since we left the pack house, her focus unwavering. It wasn’t like Clara to act selflessly, and though desperation laced her movements, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was holding something back.The tunnel gradually widened, and the faint hum of electricity buzzed in the air. Clara’s flashlight illuminated the jagged walls, slick with moisture and overgrown with patches of moss. My boots crunched against loose gravel as we approached a fork in the path.“This way,” Cl
EvelynWhen I woke up, my wrists were bound tightly with rope, the fibers biting into my skin as I struggled against them. The room around me was dark and damp, the walls slick with moisture and the air thick with the stench of mildew and rust. A faint light flickered from a single bulb hanging overhead, casting long shadows that danced mockingly on the walls.My head throbbed where Clara had struck me, the pain sharp and pulsing. My wolf stirred faintly within me, its presence dulled and distant, like a voice shouting from the other side of a thick wall. My breath came in shallow bursts as the memory of Clara’s betrayal replayed in my mind, each scene sharpening the ache in my chest.A low chuckle broke through the silence, drawing my attention. Roman stood a few feet away, leaning casually against the wall. His arms were crossed, his sharp features illuminated by the weak light that barely reached the corners of the room.“Good, you’re awake,” he said, his voice dripping with s
GaiusMy wolf was restless, pacing in my mind like a caged beast. Something was wrong. Evelyn hadn’t been in bed when I woke, and my calls to her had gone unanswered. I knew she was upset cause I ordered her to ignore Clara. I had to sleep early, cause I was drained of the packs job. But I expected her by my side, later. I cursed my breathe as I stood up. Maybe she had woken up earlier and was still upset over the incident.I stood in the hallway, my gaze sweeping the pack house as dread coiled in my chest. “Where is she?” I demanded, my voice sharp as I turned to Grace, who hovered nearby with a worried expression.“She hasn’t been seen since last night, Alpha,” she said hesitantly, wringing her hands. “The guards on duty said she left with her stepsister.”My blood ran cold. Clara. Of course, it had to be her. “And no one thought to inform me?”Grace flinched at the fury in my tone. “She insisted she would be fine, Alpha. We didn’t think—”“You didn’t think,” I snapped, cutting her
CyrusThe room was dimly lit, with shadows pooling in the corners like old secrets. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming a rhythmic pattern on the armrest. The faint hum of machinery filled the silence, the only sound apart from the occasional flicker of the overhead lights.Roman entered, his usual smug grin slightly strained. The bruises and cuts on his face spoke volumes, but his arrogance, as always, was unyielding.“You look worse for wear, Roman,” I said, my voice smooth and laced with mockery.“Comes with the job,” he replied, flopping into the chair across from me without invitation.My wolf growled faintly at his insolence, but I kept my composure. Roman’s usefulness far outweighed the irritation his presence caused—for now.“Well?” I prompted, raising an eyebrow. “I assume you’ve come with a report worth my time. Or should I add your failure to the growing list of disappointments?”Roman’s smirk faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly recovered. “Relax, Cyrus
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
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 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