It’s getting hotter and hotter! I can’t help but wonder what the next surprise in store for Kaida will be. Any guesses?
Kaida's pov The next morning was perfect, almost suspiciously so. The sun was shining, the air was crisp, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. My friends greeted me with warm hugs, wide smiles, and endless streams of “Happy Birthday!” It was hard not to get swept up in their enthusiasm. By lunchtime, I was glowing—though it wasn’t just the birthday wishes keeping the smile on my face. There was something more, something I couldn’t stop thinking about: the message from my mysterious mate. I sat down at our usual table with Piper, my best friend and perpetual source of chaos. She immediately slid her tray next to mine, her sharp green eyes narrowing as she studied me. “You’ve been smiling like a lovestruck idiot all day,” she said, raising an eyebrow as she bit into her sandwich. “Is it just because today’s your birthday, or is there something you’re not telling me?” I tried to school my expression, but the grin I’d been holding back broke free anyway. I shook my head, p
I stormed down the hallway, my steps echoing off the walls as I ignored the curious stares of pack members lingering nearby. Their eyes followed me, heavy with unspoken questions, but I didn’t care. My emotions were a storm threatening to consume me, and I wasn’t about to let anyone stand in my way. The entrance to Atlas’s office loomed ahead, guarded by two towering wolves in their human forms. They straightened as I approached, their eyes sharp with suspicion. But before I could even reach them, an intoxicating scent hit me, stopping me in my tracks. It was a mix of cedarwood and smoke, warm and wild, and it sent a shiver through my entire body. Selene stirred inside me, her voice a low growl of recognition. “Mate,” she whispered, her tone a mix of triumph and longing. My heart pounded. I knew it. I had suspected it for days, maybe even weeks, but this confirmed everything. My suspicions weren’t just paranoia—they were truth. I squared my shoulders and walked up to the gua
Kaida's Pov As I stormed out of Atlas’s office, fury burning in my veins, the last person I wanted to see was standing at the entrance: Akira. She was fuming, her arms crossed as the guards blocked her path. “And why did you let her into the alpha’s office but dare to block my path?” she snapped, her sharp voice cutting through the tension. “You do realize I will soon be the Luna of this pack, right?” The guards didn’t even flinch. Their silence only seemed to fuel her anger, her face twisting in frustration. Then her cold eyes landed on me. “Kaida,” she spat, her tone dripping with venom, “what exactly were you doing in the alpha’s office?” I met her glare with one of my own, refusing to be intimidated. “I don’t answer to losers like you,” I said, my voice as sharp as hers. Her lips parted in shock for a moment before snapping shut, her nostrils flaring. “But,” I added, a wicked smirk tugging at my lips, “since you’re so curious—and clearly it’s killing you—I went to see
Kaida's POv I stood frozen, watching Atlas disappear into the shadows. His words echoed in my mind, but they brought no comfort. “I’ll fix this.” What did that even mean? How could he fix something that he was still breaking with every moment of hesitation, every ounce of silence that let Akira hold her place at his side? Selene growled within me, her voice low and angry. “He walks away again. Always walking away. We should fight. We should demand more.” But what was there to fight for if he wouldn’t fight for me? My chest ached, the weight of rejection heavier than ever. I turned back toward the pack grounds, my steps slower now, my anger cooling into something far more dangerous—painful resignation. Piper was waiting for me near the training field, leaning casually against a tree. She straightened when she saw me approach, her sharp eyes scanning my face. “Well?” she asked, her tone cautious but curious. I shook my head, letting out a frustrated sigh. “Same story, differe
Atlas’s POV From the moment I stepped into the club, I regretted coming. The flashing lights and pounding music made my wolf restless, but it wasn’t the chaos of the crowd that set me on edge—it was her. Kaida. She stood in the center of the room, radiant and breathtaking as ever, her laughter cutting through the noise like a melody meant just for me. But she wasn’t alone. Miguel. The sight of him standing so close to her, his hand casually brushing her arm, made my blood boil. My wolf growled low and menacing, pacing within me like a caged beast. “He’s touching her. He’s too close. Do something!” But I couldn’t. Not here. Not now. I stayed in the shadows, watching as she laughed at something he said, her smile wide and genuine. It should have been me making her laugh like that. Me standing beside her, celebrating her birthday the way she deserved. Instead, I’d spent months pushing her away, and now someone else was filling the void I’d created. When she leaned into
Atlas pov The moon hung high in the sky as I sat in my truck, staring at the empty road in front of me. I couldn’t bring myself to go home, to let the night end with Kaida’s anger lingering between us. My wolf was restless, growling low in my chest, urging me to do something. I found myself driving instead, the familiar path to her house burned into my memory. I didn’t think, didn’t second-guess myself. I just knew I couldn’t let the night end without seeing her. When I pulled up outside her window, I climbed up the way I always used to, the memory coming back easily. Her room was dim, the soft glow of moonlight spilling across her face as she lay sleeping. For a moment, I just stood there, watching her. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful, and my chest tightened at the thought of everything I’d done to hurt her. I didn’t cover my face this time. I didn’t come here to hide. I moved closer, my heart pounding as I lowered myself onto the bed beside her. I leaned down, brushin
Atlas's POV Kaida deserved better. And from this moment forward, I would make damn sure I was the mate she needed me to be. Kaida stayed beneath me for a moment longer, her breath coming in shallow, uneven waves. Her fiery spirit was still there, burning just beneath the surface, but I could see the flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. It was rare to see her like this, raw and open, and it made my chest tighten in a way I wasn’t used to. “I’m holding on to that, Atlas,” she said finally, her voice quiet but unwavering. “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I replied, my voice low but firm. I released her wrists, watching as she sat up slowly. The heat between us hadn’t disappeared—it still simmered. Kaida swung her legs over the side of the bed, her back to me as she ran a hand through her hair. “This isn’t just about us, Atlas,” she said, her tone more composed now. “It’s about everything. Your pack, Akira, your inability to stand up to the people controlling you.” Her wor
Atlas's pov I woke up feeling strangely energetic and unusually happy. A lightness filled my chest, and for once, the burdens of my complicated relationship with Atlas felt less heavy. As I stretched and climbed out of bed and headed downstairs, my brother’s teasing voice cut through the quiet morning. “Well, someone’s in a good mood,” he said with a smirk as I entered the kitchen. Before I could respond, my dad, who was seated at the table with a steaming mug of coffee, chimed in. “Of course she is. She had a visitor last night.” His words stopped me dead in my tracks, and I turned to him, wide-eyed. “Dad!” I shrieked, the embarrassment flooding my face as I realized what he was hinting at. My dad’s grin widened as he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying himself. “What? You think I don’t know Atlas has been sneaking into your room at night like a thief?” I gasped, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Dad!” My brother, now fully intrigued, looked between us, his expression
Kaida’s POV Returning to Blood Moon territory felt like walking into a den of vipers, every step a reminder of the danger lurking in every shadow. Miguel’s calculated words from the mission briefing played on repeat in my mind, but this time, I wasn’t the naive pawn he thought I was. Axel and I had taken a detour to warn Atlas and set plans into motion. Now, we had to play our roles perfectly, or everything would crumble. The tension in the packhouse grew heavier when I arrived. Miguel was waiting in the war room, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as I entered. “Kaida,” he said smoothly. “Welcome back. How was the mission?” “It went well,” I replied, keeping my tone even. “We gathered the information you needed. Crescent Moon’s patrols are predictable, and their defenses are focused on their southern border.” Miguel’s eyes glinted with satisfaction. “Good work. You’ve proven yourself once again.” His praise felt like poison, but I forced a small smile. “I’m just doing my part.
Kaida’s POVThe night air was thick with tension as I paced my quarters in the Blood Moon packhouse, Miguel’s words from earlier echoing in my mind. He had tasked me with leading a mission into Crescent Moon pack to gather intelligence on their defenses—a mission that felt more like a trap the more I thought about it.Miguel’s calculated gaze and smooth tone haunted me, but the stakes were too high to refuse. If I didn’t play along, it would tip him off. And I couldn’t risk that.I glanced at Axel, who sat silently on the edge of my bed. His jaw was tight, his eyes dark with worry.“We both know this mission isn’t what it seems,” I said finally, breaking the silence.Axel looked up, his expression grim. “Of course, it’s not. Miguel doesn’t trust anyone, least of all you. This is a test, Kaida. And if he thinks you’ve failed, he’ll make sure you don’t come back.”“I know,” I said quietly, crossing my arms. “That’s why we’re not playing by his rules.”Axel frowned, setting his blade asi
Kaida’s povEvery smile, every nod, every carefully timed agreement brought me closer to the truth he was so desperate to conceal. But the deeper I dug, the more twisted the web became. Miguel wasn’t just focused on exploiting my powers. He was preparing for something bigger—something that involved more than just Blood Moon and Crescent Moon packs. It started with subtle changes. More rogues appearing near our borders, strange shipments arriving under cover of night, and Miguel spending hours locked away in his office with his most trusted warriors. And then I overheard something that changed everything. A Meeting in the Shadows It was late, the packhouse shrouded in darkness, when I crept toward the storage shed near the southern border. I had seen Miguel and two warriors enter earlier, their movements careful and deliberate. The faint murmur of voices drifted through the cracks in the wooden walls as I crouched nearby, my heart pounding in my chest. “…delivered last night,”
Kaida’s POV The days following my return to Blood Moon pack were a dance of deception. Miguel had grown more attentive, always pulling me into discussions about the pack’s defenses or watching me during training sessions with an intensity that set my nerves on edge. I couldn’t afford to slip. Not now. Every smile, every nod, every carefully chosen word was part of a performance, one I couldn’t allow Miguel to see through. He thought he had me fooled, that I trusted him. Little did he know, I was here to uncover every piece of his twisted plan. One morning, after a particularly grueling sparring session, Miguel approached me on the training grounds. His sharp eyes scanned me as I wiped the sweat from my brow. “You’re impressive, Kaida,” he said, his voice smooth. I straightened, forcing a polite smile. “Thank you, Alpha.” Miguel stepped closer, his tone shifting. “I’ve been thinking about your role here. You’ve proven yourself time and again. The pack respects you, and I believ
Kaida’s POV The morning after my secret meeting with Atlas, I stood on the edge of Crescent Moon pack territory, gazing out at the forest that separated me from Blood Moon. My chest felt heavy, torn between the desire to stay by Atlas’s side and the dangerous mission ahead. “You don’t have to do this,” Atlas said behind me, his voice low but firm. I turned to face him, his golden eyes filled with concern. “Yes, I do. If Miguel and Akira think I’m oblivious, they’ll continue their game—and that’s when we’ll strike.” Atlas stepped closer, cupping my face in his hands. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. I can’t lose you, Kaida.” I placed my hand over his, my heart aching. “You won’t lose me. I swear.” He nodded reluctantly, his jaw tightening. “I’ll be watching. The moment you need me, I’ll be there.” With one last look, I turned and disappeared into the trees, the weight of our plan settling over me like a cloak. By the time I arrived at Blood Moon pack, the sun was h
Atlas's pov I sat at the edge of my bed, staring at the faint glow of the crescent moon outside my window. Sleep had become a distant memory. Crescent Moon pack had grown restless under my leadership. Akira’s betrayal, the rogue attacks, and the whispers of Kaida’s name in every corner of my mind made it impossible to find peace. A faint creak pulled me from my thoughts. My muscles tensed as my eyes flicked to the door. It wasn’t unusual for wolves to seek me out at odd hours, but something about this felt different. The scent hit me before I saw her—wildflowers and the crispness of the forest after rain. My heart skipped a beat. “Kaida,” I whispered, my voice filled with disbelief as she slipped into the room. She shut the door quietly behind her, her gaze meeting mine with an intensity that sent a jolt through my chest. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you here again,” I said, rising from the bed. Kaida smiled softly, her eyes glinting with something unreadable. “I figure
Kaida’s POV The moonlight spilled into the quiet corridors of the Blood Moon packhouse,The restless energy swirling inside me wouldn’t let me sleep, so I decided to go for a walk to clear my head. As I moved through the dim hallways, my footsteps light, I caught the faint sound of voices. I paused, my ears pricking at the low tones coming from Miguel’s office. The door was slightly ajar, and though instinct told me to walk away, curiosity won. I stepped closer, pressing myself against the wall near the door, careful not to make a sound. “I don’t care how long it takes, Miguel,” Akira’s voice hissed, sharp with frustration. “Kaida needs to be dealt with. She’s stronger than we thought, and if we don’t act soon, she’ll become a problem for both of us.” My breath caught in my throat. Akira? She was in Blood Moon pack territory? “Patience,” Miguel replied, his tone calm and calculating. “Kaida is valuable. She trusts me more each day, and when the time is right, I’ll use tha
Kaida’s POV The tension in the room was palpable as I paced back and forth, my boots echoing on the wooden floor of the guesthouse. Axel sat on the edge of a worn armchair, his jaw clenched and arms crossed. Our father, Alpha Thor, leaned against the windowsill, his face shadowed with worry. “You’ve always said that Blood Moon pack wasn’t home,” I began, turning to face him. “That it was only temporary. Well, it’s time to take back what’s ours.” My father’s expression hardened, the weight of old memories settling in his gaze. “Kaida, you don’t understand. That battle wasn’t just about power. It was personal. I lost friends, family—everything. I won’t lose the two of you too.” Axel stood, his fists tightening at his sides. “And what are we supposed to do, Dad? Sit here forever and pretend like we’re happy while someone else rules what’s rightfully ours?” Our father sighed heavily, running a hand through his graying hair. “I don’t expect you to understand, but I’ve made my peace w
Kaida’s POV Sleep eluded me as the rogue’s words echoed in my mind: “Ask Akira.” It wasn’t possible—or at least, it shouldn’t have been. She lived in Crescent Moon pack, far from here. What kind of connection could she have to the rogues attacking Blood Moon pack? The question gnawed at me as the first light of dawn broke over the treetops. By the time Axel knocked on my door, I was already dressed and ready for whatever the day might bring. “We need to talk,” he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. His sharp gaze swept over me, his expression more serious than usual. “What is it?” I asked. “I couldn’t sleep last night,” he admitted, sitting on the edge of my bed. “That rogue… You know something, don’t you?” I hesitated, the weight of the truth pressing down on me. Axel was my brother, my confidant, but the name I had heard carried too many implications. “He mentioned Akira,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. Axel’s eyes widened. “A