Vienna's POV:It was in a haze of pain, heartbreak, anger and tears that I managed to drag myself to my room, and plopped into my bed as my mind screamed for relief. And this morning, my eyes opened with the strange feeling of my body broken to bits, while my breaths were still resuming their regular schedule as if nothing had changed. Something was digging into my arm… a photo frame containing a picture of my mother– the only physical photo of her that I had left, which was still cradled in my arms. I guess I must have reached for it at some time during the night, but despite my wishes, another cursed morning had knocked at the door; and the day wasn't going to wait for me to be ready before barging in. With a resigned sigh, I shuffled to the bathroom, the water running too hot against my skin as it burned me a little, but also soothed the pain– or maybe numbed me completely. And probably this numbness was the exact thing that my soul was craving… as it finally gave me some of
Vienna's POV:I slowly opened my eyes, one at a time, my heart still beating loudly…but I thought I just heard Gemini's voice.Just the fact that she was trying to save me and making efforts to stop her mom from hitting me… it was completely unbelievable! But sure enough, she was here. Standing at the landing of the stairs, twirling her blonde ponytail around her fingers, looking down at me with a look of pity and smugness. Meanwhile, Tessa’s face was still inches away from mine, her nostrils flaring as she was trying to calm herself down. She dropped her hand, which had been raised to hit me, down to her side, but the fingers were still flexed with remaining anger. She took a few moments to cool off before she turned towards her daughter, placing a doting smile on her face and a glowing look in her eyes that was reserved only for Gemini, her pride and joy.Her real and biological daughter.“Are you ready to leave, darling? Come, let me serve you breakfast. I made it specially for
Vienna's POV:To be honest, attending college today wasn’t as bad as Gemini and Tessa had made me think this morning. Northfield College had it's own environment, totally separate from whatever was going on in the packs. It had been set up on neutral territory after a treaty signed hundreds of years ago, and ruled by a committee of werewolves from the eight neighboring packs. And because of it, it was a rare space where humans and wolves from different packs could join as students and teaching faculty, without fear of revealing their identities. Inside these walls, the pack boundaries and rivalries were not supposed to matter, existing only as background; or at least, in theory. Of course, we wolves were primal creatures and loyalty ran deep in our vein. As a result, occasional arguments and skirmishes tended to break out. But for the most part, the mix of students created a sense of normalcy I desperately needed. The Obsidian Pack, my pack, was only a small fraction of the colle
Vienna's POV:“I am not scared, neither am I lying. Because it's you two who are lying to save this bitch, because there is no way you all can have any proof against me. In fact, you two were not even here, when I made her trip–”“Gotcha! You finally accepted it from your mouth. Now tell me, are you going to apologize to her right away, or do I really have to choose the longer route? Because let me make one thing clear, I am not going to let you go unless you apologize to our Enna!”The expression of shock and frustration only stayed on Gemini's face for a few seconds, after she snitched on herself. And right in front of my eyes, it turned into anger and resentment.Her gaze was burning into me like I was somehow the root of this mess that she was in; and remembering how eager my step mother was about keeping me in the house on lockdown, I felt a shudder climb my spine. Her hatred for me apparently gave her the strength to overcome her fear, and she managed to laugh at the thought of
Vienna's POV:Fynn's jacket was draped around my shoulders, giving me some warmth against the chilly air of the air conditioned staff cafeteria. The cappuccino placed in front of me had come down to room temperature now, but I had taken barely a few sips from that, using it to warm my hands instead. Meanwhile, the owner of this jacket was sitting quietly beside me in his shirt stretched across his sculpted pecs… not that I had been staring at him or anything. Okay, maybe one glance. Or a few.He was scrolling on his phone but even I could tell that his full attention was on me. Still, he didn't say anything or push me to talk, giving me the space I so clearly needed.And I was grateful for it. This was something that's just… so effortlessly attractive about Fynn, that he always looked and seemed to be a complete extrovert, who doesn't care about anything apart from having fun. But in reality, he was actually very sensitive and a pure empath, who knew exactly what the other person
Vienna's POV: I came home, expecting that Gemini would have proven true to her promise. She must have formed a front against me, rallying every drop of hatred for me in Tessa’s heart and using it against me. After all, this is what she has been doing since our childhood; she has taken all the opportunities to put her mistakes over my head and painted me to be the worst daughter and the little villain in their lives. There was no to support me, and she used to enjoy the attention on her and torture for me… and today, when everything was the opposite, I am sure that she was pissed off completely and this wasn't going to pass in silence.But even in my worst imaginings, I hadn’t expected this.I tried to shuffle past the tea room, keeping my head down as I went towards the staircase. But, of course, that sharp voice, like nails scraping against a chalkboard, stopped me in my tracks yet again. “You! Brat! Come here right now.” Reluctantly, I turned and stepped into the tea room nex
Vienna's POV: The second lead actress had decided that the audience hadn't yet received a complete value for money performance, and prodded the fire further, making the flames rise higher.Gemini wiped her already dry eyes, gasping to breathe before speaking;"Don’t forget, Mom! She even threatened me with disciplinary action. She accused me of bullying her and said that I'll be kicked out of the college! While her mate said that I was born dumb that I won't do anything with my life–" Tessa’s eyes widened in disbelief as she snapped, making even Gemini flinch. "Enough!" Her voice boomed, silencing the murmurs of her friends. She turned to me with a glare that could set fire to this entire room. "Vienna, I have allowed you to do whatever you wanted for too long, and now you have dared to go to this extreme? You are threatening my daughter with expulsion, while you are living in this house on my charity and goodwill—" Something snapped inside me then. My wolf snarled in diet, ri
Vienna's POV:I was sitting in class, absently doodling on the margins of my notebook, as a realization struck me: I had been so lost during the last few days that for some reason, I was assuming that today was Thursday, not Friday.Which meant the eleven a. m. lecture I was about to sit through wasn’t Accounting, it was English.English.Which meant, Kai Maddox. It wasn’t like I could just slip out unnoticed now, that ship had already sailed. I had already arrived late to college, skipping the first two lectures, and walking out moments before the lecture began would only spark more rumors within the overactive imaginations of my fellow students. Kai walked in, sealing the decision for me as I felt all the other thoughts rush out of my mind, just by looking at him. The usual shuffle of papers and chatter died down as he placed his notes on the desk, starting the lecture. My pencil rested on my lower lip as I was staring at the textbook in front of me, without really registering
Vienna's POV: My heart was about to stop.Why? Why was it always like this?Every time I thought the pain was over… every time I dared to believe that the worst was behind me, the ground slipped from beneath my feet, dragging me into a deeper darkness. I had just gotten Fynn back. Just wrapped my fingers around something whole again, was I cursed to always live a life that was only half-finished? Was this my fate… to watch everything I loved get ripped away from me piece by piece?I tried to swallow my sobs, force the tears rolling down my cheeks to turn back inside, to stop betraying me. But they wouldn’t. My body shook too hard. My chest felt like it was splitting open. My heart… my entire soul was being torn apart as I stared at Kai’s motionless form.“No, no, no, look at me…” I begged, brushing his hair back from his pale forehead. My voice cracked, seeing Kai's eyes rolling back. “You’re not leaving me like this. Not now.”I pressed both palms against his wound, trying to st
Fynn’s POV:He thought I was going to spare him.Axel’s breaths came fast, ragged, as he stared into my eyes… still crouched beneath me, bloody and broken. That sick glimmer of hope danced in his gaze, but it was too late. Too much had been said. Too much had been done.You don’t threaten my family and walk away breathing. And if he hoped to manipulate me by dangling a secret like poison over my head, Axel was only proving what an idiot he was. Nothing he said would ever be enough to stop me. My jaws hovered over his neck, lips curled back, my breath ragged with fury. Every muscle in my body trembled, screaming for release. But before I could deliver the killing blow, a sharp pain tore through my left shoulder, hot and, brutal.I snarled and stumbled as fangs sunk into my flesh.Axel's Beta, Johnson.The bastard bit hard, grinding his jaw as if he could rip a chunk out of me. Pain exploded down my side, and blood oozed out between his teeth. But the pain only intensified my rage.I
Fynn's POV:I turned just in time to see the knife hit Kai.Everything in my brain went silent for a moment and I wasn't able to understand what I was feeling right now, was the pain Kai had to endure because of that knife or the fact that somehow knowingly or unknowingly, I was guilty behind everything that was happening right now.It lodged deep into his shoulder, with a force that was making his body jerk. His knees buckled slightly, but he managed to stay upright. My eyes followed the trail of blood that dripped down his back, and then I saw it—just a faint smear on the blade, but it was unmistakable. Vienna’s blood.She was also hurt.The same blade had nicked her arm moments ago, and now it was embedded in Kai. The realization hit me so hard I felt like I’d taken the knife to my own chest.My breath caught in my throat.For a second, all I could do was stare.Vienna stood a few feet away, her eyes wide, her mouth trembling, and her arm bleeding. She had risked everything to warn
Vienna's POV:“And now, I’ve returned for it!”Fynn’s voice cold, and resolute, spread through the chaos, triggering shouts in support of the Supreme Alpha. But for me, it felt like everything around me went completely still for a second… right before the storm hit. One of Axel’s guards surged forward with his blade raised, aiming straight for Fynn’s unprotected back. My heart lurched violently in my chest.No!The name tore from my throat with desperation as I bolted forward, Zeke clutched tightly in my arms.Fynn moved just in time, spinning around and catching the soldier’s arm mid-swing. Giving it a sharp twist– there was a loud crack and the guard screamed as he collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain. But another soldier was already creeping up behind Fynn, and I knew that with all his focus on Axel now. he wasn't going to see this one in time.My legs pumped faster, bare feet skimming over dirt and bloodied ground, heart thudding like thunder. Zeke held onto me with all h
Author's POV:The battlefield roared with chaos as steel clashed against claw, and the scent of blood thickened the air. The wolves of Azuremist fought with unyielding ferocity, their formation tested again and again by the relentless onslaught of Oasis soldiers. Growls and howls echoed through the valley, accompanied by the sickening crunch of bone and screams of pain.Kai moved like a shadow of death across the field, his massive black wolf form slicing through enemy ranks with merciless precision. His muscles flexed under his dark fur, his fangs flashing as he brought down a soldier, then twisted to throw another into the dirt. His paws were soaked with blood, but he didn’t stop—not even to breathe. Every fallen enemy was another step closer to protecting his mate and son.Fynn, meanwhile, fought in human form, standing tall amidst the violence, the commanding calm in the eye of the storm. His voice was sharp and steady as it rang through the mind link."Group B to the north side—r
Author's POV: Fynn saw Kai rushing out, having sensed that something was definitely not right.Because knowing Kai’s power and the strength of the Oasis pack, Kai shouldn't be worrying this much, as they could never match their strength in any way, so every situation should be under control.But this sudden departure of Kai, without him was making him extremely uneasy and it was becoming a little difficult for him to control his uneven breaths.Even though he could point what exactly was not feeling right in his head, still his heart was sure that it was the same feeling he had years back, when he was separated from everyone in the past.Because even if in his past he has been blaming both Kai and Enna for the mistakes they never did, he now has understood how big of an idiot he actually was and how he was the one at fault, while Kai has done his best to save him, search him and bring him back to the home, he has been snatched away from.And now when he has finally realised his mista
Gemini’s POV:The cold never left the dungeon walls. It seeped into my bones, even when the air outside burned with sunlight. Down here, it didn’t matter if it was summer or winter—misery had no seasons.I sat curled on the stone floor, my knees tucked to my chest, the iron cuffs weighing heavily on my wrists. The chains didn’t rattle anymore—I didn’t have the strength to pace, not like I used to. Not like I did when I first got thrown in here and thought this would all blow over soon.That was months ago.Now, I just waited. Waited for the sentence to be over. Or for someone to remember I existed.Funny, isn’t it? How fast things change.I used to think my life was difficult before—when Vienna was still in our house, hiding her pretty little smile and walking on eggshells around us. I had always felt like I was in her shadow despite being better than her. Always chasing after something I thought I deserved but could never reach. But when she left, when she finally disappeared from o
Kai's POV: “We… are… under… attack…” The moment the soldier gasped out those dreaded words, my instincts kicked in, before his body even hit the ground. My blood turned to fire. Not again… I was not losing my family again– not now,when I just got them back. I surged forward and caught him as he collapsed, but it was too late. The arrow in his back was already soaked in blood, the shaft slick and glistening. I gently laid him down, my hands clenched into fists. There was no need to ask questions about who had done this– of course, there was only one person who could be behind this dirty game… Axel. My wolf snarled inside me, furiously demanding to be unleashed. “Fynn!” I shouted, already turning toward the stairs. “We are under siege, initiate the lockdown protocol!" My fingers closed around the arrow in his back, yanking it free with a sickening crunch. "Send Beta Nobu for a perimeter check. Now.” Vienna stood in the hallway, clutching Zeke to her chest as she
Vienna's POV:I slowly became aware of my surroundings as I woke up, wrapped in a bundle of warmth and love. Kai’s arm was wrapped over my waist, while I could feel Fynn’s steady breathing against my back. At some point during my slumber, Zeke must have wandered into our room and climbed on top of me. His little body was curled into mine, his soft snores puffing against my collarbone. For the first time in three years, my heart didn’t ache as soon as I opened my eyes. Carefully, I turned on my side so Zeke slid gently onto the mattress, still fast asleep. I kissed his soft cheek, then turned to place a light kiss on Fynn’s jaw, then Kai’s. None of them even stirred a little, completely exhausted from the past few days. I smiled as I slid off the bed, padding barefoot across the floor and down the stairs, wrapping my face into a low bun so that it would stay out of my face. The kitchen was glowing in the golden afternoon light, since it had been early morning when we returned h