POV: CALLIE
I reflected carefully, fully aware that I couldn’t involve him in this test. Obviously, there was a reason I had avoided the Alpha King… Our interactions could run deeper; my wolf howled in my mind, urging me to seek his comfort, his shelter. However, Aaron still didn’t know about my pregnancy, and I wasn’t sure if this news would be well received.
“We need him, Callie. The fastest way to reach your essence would be through the deep magical sea… It’s nothing like human seas; diving into it means literally diving into magic. You will face all your fears, desires, frustrations, and dreams.”
“Maybe it will help me recover my memory!” I said excitedly, with a flicker of hope.
“Not necessarily, my child,” Lyra intervened, her tone filled with concern. “There are many disadvantages to being a hybrid. The magic might try to repel
POV: CALLIE“No bond?” I clenched my nervous hands. Would this mean no Alpha in my dreams?“I'm afraid we don’t have time for training or tests. It’s only a matter of time before Nocturnus enters the city,” Lyra said.“But the wolves stopped following us out of fear.” I muttered, still in shock.“Even werewolves fear ghosts, especially powerful ones,” Yulli laughed, amused. “But that doesn’t apply to creatures controlled by Nocturnus.”“I…” I bit my lip, nervous. “I don’t want to lose my wolf. She’s a part of who I am.”I didn’t want to admit out loud that I wasn’t just afraid of losing my wolf—I also feared not having him in my dreams anymore. I wouldn’t be able to feel his gentle touches, his dominant kisses, or the way he teased my body. My
POV: AARON“Love?” I murmured as I woke up, Callie’s words still echoing in my mind. “How can she say that?”My wolf roared inside my chest, protesting against my words.“You can’t be considering these feelings, beast… We know the bond messes with our mind and emotions!” I growled back. “Even so, I can no longer deny that I want her with us.”Those words seemed to excite my wolf, who leaped eagerly in my mind, pushing me forward with force.“Let me out.”“We need to return to the pack, eliminate the imposter pretending to be Callie, find out how she managed to look exactly like her, and uncover who is behind this plan,” I growled firmly. “If our enemies can infiltrate us like this, altering appearances, it means we have serious problems—and we can’t trust anyone.&rd
POV: CALLIE“Who are you?” I demanded, stepping back from the ominous wolf behind me.“You don’t remember your king and father anymore?” Hunter’s cold voice rang out, his eyes filled with malice. “How am I seeing you here when your carcass is curled up on the ground like trapped prey? Are you actually seeing this?”There was surprise in his tone. I glanced again at the wounded she-wolf lying on the ground, feeling the raw hunger of my beast at the sight of her—injured, cowering, trembling, and threatened.Hunter grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking me toward him with brutal force, panting.“How are you doing this?” he snarled through gritty fangs.“Don’t touch me!” I growled, extending my claws and slashing at him as he let go. I dropped to my knees, yet I felt no impact. In front of me, a
POV: CALLIEI shifted into my wolf form with great difficulty, my lungs straining under the crushing pressure of the water filling them. The air was heavier in this broken memory, as if a thousand knives were stabbing into my back and ribs. But I knew I had to survive.I started running, slipping beneath Hunter’s legs as he roared in fury, trying to grab me. I ran toward the strand as if my life depended on it—because it did. Hunter pursued me relentlessly, his bloodlust evident, whistling coldly.“I’m going to catch you, prey!” he laughed between his fangs.I leaped, reaching for the broken strand, just as Hunter grabbed my leg, trying to pull me back. The memories fused together, freezing everything around me, and suddenly, I felt myself being yanked away—returning to the initial space where shattered memories floated in the water.A bubble of air escaped
POV: AARONCallie had fainted. Her body was fuller than the last time I saw her in person. Wounds stretched from her shoulders, trailing down her arms to the tips of her fingers. My eyes traced every inch of her skin, assessing the severity of her injuries—until they landed on the swell of her belly.It wasn’t too large, but it was noticeable—round, full, and slightly firm. I frowned, inhaling deeply over the area, when Yulli shoved me aside.“Move! I need to heal her!” the witch snapped urgently. “Oh, my dear friend, you did it.”She spoke softly, stroking Callie’s hair before beginning the healing spells.I started pacing back and forth, rubbing my chin, glancing at her from time to time, sniffing frantically in her direction. These scents… I closed my eyes, sharpening my hearing.There it was—a heartbeat. Rapi
POV: AARONI gently laid the she-wolf on the ground, settling her near the fire. Yulli joined her side, and I stood watch, noticing that both were still trembling from the cold. Shifting into my wolf form, I positioned myself between them to keep them warm and safe.That was when Callie turned her body, pressing her face against my fur, clutching onto me as if I were a stuffed animal. I felt a mix of tenderness and discomfort as my inner wolf stirred with joy at the contact.“Now is not the time for this,” I growled internally, reprimanding my wolf. My gaze fixed on the crackling fire, my mind sinking into dark thoughts. Had she suffered at the hands of her fiancé? The mere idea enraged me. What if he had done more than just torture her? What if the pup she carried was his?According to the wolf code, if the offspring is not ours, it is seen as a lingering enemy, and I should eliminate it. The m
POV: DANTEMy fur bristled, and as I closed my eyes, I could hear her voice cursing me at the moment she took her last breath.“Esmeralda!” Hands began pounding desperately against my arm—the she-wolf beneath me struggling to survive, her eyes wide, her lips turning blue.“So, they took you from me?”“Let me go,” the she-wolf in my bed whimpered, another prisoner Jaxon had brought to me.“So, it’s true?” The Beta questioned from the doorway, standing still. “Esmeralda has fallen.”“These bonds are such a nuisance,” I muttered, feeling his anger and sighing. I let out a dark chuckle before easily snapping the captive’s neck. “Even in her final moment, that wolf cursed me. Ah, no one could ever replace her selfless nature.”“If Esmeralda is dead, t
POV: CALLIE“I hid it?” I frowned, confused. “That wasn’t my intention. So much was happening, and when I tried to tell you… well, you were more excited about other things.”“I wasn’t the only one excited that day.” He growled, absentmindedly stroking my stomach. “Callie, who is the father of your pup?”I tensed in his lap, my spine straightening in shock at his question. Slowly, I turned my face toward him, studying his expression, savoring the fleeting gift of sight granted to me in my dream.“What do you mean, who is the father?” I snarled, offended.“You were Dante’s fiancée and in his grasp. I don’t know how far things went between you two… So, is it possible that the pup is his?”Aaron’s tone was cold as he asked.Fury surged
POV: CALLIEI shifted into my Lupine form with great difficulty, my lungs straining under the crushing weight of water filling them. The air in the broken memory was dense, suffocating. It felt like a thousand blades were stabbing into my back and ribs.But I knew—I had to survive.I started running, darting beneath Hunter’s legs as he roared in fury, reaching out to grab me. I chased after the torn ribbon as if my life depended on it—because it did.Hunter was relentless, bloodthirsty, whistling coldly as he pursued me.“I’m going to catch you, prey!” he laughed through his fangs.I leaped, grasping the broken ribbon and merging it with the other just as Hunter seized my leg, trying to drag me back.The memories fused together, freezing the world around me. I felt myself being pulled out, yanked back to the starting
POV: CALLIE“Who are you?” I demanded, taking a few steps back from the menacing wolf behind me.“Have you already forgotten your king and father?” Hunter's cold voice rang out, his eyes gleaming with malice. “How am I seeing you here when your carcass is curled up on the ground like trapped prey? Can you see?”There was surprise in his tone.I looked again at the wounded she-wolf on the ground, feeling the ferocity of my beast stir at the sight of her—injured, cowering, trembling, and threatened.Hunter grabbed my hair roughly, yanking me toward him with a sharp breath.“How are you doing this?” he snarled through his fangs.“Don’t touch me!” I growled, my claws extending as I slashed at him the moment he let go. I dropped to my knees, but I felt no impact.Be
POV: AARON“Love?” I murmured upon waking, Callie’s words still echoing in my mind. “How can she say that?”My wolf growled inside my chest, protesting my words.“You can’t be considering these feelings, beast… We know the bond messes with our minds and emotions!” I snarled back. “Even so, I can no longer deny that I want her with us.”Those words seemed to excite my wolf, who leaped eagerly within my mind, pushing me forward with a surge of energy.“Let me out.”“We need to return to the pack, eliminate the impostor pretending to be Callie, figure out how she managed to look exactly like her, and uncover who’s behind this plan,” I growled firmly. “If our enemies are capable of infiltrating us this way—shifting appearances—it means we have a serious problem. W
POV: AARON“No bond?” I clenched my hands nervously. Would that mean no Alpha in my dreams?“I'm afraid we don't have time for training and tests. It's only a matter of time before Nocturnus enters the city,” Lyra said.“But the wolves stopped, afraid to follow us here.” I commented, still in shock.“Even werewolves fear ghosts, especially powerful ones,” Yulli laughed, amused. “But that doesn’t apply to creatures controlled by Nocturnus.”“I…” I bit my lip, nervous. “I don’t want to lose my wolf. She’s part of who I am.”I didn’t want to admit out loud that I wasn’t just afraid of losing my wolf—I also feared never having him in my dreams again. No more feeling his gentle touches, his dominant kisses, and the sinful way he claimed my body. My face
POV: AARON“Some prey think they’re hunters. Sometimes, we have to leave our comfort to hunt down treacherous rats.” Keenan smirked sharply, scraping his claws against the table.“You bastard! Who the hell are you calling a rat?” Jaxon lunged toward him but stopped when Keenan lifted his head, meeting his gaze with icy indifference.“Forget it. If this is what the council wants and the Supreme Alpha’s decision, then take my place, and I’ll take yours.”“You will not!” The Supreme Beta’s threatening roar startled everyone—except me. Watching this power struggle was a pleasure; it allowed me to gauge the strength of my warriors within the pack.“If you can’t even handle simple management tasks and the protection of the Lycan King, what makes you think you’re capable of leading a central city?”
POV: AARONAfter the full moon, the city finally settled. The wolf howls faded, and the stillness of the night took over. Callie fell asleep in my arms, her body completely relaxing. Carefully, I carried her inside, laying her gently on the bed. I sank down beside her, running my fingers tenderly through her hair. I was exhausted, but a crooked smile formed on my lips as I looked at her. Furthermore, I truly wanted to care for and protect this wolf and her child.“Ours…” I corrected myself automatically, furrowing my brow at my own reaction. The word echoed in my mind.I stretched out my hand, hesitating for a moment before placing it on her belly. Leaning in, I tried to listen for the tiny, strong heartbeat inside her. A sudden kick met my touch, and I couldn’t help but smile—a genuine, admiring smile.“You’re already strong, little one. Are you trying to protect your mo
POV: CALLIEAaron stroked my hair while another movie played on the TV. Out of curiosity, I reached out to feel its shape, yawning despite my efforts to resist exhaustion, afraid that the dark god would be waiting for me there.“You know you'll have to sleep at some point,” the Alpha murmured, his voice slightly drowsy. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll be there with you.”“Even so, I’m not ready to face him,” I admitted, tracing my fingers idly across his bare chest, the tips tingling against his warm, smooth skin.“You don’t have to face him, little wolf. Leave the battles to me,” Aaron pressed a lingering kiss to the top of my head.“You’re exhausted too. And I don’t want to depend on anyone when it comes to battle…” I sighed, sitting up in bed. “I need to get stronger for Rigan.”
POV: AARONI asked the cook to make a homemade pizza. Honestly, it had been a while since I had eaten something like that too. It seemed like a great excuse and opportunity for a moment with Callie. I pulled her into my arms, wrinkling my nose at the TV screen, where the movie title stood out: “A Love Beyond Life.”I had never watched romantic movies, not even when past girlfriends asked me to go to the movies. Furthermore, I always preferred horror films… Maybe because I was used to a harsh life filled with battles.“You seem hesitant.” Callie whispered, settling her back against my chest, giving me a tempting view of her bare body. I bit my lips and pulled the sheet over her, knowing that otherwise I wouldn't be able to focus on any movie.“If you want, I can get dressed,” she offered.“And miss the chance to admire you from time to time? Not
POV: CALLIEI felt strange, a latent voracity burning inside my chest. I entered the bathroom, panting, letting out occasional growls, and smirked, feeling oddly pleased.“Wolf, you’re back?” I murmured to my inner beast, who grunted in response. “Did you really have to return like this? We’re trying to avoid the Alpha, not become his.”My wolf protested in my mind, her presence laced with lust, restless within my chest. I felt a significant improvement below my belly, as if she were working to protect our pup with her healing power. The sensation stirred the baby awake, making him kick excitedly, as if he recognized my beast’s return.“Thank you for coming back.” I placed my hand over my chest, clenching it into a fist. “I was afraid without you… Nocturnus reached us in a dream. I fear sleeping.”In my mind, my wolf appr