Knox's Point of View“That’s a lie!” Someone suddenly shouted.The air was thick with tension in the council hall as I surveyed the seated men.“Who said that?” I snarled.The weight of the problems seemed to press down on my shoulders, as did the suffocating glares from the council members seated in front of me. I knew today's meeting would be challenging, but I hadn't anticipated just how quickly things would escalate.Who would dare call me a liar?Councilman Ebert, the oldest and most outspoken of the group, rose from his seat again.His voice carried the gravity of his years. “Alpha Knox, I b what that person was trying to say was that things are not actually under your control. Because without a healthy successor, we are seen as weak in the eyes of our enemies,” he warned, his eyes boring into mine. “Our pack's future is at stake.”His gut wrenching words hung in the air for far too long before another council member, Edwin, chimed in with a nod. “Ebert's right sir. The lack of
Melissa’s POVI made sure to stand proudly before the council. The absolute look of shock on their faces was hilarious.I couldn't help but enjoy the looks of sheer unbelief written across their faces.The once-mighty men of the council who had looked down on me and any other omega as if I were nothing now seemed utterly dumbfounded by my mere presence.I had never wanted to come back to this place, to this hod forsaken pack where I was once treated like a pariah. But seeing the disbelief and confusion on their faces was worth every moment of discomfort.There was a time when I would have cowered under their harsh frowns. My eyes would be downcast, trying to shrink into invisibility. But those days were long gone now. I had become something far more powerful than they could ever comprehend—far too powerful for them to hurt me anymore.As I scanned the room, my eyes landed back on Alpha Knox. He was sitting, transfixed with an intensity that seemed to tear through the entire room.His
Knox's POVI stood rooted to the spot, watching Melissa with a mix of shock and admiration as she single-handedly silenced the entire council.Her words cut through their objections like an unforgiving knife, slicing through the thin veil of arrogance they had wrapped themselves in. It was almost amusing to watch the once-vocal councilmen become flustered and unsure under her intense glare.In those moments, I felt a surge of pride for her. Melissa had transformed from the timid Omega I once knew into a formidable woman who commanded respect. No longer did she cower in the face of intimidation; now, she faced it head-on with a confidence that was impossible to ignore.As I watched Melissa, I could feel the stirrings of something deeper within me.Hector, my inner wolf, growled with approval, his instincts pushing me toward her, urging me to reclaim what was once ours. “She’s perfect for us, Knox. She’s strong, capable, and fierce. Claim her, before it’s too late.”“It’s not that simpl
Knox’s POVFeeling cornered and too vulnerable for my liking, I shifted the conversation back to our first topic. I confessed the truth of the burden that was weighing down on my shoulders.“Melissa, the only reason I didn’t tell Susie that you’re back is because of our...sour relationship. Things have been very bad between us and the only reason I’m still married to her is because I don’t want our son growing up in a broken home,” I revealed truthfully.Each of my words carried a hint of the problems I had found myself in, but it wasn’t the whole truth. “I regret our marriage, Melissa. I sorely regret ever marrying her. I truly do. But try to believe me when I say that all I want now is to protect you and your children from Susie.”I expected Melissa to laugh at my pain, to respond with gloating or scorn because I deserved it for hurting her. But Instead, her eyes softened with kind sympathy, which was a reaction that caught me completely off guard.As always, Melissa’s kindness was
Melissa's POVThe drive back to the house was a lot longer than I remembered. As I watched the scenery pass by, My eyes kept noticing the changes that had taken place over the years. Once-familiar landmarks were now blocked by new developments, and the pack lands seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.Tall fences and watchtowers were strategically placed along the road, giving the impression of a fortress. It’s like the pack was building a fence around itself, to hide from something.“Just how bad have the attacks gotten?” I wondered, as the sight of so much defense structure began to worry me.Before I left the pack, I knew they experienced multiple attacks, but it hadn’t gotten bad enough to build such fortresses.This was a annoying reminder that I really couldn’t let down my guard down with my kids here. The pack had become more vulnerable in a way I hadn’t seen since the last time I was here.Thankfully my driver seemed fine with not engaging in small talk, which sui
Melissa’s POVAs I looked at my children, I could feel an unexplainable nagging sense of urgency that wouldn’t be ignored.Yes, Knox said I should hold off on treating his son, but I had a pressing feeling that something needed to be done for the boy—and soon.After spending time with my sons, I made the decision to head to the hospital. If I was going to treat Knox’s child, I needed to ensure that the facility was even equipped with everything necessary for the treatment. The last thing I wanted was to be caught unprepared.I headed downstairs and told the doctor to take me to the pack’s main hospital which was almost an hour away from the guest house.I would have to physically move the equipment closer for me to work effectively.The hospital was busier than I expected when I got there. It was a bustling hive of rushing doctors and nurses, far busier than a local pack’s hospital should be.As I approached the reception desk, the nurse on duty looked up, and I watched her eyes widen
Knox’s POVThe air in our bedroom felt suffocating with tension and a silence that felt more like the calm before a storm. I could already sense Susie’s growing irritation with me even before I’d opened my mouth to speak.She’d been on edge ever since Melissa’s return, though she didn’t know the full story yet so that was probably caused by the fact that I had been paying her less and less attention lately.Susie always became bitchier when I wasn’t giving her all my love and attention, even though I had a pack to run. But she was about to become even more bitchy when I finally told her the secret I had been hiding.Still, I had to tell her because the truth was bound to come out sooner or later, and I’d rather it be on my terms than through some vicious rumor or an unfortunate coincidence of them bumping into each other.But as I stood there, watching Susie fuss with her hair in the mirror, I hesitated. Susie caught my reflection in the mirror, and her eyes narrowing instantly.“What
Knox’s POVSusie stormed out of the room but I didn’t care because my mind had already turned to Melissa and the fact that she wasn’t coming to the dinner today.She’s always been beautiful, I suddenly thought, unable to stop myself. Her presence here had stirred up more memories I’d tried to bury, but they were impossible to ignore now that she was back.And though I hated to admit it, I really really wanted her to be there tonight—not hiding away because of me or because of Susie.I had already told Susie about Melissa now so there was no point hiding Melissa away.I made a decision then. I grabbed my phone and called one of the pack’s best designer and stylist. They were so good that they only ever made clothes for me, but I now gave them specific instructions to buy a dress for the woman occupying my mind.Within an hour, they delivered a stunning blue dress—one that matched Melissa’s eyes perfectly. I wrote a small note to attach to the dress, and had it sent to her room.The not
Knox's POV"Go!" Melissa commands, her body poised in a defensive stance."I can't," I mutter, frustration lacing my words. "This doesn’t feel right."We stand in the middle of the garden, the manicured grass stretching out between us. About ten meters separate us, and I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off. Melissa, dressed in workout gear, meets my gaze with a mix of patience and exasperation. On the sidelines, Aiden and Donovan watch, grinning widely as if the whole thing is some kind of game—though nothing has even happened yet."Attack me!" she urges, arms outstretched in an open challenge."Melissa, I really don’t think this is a good idea—""Knox, you promised!" She cuts me off, her voice insistent. I know she’s been trying to convince me to do this for weeks, but I still have doubts. Axel and I would never intentionally hurt her, but there’s always a risk. A slip, a misstep, even a half-hearted strike could go wrong.“This is dangerous." I gripe, "what if it doesn't wo
Melissa's POV"Knox, you're being completely unreasonable."He stands across from me in the kitchen, sunlight streaming in behind him, his arms folded tightly across his chest, and that familiar, stubborn scowl on his face. After everything that happened last night, he's been on edge, hovering around me like a hawk. This morning, I had to actually kick him out of the bathroom just to get a moment of privacy, and now he's digging in his heels, refusing to go to work."Can you blame me?" he snaps, his voice low and edged with frustration.I get it, I do. He's tired. We didn't get to bed until nearly four this morning, and with a young pup running us ragged, there’s no chance of sleeping in. If he were staying home to rest and recharge, I might be more sympathetic. But that’s not it."We've got to figure out a way to get past this,”I sigh, feeling emotionally drained."We can't change what happened,but we can't let it take over our lives either.You have to go to work, I've got to take Tyl
~ Arabella ~The Calypso Pack House stands as the grandest structure I've ever encountered. Its size dwarfs the Nova Pack House by at least three times, and if not for the imposing walls of defense encircling the marble giant, one might mistake it for a lavish resort. Perched atop a hill in the heart of Tartarus, the capital city, the mansion commands the landscape.It’s clear that the architect had one goal in mind: to ensure the Alpha could always look down upon his subjects, keeping them under his constant surveillance and reminding them, unceasingly, of their position beneath him.Glorious. I think wistfully, finally, a true Alpha.The entire city makes Elysium look like a third world slum. While the Noyas seem content to remain living in the past - preserving ancient buildings.outdated traditions and muddy forests -Tartarus was built with only strength in mind.The city's towering border walls keep out any undesirables, and the few that slip through the cracks are dealt with in s
My heart pounding with sudden panic, I jump a foot in the air and yell softly. I find a very big, very irate Alpha standing over me as I spin around and brace myself against the sturdy doors.Knox exudes displeasure with his arms folded across his chest, his mouth set, and his glittering eyes narrowed in rebuke.My cheeks burn bright pink, and I withdraw away from him, trembling with guilt. "How did you do that in the name of the Goddess?"Ignoring me, he covers my nape with one strong hand."Little wolf, what have you to say for yourself?"My first astonishment has already passed, and I understand that I have no cause for guilt. I straighten up and give my friend my sternest look, saying, “I'm entitled to know what's happening”.Knox warns, "Don't eavesdrop, and then knock on the door and enter.”“If I was in there you wouldn't have spoken openly,"I argue.“You came down here specifically so I wouldn't hear. Sam called you instead of me because he didn't want me to know either-right?”"
Whoever came up with the idea of stilettos clearly had a cruel streak.I’ve blocked out most of the painful details of these wretched pack events, but now that I’m here again, I’m reminded just how miserable it is to be trapped in high heels for hours. But, of course, as the Alpha’s mate, I have to look the part—no room for comfort in that. I have to squeeze myself into constricting designer clothes and strap what could only be described as torture devices to my feet just to be taken seriously.Sure, I’ll admit I look great—but at what price?Meanwhile, Knox has it easy. He stands beside me, as effortlessly stylish as ever in the same black suit he wears to every event. And there I am, struggling to breathe in a cocktail dress so tight and full of straps and cutouts, I needed a map just to put it on.Tyler's silver and black party dress matches mine in color, if nothing else.She looks absolutely adorable, and she's already stolen the spotlight from both Knox and I- rightly so. It seem
Melissa's POVSam’s grim face stares back at me from the tablet, his last words echoing in my mind, refusing to fade.This doesn’t make sense.“Maybe we misunderstood,” Luna suggests, her voice tinged with uncertainty.But I know we didn’t. His words were crystal clear, and the look on his face tells me this is no joke. He’s just as confused as I am, but where I linger in disbelief, he’s already jumping to the worst possible conclusion.The door opens, and Knox steps in. Instantly, Tyler bolts across the room, her little voice ringing out, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!”With a grin, he scoops her up, tossing her into the air. Her delighted shrieks fill the room. “Tyler, Tyler, Tyler!” he echoes, flipping her over his head a few more times before pulling her close, her small form resting against his chest as he presses a kiss to her forehead."Daddy, we went to da woods! She exclaims, launching into her account of the day."The trees were so big they touched the sky!" Tyler has seen forests bef
Susie's POV“I have no idea what I’m doing,” I complain, throwing my hands up in frustration.We’re in the back of Melissa’s café. Sam’s sitting at the kitchen island, watching me wrestle with a lump of dough on a floured cutting board. And if I’m not mistaken, he’s struggling not to laugh.“This isn’t funny,” I grumble. “I’m not a cook, I’m not a baker – I’m not cut out to take over this place.”Sam raises his dark brows. “You didn’t want to move into the Pack House, and you didn’t want my money, which means you need a job to pay rent,” he reminds me. “And this is a job – a good one, actually.”“Yes,” I admit, conceding to his logic, “but I can’t do this job. I’m completely unqualified – both as a beginner and a pro.”We've already had this argument about eight times already, but it keeps resurfacing anyway. Sam knows I can't boil water without starting a kitchen fire,so I'm a little suspicious that he keeps pushing the cafe on me. I think he's trying to wear me down until I cave and
Melissa's POVThe day after we’re back home, Knox dives into back-to-back meetings that stretch from dawn till late evening. He barely manages to slip into Tyler’s room in time to read her bedtime story, and when he finally emerges about half an hour later, he looks completely drained.I’m in the kitchen, waiting with a glass of scotch in hand. But instead of reaching for the drink, Knox comes straight to me, wrapping me up in his strong embrace, his body warm and solid against mine. He buries his face into the curve of my neck, loosening my pinned-up hair so it cascades down, draping over him like a chocolate waterfall.“What happened?” I murmur, my fingers gently weaving through his thick hair.He takes a deep breath, pulling in my scent with a sigh that seems to ease his tension. When he raises his head, dark circles rim his eyes, but his gaze is as intense as ever as he studies my lips, leaning in to capture them in a deep, lingering kiss.When he's had his fill, he tucks my head
knox's POVThough the thought crosses my mind to enter through the garage with Melissa and Tyler, avoiding the councilors' gaze and heading straight to the apartment, I quickly discard it. I can't afford to show any hint of weakness, not when these men are already testing my resolve. I refuse to give them that satisfaction. No, we will walk through the front door, our heads held high, and if it comes to it, I will take down every last elder in my path to ensure we do.We exit through the side door, our small group moving toward the front of the house. Aiden and Donovan position themselves on either side of Melissa and Tyler, while I take the lead, steeling myself for whatever unpleasant news is waiting for us."Gentlemen,"I greet the assemblage without any hint of a smile,“to what do we owe the pleasure."They are all looking past me,surveying my mate and pup with undisguised curiosity and, in some cases, distrust.“You've been gone nearly a month,Alpha." The chief elder states,“And we