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 POVThe tension in the air was huge, and it only grew thicker as Susie draped herself over Melissa, faking concern and affection.I knew Susie well enough to recognize her lies when I heard them, and tonight, she was laying them on thick.I mean she practically thrashed our room a few hours ago and kept yelling that her sister was such a bitch, and now this?“Oh, my darling Sister,” Susie cooed after finally releasing Melissa from the tight hug and holding her at arm’s length.Her eyes were gleaming with fake ass warmth as she eyed her sister. “I’ve missed you so so much. Do you know I searched everywhere for you after you left? Do you know how worried I was?. I just couldn’t rest until I knew you were safe.”Ok come on! This was clearly a show she was putting for our guests.I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and Melissa wasn’t buying it either; I could tell that just by the way her shoulders tensed and by how her lips pressed together into a thin line, though she kept her ex
Knox’s POVMy raging jealousy aside, Susie looked like she was about to choke in her drink just because Melissa was actually getting married, and her fiancée was rich.“How wonderful,” Susie said, her voice was extremely tight though. “But I was wondering sister—why didn’t you bring the children with you today? Surely they would have loved to see the festival.”Melissa tensed up immediately and her eyes flickered away from Susie for a moment. It was subtle, but I noticed it.She was very uncomfortable to hear Susie mentioning her sons, and I couldn’t really guess why. Sure Susie was unpleasant, but Melissa reacted like she had just heard a death sentence.But as I already expected, Melissa quickly composed herself and shot Susie a tight-lipped smile.“My boys are too young for this kind of event. I didn’t want to overwhelm them.”“Of course, of course,” Susie said, nodding as if she agreed, but the glint in her eyes told me she didn’t believe a word of it. “I can’t wait to see them, t
Melissa's POV"Knox, put me down!" I shout, wriggling as he carries me through the pack house in his arms. "I can walk!"“I know you can walk," he growls, tightening his hold on me. "But I’m carrying you because I don’t trust you not to run off and do something reckless if I let you go."This is bad. Knox hasn’t said a word to me since he figured out that I must have jumped into the pool on purpose. Instead, he swept me up and stormed out of Nova Hall, not sparing a glance for his mother or anyone else. He made the trek back to the pack house so fast, I can hardly believe he’s still human.Now, he's pacing in a silent fury, holding me like I'm a sack of potatoes, steam practically rising from his ears. He charges up the stairs and barges into the apartment without slowing, and the sound of Tyler’s crying immediately hits my ears. I twist, trying to locate my pup, but Knox keeps me firmly in his grip, not letting me move an inch.“Tyler?” I call, listening with Knox's breath as her wai
Melissa ’s POVThis was a mistake.The realization hit me the moment I entered the water. Attempting such a reckless plan was foolish, and now I was paying the price. I plunged beneath the turquoise surface, sinking fast, my body heavy and unyielding like a stone. The bottom of the pool loomed closer, and panic clawed at my chest.It wasn’t a particularly deep pool—just twenty feet—but even that shallow depth felt oppressive. The pressure seemed to crush me, as though the weight of the entire world had settled on my shoulders. My lungs screamed for air, but my mind was caught in a storm of dread.The seconds dragged painfully, each one an eternity. The underwater world was surreal—soft, muted, and overwhelmingly blue. It might have been mesmerizing if it weren’t so terrifying. I stretched my arms wide, trying to focus. There had to be something within me, a spark of power waiting to be tapped. Desperately, I pictured myself reaching for it, pulling salvation from the depths of my bein
Knox's POVAfter a frustrating and unproductive trip to the security offices, where we uncovered nothing but twelve hours of blacked-out camera footage from the night the paternity test was conducted, my betas and I made our way up to the chief physician's office on the tenth floor.Now, we stand in the doorway of his corner suite, carefully observing the doctor's reaction to our sudden appearance, only to find him with a blank expression.Seated behind his desk, he has his polished loafers casually resting on the sleek wooden surface, a takeout container resting in his lap. It's been a while since I last saw him, and despite the fact that he's only a few years older than me, I can't help but notice the toll time has taken. His dark hair now has a few streaks of gray, and the lines around his eyes and mouth are more pronounced than I remember.“Alpha, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Dr Kane greets me, barely looking up from his lunch.As far as Alpha's go, I've also considered myself
Melissa's POVKnox is driving me crazy.It’s barely evening, and here we are—already tucked into bed. We don’t even have my heart to blame for this rush anymore; that excuse ran its course days ago. But you'd never guess that from the way Knox is behaving. It's as if we're teenagers again, caught up in the chaos of our own desire. Though, I can’t say he's entirely at fault—every time his hands are on me, I seem to lose all control, melting into him.I know it might sound like I'm frustrated, but honestly, I’m just trying to process everything that’s happened recently. I’m not upset about having this incredible Alpha showering me with affection. I just don’t quite know how to handle all these overwhelming changes.Knox pulls me closer, wrapping himself around me like the softest blanket, his massive frame offering comfort as his lips graze my skin. “Goddess, I love you,” he murmurs, pressing his face into my neck."I love you too," I whisper, smiling widely. “Even if you don't listen t
Melissa 's POVI’m starting to wonder if my mother gave me the wrong secret. Granted, she shared the most important one—the scariest, too—but she really buried the lead. Sure, my blood can grant eternal life, but that’s not much help while it’s still coursing through my veins. On the other hand, learning I can hypnotize people would have been a much more practical secret to know sooner.Odette’s history books are far from complete, and half of what they claim sounds more like myth than fact. Still, there’s enough solid evidence to convince me of certain things. For example, I’m skeptical of the thirteenth-century zealot who supposedly figured out how to become invisible, but I’m more than willing to believe the hundreds of accounts describing how Volana wolves could use moonlight to amplify their powers.I can't believe I never knew any of this.I marvel, scanning through ancient censuses listing the names of my ancestors.I can. Luna rolls her eyes, I mean when would we have had the o
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?”"