Serena POV As the sun began its slow descent, casting a warm golden hue over the rugged landscape, I stood at the edge of the village, taking in a deep breath. Today was crucial. The children, or pups as they were affectionately called here, had been skeptical of me from the start. As an outsider and a member of the Pack Alliance, I was an anomaly in their tight-knit world. But today, I was determined to win them over. I gathered the pups in the clearing, their curious eyes following my every move. The clearing was a sun-dappled expanse of grass and wildflowers, surrounded by towering trees that whispered secrets in the breeze. The youngest pup, barely able to toddle, clung to the hand of an older sibling, while the eldest stood with their arms crossed, a curious eyebrow raised. Their expressions were a mix of boredom, curiosity, and suspicion, a challenge I was eager to tackle. There were about a dozen of them, each with their unique quirks. One of the pups, a girl with wild
Serena's POV The dawn's first light filtered through the gaps in the wooden shutters, casting a soft glow in the room. As I was laying in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind was awash with thoughts of Baird. Sleep had been elusive, my dreams filled with his face, his voice, his touch. The night had done little to diminish the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. I finally rose, pulling a shawl around my shoulders to ward off the morning chill. The small, rudimentary cottage was still and quiet, the only sound the gentle crackling of the dying embers in the hearth. I moved to the window, pushing open the shutters to let in the fresh morning air. The sky was painted in hues of pink and gold, a beautiful reminder of the new day dawning, yet it did little to lift the heaviness in my heart. My mind was a whirlpool of confusion and conflicting emotions. The primitive yet warm life in the Storm Pack had grown on me, and the people, despite their rough edges, had become a part
Serena’s PovThe dense forest was eerily silent as Baird and I made our way through the transition region. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and earth, and every snap of a twig beneath our feet sounded like a thunderclap in the stillness. We were both on edge, knowing full well the dangers that lurked not just in the shadows but in the open daylight as well. I glanced at Baird, his jaw set in a determined line. His presence was a comfort, but it didn't quell the growing unease in my stomach. Suddenly, I caught sight of a group of warriors moving toward us through the trees. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized the leader—Marcus. Marcus had a personal vendetta against both of us. He was the one who had nearly ended my life on the execution ground. His eyes burned with malice anytime I saw him, and I knew we were in trouble. If they caught us here, in this forbidden zone, it would be the military court for us—on charges of treason, no less."Baird," I whispere
Serena’s POVThe cold, iron grip of Marcus's hand tightened around my arm as he dragged me through the dimly lit corridor. Beside me, Baird was shoved forward by another warrior, his jaw set in a grim line. The torches lining the walls flickered, casting eerie shadows that danced like specters, adding to the sense of impending doom."You both think you can pull a stunt like that and get off scot-free?" Marcus snarled, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "You think your actions have no consequences?""Marcus, please, you don’t understand—" I began, my voice trembling, but he cut me off with a harsh laugh."Understand? What I understand is that you've brought nothing but problems for our pack, and you should be punished for it." He shoved open the heavy wooden door of the dungeon, the hinges creaking ominously.Baird, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. “Marcus, It's not that big of a deal; it all happened in the spur of the moment. Serena’s done noth
Serena’s POVThe moment we stepped out of the headquarters, I was still reeling from the whirlwind of events that had just transpired. My mind was a chaotic storm of thoughts and emotions, each one vying for dominance. How had a simple misunderstanding led us to this point? I glanced at Baird, hoping to find some semblance of clarity or reassurance in his expression, but his face was set in a hard, unreadable mask. "Baird, I—" I began, my voice barely more than a whisper. He cut me off with a slight shake of his head, his eyes darting to the warriors surrounding us. It was clear that this was not the time nor the place for a conversation of this magnitude. As we made our way to the waiting vehicle, a warrior I didn't recognize approached us. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a friendly demeanor that starkly contrasted with the tension radiating from Baird. "Congratulations, Baird!" the warrior exclaimed, clapping Baird on the shoulder with a camaraderie that suggested
Serena’s POVThe village was abuzz with excitement. The air was filled with the scent of pine and freshly turned earth, mingling with the anticipation that radiated from every villager and warrior alike. They had waited so long for this moment—Baird, the formidable warrior of the Storm Pack, had finally found his mate. And that mate was me, Serena. I stood beside Baird, feeling the weight of their expectations weighing me down. Their smiles were broad, their eyes twinkling with joy as they promised to help us prepare the grandest engagement ceremony the Storm Pack had ever seen. It was as if the entire village had been waiting for this moment, and now that it was here, they were determined to make it unforgettable. Every werewolf from near and far would be invited, transforming our small village into the epicenter of celebration and unity. Children danced around us, their laughter ringing through the air, while the elders exchanged knowing glances, nodding their approval. Wa
Serena’s PovI stood there, frozen, as the murmur of the crowd around us grew louder. My eyes were fixed on the girl who had just barged into the engagement ceremony. She was pretty, no doubt about that, with striking features that seemed to catch the light, and an aura of confidence that pulled everyone's gaze toward her like a magnet. Her dress was a deep shade of red, contrasting sharply with the pastel colors of the decor. It was as if she had stepped out of a different world and into ours. But who was she?Kevin, always the curious one, was the first to voice what we were all thinking. “Baird, who is that girl?” he asked, his voice tinged with confusion and curiosity. His eyebrows were knit together, and he kept glancing between Baird and the girl, waiting for an explanation.Baird’s companions, usually so composed and unflappable, now exchanged puzzled glances. Their usual air of confidence was shattered, and their faces mirrored the same confusion that everyone el
Baird’s POVWhen I finally returned, the scene before me was a disheveled mess that mirrored the turmoil in my heart. The yard was strewn with rolling wine bottles, crumpled napkins, and other remnants of the night's revelry. Most of the guests had long since departed, leaving behind a trail of chaos that spoke volumes about the evening's events. Only some of my closest companions remained, sprawled across the lawn and furniture, lost in their drunken stupor.Kevin, the only one still awake, met me with a weary look of regret etched on his face. “I’m sorry, Baird,” he said, his voice laden with guilt. “I tried to stop her, but Serena wouldn’t listen.”I shook my head, waving off his apology. “It’s not your fault, Kevin. Thank you for staying with her.” I glanced at the others, slumped and snoring softly. “Can you drive them home?”Kevin nodded, a flicker of relief passing over his features. “Of course, but are you sure you’re okay? You look like you’ve been through the wr
Serena’s POVThe night was quiet, a stillness in the air that felt like the world holding its breath, waiting. Baird and I sat in the dimly lit living room. His gaze was passionate, as he rubbed his fingers over my hand, and it filled with such a comfort I had never felt before.“I know you’ve been thinking about going back to the Pack Alliance,” Baird began, his voice steady but soothing. “And I want you to know that I will help you do that. If that's what you truly want.” He kissed the back of my hand lightly. Electricity surged throughout my whole body, and my pulse quickened. I blinked away my surprise. This wasn’t what I had expected. How had he known that was what had been on my mind? Moreover, he said he'd be willing to send me back.“You’d really let me go?” My voice wavered as I spoke. I searched his eyes for any sign of uncertainty, but all I found was sincerity.He nodded. “Yes. On our wedding day. It’s the perfect time. The guards will be too focused on guar
Serena’s POVAlpha Hayes was the last person I expected here now, as I thought we left him at the courthouse. Had he followed us back to the mansion? My questions would go unanswered because he was already here standing with an unyielding presence. The man I had always viewed as the embodiment of tyranny, the root of all evils that had plagued my thoughts and the Pack Alliance for so long. Yet, now, as I looked at him closely for the first time, I couldn’t help but acknowledge the undeniable aura of kindliness that surrounded him. His posture was commanding, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s, scanning both me and Baird with an intensity that made us seem insignificant in comparison. No matter how many times I went over it in my head, it still didn't make sense. If this man, who was as feared and revered as he was across the country, was capable of raising someone like Baird, was there more to him than the tyrant’s mask? Could there be a hidden depth behind those steely eyes?
Serena’s POVMy mind was a whirlwind, trying to grasp what had just happened. For a moment I thought my ears were not working, I couldn't have heard that correctly. Did Baird just call Alpha Grayson Father? The word echoed in my ears like a distant, disorienting sound, one I couldn’t quite believe was real. This had to be some sort of mistake, a cruel joke. Yet, as I glanced around the room, taking in the unperplexed faces of all the others, I knew it wasn’t a mistake. It was the truth—a truth that sent a shiver down my spine.Baird was the son of Alpha Grayson, a man who many regarded as 'The tyrant'. That also made him the heir of the Storm pack. He would also inherit his father's unsavory title, he would become the next tyrant. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless. How could this be happening? The man who had saved my life, the one who had shown me kindness and warmth, was destined to become the very monster I had feared all my life.Alpha
SerenaWas I dreaming? Had I been slammed to the floor harder than I thought? Was it really Baird standing before me? His handsome features came into focus as he held both hands out in a sign of peace.What was he doing? Why did he come anywhere near me instead of just letting me go? Now he could be implicated, too. He might be labeled a traitor and sent to the execution grounds without a second thought. I had never been so glad to see his face, and yet I was also resolved, worried, and panicked at the sight of him.With his hands raised slightly before him, he slowly walked toward me. He wasn’t a wolf. He wasn’t a threat. He was trying to convey that message so no one would take him down. His goal was obvious. He wanted to be by my side.When he was no more than five feet from me, he glanced at the guard on either side of me and flicked his fingers toward him. They let go of my arms, and I was able to rise to my knees. Baird offered his hand to me and I took it. He pulled
SerenaStorm Pack’s jail wasn’t the worst place I’d ever been. No one was torturing me, so that was the upside of the cell. It was much more agreeable in that way. But at the same time, I knew the situation was a lot more dangerous. Alpha Grayson had me. No one was going to get past him to save me. He would interrogate me himself, and he would believe whatever he wanted to believe—no matter what I said.I was having trouble keeping my hands from shaking. Yes, the cell was cold, but it wasn’t the damp chill in the air that caused my tremble. I was nervous. I was worried about my own well-being, but more than that, what about Baird? Did he go to the stronghold? Would he be at all implicated because of me?Perhaps no news was good news. I nodded and drew my knees up to my chest, encircling them with my arms. Yes. That’s what I had to believe for now. No news was good news. The less I heard about, or even saw Baird, the better off he was. As much as I wanted to be near him, I was
BairdMarcus’ face reddened. Everyone could hear the commander’s voice ringing through the phone well enough to know Marcus was getting reprimanded. The commander was covering for me. Would Marcus suspect that there was more to my relationship with the commander? Why else would he stand up for me without having been here himself?Marcus lowered the phone and his eyes. “You are free to go.” His voice was light and disappointed. I certainly wasn’t going to explain myself. He was letting me go and that was all I needed. I nodded to Marcus and raised my wrists in front of me. One of the guards unlocked them, and they fell to the ground. I gave Marcus a half-smile and sidled around him. I was out of there.I wanted to go back home more than anything. I had the walk to think about Serena. I couldn’t wait to see her. I wanted to apologize about our argument. I never should have fought with her in the first place. When the rogues surrounded my group in the forest, she was the firs
BairdThe rogues were fierce, but battles were something I was used to. What I wasn’t used to was losing. And this was not a battle I would lose. The moment I saw the rogues coming for us, I knew I had to find the leader of the pack. If I could take him out, and I would, the battle would be over before it began.I jumped around the rogue that came for me and searched the group. The leader was fighting off one of my warriors, looking around the area, searching for me. His thought was the same as mine. I narrowed my eyes as I bolted in his direction. This is the same rogue that kidnapped Serena. He would not get through this battle unscathed.I leapt toward him at the same time he leapt at me, and we clashed midair, our paws intersecting and our teeth snapping. The last time we met, this particular rogue escaped his fate when we had the upper hand. The patrol team looked for him all night, but they never found any clues as to where he had gone. The forest was searched top to bot
SerenaI knew the moment the SUV spun around that we were heading back to the dungeon. It was almost the last place I wanted to go. The last being the execution grounds, of course. At least in the dungeon, I had plenty of air to breathe, no matter how dusty and dingy it might be.Once Marcus tossed me into the cell that had held Nathan the day before, I almost felt a sense of relief. I didn’t have to fear going back to the dungeon now. I was already there. Nathan and Cervine were safe. That was all that mattered.I rubbed my wrists. It still felt like the cuffs were on, though Marcus had gruffly removed them before slamming the cell door. My mind moved to Baird as I sank to the ground. The last time I saw him, we had quite a fight. If I had only known what would become of me, that I would likely never see him again, I never would have argued with him in the first place.I closed my eyes and pictured his handsome face. I removed the fight from my mind and put into its place an alter
SerenaWhen I woke up, my mind was fresh and clear. The moment I realized I was on the floor and Nathan was in the bed in the next room, I remembered everything that had happened the day before. My decision was still unclear. I’d hoped that a good night of sleep would help, but I had an idea.Nathan rolled over in the bed and sat up. “Serena?” he called.“Right here.” I sat up as well and waved at him.“Sleep okay?”Baird’s scent had worked wonders. “Very well, you?” I asked.“This bed was much better than a dungeon floor, I’ll tell you that much.”I laughed. “Don’t I know it.” I stood up and stretched my arms over my head. “The food here isn’t quite what you’re used to.”“Is that so?” Nathan tilted his head.“I’m afraid it’s bland and rather strange, but if you’re hungry, it’ll do.”“Oh I’m hungry.” Nathan smiled at me.I did my best repeating the steps I’d seen Baird take and made breakfast for us. When we sat down at the table, Nathan picked up the hard bread and turned i