Drsystan’s POVAsha’s eyes turned wide when she saw my face. She was clearly surprised to see me, not expecting that I would suddenly turn up behind her back. “What took you so long to get here?” Asha asked as soon as she recognized my face. “I thought you wouldn’t be coming. I thought you didn’t care about Astrid as much as you did before now that she had finally served her purpose,” she commented disdainfully, trying to get on my nerves. Nova has been regularly updating me with their life in the Shadowfang Pack. Even though I was away, I still knew what was happening to them. Nova had once informed me that Asha had provoked Astrid into a fight before. Asha thinks that our purpose of coming here was to gain connections with her father and use their Pack to stabilize our failing Pack. Since the words she threw at me weren’t new anymore, I let it slide out of my mind. “What?” Asha snapped at her brother angrily when he suddenly discreetly held her back by the arm. “Is there anyth
Drystan’s POVBefore I could give much thought to what Asha’s true intentions were, the door suddenly slammed open, stealing all of our attention. Alpha Theron suddenly burst out of the door with a wide grin on his face. “Astrid is awake!” he cried, his voice brimming with unbridled joy.Without a moment’s hesitation, I entered Astrid’s room and rushed to her bedside with my heart pounding with a mixture of hope and trepidation. “Astrid,’ I breathed out, stealing the breath from my lungs when I saw her. There she was, finally sitting up on her bed, her eyes open and alert, with a small radiant smile playing on her lips. “Drystan.” Astrid muttered my name, surprised to see me here. At that moment, a profound relief flooded through me, chasing away the fear and worry that had been my constant companion ever since Astrid was put in danger. I’m so glad that I have left sooner, or else I wouldn’t arrive on time to see her. She’s finally alive, she’s conscious — she has finally return
Nova’s POVAs the stillness of the night and the chillness of the air calmed my mind, I found myself drawn outside, my feet carrying me to the most private part of the Packhouse, away from the noise and attention of other people. Today is my birthday, but no one knew about it except for Drystan. Everyone is preoccupied with Astrid’s recovery, and I couldn’t just steal all the attention and say, ‘Hey! It’s my birthday today!’ That would be so insensitive of me to do so, and I don’t want Astrid to be worried about me. It would be better for Astrid to focus on her recovery. A part of me was relieved that only Drystan knew it was my birthday. I had never been one for grand celebrations or the unwanted attention that came with them.The idea of being the center of focus, of having all eyes on me, filled me with a sense of unease. I preferred the solitude, the peace and calmness of the night.And so, I stared up at the twinkling stars that kept me company, and I felt a deep sense of cont
Nova’s POV“Really? Then why do you dye your hair in strawberry?” Drystan asked as he grabbed a strand of my hair. I moved all my hair to my right shoulder so he couldn’t reach it. “Just because I dye my hair strawberry blonde, it doesn’t mean I like strawberry,” I replied grumpily. My sister and I were born with the same hair colour. I was born with naturally perfect blonde hair, just like my sister. However, when my sister died, I chose to dye my hair because my hair would always remind me of her. I don’t like it when I look in the mirror and I see her. Before, when people saw us together, they thought that we were twins. That’s just how we look so much alike. Dyeing my hair with a different colour made me look a lot less like my sister. Drystan suddenly let out a huge yawn by my side; I watched as he leaned in comfortably on the bench beside me, his eyes connecting to the stars above. “Are you not going back inside to sleep?” I questioned him, not expecting that he would stay
Nova’s POVMy heart pounded in my chest as the words tumbled from my lips, “Are you going to reject me?” The vulnerability I felt was palpable, the fear of his answer etched into every trembling syllable. I watched as Drystan’s expression shifted, a flicker of remorse passing across his features. I held my breath, bracing myself for the impending verdict. Is he going to do it? Is he going to reject me?Just yesterday, he comforted me, saying that I shouldn’t have to worry about who my mate was going to be. He promised that he wouldn’t let my mate reject me and that he would force him to be with me. He even said that whoever my mate was going to be would be so lucky. Now that it turns out he is the lucky person he was talking about, would he reject me?Sensing my trepidation, Drystan spoke, his voice gentle but resolute. “Noba, I…” He paused, and I could see the conflict raging within him. I willed him to understand, my eyes pleading with him to see the depth of my feelings. Muster
Astrid’s POVI settled back into the plush pillows of the hospital bed, finally alone after the doctor’s thorough examination. My vitals were stable, he had assured me, and with some more rest, I’d be back on my feet in no time. I sighed, relishing the quiet stillness of the room, but the serene moment was shattered as the doors burst open. My brows furrowed with concern as Nova stumbled in, her eyes swollen and red. “Nova? What on earth happened to you?” I asked, knowing that her eyes were red and puffy because of tears. “Who made you cry?” I asked her as she collapsed into the chair beside my bed. “You mean this?” she asked nonchalantly as she pointed a finger to her eyes. “It’s nothing. I fell asleep crying last night. I just missed my sister,” Nova answered, making me feel bad for her. I must have brought back memories of her sister again, making her cry so hard until her eyes had turned red and puffy. “I’m sorry,” I apologized as I reached out and squeezed her hand. Nova s
Astrid’s POVI couldn’t shake the heaviness that had settled over me ever since Nova told me she was going to leave.Ever since she left, I haven’t moved on my bed. I stayed lying on my side, facing the stark white concrete, just thinking about the words that she said. Every breath I drew was laced with a pervasive sadness that threatened to consume me. I didn’t even have the energy to greet Drystan when he went to visit me. Drystan had noticed the change in my demeanor. He’d been speaking to me, but I never turned to face him or uttered a sound to reply to him. I’m not in the mood to interact with anyone. As Drystan approached, I could feel his concerned gaze upon me, though I kept my eyes fixed firmly on the wall, unwilling to meet his probing stare. “Astrid, is everything okay?” he asked tentatively. “What’s wrong?”The words hung in the air, and for a moment, I couldn’t bring myself to respond. I don’t know how to explain my feelings without sounding selfish and unsupportive o
Drystan’s POVI could feel my wolf snarling and pacing restlessly within me, its growls echoing in my mind. Ever since I had foolishly rejected Nova as my mate and Luna, my wolf had been furious. “She was perfect for us!” It howled inside me. “How could you push her away?”I winced, trying to ignore the relentless complaints of my wolf. Last night, right after I rejected Nova as my mate and Luna, I had to use every ounce of willpower I had to subdue the wolf inside me, forcing it into silence for a time. But now, with the news that Nova was leaving to find her second chance mate, my wolf had whipped into a frenzy once more, and I couldn’t hold him back anymore.“We can’t let her go!” It raged. “She belongs with us! We have to talk to her and talk her out of leaving us before it’s too late.”I gripped the edge of my desk, and my knuckles turned white as I struggled to maintain control. I need to stay here, I cannot go to stop Nova. It’s better if she leaves. In that way, she could p
Astrid’s POVThe morning sun spilled over the horizon, bathing the Silvermoon Pack in golden light.It felt like a dream.Like I had woken up from a nightmare and stepped into something softer, something real.The wind was cool, crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth, untouched by war, by fear. Peaceful.Something I never thought I’d feel again.But here I was.And my children—my heart, my soul—were safe.I looked down at Elara, her tiny fingers curled around mine as we sat on the balcony of the Packhouse. She was staring out at the trees, her expression calm but distant."Are you cold?" I asked softly, brushing her hair behind her ear.She shook her head. "No."She was quiet these days.Healing.Like all of us.I glanced over my shoulder, where Ryker sat cross-legged on the floor, watching Killian with furrowed brows."You're doing it wrong," Ryker grumbled as Killian attempted to braid his sister’s hair.Killian gave him a mock glare. "Excuse me? I was an Alpha before you were
Killian’s POVThe night smelled like blood and fire.I couldn’t stop moving.Every rogue in my path fell before they even had a chance to react. I didn’t feel them fall. Didn’t care.Because she was here.Astrid.And I would burn this entire place to the ground to get her and Elara back."Killian! We need to push back toward the main entrance!" Ryder shouted over the chaos."Then do it," I snarled, my claws slashing through another rogue’s throat. "I'm getting Astrid."The camp was collapsing around us, rogues scattering in terror. But I didn’t care about them.I cared about one thing.I slammed through the wooden doors, my wolf roaring inside of me, scenting her immediately.Astrid’s POVThe walls shook.The sounds of battle grew louder, closer.I knew what that meant.Killian was here.I forced myself to remain still, though my wrists ached from where they had been tied.The rogues had been restless since nightfall. They hadn’t expected an attack so soon. Hadn’t expected Killian to
Killian’s POVThe night air was thick with tension as we stood outside the war tent, the flickering lanterns casting long shadows over the gathered warriors. We had our plan.It wasn’t enough.Not for me.Not for the rage clawing at my chest, the desperation gripping my every thought.Astrid was out there. Alone. Surrounded. And every second we waited was another second she was at that bastard’s mercy.I paced the length of the clearing, my hands clenched into fists, my wolf snarling just beneath the surface. Patience was never my strength. And right now, I had none."Killian."Ryder’s voice was firm, grounding.I stopped, exhaling sharply, forcing my breathing to even out."We’re ready," Ryder continued, stepping beside me. "The scouts confirmed Astrid’s trail—it leads straight into the rogue king’s stronghold. But we still don’t know exactly where they’re keeping her and Elara."I turned to him, my golden eyes burning. "Then we force them to tell us."Ryder nodded, but his gaze flic
Killian’s POVThe room was suffocating.The walls pressed in around me, and my wolf howled inside my chest, clawing to be free, to run, to fight, to kill.I couldn’t breathe.Astrid was gone.Elara was still missing.They were both in his hands.The war room blurred as I stormed through the Packhouse, my mind a whirlwind of fury and desperation. My steps were too fast, too sharp, but I couldn’t slow down. Not now.Not when I had already lost so much.The moment I stepped into the war room, all eyes snapped to me.Ryder was there, arms crossed, watching me carefully. Warriors stood around the table, tense, waiting for orders. Waiting for me to do something.But I wasn’t thinking.I couldn’t think.I could barely see past the red haze of rage.“She left a trail,” Ryder said before I could even open my mouth.I froze.The room around me seemed to still, my mind catching onto his words like a drowning man clinging to a lifeline.“What?” My voice came out sharp, dangerous.Ryder motioned t
Astrid’s POVElara’s blue eyes locked onto mine, wide and glistening with tears, her small frame trembling in the grip of the rogue holding her.“Mommy!”Her voice cracked, breaking something inside me.I lunged, the burning pain of the wolfsbane shackles forgotten, my body driven by nothing but instinct.I barely made it a step before rough hands grabbed my arms, yanking me back.A snarl ripped from my throat. “Let her go!”Ardan’s smirk deepened. He raised a hand, and the rogue restraining Elara tightened his grip.She whimpered.A sound so small—so fragile—that it shattered every ounce of restraint I had left.“I swear with my own life, Ardan,” I growled, my voice raw with fury, “if you so much as touch her—”He laughed.Actually laughed.Like this was amusing. Like he wasn’t holding my world in his filthy hands.“My, my,” he mused, pacing toward me with slow, deliberate steps. “You really do have a soft spot, don’t you?” His gaze flickered to Elara. “I wonder… does she share your
Astrid’s POVThe journey to Ardan’s stronghold felt longer than it should have.They forced me to walk.Through the forest, over uneven terrain, my wrists bound in iron shackles laced with wolfsbane, burning against my skin with every step.I didn’t fight them.Not because I couldn’t.But because every second I stalled, every moment I made them think I was truly broken, brought me closer to Elara.That was all that mattered.The rogues surrounded me in a loose formation, their laughter and whispered taunts filling the night air.They didn’t see me as a threat.Not anymore.They saw a woman who had given up, a mother who had walked willingly into the lion’s den.That was their first mistake.Their second?Letting me breathe.As we moved deeper into rogue territory, my thoughts remained sharp, focused. I counted our path, memorized the turns, the landmarks, the scent markers.If I survived this, if I found a way to get Elara out, I needed to know exactly how to escape.If I didn't… then
Astrid’s POVThe rogues had been waiting for me.They lingered in the shadows, motionless, like predators poised for the perfect moment to strike. Their eyes glowed eerily in the dim light of the moon, flickering with something sinister—anticipation.They knew I was coming.My stomach twisted, but I forced my expression into something unreadable, my shoulders squared as I stepped forward. I came alone. No weapons. No resistance. Complete surrender.It was the only way.If I fought back, if I hesitated for even a second, Ardan might change his mind. He might keep Elara. He might hurt her.And that was a risk I wasn’t willing to take.I took slow, deliberate steps into the clearing, my heartbeat steady despite the way my wolf clawed at the inside of my skin, urging me to turn back, to fight.Not yet.I exhaled, tilting my chin upward as I finally stopped before them.The group of rogues—at least a dozen—remained silent for a moment, assessing me. Then one of them, a tall, lean man with
Killian’s POVThe omega’s words rang in my ears like a warning bell."Alpha! Alpha! It’s Ryker! He’s awake and looking for you. He won’t calm down!"My entire body locked up.Ryker had always been tormented with nightmares ever since Elara was kidnapped. He often woke up in the middle of the night, demanding to see us and he would always look so terrified. I stood at the Packhouse entrance, my wolf raging to break free, my warriors prepared to track Astrid before she got too far. Every instinct inside me screamed at me to run, to chase her down, to drag her back before she made the biggest mistake of her life.But my son needed me.For a single, agonizing moment, I hesitated.Then I turned on my heel and strode toward the infirmary, my boots pounding against the floor, my fists clenched so tightly my nails cut into my palms. My lungs burned with restrained fury, my thoughts a storm of frustration and helplessness.First Astrid. Now Ryker. I was losing control of everything.When I
Astrid’s POVThe night stretched on, endless and suffocating. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows against the walls, but the light felt hollow—cold. The Packhouse was eerily quiet, the usual hum of distant conversations and footsteps replaced by an unbearable stillness.I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers twisting the fabric of my shirt, my thoughts a hurricane raging inside me.Elara.Her name was carved into every thought, every breath, every aching second that passed. She was out there, in the dark, in the hands of the man who wanted nothing more than to see me broken.And I was still here. Waiting.I had tried. I had tried to listen to Killian, to hold on to the logic that we could save her together, that there was a plan, a chance. But how could I gamble my daughter’s life on a chance?What if they were wrong? What if we weren’t fast enough? What if she needed me now?My throat tightened, the guilt curling around me like a noose. I had waited too long alread