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
Nova’s POVAs I stood there, my hands tucked nervously in the pockets of my coat, I found my gaze constantly drifting back towards the Packhouse. It was as if a part of me was desperately waiting for something — or someone — to emerge from those familiar doors. I knew it was a foolish hope, one that I should have long since abandoned. Drystan had made it painfully clear that we had no future together, that our bond as mates couldn’t also change that. Yet, a stubborn part of me clung to the wish that he would come rushing out to beg me to stay. Mentally, I scolded myself for this lingering, foolish hope. I had already made the difficult decision to leave, to forge a new path for myself, away from the pain and rejection that had become my reality here. Why was I still torturing myself, hoping against all logic that Drystan would change his mind?With a renewed determination, I forced my gaze away from the Packhouse, focusing solely on the driveway where the car that would whisk me
Astrid’s POVOne Year Later…A lot of things had happened within just a year. Nova left, I have fully recovered, and I am now the Shadowfang Pack’s acting Beta, a position that I didn’t want to have.Back then, I had no choice. When Alpha Theron came and spoke to me to offer me the position, I instantly declined him. I never wanted to have any connection with the Shadowfang Pack, and I especially never wanted to be a part of them. Beta Alek, the true Beta of the Shadowfang Pack, was sent to do a mission, and no one had any idea when he’d come back. Thinking that he would be gone for a year, the Shadowfang Pack needed a Beta that could take his place for him while he was gone.Although Alpha Theron has two children who could take the position, one of them is not capable, and the other already has his own task. Asha doesn’t know anything about Pack affairs. She grew up studying medicine, and that’s the only thing she knew about it. Meanwhile, Andros is in charge of handling the Pack
Astrid’s POV“Beta Astrid, you always feel happy and excited whenever Alpha Drystan is coming. Are you sure that the two of you aren’t really dating?” Daphne asked another question when I didn’t answer her for a long time. Some of the people who believed my words instead of the rumors, thought that Drystan and I were dating. However, most of them still believed that I was really Alpha Theron’s mistress. “I’ve told you many times, Daphne. Drystan and I are friends, we don’t have anything romantic going on,” I told her again. I don’t know how many times I’ve told her this already, but she just doesn’t believe me. She’s so convinced that it’s either we are dating in secret or Drystan is secretly in love me. Her assumptions are both ridiculous. “Are you sure that nothing is going on between you two? There’s no way an Alpha would regularly come here once a week just to see a friend. You must be something special, something close to his heart,” Daphne retorted with a dreamy smile on her
Astrid’s POV“I request an audience with Alpha Theron,” I spoke with a stoic demeanor on my face when I finally arrived in front of Alpha Theron’s office. The Pack Warriors, who stood guard in front of Alpha Theron’s office, exchanged glances with each other, and then one of them stepped forward. “Greetings, Beta Astrid,” he greeted, inclining his head respectfully. “The Alpha is currently meeting with another guest. However, we will inform him of your arrival, and he will see you soon as he is able.”I fell momentarily silent when I heard his words. Yesterday, Alpha Theron told me to come to his office at this time of the day so we could discuss my title. Who suddenly came to visit him?“Very well,” I spoke and nodded curtly without showing what was going on inside my head. “I will wait.”The guard offered me a sympathetic smile. “It should not be long, Beta Astrid. It just so happened that the visit was delayed which is why it occupied your schedule. Don’t worry, Alpha Theron won’
Astrid’s POV“Dad, are you serious?!!!” Asha’s loud voice welcomed us as Alpha Theron, and I left his office. “You’re seriously going to entrust our Pack to an outsider for two more years?! Why can’t you just command Beta Alek to go back instead of letting her be in charge of his duties?!” Asha ran after her father as she yelled at him.When I glanced at her, she secretly flashed me a murderous glare, showing how much she hated me. I only let out a deep breath as I averted my gaze, acting like I didn’t see her glaring at me. Alpha Theron remained silent and kept on walking as his daughter confronted her. With the way that Asha is acting right now, she deserves to get a death sentence. Even though Alpha Theron is her father, he is an Alpha first. Questioning his decisions is equivalent to rebellion. Asha is so driven by her anger that she can’t hear her words. She has no idea that she sounded like she wanted to be the Alpha instead.Luckily for her, her father loves and cares for h
Asha’s POVThe soft crunch of leaves beneath my boots was the only sound as I walked through the forest path.My mother’s grave is far from the Packhouse. She is buried in a secluded area, giving her peace. The cool air carried a solemn stillness that matched my mood. Visiting her grave was my sanctuary, a place where I could let my guard down and remember the woman who raised me.That’s when I saw him — Andros, my older brother, standing at the edge of the woods. The shadows from the trees seemed to engulf him, and his posture was rigid, alert. Was he here to visit Mother too? I wondered. My heart swelled at the thought. It wasn’t often that Andros and I shared these quiet moments. As the crowned Alpha he has too many responsibilities placed on his shoulder. He was always busy. I opened my mouth to call out to him but stopped short when another figure emerged from the shadows. My brows furrowed. The man wore a black hoodie that concealed most of his face, and his movements wer
Asha’s POVI staggered back, shaking my head in disbelief. “That’s not true. That can’t be true,” I mumbled as if I was just trying to convince myself.“I was left with no choice, Asha. Your mother—Luna Jamaica—was my brother’s mate. He was the rightful Alpha. But when he died, the Pack needed a leader. And I… I was the only option. I was forced to marry her to maintain stability. To keep this Pack from falling apart.”My father’s eyes turned red as he tried his best to hold back his tears. My heart wrenched as I feel for his pain. This is the first time I ever saw my father look so vulnerable. “I gave up everything. My mate. My happiness. My future. I gave it all away for this Pack, for a life I never wanted. And every day since, I have lived with that choice. With the weight of betraying my mate, of turning my back on the only woman I ever loved.”I stared at him, my body trembling as the truth settled over me like a suffocating blanket. Everything I had believed, everything I
Asha’s POVI squared my shoulders as I faced my father, my eyes narrowing at him in anger. I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, the weight of years of frustration and jealousy boiling to the surface. My father simply stood before me, his usual composed demeanor tinged with a rare expression of exasperation, but I didn’t care. Not anymore“She doesn’t even call you Father!” I spat, my voice trembling with anger. “Not once in her life has Astrid ever acknowledged you as her father. And yet, you treat her like she’s some prized treasure. Why, Father? Because you feel guilty for neglecting her? She’s just your illegitimate child! It’s best that she realize she’s not special!” I blurted out angrily.Alpha Theron’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t speak. That silence — his silence — was what always drove me mad. He would never defend himself, never justify his actions, as if I were the one being unreasonable. But I wasn’t.“She’s ungrateful!” I continued, pacing back and forth as my em
Astrid’s POVThe silence after the call ended was heavier than the words I hadn’t spoken.I remained frozen, clutching the phone as though its weight could tether me to the choices I had made. Each unspoken truth tightened like a vice around my chest, each lie stealing the air I so desperately needed.I wanted nothing more than to turn back, to run to Ryker and finally tell him who I really was. But how could I? How could I be so selfish, so reckless? I knew the truth about my condition — how dangerous and uncertain everything is. How could I let him get close to me, knowing how it will all end?The thought of Ryker loving me, only to lose me, was unbearable. I couldn’t let him go through that pain, the kind of pain that had already hollowed me out. I knew it too well — the ache of losing someone you’d give anything to keep. The searing, unrelenting agony of losing my husband, the devastation of outliving my child. I wouldn’t wish that torment on anyone, least of all Ryker.A shiv
Killian’s POVIt had been days since Ryker had last seen Giselle, and Ryker still hadn’t asked a single question about her mother. At first, I was afraid of what he’d say, dreading the moment he’d look me in the eye and ask, Where’s my mother? I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth, knowing how much it would break him. How could I possibly explain to him that Giselle is not her mother, and that she’s dead. In his whole life, Ryker believed that Giselle was his mother — she’d raised him, after all, and he’d known her as nothing else.I know it would be difficult for him to accept and process the whole truth, and I was trying my best to avoid the confrontation from him. But now… I’m no longer just worried about Ryker’s difficult questions now I wasn’t just avoiding the question. I am now worried wondering why he still haven’t asked me any question. In the days that had passed, he hadn’t asked even once. Not a word about Giselle. No concern, no curiosity. Just silence. And
Alpha Theron’s POVAndros scoffed, his disbelief clear as he tilted his head back. “You are choosing Astrid over me?” he spat out. “You’re going to make her the crowned Luna of this Pack? It’s only been three years since you met her, and you think she’s worthy of this title? What do you think Asha would say? Astrid isn’t even your legitimate child!”I met his gaze, my own expression resolute. “Astrid has proven herself capable. She’s been our acting Beta for three years and led as the Luna of the Silvermoon Pack for five years before that. She has the qualities, the skills, and the strength needed to lead. In terms of ability, Andros, she does her job far better than you.”Andros’s fists clenched, his expression darkening with insult and rage. “This is madness! The Pack won’t accept it! My mother is your true mate and the Luna of this Pack. Giving your position to someone who isn’t her child is an insult to her legacy and to this Pack!”I took a step forward, my voice unwavering.
Alpha Theron’s POVA long silence settled over the room after I asked the question, heavy and tense. I kept my gaze fixed on Andros, waiting, hoping for a sign of remorse or an explanation. But what I saw instead shook me to my core. Andros looked back at me, and in that gaze, I saw a stranger. The gentle son I thought I knew was gone, and in his place stood a man cold and unyielding.Then he spoke, his voice sharper and louder than I had ever heard it, filled with a defiance that sent a chill through me. “You want to know why I did it?” he snapped, his tone a mix of anger and something darker. “I did it for us, for this pack. I was doing you a favor by doing what you could never bring yourself to do.”His words stunned me. Andros had never raised his voice to me, not once in all the years I’d known him. Even when I was harsh or demanding — as I always was, he had always accepted it in silence, never challenging me. But now, he stood before me, speaking without restraint, and I
Alpha Theron’s POVAndros entered, his eyes darting between me and the book lying on the desk. He tried to mask his apprehension, but I caught the flicker of recognition in his gaze. I wasted no time.“Did Beta Alek give you this book?” I asked, my voice steady but taut.He blinked, feigning innocence. “I’ve seen the book before, yes. Beta Alek showed it to me and explained what it was.” His eyes held mine, the picture of calm. “Is there something wrong?”Besidehim, Beta Alek looked stricken but hopeful. He took a step forward, his voice shaking with urgency. “Andros, explain everything to your father and tell him that I’m being wronged. I gave you the book didn’t I? I even told you to burn the book for me,” Beta Alek spoke up, trusting that my son would prove his innocence. Andros raised his brows, feigning confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked, his tone soft and innocent.“That didn’t happen. You never gave me the book — I’ve never even touched it.”Beta Alek’s face went pale
Alpha Theron’s POVThe moment Astrid left my office, I reached through the Pack Link, calling for Beta Alek.My voice came out raw and unfiltered, the unmistaken anger pulsed through the link sending their wolves into submission. I could sense Beta Alek’s panic, could feel his wolf bristle at the force of my command. He knew I wasn’t pleased.Moments later, the door opened, and Alek entered, his face pale, but his steps were urgent.I didn’t give him a chance to speak before hurling the book at him. It hit him squarely in the face, making him stagger. As he caught the book, his face drained of color even further when recognition flared in his eyes.“Didn’t I tell you to burn that book?” My voice was low, lethal, and I didn’t miss the way he trembled at each word.Alek fell to his knees, the weight of his guilt bearing down on him. “Alpha,” he choked out, “I admit my irresponsibility. I failed you. I’m willing to accept any punishment for my insubordination,” he answered readily, pr