Andros’s POVI held back a smirk after Asha finished her words. I’m glad that Asha understood the situation and saw how these things are unfair to us. I no longer have to say anything to open her eyes. As her older brother and only sibling, I know Asha more than she knows herself. Asha rarely dislikes someone, but if she does, she won’t change her heart easily. Asha is willful and stubborn, not to mention that she’s also very competitive as well. When Asha confessed that she didn’t like Astrid, I knew Astrid would never stand a chance in winning Asha’s heart like the way she did to my father. Asha is straightforward, but she can also be petty at times. I could only wonder what kinds of troubles Asha had thrown upon Astrid in the three years that she’d been staying here. Knowing my sister, she’s not afraid of anything. If she’s angry, she’s angry. She never fakes anything. “Asha,” my brows bent downwards as I uttered her name. I softly reached out to her and gently squeezed her a
Drystan’s POVMy heart raced as I approached the familiar borders of the Shadowfang Pack. After three long years, Astrid is finally coming home with me. I waited for one year and then another two years to finally be with her in my Pack. I held on to her promise that she’d be coming back no matter what. I have everything arranged for her in the Pack. The room where she would be staying was already waiting for her. I have also informed all the Pack members that she’s coming, and everyone is excited to welcome her. For the past three years, the Pack had developed a lot, but even so, I wanted her to feel that nothing changed much since the last time she left. I don’t want her to feel out of place in the Pack and make her think that the three years were too much. My smile deepened when I already saw Astrid waiting right at the Shadowfang Pack’s entrance. I wonder how long she has been standing there all alone, waiting for me. She must have been as excited as I was. Last night, I could
Astrid’s POVI watched as the range of emotions flickered across Drystan’s face — the initial disbelief, the growing anguish, and now, the most unexpected response of all — understanding. I thought he would hate me for breaking my promise. No reason can justify my betrayal. Drystan had asked me many times before this if I was really sure about my decision to stay at the Nightsong Pack with him, and I had always given him the same answer. I had lied to him many times. Drystan had always been so kind to me; he always had my back no matter what, and I chose to do this in return. “I understand, Astrid,” he murmured, his voice soft and steady. “You do not have to blame yourself. I know this has been hard on you,” he continued, his words wrapping me like a warm embrace.I was speechless. What have I done to deserve him?“You don’t have to hide anything from me. I’m always here for you Astrid. I’ll support you no matter what you choose.” I felt a surge of guilt wash over me as he spoke hi
Nova’s POVMy earbuds pulsed with the rhythm of my steps as I jogged to my apartment, lost in my own thoughts. Ever since I left the Pack, it became dangerous for me to shift to my wolf anytime I want. Having morning jogs everyday, helped in controlling and calming my wolf better. As I reached for my keys, I saw Mrs. Perkins out of the corner of my eye looking at me with that wrinkled smile on her face. Mrs. Perkins is my landlord and she’s so nice and sweet. “Nova, dear, you have a letter,” she called out after me, showing a crisp white envelope. I paused, tugging out my earbuds. “A letter? For me?” I asked in surprise. In the three years that I left the Pack, I have never received a single letter from anyone other than the bills and the occasional catalog. “Yes, just arrived this morning, but you were out for your jog,” Mrs. Perkins answered with a warm smile. “I thought I’d catch you before you go inside.”“Thank you, Mrs. Perkins,” I replied, accepting the envelope. I studi
Astrid’s POV“What? Is Asha still not joining us for today’s breakfast?” Alpha Theron asked as his gaze swept across the table, landing at the empty seat where it should have been. Since the special banquet took place, Asha had never appeared to us. She’s been purposefully avoiding us like the plague. Alpha Theron hoped that she would have been over with the incident by now, but it seems that she still held resentment towards us.“She had stopped dining with us all together and I haven’t seen hide nor hair of her. She couldn’t possibly be hating us until now, does she?” Alpha Theron questioned Andros since he was the only one who could reach and talk to Asha. “You know how stubborn Asha could be, father. She’s always been like this since we were little. If she doesn’t get what she wants, she always throws a tantrum. In the end, you always couldn’t bear it and you always give in to her,” Andros replied with a smile on his face. I stopped when I heard what Asha was like as a child.
Andros’s POVWith a stoic expression on my face, I silently stood by the side, my keen eyes observing their interaction with my usual detached demeanor. I watched as a beaming grin spread across the sewing manager’s face as my father’s discerning eyes swept over the elegant dress before him. The dress before us is a stunning creation, as expected from our team of talented seamstresses. The dress has a bloody red hue, an arresting contrast against the pristine white walls of the chamber. Every intricate detail has been meticulously crafted by the skilled hands of our selected Pack seamstresses. The delicate fabric was handpicked for comfort and design. Its lightweight and silky feel created a graceful fluidity that defied the limitations of textiles. Delicate embroidery danced across the surface, the threads weaving an intricate tapestry that could only have been achieved through painstaking manual labor. The delicate fabric and thread used also left the seamstresses with minimal
Andros’s POV“Father, it would be such a pity if we don’t put this dress to use. The materials took a lot from our Pack funds,” I tried to reason out to my father with fingers crossed. I had no choice but to help him since he asked for my help in front of my father, and I knew what answer my father was expecting from me. My father had always been clear to me about what kind of leader he expected to rule the Pack. Since I was little, my father always emphasized that a great leader loves the people he leads and would take care of them more than how he values his own life. Standing up for this sewing manager who made things difficult for me is the only way out of the dilemma he has given me. “Yes, Alpha! Sir Andros is right. If we are going to make another dress, it will cost us another fortune,” the sewing manager suddenly spoke up in support.I fought back the scowl that threatened to appear on my face as I glanced at this thick-skinned person who didn’t know shame.“It doesn’t ma
Asha’s POV“Asha, you shouldn’t talk like that! What if others heard you? You’re putting yourself in trouble,” My brother snapped at me angrily. I rolled my eyes and averted my gaze from him. My brother had always been so righteous and modest, which is the opposite of me. “I know, you had always been the good and perfect sibling while I’ll always be the evil one. I’m sorry if I couldn’t be like you!” I rebutted with a scowl on my face. Andros stared at me with a look of surprise in his eyes. He was not expecting that I would suddenly burst out like that.I huffed and crossed my arms as I turned away, feeling guilty instantly. I shouldn’t have pinned my anger on my brother. This isn’t his fault. My brother suddenly shook his head. “If you really think that I am good and perfect, then you’re wrong. Sometimes, my thoughts could turn evil too.”I turned to look at him when his words caught my attention. My brother had always been good and perfect in my eyes. I don’t believe in his wor
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