Astrid’s POVGiselle abruptly stopped in her tracks when she recognized me. Her face paled instantly as she stared at me like she had seen a ghost. I held back the smile that threatened to appear on my face when I saw how she reacted to seeing me. It’s great that she fears me. That means she still remembers what she had done. Whether it haunted her or not, it doesn’t matter. I have a plan to make her pay anyway. “Giselle, it’s so nice to meet you,” I spoke amicably as I carefully stood up and tenderly held the little boy’s hand. Giselle’s eyes widened, and she suddenly acted hysterical. “Ryker! Ryker!” she shouted as she ran towards the little boy beside me. She instantly gathered him into her hands and separated our hands before she walked backward, distancing me from the child like I was a threat to them. I stilled, and my whole body tensed when I realized that the little boy that I was talking to was actually none other than Giselle’s precious son.I didn’t know that I was al
Astrid’s POVMy heart skipped a beat when I saw Killian striding confidently towards us. Killian looked different from what I remembered. He had grown more mature, manly, serious and confident. He looked like a man who had gone through so many difficulties, sharpening him like a sword. His broad shoulders stretched through the fabric of his clothes, showing his masculinity. His jawline looked sharper, his features more defined, and his eyes that used to contain mirth and mischief now held a depth of unfathomable stories in them. His boyish charm had been replaced by a rugged, masculine appeal that sent a shiver down my spine.But it wasn’t just his physical development that struck me. There was also that seriousness in his demeanor, a quiet intensity that replaced the flippant immaturity of his younger self. I straightened myself as I watched him move with purpose and a quiet confidence that emanated from within. He now feels and looks like the Alpha that he should have been. Tim
Astrid’s POVMy brows furrowed, a question mark etched on the crease of my forehead as I observed Killian carefully like I was trying to decipher a cryptic message. ‘Killian, what is this that you’re playing exactly?’ I thought to myself as I tried to see through him. The Killian that I know wouldn’t tolerate any provocation from me. I still remember, when we were still married, Killian had no trust in me. When Giselle faked a fall on the staircase, he instantly accused me of pushing Giselle, and he was so angry at me. To him, Giselle’s words were enough to prove me guilty. Every time that Giselle was put in danger, he always blamed me for scheming to kill his mistress and their baby. He treats me like a villain instead of his wife. He sees me as a bad person who could take someone’s life. He loves Giselle in the same way that he hates me.I can still remember that day when Killian kept me from meeting my grandmother before she died. Because of him, I was unable to speak to my g
Giselle’s POV“Is that it?!” I taunted Killian as we escaped from the scene to retreat to our room in their Pack’s courtyard where all the guests were staying. “You just let her walk all over us?” I spat, my voice laced with venom. “Giselle, don’t do this now in front of our child,” Killian said, his voice calm, almost soothing as he tenderly carried his son in his arms. My anger simmered like a volcanic eruption, ready to burst at Killian’s unfazed expression. Killian’s unexpected surrender towards Astrid, siding with her instead of defending me and our child, felt like a betrayal, and Killian looked so fine with it. Unable to contain my rage any longer, I grabbed Ryker from Killian’s arms and handed him to his nanny, Rhya. Killian looked at me in surprise. Finally, I have his full attention. “Bring him back to our room and make him sleep,” I ordered Rhya after taking Ryker in her arms. Ryker’s gaze darted back and forth from me and her father cluelessly as Rhya took him away.
Giselle’s POVA chill went down my spine as I welcomed Damien’s dark gaze head-on. It’s been years since I last saw Damien. Ever since I gave him my child, I’ve lost all contact with him. I could understand why he held so much hate in his eyes when he caught me watching his family from afar. “Daddy! Are you not coming with us?” The little girl ran back to her father when she noticed that he wasn’t following behind them, which caused Damien to break eye contact with me. I sucked in air into my lungs the moment Damien turned his head away. Damien’s gaze was so intense that it pinned me down, suffocating the air out of me. I stilled as I stared closely at the little girl. My hand instinctively covered my chest as my heart raced inside me for some reason.She had grown so big. I still remember when I gave birth to her. She was just a little bundle. When the doctor tried to place her in my arm, I refused. I didn’t dare to touch her. I was afraid that if I had one small contact with he
Astrid’s POVThe ceremony is still tomorrow, but most of the invited guests had already arrived a day earlier than the set date. The invited guests chose to travel in advance, especially those who lived in distant Packs, to ensure that they would be able to attend the ceremony on time in case any delays caused setbacks in their journey. Some of them, I heard, had to travel for days just to get here. You can really see how the Shadowfang Pack is well respected among other packs. Alphas and Lunas really came all the way here to attend an event they were invited to with only one week of notice despite their busy schedule. In honor of their sacrifices and to make their time worthwhile, Alpha Theron decided to hold a special dinner the night before the event. This wasn’t a part of the plan, but because the guests had transformed into a bustling crowd, it had become a need for us to show them our courtesy, especially knowing what it took them to arrive here. I quietly followed Alpha T
Astrid’s POVI held myself together as I locked gazes with Giselle. She knew I heard her words. She probably spoke it out loud to make sure that I would hear her.“Does it even matter who she is? As long as she’s a member of the Shadowfang Pack, for sure she could help us. If we want to impress their Alpha, we must at least impress her first.” I heard someone whisper. However, Giselle only laughed, stealing everyone’s attention. “She’s just a mistress, she had no influence over the affairs of the Shadowfang Pack. It would be better if you just go directly to the Alpha instead of wasting your time with her.”I forced back a smile when I heard her words. She had no idea just how much influence I had here ever since I became the Pack’s acting beta. “Astrid,” Giselle’s voice, laced with venom, cut through the air. “She’s just a mistress, after all. A temporary distraction a fleeting fancy. For sure the Alpha will get bored of her just like how the previous Alphas she dated did.”I’ve be
Astrid’s POVA smile formed on my face as I stared at Vannessa’s little girl. Her blonde curls were a tangled mess, escaping from the bright pink headband that sat crookedly on her head. She wore a bright yellow dress with a cartoon unicorn in it. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes, which were just tired and sleepy, suddenly turned bright as she pointed a finger at her approaching father. “Daddy!” she yelled as she ran towards her father with her tiny shoes, one pink and one blue. “Oh look at her,” Vanessa whispered to me. “I thought she had already used up her energy. I was so ready to get her to sleep.”I chuckled when I heard Vanessa’s words close to my ear. “How is my little darling doing?” Vanessa’s husband beamed energetically as he picked up his daughter, trying his best to match her energy. Vanessa and her husband sweetly gazed at each other. By the depth of the look in their eyes, you can see how much they are in love with each other. I think they are also secretly t
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