Astrid’s POVA storm brewed in my mind, leaving me restless on the bed. The soft sheets offered little comfort as I pondered the conversation I had with the Vanessa.For reasons I couldn’t quite grasp, her words felt like a weight, a heavy stone pressing down my chest whenever I tried to make sense of them. I couldn’t point out what was wrong; nothing she said seemed out of the ordinary. Yet, the unease lingered. It gnawed at me, robbing me of sleep. Adrenaline coursed through me, and I shot up from bed when a sharp knock suddenly interrupted my thoughts. My heart raced in response to the unexpected sound. Glancing around my dimly lit room, I gathered my thoughts and took a few deep breaths to soothe the fluttering in my chest. I reached for the lamp, flicking it on to cast a warm glow across the space. Guided by its soft light, I made my way to the door, wondering why someone would come knocking at my door at this time of the night. “Is there—“ I began to speak as I swung the do
Astrid’s POVI tilted my head back and curled my toes as Killian expertly explored me, his hands and tongue teasingly moving closer to my sensitive spots. “K-Killian,” I gasped, the sound escaping my lips like a whisper of pleasure. I never imagined that I would turn into a purring kitten, completely captivated by his every touch. As our breaths turned ragged, I reached for Killian’s shirt, unbuttoning it slowly. Each pop echoed the tension between us. Once the fabric fell away, I pressed my hands against his warm skin, my fingertips tracing the contours of his six-packed abs, feeling the heart radiate beneath my touch. Killian let out a low growl at my caress, igniting a yearning deep within me. I couldn’t help but trail my fingers down to the bulge in his pants. A smile crept across my face as I realized just how much he desired. With a mix of excitement and anticipation, I began to work on removing his pants. Just as I was about to slip my hands in to give him pleasure, Killi
Astrid’s POVI stared at my food, pushing the scrambled eggs around my plate, forcing myself to take a bite even though I had no appetite. The nutritious breakfast spread that would usually excite me to eat didn’t appeal to me today. On top of that, I feel under the weather from lack of sleep. After the tension last night, it took me some time to fall asleep and to make matters worse, I had to face Killian first thing in the morning and eat breakfast with him in front of our guests. If it wasn’t for the guests, I wouldn’t have to join them for breakfast. I feel bad for the time I wasted that could have been used to train the Warriors instead. “How was your stay? Did you all have a good sleep?” Killian’s voice broke through my thoughts, smooth and practiced, as he turned to our guests. I remained silent as I kept my gaze on my food, afraid to steal his attention or make eye contact with him that I wasn’t ready to face. “Yes, Alpha. Thank you for your warm welcome. We didn’t have a
Astrid’s POVRyker barged into the room, taking everyone by surprise. All eyes turned to his small figure, momentarily stunned by his sudden entrance. Full of energy just moments before, Ryker suddenly froze when he saw us, his throat constricting as he took in the unfamiliar faces. The weight of our gazes seemed to pin him down, and I could see his breath quicken, a flicker of anxiety crossing his features. Before his emotions could consume him, his gaze suddenly landed on mine. I gazed softly at him and gave him a warm smile to encourage him and calm him down. As soon as he recognized who I was, a flicker of calm washed over him, and I watched as he focused intently on me, the tension in his body beginning to ease. After my encounter with him in the garden, I did some research about autism and learned about several symptoms and tendencies that autism might exhibit. Ryker and I had only crossed paths a few times, but something about him drew me in, igniting a desire to understa
Giselle’s POVSilent rage coursed through my veins as I strode through the hall, each step punctuated by the sharp click of my heels against the polished floor. The sound echoed, amplifying my frustration with every stride. Ryker’s nanny followed closely behind, her head bowed in submission. She clasped her hands tightly together, but still, they trembled, unable to suppress her fear. When I arrived in front of my private room, I flung the door open, the impact resonating as it clashed loudly against the walls as I stormed inside.The Omegas cleaning my room flinched, their eyes widening in surprise. As my frustration bubbled over, they quickly took the hint. They scurried away with their heads hung low, bringing their cleaning equipment with them like they had seen nothing. Once the last Omega slipped out, Ryker’s nanny shut the door behind us, her movements hurried and cautious. Without hesitation, she dropped to her knees, her voice trembling as she begged, “Please forgive me,
Astrid’s POVStepping outside, I took a deep breath of the crisp air, letting the coolness wash over me. The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden rays that danced through the leaves, but my mind was elsewhere — fixed on Drystan. I wonder why Drystan didn’t show up yesterday. Aside from Alpha Damien and his wife, Vanessa, Drystan was also invited to attend the meeting with us. I even spoke to Killian and convinced him to include Drystan in his plans. The Nightsong Pack had developed so much through the years with the support of the Shadowfang Pack. Their support would lessen the chances of the rogues winning against us. I was worried when Drystan didn’t come yesterday. His absence felt highly unusual, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something must have delayed his journey. Probably, he would arrive by now. Knowing Drystan, I’m certain that he wouldn’t miss the chance to come here. I just wish he had informed me about any delays; it would have eased my worries. With every
Astrid’s POVGiselle’s words hung in the air, heavy with accusation, yet I stood my ground, the storm of emotions swirling around us. “Witnesses? They saw me jump in to save him, not to harm him! Don’t twist this into something that it’s not!”I met her gaze with unwavering resolve, my expression hardening at her words. People began to turn their heads, drawn in by the rising tension. Whispers spread like wildfire, eyes darting between us as Giselle’s fury spilled into the air. “You don’t get to turn this around on me! You tried to drown my son, and I won’t let you twist the truth to escape your punishment!”Just then, Killian’s loud voice erupted, slicing through the chaos. “What’s going on here?!”He strode forward, positioning himself between us, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern. He glanced from me to Giselle, the intensity in his gaze sharpening as he tried to assess the situation. Behind him, Alpha Damien and his wife, Vanessa, followed closely with concerned e
Killian’s POVMy brows furrowed, wondering what Astrid had meant by that. Lies and manipulation? What truth was she even talking about? I turned around to observe Giselle’s reaction. Her expression faltered as if Astrid’s words had struck a chord within her. But that moment of vulnerability disappeared just as quickly, replaced by a darkening fury. “You—”“Enough!” I shouted, startling everyone into silence. Giselle shot me a look of protest, but I held her gaze, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. I could feel the tension crackling in the air, and I knew I had to assert control before this situation spiraled completely out of hand.If I didn’t stop this fight, their argument would never end, dragging everyone deeper into chaos. “Don’t you have any shame?” I hissed at Giselle. “Your son is watching and listening to your words. Is that what you want to teach him? As the Luna of the Pack, you shouldn’t be squabbling with someone in front of the public!” I reprimanded her.I
Asha’s POVThe chaos outside the Packhouse was deafening, the shouts of warriors mixing with the blaring alarms. My heart pounded in my chest as I rushed to find my father. Three warriors trailed closely behind me, their presence both reassuring and a reminder of how grave the situation was.When I found him in the main hall, his expression was a mix of concern and focus. The weight of leadership never left his shoulders, even now, as danger closed in on us.“Father,” I called, my voice firm but urgent. “The rogues have breached the borders. Andros sent me to evacuate you. We have to leave now.”His brows furrowed deeply, his gaze shifting toward the window where the faint glow of fires could be seen in the distance. “How could this be? How could they get past the security measures so fast? We have the most advanced technology. How could the rogues enter our perimeters just like that?” My father echoed the same questions that I had, but there was no time to think. “The rogues woul
Astrid’s POVThe moon hung high in the sky, its cold light spilling into the quiet room. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the open suitcase before me. My hands shook as I carefully folded my clothes, my mind a tangled mess of emotions I couldn’t untangle.I was my father’s legitimate daughter.The truth had unraveled everything I thought I knew about myself. For years, I’d believed I was nothing — a mistake, a stain on his perfect image. I’d told myself I didn’t belong, that I would never be worthy and that I was just a trouble to their perfect family. And now, knowing it was all a lie… it left me hollow.He’d hidden the truth from me. From all of us. I wasn’t sure what hurt more— the truth itself, or the years of deception.I clenched a shirt in my fists, my breath trembling as I fought to steady it. This doesn’t change anything. I couldn’t let it. He might have been my father by blood, but he had never been a father to me. That bond had been broken long before I even kn
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