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
Drystan’s POV“Alpha, where’s Nova?” The Omega asked as soon as I entered the Pack’s cafeteria.I glanced over to the table, where two plates lay waiting. One was carefully arranged for me, the other set for Nova, but it felt more like a cruel joke than a meal. The two sets of meals were a stark reminder of her absence. As I stared at the untouched food, I was reminded again of the scene I’d witnessed — Nova with Michael, sharing laughter and food, their connection effortlessly and bright. It twisted something inside of me. My stomach, once grumbling with hunger, now churned uncomfortably. It felt heavy, as though a weight had settled in my chest, squeezing out any appetite I had. “Alpha, where are you going? Are you not going to eat?” The Omega asked, concern lacing her voice as I turned to leave. “I just remembered that there’s something I need to deal with,” I replied, my voice strained, betraying my inner turmoil. I glanced back at the freshly heated meal, and guilt crept int
Nova’s POVAnger coursed through me like wildfire, igniting every nerve in my body. I wanted nothing more than to punch Drystan in the face right then and there. His words were so insulting, cutting deeper than any physical blow. He wasn’t just criticizing my actions; he was getting personal, attacking my dignity in the most humiliating way possible while framing it as his innocent act of concern. I never felt so insulted in my entire life, and Michael just had to hear those words and witness the whole spectacle. What would Michael think of me now?We were just talking, being together alone as friends. We don’t even have a real relationship with each other. Drystan just walked right in on us, accusing us of things that I don’t even know where he got from. Drystan had turned our friendly conversation into a public shaming, and for sure, Michael felt uncomfortable with it as well. The way he lectured me about dignity, shame, and purity, it’s as if he viewed me as some kind of whore
Drystan’s POVI stirred awake, a wave of weakness and lightheadedness washing over me. As I blinked against the light, my gaze fell on Nova, sleeping peacefully beside me. A soft smile crept onto my face at the sight of her, the warmth of her presence easing the heaviness in my chest.I thought she had already left. I thought I wouldn’t see her again. I thought the last conversation we would ever have was that argument we had.But here she was, sitting in the chair, her head propped on her arms folded together on my bed. Despite everything that happened between us and the conflict that we had, she still stayed here for me, showing how much she still cared for me. I watched her body rise and fall as she breathed; her face was turned towards me as she slept, and for a moment, I let myself bask in the comfort of her presence. I slowly lifted my finger and gently brushed away the tendrils of hair that were blocking her face. My heart sank when I noticed her swollen eyes and the dried t
Nova’s POVDrystan and I locked eyes for a moment, but then he turned away and left without a second thought. I blinked, almost losing my balance as our connection shattered.He cared for nothing and no one more than Astrid; it was all too easy for him to abandon me, leaving me in a whirl of worry for her sake. “Miss Nova, why did you let him go?” The Pack Doctor asked confusion etched on his face as he approached me slowly. I couldn’t answer him, so I remained silent. “Alpha Drystan is not in good health. He is in no condition to go on a travel. He needs to stay here so we can monitor his health,” The Pack Doctor argued, disappointment evident in his tone. “I thought you were worried about him.”I lowered my head, feeling the weight of his words, and remained silent. There’s nothing for me to tell him. The Pack Doctor sighed upon seeing the conflict on my face. “Ever since you left, Miss Nova, Astrid has had the Alpha wrapped around her finger. He was there at her beck and call.
Astrid’s POVThe sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the playground. Giselle sat on the edge of a park bench, her posture stiff, watching her son, Ryker, who stood a few feet away, transfixed by the swing’s rhythmic motion. He didn’t climb onto it; instead, he observed the world around him fading into the background. Giselle didn’t bother to approach her son or to keep him company.Vanessa, sitting next to her, laughed softly as her daughter, Hazel, darted around the playground, introducing herself to other children with ease and grace that came naturally to her. “That girl,” Vanessa mused, smiling fondly, “She could make friends with anyone.”Giselle nodded her smile tight. She watched Hazel charm another group of children, their laughter reaching her ears like an echo that she wished she could hear from Ryker.I watched as Giselle’s fingers tensed on the edge of the bench as she glanced at her son. He wasn’t interacting, wasn’t joining in, leaving her nothing to boa
Killian’s POVI sat at my desk, staring at the reports scattered before me, but the words might as well have been written in another language. No matter how many times I read the same line, the numbers didn’t make sense, the words refused to stick. I’d been at this for hours, trying to focus on pack matters—on the budgets, the patrol schedules, and the ongoing negotiations. All things that needed my attention, things I should care about. But no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept slipping.Back to that night.The night when everything had almost changed between Astrid and me.I closed my eyes, the memory washing over me like a wave. I could still see her so clearly. The way her eyes softened, the flicker of something vulnerable and dangerous in her gaze. The way her breath caught in her throat when our lips had come so close to touching. Too close. That look in her eyes had shattered something inside me, and yet... I had still pulled away.I could still feel the heat of her body p