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
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