Killian’s POVI woke up like someone’s pounding at my skull, like a hammer driving through my temples. The dim light in the room didn’t help; it made everything blur together, and I could barely make out my surroundings. With a groan, I pushed myself up from the bed, my muscles stiff, my body protesting with every movement. Pain shot through my head, making me wince. I gritted my teeth, trying to shake off the haze. Before I could gather myself together, I heard the soft patter of footsteps rushing towards. “Alpha, you’re awake!” Anya’s voice cut through the fog, she looked so relieved upon seeing my eyes open. However, worry washed over her when she aw the pain I was in. Her hand hovered near me, hesitant, as if she was debating whether or not to help me sit up. I waved her off, even though my head felt like it was going to split in two. “I’m fine,” I muttered, though it was obvious I wasn’t. The throbbing intensified and I couldn’t help but bring a hand to my forehead, pressi
Killian’s POVThe chandeliers above casted a warm golden glow over the dining hall, but it did nothing to thaw the ice in my chest. The room was filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and the hum of easy conversation, but all I could hear was Astrid’s soft voice. And him. DrystanSitting there next to her, smiling like he belonged. I gripped my wine glass tightly as I watched him. They sat close, whispering softly to each other between bites, completely at ease. The way Drystan leaned towards her, his eyes lighting up everytime she spoke — it made my jaw tightened. “Alpha Killian,” Damien’s voice broke through my thoughts. The Crimsonbane Pack’s Alpha raised his glass in a toast, “To new alliances and old friendships. It’s good to have everyone gathered here tonight.”I noticed how Damien’s eyes flicked between me and Drystan as if he sensed the shift in the air. I averted my gaze, my jaw clenched as I forced myself to smile and raised my glass as well. “To alliances,” I echoed
Astrid’s POVA small smile tugged at my lips as I tilted my head back, gazing up at the moon above us. Its soft, silvery glow offered me a soft silence and peace that I really needed right now. Wrapping my arms around myself, I shivered slightly as the cool breeze brushed against my skin.I missed the late night walks that I used to have back at Nightsong Pack when my life was more free and easy, without any responsibilities to think about. I was grateful Drystan had pulled me out of there. The bright lights, the endless chatter, I never liked those types of things. I always preferred the silence that loneliness offers than the noise of the crowd. Finally, I could be out here in peace, I never liked attending any gatherings. Out here, under the stars, in the quiet of the night, everything seemed simpler. I found solace in the calm that the night provided.I glanced at Drystan, walking beside me, his smile easy and genuine. His steps were light, as though just being near me was eno
Drystan’s POVI watched Astrid closely as she stared down at the heart-shaped rock in her hand, her expression distant, brows furrowed together as though the small stone held the answers to all her questions. The cold breeze swept through the night, rustling the leaves and sending a shiver down my spine, but I ignored it. My focus was solely on her.“What’s that?” I asked, trying to break the silence that had settled between us.But she didn’t respond. She was too lost in her thoughts to notice me. I watched as her fingers absentmindedly traced the shape of the stone, and something in her posture felt different—uneasy, troubled.“Astrid,” I called again, this time louder. “Are you alright?”She blinked, as though she was suddenly pulled back to reality. “What?” she asked, her eyes darting to me for the first time in what felt like minutes. “Oh… yeah, I’m fine. Just… thinking.”Her answer was vague, and I wasn’t convinced, but I didn’t press further. Instead, I took a step closer, hop
Astrid’s POVI held back the tears burning in my eyes, refusing to let them fall. I couldn’t cry in front of Drystan, not now. This wasn’t about me—it was about him, about setting him free. He needed to see that I wasn’t the one for him, that holding onto me would only bring him misery.I looked at him, my heart breaking as I saw the pain in his eyes, the confusion, the hurt I’d caused by not being honest sooner. It felt like the walls were closing in on me, but I had to stay strong. He deserved better than this. Better than me.“Drystan,” I whispered, my voice trembling despite my best efforts. “You deserve a life of your own, without waiting on me. I don’t want you to waste any more time on someone who can’t give you what you need. You have to live for yourself before it’s too late.”He didn’t respond right away, just stared at me, his fists clenched at his sides. I could see the battle raging inside him, the hurt colliding with the realization that I was right. It was like watch
Astrid’s POVI glanced at him, my chest tightening. "But why does it always have to be you?”Killian frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”I shook my head, the words I had been too afraid to admit bubbling up. “I couldn’t love Drystan. Not fully. Not the way he deserves to be loved. And do you know why?” I asked him as he stared at me cluelessly. “Because I’m still stuck on you, Killian. You’re the ghost I can’t shake. You’re always there, lingering in the back of my mind,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. He stood there, stunned into silence. For a moment, I thought he might walk away, say nothing, but he didn’t. He stayed, and it only made the ache in my chest worse.“I tried, you know? I tried to love Drystan the way I was supposed to. But every time, I felt like I was betraying something... or someone. And that someone was you.” My voice broke then, and I couldn’t stop the tears that filled my eyes. “Even though you hurt me, even though you weren’t the husband I neede
Killian’s POVI walked into my office, the door closing with a soft thud behind me, and for a moment, I just stood there in the silence. The conversation I’d just had with Astrid echoed in my head like a storm that wouldn’t settle. It was as if the weight I’d been carrying for years had finally been lifted off my shoulders, but in its place was something else—a heaviness that sank deeper into my chest, pressing down like a weight I couldn’t escape.I had told her. After all this time, I had finally told her the truth.The truth I’d buried for years, the one I thought would protect her. The truth that I never loved Giselle—not in the way a man should love his wife. That everything I did, I did for my son. I had tried to be a good father, to keep the family intact for him, even though every day felt like I was living a lie. Astrid finally knew that now. She knew why I had kept my distance, why I had pushed her away, why I had tried to convince myself that leaving her behind was the
Killian’s POVI sat in my chair, the weight of guilt still pressing down on me, my mind spiraling with thoughts of Astrid. Regret felt like a physical thing, constricting my chest, refusing to let go. I rubbed my temples, trying to block out the voices in my head, when suddenly there was a knock at the door.I didn't want to deal with anyone right now. Not after everything. But the knock came again, more insistent. With a sigh, I forced myself to speak.“Come in.”The door opened, and Beta Ryder stepped in, his face alight with excitement, practically beaming. I blinked, surprised by the energy radiating from him. He was rarely this enthusiastic, and I wasn’t in any mood to deal with whatever news had put him in such a good mood.“Killian,” Ryder began, unable to contain his grin. “I’ve got something important to tell you.”I tried to mask my exhaustion, but it was a losing battle. “Ryder, now’s not really the time—”“No, you’ll want to hear this,” he cut in, stepping closer. “The r
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