Killian’s POVI watched the words sink in, the terror twisting their faces even further. They exchanged frantic glances, looking for some sort of reassurance from each other, but none came. The reality of their situation had finally caught up to them, and it was clear they knew I wasn’t bluffing.One of the nurses broke first, her voice cracking as she shook her head. “Alpha, please! We didn’t do anything wrong! Ryker is truly—”I snapped my fingers, cutting her off sharply. Ryder, who had been standing silently by the door, stepped forward. Without hesitation, he grabbed the heated brand from the brazier, bringing it close to the nurse’s face. The heat radiated off the metal, the glow reflecting in her wide, terrified eyes. She flinched back, her voice rising into a desperate wail as she realized just how dire her situation had become.“Please, please! Don’t hurt us!” she sobbed, shrinking away from the brand, the words spilling out of her as she clung to the hope that I might c
The nurses beside him kept their heads bowed, silent tears streaking their faces, their fear like a palpable force in the room. They offered no words, no excuses, just the raw terror of those who knew their lives hung by a thread.I could barely hold back the fury that threatened to erupt. Every word he spoke only twisted the knife deeper, the realization of how deep the betrayal went, how many lies had been spun around me. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to keep a grip on my control. The truth wasn’t complete yet, but I had a new, more dangerous puzzle to unravel.A stranger, a missing child, a woman who had played me for a fool for years. My mind raced with questions, but one thing remained clear: Giselle had gone too far, and now, I would find out exactly how deep her treachery ran.I took a step back, my voice turning cold, final. “You’ve told me just enough to save your miserable lives for now. But if I find out that you’re still hiding something, I’ll make sure you suffer
Giselle’s POVI smiled graciously, a picture of a perfect Luna, as I moved through the crowd of guests. The pack grounds buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the vibrant energy of celebration. Ryker’s fourth birthday was meant to be a joyous occasion, and I made sure that every detail was perfect. — from the decorations to the banquet. Behind my polite smiles and gracious words, bitterness roiled like a storm within me, growing darker with every passing moment. Astrid. She lingered around the pack like a shadow that refused to fade, always present, always reminding me of what I had to claw and fight for. I could see her now, hovering near the entrance, wearing that same quiet, solemn expression she always carried, as if she bore some unspoken burden. It turned my stomach.She claimed she was here to offer help to the pack, but I wasn’t a fool. I knew there was more to her presence than mere goodwill. In just a few days, she’d already charmed her way into the hearts of so many
Giselle’s POVA sudden commotion broke through the steady hum of the party, shattering the illusion of celebration. I turned, my heart skipping a beat, and saw one of the pack warriors sprinting toward us, his face pale with urgency. Guests stopped mid-laugh, mid-conversation, their expressions shifting from joy to alarm as he burst into the center of the gathering.“Rogues! There’s been an attack!” he shouted, his voice ringing out across the clearing. “Everyone needs to gather around and stay put until we can secure the area! Pack guards, take your positions!”Instantly, the mood shifted, fear crackling through the air like electricity. Guests began to murmur in panic, looking to the edges of the pack grounds, as if they might see the threat lurking beyond the trees. Parents clutched their children closer, and people crowded together, seeking comfort in proximity. The guards moved quickly, forming a protective line around us, their faces grim with determination.My heart pounde
Giselle’s POVAs I continued my display, crying into my hands and letting my shoulders shake with every false sob, I felt a small flicker of satisfaction. It was working — the sympathy of the pack was turning toward me. I could hear their murmured reassurances, feel the gentle pats on my back and shoulders as they tried to comfort me. “It’s okay, Luna. We’ll find him. The warriors are searching.”“He’s a strong boy, Luna, just like his father. He’ll be all right.”Their words were fuel, encouraging me to keep playing my part. My tears flowed even harder, my voice breaking as I whispered, “He’s just a child... what if the rogues... what if—” I let my voice trail off, turning my face away as if I couldn’t bear to finish the thought. Then, amidst the chaos of the crowd, I heard another voice rise above the anxious murmurs — a voice that cut through the noise like a knife. It was Vanessa, her tone sharp with rising panic. “Wait — has anyone seen Hazel?”The shift in the air was immed
Giselle’s POVThe panic that had been a performance just moments ago twisted into something real, sharp and icy, sinking its claws deep into my chest. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt my control slipping away. The shock that Hazel was missing struck me like a physical blow, making my head spin and my vision blur. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not Hazel. Not my daughter.The faces around me blurred as I staggered backward, the weight of the situation pressing down on me like a physical force. The whispers and murmurs of the crowd became a distant hum, overshadowed by the pounding of my heart in my ears. Through the haze of panic, I saw movement at the edge of the clearing. Killian and Damien had finally arrived. Their expressions were grim and alert as they walked through the crowd, scanning the faces of their pack members for signs of distress. Killian stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate attention. He raised a hand to signal for silence, and the murmur
Giselle’s POVAstrid’s sudden arrival sent a shockwave through the crowd. Whispers broke out, rippling across the gathered pack members, all eyes turning to her and Ryker. My carefully constructed plan, my painstaking performance of a frantic, grieving mother, began to unravel in that instant.Killian rushed forward, his expression a mixture of relief and confusion as he dropped to one knee, pulling Ryker into his arms. “Thank the goddess,” he breathed, his voice thick with emotion. “Ryker, you’re safe.”I watched, frozen in place, as the crowd’s attention shifted entirely to them. Everything I had worked for, all the careful manipulation, was crumbling before my eyes. Ryker was safe. Hazel, I realized with growing panic, was still missing.Astrid’s gaze met mine for just a moment, and there was something in her eyes — something knowing, something resolute — that sent a chill down my spine. She didn’t speak, but her presence alone was enough to make me feel cornered, as though s
Killian’s POVMy heart pounded as I watched Giselle tighten her grip on Ryker, her fingers digging into his small shoulders with a desperation that was turning into something else — something unrecognizable. She wasn’t just desperate. She was losing control. “Where is Hazel?” she demanded, her voice frantic as she shook Ryker, her eyes wild. “Tell me, Ryker! Where did you get this?” She pointed furiously at the bracelet in his tiny hand.Ryker, trembling, stood frozen in place, his wide eyes locked on Giselle. He didn’t speak—he couldn’t. Ryker had never uttered a word in his life and Giselle is well aware of that. My gut wrenched when I saw the fear in his eyes. I couldn’t let this continue.“Giselle, stop!” I shouted, stepping forward to pull Ryker from her. I yanked him out of her grip, shielding him behind me as he clung to my shirt, shaking. His small hands were cold, his body trembling. He was terrified of her — of Giselle.“How could you do this?” I growled, my voice thick
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