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
Killian’s POVThat’s right… it’s only a matter of time. Why don’t I expose the truth right now? There is no other perfect timing for this. Let everyone be the witness as I expose all the lies that Giselle made everyone believe.I stared at Giselle, my heart pounding harder with each passing second.Ryker was still pressed against me, his small body trembling. I could feel his fear, his confusion.As much as I wanted to comfort him, I knew what was coming next wasn’t meant for him to hear.“Take him away,” I ordered, my voice low but firm. One of the pack omegas, sensing the urgency in my tone, stepped forward to gently guide Ryker away from me. I knelt down and faced him with a comforting smile. Ryker stared at me and I whispered to him, “Go with them, Ryker. I’ll come for you soon.” His wide, frightened eyes met mine, and it was like a knife twisting in my gut. But I had to do this. Once Ryker was safely out of earshot, I turned back to Giselle. There was no more pretending. No mo
Astrid’s POV:Killian’s words hung in the air, heavy and sharp. My chest tightened as I watched the shock ripple through the crowd, each revelation unraveling the lies Giselle had built her world around. My mind was racing, and I could feel my pulse quicken as Killian’s accusations cut deeper and deeper into her. Every word, every truth he spoke chipped away at the facade she had worn for so long.Ryker is not her son.The thought crashed over me like a wave, nearly knocking the breath out of me. Ryker... not hers. I’d never considered it before. But as I stood there, hearing Killian’s voice, the pieces began to fall into place. The coldness I had seen in Giselle, the distance between her and Ryker — it all made sense now. She had never treated him like a mother would treat her own child, and now I knew why. He wasn’t her child.But then, the question struck me like lightning — where is her real daughter? Who is she, and where had Giselle hidden her?I stared at Giselle, watching
Astrid’s POVJust as the tension reached its breaking point, Damien arrived, oblivious to what had ensued during his absence. All eyes were drawn on him as he walked through the crowd and approached us. He strode in with purpose, but there was a noticeable shift in his demeanor—something about the way he scanned the room told me he could sense the tension in the air.“We found Hazel,” Damien announced, his voice steady but laced with concern. “She’s safe. I left her with the Pack Doctor to do a thorough checkup, just to make sure.”As soon as Damien’s words hung in the air, a palpable wave of relief washed over the crowd and everyone seemed to ease, if only for a moment. I glanced at Giselle catching how she let out a breath she had been clearly holding, her body visibly relaxing even though her act is on the verge of being exposed. “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern when he didn’t gain the reaction that he wanted. His eyes swept over us, taking
Astrid’s POVDamien didn’t have to say a word for Vanessa to understand everything. She could feel the uneasiness of his wolf through the mate bond. They had been together for years, and Vanessa could easily read him like an open book. The truth was out, hanging heavily in the air between them, but it was the betrayal that made her heart break.Tears that Vanessa had been trying so desperately to hold back finally fell freely from her eyes. Her voice trembled, but there was no mistaking the anger behind it. “How could you do this to me?!” she yelled, her voice shaking with fury and pain. “You deceived me, Damien! You played me for a fool! Why didn’t you tell me the truth? Why didn’t you tell me that Giselle was the mother of your child?”The crowd stood frozen in shock, the weight of the revelations suffocating the room. People exchanged glances, wide-eyed and speechless, not knowing how to process everything they had just learned. No one had expected to hear such devastating sec
Astrid’s POVKillian took in a sharp intake of breath as if some realization had hit him. He doesn’t know, but I’ve always known.Giselle had always been crazy enough to pull such tricks. She pulled that trick herself in front of me just to push me out of the Pack. I know that she is the type of person crazy enough to inflict harm on herself just to get what she wants.Damien’s voice faltered, his guilt clear as he relived the moment. “That’s when it all started. She threatened me, said if I didn’t do what she wanted—if I didn’t go along with her lies—she would kill my daughter. I was trapped.”He turned back to Vanessa, his eyes pleading for understanding. “I never wanted to deceive you. I did it because Giselle left me no choice. She was ruthless, and I knew she would follow through with her threats.”The room had fallen deathly silent. Giselle’s pale face stood out in stark contrast to the accusations. Everyone was staring at her now, their disbelief turning into disgust. The wo
Astrid's POVThe words seemed to hang in the air, and for a moment, I couldn’t process them. My world spun as my eyes widened, my breath catching in my throat. “What?” I whispered, feeling the weight of the truth settling over me, disbelief and confusion flooding my mind.Killian’s gaze softened, a mixture of happiness and deep sorrow etched into his features. “It’s true,” he said, his voice cracking. “All this time, Ryker was yours... ours. I—I didn’t know. I swear, I didn’t know.”I stared at Killian, my mind reeling. His words echoed in my head, but they made no sense. My heart raced, and my vision blurred as confusion clawed at me. “No... that can’t be true,” I whispered, shaking my head, my hands trembling at my sides. “I had a miscarriage. I lost my baby. I never even got the chance to give birth. How... how could Ryker be my son?”The words felt impossible, and yet, deep down, a tiny spark of hope flickered inside me — a hope I was afraid to acknowledge.I felt like I was st
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
Alpha Theron’s POVAndros entered, his eyes darting between me and the book lying on the desk. He tried to mask his apprehension, but I caught the flicker of recognition in his gaze. I wasted no time.“Did Beta Alek give you this book?” I asked, my voice steady but taut.He blinked, feigning innocence. “I’ve seen the book before, yes. Beta Alek showed it to me and explained what it was.” His eyes held mine, the picture of calm. “Is there something wrong?”Besidehim, Beta Alek looked stricken but hopeful. He took a step forward, his voice shaking with urgency. “Andros, explain everything to your father and tell him that I’m being wronged. I gave you the book didn’t I? I even told you to burn the book for me,” Beta Alek spoke up, trusting that my son would prove his innocence. Andros raised his brows, feigning confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked, his tone soft and innocent.“That didn’t happen. You never gave me the book — I’ve never even touched it.”Beta Alek’s face went pale
Alpha Theron’s POVThe moment Astrid left my office, I reached through the Pack Link, calling for Beta Alek.My voice came out raw and unfiltered, the unmistaken anger pulsed through the link sending their wolves into submission. I could sense Beta Alek’s panic, could feel his wolf bristle at the force of my command. He knew I wasn’t pleased.Moments later, the door opened, and Alek entered, his face pale, but his steps were urgent.I didn’t give him a chance to speak before hurling the book at him. It hit him squarely in the face, making him stagger. As he caught the book, his face drained of color even further when recognition flared in his eyes.“Didn’t I tell you to burn that book?” My voice was low, lethal, and I didn’t miss the way he trembled at each word.Alek fell to his knees, the weight of his guilt bearing down on him. “Alpha,” he choked out, “I admit my irresponsibility. I failed you. I’m willing to accept any punishment for my insubordination,” he answered readily, pr