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
Astrid’s POVMy legs wobbled, and I felt myself collapsing under the weight of the revelation. But before I could hit the ground, Killian’s arms wrapped around me, steady and strong. He pulled me close, catching me as I broke down. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, his voice soft and soothing against my ear. “I’ve got you.”I buried my face in his shoulder, the tears spilling out uncontrollably as the emotions I had suppressed for so long came crashing down. He held me tightly, his embrace warm and secure as my sobs wracked my body. All the years of pain, the longing, the grief—it all poured out of me, and I couldn’t stop. Killian’s hand moved in slow circles on my back, his touch gentle and comforting. “It’s okay,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “Cry if you need to. I’m here.”I clung to him, the warmth of his body grounding me as the storm of emotions raged inside. I could feel the strength in his arms, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against mine, and for the first
Astrid’s POVThe heat of the amulet’s power surged through me, fire and ice clawing at my very core. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the end, ready to accept the pain that would come. This was it.But before the energy could consume me, a sudden, powerful force slammed into my side, sending me sprawling to the ground.I gasped, my eyes flying open in shock. The world spun for a moment before I steadied myself, and when I looked up, my heart stopped.Rowena stood where I had been, her hands firmly on the amulet, the blinding glow of its energy engulfing her.Our eyes met. For a fleeting moment, there was no coldness in her gaze, no calculation—only peace.“Rowena, no!” I screamed, scrambling to my feet.She closed her eyes, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, and said nothing.The energy erupted from the amulet, a searing light that forced me to shield my face.“No!” the Rogue King’s voice boomed, his fury cutting through the chaos.The light intensified, consuming e
Astrid’s POVThe clearing was chaos. The amulet’s glow grew brighter with each passing second, its pulsating light casting long, flickering shadows across the battlefield. The energy emanating from it was suffocating, filling the air with an oppressive pressure that made it hard to breathe.I reached the altar, my wolf surging forward as I clawed at the ancient runes alongside Nova. Each strike against the stone sent sparks of light into the air, but the runes resisted, glowing brighter and stronger as if mocking our efforts.“It’s not working!” Nova shouted, her voice cracking with frustration.“Keep trying!” I yelled back, refusing to give in. But even as I struck the runes again and again, I felt the futility in my movements.Behind us, Killian and the Rogue King clashed in a violent storm of teeth and claws, their snarls echoing through the clearing. Killian’s golden wolf fought with unrelenting power, but the Rogue King’s speed and cunning gave him an edge, keeping the battle
Drystan’s POVThe forest was eerily quiet, a suffocating silence that wrapped itself around us as we regrouped near the Rogue King’s camp. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, sensing the tension that rippled through our ranks. The remnants of the earlier attack were still fresh—blood staining the ground, the air thick with the scent of burnt wood and iron. Yet, there was no time to grieve or falter. The rogues were waiting.Nova stood beside me, her eyes scanning the horizon. Despite the exhaustion etched into her face, she radiated a quiet determination. I knew she was thinking about Liora—about the lies and betrayal that had stolen her sister’s life. And now, with Rowena’s guilt looming over us, the questions weighed heavier than ever.Killian and Astrid approached, their expressions tense. Killian’s golden eyes were shadowed, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them.“We need to strike before the ritual is completed,” Killian said, his voice cutting through the
Drystan’s POVThe battlefield was a cacophony of snarls, howls, and the clash of steel. Blood mingled with the damp earth beneath my feet, and the air carried the metallic tang of death. My wolf surged within me, urging me forward, but I held steady. We were pushing the rogues back, but something about their movements didn’t sit right with me.“They’re retreating too easily,” I growled through the link to Nova, who was fighting nearby. Her lithe wolf danced around a rogue before sinking her teeth into its neck with precision.“I noticed,” she replied, her tone sharp, even in the heat of battle. “This isn’t a retreat. It’s a distraction.”I snarled, driving my blade into the side of a rogue that lunged at me. It crumpled to the ground, lifeless, as my gaze swept over the battlefield. The rogues were falling back, but their movements were too coordinated, too deliberate.“Hold the line!” I barked to my warriors. “Don’t chase them. They want us to follow.”Killian’s voice cut through t
Killian’s POVThe camp was alive with activity, warriors moving like clockwork as weapons were sharpened, armor adjusted, and strategies refined. The tension in the air was suffocating, pressing down on all of us like an invisible weight. The final confrontation was drawing near, and every wolf here knew it.Astrid approached, her steps light but purposeful, her face shadowed with exhaustion. “Drystan and Nova haven’t sent word yet,” she said softly, her eyes searching mine.“They will,” I replied, forcing certainty into my voice. “They know what’s at stake.”But deep down, doubt gnawed at me. The alliances we had built, the fragile unity between the Packs—it all felt like it was hanging by a thread, ready to snap at the slightest provocation.Astrid’s gaze shifted to Andros, who stood near the edge of the camp, guarded by two warriors. He leaned casually against a tree, his sharp eyes scanning the camp with calculated precision.“I still don’t trust him,” Astrid muttered, her voic
Killian’s POVThe camp was a flurry of activity, every wolf preparing for what could be our last stand. Weapons were sharpened, armor repaired, and scouts came and went with grim updates on the Rogue King’s movements.I stood near the center, watching the warriors train in the clearing. Their strikes were fast, their stances solid, but the tension in the air was unmistakable. Everyone knew what was coming, and the weight of it was crushing.Astrid approached, her expression as resolute as ever, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of exhaustion. “Drystan and Nova haven’t sent word yet,” she said quietly.“They will,” I replied, my voice firm. “They know what’s at stake.”Astrid’s gaze flicked toward the edge of the camp, where Andros was being guarded by two warriors. He sat on a fallen log, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, scanning the camp as if calculating his next move.“I don’t trust him,” Astrid said, her voice low.“Neither do I,” I admitted. “But right now, he’s a nec
Drystan’s POVThe council chamber at the Silvermoon camp was more crowded than usual, but the air was heavy with unease. After everything we had learned from Rowena and Andros, tensions ran higher than ever. Wolves from allied Packs whispered among themselves, their voices sharp with mistrust.Killian stood at the head of the chamber, his presence commanding as always, but even he couldn’t mask the strain on his face. Astrid sat to his right, her eyes dark with fatigue. Nova was beside me, her hand resting on her thigh, her tension palpable.Andros and Rowena sat on the far side of the room, their backs straight despite the weight of every glare in the room directed at them. Andros leaned casually against the wall, but Rowena remained composed, her sharp eyes sweeping over the gathered wolves with quiet authority.“We’ve heard what they’ve told us,” one of the elders said, his voice echoing through the room. “But how can we trust anything that comes from the mouths of traitors?”M
Chapter 35: The Rogue King’s True IntentionsAstrid’s POVThe fire crackled softly in the middle of our camp, its flickering light casting long shadows across the weary faces gathered around it. Rowena sat apart from the others, her posture poised despite the shackles around her wrists. Her silver hair, neat and immaculate, caught the firelight, and her eyes—sharp, calculating—watched us with the kind of patience that only came with age and experience.Killian stood to her right, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He hadn’t said much since we brought her back, but the tension in his shoulders spoke volumes. His mother, the woman who had caused so much pain, was now our reluctant informant.Drystan paced nearby, his claws flexing as he glared at Rowena. Nova sat stiffly beside me, her hand gripping her knee as if to keep her emotions in check. Andros leaned against a tree on the far side of the clearing, his presence like a dark shadow, a reminder of the betrayal that had fra
Astrid’s POVThe forest around us was suffocating, its silence oppressive. Every step deeper into rogue territory felt like a journey into a nightmare. My wolf was on edge, her instincts screaming that danger lurked just beyond the trees.Drystan led our group, his movements precise and calculated as he tracked Rowena’s faint scent. Nova kept pace beside him, her body still healing but her determination unyielding. I trailed close behind, my gaze darting between the shadows, each step weighted by the tension of what we might find.“She’s leading us somewhere,” Drystan muttered, his voice tight with frustration. “But whether it’s to the Rogue King or a trap, I can’t tell.”“She won’t outsmart us again,” Nova replied, her tone sharp with anger.I wished I shared her confidence, but something about this chase didn’t sit right. Rowena wasn’t careless, and she wasn’t predictable. Whatever she was planning, it wouldn’t be simple.The scent trail brought us to a clearing veiled in mist.