Killian’s POV
I tear into another attacker, my jaws snapping as I toss him aside. But they keep coming, one after the other, their numbers overwhelming.
I'm outnumbered, and every move feels heavier, slower. My fur is matted with blood-some mine, some theirs-but it's not enough.
Two wolves slam into my side, knocking me off my feet and pinning me down.
I growl, thrashing as I try to push them off, but their combined weight keeps me grounded.
I catch sight of one of them his teeth bared-lunging for my throat. I twist, trying to shake him off, but they have me pinned, and I know I'm losing this fight.
My wolf surges with frustration and fury. We're much powerful compared to them, but we're running out of strength, and I can feel the odds tipping against us.
Just as one of
Astrid’s POVI rushed to Killian’s side without a second thought, my only goal was to protect him. I can see he’s outnumbered, pinned down beneath two wolves.My only thought is to protect him, to fight for him. But as I rip the wolf off of him, something changes.The scent of blood hits me harder, sharper. My claws sink deeper into the flesh, and I can hear my wolf whispering in the back of my mind, ‘More. Give me more.’I feel the weight of my wolf coiling inside me, urging me forward as I tear through another attacker.My teeth sink into flesh, the taste of blood filling my mouth, and the rush of power surges through me.I can feel her — my wolf — pushing me away, clawing at the surface, wan
Astrid’s POVHer growl deepens as I push back. She feels me, senses the shift, and her fury erupts like a storm.She turns inward, roaring, her claws tearing at our shared mind as she tries to maintain control.The pain is blinding, but I don't stop. I won’t stop.I push harder, clawing my way to the surface, forcing myself to the forefront of our shared body.The wolf thrashes, her rage palpable, and I feel her claws scrape against our own flesh, desperate to hold onto her dominance.‘Let me out!’ she howls, her voice feral, raw, ‘I will kill them!’‘No!’ I scream back, pushing harder, feeling her anger tear through me like fire. ‘I won’t let you harm them.’She fights, thrashing in her fury, but I can't
Astrid’s POVThe cold earth pressed against my bare skin as I curled tighter into myself, the night air biting at my exposed flesh. My body trembled uncontrollably — not just from the chill, but from the fear that clung to me like a second skin. The pain of the shift still rippled through me, a constant reminder of the monster lurking inside.I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to disappear, to sink into the ground and escape everything. The forest around me was eerily quiet, the only sound my own ragged breathing. I had no idea where I was, only that I had run far. Too far.But not far enough.Footsteps. My heart lurched in my chest. It had to be them — the attackers, or maybe the rogues. My mind conjured up every possible danger lurking in the shadows of this unknown place. My pulse quickened as the footsteps grew louder, closer. I didn’t have the strength to fight. I didn’t even have the strength to stand.I pulled my knees tighter against my chest, curling up as small as I could
Astrid’s POVTears welled up in my eyes again, a mixture of relief and guilt crashing over me. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice trembling. Then my brows furrowed with concern as I looked at him. “But… what about you? Are you… are you all right? Did I hurt you?”He turned his head away as if he could avoid the question. His silence made my heart race with dread. Before he could get away from me, I pushed him to face me fully and that’s when I saw it — his right arm, the sleeve of his shirt soaked with blood. A deep, jagged claw mark ran from his bicep to his forearm, and the sight of it made my stomach turn.“No…” I gasped, my voice barely a breath. “I did that… didn’t I?”Killian glanced down at his arm, then shook his head, brushing it off as if it were nothing. “It’s nothing,” he said softly, but his jaw was tight, and I could see the tension in his body — the pain he was trying to hide.“Killian, it’s not nothing,” I whispered, my heart breaking at the sight of the wound. “Y
Astrid’s POVKillian’s arms wrapped around me, warm and secure, like a shield against the storm inside me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel so exposed. His embrace was steady, strong, and I could feel the tension in my chest start to unravel as he held me. His presence alone was enough to quiet the fears that had been raging in my mind, but it couldn’t drown out the truth that lingered between us — truth that had remained buried for too long.He pressed his forehead gently against mine, his breath warm as he spoke softly, “You don’t need to worry anymore, Astrid. I’ve found a lead.”I pulled back slightly, looking up at him with confusion. “A lead?”Killian nodded, his expression darkening with seriousness. “The Pack that helped us… they caught one of the attackers as he was trying to run. He didn’t get far, and they managed to extract information from him.”A pit of dread settled deep in my stomach. My voice barely came out as a whisper. “What did he say?
Astrid’s POVKillian shook his head, his tears falling freely now as he rested his forehead against mine. “Don’t be sorry,” he whispered. “You had every reason to believe what you did. I didn’t fight hard enough either. I should have told you the truth sooner, but I was too ashamed. Too afraid.”A sob broke from my chest as I leaned into his touch, my heart aching for him, for everything we had lost. “I blamed you for everything,” I whispered. “But you never blamed me. You carried all of this guilt alone. I should have known.”He held me tighter, his arms wrapping around me as though he could shield me from the pain that had been festering between us for so long. “We were both innocent,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “It was all lies. None of this should have happened.”I pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, my heart still heavy but lighter than it had been in years. “Can we start over?” I asked, my voice small but hopeful. “Can we forget everything and build somethi
Astrid’s POVAs we neared the dungeon, the cold air wrapped around me like a warning, and my steps faltered. The weight of what I was about to do settled heavily in my chest, making it hard to breathe. I was nervous — no, I was scared. Giselle was down there, the woman who had torn our lives apart, and I had to face her alone.Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly felt warm air fanning the side of my face. I blinked and turned, only to find Killian standing so close, his face inches from mine. His breath was warm on my skin, and for a moment, the world narrowed down to just the two of us. My heart skipped a beat. The closeness, the way he was looking at me—it made me forget, just for a second, about the darkness waiting ahead.“Astrid,” he whispered, his voice soft and full of concern. “Are you sure about this?”His eyes searched mine, his brow furrowed with worry, and for a brief moment, I wanted to say no. I wanted to lean into him, let him shield me from everything. He always had a
Astrid’s POVI tried to keep my face steady, but her words struck a chord deep inside me. She did know something.Something about the changes I had felt, the darkness I had sensed lurking within me. The poison. It had been her weapon, and now, I realized it was more than just a means to kill me. She knows something else, something even I hadn’t understood.“You’re lying,” I hissed, my voice shaking with anger, but also with doubt.Her grin widened. “Oh, am I? Why do you think the poison didn’t kill you? It wasn’t meant to. It was meant to awaken something… darker. Something you won’t be able to control. You’re a monster, Astrid, and soon enough, everyone you love will see it too.”I shook my head, refusing to believe her. She was trying to manipulate me, to twist my mind just as she always had. “Shut up,” I whispered, but my voice wavered.“You feel it, don’t you?” she pressed, her eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. “The power inside you, the anger. It’s only a matter of time be
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