Killian’s POV“What could have possibly gone wrong?!” I yelled out loud and slammed my fist on the table, making Giselle flinch in her seat. I gave her the simplest task, and yet she still managed to ruin it. Our alliance with the Frostbite Pack is already a close deal. She just needed to get Alpha Everest’s signature to make things official. I don’t understand how she managed to fuck things up. “Don’t yell at her, Killian, she’s pregnant!” My mother scolded me as she softly caressed Giselle’s back to comfort her. “Just relax, Giselle, okay? Stress is never good for the baby.” My mother’s brows knitted together as she spoke to Giselle in worry. I clenched my jaw in anger as I watched how my mother consoled Giselle and how Giselle enjoyed my mother’s company. She even dragged my mother into this, knowing that she would defend her and take her side. She couldn’t even face me on her own and own up to her mistakes. Giselle had just returned from her trip yesterday. I w
Astrid’s POVI gazed at myself in the mirror, wearing an elegant sleeveless white dress that fitted my body like a glove, showing my curves in the right places. A smile crept up my lips, like the person that I could see in the mirror. Even though I’m pregnant and my baby bump is showing already, I’m still able to maintain my fit body from before. “You look too beautiful for a pregnant woman.”I turned on my heel when someone spoke behind me. I smiled shyly when I saw Nova standing on my doorstep, staring at me. I felt embarrassed getting caught ogling myself. “You look stunning, too,” I complimented her in her sparkling green dress that reminded me of Ariel’s tail. With her strawberry blonde hair, she looks much like a princess from a fairy tale. “Are you ready?” Nova asks me as she steps inside my room. I took another look at myself in the mirror and breathed deeply. The time flew really fast. I couldn’t coop up inside my room any longer. I need to go out and meet the guests.
Astrid’s POV“Enjoy everyone, and I hope you’ll have a great stay in our Pack,” I flashed my pretty smile to the crowd as I stepped off the podium. The crowd gave me a round of applause right after I ended my speech. The whole time that I was speaking on stage, I could feel his intense gaze boring holes at me, making me feel uncomfortable the whole time. The moment I stepped off the stage, I could finally feel my whole body again. “Don’t forget to breathe, Astrid,” Nova chided when I reached her off the stage. My heart had finally relaxed, and I could breathe properly again after I had escaped everyone’s attention. I gripped Nova’s warm hand for support. Nova didn’t say a word as I gripped her hand tightly with my icy-cold fingers. I’m glad that Nova is here with me. She never left my side even though she also has her own personal life. She stood by me, willing to support me. “I need to take a break,” I muttered under my breath. “Of course, I’ll go inform Drystan,” Nova answer
Astrid’s POVA deep breath passed through my lips as a sense of calm washed over me when Nova arrived just in time to rescue me. Nova ran towards me with a panicked look in her eyes. She lifted me up by my arms, slowly helping me to get my feet on the ground. Killian forced himself off the ground, his lips slightly stretching downwards as he winced in pain. “What happened?” Nova asked me in worry. I was hyperventilating, so I failed to answer her. I just kept clutching my heart, the place where all the pain was coming from. Nova’s eyes widened when the realization hit her. “H-He,” Nova paused, unable to complete her sentence. Anger flashed in her eyes, knowing that what Killian just did was enough to kill me. With my weak wolf and the life inside of me, I’m not strong enough to handle the rejection. “Astrid!” Drystan suddenly appeared and ran towards me when he saw my state. He immediately carried my weight to help Nova, who had been struggling to keep me up. Still, I coul
Killian’s POV“Since when?” I questioned. “Since when have you found out you’re pregnant?” My question hung in the air as the three fell silent. The three of them couldn’t bring themselves to look at me anymore after their secrets were exposed. I laughed bitterly as I turned my gaze away from them. “Now everything makes sense,” I muttered. It was out of nowhere when Astrid suddenly asked me for a divorce. I couldn’t figure out why Drystan would help Astrid and lie to me just for her when I’m his true family. Now that I found out the big secret that they were trying to hide from me, everything finally made sense. “Just how long?” I snapped. “How long have you been dating each other behind my back?” Their gazes suddenly snapped back at me when they heard my question. I looked at each and every one of them, waiting for the first person who was going to answer my question, but they looked clueless as they stared at me. They looked confused as if they couldn’t understand my simp
Astrid’s POVI lay motionless on my bed, my eyes distant and unfocused as the weight of Killian’s words pressed heavily upon my heart, sapping me of my energy and will. My mind couldn’t stop going back to his shameless accusations. I couldn’t believe how he could accuse me of cheating him and sleeping with his own uncle when he was the one who cheated in our marriage. I couldn’t believe how shameless he was to put all the blame on me when he was the one who ruined our marriage. All my life, I have dedicated my life to him as his wife, even though he never appreciated everything that I did. I stayed loyal and faithful to him, always mindlessly hoping that he would grow feelings for me or hopefully become a loving husband in return. I waited for years and invested all of my efforts in our relationship. In the end, all it took was for his ex-girlfriend to come back, and he threw away everything that we had and impregnated her. “I’ve completed the examination,” The Pack Doctor sp
Astrid’s POVUneasiness crept up my body at the seriousness and heaviness of how he said those words. The way he said it makes it seem like he is hinting at something else. Right now, I’m not ready for anything else. My wolf is sick, and I still have to find the cure; without that, I don’t even know how long I’m going to live. I don’t want to repeat the same pain that Drystan felt with his original mate. Other than that, I’m also not ready to enter into any kind of relationship. After getting out of a toxic relationship, my heart is still not ready to open up again. “Drystan,” I uttered his name to stop him from the next words he was about to say that I was not ready to hear yet. I’ve always wondered why he is being so nice to me. He had done me a lot of favors without getting anything in return. I’m just a huge liability to him, yet he always kept me by his side. I thought his actions were out of our friendship, but doubts shrouded my thoughts when he suddenly claimed my chil
Giselle’s POV“Killian, what’s going on? Why are you here?” Killian’s mother bombarded us with questions as soon as we arrived at the Pack. We have just arrived at the entrance to the Packhouse, yet she’s already here to confront us already. “Mother,” I flashed Victoria a sweet smile as I welcomed her with a warm hug, knowing that Killian would be highly sensitive right now.“What happened, dear?” Victoria asked me instead when she noticed the cold and indifferent look on her son’s face. I glanced quietly at Killian and watched as he helped with the omegas, putting out the things we packed but never had the chance to use. Killian has been deadly silent during the whole ride. He’s been silent and angry ever since we left the Nightsong Pack. The tension in the car was unbearable. I could feel the anger radiating off him the whole time that I was with him. Astrid’s confession of cheating really affected him so much. “Something bad happened while we were at the Nightsong Pack, Mothe
Astrid’s POVRowena’s quarters sat on the outskirts of Silvermoon territory, a place that felt as removed from the Pack’s core as Rowena herself. The journey there was quiet, the tension between Killian and me palpable. I could tell he was already regretting agreeing to this, but we didn’t have the luxury of letting emotions cloud our judgment.The rogue attacks were escalating. They were organized, purposeful, and more ruthless than ever. If Rowena had answers that could shed light on the Rogue King’s plans, we had no choice but to seek her out.Rowena had always been a thorn in our sides—a manipulative force who thrived on power plays. But she was also cunning, and if she knew anything about the Rogue King, she might just be the key to understanding what we were up against.As we approached her quarters, the scent of burning herbs filled the air. Rowena’s home was modest but had an aura of quiet power. It was an illusion, I knew—a way to remind every one of what she once was.K
Astrid’s POVThe sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the Pack’s central courtyard. The faint scent of pine lingered in the air as laughter echoed from the grassy clearing near the training grounds. For the first time in what felt like weeks, I wasn’t caught up in Pack meetings, rogue threats, or endless strategy sessions. I could finally spend some time with my children at last. I missed them so much. Ryker and Elara darted around the clearing, their playful giggles warming the heavy ache in my chest. Ryker, now eight, was tall and quick, his movements already showing hints of the warrior he’d one day become. Elara, only four, struggled to keep up but refused to give in, her fierce determination reminding me so much of myself.“Elara, you’re supposed to tag me!” Ryker teased, effortlessly dodging her tiny hands.“I will, Ryker!” she declared, her little face scrunched in determination as she lunged at him.I couldn’t help but smile. For a moment, the world
Nova’s POVThe attic was darker and colder than I’d expected. Dust floated in the dim light that streamed through a cracked window, and the air carried the faint scent of cedar and time. This part of the Shadowfang Pack house had been sealed off for years—ever since Liora’s death.Drystan had given me permission to look through her things, but stepping into the space felt like crossing into sacred ground. Her scent was long gone, replaced by the mustiness of disuse, but I could still feel her presence here. Liora had always seemed larger than life, unbreakable, but here she was just a collection of forgotten memories, packed away in old boxes.I moved cautiously, my fingers trailing over the stacks of wooden crates and trunks. A soft creak from the floorboards behind me made me turn.“You don’t have to do this,” Drystan said, his voice low. He stood in the doorway, his face shadowed but his concern clear. “I can look through it if you want. You don’t need to carry this.”I shook m
Astrid’s POVThe tension in the air was suffocating. Every time I stepped into the council room lately, I could feel it pressing against my chest—the growing divide within the Pack. It was subtle at first, a quiet undercurrent of uncertainty, but now it was undeniable. People were questioning us. Questioning Killian. And Killian’s mother, Rowena, had only made things worse.The council members sat around the long table, their expressions ranging from weary to outright suspicious. Rowena had planted seeds of doubt with her sudden return, and now those seeds were taking root. Some of them believed she was here to help, that her knowledge of the rogues might be the key to stopping this war before it began. Others—including me—weren’t so sure.Killian sat beside me, his jaw tight, his eyes scanning the room like a predator sizing up potential threats. He hadn’t spoken much since his mother’s revelations the night before. I knew he was struggling to process it, to reconcile the woman
Astrid’s POVThe council chamber was filled with the low murmur of voices, Pack leaders debating strategies and plans. I sat at the head of the table beside Killian, my hands resting on the smooth oak surface. The tension in the room was palpable—every attack, every loss, had brought us closer to the realization that this wasn’t a rogue problem. It was something far more calculated.Killian shifted beside me, his jaw tight, his body radiating barely contained frustration. He hated these meetings. So did I. But this time, they were necessary. The rogues weren’t just targeting the outposts; they were playing a long game, and we needed to figure out the rules.Just as I was about to speak, the heavy doors to the chamber creaked open. Every voice silenced, and I felt my wolf stir uneasily as the figure stepped inside.Killian’s mother.Her entrance was calculated, her steps deliberate as her sharp eyes scanned the room. She carried herself with the regal air of a woman who had once
Drystan's POVThe pendant rested in my hand, its weight heavier than the tarnished metal should allow. The insignia stared back at me, an unwelcome ghost from the past, its edges dulled but still unmistakable. The mark of the rogue faction that had haunted Liora’s final days.The pendant was a warning, though I wasn’t sure if it was meant for me or for the Packs. Either way, I wasn’t about to ignore it.I sat in the quiet of my office, the walls lined with maps and old records. Beta Jared stood nearby, his arms crossed and his expression grim. He’d stayed silent since delivering the pendant, but his presence was steady. Reliable.“This can’t be a coincidence,” I said, breaking the silence. “First, rogue attacks close to our borders, and now this. They’re not just testing us” they’re sending a message.”Jared nodded but didn’t speak right away. He was like that, careful with his words. “It’s possible someone wanted you to find it. To unsettle you.”I turned the pendant over in my ha
Nova’s POVI didn’t dream often, or if I did, I never remembered them. But tonight, the images were vivid and relentless, as if the past had clawed its way into my mind and refused to let go.I was small again, no more than four years old, hiding behind a tree as fire consumed our Pack. The acrid smell of smoke filled my lungs, and the air was thick with the metallic tang of blood. Wolves howled in agony, their cries echoing through the night. My tiny hands gripped the bark of the tree as I peeked out, my heart racing.A shadow loomed over me, massive and terrifying. “Stay quiet,” Liora closely whispered to my ear, her voice steady despite the panic in her eyes.My older sister, Liora, looked young in my dream, still in her early teenage years. We were both just children, but she was forced to act brave to protect me, taking in the role of being the older sister.I stared at her, my heart beating in fear. She crouched beside me, clutching a blade in one hand and shielding me with the
Astrid’s POVThe forest was too quiet. Not the comforting kind of silence that allowed me to think, but the eerie kind that set my instincts on edge. Every rustle of leaves and every creak of the trees felt amplified, like a warning I couldn’t ignore. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, uneasy, as though it could smell something I couldn’t.The crisp scent of pine hung heavy in the air, but beneath it, I caught a faint, metallic tang of blood on the breeze. My stomach tightened. Another attack. I stood at the edge of the Silvermoon Pack’s territory, my warriors scattered behind me. Their silence matched mine, their tense stances a reflection of the gravity of the moment. They waited for my signal, for their Luna to give them direction.The rogues had struck again. That made three attacks this month. The outposts near the borders were easy targets—isolated, poorly defended—but this wasn’t just random desperation. No, this was something else entirely. The patterns were too precise,
Special Chapter: Ryker’s PerspectiveThe sun was shining so brightly today that it made the grass sparkle like little stars. I loved running through it barefoot—it felt soft and tickly. I stretched my arms out, pretending I was flying, and ran down the hill as fast as I could.“Ryker, don’t go too far!” Mommy called from the garden bench where she sat with Aunt Nova.“I won’t, Mommy!” I shouted back, spinning around to wave at her. She was smiling at me, and I couldn’t help but smile back.Mommy had the best smile. It made me feel warm inside, like I was wrapped in a big, soft blanket. I loved hearing her laugh, too, which she was doing now because Aunt Nova said something funny. They both had big bellies because there were babies inside. I couldn’t wait to meet them.I ran back up the hill to Mommy and climbed onto the bench next to her. “Why are you laughing, Mommy?” I asked, curious.Mommy chuckled and brushed some grass out of my hair. “Aunt Nova was telling me about how much he