Who do you think will arrive first to save Astrid?
Killian’s POVMy wolf grew restless as we searched around the forest without any lead or trail to follow. We are just blindly searching around the forest without knowing where to look for. I perked my ears up and heightened my senses as I ran across the forest, hoping to get a whiff of Astrid’s scent or hear her cries for help. The recent downpour made it harder for us to track Astrid. Not only did it make our path muddy and slippery, which made it hard for us to run and search around, but it also dampened all the other scents in the forest. The damp, earthy aroma masked any other discernible scents, frustrating us even more. There was nothing we could smell aside from the strong, earthy aroma that permeated the forest. This proved my nose as an unreliable guide in the wake of the rain. I had no choice but to focus my senses on my hearing. However, even that also proved unreliable to follow. The sounds of crickets and birds chirping in the air made it hard for me to find the
Killian’s POVMy mind was blank as we rushed Astrid to the hospital. After she fell to the ground, our Pack warriors arrived to help us, and we brought her to the hospital as soon as we could. I held Astrid’s hand as comfort, and I never took my eyes off her as we rushed her to the emergency room. My hands trembled slightly as I gazed upon her still form, her breathing faint and shallow as she lay on the hospital bed. Her once steady rhythm of pulse now faltered as I pressed my fingers against her wrist, filling me with a growing sense of dread. My eyes dart nervously to her abdomen. The swell is a stark reminder of the precious life growing inside of her. The precious life that could also be mine. I was taken aback when a nurse blocked me from my path, separating me from Astrid. I held my arm out to Astrid as the nurses continued to push her away from me and entered the emergency room. “Sir, you need to wait outside. No one is allowed inside the emergency room,” t
Killian’s POV“Don’t worry,” I held Giselle by her shoulders, seeing how much she wanted justice for Astrid. “I had already asked for an investigation. Our Pack Warriors are already investigating what happened.” Giselle sighed in relief. “I hope there’s no one out there planning to harm Astrid and her child,” she muttered with her brows bent downwards and with her hand pressed to her heart. Drystan, who had been silently listening to our conversation, suddenly scoffed. “If any of you really cared about Astrid, you wouldn’t have caused trouble for us. If it wasn’t for that rumor you exposed, we wouldn’t bother to visit your Pack.” Giselle bit her lower lip in shame as she averted her gaze from us. She must have felt bad now after seeing how much damage her words had already caused. Although she wasn’t repentant of her actions even after I caught her and forced her to take back her words, she still never meant any harm to happen to Astrid. She must have done that to turn awa
Drystan’s POVThe air in the waiting room is thick with tension, not just because we were waiting for news about Astrid’s condition but also because of our conversation. Before a huge argument could start between us, the heavy door to the emergency room slid open with a muffled hiss, jolting us from our tense reveries. Our heads turned around in unison to the room behind us, our eyes trained on the figure in the crisp white coat striding towards us. The Doctor’s expression was inscrutable, giving away one of the news they carried. We have forgotten about the topic we were fighting about earlier. Every one of us held our breaths as time seemed to slow to a crawl. We waited with bated breath for them to deliver the update we both dreaded and desperately needed. “Are you all an immediate family member of the patient?” Finally, the Doctor spoke, his words cutting through the deafening silence like a scalpel. “Astrid doesn’t have any living family members, doc. She’s a mem
Drystan’s POVMy knees turned weak as the realization that Astrid was going to die threatened to overwhelm me. I had to lean against the wall for support as my mind reeled with the cruel finality of the doctor’s words. I shook my head, refusing to accept this. “There must be another way. We can’t just wait for her to die!” I insisted. The Doctor placed a sympathetic hand on my shoulder as if he had already expected reluctance from me. “Even if by some miracle she managed to push through, her health might still deteriorate once she wakes up,” he paused the unspoken words hanging between them. “She might not be able to handle the news that she… miscarried,” he finally uttered. I took in a sharp breath, and my eyes widened at his horrible news. “W-What?” I stammered as my breath left my lungs. “I’m sorry, Alpha, the child did not make it. We did the best that we could to save the child, but with the injuries that Miss Astrid had suffered and with her wolf’s weak condition,
Nova’s POVI swallowed hard as I watched Drystan break in front of me. The mighty man that I had always looked up to and relied on is now reduced to a quivering emotional wreck before my eyes. I tentatively reached out, laying a gentle hand on his trembling shoulder, which was the only way that I could give him comfort as I desperately wished that I could take his pain away. For so long, Drystan had always been the strong one. He became my rock, my fortress against the storms of life ever since my sister died. He locked all his emotions away in an impenetrable wall, but now that wall had crumbled, exposing the bitter devastation within. My heart ached at the raw vulnerability that was etched across his features. He is the man I had always looked up to, the man who had always protected me and never once broke his composure. I never thought that I would see Drystan get broken like this again. To see him so utterly shattered, so profoundly broken, shook me to the core. Befo
Drystan’s POVAs I found myself unable to hold back the flood of my emotions, Nova held me close, whispering soothing words from time to time, and didn’t stop rubbing gentle circles on my shoulder. Suddenly, our solemn silence was shattered when a Pack Warrior arrived in a rush, chasing his breath with an alarmed look on his face. I instantly straightened myself and turned my head away from him as I wiped away my tears before he could realize that I was crying. “Alpha!” He called out with breath coming in ragged gasps. I cleared my throat, and I sniffed my tears away as I faced him with a blank stare despite my swollen eyes giving away my tears. “What?” I asked him coldly as I waited for the urgent matter he had to report. “Beta Caden spoke to me through the Pack link and ordered me to deliver his news to you,” he spoke, ignoring my swollen eyes after his gaze flitted there for a moment before he removed his gaze and lowered his head to act like he did not notice it.
Drystan’s POV‘Is this really the Shadowfang Pack?’ I asked myself within my thoughts as I stared at the vast forest with the Shadowfang Pack guards patrolling the area. Although I have never been in the Shadowfang Pack before, I’ve heard rumors of what the infamous Shadowfang Pack looked like. It was no secret that the Shadowfang Pack is medically and technologically advance. With their rare metals and their abundant natural resources, they have become the richest Pack among all of us which made me expect something more from them.In my head I was thinking of elaborate systems of holographic projectors and advance camouflage systems to protect their Pack like something that came out of a futuristic science fiction novel. The rumors also said that the Shadowfang Pack has a stunning blend of organic and technological elements. They have curving structures made of unique ebony-hued metal called Luminite and a sprawling network of state of the art treatment facilities, research laborat
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