I covered my mouth with both hands, desperate to keep my sobs from escaping, even as my entire body trembled. From the kitchen, I could hear Isabel’s giggles, light and teasing, followed by a low moan that made my stomach churn.“Oh my God, Gaby... yes,” her voice cooed, sickly sweet.“Yes, baby,” Gabriel’s voice rasped, each word cutting through me like shards of glass. “Ride my dck just like that.”I couldn’t take it. The bile rising in my throat, the ache in my chest—I couldn’t endure another second. I stumbled back from the doorway, heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the sound of my hurried steps. My mate. My so-called mate.Once again, Gabriel was with her, and I knew what awaited me the next morning—another scar, not on my skin but on my heart, carving itself deeper. He would come to me, throw a cursory excuse my way, and continue his betrayal as if the mate bond between us meant nothing.“Why me, Goddess?” I whispered, my voice breaking as I clung to the wall for support.
The night wrapped itself around me like a shroud, thick and oppressive, as though the entire universe was mourning my broken heart. Gabriel had chosen Isabel. I told myself to expect it—I always knew deep down that I would never measure up to the woman who had been his first love. But knowing didn’t soften the blow.The betrayal wasn’t a clean cut; it was a jagged blade twisting in my chest. The bond between us, cruel and unyielding, pulsed with the agony of his choice. My wolf whimpered in my mind, the sound a haunting echo of my own despair.“Why?” The word escaped my trembling lips before I could stop it. My voice was fragile, barely a whisper, but it carried the weight of my shattered soul. “Why her, Gabriel? Why not me?”His jade-green eyes met mine, their familiar warmth replaced by an icy detachment. The face I had once loved, the one that had been my world, now felt alien. “Evelyn,” he said, his tone devoid of even the smallest hint of remorse, “you’re nothing to me anymore. Y
The antiseptic stench burned my nostrils before my eyes even opened. The steady beep of machines nearby pricked at my nerves, a stark reminder that I was still alive. The ache in my head throbbed in tandem with my heartbeat, sharp and relentless. My limbs felt heavy, like invisible chains weighed them down, but that didn’t stop me from sitting up.The tug of something foreign against my skin made me glance down. An IV line snaked out of my arm, and the sight of it churned my stomach. I yanked at it with trembling fingers, wincing as the needle scraped my skin.“Princess, stop!” a frantic voice cried out.I didn’t care. “Get this off me,” I snapped, the harshness of my voice surprising even me.The nurse, a petite woman with a round face and nervous hands, tried to intervene. “Please, Princess, you must rest! You—”Her pleas were cut short by the sharp click of boots against the floor. My head whipped toward the sound, and there he was, Dalton, leaning against the doorframe like he own
The sunlight poured through the sheer curtains of Alpha Dalton’s room, bathing the space in a golden glow. It was annoyingly picturesque, a sharp contrast to the cold sterility of the decor—gray walls, minimalist furniture, and not a single speck of warmth anywhere. The faint scent of cedar and leather lingered in the air, a quiet reminder of who owned this room. The events of last night clawed at my thoughts, especially his parting words.“This is my room, Tila,” Dalton had said, his voice calm but unyielding. “Besides, I never have the habit of forcing women, so rest assured. My Beta will send you the contract.” Then he’d left, like dropping that bombshell was no big deal.I’d tossed and turned all night, unable to drown out his deep, resolute tone. Sleep eventually came, but not without its cost.***Morning crept in, the first rays of light nudging me awake. The sheets clung to me like a cocoon, their warmth a deceptive comfort. My body felt heavy, unwilling to face whatever madne
Dalton's POV:I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to let my frustration show. "I already told my Beta and Gamma to prepare for the ceremony," I muttered, my silver-grey eyes locked onto my father. The old man was being stubborn, as usual, insisting on holding this damn ceremony under the full moon despite everything."The auspicious ceremonies must be held on the full moon, son," he repeated for the umpteenth time, his voice calm, steady, and impossibly firm. "It’s necessary. The chaplain has spoken. We must honor the traditions of our ancestors. It’s for the good of the pack."I threw my hands up in exasperation. "It's the twenty-first century, Dad! Let me just get this over with already." My hair felt like it was ready to catch fire from the tension coursing through me. I glanced over at Evelyn, standing next to me, her eyes flicking nervously between us. She looked uncomfortable—probably didn’t care about any of this—caught in the middle of a battle she didn’t ask to be a part of.
***Evelyn's POV***The ceremony ground had soon turned into a ground of chaos and battles. What was supposed to be a night of joy and finally redemption for me had turned into a nightmare.I was fixed at my spot.I thought I had it all under control, I thought I could fight back but now I was fixated at the spot, my emotions weighing me down.Gabriel was relentless and swift, charging towards us with full speed. Worst of all? He hadn't come alone.Wolves in their beast form growled and snapped at each other, my mind had blacked out and the noises felt distant yet so real.Dalton was at the center of it all, protecting me from the battle on ground. He charged swiftly at Gabriel as they launched at each other, their bodies clashed with raw power, fist at claws tearing at each other.Without thinking I launched at the wolf that tried to stab me, as I changed into my wolf form.“Stand back!” Jericho's commanding voice cried out jerking out of my thoughts. He commanded the pack to keep th
***Evelyn's POV***I told myself I wasn't going to come down here. I told myself Gabriel wasn't worth my time, wasn’t worth the stress of coming down here but every time I thought about his smug grin, it made me feel yet so uneasy. So, here I was, my footsteps echoing off as I descended deeper down the cell steps where he was held captive.My heart beat faster with each step I took, yet, I was determined to challenge Gabriel for having the guts to ruin things once more for me. The torches that stood by the steps shone brightly. My fingers brushed against the cold stone, steadying myself as unease coiled in my stomach.Why was I doing this? To prove that he couldn’t get under my skin? Or because, deep down, I was still afraid of what he might be capable of?I steadied my body, straightening my shoulders. No. I wouldn’t show fear. Not to him.Two guards stood by the heavy iron door that led to Gabriel’s cell. Their faces were hard, their postures rigid. They bowed slightly as I approach
***Evelyn's POV***I needed a strategic plan. I needed to act as fast I could, though Dalton had ordered that I just stayed vigilant, I wanted to do more.I couldn’t just sit here.Dalton was doing everything he could to track down Gabriel’s allies, sending trackers in every direction, following every lead. But waiting felt like a slow poison, crawling through my veins, making me restless.Gabriel had confirmed Dalton's suspicions and the fact that we didn't know we were up against was even more scary.What if they were already here? What if the traitors were watching us, waiting to strike? And worse, what if it was someone closer to us, I didn't trust anyone, not even myself.My room felt heavily suffocating, closing in around me. I paced the floor, my wolf growling softly in the back of my mind, urging me to act.No, I couldn’t just sit back and wait. I had to do something.I thought hard that time seemed to fly with each thought, skipped lunch, I couldn't bring myself to take anyth
Dalton’s POVPain sat heavy in my body, but the rage burned deeper. I sat in my office, my back stiff against the chair, my hands gripping the armrests so tight my knuckles turned white. Every breath sent a sharp ache through my stomach, but I ignored it.I had bigger problems.I had sneaked, I couldn't stay bedridden while Gabriel lurked around getting ready to strike once more.He was gone. Someone had helped him escape. And last night, another attempt had been made to poison the pack’s food supply.Josh stood in front of my desk, arms crossed, his expression tight. Across from him, Evelyn stood near the fireplace, her arms wrapped around herself, her brows furrowed.She hadn’t left my side since I woke up.And I didn’t know if that made things better or worse."Tell me again," I said, my voice low, controlled.Josh exhaled. "We checked the cell again. No signs of forced entry. Someone with access had to have unlocked the door.""Do we have names?"Josh shook his head. "Not yet. But
Dalton’s POVThe walls felt like they were closing in. I had just let Gabriel go and that was going to cost me everything.The pack. Our safety. And Evelyn.No, I couldn't let him get away with everything, he had done so much whilst in the cell and now that he was out? Who knows what he could do next.His ally was still out here in our midst and that was the scariest thing ever. The room was warm, the candlelight flickering gently, the bed beneath me soft—but it all felt wrong.I wasn’t supposed to be here. Lying in a bed. Weak. Helpless.I should be out there. Hunting Gabriel. Tearing him apart for what he did.Instead, I was trapped. My body betrayed me, too weak to move without feeling like I’d been ripped open all over again.Evelyn was still sitting beside me, her fingers wrapped around mine, her grip firm.She hadn’t left my side.A part of me wanted to pull away again. To tell her to go, to stop looking at me with that mixture of worry and quiet strength.But another part of me
****Unknown POV****The shackles had been on me for too long. The cold bite of metal against my wrists, the damp scent of the dungeon, the flickering torches that barely lit the stone walls—I had memorized it all.This place was meant to break me.They thought I was defeated.They thought a few chains and a locked door could hold me.Fools.I was done giving them chances to let me free.My patience was already worn out.Tonight I was breaking out no matter what.I sat motionless, waiting in the shadows of my cell.Silent.Patient.The guard outside was careless. His steps followed a steady rhythm—one, two, three—turn.One, two, three—turn.I had watched him for days now and had memorized his actions.They were in fact too predictable.His steps were consistent.I counted them.I waited.Then, the second he turned his back to me, I moved.The chain around my right wrist was already loose. I had spent days weakening it, shifting the bolt, little by little, until all it needed was one ha
*Evelyn's POV***Dalton carried me out from the forest and into our home, straight to his room.Not mine.His.The packhouse halls were quiet at this hour, but if anyone saw him storming through with me in his arms, they didn’t say a word. Maybe it was the tension in his shoulders, the dark storm in his eyes, or the way his grip on me was possessive yet careful at the same time.I wasn’t sure why I let him.Maybe because I was exhausted. Maybe because I knew he wasn’t going to leave me alone tonight. Or maybe—just maybe—because I wanted to be here.Dalton kicked open the door to his room and placed me down gently on his bed."Stay," he ordered, his voice low and rough.I raised a brow. "Not like I can go anywhere."His glare was sharp, but it softened as his eyes trailed down to my ankle. He crouched beside the bed, fingers brushing against my skin as he inspected the swelling."You could’ve broken something," he muttered, shaking his head. "That was reckless, Evelyn."I smirked. "Wou
***Evelyn's POV***Pain.It was the first thing I felt when I woke up. Sharp, throbbing, unrelenting. My body ached all over, my head was pounding, and my ankle throbbed with a dull, burning pain.I groaned, forcing my eyes open. Darkness.I wasn’t in my bed.I wasn’t even in the packhouse.My rib gave me a sharp pain as I tried to move and dirt crumbled beneath my fingers, it was then I realized—I had fallen into a pit.I remembered it all now.The chase. The assassin. The way he had jumped out through the window, me following him out and crashing—The fall.I was down in a shallow pit but too wounded to get myself out. What if he still lingered around.I mean the assassin.I needed to see who he was but not in this state, though.I had just one option, sit still here quietly till morning or go out and risk getting killed this time by him.Something told me the assassin was different from the traitor in the pack.He didn't come from within to attack but from outside, that means Gabri
***Evelyn's POV***I was tired of countless tolls of death. Tired of watching wolves collapse from poisoned food. Tired of burying packmates who didn’t deserve to die. Tired of the fear in their eyes every time another body was found. Tired of everyone living in fear, unsure if who was the traitor and suspecting each other.Josh had just killed a pack member who moved suspiciously, according to him. I had noticed the movement too and had followed Derek but josh was already ahead of me and before I could stop him.He killed him. I was tired of waiting. When does all this end? Dalton was trying the best he could. He was doing everything he could to find the traitor, to protect the pack, but it wasn’t enough. More wolves were dying every day, and we were no closer to stopping it.One trouble to the other, first it was the food poison. Then wolves killing themselves out of frustration. It was exhausting. There was only one person who had the answers.And he was sitting in a cell, laughing
***Josh's POV***The scent of fear and guilt clung to the air like rotting flesh. I had been watching Evelyn all day, her eyes kept going to Derek, an ordinary pack member.And I became suspicious too. He was acting quite strange. Unlike his usual self. The way he avoided eye contact, the way his hands trembled whenever someone mentioned the food poisoning. He was hiding something. I could feel it.And I knew Evelyn could feel it too. She was wise and emotionally strong. But I needed to catch him by myself first. And then, as the sun started to set, he tried to sneak off.That was all the proof I needed. I followed him, moving through the trees, my wolf restless beneath my skin. Derek kept glancing over his shoulder, like he knew someone was on his trail. Like he knew he was guilty.Coward.He reached the edge of the trees, and I moved faster, stepping in front of him before he could run.His eyes widened in panic."J-Josh—" I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the near
***Evelyn's POV***The scent of burning grain filled the air, thick and suffocating. The pack warriors had set fire to the food storage as ordered, but it didn’t feel like a victory. It felt like a loss.Smoke curled into the sky, dark against the morning light. Wolves stood around in stunned silence, watching their only food supply turn to ash. The flames crackled loudly, consuming everything.Dalton stood at the front, his expression unreadable, but I could feel the weight pressing down on him. He had just made a drastic decision—one that could either save the pack or doom it.I clenched my fists. The traitor had done this, knowing we’d have no choice but to destroy everything. They wanted to weaken us. And worst of all, they were still out there.Watching.Waiting.I turned to Dalton, my chest tight with anger. "Whoever did this won’t stop here. They’re trying to break you."Dalton’s jaw tightened, his hands clenched at his sides. "Then I’ll find them before they get the chance."H
***Dalton's POV***A loud scream shattered the early morning silence. I bolted as I sat up so fast my head spun. My wolf bristled inside me, sensing danger. More cries followed, echoing through the packhouse. The sound of running footsteps, frantic voices, and something else—something that made my stomach clench in fear.Suffering.Beside me, suddenly Evelyn stirred from my movement on the bed, her brows furrowing as she sat up. "Dalton… what’s happening?"I didn’t answer. I was already pushing off the bed, grabbing a shirt, and yanking it over my head.My instincts screamed at me to move. Evelyn was right behind me as I rushed toward the door, her bare feet barely making a sound against the wooden floor.The moment I stepped outside, my breath caught in my throat. The courtyard was chaos. Wolves ran back and forth, some carrying others, some shouting for help. The scent of blood, sickness, and fear thickened the air. My stomach twisted as I watched a warrior collapse onto the groun