(Emily's POV) I stopped, waiting as he closed the distance between us. My heart pounded in my chest, not from fear, but from the intense curiosity and confusion that his presence always seemed to stir within me. “Alpha Rollins,” I greeted him, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. “Is something wrong?” He stopped a few feet away, his eyes fixed on mine. There was an intensity in his gaze that made it hard to look away, as if he was searching for something—answers, maybe, or understanding. “No,” he replied after a moment, though his tone was heavy, laden with unspoken thoughts. “Nothing is wrong, exactly. I just… I needed a break from the crowd.” I nodded, understanding all too well. “It’s a big night. A lot of pressure.” He let out a humorless chuckle. “That’s one way to put it.” For a moment, we just stood there in silence, the tension between us thickening with every passing second. I wasn’t sure what to say, or if I should say anything at all. T
I opened my eyes, hoping to see some sign that the shift was starting, but all I felt was the same crushing disappointment that had plagued me every time before. Around me, the sound of bones cracking filled the air as the others began their transformation. I watched as their bodies twisted and changed, fur sprouting, limbs elongating as they shifted into their wolf forms. But I remained the same. Human. Helpless. A murmur spread through the crowd as the other wolves noticed me standing there, untransformed. Whispers filled the air, growing louder and more accusatory. I could feel the weight of their stares, the judgment, the disbelief. My heart sank as the reality of the situation settled over me like a heavy fog. “What’s the matter, Emily?” a voice called out from the center of the gathering. Cassandra. She stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with something cruel. “Having trouble? Or maybe…” She paused, her lips curling into a mocking sm
Mia’s expression softened, and she guided me over to the couch, sitting down beside me. “You don’t have to figure everything out right now,” she said gently. “Just take it one day at a time. And remember, I’m here for you. No matter what happens, you’re not alone.”Her words offered a small flicker of comfort, but the despair still lingered, a heavy weight that refused to lift. I leaned back against the couch, closing my eyes as I tried to steady my breathing. “Thank you, Mia,” I whispered, grateful for her support even if I couldn’t fully accept it right now.She stayed with me for a while, talking softly about anything and everything to distract me from my thoughts. It helped, at least a little, to have someone there who cared. But as the night wore on and Mia eventually left, promising to check on me the next day, I was once again left alone with my thoughts. The days that followed were a blur of whispered conversations and stolen glances. The humiliat
The realization hit me like a lightning bolt, and for a moment, I just stood there, dazed and awestruck by what had just happened. The wolf inside me, my wolf stirred, and I felt a deep connection, a bond that I had never known was possible. It was like finding a part of myself that I had been searching for all my life. I took a tentative step forward, then another, getting used to the feel of my new form. The world seemed different, more vibrant and alive. I could hear every rustle of leaves, every distant call of an owl. I could smell the damp earth, the crisp night air, and something else, something that was uniquely mine. I began to run, my movements fluid and natural as if I had been doing this my whole life. The exhilaration was overwhelming, a sense of freedom and power that I had never imagined. The wind rushed past me, carrying away all the fear and doubt that had plagued me for so long. For the first time in my life, I felt whol
After breakfast, I found myself standing outside the Alpha's quarters, my heart pounding in my chest. The events of the morning had left me on edge, and now, as I waited for Rollins, the tension coiled tighter inside me. I couldn't stop replaying his words in my mind, wondering what he could possibly want to discuss. The door opened, and Rollins stepped out, his expression unreadable. He motioned for me to follow him without a word, and I trailed behind as he led me through the hallways of the pack house. The silence between us was thick, heavy with unsaid questions. Finally, we reached a small, private room, and he gestured for me to enter. The room was well furnished, with a large wooden desk, a few chairs, and a single window that let in the soft morning light. Rollins closed the door behind us, and the sound of it clicking shut echoed in the quiet space. He stood across from me, his gaze piercing as he studied me, and I couldn't help but feel exposed under his scrutiny. After
Emily's POVThe rogue’s grip tightened painfully on my arm, and his sneer grew wider as he leaned closer. “What’s the hurry, little wolf? There’s no need to be shy.” His voice was a mixture of mockery and menace. He brought his hand up, tracing a finger down my cheek, and I recoiled, but he only tightened his hold. I tried to pull away, but he was stronger than me. His fingers trailed lower, across my neck, and then down to my chest. Panic and disgust churned inside me as his touch became bolder, lingering over my breast. “You’re a pretty one, aren’t you? I bet you’d be fun to break in,” he murmured, his breath hot and vile against my ear. My skin crawled, and anger surged through me, mixing with the fear. I struggled against his grip, trying to push him away, but he only laughed, amused by my attempts. “Feisty. I like that,” he said, his voice thick with twisted excitement. I could barely think, my mind clouded with fear and rage. The rogue’s hand moved lower, and I lashed out, k
Author's POVIn Ironclaw's stronghold, Rollins paced back and forth in his office, his brow furrowed in deep thought. The tension in the air was palpable, a reflection of the growing threat that lwas discovered over the pack. Liam stood by the large wooden table, maps and strategic plans spread out before him. Both men were aware of the danger posed by the increasing number of rogue attacks that had been a treat to their territory."We can’t keep ignoring this problem, Liam," Rollins said, his voice laced with frustration. "The rogues are getting bolder. They’re testing our borders, striking at our weakest points. It’s only a matter of time before they do something more... organized."Liam nodded, his expression grim. "I agree. We need to fortify the defenses along the eastern and northern borders. The patrols need to be doubled, and we should consider bringing in reinforcements from allied packs."Rollins stopped pacing and leaned over the table, his eyes scanning the maps. "We also
Author's POVLiam was right behind him, his eyes wide with concern as he too shifted back into his human form. “Alpha,” he said, his voice tense. “We need to get her back to the pack. She needs help.”Rollins knelt beside Emily, his hands trembling as he reached out to check her pulse. Relief flooded through him when he felt a faint but steady heartbeat beneath his fingers. But she was unconscious, her breathing shallow and her face pale.“Get the healer ready,” Rollins ordered, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion. “Now.”Liam nodded and immediately sprinted back to the packhouse, his mind already planning out the quickest way to get the healer to Emily. Rollins carefully lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his chest as he began the trek back up the hill.As he carried her, Rollins’s mind raced. The sight of Emily, so small and vulnerable in his arms, stirred something deep within him. He had been ready to destroy anyone who dared to harm her, and he had done jus
Marcus’s words lingered long after he walked away. “There are things you don’t understand yet.” What could he possibly know about my powers or my heritage that I didn’t? It gnawed at me as I paced back and forth in the clearing, the cool evening air doing little to calm the storm inside. Rollins had left to handle pack business, leaving me alone with my thoughts—a dangerous thing, given the weight of what had just transpired. I couldn’t get Marcus out of my head. His offer to train me, the intensity in his eyes, and his cryptic words—it all pointed to something more. Something he was holding back. And I hated that. I hated the feeling of not being in control, of not knowing the full picture. I needed answers. Now. The night air was cool as I stepped into Shadowcrest territory, my heart pounding in my chest. The memories of rejection and humiliation haunted every step I took. Bu
Emily’s POV: My breath hitched as Liam’s words sank in. The weight of them felt like a boulder crashing onto my chest. “Everett…” I whispered, my voice trembling. “No…” I had never met him, but Mia had told me enough. Everett had been loyal to Cassandra, a part of her schemes. He wasn’t innocent, but still… I killed him. I stared down at my hands again, my fingers trembling. How could something that came from me, something that I couldn’t control, take someone’s life? I felt Rollins step closer, his warmth trying to soothe me, but it wasn’t enough to chase away the dread growing inside me. "Emily," Liam's voice was soft, but there was something uneasy in his tone. "He wasn't one of us. Everett's betrayal... he deserved what came to him. But still, this power you have..." I swallowed hard, blinking away the tears forming in my eyes. “I didn’t mean to. I didn’t want to kill anyone.” Rollins took my hand, his grip firm but gentle. “You didn’t know, Emily. You were trying to
Marcus's POV The moment Emily’s power surged through me, I expected agony. But instead, the pain that had once gripped my body began to fade. My wounds, which had seemed so severe, were closing, the skin knitting itself back together as though the injury had never existed. I could feel it her power, coursing through me, not as an attack but as something else entirely. Healing. As Leon and the others helped me back to our territory, I was already standing on my own, walking steadily beside them. They exchanged glances, clearly puzzled by my sudden recovery, but no one dared say a word. When we arrived back at the pack, the others stared in silence, their eyes wide with both relief and uncertainty. I could feel their confusion their Alpha had returned, seemingly unscathed, but something had shifted. It wasn’t just the wound that had healed; there was a palpable tension in the air, a sense that everything had changed the moment Emily had intervened. Leon was the first to break the si
“Emily, please!” Rollins’ voice cut through the haze, and I turned to look at him, my vision still glowing with that blinding white light. His eyes were filled with fear not of me, but for me. “You’re stronger than this. You can control it.” His words pierced through the madness, and for a brief moment, I hesitated. The light flickered, and I felt the power waver within me. But it wasn’t enough. The rage was still there, threatening to consume everything in its path. “Emily, I need you,” Rollins whispered, his voice breaking. “I can’t lose you.” Something in his words reached me, cutting through the storm of emotions that had taken over. Slowly, painfully, I began to pull the power back, forcing it to retreat into the depths of my soul. The light dimmed, the dome shrinking until it finally vanished, leaving nothing but silence. I collapsed into Rollins’ arms, my body shaking with the effort of containing the power. He held me close, his grip tight as if he was afraid I might
As I stood there, catching my breath, the reality of what had just happened hit me. The pack was under attack, and Cassandra had betrayed us. I needed to find Rollins and warn him about Cassandra. I shifted back into my human form, not caring about the blood or the scratches that marred my skin. Right now, the only thing that mattered was getting to Rollins and stopping this attack before it destroyed everything we had fought to protect.I sprinted back towards the pack house, my heart pounding in my chest. The sounds of fighting were already filling the air—growls, howls, and the clash of wolves. The other forces were attacking, and they had the advantage of surprise.As I reached the main clearing, I saw pack members rushing to defend our territory. Panic and fear were etched on their faces, but they fought valiantly. I needed to find Rollins, he had to know about Cassandra’s betrayal, and we had to stop this before it was too late.I spotted him near the center of the chaos, issu
Emily's POVAfter what felt like hours, I finally heard the sound of the door creaking open. Rollins stepped into our room. Relief flooded me at the sight of him, but it was quickly followed by a pang of anxiety. Whatever he had discovered at the archives, it wasn’t good. “Rollins,” I said softly, standing from where I had been sitting by the window. “What did you find?” He looked at me for a long moment before finally speaking. “Emily, there’s something you need to know about your powers, about who you are.” My heart raced as I took a step closer to him, searching his face for answers. “What do you mean?” He hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. “You’re not just a white wolf, Emily Ravens. You’re part of a rare Royal lineage, one that was believed to be extinct. Your powers… they’re tied to something ancient, something that could either protect us or…” He trailed off, his voice thick with concern. “Or what?” I pressed, fear gripping my heart. “Or destroy everything,” h
Rollins's POV The journey to the archives was longer than I anticipated, the path winding through dense forests and rugged terrain. The further we went, the more I realized just how isolated and remote this part of Alpha Marcus’s territory was. It was as if the archives were deliberately hidden away, far from prying eyes. As we traveled, I couldn’t help but feel a gnawing sense of unease. This wasn’t just about uncovering Emily’s past anymore. It was about understanding the secrets that had been kept from her and possibly, the secrets Marcus was still keeping. His silence about their history only added to my suspicions. What else wasn’t he telling us? The landscape gradually shifted, the trees growing thicker, their branches forming a canopy that blocked out most of the sunlight. The air grew cooler, and the only sounds were the rustling of leaves. *** We met an Elder. He was tall and lean, with sharp eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. His hair was streaked with
The following morning, I was at the training grounds with Liam, the training ground only for high ranked wolves, as Rollins had instructed. Liam was patient but relentless, pushing me to the limits of my abilities. Every punch, every kick, every maneuver was meant to bring me closer to controlling the strange power that now coursed through me. But as I trained, my mind kept drifting back to Marcus and the archives. What secrets were hidden there? And more importantly, could I trust him to help me uncover them? “Focus, Emily!” Liam’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. “Sorry,” I muttered, shaking off my distraction. Liam gave me a knowing look. “You’re distracted. Whatever’s on your mind, it won’t help you here. You need to concentrate.” I nodded, trying to push everything else aside. But just as I threw another punch, I felt it, the familiar tingling sensation in the back of my mind again, the one that signaled the awakening of my power. My wolf s
Marcus glanced at Rollins, then back at me. “There are ancient texts, hidden in the old pack archives at my place. The answers you need might be in there.” Relief washed over me at the mention of answers, but a nagging doubt gnawed at the back of my mind. Why was Marcus helping me? Why hadn't he mentioned our past? The memory of his rejection was still fresh, and yet here he was, offering his assistance without a hint of acknowledgment. I glanced at Rollins, whose expression was a mask of determination. He trusted Marcus, or at least he was willing to, for my sake. But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than what Marcus was letting on. “Why are you helping me?” I blurted out, unable to keep the question from escaping. Marcus’s eyes flickered with something I couldn’t quite place guilt, perhaps, or something deeper. “Because it’s the right thing to do,” he said, his voice steady, but it felt rehearsed, like he had already prepared this answer. I didn’t believ