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
Emily's POV I woke slowly, my body feeling heavy as if I had been submerged in water. The first thing I noticed was the warmth a comforting sensation that wrapped around me like a blanket. My eyelids fluttered open, and I found myself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Where was I? As my mind began to clear, memories came flooding back, the rogues, the fear, the struggle. Panic rose in my chest, but it was quickly soothed by the presence I felt beside me. I turned my head slightly and saw Alpha Rollins sitting close, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “Emily,” he said softly, his deep voice grounding me. I blinked, trying to make sense of everything. “Alpha Rollins… What happened?” My voice was hoarse, thick with confusion and the remnants of fear. He leaned in slightly, his expression a mix of concern and something I couldn’t quite place. “You were taken by the rogues,” he explained gently. “I found you and brought you back. You’re safe now.
“I want to help,” I said, surprising even myself with the firmness in my voice. “I will like to start training with the others.” Rollins’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and for a moment, he just looked at me, like he was trying to figure out if I was serious. “Emily, you’ve been through a lot. You need to recover.” “I am recovered,” I insisted, my determination flaring up. “And I need to do this. I need to be strong, for myself and for the pack.” He studied me, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if weighing my words. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded. “Very well. But know this—training won’t be easy. Liam won’t go easy on you.” “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I replied, matching his gaze with all the strength I could muster. “Tomorrow at dawn, then,” Rollins said, his voice softer now, but still filled with that same intensity. I nodded, my resolve solidifying. I wasn’t going to back down. Not this time. As I walked away, I felt a strange mix of fear and excitem
Emily's POV My muscles ached from the training, I was lost in thought when I heard footsteps behind me. Turning, I saw Rollins approaching. My breath caught in my throat, and I quickly tried to compose myself. “Emily,” he called, his voice soft yet firm. “Alpha,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Is there something you need?” Rollins stopped just a few feet away from me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just stared at me, and I found myself unable to look away. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” he finally said, his voice low, almost hesitant. I frowned slightly, wondering what he wanted to discuss. “Is it about the training? I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m willing to work hard—” “No, it’s not about that,” Rollins interrupted, shaking his head. “You did well today. I’m proud of you for stepping up.” My cheeks flushed at the unexpected praise, and I looked down at my feet, suddenly feeling shy. “Thank you.” He took a step c
The pack had just finished training, and I was worn out, but there was no mistaking the challenge in her voice. The way she stood there, with her arms crossed and a smug look on her face, told me this wasn’t just about a simple sparring match. She wanted something more—she wanted to humiliate me in front of the entire pack. I took a deep breath and turned to face her. “Alright,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Let’s do it.” A murmur spread through the pack as everyone began to gather around us. I could feel their eyes on me, some curious, others skeptical. After everything that had happened, after the whole pack discovered I was wolfless—or so they thought—this was the last thing I needed. But I couldn’t back down now, not when Cassandra was practically daring me to fight her. Cassandra stepped into the sparring circle, moving with a grace that spoke of years of training. She smiled at me, but it was more of a smirk, like she knew something I didn’t. “Don’t worry,” she sai
Later that evening, I found myself pacing around my small apartment, my mind racing with everything that had happened. My conversation with Mia earlier hadn’t exactly calmed me down. She had been supportive as always, but there was something in her eyes, a mix of worry and curiosity that made me even more restless. I knew she had questions about what happened with Cassandra, but I didn't have any answers. At least not any that made sense.I decided I needed some fresh air. Maybe the woods would help clear my head. I grabbed my side bag, packed with an extra set of clothes, just in case. I’d been trying to master my shift lately, and it wouldn’t hurt to give it another go. The sun was setting, casting long shadows through the trees as I made my way deeper into the woods. The familiar scent of pine and earth surrounded me, usually soothing, but tonight it only added to my agitation. I found a small clearing and dropped my bag on the ground. “Come on, Emily,” I muttered to myself, tryi