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
Rollin's POV After everything that had happened between us in the woods, I carefully picked Emily up in my arms, cradling her close as I carried her back to her place. Her breathing was steady, her body relaxed and warm against mine, completely at peace after our mating. I felt a deep, instinctual satisfaction knowing that she was mine, and I would do anything to protect her. The night was quiet as I walked through the trees, the only sound being the rustle of leaves beneath my feet and the soft sighs Emily made as she slept. I was mindful of her every movement, ensuring that she was as comfortable as possible. It felt right, carrying her like this—like she belonged in my arms. When we finally reached her quarters, I gently pushed the door open and stepped inside, moving quietly so as not to disturb her sleep. I laid her down on the bed, carefully pulling the blanket over her. She stirred slightly, her fingers twitching as if reaching for me even in her sleep. The sight brought a t
Rollins' POVThe next morning, I woke up early, my mind already weighed down by the meeting I knew I had to face. I left my quarters and headed straight to the council room where the elders were waiting for me. As I entered, their stern expressions did nothing to ease the knot of tension in my chest."Alpha Rollins," Elder Gray spoke first, his voice as unyielding as the stone walls that surrounded us. "We’ve discussed the matter concerning Emily."I remained standing, my hands clasped behind my back. "And?"Elder Gray exchanged glances with the others before continuing. "Despite the circumstances, the rules are clear. The Luna was harmed, and the punishment must be administered."My jaw tightened. "You know as well as I do that Cassandra provoked her. Emily was defending herself."Elder Maren, the oldest among them, shook her head slowly. "It doesn’t matter, Rollins. The law is the law. If we make exceptions, it undermines the authority of the pack."I leaned forward slightly, my voi
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