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
Rollins' POV I paused... I looked at Cassandra, who was seated with a smug expression, clearly expecting a judgment that would favor her. But I had a different plan in mind. “Cassandra,” I called out, my voice commanding attention. “Step forward.” Cassandra’s eyes flickered with surprise, but she quickly masked it as she stood and approached me. There was an air of anticipation among the pack, everyone waiting to see what I would do next. As she stood before me, I reached out and took her arm. She stiffened slightly, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Rollins, what are you doing?” she asked, her voice laced with unease. Ignoring her question, I began to unravel the bandage wrapped around her forearm. The room fell into a hush, the only sound being the soft rustle of the fabric as I unwound it. Cassandra glanced at the elders, a flicker of panic in her eyes, but I continued, my movements deliberate. The elders exchanged glances, clearly confused and starting to grow conc
As the weight of my decision settled over the room, I turned to the gathered pack members and elders. “This gathering is dismissed,” I announced. “We’ll discuss the necessary changes in the days to come.” The tension in the air was palpable as everyone began to disperse, murmuring among themselves. Emily was among those leaving, her steps hesitant as she made her way toward the exit. Our eyes met briefly, a silent exchange of emotions passing between us, confusion, fear, but also an undeniable connection. I wanted to go to her, to explain everything, but I knew I had to finish this conversation with the elders first. As the room emptied, the elders remained, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. Elder Marc was the first to speak. “Alpha Rollins, you’ve made a bold decision. While we will support you, you must understand the implications. The pack will need time to adjust, and there will be questions about the future, about Emily, and about t
Emily's POV Everything felt like a blur. One moment, I was a nobody in the pack, rejected and alone, and now, I was the Luna. It was overwhelming, but as I stood in front of Rollins, the weight of it all seemed to disappear. His eyes were locked on mine, filled with an intensity that made my heart race. When he returned from his meeting with Liam, I could see the worry in his eyes, but when he looked at me, it softened. “Come with me,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. We walked in silence to the quarters, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts. Once inside, I couldn’t help but ask, “Is everything okay?” Rollins turned to me, his gaze intense and filled with emotion. “All that matters to me right now is you, Emily,” he said softly, his voice sending a shiver down my spine. Before I could respond, he closed the distance between us, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that was both tender and hungry. His hands moved to my back, finding the zipper of my gown and slowly pulling it d
I took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the tree, expecting to see the black wolf still there. But instead, a tall, muscular man stood in its place, his chest heaving as if he had just shifted. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized him. “Emily?” His voice was full of shock, his eyes wide as he took in my appearance. “You’re… you’re a white wolf? How are you here?” It was Alpha Marcus. The man who had rejected me as his Luna now stood before me, looking more surprised than I had ever seen him. I was speechless, my mind racing to process the situation. The last person I expected to encounter in these woods was him. Before I could find the words to respond, a familiar voice called out from behind me, authoritative and steady. “Alpha Marcus, I see you’ve met Emily, my Luna.” I turned to see Alpha Rollins approaching, his presence immediately commanding the attention of both Marcus and me. His tone was casual, but there was an underlying intensity as he looked betwee