Alison’s POVThe cold night air clung to my skin, a chilling reminder that I was venturing into dangerous waters. The packs streets were dimly lit, the occasional flicker of streetlights casting long shadows against the cracked asphalt. I stood at the edge of the curb, clutching my small bag tightly, my fingers trembling slightly as I flagged down a cab.A yellow vehicle screeched to a halt in front of me, its driver leaning over to open the passenger door. “Where to?” he asked, his tone casual, unaware of the storm brewing inside me.“Forest Creek,” I replied, sliding into the seat and glancing nervously out the window. The driver nodded, and the car lurched forward.As we navigated the winding roads, my heart hammered in my chest. I replayed the decision over and over in my mind, leaving the pack, leaving Xander. It wasn’t about running away; it was about finding answers. Kendrick had promised me the truth about my heritage, something Xander could never give me. But was this worth t
Xander's POVThe night was unnaturally quiet. No crickets chirping. No rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. It was as though the world was holding its breath, waiting for the first crack in the silence to shatter the stillness. My chest felt tight, an invisible weight pressing down with relentless force. I couldn’t explain it.. this gnawing unease clawing at the edges of my sanity.Then, it hit me. A searing pain ripped through my chest, and I staggered against the nearest wall, gasping for air. Cain, my wolf, howled in agony within me. "Mate…" he rasped, his voice heavy with desperation. The bond between Alison and me wasn’t just flickering... it was fading, dimming into an ominous void.“Xander?” Caitlyn’s voice snapped me out of my haze. She was draped across the couch in my office, looking concerned, her fingers twirling a strand of her perfectly styled hair. “You’ve been pacing for an hour. What’s gotten into you?”I ignored her, my jaw tightening. Every fiber of my being screa
Xander’s POVThe stillness in the room was suffocating, heavy with the weight of despair. Alison’s pale figure lay motionless on the bed, her breaths shallow and uneven, each rise and fall of her chest a fragile tether holding her to this world. Her once radiant glow was replaced by a ghostly pallor, her warmth stolen by the venom coursing through her veins. I sat beside her, gripping her icy hand, feeling the emptiness in her touch as if the life we once shared was slipping away.I closed my eyes, bowing my head, my voice barely a whisper."Moon Goddess," I began, my words trembling with desperation. "If you're listening, hear me now. Don’t take her from me. Don’t punish her for my failures. I know I let her down, I allowed this to befall us, but please... spare her. She’s too innocent, a light in my darkness. Take my strength, take my life if you must, but leave her to shine a little longer in this world."Cain, my wolf, howled within me, his grief a sharp blade in my chest. He want
Xander’s POVThe air felt heavier than usual as dawn broke through the castle windows. Each ray of light seemed to mock my mood, indifferent to the storm raging inside me. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the thick leather belts and silver clasps of the Official Nightfang Alpha’s war attire. Every piece fit snugly, a second skin that promised dominance, but beneath it, I felt hollow.The face staring back at me was taut with fury and guilt. Alison. The one person I’d vowed to protect now lay in the infirmary, death circling her like a vulture. And I had failed her.A knock broke through my thoughts. Luke entered cautiously, bowing slightly before speaking. “The car’s ready, Alpha. The team awaits your command.”I nodded without looking at him. “Pick only 4 warriors to accompany us, Dismissed,” I said curtly. I needed a moment, one last goodbye before I plunged into chaos.My boots were heavy against the stone floor as I entered Alison’s room. The stillness here was s
Xander’s POVThe room was suffused with an eerie quiet, broken only by the shallow, uneven rhythm of Alison’s breathing. It was maddening, watching her cling to life, her chest barely rising, her skin icy beneath my trembling fingers. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her fragile form. Her golden hair, once vibrant, now fanned lifelessly across the pillow, her complexion drained of its natural glow. A hollow ache twisted in my chest. She wasn’t gone, not yet but she was slipping through my fingers, and I was powerless to stop it.Cain, my wolf, prowled beneath my skin, restless and wild. He growled, a low, guttural sound that echoed in my mind, urging me to lash out, to tear apart anyone who dared to cross us. I gritted my teeth, gripping the bedpost to ground myself. But even that was fleeting. Cain wasn’t just restless, he was furious, teetering on the edge of control. And I was starting to let him.A knock at the door shattered the fragile silence. Luke stepped in, his face
Xander’s POVThe study was suffocating, the air thick with frustration and desperation. For the first time in days, I sat at my desk, surrounded by towering piles of books, old scrolls, and scattered notes. The faint scent of aged parchment mixed with the bitter tang of desperation. My fingers tapped restlessly on the desk, a metronome to the chaos within me.I flipped through another ancient tome, its brittle pages threatening to crumble under my rough touch. Nothing. Page after page of useless lore and vague remedies, none of which offered even the slightest glimmer of hope. My jaw tightened, the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.Alison’s face flashed in my mind... pale, cold, and still as death itself. Yet, her wolf clung to life, faint but present, like a single ember in a pile of ash. The physician had called it a miracle, but I called it torment. She was here but slipping further away every moment.A knock at the door broke my concentration. I slammed the book shut, the
Xander’s POVThe night was too quiet, the kind of quiet that hums with anticipation, where even the wind seemed to hold its breath. I stood on the hill overlooking the Silver Moon Pack's borders, the faint glow of their territory bleeding into the darkness. Every muscle in my body was taut, my wolf clawing at the edges of my control, thirsting for retribution. Tonight, there would be no treaties, no negotiations.Tonight, blood would be spilled.The evidence was undeniable, and my patience had run dry. Alison's frail body haunted my every waking moment, her life hanging by a thread because of Kendrick's cowardice. My hands clenched at my sides as I turned to the warriors flanking me. My most loyal pack members, their faces grim and determined, waited for my command.“Alpha,” Luke whispered beside me, his voice low and cautious. “Are you sure about this? The council... ”“To hell with the council,” I snapped, my voice a growl that made his wolf shrink. “They can keep their treaties and
Xander’s POVFew months ago, my life felt untouchable, a tapestry woven with strength, power, and what seemed like an unshakeable bond with Alison. Now, it felt like that tapestry was unraveling, each thread pulling apart, leaving me with nothing but raw, exposed nerves.I sat in my office, the weight of the pack’s future now crushing down on me. Two summons from the Alpha Council lay on the desk before me, their bold, blood-red seals mocking my every decision. Ignoring them had been a calculated risk, but now, it was one I could no longer afford. The council demanded my presence, and every instinct I had told me it was a trap... They had heard what Kendrick did to my mate, but yet they had disregarded that just to honor some Treaty even my father before me wasn't in support of.A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. “Come in,” I said, my voice hoarse from days of barking orders and sleepless nights.Darius, the physician, stepped in, his face an unreadable mask of professionalism, th
Xander's POV The tension in the council chamber was palpable, a suffocating mix of suspicion and unease that clung to the air like smoke. My mind replayed the events of the hearing again and again, searching for any angle, any detail that could have predicted the interruption.And yet, there he was.. Alpha Gaius.He stood beside me now, a towering figure draped in the kind of authority that demanded attention without effort. He was a living legend, feared and respected in equal measure, yet an enigma. His return to the council was as unexpected as it was unsettling. Gaius had disappeared from these gatherings years ago, refusing to acknowledge the peace treaty. Rumors swirled, speculating that his discontent stemmed from personal loss, but no one had dared to question him directly.Until now.“I found her,” Gaius said, his voice low but steady.The words hung in the air, heavy with implication.I turned to face him fully, frowning. “Found who?”“My daughter, silly” he replied simply,
Xander's POV The library was airy quiet, except for the faint scratching of my pen against paper. Even the air seemed heavy, pressing against my chest like an unseen weight. I had been here for hours, trying to steady my thoughts, rehearsing the defenses I might offer to the Alpha Council. A single misstep today could spell disaster.. not just for me but for my entire pack.The scent of leather-bound books and aged parchment mixed with my own unease. My wolf stirred, restless and irritable. The beast had been on edge ever since I received the third and final summon. Ignoring this one wasn’t an option.Suddenly, the faint creak of the library door interrupted my thoughts. I didn’t look up. I didn’t have to. His scent... clean, sharp, tinged with pine was unmistakable. Luke.“They’re ready,” his voice broke the silence, steady as ever, but carrying a subtle undertone of concern.I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I capped my pen and leaned back in the chair, exhaling slowly. My finge
Xander’s POVFew months ago, my life felt untouchable, a tapestry woven with strength, power, and what seemed like an unshakeable bond with Alison. Now, it felt like that tapestry was unraveling, each thread pulling apart, leaving me with nothing but raw, exposed nerves.I sat in my office, the weight of the pack’s future now crushing down on me. Two summons from the Alpha Council lay on the desk before me, their bold, blood-red seals mocking my every decision. Ignoring them had been a calculated risk, but now, it was one I could no longer afford. The council demanded my presence, and every instinct I had told me it was a trap... They had heard what Kendrick did to my mate, but yet they had disregarded that just to honor some Treaty even my father before me wasn't in support of.A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. “Come in,” I said, my voice hoarse from days of barking orders and sleepless nights.Darius, the physician, stepped in, his face an unreadable mask of professionalism, th
Xander’s POVThe night was too quiet, the kind of quiet that hums with anticipation, where even the wind seemed to hold its breath. I stood on the hill overlooking the Silver Moon Pack's borders, the faint glow of their territory bleeding into the darkness. Every muscle in my body was taut, my wolf clawing at the edges of my control, thirsting for retribution. Tonight, there would be no treaties, no negotiations.Tonight, blood would be spilled.The evidence was undeniable, and my patience had run dry. Alison's frail body haunted my every waking moment, her life hanging by a thread because of Kendrick's cowardice. My hands clenched at my sides as I turned to the warriors flanking me. My most loyal pack members, their faces grim and determined, waited for my command.“Alpha,” Luke whispered beside me, his voice low and cautious. “Are you sure about this? The council... ”“To hell with the council,” I snapped, my voice a growl that made his wolf shrink. “They can keep their treaties and
Xander’s POVThe study was suffocating, the air thick with frustration and desperation. For the first time in days, I sat at my desk, surrounded by towering piles of books, old scrolls, and scattered notes. The faint scent of aged parchment mixed with the bitter tang of desperation. My fingers tapped restlessly on the desk, a metronome to the chaos within me.I flipped through another ancient tome, its brittle pages threatening to crumble under my rough touch. Nothing. Page after page of useless lore and vague remedies, none of which offered even the slightest glimmer of hope. My jaw tightened, the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.Alison’s face flashed in my mind... pale, cold, and still as death itself. Yet, her wolf clung to life, faint but present, like a single ember in a pile of ash. The physician had called it a miracle, but I called it torment. She was here but slipping further away every moment.A knock at the door broke my concentration. I slammed the book shut, the
Xander’s POVThe room was suffused with an eerie quiet, broken only by the shallow, uneven rhythm of Alison’s breathing. It was maddening, watching her cling to life, her chest barely rising, her skin icy beneath my trembling fingers. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her fragile form. Her golden hair, once vibrant, now fanned lifelessly across the pillow, her complexion drained of its natural glow. A hollow ache twisted in my chest. She wasn’t gone, not yet but she was slipping through my fingers, and I was powerless to stop it.Cain, my wolf, prowled beneath my skin, restless and wild. He growled, a low, guttural sound that echoed in my mind, urging me to lash out, to tear apart anyone who dared to cross us. I gritted my teeth, gripping the bedpost to ground myself. But even that was fleeting. Cain wasn’t just restless, he was furious, teetering on the edge of control. And I was starting to let him.A knock at the door shattered the fragile silence. Luke stepped in, his face
Xander’s POVThe air felt heavier than usual as dawn broke through the castle windows. Each ray of light seemed to mock my mood, indifferent to the storm raging inside me. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the thick leather belts and silver clasps of the Official Nightfang Alpha’s war attire. Every piece fit snugly, a second skin that promised dominance, but beneath it, I felt hollow.The face staring back at me was taut with fury and guilt. Alison. The one person I’d vowed to protect now lay in the infirmary, death circling her like a vulture. And I had failed her.A knock broke through my thoughts. Luke entered cautiously, bowing slightly before speaking. “The car’s ready, Alpha. The team awaits your command.”I nodded without looking at him. “Pick only 4 warriors to accompany us, Dismissed,” I said curtly. I needed a moment, one last goodbye before I plunged into chaos.My boots were heavy against the stone floor as I entered Alison’s room. The stillness here was s
Xander’s POVThe stillness in the room was suffocating, heavy with the weight of despair. Alison’s pale figure lay motionless on the bed, her breaths shallow and uneven, each rise and fall of her chest a fragile tether holding her to this world. Her once radiant glow was replaced by a ghostly pallor, her warmth stolen by the venom coursing through her veins. I sat beside her, gripping her icy hand, feeling the emptiness in her touch as if the life we once shared was slipping away.I closed my eyes, bowing my head, my voice barely a whisper."Moon Goddess," I began, my words trembling with desperation. "If you're listening, hear me now. Don’t take her from me. Don’t punish her for my failures. I know I let her down, I allowed this to befall us, but please... spare her. She’s too innocent, a light in my darkness. Take my strength, take my life if you must, but leave her to shine a little longer in this world."Cain, my wolf, howled within me, his grief a sharp blade in my chest. He want
Xander's POVThe night was unnaturally quiet. No crickets chirping. No rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. It was as though the world was holding its breath, waiting for the first crack in the silence to shatter the stillness. My chest felt tight, an invisible weight pressing down with relentless force. I couldn’t explain it.. this gnawing unease clawing at the edges of my sanity.Then, it hit me. A searing pain ripped through my chest, and I staggered against the nearest wall, gasping for air. Cain, my wolf, howled in agony within me. "Mate…" he rasped, his voice heavy with desperation. The bond between Alison and me wasn’t just flickering... it was fading, dimming into an ominous void.“Xander?” Caitlyn’s voice snapped me out of my haze. She was draped across the couch in my office, looking concerned, her fingers twirling a strand of her perfectly styled hair. “You’ve been pacing for an hour. What’s gotten into you?”I ignored her, my jaw tightening. Every fiber of my being screa