The quarry lay in a natural depression, surrounded by pine forest and abandoned mining equipment. From our vantage point on the ridge, I could see the extent of Logan's modifications—new structures, camouflaged entrances, subtle signs of extensive underground construction."They've been busy," Eliza whispered, her enhanced vision picking out details in the growing darkness.Marcus crouched beside her, scanning the perimeter. He'd barely looked at me during the journey, maintaining a careful distance that spoke of either respect or fear. Possibly both."Guards at all access points," he reported. "But they're focused outward. Not expecting approach from above.""The main entrance leads to a vertical shaft," Silas said, consulting hand-drawn maps from the previous reconnaissance. "Elevators down to the primary chamber.""Too exposed," I noted. "Alternative routes?""Old mining tunnels." He pointed to a cluster of buildings near the quarry's edge. "They connect to the main chamber from mu
The council meeting that night was grim. Bella took notes as we described what we'd witnessed, her face growing paler with each detail."Forced conversion," she murmured. "He's found a way to override the rejection response.""At what cost?" I demanded. "That wolf was being torn apart from the inside.""The cost doesn't matter to Logan," Silas said. "Only the result.""We can't let this happen," Mason declared. "The eclipse ritual—if he perfects this process, makes it permanent...""He'll have an army of controllable hybrids," I finished. "Each one as strong as three normal wolves, immune to silver, loyal only to him.""So we stop him," Eliza said, steel in her voice despite her lingering grief. "We hit the quarry before the eclipse. Destroy his lab, free the captives.""It's not that simple," Silas cautioned. "The quarry is a fortress now. We'd lose half the pack trying to breach it.""Then we need another approach," I said. All eyes turned to me. "Logan wants me. My blood. I'm the k
I wiped my clammy hands on my jeans as I walked toward my father's office. I was all nerves. My father had given me five years, and the deadline was almost up. My heart felt like it was beating outside my chest.I reached the office and hesitated before knocking."Come in," he called.I took a deep breath and opened the door. I slipped inside and waited for more orders. My father's green eyes were on me, hard and unfriendly."Sit," he allowed.I did as he asked.My father's voice always raised the hairs on the back of my neck. Today was no different. "Tomorrow night is the winter solstice," he stated.I swallowed nervously. "I know, Beta." My father never allowed me to call him 'Dad.' Only my sister, Angela, had the right to call him that. I was the murderer and disgrace; she was his pride and joy."You do know what that means, do you not?" he asked."I know.""Today is your final year of grace—not that you deserved it—but Andrea would have wanted me to be merciful."My heart skipped
You will definitely shift," Bella assured me enthusiastically.I wanted to hope, but each failed year flashed in my memory like a bad dream. What if it didn’t happen? My stomach flipped at the thought of being sold to those creepy middle-aged men my father called friends.It was the day, and we were heading out to the woods. The Shifting Grounds were the highest land in the pack. It was where the Solstice full moon was the biggest and brightest, and where the Alpha would guide new shifters through their first shift. I just hoped I would be one of them this year.I got dressed as Bella went on. “You have the best odds this year.”“Why is that?” I asked.“You’re twenty-two this year. The Moon Goddess’s daughter was twenty-two when she shifted. They say she was a late shifter, but her wolf was the most powerful. Almost as powerful as the Moon Goddess herself.”Bella adjusted her glasses as she continued to fill me in on the werewolf mythology she loved to read. Bella, my geeky friend, wa
As werewolves, Jacob, Aaron, and Marcus were able to heal to an extent, despite their extensive injuries. I was basically dragged back to the shifting grounds.With the amount of blood on me and the boys, the moment we walked into the clearing, people began to gasp."What is the meaning of this?" Alpha Lucas demanded.I struggled against Silas' hold. It was humiliating. I could feel my father's eyes on me, the ghost of their obscene touches still on my skin."Alpha, she just went berserk and—"My ears were ringing, and I blurted out the truth like it was poison. "They tried to rape me!" I yelled.There was heavy silence."You are a fucking liar!" Gamma Ryan, Aaron's father, spat. "My son would never—""I am not lying, I swear. They... they held me down... in the dirt." It hurt to speak, but I knew that I had to. "They took Bella.""I'm here," Bella's voice came from behind me, and I snapped my head to where she now stood, unharmed. I took a breath of relief."Don't lie, Stella," my fa
I collapsed onto the cold stone floor of the cell, the weight of the chains cutting into my wrists, and the chill of the damp air biting at my skin. My whole body trembled, not just from the cold, but from the crushing reality that I had been both betrayed and rejected.The door to my cell creaked open, and there he stood—my father. His eyes, as cold as ever, met mine. "Why should I even be surprised?" he said, his words like shards of ice. "I am not here to listen to more of your lies, so don't bother spinning them. I am here to tell you the Alpha has declared your fate. At dawn, you will be executed for conspiracy against the pack’s high ranks and for the injuries you inflicted."My heart pounded in my chest. "Executed?" I whispered, my voice weak. "But I didn’t... I didn’t do anything wrong—" I broke out into a cold sweat. I was going to die for a crime that I did not commit."You’re nothing but trouble, Stella." His lip curled in disgust. "Everyone wants your blood. Even your so-c
Five Years Later..."Chin up, Ella. Tilt your head slightly—yes, perfect! Hold that!" The photographer’s voice cut through the air, sharp and fast, as the camera clicked rapidly. The blinding flashes filled the studio, but I was used to it now. My body moved effortlessly, flowing between poses as if on autopilot."Eyes to the left, focus on the light," another command came. I complied, adjusting my posture, my lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile."Beautiful! You’re killing it!" the stylist chimed in, rushing forward to adjust a stray lock of hair. I barely noticed the brush of her fingers as she fixed my curls, my mind laser-focused on the shoot."Ella, darling, give us fierce now," the photographer urged, his tone picking up speed. "Think power, think dominance."I narrowed my eyes, lifting my chin just a bit higher, a fierce, unbreakable expression crossing my face. I heard the camera shutter go off in rapid succession. It was a dance, a rhythm I had perfected over the l
I did not wait; I was making a run for it. They had found me. They would finish what they started all those years ago. I couldn’t go back after how far I had come. I turned the knob of the door, but it wouldn’t budge. The realization sunk in just as I felt Silas’ large frame looming over me. He caged me with his body. "You can't leave just yet, Stella." His hot breath fanned across my neck. I froze, my heart threatening to burst out of my chest. For what felt like a lifetime, we stood like that. I tore myself away from him, my body slamming into the wall as I scrambled to put distance between us. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst. "What the hell are you doing here, Silas?" My voice was sharp, trembling with barely controlled panic. How did he find me? How long had he been watching? He didn’t answer right away. His eyes, dark and unreadable, tracked my every movement, calculating. "You already know, Stella." His voice was infuriatingly calm, as if he had all the tim
The council meeting that night was grim. Bella took notes as we described what we'd witnessed, her face growing paler with each detail."Forced conversion," she murmured. "He's found a way to override the rejection response.""At what cost?" I demanded. "That wolf was being torn apart from the inside.""The cost doesn't matter to Logan," Silas said. "Only the result.""We can't let this happen," Mason declared. "The eclipse ritual—if he perfects this process, makes it permanent...""He'll have an army of controllable hybrids," I finished. "Each one as strong as three normal wolves, immune to silver, loyal only to him.""So we stop him," Eliza said, steel in her voice despite her lingering grief. "We hit the quarry before the eclipse. Destroy his lab, free the captives.""It's not that simple," Silas cautioned. "The quarry is a fortress now. We'd lose half the pack trying to breach it.""Then we need another approach," I said. All eyes turned to me. "Logan wants me. My blood. I'm the k
The quarry lay in a natural depression, surrounded by pine forest and abandoned mining equipment. From our vantage point on the ridge, I could see the extent of Logan's modifications—new structures, camouflaged entrances, subtle signs of extensive underground construction."They've been busy," Eliza whispered, her enhanced vision picking out details in the growing darkness.Marcus crouched beside her, scanning the perimeter. He'd barely looked at me during the journey, maintaining a careful distance that spoke of either respect or fear. Possibly both."Guards at all access points," he reported. "But they're focused outward. Not expecting approach from above.""The main entrance leads to a vertical shaft," Silas said, consulting hand-drawn maps from the previous reconnaissance. "Elevators down to the primary chamber.""Too exposed," I noted. "Alternative routes?""Old mining tunnels." He pointed to a cluster of buildings near the quarry's edge. "They connect to the main chamber from mu
My father's body lay on the funeral pyre, wrapped in ceremonial cloth. I watched from the back of the crowd as Zeta Clara performed the traditional rites, her voice carrying across the silent gathering. The morning was bitter cold, my breath forming clouds that dissipated like smoke.I felt nothing.Pack members cast sideways glances at me, expecting grief, tears, some display of daughterly sorrow. Instead, I stood rigid in my formal blacks, face blank, hands clasped behind my back to hide their steadiness."The Beta served with honor," Zeta Clara intoned. "His sacrifice in the battle against Silver Claw will be remembered..."The words washed over me, meaningless. Honor. Sacrifice. These weren't the words that came to mind when I thought of Beta Andres Harrison. Father. Abuser. The man who'd blamed me for my mother's death for twenty-two years.Silas stood at the front with the other pack leaders, head bowed in respect. Through our bond, I felt his concern—a steady pulse of worry dir
We resumed walking, both lost in thought. The implications were staggering—Logan using the Solstice for his hybrid transformation, while we potentially used it to restore our pack's abilities. Two opposing forces, drawing on the same celestial power.We reached pack territory as dawn broke, wolves emerging from their homes to witness our return. A ragged cheer went up at the sight of Silas, relief spreading visibly through the gathered crowd.Zeta Ruth rushed forward to assess his injuries, but he waved her off. "Check the others first," he insisted. "I'm healing."In the commotion of our return, I noticed Liam pushing through the crowd, his expression urgent."Stella," he called. "Come quickly. It's Bella."My stomach dropped. "What's happened?""She went into labor an hour ago. Something's wrong—Zeta Clara says the baby is coming too fast."I glanced at Silas, who nodded. "Go. I'll join you when I can."I followed Liam to the infirmary, fear quickening my steps. If Bella's labor was
"Blood calls to blood," he continued smoothly. "Bond calls to bond. Did you really think I wouldn't anticipate your approach? The tunnels were the obvious choice once we secured the perimeter."There was no point in continuing the charade. I pushed aside the ceiling panel and dropped into the room, landing in a crouch. My father followed a moment later."Right on schedule," Logan said, unfazed. "Allow me to introduce our investors. They've been most eager to meet you."The three visitors turned, and I realized with shock that they weren't human or wolf—their eyes had the same silver sheen as the hybrids, but their faces were fully human, their movements natural."Successful integrations," Logan explained, noting my surprise. "First-generation hybrids, now fully stabilized. They've been funding our research for years.""You're playing with forces you don't understand," I said, eyes fixed on Silas. His face was bruised, one eye swollen shut, but he was fully conscious, watching me inten
Mason and Liam returned with good news—the old sewage tunnels were intact, partially collapsed in places but navigable. Better yet, they showed no signs of surveillance or recent human activity."There's a junction box here," Mason explained, marking a spot on the blueprint. "From there, maintenance tunnels lead to the main building, the east wing, and the old spa complex. We found signs of recent activity in the east wing tunnel.""That's where they're keeping Silas," I said with certainty. Through our bond, I'd felt him being moved earlier, the disorientation and pain as guards dragged him somewhere.The rescue team assembled at nightfall—myself, my father, Mason, and six other wolves chosen for strength and stealth. Liam had wanted to come, but I'd refused. He was too young, too inexperienced, and had already risked enough."The objective is extraction only," my father reminded everyone as we gathered at the territory's edge. "We locate Silas, neutralize immediate threats, and with
"We can't just storm the place," my father said, pointing to the satellite images spread across the council table. "The Blackwater Resort has one road in, three miles of shoreline, and Logan's people watching every approach."Four hours of sleep hadn't been enough. My body ached, my head throbbed, and the bond with Silas pulsed like an infected wound. I could feel him—alive, in pain, conscious now—but couldn't reach him."Then we don't use the obvious approaches," I countered, leaning over the map. "What about underwater? The east side of the peninsula?"Mason shook his head. "Too many cameras. They've set up a surveillance perimeter extending two hundred yards into the lake."The council room held every high-ranking pack member who could be spared from border patrol. Twelve hours since we'd lost Silas, and tension hung thick in the air. An Alpha in enemy hands was more than a tactical problem—it was a psychological wound."What about the old sewage tunnels?" Bella suggested, pointing
We made it to the stairwell without incident, but as we descended toward the ground floor, a voice called out from above."Hey! Where are you taking them?"I turned to see a guard leaning over the railing, suspicious."Safe zone C," I replied, hoping it meant something.His eyes narrowed. "There is no safe zone C."So much for bluffing. "Run!" I shouted, shoving Liam and Eliza ahead of me down the stairs. Silas took up the rear as guards shouted and gave chase.We burst through the ground floor door into chaos—alarms blaring, security personnel rushing about, voices shouting contradictory orders. Perfect cover for our escape, if we could navigate through it."This way," Silas urged, guiding us toward a side exit. We were almost there when a figure stepped into our path.Logan.He looked different from the delivery room—back in his customary suit, composed and coldly amused. Behind him stood two hybrids, their unnatural forms partially concealed by loose clothing."Stella," he greeted
I finished preparing, strapping silver knives to my thighs and slipping a third into my boot. The pendant warmed against my chest, somehow comforting despite my lingering suspicion of my father's motives.We gathered at the eastern edge of pack territory as twilight deepened into night. Silas, Liam, Eliza, and me—a small team, unencumbered by weapons except for the silver blades we each carried. Speed and stealth were our priorities."Lake Carson is fifteen miles east," Silas briefed us. "The resort sits on a peninsula jutting into the water. We'll approach from the forest side, using the trees for cover. Once there, we observe only. We're looking for security patterns, entrance points, and Angela's location within the complex.""What about hybrids?" Liam asked, nervously fingering the silver knife at his belt."Avoid them," Silas said firmly. "We're not there to engage. If spotted, retreat immediately to the rendezvous point." He pointed to a location on the map he'd brought. "Questi