Reyna's POV The night was cool, but there was this surge of restlessness within me. I was still not yet able to understand why I couldn't heal when lord Bernard cut my wrist with the dagger.“She's not one of us,” the voice continued to replay in my head. That was lord Bernard's verdict, and it really made me feel embarrassed.I decided to meet up with Jake and to ask him a couple of questions. I wanted to know if there was something special in the dagger he had used to stab me that had made me heal.I felt like I was losing my mind. Maybe I was, and who knows, maybe, just maybe, that was the reason my father had rejected me. I hurried down the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest as I approached Jake’s room. We haven't seen eyeball to eyeball ever since John returned. I think he has been avoiding me, if not, why didn't he attend the initiation ceremony.When I reached his door, I knocked softly at first, then louder when I got no response. “Jake?” I called out, knocking again, b
Reyna's POV"Stephanie, wait!" I called out, running after her down the hallway. My heart was racing, and I could feel the panic rising in my chest. She’d seen us—seen me and Jake—and I knew exactly what was going through her mind. I had to explain, had to make her understand it wasn’t what it looked like.She didn’t stop at first, just kept walking, her pace brisk and determined. But I kept going, my feet hitting the floor faster until I finally caught up to her, grabbing her arm gently to stop her. “Please, Stephanie,” I said, breathless. “It’s not what you think.”She turned around slowly, and then, she narrowed her eyes, but I could see the judgment in her eyes. Her arms were still crossed over her chest, her eyebrows raised in that way that told me she was not buying any of it.“Really?” she said, her voice cool. “Then why don’t you tell me what’s going on, Reyna? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve got some serious explaining to do.”I swallowed hard, trying
Jake's POVI woke up the following morning, feeling much better. For some reason I wasn't feeling the pian from my wounds any more, and all of that happened after Reyna and I kissed again.“Hello bro,” John walked into my room. I buttoned up quickly, just before he could notice I was hurt.“Hey,” I raised my brow wondering what it was he wanted from me again.“I know we've not really been seeing each other in the eye lately.” John was beginning to sound like the big brother he was, and for some reasons I had missed this version of him.“Is there something you want to tell me?” I pulled the curtains open, and I could see some of the omegas having their training. A few changelings were there too and I just waved them.“I'm talking to you bro…”“Of course I'm listening,” I turned to face him. “What exactly do you want?”“It's Reyna.”I looked at him, almost surprised. “Did something happen to Reyna?” I imagined. I had probably forgotten what Seth told me regarding the request to have Rey
John's POV “Are you okay?” Reyna walked towards me. I was standing by the pool, and then I could see the light of the moon reflecting on the calm waters.I have been in deep thoughts after the conversation with Jake and I really felt bad with everything he said to me.I have tried everything I could to make us live as the good brothers we used to be before the father's death and the whole alpha saga came into the picture.“Reyna,” I managed a smile. She was looking really beautiful. I didn't know if it was just me, but there seemed to be something different about her that I just couldn't understand.“Is something wrong? You don't look so well,” I tried to dismiss her worries, but I wasn't doing a good job, and she could see through me. “Did something happen between you and Jake?”“I'm fine, Reyna. I just probably have a lot to worry about as the alpha of the pack. It will be winter soon and there's a lot that needs to be put in place before the fall.” That was the best excuse I coul
Stephanie's POVIve overheard everything that lord Bernard and John had talked about Reyna, and I felt bad for her. I could imagine what was going on in Reyna's mind at that particular time. I decided to go to her room and speak with her, knowing fully well that she needed a friend.Knock! knock! knock!“The door is opened,” I heard Reyna say to me. I opened the door and went Inside. I found Reyna on the bed, and I immediately knew she had been crying.“Are you okay?” I asked her.“Why are you here?” Reyna asked.I took my seat by her side on the bed even if she didn't ask me to, and then I took her hands into mine.I noticed the room was disorganized, and it hinted to me something. Was Reyna really preparing to leave the pack?“You're not leaving, are you?” I looked at Reyna, seeing the vulnerability in her eyes.“Why shouldn't I? No one wants me. Maybe I'm cursed or something,” Reyna's tears flowed.“Don't talk like that, Reyna.” I tried to hush her but Reyna wasn't ready to listen
Stephanie's POV As we walked down the hallway to my room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Reyna was still holding something back. There was a heaviness about her, as if the weight of her secret was suffocating her. I wondered if I’d ever be able to get her to open up completely, but for now, I was just grateful she trusted me enough to share even this much.Once we reached my room, I could feel the shift in atmosphere. The tension that clung to Reyna in her own space began to loosen as she stepped inside. I quickly pulled out the snacks I promised, setting them on the small table near the window.“Here,” I handed her a piece of bread topped with honey. “This always makes me feel better when I’m stressed.”Reyna took a small bite and nodded, her smile faint but genuine. “It’s good,” she said softly. “Thank you.”We sat in silence for a while, just enjoying the peace. But it wasn’t long before the conversation drifted back to the troubling reality.“What are you going to do if your
Jake's POV I was standing by the window, looking into the distant dark clouds. I was in deep thoughts, still pondering over everything I had overheard the werewolves who had attacked me say amongst themselves.“What are you thinking about again?” Seth asked as he walked into my room. He had become a constant visitor in my room, always coming in uninvited, but not unwanted. His company was always needed, always having the right words to say.“Hope you're not here to remind me of the meeting with the Alpha?”“Definitely! That's why I'm here,” Seth chuckled. “Your brother has decided not to proceed with the meeting unless you're present.”“Then it's as good as saying the meeting won't hold.” I scoffed.“Come one Jake. I don't expect this from you.. You're also an Alpha.”“No I'm not, Seth,” I interrupted him. “John leads the pack. I'm just a figurehead.”“I don't care how you see it Jake, but huu can't change the fact that in this pack, there are two Alphas. You and your brother,”“Is t
Jake's POV I drew in a clear breath as I walked out of the conference room, my mind pondering over everything that had been discussed inside. I almost wanted to tell John about the three Werewolves I had battled in the woods, but for some unknown reasons, I didn't.I needed to clear my head, and for at that point, there was only one way to do that – the open air, and a female’s body. I knew just the right one to visit.Diane was sitting by her window when the I walked in. She had once been a Luna of another pack, but was rejected by her mate when he caught her in the arms of another. “What can I say – my mother was a whore, I’m no different,” she had said to me as she narrated her story, blowing out smoke from her mouth, a thin cigarette held between her fore and middle finger. That had been three years ago when she had first settled in our pack, and until now, she was still one of my favorites, always at my beck and call whenever I needed someone to ease off with. “It’s been a w
Stephanie's POV Jake and John exchanged a look before turning to me."Don't worry," Jake said. "We'll go outside and see what Marcus wants."John nodded in agreement. "You and Sarah get Reyna out of here. We’ll handle things."Sarah scoffed. "We already know what he wants me." Her voice was steady, but I could hear the edge of fear beneath it. She lifted her chin defiantly. "But he’s never getting me back. I left his hold, and I’m never going back."Her determination made me proud, but we didn’t have time to argue about it. We had to move.Without wasting another second, we slipped through the back gate, where a black car was already waiting for us.“Get in,” the driver said in a low voice, his eyes darting toward the front of the building.Sarah climbed in first, pulling me along with her. As soon as the door shut behind us, the car sped off, leaving Jake and John behind to deal with Marcus.The tension in the car was thick. Sarah sat stiffly beside me, her fingers clenched into fis
Stephanie's POV A slow smile spread across my lips as I caught the flicker of fear in Damon’s eyes. He tried to hide it, clenching his jaw, standing tall, but I saw it I felt it.“What’s wrong, Damon?” I taunted, tilting my head. “I thought you were the most fearless werewolf. A rogue with nothing to lose.”His fists curled at his sides. By then, Jake and John had started stirring, groaning as they slowly regained consciousness. Damon’s gaze darted to them before snapping back to me.“You’re a damn psycho,” he spat. “How the hell did you cut off Diane’s hand?”I twirled my blade between my fingers, feigning boredom. “The same way I’ll take something from you if you don’t release my people.” My voice was calm, steady. Deadly.Damon scoffed. “Diane was weak. I don’t really care what happens to her.” His lip curled into a smirk. “And I’ll do whatever I damn well please.”I chuckled. “Good,” I murmured. “Because Reyna is safe now, and that means I get to enjoy this.” I lifted my gun, my
Stephanie's POV I moved swiftly through the corridor, my grip tightening around the blade in my hand. Sarah had given me the map, and I followed it exactly, weaving my way toward the cellar. Every step I took, every breath I exhaled, only solidified my determination. I would get Reyna back.The bodies I left behind didn’t faze me. The guards had barely been a challenge—quick, clean kills. Their lifeless forms littered the hallway, but I had no time to care. I reached into my pocket, pulling out the small vial of wolfsbane. Its dark, pungent scent filled my nostrils, sharp and intoxicating.A scream echoed through the cellar. My chest tightened. Reyna.I didn’t hesitate.I crouched, pouring the wolfsbane over the fallen guards. The second it made contact with their bodies, flames erupted, consuming them in an instant. The fire crackled, an eerie glow dancing against the stone walls.Perfect.If Diane was here—and I knew she was—this would lure her out.A slow smile curled my lips when
Diane's POV I storm up the stairs, my boots heavy against the wooden floor. There’s no time to waste. I shove open Reyna’s door and find her sprawled across the bed, her eyes barely open.Before she can react, I grab her wrist and yank her up.“What the hell?” she mumbles, still groggy.“We’re going for a little ride,” I say, my grip tightening.Reyna’s lips curl into a smirk. “A little ride?” she repeats, tilting her head. “Or did Jake and John finally show up to save me?”I slap her before she can say another word. The sound cracks through the silence.“Shut up,” I snap. “Or I’ll ruin that pretty face of yours. Then no one will bother looking at it.”She blinks, then lets out a chuckle. “Even if you ruin my face, even if you kill me, what makes you think Jake and John won’t do the same to you?”I drag her toward the hallway leading to the back exit, my nails digging into her arm. “If you survive tonight, you should be grateful,” I sneer. “Because I don’t think Jake and John stand a
Jake's POVAs I descended the stairs, John shot me a not-so-good look before asking what I had been up to."I woke the sleeping princesses," I said with a smirk. "It’s time to decide how we're going to save Reyna."John sighed, rubbing his temples. "We have to be careful, Jake. We can't afford for anyone else to get hurt."I narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you trying to protect Sarah and Stephanie?"He shook his head. "I’m not protecting anyone. I just want you to think rationally, that’s all. We have to be smart about this."Before I could respond, Sarah and Stephanie walked down the stairs. Sarah scoffed as her sharp gaze landed on me."Just so you remember, Jake," she said, crossing her arms. "I don’t owe you an alliance. I could change my mind about helping you in the snap of my fingers, so maybe try to be nice."I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. "I’ll be nice when Reyna is safe and back with us. Until then, focus."She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. We all gathered aroun
Reyna's POV The warm water had done little to wash away the exhaustion clinging to my bones, but at least I no longer felt like a walking pile of dirt. Stepping out of the bathroom, I wrapped a towel around myself and ran a hand through my damp hair.Just as I reached for a fresh set of clothes, the door swung open.Diane.I sighed heavily, rolling my eyes. “You’re the last person I want to see right now. Get the hell out of my room.”She smirked, leaning against the doorframe like she had all the time in the world. “Too bad. You don’t get to order me around.”I turned my back on her, picking up my clothes. “Fine. Sit there and watch me dress up, then. You seem to have a talent for babysitting.”That got under her skin. I heard her sharp intake of breath before she moved.A hand swung toward my face, but I caught her wrist mid-air, gripping it tightly. Slowly, I turned to face her, my expression blank, but my eyes burning with warning.“What do you think Damon would say?” I asked sof
Stephanie's POV I led Sarah to my bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind us. She had been silent the entire way up, but now, she was watching me with an expression I couldn’t quite place.“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.She tilted her head. “You didn’t tell me you’ve met your mate.”I blinked, completely thrown off. “What are you talking about?”Sarah’s lips curled into a knowing smirk, but then her expression shifted to one of confusion. “Wait—you don’t know?”I crossed my arms. “Know what?”Her confusion faded into amusement. “Oh, now I get it,” she laughed, shaking her head. “I was wondering why your energy felt different. But now it makes sense.”I frowned. “What makes sense?”She gave me a pointed look. “You look more radiant, Steph. Stronger. Happier.” She paused, studying me. “Don’t you know why?”I scoffed. “I haven’t noticed anything.”Sarah rolled her eyes. “Liar. You’re just trying to push it down.”I stiffened. “That’s not—”She cut me off, stepping closer. “You k
Marcus POV I clenched my jaw as the call ended, my grip on the phone tightening until my knuckles turned white. That woman. Diane had just laughed in my face, dismissing me like I was nothing. As if she had never owed me a damn thing.Jacob sat across from me, watching with mild curiosity. “What’s wrong?” he asked, arms crossed over his chest. “What did Diane say?”I exhaled sharply, shoving my phone into my pocket. “Forget Diane,” I said. “You should be more concerned about how we’re going to get your daughter away from that man.”Jacob snorted, an amused smirk playing on his lips. “Do you really think I’m bothered about that?”I frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”Jacob leaned back, shaking his head. “I don’t care, Marcus. Damon can do whatever he wants with Reyna. It’s none of my business.”My stomach twisted in disbelief. I took a step toward him, trying to read his expression, but there was nothing—just a blank, indifferent stare. “What the hell are you saying?” I de
Jake’s POVI stared at the map spread out in front of me, my fingers tracing the rough paper as I tried to focus. Damon’s territory was vast, deep in the heart of rogue land, surrounded by thick forests and treacherous terrain. It wouldn’t be easy to get in, and getting out with Reyna would be even harder.My jaw clenched as my mind replayed the last few hours Reyna’s empty room, the lifeless sentinels, the destroyed security footage. Someone had helped them. Someone had made it easy for them to take her.The door creaked open behind me, and I turned sharply, my eyes narrowing when I saw Stephanie walk in.John, who stood on the other side of the table, straightened. “Steph,” he acknowledged, his tone neutral.I wasn’t as polite. “What the hell are you doing here?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the tense air. “You should be in the dungeon, not roaming freely like nothing happened.”Stephanie sighed, folding her arms. “I’m here to help.”I scoffed. “Help? How do we know you’re no