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
Marcus' POV “We will strike in two days,” My voice echoed in the room. Myself and the other members of my pack have been mapping out a strategy to attack the werewolf who had dealt with my men.Ryan had done a good job finding out everything that we needed to know about the pack which had cost us that colossal loss. I've only heard it was the late Williams’ pack which was now being ruled by his eldest son, John.“It was Jake, William's youngest son who beat up our men,” Ryan reported.“Jake,” I sighed. “He's always been trouble since he was kid,” It was obvious the rest of my pack members didn't know much about Williams's family, nor the dark past that connected us.Williams and I were very close. We practically did everything together and were inseparable, until Williams was declared Alpha of the pack by that lords.It was after a battle with an enemy pack. Both Williams and I, who were still Betas in training, fought valiantly, subduing the enemy pack with ease.Both Williams and
Jake's POV A knock resounded through the door as Seth walked in, his eyes taking in the pack of cigarettes and other items on the table. I was standing behind the window, looking out.From his posture, Seth could swear that I was in a complicated mood from having stayed with him for almost all his life. “You look__”“What news did you bring?” I asked, not wanting to beat around the bush.I knew Seth too well. He wouldn't just come into my room unless he has something important to say to me. Sometimes I wonder if he just loved breaking terrible news to me, or passing John's instructions to me?“You're thinking again, I can see it, your shoulders are slumping.” “It's my business Seth," I scoffed."Your business? Is that so?" Seth never ceased to remind me of my mom. "How's my brother? Did he send you to come and fetch me?” I asked, this time turning around to look at Seth“Last i checked, he was with Lord Bernard. The other lords are coming down tonight.""The other lords? Why?" I j
Diane's POV I sat down at the edge of the bed, my thoughts swirling as I replayed Nene’s words in my mind. The lords were coming to pick a mate for the Alpha. This was unexpected. John had always been quiet about his intentions when it came to choosing a Luna, and now the decision was being forced upon him. Was he aware of this? Or was this a decision being made behind his back?I took another slow drag from the cigarette, the smoke trailing upwards as I exhaled. If the lords were coming, it meant the selection would be public. Whoever they chose would hold incredible influence over the pack—and over John.But why hadn’t I heard about it sooner? How could something this important be whispered about only among sentinels? There had to be more to it than what Nene overheard.And then there was Stephanie. I’d been keeping my distance, watching her with careful eyes ever since she arrived. There was something too polished about her story, something too perfect. It wasn’t that I didn’t be
Jake's POV I sat at my desk, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the wood as I stared down at the reports scattered in front of me. The retreat of Marcus’s guards was puzzling, and my mind raced with possibilities. If Marcus was really pulling back, there had to be a reason—one that didn’t sit right with me. A soft knock broke my concentration, and I looked up as Seth stepped into the office.“Alpha,” he greeted with a nod, his face tense. “It appears that Marcus has ordered his guards to retreat. They’ve all vacated the hidden positions around our borders.”I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. “Interesting,” I muttered, narrowing my eyes. “It’s two ways, Seth. Either someone from our side tipped them off about our plans, or they saw the odds and realized they’d be outnumbered before they even crossed the border.”Seth’s mouth formed a tight line as he nodded. “Both are possibilities, but I’ll personally investigate. We need to be sure no one here is leaking
Sarah's POV The car door slams shut, and I’m wedged between two sentinels, their hands gripping my arms with unyielding force. Sally sits in the front beside Ryan, a smug grin plastered across her face as the car jerks forward. My heart races, but I refuse to show them an ounce of fear.Sally turns slightly, a chilling gleam in her eyes. “Sarah,” she drawls, her tone almost mocking. “It’s time you learned what real pain feels like.”I scoff, rolling my eyes as I shift in the tight space. “You really think Stephanie is going to help you?” I sneer, refusing to let her see the tremor of anxiety in my chest. “You’re dumber than I thought if you believe that.”Sally’s laughter fills the car, cold and sharp. She gives me a look filled with pity, as if I were a child who didn’t understand the world. “Oh, Sarah,” she says, shaking her head. “Stephanie doesn’t have a choice. She has to help us.”I scoff louder, my laugh dripping with contempt. “You don’t know her like I do. Stephanie doesn’t
John’s POVThe silence in my office feels heavy as I watch the elders file out, each carrying the weight of the night’s plans. Our defenses are set, sentinels posted at every vulnerable point, and messages sent to neighboring packs. Every precaution has been taken, yet I can’t shake the feeling that something is missing—a piece of this puzzle that could change everything.After a few moments alone, I finally call for Jake. He strides in, his expression mirroring my own unease.“We need to go over this note one more time,” I say, placing the paper on the desk between us. The fresh ink glistens slightly, a stark reminder that whoever wrote it is still close. “If the ink’s still wet, then the person who left this is either one of us or hiding within the pack. It’s almost taunting us.”Jake nods, his jaw clenched. “I’ve already spoken to the guards. Everyone is alert and ready. But this note… it feels like we’re being lured into something, like they’re trying to pull our attention somewhe
John’s POVThe air in the pack feels tense, like everyone is holding their breath, waiting. The news from the note has traveled through the ranks quickly, despite my orders to keep things discreet. Now every sentinel and elder is on high alert, and I can feel their unease even as I make my way toward the meeting hall.Once inside, I find the elders already seated, each with a wary expression. Jake is there too, pacing the floor with the note in his hand. When he sees me enter, he stops, his face hardened with a mix of anger and determination.“I’ve been thinking,” Jake begins, holding up the note. “Whoever wrote this clearly knows something about us. But they’re not giving us a name, just a warning. That makes me think they might be trying to stay anonymous to protect themselves.”I nod, feeling the same suspicion. “If they’re afraid of being exposed, they’re likely close by. Maybe even someone we wouldn’t normally suspect.”One of the elders, Elder Marcus, leans forward. His gray eye
John’s POVI glance at the note once more, feeling the weight of its words bearing down on me. The elders are gathered around the long wooden table in the meeting room, their faces grim. Beside me sits my brother, Jake, who’s gripping the arms of his chair a bit too tightly, his jaw clenched as he reads over my shoulder. None of us had expected a warning like this to arrive at our gate, especially not with such foreboding words.“They’re coming tonight,” I read aloud once more, letting the words hang in the silence. “And whoever left this clearly knows something—or someone—in the pack.”One of the elders, a stout man with silver-streaked hair, leans forward, his expression troubled. “The ink is fresh,” he notes, pointing a gnarled finger at the paper. “Whoever wrote this must be close. Either they’re within the pack, or they’ve just left after dropping this.”I nod in agreement, my mind whirring with the implications. “This isn’t just a stray message from a rogue,” I say, folding the
Reyna’s POVI wake up early, the soft morning light filtering through the small window beside my bed. After a quick bath, I dress and head to Stephanie’s room. She’s usually up by now, but today, I hadn’t seen her around, which isn’t like her. I feel a pang of worry but shake it off as I reach her door and knock softly.Pushing the door open, I see her still lying in bed, her face turned away, breathing evenly. The sight surprises me. Stephanie never stays in bed this long.I approach quietly and give her a gentle tap on the shoulder. “Steph?” I call softly, trying not to startle her.She stirs, blinking her eyes open, and gives me a small, tired smile. “Hey, Reyna.”“What’s going on with you?” I ask, concern filling my voice. “It’s not like you to be in bed this late.”She stretches slightly, then sighs. “I’m just… tired. Nothing more.” Her tone is light, but there’s something off, a slight tension in her voice that makes me hesitate.I narrow my eyes, studying her face. “Are you sur
Stephanie’s POVI slip out of bed quietly, my heart pounding as I make my way over to the small table in the corner of my room. Every sound seems amplified in the silence, from the rustling of my clothes to the faint scratch of pen against paper as I write. Tomorrow, Sally and his people will be raiding John and Jake’s pack, and they expect me to lead them straight in. But there’s no way I can betray them, especially not without giving some kind of warning.I keep the message short, anonymous, and vague, careful not to reveal my identity. The fewer details, the better. I fold the note tightly and slip it into the sleeve of my jacket. The paper feels heavier than it should, a reminder of the danger I’m risking. But it’s all I can do, a small act of rebellion that I hope will make a difference.The halls are dark and eerily silent as I make my way toward the main gate. Each step feels measured and tense, my senses on high alert for any sign of movement. The guards have been rotated sinc
Jake's POVThe tension in the room could be cut with a knife. After my words, no one dares to move. Instead, the elders settle back into their seats, eyes on John and me, waiting for the next steps. But before any more arguments can start, the door swings open, and a guard steps in, bowing quickly.“We found something,” he announces, a strange edge to his voice that piques my interest.John’s eyes snap toward the guard. “What is it?” he asks, his voice sharp and commanding. There’s an intensity in his gaze, as if he’s bracing for whatever news the guard might bring.The guard straightens, his gaze meeting John’s. “It’s better if you come and see for yourselves, Alpha. It might… change things.”Without wasting a moment, John gives a slight nod, signaling for me and the elders to follow. We move swiftly through the stone corridors, our footsteps echoing as we make our way down to the main hall. As we approach, I can hear a hushed murmur from a few of the other guards, but they quickly f
Sarah's POVThe door to the dungeon creaks open, and the heavy footsteps echo down the stone corridor. I know it’s him before I even see his face—Sally. The sound alone makes my stomach churn, but I keep my posture strong, even though my body aches from days of being locked up.Sally walks in, his grin as sickening as ever, his eyes glinting with malice. He stops right in front of me, towering over me like he owns the world. “You know,” he begins, his voice dripping with mockery, “I’ve already got the location of Stephanie. It’s only a matter of time before we bring her back here. Right where she belongs.”I don’t give him the reaction he’s looking for, but inside, fear grips me. If they find Steph, all I’ve done, all I’ve sacrificed, will be for nothing. I won’t let that happen.Sally’s smirk widens as he continues, “Your little hero act? All for nothing. She’ll be back, and both of you can rot together in this hellhole.”I meet his gaze, refusing to let him see any sign of weakness.