Diane's POVI watched as Reyna and Stephanie walked into the ballroom, and to my surprise, they both exuded a confidence that seemed out of place. Reyna, in particular, was drawing the attention of nearly everyone in the room. Her dress clung to her figure, flowing elegantly with every step she took. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy rise within me. She was glowing, radiant in a way that made it clear she knew how much power she held tonight.Nene leaned in again, whispering, "Reyna looks stunning, doesn't she? I thought you'd care."I scoffed, trying to hide the annoyance brewing in my chest. "She's irrelevant. Don't let her looks fool you."But even as I said that, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. There was something about Reyna that bothered me—a deeper mystery I couldn’t yet unravel. She had become too comfortable, too confident in a pack where she should have felt like an outsider. And tonight, it felt like she was preparing for something bigger than just an evening w
John's POVAs the lords got into their rides, lord Bernard and and I stood side by side, watching the distance. I had really expected a decision to be made regarding the choice of my mate the previous night, but then, it didn't happen.Although the party had proceeded and we did get the chance to dance, I still wished the seer hadn't come with a contrary news. We were all looking forward to receiving my mate, the next Luna of the pack.“So when next are we going to see you? When are you gonna come visiting!” I asked, moving with Lord Bernard to his ride.“When the seer is ready to have your mate declared,"He said as I raised his brows. “I don't understand," I sighed. I was really looking forward to having my mate declared last night," "And it's obvious you already have someone in mind. The unrealised werewolf girl?" Lord Bernard chuckled.I didn't find his joke funny especially the part of him refering to Reyna as the unrealised werewolf girl. "Look, John," Lord Bernard continued, p
Stephanie's POV I laid on my back, my eyes pouring out tears as I bit back the feelings coursing through me. A sob raked her body, causing me to shake vigorously. "I'll keep your secret safe with me provided you agree to do my biddings," Diane's voice kept echoing in my head.Diane was the lady in hoodie on the night of annunciation. I wished there was a way I could say no to her offer, but I just couldn't. No one must know who I was and why I was around in the estate, especially not Reyna.“Are you okay?" Reyna asked as she walked into the room. I tried wiping my tears so she wouldn't notice I had been crying, but she already did, any way.“I'm fine, Rey," I managed a smile. "No you're not, Steph. You're crying," she placed a hand on my shoulder. "Tell me what's wrong.""I probably just got something in my eye," I sniffed. "It's not something to worry about," I attempted to dismiss her worries. Reyna mustn't know about my meeting with mistress Diane. She mustn't know I have someth
Reyna's POVAs I stood there watching Jake walk away, his words kept ringing in my ears, but I couldn't help feeling grateful that he had saved me. He was harsh, but maybe he had a point—what would have happened if he hadn't shown up?John approached with concern in his eyes. “What happened here, Reyna? You look shaken.”I hesitated, unsure how to explain the events. "There was a Lycan, and Jake... he saved me."John’s eyes darkened at the mention of a Lycan. "A Lycan? Here, within the pack’s grounds?"I nodded. “It looked hungry, and it was about to attack. I didn’t know what to do. I—I thought you’d be here sooner.”He stepped closer and gently placed his hand on my shoulder, his touch calming my nerves instantly. “I’m sorry, Reyna. Something urgent came up.""What's that?" I asked, seeing the looks of seriousness in his eyes."Let's not talk about it. Hope you weren't hurt in any way?" The way he showed concern was just so different. It was nothing like how Jake did.“Jake arrived
Jake's POV “You weren't in your chamber when I checked on you, where were you? Seth asked, walking into my chambers."I was out in the training ground.""Training ground? What were you doing there?" I knew Seth wouldn't just look for me unless it had to do with something very important which he wanted to tell me."Go straight to the point, Seth. Is there something I need to know?""Well, yes," He sighed. He must have felt I was rude in the way I replied him. But if there was something about Seth which made him always command my respect, it was in the fact that he really understood me.He was the only person who really had the patience to overlook even my rudeness."I'm listening Seth. Sorry I'm a bit stressed out," I apologised, just so he wouldn't feel like I was taking him for granted. Seth was enough to be my father, and had really stood by me while growing up."Flynn is injured," Seth reported, causing me to jump up on my feet."How come? By whom?" I asked. Flynn was one of the s
Stephanie's POV“Who do we have here?” I heard someone say from behind me, startling me. I turned around to find who it was and it was Sally."What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised. "How did you find me?""What were you thinking, Steph? That I'll never find you?" Sally walked towards me, causing me to move backwards. "You really think you can get away from Marcus didn't you?"I moved backwards, not knowing what exactly to do. I knew screaming for help was out of it because it would raise concerns. I didn't want anybody to find out about my involvement with the Lycans that were attacking the pack.“Why are you running away, Steph? Why?” He asked."Where's Sarah? What have you done to her? We trusted you Sally. You were father's most trusted Beta, but you betrayed all of us." "Quiet!" He yelled at me. "You have no idea what I have been through. You've got no idea what I lost while serving your father.""It was Diane, right? On the night of annunciation, it was all part of the pl
Marcus' POVRyan walked into my office, his face a shadow of the rough day he had. “What's wrong? Any news from Sally?” I asked, arching my back. “Yes, Alpha. He's found her her finally." That was the exact news I wanted to hear, as I just couldn't hide the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips."What do we do about Sally? We can't trust him. If he betrayed his pack to join forces with you, then it's possible he could snitch on you too." Ryan was beginning to think like me, and I was proud of him for that. If there was something the rest of my pack members knew me for, it was the fact that I don't work on the basis of trust. I consider anyone a potential enemy and will only team up with you when we have a common enemy, like what I was doing with Jacob.Being a Lycan had taught me that it's better to be feared than to be loved. "Keep an eye on him," my smile widened. "What about Sarah? Do we still have use for her?" Ryan probed."Of course we do," I stood to my feet. "She's g
Marcus' POVI walked out of his office with Ryan following behind. We marched straight to where Sarah had been tied, to break the news to her that we finally found Stephanie.Immediately, we entered into the place, I sensed that something was wrong. Some of the sentinels were standing in a circle, and it wasn't looking just ordinary.“What's going on here?” I asked.“We found her unconscious, lying in the ground." One of the Sentinels replied.I took the first few seconds trying to make sense of what had just happened. How on earth did Sarah untie herself and how did she end up on the ground unconscious?I stepped forward, pushing past the sentinels to see Sarah lying motionless on the ground. My mind raced as I knelt beside her. She was still breathing, but barely. How had this happened? There was no way Sarah could have broken lose from the ropes which were used to tie her. Something about her lying unconscious in the ground, wasn't just adding up and I needed answers."Who was gua
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.