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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
Diane's POV The moment the Moon Goddess assistant announced that Jake and Reyna were mates, my heart stopped. No. This couldn’t be happening. All my careful planning, my meticulous scheming—it was unraveling in front of me. I felt the blood drain from my face, replaced by a surge of hot, uncontrollable anger.Before I knew it, I was marching toward the DJ booth.“Stop the music!” I snapped, my voice slicing through the chatter and laughter like a blade.The music stopped abruptly, and the hall fell into a tense, awkward silence. Every pair of eyes turned to me, but I didn’t care. Let them stare. Let them gasp. I wasn’t going to let this stand.I turned my attention to the so-called assistant of the Moon Goddess, standing at the center of all this chaos. My voice was sharp, unwavering.“Why would you say such a thing?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes. “That’s a lie! I paid you to say something else!”A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, but I ignored it. I was too far gone to ca
Jake's POV The faint buzz of chatter outside John’s office drifted through the slightly ajar window, a reminder that the moonlight party was about to begin. I leaned back in the chair opposite his desk, trying to focus as John talked about the final inspection.“The decorations in the main hall are flawless,” John said, flipping through a stack of papers. “Food is already set, and the security team is stationed at key points. Everything’s coming together.”I nodded absentmindedly, my mind elsewhere. Seeing Reyna earlier had shaken me more than I cared to admit, and now, sitting here with John her supposed protector only made the tension inside me worse.“And after the party…” John trailed off, a small, almost shy smile playing on his lips as he leaned back in his chair.I raised an eyebrow. “What about after the party?”He hesitated for a moment before pulling a small velvet box out of his pocket. My stomach dropped as he opened it to reveal a simple but elegant silver ring, adorned
Jake's POV The knock at the door lingered in my mind as I stood there, my hand still gripping the doorknob. Behind me, Reyna was pressed against the wall, her chest heaving, her lips swollen from the kiss we’d just shared. The heat of the moment was still coursing through my veins, but I had to pull myself together.“Jake?” John called again, his tone sharper this time.I exhaled slowly, glancing over my shoulder at Reyna. Her wide eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us moved.“I’ll handle this,” I whispered to her, my voice low but firm.She nodded, biting her lip as I turned and opened the door just enough to step outside. John was standing there, arms crossed, looking impatient.“What’s so urgent?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral even though my mind was still spinning from what had just happened.“We need to finalize the plans for the moonlight party,” John said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You weren’t at the briefing earlier.”“I was... preoccupied,” I replied, glancin
Reyna's POV The dress was breathtaking a flowing silver gown that shimmered with every movement, hugging my figure perfectly. Two makeup artists fluttered around me, adding the finishing touches to my makeup and styling my hair into elegant waves. Their chatter faded into the background as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. For a moment, I almost didn’t recognize myself.“Perfect,” one of them said, stepping back to admire their work. “You’re going to be the star of the party tonight.”I smiled politely, though my mind was elsewhere. Tonight wasn’t just about beauty or elegance it was about navigating a night filled with uncertainty and hidden motives.The door opened, and Stephanie walked in, already dressed in a sleek emerald-green gown that complemented her complexion perfectly. She looked stunning, and I couldn’t help but smile.“Reyna,” she gasped, placing a hand on her chest as she walked closer. “You look incredible.”I laughed softly. “Look who’s talking. You’re glowing
Marcus’s POVFrom my office window, I watched as Jacob stepped out of his car. His usual confident gait was evident, but there was an urgency in his stride that piqued my curiosity. He wasn’t the type to come unannounced unless there was something pressing.My fingers drummed against the desk as I waited for him to appear. Moments later, the door swung open, and Jacob strode in, his face tense.“Where’s Sarah?” he demanded without preamble, his tone sharp.I raised an eyebrow and leaned back in my chair, feigning indifference. “You don’t have the right to question me about Sarah. And besides,” I added, my voice lowering, “shouldn’t you be more concerned about getting your men ready? You’ve got a bigger problem at hand—your precious daughter, Reyna.”Jacob’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t back down. “I’ve heard rumors that Reyna has been spending time with Stephanie,” he said, his voice cutting through the tension. “And since Stephanie is Sarah’s sister, I need to know if you’ve been in c
Jake’s POVThe amber liquid swirled in my glass as I stared blankly at the bar counter. The mansion was quiet, save for the distant hum of activity as the staff prepared for tomorrow's moonlight party. I brought the glass to my lips, letting the alcohol burn its way down, but it did nothing to dull the storm in my mind.How did I get here? A few months ago, I didn’t care about anyone least of all any woman. Life was simpler then. No distractions, no attachments. But now? I couldn’t go a day without thinking about her.Reyna.Her name haunted my every waking moment. The way she laughed, the way her eyes lit up when she was happy, and even the way she frowned when something didn’t sit right with her. It all consumed me, and I hated myself for it.The door to the bar creaked open, and I glanced up to see Diane and her assistant step inside. Great. Just what I needed.Her sharp eyes landed on me immediately. “Jake,” she said, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and disapproval. “Drink
Jake’s POVThe twilight air was calm as John and I sat on the porch, the sky streaked with hues of purple and orange. The clan had been unusually quiet lately, and for the first time in months, it felt like we could breathe. It was a rare moment of peace, and the upcoming moonlight party seemed like the perfect opportunity to celebrate.John leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head. “Feels good, doesn’t it? No threats, no unnecessary drama. Just peace.”I nodded, my gaze fixed on the horizon. “Yeah, it’s been a long time coming. Let’s hope it stays this way.”He chuckled lightly. “Don’t jinx it, Jake. Trouble has a way of finding us when we least expect it.”We shared a laugh, but my thoughts were elsewhere. The party wasn’t just a celebration; it was a time for significant decisions. Decisions I wasn’t sure I was ready for.After a few moments of silence, I cleared my throat. “So… have you decided?”John raised an eyebrow. “Decided what?”“Who you want your mate to be,”
Reyna's POVSitting on my bed, I pulled my knees to my chest, staring out the window as I spoke to Stephanie. She was lounging on the chair near the dresser, brushing her hair but listening intently.“I know Diane set me up,” I said, breaking the silence. “She’s been waiting for any opportunity to embarrass me, but thankfully John didn’t give her the satisfaction.”Stephanie smirked and set her brush down. “You’re lucky John handled it so quickly. Diane’s schemes are getting ridiculous, but she won’t stop. You need to be on guard.”“I know,” I replied with a sigh. “I can’t let her get to me, though. That’s what she wants—to push me out of the way.”Stephanie tilted her head, studying me. “You’re stronger than her, Reyna. And let’s be honest, she’s desperate. It shows.”I smiled faintly at her encouragement, but my thoughts quickly drifted elsewhere. “By the way, have you seen Jake today?” I asked, trying to sound casual.Stephanie raised an eyebrow. “Not since dinner last night. Why?”
Diane’s POVThe next morning dawned crisp and clear, with the soft glow of the rising sun casting golden hues across the estate. I was already awake and bustling about before the first rays of light even pierced through the curtains. Today was the day of the Moonlight Party—a pivotal event, not just for the clan, but for me personally.Everything had to be perfect, and I would ensure that it was. This was my chance to solidify my position, to show everyone—especially John—that I was the right choice for him.I summoned my personal maid and gave her a long list of instructions. “Make sure the hall is spotless. The decorations must be flawless. The tables need to be set with the silverware I selected yesterday, and the flowers—only white lilies and red roses, nothing else.”“Yes, ma’am,” she replied obediently before scurrying off to fulfill my demands.Next, I sent for Stephanie. If Reyna was truly too “sick” to help, Stephanie would have to pick up the slack. I smirked at the thought