Reyna's POV Stephanie and I lounged on the plush sofa in the lounge, the faint hum of conversation and the occasional clink of glasses echoing in the background. The party still buzzed with energy downstairs, but we’d sought a quieter corner to talk. The topic of discussion was Diane her disgrace, her rage, and, of course, her current predicament.“I can’t believe Diane thought she could get away with it,” Stephanie said, shaking her head as she sipped her wine. “Paying the Moon Goddess’s assistant to lie? How desperate can she be?”“She’s lucky John didn’t do worse,” I said, crossing my arms. The image of Diane being dragged to the dungeon replayed in my mind, and I couldn’t suppress the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Honestly, it feels good knowing she’s finally facing the consequences of her actions.”Stephanie chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. “For once, we don’t have to watch our backs with her lurking around. She’s exactly where she belongs.”We shared a laugh,
Reyna's POV I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the moonlight filtering through the curtains. My thoughts were a tangled mess, replaying every word and glance Stephanie had exchanged earlier. Who was Sarah? And why had Steph looked so startled when she saw me?I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Steph was hiding something big. But what could it be? We had always been close, so why would she keep secrets now? My chest tightened as doubt crept in. Maybe I was overthinking it… or maybe not.I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was late, and exhaustion pulled at me, but my mind refused to rest. I stood and began preparing for bed, hoping sleep might offer some clarity. Slipping into my nightgown, I walked over to the vanity to brush my hair. As I stared at my reflection, I couldn’t help but notice how weary I looked. Tonight had been a whirlwind of revelations and emotions, and it was taking its toll.Just as I set
Stephanie’s POVThe dense woods felt like they were closing in around me as I made my way down the narrow, winding trail. The darkness was oppressive, with only faint slivers of moonlight peeking through the towering trees. My pulse raced with every crunch of leaves beneath my boots.When I reached the small, hidden house nestled deep in the forest, I glanced around one last time to make sure I wasn’t followed. The familiar wooden door stood slightly ajar, its creak echoing as I knocked twice.The door opened, and Sarah’s wary face appeared. She motioned me inside quickly, shutting the door firmly behind me and bolting it.“Thanks for coming,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.“I didn’t have much of a choice,” I replied, pulling off my scarf. The room was dim, lit only by a single oil lamp on a rickety table. “Sarah, we need to talk. You can’t keep hiding here forever.”She sighed, collapsing into a chair and motioning for me to do the same. “You think I don’t know that?” sh
Stephanie’s POVThe familiar path to the pack’s gates felt different this time, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. I returned under the cover of the fading moonlight, weary but determined to act as if nothing had happened. Whatever Sarah and I had discussed earlier would remain between us at least until I could figure out my next steps.As I approached the gates, two sentinels stepped forward, their expressions unreadable.“Stephanie,” one of them said curtly, “Alpha John and Jake are waiting for you.”My steps faltered. “Waiting for me? Why?”Neither of them answered. They only exchanged a glance, their faces cold and void of emotion.“What happened?” I pressed, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my chest.Again, no response.The silence sent my mind spinning, and my heart began to pound. Something was wrong very wrong. The atmosphere was colder, heavier, and every step toward the Alpha’s office felt like walking into a storm.I swallowed hard as I reached the door. I
Reyna’s POVI stirred, blinking slowly as my surroundings came into focus. The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with a faint metallic scent that made my nose twitch. As I tried to sit up, I realized my hands and legs weren’t bound. That surprised me I wasn’t exactly a captive, or so it seemed.The events of earlier began to flood back, and my heart sank. The van, the masked men, and the searing pain in my shoulder from the tranquilizer they all came back in vivid flashes.“Who were those men?” I muttered under my breath, my voice hoarse.I tried to reach out to my wolf, to feel her power surge through me, but something was wrong. There was nothing. Just silence. Panic rose in my chest, and I looked around the room for answers. My eyes landed on the counter nearby, where several silver blades and small vials of wolfsbane were arranged neatly.“Of course,” I whispered bitterly, realizing why my wolf was silent. The silver and wolfsbane in this room weren’t here by accident they were he
Reyna's POV “Who are you and what are you doing here? Who the hell are you?” I screamed,his eyes took in the wolf's bane and silver blade which lined the walls.I'm sure he must be very glad.He walked deeper into the room,his eyes scanning me from head to toe. “I'm sorry I didn't get to introduce myself earlier on when you were brought in. I am Alpha Damon. I am sure my name rings a bell.” A little smug covered his face as his eyes bore holes into every nook and cranny of my body.“Our wedding is coming up in a few days and I want you to be in the very best condition which is suitable for a bride. I wouldn't want people thinking I'm maltreating my Bride although running away from your father, you should serve some punishment but I'm going to tell you this I'm a very generous alpha and husband so I will let go and I will let it slide.” I laughed really hard and stood up from the bed “so tell me something Alpha should I thank you or perhaps I should delete your shoes because that's wh
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
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
Reyna's POV Warm sunlight streamed through the room as the sound of soft footsteps pulled me from sleep. My eyelids fluttered open just in time to see Steph yanking the curtains apart, letting the golden glow spill across the walls."Rise and shine, sleepyhead," she teased, turning to face me with a wide grin.I pushed myself up against the pillows, a slow smile spreading across my lips. "Steph," I breathed.She didn't hesitate. In a second, she was beside me, arms wrapped tight around my shoulders. I clung to her just as fiercely, letting the warmth of her presence chase away the last remnants of fear that had clung to me since my return."I'm so glad you're back," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.I pulled back slightly, searching her eyes. "I'm glad to be back."Her gaze softened. "We were all worried about you, Reyna. I was worried about you."A lump formed in my throat. It was still hard to believe I was safe, back in familiar surroundings, surrounded by people who car
John's POV The night air was crisp as I stepped through the front doors of the estate, the weight of exhaustion settling deep in my bones. Steph had been right beside me just moments ago, but before I could say a word, she vanished into the shadows like she always did. She never liked lingering too long, especially after a mission.I rubbed my temples, barely suppressing a groan. The night had been long, and I wasn’t looking forward to whatever came next.A sentinel approached, his expression unreadable. “The elders request an audience with you, Alpha.”I exhaled sharply, already irritated. “Not tonight. Tell them I’ll meet them tomorrow.”The sentinel hesitated but nodded before turning on his heel and disappearing down the hall. I knew pushing off the meeting wouldn’t go over well, but I didn’t care. For once, I just needed a damn moment to breathe.I moved further inside, my steps slowing as I reached Reyna’s door. My hand hovered over the handle, but I hesitated.What was I suppo
Jake's POV The air in the dungeon was thick with the stench of damp stone and decay, the kind of smell that clung to your skin long after you left. I barely noticed it. My focus was locked on the metal door in front of me, the one separating me from Diane.The guards stepped aside as I approached, their expressions unreadable. They knew better than to question why I was here. Everyone knew what Diane had done, the pain she had caused.I pushed the door open.Diane sat in the corner, shackled to the wall. Her once-perfect appearance was in ruins,her hair tangled, her face streaked with dirt and dried blood. She looked up at me, her eyes narrowing before shifting into something unreadable.“Jake,” she murmured, voice hoarse. “Here to let me go?”I let out a dark chuckle before slamming the door shut behind me. “You think this is a rescue mission?”She smirked, though I could see the flicker of doubt in her gaze. “You’ve always been the reasonable one. The quiet one.” She tilted her hea
Stephanie's POV The silence between us wasn’t heavy. It wasn’t awkward or tense. It simply… was.John and I sat side by side on the fallen log, the cool night air wrapping around us. The moon was high, its light filtering through the trees, casting silver threads over the clearing. I focused on the sound of the wind rustling the leaves, on the distant hoot of an owl. Anything but the way John’s presence made my chest feel tight.I wasn’t used to this.Silence, yes. I had spent years locked inside my own head, drowning in the absence of words. But this wasn’t that kind of silence. This was different. This was… safe.I stole a glance at him.John was watching me, his eyes darker than usual under the soft glow of the moon. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in the way he looked at me that made my skin prickle. Not with fear. Not with unease. But with something I wasn’t ready to name.His lips parted, and for a moment, I thought he might speak. But he didn’t. Instead,
John's POV I caught the scent of her hesitation before she even moved.Stephanie’s hand hovered over the doorknob, her shoulders tense. Her breathing was steady, controlled,but I knew better. She was about to bolt.In a flash, I moved, cutting her off before she could step inside. I wasn’t even sure why I did it,only that letting her slip away didn’t feel like an option.She gasped, her eyes widening in shock. “What the hell, John?”I crossed my arms, blocking the door with my body. “Were you planning on running away?”Her lips parted, then pressed into a thin line. “I wasn’t running.”“Then why did you freeze up when you saw me?”Stephanie huffed, crossing her arms. “I wasn’t expecting you to appear out of nowhere like a damn shadow.”I smirked. “Werewolf speed has its perks.”She rolled her eyes and tried to step around me, but I shifted, keeping her in place.She let out a frustrated sigh. “Move, John.”“No.”Her brows knitted together. “Excuse me?”I leaned against the doorframe,
John's POV The hum of the engine filled the silence between Jake and me as I drove through the dimly lit streets. The city blurred past, a mixture of neon lights and shadows, but my focus was elsewhere. Something in my chest felt… off. Like a weight pressing down, not painful, but present. An awareness I couldn’t shake.Jake sat beside me, lost in his own thoughts, his fingers drumming against his knee. I knew what he was thinking about,Reyna. The need to get back to her, to see her safe with his own eyes. I understood that kind of devotion. Or at least, I thought I did.But something had shifted in me.I gripped the wheel tighter, staring at the road ahead. Reyna. The woman I had fought for, bled for, almost died for. The woman I had sworn to protect.Yet, something was missing.The bond, the pull I used to feel toward her, was dull, faded. Not gone, but distant—like a song played from another room, recognizable but no longer mine to claim.I inhaled sharply, forcing my mind to focu
Reyna's POV I woke up to the soft glow of the bedside lamp, my head still throbbing but lighter than before. The scent of fresh linen and antiseptic filled my nose, and as my vision cleared, I saw Sarah sitting beside me."You're awake," she breathed out, her voice laced with relief.I blinked a few times, my body still sluggish. "Where…where am I?""A safe house," she answered, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "You've been unconscious for two days. We were so worried."Two days? My mind struggled to catch up. The last thing I remembered was pain,Damon, Diane, and chaos. I swallowed, my throat dry."Stephanie?" I croaked.Before Sarah could respond, the door swung open, and there she was."You're finally awake." Stephanie strode into the room with her usual confidence, but her eyes softened as she looked at me."Steph," I whispered.She crossed the room in seconds and wrapped her arms around me. Her embrace was strong, grounding me in the present. For the first time in days, I felt s
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