Sarah's POVI struggled against Sally’s grip, my heart pounding as I wrestled with her in the cramped car. The vehicle swerved violently, the tires screeching against the gravel road. Ryan snarled in frustration from the driver’s seat, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel.“Get her under control!” Ryan barked, his eyes flashing with anger.But Sally wasn’t faring any better than I was. I twisted my body, using all my strength to push her away. The car jerked again, and Ryan’s focus wavered.“Stop it!” he yelled, but it was too late.The car slammed into something solid—a massive tree. The force of the collision threw me forward, but the seatbelt held me in place. Pain shot through my body as I gasped for breath.When the world stopped spinning, I turned to see Sally slumped against the door, unconscious. Her head lolled to the side, blood trickling from a cut on her forehead.Ryan groaned, his hand gripping his chest as he turned to glare at me. “You…”His voice was gut
Marcus's POVThe shrill ringing of my phone jolted me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen—one of the sentinels guarding the outskirts of the clan’s territory.“What is it?” I barked, answering the call.“Alpha, there’s been an incident,” the sentinel reported, his voice tight with urgency. “Ryan and Sally’s car crashed near the old woods. Sarah escaped into the forest. Ryan attempted to pursue her but lost her trail. Sally is unconscious.”Anger surged through me, hot and consuming. I slammed my fist onto the desk, causing the papers and a nearby glass to rattle. “How could you let this happen? You’re supposed to keep everything under control!”“We tried, Alpha,” the sentinel stammered. “She’s fast, and the terrain made it impossible to track her without exposing ourselves.”“Useless,” I muttered before ending the call.I wasted no time summoning Lexon. Within minutes, he arrived, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.“What’s going on, Marcus?” he asked, crossing his ar
Stephanie’s POVThe moonlight filtered through my curtains, casting soft patterns on the wooden floor. I sat at the edge of my bed, my mind racing. Every event, every conversation, every glance from Reyna or Diane seemed like pieces of a puzzle I couldn’t quite fit together.The announcement at breakfast replayed in my mind. A moonlight party. Elders demanding mates be chosen. My stomach churned at the thought. There was something inherently political about these gatherings, a dance of power and influence that I’d never felt comfortable with.A soft knock on the door startled me. Before I could answer, the door creaked open, revealing Reyna.“Can’t sleep either?” she asked, stepping in without waiting for an invitation.I shook my head, motioning for her to sit. “There’s too much on my mind.”She sighed, sinking onto the chair by the window. “Tell me about it. Diane’s stares could burn holes in steel, and Jake…” She trailed off, her expression unreadable.I arched an eyebrow. “Jake?”
Sarah’s POVThe sharp pain in my feet was nothing compared to the fear pounding in my chest. The branches scratched my arms as I pushed through the dense woods, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Every step felt heavier than the last, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone—or something—was close behind me.I glanced over my shoulder for the hundredth time, my heart racing with every sound of snapping twigs or rustling leaves. Was Ryan still chasing me? His growls and screams had echoed in my ears earlier, but now the woods were eerily silent.When I finally felt like I couldn’t run any farther, I stopped and leaned against a thick tree. My legs trembled, and my lungs burned as I struggled to catch my breath. The moonlight trickled through the canopy above, casting ghostly patterns on the forest floor.I sank to the ground, resting my back against the tree. My hands trembled as I clutched the earth beneath me, grounding myself in its coolness. My body begged for sleep, but my min
John’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the tall windows of my office, casting streaks of gold across the polished wooden desk. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming against the armrest as Diane and Jake entered. Diane's steps were sharp, her heels clicking against the floor with precision. Jake, ever composed, followed her, his face unreadable.I motioned for them to sit. "Let’s get straight to business."Diane perched on the edge of her seat, her eyes already gleaming with anticipation. She was always eager when it came to taking charge, but today, her eagerness annoyed me. I couldn’t pinpoint why, but perhaps it had to do with the calculated way she looked at me—as if she were waiting for me to say something she could twist in her favor.“We have two major events coming up,” I began, looking between them. “The Moonlight Party is in three nights, and the elders have sent word that the Mate Choosing Ceremony must happen alongside it.”Diane’s expression lit up briefly be
Reyna’s POVThe hallway was quiet as I closed the door to John’s office behind me. My heart raced, and I pressed my palm against my chest as if I could steady the erratic thumping.He had asked me to be his date.I shook my head, biting back a laugh at how ridiculous the situation was. Out of all the women in the clan, John had chosen me—a woman most people viewed as nothing more than a nuisance.“Is he serious?” I muttered under my breath as I walked toward the staircase, my mind whirling with questions.The Moonlight Party was a big deal, especially with the Mate Choosing Ceremony happening alongside it. It wasn’t just another social gathering—it was a declaration, a step toward something permanent. Why me? What was he trying to prove?I pushed open the door to my room and leaned against it, letting out a long sigh. My thoughts raced as I tried to piece together John’s motives. Was this just a way to get under Diane’s skin? She had been glaring daggers at me ever since Stephanie and
Jake’s POVThe sunlight streamed through the large windows of the council chamber, illuminating the old elder sitting across from me. Elder Gregor was the oldest in the clan, and his advice often carried more weight than anyone else's.He leaned forward, his silver eyebrows furrowing as he spoke. “Jake, the Moonlight Party isn’t just a celebration. It’s a calling, a chance for the Moon Goddess to guide us. John must choose a mate, but...” His voice trailed off, his gaze piercing mine.I knew where this was going.“But what?” I asked, my tone guarded.“But you need to consider your future too,” Gregor said firmly. “The clan cannot thrive with only one strong leader. You, as the beta, must also find a mate. The elders have been discussing this, and it’s time you took it seriously.”My chest tightened. I’d avoided this conversation for too long. Every mention of a mate felt like a noose tightening around my neck.“I’ll think about it,” I said curtly, rising from my chair.“Think quickly,
Diane’s POVI sat in the dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of incense burning in the corner. The woman before me, clad in an outfit that mimicked the ceremonial attire of a Moon Goddess assistant, nodded silently as I spoke. Her eyes were sharp, calculating, and I knew I had chosen the right person for the task.“You understand your role?” I asked, my voice cold and firm.“Yes,” she replied, her tone steady.“Good.” I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at her. “You will arrive at the Moonlight Party as the assistant to the Moon Goddess. You’ll make a grand entrance, enough to catch everyone’s attention, and then you’ll speak with authority. You’ll address the elders, the crowd, and most importantly, John.”The woman nodded again, her expression unreadable.“Make it clear that Reyna and Stephanie are threats to the clan,” I continued. “They’re outsiders, unfit to be considered as potential mates for John or anyone else of high status. They’ll bring nothing but trouble to our
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