Jinu's POV
It began on the day I killed Ziarre. The betrayal and rage that surged through me as I felt the cold steel of the thumb screw severing my fingers was both a punishment and an awakening.
Each cut was excruciating, the blade slicing through flesh and bone with a precise brutality. The pain was immediate and overwhelming, an intense burn that radiated through my nerves. Rion’s face, contorted with fury and disdain, was the last thing I saw as I writhed in agony. His eyes, cold and merciless, bore into me as if to strip away every bit of humanity left within me.
In the aftermath, the hatred I felt for Rion was all-consuming. It drove me to the brink of madness, turning every thought into a dark obsession. I envisioned scenarios where I could make him suffer as I had, where his pain mirrored my own. But the more I dwelled on these thoughts, the more I began to see a different kind of desire emerge from the hatred—a twisted, depraved
Jaselyn's POVWatching Jinu as he approached the dining table, I felt a swell of both hope and anxiety. Since Rion had finally agreed to let Jinu become part of our family, I had moved him from the servant's quarters to one of the main rooms in the palace, just three doors down from ours. It was a small gesture, but it meant a lot to me. Jinu had worked hard to better himself, and I wanted him to feel welcomed and accepted.Dinner had become something of a family tradition since my pregnancy was revealed. It was our time to come together, share our lives, and offer each other support. I looked forward to the day when Rion would finally let go of his anger and open his heart to Jinu. I truly believed they could become friends in time.As the maids arranged the plates and set out the silverware, I noticed Jinu approaching the table with a nervous air. He seemed somewhat out of place, and it reminded me of Ziarre. I understood his apprehension—he
Rion's POVI stormed away from the dinner table, my entire body thrumming with rage. The mere presence of Jinu was a poison to my system, his smug face and arrogant attitude making my blood boil. I hated that I had to sit next to the traitor, to endure his incessant attempts to rile me up. The feel of his hand on my thigh was like a brand, and the urge to snap his neck right then and there was almost unbearable. But I had promised Jas I would behave, and that promise weighed heavily on me now.As I made my way to our room, I could feel the disgust rising in my throat. The thought of Jinu touching me, even in such a minor way, was revolting. I needed to wash off the filth, to cleanse myself of his touch. Stripping off my clothes, I stepped into the shower and let the scalding water pour over me, hoping it would wash away the memories that were now flooding my mind.Ziarre's death replayed in my head like a broken record. Her frail body hooked up to machines
Rion's POVI signed off the last document of the day with a sigh of relief, feeling the weight of responsibility lift slightly from my shoulders. Handing it to Rafayel, I watched as he scanned it quickly, his eyes moving methodically over the lines of text. He gave a satisfied nod, signaling his approval."Thank you, Alpha," Rafayel said, looking up from the paper with a respectful gaze."You're welcome," I replied, glancing at the wall clock. It was just 3:15 PM. My thoughts drifted to Jaselyn, and a smile crept onto my face as I imagined her waiting for me, her presence a comforting and energizing thought. "I think I'll spend the rest of the day with Jas." I mumbled to myself, excitement building in my chest.Rafayel's voice interrupted my reverie, bringing me back to the present. "Alpha, Gamma Erik is training some new recruits. He'd like you to come and take a look, ensure everything meets your standards. We have a specific training regimen, and
Jaselyn’s POVFour months had passed since Rion and I found out about my pregnancy, and I was now twenty weeks along. The journey had been filled with more surprises than I could have ever imagined. One of the biggest surprises was Jinu. He had turned out to be an exceptional assistant. I noticed that he was so much like Ziarre in many ways. His attention to detail, his quiet yet attentive presence, and his dedication to ensuring everything ran smoothly were all reminiscent of Ziarre. We had become good friends, often spending hours talking about anything and everything. It was almost easy to forget that he was the boy who had killed Ziarre.But something felt...off. Jinu was always around, following me everywhere except at night when I joined Rion in our bedroom. His presence had become a constant in my daily routine, from morning meetings to afternoon strolls. He was often with us during the day too, and I had started noticing how Jinu looked at Rion. It wasn&r
Jinu's POVI couldn’t believe it. Twins. She’s having twins. The news burned inside me like a wildfire, searing through my insides, consuming me with an inferno of rage and jealousy. Every word I heard felt like my chest was being torn apart, the flames licking at my heart with every beat.I hate her happiness, every single smile that lights up her face, every laugh that escapes her lips. But more than that, I despise that she’s the reason for Rion’s joy. Every time I see his eyes light up when he looks at her, it feels like someone is driving a dagger deeper into my heart. The thought of them together, their happiness shared, makes my blood boil.For the past four months, being around her has been like breathing through a straw—suffocating, unbearable. Each day felt like I was drowning, gasping for air while being pulled under by the weight of my own hatred. I had to become her perfect aide, adopting Ziarre’s mann
Jinu's POVThe Peace Ball was in full swing, the Grand Hall filled to the brim with Pack members. Laughter and merriment echoed off the walls, creating a symphony of joy that reverberated through the opulent space. The Pack was dressed in their finest, an array of elegant dresses and sharp suits that glittered under the grand chandeliers.The air was thick with the mingling scents of expensive perfumes and colognes, an intoxicating blend that heightened the festive atmosphere. Jewels sparkled on wrists and necks, catching the light, and the shimmer of silks added a fluid grace to every movement.I watched from the shadows, my heart pounding with anticipation. Everything has been going perfectly with my plan so far. My eyes scanned the room, taking in the carefree smiles and the celebratory toasts, while my mind replayed the pivotal moments leading up to this point.Jaselyn, like the fool she was, had handed the drugged wine to Rion without a s
Jaselyn's POVJinu’s eyes widened with terror, his expression shifting from shock to pure fear. “How did you find out about my plan?” he demanded, his voice trembling, every word laced with desperation.I allowed myself a cold, confident smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “You weren’t exactly subtle, Jinu. You probably took me for a fool, but I’ve never been one. My kindness is my only weakness, but I would rather kill a thousand enemies than let history repeat itself. I will protect my children with everything I have.” I rubbed my bump protectively, feeling the strength of my resolve surge through me like a powerful current, grounding me in my purpose.Jinu’s confusion was palpable, his eyes darting around the room as if seeking an escape, his mind racing to find a way out of this unexpected trap. "What do you mean? I was so careful!"I shook my head slowly, savoring the fear in his eyes. "A week
Jaselyn's POVThe Peace Ball was a huge success. The Grand Hall had been alive with music, laughter, and joy, the Pack members mingling and dancing until the early hours of the morning. Varieties of food and refreshments were in abundance. The chandeliers cast a golden glow over the revelers, their light reflecting off the glittering dresses and sharp suits, creating an almost magical atmosphere. The air was filled with the scent of roses and freshly made desserts, mingling with the perfumes worn by the Pack members. Conversations buzzed, and the sound of clinking glasses added to the festive ambiance.As the night drew to a close and the guests began to leave, Rion and I quietly slipped away to check on Jinu. My heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and dread as we approached the room where we had left him. The corridor was eerily silent, a stark contrast to the joyful noise of the Grand Hall.Rion opened the door cautiously, and we stepped inside. The sight
Celio's POV The wooden floor creaked under my knees as I scrubbed away at the dirt, pushing the rag back and forth with all the strength my small, 8 year old body could muster. The chill of the mountain wind seeped through the cracks in the old walls, biting at my skin. My hands were raw and red, the rough texture of the rag scraping against my knuckles. I didn’t mind. I didn’t mind the pain, the hunger gnawing at my stomach, or the loneliness that pressed on me like an iron weight. I was used to it.I glanced out the cracked window at the gray sky that mirrored my feelings. The little shack we lived in sat at the base of the mountain, far away from any Pack. Isla had always told me that it was better this way—away from the people who would look at me and know that I wasn’t wanted, that I was abandoned by the very woman who should have loved me most.“Your mother didn’t want you, Celio,” Isla would say, her voice sharp and filled with disdain. “She threw you away like you were nothing
Luka's POV The day started out like any other. Mika, Sawyer, and I were playing in the woods behind the palace, chasing each other through the trees, our laughter echoing in the air. At seven years old, we were pretending to be fierce wolves on a hunt, leaping over fallen logs and dodging branches. It was perfect, like it always was when we were together.But then everything changed in an instant.I heard the thud first—a sound so sharp and heavy that it made my heart skip a beat. I stopped and turned around, the world seeming to move in slow motion as I saw Mika crumple to the ground, his face twisted in pain.“Mika!” I shouted, racing back to him. The sight that met me made my stomach lurch. His leg was twisted at an odd angle, and there was blood—so much blood—pouring out of a long, deep gash along his shin. It covered the grass, bright and red, and kept coming. I couldn’t breathe.Sawyer came running up, her eyes huge and frightened as she saw the blood. “Luka, what happened?” sh
Jaselyn's POV I took his hand, and he pulled me close, holding me from behind as we swayed gently to the music. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “You’re beautiful, you know that? Even after everything, you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And I’m the luckiest man alive to have you.”Tears pricked my eyes, but they weren’t tears of sadness this time. They were tears of happiness, of gratitude. “Rion… you don’t know how much that means to me.”He kissed my neck softly. “You mean everything to me, Jas.”Suddenly, the music stopped, and a projector flickered on. I turned to see a slideshow of pictures—our memories together. Photos of us when we first arrived at the Pack, a few of the whole family, some from the day of our mating ceremony, which also doubled with the coronation, pictures of us as Alpha and Luna at a few events, including one of us at the Peace Ball. Pictures of me with the twins when they were born and finally, pictures of us with Luka and Mika. I
Jaselyn’s POVExhausted didn’t even begin to cover how I felt. I was beyond it. No, it was more like EXHAUSTED in capital letters, underlined and bold. It had been a few days since Luka and Mika were born, and though I’d prepared myself for the sleepless nights and constant feeding, nothing could have readied me for the complete overwhelm of being a new mother to two newborns at the same time. Rion helped as much as he could. He was always there, doing everything in his power to make things easier for me. But there was only so much even he could do. There were things I had to handle myself—breastfeeding, comforting them when they both decided to cry at the same time, managing the constant pain in my body that hadn’t fully recovered from the trauma of childbirth.Luka was a good feeder. He latched on almost immediately, eager to nurse, but Mika wasn’t doing as well. He struggled with breastfeeding, and that meant more time spent trying to get him to eat, more time stressing about whet
Jaselyn's POVFive years have passed since the birth of our twin boys.And in those years, Luka and Mika had grown into mischievous, spirited children who constantly kept me on my toes. They were inseparable, their bond unbreakable, and they moved through life with a shared sense of curiosity and adventure.Completely identical, they inherited the dominant Solstice genes with their ebony black hair, deep green eyes, and strikingly beautiful features. They were so similar in appearance that even their grandmother couldn’t tell them apart.Only Rion and I could tell which was Luka and which was Mika, and the boys often used this to their advantage, tricking everyone around them. But when they weren’t up to mischief, they were the sweetest children imaginable—kind, considerate, and always eager to bring a smile to my face.They were the best of friends, always looking out for each other. If one fell ill,
Rion's POV“That’s it, Luna,” the midwife encouraged. “The hardest part is over. Just one more push, and we’ll have him out.”Jaselyn nodded weakly, her face pale and slick with sweat. She gritted her teeth, her whole body trembling as she summoned the last of her strength. With a final, desperate scream, she pushed again, her body arching off the bed as she bore down with everything she had left.The baby slipped free with a gush of fluid and blood, his tiny body wriggling and slick in the midwife’s hands. “It’s a boy!” she announced, holding him up for us to see, his loud, piercing cries filling the room.My heart swelled with emotion as I gazed at our son, his tiny face scrunched up in a wail, his fists clenched and shaking. Tears blurred my vision as I looked at Jaselyn. “He’s beautiful,” I choked out, my voice thick with emotion. “Jas, you did it. You gave us a
Rion's POVI slammed my fist against the desk, sending papers flying. The frustration had been building for months, and now it was boiling over. "Dammit!" I cursed, pacing the room in a futile attempt to calm myself. We had conquered the Rain Forest Pack with ease, but it had been a hollow victory. Hadrian, that fool, had chosen to die rather than betray his cousin, Isla. He'd poisoned himself before we could get any information out of him. Another dead end.The Fishers were a twisted bunch. Part of me relished the thought of wiping them out for good, to rid the world of their poison. Isla had slipped through our fingers, and I was beginning to fear we’d never find her. If I could only get my hands on her, I would make her pay for taking Celio. She would wish she had never been born.Blade had been another disappointment, another dead end in our search for Celio. We had pushed him to his absolute limits, hoping that the pain and pressure would force
Jaselyn's POV“Maybe we could…shower together?” I suggested hesitantly. “It might help me relax.”Rion smiled softly, his eyes filled with understanding. “That sounds like a great idea. Come on, let’s get cleaned up.”We both undressed completely, and I followed him into the bathroom. He turned on the shower, adjusting the water temperature until it was just right, then we stepped under the warm spray together.The water cascaded over us, washing away the tension and the grime from the day. Rion wrapped his arms around me from behind, holding me close as the water streamed down our bodies. I leaned back against him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my back. His touch was gentle, his hands moving over my skin with care, never lingering too long in one place.He washed my hair, his fingers massaging my scalp in slow, soothing circles. I closed my eyes, letting myself relax under
Jaselyn's POVI agreed to see Nae, but only because I needed to know if she could give me any information about where Isla might have taken Celio. It was my only lead, and I wasn’t about to let it slip through my fingers, no matter how much I despised Nae.Before heading to see her, I turned to Rion. His clothes were torn and stained with dirt and blood from the battle. He looked tired, and I could see the weariness in his eyes despite his usual confident stance. He needed rest, and he needed to be taken care of. After everything he had done for me, it was the least I could do for him.“Come with me,” I said softly, taking his hand. I led him back to our bedroom, feeling a mixture of nerves and determination. “Rion, I want our lives to go back to normal,” I began, my voice wavering slightly. “I want to feel close to you again.”He looked at me with a mix of surprise and concern. “Jas, you don’t h