Jaselyn's POV
I jolted awake with a scream, my lungs burning as if I’d been underwater too long. My heart was racing, thundering in my chest as my eyes darted around the room, still trapped in the horrors of the nightmare. I was back in that house. Zane was there, his face twisted into a cruel smile, his eyes gleaming with malice.
In the nightmare, I was bound to a chair, my arms strapped tightly to the wooden frame. Zane loomed over me, a knife glinting in his hand. I struggled, my wrists burning as I fought against the restraints, but it was no use. He came closer, the knife’s blade catching the light as he dragged it across my skin, leaving a thin line of blood in its wake. I could feel every inch of it—the cold steel biting into me, the warm blood trickling down my arms.
“You think you can escape me, Jaselyn?” Zane sneered, pressing the knife to my throat. “You’re mine. You’ll always be mine.”
Jaselyn's POVSeeing my reluctance, Rion continued, filling the silence with his calm, steady voice. “After the doctor called me and gave me the address where you were being held, I rewarded her handsomely for her help and left Mother to handle the arrangements,” he explained. “You were being held in a small cottage on the mountainside of the Rock Hill Pack. It’s a small pack, just beyond Blue Solstice, one of the colony-like packs that depend on us. I felt so stupid for not realizing how close you were.”I listened quietly, absorbing his words as he recounted everything that happened after he found out where I was.“Erik, a few warriors, and I left for the Pack after I sent a message to the Alpha of Rock Hill. He was more than willing to let us search his territory. It didn’t take long before we found the cottage. But when we stormed in, it was empty.” Rion’s jaw clenched, his expression darkenin
Jaselyn's POV"Where is this coming from, Jas?" Rion asked, his voice filled with concern and confusion. He tightened his grip around me, his arms warm and comforting, but I couldn't meet his eyes.I hesitated, biting my lip as I fought to keep my emotions in check. The fear and shame clawed at my insides, making it hard to breathe. "Just answer me, Rion," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Would you leave me if I've been defiled?"His eyes softened, and he cupped my cheek with his hand, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "Jas, I would never leave you," he said firmly. "Not for anything. You are my mate, my Luna. Nothing could ever change that."I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. His words were comforting, but the fear still lingered. "Rion... Zane... he..." My voice broke, and I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to continue. "He dark-bonded me. He raped me. He... he hurt me in so many ways."
Jaselyn's POV"Jas!" Rion's voice broke through the haze, and he rushed into the room, a tray of food in his hands. He saw the broken mirror and the fear on my face, and his expression turned to one of concern. "What happened? Are you okay?"I crawled out of bed and ran into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "He's here, Rion. Zane's here. He won't leave me alone."Rion wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight as he whispered soothing words in my ear. "It's okay, Jas. He's not here. He's gone. I'll prove it to you." He gently released me, moving around the room, opening closets and checking behind furniture, showing me there was no one else there. "See? He's not here. It's just us."I took a shaky breath, trying to calm myself as I watched him. His presence, his voice, it all helped to chase away the fear. "He's dead," Rion reminded me softly, coming back to my side. "You killed him. He can't hurt you anymore."I nodded, my body slowly rel
Jaselyn's POVIt took about a week of constant reassurances from Rion and coming to terms with the fact that none of what happened was my fault before I felt mentally prepared to face the rest of the family. For the past week, Rion has been by my side, spending every moment with me from dusk till dawn.His presence was a lifeline, keeping the nightmares at bay and providing me with a sense of safety I desperately needed. Each time I woke up screaming, drenched in sweat and terror, he would pull me into his arms and whisper softly in my ear until my panic subsided.He’d repeat those sweet reassurances over and over again, telling me how much he loves me, how safe I am now, until I finally began to calm down, feeling almost embarrassed by how much I needed him.Every morning, Rion would help me through a simple routine. He’d draw a warm bath, lifting me gently into the water and washing me with the utmost care. His hands were n
Jaselyn's POV“We’ve missed you so much, Jaselyn,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”Everyone gathered around, expressing their happiness at seeing me, relieved that both the babies and I were safe. Luna Daryna spoke up, her voice filled with sincerity. “We were worried sick about you, dear. I prayed every day for your safe return. Thank the goddess you’re back with us.”Lian, ever the joker, tried to lighten the mood. “Hey, Jaselyn,” he said with a playful grin, “you have no idea how much we’ve missed you. Without your smile around, I’ve had to tell twice as many jokes to keep everyone's spirits up. The pressure's been unbearable!”I couldn’t help but laugh at Lian’s joke, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me. It was the first genuine laugh I had felt in what seemed like forever, and it felt
Rion's POVIt's been a month since Jaselyn began therapy, and while the progress has been slow, it's there, like tiny buds of hope sprouting through the cracks of a broken sidewalk. Each day is a battle, a relentless struggle against the memories that refuse to stay buried, but I see her winning more and more.The nightmares that once haunted her every night like relentless phantoms have started to fade, their hold on her loosening with each passing day. She no longer needs me by her side every moment; she’s starting to breathe again, to trust that she is safe, even without my constant presence.Watching her begin to socialize again has been a blessing. For so long, she kept herself isolated, her world narrowed down to the walls of our bedroom and the safety of my arms.But now, I see her speaking with people outside of our immediate family, the tight circle that had closed around her in those first few terrifying days. It’s
Rion's POVErik nods again, determination etched on his face. “We’ll find them, Alpha. I’ll bring Celio back, I promise.”He turns and disappears into the chaos with the two warriors, leaving me to continue my advance toward the Alpha’s office. My heart is pounding in my chest, a mix of adrenaline and anger fueling my every step. I will not rest until I have Isla and Celio. I will not rest until justice has been served.As I approach the Alpha’s office, I find Alpha Ezra sitting comfortably behind his desk, completely unbothered by the chaos unfolding around him. His expression is calm, almost bored, as if he had been expecting this all along. It’s infuriating, the arrogance and disdain in his eyes as he watches me approach.When I enter the room, he stands up and bows his head, a gesture of surrender. “I admit defeat, Alpha Rion,” he says, his voice steady. “I am not a fool who will die us
Jaselyn's POVI paced up and down the room, my nerves raw and frayed as I waited for any news of Rion and the warriors. Each second stretched into an eternity, the silence around me deafening. My heart raced with each passing minute, my thoughts a tangled mess of hope and fear. I had prayed for Rion before he left, begging the goddess to guide him, to keep him safe and bring my son back to us. He had promised me that he would return with Celio, but now, the waiting was unbearable.I couldn’t sit still, couldn’t focus on anything other than the gnawing anxiety that twisted in my stomach. Every so often, I would glance out the window, straining to see any sign of movement, any hint that they were on their way back. But the landscape remained empty and still, mocking me with its calm.“Jaselyn, you need to take a breath,” Larose said gently, watching me with a concerned frown. “Pacing back and forth like that isn’t going to