MAXIMUSThe frustration and rage consuming my whole being were capable of tearing me apart. I barely slept, barely ate—all I could think about was Starlette and what she was going through at the moment. I still hadn’t found her nor any clue that could lead us to her. I was filled with regret. I should’ve insisted on following her; that way, I would have been able to protect her. Instead, I trusted her words that she would be okay and allowed her to go alone with the warriors. I was the greatest fool ever.Everyone had been trying their best to find her. Amelia couldn’t locate her through the spell, and that only made me more scared. Whoever took her had cloaked her. And that confirmed my suspicion—it was definitely the witch working in collaboration with her father, Isaac. Despite the intense interrogations, Isaac refused to confess.Even though the torture was extreme, driving him to the brink of death at times, he still wouldn’t admit anything. He had been transferred to the dungeon
MAXIMUS“What?!” I exclaimed, narrowing my eyes, trying to understand what Bella had just told me.“She is pregnant. And she is in her third trimester already,” she repeated firmly.I shook my head, trying to make sense of what she was saying. But it didn’t make one bit of sense. If she was in her third trimester, she would have been heavily pregnant. But she wasn’t. In fact, her stomach was as flat as ever before she left this pack.“This is not the time for jokes, Bella,” I hissed. “Please leave if you have nothing serious to say. Do not infuriate me!”“The baby is hiding itself to protect itself; that’s why she isn’t showing yet,” she said firmly, unwavering in her claims. She looked into my eyes, stating firmly, “Starlette is pregnant.”I narrowed my eyes at her, and she remained unmoving, refusing to back down from her claims. Bella would never lie to me for fun, would she? Especially in this critical moment.As the realization dawned, my stomach tightened, anxiety coursing throu
STARLETTEShoot me! I groaned internally as I recoiled. Silas had caught me, and with that, all hope of ever leaving this place shattered. My chance to escape might never come again.“Shift!” he commanded, and as much as I would have loved to disobey him, I knew it was over, and I had better just do as he said.So, regrettably, I shifted back to my human form. One of his men handed him a blanket, and he wasted no time wrapping it around me and scooping me into his arms.“I must admit,” he whispered in a way only I could hear, “you are drop-dead gorgeous. I can’t wait to fuck you until you can't walk anymore.”“You dream too much, and those dreams will never come true. Not in this lifetime, not in the next,” I spat.He grinned wickedly. “We’ll see.”He seemed so sure that I would eventually give in. What a retard.He took me to the room I had been kept in before and carefully laid me on the bed.Staring down at me, he muttered, “I should be angry, but you are pretty, so I won’t. But ne
STARLETTEOnce we were in Sandra’s room, I shut the door and locked it so the jobless guards following me wouldn’t come inside.“Sandra!” I called sternly as I turned to face her. “Is this really how you want to live your life forever? Is this the kind of environment you want your kids to grow up in? A place where they witness their father abusing their mother day after day? What do you think that will do to their mental health? Even if you’re strong enough to endure it, do you think your children could handle it?”She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “I don’t want things to remain this way forever.”“Then why won’t you dump his ass and get as far away from this place as possible?”“He might... he might change. He wasn’t always like this. I still—”“Change?” I interjected, staring at her in disbelief. I couldn’t let her finish those infuriating words. Silas had no redeeming qualities. What kind of man would slap his Luna, let alone beat her?“What else does he do to you?”
STARLETTEThe four bodyguards trailed me closely as I left the room. Changing into a female soldier’s uniform was no longer a viable option, so I needed to devise a smarter plan to escape. My mind raced, searching desperately for a solution. Then I remembered the alarm system installed throughout the pack house. I hadn’t been explicitly told its purpose, but I knew it was for emergencies—whether fires or rogue attacks. My only chance of escaping now depended on creating chaos in the pack; only then would I be able to slip out of the guards’ sight.Yes! That was the perfect plan, I thought. I sped down the corridor, my eyes scanning for one of the alarm systems. I was so focused on my search that I turned a corner and bumped into what felt like a wall. My heart rate quickened, knowing who it was before even raising my head to see his face. Silas.“Oh, my pretty girl,” his voice sounded as I felt his arm wrap around my waist. “Where were you rushing to?”“I was coming to look for you. G
MAXIMUS“Do you know why you are here?” I asked Maeve and Sabrina, looking at them dangerously.They shook their heads vigorously, their fear evident. “No,” their voices shook.“If your father hasn’t told you, then I will. He kidnapped your sister, Starlette, and killed all the warriors sent to escort her. Now, I want him to tell me where he has kept Starlette or reveal his accomplices. He refuses. And you know—” I slowly unlocked the cell gate, opening it. They veered backward, trembling as I walked in. “Starlette is my mate, and I would do anything to find her.”“Do not touch my daughters!” Isaac screamed from behind. “Please!”My gaze snapped to him, cold and unforgiving. “Does that mean you’re ready to talk?”He pressed his lips together, nothing but silence filling the air.“No,” I answered for him, then returned my gaze to the two girls. “Ask your father to tell me where she is so that you don’t have to suffer for his sins.”“Father, please,” one of them cried. “Please, just tel
STARLETTEFrom the book I had read about the Invisibles, I learned their power was tied to a burning candle. If the candle were extinguished, their invisibility would cease. I had a strong suspicion that the candle burning on the stone before me was the very source of their power. Its presence here, in Silas’ pack, could mean only one thing—Silas was the mastermind we had been hunting all along. And the red-haired witch we encountered the other day was none other than Lila.I moved closer to the candle, determined to snuff it out, when a sharp voice cut through the air.“What are you doing here?”I snapped my gaze to the side to find Lila standing there, rage burning in her eyes.“You!” I growled, baring my canines. “You control the Invisibles. Gabriel is your father!”She tilted her head to the side as she continued staring at me. “Looks like Silas let his pet wander too far.”“To what end?” I growled, fire burning within me. “Why do you keep attacking my pack?”“Because I want to ta
MAXIMUSAfter putting two and two together, I knew immediately that Silas had paid Isaac to lure his daughter out of my pack. That man was greedy and wouldn’t mind trading his daughter’s life for money. And Silas? The bastard played me, and he would pay with his life. I should have realized from the start that Lila was the witch since she was also a redhead. But that suspicion never crossed my mind because I thought we all had the same goal—putting an end to the invisibles. I never knew they were the culprits we had been looking for all along, hidden in plain sight.I rushed to the dungeon to get confirmation from Isaac. The moment I entered, Maeve and Sabrina whimpered, their bodies trembling in fear. But I ignored them. I wasn’t there for them.“Isaac!” I roared, unlocking the gate and marching into the cell. He recoiled, fear evident in his eyes. “You sold Starlette to the southern Alpha King, Silas.”His face froze in shock, his guilty expression confirming my suspicions.“Speak!”
AXELAfter I left Violet, I went in search of my Dad, knowing they’d be looking for me since the meeting was over. I found him and the others—uncle Lucius, Kade and Tom, in the hallway leading to the hall where the meeting was held. Their voices were hushed while discussing something I presumed they didn’t want anyone else to hear, but when my Dad saw me, he paused, casting a disapproving look my way. “Where have you been?” He groaned. “I brought you here for a reason.”“I am sorry, I had to go and ease myself and I got lost.” I let the lie slip off my tongue. The look on his face showed that he didn’t believe me, but he decided to let it go anyway. “The meeting is done. We are heading back now.” I nodded. “Okay.”On our way to the car, I moved closer to Uncle Lucius, lowering my voice as I asked curiously. “What’s the conclusion on Lila?” “If you wanted to know, you should’ve stayed for the meeting, but...” He leaned closer and reduced his voice to a level only I could hear.
VIOLETI didn’t know how, but I sensed his presence the moment he got to this pack and I had been waiting for him ever since. I was so happy and relieved that Axel was here, even though I still held a bit of resentment due to his betrayal.“You don’t look good.” Axel said, worries flooding his face as he sat on my bed and held my hand in his. “What is wrong?”“My Dad said a witch had hexed me.” I told him.“What? Why?” He asked, confusion saturating his features. That, I didn’t know either as my dad had refused to give me the full details. He always hid things from me, even though it concerned my health.I shook my head. “I don’t know either. But he mentioned that it was the Witches’ clan leader’s doing.”“Kaelin?” He said, confusion evident in his face. “Why would he hex you?”“I don’t know either.” I sighed. “I guess my dad got on his wrong side.”“And he wouldn’t say what it is that is between them. Or what condition Kaelin was giving to ensure your release.” Axel said, more of a
AXELI hadn’t been able to get Violet off my mind since she lost consciousness. Orion even wouldn’t stop howling in pain, desperate to see his mate. When her parents were informed, they arrived within a few hours and didn’t hesitate to transfer her to the hospital in the south. Now, I was in the dark about her health status and nothing could be more frustrating than that. I couldn’t be more glad that my dad had invited me to tag along for the Alpha King’s summit that was to take place in the south. That was my opportunity to check up on my mate.As planned, I was picked up from school and joined them as we travelled to the south. Uncle Lucius, kade and Tom were also with us. We arrived at the south and we were led to a grand hall where other Alpha Kings with their Betas and Gammas also joined us. “I welcome you all and thank you for honouring this invitation.” Silas said, darting his gaze between everyone in the room. “What I have called you here for is really important.” “It
VIOLETAfter Axel left, my feral side was activated, and I growled loudly, desperate to go after him, but Daisy held me back. Using all the strength I could gather, I pushed her away and made for the door. But before I could reach it, she cast a spell and used magic to hold me in place.I had almost forgotten that she was a witch.“Daisy, let me go now! I need my mate,” I growled, struggling to break free. “Don’t let me hate you.”“No, I think you will thank me when you are back to being yourself,” she replied, shaking her head.“Daisy, please,” I cried, frustrated.“Let’s help you get better,” she said as she approached me and undid the spell.I tried to run away once I was free, but she held my hand, looking me straight in the eyes. “Violet, look at me. You know I care deeply about you. And I will not lie to you. Trust me on this one. You don’t want to go after Axel.”“But I need him, Daisy. My body calls for him,” I blurted.“It is normal when you are in heat. You can do whatever y
AXELViolet in heat was wild and hot as fuck. She became a hundred times more attractive, and I could barely hold myself back. But taking her in this vulnerable state would be me taking advantage of her, and I didn’t want that. If we were going to make love, I wanted her to be in her right senses. I wanted her to want me when she could think straight. But now wasn’t the time.“Daisy.” I reached out through the mind link.“Yes?” she responded immediately.“Can you come back, please? And grab some ice packs on your way. Violet needs you,” I told her.“Why? What is wrong with her?” she asked, worry evident in her tone.“She’s in heat,” I said.“It’s great that you are with her then. You are the only one that can make her feel better since you are mates,” she responded teasingly.“We haven’t done that yet. And I don’t want our first to be when she’s in heat. She was mad at me before she went into heat, so I know she would regret it if anything happens now,” I explained to her.“Okay.” She
VIOLET“My beautiful daughter,” my dad’s voice beamed from the other end of the line. “How are you? Have you called me to tell me about your first shift? I am glad that your boyfriend, Emmett, helped you through your first shift. I heard you have a beautiful white wolf.”Of course, the bodyguards reported back to him.Axel’s jaw tightened, his knuckles turning white at my dad’s words.“Dad.” I cleared my throat, cutting straight to the chase. I didn’t want to waste any more time engaging in conversations like that with him. “I want to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me.”“What?” he asked immediately.“Are you working with Lila?” I shot the question at him.He went quiet for a moment, then sucked in a breath. “Why do you say so?” he finally asked.“Please just answer my question. Are you working with Lila?” I pressed.“Violet, dear. This is not something you should concern yourself with. Just focus on your studies, okay?” he said.He wasn’t denying it, and my chest
VIOLETMy entire body continued heating up, so was my desire for Axel to rip off my clothes and bury himself inside me.“Axel...” I breathed, as I took his hand and placed it on my breast, urging him to play with it.He pulled his hand away, looking at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. “Violet, you are in heat. You are not thinking straight.”“I know exactly what I am doing,” I retorted, desperation thick in my voice. “I want you, Axel. Please don’t deny me of you. I am all yours. Take me now.”Without hesitation, I cupped his face in my hands and leaned in to kiss him, but he promptly jerked away from me. Tears welled up in my eyes, my heart breaking at the realization that my mate didn’t want me.“Violet...” he sighed.“You don’t want me. You hate me.” Tears poured down my face.“Wait—what? I don’t hate you, Violet,” he said immediately, looking perplexed.“If you don’t, then you will...” I grabbed his shirt and used it to pull him closer, attempting to kiss him again. Bu
VIOLETEver since my first shift, both Onyx and I had felt lighter, but not light enough to escape the sting of Axel’s betrayal. I was relieved that Indie had survived her suicide attempt, and she was even back to attending classes and participating in other school activities.But what I couldn’t wrap my head around was why the both of them didn’t seem to be speaking with each other. I had asked Daisy, but she wouldn’t tell me anything. As much as I disliked the both of them at the moment, I was curious to find out why—but not curious enough to ask any of them.Emmett had been really supportive, always by my side, trying so hard to put a smile on my face. Even after I had made it clear to him that I could never accept his proposal, he didn’t mind. He simply wanted to be with me, to spend time together. Truth be told, I also enjoyed his company.I was hanging out with him when I lost track of time. And when I finally checked what time it was, it was already time for the game the wolves
AXELLila had won. Again. And we had no idea what she was planning. But now we had the hint that she was working with Silas. After we realized our plan had been busted and Lila had shattered the black vase, I wanted to follow my parents back to the pack house to join in solving the mystery from there, but they didn’t allow me. They insisted I stay in school. Truth be told, nothing interested me in this shithole academy anymore.Violet wasn’t speaking with me. She seemed to be really enjoying Emmett’s company now. They were always together, the sound of their laughter being a torture to my soul. I could barely stand this anymore.We were all at the training hall for combat class. They were together as usual, their eyes lighting up as they conversed. It took everything in me not to storm over and kick the motherfucker in his damn balls.“I also don’t know what he is doing with that girl!” I suddenly heard Emily’s voice say as she stood beside me.I sighed, shaking my head slightly. I di