My hands trembled as I burst through the doors of the pack's medical facility, the acrid smell of burning flesh and silver poisoning assaulting my heightened senses. Callum lay writhing on the examination table, his powerful frame wracked with convulsions. Black lines spider-webbed across his chest where the silver bullets had struck him, each one a testament to how close I was to losing him."Status report," I barked at Fiona, forcing my corporate mask into place. I couldn't afford to let emotions cloud my judgment – not when Callum's life hung in the balance."Five silver bullets, My Lady," Fiona answered, her usual fierce demeanor cracking. "The hunters ambushed him outside Canary Wharf. We barely got him here in time."The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across the stainless steel surfaces as I cut away Callum's shirt. My medical training from my human life crashed against my wolf instincts – one demanding precise, calculated movements, the other howling to save my mate at a
My heels clicked against rain-slicked pavement as I raced through London's financial district, each step carrying me closer to the International Press Centre where news vans clustered like vultures. The mate bond pulsed with Callum's pain, a constant reminder of what I'd left behind. But I couldn't think about that now. Not when Amelia was minutes away from exposing our entire world. Thunder rumbled overhead, matching the storm raging in my chest. My enhanced senses picked up the acrid scent of wet asphalt and the metallic tang of approaching rain. Everything felt sharper since my transformation – including the guilt that threatened to consume me. I forced myself to focus on the immediate threat. Amelia Thornton, with her ice-blue eyes and perfectly manicured claws, was about to throw both human and werewolf societies into chaos. And it was partially my fault. If I hadn't been so consumed by my past trauma, so quick to doubt Callum... A sleek black car pulled up beside me, and I
I slipped into the back of the hall, scanning the crowd. My heart nearly stopped when I spotted them – hunters, just as Emilia had warned. They were dressed like security, but I recognized their stance, the way their hands stayed close to concealed weapons. Silver, most likely. My shoulder twinged in phantom pain, remembering my first and only encounter with a silver bullet. On stage, technicians were setting up a large screen. A silver briefcase sat on the podium, and I could smell the contents even from here – DNA samples, video evidence, everything needed to prove the existence of werewolves to a world that wasn't ready for us. Movement in the wings caught my attention. James stepped out briefly to speak with Amelia, his hand lingering on her shoulder in a gesture that was far too intimate for cousins. The pieces clicked into place with sickening clarity. No wonder he'd been so eager to blame me for manufactured infidelity – he'd been carrying on with Amelia the entire time. My
The acrid scent of silver ammunition burns my nostrils as I watch Amelia stride onto the stage, her white Chanel suit gleaming under the harsh spotlights. From my position behind the heavy curtains, I can pick out at least twelve hunters scattered through the crowd, their weapons concealed beneath pressed suits and casual wear. My enhanced senses catch whiffs of gun oil and the metallic tang that could end us all.My fingers fly across my laptop keyboard, corporate instincts merging with werewolf intuition as I work to infiltrate the venue's systems. Each passing second drives home what's at stake – not just Callum's pack, but every supernatural being living quietly among humans. The massive LED screens flanking the stage display Amelia's perfectly composed face, her ice-blue eyes gleaming with triumph as she approaches the podium."Fiona," I whisper into my earpiece, "status?""Security's in position," her voice crackles back. "But Olivia... Callum's here."My heart stutters. I catch
The lights of BBC's main studio blazed around me like an interrogation chamber. My heightened senses picked up every detail: the acrid scent of human anxiety mixing with the subtle musk of concealed werewolves, the rapid-fire clicks of camera shutters, and the thundering heartbeats of dozens of journalists. Each breath felt heavy with the weight of secrets about to be exposed.Amelia Thornton commanded the podium like she owned it, her cream Chanel suit making her platinum hair glow like a twisted halo. My INTJ mind calculated possible outcomes as I watched from the wings, fighting the urge to shift and tear out her throat. That wouldn't exactly help our image problem."Ladies and gentlemen." Her voice cut through the air like a silver blade. "I'm here today to expose a dangerous element hiding among London's elite." Her ice-blue eyes found mine in the darkness, glittering with predatory satisfaction.The projector hummed to life behind her, displaying carefully edited footage of part
Viral footage of my partial shift played across the screens in an endless loop. My wolf form, caught mid-transformation, launching through the air to save that child. The council chamber's ancient stone walls seemed to close in as I watched my secret—our secret—broadcast to the world."And now, ladies and gentlemen, shocking evidence has emerged of what appears to be a real-life werewolf transformation..." The reporter's voice echoed through the chamber, making my skin crawl.A low growl rumbled in my chest. My wolf bristled, wanting to tear apart the screens, to destroy the evidence of our exposure. Amelia's triumphant smirk from across the chamber only fueled my rage.She stood there in her pristine Chanel suit, platinum hair gleaming under the harsh lights, looking every bit the corporate queen she pretended to be. But I knew better now. The ice in her blue eyes matched the calculated nature of her betrayal."The genetic samples have already been distributed to major research facil
My heart thundered against my ribs as I stood at the edge of the ancient clearing, the full moon casting ethereal shadows through centuries-old oaks. The ceremonial crimson robe felt heavy on my shoulders, a stark contrast to my usual tailored suits. Watching Callum perform the sacred preparations, his hands trembling slightly as he marked the combat circle with mountain ash, I fought to keep my corporate mask in place.The stakes couldn't be higher. The viral video of my partial shift was already spreading across social networks like wildfire. Amelia's ultimate plan – the release of werewolf DNA evidence to multiple news outlets – threatened not just our pack, but every supernatural being trying to live peacefully among humans."You don't have to do this," Callum murmured, closing the distance between us. His amber eyes reflected the mounting fullness of the moon, a silent reminder of everything at stake. I reached up, tracing the worry lines etched across his forehead, allowing my t
Moonlight bathes my fur in silver as I face Amelia across the ancient fighting grounds. My new wolf form trembles, not with fear, but with a rage I've never known in my human life. Her ice-blue eyes lock onto mine, her sleek platinum form a stark contrast against the darkness. Around us, the pack forms a tight circle, their collective breath creating clouds in the crisp night air.I catch Callum's scent before I see him - pine needles and winter frost. He stands rigid at the edge of the clearing, his amber eyes reflecting both pride and terror. The sight of him sends a familiar ache through my chest. After everything - the betrayal, the transformation, the lies - here we are, about to spill blood under the same moon that watched my world shatter.Amelia strikes first.Her jaws snap where my throat had been a heartbeat ago. I dodge on instinct, my new reflexes faster than my human mind can process. Blood roars in my ears as we circle each other, my paws finding purchase in soil worn sm
I sat in some daze, staring at the email from James in my phone, my fingers quivering around it. What nerve he had after what he did, after destroying my heart and my belief in him, to make an appearance now? It was sent at 3:47 AM, no doubt because his drunkenness had demanded to feel exonerated or simply just heard. I just felt far too knackered to open it.The sudden, soft knock on my office door startled me. Callum filled the frame, broad shoulders looming wide, while amber eyes bore into mine with intensity; still, the same shock that sucked my breath away, without fail. Even months into whatever this was between us, I still hadn't gotten used to the raw power he gave off, the way he filled any space not just physically but with some sort of primordial energy that set my skin tingling."You're working late," he said, his voice low, rich. The sound chased an involuntary shiver down my spine. My wolf-still such a strange, strange concept it was-started to stir beneath my skin, reco
The storm clouds brewing across the London skyline are a perfect reflection of my mood. From my corner office window in Canary Wharf, I watched as lightning flashed out across the distance, casting an eerie gloom on the jagged edges of steel and glass that comprise the financial district. My reflection stared back-fractured across the rain-spattered glass-chestnut hair falling loose from its usually pristine bun, green eyes shadowed with exhaustion. My phone buzzed again-seventh time this morning. Callum's name flashed across the screen, and my stomach twisted into knots. I let it go to voicemail, just like the others. Amelia Thornton's words at last night's pack gathering still swam in my head: "Alphas are just like human men. They can't help but stray." The words hit too close to home, dredging up memories I struggled hard to keep buried: James tangled in our sheets with my best friend, his lies, his excuses, his betrayal. I'd sworn I'd never be that foolish again, to never trust s
Rain lashed my face as I stalked through London's financial district, the metallic scent of blood hanging thick in the air. My designer heels clicked against wet pavement – probably the last time I'd wear Louboutins to a werewolf battle. But then again, I hadn't exactly planned on joining this fight when I left my sanctuary an hour ago.A helicopter searchlight swept across Canary Wharf and lit up the chaos beneath. My enhanced vision saw it all: government forces closing in upon Callum's reduced pack; the gleam of arms designed to take down a werewolf; and then Callum himself, resplendent in his Tom Ford suit, torn and stained with blood as he faced the head of his people; those amber eyes ablaze with defiance.My heart clenched with his presence. Three months apart hadn't dulled a thing between us, despite how hard I'd tried to ignore the mate bond. Even now, standing in the shadows with my own contingent of newly turned werewolves, I could feel his presence pulling at something deep
The bitter taste of betrayal coats my tongue as I watch the tactical teams advance through the security feeds. Their black body armor gleams under the estate's floodlights, each weapon bearing the telltale shine of silver inlays. My hands shake against the cold metal of the desk, and I force myself to keep breathing as familiar faces flash across the monitors.Fiona's fierce red curls whip through the rain as she barks orders to the younger wolves. Alistair's massive form shepherds cubs toward the safe rooms. And Callum.my chest constricts as I spot him coordinating the defense, his commanding presence a stark reminder of everything I've destroyed."Alpha, they're breaching the east perimeter!" A young wolf's panicked voice crackles through the surveillance audio. I flinch, knowing it was my intel that exposed that vulnerability. The government's "containment protocols" are executing exactly as I'd outlined them, believing I was protecting innocent humans from dangerous creatures.God
Rain lashes against the windows, each drop an icy reminder of the storm that rages outside and inside me. I am standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse office that belonged to Callum; my ghostly reflection against the blackness, watching the city lights blur through the downpour. It was only days ago when I first stood in this exact spot, feeling as if I were finally meant for this world. Now, the mate bond between us pulsed like a wounded animal, reminding me with every beat what I was going to lose.Behind me, the silence is broken by the sound of papers landing on the desk. I don't need to turn around to know what they are – surveillance photos, each one a nail in the coffin of my betrayal. Week after week of meetings with government officials, each image timestamped and annotated with damning precision. My throat constricts as I catch a glimpse of myself passing files to Agent Richardson – files containing the pack's defensive positions, their safe houses, the
I'd never felt so caged as I did this very moment, surrounded by those glass walls of Wolfe Industries's top floor conference room. Rain pounded against the panes, casting jumping shadows across the scattered documents telling the story of our deepest, darkest fears in black and white. My fingers betrayed my tension, quivering around a surveillance photo as my stomach churned its guilt over what I had pulled."The books don't lie," Fiona said, the slightest quiver to her voice as she gestured to her tablet. "The government's werewolf taskforce is being funded through a web of shell companies." Her fingers drummed a nervous rhythm on the mahogany table as she spoke, each tap echoing my racing heartbeat.Callum's broad shoulders were tense, his powerful frame cast in shadow as he paced before the pack council, his eyes churning like the stormy London skyline. I couldn't tear my eyes from him, even as shame threatened to suffocate me. Every step he took was like another nail in the coffi
The glow of my computer screen was harsh in my office as midnight approached. Rain pelted the floor-to-ceiling windows of Wolfe Industries, mirroring the turmoil in my mind. My phone buzzed again-another message from Amelia demanding information about the pack's plans.I stared hard at the scattered financial reports detailing the growing government pressure on suspected werewolf-owned businesses. Each sheet was another noose tightening in the pack's neck, in Callum's neck. My chest tightened at the thought of him, of my growing betrayal.There came a gentle tap on the door. Standing in it was Callum, whose amber eyes filled with so much concern, my heart yearned at the very fact. Then he approached towards my working desk with a steaming cup of tea in his hand, exactly the way I liked, releasing the fragrances of camomile and honey into the air."You're working too hard," he whispered, setting the cup beside me. His fingers grazed mine; a shiver ran through my skin. "Everyone else we
In the growing darkness, I make a decision that will change everything. I open a new document and begin typing – not to Amelia, but to Callum. Every secret shared, every manipulation attempted, every moment I realized my love for the pack outweighed my fear of Amelia's threats. My fingers fly across the keyboard, pouring out truths I should have told months ago. When I finish, I hit send. Lightning illuminates the London skyline as I wait for either redemption or final betrayal, the weight of divided loyalties reaching its breaking point. The door opens. Callum stands there, his phone in his hand, my confession fresh on the screen. His face shows no emotion, but our bond thrums with pain, anger, and underneath it all, a desperate need to understand. "Why?" he asks simply. "She threatened the pack," I whisper. "Said she had evidence of illegal operations, enough to destroy everything you've built. I thought... I thought I could protect you all by playing along, feeding her harmless
The London skyline blurs through the rain-streaked windows of Callum's study as I stand before them, my reflection a ghost in the darkened glass. The storm brewing outside mirrors the tempest in my chest, where pack bonds pull and twist with each betrayal I commit. Dark circles shadow my eyes – evidence of nights spent wrestling with decisions that tear me apart. "Send the information by midnight, Olivia. Don't disappoint me again." Amelia's text message glows accusingly on my phone screen. My finger hovers over the reply button as memories assault me – Callum teaching me to howl at the moon, his hands gentle on my shoulders, his smile proud as I found my voice. The pack welcoming me, trusting me, making me family. And here I am, preparing to betray them all. The door creaks open behind me. Through our bond, I feel Callum before I see him, his presence both a comfort and a knife to my gut. He wraps his arms around my waist, nuzzling my neck in a gesture that once brought only peace.