DAMIEN'S POV "Dane," my voice pierced the room like a blade. “How’s our weapon deal with Kara progressing?”The scent of paper and leather filled the room as I leaned over the map sprawled across the mahogany table in my office. The atmosphere was tense, broken only by the quiet buzz of whispers from the group of pack members surrounding me. Various objects and markings littered the map, denoting key details: dormitories, boundaries, pack gates, mercenaries, and supply routes. This wasn’t just a map; it was the lifeline of our territory.Dane, standing to my right, straightened immediately. “Good, Alpha Damien. The shipment will arrive on schedule,” he said steadily though with caution.“And the new dealers?” I raised an eyebrow, my gaze piercing.He hesitated for a fraction of a second before replying, “Going well the last time we spoke.”“And that was…?”“Three days ago,” Dane confirmed.I nodded, processing the information. “Alright. Check on them. Ensure there are no loose ends
~DAMIEN'S POV~The room seemed to hold its breath. Evan’s words struck like a hammer to the chest, echoing through every corner of the office. For a moment, my thoughts stilled, and my body froze as his words sank in, pressing down on my chest like a heavy blanket.“My Jean… She’s… she’s gone,” he repeated, his voice trembling, filled with sorrow.I stared at him, unable to fully process the weight of those words. “Jean?” I finally managed, my voice cracking despite myself.Evan nodded, his eyes glassy, distant, as if he were staring into a void that no one else could see. “She didn’t make it. The hospital just called.”A deep growl rumbled in my chest, the primal response of a wolf whose pack had been wounded. My fists clenched tightly at my sides, the nails digging into my palms as a storm of grief and anger threatened to consume me. “How?” I demanded, my voice harsher than I intended, a raw edge slicing through the tension in the room. “How is this possible? She was recovering.
~ESPERANZA’S POV~The hallway felt colder than usual, the fluorescent lights casting a pale glow on the linoleum floor. I sat in one of the chairs lining the corridor, my face buried in my hands. My chest heaved with silent sobs, and my tears soaked into the fabric of my sleeves. My mind raced, replaying the scene in that room over and over again.I had walked in and found her… found her dead and I couldn’t help but blame myself for not arriving earlier. Maybe I would have been there with her and this wouldn’t have happened.The sound of approaching footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced up, my vision blurry from the tears.“Dad…” I choked out as I saw him stride toward me. Though he’s trying to hide it, his face showed worry and anger.He didn’t hesitate. His arms wrapped around me tightly, and the dam I’d tried so hard to hold back broke. “Dad… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should have…” My voice trembled, unable to complete the thought.“Shhh, it’s alright. It’s not your fa
About an hour earlier…~RUBY'S POV~I woke up to the soft light of morning spilling through the curtains and the warmth it came with, stretching and yawning as the remnants of sleep left my body. The events of last night lingered in my mind like a hazy dream. For a brief, peaceful moment, I felt the warmth of contentment. But when I turned my head, the other side of the bed was empty.I sat up abruptly, clutching the sheet to my chest. My heart sank, a mix of emotions swirling within me. “Son of a bitch,” I muttered under my breath, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.‘So that’s it?’ I thought bitterly. ‘After all this, he just leaves without a word? Without a trace. Typical Roman.’I scoffed, shaking my head as if to clear the memories trying to convince myself I didn’t care. Fine. If we ever meet and he tries to bring this up, I’ll deny everything. All of it. I’ll act like it never happened. My jaw tightened as I replayed fragments of last night in my mind, the memory of his touch, h
~Ruby’s POV~The hospital smelled like antiseptic and sadness. It was a sharp, clean smell that made my chest feel heavier. The only sound that filled the tense silence as Liam drove us to the hospital was the hum of the car's engine. My hands fidgeted in my lap, clutching my phone like a lifeline. The text from Esperanza played over and over in my mind, each word cutting deeper.“We lost Aunt Jean.”Those four words had unraveled something inside me. I couldn’t think straight. My body moved on autopilot, dragging me from the car to the hospital reception desk and now to the ward where Aunt Jean had spent her last days.I pushed open the door without hesitation, and there they were—Uncle Damien, Uncle Evan, Dane, Isaac, and Esperanza. The room fell silent as all eyes turned toward me.“Ruby,” Esperanza gasped, standing abruptly. Her face was streaked with tears, her nose red, and her hands trembling. She ran to me, her arms wrapping tightly around my waist.“I’m so sorry, Ruby,” she
~Rhett’s POV The amusement park was everything I had imagined it would be—bright colors, thrilling rides, the smell of buttery popcorn and sweet cotton candy wafting through the air just like our previous outing with Uncle Liam. People moved around us, their laughter and shouts mixing into the lively sounds of a busy day. Ruby, Aunt Helen, and I stood near the entrance, and I couldn't help the giddy smile spreading across my face.“Alright, Rhett, lead the way,” Ruby said, nudging me with her elbow.“Oh, I definitely will,” I said playfully. “This way, ladies.”We went for the games first . I picked a booth where you had to knock over cans with a ball. It looked simple enough, but it wasn’t. I threw the first ball too high, and it soared past the cans. My second throw was better, but it only knocked over one can. I frowned, determined to win. By the time I knocked over the final can on my third attempt, the booth operator handed me a giant teddy bear.I groaned. "Oh, come on! Not t
~Roman's POV~I stepped out of the hotel into the clear morning air. The city lights flickered like scattered stars, and I hailed the first cab I saw. Sliding into the backseat, I gave the driver my address.The hum of the engine and the soft city noise did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside me. My thoughts churned with questions about Abel. Why now?The cab pulled up in front of my house, and I paid the driver without waiting for change. My shoes echoed against the stone pathway as I made my way inside. The air in the house felt heavy, laden with memories and the weight of solitude. Without hesitation, I headed straight to my room, dropping my keys on the dresser.Grabbing my phone, I dialed Kai."I'm here. Come to my room now," I said curtly before hanging up.Moments later, a knock echoed through the door."Come in," I called, settling into the armchair by the window.Kai walked in, his usual casual demeanor replaced by a seriousness that only added to my unease. He took a s
~Ruby’s POV~I hugged Esperanza tightly before watching her step into the cab. "Thanks for coming," she said with a faint, sad smile on her face."Anytime, you’re always welcome," I replied, holding her close for a second longer before letting go. I stood there and watched as the car drove away, disappearing down the road, leaving a lingering sense of loss in the air. The morning sun cast a warm glow, but the chill of the moment felt heavier than the breeze that swept through the street.I stood there for a moment, letting the weight of the morning settle. Beside me, Liam shifted his stance, sensing the shift in mood. “You hungry?” he asked, his tone light, trying to lift the atmosphere that felt thick with unexpressed grief.“Starving,” I admitted, forcing a small smile, though my stomach twisted in knots. “Let’s find somewhere close by.” The idea of food felt trivial, yet there was a comfort in routine that I craved.A few minutes later, we found ourselves at a small restaurant, t
~Romans POV~Seven Years Ago…The Pack House stood tall and intimidating, its walls filled with years of memories—some good, some bad. But today, I felt nothing but cold detachment. The air inside was heavy with judgment, and the smell of incense couldn’t hide the tension in the grand hall.I stood before the council, my face expressionless, my hands clenched into fists at my sides."You are no longer one of us."The words echoed in my mind, cutting deeper than any blade could. "You are dead to this pack, and if you return, it’s death."This moment—this exile—had started long before today. It had begun weeks ago, with a mistake, a misunderstanding, and a choice that had set everything into motion.******I stood in my bedroom, my hands sifting through his wardrobe. The scent of old fabric and polished wood filled the air as I searched for something to wear. My eyes sighted a small cloth, tucked away between neatly folded clothes.Ruby’s clothes.My chest tightened, memories of days a
~Roman's POV~Minutes ago…The hospital lights above me buzzed softly, their harsh glow doing little to ease the anxiety churning inside me. I clenched my phone tightly as I walked back and forth in the hallway, my thumb repeatedly pressing the screen in frustration. The call just wouldn’t connect. I dialled once more, my patience thinning with each unanswered ring.“What the hell was he thinking?” I muttered.“Calm down, Roman. Relax for a second.” Kai’s voice was steady, but I could hear the wariness laced beneath it.I turned to him, my glare cutting. “Don’t—don’t tell me to calm down, Kai.”Kai sighed, rubbing his forehead. He knew me well enough by now to understand there was no reeling me back once I got to this point.“This was between me and him,” I seethed, stuffing my phone back into my pocket. “No one else. He had no business dragging anyone into this.”Kai exhaled, arms crossed over his chest. “Helen was obstructing, I guess.”“No.” I shook my head. “Even if she wasn’t,
~Ruby’s POV~The room was quiet, with only the soft hum of the laptop filling the space. On the screen, surveillance footage from eight different angles showed the attack happening in real time. I felt a knot in my stomach as I watched it all unfold.The front door burst open first—five masked men storming in like they owned the place. Helen was the first to react. She fought them off or at least she tried to, but she was outnumbered. One of them struck her hard across the face. She staggered but didn't fall. Another one lunged at her with a knife. Helen dodged once, twice—then pain shot across her face as the blade found its mark from behind.I gripped the edge of the chair.I barely heard my own breathing over the frantic pounding of my heart. The glow from Kai’s laptop screen bathed our faces in cold blue light, but nothing about this moment felt real. Roman, Kai, and I sat frozen, watching in horror as the nightmare unfolded before us.Rhett grabbed the nearest thing—a lamp, m
~Ruby’s POV~As soon as Roman and I stepped into the house, a suffocating weight settled over me. The silence wasn’t just empty—it was wrong. Heavy. It crawled over my skin, sinking into my chest, making it hard to breathe.My breath caught, my chest tightening as my eyes darted wildly over the destruction before me. The couch lay overturned, shattered glass crunched beneath my boots, and streaks of blood—dark, smeared—marred the walls like something, or someone, had been dragged.A cold shiver clawed up my spine. My stomach twisted into knots.And then it hit me.The kids.I sucked in a sharp breath, my voice breaking as I called out. "Helen? Rhett? Ruby?"Nothing.No footsteps. No voices. Just the eerie stillness of a house that should’ve been filled with laughter, with noise, with life.Panic gripped my throat, making it hard to breathe. I moved without thinking, pushing through the mess of broken furniture and accidentally knocking over a lamp in my desperate search. My heart rac
~Roman's POV~Abel’s voice carried through the speaker in a manner that was both smooth and taunting. "Good evening, little bro."I tightened my grip on the phone, jaw clenching. "What do you want, Abel?" I went straight to the point. No need for games—not that he ever played fair.“A little greeting won't hurt.” He mused. “I have no time for such.” I countered. “Christ, ever serious. Put the phone on speaker. I’m sure you’re not alone."Ruby's voice was soft but filled with suspicion as she shifted against me. "What’s he saying?"I raised a finger, signaling her to wait.Abel chuckled. "Oh, Ruby's there too? Nice. Go on, Roman."Damn it. Of course, he heard. He always did. I set the phone down on the table, hitting speaker.Abel’s voice filled the space around us, casual but laced with arrogance. "Figured you’d all be together after that little stunt you just pulled."Everyone exchanged glances but remained silent."You thought you were in control, didn’t you?" Abel continued, then
~Ruby’s POV~The basement was poorly lit, the single hanging bulb casting long, wary shadows along the damp concrete walls. The air was thick with the scent of rust, sweat, and something more metallic—blood. It clung to the space, making the atmosphere suffocating.Roman and Damien towered over the two men tied to the chairs, their faces revealing nothing as they contemplated what to do next. The men were restrained in worn metal chairs, their wrists and ankles firmly secured with heavy-duty zip ties.Their clothes were torn, blood seeping through the fabric where Roman and Damien had already introduced their fists.One of them, a stocky man with a split lip, glared up at Roman, his breathing heavy but controlled. The other, leaner with dark, piercing eyes, had a smirk despite the cut above his brow.Roman cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp in the silent room. “Who do you work for?”The stocky man didn’t answer. He only winced, his jaw tightening in defiance.Damien let out a shor
WARNING: GRUELSOME AND A BIT BRUTAL FOR SOME PEOPLE. PROCEED WITH CAUTION~Roman’s POV~The port had a salty, rusty smell mixed with something more foreboding—the scent of a deal about to go down. The waves gently hit the docks, creating a tense atmosphere. Flickering overhead lights cast long shadows between the stacked shipping containers.I adjusted the lens of my camera, angling it just right to capture the blurry figures exchanging briefcases. Each soft click of the shutter sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. This wasn’t just some shady deal. It was bigger—dangerous. And I could feel it in my gut.Beside me, Damien shifted restlessly, his fingers twitching near the concealed weapon at his side. His eyes scanned the scene, always watching, always ready."Standing here beside me isn't of any help," I muttered, focusing on getting the best shot."You think so?" Damien replied in a low voice."Obviously. And you know that.""I'm actually watching your back while you take the shots
~Ruby's POV ~Damien’s office was still as I last remembered—perfectly lit, a little too neat, and carrying that ever-present scent of leather and expensive cologne. It was the kind of place that made you feel like you were either about to be recruited into something dangerous or interrogated for something you didn’t even know you did.The tension was already thick before we even stepped inside. Roman entered first, with his hands in his pockets and a relaxed posture, but his eyes were alert. Kai came in right after him, unusually quiet and not his usual talkative self. I stayed by the doorway, feeling nervous.Damien sat on the edge of his desk, arms crossed, watching us as we filed in. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes flickered with curiosity—no, scrutiny. He barely let the silence settle before speaking. "Glad you could make it. Thought you’d have a change of heart."I met his gaze, unfazed. "We should be the ones worried about that."He let out a low chuckle. "Be res
~Ruby's POV~The moment I stepped into the apartment, a familiar warmth settled over me. The scent of cinnamon from a half-burned candle and the faint aroma of Helen’s tea made the space feel cozy despite the tension I hadn’t yet acknowledged.I tossed my keys onto the entryway table, shrugging off my coat when I noticed an unexpected guest sitting at the dining table, scrolling through his phone."Kai?" I narrowed my eyes, hanging my coat on the rack. "What are you doing here?"Without looking up, he responded, "I'm here doing something important."Helen, who sat across from him, gave me a helpless shrug, silently mouthing, I have no idea either.I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "Oooookay… and by that, you mean?"Kai finally lifted his gaze. "Shipment intel."I froze, my fingers still hooked in the collar of my sweater. My pulse quickened. Shipment intel. That meant trouble. That meant another mission. That meant another risk."What about the kids?" I asked, my voice tightenin