HERO POV"This is crazy, don't you all think so?" I said, kicking a loose rock. "We've been running for hours. And what do we have? Nothing."Ace sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I agree, we're going in circles, that's what's happening. They've tricked us. This whole chase? It's a big joke."I clenched my fists. He was right. We'd been running after scents that went everywhere, like someone had spilled a bottle of perfume and then tried to chase each drop. It should have been obvious. Too many smells, too many paths. It was a mess.Norton, who had just shifted back into his human form, pulled on his pants. "They wanted to waste our time. That's what this is about. They wanted to pull us away from something." He looked around, his brow furrowed. "But why? What could they gain by doing this?"Before anyone could answer, two wolves stepped out from the trees. Jamal, his fur a mix of ash and black, growled low in his throat. Eric, with his rich chocolate-colored coat, did the same. They w
HERO POVWhen I got back home… I panicked when I noticed that the entire guard, which I situated in their position, were practically in a deep sleep. It felt worse when I noticed the lights were on when I got home which felt like a weird sign. When I shifted and hurriedly threw on my pants, I fished around for my key. The front door was locked. That was a good sign at least, I breathed a sigh of relief, but it was cut short when another scent thrust itself to the forefront of my mind. It was a familiar scent I had smelled before, and then another scent that was just beneath it… Weston.When I opened the door, I could sense that Zara’s scent was stale, but Alvira’s was pungent, leading upstairs. I ignored it, following Zara’s fainter scent. It was laced with fear mixed with Weston’s scent. Anger and concern began building inside me as my fist clenched and I tracked the scents to the kitchen. But the kitchen looked pristine. There was nothing out of place except for Weston’s smell. Th
HERO POV"I... I don't know, and I just don't understand why he was here," she said, her eyes drifting away, like she was looking at something far off."But why? Why would she tell you all of this? Why not me? Or Kira? It doesn't make any sense. We're her family," I said, my voice rising with frustration. "Why on earth would she choose you?"Alvira shifted, a nervous little movement. "That's exactly why she didn't want you or Kira to know. She was scared. Really scared. Scared you'd try to stop her.”A small, unsettling smile played on her lips. "That's why she asked me to come here. She wanted me to... talk to you and console you. To make sure you were okay."She took a step closer, and I instinctively moved back, putting more space between us. "Okay? Okay? You expect me to be okay with this? You show up here, telling me my Mate is gone, and you don't know why Alpha Weston was here?”A flicker of annoyance crossed her face, just for a moment, but it was enough. "Look, how am I suppos
ZARA POVDarkness. That's all there was. A thick, heavy darkness that pressed in on me from all sides. My mouth felt like it was stuffed with dry cotton, and a dull, throbbing ache pulsed behind my eyes. I tried to move, to stretch, but my limbs wouldn't respond. A cold dread washed over me as I realized my hands were bound tightly behind my back, and my ankles were similarly restrained. A rough cloth was jammed against my mouth, making it hard to breathe, and something tight and unfamiliar was wrapped around my neck.The ringing in my ears slowly faded, replaced by a low, rumbling sound. It took a moment to register: an engine. And the tires... they weren't on smooth pavement. They crunched and slid over something rough, maybe gravel, or even dirt. A sudden jolt sent a sharp pain through my head as it slammed against something hard above me. I finally understood. I was in a car, or some kind of vehicle, but I was hidden, trapped.Then, like a flood, the memories crashed back. Weston
ZARA POV"So, what do you think? You like it, Princess?" Weston asked again for the second time with a big, smug smile on his face. He seemed really proud of himself.I finally took a good look around. We were way out in the woods, high up on a mountain. It was dark, and I couldn't see any lights nearby. The air smelled like trees and damp earth. No people, no houses, just us. There was a small wooden cabin, kind of old and worn-out, but there were lights on inside."I know it's not much," Weston said, his hand squeezing my arm hard. "But it's just for now, okay? I have a much better place in mind. Bigger. Fancy. It's got a lake, a beautiful view. And lots of places to hide you." He paused, then added, "But someone's living there right now. Won't be for long, though."His words hit me like a cold splash of water. He was talking about his secret mansion. Not everyone knew about it. It was where he went when he wanted to be alone because my father had talked about it a few times. But I
ZARA POV"I promise, I'll rip your eyes out if you lay those filthy hands on me. I swear by the moon," I said, my voice shaking with anger. Weston just laughed. He thought it was funny. I felt so trapped and annoyed about everything."Try all you want," Weston said, his voice cold. "That collar tied around you, guess what? It stops your wolf. And you're tied up. You can't stop me." He touched me, his hand squeezing my breast. It hurt. I tried to move away, but he just laughed again. His eyes looked hungry, like he wanted to eat me. "See? You can't do anything.”I growled and pulled at the ropes, trying to get free. It was no use. I tried to feel my wolf, but she was gone. It was like she wasn't there at all. I felt empty, like a part of me was missing. I didn't want to believe she had left me. I felt so alone."Just relax," Weston said, touching my face softly. "Be good, and I won't have to tie you up again.""Take the collar off," I said, my voice low.His smile turned mean. "No way.
HERO POV"Norton," I said, my voice shaking. "I'm messed up. Really messed up. Weston... he took her. He has Zara." I'd just called Norton, and I could barely breathe because I still couldn't find them. "Weston took Zara.""Damn it!" Norton's voice came through the phone, rough and angry. "Damn it. Okay, listen to me. You need to take a deep breath. Calm down. Where are you right now? Tell me exactly where you are.”I tried to focus. My head was spinning. "I'm... I'm still trying to follow his smell. I'm not far from that place we were earlier, you know, the woods?" I was running as I talked, my feet pounding on the rough ground. It was a gravel road, dusty and uneven. I could smell Weston, that sharp, metallic smell of his car. But Zara... I couldn't smell her. That made my stomach twist into knots because I still don't have any idea why I couldn't. I had to keep going. I had to find her. If I found Weston through his smell, I'd find Zara. I knew it."Okay," Norton said, his voice a
HERO POVHe moved his head slowly, like he was thinking hard. "Our leader... he's not here right now. You'll have to deal with me instead."Something clicked in my head. It was obvious, really. "So, Weston sent you," I said, taking a step closer.Xavier looked surprised, but he stood straight and nodded. "You've gone too far, Alpha King.""Where is he?" I asked, my voice low and angry."That's not your concern right now," Xavier replied."Oh, it's very much my concern," I growled. "When I find him, he's going to lose his Alpha position."Xavier looked a little shocked for a moment, then his face went blank. "That won't happen," he said, his voice strong. "And I think you should just give up being Alpha King. Let Weston take over. Leave quietly, and nobody gets hurt. You don't belong here. We don't want you here."Ace tilted his head and laughed, a loud, mocking laugh. "That's funny. A lot of people seem to like him here.”Xavier's face turned red. "Just step down, you... you..." He se
ALPHA KING GRANTThe big wooden doors of the pack house creaked as I pushed them open. Another trip, another empty feeling. I sighed, a long, heavy sound that seemed to fill the quiet hallway. Since I was fifteen, I've been searching. Fifteen! That's a long, long time. I'm the Alpha King, which means I'm in charge of all the werewolf packs. I got this job really young, and now, well, I'm almost a hundred years old. And still, no mate.Everyone around me has found their special someone. My friends, my warriors, even the cooks in the kitchen! They all have their mates, and it makes me feel... lonely. Really lonely. When I turned fifteen, I took a whole year off. A year! I traveled all over the world, visiting every pack I could find. I was so excited. I imagined finding her, my mate. I wanted to give her everything, make her happy, love her with all my heart. I wanted to spend time with her, not just work all the time.But I didn't find her. Not that year. I told myself, "Maybe she's to
ADRIANA POVThe heavy oak door groaned, resisting the frantic assault of Harold’s shoulder. Finally, it splintered inward, a testament to his desperate strength. He stumbled into the room, the air thick with the stench of metallic blood. His gaze, wild and searching, fell upon his brother, sprawled lifeless on the blood-soaked rug.A strangled cry escaped Harold’s lips. He staggered towards the body, his knees buckling beneath him. "No... no!" he choked, his voice raw with grief. "Henry,"Trisha, her face pale and drawn, followed close behind. She gasped, her eyes widening at the gruesome scene. "Oh Goodness," she whispered, her voice trembling. "What… what happened?"Harold, his hands trembling violently, reached out to touch his brother's cold, lifeless cheek. "Henry," he moaned, the word a guttural sob. "Who did this?”He slowly looked up at me, his eyes blazed with fury. The world seemed to tilt. Then, a burning pain exploded across my cheek when he slapped me. I recoiled, dizzy a
This is the story of Alpha prince Grant and how he found his mate. THE ALPHA'S REJECTED MUTE MATECHAPTER 1ADRIANA POVAfter making breakfast for the Luna of the Diamond Pack this morning, I headed back to my room. A big smile spread across my face as I glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall of the room given to me at the pack house. Each ticked-off day on the April calendar brought me closer to my special day. Today was finally the 28th of April, my eighteenth birthday! I couldn't contain my excitement.Turning eighteen for most wolves is a big deal. It's when we usually shift into our wolf forms for the first time and meet our inner wolves. I'm even more excited than most, because I've been Mute since I was born. I had been like this since I was a baby, wrapped in the arms of my dead mother. She had been killed by a pack of lone wolves. Lone wolf...A lone wolf is a wolf that lives and hunts alone, outside of a pack, they don't belong to any Pack. This can happen for various
ZARA POVGrant finished his meal, a happy little mess of baby food smeared around his mouth. Hero, with a gentle smile, lifted him into his arms. "Okay, little man," Hero said, his voice soft, "tell Daddy all about your day."Grant, in response, let out a series of excited baby noises, a mix of gurgles and happy babbling. He waved his tiny hands, as if trying to tell a grand story that only he understood. Hero chuckled, bouncing him lightly up and down. Grant's laughter filled the room, a sweet, pure sound that made my heart melt.I couldn't help but smile. It was like watching magic happen. Before, Hero had been so unsure, so worried about being a father. But now, seeing them together, it was clear he was a natural. Grant absolutely adored him. His eyes lit up whenever Hero was near, and Hero, in return, spent every free moment with his son.Every time I saw them together, Hero had this big, open smile. It was like he'd found something he never knew he was missing. It was a smile tha
ZARA POVONE YEAR LATERThe bright summer sun streamed through the window, making the dust motes dance in the air. A warm breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass, and the sound of birds chirping filled the garden. Inside, the living room was a cheerful chaos of baby toys and soft blankets.Kristina was sitting on the plush sofa, her eyes wide and sparkling as she cradled Grant in her arms. He was almost a year old now, a chubby little bundle of joy with big, curious eyes. He gurgled happily, reaching out tiny hands to tug at Kristina's bright pink shirt."Oh, he's just the sweetest thing!" Kristina sighed, her voice full of pure adoration. "Look at those eyes! And his little hands! He's absolutely perfect."I smiled, leaning against the doorway. "He is, isn't he? He gets those eyes from Hero.""And that hair! Just like Hero's too," Kristina added, gently stroking Grant's soft, dark curls. "He's a mini-Hero. You're so lucky, Zara. I swear, if I wasn't your best friend right now,
HERO POV"Hero..." Zara's voice, usually so strong, trembled. She clutched her stomach, her face paling. "Hero, I... I think my water broke."My breath hitched. "What? Are you sure?"Her eyes, wide and filled with a raw, primal fear, locked onto mine. "Yes! I'm sure! Oh, it hurts, Hero. It hurts so much!"She swayed, her legs buckling beneath her. I reacted instantly, leaping forward and catching her before she could fall. "Zara! Hold on, hold on.”"Oh, it's coming, Hero. It's really coming!" she gasped, her voice thick with pain. "It's… it’s like a fire inside.""Jeremy! Guys! We need help!" I yelled, my voice cracking with urgency. "Now!"Instead of the swift, coordinated response I expected, they walked towards us. A wave of cheers erupted, and my eyes widened in disbelief. Jeremy and the others stood there, beaming, holding bottles of sparkling wine and brightly colored balloons. "Congratulations, Hero! Congratulations, Zara!”They started clapping, oblivious to the chaos unfoldin
HERO POVMy hands were shaking. I mean, really shaking. I tried to smooth down my shirt, but it didn't help. I was standing right in front of the place. We had put up lights, flowers, everything. It was supposed to look like a dream, the kind of place you see in movies. I had spent all day, every single minute, trying to make it perfect. I wanted it to be just right for Zara.I took a deep breath. It didn't do much. My heart was pounding like a drum. I kept thinking, "What if she doesn't like it? What if it's not good enough?" I looked around again. We had hung little lights everywhere. They twinkled, even though it wasn't dark yet. We had put up her favorite flowers, the bright yellow ones. I had even gotten some special candles that smelled like vanilla, her favorite."Man, you look like you're about to jump out of your skin," Jeremy said. He was standing next to me, trying to look cool. He always looked cool. I wished I could be that calm."I'm nervous," I admitted. "Really nervous
ZARA POVI felt so much better. My body was strong again. Hero had taken care of everything. He made Paul and Alvira tell everyone what they did. The whole squad saw it, even Kira. They told the truth about trying to hurt me. Because of this, my father was going to lose his position as Alpha. He was in big trouble.But we had a big problem. We couldn't tell everyone about the mountain. It had too much magic. If other packs found out, they could use it for bad things. So, we all agreed to keep the mountain a secret.I knew Mascold wasn't happy about us leaving the mountain because they were torn between the fear of letting their secret out. Paxton and his mate tried to talk to us then and we had refused. I felt glad I had turn them down because right now, I was walking back into my old house to confront my father finally. It should have been my home, but it never really felt like it. I walked tall and proud. No one dared to touch me.I wondered why. Maybe they knew Hero was my mate, an
HERO POV"Are you alright?" I asked again, my voice low. I looked at her wrists, at the marks left by the cuffs, and at the rough collar around her neck. A wave of anger washed over me, a hot, burning feeling. Even though Weston was gone, I wanted to hurt him again, just for touching her like this. How could anyone do this to her?She blinked slowly, her eyes looking tired. "Yeah," she whispered, "I'm... I'm okay." She paused, her eyes fluttering. "But... I think I'm going to faint.”And then, just like that, she went limp in my arms. I felt a surge of panic. "Zara!" I called, but she didn't respond. I held her close, carefully lifting her into my arms. She was so light.I walked out of the cabin, the wooden floor creaking under my boots. The night air was cool, and the moon was bright, casting long shadows. I held Zara tightly, my heart pounding.Suddenly, I heard a soft rustling sound from the trees nearby. It was a subtle sound, like leaves moving, but my senses were sharp. I stopp