Adrian's POVPacing back and forth, hands dipped into my pockets, I restlessly circled around my living room, my mind racing with thoughts of Violet like a whirlwind. It had been a week since she'd vanished, leaving me with nothing but unanswered questions and a gnawing sense of desperation. Where was she? Why did she leave without a word? I'd gone to the hospital the next day only to find out she'd left...Nothing was making sense anymore. That prick, Xavier, was the one running the company now. He was rather proud, I had to admit. I'd met him several times to make inquiries about Violet, but little Mr. CEO was always either "about to head out for a meeting" or "in the middle of preparing for something important"—the exact words he'd used on me on five different occasions. I'd met Claire too, and she seemed to not know where her boss was; even her house was empty...To top it all, he always managed to keep a smug expression on his face, and each time he spoke, he sounded more amused
It has been three weeks since I left the hospital, and my arm is fully healed. As I stare out at the open field of green grass before me, I take a deep breath, the earthy scent of freshly mowed grass reminding me of Adrian.“Adrian,” I whisper into the air, my hands wrapping around my waist as I hug myself. I left him without saying goodbye—not after a fight, but after a passionate night. Boy, is he going to be pissed! I bite my lip guiltily.The memory of that night is still etched into a precious corner of my mind. It was like discovering a new side of Adrian.“Before you start getting silly ideas into your head, let me remind you that old habits die hard,” Aria says, her voice stern and slightly annoyed.“It wouldn’t hurt to take a trip down memory lane, would it?” I roll my eyes, indignant at whatever sermon she’s about to launch into.“When it involves you and Adrian Wolfe acting silly on your hospital bed, then yes, it would.” She chuckles, her humor resurfacing, and I allow mys
Adrian's POV"Open up, Violet," I whisper, my hands on my waist as I pace impatiently. Tapping my feet restlessly, I begin to scratch my scalp, my eyes never leaving the door. I haven't seen her for over two weeks, and I'm anxious to see her face, even if it's just for a minute.Reynold has been quiet the whole time, but I can see the excitement on his face, his gaze fixed on the door handle.The handle moves down slowly, the door swings open, and our eyes meet. Violet is dressed in a light blue dress that flows down to her ankles, a white sweater covering her arms and shoulders, her hair flowing freely down her back. She isn’t hurt.A big wave of relief washes over me, and I let out a sigh. She's safe and alive after all."Thank goodness you're okay," I say, but the moment the words leave my mouth, a cold look sweeps over her features. Her back straightens, her eyes go expressionless, and she folds her arms across her chest, leaning against the doorframe.Right. My thoughts shift in
Violet's POV"You can come back to the pack. You still have your place there," Adrian mutters. I stop sobbing immediately, fixing him with a long, hard stare. "He has the nerve!" Aria hisses in my mind. Realizing he'd probably blurted out something stupid, he bites his lip and looks away, but I continue to look. To think I could trust him… Of course, Red Moon Park was my safe haven, a place where I could live peacefully without watching my back every minute. But then again, it wasn't that easy. Bending my head down, I let out a bitter laugh that comes out low and croaky. Nothing is ever as easy as it seems. "And what about Emily? What happens to her?" I question, my gaze dropping as he chews on his lower lip. "Aren't the two of you still married?" My voice is louder this time. My eyes drift to Reynold, who gives me a sorry look. I don't ask these questions because I want answers—hell, I know the answers. I only want him to see how impossible his request is. "And when I'm back, what wo
Adrian's POVViolet raises an eyebrow, her smirk widening into a grin, and then she starts laughing. The sound is mocking, but instead of getting annoyed, I find myself turning away, embarrassed. I knew how she felt, but I didn't intend for it to come out that way. Maybe it was the wrong timing. Her words cut through the laughter, sharp as knives. Each one reminds me just how impossible it's going to be to convince her otherwise.“Sorry things had to turn out this way. It’s not what it looks like.” Damn it! I’ve messed up again. This wasn't how I pictured it to come out. I care about her, and I'm not comfortable with the fact that she was hiding in some only God knows basement when she can securely be safe at the pack house. I knew I needed to leave even without arguing. I wouldn't was to piss her more.Even on the drive back to the city, my mind is still on her. Reynold’s driving, but all I can think about is how I’ve let her down again. I should never have mentioned the pack. Now
Adrian's POV“Where are those darn keys?” I mutter to no one in particular, tossing a pile of sheets aside. I pat the space under them, but nothing. I’ve already checked the pockets of my sweats, and the key rack is empty…“Are we really doing this now?” Ares growls in his usual impatient tone. Instantly, I remember: my bedside stool.Slipping into a pair of sneakers, I’m soon strapping my seatbelt across my chest, my car speeding towards the hideout. My only prayer is that no cops pull me over.“Get a grip on yourself before you get us killed,” Ares says gently, but I don’t pay him any heed. With my heart beating like a bass drum echoing in the woods, it’s either I reach Violet as fast as I can, or I don’t reach her at all.It’s a miracle my hands aren’t shaky. In fact, if Reynold were around, I would’ve let him drive. I don’t trust myself. Sawn’s call informed me that the tracker had gone off. That was wrong. It was supposed to remain on; it only goes off if she’s in danger.You cou
My nose crinkled. I could smell it—a male scent, not a familiar one, but one I’d encountered a few times before. Sniffing deeper, it became clearer, and then it hit me. It was his scent. What was his name again? Yes, Xavier. But why the hell did he have a gun pointed at my head?Because he was the damned stalker. It still didn’t make sense. Why would he want Violet dead? Blinking furiously, I pushed away the whirlwind of thoughts threatening to overwhelm me.“Stay still!” His voice thundered from behind me, reverberating in my ears. “Raise your hands slowly above your head, and don’t bring them down.”I hesitated but followed his command, feeling the cold metal of the gun now pressing into my neck. The urge to ram my elbow into his gut, to make him drop the gun, was strong, but I couldn’t risk it. I had to get to Violet first.“Keep them up, and move!” he growled. I heard a click, and a bright light shone behind me—he’d brought a torch. How thoughtful.The boards creaked beneath our f
"Shoot me dead," Aria gasped. I had the same thought. My mouth hung open, yet not a single word left it... How could he? And why would he want me dead? He'd helped me escape Mason's pack, turned me into Sophia Crane in five years, made me a successful career woman just to kill me? It didn't sit right with me. No, it wasn't normal."Is he going to kill us?" I asked Aria, who was unusually quiet. My hands were still shaking, but not like before—they were now twitching."I'm as confused as you are. What in the world does he want?" Aria's sigh was exasperated and defeated.With so many thoughts in my head and no answers, I clamped my lips shut, my gaze lingering over him as my heart thumped loudly, pushing my chest forward, leaving me anxious within.I stared hard at him, trying to decipher what he was thinking when a sudden sharp squeak indicated the creaking of the floorboards at the front porch."Adrian!" Aria and I gasped simultaneously, my pupils dilating as my eyes darted to the doo
VIOLET'S POVMy chest is tight. My heart is pounding. Would I be able to fight this to the end?Emily smirks, dark energy curling around her like smoke. She's changed. I really don't know what has gotten into her for a minute.Suddenly, my eyes flicker... Ot was like a vision. I saw a man tall... Burly... And then making a blood oath with Emily. And then her eyes changed. Powers. She did that to destroy me and after that... The sexI blinked rapidly, jerking back to reality.The Blood oath.The Blood Oath twisted her. Her aura is different, her claws sharp as blades, her eyes... wrong."You should have stayed dead, Violet."The words slither over my skin like a curse, but I don't flinch. I don't let fear take hold. I have one mission.I have to get Harry back. The shadows stir. Then-movement. I turned and gasp.The Shadow Wolves.A dozen rush toward me at once, fangs bared, eyes gleaming with cruelty. Like the could savor me if they're opportune to. My heart is racing. I want to sh
VIOLET'S POVIs it just me, or does one suddenly develop feelings for someone when you're close to your deathbed?After we got to the cave. Adrian, Mason, Dad, and I. Dad insisted we make a plan. The Shadow Wolves are dangerous, after all.They wanted me. They specifically stated I come alone. Bursting in with the four of us could get Harry killed.I needed to go alone. Then, when things go south, I'll signal them for support.Everyone agreed. But when I turned to Adrian, I could tell he was battling with the situation at hand. He wasn't comfortable with it.My head buzzes with regret. I can only say I'm sorry for hiding Harry from him. I'm sorry for making him miss days of Harry's life. And I promise to make it up to him-to bring Harry home, even if it costs me my own life.My gaze meets his, and for a moment, I'm scared. What if we don't make it out alive? What if he never forgives me? Could he ever live with the lie?His gaze softens. The once-angry eyes that glared at me with hatr
Adrian's POVI'm not sane. I can barely think. How could I? When everything just changed within a minute. How could she? This was more than I could face. More than I asked for.I had a son. A five-year-old son. And Violet hid it from me. From us. All I could imagine were the days of his childhood... I wasn't there to hear his first cry. To see him when he was born. To even know what he looked like. How was he going to regard me? A father who abandoned him. A father who didn't care about his existence. A father who hasn't been there for him? A father who wasn't there to play games with him, stuck him to bed? This is more than I can imagine. More than I can bear.My whole body was shaking. I hadn't slept for days, eaten for days, or even drunk water. Ares is fucking mad at her for the first time. She hid our pup from us. Made us seem irresponsible. And just when I found out I had a son, he's missing. He's fucking been kidnapped.I didn't even want to look at her face. It only reminded m
Emily POV I didn't know how long I had been here.Time had lost all meaning. I was constantly surrounded by darkness.If there's anything I despise so much, it's darkness. And, of course, an awkward place like this wasn't perfect for me. But you know they say when you need something so desperately, you'll go out of your comfort zone to get it.Well, I need this so fucking badly, and here I am.A part of me should have been afraid, standing on the cursed soil of the Shadow Wolves' territory. But fear had no place here. Not anymore. Not when I was about to claim the one thing I craved more than anything else.Revenge.Xavier had directed me here, promising me something beyond my wildest dreams.We both share the fact that we want Violet down in common. He needs it for his pack, and me just to pay back what that bitch stole from me.I stood before their pack, a sea of shifting shadows and glowing, blackened eyes. I knew I had made the right choice.The largest wolf among them stepped fo
Violet POV It's been four days since we started carrying out the search for Harry. Adrian hasn't been himself. As a matter of fact, he isn't even talking to me. I can see the hurt in his eyes-the betrayal. I know I hurt him, but it wasn't my fault. It wasn't intentional. Maybe it's time I owned up and admitted that I'm fucking at fault... that I'm fucking to be blamed for all this.We've searched the entire area, and fuck, there hasn't been a fucking positive response. No clue. No lead. Fucking nothing.I'm going insane. I haven't slept a wink since the day he went missing. I'm angry and irritable.Dad, Mason, and Adrian requested a picture of what he looks like. And no doubt, I brought out my phone and scrolled through my gallery.Several photos of Harry-where he was smiling, where he was eating cotton candy... and several more that made my heart feel like it was wrenching apart.I watch as Adrian's face contorts with rage the moment he sees Harry. I doubt he'll ever talk to me agai
Violet POV "Harry?" I stutter, my throat tightening. I don't know what to say. It's like I'm caught at a crossroad, forced to pick between the lesser devil.The room falls silent. Not a single word is said. All attention is on me. All eyes.Dad, Mason, and Adrian gaze at me inquisitively, silently demanding an answer.I can't lie. There's no point. I had every intention of telling Adrian about Harry-but never like this.My gaze grows misty as I glance at Adrian, trying to pass an apologetic message.He shakes his head, already knowing damn well what I'm trying to do."Fucking tell me. Who is Harry? This isn't the first time you're calling his name," Adrian growls, his voice tight with frustration.His hands curl into fists, and his face twists in fury.My gaze drops to the floor."Tell me! Fucking tell us! Is he your new lover? You were calling his name in your sleep the other night!"Jealousy. I can tell he's jealous. But no, Harry is more than that. Harry isn't just a man. He isn't
Violet POV My head is pounding heavily. I'm in a daze... but I can feel the effects of this fucking migraine. My eyelids flutter open, and I shut them immediately. The sunlight pierces straight into my eyes, forcing them closed again."Ouch!" I let out a wince as I try to sit up, but the migraine worsens, and my body feels like it's spinning.Movement. I hear movements... and then voices."She's awake?" That voice."She's awake!" The emotion-the happiness-is unmistakable. It's fucking ecstatic.Adrian.I turn my head toward him, but the light is too much, so I shut my eyes again.I hear him move, muttering something under his breath, and then the light dims."Violet, you're awake?" His voice trembles.I open my eyes, peering into his. His gaze locks onto mine, searching, almost as if he's staring straight into my soul. His emotions are swirling, barely contained. I can tell he wants to hug me but is holding himself back."Violet?" Another voice calls from the other end of the room.M
ADRIAN POV We barely made it back.Our boots slammed against the ground as we crashed through the border, lungs burning, bodies aching. Still, we didn't stop. We kept running. Ares for sure didnt want to give up. "We're close, just few minutes. Our mate is going to be fine. Few minutes," his chants on my head, made my heart eases. Burning lungs, fast beating heart was nothing compared to seeing Violet alive. Seeing the pain she had etched on her face gone and replaced with a soft smile.Her smile, her smile alone was like heaven. The Moondrake.Mason was gripping the damn thing so tightly his knuckles had gone white. Neither of us spoke as we stormed into the pack house, the Valenwood mansion.The warriors gave way, giving an emergency call as they saw us marched inside.Different looks, whispers. Of course whispers. I mean we have fuckimg entered inside the Ebon Hollow and came out fucking alive. Not just alive, with the moon drake.Alpha Valenwood walked inside the Pack house, h
Emily POV I'm pissed. Fucking pissed.Each and every damn time, the Moon Goddess proves that she has her fucking favorites-and it sure as hell isn't me.How on earth? How, by the Moon Goddess, did it happen?The Viper is known for never missing his target. Fucking known for never failing. And yet, somehow-somehow-she became the first person to break his record.How did it happen? How the fuck did it ever happen?That day, when he made the call, I expected victory. Fucking victory. But instead, he told me she survived. She fucking survived.First, the poison.I sold my dignity for that plan. Slept my way through the Valenwood guards. Had a damn threesome just to get close enough to initiate it. And after all that-after poisoning her drink in her own fucking gala-what did I get in return?She turned stronger.She didn't die. She survives. That night, she didn't just survive the poison-she made every single body in that room bow to her. The power. The fucking aura that had came from her