As Layla moved through the garden, her mind still reeling with the suspicion that she might be carrying Kane’s child, she couldn’t shake a strange sense of vulnerability.The weight of her secret made her feel both exhilarated and anxious, and she wanted nothing more than to find Kane, to feel the security of his arms and share her thoughts. But as her eyes scanned the clearing, she realized he was no longer there.The space was empty, the warmth of his presence vanished like a passing breeze.A quick look around revealed his Beta, Liam, speaking with a group of warriors near the training grounds.She sighed, feeling a small pang of disappointment.Kane must have been summoned for something urgent.Steeling herself, Layla turned back toward the side entrance of the packhouse.The hallway was silent, lined with shadows that seemed to stretch longer than usual. Just as she stepped over the threshold, a slight sound, almost imperceptible, caught her attention.She froze, a shiver of unea
The forest was thick and dark, with shadows clinging to every branch as Aiden dragged Layla’s limp form through the underbrush, his expression cold and unwavering.The soft light filtering through the canopy barely reached the spot he had chosen, a remote clearing far enough from the pack grounds that no one would stumble upon them easily.In the center of this eerie clearing, he’d set a solitary wooden chair, worn, rough, and bound with thick ropes that he used to tie Layla securely.Her hands were bound tightly behind her, and he’d looped the rope around her torso, ensuring there was no way for her to wriggle free once she came to.He glanced to the side, where a small mound of dirt lay, freshly disturbed from the place he’d buried Zara only days before.The thought of Zara’s betrayal made his jaw tighten, but he pushed it away, his focus shifting back to Layla.Aiden took a few steps back, crossing his arms as he settled into a vigil.He waited, his gaze never leaving her still for
Meanwhile, back in the pack, Kane paced the floor of his office, every fiber of his being tense and on edge.His usual calm was replaced with a frantic desperation that his pack members had rarely, if ever, witnessed.He was barking orders, demanding reports, questioning everyone who had seen Layla last, his heart pounding with a fierce worry that something was terribly wrong.He ran his fingers through his hair, his mind racing as he thought of every possible place Layla could have gone, of everyone who might have seen her.He had searched the garden, the pack grounds, and the nearby forest edge, but there had been no sign of her.Each empty spot left his hope eroding just a little more."She was just here," he murmured under his breath, clenching his fists. "How could she just… disappear?"Liam, his beta, stood nearby, his own worry evident as he tried to calm Kane down. “We’ve sent out scouts, Alpha. They’re combing every corner of the forest and checking all the routes out of the
As Aiden loomed over her, his twisted smirk growing darker with each passing second, Layla fought to stay calm, her mind racing for any way to escape.She felt helpless, her bound wrists aching from her futile struggles, but deep within her, her wolf stirred, angry, protective, refusing to submit.Just as Aiden leaned in, his eyes gleaming with malice, Layla felt the familiar surge of energy build inside her, and with a fierce determination, she closed her eyes, focusing on the presence of her wolf.She gave herself over to the primal instinct rising within her, and with one sudden, powerful movement, her wolf took over, snapping through the ropes as she shifted in a heartbeat.A low, warning growl rumbled from her chest, reverberating through the clearing.Aiden staggered back, his eyes widening with shock. For a moment, he was too stunned to react, but he quickly recovered, his expression shifting to one of fury.He let out a vicious snarl, and in an instant, he shifted into his own
“She’s hurt,” he murmured, his voice quiet but edged with a firmness that none of his warriors dared question.He inspected her injuries, the faint crease in his brow revealing his concern.She was bruised and scraped, but nothing appeared to be life threatening. Still, he couldn’t ignore the blood at her hairline and the faint scent of her wolf’s lingering power, which was impressive for someone who looked so delicate.One of his warriors spoke up cautiously. “Alpha, what shall we do with him?” He gestured toward Aiden’s lifeless body.The Alpha barely spared Aiden’s corpse a glance, his gaze remaining fixed on Layla as he answered, “Bury him. He looks like a rogue who must have ambushed her.”He didn’t know the full story, but given the state of the young woman in his arms, he felt no mercy for the dead man before him.Whatever had transpired here, he was certain that this man had meant her harm, and paid the price for it.“Make it quick,” he instructed, his tone sharp as he hoisted
Meanwhile, Amelia paced nervously in her room, her perfectly manicured nails tapping impatiently against the surface of her oak dresser.Two weeks had passed since Layla’s disappearance, and in all that time, she hadn’t been able to reach Aiden.The lack of communication was gnawing at her nerves, twisting her stomach into knots.Aiden was supposed to handle this. He had assured her he would deal with Layla, that Kane would be left devastated and vulnerable, paving the way for her to step in as his savior.Instead, there had been nothing but silence.Amelia had sent word through subtle channels, her messages veiled in cryptic phrasing to avoid suspicion. But none of her efforts had yielded a response.Each passing day heightened her anxiety and her anger.Aiden was unreliable, but she had trusted him to follow through. Now she was left with no idea whether he had succeeded or if the plan had fallen apart entirely.She sat down at her vanity, her reflection staring back at her with eye
The Alpha who had saved Layla carried her delicate frame with the utmost care through the dense forest, the moonlight casting a soft glow over their path.His warriors trailed behind, respectfully silent as their leader’s unusual actions left them more bewildered with each step.The Alpha rarely showed kindness, especially not toward strangers, and never women. Yet, here he was, cradling Layla like she was the most precious thing in the world.When they reached his pack's territory, he ordered the best healers to attend to her, ensuring she was given the finest care.The warriors exchanged glances, but none dared question their Alpha’s command.He was known for his ruthless efficiency, and if he had decided to protect this woman, there must have been a reason.Days passed as Layla lingered between consciousness and unconsciousness, her fragile state concerning even the most experienced healers.The Alpha often sat in the corner of the room, his arms crossed, watching her intently.Som
Days turned into weeks, and the reports came back the same, nothing.No one had declared anyone matching Layla’s description missing.No nearby packs had any knowledge of her.It was as if she had simply appeared out of thin air.Rylan stood on the balcony outside his office, his sharp eyes scanning the sprawling forest beyond the pack’s borders.He felt a growing frustration, not just at the lack of information but at the quiet ache within him that hoped no one would claim her.The more time he spent with Layla, the more he found himself drawn to her. Despite her confusion and loss, she carried herself with a quiet strength that intrigued him.He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps behind him.He turned to see his Beta, Dain, standing at attention.“No new leads,” Dain reported solemnly. “It’s like she never existed before we found her.”Rylan exhaled, his jaw clenching. “Then we assume she has no one.”Dain hesitated, studying his Alpha’s expression. “And what do
The announcement of an all children’s party in the Alpha King’s pack sent ripples of excitement across the packs.Alpha King Kane, who had been reclusive and brooding for years, had unexpectedly decided to host an extravagant event to celebrate the little ones.Invitations were extended to neighboring packs, and it became the talk of the territories.Kane's intentions, however, were far from innocent.His sole purpose in hosting the party was to get Aria to bring Ace. He hoped that amidst the joyful chaos of children playing, he could find a moment to spend with her, to study her up close, and perhaps unravel the enigma that had haunted him since.The Alpha King’s packhouse and surrounding grounds were transformed into a vibrant, child friendly wonderland.Brightly colored banners and balloons adorned the trees, while rows of tables laden with treats stretched as far as the eye could see.There were games, pony rides, bouncy castles, and even a small theater for storytelling.Kane had
The day after Rylan and Aria’s visit to Kane’s pack, whispers began to ripple through the packhouse and beyond.The uncanny resemblance between Rylan’s Luna, Aria, and the late Layla was the topic on everyone’s lips.In hushed voices, members of the pack speculated about the strange coincidence, while others suggested it might not be a coincidence at all.“I’m telling you,” one elder murmured to another in the courtyard, his voice low. “She looked just like Layla. Same eyes, same build. It’s eerie.”“Do you think it’s her?” a younger warrior asked skeptically. “That’s impossible. Layla’s gone. We buried her.”The elder shook his head, uncertainty clouding his features. “I don’t know. But the Alpha King didn’t seem himself when she was here.”“Did you see the way he kept looking at her?” another chimed in. “It’s like he saw a ghost.”The murmurs weren’t confined to the packhouse.In the marketplace and along the patrol routes, the resemblance between Aria and Layla became a constant un
When Kane returned to his pack, he called for Liam immediately.“Dig deeper into Rylan’s Luna,” Kane commanded, his voice low but firm.Liam frowned. “We’ve already tried, Alpha. There’s nothing to...”“Try again,” Kane snapped. “I want to know everything about her. Where she came from, how they met, everything.”Liam nodded reluctantly, though the concern in his eyes was evident.As the door closed behind him, Kane sank into his chair, his wolf growling restlessly.“She’s alive,” Kane murmured to himself. “And I’m going to find out why she doesn’t remember me.”And perhaps, for the boy who had dared to prank an Alpha King..............Days after Kane’s visit to Rylan’s pack, the Alpha King sent a formal letter, delivered by Liam himself, to Rylan’s packhouse.The letter bore the royal crest and invited Rylan, Aria, and Ace to visit Kane’s pack for an official meeting of goodwill and reconciliation.Rylan read the letter carefully, his brows furrowing as he considered the implicatio
The possibilities swirled in his mind, each more painful than the last.Had she been alive all this time, hiding from him deliberately?If so, why?Was it possible that Rylan, the smug Alpha who had challenged his throne, had rescued her and manipulated her memories?Or was it truly amnesia, a cruel twist of fate that had stolen their shared history from her mind?His thoughts shifted to the boy, Ace.The child had Layla’s vibrant spirit, but his features were harder to place.Kane couldn’t shake the feeling that Ace might be his, yet the timeline didn’t fit.Layla had been gone for nearly five years, and Ace was only four.And yet, the nagging possibility refused to be silenced.A knock at the door interrupted his spiraling thoughts. “Come in,” he barked, his voice sharp.Amelia stepped inside, her presence as uninvited as ever.She had been trying to claw her way back into his good graces, though Kane kept her at arm’s length.“You’ve been restless since you returned from the city,”
The sun was high as Aria stepped out of the car, holding Ace’s small hand.The bustling city streets were alive with activity, the perfect backdrop for their shopping trip.Ace, now four years old, was as mischievous as ever, and Aria had her hands full trying to keep him from running off at every opportunity.“We’re here to get you new clothes, remember?” she said, crouching down to his level.Ace wrinkled his nose. “Clothes are boring. Can we get ice cream too?”Aria smiled, ruffling his golden curls. “If you behave.”“I always behave,” Ace replied with an innocent grin that didn’t fool her in the slightest.As they strolled through the city, Ace’s eyes darted from one stall to another, filled with endless possibilities for trouble.The crowds gave him the perfect cover to slip away while Aria was momentarily distracted by a display of children’s shoes.“Ace?” she called, glancing around.No answer.Her heart skipped a beat as she scanned the area, but Ace was already a few steps ah
Years passed, but the stalemate between Alpha King Kane and Alpha Rylan persisted.The packs had settled into a tenuous peace, though tension lingered beneath the surface.Kane remained on the throne, his position unshaken by the halted election.Rylan, though unable to dethrone the Alpha King, had solidified his own pack’s strength, gaining loyalty and admiration from many.Despite their ongoing rivalry, neither had made a decisive move to change the status quo.In the midst of this uneasy calm, there was one bright, unpredictable force that no one could ignore, Ace, Rylan and Aria's three year old son.Mischievous, stubborn, and endlessly charming, Ace had become the heart of Rylan’s pack, bringing moments of joy and chaos to everyone around him.Ace was a whirlwind of energy, constantly on the move and always getting into some sort of trouble.Whether it was sneaking into the kitchens to steal sweets or hiding important documents from the elders, his antics were as exhausting as th
The tension among the Alpha community was palpable.The throne of the Alpha King, once the pinnacle of werewolf hierarchy, now stood as the center of a bitter power struggle.What should have been a straightforward process to elect a new leader had devolved into chaos. Two names dominated every conversation, Alpha King Kane and Alpha Rylan.Though Kane, by blood and right, still claimed ownership of the throne, his months of grief and absence had left cracks in the foundation of his authority.Rylan’s challenge, fueled by his reputation as a strong, capable leader, had garnered considerable support. Neither man seemed willing to back down, and their steadfast stances were causing ripples across every pack.Inside his chambers, Kane stood tall, his commanding aura returning after months of mourning.His presence alone was enough to make even the most hardened elders falter. Yet, behind his stoic exterior, a storm brewed.“Enough of this election nonsense,” Kane barked at the gathered c
The heavy oak door creaked open as Rylan entered their home, his expression grim.His steps were slower than usual, shoulders hunched under the weight of frustration.The faint glow of the setting sun cast long shadows across the room, where Aria stood, gently swaying Ace in her arms.“Rylan,” she said softly, her voice immediately filled with concern.She didn’t need to ask if something had gone wrong, his body language said it all. “What happened at the meeting?”He paused, glancing at her and their sleeping child. For a moment, the sight of them eased the tension in his chest, but it wasn’t enough to quell the storm raging in his mind.Without a word, he moved to place his jacket on the back of the chair, his fingers lingering on the fabric.When he finally spoke, his voice was laced with irritation. “It was worse than I expected.”Aria placed Ace gently into his crib, her motherly instincts ensuring he remained undisturbed, and turned to Rylan.She gestured for him to sit with her
“Liam,” she called, her tone sharper than she intended.The Beta turned, his expression neutral but wary as she approached. “Amelia. What can I do for you?”She crossed her arms over her chest, fixing him with a pointed look. “I want to know what’s going on with Kane.”Liam raised an eyebrow. “You’ll have to be more specific.”“Don’t play coy with me,” she snapped. “I know he’s been fixated on Rylan’s Luna. Why? What’s so important about her?”Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not my place to discuss the Alpha King’s private matters.”“Don’t give me that,” Amelia shot back. “I’ve been by his side for years. I deserve to know what’s going on.”Liam hesitated, his loyalty to Kane evident in the way he held his ground. “All I can say is that Kane believes there’s more to Rylan’s Luna than meets the eye. He’s looking for answers.”“Answers to what?” Amelia pressed.“That,” Liam said firmly, “is for Kane to decide when, or if, he wants to share.”Amelia’s frustration boil