The next morning, Kane and Amelia set out with a fresh search party.The crisp morning air was filled with the scent of pine and damp earth, the sounds of birdsong mingling with the rustling of leaves.Amelia took the lead, her sharp eyes scanning the terrain as she pointed out potential trails and landmarks.She was determined to prove herself useful, to cement her place by Kane’s side, if not in his heart.She was attentive and precise, directing the search parties with a confidence that even Kane couldn’t deny.At one point, they came across a small clearing where a torn piece of cloth was caught on a branch.Kane’s heart leapt as he recognized the fabric, it was from the dress Layla had been wearing the day she disappeared.His wolf growled, a surge of hope and anger coursing through him.Amelia was the first to speak. “It’s a sign,” she said, her voice calm but insistent. “We’re getting closer.”Kane nodded, his jaw tightening as he motioned for the group to spread out and search
The journey back to the packhouse was silent and somber.The weight of the discovery hung heavily over everyone, especially Kane.The decayed body had been carefully retrieved and placed on a stretcher by the warriors. Though it was nearly unrecognizable, the chair and the fabric Kane had found seemed to confirm his worst fears.The others, though hesitant to voice it aloud, seemed to agree, the body was Layla’s.Kane walked ahead of the group, his face like stone, but his thoughts were a storm of anguish.His wolf howled mournfully within him, the primal bond it had felt with Layla wrenched apart by the reality they now faced.Though there was no definitive proof, every piece of evidence pointed to one conclusion.She was gone.By the time they reached the packhouse, the sky had turned a dusky gray.Warriors moved solemnly to bring the remains into the medical wing, where the pack’s healer, an elder named Marlowe, waited.Kane followed closely, his jaw clenched and his fists at his s
The burial was arranged swiftly, yet every detail was handled with care and respect.The pack gathered in the clearing at dawn, where the soft golden light seemed almost too serene for the weight of the occasion.A simple wooden casket, draped with white lilies, was placed in the center of the gathering.Surrounding it were the artifacts that Kane had insisted accompany the burial, symbols of Layla’s life and her brief, cherished time with the pack.Kane stood at the forefront, his Alpha’s mantle heavy on his shoulders.He wore a solemn expression, his face a mask of composure that betrayed none of the turmoil within.His pack looked to him, waiting for their leader to speak, but Kane found himself unable to. Words felt meaningless in the face of such loss.Amelia, standing quietly at the side, watched Kane with an unreadable expression.She had helped coordinate the ceremony, taking care of the details with precision and empathy, or at least, the appearance of it.She had seen this m
Life in Alpha Rylan’s pack was slowly becoming a routine for Aria, though she still struggled with the empty spaces in her memory.The name Aria felt foreign at first, but as the days passed, it became her identity, a gift from Rylan that she clung to in the uncertainty of her existence.Rylan, for his part, had become an undeniable presence in her life. Wherever she turned, there he was, attentive, protective, and quietly steadfast.Though Aria hadn’t spoken about what lay between them, or even acknowledged the growing bond, it was impossible not to notice how Rylan’s entire demeanor shifted when she was near.He had appointed himself as her unofficial caretaker.Every morning, he brought her herbal teas the healer recommended to soothe her lingering nausea.He made sure she had everything she needed, warm clothes, fresh meals, and a quiet space in the packhouse garden where she could sit and think.The pack, observing their Alpha’s unusual behavior, whispered among themselves about
The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden glow over Alpha Rylan’s pack as he stood outside the packhouse, waiting for Aria.He had promised to take her into the nearby town to shop for baby supplies, a promise he had been quietly excited to fulfill. Though their relationship was still undefined, Rylan took pride in ensuring she felt cared for and safe.Aria stepped out hesitantly, her hand resting lightly on her growing belly. She had begun to accept her circumstances, finding solace in the pack’s warmth and Rylan’s constant presence. Still, the prospect of venturing into town felt overwhelming.“Are you sure this is okay?” she asked softly, looking up at him.Rylan offered her a reassuring smile. “Of course. You and the baby deserve the best, and I want to make sure you have everything you need.”They set off together, the journey to the small town filled with light conversation.Rylan was careful to keep things lighthearted, teasing her gently about her newfound craving for swee
Rylan turned to Aria, his jaw tight. “Are you okay?”Aria nodded, though her hands trembled slightly as she tried to process the encounter. “Yeah.”Rylan said with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Don’t pay attention to anything she said. She thrives on causing pain.”Aria hesitated, her eyes searching his. “Is what she said true?”Rylan’s expression softened, and he reached out to take her hand. “No,” he said firmly. “You’re not a project, Aria. You’re...” He trailed off, struggling to find the right words.“You’re important to me. And nothing she says changes that.”Her heart ached at the sincerity in his voice, and she found herself nodding, allowing him to guide her back to the racks.But even as she smiled and picked out more clothes, Celeste’s words lingered in the back of her mind, planting seeds of doubt she couldn’t quite shake.Aria stepped out of the dressing room once again, adjusting the soft fabric of the flowing dress.The pastel shade clung to her frame in all
Rylan watched as Aria sat by the large window in the packhouse’s common room, her figure bathed in the warm afternoon sunlight.She was cradling a steaming mug of herbal tea he had prepared for her earlier, her delicate fingers curled around the cup as if drawing strength from its warmth.Despite the serene setting, there was a quiet melancholy in her eyes, a gaze that seemed to drift far beyond the picturesque view of the pack’s expansive gardens.He didn’t interrupt her thoughts, choosing instead to observe her silently from the doorway.For the past few months, Aria had been his sole focus. He had prioritized her well being above everything, ensuring she was comfortable, protected, and cared for.Her memory loss and delicate condition made her vulnerable in ways he wasn’t accustomed to handling, but Rylan was nothing if not relentless in his duty.Duty. That was how he had framed it in his mind at first.But now, as he watched her lost in thought, something inside him stirred.It w
The morning sun had barely risen when news began to ripple across territories like wildfire.It started with hushed whispers, exchanged between traveling merchants and pack scouts.By mid morning, those whispers had grown into louder murmurs, spreading from one pack to another, carried on the wind of speculation and rumor.“Alpha King Kane is sick,” they said, voices tinged with a mix of disbelief and morbid curiosity.Others claimed with more certainty, “The mighty Alpha King is bedridden, his once powerful pack now teetering on the brink of collapse.”And the most dramatic among them insisted, “He’s already dead. The throne of the Alpha King lies vacant.”In the corners of taverns and around campfires, the stories evolved with every retelling.Some swore that Kane’s illness was the result of a curse, a punishment for some unknown crime.Others theorized that his grief over the loss of his mate, Layla, had consumed him entirely, leaving him a mere shell of the man he once was.“The M
Even though Ace had been found and safely returned, Aria could not shake the feeling of unease clawing at her heart.Something about the entire ordeal felt unresolved, as if a larger danger still loomed.While Rylan and Kane coordinated with their packs, Aria quietly slipped away, her instincts pulling her deeper into the forest.The forest was eerily silent, the faint rustle of leaves the only sound accompanying her hurried steps.Her thoughts swirled with fear and anger, not just at Celeste and Amelia for their cruelty, but at herself for not being able to protect her son.She clenched her fists, frustration boiling within her.As she pushed forward, fragments of a memory flickered in her mind: a clearing bathed in moonlight, the scent of lilies, a soft voice calling her name, Layla.“Who am I?” she whispered, her voice trembling.Something within her stirred, an ancient strength she couldn’t yet name. She pushed on, determined to find the truth, no matter the cost.As Aria ventured
Kane crouched near a broken branch, his sharp eyes scanning the ground for any sign of Ace.His men moved silently behind him, their Alpha’s urgency driving them to cover ground faster than they thought possible.The scent trail was faint but persistent, leading deeper into the forest’s heart.As he rose to his feet, Liam, his loyal beta, approached from the west flank, his expression grave. “Alpha,” he began, his voice low, “we’ve intercepted something you need to see.”Kane didn’t hesitate, snatching the small, crumpled note Liam handed him.The words, hastily scrawled, made his blood run cold: "The child is the key to breaking her. Ensure Ace is removed, and Aria will crumble. Celeste and Amelia will handle the rest. Be ready to strike when the Luna falls."Kane’s jaw clenched, his grip on the note tightening as fury surged through him. “Celeste and Amelia,” he muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with venom.Liam stepped closer, his tone cautious. “Alpha, this confirms th
“Ace!” Aria shouted, her voice trembling as she ran through the pack's training yard, checking every possible hiding spot.The gnawing sense of dread deepened with every passing second.She stumbled back into the house, her eyes wild and chest heaving.“Rylan!” she called out desperately, finding him in his study.Rylan looked up from his papers, immediately recognizing the terror in her expression.He stood swiftly, crossing the room to her. “What’s wrong?”“Ace is gone! I can’t find him anywhere!” Her voice broke, tears streaming down her cheeks.Rylan’s face darkened, his jaw tightening. “When was the last time you saw him?”“This morning, we were at the town square..” Aria said between gasps. “I thought he was right beside me but when I turned, he was gone.”Rylan took a deep breath, his protective instincts roaring to life. “I’ll handle it. Stay here, and I’ll organize a search party.”“No!” Aria cried, gripping his arm. “I can’t just sit here. I have to find him.”He cupped her
In Celeste’s lavish chamber, as she leaned over her ornate desk, across from her stood Miranda, her loyal confidant and the very maid who had been her eyes and ears in Rylan’s pack for years.Miranda’s expression was a mixture of curiosity and apprehension as Celeste explained the next phase of her plan.“Are you sure about this, my lady?” Miranda asked hesitantly. “The boy is young. Innocent.”Celeste’s face hardened, her voice cold and unyielding. “Do not mistake my kindness for weakness, Miranda. That boy is anything but innocent. He’s the key to Aria’s downfall and Kane’s distraction. Once the boy is gone, Aria will crumble, and with her grief will come her demise.”Miranda swallowed hard, but she knew better than to question Celeste further. She nodded obediently. “What would you have me do?”Celeste smirked, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. “When Aria takes him out to the town square tomorrow, you’ll create a diversion. Lure the boy away, he’s curious and will follow if you pr
Kane met Amelia's gaze, his own filled with a mixture of determination and sorrow. “Then I’ll accept it,” he said quietly. “But she deserves to know the truth first. After everything she’s been through, I owe her that much.”Amelia forced a tight smile, though her heart burned with jealousy. “If that’s what you believe, then I’ll do what I can to assist you.”Kane leaned forward, his tone softening. “Thank you, Amelia. You’ve always been someone I can rely on.”But as Kane turned back to the parchment, lost in his thoughts, Amelia’s mind churned.Her loyalty to Kane warred with her growing resentment toward Aria.Layla’s reappearance threatened to undo everything Amelia had worked for, the trust she had earned, the position she had built for herself at Kane’s side.The thought of losing it all to a woman who didn’t even remember her place filled Amelia with a simmering rage.Kane was hers now, at last, even if he didn’t realize it.Layla had her chance, and she had died, or so they ha
The morning air was crisp and laced with tension as Rylan stormed into the meeting hall.His jaw was clenched, his steps heavy with purpose as he scanned the room.Celeste stood near the far end, her poise as immaculate as ever.She was dressed elegantly, her golden hair cascading down her back, a picture of composure that only served to stoke Rylan's frustration.She turned as he approached, a sly smile curling her lips. “Alpha Rylan,” she greeted, her tone mocking. “What brings you here so early? Couldn’t resist my charm, perhaps?”Rylan’s eyes narrowed, his voice low but firm. “Cut the games, Celeste. We need to talk.”Celeste arched a brow, feigning innocence. “Talk? Whatever about?”Rylan crossed his arms, his glare unyielding. “Don’t play coy. You know exactly what this is about. You know the truth about Aria… about Layla.”For a brief moment, a flicker of triumph passed through Celeste’s eyes before she masked it with feigned surprise. “Oh, that.” She smirked, leaning casually
Rylan’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. “What do you mean she knows? Did she say something to you?”Aria nodded, recounting the encounter in the town square.As she spoke, her voice grew steadier, but the anger and fear in her words were unmistakable.“She called me Layla,” Aria said, pacing the room. “She said she knows who Ace’s father is. She said it was only a matter of time before the truth comes out.”Rylan’s fists clenched at his sides. “That woman has always been trouble. I should’ve known she wouldn’t stay out of our lives for good.”“What do we do, Rylan?” Aria asked, her voice breaking. “She’s dangerous. If she spreads this, it won’t just be about me or Ace. It could tear everything apart.”Rylan stepped forward, placing his hands on her shoulders. “We’ll handle this,” he said firmly. “Celeste has always been vindictive, but she won’t get the upper hand here. I won’t let her.”“But how?” Aria pressed. “She already knows too much. If she tells anyone...”“She won’t,” Ryla
The town square bustled with life, vendors calling out their wares, children laughing as they chased each other, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air.Aria held Ace’s hand as they wandered from stall to stall, her son’s excitement infectious as he pointed out colorful trinkets and shiny objects that caught his eye.“Mommy, look!” Ace tugged at her hand, pulling her toward a stand filled with wooden toys. “Can I get the horse?”Aria smiled softly, ruffling his hair. “We’ll see, sweetheart. Let’s finish looking around first.”As they continued, Aria’s sense of ease was abruptly shattered. From across the square, she spotted a figure she hadn’t expected to see, Celeste.Rylan’s ex wife stood with an air of elegance, her striking features framed by auburn curls, but her sharp gaze locked onto Aria with a venomous intensity.Before Aria could react, Celeste was striding toward them, her heels clicking against the cobblestones.“Well, isn’t this a sight,” Celeste sai
The days that followed were a blur of meetings and responsibilities, but Kane’s mind was never far from the hidden truth.He carried on with the facade of normalcy, his commanding presence undiminished as he addressed his council and oversaw pack affairs. Yet, beneath the surface, the storm brewed.He began reviewing Zara’s last known movements, quietly questioning those who had been closest to her.The answers were sparse, the trail cold.It was as though someone had deliberately erased her from the narrative of life, leaving only fragments for him to piece together.At night, when the castle fell silent, Kane would retreat to his private chambers, poring over old records and memories.He found himself revisiting moments with Zara that he had long buried. And then there was Aria, or Layla. The woman who had turned his world upside down with a single glance.Kane’s decision to keep Zara’s identity a secret weighed heavily on him.He knew it was the right choice for the stability of th