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Asher's POV "He is my mate!" That line kept echoing through my mind, no matter how many punches I threw into the bag. My chest ached unbearably like it would explode any minute now. I had met her with hope. I thought she would finally see me as someone who had always valued her, someone who had never stopped caring for her. I believed that once she understood, she might see me as more than just a friend. But the conversation had gone in a direction I never saw coming. We talked about everything else. Except how I truly felt. I even lied that I didn't have any feelings for her. And in the end, she told me something I had suspected for some time now, but chose to ignore blatantly. Jake. Jake was the one she liked, and it wasn’t just a crush that I could compete. He was her mate. She will forever be mine unrequited love. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it. At first, I thought maybe she said it to make the rejection easier, to soften the blow. But I knew Elsa too
Asher's POV Continued... As we left, I glanced at John. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched. He was more than worried now. He was terrified. But like me, he was suppressing his emotions. Because the man in front of us is Dane White, also the father of Kathy and husband of Linda. “Asher, what’s going on?” he demanded. “Tell me the truth.” I took a deep breath, knowing that what I was about to say would change everything. “Dane’s hiding something. I think he’s keeping Kathy hidden somewhere.” John’s eyes widened, fear flickering across his face. “Kathy? My Kathy? He wouldn’t… He is her father! why?” “He might,” I said, my voice firm. “He... Do you remember the fire in Elsa's house? He is the one who started it. With Sylvie.” John's jaw dropped and his eyes widened as if I told him something alien. He couldn't believe what he was hearing and he asked me again to verify it. "How could he do something like this? He... He... I have seen him for years, almost regarding him as my o
Elsa's POVAs I stare at the empty room, my eyes linger back to the duck paintings on the wall again. There were almost hundreds of them, but each one was strikingly similar to the other and to what my father had once taught me. Somehow, it offered me a sense of calm... also renewed my will to survive. I couldn’t die here, not like this. I wouldn’t.I had to know who the cloaked man was.Now that I recollected his patterns and how he behaved, I was certain he was mind-controlled. And I knew who. Dane. I was sure of it now. He had no free will, no control over his actions. A puppet, living in shadows. And perhaps in his dark world, this duck was the only ray of light, and so was mine now. I wanted to find some clues as I looked around the tiny, dimly lit room. My wolf stirred inside me, faintly. "Do you feel something odd?" I asked her, searching for some kind of confirmation.Her voice was soft, weak. "Yes... there is something about him. Something... familiar. But I can't be sure. It
Elsa's POV The phone buzzed, snapping him out of his daze.I hissed, as he stared at the name reflecting on the screen. Dane. A flash of confusion darted across his eyes as he looked at me, and then back at his phone.He immediately stood up, his demeanor changing. It was like every cell in his body was determined to serve Dane and he could not resist him. He answered the phone, his posture stiffening, voice unreadable as he muttered only a few words to show his agreement and submission.I strained to listen, but heard nothing from the other side. My wolf was too weak for me to use my lupine senses. When he hung up, he looked at me again, his gaze softening immediately like he was... conflicted.“What did he ask you to do?” My voice cracked, but I managed to keep my gaze steady. “Kill someone for him? Maybe... me?”Something dark flashed in the man’s eyes. Anger? No. Confusion. He clenched his fists and then looked away, taking a deep breath as if to control himself. He was wrestling
I thought I had finally found my father... unexpectedly. I was happy. I was confident he would have my back. But in a flick, he shoved me hard, sending me stumbling backward. My shoulder slammed into the wall, pain radiating through my body as I struggled to catch my breath. Damon, my father, loomed over me, his face twisted in a confusion that sent chills through me."You lied," he hissed, his voice sharp, cold. He grabbed a rope, moving toward me with frightening speed.“Wait! Please, listen to me!” I gasped, pushing myself up. “I am your daughter. Father, even if some years have passed, how can't you recognize me? I am Elsa! You and Sophia's daughter! Mom wouldn't want this for us. You know me!”HE grunted at the mention of my mother's name. But as soon as the fleeting emotion came, it evaporated. His eyes darkened again. He shook his head, as though trying to rid himself of the thoughts I had planted.“I have no daughter. No family. I only have one relationship,” he said, each wor
Jake's POV I called my army first. They were already on standby, knowing how tense things had gotten since Elsa, their Luna's disappearance. But this time it was an all-out search. I wasn’t just hunting anymore. I was preparing for war.My spies, my contacts in other packs, everyone I knew owed me a favor, they were all mobilized. And I wasn't just looking for Elsa. I was also looking for Sylvie. She was going to be my proof to finish Dane officially and give Elsa what she deserved - the alpha position of the Whitemoon pack. It would be the perfect revenge.Sylvie couldn’t hide from me forever, not with every network in the werewolf realm looking for her.But it wasn’t enough. Nothing was enough until I had Elsa in my arms. I needed more leverage, more eyes, more pressure. So, I went live. National TV, all the major outlets. I looked directly into the camera and announced the truth. Well, enough of it."Elsa White is my mate, and she is missing. Her aunt, Sylvie, is missing too. Yes,
Asher's POVWe reached Lunaria faster than I had thought possible. No ambush. No fights. No road blockers. And that was what was bothering me the most. When John and I barely made our way to Kathy's uncle’s house, no one stopped us either. Too good to be true! Relief washed over us, especially John, when we saw her there, safe. For a second, I thought we would be successful in our mission with an easy way out.We didn’t have time to waste. After the initial greetings, and mostly Kathy and John behaving like they had not seen each otherfor years, I launched into everything, every detail about Dane’s involvement with Elsa’s kidnapping. The fact that Dane might have killed Elsa’s parents.Kathy’s eyes went wide. “How do you know that?” she asked, her voice shaky.I swallowed hard, remembering the scene as if it was happening all over again. “I was hiding in the cupboard that day. I saw it. I saw what Sylvie and he did.”Kathy closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before sighing heavily.
Elsa's POVThe car roared down the narrow road as I tried to evade the car following me. I wanted to go into the civilization and find some help, but I was lost. I had no idea where I was going since there were no signs and no GPS, and I cursed how I dropped the phone. The old car wasn’t helping either."Fuck!" I groaned, stepping on the gas pedal. The car kept getting closer by the second.Panic surged through me, but I had to calm myself. I couldn’t afford to lose control. Not now. I looked over at my father in the rearview mirror and sighed with helplessness. He was still unconscious in the passenger seat. I didn't know how he would react when the drug wore off. A new determination riplled through me. I had to take him to safety and get help before that. I had to find Jake or any help at that.Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the air. A gunshot. I flinched, jerking the steering wheel in reflex. The car swerved violently. I tried to regain control, but the jolt caused my father