Rebecca's POVI watched them from a distance, hidden in the shadows like a ghost. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat filled with rage, pain, and betrayal. I saw him as he stood there, telling her he never "fucked" me last night. The words cut through me like a knife. We didn’t do anything last night because he rejected me again. Ever since she arrived, he has been pushing me away, time and time again. Every rejection stings deeper than the last.I always believed that whenever we were together, it was more than just sex. I thought it was love. How could he stand there, so casually dismissing everything we had shared, calling it nothing but "fucking"? My heart twisted with a cruel combination of pain, betrayal, and humiliation.How could he do this to me?Pain. Betrayal. Rejection. Humiliation. And finally… Anger.That overwhelming anger simmered in the pit of my stomach, threatening to consume me whole. He had promised me. He said she was nothing. Nothing! He hadn’t been lyi
PRISCAThe drive back home was quiet, but not in an awkward way. It was a comfortable silence, the kind that wraps around you like a warm blanket. My mind, however, wasn’t quiet at all. I couldn’t stop replaying our kiss from earlier—the way Jake’s lips moved against mine, the heat that surged between us. It was as if the moment had imprinted itself on me, and I replayed it over and over like some lovestruck fool. I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn’t even realize we had arrived.Jake got out of the car first, and like a true gentleman, he came around to my side, opening the door of his sleek black Range Rover Evoque. His hand gently held my waist as he helped me out of the car, and I blushed, feeling the warmth of his touch spread through me. For a fleeting moment, I wished he could stay like this forever—kind, attentive, and close. But I didn’t let myself get too carried away. Knowing Jake, this sweetness wouldn’t last long. He’d probably go back to being cold and distant by mornin
I lay beside her on my back, staring up at the ceiling, lost in a storm of emotions I couldn’t quite understand. I wasn’t surprised that my wolf had taken over, marking our mate. Deep down, I knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. But what angered me was that I had allowed it, that I couldn’t stop myself from wanting her. And even more terrifying than that, I had enjoyed every second of it. The pleasure I felt when I touched her, kissed her, was dangerously addicting. I wanted more. That thought alone sent a chill down my spine.With a deep sigh, I shifted onto my side, my eyes taking in every curve of her body. She was beautiful—an hourglass figure, soft skin, and thick, silky black hair that spread out across the pillow. I reached out, brushing a lock of it from her face before gently pulling the blanket over her to keep her warm. I couldn't help but feel protective of her. Ever since she arrived, I hadn’t only been losing control of my wolf—I’d been
JAKE'S POV:I woke up still sprawled across the couch, my muscles stiff from the uncomfortable position. I must have passed out here last night. My head throbbed slightly, and I rubbed my temples, trying to gather myself. Exhaustion clung to me like a heavy blanket, but I knew I had important duties to attend to. Being an Alpha was no easy task—it was relentless and draining, but the love I had for my pack kept me going.After a quick shower, I checked the time. It was only 5 a.m. Still wrapped in a towel, I heard my name being screamed from down the hallway, and not in the way that usually excites me. "Shit," I muttered under my breath."You!" Prisca’s voice echoed through the halls, and before I could react, she stormed into my bedroom. She was furious. Dressed in nothing but an oversized black band T-shirt, her legs bare and flushed with rage, she looked ready to kill me. Clearly, she hadn’t bothered putting on pants in her hurry to confront me about last night.I leaned against t
PRISCA'S POVPure embarrassment! How did I let that happen? What just happened? Never in my life have I ever let a man touch me like that. I’ve never done anything like that. How was I ever going to face him again? The pleasure, the sparks, and his touch were the most beautiful, addicting feelings in the world. How did it all come to this in such a short amount of time? It only feels like yesterday when we hated each other's guts, but now we’re all over each other. Is that how the mate bond works, or am I the bipolar one now?I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before stepping into the shower. I touched my neck and winced at the sharp, stinging pain. My whole body was still sensitive to his touch, and it was so weird...in a good way. I recalled Catherine’s little speech about how Alphas were so dominant and quick with the whole mating process. Was I ready to lose my virginity to that bipolar jerk? What if we do it and he starts acting up? It’s pretty clear he doesn’t love me. It’s
Jake had told me to wait for him upstairs while he attended to something urgent, but I wasn’t about to sit there idly, waiting for him to come and punish me or whatever. I knew whatever they were discussing downstairs had something to do with the thing I saw earlier, and I was determined to find out what was going on. My curiosity got the better of me, and as quietly as I could, I followed his scent.As his mate, tracking his scent was effortless—it was like second nature, and honestly, he smelled incredible. After what seemed like ages climbing the stairs, his scent led me to two large oak doors, painted a reddish-brown color. I quickly ducked behind a nearby corner and focused on sharpening my hearing like Bryan had taught me. It was part of my werewolf training, though I hadn’t yet started learning how to control my magic. Some woman named Jenner was supposed to teach me, but she still hadn’t shown up.Inside, the conversation was tense, and the first voice I recognized was Bryan’s
At 9 a.m., I sat at the kitchen table, sipping a hot cup of coffee while glaring at Bryan, who seemed determined to babysit me like I was some fragile doll. His intense focus on "keeping an eye" on me was borderline suffocating. It wasn't just that he was hovering—he was staring at me, unblinking, like I was going to disappear into thin air if he so much as looked away for a second.I hadn't had a chance to talk to Jake about this overprotective behavior. Unfortunately, he left early this morning while I was still dead to the world, enjoying what was probably my deepest sleep in weeks. When I finally dragged myself out of bed and took a long, steamy shower, I walked into the kitchen only to find Bryan waiting for me with a weird grin on his face like he'd been planning this ambush for a while."Stop staring at me like that. It’s getting creepy," I said, reaching for the nearest object to throw at him, which just so happened to be a teaspoon. It wasn’t the most dangerous weapon, but it
My neck throbbed painfully, and my head felt like it was splitting open from the inside. It was as if a thousand drums were pounding all at once, confined to the small space inside my skull. Every time I attempted to open my eyes, they stung so fiercely that I kept them shut, surrendering to the dark. The soft surface beneath me suggested I was lying on something relatively comfortable—a bed, maybe—but that did little to ease the ache radiating through my entire body. I shouldn't have trusted her. I knew it. Rebecca had betrayed me, Jake, and the entire pack. Why? What was driving her to commit such a treacherous act?"So, what are you planning to do with her?" I heard Rebecca’s voice. She was close, her words pulling me out of my disoriented state. I couldn't see her, but her tone was sharp, insistent."That’s none of your business. Your role in this is done." A deep male voice responded, his tone dismissive and laced with authority. I could feel his presence looming over me like a d
The air around us crackled with an electric charge as the hidden doorway creaked open, revealing a cavernous chamber bathed in an eerie, flickering light. I barely had time to process the change before the strange pull of magic swept over us again. One blink, and our elegant ball gowns and tuxedos vanished, replaced with heavy, warrior-like armor. Mine was a deep crimson, its intricate patterns glowing faintly as though alive. A matching sword hung at my hip, its hilt adorned with runes that hummed softly when I touched it. “Is it just me, or do these witches really enjoy playing dress-up with us?” Fatima quipped, examining her silver-plated armor with an expression of exaggerated disdain. “And why is mine so heavy? Do they think I’m some medieval knight?” Jake stepped in front of me, his obsidian armor gleaming ominously in the dim light. “Stay close,” he said, his tone clipped. His hand rested on the hilt of his broadsword, his eyes scanning the chamber. The room was massive
The room we stepped into was unlike anything we had seen before. Gone was the crumbling grandeur of the mansion. Instead, we were surrounded by endless mirrors, their reflective surfaces capturing our every movement and multiplying it infinitely. “This isn’t disorienting at all,” Fatima said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She spun in place, her emerald gown flaring around her as her reflection copied the motion dozens of times. “So, what now? Do we play dress-up with our clones?” Jake’s jaw tightened as his eyes darted around the room, searching for any signs of danger. “Stay close,” he said, his voice a low growl. “This place is messing with our senses.” He was right. The air felt thicker here, tinged with a faint, metallic taste. The mirrors seemed to shimmer, their surfaces rippling like water whenever we moved. “Another test,” Althea whispered. Her gaze was fixed on one of the mirrors, her expression tight with unease. “They’re testing our perceptions. Our ability to se
The house loomed ahead, a grand, crumbling mansion shrouded in mist and magic. Its pointed roofs seemed to pierce the low-hanging clouds, and its many windows glinted like eyes in the faint light. The walls were made of dark, weathered stone, ivy creeping up its surface as though nature was trying to reclaim it. As we entered the men we had come with ,Jake's men were stuck outside ."The coven only wants ...us" Althea said Jake signaled for his men to stay put and I didn't like this . That we were going in without back up.“This place feels...wrong,” I said, gripping Jake’s hand tighter. “Wrong? It looks like the Addams family forgot to clean up,” Fatima quipped, her voice cutting through the oppressive silence. “I mean, it’s giving haunted chic.” Despite myself, I chuckled. Leave it to Fatima to find humor in the creepiest of situations. Althea stepped forward, her expression serious as her eyes roamed the house. “This isn’t just a building—it’s enchanted. I can feel it.” J
The forest felt heavier as we moved deeper into its heart. Every step we took seemed to draw us further into a place where time and reality bent under the weight of ancient magic. The air itself felt charged, humming faintly against my skin like a static field waiting to ignite. "Are you sure this is the right way?" Jake’s voice, low and tense, broke through the silence. I glanced back at him, his usual confidence dampened by concern. “It’s here,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I can feel it.” Althea, walking just ahead, nodded in agreement. “The energy is stronger here. There’s no doubt about it.” Fatima trailed slightly behind us, clutching a silver dagger we had given her for protection. "If it’s so close, why can’t we see it?" she asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and fear. I didn’t have an answer. The coven was cloaked by layers of enchantments, a veil so powerful it was nearly impenetrable. But I could sense the edges of it now, faint threads of mag
The forest seemed endless. Each tree loomed tall and ancient, their gnarled roots jutting out of the earth like claws trying to pull us down. My legs ached from the constant marching, my boots heavy with mud. Althea walked beside me, her jaw set, while Fatima trailed slightly behind, clutching a makeshift weapon—a sturdy branch she had found earlier. She didn’t complain, but the fatigue in her steps was clear.“We’ve been at this for hours,” Fatima said, her voice tinged with frustration. “Are we even going in the right direction?”I glanced at her, my own doubts gnawing at me. “The energy here is different. Althea says we’re close, and I trust her instincts.”Althea, who had been scanning the area with narrowed eyes, muttered, “There’s something off about this place. It’s like the forest itself is shifting to confuse us.”Great. A shifting forest. Just what we needed.“Do you think Jake’s group is nearby?” Fatima asked, her tone softer this time. My chest tightened at the mention o
Priscilla’s PovThe forest seemed darker than before, the weight of the shadows pressing against me. Each step was careful and measured, the air too still, the silence too loud. Fatima walked just behind me, her breathing steady but strained. Althea moved to my left, her face set with determination. We were all on edge, every rustle of leaves or snap of a branch sending jolts of anxiety through us.“This place doesn’t want us here,” Fatima said softly, clutching her flashlight like a lifeline. She was the only human among us, and her instincts were sharp, even if she lacked magical senses.“I know,” I murmured, gripping the hilt of my dagger. The air was thick with an unnatural energy, every particle alive with menace. “We need to stay together, no matter what.”Althea nodded but didn’t speak. Her focus was on the forest ahead, her hands glowing faintly with the residual magic she’d been using to keep small enchantments active—a protective barrier, a minor light spell. Even with these
JAKE'S POVThe world felt colder without her by my side. Every step I took away from that chasm was like ripping apart a piece of my soul, leaving me raw and exposed. The pack bond that connected Prisca and me hummed faintly, reassuring me that she was still alive, but it wasn’t enough. I needed to see her, to hold her, to know she was safe. "Jake," Sophie said, snapping me out of my thoughts. She stood a few feet ahead, her bow drawn, her sharp gaze scanning the twisted forest around us. "You’ve got to focus. This place isn’t going to give us the luxury of distractions." “I’m fine,” I lied, gripping the hilt of my sword tighter. "Sure you are," she muttered, but she didn’t press further. The forest on our side of the chasm was just as suffocating, maybe worse. The trees were skeletal and clawed at the sky, their bark blackened as if burned. The air smelled of decay, and an eerie mist curled around our feet. Even the shadows here felt alive, shifting unnaturally when we moved.
The forest canopy above us was dense, blocking out the sun entirely, and the world around us seemed cloaked in endless twilight. Each step I took felt wrong, as if the earth itself was trying to push us back. Jake’s hand brushed against mine as we walked, his touch a fleeting anchor in this madness. I knew he could sense my unease, just as I could feel the tension radiating off him. "We’re close," Althea whispered, her voice trembling. She was studying a map that glowed faintly with magical runes, the only light in the oppressive darkness. "I can feel the coven’s magic. But it’s fractured, like they’re hiding their presence in pieces." "That doesn’t make sense," Jake growled. "Why would they split their magic?" "They’re probably setting traps," Sophie said, her bow at the ready. "They know we’re coming, and they’re ready to pick us off one by one." I glanced at Sophie. Her usual confidence was marred by a shadow of fear, and it unnerved me to see her so shaken. “Stay sharp
The forest seemed darker today, as though the sun itself refused to touch this cursed land. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and something sharper—something metallic, like blood. Each step we took felt more oppressive than the last, as if the weight of the forest itself was pressing down on us. Jake walked ahead, his shoulders tense, his sharp eyes scanning every shadow. Althea stayed close to me, her spellbook clutched tightly in her hands, its pages marked with hastily scrawled notes. Sophie and Fatima flanked us, weapons at the ready. “We’re close,” Jake muttered, his voice low. “I can feel it.” “Close to what?” Sophie asked, her tone wary. “Another trap?” “Maybe,” Althea said, her voice strained. “But if we don’t keep going, we’ll never find them.” I nodded, though my stomach churned with unease. We’d been traveling for hours, every step bringing us deeper into the heart of this cursed forest. The creatures we’d faced so far had been relentless—shadow wolve