Jensen's Point of View A sharp tug at the edges of my consciousness pulls me from sleep. Instinctively, I sit up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I open the mind link. “Alpha, we are here with a car for you as requested.” I take a deep breath, my voice still slightly rough from sleep. “Thank you. I’ll be down in a minute.” Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I check the time 4:00 AM. Earlier than I expected, but at least now I can get everything ready before Rosalee wakes up. I push off the bed and stretch before making my way downstairs. The hotel is eerily quiet at this hour, the only sound being the faint hum of the night staff moving about. As I step outside, the crisp early morning air greets me, carrying the lingering scent of last night’s rain. Two members of my pack stand by the vehicles, their postures straight and alert despite the early hour. One of them, a tall, broad shouldered male, inclines his head in greeting. “Alpha.” I nod my head in acknowledgm
Rosalee's Point of View I can’t breathe. The realization slams into me with a crushing force. This is the Silver Ridge pack. My pack. Or at least, what's left of it. The burned out buildings, the ashen remains of what was once a thriving home, it all comes together in a horrifying, gut wrenching instant. I know this place. I know these pathways, the way the trees frame the clearing, the layout of the packhouse, except now it’s nothing but a charred skeleton of its former self. My heart pounds against my ribs, the sound roaring in my ears like thunder. The panic sets in, cold and sharp, wrapping around my chest like iron chains. I shake my head, trying to force my mind to reject the truth in front of me. “Why would you bring me back here?” My voice trembles, barely holding itself together. Then the panic explodes into full fledged terror. My breath comes in shallow gasps, my fingers curling into my jacket as if holding onto something solid will keep me from falling apart. My
Jensen's Point of View I make my way over to Nyx and Ronan, who have been waiting for me near what remains of the pack house. Their expressions are serious, their postures tense from hours of searching through the wreckage. As I approach, Nyx is the first to speak, her voice softer than usual. “Is she okay?” she asks, nodding her head slightly in Rosalee’s direction. I follow her gaze. Rosalee stands amidst the ruins, her arms wrapped around herself, staring at the remains of what was once her home. There’s something unreadable in her stance, pain, grief, but also something darker. Something that makes my chest tighten. I exhale, running a hand through my hair before answering. “I believe she will be.” I hesitate, my eyes still locked on Rosalee as she takes a slow step forward, as if she’s walking through memories. “This used to be her home. This pack raised her. They treated her very poorly, but for most of her life, this was the only home she knew.” Nyx and Ronan exchange
Freya's Point of ViewThe wind rushes past me as I run, my paws pounding against the forest floor, each step bringing me closer to her. The trees blur around me, but my thoughts are clear, after all these years, I am finally going to go see my daughter.The Silver Ridge Pack looms ahead, its scent growing stronger with each passing moment. My heart races, not from the run, but from anticipation. What if she hates me? What if she doesn’t remember me? But I push those thoughts aside. I need to see her.As we near the edge of the forest, I slow my pace before finally coming to a stop. With a deep breath, I shift back to my human form, the familiar pull and stretch of muscle and bone over in mere seconds. Beside me, my second in command, Ravena does the same.We are here.I glance around, my sharp eyes scanning the area. Clothes. We need clothes. Most packs keep them hidden near shifting points for moments like this. I spot a tree with a small stash nearby, a sign that the Silver Ridge wo
Jensen's Point of View The stench of blood and smoke still lingers in the air as I help Ronan and Nyx finish burying the last of the bodies. The freshly turned earth is dark and damp, the final resting place for what remains of the Silver Ridge Pack. Ash drifts in the breeze, settling over the ground like a haunting reminder of the massacre that took place here. Nearby, the last of the fires smolder, small wisps of smoke curling into the sky. We had put out most of the flames, ensuring the destruction wouldn’t spread into the forest beyond. The land has already suffered enough. I straighten and take one final long look at the devastation surrounding us. Burned out structures, crumbled walls, the faint metallic scent of death still thick in the air. “There’s nothing left for us to do here,” I say, turning toward Ronan and Nyx. “Let’s head back to our pack and regroup. Crimsonclaw is getting out of hand, and we need to put a stop to their attacks before they start another war.” Nyx
Rosalee's Point of View As I wake the next morning, a sense of calm settles over me. I feel well rested, though still a little groggy. The events of yesterday linger in the back of my mind, but for the first time in a long while, I don’t wake up in fear. I sit up in bed, blinking the sleep from my eyes as I take in my surroundings again. The room is simple but comfortable, neutral colors, soft bedding, and just enough space to feel cozy without being cramped. A small window lets in the early morning light, casting a soft glow over everything. Deciding that a shower might help me shake off the last remnants of sleep, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and stand, stretching slightly. I grab my toiletries bag from my duffel before making my way into the ensuite bathroom. Inside, the air is cool against my skin as I step onto the tiled floor. I turn on the shower, letting the water warm up before stepping under the stream. The sensation of hot water cascading down my back immedi
Rosalee's Point of View As I wait for Jensen to come back down, I decide to tidy up a little. I take the dishes from the island and place them in the basin, rinsing them quickly. Even if someone will come by later to clean, I feel better doing something with my hands. It’s a habit, one that’s hard to break. Just as I place the last dish in the sink, Jensen walks back into the kitchen. He’s dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a black button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up slightly. He smiles when he sees what I’ve done, shaking his head slightly as if amused. I feel a small blush creep onto my cheeks as I return his smile. I’m so used to working, it feels strange to just sit back and do nothing. “Are you ready to go?” Jensen asks, his voice gentle. I nod my head, though my stomach tightens with nerves. I don’t know what to expect, but the possibility of getting answers about my past outweighs my fear. We leave the house and head towards the car. As we drive, I take in more of the
Jensen's Point of View The council chamber is dimly lit, the heavy wooden table at the center is surrounded by the pack’s highest ranking members. The air is thick with tension as we discuss what we saw at Silver Ridge, the destruction, the brutality, and the undeniable truth that Crimsonclaw was getting out of control. I lean forward, rubbing my temples as I listen to the murmurs of the council. A war is coming. And I need to prepare my people. “I’ve already called a pack meeting after this,” I announce, my voice steady despite the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. “I want everyone to know about Rosalee, and I need them to keep the truth about my title from her, at least until she’s ready.” A few of the elders nod their heads in agreement, though I can feel some hesitation in the room. My Beta, Ronan, meets my gaze but says nothing. He trusts my judgment, even if he doesn’t fully understand it. Just as the meeting is about to wrap up, a sudden pressure fills my mind.
Jensen's Point of View Two weeks later. I sit behind my desk, elbows resting on the smooth surface, hands steepled in front of me as I stare blankly at the stack of papers that haven’t moved in hours. The sun filters through the office windows, casting golden lines across the floor, but even that warmth doesn’t ease the tight knot in my chest. It’s been two weeks since the alliance agreement was signed. Two weeks of stillness. No information leaks. No attacks. No whispers in the wind. On the surface, everything appears calm... too calm. I know better than to trust this peace. It feels like the inhale before the scream. Like the pressure building in the earth before it splits open. The calm before the storm. And deep down, I know, when Crimsonclaw resurfaces, it won’t be like before. It’ll be worse. A full-scale reckoning. My instincts have never failed me before, and they’re screaming now. I close my eyes for a beat and open a mind link. "Nyx, Ronan, please come to my offi
Freya's Point of ViewThe moment I hear Rosalee say the word cameras, my stomach drops.Cameras.The entire attack was caught on tape.I don’t hear another word she says. My pulse spikes and my vision narrows with rage. Without thinking, I take my phone and hurl it across the room. It smashes against the wall with a violent crack, splintering to the ground in useless pieces. The sound it makes is deeply unsatisfying. I clench and unclech my fists, my jaw tight.“Great… just great, why didn't I think of that,” I mutter through gritted teeth, pacing the floor now, trying to rein in the storm building up in my chest.The door swings open, and Ravena steps inside. She looks around the room and her brows pull together as she takes in the shattered remains of my phone on the floor. “What’s wrong?”I turn towards her, barely containing the frustration vibrating through me. “Rosalee just called. Apparently, Shadow Vale had cameras... cameras Ravena, installed all over their pack grounds. The
Rosalee's Point of View As Josh and I step into the pack house, the hum of conversation and the comforting scent of home surrounds us. I glance over at him just in time to see his eyes glaze over briefly, the telltale sign of a mind link. When his eyes return to normal, he offers me a small smile. “Piper is in the dining hall,” he says. I smile back, grateful. “Thank you.” We make our way through the familiar halls until the wide double doors of the dining hall come into view. I’m about to thank Josh again when he cuts me off gently, clearly reading my intention. “I’m going to go shower,” he says with an easy shrug. “But if you need me, just ask anyone to mind link me.” I nod my head with a grateful look, and with that, we go our separate ways. As I step into the dining hall, my eyes immediately find Piper. She’s at a table near the far wall, the soft afternoon light pooling around her like a warm halo. She looks relaxed, her hands resting on her belly as she gazes down
Rosalee's Point of ViewAs Josh and I walk back to the house after training ended, the silence between us is heavy but not uncomfortable. Still, I can feel a tight knot in my stomach, growing with every step we take. I know what I have to do, and the thought of it makes my fingers twitch and my heart race.As we near the front door, I turn to him and say, “I just want to grab a quick shower and then I want to go and find Piper.”Josh nods his head easily, his expression unreadable. “I’ll be waiting. Take your time.”“Thank you.” I give him a small, distracted smile before slipping into the house.The moment the door closes behind me, I don’t head for the shower like I said. I go straight to my room. I can’t put this off anymore. If I wait, if I let doubt creep in, I might never go through with it. And I need to go through with it.I grab my phone off the nightstand, my hands already trembling as I dial Freya’s number. My feet carry me in slow, restless circles around the room, pacing
Rosalee's Point of View Jensen and I are still sitting across from each other at the kitchen table, the warmth from breakfast lingering between us like a quiet comfort. Our plates are mostly cleared, just a few crumbs of pancake and the faint scent of coffee hanging in the air. The morning light filters in soft and golden, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I don’t feel the weight of secrets pressing on my chest. At first, when he started asking about Crimsonclaw, the leak, and Shadow Vale, I felt that old familiar knot of fear tightening in my stomach, afraid that maybe he suspected me. But as we talked, that fear started to dissolve. He wasn’t accusing, he was reaching out, needing someone to talk to. And the fact that he chose me… it means more than I can put into words. Now, I feel like it’s time to give something back. Trust for trust. I’ll call Freya later today and tell her I’m done. No more spying. I’ve found something here that I don’t want to lose, a place
Jensen's Point of View I stir awake, a soft breath leaving my lungs as I blink against the morning light filtering through the window. For the first time in what feels like days, I feel... grounded. Not entirely at ease, but focused. Yesterday, the alliance agreement was signed. The plan to root out the mole is in motion. And today... today, I’ll cross one more name off the list. I’ll talk to Rosalee. With that goal settling like a quiet resolve in my chest, I throw back the covers and swing my legs over the side of the bed. The floor is cool beneath my feet as I rise and stretch, working out the stiffness in my shoulders. My steps are purposeful as I walk to the closet and grab something simple to wear, dark jeans and a fitted charcoal t-shirt. Comfortable, clean, unassuming. Today’s not about appearances. Once dressed, I take a moment to run my fingers through my hair, smoothing it back before I open my bedroom door and head down the hall. The house is quiet, the kind of silence
Jensen's Point of View The fresh night air feels grounding as Rosalee and I walk side by side, leaving the hall and all the tension behind us. The stars are out, scattered across the sky, and the cool breeze is a welcome relief from the stuffiness of the signing. I feel lighter now that it's over, one major task off my shoulders, but there's a heaviness that settles just beneath the surface, pressing into me with every quiet step. Rosalee walks beside me, her arms relaxed at her sides, her face soft in the moonlight. She seems... happy. At ease. There’s no trace of the weight I carry visible in her expression, and for a moment, I envy that kind of calm. I want to believe this peace is real. That she’s exactly who she seems to be, gentle, curious, and trying to find her place here. But my thoughts twist back to Nyx’s words, and Ronan’s warning. Nyx doesn’t throw out suspicions lightly. Her instincts are sharp, honed over years of dealing with situations others would miss entirely.
Rosalee's Point of ViewI wander aimlessly through the house after having lunch with Jensen, my fingers trailing along the edge of the walls and furniture. I’ve tried reading one of his books again, something to quiet the noise in my mind, but the words keep blurring together. My thoughts are too loud, too restless. I consider calling Freya, but what would I even say to her? There’s nothing new to share, nothing she doesn’t already know about.With a sigh, I find myself drawn to Jensen’s home office. The space smells like cedar and old paper, a now familiar, welcoming smell. I slip into his chair behind the desk. The leather feels cool beneath my fingers. My eyes wander and I spot some blank paper and pencils nearby. Without much thought, I pick one up and begin to sketch.At first, it’s just random lines, soft, swirling shapes, but soon it becomes more intentional. I let the pencil move on its own, trying to capture this tight feeling in my chest, the sense of being watched and quest
Jensen's Point of View The door clicks shut behind the last person I had to question, and I let out a long, frustrated sigh as I lean back in my chair. That was everyone. Every Alpha, every Beta, every representative from the alliance meeting. And none of them, none, gave even a hint that they could be the mole. Either I’ve spoken to the world’s most talented liar, or… it’s someone else entirely. Someone I’ve overlooked. Someone hiding in the shadows. The thought gnaws at me, and I sit up straighter, reaching out through the Alpha’s mind link. "Marcel, can you please meet me in my office?" "Sure. I just entered your pack lands again. I’ll be there soon." I cut the link and sit in the silence, my turning over every interaction, every detail. Nothing adds up. A few minutes pass before there’s a knock at the door. “Come in,” I call. Marcel steps inside with a slight smile, but it fades quickly as his eyes lock onto mine. His brows knit with concern. “Is everything okay?”