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 ViewAs I sit in front of my mirror, staring at my reflection, I can’t shake the heaviness pressing on my chest. My eighteenth birthday should feel monumental, but instead, it feels hollow. My life, nothing about it feels worth celebrating.The girl in the mirror doesn’t look like someone turning eighteen. Her eyes are tired, her shoulders slumped as if carrying invisible weights. I trace the edge of the vanity with my fingers, trying to ignore the faint noise of voices downstairs.A sharp knock at my door pulls me out of my thoughts. I don’t even have to guess who it is. Dameon.“Come in,” I mumble, but before the words fully leave my mouth, the door swings open.I glance at him through the mirror, frowning. “And what if I’d been indecent?”He grins, leaning casually against the doorframe, completely unbothered by my irritation. “Oh, come now. I knew you’d try to wiggle out of today, so I’m not giving you the chance.”I turn to face him fully, crossing my arms. “Do
Jensen's Point of ViewI sit in my office, the soft glow of the desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. Stacks of paperwork litter the surface, most of it outdated reports and formalities I’ve been putting off for weeks. But one name keeps appearing in the documents, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts "Crimsonclaw Pack".With a frustrated sigh, I close the folder and lean back in my chair, dragging a hand over my face. The Crimsonclaw Pack has been a thorn in our side for months now, their actions growing bolder and more reckless with each passing week. This latest report only confirms what I’ve feared, they’re spiraling out of control.I open a mind link to my Beta, Ronan, and my Gamma, Nyx. “I need both of you in my office. Now.”Their responses come almost instantly, their tones sharp and alert. “On our way.”It takes only a few minutes before there’s a knock at my door. “Enter,” I call, sitting up straighter as the two step inside.Ronan, ever the stoic, moves with precis
Rosalee's Point of ViewAs I stare at the man standing in the hotel lobby, his presence seems to command the very air around him. He’s beautiful, dark hair framing a chiseled face, his piercing eyes locked onto mine. But it’s not his appearance that has me frozen in place.It’s the word he just uttered.“Mate.”No. No, I must have heard wrong. He couldn’t have said mate. My heart pounds erratically in my chest, and I feel the blood drain from my face. For two years, I had convinced myself that I would never hear that word, and I had prayed, even begged, the Moon Goddess to make it so.But now, standing here, I can’t deny the truth. The way his eyes burn with recognition, the magnetic pull I feel toward him, it’s undeniable. He is my mate.Suddenly, I’m not in the hotel lobby anymore. I’m back in the Silver Ridge Pack, two years ago, on the morning of my sixteenth birthday.I remember waking up that day with a strange mix of excitement and hope. I knew I wouldn’t be getting a party or
Jensen's Point of ViewI stand frozen, my heart pounding in my chest as I watch her retreat into herself, her expression a mixture of shock and horror. The word "mate" still lingers in the air between us, a truth I’ve waited my entire life to discover, yet her reaction is nothing like I imagined.Taking a cautious step forward, I reach out, my fingers brushing her shoulder. I hope the contact will ground her, draw her out of whatever storm is raging in her mind. The moment my hand touches her, warmth floods through me, the bond sparking to life as if it has been waiting for this exact moment.Her body stiffens under my touch, and I watch as her bright blue eyes snap back to mine, the haunted look in them replaced by something else, shock, confusion, and maybe even a hint of fear."Are you okay?" I ask softly, my voice barely above a whisper.She shakes her head, stepping back quickly, breaking the contact. The moment her shoulder leaves my hand, it’s as though all the warmth is sucked
Rosalee's Point of ViewI sit on the edge of my bed, staring at my reflection in the small mirror across the room. The faint glow of the bedside lamp casts soft light over my features. My striking blue eyes meet my gaze, a color so vivid they almost seem unnatural. My dark hair falls in soft waves over my shoulders, framing a face that Dameon and his mother have often called beautiful.Beautiful.The word feels hollow to me. Beauty doesn’t matter, not when someone discovers the truth of what I am. A hybrid. A creature that doesn’t belong in either world. If he that man from earlier realizes what I truly am, all of this will be over. The life I’ve carefully built here, the fragile sense of safety I’ve managed to hold onto, it will all come crashing down.I tilt my head slightly, studying my features. There’s no visible trace of the monster within me, no hint of the beast that lies beneath my skin. My reflection doesn’t betray the truth.But my scent might.I’m surprised he didn’t pick
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
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
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 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
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 visi
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 ViewAs I fold the last of my clothes and tuck them neatly into my bag, my mind drifts back to dinner, to the way Jensen's entire face lit up when I told him I was going with him. The pure excitement, the relief in his expression, it made me feel like I was making the right choice. Like, for once, I wasn’t running from something but towards something.But getting to that decision hadn’t been easy. I had spent the entire afternoon going back and forth in my head, thinking of every possible reason to stay. Every excuse. Every fear.And then, Dameon had found me.***I had been sitting on the back steps of the hotel, staring out at the rain dampened landscape, when Dameon plopped down beside me, his usual confident smirk in place. “You look like you’ve been wrestling with some deep thoughts.”I huffed out a small laugh. “Yeah… you could say that.”He nudged my shoulder. “You wanna talk about it? Or are we doing the ‘silent brooding’ thing today?”I hesitated. Dameon wa
Jensen's Point of ViewAfter my lunch with Rosalee, I made sure she was okay before giving her some space to think about what I asked. The last thing I want is for her to feel like I’m pressuring her into making a decision that she is not ready for. But deep down, I can’t deny it, I hope she chooses to come with me.Back in my room, I settle at the small wooden table, which I’ve turned into a makeshift desk, and open the report Nyx sent over. I try to read throught the report, but the words all blur together and I don't take anything in since my mind is still stuck on Rosalee. I shake my head and force myself to focus on the report. This mission matters. Lives are at stake.As I scan the details of the Crimsonclaw attack, I frown. The pattern is the same as all of their other attacks. It's calculated, brutal, and precise. They slaughter just enough Lycans to cripple the pack, then disappear without a trace. The rain covering their tracks is no coincidence, they’re too strategic. Frust
Rosalee's Point of View I stumble out of the dining room, my legs barely carrying me as I press my back against the cool wall of the hallway. My chest rises and falls rapidly, but no air seems to fill my lungs. My hands tremble as I clutch them at my sides, trying to ground myself, trying to hold on to the life I have built here. This isn’t happening, it can't be. Everything I’ve tried to escape, everything I’ve worked so hard to leave behind, is closing in around me. I was just beginning to warm up to the idea of having a mate, of allowing someone in, and now I find out that Jensen is part of the most feared Lycan pack in existence. And not just any member, he’s a warrior, a leader, someone powerful enough to track a rogue werewolf pack. What does that make me to him? A mission? A threat? My heart pounds so hard it hurts. My body shifts into a full-blown panic attack, my breaths coming in shallow, rapid gasps. My vision blurs. My hands feel numb. My chest tightens like an iron f