Rosalee's Point of View The walk toward the pack house is quiet, the only sound being the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath our feet. Josh walks slightly ahead of me, his posture straight and disciplined, his eyes scanning the area with the watchful precision of a trained guard. I hesitate for a moment before deciding to break the silence. If Josh is going to be protecting me, the least I can do is try to be friendly, maybe even make a friend. Quickening my steps, I move up beside him and glance up at his stoic face before asking, “Have you always been a part of Jensen’s pack?” Josh glances down at me, his expression neutral but not unkind, and gives a small nod of his head. “Yes, I was born into the Dark Moon Pack.” I nod my head in response, thinking of what to say next. Small talk has never really been my strong suit, but I push forward anyway. “So, do you have a mate?” Josh’s face softens slightly as a small smile tugs at his lips. “Yes, I have a mate.” The warmth in
Jensen's Point of View The quiet ticking of the clock on the wall draws my attention away from the documents scattered across my desk. I glance at it and realize how late it has gotten. Rosalee is still at Marcus’s house. I exhale, running a hand through my hair before opening a mind link to Josh. “Josh, can you please go to Marcus’s house and get Rosalee? Escort her to my office.” His response is immediate. “On my way.” I cut the link and immediately open another to Marcus. “I’m sorry, Marcus. I didn’t realize how late it had gotten. Josh is on his way now to bring Rosalee back to my office.” Marcus acknowledges my message with a simple “Understood,” before the link fades. With that handled, I return my focus to the folder in front of me. It’s a detailed report on pack business, territory disputes, security concerns, supply management, and diplomatic efforts with neighboring packs. The first section outlines the territory patrols and border activity. There have been
Jensen's Point of View A heavy silence settles over us, thick with unspoken tension. The weight of Ronan’s words lingers in the air, but there’s no time to hesitate. “Let’s go,” I say, my voice firm. Ronan and I stride toward the door, but I notice Rosalee isn’t moving. I stop and turn to her, searching her face. “Do you want to come with us, or would you prefer to stay here?” She hesitates, her expression torn between uncertainty and determination. Then, her eyes harden with resolve. “I want to go with you.” I nod my head, acknowledging her decision. This isn’t something she has to see, but if she wants to, I won’t stop her. As we step outside, Nyx is already waiting by the truck, her arms crossed over her chest, her usual unreadable expression in place. Without wasting any time, I take the driver’s seat while Ronan slides into the front passenger side. Nyx and Rosalee climb into the back, the quiet tension between us all growing thicker. I fire up the engine, and
Jensen's Point of View I reach down and offer Rosalee my hand. She takes it without hesitation, her fingers warm as they wrap around my hand. As she rises from where she had been crouched beside an injured pack member, she looks up at me, concern evident in her eyes. “Is something wrong?” she asks, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face. I sigh as nod my head, my expression grim. “Ronan and Nyx found the trackers, two of them are dead, the other two are still alive, but injured. They are on their way back now.” Rosalee’s lips press into a thin line, her shoulders tense as she shakes her head. “I hate this. All of this. All this destruction, the pain... The loss. And what is it all for? Power? Land?” Her voice is tight with frustration, the same helpless anger that’s been gnawing at me for weeks. I shrug slightly, though the weight of the situation makes it feel heavier than it should. “I really wish I knew, what the point of all this is.” For a moment, we stand
Rosalee's Point of View The drive back to Dark Moon Pack is eerily silent. No one knows what to say after witnessing such devastation, so we simply sit in the quiet, each lost in our own thoughts. I lean my head against the cool window, watching the trees blur past, trying to process everything. The air is thick with exhaustion and grief, but also a determination to help in whatever way we can. When we finally pull up to the packhouse, Nyx turns to me, her expression unreadable but soft. “Would you like me to ask Josh to take you home, or do you want to wait here?” she asks. I shake my head immediately, sitting up straighter. “No, I want to help. I worked at a hotel for two years, I can get rooms ready for our guests or assist in any way needed.” Nyx nods her head in appreciation. “Thank you. That would be a huge help.” As I step out of the truck, I move to the back door and offer Luna Piper a hand. She takes it with a grateful smile, one hand instinctively resting on her r
Jensen's Point of View The pack house looms ahead, a beacon of familiarity after what has felt like an endless drive. The weight of exhaustion settles over me, but there’s no time to dwell on it. As soon as we step out of the vehicle, Ronan, Marcel, and I move with purpose, heading straight for my office. Inside, the warm glow of the desk lamp casts long shadows against the walls. The air is thick with the scent of aged wood, paper, and the faint lingering traces of whiskey from previous nights spent strategizing here. I reach for the bottle on the shelf, pouring three glasses of the rich amber liquid. Wordlessly, I hand one glass to Ronan and the other one to Marcel. They both nod their heads in thanks, and together, we take a heavy swig, the burn running down my throat and settling deep in my chest. Breaking the silence, I say, “This has been a draining day. Let’s get some rest tonight. We can form a plan for our next move in the morning.” Ronan and Marcel nod in agreement,
Rosalee's Point of View A faint sound pulls me from the depths of sleep. I frown, confused about what the sound was until I realize it's a soft knock at my door. My eyes flutter open, and I slowly sit up, blinking against the early morning light filtering in through the curtains. For a moment, I feel disoriented as I glance around the room, recognizing the familiar space, but my last memory is of sitting in the chair beside Piper’s bed. How did I get back here? Then it hits me, the scent of the forest after the rain, laced with dark chocolate. Jensen. A small smile tugs at my lips as I realize he must have carried me home. The thought warms me in a way I can’t quite explain. Another knock at the door snaps me from my thoughts. This time, I don’t hesitate. Throwing back the blankets, I climb out of bed and pad softly across the floor, pulling open the door. Standing there, Jensen greets me with that familiar, steady presence, a tray of food balanced in his hands. His eyes
Rosalee's Point of View As we approach the training arena, the sounds of warriors sparring, feet pounding against the dirt, and muffled grunts fill the air. The space is alive with movement, the pack already deep into their drills. Josh and I step inside, and he turns to me with a nod. "I’ll be training with the rest of the pack until you’re done. Then we can walk back to your house." I smile at him. "Thank you, Josh." With that, I turn toward the private training room where Nyx and I have been working together. My footsteps echo slightly against the wooden floor as I push open the door and step inside. Nyx is at the far end of the room, her fists slamming into a heavy bag with precision and controlled power. The muscles in her arms flex with each strike, her form unwavering. The rhythmic sound of her punches fills the space, a steady thud that speaks to her experience. She catches sight of me and halts, breathing slightly heavier as she peels off her gloves and tosses them
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?”