Alyssa’s POVThe cold air stings at my skin like a thousand paper cuts, each gust slicing into me as if to remind me that I’m still alive. I gasp for breath, the chill scraping my lungs raw. My body feels heavy, my limbs stiff, and my head pounds like I’ve been crushed under a mountain. My eyes flutter open slowly. The sky is a soft grey-blue, dawn breaking just over the horizon. The fire crackles nearby, the scent of smoke drifting in the air. My body aches, but I can feel my wolf working overtime—healing me, holding me together. Where am I? I blink hard, trying to piece it together. Did they take me back? Am I in Moonborn again? Is this it? Are they waiting to execute me? Is this my punishment? I lift my face just enough to see a figure crouched near the fire. Something about her posture is familiar. Something about the way she moves. "Mira?" My voice is hoarse. I barely recognize it. She turns. "It is Alyssa," she says, her voice flat, unreadable. "How are you feeli
Alyssa’s POVThe clearing is tense—like the air itself is holding its breath. Levi and Mira are both in defensive mode, their weapons drawn, their eyes sharp. I can feel the fear in the air, but there’s something else too—something deeper. Dread. Confusion. Rage. “Who the hell are you?” Mira snaps, her voice slicing through the stillness like a blade. The stranger doesn’t move right away. He just stands there—tall, perfectly still. The first morning light touches his face, catching the golden glow in his eyes. It hits me all at once. Those eyes. I’ve seen them before. That night—when I ran through the woods, tears streaming down my face, my body trembling after Alpha Conan had tried to break me. I thought I was alone, but there was someone. I didn’t see his face clearly back then. Just a shadow in the dark and those glowing golden eyes watching me, and his promise to find me again. Now, here he is, out of the shadows and under the light. He looks like something out
Alyssa’s POV It’s been days now—maybe three, maybe more. The trees blur together, and I’ve lost track of time. I walk behind him—always a few feet away—close enough to follow, far enough to pretend I’m not. Zev doesn’t talk much anymore. Not like before. He used to make little sarcastic remarks and throw in dry humor even when I didn’t laugh. Now he’s quiet. His mouth barely moves. His golden eyes are always staring off into the distance, seeing something I can’t. Like he is reliving his own troubles. He walks like a soldier, always alert, always listening. His back stays straight, but his shoulders are tense. Like the weight of the world is pressing on them. Like he's waiting for something—or someone—to strike. I wonder what made him a rogue. Everyone has a story. And most of those stories don’t end well. So what’s his? I pick up the pace and jog a little until I’m beside him. “So… how did you end up being a rogue?” He doesn’t answer. I gla
Zev’s POVI’ve been itching for a fight. For days, I've held back, letting my legs move on instinct while my mind gnaws on things I can’t quite name. The hunger, the cold, the memory of her eyes when she turned to run. And now—finally—action.The Moonborn bastards circle us like wolves scenting blood. Perfect. I stretch my fingers, rolling my neck. The leather of my coat creaks, and the wind curls around me like it knows what’s coming. I can feel it building inside—my wolf—growling under my skin, craving release. But I can’t let it out. Not here. Not yet.They lunge first.I duck low, spin, my coat flaring behind me as I drive my elbow into a hunter’s ribs. The crunch is satisfying. I pivot, grab the next one by the collar, and slam his face into the frozen earth. Electricity crackles to my left—someone aims a stun probe. I twist just in time, feeling the heat of it skim past my cheek.They’re fast, trained. But I’m faster.My boots slide across the dirt as I leap into the air, ki
Alyssa’s POVThe sound comes out of the blue—low, deep, dragging against the floor of the earth. I jolt awake, heart pounding in my chest like war drums. My mouth is dry. My limbs feel heavy like I haven’t moved in days. I push myself up, blinking the sleep out of my eyes, and I see him.Zev.He’s standing at the window, peering through a narrow crack in the wooden frame, his body stiff, shoulders tense.“What was that?” I whisper, rushing to his side.“Be quiet,” he hisses without looking at me. “Keep still. Maybe it’ll leave.”“Maybe what will leave?” I ask, and my voice cracks. There’s fear threading into my words, and I can feel it rising in my chest. “Zev?”“I told you,” he mutters, eyes never leaving the shadows outside. “There are worse things out here, Alyssa. Things that don’t belong in any world.”He unsheathes a blade—long, dark steel that glints with a faint blue sheen. I’ve never seen him like this. Not Zev. He’s always so sure of himself, cocky even. He charges into tr
Alyssa’s POVDarkness wraps around me like a heavy blanket.I drift. Float. Fall. Pain ripples through my limbs like fire licking every nerve. I want to scream, but I can’t even move. Can’t breathe.Shapes blur in and out—shadows bending over me, voices muttering, none of it clear. But I remember the bite. The teeth sinking in. My scream.I remember the howl. My howl. Wild and broken.“She’s not healing,” someone says, their voice strained.“What’s happening to her?” a different voice, panicked.“The shuck’s poison is running through her blood,” the first answers, grim.I try to shift, to heal, to reach my wolf—but nothing answers. Why isn’t she healing me? Why can’t I feel her?Am I dying?I sink again. Deeper. Into dreams that aren’t mine. I see a figure—faceless, but warm. A presence. Familiar. I try to speak, to call for help, for answers, but no sound escapes me.Then comes the burn.It spreads through my veins like acid. I twist. Writhe. Silent screams echo inside my head. My sk
Zev's POVArthur stands near the hearth, his arms crossed, eyes thoughtful beneath his shaggy brows. I sit on the edge of the table, Cara by the wall, quiet like always. She doesn’t speak unless spoken to—still adjusting, I guess. “She’s the strongest werewolf I’ve ever seen,” Arthur says, voice low and sure. I blink. “What do you mean?” He looks at me like it should be obvious. “Zev… I’ve read every record I could find, every old druid journal in this grove. No one survives a shuck bite. No one stays themselves after that much venom. She didn’t turn. She didn’t die. I’ve never seen anything like it.” My chest tightens. Alyssa. “And the books?” I ask, standing up and pacing. I can’t stop moving. “Anything in them about her—about what she is?” Arthur shakes his head. “Not yet. But I’ll keep looking.” I nod and mutter thanks, then head out the door. I need air. I need to see her.The night wraps around me like a cloak. The moon spills silver across the grove, lighting the trees a
Alyssa’s POVThe warmth still lingers on my skin—wrapped around me like a second breath. I don’t know if it’s the grove or the man beside me... or if it’s me. If I’ve changed. If I’m changing.Zev’s fingers slide into my hair again, gentle but full of a hunger I feel humming through my whole body. Then his lips are on mine once more. Deeper this time. Slower. Like he’s trying to memorize every curve, every breath. My hands find their way to his face, brushing over the sharp line of his jaw, the stubble on his chin scratching my palm.Gods... I want him. I want to lose myself in him—right here under the moonlight, where the air tastes like magic and wind swirls around us like it knows our names.I tug at his shirt, fingertips brushing his stomach, warm and hard beneath the fabric.But he stops me.Zev pulls back, breath ragged, chest heaving. “Alyssa…”His voice is hoarse. Shaken.I step back, flushed and embarrassed. “Sorry,” I whisper, not sure if I mean it.But he shakes his head.
Zevs POVThe Grove doesn't feel like a secret anymore.It feels like a home.I watch the druids work, their hands glowing faintly with magic as they reinforce the outer border with spell runes and roots that hum when you get too close. The air here is softer, calmer… safer.And in the middle of it all, is her.Alyssa.She moves like she belongs to this place.Like the trees lean toward her without realizing it, like the moonlight waits to fall where she walks.She's talking to one of the new rogues—a boy with a limp and scared eyes—and she touches his arm gently, reassuring him.She’s not just surviving anymore.She's building something.She's changing everything.The Omega, now slowly building a pack.Thirteen new rogues. Seven druids. All rescued. All choosing to stay. To believe. Because of her.“This is wonderful,” I say quietly, my voice barely breaking through the hum of life around us.Alyssa turns slightly, her eyes still on the druids.“I know,” she whispers. “I just… I don’t
Alyssas POV The voice slices through the silence like a dagger through skin.My breath catches in my throat. It’s cold. Too cold. I can feel the blood in my veins turn to ice. Every muscle in my body tightens as I stare into the darkness. Shadows shift. Then they step out.Rogues. Blood clan.My heart pounds against my ribs like it’s trying to claw its way out. My palms are clammy, the fear creeping up my spine like fingers of frost.“What do you want?” I snarl, even though my voice trembles at the end.One of them—tall, broad, with yellow teeth and wild eyes—throws his head back and laughs.“You’re the omega, aren’t you?” he says, voice gravelly and cruel. “You’ll fetch a pretty penny when we drag you back to that fancy Moonborn pack.”The others cheer. Loud, howling, mocking. It’s like a game to them. Like we’re prey caught in a snare.My jaw tightens. “So that’s what you were doing when you killed that little girl’s parents?” I demand, voice shaking with rage.He pauses, eyes glea
Alyssa’s POVThe warmth still lingers on my skin—wrapped around me like a second breath. I don’t know if it’s the grove or the man beside me... or if it’s me. If I’ve changed. If I’m changing.Zev’s fingers slide into my hair again, gentle but full of a hunger I feel humming through my whole body. Then his lips are on mine once more. Deeper this time. Slower. Like he’s trying to memorize every curve, every breath. My hands find their way to his face, brushing over the sharp line of his jaw, the stubble on his chin scratching my palm.Gods... I want him. I want to lose myself in him—right here under the moonlight, where the air tastes like magic and wind swirls around us like it knows our names.I tug at his shirt, fingertips brushing his stomach, warm and hard beneath the fabric.But he stops me.Zev pulls back, breath ragged, chest heaving. “Alyssa…”His voice is hoarse. Shaken.I step back, flushed and embarrassed. “Sorry,” I whisper, not sure if I mean it.But he shakes his head.
Zev's POVArthur stands near the hearth, his arms crossed, eyes thoughtful beneath his shaggy brows. I sit on the edge of the table, Cara by the wall, quiet like always. She doesn’t speak unless spoken to—still adjusting, I guess. “She’s the strongest werewolf I’ve ever seen,” Arthur says, voice low and sure. I blink. “What do you mean?” He looks at me like it should be obvious. “Zev… I’ve read every record I could find, every old druid journal in this grove. No one survives a shuck bite. No one stays themselves after that much venom. She didn’t turn. She didn’t die. I’ve never seen anything like it.” My chest tightens. Alyssa. “And the books?” I ask, standing up and pacing. I can’t stop moving. “Anything in them about her—about what she is?” Arthur shakes his head. “Not yet. But I’ll keep looking.” I nod and mutter thanks, then head out the door. I need air. I need to see her.The night wraps around me like a cloak. The moon spills silver across the grove, lighting the trees a
Alyssa’s POVDarkness wraps around me like a heavy blanket.I drift. Float. Fall. Pain ripples through my limbs like fire licking every nerve. I want to scream, but I can’t even move. Can’t breathe.Shapes blur in and out—shadows bending over me, voices muttering, none of it clear. But I remember the bite. The teeth sinking in. My scream.I remember the howl. My howl. Wild and broken.“She’s not healing,” someone says, their voice strained.“What’s happening to her?” a different voice, panicked.“The shuck’s poison is running through her blood,” the first answers, grim.I try to shift, to heal, to reach my wolf—but nothing answers. Why isn’t she healing me? Why can’t I feel her?Am I dying?I sink again. Deeper. Into dreams that aren’t mine. I see a figure—faceless, but warm. A presence. Familiar. I try to speak, to call for help, for answers, but no sound escapes me.Then comes the burn.It spreads through my veins like acid. I twist. Writhe. Silent screams echo inside my head. My sk
Alyssa’s POVThe sound comes out of the blue—low, deep, dragging against the floor of the earth. I jolt awake, heart pounding in my chest like war drums. My mouth is dry. My limbs feel heavy like I haven’t moved in days. I push myself up, blinking the sleep out of my eyes, and I see him.Zev.He’s standing at the window, peering through a narrow crack in the wooden frame, his body stiff, shoulders tense.“What was that?” I whisper, rushing to his side.“Be quiet,” he hisses without looking at me. “Keep still. Maybe it’ll leave.”“Maybe what will leave?” I ask, and my voice cracks. There’s fear threading into my words, and I can feel it rising in my chest. “Zev?”“I told you,” he mutters, eyes never leaving the shadows outside. “There are worse things out here, Alyssa. Things that don’t belong in any world.”He unsheathes a blade—long, dark steel that glints with a faint blue sheen. I’ve never seen him like this. Not Zev. He’s always so sure of himself, cocky even. He charges into tr
Zev’s POVI’ve been itching for a fight. For days, I've held back, letting my legs move on instinct while my mind gnaws on things I can’t quite name. The hunger, the cold, the memory of her eyes when she turned to run. And now—finally—action.The Moonborn bastards circle us like wolves scenting blood. Perfect. I stretch my fingers, rolling my neck. The leather of my coat creaks, and the wind curls around me like it knows what’s coming. I can feel it building inside—my wolf—growling under my skin, craving release. But I can’t let it out. Not here. Not yet.They lunge first.I duck low, spin, my coat flaring behind me as I drive my elbow into a hunter’s ribs. The crunch is satisfying. I pivot, grab the next one by the collar, and slam his face into the frozen earth. Electricity crackles to my left—someone aims a stun probe. I twist just in time, feeling the heat of it skim past my cheek.They’re fast, trained. But I’m faster.My boots slide across the dirt as I leap into the air, ki
Alyssa’s POV It’s been days now—maybe three, maybe more. The trees blur together, and I’ve lost track of time. I walk behind him—always a few feet away—close enough to follow, far enough to pretend I’m not. Zev doesn’t talk much anymore. Not like before. He used to make little sarcastic remarks and throw in dry humor even when I didn’t laugh. Now he’s quiet. His mouth barely moves. His golden eyes are always staring off into the distance, seeing something I can’t. Like he is reliving his own troubles. He walks like a soldier, always alert, always listening. His back stays straight, but his shoulders are tense. Like the weight of the world is pressing on them. Like he's waiting for something—or someone—to strike. I wonder what made him a rogue. Everyone has a story. And most of those stories don’t end well. So what’s his? I pick up the pace and jog a little until I’m beside him. “So… how did you end up being a rogue?” He doesn’t answer. I gla
Alyssa’s POVThe clearing is tense—like the air itself is holding its breath. Levi and Mira are both in defensive mode, their weapons drawn, their eyes sharp. I can feel the fear in the air, but there’s something else too—something deeper. Dread. Confusion. Rage. “Who the hell are you?” Mira snaps, her voice slicing through the stillness like a blade. The stranger doesn’t move right away. He just stands there—tall, perfectly still. The first morning light touches his face, catching the golden glow in his eyes. It hits me all at once. Those eyes. I’ve seen them before. That night—when I ran through the woods, tears streaming down my face, my body trembling after Alpha Conan had tried to break me. I thought I was alone, but there was someone. I didn’t see his face clearly back then. Just a shadow in the dark and those glowing golden eyes watching me, and his promise to find me again. Now, here he is, out of the shadows and under the light. He looks like something out