AlishaThe sight of Nina standing so close to Scarlett sent an uncontrollable wave of disgust rolling through me. I forced myself to stay composed, though every instinct screamed to rip her facade apart.Her sweet-talking words were insincere, like poison dripping from her lips.Scarlett, naive as ever, couldn’t see through the lies. I could, though. I had learned to recognize the venom of a viper in sheep’s clothing long ago.My fingers clenched into fists beneath the dining table as I watched Scarlett embrace her. It was the same embrace that once offered me solace during my darkest days. Now, it was wasted on someone like Nina. A schemer who thought she could worm her way into Scarlett’s trust and steal everything from her.“Sister," I called out sharply, my voice slicing through the air. Nina turned to me, her expression softening into a mask of false concern. I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. Did she really think I couldn’t see through her act?She started to speak, but I silenc
Alisha The room felt suffocating after Scarlett left, her scent lingering in the air. A mix of confusion, hurt, and that damned unwavering trust. My wolf paced beneath my skin, her agitation making it impossible to stay still. Each step across the hardwood floors echoed in the silence, matching the thundering of my heart. How could Scarlett be so blind? Nina wasn’t just a threat. She was a viper wearing a sister’s skin. And Jack? My wolf snarled at the mere thought of him. He wasn’t just some ordinary guard. Every instinct I possessed screamed danger whenever he was near, his presence like oil slicking across my senses. A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see David, Scarlett’s loyal beta, standing in the doorway. His expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. “I heard the commotion,” he said, stepping inside. “What happened?” I hesitated, unsure of how much to divulge. David had always been a steady presence, but even he seemed to hold Scarlett
ScarlettThe quiet hum of the night settled over the packhouse, but sleep was far from my grasp. Alisha’s words churned in my mind, relentless as waves crashing against a stubborn shore.“She doesn’t see what’s right in front of her!”I pressed my hand against the cool window glass, gazing into the darkness where our pack’s territory stretched endlessly. Tonight, the vast expanse felt suffocating. Within me, my wolf stirred uneasily, sharing my disquiet.Nina’s tear-streaked face flickered in my mind, so vivid it could have been real. The bruises that marred her pale skin, the tremble in her voice when she begged for sanctuary—how could all of it be a lie?And yet…My wolf’s disapproval rumbled through me. Trust your instincts, Scarlett. You’ve always known what she is.My fists tightened, muscles coiled with tension as instincts whispered caution. They had betrayed me before, but something felt different this time. Nina’s apology wasn’t just words; it carried genuine remorse. Her tra
ScarlettThe packhouse dissolved into controlled chaos, medical staff rushing in, their footsteps echoing urgently through the hallways.Nina’s trembling body consumed my entire focus, her fragile form seeming to collapse inward, overwhelmed by whatever Jack had begun to reveal.“Out,” I commanded Jack, my voice a low growl that brooked no argument. “Now.”Jack retreated, his expression a mixture of something unreadable - guilt, perhaps? Calculation? I couldn’t quite place it. Alisha followed close behind him, casting a quick, inscrutable glance over her shoulder.The doctor, a middle-aged wolf with graying temples and kind eyes, approached Nina. His hands were gentle but professional as he began examining her. Her breathing remained ragged, shallow gasps that seemed more emotional than physical.“Luna,” he said softly, “perhaps we should move her to a more private space.”I nodded and gently picked up Nina, who felt light and fragile. A stark contrast of the sister I remembered from
ScarlettThe sun had barely risen when I felt Nina stir beside me. I hadn’t left her side all night, keeping vigil in the medical wing as she drifted between fitful sleep and silent tears. The morning light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the sterile room.“You didn’t have to stay,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.“I wanted to.” I squeezed her hand gently. “And I’m not going anywhere.”A ghost of a smile crossed her face, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Those remained distant, haunted by memories I couldn’t erase. The urge to hunt down Lucas and his father burned in my chest, my wolf pacing restlessly beneath my skin.A soft knock interrupted my dark thoughts. Dr. Josh entered, his presence calming and professional.“Luna,” he nodded to me, then turned to Nina. “How are you feeling this morning?”Nina’s fingers tightened around mine. “I... I don’t know.”“That’s perfectly normal,” he assured her. “Your body has been through significant stress. I’d like to star
ScarlettThe silence after Alisha’s departure was deafening, her words pressing heavily on my chest. Alone in the dimly lit office, I allowed the storm inside me to brew. Doubt clawed at the edges of my resolve, but I shoved it away.I couldn’t afford to second-guess myself. Not now.A low growl escaped my lips as I turned to the map hanging on the wall, my eyes tracing the borders of my territory. My pack was my family, my responsibility. No one - Alpha Patrick, Lucas, or their damned spies - would threaten what I held dear.A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. This one was softer, less urgent.“Come in,” I called, my voice steady.Alisha reentered, her expression softer, but her tone still carried a note of warning. “Sister, I didn’t mean to challenge you earlier. I just…” She hesitated, then sighed. “You’re the strongest person I know, but even you can’t face this alone.”I folded my arms, my wolf bristling at the implication. “And what would you have me do? Sit idly by whi
Nina I waited until Scarlett’s footsteps faded before letting the trembling in my hands cease. The frightened, traumatized sister’s act dropped away like a discarded cloak, replaced by a smile that would have shocked my dear, protective sister to her core. Jack’s familiar scent reached me before he slipped through the medical wing’s window, moving with the silent grace that had made him such a valuable ally. “Ever the convincing actress,” he murmured, pulling me into his arms. I laughed softly against his chest. “You should have seen her face when I clutched her dress, begging her to believe me about the mate bond.” My fingers traced patterns on his shirt. “Our mighty Luna, so eager to protect her broken little sister.” “The same sister who watched her suffer years ago?” Jack’s voice held dark amusement. “Scarlett’s always been ruled by her heart. It makes her powerful, but oh so foolish.” “She actually stayed by my bedside all night.” I pulled back to meet his gaze, shaking my he
ScarlettThe argument echoing from the hallway was nothing compared to the storm raging inside me. I paced my quarters, my wolf restless and uneasy. Something felt off, but I couldn’t quite place it.Nina’s bruises, her trembling voice as she recounted Lucas’s cruelty—they had been enough to ignite a fire of fury and protectiveness within me.I had promised to keep her safe, no matter the cost. Yet, a nagging doubt lingered, a shadow in the back of my mind I couldn’t shake.David’s words replayed in my head: “We need to be cautious, Luna. This feels... staged.” His concern had infuriated me at the time, but now, alone in the quiet, it clung to me like a second skin.I stared out the window into the dark woods beyond, my mind racing. Nina’s safety had to come first. But as Luna, I couldn’t afford to let personal emotions cloud my judgment—no matter how much it hurt. If I was wrong, if David was right... the consequences could shatter everything.The next morning came too soon. Nina had
Finn“Good morning,” I said, watching my mate stir in my arms. “Time to wake up, beautiful.”A blush colored her cheeks as her eyes fluttered open.“Morning, my love,” Scarlett murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.The gesture drew a low rumble of contentment from my chest. Even after all this time, she still had this effect on me.“Sleep well?” I asked, returning her kiss.“Perfectly.”We lingered in bed, savoring each other’s warmth until I finally spoke. “I need to get ready. I have to see Jack today.”Scarlett tensed beside me. “Jack?”I nodded. “Yes, Jack.”“Why?” Her voice had grown wary.“To interrogate him again. The last time I went to see him, I wasn’t satisfied with what he told me. So...” I studied my mate’s face, watching for her reaction.Scarlett had insisted Jack was innocent, but as Alpha, the final judgment rested with me. I hadn’t mentioned my previous visit to her - I couldn’t bear having her think I doubted her judgment.“You went behind my back?” Her voice
In the darkest corner, he stood motionless, his fingers tracing the edge of a recent photograph of them.The image captured Scarlett with her beautiful hair catching the sunlight, and Damon with his arm wrapped protectively around her waist.His breath hitched, a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob. Hatred burned in his chest like acid, eating away at whatever humanity remained.How dare they be happy? How dare they build their perfect little life while his lay in ruins around him?“Look at you both,” he whispered, his voice rough from disuse. “So perfect. So innocent.” His fingers dug into the photograph, creating deep creases across the smiling faces.His dark eyes narrowed as he studied their features. “If only they could see what I see; the destroyers, the thieves, the architects of my destruction.”Memories flooded back: how he had spent a lot of money to acquire her, yet she was stolen from him.He gritted his teeth together, hatred oozing off him as he gazed at the picture
NinaI slammed the door behind me, fury coursing through my veins as the image of them together burned in my mind.My sister’s soft moans, his hands on her body, their passionate kisses. It was torture. Pure, unadulterated torture.“Damn you, Damon,” I whispered, my nails digging into my palms until they nearly drew blood.The way he’d looked at me, with such contempt, such dismissal... it made my blood boil.And yet, beneath that anger lay something else, something I refused to acknowledge: desire.I hadn’t meant to fall for him. He was my sister’s mate, for Moon’s sake. But from the moment I first saw him, something inside me had shifted.The raw power that emanated from him, the dangerous glint in his eyes, the way he carried himself. Everything about him called to my wolf in ways I couldn’t explain.And now he was flaunting their relationship in front of me, deliberately torturing me with their intimacy. He knew. Of course, he knew.Alphas could sense these things, could they not?
NinaI lifted my head, an apology forming on my lips, but the words died in my throat.The man before me commanded attention without effort, tall and striking, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold depths I couldn’t fathom.He carried himself with the natural authority of someone who didn’t need to demand respect; it was freely given.Idiot. That is Alpha Damon. My wolf’s voice cut through my thoughts like a blade.I was completely captivated by his presence. He seemed perfect in every way. It felt like fate that we were meant to be together.Of course, only he deserved me. How could anyone else compare?I struggled to keep my emotions in check, but a gentle purr slipped out, revealing the intensity of my feelings even as I tried to stay composed.“I’m sorry, Alpha Damon,” I managed, struggling to keep my voice steady under his gaze. I had meant to sound confident, but his presence made it impossible.“What brings you here?" His tone was cool and controlled, but there was a hint
Finn“You’re back, Damon.” My mate’s voice trembled with relief as she spotted me. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing her face against my chest. The familiar scent of her hair washed over me.“Yes," I muttered, feeling Nina’s intense gaze on us from across the room. Her anger was palpable in her tense stance and clenched fists.I didn’t fucking care.Pulling Scarlett closer, I leaned in and kissed her deeply. She melted against me with a soft moan, her hands clutching my shirt as if grounding herself.Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Nina’s bitter glare slicing through the air like a dagger. Her venom only made me hold Scarlett tighter.Nina’s loud cough shattered the moment, drawing my mate’s attention. Scarlett pulled back from our kiss with gentle reluctance, and though irritation flared in my chest, I forced myself to stay calm.The last thing I wanted was to damage what Scarlett and I had, especially over Nina’s petty interruption.“Sister.” N
FinnAs David left my office, the evening shadows grew longer. I stood by the window, observing the wolves in the pack grounds below, lost in my troubled thoughts. Somewhere out there, Nina was plotting, and Scarlett remained blind to the danger.“We need to be careful,” Storm cautioned in our mind. “One wrong move, and we could lose Scarlett’s trust entirely.”I growled softly, frustration building. My wolf had a point, but the urge to act, to eliminate the threat immediately, was almost overwhelming.The memory of Nina’s calculated seduction attempt made my skin crawl, but it was the darkness I’d glimpsed in her thoughts that truly concerned me.A knock at the door interrupted my brooding. “Enter,” I called, turning to find Gabriel, our training master, standing in the doorway.“Alpha,” he greeted me with a respectful nod. “I have the detailed training reports you requested.”“Good. Tell me about our newest warriors.” I gestured for him to sit, grateful for the distraction from my d
Finn“Two injured, none fatal. But the rogues are growing bolder.” David passed me a detailed report. “They seem more organized than usual. Pack formation patterns have been observed.”This was concerning. Rogues typically operated alone or in pairs. Pack formation suggested leadership - and that meant trouble.“Continue,” I instructed, scanning the document.“The trade agreement with the Southern Pack needs renewal,” David continued. “Alpha Marcus has been particularly insistent about discussing new terms. He’s mentioned something about expanding the timber rights in the shared forest.”I fought back a sigh. Marcus had always been ambitious, and my absence had likely emboldened him.“Schedule a meeting, but not immediately. Let’s give him time to stew.”‘And give us time to strengthen our position,’ Storm added approvingly.“The training program for young wolves has shown impressive results,” David moved on, his tone lightening slightly. “Gabriel has proven to be an excellent instruc
Finn“I’m so sorry, Alpha Damon!” The feminine voice carried a note of feigned distress that immediately set me on edge.Looking down, I found myself face-to-face with Nina, Scarlett’s sister.Her cheeks were flushed as she gazed up at me, her wide eyes sparkling with an innocence that didn’t quite reach their depths.This was only the second time I’d seen her, but being this close, I could sense something was off.“Alpha,” she purred, her tone dripping with an unwelcome sweetness. The way she looked at me disgusted me. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. My anger simmered just beneath the surface. What the heck was she trying to pull? “You’re back.”Storm growled low in my mind. ‘There’s darkness in her. Can’t you feel it?’I could. The pure connection I shared with Scarlett had heightened my ability to read others, and what I sensed in Nina troubled me deeply. Behind her carefully constructed facade lay something cold, calculated.“What are you doing here?” I asked, keeping m
FinnI lay in bed with my mate, savoring her warmth against me, when David’s voice echoed in my mind.‘What is it, David?’ I responded through our pack link.‘Alpha, I apologize for disturbing you. When I couldn’t find you in the office...’ His concern rippled through the mental connection.‘I’ll be there shortly,’ I assured him. ‘I needed time with my mate.’‘Understood, sir.’ With those words, David severed the mind-link, leaving me alone with my thoughts. In my arms, Scarlett shifted slightly, her breathing soft and steady.I gazed down at her peaceful face, drinking in every feature of my mate - the woman I’d ached for through all these long, empty months.Storm’s howl resonated through my mind, his joy echoing my own. My wolf couldn’t contain his elation at having her so close, her warmth pressed against us.We’d both yearned for this - man and beast united in our relief at finally having our mate in our embrace.“That happy, huh?” I asked, amused by Storm’s unrestrained joy, his