Selene’s POVA sharp chill crept down my spine, setting my nerves on edge.Something wasn’t right.I stood at the edge of the water, my wolf still on high alert. The sounds of the waterfall dulled as I focused on the eerie stillness of the forest around us.Ronan changed to his wolf form and stood nearby, oblivious to the creeping danger."Ronan." My voice slipped into our mental link, my tone edged with unease. "We’re not alone."His ears twitched, his golden eyes scanning the trees. For a moment, everything was silent.Then, rustling.The dry leaves shifted unnaturally, and before I could react, two figures stepped out from behind the trees.They were tall and broad-shouldered, their bare arms corded with muscle. Their eyes gleamed with amusement, but beneath that, there was something else, something predatory.One of them chuckled, cracking his knuckles. “Well, well. Look what we have here.”The other man smirked, his gaze flickering between Ronan and me. “Two little wolves, all al
Selene's POV The forest was eerily quiet as Ronan and I returned to our horses. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds. Neither of us spoke as we slipped back into our clothes, the weight of what had just happened lingering between us. I stole a glance at Ronan, his jaw clenched, his eyes stormy with unspoken thoughts. He didn’t look at me as he mounted his horse, and I followed suit, gripping the reins as we set off toward the pack house. The silence between us felt heavier than it should have. Normally, Ronan would have made some sarcastic comment or teased me about something. But now, there was nothing. I couldn’t stop thinking about the attack—the way the rogues had appeared out of nowhere, the casual arrogance in their voices. And then there was Luka. He had taken them down without hesitation, almost too easily. Was he truly looking out for us? Or did he have his own reasons for stepping in? Something about the way he smirked aft
Chapter 31 Ronan's POV The moment I stepped into my father’s office, the air grew heavier. The thick scent of aged wood and burning logs filled the room, but even the warmth of the fire couldn’t chase away the chill that settled in my bones.I shut the door behind me, bracing myself for the lecture I knew was coming. My father stood near his desk, his sharp gaze cutting into me like a blade."Is what Luka said true?" His voice was calm, but the edge beneath it was unmistakable.I exhaled slowly, meeting his stare. "Yes. But it’s not what it seems."His brow lifted. "Oh? You mean to tell me you weren’t ambushed by rogues? That Luka wasn’t the one who took care of them while you stood there, helpless?"My jaw clenched. "I wasn’t helpless. I would’ve handled it."He scoffed, shaking his head. "And yet, you didn’t."Frustration burned beneath my skin. "Father, one incident does not define my ability to lead. I have proven myself time and time again. You, of all people,, should know tha
Selene's POV Ronan’s presence was a relief, but it did nothing to ease the heavy tension in the room. As he walked in, his mother followed closely behind, her eyes scanning the table like she was already forming judgments. I sat still, watching as the maids moved around, placing drinks before us. The clinking of glass was the only sound breaking the silence.Nelly, seated beside me, shifted uncomfortably, clearly aware that she was out of place. Ronan barely glanced at her before speaking.“This meeting doesn’t concern you.” His tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument.Nelly’s mouth opened as if she was about to protest, but Ronan’s mother placed a hand on her shoulder, signaling her to follow. With one last glance at me, she sighed and rose from her chair, trailing after the older woman.Now, it was just the four of us.Elias cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly. “I’ve found out who the Force of Darkness is.”His gaze landed directly on me, and I felt my stomach drop.I
Selene’s POV The tension in the room was suffocating. I sat at the long wooden table, surrounded by the alphas, Ronan at the head, Elias beside me, and Luka and Keiran across from us. The air felt thick, weighed down by the conversation we had just started. I cleared my throat, pushing aside the unease settling in my chest. “We all know what the prophecy says,” I began, keeping my voice steady. “Leo is looking for me, and if he finds out what I am before we’re ready, we’re at a disadvantage.” Elias nodded, his golden eyes sharp. “That’s why this information doesn’t leave this room.” His tone was absolute. “If word gets out, we’re vulnerable.” Ronan crossed his arms. “We need to make sure no one outside our inner circle gets wind of it.” Keiran leaned back in his chair, nodding in agreement, but Luka scoffed, shaking his head. “That’s assuming she’s even the one the prophecy is about.” His gaze flicked to me, unreadable, and I felt a cold prickle run down my spine. I clenche
Selene’s POVThe tension in the room had finally begun to dissipate when Nelly and Ronan’s mother stepped out of the kitchen, their expressions soft but wary. They had likely overheard at least part of our conversation, but neither woman addressed the heavy topic still lingering in the air. Instead, they looked to Ronan, waiting for him to speak.“We’ll reconvene once Elias makes the arrangements,” Ronan finally said, his voice controlled, though I noticed the stiffness in his posture.Nelly nodded. “Understood.” She glanced at Keiran, who was already pulling out his keys. “We’ll be back when you need us.”Keiran gave me a lingering look before following Nelly out the door. Moments later, the low hum of an engine signaled their departure, leaving the rest of us standing in the quiet aftermath of the discussion.I exhaled, realizing just how exhausted I felt. The past few hours had been nothing but strategy, doubt, and tension.That was when Elias turned toward me with an easy, knowing
Elias's POVThe air was thick with the scent of burning wood as I stepped into my home, the warmth of the fireplace doing little to ease the tension clinging to the room. The elders sat in a semi-circle around the hearth, their expressions grave.I closed the door behind me, my sharp gaze sweeping over them. “You summoned me?”One of the elders, Mathias, the oldest among them, nodded. “We need to speak.” His voice, though calm, carried a weight that demanded attention.I strode forward, taking the seat they had left open for me. “What is it?”Mathias exchanged a look with the others before clearing his throat. “There have been… deaths. Strange ones. Unexplained.”I leaned forward, my fingers interlacing. “Where?”“The outskirts of the clan,” another elder, Liora, spoke up. “We found bodies, mutilated, drained of blood. No signs of struggle. No scent of an intruder.”A cold unease settled in my gut. I prided myself on the strength of my sentinels and their ability to secure our borders
Leo’s POVThe fire in the hearth crackled, casting flickering shadows across my office. I sat in my chair, boots propped up on the desk, swirling a glass of whiskey in my hand. The silence was comforting until my phone rang.I checked the caller ID and smirked. Keiran’s father.Amused, I answered. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. “Keiran believes you’re behind the recent deaths at Elias’s border.”I chuckled, tipping my glass back for a sip. “Took him long enough.”“You admit it, then?”I let the silence stretch, enjoying the weight of my words. “Of course, I do.”A dry chuckle left my lips as I set my glass down. “I didn’t expect Keiran to be the first to suspect me, but I suppose I underestimated his paranoia.”“What is your goal, Leo?” he asked, his voice unreadable.I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “Ronan.”“Ronan?” He sounded genuinely surprised.“Yes,” I said, my tone darkening. “He’s been too quiet for too long. I
Keiran's POV The weight of the past few days pressed heavily on my shoulders as I grabbed my keys from the table. My mind was a storm of unanswered questions, but one thing was clear, I needed to meet with the alphas. They had to know about my father’s betrayal.I stepped out of the house, the night air cool against my skin. As I approached my car, a familiar voice called out behind me.“Keiran, where are you going?”I turned to find Nelly standing at the doorway, arms crossed, her eyes sharp with suspicion. I should have expected this. She was relentless, and after everything that had happened, she wouldn’t let me walk away without an answer.“I have a meeting,” I replied, keeping my voice even.“With who?” she pressed.“The alphas,” I admitted. “There are things that need to be discussed.”Her brows furrowed, and I knew she wanted to ask more. But I couldn’t tell her everything yet. Not until I was certain of the truth myself.“I’ll explain later,” I promised. “Just trust me.”Nell
Selene's POVThe air between us was thick with tension, a mixture of unspoken words and suppressed emotions. The training session had started as usual, swift movements, strategic attacks, and counterattacks. Ronan was relentless, pushing me harder with every strike, every dodge, and every forceful step. But this time, there was something different.Every time our bodies collided, I could feel the heat between us. Every time he corrected my stance, my pulse quickened. I had been trying to ignore it, to bury it beneath the weight of my responsibilities, but there was no denying the pull anymore.Ronan feinted left before sweeping my legs out from under me. I hit the ground with a frustrated grunt, panting as I stared up at him. He towered over me, his chest rising and falling with exertion. The moonlight cast a soft glow on his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes.I was about to push myself up when he reached out his hand. I hesitated for a momen
Luka's POVA heavy silence filled the room as I sat across from my father, watching him with a gaze that had been hardened by years of unanswered questions. For so long, I had held resentment toward him, blaming him for the misfortunes that had plagued our family. But now, after spending more time with him and hearing pieces of our past, I felt the uneasy weight of uncertainty pressing down on my chest."You were just a boy when it happened," he said, his voice carrying a deep sorrow that I had never noticed before. "You couldn't have understood what truly went on that night."I clenched my fists, trying to brace myself for whatever truth he was about to reveal. "Then explain it to me," I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. "No more secrets, Father. I deserve to know everything."He exhaled slowly, his eyes clouding with memories that clearly pained him. "That night… the night your mother died… it wasn’t the accident you’ve always believed it to be. It was something else. Some
Nelly's POVThe abandoned room smelled of dust and forgotten memories. I hesitated in the doorway, my heart pounding in my chest. This place had been untouched for years, left as a relic of the past. My sister’s past. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I stepped inside, the floorboards creaking under my weight. The dim light from the moon filtered through the cracked window, casting eerie shadows across the room.I ran my fingers over the old desk, brushing away the layer of dust that coated its surface. My sister’s belongings lay scattered, untouched, and frozen in time. I knew I had to find something, anything, that could explain what happened to her. Then, as I pulled open a drawer, a folded piece of parchment caught my eye.My hands trembled as I picked it up, carefully unfolding the aged paper. The writing was faint, hurried, almost desperate.They know. Keiran’s father knows. Trust no one.A chill ran down my spine. My sister had left this message behind, one last attempt to warn
Ronan's POVThe night air was crisp as I stepped outside, the cool breeze brushing against my skin like a fleeting whisper. I needed this walk, to clear my mind, to sift through the tangled thoughts that had taken root since my conversation with Gazelle.She had warned me about rivals, about the possibility of losing Selene to someone else. The idea had gnawed at me ever since, an unfamiliar feeling of unease settling deep in my chest. I wasn’t one to dwell on emotions, but something about Selene’s presence had started to unravel me in ways I didn’t fully understand yet.I walked aimlessly through the compound, my boots crunching softly against the gravel path. The moon cast an acastsver glow over the landscape, making everything seem both surreal and hauntingly beautiful. I had always enjoyed the quiet of the night, but tonight, my mind refused to settle.Rounding a corner, I nearly collided with someone. I instinctively reached out to steady them, my hands finding soft, warm skin.S
Ronan’s POVI sank into the worn leather of my study chair and allowed myself a rare moment of private amusement. The soft lamplight played across the pages of the old journal on my desk, but my thoughts were elsewhere, lost in the memory of Selene’s startled reaction the other night. I could still see the way her eyes had widened when I mentioned that it was time for me to secure a mate. The surprise, the mixture of indignation and uncertainty on her face, had sent a thrill coursing through me. I couldn’t help but smile to myself as I replayed that moment, a private indulgence that warmed me in ways few things ever did.It was a heady mix of triumph and longing, the sort of feeling that made me forget for a moment the heavy responsibilities I carried as an alpha. I was a man who had built his strength on discipline and control, yet at that moment, all my carefully constructed barriers had seemed to crumble, replaced by a vulnerability I wasn’t sure I wanted to confront. Still, it was
Keiran's POVThe house was eerily quiet when I walked in, the absence of Nelly’s usual soft humming and my father’s authoritative presence instantly putting me on edge. I stepped into the hallway and found one of the maids adjusting the curtains in the sitting room.“Where’s Nelly?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral, though my chest tightened with unease.The maid straightened up and turned to me with a polite nod. “Miss Nelly left a few hours ago, sir.”I frowned. “With my father?”“No, sir. She left alone.”That caught my attention. Nelly rarely ventured out by herself unless she had a solid reason. “And my father?”“He left shortly after, sir.”Something about that made me uneasy. The timing was too convenient, too suspicious. My father wasn’t the type to involve himself in trivial matters, which meant he was up to something. The question was, did it involve Nelly?I strode past the maid and made my way upstairs, shrugging off my jacket. The moment I entered my room, I pulled out my
Nelly’s POVThe club loomed before me like a dark monolith, its neon lights pulsing against the night sky. I stepped out of the cab, my heart pounding in my ears. Tonight, I wasn’t here for the usual distractions or fleeting pleasures; I was here to find answers about my sister, Nikki. The thought of her being lost in this wretched world, her whereabouts unknown, sent a chill through my veins.I paused a moment on the cracked pavement outside the club, taking in the imposing atmosphere. This place was even larger and more foreboding than the club Keiran had taken me to before. Its massive facade and the thrum of bass that vibrated through the walls made me feel both small and insignificant. I shook off the sense of dread and made my way to the entrance, my steps resolute despite the fear that gnawed at me inside.Inside, the club was a cacophony of sound and motion. Music blared from massive speakers, and the air was thick with smoke and the mingling scents of sweat and expensive colo
Luka’s povThe engine of my car rumbled to a stop in front of the grand yet eerily quiet mansion. The place that once felt like home now seemed like a distant memory, a shadow of the past I had vowed never to return to. Yet here I was, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white.I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, trying to steady my nerves. Why the hell did I come back?It was Lawrence’s last visit. His words had stuck with me, nagging at the edges of my mind, forcing me to reconsider. I had initially thought of coming here just to mock my father, to throw in his face how much I had built myself up without him, how little I needed him. But now, as I sat in front of the house, staring at the imposing gates, that confidence wavered.Still, I shoved those thoughts aside and stepped out of the car. The moment I did, the house staff turned toward me, their eyes widening in surprise before quickly bowing their heads in greeting.“Welcome back, sir,” one of them said