Alexander's POV Two days had passed since Derek's demise, and I had been on high alert. Standing in the hall with all the alphas, I turned my head as someone walked in through the doors. My heart quickened as I realised it was Derek's Beta, Adam. He walked with a determined stride, his eyes scanning the room with an unwavering focus. I knew what he was here for, and it made my stomach twist into knots. I kept a discreet distance, listening carefully as Adam approached the elders. He exchanged nods with them before getting straight to the point. "Elders, we need to talk. Alpha Derek is missing, and I need your help to find him." The elders exchanged worried glances. One of them, a grizzled old wolf named Samuel, responded solemnly, "Very well, Adam. We'll bring everyone together and ask if anyone knows of his whereabouts." A surge of panic coursed through me. I couldn't let that happen. I turned on my heel and quickly made my way over to Victor, who was standing talking to Reed.
Olivia’s POV My heart pounded as we hurried to Lidia's room. We had little time to prepare for the confrontation that awaited us in the hall. I needed to be strong, not just for myself but also for Lidia. "Lidia," I called softly as I gently pushed open the door. She sat on the edge of her bed, looking like a fragile doll about to shatter. Her eyes, still red from crying, met mine. "Olivia," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We need to go. Now."Lidia sat there staring at me, her eyes wide with fear as she began to shake her head. “No, no, I can't face anyone. They’ll know that I had something to do with it.”Closing the distance between us, kneeling down in front of her, I took her hands in mine. “Listen to me, Lidia. You did nothing wrong, and I know you're not ready to face anyone, but we don’t have a choice.”She stared at me, her eyes still holding so much pain. “I don’t know if I can hold it together.”Standing up, I pulled her to her feet. “We don’t have a choice. But I
The air felt electric with tension as Victor’s words reverberated through the room. I could feel Lidia press closer to me, her trembling fingers digging into my arm. There were so many eyes on us, judgement and suspicion palpable in every glance. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, feeling the weight of the room shift onto me. “Victor is right. We need to remain focused,” I said, my voice surprisingly steady. “Lidia has been with me, and if anyone doubts that, I’m willing to swear on it.” Adam's eyes narrowed further. “And why should we believe you, Olivia? She is your sister, and of course, you would lie for her.” Adams's eyes burned into mine, but I refused to let him get to me. There was too much at stake here.Adam's voice took a darker turn. "Let's not pretend Lidia is innocent. Derek was pursuing her, and everyone knew it. Maybe she got tired of his advances and decided to—” “Enough!” I cut him off, my own voice surprising me with its strength. “Lidia has been with me th
Victor's POV The atmosphere in the hall was charged as the split second before lightning struck. I could see the strain on Olivia’s face, the fear in Lidia’s eyes, and Alexander’s towering form, a rampart guarding them both. But my own frustration surged like a raging inferno. I could not allow Beta Adam to speak about my family this way. Stepping forward, I injected all the authority I could muster into my voice. “Elders, esteemed pack members, you know me as a leader who values fairness and justice above all. If we descend into accusations and violence, we risk everything. We’ve already lost one leader. Let’s not lose our unity.” Adam snarled, looking like he might leap at me, but Samuel interjected again. “Victor speaks with wisdom. We must approach this with clear heads.”“Wisdom?” Adam sneered. “Or cowardice? Hiding behind words while the truth is buried in lies.” “Adam,” I growled. “This is not about cowardice. It's about keeping our pack whole. If you believe so fervently
Olivia’s POV As we left the hall, my heart pounded in my chest as I relived killing Derek over and over again in my head, and the same question played on replay in my head: could I have done it differently and not killed him?The fresh air hit my face, washing a calming feeling over me, but I knew that I needed time to myself. “I'm going to go for a walk,” I said to Victor and Lidia, who both looked at me with wide eyes.“With everything going on, I don’t think you should go anywhere alone, Olivia,” Victor said.“I'll be okay. I just need some time alone.”Victor stood there for a second, thinking, before finally nodding and taking Lidia's hand in his. I stood there, watching them walk away before turning and heading the other way.As I walked away from the hall, intending to find some peace, the tension from inside still clung to me like a second skin. The night air should have been a balm to my frayed nerves, but it was thick with unease. As I took a few steps further, another pr
Alexander's POV Watching Olivia walk away with Reed tugged painfully at my chest. Rage seethed beneath my calm facade. Reed's arm wrapped around Olivia was a reminder of how much I'd risked losing her. But now was not the time to make a scene. I had to focus on the bigger picture. “Alexander, what a cruel twist of fate!” Cassandra’s voice came from behind me, wrapping her slender arm through mine. “Alpha Derek's disappearance is simply dreadful.” She leaned in closer, her breath hot on my neck. I let out a sigh, eyes still fixed on Olivia and Reed disappearing into the distance. Cassandra always had a way of intertwining herself when I least wanted it. "It wouldn't surprise me if all of them had something to do with it," she whispered conspiratorially, her eyes gleaming. Annoyance flared inside me, and I pulled my arm free from her grip. “You heard what Victor said. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your opinions to yourself.” I strode off, putting as much distance be
Olivia’s POV The night was cloaked in an eerie silence as I lay restless in my bed, the shadows from the dim moonlight dancing on the walls. My mind was a chaotic mess, brimming with uncertainties and anxieties. Days had passed since my last encounter with Alexander. Deep down, I knew that rekindling any form of relationship with him was a risk I couldn't afford to take, not with all the times he had hurt me before. A sudden knock on the door yanked me from my tumultuous thoughts. My heart raced as I cautiously approached, opening it to find Victor standing there, his face pale and eyes wide with panic. "Victor? What's wrong?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “They’ve called a meeting,” he said, his breath uneven. “I think they’ve found Derek’s body.” A numbing chill shot through my spine. I clung to the doorframe for support, fighting the panic threatening to consume me. I desperately prayed that nothing on his body could be traced back to us. "Olivia, you have to joi
Olivia’s povI kept my distance, noting every single reaction. Each murmured word, every worried glance—they all fed the tension simmering beneath my exterior. I had mastered the art of composure, especially now when everything depended on maintaining the facade. Samuel’s voice echoed through the hall, drawing everyone's attention. "His body bore marks consistent with attacks from rogue wolves. However, it appears they were made post-mortem. The cause of Derek's death is still uncertain, but it does not look like a simple rogue attack."I let out the breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding. But just as I thought the worst might be over, movement in the crowd caught my eye. Adam was pushing through the milling bodies. His eyes locked on Lidia with a predatory intensity. A chill travelled down my spine. He would not hurt my sister. I surged forward, heart pounding, but despite my efforts, Adam reached Lidia first. He grabbed her wrist, yanking her toward him with a vicious sneer. B
Olivia's povA foreboding chill crept into my bones as Reed’s pack vanished behind us, the vast wilderness stretching ahead. My mind was a whirlwind, thoughts flitting like moths around a flame, settling briefly before being cast aside by another pressing concern. Derek’s pack was our destination; saving them demanded urgency that no distraction could deter.The carriage was silent except for the rhythmic clatter of wheels against uneven ground. Alexander sat beside me, his presence comforting but our peace tinged with a palpable tension. Every piece of me ached to reach those in need.As we drew closer, the air shifted, the sweet scent of forest mingling with something acrid and metallic—an unmistakable prelude to the chaos awaiting us. Blood. I inhaled deeply, my senses sharpening, a familiar heat flaring through my veins as we approached the hallowed ground of Derek’s realm. I know longer cared what Reed may have told Derek's pack about me all I wanted to do was help them.In a sud
Reed's PovThe afternoon sun filtered through the trees as I paced the clearing, my thoughts consumed with plans that only I could comprehend. The breeze swept through the whispering birches, making melodies in the leaves, but my mind was deaf to it. I had called a meeting with the pack; each pack member was summoned to our usual rendezvous.When they had all gathered, a mixture of young and battle-worn faces encircled me. I could see their concern, their uncertainty reflected back, shadows of doubt clouding their eyes. "Listen up," I began, feeling their attention zag toward me. "There have been sightings of the dark rogues getting close to us, and I believe tonight they will come."I paused, letting the words sink in. The air grew tense as if holding its breath along with them. A few murmurs erupted, soft as the rustle of leaves, but I raised my hand, silencing them once more. Their loyalty was commendable, but their faith in me needed shoring up."You've heard whispers about the sp
Olivias povThe road was filled with a tense quietness as the carriage bounced over rugged terrain. The scent of pine mingled with the crisp chill in the air, an intoxicating reminder of the mountain's nosebleed peaks and swathes of woodland stretching endlessly beneath the sky. Alexander and I remained silent. Our focus aligned on the journey to the packs that needed us. The horses' hooves pounded rhythmically against the ground, a steady heartbeat pushing us onward."We'll be there soon," Alexander said softly, breaking the delicate bubble of contemplation enveloping us. His voice was a soothing balm against the trepidation I felt, but I knew better than to dwell on them. Before I could reply, Reed's pack came into view as we cleared another slope, and my heart clenched momentarily—as my mind drifted back to all the horrible things that Reed had done, Cassandra’s face flashing before my eyes. I shook my head, pushing the thought out of my head as fast as it came. His town sprawled
Alexanders povThe morning had barely begun, yet the weight of the world pressed heavily on our shoulders as Olivia and I walked down to the triplet alphas' office. The hallway was alive with murmurs, everyone eager to thank Olivia. Each gesture of gratitude was a vital reminder of just how much we owed her. The warmth in their eyes contrasted sharply with the shadow of worry that clung stubbornly to her face."Olivia," a young omega called, offering a shy smile as we passed. "Thank you for saving us."Olivia nodded, though her eyes betrayed her restlessness. I could feel her tension like an electric current between us. The dream she had last night weighed on her like lead, and I understood her fear—it was the fear that gnawed at me, too. Our thoughts were locked on our children, Liam and Sarah, who were miles away in the city, possibly at the mercy of dark rogues.As we entered the office, the room was already buzzing with discussions on our next move. The triplet alphas—Cole, Casper
Olivia's povI found a spot overlooking the pack grounds, where I could see the far horizon painted with hues of twilight. Sitting down, exhaustion overwhelmed me. My body ached from the turmoil of the past days, and my eyelids were heavy, struggling to remain open. Despite knowing I should stay alert, sleep tugged at me with relentless persistence. Just a moment, I told myself, my eyes slipping shut as I drifted off.In an instant, I was home, laughter echoing around me. Liam and Sarah, my joyful twins, ran ahead, their giggles a balm to my weary soul. Chasing after them, I called out, the evening's gentle glow transforming suddenly as the sky turned an ominous shade of black."Time to come inside!" I shouted, but only their laughter answered. Confusion churned in my gut as I searched the darkening landscape. The shadows around swirled, their movements taunting and elusive. Panic flared sharply as the twins' laughter ceased, replaced by silence."Liam! Sarah!" I yelled, desperation c
Olivia's povWith my heart drumming loudly in my ears, I watched Victor. He lay still, his breathing shallow as the Glass warmth kissed his lips. My hands lingered close, trembling with uncertainty. "Drink, Victor, please," I urged softly, my voice barely above a whisper, a prayer wrapped in hope.I held my breath, time moving languidly, stretching uneasily around us. The weight of the moment pressed heavily upon my shoulders. Each heartbeat felt like an endless echo, my pulse a desperate chorus in the quiet room. And just when doubt threatened to choke me, Victor’s lips parted softly. His throat moved, taking in the liquid, a small sip at first, then another. Relief washed over me, the tension slowly uncoiling as I watched the colour gradually begin to return to his cheeks. With every drop he swallowed, I felt the oppressive heat that had wrapped around him like chains begin to diminish.I didn’t allow myself to get too hopeful, not yet—not until I was sure. But the change was undeni
Olivias povI turned sharply, and the chill that ran down my spine got colder when I saw what the panic in Alexander's eyes was about. On the floor lay Victor, my brother, motionless. Alexander was kneeling beside him, urgently checking his pulse."Victor!" I cried out, racing to his side. My heart pounded so loudly that it drowned out any other noise. Kneeling down, I reached for his hand. It was cold and clammy, a stark contrast to the fever emanating all around us. A knot tightened in my stomach."He collapsed just now," Alexander explained, urgency bleeding into his tone. His hand was on Victor's chest, listening to the shallow rise and fall of his breath. "He must have tried to hide how he was feeling to help the others."A heavy, suffocating wave of fear threatened to pull me under. Victor was always the strongest, the rock of our family, alongside our shared purpose to protect. Seeing him so vulnerable was a blow I wasn't prepared for.At that moment, only one thought pulsed th
Olivias pov"What's happening, Victor?" I asked, my voice steady despite the fear and panic swirling inside of me.He hesitated, eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn't quite decipher—worry, seriousness. "It's the pack," he finally said, each word carrying the gravity of bad news. "Many of them are very sick—and it's spreading fast."My heart thudded, a drum pounding within my chest. "Sick? How?" I pressed, urgency soaring through every syllable."It started an hour ago with the members who were near the fire, inhaling the smoke. We just thought that it was from breathing in too much of that toxic smoke and would go away once they got some fresh air and rest," Victor explained, his eyes briefly meeting mine, filled with uncharacteristic vulnerability. "But now it's spreading wider, reaching even those who were not directly affected."Panic began its insidious climb within me. "We need to see them," Alexander interjected, his voice a steady beacon of purpose.Victor nodded, leading
Olivia's povI stood on the balcony, watching the grey clouds climb higher—the leftover ashes of the dark burning up. The sharp smell filled the air, making it hard to breathe, yet it was a burden we had to carry. As much as I wanted to rest, a nagging feeling kept me awake. The rogues haunted us, their threats hiding in every shadow, reminding us of the danger we faced.The night quickly draped around us, its shadows reaching out like curious hands, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave the sight of the smoke rising into the evening sky. Frustration threatened to overflow; I was exhausted beyond words, yet adrenaline kept me tied to what lay below. Each heartbeat carried the hope that this would be the end of it.A soft sound broke the silence, and I turned to see Alexander standing there, concern softly marking his face. His presence was warmth against the cold pressing in, and I fought the urge to collapse into his arms."You should be asleep, Olivia," he said, his voice gentle.I s