Anna's POV:Returning to my pack stirred up more trouble than I anticipated. Cecilia's disdainful remarks since our arrival only fueled my desire to leave. Yet, despite the ease of saying the words, I found myself lingering. Was it the twisted satisfaction of witnessing Cecilia and her mate's conflict over me that held me back?Alpha Bryan's decisive action, slamming the door on Cecilia, sent a strange thrill through me. I shouldn't feel this way; I didn't care for Bryan. Yet, his defiance of his Luna for hosting us made me feel oddly important."Hey, Anna, lost in thought?" Cadel's touch on my elbow brought me back."Yeah, just thinking about tomorrow." Damn, did I just lie to Cadel?He looked at me, towel hanging loosely. "What's happening tomorrow?""We won't be stuck in the alpha quarters forever. Eventually, we'll venture out, and I'll face werewolves who share Cecilia's resentment.""They can't all hate you. Collins and Bryan seem to support us.""Yeah, tell me about it."Cadel
Carson's POVCameroon and I chased after Cecilia's killer. He was fast, agile, and remarkably skilled at evasion. Just as my hands dove to catch him, he leaped over a massive log, and I ended up crushing an unfortunate firefly instead. I tossed it away in frustration.Cameroon lagged behind me, making me wish Cadel were here to assist in the chase. As we tore through the forest, which grew steeper with every step, the killer only seemed to get faster. We approached a particularly treacherous section of the forest, where he slid down a slope and pulled a lever. Suddenly, pairs of spears shot out, several piercing my body.“Argh, damn it, it hurts,” I yelled.“Whoa, whoa, whoa, careful!” Cameroon sang the last word, spreading out his arms to balance himself as he screeched to an emergency stop.I scanned the slope, but the killer had vanished after triggering his trap.“Wolfsbane,” I groaned. “The spears—”“It’s okay, I got you. I got you.” Cameroon pulled me back. “We need to head back
Carson's POV:We moved swiftly through the pack house grounds, slipping back into the dense forest where the killer had disappeared. The night air was cool, and the scent of wet wood and damp earth filled my nostrils. Each step sent jolts of pain through my body, but I gritted my teeth and pushed on."Where did you last see him?" Collins asked, his voice low but urgent.I pointed towards the slope where the spears had shot out. "Down there. He triggered the trap and vanished."Cameroon led the way, carefully going down the slope and each of us descended after him. As we reached the bottom, I paused, sniffing the air."He's close. I can still smell him," I said, my voice a growl.“Isn't that strange?” Collins mused.“What is?” I asked. “If I killed my Luna, I wouldn't be lurking around still,” Collins said, with a thoughtful expression. “What if we are working into a trap?”Pausing briefly, I replied, “Well we outnumber him five to one. I say we get this son of a bitch, regardless.”W
Anna's POV:Inside the Alpha quarters, in the confines of the large living room, only three of us remained: Nicole, Lucas, and me. We hoped those who went after Cecilia's killer would return any moment, having faced little challenge in capturing him. But we were wrong. A primal roar shattered the silence around us twice. Nicole stood up abruptly. “That must be Bryan.”I joined her. “He's calling for his pack.”“What could have possibly gone wrong?” Lucas asked as he rose too."Let's go after them!" I declared.Lucas nodded, and we left the house, heading towards the forest. As we went after Bryan and the others, more pack members joined us, all responding to the Alpha's call. As we reached the edge of the forest, the scene before us made my blood run cold. Bodies lay strewn across the ground, the metallic scent of blood mixing with the earthy smell of the forest. The moon cast an eerie light over the carnage, illuminating the torn remains and the still forms of bodies.Nicole gaspe
ANNA’S POVThe silver illumination of the moon broke through the canopy of trees as we made our way backto the pack, casting a silvery ray across our tired faces. I couldn't shake away the adrenaline stillcoursing through my veins, the battle still fresh in my mind. As we arrived at the pack house, anarray of worried faces and a tinge of relief greeted us. They looked us over, their eyes scanningfor injuries and becoming wider when they found the gunshot wound on Cameron. Theirexpressions were a tapestry of concern.“Is everyone alright?” Ash, one of our trusted warriors, stepped forward, his eyes locking ontoCadel, and Cameron, who Nicole and Lucas were helping.“More or less,” Cameron grunted, his voice gruff but steady.and Cadel lowered themselves onto a nearby couch.“We’ll live.” Slowly and painfully, heI felt a smile tug at my lips despite the grim happenings of the previous night. There wasstrength in us, a resilience that bound our pack together. The bond of family w
Carson’s povAnna's scream sliced through the stillness of the house, piercing my heart like a needle dipped in ice. Every instinct I possessed surged to the forefront, igniting a fire in my veins—a primal need to protect her. I didn’t hesitate; without a second thought, I raced up the stairs, my feet pounding against the wooden steps that echoed my urgency.“Carson! Wait!” I heard Lucas shout behind me, his voice overshadowed by the roar of adrenaline in my ears. But I didn’t slow down. Anna was in danger, and that was all that mattered.The sound of matching footsteps followed close behind, and my brothers, Cameron and Cadel, joined my frantic rush despite their injuries. Together, we burst through the door to Bryan’s room, the darkness inside wrapping around us like a suffocating shroud.My eyes immediately locked onto the horrifying scene by the window. There she was—Anna, pinned to the ground like a rag doll, struggling against Bryan's massive wolf. The sight twisted my gut in a
- CADEL’S POVI despise disloyalty. I can’t stand insubordination. Traitors are a scourge in my eyes. Yet nothing weighs heavier on my heart than witnessing the sadness of my mate. I hate it when tears flow down her cheek. Every challenge to my authority enrages me, but the sight of Anna in pain cuts deeper than anything else. I was resolute in my decision to end Bryan’s life for daring to touch her, to punish him for his unforgivable actions. However, her tears and desperate pleas doused the flames of my thirst for revenge. Anna's compassion continues to astound me, reminding me of the power of love and the strength it takes to choose empathy over anger.My brothers and I found ourselves on the first floor of the packhouse, watching Bryan pour his heart out in Anna’s embrace. A flicker of jealousy stirred within me, but I quickly reminded myself that he was utterly broken and in need of the comfort only Anna could provide—a solace that none of us could offer.“So, what’s the plan now
Cameron’s POVAs Cadel rushed from Bryan’s room, he collided with Carson and Lucas, who were hurrying to find the source of the disturbance.“What’s going on,?, You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Carson attempted a joke, hoping to lighten the atmosphere taut with dread. But Cadel remained silent, his face pallor and grave as he clutched the bloody death threat he'd snatched from the feathered arrow. His hand quivered slightly, the horrific image of Bryan’s lifeless body replaying mercilessly in his mind.“Cadel?” Lucas stepped closer; concern etched deeply across his brow. “What’s wrong with Bryan?”“He’s dead,” Cadel replied, the words flat and devoid of emotion, his eyes distant.“What do you mean dead? He should be sleeping!” The disbelief in Lucas’s voice echoed in the hallway as he moved around Cadel, urgency etched on his face. Carson followed closely behind, the tension thickening the air around us. Moments later, they emerged from the room, their expressions mirroring Cadel'
Cameron’s POVAs Cadel rushed from Bryan’s room, he collided with Carson and Lucas, who were hurrying to find the source of the disturbance.“What’s going on,?, You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Carson attempted a joke, hoping to lighten the atmosphere taut with dread. But Cadel remained silent, his face pallor and grave as he clutched the bloody death threat he'd snatched from the feathered arrow. His hand quivered slightly, the horrific image of Bryan’s lifeless body replaying mercilessly in his mind.“Cadel?” Lucas stepped closer; concern etched deeply across his brow. “What’s wrong with Bryan?”“He’s dead,” Cadel replied, the words flat and devoid of emotion, his eyes distant.“What do you mean dead? He should be sleeping!” The disbelief in Lucas’s voice echoed in the hallway as he moved around Cadel, urgency etched on his face. Carson followed closely behind, the tension thickening the air around us. Moments later, they emerged from the room, their expressions mirroring Cadel'
- CADEL’S POVI despise disloyalty. I can’t stand insubordination. Traitors are a scourge in my eyes. Yet nothing weighs heavier on my heart than witnessing the sadness of my mate. I hate it when tears flow down her cheek. Every challenge to my authority enrages me, but the sight of Anna in pain cuts deeper than anything else. I was resolute in my decision to end Bryan’s life for daring to touch her, to punish him for his unforgivable actions. However, her tears and desperate pleas doused the flames of my thirst for revenge. Anna's compassion continues to astound me, reminding me of the power of love and the strength it takes to choose empathy over anger.My brothers and I found ourselves on the first floor of the packhouse, watching Bryan pour his heart out in Anna’s embrace. A flicker of jealousy stirred within me, but I quickly reminded myself that he was utterly broken and in need of the comfort only Anna could provide—a solace that none of us could offer.“So, what’s the plan now
Carson’s povAnna's scream sliced through the stillness of the house, piercing my heart like a needle dipped in ice. Every instinct I possessed surged to the forefront, igniting a fire in my veins—a primal need to protect her. I didn’t hesitate; without a second thought, I raced up the stairs, my feet pounding against the wooden steps that echoed my urgency.“Carson! Wait!” I heard Lucas shout behind me, his voice overshadowed by the roar of adrenaline in my ears. But I didn’t slow down. Anna was in danger, and that was all that mattered.The sound of matching footsteps followed close behind, and my brothers, Cameron and Cadel, joined my frantic rush despite their injuries. Together, we burst through the door to Bryan’s room, the darkness inside wrapping around us like a suffocating shroud.My eyes immediately locked onto the horrifying scene by the window. There she was—Anna, pinned to the ground like a rag doll, struggling against Bryan's massive wolf. The sight twisted my gut in a
ANNA’S POVThe silver illumination of the moon broke through the canopy of trees as we made our way backto the pack, casting a silvery ray across our tired faces. I couldn't shake away the adrenaline stillcoursing through my veins, the battle still fresh in my mind. As we arrived at the pack house, anarray of worried faces and a tinge of relief greeted us. They looked us over, their eyes scanningfor injuries and becoming wider when they found the gunshot wound on Cameron. Theirexpressions were a tapestry of concern.“Is everyone alright?” Ash, one of our trusted warriors, stepped forward, his eyes locking ontoCadel, and Cameron, who Nicole and Lucas were helping.“More or less,” Cameron grunted, his voice gruff but steady.and Cadel lowered themselves onto a nearby couch.“We’ll live.” Slowly and painfully, heI felt a smile tug at my lips despite the grim happenings of the previous night. There wasstrength in us, a resilience that bound our pack together. The bond of family w
Anna's POV:Inside the Alpha quarters, in the confines of the large living room, only three of us remained: Nicole, Lucas, and me. We hoped those who went after Cecilia's killer would return any moment, having faced little challenge in capturing him. But we were wrong. A primal roar shattered the silence around us twice. Nicole stood up abruptly. “That must be Bryan.”I joined her. “He's calling for his pack.”“What could have possibly gone wrong?” Lucas asked as he rose too."Let's go after them!" I declared.Lucas nodded, and we left the house, heading towards the forest. As we went after Bryan and the others, more pack members joined us, all responding to the Alpha's call. As we reached the edge of the forest, the scene before us made my blood run cold. Bodies lay strewn across the ground, the metallic scent of blood mixing with the earthy smell of the forest. The moon cast an eerie light over the carnage, illuminating the torn remains and the still forms of bodies.Nicole gaspe
Carson's POV:We moved swiftly through the pack house grounds, slipping back into the dense forest where the killer had disappeared. The night air was cool, and the scent of wet wood and damp earth filled my nostrils. Each step sent jolts of pain through my body, but I gritted my teeth and pushed on."Where did you last see him?" Collins asked, his voice low but urgent.I pointed towards the slope where the spears had shot out. "Down there. He triggered the trap and vanished."Cameroon led the way, carefully going down the slope and each of us descended after him. As we reached the bottom, I paused, sniffing the air."He's close. I can still smell him," I said, my voice a growl.“Isn't that strange?” Collins mused.“What is?” I asked. “If I killed my Luna, I wouldn't be lurking around still,” Collins said, with a thoughtful expression. “What if we are working into a trap?”Pausing briefly, I replied, “Well we outnumber him five to one. I say we get this son of a bitch, regardless.”W
Carson's POVCameroon and I chased after Cecilia's killer. He was fast, agile, and remarkably skilled at evasion. Just as my hands dove to catch him, he leaped over a massive log, and I ended up crushing an unfortunate firefly instead. I tossed it away in frustration.Cameroon lagged behind me, making me wish Cadel were here to assist in the chase. As we tore through the forest, which grew steeper with every step, the killer only seemed to get faster. We approached a particularly treacherous section of the forest, where he slid down a slope and pulled a lever. Suddenly, pairs of spears shot out, several piercing my body.“Argh, damn it, it hurts,” I yelled.“Whoa, whoa, whoa, careful!” Cameroon sang the last word, spreading out his arms to balance himself as he screeched to an emergency stop.I scanned the slope, but the killer had vanished after triggering his trap.“Wolfsbane,” I groaned. “The spears—”“It’s okay, I got you. I got you.” Cameroon pulled me back. “We need to head back
Anna's POV:Returning to my pack stirred up more trouble than I anticipated. Cecilia's disdainful remarks since our arrival only fueled my desire to leave. Yet, despite the ease of saying the words, I found myself lingering. Was it the twisted satisfaction of witnessing Cecilia and her mate's conflict over me that held me back?Alpha Bryan's decisive action, slamming the door on Cecilia, sent a strange thrill through me. I shouldn't feel this way; I didn't care for Bryan. Yet, his defiance of his Luna for hosting us made me feel oddly important."Hey, Anna, lost in thought?" Cadel's touch on my elbow brought me back."Yeah, just thinking about tomorrow." Damn, did I just lie to Cadel?He looked at me, towel hanging loosely. "What's happening tomorrow?""We won't be stuck in the alpha quarters forever. Eventually, we'll venture out, and I'll face werewolves who share Cecilia's resentment.""They can't all hate you. Collins and Bryan seem to support us.""Yeah, tell me about it."Cadel
Cadel's POVAfter Nicole's brash confrontation with Cecilia, the room fell into a thoughtful silence. Cecilia's eyes flickered with suppressed emotions as she briefly avoided meeting our gazes, perhaps acutely aware of the rift her actions had caused.Nicole, on the other hand, remained stoic, her expression guarded as she picked at her food, seemingly unfazed by the lingering hostility in the room. The tension between her and Cecilia stewed beneath the surface, threatening to spill over at any moment.Cecilia's fingers drummed impatiently on the table, her jaw still clenched with frustration. Finally, unable to contain herself any longer, she spoke, her voice sharp and cutting."You think you can come into my home and tell me how I should behave?" Cecilia's eyes blazed with defiance as she locked gaze with Nicole. “You came here unannounced and it's taking every fiber of my being not to kick you sorry lot out. So, while I begrudgingly extend my invitation, you all would do well to re