Stella–POVSitting in the chilly room after my husband Kellan’s funeral, I struggled to accept his untimely death from a car accident. The news had left me reeling, unable to accept the loss.“Stella,” my mom’s voice echoed, brimming with concern. She flicked on the bedroom light, revealing a room filled with memories of Kellan and me.“Let’s go home, sweetie. It might help you heal,” she whispered. I nodded, wiping my tears. Taking a deep breath, I left our apartment, with Dad handling my bags. Mom had packed for me, ever the pillar of support. Soon, we got in a car with a chauffeur to take us to the airport. A private jet awaited us to fly us from New York to Alaska.The draining journey intensified my yearning for my hometown, a stark contrast to the hollow vastness of our New York penthouse. Memories of Kellan enveloped me. Our dreams of starting a family, which we had hoped to realize this year, lay broken. With his startup now stable and him at the helm as CEO of Stella, the ins
Stella–POV"What did Julie mention to you, Mrs. Keller, before you parted ways? Did she say anything about going to the forest and why?" The officer inquired.I strained to remember what Julie might have shared with me. Lately, my focus has been elsewhere whenever Julie speaks to me. "I can't recall anything specific right now. I'm so sorry. This is just a challenging time for me," I admitted, sighing heavily."Officer, if you're finished with the questioning, my daughter has been under immense stress since her husband's passing away," Mom interjected. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the officer nodded sympathetically and took his leave. Once he was gone, Mom escorted me to my room. Alone with my thoughts, I pondered why Julie might have ventured into the forest."Hey, I heard about Julie," Dad said as he entered, startling me. "Sorry, Stella, I didn't mean to scare you.""It's strange, Dad. Why would Julie go to the forest?" I remarked, sighing heavily. The weight of worry and
Stella–POVI opened my eyes to a white ceiling overhead, accompanied by the steady beep of a machine nearby. To my right, Dad was asleep, and on my left, Mom was dozing with her head resting on the edge of my hospital bed.A throb of pain pulsed through my head. I blinked, trying to take in my surroundings more clearly. I noticed the IV line running from a bag into my vein. "Mom," I whispered. Slowly, she stirred, her eyes lighting up with relief and joy upon seeing me awake."Thank God you're awake," Mom exclaimed, gently hugging and kissing me."Wake up, Fenrir," she called softly to my dad. Startled, he quickly rose from his chair, approaching my bedside. He tenderly kissed my forehead and stroked my hair."You gave us quite a scare," he murmured, his voice heavy with relief. "I'll go get the doctor."The doctors came in, checking me over and asking about any pain. I mentioned not only my head but also my leg, which was bandaged."You're in good condition, but we'll observe you for
Stella - POVAfter several days, the memory continued to haunt me. The thought of seeing my deceased husband in the grocery store kept me awake at night. I hadn't mentioned the incident to either of my parents, choosing to wrestle with the shock privately. My health began to deteriorate, pushing me to see my doctor again. As I got into the car, I reassured my father that I could go independently, and he relented, having chauffeured me for so long."Good morning, doctor," I greeted him."Morning," he replied, his gaze focused on some reports. His brow furrowed with concern. "Ms. Stella, it's fortunate you're here. I have some news for you." I straightened up, awaiting his revelation. "You are three weeks pregnant."I blinked, trying to process this unexpected news. "What? Why wasn't I informed about my pregnancy when I had the accident? Is my baby alright?" I quizzed him."Your baby is fine. Your father instructed me not to disclose the pregnancy to you," Dr. Marshal began, his tone he
Stella – POV"Take a seat, my dear," Mom said, guiding me to a chair. My eyes were fixed on Dad."We took you in when your parents passed away, Stella. We couldn't have children, so we ensured you grew up surrounded by love. We love you as if you were our own," Dad said."Why didn't you tell me the truth about my parents? I need to know," I said, wiping tears."I was scared that if we told you the truth, you might never come to see us again," Mom replied. "Your parents were our neighbors and close friends; your mother was Lily. She was a sweet woman, a housewife. Your dad, Finn, worked as a police officer. They went to visit your grandma and left you with us. On their way back, they were in a car accident and didn't make it." I felt my heart clench with sorrow at her words. The truth weighed heavily in the air, and more tears streamed down my face. Taking a deep breath, I met the gaze of my adoptive parents."Why did you decide to kill my unborn?" I asked. "You both had no right.""We
Stella–POVThe man stood abruptly, locking eyes with me. "You must be Stella Keller," he drawled, his voice dripping with malice.I nodded hesitantly, taken aback by his sudden recognition. His smirk sent shivers down my spine, and a wave of fear washed over me as he closed the gap between us. "Many would like to see you dead, Stella. You carry a child that threatens our kind significantly," he said ominously.Panicking, I shot back, "Who are you? And how did you get into my room?" I scanned the room for an escape route. Before I could reach the doorknob, his hand whipped out, pinning me against the wall. I struggled, desperately trying to free myself."You should've died just like we killed your husband, Kellan. That Lycan bastard was nothing but trouble," he hissed. "We wolves have established dominance. But with you pregnant, things have become more... complicated." His sinister grin widened as his fangs elongated, nearing my vulnerable neck. Fear gripped me.Suddenly, a window sha
Stella – POV"Kellan had been forced to leave the Pack after failing to find a mate, tragically resulting in him losing his Lycan wolf. "When Lycans lose their wolf, they can't stay with the Pack. So Kellan sought refuge among humans," Damon explained, his voice heavy with regret."But why is my friend Julie here? She's a human," I asked, a trace of confusion clear in my tone."Julie is different. She's mated with my Beta, Dexter," Damon replied, his gaze unwavering. "Since she's bonded with a Lycan, the rules allow her to stay."I processed this information, my brow furrowing in thought. "So, since Kellan and I married, does that mean I wasn't his true mate? That he never found his Lycan wolf?"Damon's gaze deepened. "No, he never found his Lycan wolf. Based on that, I would presume you weren't his destined mate."The weight of his words hung between us for a moment before another question nagged at me. "How did you know about my pregnancy? And that you'd even ask the doctor to tell
Stella - POVAs I sat opposite Damon during dinner, memories of dining with Kellan consumed me. I constantly reminded myself that it was Damon in front of me, not Kellan. It became increasingly difficult to look at Damon; his face was a painful reminder of the past. I kept my eyes focused on my plate to avoid the emotion it stirred in me.Damon broke the silence. "You seem to be adjusting well to this place."With a deep breath, I responded, "I don't have a choice, do I?" He sighed at my words. Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I hesitantly broached another topic, ensuring my eyes were diverted from his face. "Who are our enemies? Do you have any idea?"As I sipped water, trying to avoid making eye contact, Damon replied, "From what I've gathered, our primary enemy is Alpha Kayden of the wolves. They despise Lycans because they see us as a threat. We're more powerful than them, leading to countless needless wars between our kinds. Fortunately, a truce was reached when my father b
Heather's POVKayden stepped out of the cozy wooden house, carrying dishes of food in both hands. He placed them carefully on the gazebo table, which was already beautifully set. My breath caught as I whispered, “Wow, you went to such lengths to prepare all this.”“I just want to impress you,” he muttered, his voice soft but sincere.I couldn’t help but smile as I glanced at the smoked, grilled salmon. My stomach growled in anticipation. Without waiting,I took a bite. The taste melted on my tongue.“Damn, you’ve really outdone yourself. It’s delicious! Are you secretly taking cooking lessons or something?” I teased, though my words were muffled by another bite.He remained quiet, a soft smile playing on his lips as he ate.“Really?” I pressed, surprised by his silence.“What?” He raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth lifting in amusement. “I can’t cook for my mate?”“There’s no need to go through so much trouble for me,” I said, dropping my gaze. “I’m not special…” The words tum
Heather's POVKayden stepped out of the cozy wooden house, carrying dishes of food in both hands. He placed them carefully on the gazebo table, which was already beautifully set. My breath caught as I whispered, “Wow, you went to such lengths to prepare all this.”“I just want to impress you,” he muttered, his voice soft but sincere.I couldn’t help but smile as I glanced at the smoked, grilled salmon. My stomach growled in anticipation. Without waiting,I took a bite. The taste melted on my tongue.“Damn, you’ve really outdone yourself. It’s delicious! Are you secretly taking cooking lessons or something?” I teased, though my words were muffled by another bite.He remained quiet, a soft smile playing on his lips as he ate.“Really?” I pressed, surprised by his silence.“What?” He raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth lifting in amusement. “I can’t cook for my mate?”“There’s no need to go through so much trouble for me,” I said, dropping my gaze. “I’m not special…” The words tum
Heather's POVI sat at the breakfast table, my stomach twisted into anxious knots, completely devoid of any appetite. Kayden wasn’t around, and the test results were due by evening. The waiting was unbearable. I hated lying in bed, doing nothing to occupy my restless mind. Instead, I busied myself reading about Raven and Xael powers—their strengths, their darker sides, and the terrifying extent. But even the book couldn’t hold my attention for long. Frustrated, I set it aside and stepped out of my room for a walk to clear my head.As I strolled the halls, I noticed a group of soldiers carrying crates filled with books.“Wait,” I called out, stopping them.They froze and turned to me. The scent hit me before I even reached the boxes—Colt’s scent. My monster brother’s lingering essence clung to the books like a haunting memory.“Where are these from?” I asked, narrowing my eyes as I reached for one of the books.“From Raven’s old base,” one soldier answered with a respectful nod.“Take
Heather’s POVTwo months have passed, and for the first time in what feels like forever, life feels calm. There’s a certain serenity in the air that soothes my restless soul. Stretching my arms above my head, I breathe in the crisp morning air before starting my yoga routine. The warm embrace of sunlight filters through the trees, and the soft breeze kisses my skin. Yoga has become my new ritual—a gentler path the doctor recommended after I had to step back from my usual intense training. It’s strange, but this peaceful morning rhythm makes me feel more grounded.After yoga, I head inside to shower and get ready for the day. Today’s agenda is simple yet important: spending time with the Pack members, checking progress, and ensuring the food we grow will sustain us through the harsh winter. With only five months before the cold season descends upon us, I need to make sure we’re prepared—no excuses. Winter here doesn’t just knock; it storms in, unrelenting and brutal.“Harris! Good morn
Kayden - POVI stood in the ruins of the Night Angel Pack building, deep in the heart of the human city. The air was thick with decay and a sense of foreboding. “What the hell did you drag me here for?” I snapped, my patience already worn thin.“Shut up and walk,” Damon growled, his usual temper flaring. He’d barely said a word during the entire ride, but his silence nowonly added to my unease. I wanted to text Heather, let her know I was in New York and would teleport back home as soon as this was over—but of course, my phone was dead. Typical.“How long is this going to take?” I asked, my frustration bubbling over.“Honestly? I don’t know,” Damon admitted, his tone clipped.“You mentioned coming to this place,” I pressed, trying to make sense of why we were standing in this desolate hellhole.“No, I didn’t,” he shot back. “I told Stella I was going on a business trip. That’s it.”I raised an eyebrow. “You’re a dead man if she finds out you’re here. Didn’t she nearly lose you the la
Kayden's -POV It had been a week since the war with the Ravens ended, but the aftermath still lingered. My soldiers were tirelessly combing through every lead, rounding up any Raven who might have malicious intentions. Each interrogation was aimed at uncovering the whereabouts of their elders—whether they were hiding or truly gone for good. Yet my thoughts weren’t just on the war. Heather weighed heavily on my mind. Her health had become my constant concern, as she’d been falling ill more often, fevers striking with alarming frequency.“Alpha, I’m tired,” Harris groaned beside me.I rubbed my tired eyes, feeling just as drained. “We have no Omega to help out. You’ll need to push through like the rest of us. No excuses.”“Alpha, we need a break. The soldiers need it too. If we keep working like this, people are going to collapse,” Harris argued, desperation clear in his voice.I sighed deeply, conceding. “Fine. Call a day off.”Harris’s face lit up as he nodded eagerly and left to spr
Heather’s POVWhat the hell just happened?A moment ago, power coursed through me as I faced my tyrant brother, Colt, head-on. Now, it was gone. I couldn’t shift. I was stuck, vulnerable, while he stood there in his semi-shifted form—clawed hands and fur-covered arms glinting under the sunlight.“Out of fuel already?” he sneered, shifting back into his human form. His dark, predatory gaze bore into me, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips.My chest heaved as I tried to summon my strength, but nothing came. I couldn’t even answer him.“Wondering why you can’t kick my ass, dear sister?” His grin widened, sharp and merciless. “You should’ve been able to. But here’s the thing: I’ve already won.”He took a step closer. My legs refused to move.“I can paralyze your body and your powers. It’s the easiest way to make a Raven Heir useless.” His voice dropped, venom dripping from every word. “And once I kill you? I’ll take those precious powers for myself. They’ll be mine, Heather. All mine.”My h
Kayden - POVA guttural growl tore through the air as Colt’s wolf launched at me, his claws wreathed in swirling black magic. I pivoted hard, dodging the strike. My strategy was clear—play defense, keep him chasing, and wear him down.“Burn him!” Odin roared in my head, his anger fueling mine.“Not yet,” I snapped, landing lightly on my feet. My body was tense, every nerve on edge.Colt snarled again, frustration seeping through his glowing red wolf eyes. His fur bristled as if he could sense my plan, but he wasn’t ready for me to strike yet. Not yet.“Why are we stalling?” Odin barked, his voice pounding in my skull.“You’re missing the bigger picture,” I replied coolly. Even as Colt’s claws tore into me with a few painful slashes, I kept my focus. His smirk told me he thought he had the upper hand—but he didn’t. Not for long.“I don’t see a point to this!” Odin growled, impatience dripping from his words.I clenched my jaw. Odin didn’t get it. The Raven Heir couldn’t be killed by or
Heather’s POVRelief coursed through my body, and tears burned in my eyes as Damon and Stella stepped out of the vortex. Damon’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and lethal.“You’re not laying a finger on him.”With a single push, Damon sent Colt staggering back like he was nothing more than a rag-doll. Colt growled, seething with barely contained rage as he locked eyes with Damon.“You... you’re a Lycan. Stay out of wolf pack business!” Colt spat, his voice dripping with venom. “Lycans and wolves are enemies—you know that.”Damon’s response was chillingly calm. “And you know what? That thinking is why this feud will never end. I’m not a fool like my father, clinging to outdated grudges.”Colt froze, a flicker of shock betraying his otherwise stoic expression.“You know.”Damon’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. “Oh, I’ve figured it out. All this time, you and your elder Ravens have been feeding lies, manipulating egos of Lycan Alpha and Wolf Alpha, trying to twist us agains