Heather’s POVPanting heavily, I pressed myself into the dark corner, desperate for a moment to catch my breath. The wounds from battling Raven’s minions burned fiercely, and my strength was waning. Damon, always the relentless fighter, had taken down several of the minions before being struck by a wolfsbane dart. Now, he lay unconscious on the ground. It was Colt’s doing—he stood off to the side, watching the chaos unfold with a cruel smirk on his face, clearly savoring the destruction.“Heather, my little scared kitten,” Colt sang mockingly, his voice dripping with malice. “Don’t hide now. My soldiers deserve a real fight from you.”I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to focus. Channeling the power of my wolf, Whitney, I summoned the magic of her healing to seal my wounds. The pain lessened, replaced by a surge of determination.“Come on, Heather,” Colt taunted again, his tone turning cold. “You were supposed to be the strongest of the batch, but look at you—pathetic. You’ve barely m
Kayden - POVAs soon as we reached the Opéra Garnier, I picked up a Raven scent in the vicinity. I rushed inside to find Damon roughed up, but there was no sign of Heather.“Where is Heather?” I asked, looking around frantically. The scent of her blood made my heart beat faster with worry.“How is he?” I asked, trying to keep calm.“He will regain consciousness. It seems those Ravens were here only for Heather,” Stella said.Her words rang true—they had roughed Damon up but not killed him. But why are we the Ravens’ enemies? My head hurt from overthinking. The strong scent my nose picked up gave me the feeling that the Raven chief had been here. I could feel the darkRaven power—the strongest of all. I noticed dead Ravens on the floor.“Damon, thank God you’re okay,” Stella said as she hugged him. Damon hissed in pain, but Stella kissed him anyway, tears of worry in her eyes.Watching her now reminded me of Heather and the way she used to look at me with concern. That glimpse of a vis
Heather’s POVMy body trembled with fear as the Raven soldiers dragged me into the center of the grand hall. Their numbers were few, but their piercing eyes gleamed with malice, each gaze sharp enough to cut through my resolve. My mother, fragile and worn, was pulled alongside me—her frail form shoved forward by Colt himself. He positioned her in the middle of the hall, where a black altar stood, crafted from the grinning skulls of the dead.“Kill her, and we will free our men! Kill her, and we will go to war! Rule this world!” Colt’s soldiers erupted into cheers, their bloodlust filling the air like poison.“What kind of man are you, willing to sacrifice your own mother?” I spat, fury and disbelief cracking my voice. I lunged toward him, desperate to shake sense into the monster he’d become. But before I could reach him, the guard behind me yanked me back with chains. I stumbled, my knees hitting the cold stone floor.Colt turned to face me, his lips curling into a venomous sneer. “I
Heather's POVA strong hand wrapped around me, pulling me close. It was Kayden.“What are you still doing here?” I whispered, my voice barely audible, betraying the storm inside me.“For some reason, my wolf said you’d come here again,” he replied, his arms still crushing me in a near-bear hug. “It’s weird—Odin, my wolf, has this strange foresight or something.”“Kayden…” I gasped, struggling to speak. “I can’t breathe.”He released me instantly, his worried eyes scanning me from head to toe. His gaze lingered on the bruises marring my neck and hands.“What happened?” he asked, his warm hands cupping my cheeks. His touch was meant to soothe, but all it did was drag the pain I’d tried so hard to bury to the surface. The Raven dungeons, my mother’s last words, her haunting embrace—they flooded back, drowning me. A sob escaped my lips as I broke down, and Kayden pulled me into a gentler hug. I clung to him, my tears soaking his shirt, the exhaustion of it all taking hold.When he moved,
Heather's POV"How do you—"Kayden grabbed my arm and yanked me to the side just as razor-sharp ice spears began raining down. Before I could react, Stella threw up a shimmering defense barrier around us—Kayden, Damon, herself, and me. They were already in motion, their powers colliding with the relentless onslaught. Stella’s barrier held firm, but the strain was visible in the tremble of her hands.I stood frozen, useless. I had no magic—just the cursed ability to sense it. While they unleashed fire and fury against the icy barrage, all I could do was prepare for close combat. But even that was a risk. A big one.Kayden and Damon were darting around, trying to strike at the source of the attack. Their blows kept rebounding off an unseen magic barrier, the force deflecting with a deafening crack. Stella’s barrier flickered as countless diamond-like blades of ice slammed into it, each one cutting closer to us.The walls of the dungeon groaned and began to melt, water pooling around our
Kayden’s POVThe shadows came at us from every direction. My eyes locked on Heather as chaos engulfed the battlefield. Stella was clearly exhausted, though she’d never admit it—not even to herself. Heather wasn’t far behind, her strength fading fast. Damon and I exchanged a look, nodding in silent agreement. In an instant, we shifted into our wolf forms, tearing through the wraith-like figures that dared to fight us. But no matter how many we tore apart, they just kept coming. The numbers weren’t dwindling—they were multiplying.I cast dark flames, channeling every ounce of magic I had to obliterate them, but it was pointless. More shadows poured through the walls, like the walls themselves were portals to another dimension. The vortex was endless.“What the hell do we do? These pests won’t die!” Damon’s voice cut through my mind via the link, his frustration mirroring my own.“We need to find the source. Something’s keeping that vortex open,” I shot back. Damon nodded again, and we k
Heather - POVI woke up in a rush, disoriented, my heart pounding. “Heather,” a deep, masculine voice—steady yet heavy with urgency—cut through the fog clouding my head.“Heather, wake up, please.” The pleading tone forced my eyelids open, and Kayden’s face came into view, hovering above me. His sharp, handsome features were marred with worry, his brow furrowed, his stormy eyes swirling with unease.“We need to leave. Now,” he said, his voice calm, but the tension in his jaw betrayed him. His whole body radiated restrained panic, and for a moment, I couldn’t help but think how damn attractive he looked, even like this.“Handsome,” I murmured weakly.Kayden blinked, caught off guard. “You’re a mess,” he muttered, shaking his head.“Why would you say that?” I rasped, trying to sit up. A sharp, searing pain tore through my body, making me groan, but Kayden’s strong hands gently helped me upright.“For one,” he smirked faintly, “calling me ‘handsome’ isn’t something you do. And two, you c
Heather’s POVSteam clung to the air as I stepped out of the shower, my body clean but my soul still weighed down. Fresh clothes covered my skin, but I couldn’t shake the cold emptiness creeping inside me. Doctor Lilith stood waiting in the dim hallway outside the suite. Her voice, calm and steady, pierced the silence.“You’re doing fine.”“I am.” The words were a whisper, a lie I told myself more than her. My hand instinctively rested on my stomach. “How is the baby?”“Healthy as a horse.” Her answer brought a flicker of relief, but it was fleeting. Whitney, my wolf, purred softly in my mind, momentarily easing the storm that churned inside me.“Luna,” she continued with a warning edge in her tone, “you must be cautious. Fighting and using powerful abilities can put both you and the child at risk.”I nodded, but guilt already gnawed at me. Caution? Could I even afford that luxury anymore?“Heather!” Stella’s voice cut through my thoughts as she burst into the room, pulling me into a
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