Rosaline's POV I meander through the garden, Camilla's words echoing in my mind like a mantra."Forgive Lucien." Easy for her to say. But can I? Should I?The sun casts a warm glow on the blooming flowers, but my thoughts are shrouded in uncertainty.Lucien's betrayal cuts deep. His secrets, his lies, his choice to side with Krisdana... The wounds still throb.Krisdana. The root of my anger. The source of my pain.Memories flood my mind like a tidal wave. Krisdana's constant taunts, her bullying, her superiority complex... She's been tormenting us since childhood."Stupid triplets," she'd sneer. "You're not even real siblings."Her words stung, but Lucien's betrayal hurt more.He chose her. He chose to keep secrets. He chose to lie.My heart aches, remembering the day I discovered his deception.The garden's tranquility calms my racing thoughts, but my emotions remain turbulent.I think back to my conversation with Camilla."Try to see his side." Have I?I recall Lucien's tears, his
Lucien's POVI gaze at Rosaline, her concerned expression piercing my soul like a beacon of truth."I promised to be honest, no more secrets," I begin, my voice barely above a whisper.Rosaline nods encouragingly, her eyes locked onto mine."I don't want to let Krisdana go," I admit, the weight of my emotions threatening to crush me.Rosaline's eyebrows rise, her expression a mix of surprise and understanding."Why?" she asks gently, her tone coaxing me to reveal more.I take a deep breath, the air filling my lungs like a lifeline."Krisdana, Dana... she's the same person," I clarify, the words tumbling out like a confession.Rosaline's expression changes, her eyes narrowing as she grasps the complexity.From concern to understanding, her face reflects the turmoil within me."I see," she says, her voice soft as silk."I was drawn to her authenticity," I explain, memories flooding my mind. "When she was Dana, before the facade."Rosaline nods thoughtfully, her brow furrowed in empathy.
Carly's POVI collapsed onto my bed, burying my face in my pillow to stifle the sobs. The darkness of my room seemed to swallow me whole, matching the emptiness inside.Why did Gabe have to be so cruel? Ban me from seeing Luca? Take away his duties as beta? It wasn't fair. I'm pretty sure if Gabe was in my situation now he'd understand… he'd probably do everything in his might to get what he wants. I thought of Luca's handsome face, his bright smile, and his kind eyes. We'd grown so close, and now Gabe was ripping us apart. Annoying Gabe. My body shook with silent sobs, the pain and frustration overwhelming. I couldn't bear the thought of not seeing Luca tomorrow, or the next day, or who knows when.Gabe's words echoed in my mind: "You're too close to Luca. It's clouding your judgment. It's not healthy for the pack" But what did he know? He didn't understand.I wiped my tears with the heel of my hand, trying to calm down. But the anguish lingered.How could Gabe do this to me? To us
Carly's POVThe unease lingered long after Emma's departure. To shake it off, I decided to visit April.Camilla's words still echoed in my mind: "April's struggling with addiction. She's hiding it well, but I can see the signs."Concern gnawed at me. Was April truly fine?I grabbed my jacket and stepped into the crisp night air, the darkness mirroring my worries.April's house was a short walk away. I knocked softly on the door."April, it's Carly," I called out.The door creaked open, revealing April's pale, gaunt face. Dark circles underlined her eyes."Hey, Carly," April said, her voice barely above a whisper."Hey, can I come in?" I asked, concern etched on my face.April stepped aside, revealing a cluttered bef room. Empty bottles and unwashed cloths scattered the countertops.My heart sank.We sat down on the worn couch, and I took April's frail hands."Camilla told me," I said gently. "About the addiction."April's eyes welled up, tears brimming."I'm trying, Carly. I really am
Carly's POVI glared at Augustine, my brother, the tension between us palpable."How could you?" I spat, my voice barely above a whisper.Augustine's expression remained resolute. "I did what was necessary, Carly. Luca poses a threat to our pack."Gabe, my older brother, stepped into the room, his eyes narrowing in agreement with Augustine. "Carly, you know why Augustine intervened. Luca's involvement with you jeopardizes our family's safety."My anger boiled over. "That's not true! Luca would never harm us."Gabe's voice was firm. "We can't risk it, Carly. You're a member of this pack, and your actions affect us all."Augustine added, "Luca's past is shrouded in mystery. We can't trust him."I felt betrayed. "You're supporting Augustine's meddling?"Gabe nodded. "As your brother and pack leader, it's my duty to protect our family. Augustine did what needed to be done."The weight of their disapproval crushed me."But what about my happiness?" I pleaded.Augustine's expression softene
April's POVI stood in the hallway, my ears still ringing from the explosive argument between Carly and Gabe.What the heck just happened?One minute I was doing my homework, and the next, the whole house was erupting into chaos.I shook my head, trying to process.Gabe and Carly's fight had been intense.Carly's tears still echoed in my mind.I'd never seen my siblings at odds like this before.Gabe, our calm and collected Alpha, had been downright harsh.And Carly... poor Carly.Her heart was breaking, and I couldn't blame her.Luca, our Beta, was her lover.How could Gabe forbid them from seeing each other?I didn't understand.I decided to check on Carly.Her door was still shut, but I could hear muffled sobs.My heart went out to her.I gently knocked on the door."Carly?" I whispered.No response.I tried again."Carly, it's me, April. Can I come in?"The door creaked open.Carly's red-rimmed eyes met mine.I hugged her tightly."What happened?" I asked.Carly's voice trembled.
April's POVI hesitated, my hand on the door handle, wanting to confide in Gabe about my own struggles. But this wasn't the right time. Carly and Luca's situation took priority, and I couldn't burden Gabe with my secrets now. The weight of my addiction felt like a crushing boulder, threatening to suffocate me.My mind flashed to the hidden stash of pills in my room, the late-night cravings that kept me awake, and the constant lies I told to keep it all hidden. No, I couldn't risk sharing this with Gabe now. Not when he was already worried about Carly.I took a deep breath and pushed aside my own problems, focusing on the conversation at hand. Gabe's expression softened, his eyes filled with gratitude."April, you're a great sister. I appreciate your support," he said, his voice genuine.I forced a smile, feeling like a fraud. "No problem, Gabe. We're family," I replied, trying to sound convincing.But inside, I was screaming. Trapped in this secret hell, longing for freedom from the g
Emma's POVI sighed, flopping onto my bed, surrounded by the familiar comforts of my room. But even the softness of my pillow and the warmth of my blanket couldn't ease the knot of frustration in my stomach.Everything was a mess.Nothing was going the way I wanted.Carly and Luca's drama was tearing our family apart.And April's been acting strange lately.Distant.Quiet.Something was bothering her, but she wouldn't talk.I thought about my family, about how close we used to be.Gabe, always the rock, the one who kept us together.Carly, with her bright smile and infectious laughter.April, my partner in crime, my confidante.And Lucien, our little brother, always getting into mischief.But now?Now everything was different.Carly's heartbreak hung over us like a cloud.April's secrecy was eating away at me.And Lucien?He seemed lost in his own world.I couldn't shake the feeling that I was losing control.That everything was spiraling out of my grasp.I needed to do something.To