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
Emma's POVAs Gabe and I continued discussing Lucien's situation, my mind drifted to April."Gabe, have you noticed anything off about April lately?" I asked.Gabe's expression turned thoughtful."Now that you mention it, yes," he said."What do you mean?" I pressed.Gabe hesitated."She's been... distant.""Distant?" I repeated.Gabe nodded."Spacing out a lot."I frowned."That's not like April."Gabe shook his head."And she's been thinking too much.""Thinking too much?" I asked.Gabe's eyes met mine."She's always lost in thought."I bit my lip."That does sound odd."Gabe leaned in."And have you seen her nails?"I raised an eyebrow."What about her nails?"Gabe's expression turned concerned."They're always bitten down to the quick."I winced."That's not good."But neither of us connected the dots.We didn't see the warning signs.April's constant fatigue.Her mood swings.The way she'd always wear long sleeves.It was all just April being April.Or so we thought."What's goin
Emma's POVThe dinner table buzzed with conversation and clinking silverware.Everyone savored Gabe's signature roast beef.I watched, smiling, as April and Carly laughed together.But my attention kept drifting to Lucien and Krisdana.Their eye contact was undeniable.Krisdana's gaze sparkled with mischief.Lucien's eyes crinkled at the corners, his expression soft.I sensed an undercurrent between them.Tension.Attraction.Defiance.Krisdana's voice cut through my thoughts."Lucien, pass the potatoes, please."Lucien complied, their fingers touching.Krisdana's eyes flashed with attitude."I hope you know we're still fighting," she whispered.Lucien's lips curved into a sly smile."Oh, I'm counting on it," he replied.My radar pinged.What was going on between them?Gabe, oblivious to the subtleties, engaged Augustine in conversation.Rosaline and Camilla remained frosty toward Krisdana.April tried to keep the conversation light."Krisdana, have you traveled anywhere exciting?" Ap