NOAH'S POVThe moment Professor Rex left, the heavy tension in the warehouse didn’t fade—it clung to the air like his intimidating scent: cold snow. My chest felt tight. The silence was suffocating, like the calm after a thunderstorm that somehow left more unease than peace.I glanced at the lifeless body sprawled on the ground, the man he’d killed without hesitation. My stomach churned a little. So ruthless… so precise. I shook my head slowly. Who the hell was this man? Professor? Or executioner?Turning to Penny, I slid my hands into my pockets, arching a brow. “What the hell was that guy talking about? Wolves, alphas, moon guardians—you all looked like you knew exactly what was going on, and I was just… standing there like a damn extra in my own movie.”Penny shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my eyes. “What else could he mean?” she said, forcing a chuckle. “The beasts… they transformed from wolves. You know, like actual wolves. An alpha is kind of like their king. Just like bees have
NOAH'S POVI exhaled loudly as I stepped into my room, every bone in my body aching with exhaustion. Without even bothering to turn on the lights, I tossed my bag somewhere across the floor and collapsed face-first onto my bed.Moments later, Gavin walked in like he owned the place, which, to be fair, he kinda did—and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached for my sneakers and began slipping them off without a word. His hands moved with care, warm and familiar. Then, as if he could read my mind, he started massaging my feet, slow and gentle.God, I swear, Gavin is my favorite person for a reason. He always knows what I need before I even ask."You look worn out, Pookie," he murmured, his voice soft.I gave a tired nod, shifting slightly to lie on my side. Then I turned fully and rested my head on his lap, sighing in relief as I got comfortable. Gavin reached up and carefully pulled off my wig, letting my real jet-black hair tumble out in soft waves. The familiar weight of it against my
ARES’ POVI panted loudly, the cold wind slicing past my face as I raced through the dense woods in my wolf form, Rex. The moonlight glistened off my fur, but it couldn’t calm the restlessness surging through my veins. I pushed harder, my paws slamming against the forest floor, claws digging into the earth like I was trying to outrun something… someone.Jason was far behind me. No surprise. No beta could match an Alpha’s speed—not when the Alpha was running like a beast possessed. And I was. Possessed by irritation, rage, and something worse: confusion.The reason?I can't place. The investigation, Noah, my mate, everything That damn boy—no, that confusing little problem—had a special gift for getting under my skin. The way he talked back. The way he looked at me. The way he moved like he didn’t know the danger he was always in. I couldn’t even be near him without my skin crawling and my wolf howling in my head.Everything about him—his scent, his energy, his presence—infuriated me.
ARES’ POVI stood by the balcony rails of my penthouse, high above the Crescent Moon Pack territory that sat hidden in the hills above Los Angeles. From here, I could see the stretch of land we ruled—kids racing around the training fields, warriors sparring in the distance, patrol wolves jogging their usual rounds. At first glance, everything looked peaceful. Serene.But it was a lie. It took a lot to make it look like that.The unease in my chest told me otherwise.I brought the cigarette to my lips, inhaled deeply, and let the smoke drift into the cool air. I never liked smoking, hell, I hated the habit. But recently, it's been the only thing that made the weight on my chest feel a little lighter. As if the smoke could carry away the thoughts clawing at my head.They want to draw out the Moon Guardian… Gerry's words rang loud in my head.My mate.I took another drag, bitterness curling in my mouth.They were playing a dangerous game—and not just with anyone. With me. An Alpha cursed
NOAH’S POVI landed softly on the damp grass and looked up at my window with a smug grin. Classic. I had just outwitted my brothers again, an art I’d been mastering since childhood. Climbing out of windows, ducking security cams, and sneaking into the night like a ninja had been my thing long before I could spell “trouble.”I dusted my hands and pulled my black hoodie tighter, melting into the shadows of the L.A. night. The city buzzed faintly in the distance, but this part of it was still quiet, the moon casting silver over empty sidewalks. My stomach growled for the third time. “Right, hunger strike,” I muttered sarcastically. Since my brothers refused to let me go on the school trip, I figured I’d protest the only way I knew how to,by starving.But who was I kidding? Hunger and I were not friends.So here I was, dressed in full stealth mode—black hoodie, low cap, and my trusty short wig, on a mission to grab a large pepperoni from Lenny’s Pizza, my favorite little corner shop off M
NOAH’S POVThe scent of pancakes and eggs filled the air as I sat at the dining table, absently pushing my fork through my food. Gavin was already stuffing his face like a starving wolf, while Lucas, as usual, sat stiffly, barely eating.Breakfast at our house was usually loud, filled with Gavin’s teasing and Lucas’ occasional grumbling. But today, the air was heavy.Lucas finally cleared his throat, setting his fork down. “Noah,” he said firmly.I paused, glancing up. “Yeah?”He exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening around his mug. “From today onward, you’ll be dressing as a guy.”I blinked. For a moment, I thought I’d misheard him.“What?”Lucas met my gaze for half a second before looking away. “It’s for your safety.”My stomach twisted. “My safety?” I scoffed. “How exactly does pretending to be a guy keep me safe?”Neither of them answered immediately. Lucas simply cut into his pancake with calculated calmness, avoiding my eyes.A cold, bitter feeling settled in my chest. “You’re
ARES' POVThe battlefield was quiet now, but the silence didn’t bring peace, it never did. The only sounds were the crackling flames from torched bodies and the occasional groan of a dying rogue.Blood soaked my hands, my claws, the ground beneath me. My warriors stood victorious, but there was no triumph in their eyes. This wasn’t a battle won.It was another warning.Another message from the bastards who wanted to take everything from me.The sharp metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils, and my wolf, Rex, growled in frustration. They ran again.Cowards.They never stayed long enough to finish what they started. Just long enough to keep us on edge. To make sure I was too busy to search for her.My mate.The thought of her was the only thing keeping me from completely losing myself to the rage. I exhaled sharply, trying to steady my breathing.She was out there. Somewhere. Unprotected And every second I wasted in these meaningless battles was another second she remained unprotect
NOAH'S POV The moment Professor Ares walked out of the hall, something in me urged to follow him. I had no idea why, maybe it was the way he had looked at me, like he was trying to see through me. Or maybe it was the intense aura around him I hesitated, gripping my backpack strap. What was wrong with me? He was just a professor, a ridiculously good-looking, intense, and way too smart professor. Then why did I feel hot air on my skin every time he looked at me? I shook the thought away, trying to ground myself, but my focus shattered when a bright, chirpy voice interrupted. "Hi! I'm Penelope, but you can call me Penny! And you must be Noah, right?" I turned to see a petite girl with bright eyes and a contagious smile, standing far too close for comfort. I hesitated, adjusting my voice to maintain a deep, masculine tone. "Yeah… that’s me. Nice to meet you." Penny beamed. "I knew it! New face, clueless expression, classic signs of a newbie. I know what you must be thinking, ‘Oh,
NOAH’S POVI landed softly on the damp grass and looked up at my window with a smug grin. Classic. I had just outwitted my brothers again, an art I’d been mastering since childhood. Climbing out of windows, ducking security cams, and sneaking into the night like a ninja had been my thing long before I could spell “trouble.”I dusted my hands and pulled my black hoodie tighter, melting into the shadows of the L.A. night. The city buzzed faintly in the distance, but this part of it was still quiet, the moon casting silver over empty sidewalks. My stomach growled for the third time. “Right, hunger strike,” I muttered sarcastically. Since my brothers refused to let me go on the school trip, I figured I’d protest the only way I knew how to,by starving.But who was I kidding? Hunger and I were not friends.So here I was, dressed in full stealth mode—black hoodie, low cap, and my trusty short wig, on a mission to grab a large pepperoni from Lenny’s Pizza, my favorite little corner shop off M
ARES’ POVI stood by the balcony rails of my penthouse, high above the Crescent Moon Pack territory that sat hidden in the hills above Los Angeles. From here, I could see the stretch of land we ruled—kids racing around the training fields, warriors sparring in the distance, patrol wolves jogging their usual rounds. At first glance, everything looked peaceful. Serene.But it was a lie. It took a lot to make it look like that.The unease in my chest told me otherwise.I brought the cigarette to my lips, inhaled deeply, and let the smoke drift into the cool air. I never liked smoking, hell, I hated the habit. But recently, it's been the only thing that made the weight on my chest feel a little lighter. As if the smoke could carry away the thoughts clawing at my head.They want to draw out the Moon Guardian… Gerry's words rang loud in my head.My mate.I took another drag, bitterness curling in my mouth.They were playing a dangerous game—and not just with anyone. With me. An Alpha cursed
ARES’ POVI panted loudly, the cold wind slicing past my face as I raced through the dense woods in my wolf form, Rex. The moonlight glistened off my fur, but it couldn’t calm the restlessness surging through my veins. I pushed harder, my paws slamming against the forest floor, claws digging into the earth like I was trying to outrun something… someone.Jason was far behind me. No surprise. No beta could match an Alpha’s speed—not when the Alpha was running like a beast possessed. And I was. Possessed by irritation, rage, and something worse: confusion.The reason?I can't place. The investigation, Noah, my mate, everything That damn boy—no, that confusing little problem—had a special gift for getting under my skin. The way he talked back. The way he looked at me. The way he moved like he didn’t know the danger he was always in. I couldn’t even be near him without my skin crawling and my wolf howling in my head.Everything about him—his scent, his energy, his presence—infuriated me.
NOAH'S POVI exhaled loudly as I stepped into my room, every bone in my body aching with exhaustion. Without even bothering to turn on the lights, I tossed my bag somewhere across the floor and collapsed face-first onto my bed.Moments later, Gavin walked in like he owned the place, which, to be fair, he kinda did—and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached for my sneakers and began slipping them off without a word. His hands moved with care, warm and familiar. Then, as if he could read my mind, he started massaging my feet, slow and gentle.God, I swear, Gavin is my favorite person for a reason. He always knows what I need before I even ask."You look worn out, Pookie," he murmured, his voice soft.I gave a tired nod, shifting slightly to lie on my side. Then I turned fully and rested my head on his lap, sighing in relief as I got comfortable. Gavin reached up and carefully pulled off my wig, letting my real jet-black hair tumble out in soft waves. The familiar weight of it against my
NOAH'S POVThe moment Professor Rex left, the heavy tension in the warehouse didn’t fade—it clung to the air like his intimidating scent: cold snow. My chest felt tight. The silence was suffocating, like the calm after a thunderstorm that somehow left more unease than peace.I glanced at the lifeless body sprawled on the ground, the man he’d killed without hesitation. My stomach churned a little. So ruthless… so precise. I shook my head slowly. Who the hell was this man? Professor? Or executioner?Turning to Penny, I slid my hands into my pockets, arching a brow. “What the hell was that guy talking about? Wolves, alphas, moon guardians—you all looked like you knew exactly what was going on, and I was just… standing there like a damn extra in my own movie.”Penny shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my eyes. “What else could he mean?” she said, forcing a chuckle. “The beasts… they transformed from wolves. You know, like actual wolves. An alpha is kind of like their king. Just like bees have
ARES’ POVI stared hard at Noah, my jaw clenched as his stormy-gray eyes locked with mine. What the hell was he doing here? What game was he playing this time?His mere presence was enough to stir a wildfire inside me. I didn't trust him—not one damn bit. Everything about him screamed deception. And yet, there was that strange pull again. That damned, persistent tug in my chest that wouldn't go away.Without thinking, I fast-sped toward him and slammed him against the wall, my hand wrapping around his throat with deadly intent."You've got some balls showing your face before me again, snitch." My fingers dug deeper into his skin, watching as his face began to pale.He didn’t fight back. That annoyed me more."I’ve told you..." he gasped, "...I’m not the snitch.""Really?" My voice was sharp, venomous. "Then maybe you'd like to explain how they knew we were coming?""I don’t... know... how," he choked out.My grip tightened. I was seconds away from snapping his neck when..."Okay, Prof
NOAH’S POVPenny stood in front of a steel machine, pouring a small amount of the eerie green liquid from the syringe into a glass tube. Her hands were steady, focused. I watched curiously, arms folded, while she placed the tube inside a machine. “What’s that going to do?” I asked, stepping closer.“The machine separates the compounds. Every chemical used in making this will be broken down,” Penny said, pressing a button. The machine came to life with a low hum. “Once we know what’s inside it, we might get a clue on what the liquid was meant for.”I nodded slowly. Smart. I hadn't even thought of that.Minutes passed in a tense silence, broken only by the soft whirring and clicking of the machine. My thoughts drifted to the vision I had seen, the strange look in their eyes, the obedience, like they were puppets.What kind of power could do that?A sharp beep echoed.We both moved toward the machine. Penny opened it carefully and leaned in. Three small vials emerged, each containing a
NOAH’S POV I stirred awake with a loud yawn, blinking against the soft golden rays spilling through the windshield. I stretched out instinctively, only to bump into the door with a dull thud. Right. I was still in the car. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I glanced out the window. We were on a narrow road, lined with tall trees on either side that filtered the sunlight into flickering patterns on the car’s dashboard. The whole place looked like something out of a fantasy movie. I frowned and turned to Penny, who was still comfortably seated, humming along to some soft indie song playing from the speakers. “What the heck, Penny? Where exactly are we going?” She gave me a lazy side-eye, smirking like she'd been waiting for that question. “Oh, sweetheart, you're finally awake.” “I’ve been awake for like two seconds and I’m already regretting agreeing to this mystery trip,” I muttered, pushing back the strands of hair that had fallen over my face. “We’ve been riding for what? Three
NOAH’S POV I burst into the lecture hall, panting heavily, my hands on my knees as I tried to catch my breath. Damn it. Running from the park all the way here wasn’t just some warm-up exercise. It felt like I had just completed a goddamn marathon. Lucas had left early, taking the car with him, and I didn't felt like taking my bike, so I had no choice but to take a cab. Of course, the morning traffic decided to screw me over, that I regretted my decision of not taking my bike, and I ended up sprinting the last stretch. I quickly scanned the lecture hall, my eyes searching for familiar faces. Penny’s vibrant brown hair caught my attention as she waved enthusiastically. I flashed her a grin and sauntered over, blowing kisses at the girls who were giggling and whispering as I passed. If I had to keep up this “guy” act, I might as well perfect the charm. I plopped down in the empty seat beside Penny and immediately noticed something,or rather, someone was missing. "Where's Nat?" I aske