Rayne POVThe darkness pressed in around us as I stood frozen on a spot, my heartbeat echoing in my ears like the drum of the full moon night. The stranger’s voice lingered in the air like dark smoke, chilling me to my core.Mateo’s hand tightened around mine, his grip grounding me, but I could feel the tension in him, his unease thick and palpable. His words still echoed in my mind, like the promise of my late mother"This power… it’s consuming you."But as I looked out into the trees, I knew one thing for sure. I couldn’t let this stranger take everything from me, even my weakness.A deep, gravelly voice interrupted my thoughts. “Enjoying the gift, little wolf?”I whipped around, and there he was. The stranger stepped out of the shadows, his eyes gleaming with a sick sort of pleasure. My blood ran cold as he took a step forward to my own standing spot, his presence casting an unnatural silence over the forest.“What do you want from me, this time?” I asked, trying to keep my voice
Rayne POVThe stranger’s hand hovered in the air between us, and my whole body felt like it was on a burning fire. I barely knew this man who claimed to be my new mate but, this supposed second chance mate—but something in me pulled toward him, a bond that was undeniable and completely different from what I had with Mateo on the Rejection night.“Rayne…” Mateo’s voice was soft, yet filled with a raw desperation and regret. “You don’t have to go with him.”I took a deep breath, the weight of both their gazes on me, with my heart racing so hard with multiple thoughts that I can't even control. The intensity was fully suffocating, like being trapped between two waves, each one threatening to drown me. I turned to Mateo, my heart twisting at the pain in his eyes, and then to the stranger, who radiated a fierce energy that both excited and terrified me.The stranger stepped closer, his voice low but commanding. “You feel it deep within you, don’t you, Rayne? You’re drawn to me because f
Rayne POV“Rayne! Stop!”Mateo’s shout barely registered over the roaring in my head, a low hum of power that surged with each sound of my heartbeat. I felt it vibrating through me, stronger than any physical force, consuming every thought that i have within myself. I wasn’t Rayne anymore at this point; I was something darker, something unrestrained, something fierce.I took a step forward, and the rogue leader flinched, fear flashing in his eyes for the first time ever. His pack stood behind him, their usual bloodlust replaced with nervous glances. They were visibly scared, and it thrilled me, a sharp, intoxicating feeling that dulled everything else that was inside of me.Kael’s voice broke through, low and calm. “Rayne, this isn’t you. Don’t let it take over who you are.”But the power didn’t want calm down; it wanted chaos and fight. With a flick of my hand, I sent another pulse of energy ripping through the air. Trees cracked, leaves exploded into the night, and the ground tr
Rayne POVKael’s hand brushed mine, his touch grounding yet possessive, as if silently claiming something neither of us had acknowledged. It was totally strange, this feeling of comfort around him, like a tether that held me steady against the storm of emotions and power surging through me. But across the clearing, I caught Mateo’s gaze, his expression sharp and watchful over my every foot step, as if he were trying to decipher a puzzle no one else could see apart from him.“Rayne,” Kael’s voice brought me back from my thoughts, his tone low and reassuring at same time. “We should keep moving. Staying here only invites more danger and harm.”I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. My heart was still pounding from the encounter with the mysterious figure in the woods, and Kael had insisted we get as far from the rogues as possible. But Mateo’s presence was an anchor I couldn’t just ignore or walk away from, his silent suspicion clinging to every step Kael took.“Mateo,” I said,
Rayne POVThe forest was totally silent as Kael and Mateo’s gazes clashed, tension crackling up in the air like lightning ready to strike already. My heart pounded, each beat echoing louder in the deep silence as I stood between them, torn apart by conflicting emotions."Rayne," Kael said, voice low and raw, his eyes pleading, with him looking totally geuine. “I know it looks bad. I never wanted you to be in danger. But you need to trust me. Please."Mateo scoffed, stepping forward with a fierce determination that almost made me want to take a step back away from me. "Trust you? After everything you caused her? You show up out of nowhere, claiming to protect her, and now rogues are hunting us because of you." He turned his gaze to me, softer yet filled with an urgency I hadn’t seen before in his look. "Rayne, please, see through his lies. I know you feel it too."I looked between them both, Kael with his steady gaze at me, Mateo with his desperate plea to leave the guy who accepte
Rayne POVThe night felt colder, the darkness around us thickening like an angry cloud over us. I tried to focus, to gather my thoughts, but the voice that had emerged from the trees held a power that stole every bit of warmth from the air.A man stepped forward from the shadows, tall and imposing, his smirk dangerous as his eyes gleamed with a dark thrill. He moved with a predator’s grace, calm and unbothered by our presence. And somehow, his confidence was the most unsettling thing of all things ever.“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice louder than I intended it to be. Beside me, Kael tensed, and I could feel Mateo shift subtly, both of them on high alert on who this new man was.The man’s smirk widened as his gaze flicked to each of us. “Ah, Rayne,” he murmured, his voice deep and smooth, yet carrying a hint of malice. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you. And I must say, meeting you in person… it’s even better than I imagined.”Kael stepped in front of me, his jaw clenched, his stan
Rayne POVThe moon hung low, casting its silver light over the forest as we made our way back to the packhouse. The night should have felt peaceful, with the distant hoots of owls and the rustle of leaves in the cool breeze, but it didn’t. Instead, every sound seemed sharper, every shadow darker. My skin prickled with unease, a tension I couldn’t just shake off. Kael walked beside me, his presence solid and protective. Yet tonight, something about him felt… off and totally different than usual. “Rayne,” Kael said, his voice softer than usual. “Are you alright?” he asked with same toneI glanced up at him, forcing a small smile to my pale looking face. “I’m fine. Just tired and weak.” His dark eyes studied me, the way they always did, like he was trying to see through my words to the truth underneath. “You’re stronger than you think of yourself,” he said after a short pause, his voice laced with an intensity that made my chest tighten up immediately. I wanted to believe those
[ Much ealier before I came out ]The forest seemed quieter than usual, almost unnaturally so, as I stepped out into the moonlight. The packhouse was suffocating tonight, filled with too many whispers and too many suspicious glances. I needed air, space to think about everything that was happening. [ Present time ]Kael had been acting… different lately. The protective way he looked at me felt sincere, but there were moments—fleeting moments—when I caught something else were hiding in his gaze. Was it a flicker of darkness, like a shadow too stubborn to stay hidden. I clenched my fists and inhaled deeply, the cool breeze brushing against my skin. Maybe Mateo’s paranoia was getting to me already. He had been relentless in his accusations, constantly watching Kael like he was waiting for him to slip up from those shell he hid himself.But was it really just Paranoia or he was seeing something I just couldn't see? I shook my head, trying to banish the thought and have a good time
Chapter 30There were no decorations or fireplace.It looked bland and boring. The outside looked more conspicuous.Willow tried not to focus on the neatly made bed. The coffee sheets matched with the whole cabin and it looked tempting."So you live here?" She finally turned to him.He gave her a short nod and picked up the grocery bags."Can I help?" She dared to ask because he didn't look angry or probably because he didn't throw her out immediately."Can you cook?" He opened one of the doors that led to the small kitchen."Wow!" She peeped. "No. I can't cook" She replied."You can't do anything" "I can wash the vegetables, chop them or even wash the plate…"He pushed her out and slammed the door."You should leave," He said."But…""But nothing" He cut her short. "And don't come back here again"She quietly looked at him."What?" He asked."Is that all you got? Won't you call me names and warn me to stay away from you? I'm waiting for the hurtful words" She said to him."Arguing w
Chapter 29Two years later."C'mon guys! Just one more shot!" Iris raised a shot glass.The bar was hardly full but the noise from their table was loud enough to make the bar lively."And to think some of us have children" Willow poured more shots for her friends. "I know you're not talking about me" Iris gulped down her shot and asked for more."You are drinking too much Iris" Rowan took the bottle away from her."Do you think having kids is a piece of cake? Try it once" She stole Willow's shot."What will they think when you come back home drunk?" Willow asked."They won't think anything because they won't see anything. Japh promised to look after them" She hiccupped."But he decided to join us""Star volunteered to babysit them" Japh defensively said."That's because you begged her to watch your kids," Willow said. "She wanted to come out with us today""She loves children besides, she didn't complain" Japh shrugged."Can you get me sex in the city?" Iris whispered into her husband
Chapter 28Some things are worth fighting for and sometimes, you need to put that extra effort in order to get what you want.Vulnerability.Sometimes, you just need to be prone to rejection. Open up yourself with no defenses even when you have a lot to lose.It represents strength.But also weakness. To those who have built defenses because they are too afraid to get hurt. The 'tough' ones.But then, what is the use of these defenses when all we want is love and a happy ending?At the end it all, we will still get hurt and feel loved through the same heart but only at the expense of those defenses."You love me but that's not enough for me" He said. "No Iris, I won't even lie to you. It's not enough for me" Japh briefly looked at the sky. "I want to wake up and have you by my side. Corny, but that's just how I feel. I don't want to feel like I'm gonna lose you at anytime" He brought out the velvet ring box.Iris gasped and her hand slowly covered her mouth as more tears dropped."I
Chapter 27Japh walked into a boutique and looked around.He was determined to make Iris talk to him.It was clear that she was avoiding him."How can I help you sir?" A lady walked up to him."Iris. Is she around?" He asked."Yes. She is in the store room. Her shift just ended" The lady smiled."Thank you so much" He smiled back and headed in the direction of the store room."Sir? You can't go in there" The lady followed him."I won't take long. Please let me in" He pleaded.She looked around and leaned in towards him."Just don't take long. My boss will soon be here"Japh gave her a grateful smile and walked away.He slowly pushed the door open and peeped. Iris was putting some things in her bag.He quietly walked to her and hugged her from behind which made her jump out of fright."Hey, it's just me sweetie" He kissed her neck."I wanted to surprise you" He kissed her shoulder. "You could have called or dropped by the house" She picked her purse but he didn't let her go."So that
Chapter 26(Willow's POV)Something that isn't yours can never be yours.That is one of the laws of life.Even if you manage to get it, you'll lose it in the end.I already understood that Jordan isn't mine and can never be mine.And no matter how hard I tried to accept that fact, I just couldn't.I have deeply fallen for him.I fell so hard that I became a cripple.It was hopeless!A lone tear dropped down my left cheek staining the cold car window.Rowan glanced at me once in a while but I was glad he respected my wish to be left alone.He occasionally squeezed my arm to give me the reassurance I needed. Why didn't I fall for him instead?Why Jordan?Moon goddess, what's all these?Why are you punishing me?On one hand, I have a wonderful soul like Rowan who'd do anything to win me over but on the other, Jordan. Someone that can't even stand me.So why make me love him?"We are here," Rowan announced. "Iris is waiting for you and she looked distraught"All I need is one hug from I
Chapter 25(Willow's POV)I was determined to show him, if not tell him exactly how I felt about him.If you need anything from someone like Jordan, you don't ask but take it.And that's exactly what I was doing.What I felt for him was overwhelming but exciting. I didn't know how or when it happened but now I know and I've fully accepted.He needed to know what I feel for him and I'm very sure he has an idea. I didn't know where I got the audacity to make the move but I did and I don't regret it at all. His lips melted in mine and for a second, I was afraid because I waited for him to push me away but instead, he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer.The heat radiating from him only encouraged me to go on. All I wanted was to feel his naked body on mine.He took his lips away from mine and placed it on my burning neck trailing quick hickeys along my neck, shoulders and jaw.Claiming my lips again, he lifted me into his arms and slowly placed me on the grass. I found his buttons an
Chapter 24Willow patiently watched her mother.She knew she was thinking of a lie so whatever comes out of her mouth next would be a lie."Because it's nothing. No one really knows" Terra shrugged."Mum. I don't want lies" She stood up. "It's important you tell me because…" Willow breathed."What's wrong?""Because I'm in love with Jordan" Willow briefly closed her eyes.This was the first time she openly accepted her feelings. She knew she felt something for him but Star made her realize it was nothing but love.If Star clearly saw it, why did it take her so long to accept it?"You love him?" Terra knocked her out of her thoughts."Yes, I do. So this will be a good time to tell me whatever you're trying to hide" Willow walked back to her seat."Every supreme wolf has three lifetimes" Terra started."But a single sacrifice of a rare breed of wolf can end all the three lifetimes" Terra sighed. "Ralph, Jordan's father sacrificed himself for Woodville""Why? To kill dad?""To kill Levia
Chapter 23She had one last thing to take care of.This was the trip she dreaded.Going back to the place that held everything she tried to forget in the past six months.But this was different.Because her purpose has changed.She is going to confront something bigger than her. Something that might change her life for good.Whatever answers she gets today will determine the direction her life is going to take.A single information holds the capacity to twist your fate but it's left to you to mold it. Either you take charge or your fate will make you dance to its tone.Parking her Porsche in the driveway, Willow took a deep breath before hitting her knuckles on the door."I'm coming!" Terra shouted.Willow smiled because of the joy she heard in her mother's voice.She sounded happy and energetic. Just like old times."Willow!" Terra tightly hugged her daughter.No tears, okay."Hey mum" She kissed her mother on the cheeks."How are you? I thought you'll never stop by. How's Iris? Stel
Chapter 22Willow spread her hands as the breeze loving danced to the melody of the wind which occasionally caressed her arms and neck.Her hair gracefully played in harmony with the wind."Is this really necessary?" Rowan chuckled, adoringly looking at her."Did I complain about dinner?" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath."You said you loved it!""Would you like it if I complained? I had to make you feel good because you put your efforts into the whole thing" She smiled."You didn't let me take you to nice restaurant" "That's just corny besides, you claimed you can cook" "I can""I wanted to see for myself," She shrugged."And what do you think?" He stepped in front of her."I'll give you a six" She smiled."And don't I deserve some kinda reward?""What do you want?""You know exactly"Slow laughed and kissed him on the cheek."Really? That's what I get for cooking for you and walking you back home? I literally left my comfortable Mercedes" He pouted his lips.She kissed h