LUKE'S POV After the maid leaves, Annabel returns from her errand, being full of hugs and kisses that I can neither stand, nor do I need them. I really want to yank her off and throw her aside, but I hold myself down and try to be reasonable.  As Annabel approaches me, I take a deep breath and try to compose myself. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but I also don't want to be smothered with affection. I take a step back and try to create some space between us. "Annabel, can we talk for a minute?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm and measured. "Sure, Luke. What's on your mind?" she replies, a look of concern crossing her face. "I appreciate your affection, but it's a bit overwhelming for me. I need some space and time to myself," I explain, trying to be as clear as possible. Annabel looks hurt, but she nods her head in understanding. "I

 SCARLETT'S POV  Atlas is very sweet and kind to me, and has been since everything happened with me dying and all of that. But there is a part of me that has so many unanswerable questions. I wonder about what my life would be like if I ended up with Atlene, and the thoughts scare me.  My reality is that I am a wolf, and Alpha who is capable of wanting to be with someone else aside my mate, and it makes me question so many things that I thought I knew about myself.  "Are you alright, Scar? You seem very distracted today." Atlas leans in, asking me in a warm whisper that makes my body react in heat.  "Oh, I'm just a little out of it." I reply, smiling lightly at him, not wanting to distract the speaker at the meeting from his speech.  "You know that this meeting can always be adjourned until you feel better right?" Atlas says again, and I feel

  SCARLETT'S POV    Lillian shakes her head. "No, but some of the storm pack members have said that she has a lair in the mountains, not too far from here. If we can find her, maybe we can put an end to this."   I nod, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Let's gather a team and head to the mountains. We can't let this witch continue to manipulate and control our packs."   With renewed determination, we set out on our mission. The journey is long and treacherous, but we press on, driven by our desire to protect our packs and put an end to the conflict once and for all.   Finally, after days of travel, we reach the mountains and begin our search for the witch's lair. As we climb higher and higher, the air grows colder and the winds stronger.   But we are undeterred, knowing that the fate of our packs rests on our shoulders. We push qwon, our hearts filled with courage and

ANNABEL'S POV  There is something different about Luke. I cannot pinpoint exactly what it is but I just know that there is something different about him. The way he grins from ear-to-ear, the way he walks around with so much more confidence  I am confused if it is more about the fact that I have let up and I am more focused on the war with Scarlett's pack, or if it is somebody else. He would not dare! Or would he? I decide to bring up the conversation with him. "Baby... I have to discuss something with you..." I start to get his attention. "What is it, Babes?" He says back, still tapping on his phone furiously. "Can I please get your undivided attention? This should not take too long. Please," I add, feeling like a bloody simp.  Luke puts down his phone and gives me his full attention. "What's on your mind, Annabel?" he asks, looking co

"There's a problem, Luke. There's a very lightly problem." Denise says, looking very scared as Luke meets up with her in the wine cellar. "Okay, but please calm down and stop pacing, Baby. It's driving me crazy over here." Luke says, and Denise stands at a spot, biting her nails hard and spitting them out of her mouth, while tapping her right leg energetically on the ground at the same time. "How are we going to take care of this, Luke? How?" She cries, still not exactly what the problem is. Luke walks over to her and holds her firmly by the shoulders, stopping her from panicking. Looking deeply into her eyes, he says, "What exactly is the problem, Denise? Please talk to me, and let's see if there is a way out. Your panicking and pacing and nail-biting is not helping anybody. Let's just get to the root of the problem and see how to solve it." Denise looks at him doubtfully with a full pout while Luke nods his approval for her to speak." I am… I think that I am pregnant," Denise bl