Alaina
I had searched everywhere for Isaac, the Beta, and Lucious, the Gamma, but neither of them was available. Isaac was reportedly tied up dealing with a dispute among the patrol warriors, and Lucious had locked himself in the strategy hall, knee-deep in planning for the upcoming Pack Games. It didn’t seem like meeting me was on anyone’s priority list today.So here I was, alone, standing in front of Adrian Martinez’s private quarters, with nothing but the pounding in my chest for company."Something’s not right," Edith whispered in the quiet corners of my mind, her voice sharp with unease.“I know,” I murmured, inhaling deeply as I clenched and unclenched my fists. “This whole place feels like a relic from another world. But we’ll survive. We always do.”I knocked.The heavy silence broke with a voice so commanding, it could split stone. “Come in.”The door creaked as I pushed it open. I stepped inside and instantlyCole’s POVTension had settled over the pack like a dark cloud ever since my father’s departure. His warning echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of the expectations he had left behind. If Alaina wasn’t standing by my side as Luna when he returned, I would face consequences I wasn’t ready to pay.Even as the weight of his words loomed, Grace and I were pushing forward with our own plans, weaving them carefully through the chaos that had become our daily existence. Yet, my focus kept shifting toward Freya.Lately, there was something different about her, something she kept hidden behind forced smiles and empty reassurances. She moved like a shadow through the pack grounds, avoiding questions, avoiding me. That was until I found her in the Royal’s garden, deep in hushed conversation with one of the warriors.The moment she noticed me approaching, the warrior slipped away like smoke, leaving her standing there, startled and pale under the moon
Alaina’s POVI slipped quietly into the Whispering Grove, hoping to clear my mind and find a moment of peace among the rustling leaves and soft birdsong. But as soon as I stepped under the canopy of swaying branches, I froze.Grace was there, sitting on a weathered bench beneath a weeping willow, her shoulders shaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. She looked so small, so fragile in that moment, that I felt something inside me tighten.“Grace,” I called softly, my voice carrying my concern before I even reached her.She didn’t look up, but her trembling intensified as I hurried over and knelt in front of her, taking her cold, shaking hands into mine. I could see how her tears left wet trails down her pale face, and my chest ached at the sight.“What happened?” I asked gently, keeping my voice calm as I squeezed her hands. “Talk to me, Grace.”She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against my shoulder as sobs wracked her body. I ran my hand slowly through her hair, whispering, “
Adrian – POVThere’s something calming about talking to Grace. Our conversations are light, sometimes even silly, but they distract me from the chaos in my head. And if I’m being honest, I also use these chats to learn more about Alaina Meyers. I know it’s manipulative, but Grace is my easiest path to understanding the woman who’s slowly consuming my thoughts.I’m already waiting in the library when Grace walks in, her footsteps barely audible over the quiet rustling of pages and the distant ticking of the old grandfather clock. The smell of aged paper fills the air, grounding me in this peaceful bubble where the world can't intrude.Grace is the only one allowed in this bubble.As she enters, I lift my eyes from the book on my lap and smile at her."What kept you?" I ask, pretending it didn’t matter, though I was watching the clock the entire time."I was with Alaina," she says casually, but her words hit harder than they should. My pulse skips, my chest tightens. Just hearing Alaina
Adrian's POV After wrapping up a light conversation with Grace, I made my way into the conference room. The air inside was thick with unspoken opinions, and the weight of responsibility settled comfortably on my shoulders as I sat before my beta, gamma, and the council of elders. Elder Drevyn’s voice broke the silence, deep and commanding. "You’ve rarely ever sought our counsel, Alpha Adrian, yet your leadership speaks volumes," he said with pride. "Our people call you the epitome of a true alpha." I offered him a modest smile, but inside, I felt a deep stir of gratitude. It meant something—coming from them. “I called this meeting because I need your perspective on something important,” I began, scanning their familiar faces. “Should we move forward and seal the alliance with the Huntington Pack along the coast?” A beat passed before Elder Mora leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. “And what’s your opinion, Adrian?” “I’ve given it a lot of thought,” I answered. “I’ve talked
Cole’s POV“No,” I stammered, struggling to find the right words that could ease the anguish in her eyes. “It’s not like that. He’s just... manipulating everything. Twisting it to serve his own goals. I don’t even fully understand why.”Freya’s voice trembled, barely more than a whisper. “Do you think I’m capable of hurting her?”Her lips quivered as she fought back the swell of emotion, her eyes searching mine for an answer. I didn’t hesitate. I shook my head, stepping closer.“Of course not,” I said softly, gently brushing a tear from her cheek with my thumb. “Why would I ever think that? You’re not like that.”“But your father does,” she choked out, her gaze dropping to the floor as her shoulders hunched. “And that’s enough to put a target on my back.”Her voice cracked as she continued. “Do you know how scared I was during the Pack Games? When Alaina came at me like I was her enemy? I froze, Cole. I couldn’t even defend
Cole’s POV"Is love going to do this to you!?" My father’s voice shattered the heavy silence like a blade slicing through still air.His face twisted in fury, veins standing out on his temple as his words lashed out at me. "I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately. I’ve already turned a blind eye to your infatuation with that girl, allowed you to parade her around like she’s someone of importance. And still, you have the audacity to act as if she could ever be your Luna?"His words roared through the room, the sound crashing against the walls like thunder. The fury in his expression was nearly unholy, his dark eyes gleaming with something sharp and unforgiving.I clenched my jaw, standing rigid, feeling the familiar weight of his disappointment bear down on me. It wasn’t just disappointment, it was a warning, a reminder of my place. I had no illusions. I would remain under his command until the day he drew his final breath."And do you want to know the most laughable part?" he added