“Surrender!,” I growled, the taste of blood thick in my mouth. “You’re done.”Domenico's chest heaved, claws twitching, legs trembling. Blood soaked the earth beneath him, most of it his. His eyes darted between me and Raven, wide with fury and desperation.“Never,” he spat, voice sharp through the mind link. “I’d rather die.”I straightened, looming over him. “Then you leave me no choice.”My fangs bared. Muscles tensed. I crouched low, ready to strike the final blow and end this traitor once and for all.But I didn’t see it.Not until it was too late.With a desperate snarl, Domenico swiped his paw across the dirt and flung a spray of sand and grit directly into my eyes.“Shit—!” I roared, stumbling back as the burning particles seared into my vision.Everything went black for a second.I blinked hard, growling, shaking my head, trying to clear the stinging blur.Coward.“Xander!” Raven’s voice snapped through the link. Her wolf was at my side in seconds, her gaze burning with worry
The second Domenico hit the ground, I stalked toward him, every inch of me trembling with barely contained fury.How dare he.How fucking dare he lay a hand—no, a claw—on her.He growled low in his throat as he stood, fur matted with blood and dirt. I saw the flicker of recognition in his eyes as they landed on me, and even then, even then, the bastard had the audacity to narrow his eyes, lips curling just enough to resemble a smirk — if wolves could smirk, this one certainly did.“You’ve been hiding like a coward,” I spat through the mind link, voice like steel. “All this time, in the shadows, scheming like the pathetic traitor you are.”Domenico growled, the sound making my blood boil hotter. “Oh, I’ve been waiting for this moment, Xander. You think tonight will be my end?” He circled me slowly, his hulking form low and ready. “I’d like to see you try.”The trees around us pulsed with the energy of battle—snarls, yelps, claws raking flesh—but my focus was honed on him. The world co
They kept coming.It didn’t matter how many I tore down, how many fell to my claws and fangs—they surged like a plague of shadows through the trees, snarling and snapping, refusing to back down.But neither would I.Not now. Not after what I’d heard. Not after what I’d seen.I wasn’t just fighting for survival anymore. I was fighting for the truth. For Xander. For everything that bastard traitor tried to take from us.I tore into the next rogue with no hesitation, my massive black paw swiping through its midsection and sending it careening into a rock. Blood splattered across the grass, but I didn’t even pause. I twisted, dodged another, and slammed my shoulder into its ribs so hard I heard the crunch of bones before it hit the dirt.Another leapt onto my back, claws digging into my fur. I bucked, growled, spun so fast the forest blurred, then smashed my back against a tree. The wolf yelped and dropped off like a rag doll. I stomped it once—hard—and didn’t look back.My breath came in
I didn't know what they meant when they said the people closest to you will someday be the ones to betray you.Until now. Seeing the one man Xander trusted more than anyone standing in a room plotting his downfall has me questioning everything about life.This was unexpected, this was the ultimate betrayal.I stumbled back, hand clasping over my mouth to keep from making a sound. My whole body trembled, heart pounding so loudly in my chest I was sure they'd hear it through the thick walls.Of all people. Of all the traitors in the world—why him?I backed away from the door slowly, each step dragging me deeper into a whirlwind of betrayal and disbelief. My fingers clutched the cold stone wall for support, as my legs suddenly felt too weak to hold me.The voices inside continued, oblivious to the chaos erupting within me.“I’ve waited long enough,” the man continued, his voice steady—familiar in a way that now made me sick. “If Xander is too blind to see the weakness in his rule, then
The wind howled through the treetops as we moved hard through the forest, the scent of pine and blood mixing in the air like some cursed perfume. My wolf surged beneath my skin again, clawing and restless, urging me to move faster, to find her—Raven.Even though I kept my expression unreadable, every second that passed twisted like a dagger in my gut. Domenico had taken her. She wasn’t just some omega. She was mine—even if I could never say it out loud. Not yet.Matteo moved beside me, his eyes searching in deep concentration. Behind us, a dozen of our best warriors followed, their eyes sharp, ears perked for the faintest sound, the faintest movement.“Her scent’s still strong,” one of the trackers said through the link.I growled in acknowledgement, saying nothing, letting them think this was just another mission. Just another rescue.But it wasn’t.Not to me.Branches snapped beneath us as we ran deeper into the thick woods. I could smell it now—her. That soft lavender-and-storm sce
‘I'm sure he now knows the pain of losing both parents like I did.’The way he said it, so smug, so satisfied. Like he finally got what he wanted. Like he knew something I didn't.My brows furrowed as I looked to the door where he had been standing and then suddenly I gasped as the realization of his words hit me.Could he…could he have had something to do with what happened that night? No. But what if…what if he ran away before that ball?Regina had said family? What if Domenico was that family?Suddenly I didn't want to stay here and just wait for Xander to come, I wanted to get answers myself. Without a second thought, I pushed the door open but there was a guard standing outside. I didn't give him so much as a chance before snapping his head and his body fell limp as he fell on the floor. I dragged him into the room before stepping out and closing the door behind me.Whatever secrets this place held, I was about to find out.I looked to my left and right to make sure there weren'