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Chapter 183Katie's POVAll I see is a blur of him as I try to get my mind and body to function so I can answer him. My legs hit the floor as he pushed me down, releasing me to walk away. His hand grips his hair as he stares at the gun in his other hand and back down to me.“No. No, it’s not true,” I whimper, tears still falling. “Don’t listen to him,” I plead, looking him straight in the eyes.“Silence,” he orders, walking over to me with his hand raised. Will he hit me? Will he hurt me?“That isn’t true!” I shoot back. “Nothing he is saying is true…”Silence ensues for a long second before Cephus speaks. “Get the ropes and tape!” he yells to Mack. I’m lying on the ground on my side when his face comes into my vision.“Was it all a lie, Katie? Was it all some fucked up lie so that you could get into my head? So you could get the inside job done and walk away unscathed?” His voice is so loud in my ears, I push away from him.“Was it?” he shouts, demanding a response, his fingers gripp

Chapter 182Katie's POV“I see it as more of a protective arrangement for both of us. There are legal protections for each of us… incentives to keep one another’s secrets.”I fixed him with what I hoped was the most vicious look I had in me. “I never went to the cops after you kidnapped me, didn’t go running to my parents begging them to find someone to break your kneecaps, and you thought you needed some other way of getting me to keep your secrets?”“It matters…” I can hear the anxiety in Mack’s voice. Something is very, very wrong.“Why does it matter? She was nothing before this whole incident and will be nothing after everything takes place. She’s clean. I know it.” Cephus sounds confident, and though I know I have done nothing wrong, if Mack convinces him I did something, I know I am as good as dead.“It matters because I know she’s not clean. After Jared called me and told me what Luccio said, I did a little digging on her and found some shit out.”Horror fills my mind. What i

Chapter 181Katie's POV“I was seven or eight, in a regular primary school not far from here.” His right hand moved, grasping for his phone, then he left it alone and pulled my hand he was still holding onto his knee, placing both of his hands over it. If the ring I was wearing was digging in, he didn’t give any sign. “It might surprise you to hear this, Katie, but I was not the best of children.”“Shocking revelation.”“I was always targeting kids a bit younger, a bit smaller. The ones I knew wouldn’t be able to give me any shit in return. Except this one time, there was this kid—Billy Burke, I remember his name vividly—and he did give me shit. He told me he wanted me to stop pushing him around and trying to scare him, and no he wasn’t going to give me his lunch money, by the way. I’d never run into this situation before when I was running this scam, so I panicked a bit. I hit him in the face. Told me to his parents.”I didn’t know what to say to this. It took me all too quickly b

Chapter 180Katie's POVEven when it gets worked out in the end, it sucks for long-term relationships.”It had to be even harder to find someone you could enter into the sort of long-term relationship most people were especially keen on with. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised Cephus had jumped at the chance to get me on board as a future wife.And speaking of my future husband, I had half-expected he wouldn’t be there when I returned. Then when I saw him sitting on the couch in front of the TV where he’d been when I ran out to get in Caroline’s car—where he’d probably slept for all I knew, he’d gone out the night before and hadn’t been back before I admitted defeat and crawled to bed—I half-expected to spot Angel somewhere in the room in the next moment. She didn’t have anything further to add to her roster of manipulations for the moment: we were alone.“What was your day like?” asked Cephus without looking at me. I let my bag slip by degrees from my fingers, frozen in place by the p

Chapter 179Katie's POV“Cephus isn’t supposed to be a part of this side of things, he can’t do it… and I doubt you’re in a position to ask your mother for assistance. Caroline is an ideal choice.”I didn’t like it, but she was right. I couldn’t go about this the wrong way if I ever wanted to be on Cephus’s good side. I didn’t want to go about it the wrong way. And while I was surrounded by Cephus’s family I needed to make connections unless I wanted to be treated the same way I was on my own. Caroline seemed like the safest option there so far.“If you’re sure I won’t be inconveniencing you,” I told Caroline. “I could use the help. I don’t have much experience with the whole wedding business, that much is for sure.”Caroline broke out in a little golf clap of delight. There might actually be some benefit in spending trying to absorb as much as I could of her elegance. “I’m so pleased to help. Now, I was thinking, I have the whole of tomorrow afternoon off work, so that would be a g

Chapter 178Katie's POVI sat up with a gasp.It was just like the morning before when I had woken to unexpected voices. But this time I was in a strange bed again, and at least one of those voices didn’t seem familiar at all.I’d learned my lesson from the day before. I couldn’t get myself into the single bathroom in the apartment, but I pulled on a proper outfit, brushed out my hair, and cleaned my face thoroughly with some wipes. I didn’t dare put on makeup without a full mirror, but I was young and fresh enough that I could probably get away without it.Once I was decent, I made a quick and quiet tidy of my room and then stepped up to the door for a bit of strategic eavesdropping before I joined the action.A childish female voice was doing most of the talking. “She’ll need someone to guide her through the process.”Cephus’s voice sounded both amused and exasperated. “Someone who has never been even close to getting married before?”“You know exactly what Caroline means.” The thi

Chapter 111Alina's POVThe air was thick with tension as Viktor’s dark magic surged forward, a roaring wave of malevolence that threatened to swallow everything in its path. The ground beneath us shook, and the trees groaned as if the forest itself was bracing for the destruction to come. Every muscle in my body screamed for me to run, to hide, but I knew that wasn’t an option. Not when so much depended on us standing firm.Damien’s hand found mine, a steady anchor in the storm. His eyes burned with determination, the fierce protector I’d come to trust with my life. “We face this together,” he said quietly, voice steady despite the chaos.I nodded, drawing strength from his presence. The pack gathered around us, a wall of loyalty and courage. Liam and Tobias flanked us, ready to charge, while Nora and the witches prepared their spells, murmuring incantations that filled the air with a shimmering glow.Viktor’s smile was cruel, a predator confident in his prey’s fear. “You’re fools to

Chapter 110Alina's POVThe forest was silent now, but the silence was not peace—it was the quiet that settles over a battlefield just before the next storm breaks loose. My body ached from the fight, my muscles screaming in protest with every movement, yet I couldn’t afford to rest. Not when the weight of what was coming pressed down so heavily on my chest. Viktor’s retreat had bought us time, but only a fragile, fleeting moment to breathe before the next wave.I sat on the edge of a fallen log, head bowed as I tried to gather strength. The wounds on my arms and sides burned fiercely, but it was the ache in my heart—the raw, gnawing fear for everyone I loved—that made it hard to focus. The pack was wounded, the air still thick with the stench of blood and burnt earth. Around me, the survivors whispered prayers, tended to the injured, or sat in stunned silence, the firelight flickering across faces marked by exhaustion and resolve.I felt Damien’s presence before he spoke, a quiet sha

Chapter 109Alina's POVPain radiated through my body as I struggled to push myself off the forest floor. The dark magic Viktor had unleashed clung to me like a suffocating shroud, burning beneath my skin and clouding my mind. My wolf form throbbed with exhaustion, and every breath felt like it might be my last. But surrender was not an option—not now, not ever. I forced myself upright, eyes scanning the chaos that churned around me. The sounds of battle echoed from all sides—growls, snarls, the clash of claws against steel, and the sharp crackle of spells being cast. My pack fought fiercely, but even their courage seemed to falter against the overwhelming darkness that Viktor commanded.The sight of Damien caught my eye immediately. He was locked in combat with one of Viktor’s warlocks, his movements precise and deadly, yet even he looked strained—his wolf form bloodied, his breathing ragged. My heart clenched. I had to reach him, had to fight alongside him, had to keep us both alive

Chapter 108Alina's POVThe morning air was cold and sharp, but the chill that clung to my skin was nothing compared to the fire burning inside me. Every breath I took felt heavy with the weight of what was coming. Our allies from the neighboring packs had arrived under cautious banners, their numbers swelling our ranks, yet the tension between us remained palpable. Trust was a fragile thing, especially when the enemy we faced was known for twisting loyalties and breaking bonds.I walked among our warriors, greeting faces familiar and new. Their eyes held determination, some mixed with fear, but all shared the same resolve. I saw in them reflections of my own struggles—the desire to protect, to fight back against darkness that had taken so much from us. I swallowed hard, knowing the role I had to play. I was not just their leader. I was their symbol—the promise that even in the face of destruction, we would not fall.Damien found me near the armory, where weapons were being checked an

Chapter 107Alina's POVThe weight of the coming storm settled over me like a suffocating fog as I stood beside Damien, watching the pack prepare for the battle we all knew was inevitable. The compound buzzed with tension, every wolf moving with purpose, but beneath it all, a thread of fear wove through the air—silent, but unmistakable. We weren’t just defending land anymore. We were defending our very existence.I pulled my jacket tighter around me, feeling the chill seep into my bones, but it wasn’t just the cold that made me shiver. It was the knowledge that every decision we made from this moment on could mean life or death—not just for us, but for everyone who had trusted me, who had followed me, even when the world had turned against us.Damien’s hand found mine, grounding me in the swirling chaos of my thoughts. “You’re carrying more than you realize,” he said softly, his eyes searching mine with a tenderness that made my heart ache.“I don’t have a choice,” I whispered. “If I

Chapter 106Damien's POVThe night stretched long and unforgiving as I paced the perimeter of the pack’s compound, the weight of leadership heavier than any physical burden I’d ever borne. The sky was a slate-gray canvas, clouds swirling like the doubts and fears I struggled to suppress. Every howl in the distance sounded like a call to war, and yet beneath the calls lay a deeper, more insidious silence—the silence of waiting for the storm we knew was coming.Alina appeared beside me without a sound, her presence steadying. “You’re pushing yourself too hard,” she said quietly, her eyes sharp yet gentle. “The pack needs you strong. Not broken.”I exhaled, meeting her gaze. “There’s no room for weakness. Not now.” But her words lodged in my chest, a reminder I hadn’t allowed myself before—the truth that no matter how fierce I was, I wasn’t invincible.She reached out, her fingers brushing against my arm in a rare gesture of comfort. “We survive this because we fight smarter, not just ha

Chapter 82A Dangerous GambleQuinton's POVAs we left the clearing, I could feel Fiona’s anguish radiating through every step she took. Her brother, Caleb, being alive was a twist none of us had anticipated, and it cut deeper than anything Lilith had thrown at us so far. But it wasn’t just that. The real wound was seeing him twisted, loyal to the very enemy we were trying to stop. I wanted to say something to comfort her, but I knew words wouldn’t help now. What Fiona needed was action—and answers.“Do you think he’s too far gone?” she asked quietly, barely above a whisper.I looked over at her, unsure of what to say. Caleb’s eyes had been empty—cold. I wasn’t sure what Lilith had done to him, but it felt like she’d stripped him of something vital, something human. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “But we’re going to find out.”We pushed through the underbrush, the night air thick with tension. I had to focus on the immediate problem: how to deal with Lilith’s growing power and Caleb’s in

Chapter 81Revelations UnveiledFiona's POVThe shock of seeing my brother standing beside Lilith sent my mind into a whirlwind of confusion. For years, I thought he was dead. Killed when we were children, lost to a tragedy I could barely remember. But there he was, his eyes gleaming with that same dangerous light I’d seen in my own reflection recently.My breath hitched, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. It was as though all the air had been sucked from my lungs. "Caleb?" I whispered, taking a cautious step forward.He didn’t respond, his gaze cold and emotionless, like a stranger wearing my brother’s face. The Caleb I remembered had a kindness in his eyes, a warmth. This man... was different. Darker. I couldn’t feel any of the sibling bond we’d once shared. Instead, I felt the same oppressive energy I’d always sensed from Lilith—only now, it was doubled."Surprised to see him?" Lilith’s voice was like silk, dripping with malice. "He’s been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Chapter 80A Dark RevelationFiona's POVThe darkness that swallowed the cave was absolute, suffocating. I couldn’t see Quinton or even hear him. Panic began to bubble up inside me, making my chest feel tight. My heart pounded wildly, each beat echoing in my ears. I reached out, blindly, desperate to find him.“Quinton!” My voice cracked in the overwhelming silence.No response.My pulse quickened as I realized how alone I felt in this void, but I couldn’t afford to lose myself to fear. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to focus. I could still sense Quinton’s presence somewhere near me—his energy, that raw and protective aura, flickering through the dark. It was faint but there. I had to find him."Fiona..."His voice, strained and faint, came from somewhere close but distant, like he was calling from deep underwater. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.Lilith was still out there.My fists clenched, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm the wild thrum of magic bene

Chapter 79In The ShadowsFiona's POVThe cave’s air was thick with tension, as if the forest outside held its breath, waiting. I knelt beside Quinton, trying to stem the bleeding from his wounds. His skin was pale, far too pale, and his breaths were shallow. My heart clenched as I worked, pressing torn pieces of my shirt to his chest, wishing I knew more about healing."You’ll be okay," I whispered, though my voice trembled. I had to keep it together. For him.Quinton’s eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain but still sharp with concern. "We don’t have time to stay here long.""Shh. Just rest," I insisted, but even as I said it, I knew he was right. That stranger wasn’t done with us, not by a long shot. The fight was far from over, and the way the stranger had looked at me, like I was some kind of... weapon, sent a chill down my spine.I glanced toward the cave entrance, half-expecting to see a shadow creeping toward us. The night outside was pitch black, and though we had some time t

Chapter 78The Edge of ControlQuinton's POVPain shot through my body as the stranger’s hand pressed down harder on my chest, pinning me to the ground. I growled, baring my teeth, but it was no use. Whoever this new threat was, they were stronger than anyone I’d ever faced. Fiona’s scream rang in my ears, but I couldn’t focus on her right now. I had to break free, had to fight. But the stranger’s strength was overwhelming, their eyes cold and calculating as they gazed down at me, almost amused by my struggle.“You really thought you could protect her?” the stranger taunted, their voice dripping with mockery. “You don’t even know what she’s capable of.”My muscles burned with the effort as I tried to push them off, but they didn’t budge. I could feel their claws digging into my skin, sharp and unforgiving, and I knew if I didn’t act soon, they’d tear me apart. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Fiona standing there, her hands raised, her eyes glowing with that strange, uncontrollabl

Chapter 77Tangled FatesFiona's POVThe air crackled with lingering energy as I collapsed into Quinton’s embrace, the force of the power I’d just unleashed still thrumming through my veins. My head swirled, a strange combination of exhaustion and exhilaration. The stones in the clearing had responded to me in a way I hadn’t expected—like they had been waiting for me, for this moment. “What just happened?” I whispered, trying to make sense of the chaos that had unfolded. Quinton held me tightly, his heartbeat slowing as we stood in the eerie silence that followed the blast. The forest around us was still, as if the earth itself was holding its breath, waiting for what would come next.“I don’t know,” he admitted, his breath warm against my ear. “But whatever you did… it worked.”I looked up at him, my eyes searching his for any reassurance. “This power—I didn’t even know I had it. It’s like… it’s like it’s growing, and I don’t understand it.”Quinton’s gaze softened, his hand cuppin