LOGINFor as long as she could remember, Odette had harbored jealousy toward Bridget. One she couldn't voice because everyone knew they were friends. Even within their inner circle, she had always acted as though nothing dark festered beneath the surface.Bridget was the only woman in the Ashwood Pack whose status and beauty could rival her own. So when Odette overheard everyone mocking Bridget's appearance earlier, she had felt so damn happy.“Do you remember how Bridget always bragged about her looks?" Odette said lightly. “As if beauty alone could fix everything. I never liked that. And I know you didn’t either, Gabe.”She could speak freely now. They were both exiles. Neither of them belonged to Frederick’s Pack anymore.Gabe’s expression didn’t soften. “Enough,” he said coldly.Odette tilted her head. “Why won’t you just let it go? You know her, and she and her aren’t friends anymore."“With you, maybe,” he replied. “But Bridget will always be the same to me.”The words struck deeper
Gabe could hear the faint grind of Kevin’s teeth, the sound sharp with barely restrained anger.For a heartbeat, Gabe went blank.Then the shame hit him. Hot and suffocating. Crawling beneath his skin until he couldn’t breathe.Unforgivable was the only word everyone would use for what he had done. And they would be right.“Rosa,” Gabe said suddenly. “She can help. She can remove the scar from Bridget’s face.”He took a breath, straightened, then turned to face Kevin fully. His expression was so desperate in a way he could no longer hide.“Rosa-"“One of this pack’s witches,” Gabe cut in. “Alpha Darius said she’s gifted. He trusts her. She even helped my wolf recover perfectly. If anyone can do it, it’s her.”“Of course I know who Rosa is, but that’s not what I’m asking.” He glanced at the bed before turning back to Gabe, eyes sharp with curiosity now. “Why do you want to help her? You know her name. Is she your friend? And what exactly happened to her? Who gave a woman like that such
“Brie…” Gabe’s voice dropped to a whisper as her knees buckled.He caught Bridget just in time, her weight collapsing into his arms before she could hit the floor. For a terrifying second, he thought she might already be gone—but her breathing was steady, soft against his chest. Relief loosened the tight knot in his lungs.Gabe shifted his grip, adjusting her carefully until she rested more comfortably against him. Her head lolled against his shoulder, strands of pale hair brushing his jaw. He swallowed.'What the hell am I doing?'If she woke up like this, in his arms, she would be furious. She had every right to be. Yet his feet kept moving, carrying her away from Alpha Darius' mansion and toward the small house he’d been staying in since he remained in Moonveil Pack.He needed her to listen. Just once.'I’ll tell her everything,' he promised himself grimly. 'About the potion Odette gave me. About how it stripped away my control, turned me feral, turned me into the bastard who hurt
3rd Person's POVThe memories came without mercy, crashing into Bridget one after another, leaving her no room to breathe. The handsome face before her blurred, dissolved, and was replaced by that moment she had tried so desperately to forget. She saw it all again as if through a spectator’s eyes, watching herself relive the worst moment of her life.'Please don’t hurt me. Please.'She had begged him then, a pitiful whimper that escaped from her wolf.Bridget had always known her wolf was strong. But against him, she had been nothing more than a trembling pup—cornered against a fallen trunk while a massive, rabid predator loomed over her.Her fur had already been soaked in blood, her muzzle smeared crimson. She could still see the deep bite marks carved into the side of her snout, feel the tearing pain as if it were happening all over again. And still, he hadn’t stopped. That evening he hadn’t been the man she knew, but a monster driven by something feral and merciless, thirsting to
BRIDGETAtlas eventually drifted away, drawn toward where Velmara danced among the men. A small, knowing smile curved my lips. At last, he wasn’t hiding it anymore, wasn’t pretending that the sight of those men touching the witch didn’t bother him. I hoped he would never feel the need to hide it again. Not his jealousy. Not the feelings he carried for her.Nearby, Tessa and Frederick moved together, their steps unguarded, their smiles unrestrained. Whatever doubts once stood between them had finally been pushed aside. They were loving each other freely now, without pride or fear holding them back. The sight filled my chest with a warmth so genuine it almost hurt. I felt truly happy for them—for both of my siblings.I let my gaze wander from one couple to the next, watching as laughter bloomed, hands intertwined, and bonds strengthened beneath the glow of celebration. Everyone looked as though they belonged exactly where they were.And then, quietly, insidiously, a thought crept in.
BRIDGET“You look beautiful tonight, Luna.”Tessa spun at the sound of my voice, her bluish-violet eyes widening the moment they found mine.“Brie!”I didn’t have time to brace myself before she threw her arms around me, squeezing tight enough to knock the air from my lungs. I wasn’t sure if Frederick had forgotten to tell her I’d be attending the party, but the shock on her face was undeniably genuine.“Tessa, you almost crushed my ribs,” I managed while returning her hug.She pulled back at once, blinking rapidly, her eyes glassy with emotion. “I’m sorry. I just… I didn’t think you’d actually agree to come with us!"“Sorry, I’ve been closed off from everything lately…”“No. Don’t apologize.” She shook her head firmly. “You’re doing well, Brie. Truly. I’m so proud of you. My beautiful sister.”Something in my chest tightened at her words.“Tessa, don’t say that. Y-you’re going to make me cry.” Despite the warning, my lips curved into a smile. A real one, the first I’d worn in days.







