Chapter Hundred and Thirteen Jenna's POV The fire crackles softly, the only sound in the cabin, casting flickering shadows across the walls. I sleep lightly, my arm draped over Rainaâs blanket, instinctively keeping close in case she needs me. Her breathing, still shallow but steady, is the rhythm I cling to in the quiet. The fear of losing her hasnât left me, even though sheâs stable now. I canât shake the terror that grips me every time I think of what almost happened.A light tap on my shoulder pulls me from my fitful sleep. At first, I think Iâm dreaming, but the touch comes againâinsistent.âJenna.âRainaâs voice is soft but unmistakable. My eyes snap open, and I blink against the dim light. For a moment, I donât quite understand what Iâm seeing. Then, the world sharpens into focus, and there she isâsitting up. Awake. Alive.âRaina?â I whisper, my voice cracking. My heart leaps into my throat as I stare at her, my mind barely able to register it.She smirks, though itâs weak. â
Chapter Hundred and Fifteen Jenna's POV The fire flickers weakly, casting long, wavering shadows against the walls. But its warmth does nothing to chase away the chill creeping into my bones. The council. The mere thought of them makes my stomach turn.I glance at Raina, whoâs still wearing that smirk, as if this whole situation is a joke. But I see itâthe faintest flicker of fear behind her eyes, no matter how hard she tries to hide it. I swallow the lump in my throat and force myself to speak, though my voice shakes just a little.âWe canât stay here,â I say, quieter this time, but the urgency is clear. âIf the councilâs after us, itâs only a matter of time before they find this place. Weâll be sniffed out. Theyâll track us like animals.âRaina sighs dramatically, rolling her eyes as she shifts on the bed, her smirk faltering for a second. âWow, Jenna, always the optimist,â she says, but thereâs tension in her voice, and I know Iâve hit a nerve.âIâm serious, Raina,â I snap, sharp
Cassie's POV I unlock the door, adrenaline buzzing in my veins, my hands still shaky with excitement. It wasnât just the thrill of the hunt but the promise of recognition that had my heart pounding. The council would finally see my worth, and tonight would be my breakthrough. This was the proof theyâd been asking forâthe validation Iâd been clawing my way toward for months. âCassie?â Juliusâs voice drifts over from the living room. Heâs lounging on the couch in his usual spot, but his eyes are sharp, observing me even before I walk fully into view. âWhat did you do?â Thereâs a note of wariness in his voice, as if he already knows the answer. I slide onto the couch beside him, pulling out my phone and angling it in his direction. My lips curve into a smug grin as I bring up the photo. âYouâre looking at Raina, mid-transformation,â I announce, letting each word hang in the air. âAnd Jenna was with her. This is exactly what I needed to prove to the council that theyâre not human.â J
Chapter Hundred and Sixteen Eleanor's POVThe cabin is quiet, almost too quiet, and every sound seems amplified against the dense silence. The wind rustles outside, brushing against the walls in soft, steady breaths, as though the night itself is waiting for something. I stand watch, barely moving, my fingers clenched tightly around a makeshift knife Iâd sharpened only hours ago. Itâs hardly a defense against the council, but itâs somethingâone of the few things left that gives me the illusion of control. Across the room, Raina and Jenna lie huddled together in fitful sleep, exhaustion finally overtaking their fear, if only for a moment. Rainaâs injury keeps her restless, and even in sleep, her body shudders in pain. Her wound, barely stitched up and raw, demands attention. Itâs a haunting reminder that we canât stay here, but moving too soon might kill her. I wish we had the luxury of waiting, just a day or two longer, but the truth is we donât. Every moment we stay here, the counc
Chapter Hundred and Seventeen Jenna's POV I stir, feeling heavy, like Iâm emerging from a dream I canât quite remember. Blinking, I sit up slowly, and the events of yesterday hit me like a wave. Rainaâshe was shot. She was so close to death, and IâĶ I fed her my own blood. My gaze drifts to Raina lying nearby, her face no longer pale, the color returned to her cheeks. Relief settles in me, but itâs weighed down by the unknown. We canât hide forever. Thereâs no telling how long weâll be safe here. I rise and pull a shawl around my shoulders against the morning chill, then step outside for a breath of fresh air. Just a few paces from the cabin, I spot Eleanor. Sheâs standing with her arms wrapped around herself, shoulders slumped, head tilted down. âEleanor?â I call softly. She looks up, and my chest tightens at the sadness in her eyes. Sheâs always been so strong, always the one to keep us all together. But today, she looksâĶ tired, weighed down by something I canât see.âMorning,
Chapter Hundred and Eighteen Jenna's POV Under the dim light of the cabin, Eleanor rubs her eyes and stretches, glancing around with a weariness that I donât miss. She rises quietly, slipping her arms into her coat and moving toward the door.âEleanor?â I say softly, watching her pause and look over her shoulder.âHey, Jenna. I didnât mean to wake you,â she murmurs, her voice heavy.I glance at the clock on the wall, noticing how little time has passed since we all settled in for the night. âYouâre not sleeping again?â I ask, concern clear in my tone.She offers me a small, apologetic smile. âI havenât slept much since we left the shelter. I donât know... I just canât seem to settle.âI sit up, tucking the blanket around my shoulders. âItâs the shelter, isnât it? You miss it?âHer eyes flicker with a glimmer of sadness. âIt was safe. At least, safer than out here.â She hesitates, and then her gaze hardens with that familiar protectiveness. âI think someone should be keeping watch. W
Chapter Hundred and Nineteen Jenna's POV Rainaâs eyebrows shoot up, surprise clear in her expression. âThe only one?âI nod, my gaze dropping as I continue. âHe was the alpha of my former pack. When we met, the bond sparked immediately. But heâĶâ I trail off, taking a breath to steady myself. âHe rejected me. He decided that I wasnât good enough and that I didnât meet his standards as an alphaâs mate. I was just a reminder of weakness, of what he thought a mate should be.âRaina stares at me, her expression flickering with a mix of surprise and sympathy. âThat must have hurt.âI nod, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. âIt did. It broke me. I left the pack after that. I couldnât stay and watch him with someone else.âI cannot help but remember the pain that had engulfed me when he called called for that feast, and right before me, had chosen a late for himself. Violet. Bus bestfriend. Right hand woman. One of the strongest women in the pack. She had been everything I wasn't. All tha
Chapter Hundred and Twenty Jack's POV After weeks of travel and uncertainty, weâve finally found a place to call home. The fields stretch out before us, lush and inviting, with a river cutting through the landscape. A stunning waterfall cascades nearby, surrounded by trees boasting vibrant leaves. The air is filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers and fresh earth. This place feels alive, and I can see my pack mirroring my feelings of hope and relief.âLook at this!â I call out to everyone, my voice rising above the chatter. âThis is our home now!â Cheers erupt from the pack, echoing in the cool air. I canât help but grin as I watch them embrace each other, laughter and tears mingling together. This moment is everything weâve fought for.I scan the crowd, searching for Maria. Ever since Xavier decided to stay behind, sheâs been quieter, lost in her own thoughts. But today, as I look over, I see her by the river with Sav. My heart sinks a little when I think about Xavierâs absence,
PrologueJennaâs POVThe house is a haven of warmth and calm, filled with the low hum of contentment. Outside, the world continues to bustleâthe sounds of childrenâs laughter echo through the air, accompanied by the chatter of pack members as they go about their tasks. Weâve built something here, something beautiful, and I never imagined it would feel like this. I sit in a sturdy chair by the window, my feet propped up and my swollen belly cradled gently in my hands. It's almost timeâour child is growing inside me, and the thought brings a mixture of joy and anticipation. The days are passing slowly now, each one bringing us closer to the arrival of our little one. And with Jack by my side, I know we can face whatever the future holds. I hear footsteps approaching and look up to see Mia standing in the doorway, a soft smile on her face. She holds a bowl of warm water and a cloth in her hands, her expression a mix of eagerness and affection. âJenna,â she says, her voice light. âI wa
Jennaâs POV The next morning, I find Veronica standing by the edge of the clearing, her silhouette framed by the soft light of dawn filtering through the trees. The previous day had been filled with lots of hugs of goodbye. I had witnessed people cry as they'd embraced and promised to stay in touch. Greta had decided to return to her inn and rebuild it again. She had enjoyed the thrill of fighting and was glad that she was on the right side of history, but she needed to rest, and she couldn't think of a better place to do it. Raina and Caleb, though, had chosen to stay with us. And I was more than happy to still have them. Veronica looks serene despite her exhaustion, her posture as graceful as ever. Itâs a sight that brings a pang of nostalgia to my chest, a reminder of the countless hours weâd spent together training, laughing, and sharing dreams of a better future. I approach her slowly, hesitant for reasons I canât quite articulate. She notices me immediately, her lips curvi
Jackâs POV âAre you both joined together by the hip?â Raina asks as she approaches Jenna and I. Jenna lets out a low chuckle as she disentangles from me and moves towards her friend to warmonger in a hug. âWe did it!â I hear her say as she continues to stay in her embrace. Raina rubs her back fondly, returning Jenna's hug with a soft, sad smile. âWe did it, even though we're no longer complete.â Jenna steps back and looks at Raina, whose eyes are now wet with tears. âThe last thing I expected was Eleanor's betrayal.âJenna's shoulders slump in sadness as she nods. âAt least we still have Greta and Caleb.âRaina smiles again as she clasps Jenna's hands in hers. âAt least we still do.â As they continue to talk, Caleb and Greta join them, and I decide to step away and give them the privacy to talk and reunite. As soon as I am a considerable distance away from the group, Zephyr approaches me with a calm but deliberate stride, his golden eyes steady and unreadable. He stops a few f
Jackâs POV Jenna has returned to the women, helping them with whatever she can and rationing the last of our supplies. I watch her, marveling at how far sheâs come. Sheâs not the same woman I foolishly rejected all those years ago. Jenna has always been brave, but now sheâs a force to be reckoned withâa leader in her own right. Her quick wit and relentless courage have saved me more than once, and I know, deep down, that I owe her more than just my life. As she laughs softly at something Raina says, my chest tightens with a mix of pride and longing. Maybe I needed to be stupid enough to let her go back then to realize what Iâd lost. Maybe my reckless decision to reject her wasnât just a mistake but a painful lesson I had to learn to truly see her worth. And gods, sheâs worth everything. I watch her for a moment longer, my wolf pacing restlessly within me, yearning to be close to her. The thought of spending the rest of my life with herâof building something lasting when all this
Jackâs POV The forest is quiet, save for the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional crackle of the embers still smoldering behind us. The air feels heavy, laden with the scent of ash and smoke from Violetâs pyre, and though her flame has burned out, the weight of her memory lingers. I catch sight of Jenna standing with Raina and a few of the other women. They're all talking and laughing, their voices ringing out steady and true. The sound of it makes my heart warm. We might have experienced our own loss, but we had emerged victorious. Jenna is beautiful in a way that makes my chest ache, her blonde hair catching the light and her shoulders held high despite the exhaustion I know sheâs feeling. Sheâs always been like that since we met againâstrong, unwavering. My anchor in a storm I was too blind to see for years. As I watch her, my mind drifts back to the look in her eyes earlier, when I spoke about Violet. It wasnât judgment or anger I saw there, but confusion. Maybe even
Jenna's POVThe trek through the forest is quiet, somber. Jordan carries Violetâs body in his arms, his face set in a grim mask of determination. None of us speak, but the weight of what weâve endured is palpable. Every step away from the battlefield feels heavier than the last.We find a small clearing as the sun begins to rise, its pale light filtering through the trees. The others gather around, their expressions weary but resolute. Zephyr and his peopleâno longer strangers but alliesâstand a respectful distance away. Even Veronica, her frailty evident as she leans against Zephyr for support, watches silently.Jordan kneels, carefully laying Violetâs body on the grass. He brushes a strand of her hair away from her face, his hands trembling. âIâm taking her home,â he says, his voice raw. âShe deserves to rest where she belonged.âFor a moment I wonder whether he even remembers that there is no home for now. âJordanâĶâ Jack steps forward. âCarrying her all that way isnât practical. I
Jennaâs POVAs we prepare to leave the hideout, I look around, still in utter disbelief that it's really over. Blood stains the ground, and the metallic scent of it lingers in the air. The bodies of the council elders lie scattered, their once-mighty forms now lifeless and cold.Violetâs lifeless form rests where she fell, and though I ache to go to her, to pay my last respect, something else draws me forward.Eleanor.Sheâs still kneeling where we had chained her. She doesnât look up as I approach, her head bowed, her long hair falling in a curtain around her face.Sue doesn't look up, nor does she say a thing as I approach. I watch her, my heart acting as I recall all that we had been through together. I remember the first day I had arrived the shelter, saved by a wonderful woman by the name Caroline. A kind human that I'd never forget. When I had gotten to the shelter, Eleanor had been one of the sheltered women who had been introduced to me. I had known as soon as I saw her that
Jennaâs POVThe laughter of the elders grates against every nerve in my body, but itâs Jordanâs raw cry that truly shatters me. The sound of his grief echoes through the chamber, cutting through the taunts and jeers like a blade. Violetâs lifeless body lies in his arms, her sacrifice an unbearable weight on all of us. âGet up, Jordan,â Jack commands, his voice cold and fierce. His hazel eyes are fixed on the elders, blazing with an anger Iâve never seen before. âShe gave her life for this fight. Donât let her sacrifice be in vain.â Jordan doesnât respond at first, his shoulders shaking as he clings to Violet. But then, something shifts. A low growl rumbles from deep within his chest, growing louder until it fills the room. He lifts his head, his eyes no longer just filled with sorrow but something far darkerâpure, unrelenting rage. When he speaks, his voice is guttural, barely human. âYouâll pay for this.â The ground beneath us trembles as Jordan rises, Violetâs body lifelessly la
Jennaâs POV The battle rages on, each moment more chaotic than the last. The air crackles with energy, the shouts and snarls of my pack mixing with the mocking laughter of the council elders. Blood stains the ground, and the scent of it makes my stomach churn, but I canât let myself falter. Jack fights with the ferocity of a true Alpha, his hazel eyes blazing as he clashes with the leader of the council. She meets his every move with a smirk, as though sheâs toying with him, her power radiating in waves. Nearby, Jordan fights with an unmatched intensity, his movements fueled by both desperation and determination. Heâs holding his own against a wiry elder, but I can see the strain in his stance, the exhaustion creeping into his limbs. âJordan, fall back!â Jack shouts, his voice commanding even amidst the chaos. But Jordan doesnât retreat. He presses on, his strikes fierce but reckless. I canât blame himâhis daughter had not only betrayed her own pack but had been chained and kept