Eleanorโs POVThe council chamber hums with quiet anticipation, a subdued energy that vibrates through the ancient stone walls. I stand at the center of the room, under the intense scrutiny of the elders. Their expressions are unreadable, masks of power and authority, but the glint in Elder Marlowโs eyes reassures me. She always has that glint when sheโs proud, though sheโd never say it outright.โEleanor,โ she begins, her voice steady, each word measured, โyouโve done what no one else could. You succeeded where hundreds failed.โThe weight of her words presses down on me, and I bow my head slightly, hiding the flicker of satisfaction that rises in my chest. The faces around me are stern but approving. Elder Markus, my father, sits closest to Marlow, his sharp features softened by a rare smile. โYouโve proven yourself indispensable,โ Markus adds, leaning forward in his chair. โThe perfect mole. Years of training, of sacrificeโand itโs paid off spectacularly. Youโve brought us everyth
Eleanor's POV โYou saved me,โ I say, my voice quieter now. โWhen my parents left me, you and Father gave me a life. A purpose.โMarlowโs expression softens further, her eyes gleaming with something I canโt quite name. Pride? Affection? โYou were always meant for something greater,โ she says. โYour parents may have given you life, but we gave you a future. And youโve made the most of it.โI nod, swallowing hard against the emotions threatening to rise. โIโll finish this,โ I promise. โFor the council. For you and Father.โMarlow places a hand on my shoulder, the warmth of her touch grounding me. โWeโre proud of you, Eleanor. And we trust you to see this through.โHer words linger in my mind as she walks away, leaving me alone in the dim corridor. I close my eyes, drawing in a slow, steady breath. The memories of the past cling to me like shadows, but I push them aside. This is who I am now. A weapon forged by the council. A tool for humanityโs survival.I turn and make my way back to m
Jennaโs POVThe morning light barely filters into the empty cell, casting long shadows across the cold, damp walls of my cell. I wake to the sound of shallow breathing and groans of pain coming from the cells around me. The air is thick with despair, but I refuse to let it seep into my bones. Across the hallway, Zephyr slumps against the bars of his cell, his golden eyes dull, his body weakened beyond recognition. He looks smaller somehow, like the weight of the bracelet has crushed not just his strength but his spirit. "Zephyr," I call softly, trying to coax him back into the present. He lifts his head slowly, his movements lethargic. "What is it, little flower?" His voice is weaker than yesterday, and hearing him like this fills me with dread. "You're not yourself," I say, gripping the bars of my own cell. "We need to figure out a way to fight back. Together." He chuckles darkly, the sound hollow. "Thereโs no fight left in me, Jenna. Theyโve taken it all." "Thatโs not true," I
Jennas PovThe guard steps into my cell, his baton raised high, ready to beat the rebellion out of me. He towers over me, his lips curled in a sneer, but I donโt back down. Instead, I meet his gaze head-on, defiance blazing in my eyes. โSit down and shut up,โ he barks, swinging the baton in a warning arc. I grit my teeth, my wolf growling just beneath the surface. โYou think you scare me? Youโve already lost.โ He steps closer, the heavy thud of his boots reverberating through the cell. As he lifts his arm to strike, a guttural, inhuman roar shatters the tension. Across the hallway, Zephyr has lunged to his feet, gripping the bars of his cell with trembling hands. His golden eyes burn with an intensity I havenโt seen in days. โGet away from her!โ he bellows, his voice raw and commanding. The guard turns, distracted for just a moment, but itโs enough. With a feral snarl, Zephyr sinks his teeth into his wrist. I watch in stunned silence as his jaws clamp down, and with a sickening c
Jenna's POV The air is thick with tension as we gather in the dim hallway, the faint smell of blood and sweat lingering after the fight. My breathing is still uneven, and my heart pounds in my chest as I scan the faces around me. For the first time in what feels like ages, thereโs hope in their eyes. We had all come together and fought for a good cause; to free ourselves. Wolves from different pack, rogues inclusive. That's all it'd needed to take, right? Unity. Greta, Raina, and Caleb are among the first to approach me, their faces flushed with relief. Without warning, they throw their arms around me, pulling me into a tight group hug. โI canโt believe weโre here,โ Raina whispers, her voice trembling. โJenna, if it werenโt for youโฆโ โYou gave us the courage to fight,โ Greta says, her grip firm. โWe never wouldโve knownโnever wouldโve believedโthat our strength came from within us.โ I try to speak, but the lump in my throat stops me. Instead, I let myself be held by them, their
Jackโs POV The silence is suffocating as we huddle together in the shadows of the councilโs mansionโEleanorโs lair. The structure looms ahead, its towering spires cutting into the night sky like jagged blades. From this distance, it looks deceptively quiet, but we all know better. Theyโre waiting for us. โListen up,โ I say, my voice low but firm as I look at the faces around me. Wolves from different packs, rogues, all of us brought together by the same goalโto end this. To make sure no one has to live under Eleanor never takes wolves as prisoners to do as she pleases again. The weight of leadership settles on my shoulders, but I welcome it. I have to get this right. โWe donโt have the luxury of a second chance,โ I continue, my hazel eyes locking on each of them. โWe do this clean. We do this together. And we donโt leave anyone behind.โ Raina nods sharply, her face set with determination. Caleb clenches his fists, a silent promise in his eyes. Greta stands beside him, the ten
Jennaโs POVThe moment Jack shoves the council chamber doors open, the trap is sprung. Flames explode across the room, roaring to life from hidden runes carved into the stone floor. The heat is instant, fierce, and blinding, forcing us back. Shadows shift as figures emerge from behind thick stone pillars, their weapons gleaming in the firelight. Eleanor stands at the center of it all, poised and elegant as ever, her hair catching the glow of the flames. Her smile is sharp, predatory, and it makes my stomach twist. โWelcome,โ she says, her voice dripping with mockery. โIโve been waiting for you.โ Her wolves step forward, forming a protective ring around her. I count a dozen at least, and I know there are more in the shadows. This isnโt a battle; itโs a slaughter waiting to happen. Jack growls low beside me, his hazel eyes flashing with fury. โEleanor.โ โJack,โ she replies smoothly, her gaze sweeping over all of us. โAnd youโve brought friends. How thoughtful. Itโll make thi
Jennaโs POVThe howl pierces through the chaos like a lifeline, but itโs not Eldris. Itโs someone else. Zephyr. The chamber doors crash open with a force that silences even the roaring flames. All eyes turn to him as he strides in, his golden eyes blazing with fury. The firelight dances across his figure, illuminating the rage etched into every line of his face. But it isnโt his anger that steals my breath. Itโs the figure in his arms. Veronica. Her body is limp, pale, and heartbreakingly fragile. The woman who saved me, who taught me to fight and gave me a reason to believe again, now looks as though she could slip away at any moment. โVeronica!โ My voice cracks, and my sword clatters to the ground as I run to her. I drop to my knees beside Zephyr as he gently lowers her to the floor. My hands tremble as I reach out, cradling her face. Her skin is ice-cold, her eyes fluttering weakly open. โItโs me,โ I whisper, tears blurring my vision. โItโs Jenna. Youโre safe now.โ Her lip
PrologueJennaโs POVThe house is a haven of warmth and calm, filled with the low hum of contentment. Outside, the world continues to bustleโthe sounds of childrenโs laughter echo through the air, accompanied by the chatter of pack members as they go about their tasks. Weโve 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 timeโour 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. โJenna,โ she says, her voice light. โI wa
Jennaโs 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. Itโs a sight that brings a pang of nostalgia to my chest, a reminder of the countless hours weโd spent together training, laughing, and sharing dreams of a better future. I approach her slowly, hesitant for reasons I canโt quite articulate. She notices me immediately, her lips curvi
Jackโs POV โAre you both joined together by the hip?โ 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. โWe did it!โ 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. โWe did it, even though we're no longer complete.โ Jenna steps back and looks at Raina, whose eyes are now wet with tears. โThe last thing I expected was Eleanor's betrayal.โJenna's shoulders slump in sadness as she nods. โAt least we still have Greta and Caleb.โRaina smiles again as she clasps Jenna's hands in hers. โAt least we still do.โ 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
Jackโs 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 sheโs come. Sheโs not the same woman I foolishly rejected all those years ago. Jenna has always been brave, but now sheโs a force to be reckoned withโa 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 Iโd lost. Maybe my reckless decision to reject her wasnโt just a mistake but a painful lesson I had to learn to truly see her worth. And gods, sheโs 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 herโof building something lasting when all this
Jackโs 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 Violetโs 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 sheโs feeling. Sheโs always been like that since we met againโstrong, 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 wasnโt judgment or anger I saw there, but confusion. Maybe even
Jenna's POVThe trek through the forest is quiet, somber. Jordan carries Violetโs body in his arms, his face set in a grim mask of determination. None of us speak, but the weight of what weโve 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 peopleโno longer strangers but alliesโstand a respectful distance away. Even Veronica, her frailty evident as she leans against Zephyr for support, watches silently.Jordan kneels, carefully laying Violetโs body on the grass. He brushes a strand of her hair away from her face, his hands trembling. โIโm taking her home,โ he says, his voice raw. โShe deserves to rest where she belonged.โFor a moment I wonder whether he even remembers that there is no home for now. โJordanโฆโ Jack steps forward. โCarrying her all that way isnโt practical. I
Jennaโs 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.Violetโs 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.Sheโs still kneeling where we had chained her. She doesnโt 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
Jennaโs POVThe laughter of the elders grates against every nerve in my body, but itโs Jordanโs raw cry that truly shatters me. The sound of his grief echoes through the chamber, cutting through the taunts and jeers like a blade. Violetโs lifeless body lies in his arms, her sacrifice an unbearable weight on all of us. โGet up, Jordan,โ Jack commands, his voice cold and fierce. His hazel eyes are fixed on the elders, blazing with an anger Iโve never seen before. โShe gave her life for this fight. Donโt let her sacrifice be in vain.โ Jordan doesnโt 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 darkerโpure, unrelenting rage. When he speaks, his voice is guttural, barely human. โYouโll pay for this.โ The ground beneath us trembles as Jordan rises, Violetโs body lifelessly la
Jennaโs 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 canโt 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 sheโs toying with him, her power radiating in waves. Nearby, Jordan fights with an unmatched intensity, his movements fueled by both desperation and determination. Heโs holding his own against a wiry elder, but I can see the strain in his stance, the exhaustion creeping into his limbs. โJordan, fall back!โ Jack shouts, his voice commanding even amidst the chaos. But Jordan doesnโt retreat. He presses on, his strikes fierce but reckless. I canโt blame himโhis daughter had not only betrayed her own pack but had been chained and kept