Akiraโs POVI was bent over, feeding the chickens in the poultry house, when I felt a firm grip on my waist. Someone pressed against me from behind, and I didnโt even need to turn around to know who it was. His scent gave him away immediatelyโit was Hunter. My wolf had already started that little jiggle it did lately whenever he was around, and I knew why. Ever since I her given her a taste of what it felt like to be close to her mate, she had been craving more.โHunter,โ I murmured with a smile, turning to face him. His mischievous grin matched mine. I hadnโt seen him since the night of our outing as I woke up the next morning to see him gone, but here he was. Remembering that night alone made my chest flatter.โI was starting to think you didnโt recognize me,โ Hunter teased, his eyes gleaming with humor.I laughed softly. โHow could I not? I can smell you from miles away.โHe chuckled, leaning closer. โReally? I thought your wolf wasnโt that sharp, considering how you struggle to c
Hunterโs POVI was sitting at my desk, going through some files when soft music played in the background, helping me concentrate. I had always found a certain calmness in moments like these, but today, my mind kept wandering back to Akira. The thought of her made me smile as I worked. The intense feeling we share lately was surprising but and it was hard to keep my mind off of her. As I hummed softly to the music, suddenly, the door to my room burst open.Seth stormed in, his face twisted in fury. I was taken aback by the sheer rage radiating off him. He looked like he was ready to tear something apart.โWhoa, Seth, whatโs wrong? You look like youโre about to murder someone,โ I asked, half-joking but concerned. It wasnโt often I saw him like this.Seth wasnโt in the mood for humor, judging that he didnโt laugh at my joke. His eyes were blazing, and his fists clenched tightly by his sides. โI told you, Hunter. I told you my gut was right, but you didnโt want to believe me. Whatโs the
Akiraโs POVThe heat of the afternoon clung to me like a second skin as I stepped into my room, as I wiped the sweat from my forehead. I had just finished working in the garden with the other servants, and all I wanted was a quick shower and some time to cool off. My shirt clung to my body, and I was halfway through undressing my shirt when the door burst open.Startled, I spun around to see Seth storming in, his face twisted with anger. Behind him, Hunter entered slowly, his expression more controlled but no less tense. My heart jumped into my throat.โWhatโs going on?โ I asked, confused and trying to keep my voice steady.Seth didnโt answer right away. He stood just a few feet in front of me, his fists clenched like he was holding back the urge to snap. Hunter walked past him, his eyes locking with mine. He didnโt say a word, just reached out and gently pulled my shirt back over my shoulder, covering my half-exposed body.His hands lingered there for a moment, resting on my shoul
Akiraโs POVSeth ordered the men to search the entire room, not just the cupboards. I didnโt even flinch. My mind was elsewhere, trying to figure out where the phone could be. The two men turned the room upside down, searching every corner and crevice. Every few minutes, they reported back to Seth, shaking their heads and confirming they found nothing.I watched them, but I wasnโt truly focused. All I could think about was the missing phone.Seth's gaze darted around suspiciously before ordering the men to search Lisa and Brielleโs rooms. More minutes passed, and I could hear the sound of things being tossed around from the adjacent rooms. Finally, the men returned, confirming thoughtโthey had found nothing. All this time, I hadnโt said a word. My heart was pounding, my mind running wild with questions. Where was the phone?Then, Sethโs voice snapped me back to the moment. โSearch her,โ he ordered.Just as the men moved toward me, Hunterโs voice cut through the tension. โThatโs eno
Sethโs POVI was pacing up and down the hallway after leaving Akiraโs room, my mind a mess of anger and frustration; it was inside simmering inside of me like boiling pot of water ready to explode. Something was gnawing at meโthis couldnโt be a coincidence. It had to be her. Every instinct screamed that she was the one, and Aldof couldnโt be wrong either. Thereโs no way both of us were wrong. Maybe she saw us coming and hid whatever she was using to communicate with Alpha Jackson. Ever since that overpampered girl came into this house, nothing has felt right. Everything is falling apart, and innocent people are paying the price for her betrayal. The worst part is that what frustrated me more than anything was how Hunter was handling the whole situation.The old Hunter I knew wouldnโt have hesitated nor let this slide. He was the Alpha who didnโt tolerate nonsense, always was quick to act, he was the one who acted ruthless and decisively no matter who was involved. But now... itโs li
Hunterโs POVI climbed over the fence of Alpha Sabastineโs estate, careful not to make a sound. The night was pitch-black, and I could barely make out the guards patrolling the grounds. They walked lazily, probably thinking they had nothing to worry about at this hour. But thatโs exactly why I chose nowโpast midnightโwhen everyoneโs guard was down.When they never expect I Hunter to be here.I had already calculated the time it would take to get to Reidvilla and finish this mission, then return to Melford before anyone even noticed I was gone. No one knew I was here; not even Seth. This was my battle, and I had to see it through alone.I scaled the wall of the house with the help of my wolf claws, moving swiftly and silently. I had done this enough times that it came naturally, but tonight was different. My arm throbbed from the injury Iโd sustained on my last mission here. Doctor Dennis would be so mad right now to see me doing this, as he had told me hundred times to rest, but I c
Hunterโs POVI returned home well past midnight, feeling a sense of satisfaction deep in my chest. The mission had gone exactly as I plannedโSebastian was dead, and his sick legacy had finally been put to an end. That raid where I had nearly lost my life and lost three good men had taught me to never go into a fight without a backup plan. This time, I had both Plan A and Plan B, and thankfully, I didnโt need the latter.They say revenge never brings satisfaction, but for once, it did. Not just for myself, but for my men who died fighting by my side. The only thing I regretted was not torturing that bastard Sebastian. But time wasnโt on my side, and I wasnโt about to lose myself to the same darkness that consumed him.I wasnโt him, and I would never be.As I walked through the house, I found walking to the garden. It was my favorite place to think; a small, enclosed area filled with vibrant flowers of every kind. The scent of jasmine and roses filled the air, and the soft rustling of
Alpha Jackson POVI tossed the girl around again, making sure the buyers could get a good look at her. She was young, about 16, and in good shape. She would bring in a lot of money, especially for an experienced trafficker like the old man standing before me. But like always, selling them was the hardest part. Everyone wanted a good deal, but no one wanted to pay for high quality.โOh, come on,โ I said, my voice smooth, almost rehearsed. โLook at her! She's strong, able-bodied, and perfect for a variety of tasks. Put her on the streets, and youโll be making hundreds, if not thousands, every week. Youโll have your investment back in no time.โThe old Phil gave me a skeptical look, tossing the girl around like she was a piece of meat. She cringed, but kept her head bowed, clearly scared. โIโll give you 30,000 usd,โ he said, his voice firm. โIโve got more to buy today; she wonโt be the only one.โI tightened my jaw. Old Phil had been doing business with me for over ten years, and while I
Akiraโs POVI stood by the window of my room, dressed in my wedding gown; something I had once thought I might never wear. The white fabric felt cool against my skin, flowing down to the floor in elegant waves. The sun outside was setting, forming warm golden hues over the trees and hills. It was the perfect backdrop for the ceremony Hunter and I had decided onโ a wedding in the heart of the estate, surrounded by our pack.I couldnโt stop smiling. The happiness that had been radiating from me since the moment Hunter proposed refused to fade. Everything feltโฆ right. The pack was thriving, and after months of challenges and uncertainty, the members now looked at me as their Luna.When did that happen? Was it when I stood up to Jacksonโs men and rescued the kidnapped school children? Or was it the day I killed Jackson myself, ending his trafficking business? Maybe it was when August confessed to the crimes I had been wrongfully accused of. I wasnโt sure exactly when the shift occurred
Hunterโs POVThe flower room was where I always found Akira when she needed a different kind of solace. It was her sanctuaryโ and, over time, it became mine too. The scent of roses, in full bloom, mixed with the faint traces of her unique floral aroma. This room was more than just a collection of beautiful flowers; it held the memories of us. We had laughed here, fought here, and even shared our most intimate moments. It was the one place where we could be ourselves without interruptions from pack members, guards, or the chaos of leadership.With two glasses of blood wine in my hands, I entered the room, a smile tugging at my lips. Akira was seated on the wooden bench surrounded by cascading vines of red and pink roses. Her eyes were closed as she took in a deep breath of the fragrant air, a small, contented smile curving her lips.I leaned against the doorframe for a moment, just watching her; my mate. How did I get so lucky to have someone like her?โEnjoying yourself?โ I teased, s
Akiraโs POVHunter and I prepared for the council meeting even though the atmosphere was tensed. It was the first time in years that he and the Council of Older Alphas were in agreement over anything. For once, the council wasnโt against us, and this time, the stakes were higher than ever.They had come to us in desperation, pleading for help to stop Alpha Lupinโmy father. According to them, Lupin had grown more dangerous, killing four older alphas who dared to stand against him. They called him a tyrant, a rogue disguised as a leader, but I didnโt need their words to convince me.I had seen it with my own eyes. The memory of my fatherโs hands around my throat, squeezing the life out of me, still haunted my dreams. The man I had once admired as a little girl had turned into a monster, and now, the entire werewolf community feared him.Hunter, however, was hesitant to get involved. When the council approached us, their desperation clear, Hunter had outright refused. "These are the sa
Akiraโs POVThe morning light filtered through my bedroom window as I stared at the message on my phone for the seventh time that day.โHello baby girl, itโs Dad. Can you please come home? I miss you and wish to see you. Love, Dad.โI sighed, the words blurring as I read them again. It wasnโt the first message I had received from him, but it was the first one I seriously considered answering. The last time I saw my fatherโ alive and breathingโ I had frozen in fear. The cafรฉ where we had met had felt like a dream, a surreal encounter with a ghost from my past.Hunterโs words echoed in my mind from the other night under the oak tree. At least heโs alive. That should bring you peace.Was it peace? I didnโt know anymore. I was glad I hadnโt pulled the trigger that night, but knowing what my father had done, maybe I should have. The lives he ruined, the people he hurtโ those memories haunted me. But I wasnโt the one to pass judgment on his life.Still, I had questions. I needed answersโ no
Hunterโs POVThe cool evening breeze brushed against my face as I stood in the middle of the memorial grounds. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and pine, mingling with the subtle hint of tension that seemed to pulse from the men standing behind me. They were all hereโ every pack member I could summon at a momentโs notice.They were confused, of course.Meetings like this were typically held in the hall, not out here among the graves of our fallen brothers and sisters. Some assumed I had gathered them here to honor those weโd lost, but that wasnโt the reason.My eyes scanned the quiet land that has the ashes of each one of the pack member remembering the lives weโd buried. Here was a reminder of the failures that had led us here. But tonight wasnโt about mourning.It was about justice.It had been over an hour since I sent word for August to meet us, and, as usual, he was late. I gritted my teeth.He always made a show of being unreachable, of having something more imp
Hunterโs POVThe night was calm, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the old oak tree under which Akira often sat. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the pack's territory. The chilly air was soothing, but I doubted it could ease the storm inside me.I hadnโt found Akira in our room earlier, but I knew where sheโd be. The oak tree had always been her refugeโ a place where she could think. As I walked toward it, my mind replayed the shocking revelations Adolf had shared.I knew tonightโs conversation would be heavy, and I hoped the peaceful night would soften the blow.When I reached the tree, there she was, sitting on the swing attached to one of its sturdy branches. Her dark hair swayed in the breeze, and her hands rested limply on her lap. She was lost in thought, so much so that she didnโt even notice me approach.I stepped closer and sat beside her, the creak of the wooden swing breaking the silence. I turned to look at her, and my chest tensed. Her fa
Hunterโs POVI sat in the corner of the faintly lit pub, my hood pulled low over my face. The smell of stale beer and fried food mixed with the faint tang of sweat and spilled liquor in the air. It was noisy, crowded, and the last place anyone would expect to find meโHunter Silver, Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack.I hated being here. Not just because it was beneath me, but because it was dangerous. Any one of my enemies could be watching, ready to strike. But Adolf had insisted on meeting here, saying he had critical information about the spy in my pack. It wasnโt every day someone dared to exploit me, and I wanted to see if he was bluffing.I checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. One hour late. My patience was wearing thin. If Adolf doesnโt show up soon, Iโm dragging his sorry ass here myself, I thought, clenching my jaw.The occasional whispers and stolen glances from the people sitting and drinking in the pub annoyed me. Some of the people there had recognized me bu
Akiraโs POVI sat cross-legged on my bed, staring blankly at the open book in my lap. The words on the page blurred together, no matter how hard I tried to focus. I must have read the same paragraph ten times, but nothing stuck. I find myself reading the same passage close to ten times. My brain was like an empty cavern, unable to process anything.It wasnโt the bookโs fault. My thoughts were consumed by the nightmare Iโd had last night. Or was it a dream? I wasnโt sure, but whatever it was, it had shaken me to my core.Hunter had tried to reassure me. โDreams are just your mind playing tricks, you should pay more attention on it,โ heโd said earlier, pulling me close as I recounted the strange experience. But no matter how many times he said it, I couldnโt shake the feeling that the dream meant something. And aside what it truly meant, everything thing in that dream felt real, especially when my father was stabbing those women, those helpless women who did nothing wrong to him. Com
Augustโs POVThe transformation was startling. I stood by the door, watching Alpha Lupin comb his fingers through his now neatly trimmed hair, gathering it into a bun that gave him a sharp, almost regal look.He had trimmed his once unruly beard, and the wildness that had consumed him in the cave was now masked beneath a calculated exterior. Yet, his eyesโthose sharp, piercing eyesโstill burned with the same ruthlessness that had once made him the most feared name in our world.It wasnโt his appearance that commanded respect; it was the aura that clung to him, dark and unyielding. He wasnโt just an alphaโhe was a force of nature, the kind that toppled hierarchies and sent seasoned wolves cowering.โLooking good,โ I said with a sly grin, arms crossed as I leaned against the wall.Lupin turned to me, his lips curling in a faint smirk. โGood enough to reclaim whatโs mine?โโMore than,โ I replied. My chest swelled with pride. Today was the day I proved my loyaltyโand my cunning.The counc