Dominic’s POV“That’s none of your business,” Penelope snapped, her green eyes blazing.I moved closer, backing her against a stone column. “Then why does she call Edward ‘Daddy’?”“She doesn’t.” Her nostrils flared. “You’re delusional.”“I heard her.” My voice rose. “She saw him coming and yelled ‘Daddy’!”“You’re hearing things.”“Why lie? Too embarrassed to admit you’ve replaced me so completely? New mate, new daddy for your kid?”“Edward isn’t her father,” Penelope hissed. “But he’s been more of one than her real father ever was.”“And who is that? Some random wolf you fucked after leaving me?”Her palm cracked against my cheek. It rang out so loudly people turned to stare. “Don’t you dare.”I grabbed her wrist before she could strike again. “Hit a nerve?”“Let go of me,” she snarled.“Tell me who he is.”“Go to hell.”“Is it someone I know? One of your father’s pack?” I tightened my grip. “Or did you leave already pregnant?”She jerked away, rubbing her wrist. “My life after you i
Penelope’s POVMy jaw ached from clenching my teeth during the confrontation with Dominic. My pulse still hammered against my throat as I tried to steady my breathing.Council members hurried past me, their whispers following like little daggers. They’d witnessed everything—Dominic’s possessiveness, my rejection, Debbie’s existence revealed. The political fallout would be a nightmare. Pack alliances hinged on less scandalous revelations than my secret child.At least she was safe.Ryan barreled toward me. His eyes bulged with panic, red blotches covering his neck. His normally slicked-back hair stood in disarray, as if he’d been tearing at it. Clearly, he was still searching for Debbie.“Princess!” He skidded to a stop, gasping for air. “D-Debbie—I can’t—she was right beside me and then—” He bent over, hands on knees. “One second checking a security alert on my phone, and she—she vanished!”“Calm down, she’s safe, but how could you?” I hissed, digging my fingernails into my palms to ke
Penelope’s POVMy fingers jerked a little as I accepted the strawberry cone from Edward. A small drop of pink landed on my wrist, sliding down to my pulse point.The sweetness, as it hit my nose, cut through the scent of Dominic that somehow still clung to my clothes from our confrontation.“Thank you,” I said, running my tongue along the edge of the ice cream.The cold, sweet flavor burst across my tongue, bringing back childhood memories of summer pack gatherings. A strange impulse seized me then.“Edward, would you like to join us tonight? It’s my father’s sixty-fifth birthday dinner.”I surprised myself with the invitation. My father’s birthday dinners were sacred, family-only affairs.Edward’s eyebrows shot up, his eyes widening. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to intrude on a family celebration. Birthday dinners are usually private matters.”“I’m sure.”The certainty in my voice surprised even me. Something about his gesture, so simple yet thoughtful, broke through barriers I hadn
Penelope’s POVMy hand flew to my throat, fingertips brushing the tender spots where the beast had tried to strangle me. I’d forgotten about the marks in all the chaos with Debbie and Dominic. The skin felt hot, pulsating faintly under my touch.“It’s nothing,” I lied, dropping my hand quickly. “Just a training accident.”My father growled, the sound rumbling low in his chest like thunder. He rose from his chair, crossing the room in three swift strides. His fingers gently tilted my chin up, exposing the full extent of the bruising.“Those are handprints,” he said flatly. “Someone tried to choke you. These aren’t training bruises.”Debbie looked up from where she’d been arranging decorative pillows on the floor, her eyes widening. “Mommy has an owie?”“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Mommy just had an accident. Nothing to worry about.”She frowned, unconvinced. “Does it hurt? Want me to kiss it better? Grandma says kisses have magic.”Before I could answer, my
Penelope’s POVI froze, my fork suspended midway to my mouth. “Awaken my lineage?” The piece of roast fell back to my plate. “Is that even possible?”My father’s eyes locked with mine across the birthday candles. The flames reflected in his pupils, ancient and knowing.“It’s not only possible—it’s necessary.” He pushed his plate away and leaned forward. “The marks on your neck confirm our worst fears. These mutations, these attacks…they’re targeted, Penelope.”Edward shifted beside me, his knee brushing mine under the table. “Alpha Nathan, forgive my ignorance, but I understood the Moon God lineage awakens naturally in times of extreme need.”My father shook his head. “Not always. Sometimes it requires…assistance.”“What kind of assistance?” I asked, my stomach knotting.Debbie squirmed in her booster seat, chocolate smeared across her chin. “What’s a lin-ee-age, Mommy?”Before I could answer, my mother stood abruptly. “Debbie, darling, would you like to see Grandpa’s birthday cake? It
Penelope’s POVI tucked the blanket around Debbie’s small body, smoothing it under her chin. Her eyelids fluttered, fighting sleep even as exhaustion pulled her under.“One more story?” she pleaded, voice thick with sleepiness.“Not tonight, sweetheart.” I kissed her forehead, breathing in her clean scent of baby shampoo and innocence. “Mommy has to go out for a little while.”“With Edward?” She yawned, eyes already closing.I hesitated. “Yes. And Grandpa.”“He’s nice.” Her words slurred as sleep claimed her. “Makes you smile…”I watched her drift off, wondering if she was right. Did Edward make me smile? After years of Dominic’s cruelty, I’d forgotten what genuine happiness felt like. Now wasn’t the time to analyze my feelings. I had a ritual to face.I slipped from her room, closing the door quietly behind me. I stared down the empty hallway, dreading what awaited me at its end. Every step toward tonight’s ritual felt heavy, like walking into quicksand.In the living room, I jumped a
Penelope’s POVI stood at the lake’s edge, my bare feet sinking into cool, damp sand. The water shimmered under the full moon, unnaturally still despite the night breeze that tousled my hair.“Step onto the altar,” my father instructed. “The moon must touch your skin directly.”I moved to the stone platform jutting into the lake. Its surface felt ice-cold against my feet. The pack elders formed a semi-circle behind me and begin to chant in their high, melodious voices.“What happens now?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady.My father nodded to the oldest elder—Gerrard, whose white beard reached his waist. The ancient wolf raised gnarled hands toward the moon and began an incantation in a language I didn’t recognize.The lake responded immediately. Ripples spread outward from the altar, though nothing had disturbed the surface. The water started to glow silver-blue, pulsing in time with the elder’s chanting.“Papa?” I called anxiously.“Watch,” he replied, his eyes fixed on the
Penelope’s POVThe elders departed one after another, their ceremonial robes disappearing into the darkness like ghosts.I stood by the emptied lake, my legs still shaky from the failed ritual. The water rippled where the Moon Goddess tear had returned, a perfect circle expanding outward until it touched the shore where I stood.My father approached. “Are you unwell?” he asked, stopping beside me.I shook my head, though nausea still churned in my stomach. The moonlight striking my face highlighted my pallor.“I’ll survive,” I said firmly. “Disappointed, but resilient.”“Good,” he replied, squeezing my shoulder. “We don’t show weakness, not even when alone.” He glanced toward Edward, who waited several yards away, pretending not to watch us. “See him to the territory gates. I’ll expect you at home afterward.”“Yes, Papa.” I nodded, my mind still reeling from everything that had happened—the ritual, the sabotage, the mysterious corpses in our sacred lake.Edward fell into step beside me
Penelope’s POVThe world stopped turning. My lungs forgot how to breathe. Edward froze beside me, his face draining of color.Dominic leaned against the doorframe, his clothes torn and bloody, his skin covered in dirt and scratches. His gray eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my skin prickle. Despite his injuries, he stood straight.“You’re alive?” Edward asked, his voice oddly flat.“Are you disappointed?” Dominic replied coldly.Something in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. What did he mean by that? I glanced at Edward, whose hands had tightened into fists at his sides.Edward recovered quickly, his shocked expression morphing into relief so perfect it almost seemed rehearsed. “What are you talking about? We were all worried about you.”I stood up, my body moving without conscious thought. My feet took one step forward, then stopped. Every cell in me wanted to run to Dominic, to touch him, to confirm he was real and not a grief-induced hallucination. The relief ma
Penelope’s POV“Her condition has stabilized,” the healer told me, glancing at the monitors surrounding Debbie’s small bed. “The wolf vine extract neutralized most of the silver toxin. Your blood transfusion did the rest.”I nodded automatically, barely processing his words. My body felt hollow, like someone had scooped out my insides and left nothing but an empty shell.“She needs rest now,” he continued. “The IV will keep her hydrated. With luck, she’ll wake by morning.”“Thank you,” I mumbled.The healer patted my shoulder awkwardly before leaving the room. The door clicked shut behind him. Silence settled over us.I stared at my daughter’s face. Her color had improved. Her breathing came easier now. The immediate danger had passed. I should have felt relieved, but the weight on my chest only grew heavier.Dominic. Gone.My phone rang. Ryan’s name flashed on the screen. I grabbed it, heart leaping into my throat.“Did you find him?” I demanded.“We’ve searched the area below the cli
Dominic’s POVThe wind whipped around me as I plummeted through darkness. My stomach lurched into my throat. Time slowed. Each second stretched into eternity as gravity pulled me toward certain death.I reached out, fingers grasping at nothing but air. The cliff face disappeared above me, Edward’s silhouette growing smaller against the night sky.My life didn’t flash before my eyes like people claimed. Instead, a single face filled my mind: Penelope. Her green eyes, her stubborn chin, the way she protected Debbie so fiercely.“I’m sorry,” I whispered into the rushing air.The ground rushed up. I closed my eyes, bracing for impact. This was it.Something solid crashed into me mid-air. Not the ground—something warm and alive. My eyes flew open as strong limbs wrapped around my torso. A powerful body collided with mine, absorbing the momentum of my fall.We hit the ground hard but not fatally. The breath exploded from my lungs. Pain shot through my back, but it wasn’t the shattering pain
Penelope’s POVI looked around the room, scanning for any sign of Dominic. The hallway behind Edward remained empty. My gaze returned to Edward, a hint of urgency creeping into my voice.“Didn’t Dominic come back with you?”Edward’s face fell, his expression shifting to one of dejection. He lowered his head, unable to meet my eyes for several long seconds. When he finally looked up, his amber eyes showed what appeared to be genuine sorrow.“There was an accident,” he said softly. “We were both trying to reach the wolf vine. It was growing on the cliff face, difficult to access.” He paused, swallowing hard. “We accidentally fell off the cliff while fighting for the wolf vine.”My breath caught in my throat.“I managed to grab onto a ledge,” Edward continued. “But Dominic…” He shook his head slowly. “Competition is competition, but I never thought it would turn out like this.”His words crashed in my mind, echoing painfully inside my skull. My heart ached as if physically torn in two. A
Penelope’s POVI sat in the clinic room, the wound on my arm throbbing faintly beneath the bandages. The pain medication had dulled the worst of it, but nothing could numb the ache in my heart as I stared at Debbie’s small form on the hospital bed.My daughter lay unconscious, her skin unnaturally pale against the white sheets. Tubes and monitoring equipment surrounded her, beeping steadily with each heartbeat.I stroked her little hand with my fingers, willing her to wake up, to open her eyes and call me “Mommy” again.Outside the window, the sky was darkening. Night was falling, and still no word from Dominic or Edward. The wolf vine they sought was Debbie’s only hope, according to the healers.As I watched the shadows lengthen across the floor, a strange sensation washed over me. My heart gave a sudden, painful lurch, as if something important had been torn away. The feeling was so intense I gasped, my hand flying to my chest.“Are you alright?” A nurse checking Debbie’s vitals look
Third Person POVThe question about Edward’s Rogue characteristics distracted Dominic slightly, causing him to fall behind a few steps. He immediately refocused and accelerated his pursuit, pushing his muscles harder to make up the lost ground.The two wolves reached the cliff top almost simultaneously, both panting from the exertion. They reverted to their human forms, bodies materializing from fur and muscle.Standing at the edge of the cliff, they looked down at the steep rock face below. Several emerald green wolf vines swayed gently in the wind, their silver-edged leaves gleaming in the moonlight.Dominic and Edward exchanged a glance, mutual understanding passing between them despite their animosity. They simultaneously took a step toward the cliff edge, each determined to be the one to retrieve the life-saving plant.“Wait,” Edward said suddenly, his eyes widening as he looked past Dominic’s shoulder. “Look! Penelope’s coming?”Dominic turned reflexively, his head whipping aroun
Third Person POVAfter the bandaging was done, Penelope’s body temperature dropped dramatically. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably as shock set in. The silver toxin, though removed from her wounds, had sapped her strength and left her system vulnerable.Edward reacted quickly. He slipped off his expensive suit jacket and draped it gently over her shoulders. The fabric, still warm from his body, enveloped her like a protective shield.“Thank you,” Penelope said weakly, pulling the jacket tighter around herself.Dominic watched the exchange, a pang of jealousy twisting in his chest. He stood awkwardly by the examination bed, suddenly aware he had nothing to offer her—he’d already torn his shirt into bandages.The emergency room doors suddenly burst open with a bang that echoed through the corridor. A healer strode out, his white coat stained with alarming amounts of blood.Dark circles shadowed his eyes as he removed his surgical mask. His expression, grave and exhausted, sent ice throu
Penelope’s POVI burst through the clinic doors, Debbie limping in my arms. “Help!” I screamed. “My daughter needs help!”Medical staff in white coats immediately surrounded us. A female healer with silver-streaked hair took Debbie from me.“Silver poisoning,” she diagnosed immediately, seeing the residue on my daughter’s neck. “Get her to emergency room three!”They whisked Debbie away on a gurney, leaving me standing in the hallway, my arms suddenly empty. The adrenaline that had kept me going evaporated instantly. My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto a bench against the wall.Trembling overtook my body as I stared at the wounds on my arm. Blood continued to seep through Dominic’s makeshift bandages, dripping onto the white tile floor. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the crimson drops. My vision tunneled, focusing only on the blood that matched what had stained Debbie’s little dress.Edward moved first, squatting in front of me. He took my hands in his, trying to catch my unfocus
Dominic’s POVI leaned across the table, keeping my voice low enough that nearby diners couldn’t hear. “There are many suspicious points about Ruby’s death. The knife wound on her stomach didn't match the mutant’s attack pattern. Your convenient arrival at the scene. The fact that you were the only witness.”Edward’s face hardened instantly. “Are you implying I had something to do with her death?”“I’m simply pointing out facts,” I replied. “Strange coincidences surrounding you.”“That’s slander,” Edward said sternly. “Be very careful about making such accusations without evidence, Dominic. My family name carries significant weight in pack politics.”“Threats now?” I asked. “That’s telling.”Edward’s lips curved into a cold smile. He abruptly changed the subject. “Speaking of danger, I hear your pack territory has recently seen frequent occurrences of mutated werewolves. The Council has marked it as a high-risk area, hasn’t it?” His tone turned mocking. “Hardly seems like you could pro