Edward’s POVI stalked through the forest, irritation simmering just beneath my calm. Ruby trailed behind me, chattering constantly.It was grating on my nerves. This hunt had already become a colossal waste of time.Being paired with Penelope—that had been the plan. Another opportunity to strengthen her trust, to ensure she viewed me as her safe harbor against Dominic’s aggression.Instead, I found myself babysitting this vapid Highland heiress while my prey spent her time with her former mate.“Have you ever seen one before? A mutant wolf?” Ruby asked, skipping to catch up. “What do they look like? Are they really as dangerous as everyone says?”I gritted my teeth. “Focus on the hunt.”“I am focused,” she insisted, pouting. “I’m just curious. No one from my pack has encountered one yet.”I had to admit, Ruby possessed extraordinary beauty—more so than Penelope, with her long black curls, flawless porcelain skin and amber eyes.Beauty meant nothing. Power was everything. And Penelope’
Penelope’s POVThe forest sounds faded as Dominic and I dragged the mutant’s carcass into the main clearing. Hunters gathered around, pointing and murmuring at our gruesome trophy. Blood still dripped from its matted fur, leaving a dark trail behind us.Elder Thomas stepped forward, leaning on his cane. “Well done! The first successful mutant hunt of the day.”Before we could respond, frantic shouting erupted from the east side of the camp. Heads turned as a figure sprinted toward us.Edward.He carried something in his arms—no, someone. Ruby’s dark hair hung limply over his forearm, her body limp and bloodied beyond recognition. Edward’s clothes were torn and spattered with blood. His face was contorted in anguish.“Help!” he yelled hoarsely. “Someone help!”Hunters rushed forward as Edward collapsed to his knees, still cradling Ruby’s mangled body. I pushed through the crowd, Dominic close behind me.Ruby was barely recognizable. Her throat gaped open, viscera exposed where her abdom
Dominic’s POVRuby’s funeral commenced at sunset.Hunters gathered around the ceremonial pyre, their faces solemn in the fading light. Her parents had arrived an hour earlier—her mother weeping uncontrollably over the shrouded body. Her father stood rigidly beside her, jaw clenched against his grief.I hung back, observing from a distance. This death felt wrong. Not just tragic, but suspicious.Edward stood before the assembly, his head bowed respectfully. “Ruby Highland was vibrant, passionate, and brave,” he began, his voice cracking. “Her life was cut short by the very threat we gathered here to face.”As he continued his eulogy, I circled around to the back of the gathering. Under the pretense of adjusting Ruby’s ceremonial shroud, I approached her body. Edward’s eyes flickered toward me repeatedly as he spoke, though he never broke his eulogy.“She died as she lived—fearlessly,” he proclaimed, dabbing at his eyes.I leaned over Ruby’s body, nostrils flaring as I inspected her woun
Edward’s POVI gripped the steering wheel tightly as highway lines streaked past. The car’s engine roared, masking the chaos of my thoughts.Dominic’s suspicious glances during the funeral replayed in my mind. His questions about Ruby’s knife wound had been too pointed, too knowing.He needed to be eliminated—and soon. If not killed outright, then framed and disgraced. Something to destroy his credibility among the packs, to make him lose the trust he’d spent generations building.I glanced at Penelope beside me. She gazed out the passenger window, her profile illuminated by passing headlights. Sadness etched lines around her mouth. Perfect.“Are you alright?” I asked softly. “You seem exhausted.”She sighed, not turning from the window. “I keep thinking about Ruby. How quickly life can end.”“Try not to dwell on it,” I advised, reaching across to take her hand. “Death is part of our existence, but so is survival. I’ll protect you—always.”Her fingers remained limp in mine, neither acc
Dominic’s POVThe test results paper crumpled in my fist as I drove. Jarek’s words kept repeating in my head—the DNA test showed Debbie wasn’t my daughter.I had called him three times today, asking if there was a mistake. Each time he firmly told me the results were absolutely accurate. The genetic markers didn’t match at all. There was zero possibility of paternity.“I ran it twice to be certain, Alpha,” Jarek had said when he delivered the report. “The child cannot be yours.”I rolled down the window, needing fresh air. The wind blew against my face as I drove aimlessly through pack territories. Street signs lost all meaning.My mind kept replaying Debbie’s smile when she called me “Uncle Ice Cream” at the training camp. Her innocent face, her little voice—all of it contrasted sharply with the cold test results.Five years.For five years, I’d believed Penelope left because I treated her badly after Isabella’s death. I blamed myself for pushing her away. Now I discovered she’d been
Kelsey’s POVLuna Sophia wanted a “proper” mate for her son—one with ancient bloodlines and important pack connections. Not me.I arranged flowers outside her quarters, forcing a smile whenever pack members walked past. The roses pricked my fingers, drawing blood that stained the white petals red.Word had spread quickly through the servants—the Alpha’s mother actively sought new Luna candidates from neighboring packs.After five years of waiting, of serving Dominic loyally while he mourned his runaway mate, I still didn’t measure up in Sophia’s eyes. Yesterday she dismissed me mid-sentence when I brought her afternoon tea.She barely acknowledged me while studying charts of eligible females from nearby territories, so I needed to act immediately.Night fell over the pack house. Most wolves attended the emergency council meeting about the mutant attacks, leaving the corridors nearly empty as I moved silently through the halls. My bare feet made no sound against the floors.Near the cou
Penelope’s POV“Stand still, sweetie.”I adjusted Debbie’s training uniform while she wriggled impatiently. “Is it time yet? Is it time?” she asked for the tenth time since breakfast, her voice bubbling with excitement.“Stop squirming,” I grunted, finally getting the second arm through. “I can’t dress you properly when you’re bouncing around like this.”“I can’t help it!” Debbie giggled. Her small feet pattered rapidly on the wooden floor of her bedroom. “Miss Lyra said I might get to try partial shifting today if I do really well!”I tugged the uniform into place, checking that the protective padding covered her vital areas. Today would be my first time watching her progress at the Rainbow Claw Training Camp. The instructors had sent glowing reports, but I needed to see it for myself.“Arms up,” I instructed, fastening the side buckles.Debbie instantly raised her hands, still bouncing on her toes. I smiled as she did. Something about her excitement warmed me to the core.I crouched
Penelope’s POVI stood at the edge of the training ground, my heart swelling with pride as Debbie shifted effortlessly between her human and wolf forms. Her small body glowed briefly during each transition before settling into her pup form—a beautiful silver-white wolf that shined brighter than any of the other young ones.“Remarkable coat she has,” my father noted, standing beside me. “Much brighter than normal for her age.”I nodded, unable to take my eyes off my daughter. The little wolf darted through the training course, leaping over low barriers and ducking through tunnels. Her speed impressed even the hardened trainers who nodded approvingly.“She’s a natural,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual though pride threatened to burst from my chest.My father tapped his wooden staff against the ground. “The Moon bloodline runs strong in her.”I tensed slightly. Comments about bloodlines always made me nervous, especially regarding Debbie.“The trainers say she has exceptional contr
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