(Penelope)My heart hammered in my chest, but I’d be damned if I let him see how his touch still sent a flicker of heat through me. Not anymore.“Penelope!”I didn’t stop. Didn’t even glance back.“What, Dominic?” I tossed the words over my shoulder, my voice sharp and laced with sarcasm.“Did you finally figure out what it feels like to chase someone who doesn’t want you? Or is this just your sad attempt at a role reversal?”He caught up, his hand grabbing my elbow. I spun around, yanking my arm free. “Harass me again, and security will throw you out.”His face darkened, but before he could respond, a shrill voice cut through the conversation.“You bitch!”I whipped around to see Kelsey charging toward me, her face contorted with rage, dark curls bouncing wildly. Pack members scattered out of her path as she stormed across the ceremonial grounds.“How dare you seduce my mate and hit him!” Kelsey screamed, drawing every eye in the Great Hall. She raised her hand, ready to deliver a sla
(Penelope)I stood frozen on the terrace, my father’s words sinking in like teeth into flesh.“What do you mean Edward will be there tonight?” I asked, gripping the phone tighter.“Exactly what I said,” my father replied bluntly. “Alpha Benjamin’s son will attend the banquet. He’s eager to meet you.”“The arranged marriage partner you never bothered to tell me about?”“It’s been in motion for months, Penelope. Edward is a suitable match. Strong bloodline, excellent pack connections.”“And what about my opinion?” I snapped. “Five years free from Dominic, and you’re already trading me to another Alpha’s son?”“This isn’t a negotiation,” he said firmly. “The alliance with Benjamin’s pack secures our southern borders.”“Maybe focus on your pack conglomerate and your daughter rather than using me as a bargaining chip,” I argued hotly.“Everything has already been arranged properly,” he replied coldly. “Edward expects a dance tonight, at minimum.”“Father—”The call ended abruptly, leaving
(Dominic)I slouched on the black leather couch in the bar area, swirling my fourth glass of bourbon. The ice had melted into a watery mess, but I couldn’t care less. My eyes were glued to her.Five years. That’s all it took for Penelope to go from the quiet, broken girl I used to know to the woman who now owned every damn room she walked into.This Penelope stood tall. Her voice cut through conversations, leaving silence in its wake.Her eyes—those green eyes I once refused to look into—now assessed everyone coolly, revealing nothing.A stranger wearing my mate’s face.“Alpha Dominic? Another drink?”“Leave the bottle,” I growled.The server placed it on the table and retreated quickly. Smart move.My mood darkened by the minute as I watched pack leaders approach Penelope, bowing respectfully. Since when did anyone bow to her?“She seems to be enjoying herself,” James remarked, appearing beside me.“I didn’t ask for your observation,” I snapped harshly.“The council members are aski
(Penelope)A slow waltz played as Edward guided me onto the dance floor. I placed my hand lightly on his shoulder, maintaining a gap between us as we began to move.“You’re quite good at this.”“Five years of formal pack gatherings at Iron Mountain. My father insisted I learn every traditional dance.”“Mine too,” Edward laughed softly. “Though he called it ‘essential Alpha training’ rather than dancing lessons.”I smiled despite myself. On the dance floor, I caught glimpses of pack leaders watching us, their expressions ranging from curiosity to calculation.“We’re causing quite a stir,” I noted, nodding subtly toward a group of elders whispering behind raised hands.Edward glanced over my shoulder. “Good. Let them talk. At least we’re giving them something new to gossip about.”His hand remained respectfully at my waist, never straying lower or pulling me closer than I allowed. His amber eyes occasionally caught mine, warm and appreciative but never invasive.“So,” he said as we com
(Penelope)Edward’s warm hand enclosed mine as he led me through the crowd. Pack members leaned close to exchange theories about the confrontation they’d just witnessed.I refused to look back, but Dominic’s gaze burned holes between my shoulder blades. The weight of his stare sent conflicting emotions swirling through my chest.“Breathe,” Edward murmured close to my ear. “We’re almost outside.”I nodded stiffly, focusing on placing one foot before the other. The grand hall seemed endless, faces blurring as we passed. Only when the cool night air hit my skin did I realize how desperately I’d needed escape.“Thank you,” I said, inhaling deeply. “That was…”“Intense?” Edward suggested, releasing my hand once we reached the stairs.“Understatement of the century,” I replied dryly. “I apologize for dragging you into my drama.”Edward shrugged. “I’ve experienced worse. Though your ex-mate seems particularly volatile.”“He wasn’t always,” I admitted grudgingly. “Or maybe he was, and I just
“I…I need time to think,” I said. “I feel overwhelmed, Dad.”He sighed. “Well, you should go to your room then. We’ll discuss the wolves tomorrow.”I nodded. “Thank you.”I made my way to my bedroom, barely noticing where I was going in my haze. As soon as I reached my bedroom, I closed the door behind me and exhaled slowly. The ceremonial dress felt suddenly heavy. Dominic’s face—angry, possessive, hurt—flashed through my mind as I moved toward the bathroom.I kicked off my heels, wincing as my sore feet touched the cool surface, and flicked on the bathroom light as I began removing my jewelry. Earrings, bracelet, the silver Moon Pack pendant that marked me as a princess.My fingers reached for the zipper at the back of my dress, pulling it down in one smooth motion. The fabric slipped from my shoulders, pooling at my feet.That’s when it hit me—the scent.I froze, flaring my nostrils. Dominic. His woodsy scent clung to my skin, where his hands had gripped my arms, my waist. The sce
(Penelope)On Saturday afternoon, I packed the last of my documents into my leather portfolio. The Black Forest council meeting demanded formal attire, and I’d chosen a navy blue suit that projected authority while remaining comfortable for the long session.“Everything’s ready,” I muttered to myself, checking my appearance one final time in the mirror.My phone alarm chimed, reminding me I needed to leave in fifteen minutes to arrive on time. The council wouldn’t wait, especially not for a female Alpha-Heir still proving herself worthy of respect.A small knock on my door interrupted my thoughts.“Come in,” I called, expecting Marcus or one of the pack assistants.Instead, Debbie’s head peeked around the door, her green eyes wide and hopeful. She bounded into the room wearing her favorite yellow dress, hair neatly braided—clearly dressed for an outing.“Are you going somewhere, sweetheart?” I asked, zipping my portfolio closed.“With you!” she announced proudly, twirling to show off
(Penelope)I stared at Dominic, refusing to let his barb pierce my composure.“I wasn’t aware you were monitoring my schedule, Dominic,” I replied coolly. “How thoughtful of you to concern yourself with my punctuality.”“The council doesn’t run on Moon Pack time, Penelope. Some of us respect tradition.”“And some of us were handling actual pack emergencies rather than preening for an entrance,” I shot back.Around us, council members and pack leaders paused their conversations, attention drawn to our confrontation like moths to flame. The circular chamber, ancient and imposing under its vaulted ceiling, suddenly felt too small.Dominic stepped closer, invading my personal space. “What emergency? Another nail broken? Or did your new fiancé need help picking out his tie?”“My responsibilities are none of your concern,” I stated firmly. “You lost the right to question me five years ago.”“Lost the right?” He laughed harshly. “I still have every right. You may have broken our bond, but y
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