Naya's pov Isadora scoffed, tapping her perfectly manicured nails against the arm of her chair. "Handling it? She has no place here. You should have thrown her out the moment she set foot back on these grounds."A bitter laugh almost escaped me, but I swallowed it down. Isadora’s presence wasn’t a surprise, but it still stung. This woman had filled the space I left behind. She was supposed to be Kieran’s Luna. The pack’s future.The thought twisted something deep inside me, but I forced myself to push past it. I wasn’t here for Kieran or the pack’s approval. I was here for my son."You don’t have the authority to throw me out," I said evenly, though my chest tightened at the sight of her smug expression.Isadora turned to the council, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. "Don’t I? From what I understand, the council has already decided what’s best for the pack. And that includes making sure she’s gone."Murmurs of agreement rippled through the elders. One of them, a grizzled man wi
Naya's povI let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My body felt light, my limbs unsteady, as if I had been standing on the edge of a cliff and had only just been pulled back to safety.Kieran turned to me, his gaze softer now. "You okay?"I swallowed hard and nodded. "I... yeah. Just—" I exhaled shakily. "That was a lot."His lips twitched in something that almost resembled a smirk. "You get used to it."I doubted that.But for now, I allowed myself to breathe. Straightening his shoulders and doning an imperious look, he turned back to the council, “If that will be all….” his words were back to being cold and it was a dismissal as clear as any.Not waiting for a response from the chastised wolves, he turned on his heels and walked out of the room, not sparing them a backward glance.I gave myself a few minutes to clam down before following, not without giving the old geezers a triumphant look.I won't be cowed this time. Never again.—I went to my room immediately.The m
Isadora's povI made my move at night.I had been standing under the thick canopy of trees, hidden by the sharp angles of nightfall, leaves cloaking me like a veil. The garden was quiet, save for the distant hoot of some hunting bird, the gentle thrum of insects. But I had seen it all. I had watched it unfold like the twisted scene of a bad play. Naya. That woman. The fragile, unfortunate darling of fate.She had been wandering back from the gardens, all slow steps and soft thoughts, when the shadows surged. I saw them grab her, swift and brutal, like wolves pouncing on a limp hare. I should’ve felt fear, or pity, maybe.But I didn’t.I smirked. Actually smiled, standing there like some spiteful witch watching her curse take hold. My pulse had raced with anticipation. Finally. Finally, someone would handle her, to take her out of the equation.It was the least she deserved after humiliating me so thoroughly Infront of the council.Let her scream. Let her be dragged out of here. L
Kieran's povThe morning air was sharp and crisp as I stepped out of the car, Julian at my side. Julian was quiet. Too quiet.Normally he was a chatterbox, filling the space between us with questions or stories about the squirrels he saw from his window or the silly dreams he had. But not today. Not since yesterday. I didn’t need to ask why. He’d been distant ever since the council meeting, ever since Naya made her mark known, ever since his world shifted again.I didn’t want to push him. Instead, I’d decided to distract him. Maybe bring him into something important—something good. So we walked into town together, just the two of us, hand in hand.“Where’re we goin’?” he asked finally, tugging on my arm.I glanced down at his big eyes, wide and a little tired. “To a store.”“What kind?”“A ring store.”He scrunched his nose. “Like... jewellery?”“Exactly. I need your help.”He perked up a little at that, though he didn’t say anything else. The ring shop smelled like cedar and poli
Kieran's PovIn the silence of my shout, everything fell still, naya and Tobias frozen at the door while Julian panted behind me, still sounding distressed. I couldn't have moved even if I wanted to, my limbs cold and locked with what felt like ice.But then I heard it. Small and fragile, almost disappearing in the wind.A whimper.Unmistakably a child's.It hit me like a slap.One second, we were just standing there and the next, Julian let out a wail and turned on his heel. He bolted for the car, his small legs moving faster than I'd ever seen. I called after him, but he didn't stop.The sound of the car door slamming shut was so loud it echoed in my chest.I stared after him, stunned.Then I turned back to Naya.She looked heartbroken, her arms wrapped around herself like she was holding in more than just words. Her lips were trembling, but she held her chin high."Go," she said softly. "He needs you more than ever."I opened my mouth, unsure what to say, but her eyes told me sh
Kieran's POVJulian had cried himself out. The kind of crying that shakes a child from the inside until there’s nothing left but hiccups and silence. He had fallen asleep with his fingers tangled in the blanket, his face red and blotchy from the sobbing.I stood by the door, arms crossed, just watching him breathe. I didn’t know what hurt more—how small he looked in that bed or the fact that it was my fault he felt so broken. I’d stood by too long. Let too much slide. And now the weight of all of it—his confusion, his fear, Naya, Isadora—pressed against my chest like iron.Once his breathing had gone soft and steady, I stepped away. Quiet. Careful. I slipped out of the room and shut the door behind me with a muted click.I didn’t alert anyone. No guards. No aides. I just got in the car and drove.The road was mostly empty, moonlight spilling over the blacktop in silver streaks. The forest curled around the highway, alive with whispering leaves. As I approached the cottage, headligh
Kieran’s POVTobias’s jaw was tight as soon as I finished, my acidic words lingering in the air between us. His knuckles white where they gripped the towel. For a moment, he looked like he might throw the mug at my face, or worse, lunge for my throat. It was there in the flicker of his eyes—his calm cracking, teeth gritted behind that bland expression.Then—A creak from the hallway.Soft padding of feet. A small yawn.Tobias’s head jerked toward the sound at the same time mine did.Aiden stood in the doorway, blinking sleepily and rubbing at his eyes with balled fists. His little curls were tousled, and the oversized pajama top hung off his shoulder.He stared at us. First at me.His eyes widened—hesitation, wariness. A flash of recognition. Of fear. He took a small step back toward the shadow of the hallway.Then he turned to Tobias.His tiny hands began to move, fingers speaking with anxiety.I could only read a couple of signs and I had been trying to learn after I found out A
Naya’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow over the modest kitchen. The aroma of sizzling bacon mingled with the earthy scent of freshly brewed coffee, creating a comforting atmosphere. I sat at the kitchen table, its surface worn smooth by years of use, trying to focus on the mundane task of buttering my toast.Across from me, Aiden was engrossed in his breakfast, his small hands deftly maneuvering his fork to spear pieces of scrambled eggs. His usual fidgetiness was notably absent, replaced by a calmness that mirrored the tranquility of the morning. It was a rare sight, one that I cherished.However, the presence of Kieran at the table disrupted the serenity. He sat with an air of nonchalance, his eyes occasionally flicking towards me, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.Tobias, because he was awesome and could cook a mean bacon, had prepared breakfast for all of us, including Kieran, though his reluctance was plain to see in the way he
Naya's POV Tobias stepped forward, his face set in a hard line. “Back off, you Old bastard,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You’ve got the wrong kid.”The Elder chuckled. “Oh, I don’t think so, Tobias,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “I know exactly who I have. That’s why I waited for the star of the show to arrive.”One of the Elder’s men stepped forward, dragging someone behind him. My heart skipped a beat.It was Julian.Isadora screamed, her face contorting with anguish. “Julian!” she cried, her voice cracking. “What did you do to him?”The Elder smiled coldly. “Don’t worry, my dear,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. “We haven’t harmed him… yet.”Isadora turned to her father, her eyes pleading. “Please, Father,” she begged. “I don’t want to be a part of this anymore. Not if it means hurting Julian. He’s the only family I have left.”The Elder’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of cold fury. “Silence, Isadora,” he snapped. “You will do as you’re told.”He turned back to
Naya's pov I woke up with a gasp, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. The last thing I remembered was Julian saying something about Aiden being in danger, and then… nothing. Just blackness. I pushed the blanket off my lap and sat up, my head throbbing. It felt like a giant was using my skull as a drum.“Ugh,” I groaned, pressing my hand to my forehead. The cottage was silent, eerily so. Where was everyone?I stumbled off the couch, my legs wobbly. “Tobias? Aiden?” I called out, my voice trembling. No answer.Panic clawed at my throat. Everything was a mess. The cushions were askew, a half-finished drawing lay abandoned on the coffee table, and the air was thick with a sense of… dread.I ran to the window, peering out into the fading light. The car was gone. My breath hitched in my throat. He’d left. He’d taken the others and left me behind.Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I felt abandoned, useless. But I couldn’t afford to fall apart. Aiden w
Tobias’s POVThe city air still clung to my clothes, a greasy film of exhaust and hurried footsteps. I’d spent the afternoon weaving through crowded streets, trying to finalize the last-minute details for the wedding.Naya deserved the best, and I was determined to give it to her, even if it meant battling grumpy florists and haggling with caterers who thought they were serving ambrosia instead of fried chicken. My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me from my mental checklist of seating arrangements and cake flavors. It was a message from the Elder.My stomach clenched as I read the words. They were laced with a thinly veiled threat, a demand for allegiance. He wanted me to join him, to fall in line with his plans, or he would… well, he didn’t explicitly say what he’d do, but the implication was clear: he'd make my life, Naya’s life, Aiden’s life, a living hell."Don't blame me when everything falls into pieces," the message concluded.I scoffed, a bitter sound in the busy street
Aiden's POV I trudged towards the front of the school, my heart heavy. I couldn't believe Julie had betrayed me like this. I couldn't believe he had said all those things to me.As I reached the front of the school, I saw Isadora waiting for me. She looked pale and anxious."Aiden," she said, her voice trembling. "We have to go. Now."I frowned. "What's wrong?" I asked."There's no time to explain," she said, grabbing my hand. "We have to leave. Your Grandfather wants to see you."I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay here, at least until I could figure out how to fix things with Julie. But Isadora was pulling me towards the car, and I knew I couldn't argue with her.We drove in silence, my anxiety growing with every mile. Isadora kept glancing at me, her eyes filled with fear.Finally, we reached the estate. I dreaded spending even one more day in that house.But as we pulled up to the gates, something strange happened. A black car pulled up behind us, blocking our path.A tall ma
Aiden's POV Three days. That's all it was supposed to be. Three days of pretending to be Julian, three days of nasty tutors and cold rooms, three days of holding in all the things that made me… me. I’d counted every minute, every second, just so Julie could have a break. But those three days felt like a lifetime.I tried my best to be Julian. I sat up straight, didn't fidget, and answered all the questions the tutors threw at me, even when my brain felt like it was going to explode till my voice, so unused to talking for long periods went hoarae5. Mistress Thorne still looked at me like I was a bug she wanted to squish, but she didn't hit me again. Maybe because she didn't want to overdo it.I had to hold in a snort of disgust.I hated that it could still happen and the fear it sent through my body whenever I even thought she might pull her hands into her robes with the cane But the worst part was being away from mom and dad. I missed their hugs, their smiles, their silly jokes. I
Julian's POVEven though I was scared, switching with Aiden felt… like breathing after holding my breath for too long. I could almost taste freedom. But as Naya led me towards their little house, my hands trembled. According to what his parents knew,Aiden didn't talk (not that they know he could talk and did so on a semi regular basis now).He used his hands always, signing words I barely knew. What if I messed up? What if Naya saw through my clumsy attempts?Naya squeezed my hand, and I tried to mimic Aiden's bouncy walk, but my legs felt like jelly."You okay, sweetie?" Naya asked, her voice warm. "You're awfully quiet today. More than usual, even for you."My heart hammered. I reached for the small notebook Aiden always carried and scribbled:'Tired. Long day.' I showed it to her, trying to copy Aiden's quick, jerky movements.Naya frowned, her eyes searching mine. "Long day, huh? Did something happen at school? Did someone tease you?"I shook my head, then quickly signed the wor
Aiden's POVLately, Julian hasn’t been the same. I noticed it first at school. He used to sit with me sometimes, even if he pretended not to care. But now, he looks down at the floor a lot, and when I try to talk to him, he just walks away. Not just at school, but even when I visit him with my astral projection. I float into his room, hoping to see that goofy grin or hear him laugh at my silly signs, but he looks through me like I’m not there. Sometimes he doesn’t even answer back.It made my chest hurt. I didn’t know why he was like this. I wanted to help, but Julian wouldn’t let me.One afternoon, I was floating around the house, drifting like a ghost, trying to find him. I peeked into the bathroom, and there he was, standing in front of the mirror—his shirt lifted just a little as he rubbed his arms.I saw it then. The scars. Long, jagged lines running down his arms, hidden beneath his sleeves. They looked red and angry, like wounds that never quite healed. My heart stopped for
Julian's POV I had seen Mom talking to the tall creepy man yesterday. I couldn't hear what they were saying but I could read the low tones of, reverent, “shaman Mhalak's" that fell from her lip.According to my studies, shamans were beings with a great attachment to the spiritual realm and were even said to liaise with the moon goddess!It was honestly cool but the man's aura rubbed the wrong way.The shaman scanned the room, his gaze lingering on me for a moment too long. "Isadora," he said, his voice smooth and oily. "I trust everything is prepared?"Isadora nodded, her face pale. "Yes, Shaman," she said with that reverential tone again. "Everything is ready."The shaman turned his attention back to me, a strange smile spreading across his face. "Julian," he said, "these are your teachers. They will guide you, teach you to be a proper heir."I stared at the two strangers, feeling a knot of fear tighten in my stomach. They looked so serious, so… intense.I gulped, looking back at t
Aiden's pov We talked about everything and nothing, about school and games and the things we liked to eat. It was like a dam had burst inside me, and all the words I had been holding back for so long were finally flooding out.We made a deal that day, a super-secret, extra-special deal. We would learn more about each other, thoroughly. We would switch again, so Julian could experience being with Mom without having to hate her. So he could see her, truly."But… but I can't sign," Julian said, his face falling. "Naya would know.”"You can learn!" I said, my voice full of encouragement. "I can teach you! It's easy!"Julian hesitated. "But… but I'll have to be silent," he said. "And everyone will think I'm weird.""You're already weird, Julie," I teased, poking him in the arm. "But it's okay! I like you weird."Julian grinned. "Okay," he said. "Okay, I'll do it. But you have to teach me everything!"And so, our lessons began. I taught Julian how to sign, showing him the shapes and mo