Sophia"Cousin?" I narrow my eyes at them with suspicion. "I don't know you guys, and I definitely am not your cousin. And what if you give me this mark."It is possible they all are lying, even though my heart is telling me to believe them.Caleb steps forward, his expression turning serious. "We didn't give you that mark, Sophia. It's something you're born with. A mark of our lineage.""Our lineage?" I echo, still trying to wrap my mind around everything.Jake, who has been quiet up until now, finally speaks. "Yes, our lineage. We come from a long line of werewolves, and those marks signify our heritage. They appear when we first shift.""But, it wasn't there when I shifted for the first time... and that was the only time I shifted until now," I protest weakly. "I thought my wolf was... gone.""She was never gone," Lucas says gently. "Just dormant. Something must have triggered her awakening.""Triggered her awakening?" I mutter, thinking back to the intense anger and the voice that
MikhailEach moment that goes by increases my restlessness.We have searched every possible looking for the signs of hunters, but still, we are unsuccessful. Losing Sophia has devastated my wolf to the point that he has completely shut me off. He only reacts when he hears anything related to Sophia; other than that, he remains silent.I am practically functioning on zero sleep because whenever I close my eyes, my thoughts are only focused on Sophia. Even though the smell on my sheets has started to fade, I can still feel her presence in my room.It is like she has imprinted her touch on each and everything.Being in this room, which is filled with her presence, is nothing but torture. It reminds me of all the moments that I have shared with her while deepening the hollowness that has been left in her wake.Sighing, I run my hand over my face, exhaustion and helplessness weighing down on me."Alpha," a voice interrupts my thoughts. I look up to see Victor, one of my most trusted pack me
MikhailMy wolf howls in anguish, the sound echoing through the dark chamber. My mind is consumed by Sophia, imagining the pain and suffering she must have endured in this place. The scent of her blood is overwhelming, like a slap on my face for failing to protect the one person whom I was destined to protect.Unconsciously, I find myself trying to reach out to Sophia through our bond... trying to feel any sign of her presence that might reignite the hope that has died within me. But there is just nothing. All it feels like I am banging myself on the wall because of the warmth... the presence that I used to feel earlier whenever I thought about her is gone.What an irony. The person who is the reason for my vision is the person whose face I have never seen.,, and now I probably might never see.I must be really unfortunate because I have been too late to realize that she was the one whom I wanted and needed the most. I was too blind to see there was a reason why Moon Goddess had paire
SophiaThree years.Three long years since the old naive Sophia died.Three long years since this new Sophia was born who refuses to forgive and show mercy to people who don't deserve it.Each scar on my body tells a story of survival, and each memory is a lesson learned the hard way. I am no longer the girl who trusted blindly... who believed in the inherent goodness of people. That girl died three years ago, replaced by someone far more resilient and ruthless.Pressing the blade against the hunter's neck, I run it across his neck and push him forward as blood gushes out of his neck. Blankly, I watch his pathetic struggles as life slowly leaves his body.Turning my head, I give Jake a curt nod before I walk back towards the main house.Each step reminds me of the journey and transformation I've undergone.I hear the distant crackle of burning wood and know that the "trash" has been disposed of. In these past few years, Jake, Caleb, and Lucas have become my biggest support. They help
SophiaIt was a very difficult phase of my life because a lot of unexpected things happened during that time. But now, when I look back at all those things, I wouldn't change anything for the world. These three strangers walked into my life and stayed with me and never left my side, even when things took an unexpected turn. Instead, they helped me navigate through the challenges and never let me lose my confidence in myself.It is true that when you lose something that is precious, in return, life gives you something that makes you feel that every pain and hurt is worth it because you gained so much more than you had lost.These are the people whom I have gained every losing everything. I gained a family that I know will never let me down or leave me when times gets tough. Caleb finishes his beer and looks at me with a playful grin. "Soph, you should try this new training routine I came up with. It's supposed to enhance our reflexes and endurance."I nod, a small smile tugging at the
MikhailThree years have gone.And in this three years the only purpose that wakes me up after every night is to wipe off the existence of these hunters. People behind my back says I have gone crazy, but me and my wolf just wants revenge.Revenge of the sufferings that my mate had gone through at the hands of these hunters. I want the hunters to payback for every wrongdoing that they committed against innocent people and my Sophia.Sophia.The name that has still keeps me connected to my humanity. She still manages to bring peace to my cold heart whenever I hear her name. Nothing has been the same since she left and I don't think it will ever be. I am a man driven by vengeance and pain.My pack is thriving, and we are the strongest packs in the north; people fear and respect us, and I have made sure that nobody even dares to attack us.But still all this means nothing to me, because she is not with me.Everytime I have been attacked, I hoped that this time I will be free of my miser
MikhailI have scraf down the food like I have been hungry for ages. But the truth is that I do feel like I have been starving. Once I am done with the breakfast, I carefully stand and put the tray on the table near the door. I am already feeling much better than I have woken up, so instead of going back to bed, I decided to check outside and try to find out more about these people.Opening the door, I step outside, and from the large open space in the center of the house, I can see outside where a group of people are busy in training. There are two men looking over the training, and one of them seems more observant than the other. The observant one seems like he is the Alpha of them because of the energy he is giving off.His eyes land on me even before I walk outside. He is measuring each step with a calculative gaze but doesn't make any moves. Once I am near, breaking away from the group, he walks to me after barking some orders to start practicing hand-to-hand combat."I am Jake.
Mikhail Even if I want, I can't tear my gaze away from her... something about her draws me to her. Even my wolf peeks up at her sight, feeling curious. There is something about this girl that's captivating my attention. My heart jumps into my throat as the little girl darts between the two fighting wolves. Instinctively, I reach out, but I freeze as I witness the scene unfolding before my eyes. "Stop!" Her tiny voice rings with authority, and to my amazement, the growling immediately ceases. The wolves lower their heads near her, their fierce eyes softening. She pats them with a squeal of delight. "Look!" she exclaims, her hands gently stroking their fur. Lucas quickly intervenes, scooping her up in his arms. "Let's get away from these stinky wolves and watch the fight," he says, tickling her sides, causing her to giggle and squirm in his arms. As Lucas brings her over to where Jake and I are standing, Jake's stern expression returns. "What did I tell you about running into
Jake"I don't know how to mourn losing something I didn't even know I had."Her voice is soft, but it hits like a punch straight to my chest. I can still hear it, playing on a loop in my head, like her words got stitched into my bones. And no matter what I do, I can’t escape them.I thought I was hurting. I thought the ache I’ve been carrying since the moment I shifted, since I felt that thread snap inside me, was the worst thing I'd ever feel. But hearing her say that, hearing the hollow emptiness in her voice… I realize my pain doesn’t even come close to what she’s feeling.When I shifted, I knew something was wrong. It wasn't like anything I’d felt before. It was like something inside me had broken and just... vanished. The moment they started growing inside her, my wolf unintentionally felt them, not clearly, not in full. Way before even I could have sensed them.Those little sparks of life connecting with mine, with my wolf.And then they were just… gone.My wolf wasn’t just tryi
AnastasiaThe world keeps spinning, people moving, voices rising, wind brushing through the trees… but I feel like I’m stuck in this weird kind of stillness. Like I’ve been dropped in the middle of a moment that doesn’t want to pass.Sophia’s lips are moving, and I know she’s talking to me, trying to reach me, but I don’t hear a single word. Nothing. Not her, not the others, not even Jake’s wolf… and I know he’s howling. I can see it in the way his body shakes, the way his mouth stretches open, raw and wild. But it’s all on mute. Like someone hit pause on the sound while everything else keeps playing.There’s this weird, heavy quietness inside me. One that screams louder than anything ever has. It drowns everything out. It presses down on my chest and wraps around my ribs and coils in my throat.I don’t see anything.I don’t hear anything.And the scariest part?I don’t feel anything.No anger.No grief.No heartbreak or rage or sadness.Just this empty, flat nothing.Like I’ve disapp
AnastasiaThe second I hear that howl, I don't even stop to think. My feet are already moving, carrying me outside like I’ve got no control over them. The pull in my chest only gets stronger with every step I take. It’s not pain exactly, but it’s this deep ache, like a part of me is missing and screaming to be whole again.I follow the sound around the side of the house, past the trees, until I reach the outskirts of the pack… and then I freeze.Jake's wolf.He’s massive, all muscle and wild fury, snarling and thrashing like a storm no one can contain. His fur bristles with rage, and his eyes... they’re completely taken over by something feral. And what the hell... chains? Actual metal chains are wrapped around him, digging into his fur as a bunch of people try to hold him down. They’re failing miserably. He yanks and shakes, sending two guys flying like rag dolls. He’s wild. Uncontrolled.I spot Mikhail standing there, tense, and beside him is Alexei, barking orders. “Get more men! H
AnastasiaI blink up at the ceiling, confused as hell for a second. My brain feels like it’s swimming through thick fog, trying to latch onto something that makes sense. The sheets under me are soft, smell faintly like lavender and old memories, and the light slipping through the curtains is warm, too warm for how cold I remember feeling.Where…?I turn my head and it all clicks into place.This room.Same pale blue curtains swaying a little from the breeze sneaking through the window. Same wooden dresser with the chipped paint. Same soft hum of nothingness outside, the kind of quiet you only get out here. It’s like I’ve time-traveled. Like someone hit rewind and dropped me right back into the past.I sit up slowly, my muscles sore but not screaming anymore. That alone messes with my head. I lift my arm, the one where I’d dug for the tracker, and stare at the skin. It’s healed. Like really healed. Smooth, with just the faintest pink mark. No blood. No torn flesh. No proof of how bad t
JakeBefore I can even blink, Anastasia throws the knife across the room and, to my horror, she digs her hand right into the wound she just made. Blood gushes out, running down her arm and dripping onto the floor. She bites her lip so hard trying not to scream that her teeth tear through the skin, blood mixing with the sweat on her face."What the hell are you doing, Anastasia?" I rasp out, my heart slamming against my ribs. I grab her wrists, trying to stop her from tearing herself apart, but she fights me like she doesn’t even hear me.Nothing I say is getting through that crazy haze she’s trapped in. It’s like she’s somewhere else, lost in her own mind, and I have no clue how to pull her out of it. Watching her hurt herself like this is ripping me apart. I’m scared outta my damn mind."I have to find it," she grits out between her teeth, her voice rough and broken. She keeps digging into her own flesh surprisingly it looks like she doesn’t even feel the pain. "He fucking can’t cont
JakeI carry Anastasia toward the cells, not loosening my hold even a little. I can hear Sophia and Mikhail following close behind, their footsteps quick but not rushed. They know something’s up even if they don’t have all the pieces yet.When we get to the old brick building, Mikhail steps around me and tells the guard to open the door. The guy fumbles with the keys for a second before the lock clicks and swings open.The place smells like metal and damp stone, but I hardly notice. All I see is her. All I feel is her heartbeat against my chest.Anastasia stirs a little and tugs at my shirt weakly.She shifts a little in my arms. "Put me down," she whispers, her voice soft but firm.My wolf snarling in protest. Every part of me wants to keep her close, safe, where nothing can get to her. Letting her go feels wrong, like I’m cutting off a piece of myself. But I can't let my own fears and emotions get in her way, undermining the strength and power she carries.So, even though it goes ag
JakeI skid to a stop near the border, my heart slamming against my ribs so hard it feels like it might shatter. Mikhail and the rest of the patrol are crouched low, hidden behind trees and thick bushes. For a second, I don't get it. Why the hell are we hiding? Anastasia could be right there, so close I can almost taste her in the air.My wolf fights me hard, clawing at the inside of my chest, roaring at me to move, to tear through anything standing between me and her. But my human side digs in, just barely keeping control. I suck in a ragged breath and crouch low, reminding myself that rushing in without thinking could cost Anastasia her life.I notice the black hummer rolling down the old dirt road just outside the border. The windows are tinted so dark I can't see a damn thing inside. Every part of me wants to charge in and flip the damn thing over, but I grind my teeth and stay low."That's them..." Irwin says in a low voice from where he’s crouched behind a fallen log. He nods hi
Jake“How do you know Anastasia?” I ask, trying hard to keep my voice level. I don’t want to scare him off if he’s got real information. But damn, it’s tough when every second I can feel her pain twisting inside me like a knife.He leans on that broken branch a little, then shrugs like it’s no big deal. “We are… or were… friends.” His voice drops a little at the end, more to himself than to any of us. “I’m saying were because I know once she sees me, she’ll probably try to kill me for abandoning her.”He gives a short, humorless laugh that doesn’t reach his eyes. I don't laugh with him. None of us do.“That’s not what you should be worried about,” he says, looking back up at me, his eyes sharp. “Your focus should be on Ana. I don’t trust a damn soul over there. They’re vultures, all of them. But Ana’s smart. Smarter than most. She’ll know what’s going on. I trust her to get herself out.”I am still skeptical whether to trust a word coming out of his mouth, especially when I heard he a
JakeMy body shakes as my wolf pushes harder, breaking through the thin line between us. My skin stretches, bones shift, and I fight the change with everything I’ve got, but it’s like he doesn’t care. He’s done waiting.He’s angry. And scared.And so am I.Sophia’s voice is somewhere nearby, soft but panicked. “Jake? What’s happening? Jake!”But I can’t answer. I can barely breathe.All I know is I feel her. Anastasia. Not just the bond tugging... this is something more.She’s hurting.And that pain? It’s mine now, too.I slam a fist into the dirt and snarl, trying to get control back, trying not to lose it completely.Pain flares in my body like a wildfire, and I can hardly breathe. My vision goes all hazy, like I'm looking through a foggy window. I blink hard, trying to clear my head, but it’s no use. Everything around me turns into a blur. I’m dimly aware of the sounds around me, but they’re distant, like I’m submerged underwater. My mind is racing, but it’s too focused on one thin