MikhailThe scent of them is like a poison cloud, thick and heavy in the air. Hunters, their presence a constant threat, a shadow that lingers in the corners of our world. I crouch lower, my muscles tense, my wolf snarling inside me, a caged beast eager to be unleashed.Jake and Caleb are beside me, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, the weight of the situation pressing down on us. We're outnumbered, but that won't stop me.I can hear their voices now, faint but clear, a chorus of low growls and hushed whispers. They're circling, closing in, their intentions as clear as the moonlit sky above.I raise my head, my eyes scanning the darkness. I can see their shapes, shadowy figures moving through the trees, their weapons glinting in the moonlight. They're hunters, but they're not like the hunters we've faced before. These are different, their eyes filled with a feral hunger, a thirst for blood.They charge, their screams echoing through the forest, a chilling sound that sends a shiver
SophiaMy heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline surging through my veins as I stand over Mikhail. His body lies on the ground, shifting between wolf and human form, his wounds gushing blood with each ragged breath.The pain in my own body is nothing compared to the agony I feel at the sight of him. My fur still bristles with the remnants of battle, but all my focus is on him. I shift back into my human form, my muscles aching and trembling from exhaustion. I kneel beside Mikhail, my hands shaking as I gently move him into a more comfortable position. His body is warm, but his skin is pale, and the blood seeping from his wounds is a dark, ominous pool on the forest floor."Stay with me, Mikhail," I murmur, my voice choked with emotion. My hands work quickly but carefully, applying pressure to the worst of his wounds, trying to stem the flow of blood. The metallic tang of it fills the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest.His eyes are closed, his breathing shallow and uneve
MikhailMy body feels heavy, like I’m sinking, my limbs stiff and weighted as though they’re made of lead. I try to open my eyes, but even that feels like an impossible task.A slow, ragged breath escapes my lips, and with it comes the realization that I’m alive. But there’s something wrong. Something off.I can feel the faintest trace of warmth lingering in my chest, the remnants of something that once filled me, but now there’s only a void, an emptiness I can’t quite explain. It gnaws at me, like a hole that’s been ripped wide open, leaving me hollow. It’s an indescribable feeling, one that tightens around my ribs and pulls at my heart.Forcing my eyes open, the world blurs into focus. The light in the room is dim, casting long shadows across the walls. The scent of the place hits me first—familiar, yet distant. My heart tightens at the faint traces of something comforting, something that clings to the air, providing slight relief from the suffocation that I am experiencing.Sophia.
SophiaThe darkness is thick, endless, like I’m floating in a vast, empty void. There’s no pain here, no weight pulling me down, but there’s also no light, no warmth. Just this quiet nothingness that stretches in every direction.For a long time, I drift. My mind is foggy, thoughts slipping through my fingers like water.But something shifts—a feeling, faint at first, like the smallest flicker of a flame. It’s warm and familiar, and it tugs at me, gently pulling me toward the surface.Rose.Her name pushes through the haze, and the weight of everything I’ve done rushes back to me all at once. The pain, the fear, the desperation to save him—to save Mikhail—and then the relief to know that he must not be suffering anymore. I can still feel his wounds, still feel the deep ache in my soul.I fight against the darkness, struggling to break free.I try to reach out, but my body feels so heavy, like it’s made of stone. My limbs refuse to move.Everything is so still, so quiet.But Rose... sh
SophiaEvery part of my body feels heavy, but the ache from yesterday has dulled. I’m still weak, but there’s something about the morning that feels... peaceful.The room is filled with quiet laughter and the sound of familiar voices. I shift slightly, noticing Jake sitting in the corner, his arms crossed, his usual serious expression on his face as he watches Caleb and Lucas.“And I’m telling you,” Lucas is saying, his voice filled with mock exasperation, “there’s no way you could’ve made that jump. You’re not that fast.”Caleb grins, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, really? Because I’m pretty sure I made it before you even saw me leave.”Lucas narrows his eyes at him, shaking his head. “No chance. You got lucky—”“I don’t believe in luck,” Caleb interrupts with a smug smile. “Only skill, Lil Lucas. That you lack.”“Yeah, sure,” Lucas snorts, rolling his eyes. “Next time we’ll find out.”“Find out what?” I croak, my voice raspy and weak, but the words slip out before I can stop
SophiaI try not to squirm under Mikhail’s watchful eyes as he sits beside me, his presence a calming force despite the storm inside my chest. He hasn’t left my side since the others cleared the room, and now, he’s watching me like a hawk, concern etched into every hard line of his face.“Are you hungry?” he asks, his voice soft but filled with that quiet authority that never seems to waver.I shake my head quickly, my cheeks still warm from the teasing earlier. “I’m fine.”Mikhail’s eyes narrow slightly, and without another word, he goes outside and a few moment laters he bring a bowl of soup and some bread. He picks up the bowl of soup from the tray he has brought. The spoon dips into the broth, and I realize with growing horror what he’s about to do.“Mikhail, I can feed myself,” I say quickly, sitting up straighter, trying to regain some sense of control.He doesn’t even acknowledge my protest, just brings the spoon to my lips, his expression calm but determined.“I said, I’m fine
SophiaI’ve been staring at the same four walls for too long.My legs itch to move, and my body feels heavy with the kind of stiffness that comes from lying in bed for far too long. Normally, I am busy with running after Rose and doing things for her. But Rose is with Lucas and he is looking after her until I am fully recovered. I don't sit idle neither lying all day and doing nothing is not cup of my tea. I need to do something before I lose my sanity.A shower. That’s what I need—a shower, something to refresh me and clear my mind. Maybe that will help me to feel like myself again.I glance over at Mikhail, who has been sitting quietly beside me, his eyes flicking over me.Slowly, I push the blankets off and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. The cold floor bites at my bare feet, but it’s a welcome sensation. I grit my teeth and start to rise, my body protesting the movement as though it has forgotten what it’s like to stand on its own.I steady myself for a moment, testing
SophiaIt’s been a few days since the attack, and even though life is slowly returning to normal, the lingering tension is hard to shake. Everyone is still on edge, senses heightened, and every movement feels sharper, more deliberate—like we’re all waiting for the other shoe to drop.It feels anything can happen at any moment.Mikhail is in touch with Alexei, but nothing helpful has been found. I don't know whether Mikhail has told Alexei that he has found me or not, because Mikhail never talked about anything related to pack with me. However, I have sensed he seems a bit agitated whenever he talks to Alexei. I didn't ask him what is happening back at the pack because I don't know where I stand when it comes to pack matters.I sit outside on the porch, bundled in a light blanket despite the mild chill in the air, watching the others train. Jake is leading the session, his voice carrying across the field as he barks orders, pushing everyone to their limits. Who can say these people are
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
JakeThere’s this heat sitting right under my skin, like fire trying to crawl out of my bones. It’s been there since I woke up, simmering just below the surface. I keep telling myself it’s nothing, that I’m overthinking it, but I know better.Something’s wrong.I can’t explain it, not in a way that makes sense. It’s like my instincts are pulling at me, dragging my thoughts to one place. Or rather… one person.Anastasia.I close my eyes and try to focus on the reports in front of me, but it’s useless. All I can see is her face. The way she looked when she left.... not angry, not cold, just… hurt.I didn’t want her to leave. Not like that.I wanted more time. Just a little more. I would’ve stolen her from the world if I could, even if it was selfish. But after that talk she had with Sophia, I saw it in her eyes... she was hurting.From Sophia's words, she might have gotten the impression that Sophia is against our bond, which is untrue. However, Sophia is slightly disappointed with me.
Anastasia“I don’t think this plan will work.”Ethan leans forward in his chair, arms crossed, wearing that annoyed look like everything’s just wasting his time.Pete just finished laying out the whole plan — my plan — and I can already feel the tension rising.“We’re not weak,” Ethan adds, like he’s trying to remind everyone of something they never forgot. “We don’t need to waste time spying on mutts. We should just attack, wipe them out, and take their Luna. Simple.”He shrugs like he just solved everything in two seconds. Like it’s just that easy.I can't stop myself from rolling my eyes, as I shake my head.Since everything is taking a three-sixty turn, all the high-ranking hunters are also part of this meeting, even Edwin and his group.Edwin, who’s been quiet the whole time, finally speaks up.“One of the biggest mistakes any hunter can make is to underestimate their enemy,” he says, his eyes locked on Ethan like he’s done babysitting his ego. “What do you think they are, helples