ARDENI stood there frozen. I couldn’t even think to run with Bethany Spirit right in front of me. My fingers clutched the photo album, but the moment her eyes landed on it, I quickly closed it and gently placed it back on the shelf. The click of the spine shutting echoed far too loudly in the silent room. She hadn’t moved. Neither had I. Bethany stared at me with a gaze that could flay a soul open. Then she clicked her tongue disapprovingly, and I unconsciously flinched. Her fingers rose slowly, pausing just at her temple. “I suggest you don’t think about calling anyone,” she began, crossing her arms over her chest. “One link, and you’re out of this place for good.” Still, I couldn’t move. A growing sense of dread washed over me as I realized her eyes had narrowed on the uniform I wore. Her head tilted slightly. “Cora?” she asked, arching a brow as her gaze fell on the stitched nameplate decorating my chest. I squeaked and mentally cursed myself for sounding like a broken mouse.
ARDENFortunately, at the very last second, I spotted a door, covered by a curtain, to my left. I slipped inside just as footsteps echoed down the hallway.The room was dimly lit, but even then, I could tell how well-maintained it was. This only deepened my curiosity about what this place was. I kept the lights off, crouching low as I peered through the thin crack between the door and the wall. My heart pounded in my chest.Winters entered his office.Even from a distance, his suspicion could be seen. He began to scan the room as he walked, his eyes flitting over the table, landing on the chair slightly moved from its original position, even to the faintest indent on the rug. He was meticulous.I held my breath, daring not to even blink.He strolled through the space like a predator surveying its territory. His eyes narrowed, and I could feel his presence pushing into the hidden room I occupied. The moment stretched unbearably long. I could hear the sound of my own heartbeat pounding
ARDENHoney sat on the porch, her legs swinging back and forth as she hugged the stuffed wolf Cade had given her. Her big, round eyes followed me intently while I packed the last of my things. She didn’t say a word until I crouched down in front of her.“You’re really leaving?” she asked, her voice small, carrying a hint of hope that we might stay another night. I, too, longed to spend more time with her. She was one of the most beautiful she-wolves I had ever encountered—both inside and out.“I have to,” I said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “But just for now.”Honey nodded, then glanced toward Cade, who was loading the final bag into the car. “Take care,” she whispered.I offered her a small smile. “I will.”She tugged on the hem of my shirt. “And take care of Cade too.”That made me chuckle a little, a short exhalation through my nose. “I will.”“And come back. So we can play again.” She held out her pinky, just like last time.I smiled, hooking my pinky aroun
CADE I woke up before her. The sun hadn’t fully risen yet; only a soft silver light poured in from the window, touching her skin like it worshipped her. She lay against me, her hair sprawled across the pillow, her lashes dark against her cheeks. Arden. I didn’t know what I had done in this life to deserve waking up beside her, but I knew one thing for certain: I never wanted to lose this. I brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, careful not to disturb her. Her breathing was soft and steady, and her bare shoulder rose gently with each inhale. She wasn’t mine by bond. We didn’t glow under the Moon Goddess’ seal or feel the pull that defined fate. But it didn’t matter. Because everything within me told me she was mine. I’d never met my mate, and I probably never would. And if the Moon Goddess was listening—if she ever paid attention to people like me—then I prayed she would make Arden my mate too. Because aside from Honey’s justice and betterment, I’d never wanted anyt
ARDEN “Is it really okay to do it here?” I asked as he led me to a pristine-looking house only a short ride away from the facility. He nodded as he opened the lights, showing a clean interior. He removed his jacket and turned to me. “I bought this when I was 19. I wanted to have a place close to Honey. Besides, it’s far from the city, so it’s very peaceful.” My mouth hung open for a moment, surprised that he already had a property so young. But then again, the True Alphas had been shaped to become leaders since they were young. They were on a different caliber. Before I could think too much about it, I felt his hand circle around my wrist and guide me to what I presumed was his room. I was engulfed by his scent right away, and I felt the longing in my heart intensify even further. “I want to do it,” I said before I could stop myself. He halted and turned to me with a small smile. “Do what?” he asked in a teasing tone. I clicked my tongue in frustration. “You already know, Cade
ARDENIt was silent for a while. There weren’t any lingering people in the garden, and the lights began to flicker off one by one, casting the space into deeper shadows. Finally, he looked up at the moon and said quietly, “I’m different from my family. I think you can tell.” I nodded, my eyes searching his profile, illuminated by the pale blue cast of the night. Cade sighed, then added, “I think you could have guessed it from our features and skin color. I look like I'm not related to her." He paused, and I took that as my cue to lean a little closer.“That’s because they aren’t my real family,” he confessed. My breath hitched, but I remained silent, allowing him the space to speak. “I was born far north of here, in a place I don’t even want to remember the name of,” he continued. “I was five when I witnessed my dad kill my mom right in front of me. We were starving, and he decided that dying together was the best way to escape our life.”“He tried to kill me, too.” A sharp sti