The silence stretched long after Craig’s words hung in the air, thick with unspoken questions and lingering doubt. Outside, the wind howled against the windows, as if echoing the storm brewing within us all. I could feel Zane’s jaw tighten, his fists still clenched at his sides, while Craig’s steady gaze held a quiet intensity.Finally, Zane took a slow step back, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “We need more than just words,” he muttered. “If what you’re saying is real, then show us. Prove to us that you’re on our side now. That we can trust you.”Craig nodded, voice low but unwavering. “I understand. I’ve kept some things hidden, but I’m ready to reveal everything I can—starting with what I’ve uncovered about the enemy.”Carolina, who had been silent, finally spoke, her voice cold and measured. “There’s a reason I kept this quiet for so long. Because if what Craig says is true—if the threat is as dangerous as he claims—then we’re already running out of time. We need
Craig’s jaw clenched, his eyes flickering with a mixture of frustration and sorrow. He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head slowly. “I’m not leaving without explaining everything, Zane. You deserve to know the truth. All of it.”Zane’s fists curled into fists, his entire frame vibrating with restrained rage. “The truth? The truth? What more could there possibly be? You lied. You betrayed us all.”Carolina, still clutching Craig tightly, finally let her smirk fade, replaced by a cold, calculating look. “You’re too late, Zane. The damage is done. Whether you believe it or not, Craig’s actions were for a reason. And soon enough, you’ll see why everything happened the way it did.”Zane’s eyes darted to her, narrowing dangerously. “You’re in this too? You knew? And you didn’t tell us?”She simply smiled, a hint of menace lurking behind her eyes. “Some secrets are better left buried, Zane. But don’t worry. Everything will fall into place—sooner than you think.”My stomach twisted, se
Avery's POVHis eyes scanned the room, first landing on Hettie’s crib, then on me, and finally, they widened in disbelief as they settled on Craig then Carolina. His face, usually so warm and full of affection when he looked at me, hardened instantly. A low growl rumbled deep in his chest, so feral and raw it made the hairs on my arms stand on end. He looked like a predator who had just spotted his prey.“What… the… hell?” Zane’s voice was a dangerous whisper, each word laced with venom. His gaze darted between Craig and Carolina, then back to Craig, then to me, searching for answers, trying to comprehend the impossible. The air in the room crackled with an intensity that felt suffocating.My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat of dread. This was it. The moment I had feared. Zane, my mate, the protector of our pack, was about to confront the ghost of his best friend, a ghost who was very much alive and standing right in front of him. I wanted to scream, to somehow stop
Avery's POVI had to pinch myself.Craig was alive.Zane would be just as confused as I am. I looked at Carolina again, and she was still scowling at me like I was below her. Looking away, I refused to let her make me feel worthless. "Zane will be back soon, but Craig. I don't know how he will react to seeing you. I don't think he will take it well." I managed to push the words out; my heart thumped in my chest. Carolina smirked and linked her arm into Craig's. "It doesn't matter what he says. Craig is back, and Zane will have a lot to answer for." She rested her head on Craig, and he didn't even flinch or push her away. My eyes widened in surprise as something suddenly dawned on me. "What's going on? Craig, why did you leave?" My voice was shaking as my legs felt wobbly, and I placed baby Hettie down in her crib while she had fallen asleep again. "Are you two a thing now?" I plucked up the courage to ask, but did that matter? I was happy with Zane, and we had our baby. But it sti
Avery’s POV My breath hitched as I stared at him, my mind racing to grasp what was happening. Was this truly Craig? Or was it some cruel illusion, a ghost from my past come back to torment me? The room seemed to shrink around us, the storm outside echoing the chaos inside my mind. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog, desperate to find some sense of reality."Craig?" My voice trembled, barely more than a whisper. I reached out, trembling fingers trembling, desperate to feel the solidity of his skin, to confirm this miracle. My hand hovered in the air, hesitant, unsure if I dared to believe. My heart pounded so loudly I was afraid it might burst from my chest.His eyes searched mine, filled with pain and regret, as if he carried the weight of years of suffering and longing. "Avery," he said again, softer this time, voice rough with emotion, as if afraid to shatter the fragile hope I was clinging to. "I'm sorry I left you. I had to go... I had to protect you."My heart clenched p
Avery's POV"Carolina?" I breathed, my eyes widened in shock. Was she standing in front of me? Was she a ghost? "You are alive?" It had been so long since I had seen her. No matter how much we had searched, we had never found her, and yet here she was. "Are you here?" I whispered, reaching out to touch her hand. She snatched it back, scowling at me as if I were filthy germs. "You don't get to touch me," she sneered. "This is all your fault. You have no idea the trouble you have caused," she continued to growl at me. "But, what? What are you talking about, Carolina? I did not make you leave." I tried to reason with her, but she wasn't loosening up. She believed that it was all my fault. Was it?Did I cause this? I never asked Craig to cheat on me. I never wanted him to die. I didn't know that Zane would turn out to be my second-chance mate. The moon goddess had blessed me with a child, and I was happy. But Carolina hated me for that? "Carolina, please. I am so sorry that you