Avery’s Point of ViewHis words made me pause, my heart skipping a beat. There was something about the way he said it, the conviction in his voice, that made the air feel heavier. But it wasn’t just the words—it was his gaze. As he spoke, his eyes locked onto mine, and his intensity was almost too much to bear.I felt a chill run down my spine, the kind that was both unsettling and thrilling. For a moment, I swore he was trying to tell me something without saying it outright. But I quickly shook the thought away, laughing nervously to break the tension. “That’s… nice,” I said, trying to sound casual.He tilted his head slightly, still watching me, but he didn’t say anything else. Instead, he gestured toward the door. “Come on. You should rest.”We walked back into the house, and as I admired the grandeur once again, I couldn’t help but feel like I was stepping into a different world. The silence between us felt charged, as if there was something hanging in the air, but I didn’t dare p
Maya’s Point of ViewThe night was suffocating, thick with a silence that pressed against my ears like an unwelcome guest. Sleep evaded me, no matter how much I tossed and turned. My thoughts were haunted by Dren’s lifeless eyes and the lingering problem that was the dungeon guard.I knew it wasn’t over. His silence wasn’t guaranteed. He could talk, spill everything to Kaiden… and if that happened, I was as good as dead. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see Kaiden’s face contorted with rage, his piercing emerald eyes bearing down on me with betrayal.I sat up in bed, running a hand through my disheveled hair. My mind wouldn’t quiet down. Maybe some fresh air would help. I grabbed my shawl, wrapped it around my shoulders, and stepped out of the house.The night air was crisp, a slight chill biting at my skin. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the vast land surrounding the house. I wandered aimlessly, hoping the cool air would calm the storm brewing inside me.
Maya’s Point of ViewBy the time the sun began to set, I could no longer sit still. I needed to see Kaiden. He was the only one who could put an end to this if I played my cards right.I changed into a simple but elegant gown, one that showed just enough skin to remind Kaiden of what he was missing. Maybe, just maybe, I could charm my way back into his chambers. If he would only listen to me.The walk to the Pack House felt longer than usual. The guards stationed outside his chambers came into view as I turned the corner. Taking a deep breath, I straightened my posture and walked forward with confidence.But the moment I reached the entrance, the guards immediately crossed their spears in front of me, blocking my path.I frowned. “Step aside,” I ordered, my voice laced with authority.They didn’t budge.“Did you not hear me?” I snapped. “Move!”One of the guards, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. “Miss Maya, you are not permitted to enter.”My patience
Maya’s Point of ViewI had to leave. I had to get away before my life spiraled further out of control.I took a step forward. Then another.But before I could take a third step, a strong hand shot out and grabbed my arm from behind, yanking me to a sudden halt.I gasped, spinning around, my eyes blazing with fury. “Who the hell……”My words died on my tongue when I locked eyes with him.A tall, broad-shouldered man stood in front of me. His build was strong, but he wasn’t as imposing as Kaiden. His skin was a smooth tan, his hair jet black and slightly tousled, and his piercing hazel eyes bore into mine with an intensity that sent an unexpected shiver through me. His chiseled jaw clenched, as if he was holding something back, and his breathing was slightly uneven.Then he spoke.“Mate.”A single word. One that made my entire world stop.My chest tightened. My heart pounded violently against my ribs. My vision blurred for a moment before I forced myself to focus.I took a sharp step ba
Maya’s Point of ViewBut even as I stormed out of the Pack House, I could still feel the weight of his gaze on my back. And deep inside my mind, Cinder howled in anguish.‘I did the right thing’, I told myself. ‘I don’t need a mate. I already have everything I’ve ever wanted.’But as I walked, I noticed something.Footsteps.Soft but deliberate.I clenched my jaw, my wolf instincts prickling at the realization. He’s following me.I growled lowly, a warning. It wasn’t loud, but it was firm. A clear message: Stay away from me.Yet, the footsteps didn’t stop.I came to an abrupt halt, spinning on my heel. Sure enough, there he was, Lucas, standing a few feet away, his hazel eyes locked onto mine, an infuriatingly calm expression on his face.I narrowed my eyes. “Why are you following me?” I demanded, my voice sharp.Lucas only smiled. A small, knowing smirk that made my blood boil. “Nothing,” he said casually. “Just wanted to know my mate more.”I felt something inside me snap. My hands
Maya’s Point of ViewNightfall had arrived, and with it came the final stage of my plan.I stood in front of my mirror, staring at the woman reflected back at me. A woman dressed to kill—literally.The dress I had chosen was black, silk-like liquid against my skin, hugging every curve in a way that screamed temptation. The plunging neckline barely covered my chest, and the high slit exposed a sinful amount of leg. Underneath, I wore nothing. Not a scrap of fabric. Just as he had requested.The fool.I reached for my most expensive perfume, the one that made men weak in the knees, and dabbed it along my pulse points—my neck, my wrists, the valley of my breasts. The intoxicating scent filled the room, wrapping around me like a seductive spell.One special thing about this perfume was that it didn’t just make men weak in the knees, it concealed my scent entirely. A rare, potent blend crafted from moonshade flowers and wolfsbane, designed to seal the wearer's natural smell. No wolf, no m
Avery’s Point of ViewThe house was too quiet.The kind of silence that made every creak of the floorboards sound like a whisper in the dark. The kind that pressed in on me, wrapping around me like a heavy cloak. I sighed, stretching my arms over my head as I lay on the plush couch, staring at the high ceiling. The chandelier above twinkled softly, casting golden patterns across the walls, but it didn’t make the emptiness feel any less suffocating.Kaiden had left earlier that morning, saying he needed to return to the pack to handle some things. “To avoid suspicion,” he had said. Right. As if anyone would suspect anything if he just stayed with me a little longer.I huffed, rolling onto my side and clutching a pillow.“How long does it take to handle pack matters, you jerk?” I muttered under my breath.I wasn’t even sure why I was so annoyed. It wasn’t like I wanted him around. Right?A name flickered in my mind like a whisper carried by the wind.Lynexia.I froze.That dream. The o
Kaiden’s Point of ViewThe meeting had been dragging on for far too long.I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming against the polished wood of the table. My patience was wearing thin, and Dalton—gods, Dalton wouldn’t shut up about the new defense strategies he was proposing."We need to reinforce the eastern border," he was saying, his deep voice laced with caution. "There have been rumors of rogue movements……"I barely heard the rest.Beside him, Caspian sat with his usual calm demeanor, flipping through a list of names. "Five packs have broken the rules this month alone," he muttered, his tone exasperated. "Three failed to pay their tributes, one harbored a fugitive, and another had the audacity to….."I sighed, rolling my eyes. I don’t have time for this.All I wanted was to go back home.To her.To Avery.‘Since when has our well-behaved Alpha started behaving like a lovesick boy?’Slade’s amused voice rang through my head, and I groaned inwardly.‘Keep on teasing me, you o
Lucas’s Point Of ViewI watched her.My beautiful, furious, broken little Maya.She stood there in the wreckage of her own making, blood dripping from her clenched fists, her chest heaving with shallow, panicked breaths. Her wild eyes locked onto me, full of a rage she barely understood.Good.Let her rage.Let her hate.As long as it kept her tethered to me. Slowly, I pushed off the wall, stepping closer. One slow, deliberate step. Her body tensed instantly, like a cornered animal.Good again."Stay away from me," she barked, voice sharp, but I heard the tremble underneath it. I smirked. Another step.Closer.Closer.Her breathing hitched, nostrils flaring as she scrambled backward, only to slam into the wall behind her.Trapped.Perfect."Why can't you leave me alone?!" she burst out, fists trembling at her sides. "Why are you always... always around me?!" I stopped a mere breath away from her, leaning down so that my face was inches from hers.I watched her pupils dilate, her blood
Maya’s Point Of ViewI stormed out of that cursed boutique, fists clenched so tight my nails dug bloody crescents into my palms. The staff’s mocking laughter echoed behind me, digging into my back like a thousand poisoned knives.I didn’t look back.I couldn’t.If I did, I’d lose whatever shred of dignity I had left, and they didn’t deserve to see me break. The sun outside was blinding, searing my eyes, but I didn’t care.I marched straight to my car, heels stabbing the pavement with each furious step, my breathing harsh and ragged. I could still feel Laura’s hand around my throat, the phantom pain burning hotter with every passing second.‘You’ll regret this,’ Laura, I swore silently. ‘You and every worm who laughed today will regret ever crossing me.’ I flung open the driver’s door and slid in, slamming it shut with a bone-jarring BANG.Just as I jammed the keys into the ignition, the passenger door yanked open. “Maya, wait!” Jenna gasped, her face pale, her eyes wide with fear. Tas
Maya’s Point Of ViewI couldn’t breathe for a second. The humiliation. The rage. The molten fire ripping under my skin, threatening to consume me whole.I would not let her win."He told me himself!" I snapped, my voice slicing through the thickening tension like a blade. I stomped forward so violently the designer let out a startled yelp, clutching her clipboard to her chest like a shield."He said I'm the only one fit to stand beside him!" I screamed, trembling with fury, my hands clenched into fists so tight my nails bit into my palms.Laura stood there, arms folded, completely unbothered. That damn smirk… that infuriating, mocking smirk, curled across her lips like she already knew the ending of a play I was fumbling through."Probably just trying to chase away a clinging little parasite," she said lightly, voice dripping with boredom, as if I was less than a fly buzzing near her ear.My blood boiled over."You…" I lunged at her, reckless, blinded by white-hot rage, my hand swingi
Maya’s Point Of ViewI watched, lounging like royalty, as Laura finally… finally, lifted her delicate hand and waved dismissively toward the designer. "You may attend to her," she said, her voice smooth but clearly edged with something cold. "I’ll wait."The designer hesitated, looking between us, visibly torn. I smirked wider, crossing my legs slowly, deliberately.As it should be. The future Luna didn’t wait for anyone.I rose from the chair in one graceful, commanding movement, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Every movement screamed power. Entitlement. Destiny."Come along now," I said breezily to the poor designer, who scurried ahead of me like a frightened rabbit. Jenna and Tasha, who had waited in the corridor, immediately fell in step beside me, their eyes shining with excitement.I tossed a look over my shoulder, giving Laura a smug little wave. "Pity," I said, voice dripping with faux sympathy. "You’ll get used to waiting behind me soon enough." The way La
Maya’s Point Of ViewWe cranked the volume up even louder, the music roaring through the house like a living thing. The maids wisely disappeared, or maybe fled, leaving us alone to bask in the madness. Wine flowed like water. Laughter echoed through the halls.We danced, wild, reckless dancing in our designer clothes, hair flying, glasses sloshing, makeup smudging, not caring about anything but the rush, the pure high of victory. At one point, Jenna climbed onto the coffee table, waving her glass over her head and shouting, "Long live Queen Maya!"Tasha and I howled with laughter, nearly collapsing onto the floor. I flopped down into a chair, breathless and giddy, my chest heaving. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Tasha plopped down beside me, still giggling, and leaned close."So," she said, voice dropping conspiratorially. "When's the big announcement?" I smirked. "Soon," I said, swirling the wine in my glass lazily. "I want it to be a moment. Big, public. No doubt left in anyon
Maya’s Point Of ViewI left the packhouse with my heart soaring so high, it felt like I could float. The moon bathed the grounds in a silver glow, and for once, everything… everything, felt exactly right. The door slammed behind me, and I practically skipped down the marble steps, my heels clicking with sharp satisfaction.I was going to be Luna.Not just some pretty little shadow hovering behind Kaiden. No, I would be his equal, his queen. I would finally take the place that had always been mine by right.I huffed out a laugh, half disbelief, half giddy euphoria, tossing my hair over my shoulder as I made my way to my sleek black car. Sliding into the leather seat, I ran a manicured hand through my hair and grinned at my reflection in the rearview mirror."Finally," I whispered to myself, voice trembling with elation. "Finally, Maya Pierce gets everything she deserves." I revved the engine and sped off, the scenery blurring past me as I drove toward my private house just off the pack
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewThirty minutes later, we stood outside in the training field behind the house.The morning air was cool and crisp, filled with the earthy scent of dew-covered grass and the faint rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle breeze. The sun was a low, molten gold on the horizon, casting a soft glow over everything, painting Avery’s hair in threads of silver and honey as she stood across from me.Arms crossed, chin tilted defiantly, she was the perfect picture of stubbornness and beauty. Her hair was tied up in a messy braid that somehow made her look even more irresistible. And gods, her outfit. Black, fitted workout clothes that clung to her like a second skin, highlighting every curve, every dip, and line of her body.I could barely focus.She noticed my stare instantly, her cheeks tinging a delicious shade of pink. "Stop staring," she muttered under her breath, fiddling with the hem of her top. I grinned wolfishly. "Not my fault you look so damn edible," I said shame
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewThe words echoed through my mind long after Slade’s voice faded into the silence.The curse. The darkness.It would come. But so would I. I stared down at the girl sleeping against my chest… my mate, my heart, my reason for breathing, and a fierce, almost primal need to protect her surged through me.No matter what happens, I swore silently. No matter what it takes... I will protect you, Avery. Even if it costs me everything. Even if it costs me myself.Slowly, I shifted, careful not to wake her. I cupped her face, feeling the delicate warmth of her skin under my palm. Her lashes fluttered slightly in her sleep, and she made a small, contented sound that squeezed my heart until it physically hurt.I dipped my head, brushing my lips over her forehead. Then her temple.Then her cheek. And finally, finally, her mouth. I kissed her softly, deeply, pouring every unspoken vow, every desperate promise into that kiss. She stirred faintly, her lips moving against mine in
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewHer hands clutched at my shirt, and she made a small, wounded sound that shattered me from the inside. "I swear it, Snowy," I murmured, moving my lips to her forehead, placing a reverent kiss there. "Even if the world falls apart, I will always find my way back to you.""You better," she whispered fiercely, her fingers fisting tighter against me. "Because if you don’t, I'll come drag you back myself." I laughed, a rough, broken sound, and crushed her closer, my arms aching with the need to keep her safe."Deal," I breathed.We sat like that for a long time, just holding each other, as if afraid the other would disappear if we let go. She pulled back a little after a while, eyes searching mine, vulnerable and fierce all at once."You scared me," she said, voice cracking again. "You idiot." I smiled sadly and pressed my forehead back to hers. "I know. And I'm sorry. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."She blinked, a few more tears spilling free. I