MasukVera's Pov I ran. I had no idea where I was going. My only plan was to put enough distance between me and that party and between myself and Dante's hurt expression that made guilt start creeping in even through my anger.My feet carried me down packs I didn't recognize. The Blackwood Pack's building was a maze compared to the familiar layout of the Russo compound, and within minutes I was completely turned around. But I didn't stop. The need to leave was in overwhelming. It drowned out all logic and reason and the small voice in my head that whispered that I was being ridiculous.I finally burst through an exterior door into the cool night air, gasping as the temperature change hit my overheated face.I stumbled forward, away from the light spilling from the windows behind me, away from the music and laughter and celebration I'd just abandoned. My legs carried me into the tree line, branches catching at my clothes and hair as I pushed deeper into the woods.Only when I couldn't see
Vera's Pov I stood frozen as my brain tried to understand what I was seeing. The figure in the centre of the room was not an enemy that had come to gloat over my capture. It was Dante. And behind him, Sofia, Elena and Nyx stood with big smiles on their faces, holding what looked like – party decorations?“SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VERA!” They chorused in unison. Confetti exploded somewhere and rained down in colourful streams.Balloons bobbed against the ceiling. A banner hung across the far wall reading "Happy Birthday Vera" in glittering letters.I blinked rapidly. My mouth hung open but no sound came out."Vera?" Dante moved toward me, concern replacing his smile when he saw my expression. "Cara, are you –”The tears came without warning, huge wracking sobs that shook my entire body. My knees gave out and I would have hit the floor if Dante hadn't caught me, pulling me against his chest as I completely fell apart."Hey, hey, it's okay." His arms wrapped around me securely. "Yo
Vera's Pov My wolf was magnificent. I barely had time to register the thought before she launched herself at the first rogue with a ferocity I didn't know she possessed. Her claws takes across his throat before he could react and blood sprayed in an arc across the white hospital walls. The second wold shifted mid-leap. His wolf form was larger than mine but slower. My wolf twisted impossibly fast, avoiding his attack and catching him in the vulnerable spot behind his front leg. He went down with a yelp that cut off abruptly as her jaws closed around his windpipe.The third rogue backed toward the door, fear finally registering on his face as he realized what was happening. But my wolf was already moving, a blur of fur and teeth and rage that gave him no chance to escape.It was over in less than thirty seconds. All three rogues dead. All destroyed by a wolf who'd been too damaged to shift properly just weeks ago.As the adrenaline faded, pain crashed over me like a tidal wave.
Vera's Pov But his expression slowly became warm and tender.He leaned in slowly, giving me time to change my mind and pull away if I wanted to but I didn't want to. His lips met mine gently, like I was something precious and fragile that might break under too much pressure. But I didn't want gentle. I wanted more. I pressed closer, my hands fisting in his shirt as I deepened the kiss. He made a sound low in his throat, his arms tightening around me as he responded to my urgency.His hand came up to cup the back of my head, careful to avoid my injury, while his other hand held me steady against him. I could feel the restraint of his muscles, the way he held himself back from crushing me against himself and that made me want him even more. The door burst open with a bang that made us jump. "Vera!" Sofia rushed in, Elena right behind her, both of them looking panicked. "We heard what happened with Stephanie and we – oh." She stopped short, taking in our flushed faces and obvious
Vera's Pov “Okay seriously,” Nyx said with her hands on her hips as she gave me a critical look, “Why are you in a hospital bed with a bandage wrapped around your head like you went three rounds with a rogue? What happened?”I sighed, knowing I could not avoid this conversation. Knowing Nyx, she wouldn't let me go. Nyx had always been able to read me like a book so I didn't see any use in hiding things from her. “It's a long story,” I started. “Good thing I have so much time,” She sat down and pulled the chair closer with an expectant expression, “Start talking,”So I told her everything. Nyx’s expression shifted through a range of emotions as I spoke – shock, anger, fury, then settling into a cold rage that was somehow more terrifying than loud outbursts would have been.“I'm going to kill her,” she said flatly when I finished "I'm going to find this Stephanie person and I'm going to end her existence. Slowly.”"You'll have to get in line behind Dante," I said with a weak smile.
Vera's Pov The first thing I registered was th antiseptic smell of a hospital that made my nose wrinkle. The second was the throbbing pain in my head. I tried to open my eyes but the light was too bright, making me wince and squeeze them shut again. “Vera,” Dante’s voice was rough with exhaustion and relief, “Can you hear me?”I forced my eyes open more slowly this time, squinting against the fluorescent lights until the room came into focus. My eyes landed on the white walls, the medical equipment, the IV on my arm. And then, Dante sitting in a chair beside the bed, looking like he hadn't slept in days.“Hi,” I croaked. My throat was dry and scratchy. His hand immediately found mine and he squeezed it gently. “Thank God. You've been unconscious for hours. I was starting to — I'll get the doctor,”Before I could respond, he was at the door calling the medical staff. Within seconds, a middle-aged man in a white coat entered, his expression professionally calm as he approached my







