LOGIN“I’ll swear it on the Goddess Herself if I have to, Luna. During the height of midsummer, when our grain harvests were at their peak, she was bleeding us dry. She siphoned off the Pack’s supplies and sold them to rivals, pocketing the gold for herself. She even snatched the wages right out of the kitchen staff's hands,” Jennifer explained, her voice trembling with raw honesty. “That’s when she started cornering me, forcing that poisoned herbal tea down my throat under the lie that it would make me fertile.”I felt my expression harden, my voice dropping into a deadly, low register. “Was that the first time you caught her in the act?”“Far from it, Luna. Her greed was the heartbeat of that kitchen; we all lived in the rhythm of her darkness,” Jennifer’s voice grew steadier, colder. “Everyone saw her hands in the till, but no one dared to catch them. I’m only telling you about the grain because that was the bridge she burned to get to me. That was when her 'dark desire' turned into my
“Stay right here, Angie. Drink this herbal broth,” Mom said softly, pressing a warm bowl into my hands. Her voice was gentle but carried the weight of centuries of maternal instinct. “It's good for the little one.”“Mom, you really don't have to—““Hush now, just drink,” she whispered, her hand resting briefly on my hair. Her eyes held a world of unspoken worry and fierce determination. “You're not nearly strong enough yet. Let your mom handle things for a while.”Left with no choice, I took the bowl and drained the herbal brew in one go. It was agonizingly bitter—the unmistakable, sharp sting of a potent blend of rare herbs, famous in the werewolf world for their restorative power.“Where’s Malcolm?” I asked, setting the empty bowl down on the nightstand.“Malcolm is attending to pack business, darling. He’s still investigating who was behind the attack on Jennifer, while also overseeing the reconstruction of the buildings and the fields that were destroyed,” Mom explained.“He
Dr. Liana looked up at me, then at Malcolm, her expression a mixture of shock and something that looked almost like awe.“Luna…” Her voice trembled slightly. “You’re pregnant.”The world stopped.Malcolm’s hand tightened around mine so hard it almost hurt.“W-what?” I whispered, the word barely audible.“You’re pregnant,” Dr. Liana repeated, more firmly this time. “At least six, maybe seven weeks along. That’s what’s been making you nauseous, exhausted, and strangely emotional—your body has been quietly creating a life, Luna. What a miracle …”I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. The room spun around me, tears began flooding my cheeks. “A baby? Is it… is it actually a baby?”“I wouldn’t say it if there were doubt. This is a pregnancy.” She didn’t rush the answer.“But how is that possible?” My voice trembled. “The doctors at Pearl Harbour said… said I might never be able to have children again—after Iona. And even if it were possible, they said the chances were only twenty perc
Malcolm's grip tightened protectively, but his gaze swept the darkness with predatory focus. He inhaled deeply, his expression turning grave.“Angie... I don't smell anything but rain and exhaust.”The certainty in his voice made my own doubt scream. But the scent was already fading, slipping away like a taunt, leaving only the chilling possibility was the puppet master here, watching, or was my shattered mind now conjuring ghosts“Just get me home,” I breathed, the last of my strength vanishing, along with the scent. But the question, and the fear, lingered, carried in his arms all the way home.Malcolm didn’t argue. He carried me the rest of the way in silence, but I felt his gaze on me the entire drive was studying. Every time I closed my eyes, he squeezing my palms tightly. The moment we reached the mansion, Malcolm laid me gently on the bed, and didn’t leave. Just stood there, arms crossed over his chest.“You’ve been running on fumes since this started,” he said
“Damn. Why did that look so terrifying?” Jane muttered, rubbing the back of her neck like she could scrub away the chill. “Check on her. Now, Malcolm… let’s go,” I urged, already pushing off the wall. But before we could move, Jane’s fingers closed around my wrist. “Wait. Look.” Through the screen, Jennifer lay perfectly still in bed, breathing deep and even, one arm tucked beneath her cheek like a child. As if the violet veins, the snarling, the shattered door had all been a nightmare. “This makes no sense,” Malcolm growled, dragging a hand down his face. I sank back into the nearest chair, the metal cold even through my jacket. “Maybe it’s just the backlash,” I murmured, exhaustion thick in my voice. “Everything that’s been weighing on her… her mind’s finally shutting down to survive.” Jane stayed frozen, staring at Jennifer’s peaceful face. Like a doll someone had carefully tucked in after tearing its seams.Malcolm let out a long, weary sigh and settled his
“Allison, where have you been?” I asked, turning to my twin brother.“I just got back from dropping Lira off at her place,” he said, his tone matter of fact. “Jane sent me to get you. She needs you both in the forensic room.”“Why? Is there a problem?” Malcolm asked, his voice shifting into its Alpha timbre.“They have something to show you, Alpha Malcolm,” Allison replied with a slight shrug. “Seems it's related to the... state they found Margaret's body in. It's pretty grim.”“Right, we'll head there now,” Malcolm said with a nod, his eyes briefly meeting mine.“By the way, Lira isn't hurt, is she?” I asked, placing a hand on Malcolm's arm as he reached for mine.“Lira's fine,” Allison assured me. His tone turned more insistent. “You should really get to the forensic room now. Jane's waiting. Don't keep them any longer.”“Yeah, yeah, okay,” I said, rolling my eyes playfully. “See you later.”“Alright,” Allison said with a shrug. “I'll go catch up with Mom.”Malcolm and I then made o







