LOGINKali's POV Run! Every nerve in my body screamed. I really should run, but where would I run to? I had tried to run away once. But that was several years ago and one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I still had the small scar on my scalp to prove it. Even if I wanted to run, I couldn't. My legs felt like jelly under me. I just stared back at Kora as goosebumps washed over my skin. I felt a hand take mine. I glanced down. It was Zara's. My gaze flicked to hers, she didn't glance back at me, but she gave my hand a light squeeze. Like she was trying to squeeze assurance into my hand. It didn't work. She did not understand what it meant to live with these people. But I did. "Shall we?" Hera said, motioning into the house. Zara did not let go of my hand,that I felt grateful for. But with each step I took into the house, my heart thudded painfully inside my chest.Fear clung to me like sweat as they led us deeper into the house.Every step echoed too loudly, eve
Kali’s POVThe moment we crossed into Redpeak, fear crashed over me like a tidal wave.It wasn’t gentle or gradual. It was instant. Suffocating. The kind that sank its claws into my chest and squeezed until every breath felt borrowed. I hadn’t been back in months, and in that time I had let myself believe a foolish thing that distance had weakened this place’s hold on me. I had being so certain, I would never ever step foot into Redpeak again.I was so wrong.The land itself felt hostile, the air thicker, heavier, as if to remind me that I wasn't wanted there.The car slowed, with gravel crunching beneath the tires, as if finally came to a stopped.I stared straight ahead, my hands clenched so tightly in my lap my fingers ached. When I finally forced myself to look out the window, my heart stuttered and then dropped.The house.It was completely the same. Just as cruel as it had always been.Three black SUVs were already parked out front.My stomach twisted violently.And then I saw t
Kali’s POV I came awake slowly, drifting up through layers of fog and slight ache at the back of my head. The first thing I noticed was the feel of leather against my skin. Cool. Smooth. Not a bed. The second was sound—low murmurings that seemed to come from everywhere at once, overlapping voices that slipped in and out of focus like a half remembered dream. My brow furrowed. My eyes cracked open. The world was moving. I sucked in a sharp breath and pushed myself upright. A car. I was in a car. Panic flared instantly, inside me, but I forced myself to breathe as I took in my surroundings. Dark interior. Tinted windows. The faint hum of the engine vibrating through the seat beneath me. I don't remember getting into any vehicle. I turned my head. Zara sat beside me. Her posture was rigid, her body angled toward the window, and her gaze fixed on whatever blurred past outside. Her jaw was tight, lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t look at me. My heart t
Zara's POV My heart was pounding inside my chest. But for a completely different reason now. I shoved the door open and the room immediately fell silent. All eyes turned to my direction. Ike gave me a questioning look. I avoided his gaze. Stepping inside, I shut the door behind me and flashed a bright smile. "What are you doing here Zara?" Ike asked, his voice dripping with annoyance. I shrugged, plopping down on the seat beside him. "Alpha Emmett sent me," I said staring Maduro straight in the eye. "I would rather be speaking to your Alpha directly rather than through... his helps." I heard Ike suck in a sharp breath. "You can take Kora," I said, ignoring him. "What?" Ike barked beside me. Maduro leaned forward, a wide grin on his face. "Finally, a voice of reason." "But on two condition.' . "Zara, what are you doing?" Ike asked through gritted teeth. I ignored him. "If you accept these conditions, then Kora can leave with you immediately." "Okay. I'
Zara’s POVMy heart thundered inside my chest.Every step I took closer to Emmett’s study made it pound harder, louder, as if it were trying to warn me. I was certain it would burst straight out of my ribs if I didn’t calm down soon.I paused in front of the door, fists clenched tightly at my sides.Breathe.Just breathe.I dragged in a few deep breaths, then exhaled slowly, forcing my shoulders to relax.I knocked.“Come in,” Emmett’s voice came almost immediately from behind the door.I opened it and pasted on the calmest smile I could manage. “Hey you.”“Zara,” he said, rubbing a hand over his forehead.He was seated in his chair, a bottle of whiskey open on the desk in front of him. The amber liquid caught the light, but it was the look in his eyes that made my stomach tighten. Rage simmered there, sharp and barely leashed.I could only imagine how hard it was for him to sit still while Maduro was just down the hall.“What is going on down there?” he asked, his voice low, dangerou
Zara's POV This might just be the universe working in my favor. If I play my cards right, the shadow wolf would be in my grasp. I hate to use Kora like this, but to save Ike, I have no other choice but to. I turned a corner, balancing the teapot on the tray and almost bumping into Ike. "Sorry," I muttered as I tried to walk past him. But he grabbed my arm. "How is she?" he asked, his brow furrowed in what I assume is worry. "She is quite shaken but she is fine." He nodded. "Is Maduro still here?" I asked. He sighed. "He is." "What is Emmett saying?" "I haven't told him yet." My brows scrunched up in a frown. "Why haven't you?" "Because I don't think Kora should go with him. I fear Emmett might send her back." "Would that be so bad? Shouldn't we be doing everything to avoid a war with Redpeak at least until we find the shadow wolf?" Ike gave me a weird look. "You weren't in their. Kora was petrified of the man. If I didn't know better, I would think she wasn't h







