LOGINKali’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
Kali's POV I was standing. I wasn't sure how or when I rose to my feet but I was standing, staring Maduro right in the face. I stood there, frozen, trying to understand what Maduro meant by taking me back home.Home.The word felt heavy to even think about. Have I ever had a home? He wanted to take me back to Redpeak.Back to the place where fear had been my way of life and pain my daily routine. Where silence was the only way to survive and obedience did not stop me from getting beaten.Where I had been beaten, starved, broken down piece by piece until I barely knew who I was anymore.I couldn't go back there.It wasn't any better here in Shadow clan, but at least I could speak. I wasn't overworked like a dog. I had friends.I couldn't go back to Redpeak.Besides, why did he want me back now? They never wanted me.“No,” Ike said firmly, rising to his feet. His voice echoed through the room.Maduro’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. It made my skin crawl. “You see,” he
Kali's POV I have felt anger. I'm sure I must have felt anger at a point in my life. Only that I may not recall when exactly. But it was nothing compared to the anger that I felt now. It was brewing hot in my chest, spreading all through my body with such speed. I could feel the rage up to the root of my hair. I wanted to hurt him. To set him ablaze and watch him burn and scream for help. And nobody would help him. Just like no one ever came to my aid whenever he beat him. I hated Maduro. Maduro's cheeks widen as he grinned opening his arms wide. "Kora, my darling daughter. Come to your father." I remained frozen in place, just staring at him. Emmett's gaze flicked to me, I didn't look back him, so he wouldn't see the hate and anger in my eyes. But I was sure he felt it. At the same time, I didn't want Emmett to suspect anything. So I dragged in a deep breath that did nothing to calm my raging nerve. Only then did I realize I had been clenching too tigh







