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Zarek's POV When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was warmthâreal, comforting warmth. My body ached, but it wasnât the unbearable fire Iâd grown used to. For a moment, I dared to think my heat had passed. Then I felt itâa heavy arm draped over me. My heart skipped a beat, and I froze, every muscle in my body stiffening. I didnât need to look to know who it was. His scent was everywhere, filling my lungs and calming my nerves in a way that only made me angrier. Cedar and rain, rich and groundingâKaidonâs scent. It wrapped around me, sinking into my skin, and I hated how much my body craved it. Carefully, I turned my head. There he was, lying beside me, his golden eyes hidden behind closed lids, his breathing steady. His grip on me was firm, like even in sleep, he refused to let me go. My chest tightened. My wolf, Aegis, stirred weakly in the back of my mind, purring at the sight of our mate. I wanted to feel the same pull, the same instinctual comfort. But all I felt was suf
Zarek's POV I ran as fast as I could, my heart pounding in my chest. The only thing on my mind was reaching the forest. I needed to get awayâaway from Akiri, away from Kaidon, and especially away from their pitying gazes. Aegis wouldnât help me. We werenât on speaking terms, and I didnât trust him to take control even if he wanted to. All I could do was keep running, hoping the woods would offer some solace, a place to hide and think.âIâm sorry,â Aegis whimpered suddenly, his voice soft and full of regret. âI had to do it to protect you.âI clenched my jaw and ignored him. I didnât want to hear it. His excuses meant nothing to me right now. As the forest loomed closer, a small sense of relief washed over me. Back in the Red Claw pack, when the Alpha left for visits to other packs, Iâd often sneak out to the woods just outside our pack house. It was the only place where I could find peace. Thatâs what I was looking for nowâa reprieve from the chaos in my mind.But before I could rea
Kaidon's POVI spent the rest of Zarekâs heat pacing in my office. After just one night with my mate, both Corban and I were completely in love with the boy. I couldnât stand that he had come from an abusive pack, and it drove me mad.Axel had told me after the attack that Zarek needed to be left alone for the rest of his heat. She explained that Astrid could sense Zarekâs wolfâs sadness and helplessnessârooted in the fact that Zarek felt like he didnât have a choice in how his life would unfold.That news sent me into a rage. I threw a punch at the wall, creating a dent as I thought about how Zarekâs previous packs had ruined him. Theyâd made him feel as if his life was already decided for him, leaving him no say in his own fate. I only stopped when Axel told me that Zarek could sense my anger, and it was making him panic.So, I stayed in my office, away from my mate. I hated that it was my presence that had caused the strange sobbing fit Zarek had earlier. I didnât want to make him
Zarek's POVI sprinted as quickly as possible, making my way toward the woods. I had to escape. I was certain Aegis wouldnât take over since we werenât on the best of terms, so I just kept running, searching for a spot to conceal myself and collect my thoughts.I couldnât remain in that room with Akiri. I couldnât allow Kaidon to witness my tears or my struggle with my wolf. The most frustrating part was that no matter how far I went, Aegis was always there. We were connected mentally.âIâm sorry,â Aegis said, his voice filled with remorse. âI had to do it to keep you safe.âI chose to ignore him. I didnât want to listen.The forest was drawing nearer, and I felt a surge of relief. During my time with the Red Claw pack, I would often rest in the woods near the pack house on days when the Alpha was absent. It was serene there, tranquil.But just as I was about to step out from the trees, a deep growl sounded from my right. I turned carefully, my heart racing and my anxiety escalating.
Kaidon's POVI spent the remainder of Zarek's heat pacing nervously around my office, feeling restless and on edge. After just one night together, it became evident that I was utterly enchanted by him. My wolf, Corban, felt the same way. Both of us were profoundly in love with him, and it was agonizingâboth physically and emotionallyâto confront the fact that he had come from a pack that had severely damaged his sense of self-worth.After the incident, Axel informed me that Zarek needed some time alone to cope with his heat. Astrid had sensed the deep sadness and powerlessness radiating from him, stemming from his belief that he was unable to control his own life. Merely contemplating it made my blood boil. In a surge of anger, I ended up leaving a dent in the wall, furious over the extent of the damage done to him by his past packs. Axel had to intervene during my outburst, warning me that Zarek could feel my anger and that it was causing him distress.That was when I decided to maint
Zarek's POVAs we strolled towards the diner, I couldnât release Kaidon's hand. It was reassuring, even if it felt odd to be this intimate with him in public. For once, there were no wolves growling or glaring at me as we walked by. Instead, they greeted us with waves and smiles, and a few even made cooing sounds at me. I wasnât accustomed to that. It made me anxious, but Kaidon merely grinned and gently steered me away from them.Upon arriving at the diner, I paused briefly. It was bright, inviting, and had an amazing aroma. The air was filled with the scents of sugar, baked goods, and freshly brewed coffee. My stomach emitted a soft growl, and Aegis, my wolf, chimed in."Still not as nice as Kaidonâs room," Aegis teased, causing me to roll my eyes."Can you knock it off?" I muttered to myself, trying to concentrate on the present.Kaidon looked down at me and smiled, his icy blue eyes warm. "What would you like to order?" he inquired, glancing at the large menu hanging over the coun
Zarek's POV After we indulged in a feast of pastries, Kaidon and I exited the diner. Zara waved goodbye, shouting something about being careful. My face instantly flushed, and I could feel the warmth radiate to my ears. Kaidon, naturally, just chuckled quietly at my embarrassment. As we strolled along, I paused for a moment before speaking. "Alpha?" I blurted out, then quickly shook my head. "I mean, Kaidon. I apologize." "Don't worry about it. No need to say sorry," Kaidon reassured me, gently squeezing my hand. His touch always seemed to soothe me. "Whatâs on your mind?" I bit my lip, uncertain if I should bring it up, but my curiosity got the better of me. "Do you and your wolf⌠have a good bond?" Kaidon halted suddenly, and my heart sank into my stomach. Did I say something wrong? Panic surged within me, and words spilled out before I could stop. "You donât have to respond! Iâm sorry if I sounded intrusive, and Iâll accept any punishment you think isâ" "Stop," Kaidon interru
Zarek's POV I had never encountered Kaidon's wolf before, but I was certain he had seen mine. His wolf, Corban, was massiveâjet black with striking golden eyes, and his size was comparable to that of a lion. The sight of him could easily instill fear in anyone, and I was uncertain about what to anticipate when I transformed. Most Alpha wolves tend to be larger than others, and Kaidon was no different. He was taller, more powerful, and radiated strength in every move he made. Upon shifting, my wolf, Aegis, took over. White fur enveloped my smaller frame, and purple eyes glimmered, indicating that Aegis was in charge. In comparison to Kaidon, I was quite smallâmore similar in size to a large lynx. My nose barely reached his shoulder as I leaned against him after shifting. Kaidon's eyes sparkled with a blend of gold and blue, showcasing the harmony he had with Corban. In contrast, Aegis was unwilling to let me take charge. He feared I might revert us to our human form, always anxious
Kaidon's POV I raised my sword as soon as Slade called for the fight to begin, stepping into the battle circle with Ryker standing about ten feet across from me. We were both circling each other, neither of us making the first move. The tension in the air was thick, and I could feel the eyes of both packs on us, waiting for the inevitable clash.I wondered what Ryker was thinking right now. He always had that smug look on his face, but now it was laced with something darker. He was trying to provoke me, and I could feel it.âI wonder what you're thinking right now,â Ryker said, his smirk widening as he took a step closer to me. âI know what Iâm thinkingâabout how hard Iâm going to fuck my Omega when this is all over.âMy anger flared, but I kept it in check, hoping to provoke him into making the first move. âFunny you say that,â I shot back, trying to hide the venom in my voice. âFrom what Iâve heard, your Omega, your mate, is dead.âRykerâs smirk faded instantly, and I could see the
Kaidonâs POV"Come on, defeat me!" Kane roared, his voice shifting into a growl as his body contorted. His bones cracked, reshaping as thick fur spread across his skin. In a matter of seconds, he had shifted into his wolf formâa massive beast with razor-sharp fangs. He lunged at me with terrifying speed. I barely had time to react before he knocked the short sword right out of my grip. The blade clattered to the ground, and before I could even think about retrieving it, Kane stood in front of it, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. His sharp canines gleamed under the moonlight as he grinned at me in his wolf form. "Ryker will have your head in thirty seconds!" he taunted. "Stop talking!" I snapped, trying to focus. But Kane wasnât done messing with me. He circled me like a predator sizing up its prey, his piercing eyes locked onto me as if he was calculating his next move. His muscles coiled, ready to strike. "Focus, then!" he barked through the mind-link,
Kaidon's POV After a long day of training, all I wanted was to get home. My body ached from the drills, and my mind was already occupied with thoughts of my mate, Zarek. He still had a few months left in his pregnancy, but it was torture leaving him alone for so long. Every moment away from him felt like I was missing something important. The pack house buzzed with activityâparents collecting their pups, warriors discussing patrolsâbut I didnât see Zarek anywhere in the room. A frown formed between my brows as I scanned the area. I stopped Astrid on her way out. "Have you seen Zarek?" She nodded. âHeâs in his room with Andre and Leo, watching movies.â Relief settled in my chest, but I didnât waste any more time. I strode toward our room, eager to see him. When I stepped inside, I found the two pups sprawled out on the bed, their faces illuminated by the glow of the television. But my mate wasnât there. âHave you two seen Luna Zarek?â I asked, drawing their attention away fr
Zarek's POV Days passed, and despite the weight of the situation, we were no closer to uncovering the full extent of Ryker's business within our pack. There had been no attacks or ambushes, and for the moment, everyone was safe. The pack had been vigilant, constantly checking on everyone, making sure we all knew our place, making sure we were where we needed to be.The outside world had gone quiet, as expected. Everyone had been ordered to stay inside unless they were warriors. The warriors had set up camp just outside the pack house and in the center of the village, ready to spring into action if the need arose. I couldn't help but feel a little restless. I was used to more action, more of a sense of purpose. But right now, all we had was waiting. In the midst of all this, Kegan and Astrid had turned the pack house into a makeshift daycare for the pups. It was a good way to keep the little ones occupied while their parents patrolled or trained. And they had even made rooms available
Kaidon's POV"We're under attack!" Axel screamed through the pack link into my mind.My heart skipped a beat as I shot up from beside my confused mate. Fear surged through meâpanic, terror, the feeling of dread that something was terribly wrong. I couldnât shift with Corban silent in my head, but I couldnât just let my pack fight their battles for me. My role wasnât to stand on the sidelines.âWhatâs wrong?â Zarek asked, looking at me in horror. His voice was filled with disbelief as his eyes locked onto mine.âHave you seen whoâs attacking us?â I asked, my voice shaking slightly despite my efforts to remain calm. I moved quickly, locking the windows and scooping Zarek into my arms, rushing him to our walk-in closet. I laid him down gently, trying to hide him away from any potential threat. âHow many are there?ââKaidon! Whatâs going on?â Zarekâs voice was laced with worry.I didnât answer right away. Axel and Astrid burst into the room, their two pups, Andre and Leo, trailing behind
Zarek's POV I woke up to a cold room. I didnât open my eyes right away. Instead, I kept them closed, feeling around for a blanket. The air smelled like Kaidon, and I didnât feel uncomfortable, so I convinced myself I was in my own room. But there was still that nagging confusion in the back of my mind, wondering why I was so cold.âKaidon?â I whispered, but my voice barely escaped. It was almost like the words were stuck in my throat. My stomach felt tight when I realized there were hands gently resting there. The surprise hit me, and I gasped softly, trying to push the sensation away.I opened my eyes and saw Kaidon leaning against the wall, nervously biting his nails. The doctor was still hovering near me, her hands moving around my stomach with that careful, clinical precision.I remembered the conversation I had with Sage earlier, but I was holding onto hope that the doctor was finding out that I was okayâthat everything was going to be fine. There was no way I could have been in
Zarek's POV I had never seen Sage look so distraught. His hands were shackled to the cold ground, the chains tight, leaving him barely any space to move. His neck was adorned with a thick collar, and I couldnât help but notice the red marks around itâhis attempts to rip it off were clearly unsuccessful. It looked like pure torture.âWhat's on his neck?â I whispered, looking up at Kaidon with a horrified expression.I couldnât believe it. Sage was supposed to be a warrior, strong and fierce, but now he looked like he was on the edge of breaking. This was wrong. I had never imagined seeing one of our own treated like this, especially not Sage. I always thought he'd be able to handle anything thrown at him, but this was pure cruelty.Kaidon growled at Sage, a deep, guttural sound that filled the room. He wasnât fazed by the state of the prisoner. "It overpowers his senses and weakens him. He canât talk through any form of mind link or shift," Kaidon said coldly, making my jaw drop. I f
Kaidon's POVIt had been a month since Sage, Lyra, and Kane had been arrested and taken into custody. They refused to speak with anybody but Zarek and me, but I avoided them completely. Honestly, I was just plain scared I would snap the minute I even got close. I didn't trust myself enough not to kill them on the spot.The pack house had never felt so tense. There was no hum of activity, just silence, anger hanging heavy in the air. It weighed on everyone, even the children, who were too afraid to leave their parents' rooms. Even Astrid barely left her room, the anger in the house making everyone tense, as if the slightest spark could set off an explosion.Zarek hadn't been much better. He hadn't been out of his room much, either, but for different reasons. The pregnancy was exhausting him. His stomach was getting heavier with each passing day; the pups inside were becoming more and more demanding. He left the room only when it was highly necessary-to visit me in my office, to get some
Zarek's POV I barely stopped Kaidon from storming out of the room. âWhatâs going on? Kaidon, you need to talk to me,â I said, stepping in front of the door. âI donât understand what you're saying. And if thereâs an enemy in our land, calling a meeting will chase them away!âKaidon shook his head, his focus entirely on the door. He was trying to move me out of the way. âItâs not safe here unless we find out whoâs infiltrated!â he growled, reaching for the doorknob.Without warning, I surged forward, throwing myself into Kaidonâs arms. His body crashed to the ground, and I straddled him, holding him tightly so he couldnât get up without taking me with him.âLet go,â Kaidon growled.I shook my head stubbornly, pressing my face against his neck. âNo,â I murmured, feeling him relax a bit, but then tense back up. âI need you to explain whatâs going on to me. Please, I can help.ââFine,â Kaidon mumbled, standing up and lifting me off him before depositing me on the bed. His eyes stayed glue