LOGINMEGAN'S POVThe man stops a few feet away, his hands sliding nonchalantly into his pockets."My name," he announces, his voice smooth, "is Harlow Hale."The name doesn't ring a bell at first, and I frown, trying to match the name to a face.But then he continues."Perhaps you've heard of me," he adds casually. "I'm an investor in Xarion Luther's company. One of his… business associates, you could say."My blood runs cold.And just like that, everything clicks into place.Xarion.Of course this is about Xarion.I was kidnapped because of him.The realization slams into me, and I feel a bitter laugh clawing its way up my chest. Everything always comes back to Xarion, doesn't it?"So that's it?" I mutter, shaking my head. "You kidnapped me because of Xarion?""Smart girl," Harlow replies with a pleased smile."Then you're wasting your time," I fire back, my voice hardening. "Xarion and I aren't together. We're not even on good terms. So if you're planning to use me as leverage, you're
MEGAN'S POVI'm so tired I can't even think straight anymore.My body hurts in ways I didn't know were possible, my wrists are torn up from where the zip ties have been digging into my skin, every muscle in my body is screaming from being forced into the same position for goddess knows how long.How long have I been here?Is it one day? Two days? More?I've lost track.Time doesn't work the same way when you're tied to a chair in a cold, dark warehouse with silver burning into your skin and a needle full of poison coursing through your veins.All I know is that I'm exhausted. Starving. And so thirsty my throat feels like sandpaper.But worse than all of that, worse than the physical pain, is the hollow feeling in my chest that has nothing to do with my restraints.Maverick and Makayla. My babies.I can't stop thinking about them.Their little faces. Their voices. The way they hug me like I'm their entire world.Are they okay? Are they eating? Are they sleeping?Or are they still sitti
XARION'S POVI don't respond right away.I just stand there, my fists clenched at my sides, my eyes locked on his, and I let my wolf surge forward just enough that my eyes flash gold.The temperature in the room drops instantly.Renzo's smirk wavers, just for a second, and I can see the hint of unease in his eyes.He stands slowly, palms up, that slow infuriating smirk still in place like he’s enjoying this. "Whoa, Xarion. Easy," he murmurs, his tone light, but not nearly as relaxed as he wants me to believe. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. We can talk about why you came into my territory like civilized adults. No need to get all… murderous.""Cut the act, Renzo," I snap, taking a step forward, my voice dropping to a lethal threat. "I'm not in the mood for games. You know exactly why I'm here."He raises an eyebrow, his expression morphing into something that almost looks like genuine confusion."Do I?" he counters, cocking his head. "Enlighten me.""Where is she?" I demand,
XARION'S POVThe moment I arrive at Renzo's territory, I know something's off.It’s not what I see that raises every alarm in my head. It’s what’s missing.Resistance.There's no blockade at the gates. No armed guards stepping forward to demand what the hell I'm doing here. No one trying to turn me away or make this difficult.Just… open gates and a clear path straight to his mansion.It's too easy.I cut the engine and sit in my car for a moment, my hands still clamped around the steering wheel, my pulse thrumming steadily in my ears.My wolf is on high alert, pacing restlessly inside me, every instinct warning that this could be a trap.'Careful,' he growls. 'This feels wrong.'I know.But I don't have a choice.If Renzo has Megan, if he's the one who took her, then I'm walking into this house whether it's a trap or not.I dart my eyes to the rearview mirror and catch sight of the two cars behind me, my gammas waiting for my signalAnd then I notice something else.The car that's be
DANIELLE'S POVBrett nods, pulling out onto the road, and Skye twists in her seat to look at me, her eyes wide with alarm."Danielle, what the hell are we doing?" she hisses, her voice rising slightly. "This is insane.""We're following Xarion," I reply flatly, crossing my arms. "What does it look like we're doing?""I know that," she counters, her tone sharp now. "But why? What's the point of this? What did he say to you?""Nothing worth repeating," I grit out. "He stonewalled me, Skye. He wouldn't tell me anything… wouldn't let me see Megan's brats, wouldn't even let me touch him. And now, I need to know where he's headed. Because wherever it is, it's serious. He's up to something. And I'm willing to bet it has something to do with Megan."Skye fidgets in her seat, her fingers twisting together. "Danielle, are you sure about this? I mean… what if he finds out we're following him?""He won't," I bite out, shooting her an pointed look now. "Not if we're careful.""But if he does…" Sky
DANIELLE'S POVThe second Xarion's car disappears down the street, I let the mask drop.And I mean completely.My face twists, my molars grinding into dust, and I have to press a hand against my stomach because I genuinely think I might vomit.Right here. Right now. All over the spotless driveway of Xarion's stupid house.That entire conversation was torture.Absolute, humiliating, soul-crushing torture.Standing there, pretending to care about Megan and her pathetic little brats, acting like I was worried, like I was concerned, like I gave a single damn whether she lived or died?It took everything in me not to laugh in his face.Or scream.Or both.I wanted to throw up every single word I said. Every soft tone. Every gentle expression. Every fake smile I pasted on my face while I asked about those kids like they were anything more than obstacles in my way.“Poor kids. Children need their mothers."The words rot in my head now, and I have to swallow down the bile rising in my throat.
XARION'S POVThe second I push through the glass doors of my company, my employees start greeting me."Good morning, Alpha Xarion.""Morning, sir.""Welcome, Alpha."I nod at each of them, offering polite smiles and calm responses as I make my way through the lobby.And then I see him.Andrew.He's
XARION'S POVI can see the exact moment my words register with Megan, and her head snaps toward me, eyes flashing with irritation."Excuse me?" she says, her voice cold despite the slight slur. "Since when do you get to decide what I've had enough of?""Since you started looking like you're about t
XARION'S POVAlpha Elias's eyes narrow and I can see the hostility coming off him now. He doesn't like me. That much is clear.And I'm guessing it's because of Vance.He's protective of Megan, and he clearly wants her with his son.But that's not happening. Not if I have anything to say about it."
MEGAN'S POVPain greets me the second I open my eyes.A heavy, pounding ache that pulses through my skull like someone's taken a sledgehammer to my head.I groan, pressing my palms against my forehead as I try to will the pain away.What the hell happened last night?My mouth feels like sandpaper,







