LOGINXARION'S POVThe conference room door closes behind me with a soft thud, and I resist the urge to punch the nearest wall.That meeting was a disaster.Not because of bad business. The numbers are solid, the quarterly projections are excellent, and the investors are happy.But none of that matters when my mind's somewhere else entirely.I couldn't focus or think straight. Every time someone presented a slide or made a point, all I could see was Megan's face at the hospital, the twins huddled against her, and the fear in their eyes.And the worst part? I still have nothing.No leads. No answers. No damn clue who sent those rogues.Despite everything I've done, despite Andrew working around the clock, despite every contact I've squeezed for information, we're no closer to finding out who tried to kill my family than we were three days ago.Three days.It's been three days since Megan was discharged, and I haven't seen her or the twins since.I wanted to. Goddess knows I wanted to.But ev
MEGAN'S POVI take a breath, realizing this is the moment I've been dreading.The moment I have to fully explain our world to them."Alright," I begin slowly and reposition myself so I can look at both of them properly. "You know how Mommy's a werewolf, right?"They nod eagerly."Well, that means I have a wolf inside me,” I continue. “All werewolves do. And I can shift into my wolf form whenever I need to.”"Like magic?" Makayla questions, her eyes sparkling with wonder."Sort of," I reply with a soft laugh. "But it's not magic. It's just part of who we are. And one day, when you're older, you'll be able to shift too."Maverick's eyes widen. "Really?""Yep," I confirm. "But not until you're a bit older. Usually around sixteen or eighteen. That's when your wolf will wake up inside you.""Will it hurt?" Makayla inquires nervously."A little," I admit honestly. "The first time is always the hardest. But after that, it gets easier. And it's an amazing feeling. You'll see."They both stare
MEGAN'S POVThe hotel room is nice enough.It's spacious and clean, one of those upscale suites with a separate bedroom for the twins, a kitchenette I haven't touched, and massive windows showing off the city skyline.But after three days of being cooped up here, the walls feel like they're closing in.I'm sitting on the edge of the couch, my leg still wrapped in bandages but healing faster than the doctors expected, watching Maverick and Makayla play with the new toys I bought them yesterday.They're calmer than usual.Subdued.And it makes my heart clench.Makayla's building a tower with colorful blocks, her little face scrunched in concentration, while Maverick arranges toy cars in a neat line on the carpet.But there's no laughter. No bickering. No wild energy like there usually is.They're scared.And I hate that I can't fix it. I don't know how to make it better."Mommy?" Makayla's soft voice breaks the silence, and I look up to see her watching me with those big, questioning ey
XARION'S POVFor a moment, neither of us speaks. We just stare at each other, the tension heavy and suffocating."Xarion," he greets with a casual tone, like he's just dropped by for a friendly chat.But there's nothing friendly about the way he's looking at me."Dad," I reply cautiously, my guard instantly going up. "What are you doing here?""I heard what happened," he remarks, his voice even. "Thought I'd stop by and check in."I study him closely, searching for any sign of genuine concern.But all I see is that same cold, calculating look he always has."You heard about the attack," I repeat slowly."Of course," he responds, stepping closer. "Word travels fast in Arkon, Xarion."There's no panic in his voice. No urgency. No fear.Just… indifference.And that sets off alarm bells in my head."How are the twins?" he asks with a light tone. "Are they safe?"I narrow my eyes. "They're fine. No thanks to whoever sent those rogues."He nods, his expression unchanging. "Good. That's good
XARION'S POVI've been on the phone for the past two hours.Two. Damn. Hours.Call after call after call, each one more frustrating than the last, and I still don't have the answers I need.I'm sitting at my desk in my pack office, one hand gripping my phone, the other rubbing my temple as I listen to yet another one of my gammas report that they've found nothing.No trace of the rogues. No leads. No witnesses.Nothing."Keep searching," I bite out, my patience wearing thin. "I don't care if you have to turn the entire city upside down. Those rogues didn't just appear out of thin air. Find something.""Yes, Alpha," the voice on the other end replies quickly before I hang up.I toss my phone on the desk with more force than necessary, and it skids across the smooth wood and stops just before it falls off the edge.I lean back in my chair, exhaling sharply, my hands balled into fists on the armrests of my chair.This is getting me nowhere.Every pack contact I've reached out to, every i
MEGAN'S POVI bite my lip, my chest tightening with a mix of gratitude and frustration.I appreciate what Vance's doing. Really, I do.But I don't want to come off as being dependent on him.I've worked too hard to build my independence, to prove I don't need anyone to take care of me.And lying here, accepting his help again, feels like I'm slipping back into that old version of myself.The version who relied on someone else to make her feel safe."I'm fine, Vance," I insist, my voice firmer now. "Really. You've done enough. Go home. Get some rest. I need some time to myself. I just… I need to be alone for a while. Please. I'll be fine."He studies me for a long moment, and I can see the conflict in his eyes."Are you sure?" he asks quietly."I'm sure."He doesn't look convinced, but he doesn't argue either."Alright," he finally concedes, standing up slowly. "But I'm coming back later. And if you need anything, anything at all, call me. Okay?""I will," I promise, though I'm not sur







