LOGIN24 Hours Earlier…
The stale scent of tobacco hung in the air as I stepped into Alpha Drake’s office.The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the flickering fireplace and a single desk lamp.Alpha Drake leaned back in his chair, a predator sizing up his prey. His sharp blue eyes locked on me the moment I entered, the weight of his presence filling the room.Drake was not a man to be trifled with; his reputation preceded him, and I could see why. His eyes were calculating, cold, and predatory—the eyes of a man who’d seen too much and survived it all.“I wasn’t sure if you’d come,” he said, his voice low and measured, yet tinged with curiosity.“I didn’t have a choice,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “You’re the only one who can help me.”Drake’s lips curved into a slow smile. “And why would the soon-to-be beta of the Smith pack needKatrina’s POVWhen I opened my eyes, the sterile smell of antiseptic filled my senses, and the soft beeping of machines echoed around me.The white hue of the hospital room made my head swim, but it wasn’t the pain in my chest that tore at me—it was the emptiness.“Mom?” I croaked, my voice weak.My mother’s face appeared, her eyes red-rimmed but full of relief. “Oh, my baby,” she whispered, smoothing my hair back as tears streaked her cheeks. “You’re awake.”Beside her, my father stood stiffly, his arms crossed over his chest as he tried to mask his emotions. But the tight set of his jaw betrayed him.“Where is he?” I asked, my voice hoarse. “Where’s Archer?”My father looked away, his gaze hardening as if he couldn’t bear to answer. It was my mother who finally spoke.“He’s gone, Katrina.”“No.” The word le
24 Hours Earlier…The stale scent of tobacco hung in the air as I stepped into Alpha Drake’s office.The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the flickering fireplace and a single desk lamp.Alpha Drake leaned back in his chair, a predator sizing up his prey. His sharp blue eyes locked on me the moment I entered, the weight of his presence filling the room.Drake was not a man to be trifled with; his reputation preceded him, and I could see why. His eyes were calculating, cold, and predatory—the eyes of a man who’d seen too much and survived it all.“I wasn’t sure if you’d come,” he said, his voice low and measured, yet tinged with curiosity.“I didn’t have a choice,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “You’re the only one who can help me.”Drake’s lips curved into a slow smile. “And why would the soon-to-be beta of the Smith pack need
Archer’s POVThe hospital reeked of antiseptic and bad memories. I hated every second I spent inside those walls, but I had to be here because Alpha Steven told me to.Damien had woken up.Not that I was relieved. No, far from it. I was angry—angrier than I’d ever been in my life. Angry at him, at the mess he’d created, and at the responsibility he’d dumped in my lap.I shoved the door to his room open harder than necessary, the sound making him flinch. Good. He deserved to feel on edge.He deserved to feel worse than that, but for now, I’d settle for making sure he knew exactly where we stood.Damien looked up at me from the hospital bed, his face pale and drawn. The smugness he usually wore was gone, replaced with something close to shame. I wasn’t buying it.“Archer,” he croaked, his voice weak.I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, the quiet click ringing like a gunshot in the
Katrina’s POVInside my room, I was going to get crazy if I didn’t do something.Archer has finally supported and reunited with his family.I don’t understand what’s happening! And I need to find him!“Lupus, are you here? I call upon you,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.The wind stirred, rustling the leaves in what sounded suspiciously like a laugh. And then, with a crack of light and a puff of silver smoke, he appeared.“What’s with the dramatic tone, Katrina?” he drawled, yawning wide enough to show his sharp teeth. “You could’ve just said, ‘Hey, Lupus, can you help a girl out?’”I blinked at him, caught completely off guard.Seriously, this monster is funny sometimes.“Lupus, I need your help,” I said in a serious voice.He perked up, his ears twitching. “Oh, here it comes. Let me guess—love trouble?”He
Archer’s POVThe Smith mansion loomed before me like a fortress, its towering walls illuminated by cold, white lights.My chest tightened as I approached the gates, my mind racing with everything that had led me here.I had stepped into the lion’s den willingly, knowing the danger, but I know doing this will stop them from harassing Katrina and her family.I will finish this once and for all, without dragging her.Inside, the air felt heavy, oppressive, as if the mansion itself carried the burden of the family’s sins. Alpha Steven led the way, his broad shoulders stiff with authority.“You’ll abide by what I say from now on,” Steven said, his tone clipped, as he turned to face me in the grand foyer. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction, a predator toying with its prey.I met his gaze, my jaw tight. “I’ll do what you ask, as long as you keep your word and leave the Browns out of this.”His lip
Katrina’s POVThe gunshot echoed through the night, freezing me in place. My breath caught in my throat as I watched Damien crumple to the ground, blood pooling around him, his own gun slipping from his hand.“Did he… shoot himself instead?” I whispered at myself, my hand clasping in my mouth as I looked at the scene unfolding before my eyes.Immediately, I got out of my car and ran straight towards Archer.My knees nearly gave out, but then I saw Archer—staggering, clutching his side.“Archer!” I screamed, rushing to his side. His hand was pressed against his ribs, and crimson stained his shirt. My heart thundered in my chest.“It’s… just a graze,” he muttered, his voice strained, but his eyes betrayed the pain he was trying to hide.I didn’t care what he said. He was hurt, and I had to get him out of here.***The ride back to our mansion felt like a ticking bomb.







