KAREN’S POVThe dress fit me like it was made just for me—soft as clouds, light as air, the fabric swirling around my knees when I moved. It wasn’t just clothes. It felt like becoming someone new. Or maybe... finally becoming myself.I stepped out of the dressing room, smoothing the fabric with shaky hands. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it. Would Jackson like it? Did I care? Yeah. I cared way too much—more than I was willing to admit.Jackson’s head snapped up the second I walked out. His lips parted slightly. For a long moment, he didn’t move or speak—just stared at me with those dark eyes growing even darker.“Damn.” The word came out rough, like it got stuck in his throat. He shook his head slowly. “You look...” He took a step closer. “Perfect.”My face burned. “You have to say that—you’re my mate,” I teased, but my voice cracked.His fingers brushed my cheek as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, so gentle it made my chest ache. “I’m saying it because it’s true
JACKSON’S POVThe door clicked shut behind us, sealing away the warmth of the evening sun. Karen’s fingers slipped between mine, her skin humming with the lingering thrill of our time in town. She swayed slightly, her laughter still fresh in the air between us—sweet and light, like the scent of wildflowers clinging to her hair.We’d barely taken three steps into the house when I felt it—that shift in the air.Karen stilled beside me. “Jackson…” she whispered.My eyes snapped toward the living room.That’s when I saw him.A man stood there, right in the center of the room like he fucking belonged here—like this was his house and we were the guests. His presence was wrong. Not rogue-wrong. Not Alpha-wrong. Something older. His aura curled around the room, heavy and dark, sending a ripple through my wolf.Tall. Lean. Silver threads streaked through his black hair, but his back was straight, and his presence screamed danger. His eyes, though—those eyes were the same deep green as my fathe
XAVIER’S POVTwenty years.That’s how long it had been since I last saw my brother’s face. Twenty years ago, my brother Silas was banished.Our father, the Alpha King at the time, had no choice but to enforce the laws of our pack. Silas had committed a crime—one so severe that exile was the only punishment. The laws were clear: those who betrayed the pack, those who violated the sacred rules, had to be cast out. And Silas, my brother, had crossed a line that couldn’t be undone.His exile was meant to last twenty years, a punishment for his actions, and no one had heard from him since.I still remember the day he left. "You know the laws, Silas," Father had growled, his voice like gravel, heavy with the weight of duty. "You betrayed your own blood."It wasn’t the angry shouting, the curses from our father, or even the tear-filled eyes of our mother. It was the look on Silas’s face—a mix of defiance and regret.He knew he had messed up, but he also knew the laws. I saw him turn and walk
JACKSON’S POVThe weight of leadership wasn’t just heavy—it was suffocating.It had been three years since my father, Alpha Xavier, stepped down and handed over the reins to me. I was only fifteen then, barely old enough to tie my shoes, let alone lead the Shadow Moon Pack. But life didn’t care about age, and neither did the pack.I’d learned quickly, but that didn’t mean it was easy. I still had so much to prove. I couldn’t afford to mess up, not with the pack’s survival on my shoulders. I had to be serious, dedicated—no room for childish mistakes. If I failed, the whole pack would feel it. That pressure was constant, a weight that never lifted.Today was no different. I sat at my desk, the paperwork piled in front of me like a mountain I had to climb. Every sheet, every document, carried weight. The pack’s future, its well-being, depended on the decisions I made.As I scanned through yet another pile of papers, a vibration in my pocket broke my concentration. I pulled out my phone a
KAREN’S POV"I reject you, Omega."My breath stuttered at that single, brutal sentence. My chest burned, my heartbeat a frantic drum against my ribs. But I refused to flinch. Refused to let him see how his voice cracked something deep inside me.Alex Scott, future Alpha of the Blue Cross Pack, stood before me, his blue eyes cold, his mouth twisted in disgust. Just two days ago, those same lips had whispered sweet promises, his hands gentle against my skin. Back when he thought I was someone important.Back before he knew the truth of who I really was."I, future Alpha Alex Grayson Scott, hereby reject you, Karen Lukeman, a weak and lowly Omega, as my future Luna."His voice was cold and dispassionate, each word a dagger driving the rejection deeper into my already broken heart. The pack watched in silence, their stares like knives against my skin. Some pitied me. Most enjoyed this. Omegas didn’t get happy endings. We weren’t meant to rise. We were meant to be broken and tossed aside l
JACKSON’S POVI stood beside Liam and Laila, my muscles tense, my wolf restless beneath my surface. Sarah hovered near Laila, her usual quiet presence barely registering in my mind.The car’s headlights cut through the dusk, tires crunching over gravel as it rolled to a stop in front of us. Liam let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples like he’d rather be anywhere else."Let’s get this over with so I can go back inside and rest," he muttered, voice rough with exhaustion.Laila, on the other hand, practically vibrated with excitement, her fingers twisting together. "Oh, come on, Liam! This is exciting! A new healer—maybe she’ll finally get you to stop complaining about your headaches."I barely heard them. My entire focus was locked onto the car door as it swung open. And then—her.Not the elderly, seasoned healer I’d expected. No. A girl—no, a woman—stepped out, her wild red hair catching the fading light like fire. She was dressed in all black, her fitted jacket hugging her frame, h
KAREN’S POVMy hands trembled—clenching, unclenching—like the frantic beat of a trapped bird’s wings as I followed Jackson through the gravel path. The crisp night air carried the scent of roasted lamb and stew from the nearby homes, but all I could focus on was him.His broad shoulders, the way his muscles flexed beneath his shirt with every deliberate step, the quiet, predatory dominance in his stride—it all made my skin prickle with awareness. Being near him was pure torture.Every breath I took was laced with his scent—sweet and wild, something that coiled low in my stomach and made my pulse stutter. The mate pull was a relentless ache in my chest, a whisper in my blood, urging me to close the distance between us. To submit. But I wouldn’t. I couldn’t.Dinner with his family had been unbearable. Sitting across from him, forcing polite smiles while his gaze burned into me like a brand. His parents had been kind—too kind. It unsettled me, made my instincts scream trap.Back in my ol
KAREN’S POVMy pulse pounded in my ears as the weight of what I had done settled in. Had I gone too far? Would he punish me for this? But if he thought I would cower like some meek omega, he was wrong."Do it," I dared, offering him my cheek, my voice trembling but fierce. "Punish me. But I won’t bow to you. I refuse to—"I was forced to swallow the rest of my words as his mouth crashed onto mine. The world spun. His lips were rough, demanding, stealing my breath, my thoughts, my anger.I pushed against him, but my hands fisted in his shirt instead, pulling him closer like my body had a will of its own. The bond roared between us, a wildfire I couldn’t control, consuming every scrap of resistance I had left.For one reckless, shameful moment, I kissed him back with everything I have got. Then reality crashed over me, cold and brutal. I tore away, chest heaving, lips tingling, my entire body trembling with the aftershocks.His smirk was infuriating, triumphant. "Hold that thought, swee
JACKSON’S POVThe door clicked shut behind us, sealing away the warmth of the evening sun. Karen’s fingers slipped between mine, her skin humming with the lingering thrill of our time in town. She swayed slightly, her laughter still fresh in the air between us—sweet and light, like the scent of wildflowers clinging to her hair.We’d barely taken three steps into the house when I felt it—that shift in the air.Karen stilled beside me. “Jackson…” she whispered.My eyes snapped toward the living room.That’s when I saw him.A man stood there, right in the center of the room like he fucking belonged here—like this was his house and we were the guests. His presence was wrong. Not rogue-wrong. Not Alpha-wrong. Something older. His aura curled around the room, heavy and dark, sending a ripple through my wolf.Tall. Lean. Silver threads streaked through his black hair, but his back was straight, and his presence screamed danger. His eyes, though—those eyes were the same deep green as my fathe
KAREN’S POVThe dress fit me like it was made just for me—soft as clouds, light as air, the fabric swirling around my knees when I moved. It wasn’t just clothes. It felt like becoming someone new. Or maybe... finally becoming myself.I stepped out of the dressing room, smoothing the fabric with shaky hands. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it. Would Jackson like it? Did I care? Yeah. I cared way too much—more than I was willing to admit.Jackson’s head snapped up the second I walked out. His lips parted slightly. For a long moment, he didn’t move or speak—just stared at me with those dark eyes growing even darker.“Damn.” The word came out rough, like it got stuck in his throat. He shook his head slowly. “You look...” He took a step closer. “Perfect.”My face burned. “You have to say that—you’re my mate,” I teased, but my voice cracked.His fingers brushed my cheek as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, so gentle it made my chest ache. “I’m saying it because it’s true
KAREN’S POVThe sound of heavy footsteps faded upstairs as the boys disappeared to shower. I wrapped my hands around my coffee mug, letting the warmth soak into my skin while Luna Hannah worked at the stove. The smell of sizzling bacon mixed with the rich coffee aroma, the fat popping like little firecrackers in the pan.Just as I was relaxing into the cozy kitchen atmosphere, Laila's voice cut through the air—sharp and full of attitude."Ugh, boys."She marched in, her long braid swinging behind her like a whip. Her workout clothes were covered in dirt and grass stains, like she'd just come from war—though knowing Laila, a simple training session might as well be a battlefield.She flopped onto the stool next to me with an exaggerated sigh and grabbed a cookie."You'd think Jackson would learn by now not to steal someone's victory cookie just because he got the last hit in," she grumbled, taking a big bite.I hid my smile behind my coffee cup. "So you let him win?"Her grin turned wi
KAREN’S POVI woke up slowly, blinking against the morning light coming through the curtains. The bed was cozy and warm, the sheets wrapped around my legs. Still half-asleep, I reached out, expecting to feel Jackson's solid body beside me, his arm draped over my waist like usual. But my hand only found empty sheets.The spot where he'd been was still warm, though—the mattress keeping the shape of where he'd slept. I took a deep breath and could still smell him—that wild, woodsy scent that was all Jackson.He was gone.Sitting up, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and noticed a folded note on his pillow with my name written in Jackson's messy scrawl. I smiled as I opened it:"Went to pack training. Didn't want to wake you—you looked too cute sleeping. Left clothes from Laila's closet for you. Thought you'd want something comfy. See you soon. —Jackson"My chest got all warm and fuzzy reading it. Of course he'd think of something like this.Next to the note was a neatly folded green hoodie
Hannah’s POVMy fingers curled into fists. His pack doesn’t fight fair. “They go for the throat when no one’s looking,” I said, my voice tight.Xavier nodded, that grim expression he wore before battles settling over his features. “Jackson knows. He’s already sworn to protect her.”I stood abruptly. My boy—my fierce, reckless boy—was just like his father at that age. All pride and protectiveness, with more courage than sense. “What if he—”Xavier closed the distance between us, cutting me off with that quiet certainty of his. “He’s not just my son, Hannah.” His calloused hand cupped my cheek, thumb brushing the curve of my jaw. “He’s yours too. That means he’s got your brains and my stubbornness. He’ll keep her safe.”I searched his face—those dark eyes that had seen so much, the scars he wore like medals. The absolute faith in our son shining through. My breath left me in a slow exhale. “…You trust him that much?”“With my life.” His thumb traced my cheekbone. “And Karen? She’s tough
HANNAH’S POVAs soon as I pulled the band out of my hair, it felt like the whole day finally let go of me. My dark curls fell loose over my shoulders, still smelling faintly of strawberry shampoo.I grabbed a cleansing wipe from the dresser, my fingers shaking just a little. The cool cloth felt good against my skin as I wiped my face clean—but it wasn’t just makeup I was scrubbing away. It was the heavy feeling in my chest that I’d been ignoring all day.Behind me, the bed creaked softly. Xavier was lying there, propped up on one elbow, the sheets barely covering his waist. Moonlight spilled over his bare chest, highlighting old scars and the hard muscle he’d earned from years of fighting. But his eyes… they weren’t here. They were somewhere far away, dark and troubled.With him, silence was never just silence. It was a warning.I turned on the stool, the wood groaning under me. “Time really flies, huh?” My voice came out softer than I meant, like I was afraid to break the quiet betwe
KAREN’S POVTime moved so slowly it felt like hours. Every tick of the clock was loud in the quiet room. My hands fidgeted with the sheets, my whole body restless, craving the one thing that could calm me down—him.Then—finally—the door creaked open softly. I held my breath.I sat up fast, my heart pounding, as Jackson walked in. The light from the hallway shone behind him as his eyes quickly searched the room before finding me.He let out a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing like he’d been carrying something heavy all day. The door shut behind him, closing us in together."Hey," I whispered, already slipping off the bed, my bare feet touching the cool floor.His voice was rough and tired but so warm—like coming home after being lost for years. "Hey, baby."Two steps. That’s all it took before his arms were around me, holding me so tight I could feel his heartbeat against my chest. I pressed my face into his neck, breathing in his scent, and suddenly, everything inside me felt calm,
KAREN’S POVThe wooden banister glided beneath my fingertips, smooth and cool, as I followed Laila up the stairs. My heart hadn’t stopped its frantic rhythm since Jackson’s lips had last touched mine—since his hands had traced my skin like I was something precious.Laila moved ahead with a bounce in her step, turning her head back toward me with a mischievous grin. “Come on, don’t walk like you’re being led to a dungeon. Jackson’s room isn’t that messy.”I smiled softly, trying to hide how nervous I actually was. “I’m not worried about the mess.”She raised a brow. “Oh? Then what are you worried about? The bed creaking too loud?”My face flushed instantly. “Laila!”She just laughed and pushed open a door at the end of the hallway. “Here it is. Welcome to the Alpha’s den—surprisingly neat, thanks to Mom always nagging him about cleaning up.”The room smelled like him. The moment I stepped inside, it wrapped around me like a warm blanket. The space was simple: dark walls, heavy wooden f
JACKSON’S POVKaren slipped back inside, her fingers lingering against mine like the last warmth of a fading fire. For a heartbeat, she held my gaze—those deep blue eyes filled with unspoken words, fear and trust tangled together. Then, with a slow exhale, she let go.The door clicked shut behind her, but I stayed rooted in place, breathing in the night air—still thick with the ghost of her scent. Vanilla and honey, something soft and warm, like sunlight on skin.All mine. The words burned through me, fierce and possessive. But the peace didn’t last long. A floorboard groaned behind me.I didn’t need to turn to know who it was."Jackson." My father’s voice was calm, but beneath it ran the steel of command—the same tone he used when assessing a warrior before battle.I turned.He stood on the porch, arms crossed, the light from the ceiling carving sharp lines across his face. His eyes locked onto me, unblinking. Searching. Always searching."What did the intruder want?" It was a simple