QUINN POV Fuck.What the hell did I just say?He stared at me, his expression one I could not read . Was he confused? Amused? Turned on? I couldn’t tell, and honestly, I didn’t know which answer would be worse.This was the moment I should stand up, step back, and pretend none of this ever happened. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. It was like something held me in place, refusing to let me move.“If you actually want something to happen…” he murmured, his voice smooth, controlled. He took my hand and placed it on his chest, holding it there.Fuck.Solid muscle. Rock hard. Heat radiated from his body, and my fingers twitched against his skin.I loved it. I wanted it.“We can always work it out,” he said, dragging my hand lower.My breath stopped. My fingers traced over the ridges of his abs, and fuck, they felt even better than I had imagined. And I had imagined this a lot.His hand guided mine lower, past his stomach. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. My breathing turned ragged. His eyes l
QUINN’S POVMy heart stopped for a second. Did he really just ask me that? Heat rushed through my body so fast I thought I might pass out. The way he stood so damn close wasn’t helping either, his body heat, his scent, all of it messing with my head.“I asked you a question, Quinn…” His voice dipped low, almost teasing, almost dangerous. His eyes stayed locked on mine, unblinking, like he was daring me to look away.I swallowed. Holding his gaze felt impossible. It wasn’t just his ridiculously perfect face—it was him. His presence. The way he made me feel small and trapped, like I had nowhere to run even if I wanted to.“I… I don’t…” My voice barely came out.His hands found my waist. His fingers brushed over my skin, sending a shiver straight down my spine. And then he pulled me in one firm tug, just enough to make my chest press against his.Fuck. What was he doing?“Alpha Perrin…” His name barely made it past my lips, my voice weak, almost breathless. I knew there was no stopping h
QUINN POV The feeling of his lips against mine, I wasn’t sure if I would ever get used to it as he kissed me hungrily.I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol from that night making my memories hazy, but this kiss felt different from the kiss we had in the car. This one was more full of passion and desire. I leaned against the balcony rail as I felt his lips on mine, so intense it felt like I might burst.It was pure passion. I moaned against his lips as his hands squeezed my breasts. They felt perfect in his hands, and I almost lost control as he played with my nipples, which were easy to reach because of the thin material of my dress.He flicked them gently, pinching them, making me gasp. As soon as I did, he slid his tongue into my mouth, fighting for control. I had never been kissed like this before. In fact, I had never been kissed by anyone until Alpha Perrin.Yes, my life had been that bad, but kissing like this made me realize I had missed out on so much when it came to intimacy.
QUINN POV"I knew it!" Gianna said. If I didn’t know any better, I would think she actually cared about Alpha Perrin and wasn’t just thrilled that my secrets were finally getting exposed. "I knew from day one that she was up to no good, that she was evil and wicked. I tried to warn you, Alpha Perrin. I tried to warn everyone."Alpha Perrin clenched the little letter Gianna had given him, his grip tightening until the paper crumpled. His icy cold eyes slowly turned toward me.Shit. If looks could kill, I would be dead already.His expression was difficult to read, but that only made him more terrifying. He was going to kill me. He was probably already thinking of a hundred ways to do it."It’s not…" I stammered, struggling to find the right words. "It’s not what you think… I just—" I couldn’t finish. My heart was pounding so fast that all I could do was stutter."You stupid, lying bitch! Are you about to deny it again?" Gianna snapped, suddenly lunging at me. "You murderous, evil woma
QUINN POVI sat on the cold dungeon floor, my body aching from the bruises I got when the guards dragged me carelessly. But that pain was nothing compared to the one in my chest.A sob escaped me as I realized how badly things had turned. He didn’t even let me explain, just assumed I was a traitor and ran with it. How do I make him understand that I never intended to betray him?I never would have gone through with the poison.“You might want to save those tears. This is only the beginning,” a voice said, sending goosebumps across my skin. My heart clenched in ways I couldn’t understand. Of all people, why did she have to be here again?“Leave me alone, Gianna,” I muttered, turning my back to her.“I don’t think you are in a position to make demands,” she said . “You should be punished for what you did, and I will be the first to do it.”The sudden creak of the dungeon door made me turn toward her.“What is happening?” I asked, panic rising in me as I struggled to my feet. “What’s g
QUINN'S POVI tried hard, maybe even desperately to control my racing heart, but it was impossible.Every time I thought about what Alpha Perrin had planned for me, a different kind of chill ran down my spine.Was he going to toss me over his balcony again today? And if not, what else did he have waiting for me? I didn’t want to think about it. The very thought terrified me."Walk faster," a guard muttered before shoving me from behind. I stumbled forward, nearly falling to my knees, but I caught myself just in time.When I reached the Alpha's room, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. There he was, sitting comfortably in his chair, shirtless, swirling a glass of liquor in his hand.If I weren’t so tormented and afraid for my life, I might have admired how breathtaking he looked. His body was something else, dangerously seductive. But none of that mattered now."Oh, hey there," a voice chirped. I knew exactly who it was.Gianna. Again.She stepped out of the shadows, barely dres
QUINN POVMoon Drop.A dangerous, deadly aphrodisiac. My body shook as I struggled against the materials of my dress that held me. I rubbed my legs together, a desperate coping mechanism at that moment. It was the only thing that could control the stupid feeling of intense lust building inside me, a fire I couldn't put out."Alpha Perrin..." My voice cracked, the words barely leaving my lips as tears made my vision blurry. Why would he do this to me? What kind of monster was he?Moon Drop wasn’t just an aphrodisiac; it was a curse. It didn't just heighten your sexual desires; it attacked your wolf, pushing it into a frenzy. If I couldn’t find relief, the only thing I would feel would be pain. Excruciating pain, pain so intense that I would beg for anything, even any man for sex just to stop it.Alpha Perrin’s expression told me everything I needed to know. He wasn’t here to help me. He wasn’t even interested in touching me. No, he wanted to see me suffer. And that small, cruel smile
QUINN POV Bastard!Freaking bastard!He put me in this situation on purpose, just to make me agree to that. Why?“How am I supposed to heal your leg in seven days?” I asked, my chest rising and falling with each breath I took .That was almost impossible! If I tried to heal him in seven days, the pain would be unbearable. I could even die in the process, that is if it was even possible.“I don’t know…” I said, tears rolling down my cheeks. “I really don’t know how to do it. If I try, I could die…”“Could die…” he repeated. “But you will die right now if I don’t give you what you need.”He was right. I could feel the pain getting worse inside me, intensifying with every move I tried to make.It was excruciating. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t live like this.“Seven days isn’t enough,” I said. “Give me a month, and I will make it work. But healing your leg completely in seven days? I don’t have that kind of power.”“Okay then…” he said as he stood up. “I will leave you here and have
Two years later…The sky was a soft blue, clear and calm, with only a few white clouds drifting above. The sun was warm, not too hot, just perfect for a day outside. The wind carried the scent of flowers and fresh grass. Everything felt peaceful. Safe. Alive.I sat on the front steps of our cottage, watching our son play in the garden. His laughter was like music. Every time he giggled, it filled my chest with warmth I never knew I could feel.He had my eyes but Quinn’s smile. That wide, bright smile that could light up an entire room. His hair was the same soft brown as mine, but his spirit? That was all Quinn. Brave. Curious. Kind.“Mama! Look!” he shouted, holding up a small yellow flower in his tiny hand. “I found a sun!”Quinn walked out of the house just in time to hear him. She smiled, her face glowing, and bent down to kiss the top of his head.“That’s a dandelion, baby,” she said gently.He looked up at her, puzzled. “It looks like the sun.”Quinn laughed, her eyes meeting mi
PERRIN.The sun had barely risen when Quinn and I arrived at the clearing. The air felt heavy, thick with the weight of what was coming. It was impossible to ignore the tension that hung between us, but there was no turning back now. The battle had been set in motion long before we even stepped foot in the Hollow.Theodore was waiting for us. I could feel it in the way the trees seemed to hold their breath, in the way the wind had gone still. The world around us felt like it was frozen in time, as if holding onto the last moments before everything changed.“We’re here,” Quinn said, her voice steady but low. She was ready, even though I could see the fear in her eyes. We both were. Ready, yet afraid. Afraid of what we might lose. Afraid of the unknown.I nodded, tightening my grip on her hand. “Let’s end this.”We moved forward, our footsteps soft on the ground. It felt like every step took us deeper into a world that no longer made sense—one where shadows crept around us, and danger w
PERRINThe Hollow had changed her. I saw it in the way she moved, in the way she looked at the world. The old Quinn was still there, but she had become something else. Something stronger. Something that made my heart both swell with pride and tighten with fear. The Hollow had given her power, but at a cost. A price only she truly understood.We walked side by side, the silence between us comfortable, yet heavy. I could tell Quinn was still processing everything. She didn’t talk much, and neither did I. But I knew her well enough to read the subtle signs. Her hands were clenched, the muscles in her jaw tight. She was holding something back—maybe it was the weight of the trials she’d just endured. Maybe it was the burden of the promise she had made to the First Luna.But I wasn’t going to ask her about it. Not yet. Not unless she was ready.As we stepped farther from the Hollow, the air felt different. Less oppressive, more open. The trees around us were taller now, more like the famili
PERRINThe night felt colder than usual. The stars were hidden behind thick clouds, and the wind was biting as it swept through the trees. I stood at the edge of the Hollow, waiting for Quinn. The quiet was unsettling. There were no sounds of animals, no rustle of leaves in the wind, just silence. I felt it, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. What had she seen in there? What had she done?I ran my fingers through my hair, pacing back and forth. The last few days had been a blur—days of planning, of wondering if we were ready. But now, everything felt different. The air had changed. And Quinn... she had changed. I could feel it in the way she moved, in the way she looked at me. She was carrying something now. Something heavier than the world itself.The veil rippled, and then I saw her. She stepped through slowly, like the world had shifted beneath her feet. Her eyes were different—clearer, more focused—but there was something else in them too. Something deeper.“Quinn,” I s
QUINNThe forest felt different now. After what the Keeper told me, I could feel it. The air was tighter. The silence heavier. Every step I took through the Hollow felt watched, even though I saw no eyes. I kept my hand on my belly, grounding myself with every breath. He was still. Quiet. Listening, maybe. Or sleeping. I couldn’t tell anymore. But I could feel him there, wrapped inside me like the last light in a dark world.I kept walking.There was a place the Keeper told me to go next. She didn’t explain much, only that it was deep in the Hollow. She called it the Pool of Remembering. Said it would show me what I needed, not what I wanted. That didn’t comfort me. But I didn’t come here for comfort. I came to understand what was coming and how to stop it.The trees grew closer together as I walked, their roots twisting like claws over the ground. I had to step carefully. A wrong move could trap my foot or break my balance. Still, I moved forward. The shadows grew thicker, but the de
QUINNThe days in the Hollow passed like a dream. I couldn’t tell how much time had gone by. The sun and moon moved above me, but the way they shifted in the sky didn’t feel normal. Time here was strange. It stretched and folded in on itself. Sometimes I would wake and think it was the same day, only to realize the trees had moved, or the air had changed.I stayed inside the stone circle most of the time. It was the safest place. The Keeper said the stones still held the oldest magic, and while they couldn’t stop everything, they could slow things down. Especially the thing that was looking for me.The baby had grown stronger. I could feel him more now. Not just his kicks or movements, but his presence. Sometimes when I sat still, I felt his energy wrapping around mine, like he was holding me back. Like he was trying to comfort me.And sometimes, he would send me feelings. Flashes of fear, curiosity, or warmth. I didn’t know how, but we were connected in ways I didn’t understand. Mayb
QuinnThe moment we returned to the camp near the Hollow, everything felt different.Perrin didn’t speak at first. His eyes kept scanning the trees like he expected something to jump out. I sat on a flat rock near the fire, watching the smoke rise into the dark sky. The stars looked sharper tonight. Like they were watching.“Do you feel it too?” I asked.He didn’t answer. Instead, he took a slow step toward me, his eyes full of questions he didn’t know how to ask. Finally, he knelt in front of me and reached for my hands.“You crossed the veil,” he said.“I know.”“You shouldn’t have been able to.”“I know that too.”He looked away, his jaw tightening. “Something happened to you in the Hollow. Something more than a vision.”“I saw myself. A darker version of me. And I saw him… our son. Older. Strong. Dangerous.”Perrin’s head jerked back slightly. “Dangerous?”“He had power I can’t explain. He didn’t use it to hurt—not yet—but it was there, waiting.”He sat beside me, elbows on his kn
QUINNThe Hollow was quiet again.But it wasn’t the kind of quiet that calms you. It was the type that made your skin crawl. Like the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to break.I walked deeper into the woods, away from the circle, away from Perrin’s distant eyes. My feet moved on their own. The air was cooler, heavier. The trees whispered. I couldn’t understand the words, but I knew they were speaking to me.They were warning me.I stopped in front of a stream, its waters still and dark like a mirror. I crouched and dipped my fingers into it. It was ice-cold, but it sent warmth up my arm—a strange, pulsing energy that made my stomach twist.He kicked again. Harder this time.“I feel you,” I whispered. “I know you’re watching too.”A shape moved behind me. I stood quickly, heart pounding, but there was nothing there. Just the trees. Just the wind.No.Something was there. I felt it before I saw it. A pull, strong and steady, dragging my attention east.I followed it.
QUINNThe night air was cold as I stood outside the castle walls. The wind was sharper than usual, brushing against my skin like a warning. My bag was light, but my heart felt heavy. I didn’t look back. If I did, I wasn’t sure I could walk away.Perrin stood just a few feet behind me. His arms were crossed, but his face gave him away. He looked like he was trying to be strong, but inside he was falling apart.“I have to go,” I whispered.He didn’t speak at first. The silence between us stretched so far it felt like another world. Then finally, he stepped forward and took my hands in his.“I should be with you,” he said. “You’re carrying our child.”“I know.” I squeezed his fingers. “But this place… The Hollow… only I can get through. The old blood recognizes Luna. You’re strong, but you’re not Luna-born.”His jaw tensed. “Then let me wait at the edge. Let me be close.”I nodded. “You can come that far. But after that, I go alone.”His arms wrapped around me so tightly I almost broke.