DECLAN’S POVI didn’t stop running.With an unknown pup in my hands, I didn’t stop running.From the very moment I pushed through the throng of people that were already outside the hall, my pace only got faster as I found my way to get to a safe distance with the little boy in my arms. Running without actually looking where I was going led me into the woods surrounding Tristan’s pack and I didn’t stop until I was sure that we were safe and were not followed by anyone.An explosion rocked the forest, sending birds flying off their trees with terrified screeches and I laid low. From where I stood, I watched the flare flames and of smoke coming from the direction of the heart of Tristan’s pack. It was easy to tell that the godforsaken rogues had set fire on the pack and I was only lucky to have gotten away without getting hurt.Asides from the sound of crickets echoing into the night and of toads croaking out, there was nothing else that posed a danger to me and the child I had brought w
DECLAN’S POVSince choice eluded me, the only option was to take the boy back home with me. Before coming to that conclusion, I really considered just leaving him at the hospital to be the doctor and nurses’ problem.I couldn’t stop blaming myself for taking the boy with me and I cursed the instincts to save someone that I never thought I had. Heck, I couldn’t even save Ellena back then in the face of death. Things like this is why I always look the other way when anyone needs a favor. Heartless. Wicked. Selfish; call it whatever you want but I’m reality, the act of kindness is a burden on its own. I wouldn’t say saving the boy was me being kind but look where it got me anyway? Leaving the boy at the hospital would be a terrible idea and it might take months, goddess I hope not, to get him to talk. I realized it was better I do it myself since I brought the problem upon myself too. I mean, how hard could it be to get a little put to talk? And so, I took home since I couldn't have
VANESSA’S POVIt's been two weeks.Two weeks of living in what feels like a torment on my soul.Two weeks of tears, pain and anxiety.Two weeks—the longest periods I have ever been away from Dame.Everyone keeps saying the same thing: I should give up. I should accept that he is gone. If we ever find him, it would be his dead body anyway. He’s only a child and there was no way he could have survived being alone for two weeks. The rebel rogues killed him already. They are probably holding him hostage to strike a deal. I shouldn’t put the pack in more distress. It’s only one child, I could still make another.Every time they said those words to me, I shut my mind off because there was no way in hell I’d just accept that my baby was gone forever. I refuse to give up. My baby is out there somewhere. He was smart and barely stressed me out like people said babies would, but he’s probably scared wherever he was out there. Scared and in danger. How could I give up knowing that? Just like ev
VANESSA'S POV"It's been a couple of weeks already. If you continue to starve yourself this way, something might happen to you."Arya.The poor maid was doing her job, trying to talk me into eating the food she brought into my room since I haven’t stepped foot out of the room in the safe house in days. Neither have I had it in me to eat whatever food is being brought into my room. I haven’t been feeling or feeding well since the attack. Most of the time, I lose my appetite as soon as I see the food, and my mind would immediately wander off to none other than my missing son. I’d be plagued with questions upon questions with no answers in sight; Is he okay? Did he have someone to pet him to sleep? What are they feeding him? Are they even feeding him at all?What if Tristan is right? What if he’s truly gone forever?These thoughts have become the first thing that runs through my head every time I try to eat, and I suddenly become tired and unable to stomach my food. "You need to get yo
DECLAN'S POVRelief washed over me, as I woke up in a much lighter mood. The thought of the boy slowly caving in soothes my mind, and I decided to see how he was doing this morning.I went into his room, where I had carefully put him to bed last night, to see him sound asleep.I couldn't help but be drawn to the boy sleeping across from me. His features bore a striking resemblance to the childhood pictures of mine that I had tucked away in a dusty old album. It was as if I was peering into a mirror of my younger self.But just as I was lost in this uncanny connection, my phone rang, breaking the moment. I fumbled in my pocket to answer the call, torn my attention between the boy before me and the urgent voice on the other end.It was the representative of the packs in the alliance. I decided to take the call outside, in order not to wake the boy up."Speak," I said into the phone impatiently as I left Tiger's room, eager to end the call as soon as I picked up."A meeting will be held
VANESSA'S POVI sat in the dimly lit room, the weight of sorrow pressing down on me like a leaden blanket. It seemed as if time had become stagnant, refusing to move forward. I stared at the family picture, hanging on the wall, but my only focus was on Dame. They said burning pictures of the dead is a way of wishing peace on them, but I can't bring myself to do so, not when I have a feeling that he would return to me someday.The door cracked open, breaking the stillness like a thunderclap. Tristan stood in the doorway, his face swirled in a mask of fury. I watched as he clenched his fists, his jaw working furiously, with the air crackling with the intensity of his emotions.I hesitated for a while, as I contemplated between the urge to respect his privacy and the need to understand the source of his rage. Finally, unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I mustered the courage to speak."What happened, Tristan?" My voice came out, barely as a whisper.He turned to me, with a burn
DECLAN'S POVAfter several failed attempts to bring Tiger to eat, the maids eventually gave up and turned to me for help."Alpha, the boy won't accept anything from us," they told me.I instructed them to bring the boy into my room along with his food, and they returned shortly after.I gently encouraged him to take a bite. He glanced up at me, his eyes wide, a hint of stubbornness in his gaze. It was clear he wasn't accustomed to letting strangers care for him.Just as I'm making some progress, Jude strides in, a mischievous grin on his face. "What's going on here?" he asks, feigning innocence. I feel a surge of irritation rise at the sound of his voice. I can tell that he is here to pester me with his nonsense.I glanced at Jude, my brow furrowed in annoyance. "He won't eat from anyone else," I grumble, my voice edged with frustration. I can see Jude's expression shift from playful to teasing, his eyes dancing with amusement.He chuckles lightly. "Looks like you've become a nanny ov
TRISTAN'S POVI sat at my desk, staring into space, as the weight of the pack's struggle pressed down on me.The thought of being helpless made me feel stupid and all I wanted was to provide comfort for my pack members, but no matter how much I tried, I couldn't seem to stabilize the pack and get it back to how it used to be.The door cracked open, revealing Bruce, my Beta. He had been away for a couple of months to talk the Alphas of the Southern packs into joining forces with us for a business idea, but he had to leave everything behind and come back home as soon as he heard the news."Alpha, I saw a few people before coming here and I can't say that I am pleased with their situation. What do we do now?""Bruce," I sighed, frustration and worry evident in my voice, "we're running out of options. Our pack needs food, and we're struggling to provide it. If we don't find a solution soon, we might have to consider merging with another pack."Bruce stood by the window, his eyes fixed on