Macy’s POV The party was in full swing, buzzing with music, laughter, and the clinking of champagne flutes. The grand chandelier above cast glittering light across the marble floors, reflecting off the sequins and jewels worn by the who’s who of the high-class world—though I didn’t know that last part, not yet. I glanced around, quietly stunned by the luxury. High ceilings, polished mahogany, crystal vases brimming with fresh roses… The Torres estate was beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Just how wealthy was Derick’s family? “Now, aren’t you the most gorgeous woman under this roof?” Derick’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, low and warm against my ear. He appeared beside me, dressed in an all-black tux that made him look like something out of a magazine. I turned toward him, a smile blooming on my lips. “Thanks, babe.” He held out his hand with a grin. “Come dance with me.” We moved to the dance floor, where couples swayed to a slow, sultry rhythm. Derick’s hand slid
Macy’s pov The silence in the dining room was suffocating. It clung to the walls, thick as smoke, pressing down on my shoulders like invisible weights. Silverware clinked faintly against fine china, but no one truly ate. Not me, at least. I sat stiffly, my fork untouched, barely breathing. Because across the table… *he* was watching me. Liam Torres. His eyes never left mine—dark, stormy, unreadable. It wasn’t just the way he looked at me; it was the way he saw me. Like he was trying to unpeel me layer by layer, stripping me bare without ever touching me. I shrank under that gaze. I’d never felt so small… so exposed. “Liam,” Mr. Torres said, breaking the silence with a strained voice. “Have you met Macy? Derick’s girlfriend.” Liam didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I have.” His gaze didn’t waver. I shifted in my seat, my palms damp on the velvet table napkin. It felt like everyone could hear the thudding of my heart. Derick leaned forward. “You ran off earlier when I introduce
Liam's pov Rage was clawing his way to the surface, and I was losing control with every breath I took. She was right there—our mate—laughing softly beside my brother, her head tilted in that sweet way, eyes glowing with warmth. Every cell in my body screamed to rip her from his side, to mark her, to make sure no one ever mistook who she belonged to. But I didn’t move. Couldn’t. In my twenty-nine years, I’d never felt so helpless, so torn apart. She was close enough to touch, and yet she may as well have been a thousand miles away. The mate bond pulsed like a living thing, raw and electric under my skin, demanding I claim her. It took every shred of discipline I had not to let Rage take full control and do exactly that. Last night, I dreamed of her in our home—our pups racing through the halls of the pack house, laughter echoing off the walls. She looked so damn happy. We both did. It was everything I’d ever wanted, everything I’d waited for. So why would the Moon Go
Liam’s POV By the time I made it back to the pack house, the sun was a bleeding smear on the horizon, sinking behind the trees like it was trying to hide from the mess of my life. I was covered in sweat and dirt, my muscles sore, my bones tired—but none of it compared to the ache crawling through my chest. Rage was still pacing beneath my skin, restless, agitated. The wolf was on edge. Hungry for our mate. But I was done fighting for tonight. I just wanted a damn moment to breathe without Macy’s face haunting me. I pushed open the front door, and before I could even take a step inside, I heard Mom’s voice. “Liam! Thank the Goddess—are you alright?” Her eyes scanned me as she stepped forward, her arms halfway open like she wasn’t sure whether to embrace me or brace for something worse. “You scared us. You just disappeared.” “I’m alright, Mom,” I said, brushing past her. “I’ll be in my room.” There was no softness in my tone, and I didn’t stop to explain. I couldn’t. Not now.
Derick’s POV "Okay, Dad, Mom, you’re freaking me out," I said, folding my arms and narrowing my eyes at both of them. "What’s the matter? Is my brother okay? Why can’t I go into his room?" Dad opened his mouth to speak, but Mom beat him to it. “He’s sleeping, sweetheart. That’s all. We don’t want to disturb him.” She gave Dad a sharp glance—one I didn’t miss. Dad nodded stiffly. “Right. He needs rest.” I stared between them. Their shoulders were tight, voices forced. The way Mom clutched the edge of the couch with white knuckles, the way Dad wouldn’t meet my eyes—I knew something was off. “You sure about that?” I asked cautiously. “You’re both acting weird.” “We’re just... worried. That’s all,” Mom said, forcing a tight-lipped smile. “Yesterday was stressful. Rage taking over Liam’s body like that—it’s not like him.” “That’s exactly why I need to talk to him,” I said, my jaw tightening. “He always has control. Something’s wrong.” “Derick,” Dad interjected, trying to s
Macy’s POV I jolted awake, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat. My heart slammed against my chest like it wanted out. Not again. Same dream. Same haunting blue eyes. Same forbidden heat curling in my stomach. I threw the blanket off and sat up, pressing my palms into my eyes. This had to stop. I couldn’t keep waking up like this—flushed, aching, confused—and all because of him. My boyfriend’s brother. It was driving me insane. Shaking off the remnants of the dream, I stumbled into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. My reflection stared back at me—wild-eyed, flushed, and slightly hollow. I looked like I hadn’t slept in days. Probably because I hadn’t. I got dressed quickly, off to work already, hoping they’d give me the illusion of control. A week had passed since the party, and I’d thrown myself into work just to stay distracted. But it wasn’t working. Not when *he* kept invading my dreams and haunting my thoughts like a ghost I couldn’t shake. By
Liam’s POV Our wolves tore through the woods, muscles straining, the sound of rushing wind in our ears. The pack's territory came into view, dark and imposing in the fading light. The moment the scent of Rogues hit my nostrils, it clawed at me like rotten meat—putrid, violent, and repulsive. It was a smell that spoke of danger, death, and chaos. *No time to waste.* Rage was already eager, his fury building like a storm in my mind. *We will tear them apart,* he growled. As we approached the pack house, I saw them—my father and Derick, both in their wolf forms, fighting fiercely. They were locked in combat with vicious, snarling Rogues. Blood stained the grass beneath their feet, a grotesque sign of the struggle. Greg’s brown wolf was already in the thick of it, launching himself at a Rogue’s throat. He shook his head, snapping with savage strength, and the Rogue went limp in an instant. He was with Dad, protecting the pack just as fiercely. I wasted no time. My wolf surge
Derick's POV Yesterday's attack was still etched in my mind, the chaos, the fear, and the weight of the unknown pressing down on me. It had been years since we’d faced an assault like that, and none of us—least of all me—had been prepared. I had failed to keep it together, especially when Liam wasn’t around. The pack relied on him, not me. I’ve always known I’m not meant for this life. I love the pack—there’s no question about that—but I’ve never felt the need to lead it. I don’t have the same fire in my chest as Liam does. My dream has always been different—one where I marry Macy and leave Waterfalls behind. A life where the weight of leadership doesn’t crush me. I sat in the living room, glancing at the door every few seconds, waiting for Liam to return. Mom had mentioned he was dealing with business in the neighboring packs, and my stomach churned at the thought. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to face him after the way I’d snapped yesterday. Thirty minutes later, the door cr
Daryl stood over the fallen form of Vercus, his chest rising and falling heavily as the storm of battle subsided. Blood and sweat dripped from his brow, but his heart pulsed with a strange sense of peace. Vercus’s body lay still, consumed by the dark magic he had once wielded with pride. The power of Jeldon’s spirit, the malevolent force that had bound him, had been shattered by the strength Daryl unleashed, channeling the light of Yago Dir Gunther, his great ancestor.The battlefield was eerily quiet now, with the once fierce and chaotic battle reduced to hushed murmurs of the survivors. Vercus’s corrupted Lycans had either fallen or fled in the face of the united packs. For the first time, Daryl felt the weight of destiny lifting from his shoulders. He had done it. He had saved his family, his pack, and the Lycan race from the curse that had haunted them for generations.But the victory was bittersweet. The ground was littered with the fallen, and though they had won, the cost o
The night sky was thick with tension as the pack gathered at the outskirts of Star Crust territory. The air buzzed with the anticipation of battle, the final confrontation that would decide the fate of both the Waterfall and Star Crust packs. Daryl stood at the front, his posture strong but his mind racing. He had trained for this moment, but nothing could have fully prepared him for the weight of leading his people into war.Beside him were his father Liam, Greg, Asher, and other allies they had managed to rally, including some hesitant members of Star Crust. Mara stood near Asher, her face a mix of concern and determination. Aria was nearby, her eyes fierce despite the danger looming ahead. They all knew what was at stake. Vercus was determined to destroy them, and he had a dark weapon — Jeldon's spirit, bound to his will through black magic.As they marched forward, the sounds of snarls and growls echoed from the Star Crust forces ahead. Gordon stood tall beside Vercus, both me
The atmosphere at Waterfall was thick with anticipation. The once peaceful packhouse, usually filled with laughter and camaraderie, now buzzed with tension as the leaders gathered in the great hall. Liam stood at the head of the room, his face stern and lined with determination. Greg, a trusted pillar of strength, stood beside him, while the rest of the pack leaders murmured amongst themselves, their unease palpable, yet their focus unwavering.They had all felt the tremors of what was coming, but now, the true scale of the threat was fully revealed.Liam cleared his throat, commanding silence as he began to speak. “We’ve received confirmation of what we feared most. Gordon of the Star Crust pack isn’t acting alone. Vercus is behind it all, manipulating events to create chaos and eliminate us.”The room fell into a heavy stillness as Liam’s words sank in. Vercus’s name carried a dark weight, a legacy of evil and domination. A wave of disbelief rippled through the pack, but there wa
As Daryl, Leo, and Aria maneuvered through the dense foliage of the Star Crust territory, the air was thick with tension and the distant sounds of combat echoed ominously in the background. Each step felt like a countdown, the urgency to escape palpable as they moved closer to freedom. Their hearts raced, not just from the fear of being caught, but from the knowledge that they had to protect not only themselves but their families as well.Suddenly, they stumbled upon a clearing where a group of Gordon’s men were gathered, their brutish laughter filling the air as they counted their weapons. Daryl's blood ran cold. They had to fight their way through if they wanted to reach Waterfall.“Stay close,” Daryl whispered urgently, gripping Aria’s arm. Leo nodded, his jaw set with determination.Without a moment’s hesitation, Daryl charged forward, fists clenched. The element of surprise was on their side, and he was determined to make the most of it. “Attack!” he shouted, launching himself
The oppressive darkness of the room felt like a living entity, wrapping itself around Daryl, Leo, and Aria as they sat huddled together. The weight of their captivity pressed heavily on their shoulders. Daryl’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one more chaotic than the last. He couldn’t shake the recent revelations about his family’s history—the legacy of betrayal and blood that twisted through their veins like a venomous snake. Vercus's malevolence wasn’t just a personal vendetta; it was a curse passed down through generations, a darkness that sought to obliterate everything in its path.Daryl clenched his fists, feeling the sting of anger mix with despair. How had it come to this? The thought of Vercus wanting to eliminate him and Aria, by using Gordon? To snuff out the light of hope they represented, fueled his resolve. He would not allow history to repeat itself. Not on his watch.Suddenly, the door swung open with a creak that echoed through the room, and Gordon stepped
Author POVThe tension in the pack house was palpable, an electric charge that crackled in the air as Liam and Greg gathered with their family. Fear mingled with anger as they processed the abduction of Daryl, Leo, and Aria. Every moment felt like a ticking clock, with the fate of their loved ones hanging in the balance.Liam paced the room, his hands clenched into fists, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. “We need to act fast. Every second we waste gives those bastards an advantage.”Macy, his beloved mate, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her eyes brimming with tears.“They’re strong, Liam. We’ve trained them well. They’ll find a way to protect themselves. We have to trust in that.”“Trust is not enough!” Liam snapped, shaking off her touch. “I should have foreseen this! The Star Crust Pack has always been a threat, and now they’ve made their move. We can’t afford to be blindsided again.”“Liam, blaming yourself won’t help our children,” Greg interjected, his
Author POVAlpha Liam roared angrily after hearing the devastating news that his sons and their mate had been kidnapped. The weight of his rage threatened to crush everything in its path as he and his beta, Greg, hurried to the scene of their disappearance.The area where their car was parked by the roadside felt eerily quiet, the air heavy with an unsettling tension. They could still catch whiffs of their scents—faint but unmistakable.“They must have drugged them to carry them away,” Liam seethed, his voice laced with fury as he surveyed the surroundings. His instincts screamed that time was of the essence.“You think Vercus did this?” Greg asked, brow furrowing in concern.“I have no idea who orchestrated this,” Liam replied, frustration threading through his words. “The fact remains that we have numerous enemies at hand, and this could be anyone.”Liam's orders were clear: his men were instructed to secure the area, waiting patiently behind as they combed through the site for a
Liam’s POVThe tension in the pack house was thick, palpable, and impossible to ignore. My children, especially Daryl, were furious at Elaine and me for keeping the truth from them all these years. The prophecy, Daryl’s true lineage—these were secrets we had held for their protection, but the time for secrecy had passed.I had known this day would come, though. Sooner or later, the truth always finds its way into the light. For years, we’ve shielded Elaine and Daryl from the rumors that circulated about the Waterfall Pack harboring the lost princess and her son. Vercus Gunther, the evil Lycan king, knew better than to strike here—at least until now.We’d heard whispers over the years that Vercus had gone into hiding, but I knew better. He was always plotting, always looking for ways to destroy his only grandson before the prophecy could be fulfilled. My spies had confirmed that the king was rarely seen, a ghost among his people, leaving behind only the scent of death wherever he we
Aria's POVDaryl’s emotions hit me like a tidal wave, overwhelming through the bond we shared. My mate was a mess—sad, angry, confused—all swirling together like a storm I couldn't calm. The mate bond allowed us to feel each other’s emotions, whether joyful or broken, and right now, Daryl was shattered.I tried reaching out to him through the mind link, but he’d shut me out, a wall firmly erected between us. Leo had done the same.Gigi whimpered inside my head, longing for our mates. She could feel their turmoil, especially Daryl’s. He was the most affected, and I couldn’t bear the thought of him suffering alone. Leo, too, felt distant through the bond, and that worried me even more.I rushed downstairs, my heart pounding, hoping to find them. As I entered the living room, all eyes turned to me. Luna Macy and Elaine sat quietly, tears glistening in their eyes as their mates, Alpha Liam and Beta Greg, consoled them. The room was heavy with tension and sadness. Mara had already fill