登入Melinda’s POVThe afternoon sun was warm on my skin, a rare luxury that made me close my eyes and tilt my head back, letting the gentle breeze wash over me. For the first time since the summit, a genuine sense of peace settled over me.The park was alive with the happy chaos of children's laughter, the metallic jangle of the swing set, and the distant rhythmic bounce of a basketball on the nearby court. The scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the sweet, artificial aroma of the ice cream cart, creating a perfume that spoke of simple, uncomplicated joy."Mom! Mom, watch this!" Ethan shouted, his small voice carrying across the playground.My eyes snapped open just in time to see him launching himself from the top of the slide, his little arms spread wide like a clumsy eagle. I bit back a gasp as he landed with a soft thud in the wood chips, rolling once before popping up with a triumphant grin that showed off the gap where he'd lost his front tooth last week."I'm flying!" he declar
CARL’S POVThe folder lay on my desk like a tombstone. Damon had left it there an hour ago, saying only that I needed to see what was inside. I'd expected a briefing on Melinda's current position in her new pack—maybe a security report, some organizational chart I could memorize before I approached her. Instead, I found years worth of records.The first document I pulled was a mission report from three years ago, detailing the evacuation of a northern village caught in an early blizzard. The Silverthorn seal was stamped in the corner, but below it, in elegant, flowing script, was the signature I hadn't seen in half a decade: Melinda. My breath caught as I scanned the pages. She had coordinated the entire operation, rerouting supply convoys and organizing shelter for over two hundred displaced wolves. The report praised her "innovative approach to emergency logistics" and "compassionate handling of traumatized pack members."I set it aside and reached for another document. This one was
Carl’s POVThe summit hotel was becoming unbearable. Mostly because Ashley refused to stop complaining. Tonight was no different.She paced across the expensive carpet in a designer dress that probably cost more than most pack members earned in a month. "I don't understand why we have to attend every single event," she huffed, her perfectly manicured hands gesturing dramatically. "The food is mediocre at best, and the other Lunas keep staring. They know, Carl. They all know we're only here because of protocol."I didn't look up from the intelligence reports I was trying to read. They detailed the same mysterious disappearances and strange sickness that had been plaguing neighboring territories, but my focus was shot."They're staring because you're making a scene, Ashley," I said, my voice flat.She stopped pacing, her hands landing on her hips. "A scene? I'm not the one who's been staring into space like a lovesick pup for a week. You've barely said two words to me since we arrived.
MELINDA The unease I felt had taken me away from my room and now to the kids rooms. There was nowhere else I could find peace from my thoughts or even run away from the recurring images or flashes that flooded my mind. It took sleep away from my eyes, food from my lips and my happiness. I'd started dreading the nights so much because all I did was toss and turn with no end. So I opted to come to their room and maybe find some peace. Thankfully, tonight wasn't like any of the other nights where I have to beg and beg for them to even come to bed. As soon as they saw me, they jumped into bed and I read them their bedtime stories, thinking that I'd also be tired by the time I'm done but that didn't work. Ethan tossed and turned in the bed while his sister lay quiet beside him, holding her favorite hippo close to her chest. I wish I could be like that, have that kind of peace within me with no worries and no care in the world. Instead, I was like Ethan, looking for the closest
CARLThe drive back home was very rough, not due to the road but because all I saw was red. I didn't even realize how mad I was until I got behind that wheel. Everything kept flashing through my mind all over again. I stood there and watched her choose another man and make me feel like a fool. It didn't sit well with me that she would feel more safe with another man than she would with me. I was the one who was her mate and if there would be anyone that would be at her side, it should be me. Not some random person I don't know. The fact that he was always close to her was enough to ruin my day and she didn't mind it one bit. Yet she always loved away when I tried making any form of contact with her. It was upsetting. After all these years of looking for that one person, I'd finally found her. I wish I had known that Melinda was the one for me this entire time. I would have made sure I treated her much better than I did. Now, she was in the arms of another man who knew little to not
MELINDA The urge to actually tell him how I felt was heavy. What could I say to him that would accurately express how I felt and how he had made me feel all those years? There was nothing I could say that would properly tell him how I felt. It was no use. What he wanted you do was make me talk so I could get comfortable and then he would have access to me. I won't be that stupid again. “I won't say it again, Carl. I have nothing to say to you, turn around the same way you came and leave. You and I are not on speaking terms and will never be.” He took a step forward. “Melinda-” “Get out!” His jaw clenched, like he made a resolve in his mind not to listen to me. “No, I won't go. I will stay here and you and I will have a conversation like adults. You're going to listen to me.” Was he deaf? What made him think he had the audacity to claim any rights around here? “Please.” That last word came with much more softness than the others, like he was pleading this time
MELINDAThe past five years have been the best times of my life. I've lived with so much freedom and happiness and in just one night, one person has managed to disrupt my life and disrupt it wholly. Ever since the night of the dinner, I'd not been able to get any sleep at night. The moment I close
MELINDA“Marcus! Malcolm! Get down from the dresser before you hurt yourselves!”The fear in my voice was met by mischievous giggles as the two little goblins scurried down. How on Earth did they get up there? They were just five, by the time they were fifteen, I'd have aged at least fifty years.
Melinda’s POVI pushed the door open.Every single head in the room snapped towards me.My heart was pounding so hard against my ribs I felt like a trapped animal. The large office felt suffocating.The council elders sat around the long dark table near the fireplace. Their expressions shifted the
Melinda’s POV"Is it another no?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Am I not pregnant again?"Dr. Thomas stared at the report in his hands without answering.My stomach sank.Of course. It was the same look he wore every time he told me the news I already expected.Three years of trying bu







