Chapter Eighteen : Fight– Caleb’s POVThe wind howled near the cliff, carrying the scent of blood. Liam’s brother, Alex, was bound, his hands tied behind his back. He looked drained, his body unsteady, as if he might collapse at any moment.His head suddenly appeared when he saw someone coming. There was panic in his eyes."Help! Someone—please!" Alex cried out.I didn't move right away. This was my moment to kill Liam. I had been waiting for this time, plotting. But before I could act, Liam's men arrived, with someone in tow.A woman.Her face was veiled, but I recognized her immediately.Cara.My heart constricted. I would be able to identify her even if she'd blindfolded herself. Her posture, how her body froze—I was certain.Liam stepped forward and glared at me. He sneered."This is Alec," he said.My mind reeled. How the hell did he know?Liam smirked, savoring my reaction. “Oh? Didn’t expect that, did you?” His voice was a slow, taunting drawl. “I have to say, I was surprised
Chapter Nineteen : Blurred LinesCara's POVLuna had been inviting me to dine and interact with the older she-wolves and Lunas from other packs recently. At first, I assumed she simply wanted company. But soon, I realized there was more to it. She was subtly presenting me as Liam’s mate—through her introductions, the conversations she steered, and the knowing glances exchanged between the others.But something wasn't right. Despite all her niceness on the outside, I didn't feel like Luna actually liked me. Her smiles never reached her eyes, and she seemed tense the way she treated me. It left me confused. If she didn't like me, then why was she pushing me to hook up with Liam?That night, after an extremely exhausting day, I was contemplating taking a hot shower to relax. The relaxing warm water melted away the day's stresses, and for a brief moment, I felt calm. Holding a towel in one hand, I stepped out of the bathroom to prepare for bedclothes.As I pushed open the door to my room,
Chapter 20: Losing ControlCara’s POVI hated him.I hated the way he always invaded my space, the way he looked at me like he already owned me. I hated the way he touched me, like it was his right. Most of all, I hated the way my body reacted to him—how, despite every part of me screaming to run, I stayed.Liam’s hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer. His heat was suffocating, his scent clouding my mind. I pressed my hands against his chest, trying to push him away, but he was solid, unmoving.“Let me go,” I demanded, my voice shaking.His dark eyes flickered with something unreadable. “I can’t,” he murmured. “You belong to me, Cara. You always have.”“No,” I snapped, struggling against him. “I don’t.”But my words were empty.Because even as I resisted, my body was betraying me.Liam’s grip tightened. His head dipped, his breath fanning over my skin, sending an involuntary shiver through me. When his lips brushed against my jaw, a strangled gasp escaped me. My fingers dug into
Chapter 21: The RevealingCaleb's POVIt was a silent night.Liam was away.I had been given what I wanted.I stood there, staring at Cara in front of me, my chest heaving from the aftermath of my fight with Liam. Liam had left with his precious little brother, and in return, he had given me Cara.Cara was still standing, her posture tense, shoulders slightly hunched as if bracing for what was to come. A black mask covered her face, the same as it did when Liam's men had brought her in. Her hair fell over her shoulders, her shape unmistakable.I absorbed the sight of her.Too long had it been since I'd seen her.Even though she had once been my captive, she had never yielded. Always glared at me with those venomous eyes, full of anger.I had expected her to resist now, to scream, to struggle. To be angry why I needed her after rejecting her.But she wasn't making any noise.Too silent.There was a small furrow on my lips, but I pushed the thought aside. She was merely exhausted. Lia
Chapter Twenty TwoRunning from My Own ThoughtsCara’s POVI shouldn’t be thinking about it.I had reminded myself a thousand times that it was a mistake. A stupid, crazy mistake. But no matter how hard I tried, the memory kept coming back to me.Liam. His hands. His mouth. The way he made me feel things I shouldn't be feeling.I sat on the edge of my bed, arms around my knees, trying to force the memories away. But they just wouldn't go.It wasn't that I had enjoyed it—that was the worst part. It was the way my body had betrayed me, the way I had lost myself to him. I had let him take control, let him destroy all the barriers I had set up to keep him out.And now? Now, I didn't know how to cope with the truth.I wasn't supposed to desire him.I was not supposed to miss his touch, to remember the trail of his fingers along my skin, the fire of his mouth on every inch of me.But I did.I groaned in frustration and hid my face in my hands. No, I cannot do this anymore.A knock on my doo
Chapter Twenty ThreeChapter 23: TakenCara’s POVThe air was still. Too still.A deep growl rumbled in the distance, and I froze, my body tensing. The training ground had been quiet a second ago, but now… something was wrong. The wind carried a scent I didn’t recognize—thick with danger and aggression.Sophia noticed it too. She took a step closer to me, her voice barely above a whisper. “Cara… something’s coming.”I didn’t answer. My instincts had already kicked in. My pulse pounded as I turned toward the trees, scanning the area. Then, they came.Shadows moved between the trees, fast and calculated. My breath hitched as a group of werewolves emerged from the forest, their eyes glowing with hunger and violence. Their movements were smooth, their bodies muscular and prepared for a fight.They weren’t just any werewolves. They were warriors.Sophia gasped beside me. I didn’t have time to reassure her. The second they lunged forward, I shifted.Bones cracked as my body transformed. Fur
Chapter Twenty Fiur: When Everything ChangedLiam's POVThe moment Sophia burst through the doors, gasping and gaping, I recognized that something was wrong. My entire body seized up, instincts in overdrive before she'd even get a word out."It's Cara—she's gone."Those words were like a blow to the gut. I didn't budge for a moment, didn't take a breath. But then my eyes snapped into focus and my wolf churned futilely beneath my skin.Gone?I approached her slowly, my voice strained. "What do you mean she's vanished?"Sophia swallowed once more, her face pale. "We—we were rehearsing. Everything was fine. Then they came." Her breath hitched, fear creeping into her tone. "They were fast, Liam. Too fast. Cara shifted and fought them off, but too many. And their leader—he was strong. Too strong."A growl convulsed deep in my chest. My wolf tried to claw free, looking for blood, looking for fight.I grasped Sophia by the shoulders, holding her face to mine. "Who kidnapped her?"She shook h
Chapter 25: His Mate?Cara’s POVPain pulsed through my body, but I ignored it. My muscles ached from the fight, my skin was raw where the ropes had bitten into my flesh, but I refused to show weakness.The room was cold, damp, the scent of wolves thick in the air. Unfamiliar wolves. The walls were made of stone, the only light coming from a small barred window near the ceiling. There were no chains, no silver, but that didn’t make me any less trapped.I had been taken.I clenched my fists, my heart pounding. Liam. Did he even know I was gone? Would he come for me?Or worse—had he let them take me?Before I could drown in that thought, the heavy door creaked open.Caleb.I knew it was him before I even saw his face. His scent, his aura, the suffocating weight of his presence—it all hit me at once.He stepped inside, his towering frame blocking the light from the hallway. His dark eyes locked onto mine, scanning my face, my body, and then his jaw clenched.And just like that, his expre
Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-OneFree From Her CaptiveSophia's POVI sat on the filthy, cold floor of the empty building, my knees up to my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around them. My whole body ached—my legs, my back, my shoulders. Everything hurt. My head throbbed from the slap Cara had given me. My lips were parched, my belly grumbled, but I couldn't eat. I just couldn't. Not when my heart was filled with so much fear.I was tired. Tired of crying. Tired of waiting.But still. I waited.For him.Damon.Please, Damon. come.I couldn't help but replay that moment when Caleb finally handed me his phone and said, "Text him. Tell him where you are. He'll come for you."I had stared at the phone like it was a gift from heaven. I typed the message with shaky hands. And now. I waited. Again.Each sound outside made me jump. Each creak of wood. Each sigh of wind. My eyes would flicker to the door, hoping… praying… but nothing. Just shadows and silence.Caleb stood at the broken window,
Chapter One Hundred and SixtyI Know You're LyingDamon's POVI sat myself on the bedside.Staring at my phone.So many thoughts in my head. I did not eat. I did not sleep. I had not even showered. I kept waiting for a call, a text. something.It did.My phone lit up. A text was sent.From Sophia.My fingers shook as I held the phone. My heart was pounding."Damon, I'm in an old building by the river beside the nearby pack, Come. Don't tell Cara I sent this. I'm fine but scared. I need you."I stood there, I couldn’t believe it.I couldn't believe it. My chest expanded and contracted quickly. My eyes scanned the words over and over.She's alive.Sophia is alive.But… trapped?And she asked me not to tell Cara.Why?I sprang up in a flash, prepared to dash out of the room. I had to reach her. I didn't have a moment to spare.But then—The door creaked open.Cara stood in the doorway.She was smiling.Her hair was tucked neatly back, her dress perfect as ever. But I saw nothing but dark
Chapter 159 – A Glimmer of HopeSophia's POVThe walls that closed in around me were damp, cold, and cracked. I was on the floor in the corner of the empty room, my arms sore from having them tied behind my back for so long. My ankles were scraped and bruised. The ground was hard. The air smelled of dust, mold, and old paint. It was the kind of place you leave people to be forgotten.But I wasn't forgotten.Not yet.I hadn't eaten for a day—maybe two days. My lips were dry. My stomach growled in pain, not just hunger. But I didn't eat the food they'd brought before. I couldn't. Every bite would be like giving up. And I wasn't ready to quit.Suddenly, the door opened again.I looked up, expecting Cara to enter and taunt me for my misery. But it wasn't her.It was Caleb.He entered quietly, holding a small tray. On it was a piece of bread, a small bowl of scrambled eggs, and a bottle of water. He set it down quietly next to me, kneeling to my level."You have to eat," he said softly.I
Chapter 158 – Trapped in DeceptionDamon's POVThe air was thick in my study. Tension-charged. A burning heat radiated in my chest from a pain that had no reason behind it. A mixture of anger, fear, and confusion.Sophia was nowhere to be found.I had attempted. Texted. Waited.Nothing.She always kept her word. Always told me where she was going to be.But now… nothing.Lucas sat across from me, his hands flying quickly across the tablet screen. He had been quiet the last few minutes, trying to track Cara's phone. The guards we'd sent had lost Sophia. And now Cara too.I did not want to think it. I did not want to believe that Cara was involved. But every fiber of my being was screaming otherwise."Any signal?" I asked, my throat scratchy."Not yet," said Lucas. "Just another second or two. If she's got her phone on, we'll pinpoint it."Before he could finish speaking, the study door creaked open.I raised my head hastily.And there she was.Cara.Craddling the baby in her arms.My h
Chapter one hundred and fifty seven Suspect Damon's POVI waited in the study, staring at the clock.More than when she was supposed to call. I had told her to message me or call me the moment she arrived at the location Alec Davis had given her. She promised she would. I believed her. I believed she would keep herself safe.Too long. Too silence now.I picked up my phone and dialed her again.It rang once.And then twice.And then went to voicemail.I stared at the screen, my heart pounding. I tried a third time. Still nothing.A thunderous knock on the door caused me to look up."Come in," I said, attempting to sound calm.Lucas came in, holding a small tablet. I could tell from his face that something was wrong."We've got a problem, Alpha," he told me. "The guards we sent to tail Sophia… they lost her."My heart sank."Lost her?" I repeated, my voice even.What does that even mean?."She went into the building," he explained. "But she never came out. The guards stayed, maybe thi
Chapter 156 : Trapped By CaraThe streets were deserted as I walked to the destination I had been sent. It was an old street, near the town center, yet still deserted enough to make me get a bit apprehensive. I held my phone tight.And then suddenly—A heavy sound behind me.Before I could even turn, someone grabbed me hard from behind. A fist closed over my mouth. I struggled, kicked, screamed — but the rag over my mouth muffled my cry.I was pulled back, through an alley. My heart thudded so violently I thought it would burst.I caught sight of the shape of a broken-down, falling building — the windows broken, the walls cracked. My gut wrenched.They shoved me in.The air was thick with dust and mold. I was tied at the wrists. My mouth was open, my throat dry."W-What's going on?" I gasped. "Let me go!"And then I saw her.Cara.She stepped out of the darkness as if catwalking down a catwalk. Unfazed. Unapologetic. Evil.Caleb was behind her. He turned his head aside when I tried to
Chapter 155 :?The Weight in My Chest(Damon's POV)The air in my study was stale. The room smelled of old pages and quiet reflection. I had a book in my hand, but I wasn't reading. My eyes had been on the same line for the past five minutes. My mind wasn't calm.Not since that message came.Alec Davis — the name that had been so important to Sophia. Her favorite author. The one author who had written stories that had comforted her when the world had been cruel.Now that same author wanted to meet her in person. Alone.I didn't care for it. Not at all. It was strange. It felt too abrupt. Too personal. And something in the message… it had my wolf unsettle with unease.Just then, the door to our bedroom opened.Sophia stepped out. She wore light jeans and a soft cream-colored sweater. Her hair was brushed back neatly. She looked beautiful, but her face carried excitement, like a child about to meet her hero.“Damon,” she said gently.I turned in my chair, eyes meeting hers.“I’m getting
Chapter one hundred and fifty four : Cara's BargainPOV: CaraIt was cold air, night air, gliding down my body like a caress. I walked through the woods, taking my time, no hurry. My black trench coat was enveloped around me, heels of shoes sinking delicately into sodden ground as I went deeper into the trees. The moon was silver, distant, cold—like I am tonight.I'd given the message to Caleb hours ago. He responded right away."Same location. Midnight."This is the time I need Caleb the most, I know he doesn’t like Damon, and this is the time for me to act like I care about him.I smiled as I walked towards the small cabin hidden at the edge of the border, a place that only the two of us knew. A place that was filled with tired memories, lust, lies… and now, a new plan.The door was already open before I could knock.He stood there, big and broad, still with that same obstinate look he always had. Caleb. My history. My instrument."Cara," he said coldly. "What are you doing here?""
Chapter: Secrets and ShadowsDamon's POVThe moonlight through the big windows in my office cast silver streaks on the floor. I sat at my desk, drumming fingers on the wood with nervous restraint. I had banished Sophia earlier that day, telling her I needed to rest. But my thoughts wouldn't rest tonight.Not after that message.Something is amiss.A knock on the door."Come in," I replied.Lucas walked in. My Beta. Loyal. Calm. Sharp.He bowed slightly. "You called, Alpha?"I nodded and motioned to the seat across from me. "Sit. We have to talk."Lucas sat, understanding the seriousness in my voice. "What is it?"I placed my phone in his hands and let him read the message.He read again, slowly.And then looked up at me with an eyebrow raised, furrowed face. "Alec Davis. wants her to come alone?""Yes," I said. "No destination yet, but I know Sophia will depart once it comes. And she doesn't want me included."Lucas sat back. "That's not wise. She's the Luna. What if it's a trap?""Th