LOGINAlpha Bran’s POVI stood at the edge of the forest, the wind brushing past me, carrying scents from miles away. Behind me, Aric approached, silently. Bane and Lupin lingered further back, shadows among shadows, along with four others I trusted enough to bring into this.“Everything’s in place,” Aric said quietly.“And Kael?” I asked.“He went in ten minutes ago.” Aric answered.“Michael?” I added.Aric exhaled. “He is still at his grand father's estate.”I rolled my shoulders, feeling my wolf stir beneath my skin, eagerly. Tonight wasn’t about shedding blood. But if it came to it,I wouldn’t hesitate.“We move now,” I said.As we moved further, Kael’s residence came into view through the trees. A small, isolated building surrounded by trees. Exactly the kind of place a man like Kael would choose to live if he thought secrecy would protect him.We spread out without needing to speak. Aric to my right. Bane circling wide. Lupin taking the rear with the others.I approached the front,
Alpha Bran’s POVThe door to my office opened without a knock. What followed next was Ember's voice, “I brought you lunch since you've refused to come down.” I leaned back in my chair, watching as she walked in with a tray balanced in her hands.She set it down in front of me, adjusting the plates with practiced ease.For a second it felt like I wasn’t Alpha. It felt like I was a boy again. A boy who had nothing and no one. But her. To me, Ember was the mother I didn't get to have. “Thank you,” I muttered, reaching for the food.She didn’t respond. That was the first sign something was off. I started eating anyway, hunger catching up with me after skipping dinner last night and breakfast in the morning. The food was good as always. But Ember’s silence was troubling. Her gaze lingered on me, making me uncomfortable. It wasn't typical of Ember to fix her gaze on me without blinking once.I could tell that she had something on her mind. I sighed, not even bothering to look up. “What
Alpha Bran’s POV‘What if it has something to do with the evidence that was destroyed three months ago?’My hand paused in the middle of buttoning my shirt. Water still clung to my skin, sliding down my chest in slow trails. My focus sharpened, every instinct snapping to attention.Aric chuckled through the mindlink. ‘I knew that would get your attention.’I sighed, dragging my fingers through my damp hair before reaching for the rest of my clothes. “Stop playing games, Aric. Say what you have to say.”There was a brief pause on his end, like he was enjoying this just a little too much.‘You didn’t even try to pretend you’re not interested.’My jaw tightened. “Aric.”‘Okay, fine. I found the one who tampered with the evidence.’Every calm in me vanished. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, reacting to the shift in my emotions.I straightened, fingers curling into fists at my sides. “Who?” I demanded, impatience slicing through my voice. “Who was it?”‘You couldn’t even wait, could you?’
Serafine’s POV “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Grayson said.Clara crossed her arms. “And I don’t think staying here alone is a good idea either.”I didn’t take my eyes off the window. “She’s right.”Grayson looked at me like he was trying to figure out if I was just being stubborn.“I’m not letting you go alone,” I added quietly.Something in my voice must’ve convinced him, because his shoulders dropped after that. “Fine,” he muttered. “We go together.”Clara clapped once. “Road trip in the rain. Love that for us.”“You won’t love it if you slow us down,” he shot back.Within minutes, we were out the door. The sky had shifted by the time we got into the car.What had been a calm evening earlier was now swallowed by thick clouds, the air heavy and tense. The first crack of thunder came just as Grayson started the engine.Clara flinched. “Okay… maybe I don’t love this that much.”The rain started as a drizzle. By the time we hit the main road, it turned into a downpour.Grayson
Serafine’s POVI watched Grayson disappear into the woods, his figure swallowed by shadows and towering trees within seconds.I sat there, my feet still dipped into the lake, Clara’s head resting heavily against my shoulder. She had fallen asleep, completely unbothered by whatever had just happened.I wished I could say the same. My gaze lingered on the treeline. Something had been there. I was sure of it.My fingers curled against the wooden edge of the dock. If Grayson hadn’t heard it too, I would’ve brushed it off. Told myself I was overthinking. But he had heard it too.I sighed, forcing my shoulders to relax. Grayson emerged from the trees, walking back toward us. “Well?” I asked, shifting slightly to keep Clara from sliding off my shoulder.He stopped a few steps away, glancing briefly at the lake before looking back at me.“There’s no one,” he said.I frowned. “No one?”He shook his head. “Nothing.”I studied him for a moment, searching his face, but he looked certain.“If yo
Alpha Bran’s POV “Shit!” I muttered under my breath at the sound of the dry leaves under my foot. My gaze snapped toward the lake instinctively toward Serafine. Even from where I stood, concealed by the treeline, I saw that she was looking at the forest. She must have heard the noise.Damn the fucking leaves. They were going to expose me after I had watched her for three months now.Every single day for the past three months, I had been careful, watching her from afar. Keeping my distance. Never getting close enough for her to sense me.But today I had stayed longer than I should have. Because she was laughing. The sound of her laughter did something to me, making it impossible to walk away when I needed to.Three months ago, she barely smiled.Now she laughed freely, splashing water, teasing Clara, racing her like nothing in the world had hurt her. Like I had never hurt her.A bitter taste filled my mouth.Maybe this version of her was better off without me.That had been the point
Serafine’s POVMy heart was still racing from where Bran had grabbed me. My skin still remembered the pressure of his arms. I didn’t know what shocked me more. His sudden embrace or the look on his face when I pushed him away.The door clicked shut behind him. A few minutes later, it opened again.
Alpha Bran’s POVEven though we had suspected it. Even though the signs had been there…I didn’t believe it. Not until I saw the silver bracelet tear into her skin like acid. I stared at the screen, shock rooting me to the spot.Serafine was a wolf!My mate was a wolf.But that made no sense.The f
Alpha Bran’s POVRyker could not stay still.The moment the doctor mentioned Serafine, he surged forward inside me.I drove at high speed until the hospital building came into view. And barely waited for the vehicle to come to a full stop before stepping out.Without thinking, I went straight to Se
Alpha Bran’s POVOne hundred and fifty-six missed calls. Fifty messages. All from Saskia.I stared at the screen, certain my eyes were playing tricks on me. I locked my phone and unlocked it again. The unread messages were still there. The missed calls were still there. I tapped at the first messa







