MasukKrista*The river was freezing. The cold hit me like a physical blow, stealing my breath as the current slammed against my body. For one terrifying moment, I couldn't see Jacob. Then I spotted him.He was fighting against the current, still clutching Luke.“Jacob!” I fought through the water.The soldiers around me moved with far greater expertise, cutting through the current and reaching him quickly. One grabbed Jacob's arm while another caught hold of Luke, and together we fought the river, dragging them toward the bank.Jacob refused to release Luke. Even in the chaos, even with the water trying to tear them apart, his arms remained locked around my son.Then Luke moved. He coughed. The sound was small, but to me it was louder than anything else in the cavern. Luke spluttered violently as the icy water shocked him awake. His eyes flew open, wild with confusion, and his little arms immediately tightened around Jacob.“A-Alpha!” He was crying. “What's going on?”Jacob pulled him clo
Krista*His shoulder was still stained dark with blood. Even after everything that had happened, he was standing upright through sheer stubbornness and Alpha strength. But I had seen the wounds on him. I knew how much blood he had already lost.He could barely afford another injury.Laurel stepped forward. “The wound on your shoulder isn't something to laugh about,” she said, and I found myself agreeing with her. For once, there was nothing I could argue with in what she had said. “You’re both cut up and bleeding. One of the warriors should go.”Two warriors immediately stepped forward.“I can do it.”“So can I.”They exchanged determined looks. For a brief moment, I thought Jacob might actually listen.Another warrior, however, spoke from behind us. “Maybe we should find another route.”Jacob didn't even look at him. “Luke is there.” The words were quiet and something in me went still. I knew that tone. It was the tone Jacob used when his mind had already been made up and there was
Krista*“How many guards are near the cottage?” Jacob asked.“Seventeen soldiers at present,” Samuel replied. “The others are reinforcing the borders and taking count of the dead. Ten are stationed with the two rogues we captured alive.”My stomach tightened at the reminder of the dead. So many wolves had died tonight, and somewhere out there, Luke was alone.Jacob looked toward the surrounding trees, his jaw tightening. “Half of the seventeen will come with Krista and me.”“I’ll help too,” Laurel said quickly. “If Krista doesn’t mind.”I barely glanced at her. I had no room left in my mind for petty arguments tonight. I shrugged. “If you want to help, help.”Laurel nodded immediately. Samuel gestured, and within moments, half the soldiers were moving toward us. The remaining wolves waited for Jacob’s instructions.“The other half head to the borders,” Jacob ordered. “Help however you can. Reinforce the patrols, check for any sign of the rogues, and make sure no one else gets through
Krista*“Krista?” Jacob called.I was already moving. I rushed toward the bedroom, my heart pounding so violently that it seemed to shake my entire body. Jacob followed immediately, his footsteps heavy behind me. I threw the bedroom door open.For one frantic second, I saw nothing. There was the bed, the small dresser, Luke’s things scattered around the room. My gaze swept over everything, searching desperately for something that would explain where my son had gone.Then my eyes landed on the bedside table, on the wooden wolf that had not been painted completely. Luke’s gift he had been so excited about, talking endlessly about giving it to his friend.But it wasn't the wolf that caught my attention; t was the flower placed under it. A delicate little bloom, white at the edges and streaked with soft azure, had been pinned under the wooden carving. Something cold settled in my stomach. I turned slowly toward Jacob. “What is that flower?” My voice came out quiet.Jacob crossed the roo
Krista*I stopped breathing. “And Luke?”Kenan looked at me. “When I heard the noise outside, Luke was awake.” My fingers tightened around his. “But when that bastard came out, he had Luke over his shoulder and he was fast asleep.”The room seemed to tilt.I had to close my eyes. If I kept them open, I was afraid everyone would see exactly how terrified I was. I pressed my fingers against my forehead and drew in a slow, trembling breath.Don't panic. Don't fall apart. Inside me, my wolf was raging. She wanted Asher dead. She cycled through a hundred different ways to kill him, each more vicious than the last, and every one of them involved making him suffer for what he had done to Luke, to Kenan, to Jacob, to all of us.I understood her rage, I shared it. But I couldn't afford to let it control me. More than ever, I needed a clear head. Luke was still missing, and every second we wasted drowning in anger was another second he was out there without us.Kenan shifted restlessly under
Krista*“Goddess,” I breathed. I tried to rise and my legs failed me. I sank back to the floor, unable to take my eyes off him. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Thank you, Goddess.”Jacob crossed the room immediately, dropped down beside me and gathered me into his arms. I let him. My arms went around him at once, careful for only half a second before instinct overwhelmed caution. I held him tightly, pressing myself against him as if I needed the physical proof that he was real.His arm wrapped around my waist while his other hand settled against the back of my head.“How is Kenan?” he asked.I swallowed. “He'll live.”For a moment, he said nothing, then his voice came quietly. “Where's Luke?”My grip tightened around him. The question hurt more than I expected. I held him for another second before forcing myself to ease my arms because of his injuries. “I don't know.” My voice nearly cracked. “I rushed here as soon as I could. I found Kenan like this. Nobody has seen Lu
Krista“And then there’s Liam,” she said, her tone dripping with drama. “I heard he’s been sneaking off to the human town again. You know what that means, don’t you?”I raised an eyebrow, leaning in just enough to show I was invested. “What does it mean?”Greta’s voice dropped even lower. “He’s see
KristaI watched from a distance as Greta chased after her three boys, her voice carrying on the wind, strained and full of exhaustion. They were darting in every direction, little whirlwinds of energy, their laughter ringing out in the warm afternoon air. It was a familiar scene, one that made me
KristaI stared at my reflection, willing the hollow look in my eyes to fade, forcing my lips to curve into a passable smile. But the result looked as tired and insincere as I felt inside. Tonight, of all nights, I couldn't afford to let my emotions slip through the cracks. Tonight was about duty,
KristaWhat had I expected? That Jacob would magically fall in love with me just because we’d spent a few years married? That he would look at me one day and suddenly see me, really see me, instead of the shadow I’d become in his life?I let out a bitter laugh, though it sounded more like a sob. Wh







