“You’re okay?” John asked. I nodded and sipped the hot tea nearly sighing as it warmed my body, John sat at a respectful distance beside me and I noticed him watching me keenly at a far corner. Jake stared at a fire sipping from a glass of liquor looking lost in his own world.
“What happened” John asked and I sighed, his dark eyes roamed my face and I noticed how handsome he was. “My father, chased me away” I said and his eye darkened even further, he looked annoyed. “That’s wickedness” he said and I nodded, the tears I have been holding and promising myself not to shed started pooling in the corner of her eyes. “I am so sorry” John said and I nodded. The tears dropped and he tentatively wiped them away and I stared at him in surprise. “Thank you” I said and he smiled. Jake stood and dropped the book he was holding “I am outta here before you two kiss and talk in love” he said and I reddened, John looked embarrassed and he shot his brother a glare but Jake flipped him off and grabbed his car keys and walked away. “Is he always like this?” I asked and John shook his head. “No, his moods changes quickly but he is very loyal” John said and I nodded and sipped the last of my tea that was getting cold. John stood and helped me up, they walked to a room and John dropped her backpack on a mahogany desk. “Thank you John” I said and kissed his cheek, he smiled at me and walked off. I plopped on the bed and smiled, this was definitely a welcome start of my life’s journey. I closed my eyes and drifted up to sleep. When I opened my eyes Jake was sitting on a chair and was staring at the window I jumped to my feet and grabbed something as a weapon which was a spoon, he chuckled without turning. “You want to use a spoon to fight me, hope you know how futile it is” Jake said and I shook my head. “What do you want” I snapped, tired of his attitude. He turned and his eyes darkened. He crossed his legs and glared at me. “The fact that I saved your ass, doesn’t mean I trust you one bit” he said and I scowled and glared at him. “If there is anyone not to trust, it’s you. You are evil and brutal and you don’t think twice before you do something rash” I said and he smiled coldly, he stood and grabbed one bottle of wine from a cabinet and poured it into a glass, he titled the glass to his mouth and drank. “You are right” he said and turned to stare at the landscape from the window. “I am a cold selfish bastard and be warned am not gonna pet you like John.” “So what do you want?” I snapped again and he scowled. “What do I want? Nothing. You are fool to think I want anything. I am just following the alpha orders to protect and train you” I noticed he said the word alpha with resentment and contempt something was definitely going on “I don’t want you in my room, you can guard it from outside” I said and his eyes darkened and I knew I had made an enemy, he nodded and pivoted on heels and was gone. _______________________________________ I grunted as I lifted the weight bar and I dropped it back almost immediately, ever since I had told John the reason why I was sent off my pack, we had been working to increase my strength, he had tried everything to no avail to bring out my wolf. Jake sauntered in his eyes roamed around until they sought me and John and he headed over, he grabbed my bottle of water and drank from it. “Jake” John greeted but Jake ignored him and turned to me. “Trying to bring out your wolf huh?” He asked and John nodded. “I have tried everything in book to kick start wolf abilities but to no avail” John chipped in and Jake shrugged, he pushed past me and grabbed the heavy weight bar and lifted it with ease, he shook his head and added four more weight bars and lifted it, still with ease. He dropped it and stared at us. “Another way, is joining her with her soulmate, that will four hundred percent bring out her wolf” he said and smiled, he turned and started to walk away. “Jake” John called and the older brother stopped, “Thank you” he said, Jake turned his head and for a moment I could have said his stone cold eyes softened but he turned away and waved as he disappeared into the forest. “What he is gonna do in the forest” she said and John grimaced. “He is going to hunt” he said and John frowned, “And the way he hunts is very monstrous, without mercy and sometimes for the fun of it” he said and I shook my head, it was best I stayed away from Jake, he was dangerous, unpredictable and arrogant. “Can’t you stop him” I said and John shook his head. “I can’t. I am not as strong as Jake, he is too strong. “ he said and I sighed. “Why is he this evil” I asked and Johna shook his head. “He has been through a lot, plus he hates me.” John explained he stared at me then at my lips. “You are so beautiful” he said and I smiled, he leaned forward and kissed me on the lips, he pulled away just as quickly and chuckled nervously. “I am so sorry” he said, but I threw caution to the winds and pulled him in for another kiss. We pulled away when we were out of breath “Wow” he said and he pulled me into his arms, “Reyna you are one of a kind” he said and I smiled, my father chasing me off was starting to look like a blessing in disguise. Then Jake walked in an scowled, his eyes look wide. “Kissing already” he mocked and walked off, I noticed his hands looked bloody and he didn’t even bother hiding it. Monster.Reyna’s POVI had always imagined what my wedding would be like—soft lights, maybe flowers strung from the trees, and a gown that made me feel like I belonged to something magical. But what I never imagined was sharing it with someone else. Stephanie.And yet, as we stood side by side, dressed in white, veils lifted by the breeze and hearts full to the brim, it felt perfect.The entire pack had gathered under the vast canopy of trees, the clearing decorated with ribbons, wildflowers, and lanterns that glowed softly even in the morning light. Nature seemed to be celebrating with us. Birds chirped joyously, and the sky was the perfect shade of blue—as if the universe had decided to give us this one, flawless day.Stephanie looked radiant. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her lips curled into the softest smile. Her dress flowed like a whisper, delicate lace lining the bodice, and a sheer train trailing behind her. I caught her stealing glances at John more than once, and each time
Jake’s POVThe morning was grim and heavy with the weight of justice. Everyone was gathered in the central clearing of the pack grounds, surrounding the large wooden stake that had been set up the night before. The logs beneath it were stacked high, soaked in oil, ready to burn. The flames hadn’t been lit yet, but the tension crackling through the crowd felt just as hot. Today was the end—for Diane.Reyna stood beside me, her hand gripping my forearm tightly. She was trying to stay strong, I could feel it in the way her fingers twitched, her jaw tightened. Her hair shimmered in the sunlight, and even now, amid the blood and fire, she looked like peace.John stood across from us with Steph, their fingers interlocked. There was a strange quiet between them, not discomfort—but something deeper. A sense of finality.The silence was broken by the thunder of boots. A guard burst into the circle, panting, eyes wide with adrenaline. All heads turned toward him.“My lord!” he gasped, bowing qu
Reyna’s POVThe morning light poured into the dining room like honey—warm, slow, golden. The smell of scrambled eggs, roasted meat, and freshly baked bread drifted through the air as I sat at the long table, tucked between Stephanie and Sarah. It felt strange—almost surreal—to have this kind of peace after everything that had happened.Steph passed me a mug of tea with a wide grin on her face. “You look like someone who barely slept.”I smirked. “I could say the same about you.”Her cheeks flushed pink, and Sarah immediately caught on, laughing into her drink. “Don’t tell me our mighty warrior got swept off her feet?”Steph rolled her eyes, but the blush gave her away. “Maybe a little.”I leaned forward with raised brows. “So? What happened?”She tried to act casual but failed miserably. “John asked me to marry him.”“What?” Sarah and I shouted at the same time.Steph giggled, biting into a slice of bread. “Yes. He told me last night after… well, you know.”I gave her a playful nudge.
John’s POVThe soft light of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting warm golden hues across the room. I blinked slowly, the heaviness of sleep still lingering, but the warmth wrapped around me wasn’t just from the sun—it was from her. Stephanie. She was curled into me, her bare skin against mine, her breathing soft and rhythmic like a lullaby meant for wolves.I tightened my arm around her, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. She stirred gently, letting out the softest hum before turning in my arms to face me. Her eyes fluttered open, and the moment they met mine, I felt it again—that pull. That certainty that she wasn’t just mine in body, but in soul too.“Good morning,” I whispered, brushing a lock of hair away from her face.Her lips curved into a sleepy smile. “Morning.”I didn’t wait—I leaned in and kissed her. Slow. Deep. She responded immediately, her fingers sliding into my hair, pulling me closer. One kiss turned into two. Then more. The world could wait. The cou
Stephanie’s POVMy palms were damp as I followed John into his bedroom, the soft echo of our footsteps the only sound filling the spacious room. My heart was thudding way too fast, and I couldn’t tell if it was because I was nervous about being alone with him… or something deeper.He stopped by the window, the moonlight spilling across his broad shoulders and casting a silvery glow over the room. Then he turned to me, his eyes catching mine in that intense, grounding way he always had.“How are you feeling tonight?” he asked, voice low, calm… careful.I took a breath. “I’m fine,” I said quickly, then hesitated. “But honestly, I really need to train. I’ve been off lately. My head’s been all over the place.”He chuckled, folding his arms. “That’s the price of being a warrior, Steph. You don’t get to switch your brain off, even when you should.”His smile made something flutter inside my chest, and I found myself smiling back.“Yeah, well,” I muttered, “being a warrior’s overrated someti
Reyna’s POVStephanie leaned against the doorframe, arms folded and a sly smile playing on her lips. “You won’t believe who’s rotting in the dungeon.”I raised a brow from where I was sitting on the edge of my bed. “Who?”“Diane.” She smirked. “Locked up like the traitor she is.”I blinked. My stomach did a little twist,not from fear, but from the overwhelming satisfaction that came with justice being served. “Seriously?”Steph nodded, eyes glinting. “Wanna go see her? Give her a piece of your mind?”I didn’t hesitate. “Hell yes.”We were out of the room and down the hallway in seconds, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the otherwise quiet corridor. The tension that had been clinging to my chest since everything happened seemed to ease with every step. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say to Diane, but I knew one thing for sure,I needed to see her in chains.The moment we entered the dungeon, the stench of mold and rust hit me. The air was cold and damp, but I kept walking, eyes