LOGINJAYDA’S POV Three Days Later The screech of brakes cuts through the early morning silence as the car comes to a halt. “Stay here,” I tell the driver, reaching for the door. “Don’t leave the car, and don’t speak to anyone. No matter what happens.” I don’t wait for his response before stepping out. The moment I step out, the cold morning wind hits my face. I instinctively pull my coat tighter around myself. It’s still terribly dark. Too early for the sun to make an appearance, and the silence surrounding me only makes the place feel more unsettling. They say the darkest hour is just before dawn. Standing here, I find myself understanding exactly what that means. I press forward, my boots crunching against the thick layer of snow covering the ground. There are no houses in sight, not even a single sign of life in the surrounding area. The only thing visible ahead is a small inn, its dim lights barely cutting through the darkness. I keep walking towards it.I approach the entranc
DR. WINTER’S POVFor a moment, I forget how to breathe.No.It can’t be.My eyes remain fixed on the man standing a few feet away, and disbelief washes over me. He hasn’t changed. Not one bit.Alpha Vance.He looks just as I remember him, perhaps even more imposing. He’s undeniably handsome, but there’s nothing particularly gentle about his appearance. His strong brow, piercing eyes and naturally intimidating expression give him the unmistakable face of an Alpha. A man born to command, with just enough brutality beneath his polished exterior to remind anyone foolish enough to challenge him that he isn’t all charm and good looks.And that smile… Good heavens.It's a miracle I didn't fall for Vance after living with him for so long in the South.“Well, hello, darling.” His familiar voice pulls me out of my thoughts.He flashes me a charming smile, his eyes sweeping over my face. “Don’t I get a hug, at least?”I remain frozen for another second before slowly disengaging from Xavier.My f
ALPHA XAVIER’s POVI check my wristwatch. It's fifteen inutes past the appointed time.I scoff. Perhaps punctuality isn’t a Southern virtue.My gaze wanders across the garden, taking in the preparations. The maidens have done an excellent job. Tiny golden lights hang from the branches of the trees, casting a warm glow over the flowers and the elegantly set table. Everything looks perfect.The meal is equally impressive. A variety of dishes are laid out, from roasted meat to freshly baked bread and salads. And, of course, there’s a separate plate of pancakes prepared especially for Kael.I glance at the pancakes and smile faintly.If they keep this up, the boy will think he’s royalty, which he might end up being if all things go well.I check my watch again. The food will be cold before they get here.I have half a mind to send someone to fetch them, but that will only make me look impatient. And I’m not impatient.A movement near the garden entrance catches my attention.Finally. Wint
DR WINTER’s POVThe woods are quiet, apart from the occasional rustle of leaves beneath my feet and the distant chirping of birds. Sunlight filters through the thick canopy overhead, casting scattered patches of gold across the narrow path.I keep my eyes on the trail ahead, though my thoughts are anything but peaceful.Xavier has lost his mind.The thought keeps circling my head, growing more absurd with every step I take. What exactly is he thinking? Has he completely forgotten the consequences of his decisions, or does he simply not care anymore?I press my lips together, resisting the urge to groan.The last thing I need is for the entire pack to discover the truth before I even get the chance to leave here. The thought alone makes my stomach tighten. One careless word, one suspicious glance, and everything I’ve worked so hard to keep hidden could come crashing down around me.I quicken my pace.It takes me longer than expected to reach the hot water stream. The sound of rushing w
DR. WINTER’S POV My pager rings in the early hours of the morning, jolting me awake. I reach for it, squinting at the screen. An emergency at WestMoon’s Clinic. Damn it. I glance at the time, then turn toward Kael, who’s still fast asleep. For a moment, I simply watch him, my heart tightening at the sight of his peaceful little face. Then I gently pull the covers over him. I can’t risk waking Geron. He’ll insist on accompanying me, and I don’t have the time to argue. Moving quietly, I slip out of bed, grab my things, and tiptoe out of the room, carefully closing the door behind me. By the time I arrive at WestMoon’s Clinic, the surgical team is already preparing for an emergency procedure. A teenage boy has been brought in following a terrible accident, and his condition is critical. I barely have time to change before joining the team in the operating room.The surgery is long and exhausting, but we eventually manage to stabilize him. Unfortunately, that is only the b
ALPHA XAVIER’S POV“Explain what?” Jayda snaps, throwing her hands in the air. “What exactly are you going to explain to me, Xavier?”I open my mouth, but she doesn’t give me a chance to speak.“Explain why my husband is spending his time drawing another woman? Explain why, while I’m here taking care of this pack, making sure everyone is comfortable, worrying about our responsibilities, you’re busy thinking about another woman?”“Jayda—”“No! I’m not done!”Her voice cracks, but she keeps going, her chest rising and falling with every angry breath.“Do you know how ridiculous I feel right now? How stupid? I’ve spent years being your wife, standing beside you, trusting you without question, and all this time, I never imagined I’d have to compete with another woman for my own husband’s attention.”She laughs, but there’s no humor in it.“God, Xavier. I feel like a rock.”My brows draw together. “What?”“Like a fucking rock!” she repeats, striking her chest with her palm. “Something you
Dr. Winter’s POVDo you know that feeling where it seems like you're moving, but the ground is shifting under your feet? That's how I feel right now as I flounder across the dance hall, searching for Kael.The party is buzzing with life, and no one seems to pay attention to the lady who's losing he
Xavier’s POVI’ve had awkward encounters in the past, but nothing beats this. I can't stop staring at Dr. Winter. My mind is trying to solve an inconceivable puzzle of how this lady can be so similar to my ex-wife and yet still so different. The party is coming to an end, and most people are eith
XAVIER's POV(Six Years Later)"We lost the baby."I close my eyes and take a deep breath. A weight drops on my heart, threatening to rip every fibre of muscles in my chest."Again?" Father exclaims, shooting up to his feet and rushing towards the doctor. He grabs the doctor by the collar and pushe
RAINA’s POVI don’t know how long I ran. Hours? Days? A week, maybe?There is no way for me to account for time, as all I see around me are green leaves, moss on rocks, and the peeling bark of old trees.At first, I had heard whistles and dog barks, probably from the pack’s search party. It didn’t







