LOGINDR WINTER’s POV“This is getting out of hand,” I whisper to Geron as we make our way through the crowded lower district market.The noise is almost deafening.People crowd around us from every direction, their voices overlapping as they call out for help. Some stretch their hands over the shoulders of others, desperately trying to collect the relief funds and bags of supplies being distributed. A few are practically pushing their way through the crowd, while others shout their requests loud enough to make my ears ring.“Please! Over here!”“Madam, my children haven’t eaten!”“Please, we need help too!”I tighten my grip on the small pouch of moon coins in my hand, watching as another group surges towards us.The guards surrounding us struggle to maintain a clear path. Two are positioned ahead of us, while the others stay close, forming a protective barrier around Geron and me. Even then, it’s barely enough.A woman suddenly pushes through the crowd, stretching both hands towards me. “
ALPHA XAVIER’s POVI wake up in the stench of my own sweat.My shirt clings to my back, damp and uncomfortable, while the air in the room feels thick enough to choke on. I groan, dragging myself upright before stumbling towards the window.With one rough yank, I tear the curtain aside. Sunlight hits my eyes like a slap.“Fuck!”I recoil, shielding my face with my forearm. It takes a few seconds for my vision to adjust, and when it finally does, I take in the disaster around me.Empty bottles litter the floor. Crumpled clothes lie scattered across the tiny room, alongside half-eaten food and discarded cigarette packets. The sheets on the narrow bed are twisted and stained, and the entire place reeks of sweat, alcohol and neglect.What the hell?I rub my face, trying to shake off the grogginess.Three days. It should be three days since Vance showed up.That bastard should be gone by now.My gaze drifts towards the cracked mirror hanging crookedly above the miniature toilet. My reflectio
JAYDA’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 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







