LIZZIE'S POVMy wolf was aware of my uneasiness and was restless, just like me. An eerie silence had descended upon the pack ever since Catherine's duplicity was exposed, leaving me to deal with the unnerving fallout from my choice to reveal her.I had known all along just what I wanted to do: expose Catherine's betrayal, provoke Philip's fury, and see as he banishes her, cutting the treacherous thread that jeopardized the cohesion of our pack. However, when the days grew into evenings, the anticipated removal never occurred. Rather, Catherine stayed imprisoned within our Alpha's house, a live symbol of the treachery that hung over us like a shadow.My thoughts were tinged with doubt. Why was Philip so attached to Catherine, the beast who had woven a false web to get within our pack? Was he unaware of the threat she created, or was perhaps a more nuanced reality at play that I was unable to discern?I walked erratically into the center of the courtyard, a raging sea of questions racin
PHILIP'S POV As I left my house and the small comforts of the family behind, I was met by lengthy shadows from the rising light and relentless trials ahead. Dissatisfaction echoed like spirits in the air, and the familiar smells of the complex told narratives of a pack in disorder.I couldn't stop thinking about Catherine's captivity in our house; the conflict between my responsibilities as an Alpha and a parent kept me restless all the time. I was having trouble sifting through the complicated web that had been created by the pack's requirements, Stanley's lurking danger, and Catherine's deceit.I could hear the pack members' disgruntled whispers as I strolled around the complex. With each second of hesitation that went by, the once-unwavering loyalty that held us together appeared to wane. As the second mate to Philip, I found myself in a difficult position where my loyalty was needed to balance the pack's expectations with Philip's unclear objectives.Beneath my skin was a seethin
PHILIP'S POV The sound of my footsteps reverberated across the lavish area, which was opposed to the secret choice I had chosen. Lizzie was sitting at the dining table staring at me expectantly and with anxiety in her eyes.I said, quietly but firmly, "Lizzie, we need to talk."A frown began to develop on her eyebrows as she lifted her head from her plate. Our dining room was spacious and well-furnished, which only served to heighten the significance of the talk that was about to take place."What's happening, Philip?" she said, searching my eyes for information.I sat down across opposite her, the enormity of the speech I intended to utter amplified by the oppressive quiet of the room. "I've accepted a choice, and that's significant because it includes the pack's safety and the possibility of Stanley's treason."Lizzie's eyes narrowed, a mixture of worry and fascination. "Exactly what somewhat choice?"Leaning forward, I placed my palms on the shiny dining tabletop. "I'm about to fa
LIZZIE'S POVI jumped through the table, my chest still thumping from the rage, and the opulence of the mansion's dining room vanished behind me. I was drawn outside by the scent of the neighboring garden in the evening air. To process the storm of feelings Philip's plea had unleashed inside of me, I wanted the comfort of wide-open spaces.Stepping out of the warm shelter of the evening, I was met by the expansive estate stretching before me. The sky was tinted pink as well as orangeas the sun sank low in the horizon, creating a pleasant glow. I took cover from the deluge of contradictory ideas on a seat tucked away in the garden, the calming sounds of the natural world providing a moment's reprieve.My thoughts raced with questions as I sat down on the bench. What made Philip decide to stage his death t
CATHERINE'S POV Every day that passed seemed like a lifetime spent inside the confines of my room. What had previously felt like a golden prison had become a painful expanse of loneliness over two weeks. Furnished with opulent furniture, the room had turned into a haven and a jail.With Ana, my darling little daughter curled up in my arms, there was only one thing to feel better in this stuffy environment. Her innocent look was blind to the struggle swirling inside of me as I attended to her needs, the burden of duty pressing down on me. Even with the room bathed in a subdued brightness from the glowing sunlight filtering through the drapes, the cold that persisted in my heart persisted.The loud ticking of the elaborate wall clock reverberated throughout the room, serving as a constant reminder that time was passing at an excruciatingly slow pace. Two weeks had passed between my fingers like sand grains, and I was left entangled in the opulent maze of affluence that had become a res
CATHERINE'S POV The devastating news that brought shivers of sadness through the Blood Slashing Pack was heavy on every stride, and the vast house resounded with solemn tones of loss. With sad heart, I made my way through the corridors, dodging the sea of dejected expressions and muffled cries that seemed to permeate the space. The pack was enveloped in grief as word of Philip's passing raced like lightning.The group was in disarray after learning of Philip's alleged death, and their souls were left with a chasm that could not be filled by words of sympathy. I felt the burden of the pack's sorrow bearing toward me as Luna, and I had a duty to stand as a rock of support at this time of sharedThe somber tones of sadness filled the vast estate, resonating through the enormous hallways and passages like an eerie sonata of sorrow. As Luna, I felt the weight of duty bearing upon me, the sorrowful news that had covered the whole Blood Slashing Pack in sorrow weighing down on myself with e
CATHERINE'S POV The load of Philip's faith descended upon me as I neared the magnificent assembly hall, the scene of the pack's gathering for a funeral. Seeking a ray of light amid the ocean of sorrow, the weeping werewolves shifted their focus to me. I realized then and there that true leadership is a careful balance between sensitivity and power.I inhaled deeply, calling up the inner power, and entered the hallway prepared to face the obstacles that lay ahead. The mansion, which had once been a stronghold of authority, now served as a furnace whereby the pack's connections would be put to the proof and renewed.The force of the Luna cloak pressed down on me as I waited at the entrance to the magnificent assembly hall. The collective look of the pack, looking for guidance and comfort, made the weight of my newfound responsibilities even more real. I looked to my confidante, Lizzie, and saw tenacity and compassion in the deepest parts of her eyes.The weight of the mission ahead hun
CATHERINE'S POV I was faced with the enormous issue of bringing the pack together, which was weighing heavily on my mind. As two women propelled into roles of authority, Lizzie and I took the lead in this initiative, trying to mend the broken strands of trust and create a unity of sorts.Lizzie and I met in the large study, which was filled with expensive cherry furnishings and bookcases that held innumerable books. As we sat opposite from one another, the weight of duty falling on our heads like a thick blanket, the environment crackled with a feeling of purpose."I had not signed in for this one," Lizzie said, her resolve and doubt visible in her eyes. I sympathized with her; the unanticipated course of events had thrown us into unanticipated roles."Not a single of us did," I said, looking her in the eye. However, we have been given the responsibility of keeping this pack together. We must figure out how to make it function."The stone walls of the study, covered in the understand