MasukBrielle POV.When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the wooden ceiling above me. Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the wall. The air smelled of clean linen and pine, a scent I knew so well.This is my room, I realized slowly. My room in Elion’s house… our house.For a second, I felt confused. Was it all just a bad dream? The cave, the falling water, the pain, the bullet… maybe it never really happened. Maybe I had just been sleeping too long.But then the memories came rushing back—sharp and clear, like a bucket of cold water thrown over my head.I remembered Professor Darian and his cold, cruel smile. I remembered the dark lab, the chains, and the way he spoke as if I was nothing more than a thing to be used. Then I saw Victor Hale, his eyes burning with hate, lifting the gun, the loud bang that rang in my ears. I felt the pain in my back, the weakness spreading through my body, and the sight of Elion running toward me, carrying m
Brielle POV.My mind felt like it was wrapped in thick fog. Everything was spinning, blurry and far away. Sounds came and went like waves, and my body felt heavy, as if I was sunk deep under water. I could not open my eyes, could not lift my hands, could not even speak.But deep inside me, in the quietest part of my thoughts, I saw something.It was a wolf—small, thin, and weak. Its fur was white as snow, but dull and matted, and it lay curled up in a dark, empty space. It breathed in short, shaky gasps, its sides heaving with effort. I could feel it clearly—this creature was not a stranger. It belonged to me. It was my wolf.So it was there all along, I thought, in that half-asleep state. Hidden away, locked up, and now… it is dying.I felt its pain like it was my own. It was cold, alone, and fading fast. The poison and the silver had hurt it more than they hurt my body. It had been trapped for so long, and now it did not have the strength to hold on anymore.Then, through the fog, a
Elion POV.I had barely settled in, holding Brielle close and listening to her steady breathing, when my ears picked up a sound.Rustle… rustle… crack.It was faint, but clear enough—footsteps moving through the brush, only a few meters away from where we hid. The waterfall made a loud roar, but to sharp ears like mine, it did not hide everything. Someone was coming closer.My whole body went still. Every muscle tensed, ready to move. I looked down at Brielle, still deep in sleep, her face peaceful now that the worst was past. I could not let them find her. If they did, everything I fought for would be for nothing.I have to lead them away, I thought.A short while ago, I had already sent a message through the mind link to Kael and the rest of my pack. Fall back. Leave this area. Do not follow.They had protested, their voices loud and worried in my head. We will stay and fight! We will protect you both!But I had been firm. No. If you all come, they will surround us. More of you will
Elion POV.With a powerful push of my legs, I turned and ran. I did not look back. I could hear the terrible sounds of fighting behind me—the clash of wolves, shouts of men, the ring of metal. My paws pounded hard against the ground, moving faster than I ever had before, heading straight for the thick cover of the trees and the wild forest beyond.We had barely reached the edge of the woods when a loud, shrill voice cut through the noise, making my ears twitch.“AFTER THEM! DON’T LET THEM ESCAPE!”It was Professor Darian. His voice was thick with pain and fury, but still sharp with command.“Shoot them! Track them! Bring the girl back! And kill the wolf!”More shouts answered him. I heard boots running, horses being mounted, and the cocking of guns. They were coming. I did not slow down. I ran deeper into the trees, my body moving with the wind, carrying the most precious thing in the world.I ran until my legs felt heavy and my breath came in sharp gasps. I wove through the thick tr
Elion POV.“B-Brielle…”My whole world stopped turning. The noise of battle, the shouts, the gunfire—all of it faded into nothing but a dull, distant hum. My eyes stayed locked on her as her legs gave way, and she crumpled straight into my arms.I caught her instantly, pulling her close, and then the smell hit me—sharp, thick, and warm. Her blood. It flooded my senses, burning through my veins like fire, making my heart hammer so hard I thought it would burst right out of my chest.No. No, not her. Not now.“E-Elion… I-I’m sorry…”Her voice was so small, so weak, barely more than a whisper. Her face had turned deathly pale, her lips tinged with blue, and her breath came in short, shallow gasps. I looked down and saw the red spreading fast across her side, soaking through her torn dress, dripping down onto the ground beneath us.“Ha Ha Ha!”A cold, cruel laugh cut through the air, sharp and loud. I lifted my head just enough to see Victor Hale standing there, a gun held steady in his h
Brielle POV.“Fine… Let’s do that… After the exchange, you and the rest of your pack get the hell out of here!” Alpha Hale roared back, his voice loud and angry, echoing around us.But as he spoke, his arm around my neck tightened—harder than before, squeezing just enough to make it hard to breathe, to make me feel his power and his threat.No… This bastard won’t let me go! He’s lying. He has no plan to let me walk away safe.I glanced quickly at Alpha Victor, then shifted my eyes to Professor Darian, still trapped in Elion’s grip. I clearly saw it—the old man’s face was twisted in a deadly smirk. He wasn’t scared. He wasn’t defeated. He looked like he was waiting for something, like he knew exactly what was going to happen next.My heart sank. They have a plan.“Then let her go first!” Elion’s voice rose again, sharp, commanding, ringing with power. I could hear the edge of worry hidden deep in his tone, even though he tried to sound calm.My knees were shaking so hard I thought I wo
Brielle POV.The moment the door clicked shut, the bravado drained out of me, leaving me trembling. Jaxon’s hand was still warm in mine. He looked at me, his brow furrowed with concern, his eyes searching mine with a depth of worry that twisted my gut. "Brielle? Are you okay?" His voice was a soft
Brielle POV.The cold water had done little to numb the ache in my chest. If anything, it had only made it sharper, more real. Elion’s words echoed in the bathroom, each syllable a tiny shard of ice embedding itself deeper into my heart. Guardian. Father’s best friend. That’s all I am. The finality
Elion POV.The bathroom door clicked shut behind me, a sound far too final. Each step away from Brielle, from the icy water that mirrored the chill in my own soul, felt like a betrayal. I needed space, air, anything to escape the raw, desperate look in her eyes. But I couldn't go far. Not now. Not
Brielle POV.Finally… it’s all out. The words I’ve held inside for so long, tumbling out in a rush of tears and raw emotion.I look at Elion, really look at him. His eyes are wide, his face a mask of shock, maybe even fear. ‘Why? my mind screams. Is it really that hard to believe I’d fall for him?







