LOGINChapter 195Author’s POVNightshade and Akela stood under a large tree near the open field. They were talking softly when they suddenly noticed Adam and Evelyn walking toward them.They were holding hands.Both Nightshade and Akela paused at the same time. Then Akela smiled brightly. Nightshade also smiled in a calm, knowing way.“So it’s finally official,” Akela said softly.Adam and Evelyn got closer. Evelyn’s face was a little shy, but she did not let go of Adam’s hand.Akela suddenly turned to Nightshade with a playful smile. “Kiss me, baby,” she said.Nightshade laughed lightly and leaned in to kiss her.Adam quickly looked away and shook his head. “You two should stop,” he said jokingly. “This is too early in the morning for all this romance.”Evelyn laughed softly beside him.Nightshade pulled back from Akela and smiled at Adam. “So now you’re the one complaining,” he said. “You and Evelyn were just kissing by the river not long ago.”Adam coughed lightly. “That was different.”
Chapter 194Author’s POVAdam walked out of the pack house with his hands in his pockets. His eyes moved around the open space, searching carefully. He was looking for Evelyn.She was not where she usually trained. She was not near the garden either. That made his heart beat a little faster for no reason.Just then, Akela noticed him standing alone and looking around like a lost child. A small smile touched her lips as she walked up to him.“I’m sure you are looking for Evelyn,” Akela said calmly.Adam smiled, but he tried to hide it. Still, his face gave him away. “I just don’t see her around, that’s all,” he replied.Akela raised an eyebrow like she didn’t believe him at all. “Alright, Alpha Adam. Go straight to the riverside. I’m sure she’s there.”Adam’s face brightened. “Thank you,” he said and quickly walked away before she could tease him more.The sound of flowing water reached his ears before he saw her. The river was calm, shining under the soft morning sun. Birds sang in th
Luca POV My hands were shaking. Sweat ran down my face even though the air was cold. The wolf’s ears twitched. It sniffed the air.For a second, I thought it would find me.Then I made a mistake.My foot shifted slightly on a dry stick.The sound was small, but in the quiet forest, it felt loud.The wolf’s head snapped toward me.Its eyes locked onto mine through the space between the trees.My heart dropped.There was no hiding now.I stepped out from behind the tree slowly.We faced each other in the open.Man against beast.The wolf let out a deep growl. Its lips pulled back, showing sharp white teeth. Its body lowered, ready to attack.I raised my hands, not knowing what else to do.“Easy,” I whispered, even though I knew it wouldn’t understand.The wolf didn’t wait, It leaped.Everything happened so fast. It jumped straight at my chest. I barely had time to move. I twisted my body, and its claws missed my face by inches. I fell hard to the ground, the air knocked out of my lungs
Luca’s POV. My head ached.All I wanted was silence.When I pushed my door open, the room was dim. The fire on the wall was low. The air was warm. Vivian was lying on the bed, sleeping on her side. Her child slept in the small cradle beside the bed, wrapped in soft clothes.For a moment, I stopped at the door.The sight of her child always caused something strange inside my chest. Not love. Not hate. Something in between. Responsibility that's not mine. I walked inside quietly, careful not to make noise. I moved to the wardrobe and gently took out some clothes. I only wanted to change and leave the room again. I needed air. I needed space.Just as I lifted a shirt from the shelf, a voice broke the silence.“Where are you going?”My body stiffened.I slowly turned around.Vivian was sitting up on the bed. Her eyes were open now, sharp and alert. The child remained asleep beside her.“Where have you been?” she asked.I kept my face calm. “I was busy with pack matters.”She gave a smal
Luca’s POV I stayed by Sofia’s bedside and watched her sleep. Her breathing was calm now, steady and soft. Even with the bandage wrapped around her leg, she looked peaceful. Too peaceful for someone who was nearly killed tonight.Or maybe I just needed her to look that way so I wouldn’t break.“You’ll be fine,” I whispered, brushing the back of my fingers across her hand. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”For a long moment, I didn’t move. I just watched her. There was something about her tonight—something I hadn’t seen in a long time. Maybe it was the way she looked so calm, even after pain. Maybe it was the way her face softened when she slept.Maybe there was a lot I had been missing.But the elders were waiting. And as much as I wanted to stay beside her, I needed answers. I needed to know if tonight’s attack meant something bigger.With one last look, I turned and left her room. My footsteps echoed against the walls like a warning.I reached the elders’ hall—the place I usual
Sofia’s POV “Aaah!”The scream escaped my mouth before I could stop it. Something sharp hit my leg. I didn’t even see what it was, but I felt it push deep into my flesh. The pain shot up my thigh like fire.Luca spun around so fast you would think he heard a bomb explode.“What happened to you?” he asked, panic all over his face. He came down on his knees beside me, his eyes locked on my leg.I pressed my lips tightly together as I bent and saw something dark sticking out of my skin—an arrow. A real arrow. My heart jumped into my throat. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.We both moved closer to the spot where it hit me. My hands shook as I held onto Luca’s shoulder to keep myself from falling.“Who shot this?” Luca growled. His voice was low, angry, dangerous. His wolf was close to the surface. I could feel it.Before either of us could say another word, one of the palace warriors came running toward us. His steps were loud and hurried, and he bowed quickly when he reached Luca.“Alp







