Freya's Point of ViewThe bitter scent of Ravena’s tea blends with the rich aroma of my coffee, curling through the air of the dimly lit cabin. Maps, scouting reports, and coded messages are scattered across the table between us, plans for Crimsonclaw’s next move. I trace my finger over the edge of a marked forest path, only half listening to Ravena’s updates, when my phone starts vibrating against the wood of the table.The sound cuts through the quiet like a blade. I glance down at the screen, fully expecting to see Rosalee’s name again. She’s been calling non stop, but I’ve ignored every single one. She made her choice, she chose them over me. Over her blood.But this time, it isn’t her name.It’s an unknown number.My eyes narrow. Something about it sends a ripple of caution through me. Ravena looks up, brows arching slightly. I raise a hand to silence her and answer the call, lifting the phone to my ear, but I don’t speak. I refuse to give anything away first, not even my breath.
Rosalee's Point of ViewAs I sit in front of my mirror, staring at my reflection, I can’t shake the heaviness pressing on my chest. My eighteenth birthday should feel monumental, but instead, it feels hollow. My life, nothing about it feels worth celebrating.The girl in the mirror doesn’t look like someone turning eighteen. Her eyes are tired, her shoulders slumped as if carrying invisible weights. I trace the edge of the vanity with my fingers, trying to ignore the faint noise of voices downstairs.A sharp knock at my door pulls me out of my thoughts. I don’t even have to guess who it is. Dameon.“Come in,” I mumble, but before the words fully leave my mouth, the door swings open.I glance at him through the mirror, frowning. “And what if I’d been indecent?”He grins, leaning casually against the doorframe, completely unbothered by my irritation. “Oh, come now. I knew you’d try to wiggle out of today, so I’m not giving you the chance.”I turn to face him fully, crossing my arms. “Do
Jensen's Point of ViewI sit in my office, the soft glow of the desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. Stacks of paperwork litter the surface, most of it outdated reports and formalities I’ve been putting off for weeks. But one name keeps appearing in the documents, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts "Crimsonclaw Pack".With a frustrated sigh, I close the folder and lean back in my chair, dragging a hand over my face. The Crimsonclaw Pack has been a thorn in our side for months now, their actions growing bolder and more reckless with each passing week. This latest report only confirms what I’ve feared, they’re spiraling out of control.I open a mind link to my Beta, Ronan, and my Gamma, Nyx. “I need both of you in my office. Now.”Their responses come almost instantly, their tones sharp and alert. “On our way.”It takes only a few minutes before there’s a knock at my door. “Enter,” I call, sitting up straighter as the two step inside.Ronan, ever the stoic, moves with precis
Rosalee's Point of ViewAs I stare at the man standing in the hotel lobby, his presence seems to command the very air around him. He’s beautiful, dark hair framing a chiseled face, his piercing eyes locked onto mine. But it’s not his appearance that has me frozen in place.It’s the word he just uttered.“Mate.”No. No, I must have heard wrong. He couldn’t have said mate. My heart pounds erratically in my chest, and I feel the blood drain from my face. For two years, I had convinced myself that I would never hear that word, and I had prayed, even begged, the Moon Goddess to make it so.But now, standing here, I can’t deny the truth. The way his eyes burn with recognition, the magnetic pull I feel toward him, it’s undeniable. He is my mate.Suddenly, I’m not in the hotel lobby anymore. I’m back in the Silver Ridge Pack, two years ago, on the morning of my sixteenth birthday.I remember waking up that day with a strange mix of excitement and hope. I knew I wouldn’t be getting a party or
Jensen's Point of ViewI stand frozen, my heart pounding in my chest as I watch her retreat into herself, her expression a mixture of shock and horror. The word "mate" still lingers in the air between us, a truth I’ve waited my entire life to discover, yet her reaction is nothing like I imagined.Taking a cautious step forward, I reach out, my fingers brushing her shoulder. I hope the contact will ground her, draw her out of whatever storm is raging in her mind. The moment my hand touches her, warmth floods through me, the bond sparking to life as if it has been waiting for this exact moment.Her body stiffens under my touch, and I watch as her bright blue eyes snap back to mine, the haunted look in them replaced by something else, shock, confusion, and maybe even a hint of fear."Are you okay?" I ask softly, my voice barely above a whisper.She shakes her head, stepping back quickly, breaking the contact. The moment her shoulder leaves my hand, it’s as though all the warmth is sucked
Rosalee's Point of ViewI sit on the edge of my bed, staring at my reflection in the small mirror across the room. The faint glow of the bedside lamp casts soft light over my features. My striking blue eyes meet my gaze, a color so vivid they almost seem unnatural. My dark hair falls in soft waves over my shoulders, framing a face that Dameon and his mother have often called beautiful.Beautiful.The word feels hollow to me. Beauty doesn’t matter, not when someone discovers the truth of what I am. A hybrid. A creature that doesn’t belong in either world. If he that man from earlier realizes what I truly am, all of this will be over. The life I’ve carefully built here, the fragile sense of safety I’ve managed to hold onto, it will all come crashing down.I tilt my head slightly, studying my features. There’s no visible trace of the monster within me, no hint of the beast that lies beneath my skin. My reflection doesn’t betray the truth.But my scent might.I’m surprised he didn’t pick
Jensen's Point of ViewAs the first rays of sunlight filter through the curtains, I stir awake, blinking against the soft morning light. Stretching, I feel a lingering calm from last night’s run. The rain had been relentless, but it had done wonders to clear my head. The storm outside had mirrored the storm within me, and running through it had been exactly what I needed.Sitting up, I rub my face, the memory of Rosalee’s horrified expression flashing through my mind. My mate. The one I’ve waited for my entire life. And yet, she seems to want nothing to do with me.I shake my head, willing myself to focus. I can’t let this distract me, not completely. There are still matters at hand that need my attention.Standing, I pull on a fresh shirt and jeans, then lace up my boots. As I button my cuffs, I open a mind link to Nyx and Ronan.“Meet me in the dining hall for breakfast. We need to talk about next steps.”Their replies come quickly, Nyx’s sharp and efficient, Ronan’s gruff but agree
Rosalee's Point of ViewThe soft morning light filters through the curtains as I smooth the last corner of the bed, making sure it’s neat and perfect. The room smells faintly of fresh linens and the lavender cleaning spray I always use. After what happened last night, focusing on the familiar task and the familiar scent helps keep my nerves in check and helps me to keep my mind from wandering to stranger and the implications of what he said. I'm still focusing on my task, bending down and making sure the bed linen is absolutely perfect, when there is a quick knock on the door and it opens. I glance up to see him, the stranger from last night, standing in the door.His intoxicating scent hits my nose, overwhelming the familiar scent of the room and my heart skips a beat, but I quickly plaster a polite smile on my face, hiding the storm of emotions brewing inside of me. Play dumb, I remind myself. That’s the plan. Maybe if I act like I don’t know what he’s talking about, he’ll get bored
Freya's Point of ViewThe bitter scent of Ravena’s tea blends with the rich aroma of my coffee, curling through the air of the dimly lit cabin. Maps, scouting reports, and coded messages are scattered across the table between us, plans for Crimsonclaw’s next move. I trace my finger over the edge of a marked forest path, only half listening to Ravena’s updates, when my phone starts vibrating against the wood of the table.The sound cuts through the quiet like a blade. I glance down at the screen, fully expecting to see Rosalee’s name again. She’s been calling non stop, but I’ve ignored every single one. She made her choice, she chose them over me. Over her blood.But this time, it isn’t her name.It’s an unknown number.My eyes narrow. Something about it sends a ripple of caution through me. Ravena looks up, brows arching slightly. I raise a hand to silence her and answer the call, lifting the phone to my ear, but I don’t speak. I refuse to give anything away first, not even my breath.
Jensen's Point of View As Rosalee disappears behind her bedroom door, the soft click of it shutting feels like the end of a chapter, one written in ink that still hasn’t quite dried. I let out a long sigh, dragging a hand down my face as the weight of everything we’ve planned settles fully on my shoulders. I turn away from the quiet hallway and head towards the small office tucked into the far side of the house. I rarely use it, always preferring the command center or the Alpha’s office at the pack house. But tonight, it feels like the right space. As I open the door and step inside, a familiar scent hits me immediately. Rosalee. Light and warm, like soft wood smoke and something floral I’ve never been able to place. I pause in the doorway, caught off guard by the subtle comfort it brings. A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Of course she’s been using this space. I never noticed before. The desk is covered in papers, neatly but thoroughly, sketches and design notes sca
Rosalee's Point of ViewThe room falls into a natural hush as the alphas finish volleying ideas back and forth, and I feel the weight of the moment pressing on my chest. Everyone’s trying hard, too hard, to outthink Freya. But I know her better than anyone in this room. I know how she twists information, how she always assumes the lie is behind the truth. She’s careful. Paranoid. And above all, she’s cunning.I clear my throat, drawing their attention. “Freya is sharp,” I say. “She’ll sense a lie before we even finish telling it. If we feed her false information, she’ll probably assume it’s a setup and do the opposite.”They all look at me now, some skeptical, others thoughtful. “So instead of trying to trick her into doing what we want… what if we predict what she’ll do when she thinks she’s avoiding a trap?”There’s a pause before I add, “Freya doesn’t know Alpha Celine is still alive. She thinks she died in that last attack on Shadow Vale. Maybe we can use that.”Victor leans back
Jensen's Point of ViewThe early morning light spills through the office windows in soft gold streaks, casting long shadows across my desk. The house is quiet, save for the ticking of the clock on the wall and the subtle creak of old wood beneath the walls. I take a deep breath, rubbing my hands together before opening a mind link.“Nyx, Ronan—please meet me in my office.”Their responses are almost immediate, overlapping with precision.“On my way.”I close the link and sit back in my chair, fingers laced in front of me as I gather my thoughts. This plan could change everything—or backfire spectacularly. One wrong move, and we risk everything we’ve built, everyone we’ve sworn to protect.A sharp knock pulls me from the spiral.“Come in,” I call.The door opens and Ronan steps in first, Nyx right behind him. They both move with purpose, slipping into the chairs across from me without a word. Their expressions are focused, waiting.I don't waste time.“We’ve got a situation,” I begin.
Rosalee's Point of View The walls feel like they’re closing in on me as I pace the living room again. I’ve already circled the coffee table at least a dozen times, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my sweater as my thoughts race. I can't sit still. I tried. The silence is too loud, too accusing. Every second that ticks by just feeds the knot in my stomach. Jensen is at that alliance meeting right now, and I have no idea how it’s going. What if they turn on him because of me? What if I’ve ruined everything? I glance out the window, Nyx and Josh are still there, casually keeping watch like I’m a prisoner in my own home. I know they’re just doing their job. Jensen asked them to. But it still stings. That after everything, I still need to be watched. Suddenly, a sharp knock at the front door freezes me in place. My heart leaps into my throat. For a second, my breath catches, did something go wrong? Did Jensen send someone back? My feet move before my thoughts can catch up, and I
Jensen's Point of View I brace myself for the sting of Celine’s words, expecting anger, blame, maybe even a demand that we disband the alliance entirely. But what she says takes me completely by surprise. “I have seen firsthand what Crimsonclaw is capable of,” she says, her voice steady despite the residual weakness in her frame. “So I will do anything to stop them. If that means overlooking what Rosalee did, then Shadow Vale will join the alliance too.” For a moment, I can’t speak. Relief washes over me in a heavy wave, loosening the tension in my shoulders. I incline my head towards her, grateful beyond words. “Thank you, Alpha Celine.” Her nod is small but resolute, and it carries more weight than anything said in this room so far. I glance towards Dorian and Elias, hoping, maybe foolishly, that Celine’s words might sway them. But Elias explodes. He shoves back from the table so violently his chair screeches across the floor. “You’re all idiots,” he spits, eyes flashi
Jensen's Point of View It’s 08:45 when Ronan and I pull up in front of Shadow Vale. The morning air is sharp, still laced with the earthy scent of damp soil and pine, but there’s a tension coiled in my chest that has nothing to do with the cold. As I scan the area, I spot several vehicles already parked, members of the alliance packs arriving early, likely just as anxious as we are. I let my gaze linger on the structure of Shadow Vale’s pack house. They are stil rebuilding after Crimsonclaws last attack. It’s quiet now, but I know inside there will be questions, possibly accusations, and it all starts with me. With what I have to say. I turn to Ronan in the passenger seat, watching him as he takes in the scene. He’s calm on the surface, but I can sense the same unease rippling through him. I ask, “How do you think they’re going to take it?” Ronan exhales through his nose, eyes flicking towards the windshield before meeting mine. “I really don’t know,” he admits. “Getting them
Jensen's Point of View I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of their eyes on me, Ronan’s expectant and unreadable, Nyx’s sharp and already narrowing like she’s halfway to the truth. I look between them and then to Rosalee. She won’t meet their eyes. She sits with her shoulders drawn in, fingers still twisting in her lap. I can feel her fear radiating off her, and I hate that I’m the one who has to say it out loud. “I need to tell you both something,” I begin, voice low but steady. “And I need you to hear all of it before you react.” That gets Nyx’s full attention. Her arms cross, jaw tight. Ronan leans forward slightly, eyes flicking from me to Rosalee. I run a hand down my face, then continue. “Rosalee… has been leaking information. To Crimsonclaw.” Nyx’s face hardens instantly. Ronan’s jaw ticks. “But...” I raise a hand to stop them before they can speak, “she didn’t know it was Crimsonclaw.” Nyx scoffs under her breath, but I push through. “She met her mother th
Jensen's Point of View I watch as Rosalee reaches out to me, her hands trembling, her expression full of fear and regret. But I can’t bring myself to let her touch me. I step back, shaking my head, the words slipping from my mouth before I even think about them. "No... Just... No.. I can't do this." The moment those words leave my lips, I see the fear in her eyes, and for a split second, I feel a flicker of doubt. But the anger and the betrayal have clouded everything, and I can’t bring myself to care. Not now. She doesn’t understand the depth of what she’s done. I thought we were building something real. I thought we had a connection. But now, it feels like a sick joke, and I can’t stand the thought of it. The betrayal is one thing, but what really stings the most is that what Rosalee and I could have been... it’s gone. Just like that. She opens her mouth again, probably to lie, to make excuses, and I can’t take it. I shake my head, my anger rising again. "I have to go." I need