Amara's POV It was already past midnight, but sleep wouldn’t come. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts tangled in a whirlwind of Ryder, Alex, and everything I was too afraid to confront. My wolf was restless, pacing in the back of my mind, her emotions oscillating between frustration and longing. And then, a knock. The sound jolted me, making me flinch. My heart skipped a beat as dread pooled in my stomach. Who could it be at this hour? I pulled the blanket tighter around me, hoping whoever it was would go away. The knock came again, more insistent this time. My body tensed, a shiver running down my spine. Ryder? Caden? Jaxon? No. I didn’t want to face either of them. Not now. Not when I felt so raw. I held my breath, waiting for the sound of retreating footsteps. But instead, the door creaked open. The scent hit me before I saw him—cedarwood and the faintest hint of rain. Jaxon. My wolf stirred instantly, her desperation surging to the surface. She begged me to
Amara's POV The house was unusually quiet, the kind of silence that pressed against my ears and made me hyper-aware of every sound. The triplets were already gone to school, leaving me alone with my thoughts—thoughts that seemed to circle back to him. Caden. I didn’t know if I was avoiding him or if he was avoiding me. Weeks had passed since that night, and though I tried to push him out of my mind, he lingered, like a ghost haunting my every waking moment. With a sigh, I grabbed my coffee and started toward my room, hoping to drown myself in something—anything—to stop the endless loop of thoughts. But as I passed by Caden’s room, a sound stopped me in my tracks. It was faint, muffled, but unmistakable. A low groan, followed by a sharp intake of breath. My wolf stirred instantly, her concern flooding through me. He needs us, Amara. He needs our help. “No,” I whispered, trying to push her voice aside. “It’s not our business.” But she was relentless, her worry wrapping around m
Amara's POV As the first light of dawn crept into the room, Caden stirred, his fevered breaths softening into something steadier. I stayed by his side, watching the tension slowly ease from his face. He looked so peaceful, so vulnerable. It was a side of him I rarely saw, and it tugged at something deep inside me. I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, my fingers lingering for a moment longer than they should have. My wolf purred softly in the back of my mind, her warmth washing over me. He needs us, Amara. Just like we need him.I pushed the thought aside, my heart too tangled with confusion to process it. Caden had always been a storm—a whirlwind of emotions he tried to keep hidden. But last night, his walls had cracked, letting me see the raw, unfiltered truth beneath. “Amara?” His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. I blinked, startled. His eyes were open now, slightly glazed but far more focused than they had been hours ago. “You’re awake,” I said
Amara's POV “Ryder…” I whispered, but the word felt heavy and useless. Ryder’s eyes flicked to me, the betrayal in them cutting deeper than any blade could. “So, this is it,” he said, his voice low, trembling with restrained emotion. “This is what’s been happening behind my back?” I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could I say? How could I explain something I didn’t fully understand myself? “You said you needed space,” Ryder continued, his voice rising with every word. “You said you were trying to figure things out! And now I find you… here, with him?” His gaze darted to Caden, his expression darkening. Caden stood, his posture rigid, shielding me instinctively. “Ryder, this isn’t what you think—” “Don’t you dare!” Ryder snapped, stepping into the room. His voice cracked slightly, his mask of anger slipping just enough to reveal the pain beneath. “Don’t stand there and act like you didn’t know what you were doing.” “Ryder, stop,” I said, finally finding my
Jaxon’s POV The weight in the house was unbearable. Ever since Ryder stormed off, the tension between all of us had been thick enough to choke on. I hated it. I hated feeling like we were slowly unraveling, like everything that held us together was being tested because of her. Not that it was her fault. How could it be? None of us had chosen this bond. And yet, here we were, caught in the madness of it all. I grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge and headed to Ryder’s room. His door was still closed, but the faint sound of his restless pacing reached me before I knocked. “Ryder,” I called out, rapping my knuckles against the door. No answer. “Come on, man. Open up. It’s just me.” After a long pause, the door creaked open. Ryder stood there, his face drawn, his eyes red-rimmed like he’d been fighting off tears. It was rare to see him like this—he was usually the strongest of us, the one who kept us grounded. I held up the beers. “Truce?” He hesitated before stepping aside,
Caden’s POV The laughter faded as the weight of our situation settled back in, quieter this time but still undeniable. The bond wasn’t just a hurdle—it was a storm, tearing through everything we’d built as brothers. But sitting here, with Ryder and Jaxon, I felt something I hadn’t in weeks: hope. Still, I couldn’t ignore the guilt gnawing at me. Ryder might have accepted my apology, but the damage I’d caused wouldn’t disappear overnight. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, and stared at the beer in my hands. “We need to talk about Amara,” I said, breaking the silence. Ryder tensed, his jaw tightening again, but he nodded. “Go on.” “I don’t know how to explain it,” I admitted, my voice quiet. “When I’m around her, it’s like… nothing else matters. She’s the only thing my wolf wants, and it drives me crazy. But at the same time, I hate what it’s doing to us. I hate that my feelings for her are hurting you two.” Jaxon nodded, his expression serious. “It’s the same
Ryder’s POV The smell of coffee and sizzling bacon filled the kitchen, the morning sun streaming through the windows as I sat at the table, watching my brothers and Amara move around. It was oddly peaceful, the first time in weeks that things didn’t feel like they were about to shatter. Jaxon was his usual self, cracking jokes as he piled food onto his plate. “Don’t blame me if there’s no bacon left. You snooze, you lose,” he said with a smirk, earning an eye roll from Caden. “Maybe leave some for the rest of us, oh mighty hog,” Caden retorted, shoving Jaxon lightly as he reached for the coffee pot. Amara laughed softly, the sound like a balm to my frayed nerves. Her smile was small but genuine, and it made something in my chest tighten. She was trying. We all were. We ate together in relative quiet after that, the occasional clatter of silverware breaking the silence. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. Once breakfast was over, Jaxon and Caden grabbed their things and
Amara's POV The ride to school was oddly quiet. After the moment Ryder and I shared this morning, everything felt... different. The air between us had shifted, like the weight we’d been carrying for weeks had finally been lifted, if only a little. But the tension was still there, lingering in the background, like a storm on the horizon waiting to make its move. Ryder drove in silence, his hands gripping the steering wheel tighter than usual. I could tell he was still processing everything. I was too. The bond, our feelings, the mess we’d all gotten tangled in—it was overwhelming. But for now, in this moment, I didn’t want to think about it. I wanted to enjoy the simple things, like the way the sunlight filtered through the trees, the gentle hum of the engine, and the feeling of Ryder being close. I glanced over at him, his jaw tense, eyes focused on the road. He looked so serious, so distant, like he was somewhere else entirely. "Ryder," I said softly, breaking the silence. He t
Jaxon's POV And in the darkness, with no one watching, I finally let go. My touch roamed, possessive and demanding, learning every inch of her body like a map, committing every curve and gasp to memory. My control slipped. My fingers dug into her hip, marking her soft skin. But she only arched closer. It wasn’t enough. I couldn't get close enough, couldn’t taste enough, couldn't give her enough of what I felt. It would never be enough. And in that moment, I knew. I knew I would burn the whole world to ash before I gave her up. I would break every rule, tear down anyone who dared try to take her away, and keep her safe no matter the cost. Because Amara was mine. And I would rather die than lose her. --- Amara's POV I couldn't breathe. His lips, his touch, the way his hips moved against mine—every part of him was fire, and I was burning. His touch was rough, desperate, his control slipping. I wanted it to slip. I wanted him to stop hiding, to show m
Jaxon's POV I stayed with her until her breathing evened out again, until the tremble in her hands stopped. But even then, I couldn’t shake the image of Alex’s hand resting on her lower back, the way he looked at her like she was something he had a right to touch.He didn’t.She wasn’t his to lean toward, to whisper to like he knew her heart.She wasn’t mine either. Not really.But God help anyone who thought they could take her.The second Amara excused herself to head to the infirmary for a quick check, I stood. My body was already tense, fists tight at my sides as I tracked Alex down the hallway that led to the east courtyard.He was alone—good. I didn’t want an audience.“Alex,” I called out.He turned, surprised to see me. “Hey, Jaxon. What’s up?”I didn’t respond. Just kept walking until I was toe-to-toe with him.He looked at me carefully. “Everything okay?”“No. It’s not.” My voice was low, steady. Dead calm—the kind of calm that comes right before the storm.His expression t
Jaxon's POV The sun bore down on the academy training grounds like it had a personal vendetta. Heat shimmered off the concrete in waves, and the clang of steel-on-steel rang out like a war drum. Students lined up in pairs, sparring and barking at each other like rabid dogs under the instructor’s glare. Dust clouded the air with every scuffed boot.But none of that mattered to me.Because all I could focus on was her.Amara.She stood across the field, squared up against a taller opponent, sweat dripping down the side of her temple. Normally, she’d be focused, graceful—even lethal—but today?Something was off.Her steps were slower, her reactions a beat late. Her face was pale, like someone had drained the life from her skin. I watched her sway slightly, blink too long between parries.My gut clenched.“Switch!” barked the instructor, and Amara stumbled back from the next attacker.No. This wasn’t right.I started moving before I even made the decision, weaving past students until I r
Amara’s POV The dawn broke over the pack territory, painting the sky in hues of bruised purple and hesitant gold, a reflection of the uneasy truce that had settled over us. The immediate threat of the entity’s direct influence had been severed, but the lingering tension remained, a palpable awareness of the storm that was yet to break. The raw line across my arm throbbed, a constant reminder of the price of our temporary reprieve. Weakness still clung to me, a lingering drain from the magical exertion and the severing of the unnatural bond. But beneath the physical fragility, a new resolve began to solidify, forged in the crucible of fear and sacrifice. We knew the entity would not remain silent for long. Its enraged shriek still echoed in our memories, a promise of retribution. The time of desperate defense was over; we needed to prepare, to gather our strength, and to meet the coming darkness head-on. Lyra and her warriors, their commitment unwavering, pledged to remain with us
Amara’s POVThe air in the library crackled with an almost unbearable tension, the chanting of Lyra’s mages a resonant hum that vibrated through the very floor beneath our feet. The swirling energies intensified, bathing the room in an ethereal glow, the ancient symbols on the floor blazing with an inner light. The weight of the moment pressed down on us, the precipice of hope balanced precariously against the abyss of potential failure.My hand trembled as I held the ceremonial dagger, its silver blade reflecting the frantic dance of candlelight. The unwavering gazes of Ryder, Caden, and Jaxon were fixed on me, their love a tangible force, a silent offering of courage and support. Tears streamed down my face, a torrent of fear, love, and a desperate grief for the sacrifice they were willing to make.“There has to be another way,” I choked out, my voice thick with emotion. “I can’t…”“You have to, Amara,” Ryder said, his voice low but firm, his silver eyes filled with an unyielding re
Amara’s POV The discovery of the severing ritual ignited a fragile spark of hope amidst the encroaching darkness, but the ancient text’s ominous warnings cast a long shadow over our preparations. The need for a convergence of powerful magical energies immediately turned our thoughts to Lyra and her pack. Their inherent connection to the wild, their unique blend of elemental magic, could be the key to fulfilling the ritual’s demanding requirements.A tense message was sent to Lyra, outlining the dire situation and the perilous ritual we intended to undertake. The inherent risk was undeniable, and the potential consequences of failure were catastrophic. We held our breath, the weight of our desperation hanging heavy in the air, unsure if she would be willing to risk her pack, and potentially herself, for our sake.Lyra’s response, when it finally arrived, was a testament to the strength of our fragile alliance and the depth of her own courage. She agreed to come, bringing with her her
Amara’s POV The discovery of the mark sent a shockwave of fear and a fierce surge of protectiveness through our small circle. The tangible evidence of the entity’s growing influence, the cold, alien symbol etched onto my skin, served as a stark and terrifying reminder of the danger we were facing. The whispered claim, echoing in the silence of our bedroom, felt like an icy tendril wrapping around my soul.My mates reacted with a primal intensity. Ryder’s protective instincts went into overdrive. He positioned himself physically between me and any open space, his silver eyes constantly scanning for unseen threats, his body radiating a fierce, possessive energy. Caden’s alpha command, usually reserved for pack matters, now extended to me, a low, insistent urging to stay close, to not venture out of their sight. Jaxon, his playful facade completely shattered, became a silent, watchful shadow, his dark eyes narrowed with a dangerous intensity, his hand often resting protectively on my ar
Amara’s POV The seed of suspicion regarding Gareth, once planted, began to take root and send tendrils of doubt throughout our perceptions. My mates and I observed him with a newfound scrutiny, every interaction, every subtle gesture now viewed through the lens of potential betrayal. His fervent pronouncements against the alliance with Lyra, his almost frantic insistence on isolating ourselves, took on a more sinister hue.We began to notice inconsistencies in his stories, gaps in his whereabouts during some of the “accidents.” He seemed overly eager to deflect blame, his denials too vehement, his gaze often shifty and evasive when questioned directly. The more we observed, the more a chilling picture began to form – a picture of a man subtly influenced, perhaps even controlled, by the malevolent entity.The realization was a sickening blow. Gareth was not just a pack member; he was someone we had trusted, fought alongside, shared meals and laughter with. The thought that he could be
Amara’s POV The escalating strangeness around the pack territory, coupled with the chilling weight of my nightmare and Elijah’s unsettling revelations, began to sow seeds of unease and even suspicion within the pack. The once-unquestioning trust that bound us together began to fray at the edges, replaced by nervous glances and hushed conversations.The withered section of the forest remained a stark and disturbing reminder of the encroaching darkness, a palpable manifestation of the malevolent entity’s growing power. The animals continued to behave erratically, their fear a contagious wave that rippled through the pack. Even the most steadfast warriors seemed on edge, their usual confidence replaced by a nervous tension.Whispers began to circulate, quiet at first but gradually growing louder. Some of the pack members, their fear overriding their loyalty, began to question the alliance with Lyra’s pack. The shared strangeness in the forest, the unsettling feeling of being watched – i