LOGIN—AVERY— Five Years LaterThe sun warmed my fur as I ran, my paws barely touching the soft grass. The forest was alive with the sounds of our pack—the playful yips of pups, the steady footsteps of patrols, the gentle rustle of the wind. This was my home. This was peace.A larger, darker wolf suddenly shot past me, bumping my shoulder playfully before darting ahead. A low, happy growl rumbled in my chest. *Show-off, * I scoffed through our mate bond.*You’re just slow, my Luna,* Damon’s voice echoed back in my mind, filled with laughter.We broke through the tree line into the wide-open meadow behind the pack house. Shifting back to our human forms, we were still laughing, breathless. He pulled me into his arms, his kiss tasting of fresh air and pure happiness.“Eww, they’re doing it again!” a young voice groaned.We broke apart to see our son, Liam, now a strong, confident nine-year-old, pretending to shield his eyes. Beside him, our four-year-old daughter, Vivian, with my black hair
—AVERY— The grand hall glowed with warm amber light, laughter and converstions rolling through the air. Music echoed off the walls. It was our mating ceremony. Every packs from near and far had attended. Some twirled across the dance floor. Some drinking and conversing. My cheeks still burned from how many congratulations Liam and I had received. I held Liam’s hand loosely, letting him tug me into a slow spin just as two familiar figures approached. “Look who finally decided to settle down,” Jess teased, the corners of her mouth lifting as he nudged Lucas forward. Lucas smiled and bowed to me “Congratulations, Avery. Really. You two deserve all the happiness that’s coming.” “Thank you. And you too,” I said, meaning it. “Both of you. I’m so happy for you, even if the Goddess has a terrible sense of humor. You two… you really look good together.” Jess glanced at Lucas, and the soft, unspoken something between them seemed to shimmer into the air. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “I g
—AVERY— The air in the main courtyard of the Ironcrest Pack was thick and heavy. I sat in a wheelchair, a blanket over my lap, still weak from my injury but strong enough to see this. To watch justice finally be served.Every pack member had gathered. Their faces were serious, silent, waiting. I could feel the weight of their stares even though none of them were looking at me directly. They were all looking at the two women kneeling on the ground in front of Damon.Jessica Summers.And Kira Coleman.Both kneeling with dirt on their knees and dust in their hair. Jessica kept shaking, her lips trembling. Kira was crying in a messy way, tears running down her cheeks. The sight should have made me happy, but all I felt was a cold, quiet satisfaction.Damon’s voice, loud and clear, cut through the silence. “Jessica Summers, for your crimes of treason, for lying to your Alpha, for conspiring to kill your true Luna, and for the attempted murder of Alice White… you are hereby banished from
—DAMON— Everything became a blur the moment Avery’s body went limp in my arms.I remember shouting her name. I remember Lucas ripping the car door open. I remember the smell of blood and fear choking me so hard I could barely breathe. But the worst part was the panic—sharp, merciless panic—tearing through my chest as I rushed her into the hospital.I held Avery in my arms in the back of the car, pressing my hand against the wound, trying to stop the blood. It was everywhere—on my hands, on my clothes. Her skin was so pale."Faster!" I roared at Lucas, who was driving crazily.“Y-yes, Alpha.” Soon, we screeched to a halt at the hospital entrance. I kicked the door open and ran inside, shouting. "DOCTOR! A DOCTOR, NOW!"Nurses rushed forward with a stretcher. They tried to take her from me, though fear flickered in their eyes. I couldn't let go. My wolf was screaming, a raw, painful sound in my head. “Mate. Hurt. Protect.” "Alpha, you have to let them help her," Lucas said, his voic
—DAMON— My chest tightened as I moved closer to her. The chains around her wrists, the smell of her blood on the floor, the torn collar of her shirt—everything inside me burned with rage.But right now, only one question mattered.I stopped in front of her, breathing hard.“Avery… look at me.”She hesitated, then lifted her eyes slowly. They were tired, swollen, but steady.“Tell me the truth,” I whispered. “Is Liam… is he really your son?”Her lashes trembled, and she lowered her eyes to the floor.She finally lifted her head. Her eyes, which had once looked at me with so much warmth, were now cold and filled with a pain I had put there. “Yes,” she said, the word simple and sharp as a knife. “Liam is my son. Not Jessica’s.” My hearing rang.I took one step back, then forward again, unsure if I’d heard right.“What… what did you say?”Avery lifted her head, tears in her eyes but her face firm.“I said Liam is my son. Jessica lied. She was never pregnant. When I gave birth to mine, s
—AVERY— I couldn’t believe it. My jaw went dry as shock rooted me to the chair. The person I had trusted, the one I had never expected to betray me—he was the boss behind all this.My mind raced. How could he? Why would he do this? Taylor’s smile was cruel, cold, and triumphant. He stepped closer, his eyes glinting with satisfaction as he circled me like a predator. The ropes dug into my wrists, but I refused to show fear.I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Why, Taylor?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly but filled with steel. “Why would you do this?”His boyish eyes burned with madness as he stepped closer, chuckling sinisterly. “You really have no idea, do you, Avery?” He crouched before me, gripping my chin hard. “Liam… your precious little son… he’s the key. And now, you’re going to help me get what I want.”My stomach twisted, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. “Oh! There he is,” Lucas pointed to corner and I quickly followed his direction. Just then, I saw Liam lying o







