Bella's POVWe allowed Benedict and the two guards to walk by, holding our breaths silently in the shadows. Thirty minutes later, they returned and left again. When their footsteps had long since faded, Lilet spoke."There's something so peaceful about this place," she whispered."Typically, the deadliest spots are peaceful before they attack," I answered. "So watch your step, and keep your eyes on the trail."We continued on, through the dim light of my phone alone. The noise that had brought us here, to this secret passage, was gone, with only the resonance of our footsteps breaking the silence. But I didn't stop, my resolve unbroken—fueled by an urge to know, to find the source of that evasive noise.The tunnel was endless, its walls heavy with years. Cobwebs clung to my clothes and hair like phantom fingers, as if alerting me to the lost secrets that waited. A shiver crept down my spine, half chill, half fear, but to go back now was not an option. I had traveled too far to give up on
Bela's POVThe air clung cold, thick with dust, as if the ancient building itself breathed slowly. Something had changed in the room here in the Crimson Petals pack's residence. I looked at Lilet; her eyes contracted with the same suspicion that twisted my stomach. We came here to find our mother.As we ascended the stairs, there was a mere echo down the corridor—a gentle, soft sound that pulled at the fringes of my consciousness. It sounded like footsteps, swift and light, dying away around the bend. I stopped, my grip on the railing growing tighter."Did you hear that?" I breathed, my voice hardly louder than a whisper.Lilet stopped short, her eyes flicking back to me. "Hear what?""Something's running… or someone," I whispered, already heading in the direction of the noise. I had a restlessness under my skin, making me want to go after it. My wolf, Mira, churned uneasily at the back of my mind."Go on, then," Mira urged, her voice a soft growl of excitement.I looked over at Lilet, scopi
At Silver Moon PackOnce the doctor attended to Lino's wound, Lilet's eyes shone with worry as she asked, "Why did you shield me from the hit?"Lino's eyes grew softer. "Because I don't want to see you get hurt again," he said, his tone firm even as the ache poured from his wound.Lilet's breath caught. "Lino, the knife was wolfsbane-poisoned!""I'm alright," Lino reassured her, struggling to coax a weak smile to allay her concern. But what he really was, the poison had already begun to seep into his blood, tensing his muscles with pain. He hid it very well, not wishing Lilet to know the depth of his torture.Determined, Lino rolled onto his feet and walked out of the room, his jaw hard. Soldiers were hauling the attacker, a disheveled individual whose eyes flashed with defiance, along the floor. One of the soldiers growled out, "Why did you do it?" Lino's pack members stood clustered, muttering spread among them like fire.Lino halted one hand and spoke in a commanding tone."We are here to
Lilet's POVThe morning sun shone through the drapes as I stepped outside onto the veranda, the leaves rustling softly with secrets. My gaze tightened at the scene unrolling in the garden - Lino, dark hair mussed, tall commanding figure, was stooping down with Selena, laughter ringing out joyfully. Her nanny hovered on the periphery, unsure, looking back and forth between me and Lino.I didn't hesitate, walking forward with intent. "Why are you still here? Leave us alone," I told Lino, my voice sharper than I meant.Lino stood up to his full height, a small, unconcerned smile playing around his lips. "I just wanted to play with Selena," he replied smoothly, defusing the tension I emanated."You didn't go home last night," I snapped, crossing my arms."I'd like to remain for longer than a few days," he answered, his eyes unflinching.I was about to protest when Selena grasped my arm, her eyes large and expectant. "Mom, can Alpha Lino remain with us for three days? Please?" Her lower li
As I moved away from the introductions, I saw my father, intensely engaged with Alpha Edgar and my uncle, the previous Alpha Benedict. Their faces were stern, their voices hushed. Whatever they were talking about seemed weighty with significance.Bella came close to me, her voice a whisper that only I heard."We have to get Mother," she said, her eyes black with purpose. "We have to go back to that old pack house. Ava is the one who stashed her and has already killed her wolf to impair her. If we don't do something about it, Mother will starve and dehydrate."Her words gave me the shivers, a blend of anger and determination burning inside me. I nodded at Bella's eyes and set my jaw."We'll rescue her," I vowed, my tone firm. "No matter what."I was uneasy through the long hours of the night, a sense that our fights were just about to start lingering in my stomach.Then I looked at her and inquired."Why did you invite Alpha Lino?" I demanded of Bella, attempting to maintain a steady voice,
Alpha James's eyes burned with rage, his voice a raw snarl."NO!" he bellowed, muscles against the guards' constraint. His rebellion was tangible, a power and desperation aura surrounding him, but it only served to accelerate his fall. The guards' grip was firmer, iron strong, and unshakeable.I walked out after the meeting with Rick and Lilet, Gamma Teddy and Beta Mark pulling James and Ava behind us. The prisoners were both too enfeebled to struggle—the wolfsbane we had infused them with in small amounts saw to that. Too large a dose would have killed them in their wolves dead, but this dosage rendered them helpless, eyes dull with agony and bodies weighed down like lead..We came to Night Walker Pack lands late at night. The pack guard looked startled as we entered their grounds. Before we could do anything, James yelled an order, commanding his warriors to take us prisoner.But we were prepared.But I stepped in front of him, interrupting him with a chill stare. "Enough, James,"