WINTER'S POVI rolled over in bed, reaching out to where Slade's body usually lay. I missed his warmth already, even though he had only been gone for twenty-four hours. I tried to remind myself that it was just a day/two days journey, but the thought didn't seem to ease my yearning for him.Whenever I reached for my phone to call him, I remembered that he had left it behind, along with Jude. They were smart to leave their phones, knowing they would be bombarded with calls if they brought them along. I knew I was a potential distraction for Slade and could easily persuade him to abandon his mission with a simple request.In hindsight, I understood why he didn't take his phone. As I turned once more, I noticed a lump in my coat pocket from the previous day. Curious, I reached for it and retrieved the envelope I had tucked away inside.Heavily exhaling, I smoothed the paper again, hoping its content had magically changed, but it still delivered the same ominous message. "Find me," I mumb

SLADE POV (THAT SAME NIGHT)I gritted my teeth and shoved the snaking vine away from my hand. This was the second time I had to push it aside, and I was getting tired of it. Glancing at Jude, I saw that he was also struggling to make his way through the dense forest. It seemed like the journey had no end.The first time I came here, it was smooth sailing. But today, I was experiencing all the roughness I had heard about on my way to the hills of no return. A creeping sense of doubt began to take hold of me. Would I even make it back home alive?As we trudged along, I spotted a large oak tree and grunted, "How about we rest there for a while? We can't keep going like this without passing out from exhaustion."Jude panted and bent over, clutching his knees. "I would love to," he grunted. "But do you remember all the obstacles we faced on our way here? It's insane. I don't recall the journey being this crooked and difficult."His brows furrowed as he scanned our surroundings before turn

WINTER'S POV The events of last night kept replaying in my mind. I hadn't slept well because of what Britney had said. I didn't want to believe it was true, but deep down, I knew it was. Slade was hiding something from me which could be as severe as what Britney had claimed.He had made a promise to the coven, but why had he broken it? And now, I was the one who would suffer the consequences of his failure: me and my child.I got up from the bed and started pacing around the room, my back aching from the aftermath of staying up all night with my back hunched.Glancing at the wall clock, I realised it was already past noon. Slade and Jude should be back by now, judging from the time it took to get to the mountain in East Copperborrow. It was a seven-hour journey by car, and I wondered what mode of transportation they had used. If they had used anything other than a car, the trip might take even longer.Nonetheless, I couldn't stop thinking about what I would do when Slade arrived. Was

WINTER POVI glanced over at Slade for what felt like the hundredth time. He was standing by the large round table, waiting for the rest of the pack members to arrive. Meanwhile, I stood near the door of the clinic, lost in thought. Lisa approached me, and I turned my attention to her."I can't believe that happened," She muttered her voice barely above a whisper, "I know. Even though she was unpleasant, I still can't wrap my head around it," Lisa said, shaking her head."I can't, too," I said.Slade seemed to be taking Britney's death the hardest. He had been with her for a while, and she was pregnant with his child. He blamed himself for what happened, and it was evident that he was still struggling to come to terms with it. It was heartbreaking to see him so discouraged and lost, even though he had claimed that Britney meant nothing to him.Suddenly, a loud shriek rang out, and I turned to see Alex stumbling towards us, wrapped in a large blanket from head to toe. He looked like a

Winter POVAfter Slade left with Alpha Callum, I turned to Luna Jade, approaching her cautiously. I knew she was on edge and might lash out at me again, but I couldn't resist the urge to comfort her. One part of me wanted to stay and let her vent, while the other tried to wrap her in my arms and offer solace.She tilted her head towards me, her red eyes staring at me intensely. The emotions in them were powerful but not filled with contempt. She sniffled and wiped her tears away, "She was happy a few days before her capture. She had knitted something for her baby..." Jade glanced down, and I saw the baby pants she clutched in her hand for the first time.My heart constricted, and I groaned, "I'm sorry...""It's not your fault," Jade murmured. She wiped her tears again and looked at me, "I'm sorry for what happened earlier.""I understand," I said, sitting close to her. "You were hurt, and it's understandable to react that way.""No, not that." Jade shook her head, making me raise a br