[Rachel's POV]As we stood by the roadside, searching for a taxi, a flicker of relief washed over me as I spotted familiar faces amidst the chaos. "Sarah, look!" I exclaimed, pointing toward a figure I recognized. "It's Michael, over there!" A warm smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I called out to him, hoping he would hear me amidst the bustling crowd.Sure enough, Michael's eyes darted in our direction, and he swiftly made his way through the throng of people, his eyes widening with concern as he took in the sight of Sarah's injury. The attention it drew from the curious humans only added to our urgency. "The cab is just over there," he informed us, gesturing toward a yellow taxi parked nearby.We hurriedly stepped into the car, grateful for the relative calm inside. As the car started to move, I couldn't contain my curiosity any longer. "Michael, how did you come to know about the incident at the restaurant?" I inquired, my voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and apprehe

[Gabriel's POV]I found myself back at my father's house in Willowvale, the place where I had grown up, seeking solace amidst the turmoil that had unfolded. The weight of the recent events bore heavily on my soul, leaving me feeling lost and uncertain about what lay ahead.As I wandered through the familiar rooms, memories of my father enveloped me, whispering through the walls. His absence was palpable, a void that seemed to widen with each passing day. But in this moment of despair, I sought refuge by the river, a place that had always held a special significance for both of us.The gentle sound of the flowing water soothed my troubled mind as I settled by the riverbank. The rhythmic melody of nature's symphony washed over me, mingling with my thoughts and emotions. Here, amidst the lush greenery and the gentle caress of the breeze, I hoped to find some semblance of clarity.As I gazed at the rippling waters, memories of my father danced before my eyes. I could almost see him, stand

[Rachel's POV]I woke up early in the morning, greeted by the gentle rays of the rising sun. Living on the top floor provided me with a splendid view of the neighborhood and the golden hues of dawn. It had been a while since I had taken a moment to truly appreciate the beauty of a sunrise, but my thoughts quickly turned to Gabriel.Despite assuring Sarah that it was over between Gabriel and me, deep down, I knew my feelings for him hadn't completely faded. As much as I was hurt by his initial deception, there was still a connection between us. In some strange way, I found comfort in the fact that he was a lycan as it created a unique bond that I couldn't deny, even though I held humans in high regard.I had anticipated that Gabriel would reach out to me sooner or later, but to my disappointment, he hadn't made any effort to contact me. So, there I sat, gazing at the rising sun, when my phone suddenly beeped, jolting me from my thoughts. With a mix of anticipation and uncertainty, I hu

[Rachel's POV]As I finally arrived at the riverside cafe, I dialed Marcus's number to pinpoint his location. Surprisingly, he answered promptly, directing me to his left and waving his hand. Doubts crept into my mind as I noticed that he bore no resemblance to Gabriel, making me question his claim of being Gabriel's brother. Nevertheless, I slowly took a seat opposite him, cautiously observing his peculiar staring.Breaking the silence, I asked, "Where do we start?" Marcus took a moment to gather his thoughts before complimenting my appearance, stating that Gabriel had never mentioned how good-looking I was, as if expressing a hint of jealousy. I couldn't help but smile slightly in response, appreciating the unexpected flattery, "thank you."There was a brief silence before Marcus inquired about the reason for our meeting. In truth, I had started to question my own intentions, unsure of why I had wanted to meet him. Thinking on my feet, I improvised, mentioning the fight he had refer

[Gabriel's POV]As I watched Lowell disappear into the distance, heading back to the city with Jake's guards, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. I had convinced them to be my allies, to spread the news of Jake's actions like a rumor among our fellow pack members. Plan A was to create awareness, to let them know the truth about the tyrant ruling our pack. I knew it wouldn't be easy; Jake had undoubtedly threatened some of them, but I had to try.I turned my attention back to Lowell, suggesting that he follow them back to the city to ensure they didn't betray me. But he insisted on going alone, not fully trusting them. I couldn't help but chuckle at his wise and funny response. I knew he had a point, so I accompanied him to the bus station to see him off."Take care, Lowell," I said, giving him a firm handshake. "Remember, stick to the plan, and we'll change things together."He nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "I trust you, Gabriel. You got this. See you soon."As I returned t