KAI'S POVI entered the dark room, brightened only by a sliver of moonlight. My heart raced as I approached the bed where Alana lay. She looked so peaceful and fragile, oblivious to the danger she was in.I knew the risks involved in marking her again, but I also knew that this was our only chance to save her. I leaned over her, my hands starting to tremble as I felt her warm breath on my face. I whispered a silent prayer, hoping this would work.“Alana, I’m sorry. I love you with all my heart. I regret that things have deteriorated so much between us. Even though I wish I could rewind time and change everything, I know I can’t erase the past. Fate has led us to this moment. This wasn’t what I wanted, but it’s what I must do to protect you. Please, don’t hold this against me.” I spoke softly, pressing my lips against her exposed shoulder. I felt her pulse quicken as I allowed Max to surge to the surface with equal eagerness. Our canine teeth extended before I bit down hard on her fle

ALANA’S POVI woke up to a world of agony, feeling like my eyelids were weighed down by tons of lead. A throbbing pain radiated from my ribs each time I breathed deeply. As I lay there, I tried to get a grip on myself before I felt a scorching heat sear my left shoulder. I let out a groan, the sound bouncing off the walls of the silent room as I forced my eyes open.The first thing I noticed, aside from the brightness of the room, was healer Abigail's presence. Her face was etched with worry as she hovered around me. "Luna, you’re awake." Her voice filtered into my ears, causing me to wince slightly.“Abigail," I croaked, my voice rough from not having spoken for so long. "What happened? Where am I?"My mind was in a state of chaos. The last thing I remembered was Klaus’s wicked grin as he stabbed me in the rib. The world had spun out of control, and I had drifted in and out of consciousness, losing my grip on reality far too many times.I remember my daughter Cassandra and Willow b

ALANA’S POVI felt the agony of each passing day, as if a knife were twisting in my chest. I couldn’t stop thinking about Kai, the man who had marked me as his mate and then vanished without a trace. Days have passed since his departure, and there’s still been no news from him. The people await his return as eagerly as I do. His voice haunts my dreams—a sweet and seductive song that makes me ache for his presence.I longed to feel his arms around me, his fingers laced with mine, and his breath on my skin. Kai made me feel whole, as if I had found the missing piece of my soul. The mate bond between us was a powerful force, a magnetic attraction that drew me to him with an irresistible urge. But he was gone, and I didn’t know why. I was restless and needed answers. I needed to understand what had driven him away under the pretext of returning. I couldn’t bear the uncertainty and distance any longer—I was tired of the endless wait for his return.I gathered my courage and made up my mind

KAI’S POVThe night was beautiful. I felt the gentle caress of the wind brushing past my ears as I lay beside Alana, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. I felt like a teenager again, having raced Alana to the lake earlier. Her laughter rang out in the air, a joyful symphony that made my heart flutter repeatedly. It was the sweetest music I had ever heard, a melody that filled me with an indescribable warmth.Alana Brooks was more than just my mate. She was the absolute love of my life—the woman who held my heart in her hands without even realizing it. For years, I made terrible decisions that kept us apart. However, seeing her so full of life and joy after all these years was like a balm to my soul.I couldn't believe how much I had missed this side of her—this radiant, vibrant woman who was the very essence of life itself. For a while, I had forgotten how much fun it was to be around her.Each time I reflected on the years that had passed without her, a pang of regret struck me

KAI’S POV“Hey, little guy. Welcome to the family,” I whisper to my grandson, Kaiser, as I hold him in my arms. He’s so tiny and adorable, his fingers clutching mine just as tightly. He looks up at me with his big, beautiful blue eyes, the same color as his mother’s.“Look at him, Alana. Isn’t he perfect?” I say this to Alana, the grandmother of my child. She’s standing next to me, her hand on my arm, leaning over to get a glimpse of his face as well. She nods, her eyes misty with tears of joy.“Of course he is, Kai. He’s just so adorable and perfect. I mean, just look at him,” she says, her voice soft and tender. She leans in further and kisses my cheek, then kisses Kaiser’s forehead. “We love you so much, sweetie. You’re the best gift we could have asked for.”We watch our family interact with little Kaiser, our hearts swelling with pride and love. Our sons, Chase and Cameron, are joking around, trying to impress their nephew.“Hey, Kaiser. I’m your uncle, Chase. I’m the coolest one