CALIFF “I refused to believe that. You have so much compassion in your heart. You know it. You healed Tor, and you stopped me from killing the refugees. You did your task and ignored those bullies because deep in your heart, you are stronger than you give yourself credit. You are stronger in defending our pack, not killing one of our own. Look at these people behind you. They trust and believe in you. Prove those who underestimated you wrong.” She dropped my father. Her chest was heaving. Her eyes were still glowing. “He killed the only family I had. I have been an orphan since I was eight. I don’t have a father to teach me how to shift. I don’t have a mother to teach me to cast a spell. No one. I was rogue for years, hoping to find whoever did that slaughter to my pack. My father gave his life so that an eight-year-old future alpha could run and seek revenge. And now, it was just right under my nose, and I still could not do anything for them. They died unavenged. They lost their l

CALIFF “That’s the fifth time in one minute.” “What?” My eyes narrowed at Duke. “You, sighing. Shadow will come back. She’s probably just running into the forest.” “You’re not helping.” Kindra sat on the armchair and wrapped her arm around him. “Tor and Zack are back, and she wasn’t there when they woke up. Those two idiots slept when it was their duty to safeguard Shadow. Fucking awesome. Truly reliable!” “Calm down before you shift in front of us.” “I trusted them. If something happens to Shadow, I swear they will see my wrath that they haven't seen before." I blew out a breath. "The problem is, she left the car, Duke. Lyon can send men to look for her, but she clearly doesn’t wanna be found.” “Do you feel anything?” “Other than my wolf is fucking annoying, I’m pissed off, Duke. Why did Dad do what he did?” “I don’t know, man. I didn’t even notice you were small and weak. There must be another reason.” “Yeah, aside from the witches being scared of a Lycan and a witch ruli

CALIFF “Are you sure you wanna do this?” She was sitting on the passenger seat, focused on her phone, and hadn’t answered my question. “Shadow, I’m talking to you.” I put my hand on her thigh, squeezing to get her attention. “I heard you, Califf. And yes. If you’re concerned that I might snap his neck. No, forget about it. I won’t do that. You just have to trust me.” “I trust you. You know that.” Dad was already at home, resting. His disease was like cancer in humans. I’d never heard of a werewolf catching a disease like him. How would I fund research like this without exposing us? It was hard to accept his fate, but maybe he was paying for what he’d done as his way to repent all his sins. “Then why do you keep asking me if I wanna do this? Of course, I want to do this. I won’t lay a hand on your father and look at these two behind us. They will break my jaw before I can raise my hand.” “Where did you go when you woke up, Luna?” Zack asked. “I should also report my errands to

CALIFF “It’s been two fucking days. She hadn’t moved a finger. Why isn’t she waking up, doc?” I growled in anger. I didn’t know where to put my feelings. It was everywhere, and my wolf was beyond agitated. “I can’t watch her like this. You should do something or give her an injection to wake her like an antidote.” “This is beyond my expertise. I’m a medical doctor, and this is not science. We already did a brain CT scan. Her brain is normal. She’s in a deep coma, medically speaking.” “There must be something we missed here.” I could barely breathe properly. My chest was heavy, and my heart was bleeding. “The only thing I can do is keep her comfortable, monitor her vitals, and keep her hydrated. In Goddess’ will, she will wake up soon.” “Fuck!” I gripped the armchair harder, and it cracked in my grasp. “I don’t know what to do anymore. And I can’t feel her emotions. I can’t get through her thoughts. It’s like our bond is gone.” “What do you mean your bond is gone?” Dr. Sallie’s e

CALIFF “What’s happening to me?” Shadow just came out of the bathroom holding strands of her hair—her white hair. Since when did she get highlights? I held it to inspect. When I couldn’t give her the answers, she said, “Exactly.” “Zarah,” I called the witch. The door flew open. Zarah didn’t come alone. My parents, Duke, Kindra, together with Zack and Lyon.” “New hairstyle?” Duke asked with a deep line between his eyebrows. “I wish,” Shadow answered, chuckling as Kindra launched to her in a hug. “I have no idea how relieved I am to see you standing on your two feet.” “With a highlight.” “Good to see you, Luna.” “Thanks, Zack. You okay, Lyon?” “Yeah. What you did was a miracle.” Her eyes widened as her gaze landed on my father. “You really look okay.” “Beyond okay, Shadow. I feel like a reborn. I don’t feel pain anymore. And the scar was gone.” “You’ve been awfully silent, Zarah.” I looked at Zarah. There was sadness in her eyes that she couldn’t hide it, even for a witch.