RALPH As I pulled into the yard of the Blood Moon Pack, the image of the human lingered in my mind like an unwelcome specter. Her pleading eyes, desperate to convince me of her innocence, haunted me still. I couldn't seem to shake her off my mind. The fact that I could feel every emotion of hers drove me nuts.“And the fact that you refused to heal her from the pain yesterday drives me nuts too,” my wolf interjected.Before I could respond to my wolf, a sudden knock on my car jolted me back to reality. Aaron, my former Beta, turned Alpha, stood outside, a wide grin on his face.“I bet you were thinking about your mate,” he said, his tone teasing yet warm.Aaron had stepped into the role of Alpha after the passing of his mate's father, the former Alpha. It was a responsibility bestowed upon him in the dying Alpha's final moments, a testament to the trust and confidence placed in him. From what I saw here, he was doing a very good job. His pack loved and respected him. And, of course,

DAHLIA After laying Isabella on her bed, I made my way downstairs toward the guest room where Alpha and his mate were. As I approached the door, a sense of dread crept over me. I hesitated, my eyes falling upon Alpha frozen in his majestic wolf form, blood staining his muzzle. My gaze shifted to his mate, her wounds healed but still unconscious.My heart pounded with fear as I nervously bit my nails, overwhelmed by the weight of my failure. I was supposed to ensure her safety in Alpha's absence, yet I had failed miserably.Summoning my courage, I entered the room, only to be met with Alpha's furious gaze. He opened the mind link to address the entire pack, his voice heavy with anger. "I want everyone in the foyer," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. With that, he shifted back to his human form, scooped up his mate, and left without sparing me a second glance.As he disappeared out, the room seemed to exhale a collective breath, leaving me alone with my guilt. The weight of

KEILAH I squinted my drowsy eyes open, the warmth of the rising sun gently hitting my face as I stirred. Through the haze of sleep, I caught a glimpse of Dahlia slipping out of the room. "Dahlia," I whispered, but she had already gone. Was she sent by her alpha to check on me or if it was something else entirely? I wondered, my mind foggy with sleep.As I tried to stretch my limbs, I realized I was ensnared in the tangled folds of the covers. "You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, frustration creeping into my voice. How on earth did I manage to get myself into this predicament? Did I unwittingly twist and turn in my sleep? I pondered, attempting to extricate myself from the fabric trap.With a determined effort, I struggled to free myself from the fabric's grasp, wriggling and rolling until I finally halted against a solid, unyielding form. Startled, I opened my eyes fully. My heart skipped a beat as I realized I wasn't alone in bed—I was with Ralph. And he was shirtless. Panic

KEILAH After uttering those enigmatic words, Dahlia's eyes reverted to their usual state. With a gentle yet firm grip, she led me to sit beside her on the bed. Despite my lingering apprehension, a sense of trust began to settle within me; somehow, I instinctively knew she wouldn't harm me. Yet, my curiosity burned brighter than my caution, prompting me to interrupt her silence. "Who are you, truly?" I inquired, meeting her gaze.Dahlia's expression softened, her tone tinged with a hint of urgency. "Whatever happened just now, whatever you witnessed... it must remain between us. You must promise not to breathe a word of it to anyone—especially the alpha."If you wish to keep this secret from him," I countered, "then you must reveal your true nature to me. Back there, you seemed... otherworldly. As if you hosted a presence from beyond our reality. And those words you spoke earlier... what significance do they hold?”Dahlia's eyes held a mix of resignation and reluctance, as if she we

RALPH Never in a million years had I imagined myself lurking on a human doorstep, yet there I stood, consumed by uncontrollable urges. It was all the fault of my wolf, succumbing to the irresistible scent of her purity and driving me to claim her. And damn him, I savoured every moment of it. But now, the consequences haunted me, gnawing at my sanity. All I could think of was her—Keilah Rivera. Sending her away to her family was supposed to cleanse me of the crime I committed against her, but it only amplified the feelings I didn't know I harboured. Are they really genuine emotions or mere longing? Regardless, I craved her presence like air, and nothing would stand in my way.I pressed the doorbell, and the door swung open almost immediately. Her smile vanished, replaced by sheer terror as she laid eyes on me instead of whoever she had expected. Was she expecting her new or childhood boyfriend? The thought stirred a pang of jealousy within me.I had believed I possessed the strength to