Chapter 71

I sat by Romeo’s bed in the dimly lit chamber, holding a heavy leather ledger tightly in my lap.The room was deathly quiet except for the slow, steady rhythm of his breathing under the thick blankets.Spread across the small side table were the rest of the ancient history books and territory law records that Joy had recommended for my study sessions.I tried to focus my tired eyes on the small hand-drawn maps on the parchment, but my mind was far too scattered to process the words.Gwen’s sharp words kept echoing inside my head, tormenting me with a deep, suffocating sense of dread.Was Steven really in town right now, asking questions and searching the streets for me? It did not make any sense at all. I had left his house completely so he could finally be with Lacy, just like he had always wanted.He had spent months treating me like an inconvenient burden, so why would he suddenly waste his time and energy hunting me down now?Then the harsh truth hit me, making my jaw tighten in

Last Updated : 2026-11-03

Chapter 72

We stepped out of the eatery 2 hours later. I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder as the afternoon sun shone brightly.“Thank you so much for today. I really appreciate.” I said as Fletcher held the door open for me.“You really don't have to thank me. I am doing this because I want to.”“I do. You went out of your way to buy Zara gifts and you sat with me for 2 hours which was probably one of the best afternoons so far.”He smiled. "I enjoyed it too. Talking to you is therapy."I glanced down at the shopping bag in his hand and inside were the SpongeBob items and the Harry Potter fanfiction book series he had bought for Zara on his trip to Bareland.“My daughter is going to be so happy when she sees all this. You should have seen how excited she was the last time someone gave her a SpongeBob toy. And also the FanFiction books, she's going to love them so much. Lately, she's been obsessed with Harry Potter.”“Im glad.”“But to be honest with you Fletcher, you really didn't ha

Last Updated : 2026-11-04

Chapter 73

I stared down at the phone in my hand. Wren had just called me and from the sound of her voice I knew something terribly wrong."What's happening?" I repeated, sitting upright in my chair."Someone's following me."Her voice trembled as you spoke and I heard the faint sound of a car honking in the background. “I need you to slow down and tell me exactly what's happening.”“I've been driving for a while and this particular car keeps following me. I have taken different turns and routes but it wouldn't go away.”“Is this the first time it is happening? Do you recognize the vehicle? Have you seen it somewhere before?”“No. This is the first time I'm seeing this car. It's a dark colored car and I think it has been following me since I left the eatery.”"What's the registration number?""I don't know. I haven't been able to get a good look."I reached for my car keys on the desk.“That's absolutely fine. Anyone in your position would be panicked as well but I need you to listen to me car

Last Updated : 2026-11-05

Chapter 74

RAYNA'S POV"Zed! Zed!"He walked past me as though I weren't there.The huge storm-gray wolf moved through the shallows toward the torchlight, stiff and jerking, like a marionette on strings. His ears were flat. His eyes had gone glassy and blank. Every few steps he stumbled, and I could see him fighting it, shivering all the way down his spine."He's being called back," Michelle gasped. "The pack bond. His father can command him from anywhere.""Then I'll cut the bond!""You can't!"I didn't listen.I splashed through the creek after him, soaked to the thigh, and threw myself in front of him. I grabbed handfuls of thick fur on either side of his face and pressed my forehead against his."Look at me," I said. "Look at me, you stubborn idiot."His golden eyes flickered. Locked on mine."You promised," I whispered. "You said we'd find out what I am together. You don't get to walk away."The wolf trembled.Heat poured from the mark on my wrist, up my arm, through my palms, into him. It

Last Updated : 2026-11-06

Chapter 75

I didn't see Cade move.One second, he was bleeding against a tree. The next, he'd crossed twenty feet of open grass in a blur and hit Jamie like a linebacker, driving her to the ground. The silver round meant for her chest tore through his shoulder instead, and he went down with a sound I'll hear in my sleep."Cade!"I don't know who screamed first, me or Jamie. I was running before I knew it, dropping beside him in the dirt. Blood poured over my hands, dark and hot and horribly fast. The wound smoked where the silver burned."Stay with me," I begged. "Look at me. Cade, please.""Hey." His eyes found mine, glassy with pain. His mouth curled in a crooked smile. "Told you. Didn't want to watch from the wrong side of the room.""You idiot." I was sobbing. "You complete idiot.""Yeah." His eyelids fluttered. "Worth it."He went limp.Something inside me broke.It wasn't sorrow, not exactly. It was a high, white roar that started in my chest and built until every thought burned away. The

Last Updated : 2026-11-07

Chapter 76

My head felt like someone had split it open with an axe.Every breath sent an ache through my chest. I blinked at the yellow glare of a bulb hanging from a naked bulb. My wrists were cuffed behind a steel chair and the cuffs bit into my skin every time I moved.A cold ring pressed against my throat. It was the silver collar.I reached inside for my wolf, but there was only emptiness. It seems the venom was still keeping her locked down. I tried to reach Smith through our bond. Nothing. The collar blocked that too."Where is my daughter?" I rasped. My voice sounded like sandpaper.The door swung open with a loud squeak. Ezra walked in with his hands in his jacket pockets, looking way too pleased with himself. He stopped a few feet from my chair, a smirk tugging at his mouth."Good morning, Commander," he said, his voice smooth. "I was wondering when you would join us."I didn't blink. My body felt weak, but my mind was screaming for blood."I asked you a question, Ezra. Where is Maya

Last Updated : 2026-11-08