Mag-log inVICTOR'S POV Sarah's admission hung in the room tensely, but before anyone could press her, the air was violently sucked from my lungs. A sudden, agonizing pressure exploded inside my chest. I stumbled back against the heavy doorframe, clutching my heart as an invisible blade twisted between my ribs. It wasn't my physical flesh being torn, but a phantom, agonizing scream echoed deep in my soul. I didn't understand what was happening. I didn't know who was on the other end of it, or what kind of bizarre supernatural pull was suddenly hijacking my body. All I knew was that someone’s blood was spilling, and my wolf was violently demanding that I follow the scent. "Victor?" Michael called out, his voice muffled. I couldn't answer him. The phantom sensation of fangs puncturing my own left shoulder ripped through my skin, hot and sharp. Cold panic flooded my veins, completely overriding my senses. Whoever they were, they were being brutally hunted down, and every second I waste
ARIELLE'S POV I had been sitting on my bedroom floor for an hour, desperately trying to force my body to transform back into a wolf. I kept my eyes clamped shut, focusing entirely on the strange, bubbling heat deep inside my chest. But it was impossible to concentrate. Every tiny sound in the house became a massive distraction. I could hear the servants murmuring as they cleaned downstairs, the distant hum of the kitchen refrigerator, and the wind brushing against the glass. I was too wired, too paranoid. Worst of all, knowing those three hooded figures were still standing outside the estate like lifeless gargoyles made my skin crawl. If I was going to successfully do this, I couldn't stay here. I couldn't risk my dad walking in and catching me turning into the exact monster he was terrified of. Standing up on shaky knees, I crept over to the window. I peeked through a tiny slit in the heavy curtains and looked down. They hadn't moved. Taking a deep breath to steady my rac
Victor’s POV My hand moved on instinct, blocking Michael’s view with my shoulder as I bent down and scooped the small silver hairpin off the dusty floorboards. The faint scent of vanilla and fresh pine flared up in my nose again, sharp against the heavy smell of copper and dark magic. I slid the cold metal deep into my pocket, letting my fingers linger there to ensure it was completely hidden. I stood up straight and forced my expression to remain blank, but as I turned around, I realized I hadn't been fast enough. Elder Helen was already walking toward the rocking chair, her sharp eyes scanning the area where I had just been standing. She stopped right where I had been a second ago, her nose twitching as she caught the scent trail I had accidentally disturbed. Her gaze dropped to the floor, then snapped up to my right hand, which was still hovering near my pocket. "Victor," Helen said, her voice dropping to a cautious, strained whisper. "What did you just pick up?" The room
Victor's POV The room went dead silent. Michael didn’t hesitate. The exhaustion that had weighed on his shoulders during dinner vanished, replaced by the rigid, commanding aura of an Alpha. For a moment I stared at him, impressed. "Where?" He demanded. "Her cabin on the eastern ridge," the warrior panted, clutching his side. "Elder Marcus and Elder Helen are already there trying to secure the scene.” "I'm coming with you," I said, stepping out from behind the table. Michael paused, his eyes darting to me. For a split second, I saw the conflict in his gaze. By law, I was just a regular pack member now, a criminal newly returned from exile. He had every right to command me to stay put. But Michael also knew that when it came to tracking, violence, and dealing with crime scenes, my wolf and I had years of experience he couldn't afford to waste. "Keep the house locked down," Michael said to his mate, not breaking eye contact with me. "Don't let anyone in.” Sarah nodded, her f
Arielle’s POVThe three hooded figures didn't move an inch. They just kept staring up at my window, their faces completely hidden in the dark shadows of their hoods. A cold weight settled heavily in my stomach. Who were they? Why were they watching me?My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of the curtain. Part of me wanted to yell for my dad or call our security guards, but a deeper, stronger instinct told me to be quiet. If these people were connected to the world Marcus had just dropped me into, normal human security wouldn't stand a chance.I carefully stepped back from the window, letting the curtain fall completely shut. The darkness of my bedroom felt suffocating. I crawled back into my bed, pulling the thick duvet all the way up to my chin, but I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, Marcus’s harsh voice echoed in my mind.“It is most likely because you mated with a wolf.”My face burned hot against my pillow, a mix of pure embarrassment and anger washing over me.
Victor's POV "We are lifting your banishment, Victor." Elder Marcus said before a low vibrating sound filled the room. He immediately excused himself and exited the room. I could tell his subordinates were not pleased with the abruptiveness of this action. But the meeting went on. I do wonder though, the kind of emergency that would make someone like Marcus leave an important meeting like this. "The council has decided that your years in exile have served as penance for the blood on your hands," Elder Helena continued. Her eyes remained sharp and cold, lacking even a shred of the grace her words implied. "You are free to walk pack grounds. You are, once again, a member of the Bloodclaw clan." "And my title?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. Rowan let out a dry, mocking chuckle from the corner. "You lost the right to the Alpha seat the moment you let your wolf rip open a human throat, Victor. The Moon Goddess herself turned her back on you. Michael remains A
Victor’s POV Harrison Hunt could not stop staring. The creature lying on the floor of the hallway was a wolf. There was no denying the reality of it. Its silver gray fur shone under the bright chandelier lights. The wolf looked weak, and helpless. But Harrison could not forget what wolves
Arielle's POV The cloth tied around my wrists was starting to burn against my skin. I shifted slightly in the backseat and tried to loosen my hands again, but it was useless. The man beside me immediately grabbed my arm harder. “Sit still.” I glared at him, unable to say anything since my mout
Arielle's POVThe guy had a phone pressed to his ear but I didn't hear what he was saying. I just didn't care. I was too focused on his piercing blue eyes and his biceps standing out through the shirt he wore. He had that look that could make even the toughest pussy drip. I even had to squeeze my t
Arielle's POV"I'm taking the pink hoodie too."The sales receptionist, a slim young lady, smiled and stretched out her hand. "Let me take your card."She swiped it and waited, then swiped it again."This isn't working." She kept her voice professionally flat. "You can pay with another card.""That







