MasukDERRICK’S POVI stared at Lucas across the table. My hands rested on the wood. My fingers pressed into the grain. The decision weighed on me like a mountain."Are you ready?" My voice came out low.Lucas met my eyes. His expression remained steady. "Yes, Alpha."I nodded once. We stood together. The room felt smaller than usual. The air carried the scent of old wood and tension. I walked toward the door. My steps echoed in the quiet space. Lucas followed close behind.We stepped outside. The packhouse grounds stretched before us. The morning light cast long shadows across the grass. My wolf stirred inside my head. Kaden’s presence felt restless. He sensed the importance of this journey.Lucas fell into step beside me as we headed toward the cars. "Are you sure you want to do this?" His voice carried caution.I nodded. My jaw tightened. "I am sure."The drive felt endless. The road stretched ahead. Trees blurred past the windows. My hands gripped the steering wheel. My knuckles turned
OPRAH’S POVThe morning sun filtered through the trees as Sebastian drove us toward the address. My hands rested in my lap. My fingers twisted together. The mysterious man’s words from the gala still echoed in my head. I had barely slept. Every time I remembered how he stared at me, how he talked to me.I glanced at Sebastian. His hands gripped the steering wheel. His jaw remained set. He had insisted on coming with me. I appreciated his protectiveness, but I could not let him follow me all the way.The car slowed as we reached the park. Tall trees lined the entrance. Families walked along the paths. Children laughed in the distance. The normalcy of the scene felt strange after everything that had happened."Stop here." My voice came out firmer than I felt.Sebastian turned to me. His eyes showed clear disagreement. "I am not leaving you alone.""It is a public park." I met his gaze. "He would not try anything bad in front of so many people. Besides," I pointed at his phone that was r
OPRAH’S POVThe morning light filtered softly through the curtains as I helped Zarek get ready for school. I adjusted his little tie with careful fingers. My hands moved steadily, but inside my chest my heart raced with fear. The thought of him being away from me, even for a few hours, sent cold dread through my veins. I knew Alexander had hired shadow guards to watch over him. I knew they were the best. But still, the fear would not leave me. What if something slipped through? What if Lilith or the mysterious man found a way? I forced a gentle smile onto my face. Zarek did not need to see the terror I carried. He needed his mother to be strong."You look so handsome today," I said softly. I brushed a stray lock of his dark hair back from his forehead. My fingers lingered for a second longer than necessary. I wanted to memorize every detail of him. His big hazel eyes. His single dimple. The way he carried himself with a confidence far beyond his four years.Zarek stared up at me. His
LILITH’S POVThe door to my house slammed shut behind me. I kicked off my heels with such force that one flew across the room and cracked against the far wall. The sound echoed through the empty space. My chest heaved. My hands shook as I tore the expensive earrings from my ears and threw them onto the marble floor. They skittered away like worthless pebbles.Everything had gone wrong.I grabbed a crystal vase from the side table and hurled it against the wall. It shattered into a thousand pieces. The sound brought a maid rushing into the room. Her eyes widened at the mess."Clean it up." My voice came out sharp. "And you are fired. Get out."The girl stammered something, but I did not listen. I waved her away and walked deeper into the living room. My bare feet stepped on shards of glass. Pain pricked my skin, but I welcomed it. It matched the fury burning inside me.I stopped in front of the large mirror. My reflection stared back at me. My makeup had started to run. My hair, once p
DERRICK’S POVI stared at the man chained to the chair in the dim basement. Mixed emotions churned inside me. I did not know whether to thank the Goddess for finally getting my hands on him or fear who he truly was."Who sent you to stalk her?" I bellowed. My fists clenched tightly at my sides that I was sure they would turn pale any time.I did not want to get my hands dirty this late at night after the gala, but this man was forcing my hand."Speak!" I growled. I lunged forward, grabbed him by the neck, and squeezed. My teeth ground together.To my shock, the man broke into a suffocating laugh. He kept laughing even as his face turned red. His hands and legs remained tied, but they were shakin,, yet he showed no real fear in his eyes."I cannot believe someone is still acting like the knight in shining armor."I loosened my grip and pulled my hand away. His laugh did something to me. It made me feel embarrassed and something else I didn't want to admit to myself, but I refused to le
OPRAH’S POVThe penthouse door clicked shut behind us. The quiet inside felt almost too heavy after the noise of the gala. I kicked off my heels the moment I stepped inside. The cool marble floor soothed my aching feet, but it did nothing to calm the storm in my chest. Alexander walked beside me. His hand brushed my lower back for a brief second, steady and warm. I appreciated the silent support.Zarek was already asleep upstairs. Regina had sent a message earlier confirming he had gone to bed without any trouble. The thought of my son resting peacefully brought a small measure of comfort. At least one part of my world remained safe tonight. I took a slow breath and tried to hold onto that feeling.The investigator was already waiting in the living room. He sat on the edge of the couch with a thick file on his lap, several photographs spread across the coffee table, and a laptop open beside him. His face looked serious. Sweat glistened on his forehead despite the cool air conditioning
LILITH’S POV"How could you?!"Derrick filled the wide-open doorway. His face remained stone cold. Veins bulged across his forehead. His mouth hung slightly open, teeth grinding together. His hazel eyes flickered and shifted into burning golden yellow as his wolf fought for control. His chest rose
OPRAH’S POVI jerked awake, gasping for air that burned my lungs. My heart slammed against my ribs like a wild animal trying to break free. For several terrifying seconds, the cold, damp walls of the dungeon still pressed in around me. The metallic taste of blood lingered on my tongue. My back thro
OPRAH’S POVFOUR YEARS LATER“Oprah, the new collection contracts are ready for your signature,” Vivian, my personal assistant, said as she placed the documents on my desk.“Leave them,” I replied, my eyes still fixed on the screen.“The Voss line is already gaining attention.”“It should,” I said
DERRICK’S POV“She has escaped, Alpha.”“Who?”I didn’t need to turn. I already knew.“Luna Oprah.”For a second, just a second, everything went still.Then…The glass in my hand flew across the room, shattering against the wall.“How?” My voice came out low. Dangerous. “How did she escape?” Lucas







