MasukLIANA POV"Don't get too attached to him," I'd said. But it hasn't been quite that simple.Ever since that power outage incident, Kane and Lina have been growing closer in a way that's starting to worry me. It's like watching two magnets slowly inching toward each other, and I'm the invisible force trying to keep them apart. I also can’t help the prick of guilt I feel every time I see them together. At the same time, I remember everything I've been through and everything I've sacrificed to keep her safe and happy.A mother's instinct to protect can be a selfish thing, I suppose, but it's all I've got to hold on to right now.It's not just even about keeping them apart anymore. It’s also the fact their closeness makes me cross paths with Kane more often than I'd like.The other day, Lina had skinned her knee playing outside, and Kane was there in an instant to comfort her like it was the most natural thing in the world.People around have started noticing it too.When they ask me, I gi
I feint left, then dive right, using my momentum to barrel into one of them. We crash through the underbrush, and even as its ribs crack under my grip, it doesn't seem to feel pain like a normal wolf. It keeps fighting, slashing, and biting.Soon I’m able to get my hand around its throat, and I squeeze with all my might. It thrashes wildly, claws raking down my arms, and I only let go when its struggles weaken.I spin around, searching for my next opponent.The clearing is chaos now. There’s fur and blood and snapping jaws everywhere I look.Sam's handling some others while Jimmy's still in trouble. I spring towards the tree above Jimmy.Right below me is Jimmy, pinned under a massive rogue. I launch myself from the tree, aiming for the rogue's exposed back. My claws sink deep into its flesh as we roll away from him.We wrestled for a long time, and all I can say is, this one's way stronger than the others. It pins me for a moment, fanning my face hot with its breath as it lunges for
KANE POV"'If they can't take it, they shouldn't dish it out. That's just how the world works?'” Liana says incredulously.Her eyes are blazing with upset and disappointment.I'd said those statements to Lina not too long ago. This was because when she’d told me she didn't want to play with the other kids after they’d had an argument. Lina's always been such a sweet, reserved little girl. Sometimes too reserved, in my opinion. I'd only wanted to help boost her confidence; to show her she wasn't less than the other kids. But I can see now how my words and advice might have been misinterpreted by a child."She's just a child. She doesn't need to understand how the 'world works' right now. I don't want a life for my daughter where she has to resort to violence to defend herself."I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. Liana's always been protective of Lina, almost to a fault. But I've never seen her this upset before."I didn't mean to upset you," I begin, but Liana isn't fi
LIANA POVI hope Jimmy never becomes Alpha. He’s not capable of becoming one, but I still worry thinking about the possibility of him scheming something stupid to make good on his threats.For Jimmy to come to me, he must've been pushed to the wall, and I wonder what he might do next to try to get Kane out of the picture. God, I hope he doesn't do anything stupid and bring more trouble our way.I pull up to the tavern.Two of my workers rush out to start unloading the items, and while helping, I hear shouts coming from the children's play area at the back."Careful with that box, Sid. There are eggs in there," I say to one of the girls whilst picking up on how those shouts are growing louder and more frantic.Curiosity getting the better of me, I head in the direction of the commotion.I'm met with a crowd of children screaming, laughing, and jumping around in a circle.What’s got them so worked up? I muse in a bit of amusement, pushing through the buzz.There are two children wrestli
LIANA POVI hope Jimmy never becomes Alpha. He’s not capable of becoming one, but I still worry thinking about the possibility of him scheming something stupid to make good on his threats.For Jimmy to come to me, he must've been pushed to the wall, and I wonder what he might do next to try to get Kane out of the picture. God, I hope he doesn't do anything stupid and bring more trouble our way.I pull up to the tavern.Two of my workers rush out to start unloading the items, and while helping, I hear shouts coming from the children's play area at the back."Careful with that box, Sid. There are eggs in there," I say to one of the girls whilst picking up on how those shouts are growing louder and more frantic.Curiosity getting the better of me, I head in the direction of the commotion.I'm met with a crowd of children screaming, laughing, and jumping around in a circle.What’s got them so worked up? I muse in a bit of amusement, pushing through the buzz.There are two children wrestli
LIANA POV‘Don't get too attached to him,’ I’d said. But it hasn't been quite that simple.Ever since that power outage incident, Kane and Lina have been growing closer in a way that's starting to worry me. It's like watching two magnets slowly inching toward each other, and I'm the invisible force trying to keep them apart. I also can’t help the prick of guilt I feel every time I see them together. At the same time, I remember everything I've been through and everything I've sacrificed to keep her safe and happy.A mother's instinct to protect can be a selfish thing, I suppose, but it's all I've got to hold on to right now.It's not just even about keeping them apart anymore. It’s also the fact their closeness makes me cross paths with Kane more often than I'd like.The other day, Lina had skinned her knee playing outside, and Kane was there in an instant to comfort her like it was the most natural thing in the world.People around have started noticing it too.When they ask me, I gi
Josephine POVIt was strange being back in Kisatchie National Forest. So much had changed in five years, but the forest remained the same. I still found it beautiful and peaceful despite knowing it harbored my kidnapped son. That wasn’t the forest’s fault, though.Jules waited for us just off the r
Josephine POVI caressed his back and chest. He’d been muscular before, but now, he was bulkier than ever. His body was solid stone, yet he touched me with such gentleness. I needed more.I knew I shouldn’t open that door again, especially when I wasn’t ready to forgive him. My heart remained caged
Caleb POVFate certainly had a way of doing something. Like deciding Josephine was my mate when I didn’t want one. It felt like the hand of destiny was still trying to push us together.“Something like that,” I said with a sigh. “I’m pretty sure the wolf, Josephine, is the one who sold Frankie the
Josephine POVI hesitated. Having Caleb spend time with Theo was asking for trouble. What if Caleb figured out that Theo was his son? I couldn’t stop my hands from trembling, but my wolf wanted me to trust Caleb and let him take care of me. I wasn’t in a state to deny my wolf—not while fear still g







