The air in the infirmary grew thick with tension as Darius pushed open the door and stepped into the room. The sterile scent of disinfectants hung in the air as Darius entered, the familiar surroundings doing little to soothe the uneasy knot in his stomach. His eyes immediately sought out Michael, his third-in - command, a silent inquiry etched in the furrow of his brows. The atmosphere intensified as Michael held up a picture, and a sudden exclamation from Prius, who had just walked in, filled the room."What the fuck," Prius exclaimed loudly, his eyes zeroing in on the image in Michael's hands.Darius's hand shot forward, taking hold of the photograph, his fingers tracing the outline of the mysterious figure. His brow furrowed, a storm of conflicting emotions playing across his face. "What's the meaning of this, Alpha?" Sera's voice, tinged with nervousness, cut through the charged atmosphere.Darius tore his gaze from the picture to meet Sera's eyes."This person," he said, snatching
Sera took a deep breath, preparing to reveal a crucial detail. "Jasper isn't born an ordinary lynx," she disclosed. "He's a hybrid—a mix of Warlock and lynx. Fearing he might be discovered and kidnapped, Blaine cast a spell on his own son, concealing Jasper's true nature and giving him the appearance of an ordinary human. The spell is designed to automatically lift during the Black Moon coinciding with his 18th birthday. By then, he should have been found by his mate, even if Jasper doesn't recognize them yet."She paused, eyes on the ceiling as if bracing herself for what was to come next. "Alpha, you mentioned he had shifted already, and the only reason for that is because he was in grave danger."Silence engulfed the room; Darius started pacing, both hands buried in his hair. Sensing his distress, Prius walked up to the Alpha, pulling him to a stop by his shoulder and facing him. "We will find him, Darius," the Beta reassured.Noticing Darius's agitation, Sera stepped closer, lockin
In just over a week, John's life underwent a significant transformation when he crossed paths with Carla and reunited with his childhood friend, Luke, in the vibrant atmosphere of "The Howler"—a place now feeling like the home he had always sought. Thriving in his role as a waiter, the hustle and bustle, combined with the genuine satisfaction of serving customers, made the job more than just a source of income.For the first time, John had a place to call his own. Although old, it wasn't just any accommodation; it was a gift from Carla, a testament to her generosity. Inside the cozy trailer at the back of The Howler, the modest furniture exuded warmth, turning the place into a true home. A well-worn recliner, strategically positioned near a small window, served as John's favorite reading nook. Fairy lights adorned the edges, casting a gentle evening ambiance. The scent of a vanilla-scented candle often wafted through the air, creating comfort after a long day at the bar.Shelves showca
The music pulsed through the club, the bass reverberating in sync with the lively energy of the crowd. Carla, orchestrating the night from their corner table, kept the drinks flowing with abandon. Suddenly, she jumped up, pulling John to his feet with a mischievous grin. "Let's hit the floor, you loser. I need to get laid!" she declared with unabashed audacity. Luke and Carla burst into laughter, leaving John looking around, thoroughly embarrassed.Following Carla onto the dance floor, John found himself at the centre of Carla's exuberant antics. She playfully rubbed herself all over him, reveling in the embarrassment etched on the young man's face. "You are too easy, John!" she exclaimed between laughs, her contagious joy spreading to those around them. "More drinks!" she shouted, leaving the two men on the dance floor as she manoeuvred through the crowded club to the bar.John shook his head, watching Carla disappear into the pulsating crowd. He turned to find Luke, only to feel a h
Darius wandered through the empty room, the bed untouched like the day John had entered. John's once-familiar scent, a comforting blend of warmth and familiarity, had dissipated, leaving the room smelling of furniture and lingering dust.Despite numerous returns, each visit emphasized the harsh reality of John's absence. The T-shirt Darius had lent him lay abandoned in the adjacent bathroom, devoid of any lingering scent, and the room echoed with a silent void.Darius's bear, frustrated with the futility of the search within the enclosed space, guided him back to where they first encountered John. Yet even there, John's presence had entirely vanished.Leaning against the closed bedroom door, Darius, eyes closed, grappled with the inherent struggles of his failure; to date, they hadn't located John. Although they knew he had escaped Lex’s men, neither Michael nor Fez had found any trace of him. The Alpha bear clutched at his shirt just above his heart, questioning how he could have been
Prius’ head shot to the side in surprise, leaving him breathless as he gazed at the man standing before him. 'Jasper!' he shouted, momentarily forgetting about Luke as he swiftly moved to grab John, pulling him into a tight hug.Pushing the young man back to ensure it was really him, Prius exclaimed, 'We searched far and wide for you. Come.' He turned around, starting to pull John along.'Hold on a sec,' Carla interjected, placing a hand on her brother's chest. 'Not so fast. What's the meaning of all this, brother? And why did you just call him Jasper?' she questioned.'Oh, Carla, I don’t have time for this. We have to go see Darius. It is important,' Prius insisted, continuing to step around his sister and pulling John with him. 'We'll explain everything once we're in his office.'John suddenly pulled his hand away from Prius' grip, noticing Luke's pained expression at Prius' actions. Observing the anguish on his friend's face, John's anger surged. "How could Prius do this to his ow
"Looks like someone's life just got a plot twist worthy of a bestseller!" Carla snickered.Darius grunted in annoyance; his stoic expression made it clear he didn't find the comment amusing. "I'm going after him," he said abruptly, leaving the room before anyone could stop him."Well, that was awkward," Carla chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. As everyone started leaving the room, Luke suggested, "I guess we should see if we can go find him," making a move toward the door. Prius, however, stopped him with a gentle touch on his arm. "Can you actually stay for a sec?" he requested, his tone serious.Carla sat back down, one leg crossing the other, and leaned back on the couch. She looked up at her brother, hearing him clear his throat. Her lips formed an 'O' as she realized she wasn't part of the stay package. Carla bounced up from the sofa. "See you later, loser," she said, waggling her brows at the Beta.As she crossed the threshold, she linked Prius. "You dare hurt him,
Lex leaned in, his eyes narrowing with a sinister gleam. "Where is he, Kali?" he demanded, his voice dripping with malice.Kali, with a wicked smile, leaned back in her dark chair. "In Wildwood Haven, Lex," she purred, relishing the anticipation in Lex's predatory stance. "But we need to act swiftly before the Blackmoon is fully risen. That's when his power will peak."Lex shot forward, his hand closing around the witch's neck. "How did you only find him now?" he growled, his deranged eyes shining red as his wolf came to the surface. "Have you been playing me all this time?"Kali grabbed his wrist with both hands in an attempt to get him to release her as she struggled to form words. "Just... appeared," she wheezed through.A current raised from the witch's hand shocked through Lex's arm, causing him to loosen his grip on her neck and eventually release her. He looked at the map that Kali had unrolled on the table. "You better be telling the truth," he said, a deadly warning in his