The arrival of our twins had brought immense joy and challenges to our lives. Lia's recovery was a slow process, but her determination to be a loving mother to Sarah and Leo never wavered. Every day, I saw the incredible bond that was forming between her and our children. Despite the hardships we had faced and the sacrifices Lia had made, our family was complete. I cherished every moment with Lia and our twins, knowing that we had come through a life-threatening ordeal together. The battle with Marcus still loomed over us, and the responsibilities of being an Alpha never ceased. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, especially with the safety of my mate and our children at stake. One evening, as I sat in my office, deep in thought about the challenges that lay ahead, there was a knock on the door. Thomas entered, his expression serious. "Alpha, there's something I need to tell you." I looked up, co

I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over our pack like a heavy shroud after Samantha's shocking betrayal. The days that followed were marked by a sense of dread that hung over me, and it left me in a state of agony. Samantha, my supposed friend, had deceived us all, and the pain of that betrayal cut deep.Samantha had slipped something in my drink that made me pass out and told me she'll take care of the kids, while I take a nap.Thomas was still recovering from the injury he had sustained while trying to protect the pack during the attack, and his absence weighed heavily on my heart. I longed for his comforting presence and the reassurance of his friendship.Max and Ethan, Max's most trained tracker had spared no effort in searching for Samantha and our son, Leo, but all their efforts had yielded no sign of her. The uncertainty and fear gnawed at me, leaving me with a sense of helplessness. Would I lose another child once more?One evening, as the sun was setting,

The realization hit me like a sledgehammer. The torn fabric, Lia's sudden disappearance, and the eerie absence of her scent all pointed to one terrifying possibility. My heart pounded in my chest as fear and anger surged through me. Ethan's eyes mirrored my horror, and we both knew that time was of the essence. Marcus had managed to outmaneuver us, and now Lia's life hung in the balance. "I have to find her," I said, my voice trembling with urgency. "I can't let Marcus harm her." Ethan nodded, his jaw set in determination. "I'll gather every available tracker, Max. We won't stop until we bring her back safely, he couldn't have taken her that far." As we hurriedly organized a larger search party, my thoughts raced. Marcus had proven himself to be cunning and ruthless, and I couldn't even begin to imagine what he might do to Lia, seeing she had thwarted some of his plans. The pack

In that chilling moment, as Marcus revelled in his sinister victory, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of despair. I had hoped that my defiance would somehow save me and protect my family, but now, I found myself trapped in a nightmare of Marcus's making. My mind raced with thoughts of Max and Leo, the ones I loved and who depended on me. The gruesome sight of the fallen pack members and Elder Alaric haunted me, a brutal reminder of the consequences of my choices. But even in the darkest of moments, a spark of determination still flickered within me. I couldn't allow myself to give in to Marcus, to become his pawn. I had to find a way out, not just for my sake, but for the memory of those who had paid the price for my defiance. Amidst Marcus's cruel taunts and laughter, he took a step closer, his sinister grin widening. He seemed to relish every moment of my torment, reveling in the power he held over me.

Max POVAs the battle raged on, the forest itself seemed to be an extension of Marcus's dark will, and the twisted trees continued their relentless assault. Each strike from their gnarled branches sent shockwaves of pain through our bodies, but we refused to yield. Lia's golden eyes blazed with a fierce determination as she fought back against the malevolent energy that had consumed the forest. Her connection to nature was her greatest weapon, and with each powerful counterattack, she pushed the darkness back. I watched Lia in awe, her strength and resilience inspiring me to keep going. She was the love of my life, the mother of our children, and I would do anything to protect her and our family. With each strike from the twisted trees, I felt the pain and exhaustion weighing on my body, but I couldn't afford to falter. The lives of our pack members and the fate of the world depended on our success.&