AUTHOR'S POVCameron's eyes zoomed in on something he couldn't make out properly in Athena's hand before she quickly moved to put it away. He grew curious about what was happening but ignored it thinking it might be something private to Luna. “What is it?” Xavier's eyes narrowed at Cameron in curiosity. “Colby has gained consciousness,” Xavier breathed out a sigh of relief. “—But there is something else as well.” The solemn look on Cameron's face told Xavier that he wasn't going to like the next news. “What?” He gritted, forcefully. “We've received a letter. It's waiting for you in the office.” Xavier's jaw clenched as his whole body grew stiff. It was surely bad news waiting for him. “Let's go,” was all I said before marching out of the room. ************XAVIER'S POV As I stood there in the dimly lit study, the weight of the letter in my hand felt like a boulder pressing down on my chest. The smooth paper trembled against my fingertips, its crisp edges mocking the chaos brewi

XAVIER'S POVMy heart raced as we thundered back to the pack, Cameron right behind me with Devon and our warriors flanking us. The urgency in our strides mirrored the gravity of the situation. I should've been more careful. I should've known that this all could have been a trap. And I fuckign walked straight into it. Fuck! I just hoped Athena was fine. But the moment we stepped foot in our territory, the sight that greeted us was of chaos and despair. Bodies lay strewn across the ground, some motionless, others writhing in pain. The scent of blood hung thick in the air, mingling with the acrid tang of fear. My instincts screamed to protect my pack, to hunt down those responsible and make them pay.Cameron’s voice cut through the turmoil. “Oneka!” his concern was palpable as he rushed to Oneka’s side. I followed suit, my heart sinking as I beheld the sight of his mate, injured and vulnerable. Blood trickled from a gash on her forehead, her breaths ragged with exertion.“What happened?

XAVIER'S POV It has been one day, fourteen hours and twenty four minutes, and no sign of Athena. I stood and watched as Cameron tended to Oneka's injured arm, changing the bandage. She was giving me the details of everything that happened since the moment we left. “I'm sorry, Alpha. I tried. I really did. But they had outnumbered us. There were just too many of them. I couldn't get to her in time. Something pierced her neck and then she collapsed while trying to fight off a wolf,” she explained as Cameron continued tightening the bandage on her arm. The dullness in her voice spoke enough for how much she felt the loss of not being able to get to her in time. I didn't blame her. Fuck, I don't blame anyone but myself. I had to be more cautious, knowing that our enemy was strong. Why the fuck did I not realize that it all could have been just a trap. I should have been more careful. But it was too late now. They took her away. My love, my Athena. And we tried to search everywhere we co

ONEKA'S POVWe stand silent, my mind running over the possible excuses I could come up with. Why did mum have to come here in the first place? Athena. Right. She was missing. But now, how are we going to get out of this mess? Now I understood what Athena might have gone through when I sneaked into the pack and Xavier caught us. Well, what could I say….like mother like daughter. “I didn't know we were having a guest over..” Cameron trailed, not knowing what else to say. Obviously, he was looking at me to explain what a woman was doing in our bedroom. “Oh yes umm…Cameron. She is—”“Your mother? Right?” I frowned. How did he know that? “I'm sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop but while I was coming in, I might have heard you call her your mom.” Oh. Well. We are surely busted now. “Is everything alright though? You never talked about your mom before, and now that she is here, I think it might be something important.” “Yes. Everything is alright. I..didn't know actually. That she was comi

ATHENA’S POVThe chains bit into my wrists, their cold metal links a constant reminder of my captivity. I could feel the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me, every muscle strained from the endless struggle against the restraints. How long had it been since I last roamed freely? Days blurred into nights, merging into an unending cycle of captivity.Through the small opening in the ceiling, a sliver of light teased my senses, a cruel reminder of the world beyond these damp walls. Day and night danced in an eternal waltz, but for me, time had become an abstract concept, lost in the depths of my confinement.Footsteps echoed in the darkness, the sound reverberating through the cold, dank basement. Scarlet's silhouette materialized, her presence a mix of dread and fleeting hope. She was the one I loved, yet the one who held the key to my suffering."Athena," her voice cut through the oppressive silence, carrying with it the weight of inevitability.I turned my gaze towards her, the ch