The hunt
Kelsey's POV
I watched the she-wolf in front of me, completely captivated by her beauty, her scent, her very presence. She was everything forbidden—her father had betrayed us. I should have been keeping my distance, my guard up. But she was too tempting, her allure too strong to ignore. Her beauty was almost otherworldly, a magnetic force that had me hooked from the start.
What did I feel for her? I wasn’t sure yet. But I knew I wouldn’t let her go. I wanted her in ways I could barely contain—wanted to pin her against the wall, lose myself in her until there was nothing else. We’d been seeing each other for three weeks, and I’d never felt so alive. When she was with me, everything else faded away, and when she took control; riding me...let’s just say, no one else could ever compare.
But there was one complication. Cassie. She wanted Talon, wanted to become his Luna—and that worked perfectly for me. If she became Luna, my plans would fall into place seamlessly. Revenge was a fire in my veins, hotter than any desire I felt for her. And I knew how to keep her coming back, even if her heart started leaning toward Talon.
To make sure she’d have her chance with him, I started with threats, targeting Talon’s human assistant. I sent him a warning to keep her out of Cassie’s way, and, sure enough, word had come back that Talon had fired her. But I wouldn’t stop there. I’d keep up the pressure until Talon and Cassie were together, no matter the cost.
Cassie appeared beside me, breaking my thoughts as she pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “Hey, babe,” she murmured, her voice light and happy as she slid into the seat beside me.
“Hey,” I replied, barely masking the way my pulse quickened. Just her presence stirred something primal in me.
Her gaze held mine, her eyes searching. “You still haven’t told me much about yourself. Which pack are you from? What do you do?”
I offered a sad smile, weaving the story as smoothly as I could. “I’m a rogue now,” I said, my voice low. “Lost my parents when I was young. Just scraping by as an accountant in a factory.”
Her face softened with sympathy as she pulled me into a hug. “That’s awful. You’re stronger than you know.”
But as she pulled back, a thoughtful look settled over her face. “We should stop meeting here. Maybe a hotel would be safer. I don’t want anyone to see us and risk ruining things with Talon. I still have a chance with him—at becoming Luna.”
I forced a calm nod, suppressing the flash of irritation sparking inside. “Whatever you think is best.”
She offered a small smile, clearly pleased with my compliance, then leaned closer, her hand trailing to my shoulder as her lips found mine once more. And despite every lie I’d spun, there was a thrill in the kiss, something that felt real, something I wanted more of.
Later that night, as I walked alone under the cold, silent stars, my mind replayed her words. The need for revenge clashed against a desire I couldn’t quite name. But this wasn’t about choice, it was about control. Cassie thought she had it over me; Talon thought he was free of her. Little did they know I held the strings that tied them both.
A buzz jolted me from my thoughts—a message from my burner phone, the one only my spies had access to.
"Talon’s onto you, Kelsey. He’s closing in. You’d better lay low."
The words sank in, but instead of fear, a slow, calculating grin spread across my face.
Let him come.
Talon’s POV
Anthena's voice echoed in my head, the hurt in her tone as she reminded me of what I’d said only a day ago. Part of me wanted to pull her close, tell her I hadn’t meant it. I wanted to take the letter and tear it to shreds, assure her that she was safe here with me. My wolf howled in frustration, urging me to hold her, to never let her go. But I couldn’t. I had to keep her safe, even if it meant pushing her away.
And to make sure she had a way forward, I called in a favor. My contact at The Stars Entertainment was hesitant; he said she lacked acting skill, but I insisted. It was the least I could do for her, even if she’d never know it was me.
Later, I found myself in the palace dungeons, standing before Beta Sam. He glared up at me, chained, a bitter smile twisting his face.
"Look who’s graced me with his presence,” he sneered. “The bastard Alpha. Did you finally remember you left me to rot down here?”
I stared down at him, unblinking. “I would never forget you, Sam,” I replied coolly. “How could I, when you did such a noble thing for the pack by murdering your Alpha and Luna?”
Shock flickered across his face before he quickly masked it. For three years, I’d avoided coming here, trying to leave that part of the past buried. But I was done running.
“And what if I told you my mate is human?” I continued, meeting his gaze with a steely look.
He sputtered, his shock breaking through. “A human mate? That’s an abomination. You’re cursed, Talon—a disgrace to the moon goddess.”
I laughed coldly, dismissing his nonsense. I wasn’t here to argue about beliefs; I had real problems to deal with.
“Something’s been attacking the pack’s borders,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “And I’m getting threats. My instincts tell me your sons are behind this.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed, and he strained against his chains. “Don’t you dare blame my sons for your own failures,” he spat, though his voice quivered.
I smirked, bending down to his level. “We’ll see. You’re going to help me find them, Sam. I’ll make sure of it.”
At that moment, my phone buzzed. It was Evans. “Alpha, we’ve found the rogue hideout.”
Relief swept through me. Finally, we had a lead. “We’ll handle it,” I said, casting one last look at Sam as I left the dungeon. His furious shouts echoed behind me, but I was already focused on the mission ahead.
Hours later, I led a team of warriors through the thick forest, our path lit only by the silvery glow of the moon. The rogue hideout loomed ahead, a dark cabin hidden among the trees. I signaled for silence and drew my weapon, motioning for the men to follow.
I kicked open the door, bracing for an ambush. But inside, the room was silent and cold. The place had been ransacked—papers scattered, drawers left open. They’d been here but had fled.
“They’re gone,” I muttered, frustration tightening my jaw. We searched every corner, but it was empty.
As I stepped outside, something shifted in the shadows at the edge of the forest. A figure watched us from the trees, barely visible. I met its gaze—eyes glowing with a malevolent gleam—before it vanished into the darkness.
An unsettling certainty settled in my gut. The figure in the shadows was gone, but the feeling of being watched lingered. My instincts screamed that they were playing with us, taunting us. Whoever had been behind that glare in the trees wanted us to know they were close—close enough to strike.
I turned to the warriors. "Double the watch on the borders. No one leaves or enters without my permission. And find out if anyone’s seen movement near the human territories," I ordered, my voice low and tense.
As we walked back through the forest, I kept my senses sharp, scanning every rustling leaf, every whisper of wind. My thoughts drifted to Anthena who was supposed to be out of my life for her safety. And yet, the more I tried to protect her, the closer danger seemed to follow.
Back at the camp, I lingered by the tents, lost in thought. That’s when my phone buzzed—a text from an unknown number.
"You think you can protect her, Talon? You’ve already failed. She’s closer to us than you think. Stop searching, or we’ll make you pay."
The words seared into my mind, each one twisting like a blade. My blood turned to ice as the realization hit—I hadn’t just lost ground; I’d unknowingly led them closer to Anthena. She was still in danger, more than ever, and now, they were taunting me, daring me to make a move.
A chill crept up my spine as I scanned my surroundings. Someone was watching me, tracking my every step, keeping me right where they wanted. My enemies weren’t just one step ahead—they were right here, in the shadows, closing in fast.
The hunt was far from over. But now, it felt like a trap closing around me.