Diane’s POV
I sat down at the edge of the bed, my thoughts swirling as I replayed Nene’s words in my mind. The lords were coming to pick a mate for the Alpha. This was unexpected. John had always been quiet about his intentions when it came to choosing a Luna, and now the decision was being forced upon him.
Was he aware of this? Or was this a decision being made behind his back?
I took another slow drag from the cigarette, the smoke trailing upwards as I exhaled. If the lords were coming, it meant the selection would be public. Whoever they chose would hold incredible influence over the pack-and over John.
But why hadn’t I heard about it sooner? How could something this important be whispered about only among sentinels? There had to be more to it than what Nene overheard.
And then there was Stephanie. I’d been keeping my distance, watching her with careful eyes ever since she arrived. There was something too polished about her story, something too perfect. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe she had suffered or that she had a past that haunted her. It was that I felt like she was hiding a part of that story, a part she didn’t want any of us to know.
I stood up and began pacing the room, the cigarette still burning between my fingers. My mind kept flashing back to her face, the way she carried herself in the pack. She seemed to fit in too easily, but at the same time, I could sense her restraint. And I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that I’d seen her somewhere before.
What if Stephanie was more dangerous than we realized? If the lords were coming to choose a mate for John, this could be the perfect opportunity for her to manipulate her way into a position of power. I had to figure out what her true motives were, and fast.
Crushing the cigarette in the ashtray, I made up my mind. I would dig deeper into Stephanie’s past, and I would use Nene to keep an eye on her every move. There was no way I’d allow anyone to undermine the pack, especially when the future of the Alpha and the pack itself was at stake.
And if Stephanie turned out to be a threat, I would handle her myself. One way or another.
Brushing off the ashes from my fingers, I made my way to the window and looked out at the forest surrounding the estate. The dark trees loomed in the distance, an endless sea of secrets. Just like Stephanie.
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Jake’s POV
We walked in silence through the corridors of the estate, my mind racing with thoughts. Seth wasn’t the type to be cryptic without reason. He always had a plan, a lesson in mind. Whatever he wanted to show me, I knew it was tied to something bigger-something that could change things.
After descending a few stairs, we reached a part of the estate rarely used. The air was colder here, and the stone walls seemed to close in, making the atmosphere feel more foreboding. Seth walked ahead, his steps steady and purposeful, while I kept my distance, my thoughts growing darker with each step.
“Where are we going, Seth?” I finally asked, unable to hold back my curiosity any longer.
“You’ll see soon enough,” he replied, his voice low.
We turned a corner, and Seth stopped in front of a large wooden door. It was heavy and old, the kind of door that had probably been here for centuries, long before we ever called this estate home. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, unlocking the door with a creak that echoed through the empty halls.
Inside, the room was dimly lit by a single flickering lantern, and the first thing I noticed was the distinct scent of old wood and damp air. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw what looked like a collection of old records and documents, scattered across a massive oak table.
“What is this place?” I asked, stepping further in, my gaze darting around the room.
Seth walked over to the table, picking up a worn leather-bound book. “This is the archive. It’s where we keep the history of our pack, the secrets, the agreements with other clans, and… the truth about the Lycans.”
I narrowed my eyes. “The Lycans? What truth are you talking about?”
Seth handed me the book, his expression grim. “Read it. You’ll understand.”
I flipped through the pages, each one more faded than the last, until I reached a passage detailing an old pact made centuries ago between werewolves and Lycans. The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
“The Lycans are not just increasing in numbers, Jake. They’re preparing for something. And it’s not just about territory or power-it’s about survival,” Seth explained. “There’s an ancient prophecy in that book. One that speaks of a war between our kind and theirs. A war that will change everything.”
I shook my head, trying to process what I was reading. “A war? But why?”
Seth sighed. “It’s the same question we’ve been asking for years.”
I looked up from the book, my blood running cold. “So, what does this have to do with me?”
Seth’s eyes met mine, and in that moment, I saw the weight of everything he’d been carrying. “You’re not just an Alpha, Jake. You’re more than that. If the prophecy is true, you’re going to play a much bigger role in the coming war than you realize. And Reyna… she’s part of it too.”
I slammed the book shut, feeling a surge of frustration and confusion. “What does Reyna have to do with any of this?”
Seth placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm. “She’s more connected to this than you know. Her father isn’t just trying to bring her back because of family pride. He knows what she represents-what power she holds. You need to be careful around her, Jake. You need to protect her, but also keep your distance.”
“What do we do?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Seth’s expression darkened. “We prepare. We train. And when the time comes, we fight.”