Jake’s POV
The twilight air was calm as John and I sat on the porch, the sky streaked with hues of purple and orange. The clan had been unusually quiet lately, and for the first time in months, it felt like we could breathe. It was a rare moment of peace, and the upcoming moonlight party seemed like the perfect opportunity to celebrate.
John leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head. “Feels good, doesn’t it? No threats, no unnecessary drama. Just peace.”
I nodded, my gaze fixed on the horizon. “Yeah, it’s been a long time coming. Let’s hope it stays this way.”
He chuckled lightly. “Don’t jinx it, Jake. Trouble has a way of finding us when we least expect it.”
We shared a laugh, but my thoughts were elsewhere. The party wasn’t just a celebration; it was a time for significant decisions. Decisions I wasn’t sure I was ready for.
After a few moments of silence, I cleared my throat. “So… have you decided?”
John raised an eyebrow. “Decided what?”
“Who you want your mate to be,” I said, keeping my tone casual, though my heart raced.
John smirked, then sighed, his expression softening. “Yeah, I have.”
I leaned forward slightly, trying to read his face. “And?”
“Reyna,” he said simply.
My stomach twisted. I forced myself to keep a neutral expression. “Why Reyna?”
He smiled, his eyes distant, as if picturing her. “Because she understands me. She gets who I am, beyond the title of Alpha. She makes me feel complete, Jake. And… I think she loves me.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I clenched my fists under the table, struggling to keep my emotions in check. Reyna loved him? The thought was unbearable, but I had no right to say anything.
For a long moment, I said nothing. Then, I forced myself to speak. “What if the Moon Goddess says she’s not your mate?”
John’s smile faltered, and his gaze shifted to me, his expression unreadable. “I’d rather not talk about it,” he said, his voice firm.
I nodded slowly, biting back the urge to press further. There was no point. His mind was made up, and I had no claim to Reyna.
John stood, stretching his arms above his head. “I’m heading inside. I need to prepare for tomorrow. Big day and all.”
I nodded again, watching him walk back into the house, his steps confident and sure. As the door closed behind him, I finally let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
The evening air suddenly felt stifling. I stood and walked to the edge of the porch, staring into the darkness beyond the trees.
Reyna.
Her name echoed in my mind, bringing with it a wave of emotions I couldn’t suppress. She wasn’t mine to want, and yet I couldn’t stop myself.
Clenching my jaw, I turned and headed toward the woods. I needed to clear my head, to remind myself that some things were out of my control.
But no matter how far I walked, the thought of Reyna never left me.
___
Stephanie’s POV
I sat on the edge of my bed, absentmindedly twisting the corner of my blanket in my hand. The silence of my room was almost comforting, but my mind refused to rest. Then, my phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling me from my thoughts.
Reaching for it, I noticed the message came from an unknown number. My heart sank, but curiosity got the better of me. Opening it, I froze.
“I’m at the coordinates I sent earlier. Please come alone. It’s Sarah.”
Sarah.
I hadn’t heard from her in what felt like forever. Relief and anxiety collided as I read the message again, my chest tightening. What had she gotten herself into now? And why did it feel like she was running from something?
I stood up, slipping into a jacket and boots, and grabbed my phone. My mind raced as I headed for the door. I had to see her.
Just as I stepped into the hallway, I heard her voice behind me.
“Stephanie.”
I turned to see Diane standing a few feet away, her arms crossed, her expression as sharp as ever.
“Where are you going?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
I plastered on a calm smile, even as my heart thumped loudly in my chest. “I need some air. Just going to unwind for a bit.”
Her eyes narrowed as she stepped closer. “Air? Really? I don’t believe you. You’re up to something.”
I shrugged, keeping my tone light. “Believe whatever you want, Diane. I don’t owe you an explanation.”
I didn’t give her a chance to respond. Turning on my heel, I walked away, forcing myself not to look back even as I felt her piercing gaze follow me down the hallway.
Once I was outside, I quickly hailed a cab and gave the driver the location Sarah had sent. The ride was quiet except for the occasional sound of the driver tapping the steering wheel. My thoughts, however, were anything but calm. What was Sarah doing in such a secluded place? And why did I feel like this meeting would only bring more trouble?
We finally arrived. The jungle was thick and quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. I stepped out of the cab, paid the driver, and stood for a moment, scanning my surroundings. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers.
Taking a deep breath, I moved farther into the dense trees, my footsteps crunching softly against the underbrush. Once I was sure I was alone, I pulled out my phone and called her.
The line clicked, and her voice came through, soft but familiar. “Stephanie?”
“I’m here,” I said, relief washing over me.
A few moments later, Sarah emerged from behind a cluster of trees. She looked thinner, her clothes slightly disheveled, but it was her.
I ran toward her, and we hugged tightly. Tears blurred my vision as I felt her tremble in my arms.
“I thought I’d lost you,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
“I missed you so much,” she said, pulling back slightly to look at me.
We sat down on a fallen log, and she began to talk. She told me about how she’d been hiding, how Sally and Marcus had been hunting her down. Her voice cracked with emotion as she recounted close calls and sleepless nights.
“They won’t stop until they find me,” she said, her hands trembling slightly.
I placed a hand over hers. “You’re safe now. But you need to stay hidden. Don’t let them find you, no matter what.”
She nodded, tears streaming down her face. “I’ll tell you everything the next time we meet. I just… I need to figure out my next move.”
As much as I wanted to press her for details, I knew this wasn’t the time. She was scared, and pushing her wouldn’t help.
When it was time for me to leave, I hugged her tightly again. “Stay safe, okay? I’ll find a way to help you.”
Just as I was walking away, my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Reyna.
“Where are you?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
“I’m just out in the jungle, clearing my head. I’ll be back soon,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
After the call ended, Sarah gave me a curious look. “Who’s Reyna?”
“She’s a friend,” I said simply, though the bond I shared with Reyna was much deeper than that.
Sarah nodded but didn’t press further. As I walked back to the cab, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far bigger than any of us could handle.