we will get through this together

Black Night Pack – Around 8 PM

Alpha Leo's Point of View

The evening air was thick with tension, the moonlight barely peeking through the dense forest canopy surrounding the Black Night Pack's estate. A low growl simmered in my chest as I faced Steve, the Alpha from Silver Crescent Pack. His presence here—on my land, in my home—was becoming intolerable.

And then I made a choice.

Before Steve could react, I moved. Swift and silent. I reached for Ava, grabbing her wrist firmly but not enough to harm her. My eyes flicked to Rex, and he instantly understood my silent command. In one smooth motion, he moved toward Emma and gripped her as well.

"Let them go, Leo!" Steve barked, his voice laced with fury and warning.

I turned toward him slowly, baring my canines. My voice was calm but laced with steel. "And why should I do that, Steve? You don't get to command me—not when you're in my pack, under my roof."

"You're crossing a line," he growled.

"If you don't leave my pack this instant," I said, stepping closer to Ava, "I will mark her. I'll make her mine. And then I'll do anything I want with her." I tilted Ava's chin upward and bared my sharp teeth just inches from her neck, letting my intent sink in.

"You can't do that, Leo," Steve snapped, stepping forward. "You'll regret it."

Before he could say more, a sharp scream cut through the air.

We all turned. Emma's voice echoed in the room, raw with pain. Rex had her tightly in his grip, his hand squeezing her breast with brutal force. She whimpered and struggled, but he only smirked with satisfaction.

"What you're doing is wrong! Please let me go, Leo!" my wolf, Leon, roared in my head, but I blocked him. I wasn't ready to let him surface—not now. Not when I was in control.

"Please, don't hurt them," Steve said, his voice cracking. "Please, Leo, you're better than this."

I let out a dark chuckle and looked him in the eyes. "Oh, Steve. I never thought I'd hear you beg."

Ava whimpered in my grasp, and I brought my claw to her arm, dragging it slowly across her soft skin. Blood bloomed from the shallow wounds, trickling down her hand. She screamed and writhed.

"I'm sorry! Please, stop—it hurts!" she cried, tears falling freely.

But I ignored her. My anger, my pride, my wolf's possessiveness clouded every other thought. Rex, meanwhile, continued tormenting Emma. His hand crept dangerously close to her waistband, his grin stretching wider.

"If you don't leave," Rex said coldly, "you'll watch me finger-fuck her in front of everyone."

Steve's face turned pale. He looked between me and Rex, and then at Ava and Emma. With a defeated sigh, he finally muttered, "Fine. Okay. I'll leave. Just… stop hurting them."

He motioned to his guards, gathering them swiftly. The large wooden oak door groaned as it opened, and one of my warriors closed it behind them with a heavy thud. The moment they were gone, I shoved Ava to the ground. Rex did the same with Emma. The two girls crawled toward each other, huddling together on the floor, trembling and sobbing, asking if the other was okay.

I scoffed. Weak. Fragile. But something strange tugged at my chest when I saw Ava's arm. The wounds were gone. Healed. That was Leon's doing—my wolf had stepped in, even though I had blocked him. He couldn't bear seeing her hurt.

She didn't even have her wolf yet. Not until I mated her. And yet…

I pushed the thought aside and signaled for a guard.

"Take them to their room. Let them stay together," I ordered.

The guard obeyed, dragging the girls up roughly by their arms. Ava cried out softly, but I turned away, not wanting to see her face again.

Rex stood beside me, still smirking. "They'll behave now," he said.

"They better," I replied, voice flat.

---

Ava & Emma's Room

Ava's Point of View

The door slammed shut behind us, the sound of the lock clicking from outside sealing our fate for the night. We stumbled into the room, still shaking, tears fresh on our faces.

But then I looked around.

The room was… beautiful. Spacious and decorated with soft hues of pinks and blues. A large master-sized bed sat in the center, big enough for five or six people. Elegant white shelves lined the walls, filled with books, photo frames, and scented candles. Two cozy couches sat near the tall windows, and stylish lamps cast a soft, warm glow across the room.

A large wardrobe stood open, revealing rows of designer clothes in various sizes and colors. The attached bathroom was even more impressive—modern, clean, filled with every kind of bath product you could imagine. Makeup kits, sanitary pads, soaps, oils, and creams filled the shelves. The bathtub was massive, surrounded by rose-scented candles.

Despite everything, I had to admit it—this room was amazing.

But Emma's sobbing pulled me from my thoughts. I rushed to her side.

"Emma, are you okay?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her trembling body.

"How can I be okay, Ava?" she sobbed. "How can I be fine when my mate—the one I've waited twenty-three years for—hates me?"

I swallowed hard, tears stinging my own eyes. "I know how you feel," I whispered. "Leo hates me too… maybe even more. But what can we do? All we can do is pray the Moon Goddess opens their hearts. Maybe someday they'll see us differently."

Emma sniffled, curling closer to me. "Maybe. I mean… they didn't throw us in a dungeon. They gave us this beautiful room."

I nodded. "Exactly. There's still a spark of something… even if it's buried under all their pride and rage."

"You're right," Emma said quietly. "But… I can't just stay here. I want to go home, Ava."

I looked at her sadly. "How are we going to escape?"

"We'll sneak out. When no one's looking," she whispered. "We wait a few days—just until they stop watching us so closely. Then… we run. Back to our pack. Back home."

I nodded slowly. "That's a good plan. We'll wait. And when the time is right… we leave."

Emma offered a shaky smile. "But for now, let's clean up. Change into something more comfortable. Eat, if they bring food. Try to rest."

I hugged her tightly. "We'll get through this. Together."

She nodded. "Together."