With her pack destroyed and parents killed Everleigh Grey goes on the journey to escape and comes face to face with her mate.

Chapter 3 : Shadows and Ashes

Everleigh’s world tilted, her knees threatening to give way beneath her. Her father’s lifeless body lay at her feet, his blood seeping into the wooden floorboards.

“No…” Her voice cracked, raw and broken. She dropped to her knees, clutching his hand, but it was already cold.

Isaac’s shadow loomed over her. “Don’t waste your tears, little wolf. He was nothing more than an obstacle.”

Rage ignited in her chest. She shot to her feet, dagger flashing, and lunged. Her blade scraped across Isaac’s arm, drawing a shallow line of red.

He caught her wrist before she could strike again, his grip like iron. “Ah,” he purred, eyes glinting with cruel delight. “There’s the fire I wanted to see.”

Everleigh struggled, snarling, her wolf howling inside her. But his strength was monstrous—unnatural. He wrenched the dagger from her hand and tossed it aside.

Outside, the battle was already lost. Through the shattered windows she saw her pack falling one by one, overwhelmed by rogues. Wolves she’d grown up with—friends, family—were dragged to the ground, their cries cut short.

Smoke burned her lungs. The scent of blood was everywhere.

Her mother’s scream pierced the air. Everleigh twisted in time to see her mother fall, pinned beneath two massive rogues.

“Mother!” she cried, thrashing in Isaac’s hold.

But Isaac only tightened his grip, forcing her against his chest as if she were already his prize. He leaned close, his breath hot against her ear.

“You belong to me now, Everleigh Grey. Your pack is mine. Your future is mine.”

Her mother’s voice cut through the chaos, weak but fierce: “Everleigh—fight him. Never give in!”

Then a rogue’s claws silenced her forever.

Something inside Everleigh shattered. A strangled sob broke free, her body trembling with fury and grief.

Isaac tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Don’t worry,” he said with a smile that made her blood run cold. “You’ll give me strong sons. And together, we’ll rebuild this pack in my image.”

Her heart pounded. Her breath came in ragged gasps.

But deep inside, past the grief and terror, one thought burned like fire:

I will kill you, Isaac Maes. Even if it’s the last thing I do.