Chapter: Chapter 164I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My 21st birthday, and I felt like a whale. Seven months pregnant, and I was huge. I puffed out a sigh, running my hands over my swollen belly, as I was told to expect popping soon since my babies had Alpha growth.Pups, they called them."I look like a hippopotamus," I muttered, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.Chase appeared behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist. "You're the most beautiful woman in the world," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear.I rolled my eyes. "You're biased."Chase chuckled. "Maybe, but it's true. You're glowing, Elodie. You're perfect."I turned to face him, my eyes searching his. "You really think so?" I sniffed my tears back.Chase nodded with a boyish grin. "I do. You're carrying our child, and that makes you even more beautiful to me."I felt a lump form in my throat. Chase had been my anchor throughout this pregnancy. He'd moved his work home, spending every day with
Last Updated: 2024-11-18
Chapter: Chapter 163_Chase’s POV_I sat beside Elodie's hospital bed, my eyes fixed on her pale face. It had been a week since she'd been admitted, and still, she lay unconscious, her body hooked up to machines and oxygen tubes. The beeping of the monitors and the hiss of the ventilator were the only sounds that broke the silence. My heart ached with every beat, my soul torn apart by the sight of her fragile form.I reached out, taking her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin, but it was a faint warmth. I’d tried to reach her wolf a number of times, but she too was very weak.It was like grasping at smoke. She was there, somewhere, deep within her, but she was weak, so weak. I poured all my energy into the connection, willing her to respond, to stir, to come back to me. But there was only silence.The hospital had provided a bed for me beside hers, and I'd spent every waking moment by her side. I woke up every morning with her hand in mine, and slept every night with her fingers intertwined with
Last Updated: 2024-11-17
Chapter: Chapter 162Chapter 162_Chase’s POV_I paced back and forth in front of the barrier, my mind racing with every possible scenario, most of which I’d rather not recount lest they became real. Elodie had been in there for what felt like an eternity, and I was starting to lose my mind. I tried crossing the barrier again, but it was like running into a brick wall. I was pushed back, my body slamming against a nearby tree."Dammit!" I cursed, my fists clenched in frustration.Laila approached me. I’d seen more empathy in her eyes in the last few minutes than I’d done in my entire life, and if it were under any other circumstances, I would have laughed and asked her if she was losing her touch."Chase, calm down. You're going to hurt yourself,” she placed her hand on my shoulder, and from her misty eyes, I could tell how hard she was trying to control her tears.I turned to her, my eyes blazing with anger. "Calm down? You want me to calm down? Elodie's in there with a man who’s capable of doing……God k
Last Updated: 2024-11-17
Chapter: Chapter 161My mind was a jumble of emotions as I stood there, frozen in shock. But as I gazed into the face of the man before me, a memory long buried rose to the surface. I was a child again, sitting on my father's lap, listening to his deep, rumbling voice as he read me a bedtime story. His eyes sparkled with amusement, his hands making animations, and his smile was warm and gentle. I felt safe, loved, and cherished."Elodie, my little star," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear.His voice cut through the daze, and I felt like I was dreaming. I wanted to believe I was dreaming. But as I looked into his eyes, I knew it was real. He was really there, standing in front of me, unchanged since the day he...since the day he died.I stumbled backward, my mind reeling. It couldn't be. My father was dead. I had mourned him, blamed myself for his death. The pain and guilt had haunted me for years.But there he was, not a day older, not a single strand of gray hair. His eyes, his smile, everything wa
Last Updated: 2024-11-16
Chapter: Chapter 160Chase's face contorted in rage, his eyes blazing with fury. "I'll never let you go in there alone!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the night. My heart broke at the desperation in his eyes, and I rushed back to him, wrapping my arms around his waist."Chase, please," I whispered, burying my face in his chest. "I'll be fine. I promise."But he was beyond reason, and his body trembled with anger. "You're not going in there!" he shouted, his voice hoarse. "I won't let you!"He lightly pushed me away, his eyes scanning the warehouse as if daring the lone wolf to come out. "You want her?" he yelled, his voice carrying across the distance. "You want my mate? Come out and face me, you coward! If you think you're man enough!"The others tried to calm him down, but Chase was unstoppable. He paced back and forth, his eyes blazing with fury, the veins on his neck and forehead pulsing so hard I feared they would erupt. I tried to reason with him, but he wasn't listening."Chase, please,"
Last Updated: 2024-11-16
Chapter: Chapter 159As we stepped out of the office, the crisp night air enveloped us, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant howl of feral wolves that made my heart squeeze painfully. "We'll need to be discreet," Chase said, his voice low. "Let's shift."I nodded, the pain momentarily giving way to a thrill of excitement. My wolf stirred within me, eager to be free. I closed my eyes, focusing on the transformation. My body began to shift, my bones snapping, my muscles stretching. My senses heightened, and my skin itched as my fur grew.But as I opened my eyes, I realized everyone was staring at me. Laila's eyes were wide with wonder, and even Gideon's gruff expression softened. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, but Chase's gaze was the only one that mattered. His eyes shone with pride, his face radiant with awe."Elodie," he whispered, his voice husky. "You're...breathtaking."My wolf, pure white and majestic, stood tall, her fur glistening in the moonlight. I felt a surge of power, of freedo
Last Updated: 2024-11-16
Chapter: Chapter 5I stood before the mirror, hardly recognizing the person staring back. The reflection showed a transformed woman, a far cry from the frail, broken girl I once was.Gone was the soft, rounded face, hidden behind layers of fat. My cheekbones now stood defined, my jawline sharp.Gone were the baggy clothes, concealing my body. My new wardrobe accentuated my curves, showcasing toned arms and legs.I’d gotten rid of the bangs, and my long, curly hair cascaded down my back, framing my determined face. My hazel eyes, once dull and lifeless, sparkled with a newfound fire.I gave myself one last one-over before slinging my bag over my shoulder, and walking out of the room.Downstairs, my family awaited. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air, enticing me to join them."Hey, sweetie, you look amazing!" My stepmom, whom I called mom, exclaimed, as I entered the kitchen. Her eyes shone with genuine pride.Dad had married her after my mom died when I was born, and she
Last Updated: 2024-09-27
Chapter: Chapter 4_Max’s POV_I leaned against the rooftop door, watching Kae teeter on the edge. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face stained with tears.Yes, I knew her name, and even though I’d never bothered to talk to her –or anyone else really– I couldn’t help but ne fascinated by how her eyes lit up whenever she spoke about something that interested her.I’d watched her long enough to know.But as I stared at her now, that spark was gone, replaced by soulless depths.I'd seen desperation before.But this?This was something else.A deep-seated pain that seemed to consume her.I didn't do emotions.Not anymore.But something about Kae's brokenness intrigued me.Maybe it was the way she seemed to surrender to the darkness.Or maybe it was the spark of defiance still flickering within her.Whatever it was, I couldn't look away.As I approached her, Kae's eyes flashed with wariness.But I didn't reassure her.I didn't coddle.That wasn't my style."You've got more to lose than you think," I said, my v
Last Updated: 2024-09-27
Chapter: Chapter 3The next morning, I woke up with puffy eyes and a heavy heart. The memory of Jake's cruel words and Victoria's relentless taunts still lingered, making my stomach churn.As I dragged myself to school, the weight of my emotions threatened to suffocate me.The hallways, once familiar and comforting, now seemed like a never-ending gauntlet of ridicule.The school’s gossip mill seemed to be working overtime. The news of our breakup had spread like wildfire, and everyone seemed to be watching me, whispering, and snickering."Hey, Kae-pig, heard Jake finally realized he was dating a whale," someone jeered.I quickened my pace, but the comments followed me. They were everywhere."Looks like someone needs to go on a diet," another voice chimed in.Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.Not here.Not now.I spotted Emily, my former friend, whispering to a group of classmates."Did you hear Jake said she was too fat for him?" Emily giggled.The group erupted in
Last Updated: 2024-09-27
Chapter: Chapter 2We drove to the diner in silence, the tension between us thick. I tried to shake off the feeling of unease, attributing it to Victoria's cruel words earlier.But as we settled into a booth of our favorite diner, Jake's demeanor remained distant."Hey, can I get you something?" the waitress asked, breaking the silence.Jake ordered for us, his brown eyes never meeting mine.As the waitress left, Jake's gaze finally locked onto mine.But instead of warmth, I saw a cold calculation.“Is everything okay?” I asked, fiddling with my fingers under the table, an act I did whenever I was nervous."Kae, we need to talk," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.My heart sank.I didn’t like the sound of that."What's going on?" I asked, trying to sound calm despite the storm that was brewing inside of me.Jake leaned back, his eyes roaming over me."It's just...I don't think this is working out,” he gestured at the empty space between us.My mind reeled."What do you mean? We're fine, aren't we?" I
Last Updated: 2024-09-27
Chapter: Chapter 1The loud ringing of the bell shattered my daydreams, and I snapped my head up, packing my books hastily. The classroom emptied, and I followed, swept up in the sea of students flooding the hallway.It was the end of another torturous day in hell, and the hall was filled with boisterous noise and laughter.As I trudged through the the school hallway, the smell of stale sweat, fresh wax, and the faint scent of cafeteria food filled my nostrils. Lockers creaked open and shut, and the din of chatter and laughter enveloped me. I kept my head down, my bangs shielding my face like a curtain. Maybe if I remained invisible, they'd forget I existed.But fate had other plans.Victoria, the queen bee and my step-sister, strode toward me, her long legs eating up the distance. Her smirk was a warning sign, a precursor to the chaos that was about to ensue."Hey, fatty," she cooed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see you're still struggling to fit into those jeans. Maybe you should try elastic w
Last Updated: 2024-09-27
Chapter: Chapter 153Six years later“And there you go,” I placed Adele's little plate in front of her.“Mama, give daddy some,” she said when she noticed I was yet to serve Ares.“Yeah, give daddy some,” Ares wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.“You're disgusting,” I laughed and swatted his arm before going back to the kitchen to get our own plates.Breakfast went by quickly with Ares asking the kids about their week in school, and light chatter went round the table.After breakfast, I sat on the couch, surrounded by the loves of my life. Ares snuggled beside me, his head on my shoulder, while the twins, Emily and Jackson, and their baby sister Adele, played on the floor. The room was filled with laughter and the sound of tiny feet pattering around.I couldn't help but think about just how lucky I was to have a complete family with the man I love. In the last six years, the pack has thrived to new heights, but no matter how busy he was, Ares always made time for his family and I couldn't be more gratefu
Last Updated: 2024-05-31
Chapter: Chapter 152I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a hospital room, surrounded by beeping machines and sterile walls so white it made my head ache.I felt like I'd been run over a train many times and every part of me ached.Ares jumped up from where he was seating on the couch, grabbing my hand. His eyes were red-rimmed from lack of sleep, tugging at my heart painfully."Hey," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "Welcome back."I tried to speak, but my throat was dry and sore. He helped me sit up, and quickly handed me a glass of water, and I drank greedily, the cold water sliding down my throat and bringing life back to my body.“You're here,” I mumbled after handing the cup back to him.He nodded rapidly and clasped my hand with his, bringing it to his lips. “You're here too. You came back for me,” he kissed my hand.I brought my hand hooked with IV up and ran my fingers through his overgrown hair. His shoulders shook lightly and I knew he was crying.
Last Updated: 2024-05-31
Chapter: Chapter 151I gulped. The malice and anger in his voice were so palpable I didn't doubt him.He sneered, seeing his words had the desired effect on me before pulling away.My eyes followed him as he walked to the far end of the room and picked a sword from the wall.He let the sword hang loosely on his hand and the tip grated on the concrete floor, making a shrill sound.He stopped a few feet in front of me, and I clenched my teeth, looking as bold as I possibly could.“Jason, do we have to kill her?” Galia asked, biting her lips.He turned to her and his eyes narrowed in slits.“Don't tell me you're chickening out now,” he spat.She shifted her weight from one feet to the other, looking uncomfortable. “It's the Alpha we want. We don't have to kill her,” she repeated.“It seems like you've forgotten what this bitch did to you. To me!” He yelled. “Let me remind you.”I could see Galia's resolve breaking, but he was trying to get in her head.“She made you irrelevant. You lived in her shadows for y
Last Updated: 2024-05-31
Chapter: Chapter 150My eyes opened and the first thing I noticed was the banging pain in my head. The room was utterly dark and somewhere in the far corner, I could hear the steady leaking of water, and the putrid smell of the place hit me square in the face.I groaned in pain, as I tried to move the searing pain in around my chest and arms told me I was bound. The silver burned deeply into my skin, causing me to roll my eyes in pain, and stay still on the chair.I felt something cold trickling down the side of my face and one sniff in the air, I knew it was blood.I tried to remember how I'd ended up in this position and after a few seconds of trying, my memory came back to me in bits and pieces till I made sense of the whole picture.I gritted my teeth and tried to break out of my restraints, but the more I did, the more it burned my skin.I closed my eyes to stop the tears that were threatening to fall. Just when everything was beginning to fall in place, this happens.My mind went to Ares, and I tri
Last Updated: 2024-05-31
Chapter: Chapter 149The meeting was dragging on longer than expected, and I shifted uncomfortably many times in my seat.I sat at my place at the head of the table, staring blankly at the papers in front of me while the presenter’s voice grated at my consciousness.I was supposed to be attentive and giving my inputs on crucial business deal with the foreign investors, but my mind kept wandering and my wolf kept pacing, making me even more restless.Pulling out my phone, I dialed her number for the third time and clenched my fist around the device when I was sent straight to her voicemail.I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been plaguing me all day.After a few minutes, I tried to focus on the numbers and figures, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Tabitha, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.I tried to mind-link her through the matebond, but all I got was silence.“Fuck!” I slammed my fist on the table.Some people jumped in fear and others looked up at me warily, concerned
Last Updated: 2024-05-31
Chapter: Chapter 148I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face, feeling like I was walking on air. I was back with Ares, and this time, they were mated. My fingertips traces his mark on my neck and I smiled at the tingly sensation. So this was what being bound to someone felt like.Nyx was as happy as she could be and I'd never felt at peace like I was doing now, in his arms, knowing we had overcome the hurdle that separated us, and I was his like he was mine.It had been two weeks since we got back together, but we still couldn't get enough of each other.We had spent the everyday in these two weeks snuggled up together, only leaving the bed to receive our food that Ares had ordered for, and when totally necessary, and these two weeks have been the happiest of my life.I felt closer to him more than ever now and understood him on a different level since I could now feel what he was feeling through the mate bond, and most times, those feelings were unholy ones that had us tangled underneath the
Last Updated: 2024-05-30
Chapter: Chapter 12_Ryker’s POV_I entered my room and slammed the door with so much force it nearly came off its hinges.My wolf paced wildly in my mind, wanting to be freed, but I knew a run wouldn’t cut it.I couldn’t believe it. She tried to run away from me. She tried to leave me.The mere thoughts of it drove me to the brink of madness. I was so angry, and yet, her innocent eyes had a way of making me impossibly hard.It had taken every ounce of willpower in me not to tear her clothes and claim her tonight.Her scent, her taste, fuck, the scent of her arousal…I couldn’t.No woman had ever had such an effect on me, yet I found myself holding back from flipping her over and fucking her senseless.It was her innocence. It had to be. That innocence in her eyes that told me she had never known any man. That was the only thing giving her grace.But it wouldn’t be long before the thin thread of my patience snapped, and I would take. I would take and take till she had nothing else to give, and even then,
Last Updated: 2024-12-06
Chapter: Chapter 11As we entered the house, Ryker's thunderous voice echoed through the halls, sending shivers down my spine. "Who was the guard in charge of her room?" he demanded, his eyes blazing with fury.The guards assembled before us, their faces pale and trembling with fear. One of them, a burly man with a thick beard, stepped forward, his eyes darting nervously between Ryker and me."I-I was, sir," he stuttered, his voice shaking like a leaf.I had never seen a man so big, so scared in my entire life.Ryker's gaze narrowed, his eyes boring into the guard's very soul. "You were in charge of her room, and yet she managed to escape," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "How do you explain that?"The guard swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. "I-I don't know, sir. I must have fallen asleep at my post."Ryker's expression turned glacial, his eyes flashing with anger, but it was only for a fleeting moment, and a sardonic smile spread across his lip. "You fell asleep at your post?
Last Updated: 2024-12-06
Chapter: Chapter 10I searched around the room frantically, my eyes scanning every inch of space for something, anything, that could help me down. I couldn't possibly jump, not from six stories up. I would be dead before I even hit the ground.My heart was racing, my mind reeling with fear and adrenaline. I had to think, had to come up with a plan. And then, it hit me. The blankets. I could tie them together, create a makeshift rope to climb down.I quickly got to work, my hands shaking as I tied the blankets together. I tested the strength of the rope, pulling on it with all my might. It seemed sturdy enough, but I couldn't be sure.I tied one end of the rope to the bed, testing its strength once more. Satisfied, I threw the other end out the window, watching as it unfurled, the end dangling in the air, close to the ground.I took a deep breath, my heart racing with fear. This was it. This was my chance to escape. I climbed out the window, my bare feet finding holds in the stone wall as I began to make
Last Updated: 2024-12-04
Chapter: Chapter 9I lay in bed, my mind reeling with everything I’d heard that morning. Ryker, the man who had brought me here, who had torn my clothes and left me feeling vulnerable and scared, was a monster. A killer. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.“The same man who had saved you,” my subconscious tattled, but I dismissed the thought.I couldn't believe what I had gotten myself into. What my uncle had sold me into. I thought of my mother, of the horrors she must be going through in the hands of Derrick. I thought of staying for her sake, of enduring whatever Ryker had planned for me in order to keep her safe. But staying with Ryker was only digging my own grave. He was a monster, capable of doing unimaginable things. And I couldn't imagine staying here, trapped in this luxurious prison with no escape.I felt a sob rising up in my throat, and I couldn't hold it back. I cried, great racking sobs that shook my body and left me gasping for breath. I cri
Last Updated: 2024-12-03
Chapter: Chapter 8_Ryker’s POV_I stormed into my study, slamming the door behind me with a force that rattled the windows. My wolf, sensing my anger, stirred restlessly within me, its growl a low, menacing rumble that echoed through the room. I paced back and forth, my footsteps heavy and deliberate, as I struggled to contain the fury that threatened to consume me.My mind replayed the doctor's words, each one a spark that fueled the fire of my anger. Malnourished. Dehydrated. Physical abuse. The thought of anyone harming Arianna, of laying a hand on her, made my blood boil. My wolf snarled in agreement, and it was taking everything to keep him in as I paced the room relentlessly.I couldn't understand why I was so concerned. Arianna was just another tool in my game, a way to break the curse that had haunted me for years.But the thought of her being hurt, of her suffering at the hands of someone else, filled me with a rage that I couldn't contain.I was the only one that had the right to hurt her. M
Last Updated: 2024-12-03
Chapter: Chapter 7I slowly came to, my senses foggy and disoriented. My head was spinning, and I couldn't make sense of anything. The sound of feet shuffling around me was the first thing that registered, followed by the feeling of something heavy on my forehead.As I struggled to open my eyes, a gentle voice spoke to me, "Welcome back, dear. Can you hear me?"I nodded, my throat dry and parched. My eyes fluttered open, and I was met with the kind face of a woman with a warm smile as she pulled her hand back from my forehead. She had a stethoscope around her neck and a clipboard in her hand. She smelled of lavender on a Saturday morning. So soothing."Hi, I'm Dr. April," she said, her voice as soothing as her scent and smile. "You're safe now. You're in your bedroom, and you're going to be okay."I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the bed. Dr. April gently pushed me back, her hands firm but gentle."Easy, dear. You need to rest. Can you tell me your name?"I
Last Updated: 2024-12-02