Chapter: chapter 154I didn’t sleep that night. Even after Jake had walked me back to my room, his touch still lingered on my skin, and my mind was a storm of emotions I couldn’t untangle. What had we done? What did it mean? I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my fingers grazing my lips, remembering the way he had kissed me in the lake. He had pulled me close. Held me like he didn’t want to let go. Kissed me like I was something more than just the woman forced into his life. But when we left the lake, he didn’t say much. He had been quiet, almost thoughtful, his gaze flickering toward me more times than I could count. I wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but I was afraid of the answer. What if it meant nothing? What if it had just been the heat of the moment? I rolled over with a frustrated sigh. My body was exhausted, but my mind refused to shut off. Somehow, I must have dozed off at some point because when I opened my eyes, the room was bathed in soft morning light. I was still
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Chapter: chapter 153The heat was unbearable. Even inside the packhouse, where the walls were thick and shaded, the air felt suffocating. Sweat clung to my skin, and I could feel my clothes sticking to me uncomfortably. The heatwave had settled over the territory like a thick, oppressive blanket, and it didn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.Sophie had already declared war on the sun, dramatically flopping onto the couch and refusing to move, while Fatima had gone to the kitchen, attempting to make some kind of iced drink that wouldn’t melt within seconds. The twins were in their nursery, the coolest room in the house, surrounded by enchanted ice packs to keep them comfortable.I, however, was suffering.Standing by the open window, I fanned myself uselessly, hoping for a breeze that never came. My hair was damp at the nape of my neck, and my tank top and shorts felt like they were trapping the heat against my skin instead of providing any relief.“I swear, I’m melting,” Sophie groaned from the couch.
Last Updated: 2025-02-19
Chapter: chapter 152Jake's office was exactly what I expected—neat, organized, and painfully impersonal.The large wooden desk was stacked with reports and maps, the shelves lined with books and ledgers. The only thing that seemed remotely personal was a framed picture on the far wall. Even from here, I could tell it was of Prisca.I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to look away.Jake was already at his desk, flipping through a folder. "Close the door behind you."I did as he asked, stepping further into the room. "So, what’s the plan?"He didn’t look up. "We need to tighten security. I want to know how someone got past our patrols and drugged the guards."I crossed my arms. "That’s obvious. But do you have any leads on who’s behind this?"Jake finally met my gaze. "Nothing solid. But whoever it is, they’re getting bolder."A chill ran down my spine. "Then we don’t have time to waste."He nodded. "Which is why I want you to go over the patrol routes with me. I need a fresh set of eyes."
Last Updated: 2025-02-17
Chapter: chapter 151The room was quiet except for the soft, rhythmic breathing of the twins. The dim glow of the nightlight bathed everything in a warm, golden hue, making the moment feel strangely intimate. Jake was still standing close, his presence looming but not suffocating. For once, there was no tension, no sharp words or cold glares. Just him and me, existing in the same space without fighting it. I exhaled slowly, brushing my fingers through Lily’s soft curls. "I don’t think they’ll ever be truly safe, Jake." My voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "Not when someone out there wants them." Jake's jaw tensed, his arms still crossed as he stared down at the twins. "Then we make sure whoever’s after them never gets the chance to try again." The protectiveness in his voice sent warmth through me, but I quickly pushed it down. I had to focus on the bigger picture. I turned in my seat, looking up at him. "We still don’t know why they want them or who’s behind it." His gaze flickered to m
Last Updated: 2025-02-17
Chapter: Chapter 150Jake’s thumb brushed against my cheek, slow and deliberate, as if memorizing the feel of my skin beneath his touch. My breath caught, my chest tightening with emotions I wasn’t ready to name.I could feel his warmth, his presence surrounding me, and for once, he wasn’t pulling away. He wasn’t running."Jake…" My voice came out softer than I intended, almost a whisper, as I met his eyes.He held my gaze, his expression unreadable, but I saw the battle waging inside him. The hesitation. The need. The conflict.For the first time, it felt like he was allowing himself to just be here with me, in this moment, without the weight of his past dragging him back.His fingers tightened slightly on my jaw, his body impossibly close to mine. "You make it hard to stay away."A shiver ran down my spine. "Then don’t."Something in his expression shifted, something raw and vulnerable flickering in his eyes before he exhaled heavily. "You don’t know what you’re asking for.""Yes, I do." My hand came up
Last Updated: 2025-02-17
Chapter: chapter 149The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I stretched slightly, feeling the warmth beside me before reality set in. Jake was still here. He hadn't left before I woke up like he usually did. My heart did an involuntary flip at the realization. I turned my head slowly, trying not to disturb him, and took in the sight of his face, relaxed in sleep. His usual stern expression was gone, and in its place was something softer, almost peaceful. I had seen him vulnerable only a few times, but never like this—so unguarded, so human. I swallowed hard, resisting the urge to reach out and brush my fingers along the sharp lines of his jaw. This was dangerous territory. Before I could think too much about it, his eyes fluttered open, dark and sharp, instantly alert. It was fascinating how quickly he transitioned from sleep to full awareness. "You’re staring." His voice was rough with sleep, deeper than usual. I felt the heat rise up my neck and imm
Last Updated: 2025-02-16
Chapter: chapter 123The ballroom was alive with music and laughter, a stark contrast to the heaviness that had lingered over the pack these past few weeks. Fatima had outdone herself, organizing this ball to remind everyone that joy still had a place in our lives.Dressed in a flowing emerald-green gown, I swayed gently in Jake’s arms as we moved across the dance floor. The light in his eyes, the way his fingers traced soothing circles on my back, made me forget—if only for a moment—that our world was still in pieces.“See?” he murmured. “A night without doom and gloom. Feels nice, doesn’t it?”I smiled up at him. “It does.”He twirled me, and for a second, I felt weightless. Then it hit me.A sharp, piercing sensation in my skull.I stumbled, the room tilting violently.Jake’s grip tightened. “Prisca?”I couldn’t answer. The pain spread like wildfire, and suddenly, the music and chatter faded into the background. My legs buckled, and I was falling.Darkness swallowed me whole.And then… I wasn’t in the
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Chapter: chapter 122The weight of what I had just seen clung to me like a second skin. Even as I sat on the edge of the bed, back in the safety of our room, I could still feel the cold presence of that figure. The sound of its voice—my voice—echoed in my head like a haunting melody. Choose. But choose what? I could still feel Jake’s hands on my face from before, the desperate way he had searched my eyes, pleading for an answer I didn’t have. Now, he paced the room, his body tense with unspoken frustration. The others sat nearby, watching me with equal parts concern and curiosity. “You need to tell us everything,” Althea finally said, breaking the heavy silence. I rubbed my arms, trying to rid myself of the chill that had settled in my bones. “I was… alone. You were all gone. And the figure—it wasn’t just some shadow. It was me.” Sophie’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait. You? Like… a doppelgänger situation?” I nodded slowly. “Exactly like that. She—It—told me I had to choose. But I don’t know what t
Last Updated: 2025-02-19
Chapter: chapter 121The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a blade. We had all woken up in a cold sweat, shaken by the fact that we had the exact same dream—no, it wasn’t just a dream. It felt too real. The streets of that town, the heavy feeling of being watched, the way the air had seemed almost alive with something unnatural. I glanced around at the others, my heart still hammering in my chest. Jake sat at the edge of the bed, his muscles tense, his jaw clenched as if trying to process everything at once. Fatima and Sophie had both fallen into a heavy silence, their usual humor nowhere to be seen. And Althea… she was staring blankly at the candle burning on the bedside table, deep in thought, her fingers twitching slightly. “This isn’t over,” I finally said, breaking the silence. “We left that place. We returned here. But somehow, it’s still with us.” Jake turned to me, his expression unreadable. “There has to be a reason why we all saw the same thing.” His voice was low, controlled—b
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
Chapter: Chapter 120The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine as I stepped out of the cabin. The town was finally behind us, but a strange unease still lingered in my chest. It wasn’t just the eerie experiences we had—it was something deeper, something clawing at my subconscious, demanding my attention.Jake was already outside, sharpening his dagger with a quiet focus that sent a chill through me. His jaw was tense, his muscles coiled, as if he were ready for another fight. I walked up to him, rubbing my arms against the cold. "You look like you're expecting trouble," I said, trying to sound lighthearted, but he barely acknowledged me at first.Finally, he sighed and set the dagger down. "I don’t like that we had to run from that place. It feels unfinished," he admitted.He wasn’t wrong. We had gotten away, but at what cost? The things we had seen, the presence that still clung to us like an unshakable shadow—I knew deep down that it wasn’t truly over.Sophie came strolling ou
Last Updated: 2025-02-17
Chapter: chapter 119The tension from our near escape still clung to me like a second skin, even as the night stretched into silence. My body was exhausted, my mind running circles around the events that had unfolded. I lay curled against Jake, his arms wrapped securely around me, his breath steady and warm against my hair. But sleep refused to claim me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw flashes—red eyes in the dark, the twisted town, the feeling of time slipping like sand through my fingers. It had been too easy. Too clean of an escape. And that made my stomach churn. Jake shifted beside me, his grip tightening. “You’re thinking too much,” he murmured against my temple. I exhaled softly. “I can’t help it. Something isn’t right.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead, but there was tension in his touch. “We’ll figure it out in the morning. For now, just rest.” I nodded against his chest, but the uneasy feeling wouldn’t leave. And deep down, I knew—this wasn’t over. ---Morning came far too soon. T
Last Updated: 2025-02-16
Chapter: chapter 118The moment we stepped out of the inn, an eerie silence wrapped around us like a suffocating blanket. The town, which had been brimming with life just hours ago, now felt abandoned. The streets were empty, the lanterns flickering weakly, and the air carried a heavy stillness that made the hairs on my arms rise.Jake was the first to break the silence. "We need to get out of here. Now."His voice was calm but held an undertone of urgency that made my stomach twist. I reached for his hand instinctively, feeling the warmth of his skin grounding me.Althea, Sophie, Fatima, and Chris followed closely behind as we hurried toward the town's exit. But as we neared the main road leading out, a dense fog rolled in from nowhere, thick and unnatural. My breath hitched as the path ahead of us blurred into nothingness."What the hell?" Chris muttered, stepping ahead cautiously. He reached out a hand to push through the fog, but the moment his fingers touched it, a pulse of energy knocked him back on
Last Updated: 2025-02-15
Chapter: chapter 8"Why would the Alpha have them killed just for hurting you?" Lily asked in a whisper, her voice tinged with disbelief and fear.Anna folded her arms across her chest, looking thoughtful. "And don’t forget, the Beta saved you. Do you think the Alpha might have accepted you as his mate? Maybe he’s protecting you.""That's impossible," I snapped, pacing back and forth. "They’re not keeping me alive because they care. It’s to punish me, plain and simple."The tension in the room was stifling. I needed to get out. My head was swimming with too many questions and the heavy gazes of everyone around me. I was used to solitude; being the center of attention like this felt like being trapped in a glass box for all to see."I need some air," I muttered, stepping out of the kitchen. The relentless questioning was pushing me to the edge.I made my way to the garden, feigning interest in the plants just so I could have a moment to breathe. The sunlight warmed my skin, and I inhaled deeply, trying t
Last Updated: 2025-02-11
Chapter: chapter 7Elijah… How did he know I was trapped in that room? And why was he helping me? Questions flooded my mind, but I couldn’t voice a single one. He was one of them—a wolf, capable of anything. Yet, his actions didn’t align with the cold, ruthless demeanor of his kind. As he carried me silently into the kitchen, I could feel the warmth of his body against mine, a stark contrast to the icy grip of fear in my chest.Madam Anna was already awake, scrubbing the counters with a tired rhythm. When she looked up and saw Elijah carrying me, her eyes widened in shock. Her hands froze mid-scrub, the brush clattering to the floor.“Sir,” she whispered, her voice filled with disbelief. He carefully placed me on a chair, his golden eyes flickering with a strange emotion I couldn’t decipher.“Clean her up,” he ordered Madam Anna, his tone curt. He turned to me, a faint smirk curling his lips. “Try staying out of trouble, little raven.”I furrowed my brows, staring after him as he walked away. Little rav
Last Updated: 2025-02-07
Chapter: chapter 6Everywhere I looked I was surrounded by them. They would not let us sleep or rest because our kind did not deserve to rest . I was on knees wiping the floor and I wasn't even half way done yet . I had two more large halls to go. After that we had to clean the dishes and that would take hours. It was torture and evil all at once and everyone was watching my every step even the other human servants. "Hi," a girl said as I finished cleaning the second hall room "can you make sure the basement in the kitchen is also cleaned up"I stood up and looked at her "couldn't you do it that wasn't on my list"She seemed offended by what I had just said as if expected to just take it. I wasn't going to be bullied by them as well my own kind hell no "I am a bit tied up that's why I asked""Did you ask everybody else or was it just me?" I grabbing my bucket and she didn't answer "I thought so ,well I'm a bit 'tied' up so I can't" I walked away who did she think she was . She stood there in shock and
Last Updated: 2025-02-06
Chapter: chapter 5"It's time to head back," Lily said, her voice strained with exhaustion. Dark circles hung under her eyes, and her shoulders sagged as if carrying a weight far too heavy for someone her age. She looked like she didn't want to go back out there, and it made me feel even more dreadful. Had anyone ever tried escaping, or were they all just too scared?I nodded, even though a million questions buzzed inside my head. But everyone around me seemed so tired, so defeated. It was as if they had already accepted their fate, and it was terrifying to realize how easily despair could settle into their bones. Each step I took felt like I was dragging a ball and chain, my heart racing with fear. I could almost hear it pounding in my ears.When we emerged back into the courtyard, the atmosphere had shifted. The grand event seemed to be winding down, but the tension remained thick in the air. Some of the creatures were leaving, while others continued drinking heavily. A few couples were tangled togeth
Last Updated: 2025-02-05
Chapter: Chapter 4Everyone gasped. I didn't understand why. Maybe it was because I was about to die after doing the most ridiculous thing: coughing. Of all things, why did I have to cough? As he came closer, I realized just how massive he was. He had to be at least 6'4", towering over everyone around him. His presence was overwhelming. But what did he mean by "mate"? What was that supposed to mean? I looked at Jordan, silently pleading for him, or anyone, to help me. Tears streamed down my cheeks, blurring my vision. The large man was now standing directly in front of me, making me feel like a tiny mouse trapped in the gaze of a hawk. He watched me with cold, expressionless eyes, a void I couldn't read. He just stood there, and it made my skin crawl, every inch of me screaming to flee. In that moment, I wished I could vanish, sink through my seat, and disappear. Elijah appeared beside him, looking uneasy. "That is impossible, Alpha. She is my slave," Elijah said, his tone tense. For a split second, a
Last Updated: 2025-01-10
Chapter: chapter 3My mind was racing with a whirlwind of thoughts. I couldn't stop replaying the image of Armani's death-the way they tore her apart like she was nothing. Armani was dead. She was gone, and I would never see her again. They had taken the only family I had left in this world. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the memory, but it was impossible. My mother had died when I was only five. Diabetes had slowly drained the life out of her. After my father left us, she drowned herself in alcohol, ignoring every warning from the doctors. I was still just a child, but I remembered it all vividly, like a scar etched into my brain. No one came to save me. Instead, they dumped me into an orphanage like a piece of unwanted trash. No one wanted me. I stayed there until I turned sixteen, and then I ran. I found a part-time job, started scraping by on my own, and just when I thought I was beginning to make it, the world fell apart. The beasts took over. They destroyed every city, every buildi
Last Updated: 2025-01-10
The Mafia’s Reject
Vanessa thought her life couldn't get worse-until it did. A hardworking woman from a modest background, her world shatters when her father, Jonas, falls gravely ill and their family is left bankrupt. Her stepmother and stepsister abandon them, and to make matters worse, Jonas owes an unpayable debt to Alaric Moretti-a ruthless Mafia lord who is as feared as he is deadly.
Dragged into Alaric's dark world, Vanessa is prepared to fight for her father's survival. But when Alaric's mate bond snaps into place the moment he meets her, everything changes. Vanessa is his fated mate-a rare connection that Alaric, a cold-hearted monster, doesn't want and refuses to accept.
To settle her father's debt, Alaric makes a horrifying demand: Vanessa must give her blood and a lung to save his dying girlfriend, Emma. Refusing to be a pawn, Vanessa strikes her own deal-she'll comply only if Alaric marries her, securing her father's treatment and her siblings' futures. It's a business arrangement, nothing more.
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Chapter: chapter 48PRESENT DAY"I can't believe I was right. So what are you gonna do now?" Emily asked, watching me closely.I sipped on my iced tea. "What do you mean?"She rolled her eyes. "You know... about the father of your unborn baby. How are you gonna find him?"In that moment, I felt like sinking into the sofa. I knew Emily was just being a concerned friend, but I didn’t need all these questions right now. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to keep the child. This was all happening at the worst possible time. I could barely take care of myself, let alone a whole baby. I had debts to pay, bills piling up... The whole thing was giving me a fucking headache. Oh, not to mention—I didn’t even have a job."I'm not going to find him. I don’t know what I’m gonna do, but what I do know is that I need to get out of this house and go to that cheesy burger place. I'm starving, and I don't feel like cooking right now." I stood up and placed my cup in the sink.Emily sighed as she grabbed her bag and stood up as w
Last Updated: 2025-02-22
Chapter: Chapter 41The room was still heavy with the remnants of our last conversation, the air thick with something unspoken. I sat at the edge of the massive bed, staring at the opulent surroundings that no longer felt as suffocating as they once had. Maybe I was getting used to the cage, or maybe I had just accepted there was no way out.Alaric was near the window, his silhouette outlined against the dim light spilling through the curtains. He was watching me, waiting for something.“I want to see my sister,” I finally said, my voice cutting through the silence.He didn’t react immediately, but I knew he heard me. His dark eyes flickered with something unreadable before he turned fully toward me. “And if I say no?”My fingers curled into the fabric of my dress. “Then I’ll keep asking. Over and over. I won’t stop.”A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “You really don’t know when to quit, do you?”“I can’t quit when it comes to her,” I said firmly. “Anna is all I have left.”He studied me for
Last Updated: 2025-02-21
Chapter: chapter 40The invitation had arrived in the form of a sleek black envelope, sealed with a gold crest. I barely had time to process it before Alaric had informed me I would be accompanying him. No argument. No choice.Now, as I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a gown that must have cost more than my old apartment, I felt a strange mix of nerves and defiance.The dress was deep crimson, hugging my curves in a way that made me self-conscious. The slit up one leg was daring, the neckline low but elegant. I had been given the best of everything—diamonds at my throat, heels that added inches to my height, and a stylist who had worked on my hair until it fell in soft waves down my back.I barely recognized myself.But none of it compared to the man standing beside me.Alaric was dressed in a black tailored suit, his presence overwhelming, his power palpable. His dark hair was styled perfectly, and his sharp features made him look like something out of a dangerous fantasy.He didn’t speak as he
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Chapter: chapter 39The first thing I noticed was warmth. A heavy, enveloping heat pressing against me, surrounding me. My mind swam between the haze of sleep and wakefulness, and for a moment, I didn’t recognize where I was. The bed was too soft, the scent in the air too rich—cologne, leather, and something distinctly masculine. I stirred slightly, and that was when I realized why I felt trapped. An arm—strong, unyielding—was wrapped around my waist, keeping me anchored against a hard chest. I blinked, my body stiffening as awareness sank in. Alaric. My pulse spiked, my breathing shallow as last night’s events came rushing back. I had fallen asleep, exhausted from everything—physically, mentally, emotionally. And now… now I was in his bed. With him. Panic flared through me, my body tensing instinctively. I moved the slightest bit, but the moment I did, his grip tightened. A low, rumbling sound—something almost primal—vibrated from his chest, a warning. I froze. He wasn’t awake. At least, I
Last Updated: 2025-02-19
Chapter: chapter 38"you cheated ,give me another chance please" I begged and smiled "go on...go run." My lungs burned as I sprinted through the dark woods, twigs snapping under my feet as I pushed forward, refusing to stop. The scent of damp earth filled my nose, and the cool wind whipped through my hair, but none of it mattered. All that mattered was getting away. Alaric had given me a ten-minute head start—ten minutes to try and escape before the hunt began. I wasn’t stupid. I knew it was a game to him, something thrilling, something primal. And I knew he was coming. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I pushed harder, forcing my body to keep moving despite the sharp ache in my legs. I had to try. Then I heard it. A low, guttural growl in the distance. My pulse spiked. I whirled around, scanning the dense forest, but saw nothing. He was near, and he was letting me know. The air felt charged, thick with anticipation. I took off again, adrenaline surging through my veins
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
Chapter: chapter 37"he thinks he can order me around," I scoffed in my room. He was a devil and I wasn't going to stand for this bullshit. I was angry with him and myself for still being here for not trying hard enough to escape. How could I have given up so easily . With the way my body kept betraying me in front of him I couldn't stay ...if I did I don't know were this would lead. I didn't want to know...no ways.I packed a small bag,that way it would be easy for me to get away. I slippee through the door ,luckily Alaric had stopped stationing guards outside my door- I guess he also figured I wouldn't rum. I rolled my eyes .I barely made it past the grand foyer when a firm hand clamped around my wrist.My breath hitched as I was yanked back, spun around until I was face-to-face with the last person I wanted to see right now.Alaric.His dark eyes burned into mine, sharp with amusement but lined with something much more dangerous. He didn’t look angry—no, that would’ve been easier to deal with. Inste
Last Updated: 2025-02-17
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