ROWAN.“You are back!”Rina's head splitting aceea reacwhamy wars moments before the woman herself flings her self onto me.“Oof, Rina. Easy on me,” I grunt as I stumble back into the car, my arms going round her body to embrace her.“Is that the way to fewer your friend that you haven't seen in over two weeks?!” She demnds with a pout as she leans away from me.“We had a video call this morning,” I remind her.“That was a video call,” she retorts. “It is not the same as seeing you in person. Oh, man. How am I even going to live without seeing either you or Lisa or even my pretty Jhenelle every day?” She whines as she leans down and plucks my daughter off the floor, twirling her around and elicting delighted squeals from her.“You will survive,” I say as I walk into the mansion.“Your mumy is a mean person, do you know that princess?”“Not true,” Jhenelle corrects her. “Mama is nice.”“Hmph! You are just saying that because she is your mummy!”“No! I am saying that because it is true!
ROWAN.“Louisa?!”At the name, whatever I had planned to say died out.Turning slowly, I come face to face with a familiar face.FLASHBACK“I don't know how she can still be so calm,” the woman sneered. “If the alpha hated me as much as he does her, I will be finding a way to escape the pack or better still, kill myself.”“Go away, Melissa,” I mutter at her, as I finish putting away the last of the dishes.“Oh, look! She speaks! I thought you had grown dumb from the death of people to communicate with.”“What do you want?” I ask her in a completely bored and detached torn as I turn to face her. “Is there an issue with your panties? You have forgotten how to wash them again? Or wait, maybe it is the mountain of dirty clothes in your room and you have forgotten the way to the laundry.”A smatter of gasps and giggles echo around us and I watch in mild amusement as her face flushes red in embarrassment.“Don't talk to me like that!” She snals as she pushes me against the sink, her hands
VIKTOR “...oh, I had no idea she had returned so soon,” Kaylee says on the line. “I knew she was planning on it but…” “It has been more than a month that she has been here with me,” I tell her as I stare out the window of my office. “It was about time she left.” “And you don't mind?” She asks. “Letting your mate go?” “Mate?! What do you mean my mate?” I ask, too shocked to think of something smarter. “Rowan is not… we are not… it is…” “Don't do that,” she says and I am very sure she is laughing at me from the other side. “It was pretty obvious.” “It was?” “Of course! I am surprised the others didn't notice. But then again, they are men and your lot are notoriously self absorbed.” “Hey! That is mean. But how do you mean it was obvious? How did you figure it out?” I ask as I turn to take my seat, putting my legs up on the desk “It is the way you behaved around her. Well, the way both of you behaved around each other, but mostly you. Your eyes never left her for more than two m
DOMINIC. TWO DAYS AGO “What are you doing?” my mother's voice calls from behind me and I have to literally force myself not to growl at her. “Did you hear me?” She asks as she walks up to me. “I said what the hell are you doing?!” Goddess help me, I am going to kill someone. “Dominic!” “What does it look like I am doing?!” I snap as I whirl around to face her. “It looks to me like you are making a fool out of yourself!” She snaps. “Are you seriously going there again? Has the insult not been enough for you.” “I am an alpha -” “And they don't care! And stop saying that, it is embarrassing. Anyone who has to continually repeat his social standing clearly has no confidence in himself!” “How da- I am her mate!” “Correction… was her mate. And from the looks of it, she had clearly moved on and has no regard for you. Are you not ashamed of yourself? Don't you have any sense of pride?! Chasing after a woman that you had rejected. A woman who wants nothing to do with you.” “She do
VIKTOR PRESENT DAY I watch as Calvin is being led into my study, his steps measured and controlled but with a hint of deference in them, some respect for where he is and who he is facing. That is good. At least, there is someone sane in that shit show of a pack. He is tall. About five feet 11, with a slim yet fit physique, suggesting he follows a regular workout routine, which means he is disciplined. His dark hair is neatly styled, framing his face without being distracting as he moves. A slight, polite smile highlights his strong nose and jawline, making his features look even sharper. He is wearing a simple light-colored T-shirt that fits well but isn’t too tight, showing off his toned arms and chest as he moves. His dark jeans are worn casually, giving him a relaxed look. A basic leather belt sits at his waist, and his feet are in scuffed but clean sneakers or loafers, making soft sounds as he walks. Overall, he radiates quiet confidence and self-assuranc
ROWAN “Do you miss me that much?” I ask with a smile as I collapse into my bed, my phone in my hands. “We talked a few hours ago and here you are calling me again.” “I missed you the moment you stepped out of my embrace and into the car. When are you coming back?” “Viktor, seriously?” “Fine. I have hot news for you. A lot of news.” “Oh?” “I just got off the phone with Kaylee,” he says, jumping straight to the point. “She told me about your request to find out things from the obsidian pack.” “I only mentioned it in passing, I didn't think she would take it to heart. What did she say?” I ask “She’s been keeping tabs on them,” he explains.“Says there’s a lot going on.” “How would she know that?” “ She’s got a spy in their pack.” I raise an eyebrow, even though he can’t see it. “A spy? In their pack? How did Kaylee manage that?” “She is resourceful. And vengeful, you know that,” he replies. “She is also very observant, especially when we are together. That’s how
VIKTOR Three days later, I am seated at my desk, bored out of my mind as the soft glow of my office lamp casts shadows across the papers strewn in front of me. The silence is thick, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the wall and I am completely lost in thought when a sharp knock breaks through the quiet. “Enter,” I call out Kael steps in, his eyes alert as he moves quickly to my desk. “Alpha, you have a message from Calvin,”he says without preamble, holding out a small folded piece of paper. I take it eagerly from him ,turning the note over in my hands, the paper crinkling under my fingers. “What is it?” I ask, more to myself than to Kael. “Did he say?” He shrugs. "Didn’t say much. Just that I should pass that to you at the earliest convenience.” I unfold the note, my eyes scanning the short, scribbled message. The message is simple and to the point. Meet me at the old mill. Midnight. Come alone. I sit back in my chair, my mind racing. Cou
DOMINIC.Traitors.Everyone around me are traitors Even the bastard that I am looking at right now.The night is thick, heavy dark clouds thanks to the approaching storm. Angry rolling stormsThe sky is a canvas of charcoal, only occasionally pierced by slivers of moonlight that creep through the clouds and thick canopy of tree branches. Without making a sound, I move after him, like a shadow within shadows with my steps deliberately soft, my breath controlled, blending seamlessly with the rustling of leaves. I stay a few paces behind him, my eyes locked on him, watching how his posture is stiff and his movements are hurried. He thinks he is alone. That he is smart.He thinks the shadows keep him safe, but he does not understand what it means to truly be a part of them. Like me.I am the god in this place.And nothing can evade me.My instincts have been screaming at me for weeks now, warning me that something is off with him. The way he avoids me, the way he keeps challengin