The packhouse had never felt this tense before. Warriors moved in and out of the main halls, security was on high alert, and whispers followed me wherever I went. Ever since the attack on the twins, things had changed. The pack was afraid, and JakeโJake was furious.He had been working nonstop, investigating, interrogating, and making sure every single security measure was doubled. He barely slept. I wasnโt sure if he even ate. He was always moving, always planning, and always avoiding me.But I wasnโt going to be ignored. People acted like I was weak especially after they found out I was an omega ,they thought they could just lock me up and make me a babysitter instead. Whenever I tried talking to Jake he acted all busy and asked how the twins were. The worst part was Fatima and Sophie also thought it was best I don't get in harms way. They didn't say straight up but it's the way they tried to make sure I was occupied indoors like some housewife.If he thought I was just going to si
I sat on the edge of the bed, watching over the twins as they slept soundly in their cribs. Their tiny chests rose and fell in a steady rhythm, their peaceful faces untouched by the chaos around them. They had no idea how much danger lurked in the shadows, how many people wanted to harm them simply because of what they were. It made my chest ache.Jake might not believe in my visions, but that didnโt mean I would stop protecting them.I ran my fingers through Lilyโs soft curls, her tiny hand twitching in her sleep as if reaching for something. My heart swelled with love, but also with fear. How far would these enemies go?The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from a small lamp by the dresser. I leaned back in my chair, exhaustion pulling at my limbs, but my mind refused to rest.Then I felt itโan odd sensation, like an invisible pull. It made the hair on my arms stand up. I glanced around, my eyes narrowing on the twinsโ blankets.A chill crept down my spine as I moved closer,
The night air was heavy, thick with the kind of silence that made my skin crawl. Ever since the attack on the twinsโ room, I hadnโt been able to rest properly. Something was off in the packhouse, and I could feel it in my bones. I paced the room, arms crossed tightly over my chest as my mind reeled over everything that had happened in the past few days. The failed kidnapping attempt, Jake finally agreeing to take the twins' safety seriously, and the ever-present tension between us. And then there was the dream. Priscaโs voice had been clearer than ever, guiding me, warning me. But about what? I needed answers. I exhaled heavily, glancing at the sleeping twins. Their soft breaths filled the space, a reminder of why I couldnโt afford to be careless. I reached for a blanket, tucking it around them before stepping away. Thatโs when I saw it. The smallest draft of airโฆ coming from the far wall of the room. My eyes narrowed. That didnโt make sense. The room was closedโwind
The morning was quiet, more peaceful than usual, but there was a weight in the air that made me uneasy. I had spent the entire night with the twins, feeling their soft breaths and hearing the gentle rise and fall of their chests as they slept peacefully in my arms. The bonds we shared were undeniableโthese two tiny beings held my heart in a way I never thought possible. But it wasnโt just their innocence and love that kept me up at night. It was the danger, the growing threat I could feel surrounding them, even though no one spoke of it out loud.I spent most of my time trying to keep them safe. Jake and I had our differences, but one thing I was sure of was that he cared for them. The issue wasnโt his love for themโit was the ever-present doubt that clouded his judgment. He didnโt trust me fully, nor did he trust the visions I had seen in my dreams. Those dreams, those warnings, they werenโt just randomโthey were real.Today, however, I was trying to push those thoughts aside, trying
I couldnโt shake the feeling of heat coursing through my body. It wasnโt the physical warmth of the sun streaming through the windows, nor the usual comforting embrace of the packhouse. It was something elseโsomething stronger, deeperโthat tugged at my chest, pulling me in a direction I didnโt fully understand. I paced back and forth, trying to ignore the gnawing pull in my stomach. Jake was just outside the room. I knew he was nearby. There was no mistaking that forceful presence, the one that made my heart beat faster without me even trying. He was so close, and yet, he remained distant. After everything that had happened between us, it still felt like there was so much left unsaid. Every glance we exchanged held unspoken words, desires left hanging in the air between us, but never spoken aloud. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a knock on the door. My breath hitched as I turned to face it. I knew it was him. I had sensed him outside, his presence growing more intense,
I woke up only to find Jake not beside me in bed. To be honest I wasn't very shocked . It was kind of like a trend now ,he acts like this and then tries to pretend like it didn't happen. I tried to understand him even though it was highly annoying and it also hurt like a lot. I wanted us to be a normal couple ,normal mates full of love and understanding but Jake still felt guilty . It's as if letting me in meant he would be betraying Prisca or the twins but honestly I felt like she would want him to move on. And from my dreams I believed she wanted what's best for him and the twins . He was punishing himself, maybe he believed he didn't deserve any love or a second chance . Maybe he believed this was a test because honestly I once believed that too at first . I would be patient but not forever. A healthy relationship between us wasn't only good for us but also good for the twins . They needed to be surrounded by love and happiness. I decided to drown myself in the happy things li
It had been a few days since I started feeling like things between Jake and I were beginning to shift, but it was still slow, and that was okay. We had both been through so much, and as much as I yearned for something more, I knew it wasnโt the time to rush. Jake was still wrapped up in the memories of his late mate, Prisca. I didnโt want to push him, and yet, I couldnโt help but notice the subtle glances, the moments where our hands brushed, and the way he would pause for a second when I entered the room.It was confusing. There were days when I felt like I was invisible to him, and then there were moments when I could almost feel his attention on me, like a pull I couldnโt explain.The twins, Logan and Lily, were growing so fast. It felt like every day they were learning something new. Lily had started giggling in the mornings when I would tickle her, and Logan, oh Logan, his little smile would melt my heart every time he looked at me. I loved them with all my heart, and I couldnโt
I wasnโt sure what startled me awake at first. My body felt heavy, my limbs sluggish, and the warmth of my blankets begged me to stay curled beneath them. But something was wrong. The air around me feltโฆ charged. A presence lingered in my room, unseen but **felt**, and a whisper brushed against my ears. **"Aylaโฆ wake up."** My breath hitched, and my eyes snapped open. The room was dim, only faint moonlight streaming through the window, but I knew I wasnโt alone. My heart pounded as I pushed myself up, scanning the shadows. **Prisca.** I had heard her before, always in my dreams. But this time was different. This wasnโt a dream. **"Wake up. The twins."** Panic gripped me. I threw off my blankets and ran. The hallway was eerily quiet, the only sound my hurried footsteps as I rushed toward Lily and Loganโs room. Dread settled deep in my stomach, a horrible premonition clawing at my chest. When I reached the door, my heart stopped. The guard. He was slumped against th
I didnโt 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 couldnโt 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 didnโt 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 didnโt 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
The 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 didnโt 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 wouldnโt 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.โI swear, Iโm melting,โ Sophie groaned from the couch.
Jake's office was exactly what I expectedโneat, 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, whatโs the plan?"He didnโt 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. "Thatโs obvious. But do you have any leads on whoโs behind this?"Jake finally met my gaze. "Nothing solid. But whoever it is, theyโre getting bolder."A chill ran down my spine. "Then we donโt 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."
The 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 Lilyโs soft curls. "I donโt think theyโll 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 whoeverโs 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 donโt know why they want them or whoโs behind it." His gaze flickered to m
Jakeโs 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 wasnโt ready to name.I could feel his warmth, his presence surrounding me, and for once, he wasnโt pulling away. He wasnโt running."Jakeโฆ" 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 donโt."Something in his expression shifted, something raw and vulnerable flickering in his eyes before he exhaled heavily. "You donโt know what youโre asking for.""Yes, I do." My hand came up
The 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 thisโso 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. "Youโre staring." His voice was rough with sleep, deeper than usual. I felt the heat rise up my neck and imm
The man knelt in the center of the room, his face battered and streaked with blood. His shirt was torn, stained with sweat and fear. Behind him stood two of Alaricโs men, their grips firm, unyielding. And then there was Alaric. He stood before them, every inch the cold, untouchable king. His suit was immaculate, his presence suffocating. In his hands, he toyed with a sleek dagger, twirling it between his fingers like an afterthought. He didnโt speak immediately, letting the silence stretch unbearably thick. โso you think you can steal from me? โ Alaricโs voice was a death sentence, quiet but unwavering. The man trembled, his breathing ragged. โI-I swear, I didnโt take the money! I was framed, I-โ The crack of Alaricโs palm against the manโs face echoed through the room. I flinched. The force of the slap sent the manโs head snapping to the side, blood trailing from his split lip. โI didnโt ask for excuses,โ Alaric said, his tone calm, terrifying. โI asked if you knew why you were
I took a deep breath as I stood outside Jakeโs office. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might jump out of my chest. I had been waiting for this momentโto finally have a real conversation with him, to get everything out in the open. But now that I was here, an odd sense of hesitation filled me. Would he listen? Or would he just shut me out like he always did?No. I couldnโt afford to second-guess myself. Not now.I pushed the door open without knocking. He was sitting behind his desk, scribbling something on a piece of paper, his expression cold and distant. At the sound of the door opening, he looked up. For a moment, something flickered in his eyesโsomething I couldnโt quite placeโbefore he masked it with his usual unreadable expression.โWhat is it?โ he asked, his tone clipped and impatient.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay strong. โWe need to talk.โโIโm busy.โMy nails dug into my palms. โToo bad. Iโm not leaving until we
I wasnโt sure what startled me awake at first. My body felt heavy, my limbs sluggish, and the warmth of my blankets begged me to stay curled beneath them. But something was wrong. The air around me feltโฆ charged. A presence lingered in my room, unseen but **felt**, and a whisper brushed against my ears. **"Aylaโฆ wake up."** My breath hitched, and my eyes snapped open. The room was dim, only faint moonlight streaming through the window, but I knew I wasnโt alone. My heart pounded as I pushed myself up, scanning the shadows. **Prisca.** I had heard her before, always in my dreams. But this time was different. This wasnโt a dream. **"Wake up. The twins."** Panic gripped me. I threw off my blankets and ran. The hallway was eerily quiet, the only sound my hurried footsteps as I rushed toward Lily and Loganโs room. Dread settled deep in my stomach, a horrible premonition clawing at my chest. When I reached the door, my heart stopped. The guard. He was slumped against th