The room buzzed with warmth and laughter, the kind that felt rare and precious in the packhouse. Sophie had just finished recounting a ridiculous story about tripping over her own feet during a pack hunt, and Fatima, for once, wasn’t biting back a cutting remark. Instead, she chuckled softly while rocking Lily, who was half-asleep in her arms. “This is nice,” I said, letting my head rest against the arm of the sofa. Logan, in Sophie’s lap, was gnawing on a teething ring, his little fists gripping it with determination. “It is,” Sophie agreed, her hair glowing in the soft lamplight. “We don’t get many moments like this, do we?” Fatima nodded, though her expression turned more serious. “And we probably won’t if we don’t address the elephant in the room.” I frowned. “What do you mean?” Fatima looked at me pointedly. “Jake. The twins. Whatever it is you think is going on with them—don’t you think he deserves to know?” I tensed immediately. “I don’t know if he’ll even listen to
The eerie stillness of the night was what woke me. At first, I thought it was just a bad dream, a shadow of paranoia lingering from Jake’s harsh words earlier. But there was something else—an unmistakable heaviness in the air, like the quiet before a storm. My heart began to pound, my wolf restless beneath my skin. Something wasn’t right. I swung my legs over the bed, pulling on a light robe as I crept toward the door. The hallway was quiet, the packhouse wrapped in the kind of silence that felt unnatural. As I neared the nursery, the faintest noise—a shuffle—set my nerves ablaze. I froze, straining to hear. There it was again, like someone deliberately trying to move quietly. My breath hitched. Without thinking, I pushed the door open just enough to peer inside. The sight sent a jolt of terror through me. A dark-cloaked figure stood by the twins’ cribs, their posture predatory. “No!” I burst into the room, my voice trembling with both fear and fury. “Get away from them!” Th
I sat in my room, staring blankly at the wall, the heavy silence pressing down on me. My eyes burned from crying, my throat ached, and my wolf whimpered weakly in the back of my mind.A sharp knock shattered the quiet.“Ayla, open the door!” Sophie’s voice was firm, edged with frustration.I froze, my heart hammering. I didn’t want to face her, not like this.“Ayla, I know you’re in there. Don’t make me break this door down,” she threatened.Reluctantly, I shuffled to the door, cracking it open. Sophie pushed her way inside without waiting for an invitation.Her arms were crossed, her brows furrowed in anger. “Why?” she demanded.I blinked at her. “Why what?”“Don’t play dumb with me,” she snapped. “Why didn’t you tell me?”“I—I didn’t think it mattered,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.“Didn’t matter?” Sophie’s voice rose, incredulous. “You’re an omega, Ayla! That’s not something you just sweep under the rug!”I flinched, the words cutting deep. “I was afraid,” I admitt
The morning sun peeked through my window, casting a warm glow on the walls. I turned my head on the pillow, but the ache in my chest remained unbearable. I missed the twins so much it physically hurt. Their laughter, their little hands reaching for me—now, it all felt like a dream I had woken up from too soon. Maybe Sophie and Fatima were right. Maybe I should apologize to Jake. Even if he didn’t forgive me, I had to at least try. I couldn’t bear this silence anymore, this emptiness. I got out of bed, straightened my clothes, and ran a brush through my tangled hair. As I made my way through the corridors, rehearsing what I’d say to Jake, a voice stopped me in my tracks. A voice I hadn’t heard for quite some time now she was here it could only mean trouble. “Please, Alpha,” she said, her tone desperate. “I didn’t know. I swear, if I had known, I would never have allowed her to come here.” I froze, my heart plummeting into my stomach. It was her. My stepmother. My hands trem
The car ride home was agonizingly silent. I kept my gaze fixed on the trees passing by, but my mind was spiraling. My stepmother sat next to me, her lips pursed into a thin line, her knuckles white as she gripped the steering wheel. The moment we arrived, I stepped out and followed her into the house. It was the same as I remembered—cold and unwelcoming, despite its lavish furnishings. The walls seemed to close in on me as the memories I had buried deep began to surface. She slammed the door behind us, the sound reverberating through the empty house. I stood frozen in the foyer, her glare cutting through me like a knife. “Why did you lie to them?” I blurted out, the words escaping before I could stop them. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “What did you say to me?” “You lied,” I said, my voice trembling but resolute. “You told them you didn’t know I was an omega, but you knew. You’re the one who told me to hide it. You told me never to show my wolf.” She scoffed, her hand com
The darkness of the basement pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket. The air was damp, the walls covered in patches of mold, and the faint sound of rats skittering across the floor made my skin crawl. My throat was dry, my stomach growling in protest. But it was my spirit that felt the heaviest. How long had I been down here? Hours? A day? It was hard to tell. I ran my fingers along the rough, cold floor, searching for anything to distract myself from the growing ache in my body. The faint creak of the door opening made me freeze. My breath hitched as the light from the hallway spilled into the basement, and the silhouette of Steve filled the doorway. “Well, well,” he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. “How’s my little rat doing down here?” I didn’t respond. “Oh, come on, Ayla. Don’t be so rude,” he said, descending the stairs with exaggerated steps. He was carrying a tray of food and a glass of water. My stomach clenched at the sight, but I knew better than to h
The darkness was suffocating, pressing into my chest until I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My body ached from the beatings, my stomach churned from hunger, and my lips were so dry they felt like they’d crack with a single word. But the worst part wasn’t the physical pain—it was the hopelessness, the unrelenting thought that maybe this was it.Maybe I wasn’t meant for this world.I curled into a ball on the cold, damp floor, letting my thoughts spiral. I thought of my father, his warm laugh, and the way he’d hold my hand when I was scared as a child. I wanted that warmth again. I wanted him.Maybe if I let go, I’d finally be with him.The thought grew stronger, like a whisper in my mind, pulling me deeper into the abyss. Tears slipped down my cheeks, and I let them fall freely. What was the point of trying anymore? Jake hated me, Sophie and Fatima had abandoned me, and the world I had tried so hard to hold onto had crumbled beneath my feet.Then, out of nowhere, a voice.“Get up.”It w
**Sophie’s Perspective**Lunch was an unusually quiet affair, save for the occasional clinking of silverware against plates. Normally, there would be chatter between Fatima and me, or perhaps one of Jake’s dry remarks that I’d have to counter with a sarcastic quip. But today, the tension at the table was so thick it could’ve suffocated me.I sat there, absently picking at my salad, my phone clutched tightly in my other hand. My thumb hovered over Ayla’s name on the screen. Her last text was two days ago, nothing special, just a quick note about how the twins had been extra fussy. Since then? Silence. “Come on, Ayla,” I muttered under my breath, sending yet another message. **“Hey, are you okay? Call me ASAP.”** No reply. I sighed, my heart heavy with worry. It was unlike Ayla not to respond to me. We always replied to each other, no matter how busy things got. And her phone—it had been going straight to voicemail every time I’d tried calling. Jake sat across from me, looking f
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
Got it! I’ll make sure to keep Alaric’s character intense, dominant, and ruthless while making the scene as steamy and intense as possible from Vanessa’s perspective. Here’s the chapter:My body ached, but it was a different kind of ache. The kind that sat beneath the skin, pulsing, twisting, almost alive.I blinked against the dim light in the unfamiliar room, my breathing shallow. The last thing I remembered was blacking out after trying to make my way to the door, my body too weak from all the blood they had drained from me. But now… now I felt different.Stronger. Aware. Too aware.I sat up slowly, expecting the usual dizziness, but it never came. Instead, everything around me sharpened. The distant ticking of a clock echoed in my ears like a drumbeat. The scent of fresh rain drifted in through the open window, so strong it almost overwhelmed me. And then—Alaric.I felt him before I saw him. A dark, consuming presence that called to something inside me. The bond. The mark. Whatev
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 undeniable—these two tiny beings held my heart in a way I never thought possible. But it wasn’t 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 wasn’t his love for them—it was the ever-present doubt that clouded his judgment. He didn’t trust me fully, nor did he trust the visions I had seen in my dreams. Those dreams, those warnings, they weren’t just random—they were real.Today, however, I was trying to push those thoughts aside, trying
The night air was heavy, thick with the kind of silence that made my skin crawl. Ever since the attack on the twins’ room, I hadn’t 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. Prisca’s 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 couldn’t afford to be careless. I reached for a blanket, tucking it around them before stepping away. That’s when I saw it. The smallest draft of air… coming from the far wall of the room. My eyes narrowed. That didn’t make sense. The room was closed—wind
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 didn’t mean I would stop protecting them.I ran my fingers through Lily’s 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 it—an odd sensation, like an invisible pull. It made the hair on my arms stand up. I glanced around, my eyes narrowing on the twins’ blankets.A chill crept down my spine as I moved closer,
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 Jake—Jake was furious.He had been working nonstop, investigating, interrogating, and making sure every single security measure was doubled. He barely slept. I wasn’t sure if he even ate. He was always moving, always planning, and always avoiding me.But I wasn’t 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 in my office, staring at the wall as the weight of everything threatened to crush me. My mate, my unborn child, my pack—everything was hanging by a thread, and I felt powerless. Prisca had finally told me the truth, and it shattered me in ways I couldn’t put into words. She was given an impossible choice. One where no matter what she decided, she would lose something—either our child or me. How the hell was I supposed to accept that? My fingers clenched into fists against my desk as a growl rumbled low in my chest. No. I wouldn’t accept it. Fate had already tried to take too much from me. I had lost warriors, friends, people who depended on me to lead them. But my family? That was where I drew the line. There had to be another way. I pushed back from my desk and stood, my muscles tense as I made my decision. I couldn’t sit here and wait for fate to take its course. I had to act. I walked out of my office and made my way down the dimly lit halls of the packhouse. Most o
The room was dark and silent as I drifted in and out of a restless sleep. My body was heavy, but my mind was uneasy, tugged by an invisible string that wouldn’t let me rest. I heard the voice again, soft yet urgent, piercing through the haze of my dreams. “Ayla... wake up. Go to them.” It was Prisca. My eyes flew open, and I sat up in bed, my heart pounding. The room was cold, the night air chilling my skin, but it wasn’t the temperature that sent a shiver down my spine. Something was wrong. I threw on my robe and bolted out of the room, my feet carrying me down the hallway toward the twins’ nursery. As I approached, the sight of the guard slumped against the wall froze me in my tracks. “Lance?” I whispered, shaking his shoulder. He didn’t respond. His breathing was steady, but he wouldn’t wake up. It wasn’t normal sleep—it was too deep, too unnatural. Fear gripped me as I turned toward the door. It was ajar, and the faint light from inside spilled into the hallway. Slowly
The morning sunlight streamed through the nursery windows, casting a warm glow over the room as I sat on the floor with Lily and Logan. Their giggles filled the air, and despite the ache in my chest from my last conversation with Jake, I couldn’t help but smile. Being with the twins was the only thing that gave me peace now. They didn’t judge or lash out. They didn’t push me away. They simply existed in their innocent, joyful world, and I was grateful to be a part of it. Today was bath day, and I had everything set up: warm water in the tub, towels neatly folded, and a small bottle of lavender-scented baby soap. Logan crawled toward the tub, babbling incoherently, while Lily followed with a determined look, her tiny fists clutching the edge of the tub as she tried to pull herself up. “All right, you two,” I said with a laugh, scooping them both up. “One at a time. You’re not running this show.” Logan went first, splashing the water with glee as I lathered him up. His little hand