AlvarI've never felt this way. No one ever gives me such a headache. In the old days, things were simple. When I had a craving, I found someone to fuck. I never slept with a woman twice because I didn't want any trouble. My energies needed to be focused on more important things—the frontier, keeping my pack safe and flourish.But now Blade and I have a double headache together.‘What the hell is this!’ Blade lies down in my mind, howling at the screen for the hundredth time.I grimace, "Shut up, it's Rylee's favorite TV show. I'm trying to figure out what the hell she's thinking."‘So fucking boring. Might as well go kill some people for fun.’ Blade grinds his claws in boredom.I also find this TV show, "Alpha's Runaway Bride," incredibly boring. It's about a man who can't win his mate's heart, and she runs away from him. "Wimp." That's what I say about the male lead. "And a man like that deserves to be called an Alpha?" I scoff.What does Rylee even like it about? She's so hard to r
RyleeThe curtains in the parlor are all pulled up. The carpet and sofa covers have been replaced, and the bright light pouring through the windows highlights the intricate patterns on the decorations, making the room look especially gorgeous.Meg drops me off and leaves. Now, I'm alone. I sit anxiously on the couch, my mind racing with all sorts of thoughts. My legs shake involuntarily, and I fight the urge to pinch my nails. Meg said no pinching."Hera Dewey," I whisper, pronouncing my grandmother's name for the first time. Yesterday, Alvar showed me a picture of her—a stately lady in a bowler hat shaking hands with a royalty member. She looked serious, every wrinkle on her face exuding authority. Alvar said she's the head of the Dewey family now, very demanding and prickly. Would she recognize me as her granddaughter? Would she like me?Would Hera hate me if she knew my history?I've never wanted someone's approval so badly, not even Alvar's. But now, facing this relative I've neve
Rylee"Healer's powers are drastically diminished while pregnant. I know it. I’ve looked it up online." Tears spring to my eyes. I lower my head, wishing I could bury it in the ground. I've never hated myself more. "It's my fault. It's because of me that she stayed in Greenvale and got killed."In this moment, I loathe myself. If it hadn't been for me, Sheila could have left Steve without a second thought—or at least they wouldn't have had the chance to hurt her.Hera pats my hand. "Sweetheart, trust me, it's not your fault. Greedy people with rotten hearts would always find ways to hurt others, no matter what. And…" Her voice softens, her eyes glistening with tears. "...I'm sure she loved you. Just like I love her."My heart swells with a bittersweet emotion. Is this what they call love? Family love. It makes everything I've suffered feel like it has meaning.Drying my tears, I say, "I don’t think of Steve as a dad anymore. Before I knew about you, I thought I had no family. Now I fi
RyleeThis is my first time in the Mansion’s party restaurant on the first floor. The place is lavishly decorated, with a long table set for twenty, and pre-dinner snacks already laid out. The lights are dim, and the flickering candles cast dancing shadows on the walls, adding to the room's elegance.The guests all seem to know each other well. Even Meg, who’s beside me, is whispering to someone. I sit in the first seat on the left side of the table, trying to endure the occasional curious glances thrown my way. Don’t move. Stay calm, I tell myself. No one’s coming over to talk to me anyway.The restaurant slowly fills up. Most of the faces are unfamiliar, though I spot Carl, and even Cecilia has been invited. She’s seated far down the table, away from me. The two main seats—the ones at the head and across from it—are still empty. Those belong to Alvar and Hera, who both stepped out to talk.Suddenly, the living room door swings open, and Alvar strides into the dining room. He’s dress
RyleeWhen Alvar makes the announcement, the room falls into a stunned silence, except for Carl and Meg, who already know. I can feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on me, and the first to catch my attention is Cecilia's resentful glare. Her hostility cuts through the air like a knife, and I resist the urge to bite my lip. Instead, I force a smile, though my nerves scream for me to run out the door. But Hera is here, and I can’t afford to lose face.Alvar notices my reaction, and his eyebrow arches slightly as the fire in his eyes fades a little. He takes my hand, his grip firm yet reassuring, and I allow our fingers to interlock.Alvar’s voice is still charged with determination as he declares, “The wedding is set for next week. No one can change my decision.” He stresses the word “anyone,” and for a brief moment, his gaze flicks toward Hera, who remains expressionless, her face a mask of calm.Dinner is served shortly after, and the meal is nothing short of exquisite. I try to focus
RyleeAlvar doesn’t hesitate. “Don’t say shit. There’s no way you’re helping with the wedding. I don’t agree. You better not make a mess.” His voice is cold and hard, leaving no room for debate.Cecilia clearly didn’t expect such a harsh rejection. She bites her lip, turning her hopeful gaze to me. “Rylee, what do you say?” There’s a strange glint in her eyes. “I said I could help you, remember?”My heart skips a beat. She’s talking about our secret plan, the one where she’d help me escape. If I don’t play along, she’ll rat me out to Alvar. I’m screwed, especially since Hera just had a talk with Alvar. He’s on edge about everything right now.I tug on Alvar’s sleeve, forcing myself to sound casual. “It’s okay. Cecilia has good taste. I don’t have many friends in the pack, so I’m glad she’s willing to help.”Alvar’s frown deepens as he studies me. “What are you two playing at? I don’t remember you being so close.” His suspicion is clear, and I struggle to keep my face neutral.After a
RyleeMy heart is in turmoil. I don’t know how to answer or how to explain what’s bothering me. Am I jealous? I’ve never felt this way before. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I didn’t own anything. I’ve only ever been envious once in a while—like in the summertime when Syd and the others could go swimming in the river and eat ice cream, but I still had to work.Now, I clearly have Alvar’s favoritism, yet I’m still jealous. Why?Alvar turns me around and gently lifts my face. “Tell me why. Or I’m going to have to kiss you right here.”I pull away from him in a panic. His so-called kissing never stops at just a kiss.“It’s nothing. Just…” I try to suppress the questions bubbling inside me. Did you sleep with Cecilia? Did you date her? What’s going on with Ruth? Those women you’ve been with… have you had a lot of lovers?But who am I to ask? Do I even like him? I don’t know. I’m not his girlfriend, just MATE. A mate without a mate-bond.“…I was just thinking, you’re a good dancer…
RyleeThe softness in his eyes vanishes. Dismay quickly turns to anger and bloodlust. The gentle Alvar disappears, replaced by the familiar formidable Alpha.I rush to speak before he erupts. “You don’t need to ask who he is. I’ve rejected him. I’m done with him.”“Why?” he demands through gritted teeth.“I don’t think we’re right for each other,” I admit, the words finally escaping my lips after so long.“Why?” His eyes darken, sharper than ever. I sense his fury, but strangely, I’m not afraid. It’s astonishing that he’s holding back his anger.“I didn’t want to be stuck in Greenvale. I wanted my own life, so I left.”Alvar’s skin begins to change, a precursor to a shift. “You and he have a mate bond. But we don’t.”“I don’t understand what’s happening,” I say, glancing at his mouth as fangs begin to emerge. “Are you going to kill me? Or mark me, even if I haven’t agreed to it?”Alvar steps closer, radiating an intensity I’ve never felt before. I almost choke on the pressure.“How co