CarlHoly shit! Is this pussy looking for death?I peek at Alvar’s face. His expression has turned completely dark, his breathing getting heavier by the second, but he doesn’t say a word. He ignores the idiot in the pink suit. Instead, he turns to me. “Show Alpha Craig and Mr. Smith Jr. to their seats in the front row.”Smith Jr. strolls over, rolling his eyes with a tone full of disdain. “Look at him, all lovey-dovey. I can’t believe anyone would actually love him. If that poor woman wasn’t his Mate, she’d probably run the hell away.”“Kevin, enough,” Craig glares at his son. “This is a big day for Alvar, so shut your mouth before I beat you.” Then he turns to Alvar, “Don’t mind him, Alvar. You know he’s an idiot. Don’t let him ruin your wedding.”Alvar says that it’s fine in a dark face, which surprises me a lot. It’s rare for him to hold back anger like that. Alvar used to deck Kevin for talking shit before. Maybe it’s because it’s his wedding day? He seems softer, more tolerant th
RyleeI drift in a trance, barely hearing Carl's shouts. Did they find me?Lightning streaks across the sky, and the wind roars as if tearing the world apart. If I lose focus for even a moment, I'll fall. All sounds seem to disappear, leaving only pounding of my heartbeat echoing in my ears.Thump—thump—thump—The rain is getting worse.I never imagined Cecilia could be so ruthless. I knew she wanted me to leave, but I never thought she would want me dead. My fingertips tingle, pain radiates from my wrist to my shoulder. Hanging from the balcony with one hand, I feel my grip weakening. The rain slicks my palm, making it slippery. I watch as Cecilia hurries away, leaving Meg behind, who is desperately trying to pull me up.“Rylee, grab my arm!” Meg’s voice is strained and filled with terror, her fingers trembling. The rain is making everything more difficult, and she’s not strong enough to help me. My grip on the railing is slipping, my fingers barely holding on.Suddenly, the door to m
CarlThese days, we’re all running on empty at the training grounds. Alvar is colder and tougher than ever, pushing us from dawn till dusk without a break. His eyes are icy, filled with pure determination. We're exhausted, but no one dares to complain. We all know Alvar is holding back a wild energy, just waiting to crack down on his enemy.Nobody talks about that day. The word "wedding" is off-limits. Alvar is so sensitive about it that if anyone accidentally brings it up, he explodes like a wounded beast, taking it out on us. His methods were ruthless before, but now it’s downright terrifying. We suffer in silence, keeping our mouths shut.Tonight, my mom invites me over for dinner. When I walk in, she’s cleaning her room, looking sad as she wipes down the table, sighing like it’s the end of the world. “How did this happen?” she mutters, lost in her own thoughts.I sit at the table and dive into the pasta with pappardini cheese she left for me. With my mouth full, I say, “Stop sayin
RyleeA month ago. The night of the wedding.I crash into the ocean. Pain shoots through my body, and I lose consciousness instantly.Nightmares haunt me. I’m falling, and black wolves chase me. Each time, I tumble off a cliff, feeling the wind cut into my skin. Then a massive black wolf emerges from the shadows, its eyes burning with rage. It lunges and tears into me, and then—blackness.I wake up, my body aching like I’ve been hit by a truck. My head feels like it’s going to explode. I double over and vomit, my vision blurry. Someone gently tells me we’re on a boat and urges me to sleep a bit longer. I groan and toss, clutching my head to block out the pain. Sweat soaks the sheets. Eventually, someone gives me a shot, and I drift back into unconsciousness.When I finally sleep again, it’s a bit more peaceful. My dreams are filled with Alvar. Sweet memories of us play in my mind… We melt together by the lake in the moonlight, holding hands and whispering sweet nothings only we unders
RyleeI stare out the window in awe.Is that …my family?The word feels magical, an unreal sensation washing over me as I watch the people playing joyfully in the sunlight below. Their laughter sparkles in the air, illuminating the dull grayness I often feel within myself.Hera’s words echo in my mind, making me hesitate. Am I ready to meet them? Will they accept me? Will they like me?Seeing my uncertainty, Hera pats me reassuringly on the shoulder. “Of course, you need to rest first. I’ll introduce you to them when you’re feeling better. For now, I’ll tell them to give you some space. And that boy, Syd—I’ve already sent him back to Greenvale. You don’t need to worry about anything.”Grateful, I hug her tightly. Her warmth and thoughtfulness bring me comfort, easing my anxiety.After Hera leaves, I step into the shower. This bedroom has a separate toilet, and while there’s no bathtub, the shower is perfect.The warm water envelops me, and I close my eyes, letting the steam rise aroun
RyleeMy panic feels exposed under the warm light. I don’t know how to react. Eight pairs of eyes focus on me, their faces brimming with enthusiasm and expectation. Overwhelmed by so many unfamiliar relatives, I clutch my skirts tightly, unsure of what to do next.“But it’s not my birthday…” I stammer, my teeth chattering.Hera smiles gently. “I know your birthday already passed, just last month. But today marks the start of your new life and a family reunion. Which are worth celebrating. We want to throw you a belated birthday party.”Before I can respond, a middle-aged man with silver hair, striking green eyes, and a stocky build suddenly appears with a birthday hat. He plops it onto my head without warning. He looks familiar. Before I can think who he is, he pulls me in for a hug, tears glistening in his eyes. “You look just like your mother!”I freeze, overwhelmed, but his warmth is comforting.Hera sees my embarrassment and gently chides him. “Jason, stop. You’re scaring her.” Th
RyleeThe Dewey's living room feels cozy, a world away from the luxury style of the Gonzales Mansion. The leather sofas are so big and soft that sitting on them is like sinking into a cloud, making me sleepy. Soft lighting spills onto the floor, wrapping the room in a warm glow. Everything here is so beautiful.Jason and Nina have taken the kids to play, leaving the house quiet for a while. Oliver is helping me set up my cell phone, adding everyone's numbers. Even little 8-year-old Ivy has her own phone in the Dewey household! I watch him curiously as he connects me to the Wi-Fi.“You know, Rylee?” Oliver says with a relaxed tone as he works, “Ivy knows how to use these electronics better than I do. You really need to learn from her.”“Haha, looks like I need to ask her for lessons.” I reply with a smile.Just then, Hera sits beside me, her face gentle with a smile. “How are you feeling?” she asks, concern in her tone.“Fine and relaxed,” I respond. “I didn’t realize everyone would be
CarlSame Time, Dark Moon Pack“Alvar, that’s enough.” I yank the whiskey bottle from his hand. It’s his third one today. Even with his Alpha resilience, no one can keep this up.“Give it back to me.” Alvar clutches his head and stumbles to his feet, trying to grab the bottle. The study is pitch black. He knocks over a piece of empty bottles, then trips over a table leg and collapses to the floor.“Give it back,” he mutters, trying to rise but falling again.“Look at you,” I snap, flipping on the light. The brightness floods the messy den, making Alvar wince. He shields his eyes, groaning, “Turn it off… damn it.”Ignoring him, I toss the bottles aside and haul him up. “Alvar Gonzales. Do you remember who you are? You’re falling apart over a woman. Forget about your pack? Your family?”“Family?” His hair hangs in his face, and he reeks of alcohol. He laughs bitterly, “I don’t have a home anymore. My dad doesn’t have a home. My whole family has no home.”He’s repeating nonsense and bull