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
RyleeThe strangest thing in the world is seeing your aunt, who isn’t much older than you, kissing your ex-boyfriend’s best friend in front of your whole family.It’s hard to describe the feeling, but it’s kind of comforting to have someone else embarrassed with me under the porch.As soon as Nina and Carl meet, they shout “Mate” and kiss, making it obvious they’ve found each other.Everyone heads back into the living room. They sit scattered around, except for me and Hera on the biggest couch. Carl and Nina sit across from us, holding hands.Ohh, from the look on Carl’s face, he’s really embarrassed. In all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him look so shy. I can feel Hera and Jason almost scrutinizing him with their eyes.“You guys are so cold here; it’s really much colder than Malibu!” After introducing his family and income, Carl rubs his head and makes a silly comment.“That’s what we have here.” Nina smiles sweetly, her eyes still glued to Carl. “You’ll get used to it lat
CarlSince Alvar goes to Europe, he gets weirder by the day. This guy actually quits drinking! He was an alcoholic for a month, downing drinks like water, so it blows my mind when he says he won’t touch alcohol anymore. I tell Kristen about it, and she says seriously, “It’s called lovesickness, Carl. What do you know about love when you’re as straight as a rail?”What a joke! Who wants to know that much about love? What’s so great about love anyway? Look at Alvar—he’s an Alpha who turns into a fool for love! And Cecilia? She gets beaten with twenty lashes for love, thrown out of the mansion, and her father punished. If you ask me, this kind of thing should be as far away from me as possible.Meg tells me that Alvar actually asks for the ring back! The next day, he says, “Carl, get the private jet ready to pick up Rylee.” I am shocked. “Huh? You just got her back?”Alvar’s face is expressionless, but I can feel his excitement. Instead of answering me directly, he continues, “No, she wi
RyleeI grimace. “A date? Alpha Alvar, you think too highly of me. I'm just an Alpha from a nameless pack. It's already a great honor to have dinner with you; how can this be a date?”Alvar sighs, as if he anticipated my reaction. “Rylee, Greenvale pack is not some nameless pack. You don’t have to tease me. I know what I did before wasn't right. I’m just trying to have a calm conversation with you.”I study his expression and realize I’m a little overwhelmed by the softness in his gaze. This Alvar is different from the usual demanding Alpha I remember. Instead of snarling in anger, he looks like a wounded coyote, desperately seeking understanding.As I think this over, a nameless flame ignites in my heart. Nina said this was called “gaslighting,” and his gentleness makes me feel a flicker of shame.“I... I’m just speaking the truth.” I unconsciously raise my voice, trying to mask my inner turmoil, but unease seeps into my tone.“I know,” Alvar replies seriously, his gaze deep. “But th
RyleeAlvar really does have a good eye. The ambiance of this restaurant is breathtaking.The gorgeous crystal chandelier softly sheds its light, gilding the entire dining room with a dreamy glow. Classical French paintings adorn the walls, and the table is covered with a snow-white tablecloth. Silver cutlery glistens in the candlelight. A faint aroma of vanilla and lemon fills the air, mingling with the melodious piano music drifting from afar. As I step through the restaurant door, I feel as if I've entered another world.A flicker of regret washes over me. Am I dressed too casually? This is my first time eating at such a fancy place, and my simple outfit of bland jeans and a knit shirt seems out of place here.Luckily, the restaurant is empty, and no one makes fun of me for being a hick redneck. The only other guest is… Alvar.He wears a well-tailored black suit, with a tie hanging loosely across his chest, revealing a hint of casual elegance. That suit makes him look even taller a
RyleeThe cell phone in my hand feels like it’s burning, so I shake it away in a hurry. I touch my flushed face, unsure why I react this way.Even though we’ve been apart longer than we were together, seeing his message signed Your Mate floods my mind with his face and that familiar knitted smile."His wolf is just as shameless as him," Flash says disdainfully. "How disgusting. Tell him if he sends it again we’ll blackmail him."I change Alvar’s note. I just can't face the words Your Mate directly.I type: [Flash says to tell Blade to stop sending hairs. Otherwise I will block you.]In no time, he replies: [Okay. I’ll send you something else.] He follows it up with an aggrieved wolf head emoji.I can’t believe he uses such a cute emoji. Before I can throw my phone away, another text pops up: [I’ll give you a gift.]I almost type a firm no, but another message comes through: [I have the Greenvale guys here. I can give them back to you, but I have a condition.]Okay, I take back calling
RyleeJason shushes me along the way. He says he can always drag Oliver and Zen down to teach Alvar a lesson if I get upset. Zen doesn’t agree with him. He insists that he won’t go. He believes that even combined, he and Jason are no match for Alvar, and Oliver is also a piece of cake.I shake my head weakly. I say there’s no need fighting him. Carl should have relayed my words to him by now. And Zen's men are still captured by him. I think soon he and I will meet. We need to talk.We return to the airport in Riverside, then back to Europe. Once home, I collapse into bed and sleep for the rest of the day and night. Flash wakes me with her voice the next day, saying she smells a hint of MATE and urges me to come downstairs to see what’s happening.Thinking it’s Alvar, I nervously gather myself and head downstairs, only to find a package delivered. Inside is the same cell phone he gave me earlier (the one he gave me in Dark Moon pack) and... a handful of black hairs that Flash claims sm
AlvarTaking down the Greenvale pack doesn’t take long. The pack’s population is mostly old, sick, with few armed men. Syd's group puts up a fight, but they’re outnumbered and quickly defeated. I don't waste time on this man—he's not worthy of being my enemy. Once I have him under control, I find Anto on the east side, standing with the Luna of the pack and the Alpha's son beside him. They are preparing to escape.I ask Joanne where Steve is. She’s scared out of her wits, clutching her son and insisting she doesn’t know.Anto challenges me to a duel. As Greenvale’s Gamma, he has decent strength, but he weakens midway. He says the Alpha is dead, the leadership of Greenvale has changed, and he’s no longer the Alpha's Gamma.I glance over at the kid shielded in Joanne’s arms. Is he the new Alpha? I'm ready to rip out his throat, but Joanne drops to her knees and begs me. She says the boy's name is Sion and that he’s hers and Anto's son, not Steve’s. She pleads for his life.Hah, I can’t
RyleeSteve growls, “No way! It’s never possible! How can an omega be an Alpha?”He clings to his ridiculous theory, but he looks like a clown now, oblivious to how pathetic he appears.The challenge takes effect, forcing Steve to shift. He’s much larger than Flash, with sharper teeth. But despite his size, he's neglected his workouts—fat and weak. Anto and Syd are both stronger than him. They probably never challenged him because the Alpha of Greenvale can only be from the Green family. Relying on this, Steve thought he was secure in his Alpha position, never expecting his own daughter to challenge him.Oliver and Zen retreat, one to the window and the other to the bedroom door. Flash bends her body, ready to attack.Steve’s tail tucks between his legs as he tries to escape, but he’s trapped—both the window and door are guarded.I've been training under Jason this past month. As a Royal Knight, he taught me a lot of fighting techniques. I share all my memories with Flash. She moves s
RyleeSteve's face pales instantly, his pupils dilating in fear. He denies what I said right away. "What? What are you babbling about? Of course your mom died giving birth to you."Oliver's voice is laced with anger. "Rylee, let's kidnap him. Jason has ways of making him spill the truth."I shake my head. As much as I want to, as much as I hate him, Steve is still the Alpha of Greenvale. The people here still need him. I can't drag innocent people down with me—they deserve to live.Steve shudders at the mention of Jason, the man who’s usually all smiles with me but clearly terrifies Steve. "You... you found the Deweys," he says incredulously.I offer a false smile. "More than that. I'm living with them." I gesture for Zen to snatch his backpack away. Steve fights for a moment but loses."Okay... fine." He cringes. "I'll tell you."I hold my breath, watching as his eyes dart around. "Your mom found out about Joanne and me and got mad. She fell down the stairs by accident, so she had a