I kept my eyes downcast, concentrating on cutting Cole’s breakfast into bite-sized pieces as the weight of two dozen stares pressed down on me. Quiet murmurs rippled around the tables, wolves no doubt discussing the how foolish I was to keep the heir to the Vincenzo pack a secret for three years. “I hear the child belongs to Luke,” One of them said in a not so hushed tone. “I hear she two timed the both of them before going into hiding!” The other reply, sparing snide glances in my direction. The syrupy scent of resentment curdled the air – along with a healthy dash of curiosity. Not all the looks cast my way were hostile at least. Just most of them.“Oh give it a rest already!” Lily exclaimed loudly, slamming her palms on the tabletop with a thwack. I jumped, fumbling my fork before shooting the petite wolf an incredulous look. She paid me no mind, glaring around the hall imperiously. “Don’t y’all have something better to gossip about than Andrea? Honestly, the way you’re all o
Aspen’s commanding presence filled the spacious library, those magnetic blue eyes boring into me from across the room. My lungs strained for air that wouldn’t quite fill them. Cole’s small hand fisted tighter in my skirt as he peered around my leg warily.I rested what I hoped was a soothing hand on my son’s baby-fine hair, struggling not to mirror his uncertainty. Seeing Aspen up close again still had such an effect on me that I couldn’t explain. Had he always been so imposingly broad-shouldered and tall? So devastatingly, heart-stoppingly handsome? I fisted my hands to hide their faint tremor. Get it together! It’s only been a fucking day! Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Aspen crossed his arms and regarded us coolly through those wire-framed glasses. “Come on Cole, aren’t you going to say hello to me?” He arched one thick brow in question. Cole took another step back and burrowed himself deeper behind me. Aspen’s jaw tightened. I bristled at his entitled tone. As if he had no
We walked side by side down the spacious corridors in tense silence. The imposing manor really was a luxurious work of art, everything perfectly coordinated. A far cry from the simple apartment I’d been in Queens. Why did he ask to walk with me? We had absolutely nothing to talk about. The last conversation we had was an argument and quite frankly I figured the man would never want to speak to me again. Now we were here. “It suits you.” I cleared my suddenly dry throat. “The…interior, I mean. Elegant. Refined.” I said and then pursed my lips, looking away. Aspen spared me an assessing look, making my cheeks inexplicably warm. “Thanks. I lead a rather… solitary existence these days.” He paused, something shuttered passing behind those sharp eyes. “These were all designed by my sister though, Esther,” He said. A sister? There was more of them? Oh goddess. I frowned slightly, reading the loneliness between his words. Surprising after assuming a powerful respected Alpha wou
I have a secret. One I planned to take to my grave. Enzo was the only person who knew and I planned to keep it that way, the secret about my wolf, the most confusing part of my life. Without masking my scent as I’ve done for years, I would confuse everyone around me. After all, how would you explain an omega having the energy and scent of an Alpha? My plan was to move to a quite country, raise my son, stay away from what I was sure would be prying eyes and accusatory gazes for the rest of my life but now I was here, trapped with a man I was supposed to hate but instead was trying hard to resist. “I think you might have to consider, leaving…without Cole,”“What?” I blinked, Enzo's shocking words from the other line pulling me out from my thoughts. My gaze drifted to Cole's closed eyes as he lay in the crib, a faint smile on his lips, he was without a care in the world. I was jealous but I was also happy. “I know, I know it sounds crazy,” Enzo said hurriedly, no doubt hea
Warm rays of sunlight streamed through the light blue curtains, caressing my skin with the softest of touches and rousing me from my slumber. I ached all over from the lack of sleep, I’d through to far deeply into the night that I didn’t get enough sleep. Sitting up, my eyes trailed to where Cole still lay, sleeping peacefully not at all bothered by the sunlight that got brighter by the minute. His small chest rose and fell slowly, my lips stretched into a smile. Seeing the color returned to his skin with no hollowness in his cheek, I had a certain peace in my heart, one that I have not had for months. It gave me the impulse to do something I hadn’t done in a long time. I had spoken to Enzo about sending my things to the pack house which apparently, he knew the way to but for now I had to settle for some of the clothes Lily had borrowed to me. They were all a slightly tight fit because my chest was way fuller than hers, even more after I’d given birth to Cole. They weren’t r
I stared down at my son's red curls, running my free hand through it as I watched him eat, trying my best not to show any reaction to Victoria’s words.Cole didn’t seem restless on my lap which I was thankful for, I only took a few bites, engulfed in the silence Victoria's words had created. “Victoria,” Lily said in an exasperated tone and she rolled her eyes at the woman who didn’t seem to care. Her flowering eyes were still on me, so much hatred and disgust filled in them. Sure I knew no one in the lack liked me, or my presence but what I felt from Victoria was a whole different ball game. And I wondered what made her detest me so much despite not even knowing the woman for up to a week. Aspen was silent or rather, he and Cole had gotten lost in their strange staring contest which I found both amusing and unsettling. Was Cole finally connecting with his father? I knew it made me seem like an asshole for not wanting that to happen, because that only meant my son would be able
I hurried up the stairs to my assigned room, Cole giggling in my arms as I pushed open the door. My mind was spinning from the impending attack and Lily’s warning to “let them come.” We would be safe here, right? I had to believe that, for Cole’s sake if not my own. I was tempted to pace, jump out the window, do anything that would be considered an escape at that point but I had to be smart, I couldn’t just endanger my son for selfish reasons. What if I ran into the opposing pack? Wait…what pack in their right senses would attack the Vincenzos who have been around for centuries. “It’ll be fine,” I said to myself, breathing in and out slowly befor I lost a grip on my control and be unable to mask my scent. Gently setting my son down on the plush carpet, I grabbed for my phone to call Enzo. But when I pressed the power button, nothing happened. Dead. Of course. I sighed, sitting down next to Cole as he babbled happily with his toy truck. At least one of us was blissfully unawa
Clutching Cole close, I moved to the window overlooking the forest. The sun dipped low above the tree line, casting the woods in deep shadow. Another volley of furious snarls and howls erupted, too distorted by distance to determine numbers or direction. We were cut off, blind as the battle commenced just beyond sight.Were we really going to be safe? Jaw clenched, I stood vigil at the window while the sounds of violence ebbed and flowed. Cole had dozed off in my arms despite the unearthly chaos that ensued outside. I envied his peace for the nth time that day.Not long after, there was a knock on the door and behind it was a young boy, familiar yet, unfamiliar with a tray in his hands. He looked to be at least fifteen. He had sandy blond hair and electric blue eyes, just as Aspen’s but they bore no other resemblance to the Alpha except for their hair color and cold gazes. “Lunch,” the boy said distantly, waiting until I opened the door fully before he walked in. Oh, at leas
ANDREA I woke up with a start. I jerked violently on the bed as I tried to gather my bearings. For a few moments, it reeked of that room, where Luke had kept me, it reeked of him and I could almost see his sinister blue eyes looking down at me, getting excited over the pain he inflicted. In a few seconds though, the haze cleared and I relaxed, realizing I was in my bedroom in the cabin. Safe. Right next to me was Cole. He was on the bed with me, his small fingers holding on to mine as he slept peacefully. I heaved a sigh of relief and my lips curled up as I watched my son sleep. Home. I gently pulled my fingers out if his grasp and caressed his hair gently as I watched his little chest rise and fall. We were safe. We were home. I looked around the room, feeling a it disappointed when I saw we were both alone. Aspen must be busy. I inhaled deeply once more, checking the state of my body. I seemed to be healing at a rather rapid pace but not fast enough, it stil
ASPENI gently brushed the messy strands of hair from Andrea’s face, my insides burning with anger as I took in the fading bruises and marks covering her delicate skin. My beautiful, strong mate, so tough yet almost broken by the horrible cruelty we had barely rescued her from.From my spoiled nephew who my mother had raised to be greedy and raised to hate everything that I am. The memory alone of finding her in that hellish basement cell, battered and almost dead…it made my blood boil with rage. If Enzo hadn’t held me back and reminded me she was more important, I might have torn the twitching remains of Luke limb from limb with my bare hands. Luke. Just thinking his name ignited a fresh wave of hatred and disgust towards the misguided kid who was once family. To think he had also dared lay his twisted hands on my mate…the idea was unforgivable. And he will pay for it. For every scratch, every bruise. Andrea’s breathing became slow and even as my fingertips stroked her brow soo
Countless emotions rushed through me as my eyes took in the sight that was in front of me. The cozy cabin’s living room came into view. The scent of fresh-brewed coffee mingling with the scent of breakfast, it made my stomach churn as I had no appetite for anything. There, in the middle where the coffee table was, sat Enzo and Lily, both watching with indulged grins as Cole enthusiastically showed off his prowess at a children’s board game, sweeping aside the pieces with gleeful abandon. Not a single hair was out of place on my beautiful son’s curls, not a mark or blemish on his beaming little face beyond the rosy flush of his excitement. He was safe. Whole. The relief I felt was so great my knees almost gave way. “My baby,” I breathed out in a shaky whisper. At the sound of my voice, three pairs of eyes swiveled in the direction of the staircase, taking in the sight of Aspen holding my admittedly worse-for-wear form. Enzo was the first to rise, hands held out in a placating mann
Everything hurt despite me being at peace. I’d honestly thought I wouldn’t feel anything once I was dead. Why did I still feel? A feeling of grogginess overshadowed my thoughts and I became painfully aware of my whole body as I stirred and clawed my way out of unconsciousness. My whole body felt heavy and my chest felt constricted yet, I could tell I was somewhere safe. I was laying in a deliciously soft bed, the kind of plush comfort I’d missed dearly. The crisp scent of freshly washed linens intermingled with the woodsy, piney aroma that could only belong to one place, my cozy little cabin back at Aspen’s pack. Confusion flooded my senses. Wait…how did I end up here? My brain felt foggy until the memories came crashing back like a violent wave. Luke’s sadistic torment, the crushing certainty that I would never see my precious Cole or family again, the terrifying descent into blackness. But then, cutting through it all…Aspen’s intoxicating scent had washed over me. That earthy
Luke paused mid-swing, chest heaving with the exertion of his hits as his nostrils flared. "Your bastard? Don't fret, my most capable wolves are out watching him. But once he's been...properly raised under my guidance, you needn't concern yourself with the affairs of children any longer," Like said, sounding proud like he was doing me a favor. The images his words stirred in my mind caused me to cry out, a deep, anguish filled cry at the thought of my precious boy suffering at the hands of such a sadistic bastard. The sight of my tears seemed to invite him even more, his expression turned into one of animalistic excitement as he continued his assault, cursing repeatedly as he made each hit. My throat became clogged up with blood, my eyes almost swollen shut, my lungs burned and I couldn’t see anything I could not thinks or feel, all that remained was pain. Blood, my blood, painted the walls in thick runnels with each strike that landed. Still I remained stubbornly defiant in my
A throbbing pain pounded incessantly behind my eyes as consciousness grudgingly slipped through, my mind clearing and my body becoming aware of its state. My head lolled listlessly to the side, cheek grinding against the rough, unforgiving concrete beneath me, I could barely hold up my head. As my fuzzy vision gradually cleared, a new kind of pain blossomed in my chest, the sickening realization that I was chained and spread in what appeared to be some dank, long-forgotten basement cell. "Awake at last, are we my little alpha?" A deep, sneering voice like poisoned honey reached my ears.Luke's hulking form stepped into my rapidly clearing field of view, his lips twisted into a smug sneer of victory. Revulsion and hatred churned in the pit of my roiling stomach at the sight of the vicious gashes I'd managed to inflict on his cheek now scabbed over. An injury from an alpha would never close up, it gave me even greater satisfaction to see how easily he looked like what he was on the i
The heavy silence hung in the air like a suffocating blanket after Theo's passing. Tears streamed down Maria's face as she clutched her dead mate's limp hand, her body shaking with sobs. Viktor looked shell-shocked, staring blankly ahead, his usual stoic expression cracked by raw grief. I pulled Cole tighter against my chest, his small frame trembling from fear and the effort of his earlier wails. My own tears flowed freely as the devastating loss hit me in waves. Despite barely knowing him, Theo's dying words echoed through my mind, his belief in me, A profound sense of both peace responsibility settled on my shoulders.The doctor and Viktor lifted Theo's now cold body from the ground and lay him down on the bed and then the doctor covered Theo's body with a white sheet, his head bowed in somber silence. Just then, heavy foot steps sounded above us. We all tensed, braced for another attack in our fragile state.The door burst open and a large figure strode in, it was Luke, Theo's
The dining table soon turned rather chaotic as Theo's hacking only worsened by the second, his face turned blue and purple his lips became drained of colors they were as white as snow and everything was a symptom of poisoning. Damien held his father close while he shouted orders put to the maids to go get the pack doctors. I could hear just how fast my heart was beating, how the blood fished in my ears and made them ring. Through it all, Theo’s eyes somehow remained locked onto mine even as they started to glass over with sheer, anguished struggle. An eerie sense of acceptance seemed to emanate from their glassy depths, as if he knew…No. I shook my head. Before that unthinkable notion could fully take shape, a series of thunderous booms shook the foundations beneath our feet. Dishes clattered from the table as the heavy wooden chairs skittered across the stone floor, creating more chaos and confusion.I lost my balance and almost fell face first on the floor. “What the fuc
“Maria,” Theo’s low rumble brooked no argument from the corner where he loomed beside Damien and Viktor the two stony-faced brothers pointedly disincluding themselves from the impromptu family scene.I didn’t blame them, I tried my best to push their chilly attitudes to the back of my mind. If I can handle Aspen, I can definitely handle them. Laughing lightly, Maria rose and dusted off her apron with familiar fondness. “Yes, yes, you’re quite right. We’d best get dinner underway before someone’s stomach starts growling us all into submission,” she teased with an amused glint in her eyes. Beckoning me forward, she looped an arm through the crook of mine as if we were lifelong friend. “Come along, dear, and we’ll get you and the little one settled at the table. I want to hear all about your journey here,” she said, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. I wish I could say I was used to things not happening as I expected them to but quite frankly, I was taken aback by how easi