SCARLETT :Alpha Aaron spent a lot of time comforting me even when my tears fell for another man. It was my plan, and it hurt so bad. Too bad.Deep down, I knew it would be best to give up now, but how could I? I already started; I'd be a coward not to see it to the end.I called my twin to let her know how right she was."Stop going back and forth, Scar," she told me. "Pick a side now.""I'm trying to," I groaned on the other end of the phone. "I can't come up with a way to get that close to him.""You don't have to go to him. Make him come to you," she replied."How?""Jealousy," I could sense her maliciously grinning."I don't know," my brain glowed in remembrance, and a light bulb appeared above my head. "Alpha Aaron.""Brother of bitch 2.0?" she questioned. The moment I gave Sophie all the details on Rosie, she gave her a well-deserved nickname."Yes, him.""Hmm. Not bad.""You're stroking your chin, aren't you?" I sighed."I hate that you know me so well.""This isn't your detec
SCARLETT :"I can't get the image of the two of you together out of my mind," I admitted, a part of me wanted to let that go but the pain it brought me refused to fade."Why?" His thumb stroked the exposed skin of my neck."I don't know," I told him. "Make me forget." Without breaking eye contact, I brought his finger with my shaky hands to my trembling lips.I didn't have to say it; my gesture was enough for him to crash his lips onto mine. He fisted my hair gently while I did the same. He shuffled between slow and aggressively passionate. It was almost as if he only wanted to treasure the moment between us. My legs turned to jelly in a millisecond, if it weren't for the support of the wall I'd have fallen on the spot."I've…"Kiss."Always…”Kiss."Wanted to…”Kiss."Touch you again."Every movement sent tingles from my back to my core. Although it seemed momentarily, it gave me the chance to see an opening for a possibility of it all to last forever."Part your lips for me, Scarle
SCARLETT : A loud bang on the door made my heart skip a beat and jolted me awake. My legs were trapped between Alpha Jax's, who was also awake and tightened his grip on my legs to keep me in place. He signaled for me to stay quiet. I lay back on the bed while the noise continued from outside his door. He had kept his promise about me not being able to walk, as I felt entirely sore. My body ached severely, and though I couldn't see them, I knew there were marks of his teeth all over me. "Jax, come out now!" I heard Rosie's voice. Who else would it be? Both of us had left the party and never returned to the venue. I was naked in his bed, my shoes and jewelry askew, my underwear nowhere to be seen, my dress a rag, my hair rough, my body marked, my lips swollen. There was no excuse. Alpha Jax hadn't signed the alliance. Alpha Aaron could take it back if something were to happen. Roseanne was beautiful, too beautiful to pine over a man who did not love her. Although I was in no posit
JAX:Scarlett was a force that pushed and pulled. Right now, she had pushed me into giving in to my desires.It was tough to resist her after I saw her again. Audaciously, she fully tempted me, making me surrender. Now that I had tasted her again, I did not think I'd have it in me to let her go until she breaks the bond.She was my undoing; she'd end me if I wasn't careful. I could not find it in me to regret what I did.I woke up much earlier than I expected to, and the sight before me was so beautiful. She had barely rested all night, and I wasn't going to disturb her.Her eyes were tightly shut, and her lips partly opened. Our legs were wrapped together like we were lovers.A small light shone from the windows, reflecting on her white skin stained with my teeth marks, leaving me satisfied. Scarlett was mine for as long as she'd let me have her. I did not know if I was fine with that, but I hoped to get clarity once she broke the bond.I was about to stroke her hair gently when a lo
JAX:Scarlett fell asleep midway, as she always did. It bothered me that she was easily carried away by the wind. If she were in a car with someone else, anyone who could harm her, there would be consequences.I instructed my chauffeur to join my men in the other car and drove because I wanted to be next to her. Every now and then, I glanced at my side to find her lips partly opened while her head changed positions.I didn't want to drop her off at the pack house in that state. Furthermore, I would be returning to the royal pack residence to give my mother details of my ordeal. She wasn't in control of the pack, but as Luna, she could offer advice or take steps on her own. My mother was skilled in diplomacy, having an eye to make the right connections. She bored me to death with her talks; she was a better Luna than a good mother, yet avoiding her was impossible.I led the way to Scarlett's home, knowing the address due to my research. It was weird, but I had stopped there twice to ca
JAX:The royal pack house had existed for centuries, with its structure changing to adapt to each decade or modern adjustments to make it seem fitting and luxurious. Currently, it was in between antique and in style with the current time.Unlike the Moonrock pack, we only had a large silver gate with wolf ornaments that could accommodate three cars at once if they were able to maneuver their way around it. Requests from the people were brought to the pack house, and emergencies were directed to Zharn or my mother.Around the surroundings were sculpted heads of previous rulers, with the heads getting bigger according to their achievements. My grandfather had the largest head, his reign known as the war era. He charged into battle, seizing lands, conquering domains, without forgetting to pile up generational enemies who threatened to come after my life for his actions.He was known as the war Alpha as well as the greatest who died a natural death. To the public, he was great. To his son
SCARLETT :No matter how much he threatened to punish me, I still came to work. Almost every day I'm at his office, in his car letting him do wicked things to my body.Rosie still calls, and he waits till I'm there before he picks up, not to spite me, but to show where his temporary loyalty lies.I had begun to search for ridiculous things on the internet, like ‘how to make a man fall in love with you in sixty days.’The results were simple:Days 1-10: Build a Foundation. Days 11-20: Foster Trust and Comfort. Days 21-40: Deepen the Bond. Days 41-60: Reflect and Let Things Flow.Days one to ten were gone without me realizing or deciphering what kind of foundation we had laid down for ourselves. Days eleven to twenty were almost gone, and I don't know if what I was feeling was trust or comfort. Heck, I had no idea what Alpha Jax was feeling.All he did was summon me wherever he was, in his chamber, or get his chauffeur to bring me to his cabin. Sometimes he'd be gentle, sometimes he'd b
SCARLETT :"Women aren't toys. I'm not one, don't talk down on me like that," I blurted out of rage. "Go find someone your size to wage war with; you're sick in the head."Alpha Jax looked at me, shocked and satisfied."Are you really going to let a filthy omega talk down to royal blood?" Logan told his brother, his voice sounding sinister."I told you not to come near her," Alpha Jax shot back."You know, this is the problem with you. You take everything for yourself. You make everything about you. Mother appeased me, told you you'd stop being selfish. Guess you're too much of a bastard to do that.""We're twins, but that doesn't mean whatever I own is yours. There are boundaries, Logan," Alpha Jax seethed."You didn't set them when you fucked my girlfriend, did you?"My eyes widened."I was drunk. Shit, I've told you I didn't know it was your girlfriend. It was a mask party."I shook.It's okay.I calmed myself down.He didn't know.They were masked."Sure, like you gotta keep your
SCARLETT :"This is bad, really fucking bad," Sophie exclaimed as she got out of the car."Everyone grab a weapon," Cage instructed. He handed me a sword, and Zharn took a gun and a sword."Is everything loaded?" The Beta asked."Fully," Cage confirmed."I want a gun," Sophie requested."Can you use one?" Cage inquired.My sister turned to the left and fired the gun."What?" She rolled her eyes at our bewildered faces. "I watch a lot of war movies.""You learned to shoot from war movies?" Zharn raised a brow."My aim might be shit, but I can pull a trigger," she said, tucking the shotgun into her jeans."Emma, have this dagger," Cage offered it to her."Be careful, it looks sharp," I cautioned."Your place looks really bad," Zharn remarked upon looking at it."Doesn't everywhere look ruined today?"The windows of our home had multiple holes in them."Be safe, Scarlett," the Alpha's voice reappeared in my head.I had to choose a moment to live in, between the Alpha saying my name where
SCARLETT :It all happened in a flash. Two of the rogues were soon bound in ropes with glass shards all over them.Cage was bleeding badly, and the little girl wouldn't stop crying."Are you okay?" Of course, he wasn't okay. He was bleeding badly, but the situation had me feeling almost numb. I didn't know what else to say.Sophie grabbed her bag and took her scarf, tore it, and wrapped it around his bleeding palms."What's going to happen to these two?" Soph asked Cage."They'll be held captive for questioning," Cage replied, panting heavily. "This is unusual; rogues have never neared this pack. We have the strongest men positioned at our borders; they never leave. Our security is the best. Someone planned this obviously; it could be someone within the pack. We'll need them to answer to us, I bet everyone has a question or two for them."Hot and cold air brushed my skin as I got goosebumps due to anxiety."You'll never get anything out of us no matter how hard you try," one of the ro
JAX:"Don't go anywhere," I told my wolf, Luca. "I'll be needing you throughout today.""I practically live in you. Just summon me," it told me before disappearing.I wore a full-proof body suit. All my men had them. It didn't keep the head safe, but the rest of the body would be. My men had spread out throughout the pack. My guards accompanied me as we stepped out of my chamber. Dead bodies were spread out on the floor."Your people are out there dying, and you chose to stay in your chamber and take your time like a pretty little princess." Six rogues appeared before me, and before I replied, my men were shot in the head from behind."Nice work," I commended. "Now let me show you how to shoot." My grandfather did not give me affection; he signified approval by giving me permission to learn his secret moves.One deep breath."Luca, I need you.""I'm here, Jax," he responded.Soon, I was behind the five of them, firing silver bullets with both my hands."Fascinating," one of the rogues
ZHARN MEYERS:"Over there," Amy pointed."Why? You're not gonna come any further?""No, we have to stay here just in case you drown or something. That way, we can get help on time," Amy told me. "Besides, look at Tina, she's shaking. That area is too spooky for her."I looked at Tina, who was not hiding very well behind Amy.I groaned. "Hey, Tina, I can get you a new-"She sobbed. "My dolly. Waaaaaaaaa."I grimaced."I'll get it.""Thank you," she said in the most childish voice ever. How can a six-year-old manipulate her way into getting a doll back?I strode to the lake where the full moon reflected directly on the blue water."We weren't just compatible. Zharn, I want you to stop drowning yourself. Move on, find some peace. Find a beautiful woman you love. Get married too," Cleo's voice rang in my head."You'll always have a place in my life, as a friend."Her wedding ring and pregnant belly flashed before my eyes.Tears poured down."Fuck, I'm a grown man. I can't cry," I told mys
ZHARN MEYERS:I had spoken on the spur of the moment that day, and I did not realize how it would make her feel that way."Why didn't you say anything?" I queried."I wanted to, but then you became aBeta and got too busy. I met Paul around that time," she told me. Paul, the man she cheated on me with. Twice. "I don't know how to explain it, but it was different with him, too different, and I realized that I could not love you in the way that you loved me. Yet, it was hard to let you go. My family loved you, my friends did too. Your family ranks second among the nobles. My parents would have killed me if I let you.""Then your only option was to string me along forever?" I ran my hands through my hair."Cleo, I was scared you'd hate me.""Cleo, I loved you too much to ever hate you. You could've told me everything, and I would've let you go, even if it killed me," I chuckled bitterly. "I'm not that selfish. I'd never keep someone who cannot love me the same way that I do them."She lo
ZHARN MEYERS:I kept my distance from Jax. He'd give me sad eyes all evening, reminding me of how shitty my life really was.I stood by the pillar, observing the evening when a woman whooshed past me.I caught a whiff of strawberries and bubblegum, and my nose followed the scent. A woman in a green dress hugged her body so tight that I noticed other men gawking at her. Her wavy dirty blonde hair did not do much to cover her exposed back.A good distraction for the night. All I have to do is smile and use my boyish charms. I watched her until she went to the side where the lowborns stood and turned."Holy shit, she's gorgeous," my wolf Lan read my mind.Her golden amber eyes shone as bright as stars even without trying. Her rosy-colored cheeks and lips stood out against her fair skin.It was settled. I was getting her contact info.I was about to cross the bridge between the nobles and lowborns when a gentle tug pulled me back. I should have looked around; the only thing standing betwe
ZHARN MEYERS:I endured the first two hours of the event, engaging in political discussions and business talk with older men. This was my father's domain, not mine, but that night I was not just Beta Zharn. I was also the young Master of the Meyer household, there to uphold the family's honor."Hey, Zharn!" Anna exclaimed. "Amy snuck a pastry.""They're from home," Amy defended."Excuse me." I gave a curt smile to the grey-haired man with a pot belly before storming over to my sisters."What did our mother say about tonight?" I seethed, hoping I wouldn't have to lock my sisters in a cage that night."To not steal pastries?" Anna shrugged."No, you dimwit," Amy rolled her eyes. "She said to behave." Amy said proudly, but I was about to knock that pride off her face with a good smack to her forehead."Why aren't you behaving?" I whispered angrily. "Do you realize you're not even supposed to be here? You have to be of age.""Liar," that was the second time I had been called a liar that n
ZHARN MEYERS:FIVE MONTHS AGO…"Guys, are you ready?!" My mother yelled from downstairs. "Zharn, you're the Beta. What are you still doing up there?"I appeared from behind her. "I've been outside for a while now, thanks for thinking the best of me," I said, my tone caustic.My mother flinched, holding her heart. "Zharn Jake Meyers, don't do that again.""Yes, mother," I replied blandly."Now, where are your sisters?" My mother turned to a passing servant. "Get the girls, speedily!""No need, Mama." My four little sisters ran down the stairs, all looking chaotic.My parents had six children: my older sister, me, and four other annoying girls."What took you all so long?" My mother sighed."It was Anna and Amy," Joy, the one after me, was quick to point out the culprit."Was not!" Anna and Amy said simultaneously."Was too!" Joy shot back."Mama," the youngest, Tina, ran to embrace our mother.Our mother's blond hair was styled up elegantly, with her blue eyes matching the color of the
HARRISON CAGE:It was unplanned. At first, the only thing on my mind was to save her from the same fate my mother suffered, or that was what I told myself intentionally.I had no place in her life to interfere, perhaps I was selfish, granted that my father was too. I had someone to blame my inadequacies on. I looked for her every day, and learned more about her through her coworker Reyes. I owe him thousands of favors. I was no better than a creepy stalker who used curiosity as a cover-up.I tried my hardest not to show it, but the moment she gave me a place in her life was the happiest I had ever been. I was okay with no one checking on me, I was fine third-wheeling to clubs with Jax and Zharn just to go home alone while they did their thing with women of the night.That was the past, not anymore. Not only was I cursed yet blessed with falling for a woman whose mate is my old friend, but I got a badass, foul-mouthed, definitely not shy friend Sophie. Scarlett was bold when she wanted