Elijah“Elijah…”The way she whispers my name feels like a knife to the chest. How does she do this to me? How does she make my name sound so... perfect?I stare at her, every inch of me fighting to stay in control, but my wolf is clawing at me, begging to take her, to stop this madness. How the hell did I let her go in the first place? My wolf was right. I should’ve thrown her over my shoulder, locked her in my room, anything to keep her from leaving me.She moves to shut the door, her eyes hardening as if that will help her block me out. Like hell I’m letting her do that. I shove my foot against the door, stopping it before it can slam.“Why are you here, Elijah?” She snaps, her voice trembling despite the steel in her tone. “What do you want from me?”“Stop acting like you don’t know why I’m here,” I growl, my voice rough, filled with the ache that’s been tearing me apart since the moment I felt her presence again.Her lips press into a thin line, and she crosses her arms over her
The door clicks shut, leaving me staring at it in stunned silence, Elijah’s words echoing relentlessly in my mind.Second chance mate.The phrase slashes through my heart, leaving a raw ache in its wake. My throat tightens, and my stomach churns violently. My eyes had come across it in the werewolf book accidentally. It’s what happens when a wolf rejects their first mate—they’re given another chance at love, at destiny, with someone else. Someone better suited to them.Does that mean he’s planning to reject me? Is he already imagining another woman in my place?My fists clench at the thought, the sting of his words sharper than I’d care to admit. He had the audacity to say it to my face, as if it wouldn’t matter. As if it wouldn’t hurt.I’m not jealous. I can’t be. I don’t give a damn if he finds another woman. That’s what I want, isn’t it? For him to move on, for me to be free of this forced bond.But the idea of him finding another woman, calling her his mate, giving her everything
Elijah I step out of the elevator onto the top floor, where the walls seem to vibrate with the weight of secrets. The air is colder here, laced with the scent of damp concrete and blood. My wolf, ever restless, growls low in my mind, still enraged that Adam is alive.He touched our mate; it snarls. He should be dead.Not yet. I tighten my jaw, silencing the wolf. Adam’s punishment will come, but it needs to be on my terms.“Alpha,” Caleb’s voice pushes through the mindlink. “Should we keep torturing the bastard?”“No,” I reply curtly, pushing the heavy steel door open. “I need him alive and breathing. No more than that.”I step inside and immediately take in the sight before me. The dimly lit room reeks of sweat and fear. Adam sits slumped in the chair, his arms bound tightly to the wooden frame. Blood streaks his shirt, bruises blooming across his torso and arms, but his face remains untouched, just as I’d ordered.His head lolls forward, but as I step closer, his eyes flicker open.
I wake up with a gasp, my chest heaving as the remnants of the dream cling to me. My skin feels clammy, damp with sweat, and my heart races as if I’ve just been running. The image of those piercing red eyes burns in my mind. They stared at me, unblinking, filled with a hunger that made my stomach twist. Just as I felt them reaching for me—claws ready to tear into my heart—I bolted upright.The sound of heavy rain fills my ears, its rhythmic pounding against the window oddly soothing and unsettling at the same time. I glance outside, and my breath hitches. The sky is a dull, oppressive grey, rain pouring in relentless sheets.“Rain on a wedding day,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around myself. “Isn’t that supposed to be a bad sign?” I shake my head, forcing a weak smile. “No, it’s Christmas. It’s a good day. It has to be.”Sliding out of bed, I walk toward the bathroom, determined to shake off the unease. My bare feet press against the cold floor, grounding me. I light the scented candl
I take an involuntary step back as the man with those terrifying red eyes steps into the hall, his smirk curling like poison across his lips. His face—it’s Adam’s face. My heart pounds painfully in my chest, my instincts screaming at me to run, but my legs feel rooted to the ground.He’s wearing a suit, one that should look sharp and proper, but on him, it seems wrong—off. The sight of him standing there, so confidently, makes the hair on the back of my neck rise. Something in my gut twists violently, and I know, deep down, that this isn’t just Adam.“What… what are you doing here?” I manage to stammer. My throat feels dry, and I fight to steady my breathing. Elijah said he’d handle him. He promised me Adam wouldn’t be a problem anymore. So why... why is he here now?Adam’s smirk deepens as he steps closer, his eyes locked on mine, glowing like embers in the dimly lit hall.“RUN!” Zoe’s scream shatters the tension, and the hall erupts into chaos.Guests and staff scream as they scatte
Elijah The weight of the moment crashes over me as Ryder steps into my room. His unsettling calm only heightens my unease. Impeccably dressed, he exudes an air of confidence I wish I could muster right now.“Alpha, your mate and mine are already on their way to the wedding hall,” he announces, his voice steady and composed, making my heart skip a beat.I nod, though my pulse quickens. Piper. My bride. My mate. Even if she’s only marrying me to claim her inheritance before planning to divorce me afterward—it doesn’t matter. I’ll deal with that when the time comes. Because Plan C is foolproof. I’ll take her to my world, where divorce won’t even be an option. She’ll be mine—completely, irrevocably, forever.My chest tightens at the thought of her in the dress I personally ensured would be hers. Custom-made, the finest fabric, the best designer—perfect, just like her. She had no idea it wasn’t a free gift from the store. The image of her walking down the aisle, wearing my mark in every
Piper The metallic tang of blood lingers in the air, thick and suffocating. My hands tremble as I clutch the fabric of Elijah's shirt like it’s the only thing tethering me to reality. My chest rises and falls erratically, and I can’t seem to catch my breath. I don’t know which was more terrifying: watching Elijah’s massive black wolf emerge from him in a grotesque, violent transformation or the way that same wolf shredded my ex like a piece of paper, tearing him apart with a ferocity that will haunt my dreams and Christmas forever.I swallow hard, my throat dry. I can’t tear my eyes away from the blood-soaked ground where Adam’s body—or what’s left of it—lays in ruin. My knees feel weak, and the world tilts slightly, but I force myself to stay upright.He deserved it. I tell myself over and over again, like a mantra. Adam deserved this. Not just for what he did to me, but for what he did to Zoe. My gaze shifts to her, limp and pale as her mate carries her away. She’s in safe hands no
Since Zoe had been in the hospital for nearly a week now, Elijah and I decided it was best to postpone any talk about the wedding officially. Besides, once we returned to his world, there’d still be the Luna and Alpha Ceremony—their version of a wedding. It made more sense to do it there.Christmas, my dream wedding day, had come and gone, leaving behind memories I’d never forget. What was the point of celebrating here if my family and friends couldn’t attend?I’d rather marry him in his world, show them all I was ready to be his mate, even if it terrified me a little.As I walk into the clinic holding a bouquet of bright daisies for Zoe, my thoughts drift. What was going to happen to Elijah’s hotel once we left? Would it run on autopilot, or would he be splitting his time between the human and supernatural worlds? Maybe he’d shut it down altogether? I shake the thought away. Elijah would have a plan—I just didn’t know what it was yet.When I step into Zoe’s room, she’s sitting up, he
Piper"It's all my fault—""Ryder, this isn't the time to blame yourself—""But it is my fault," Ryder repeats, his voice breaking as he falls to his knees, gripping the doorframe like it’s the only thing keeping him upright. His chest heaves with ragged breaths.I stare at him, speechless. Seeing someone as strong as Ryder—Elijah’s second-in-command, the fearless Beta—reduced to this shattered, terrified man is unnerving. But I know exactly what he’s feeling.Fear. Pure, gut-wrenching fear.Because if it were Elijah missing, I’d be losing my goddamn mind."If only I had stopped the search and returned to the Luna Court immediately after Elijah warned me," Ryder chokes out, shaking his head. "His message came urgently—he told me to go back, to stay close to you both. He knew something wasn’t right. He said it wasn’t safe. I should have listened immediately."A harsh, broken sob escapes him, and it’s painful to watch but we don’t have time for this.I push aside my own emotions and cro
PiperI push open the door to Elijah’s room, a grin stretching across my lips as Zoe’s exasperated groan follows me inside. Butterflies dance in my stomach as I step in, half-expecting to see him lounging on the bed, waiting for me.But the room is empty.I sigh, rolling my eyes. Of course, he’s making me wait.Typical.Still, I’m not surprised. He probably took my warning seriously and wants to avoid drawing suspicion from those nosy court ladies. Smart move. I shrug, deciding to take advantage of the extra time. A quick shower will do wonders—I want to feel fresh, soft, and irresistible when he finally gets here.I head to his bathroom, stripping down and stepping under the hot spray. The second his scent hits me, I smile. His shampoo. I lather it into my hair, letting the familiar smell soak into my skin. By the time I step out, I’m practically buzzing with anticipation.Wrapping a robe around my damp body, I run a hand through my wet hair. My reflection smirks back at me in the mi
Elijah.I cross my arms, leaning against the heavy oak desk. “Your woman, Serena—where did you bring her from?”His grip tightens on the glass, but his voice remains level.“What do you mean? She’s your mother. Show some respect.”I roll my eyes. “My mother is dead. Don’t insult her memory." His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t argue. We’ve had this fight too many times before.“Now, answer my question. Serena isn’t from the pack she claims to be from,” I continue, watching him closely. "Her documents are fake. I want to know where you actually found her."For the first time, my father turns to face me. His dark eyes are sharp, assessing—but there’s no warmth in them. There never is.“You investigated her?” he asks, his voice unreadable.“Yes,” I say, my patience running thin. “And I need to know where you picked her up from so I can continue my investigation.”He exhales heavily, rubbing a hand down his face. “And what exactly did she do to make you so suspicious? Because as far as I kno
Elijah I can’t wipe the stupid grin off my face. Hell, I don’t even want to. Watching Piper step into the Luna Court building, her excitement buzzing through the bond, makes my heart damn near burst. I feel everything she feels—her anticipation, her curiosity, her happiness.My mate.I still can’t believe I got this lucky.And tonight… tonight, I’ll have her again and again. The thought sends a rush of heat through my veins. Hopefully, by now, my seed is already growing inside her, our child—children—on the way. Maybe we’ll even beat Ryder and Zoe’s record.My wolf rumbles in agreement, eager at the idea.But just as I take a step toward the building, a mind link slams into my head like a hammer."Alpha, about what you asked…"I pinch the bridge of my nose, my good mood instantly souring. "Speak, Caleb. I don’t have time for games.""I looked into Luna Serena’s official documents," Caleb begins, his voice serious. "It states she’s from the Night Stone Pack and comes from the Grey Wol
Elijah's eyes never leave mine, and I nod slowly, feeling the unease crawl up my spine. “Yes… her hair was white and long.” I swallow hard, still shaken, my fingers curling against my arms. “And the most shocking part? I could swear she called my name. Piper. Like she knew me.”His breath catches, and I see the muscles in his jaw tighten. Without hesitation, he steps closer, his large hands enveloping mine in a firm yet gentle grip. “Don’t worry, Piper. I’ll get to the bottom of this." His voice is filled with promises. "I’ll find out who she is and what she wants.”His touch is grounding, but my mind keeps drifting back to that horrifying image. I nod, struggling to shake the memory, but before I can say anything else, Elijah suddenly lifts me into his arms.A gasp escapes me as my hands instinctively clutch his bare chest. My heart pounds—not just from shock but also from the heat of his skin beneath my fingertips, the solid muscle beneath my palm. A flush creep up my neck as I beco
The woman bares her bloody teeth, the remnants of her gruesome meal dripping from her lips. And then—She lunges.A scream claws its way up my throat, but fear chokes it down. My body reacts before my mind can catch up, stumbling backward, feet digging into the dirt as I turn to run—But she’s fast.Too fast.I barely make it two steps before a gust of wind howls behind me. I look over my shoulder—And my stomach drops.She’s flying.Her body hovers above the ground, long white hair whipping in the wind as she glides toward me like a nightmare given form. Before I can react, a force slams into my back, sending me crashing to the earth with bone-rattling impact.Pain explodes through my ribs. A strangled cry rips from my lips as my body jars against the unforgiving ground.She’s on top of me in an instant.Gnarled, claw-like fingers dig into my shoulders, pinning me down with unnatural strength. Her breath reeks of decay as she leans in, her hollow eyes boring into mine. The weight of
Piper’s POV"You little—"Zoe's face turns a furious shade of red, and before I can react, she charges forward, her fist already swinging. Anna yelps, attempting to scurry behind me for protection, but she’s too slow. I do the only logical thing—I shove her forward.The impact is brutal.Zoe’s punch connects with Anna’s mouth so hard that I hear the sickening crack before I see two small, bloody white objects fly across the room and clatter onto the floor. Her teeth.Anna staggers backward, eyes wide with shock and pain, her hand flying to her lips.I bite my lip, trying—really trying—not to laugh.Zoe flexes her knuckles, tilting her head with a smug grin. "Oh, I have been waiting to do that for a long-ass time." She smirks at Anna. Anna groans, bent over, her hands shaking as she fumbles to pick up her fallen teeth. Her face is beet red—part from the pain, part from pure humiliation. Straightening up, she glares daggers at Zoe. Her breath comes in sharp, uneven pants, and I know sh
PiperI push through the crowd of women pouring out of the training hall, my breathing ragged. The only thing on my mind is putting as much distance between myself and Anna as possible.How had I been so blind to Anna’s manipulative behaviour? The obsession in her eyes, the way she spoke of Elijah like he belonged to her... the way she looked at me as if I were nothing more than an obstacle in her way. The fact that I had trusted her, even for a moment, sends a shudder down my spine.Keep your enemies close.I mumble quick apologies as I shove past the other women, not caring if they’re offended. My feet don’t stop until I reach my room. I need to think.My fingers fumble with the doorknob, desperate to shut out the world—to shut her out. But just as I push the door closed, something stops it.My eyes widen, and I glance down to see a foot wedged between the door and the frame.A slow, mocking voice reaches my ears. "Why does it feel like you’re running from me, dear Piper?"I snap my
Elijah's POVMy gaze sweeps over the sea of confused and frustrated faces. The women whisper among themselves, their eyes darting around as they search for answers, desperate to figure out who my mate is—an answer only I know.I can see the disappointment flickering in their expressions, the way their hopeful smiles falter. I don’t blame them. They’ve spent months training, dreaming, and hoping to be chosen, misled by my stepmother’s carefully laid plans—or should I say Serena’s schemes? And now, with just a few words, I’ve shattered their illusions.But I don’t care. My eyes are locked onto one person—Piper.She stands stiffly in the crowd, her shoulders tense as if bracing for a storm. Her brown eyes are wide and wary, lips pressed into a thin line. Ever since I walked in, I haven't been able to take my eyes off her, especially after what we shared—after I marked her. But she refuses to meet my gaze. Even so, I can feel her through our bond—the nervous energy thrumming beneath her