Piper Redding
His Leaning casually against my car, arms crossed, head tilted back like he owns the damn place. How did he find me? Of course—how could I forget that his uncle is a detective? My breath catches in my throat, and for a moment, my feet refuse to move. Even in the dim light of the parking lot, he looks as maddeningly good as ever—broad shoulders, messy hair that somehow falls perfectly, and that stupid smirk that once made my knees weak. “Breathe,” I whisper to myself. My fingers curl tighter around the strap of my purse, and I force myself to keep walking. My heart pounds so loudly I swear he can hear it, but I steel my spine and lift my chin. “What the hell are you doing here?” I glare. He straightens up, shoving his hands into his pockets as he watches me approach. “I came to see you,” he says, his voice smooth like he’s still the guy I used to know. Like nothing’s changed.“ “You’re not supposed to be here,” I snap. “I told you to stay out of my life.” “How can I not?” His voice dips low, smooth like honey, and it irritates the hell out of me. “You’re the air I breathe, baby.” I roll my eyes so hard it’s a miracle they don’t get stuck. “Cut the crap, Adam. What do you want?” “I want you back,” he says, stepping closer. His eyes lock onto mine, and I hate how my stomach flips despite myself. “I’ve changed.” “Oh, have you?” I scoff, folding my arms. “Let me guess, you’re a new man now? You suddenly realised cheating isn’t a normal part of relationships?” His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t falter. “I messed up. I know that. But I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and—” “I don’t care what you’ve been thinking,” I cut him off, my voice trembling with anger. “You broke me, Adam. And you don’t get to waltz back into my life just because you feel like it.” He hesitates, his gaze flickering to the building behind me. A slow, knowing smirk spreads across his face, and my stomach drops. “This where you’ve been hiding?” he asks, gesturing toward the therapist’s office. “You loved me that much, huh? Needed a whole therapist to get over me?” My cheeks burn, and my grip tightens on my purse. “Screw you,” I spit, taking a step forward. “You don’t get to mock me for trying to heal from the shit you put me through.” He raises his hands in mock surrender. “I’m not mocking you, babe. I’m just saying… you don’t need to get over me.” “Excuse me?” “Because I’m not going anywhere,” he says, dropping to one knee. I blink, my brain stalling as he pulls out a ring box from his pocket. My jaw drops as he flips it open, revealing a sparkling diamond. “Piper, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Will you marry me?” I stare at him, stunned, before a bitter laugh escapes my lips. “You really think a ring fixes everything?” “Say yes, Piper,” he pleads desperately. “Let’s have the Christmas wedding you always dreamed of.” His audacity is something that should be studied, and all I can think about is how he truly puts the "EX" in Xmas. If Adam had proposed to me a day before I caught him cheating, I would have gladly accepted the ring. Christmas was the day I always dreamed of for my wedding—the twinkling lights, the snow falling gently, the warmth of love filling the air. But that dream died the moment I found him in bed with someone else. And now, here he is, daring to bring it up like none of it ever happened. "I know you want this wedding badly, just like me," Adam says, his voice low and coaxing. "You can stop fighting your heart to get it." I glare at him, the words sparking a fury deep inside me. "You’re unbelievable." He smirks, as if he knows he’s got me cornered. "What would your parents say, Piper? Huh? Your younger sister’s getting married soon, and you know how disappointed they’ll be if she beats you to the altar. You don’t want to be the family failure, do you? The one who couldn’t keep a man?" My hands tremble, a mix of anger and heartbreak making it hard to breathe. How dare he bring my family into this? How dare he try to use my insecurities against me? "You think you can manipulate me into saying yes?" I hiss, stepping closer. "You’re more pathetic than I thought." Adam’s face falters for a second before he plasters that smug grin back on. "I’m just saying, you’ll regret this. We both know you still love me." For a moment, I pretend to waver. My fingers twitch as if reaching for the ring, and his smirk widens. "Fine," I mutter, my voice low. "Give it to me." He’s too eager to believe I’ve caved. He lifts the ring, ready to slide it onto my finger, but I snatch it out of his hand. Without hesitation, I shove it into his mouth with a force that makes him gag. "Choke on that, Adam," I snap, flipping him the middle finger before storming off. I don’t stop until I’m in my car, slamming the door shut and gripping the steering wheel like it’s the only thing keeping me together. My breathing is ragged, my pulse racing. I was supposed to go to work today to stand in front of a room full of kids, dancing and singing with the kind of energy they love. It’s something I’ve mastered over the years, something I’m proud of. But today, I can’t fake a smile. I can’t face the world. Instead, I drive to my best friend’s house. Anna and Clara are nurses, and thankfully, they’re both on morning shifts this week. They’ll be home. By the time I pull into their driveway, the tears I’ve been holding back threaten to spill. I knock on the door, and Anna opens it, her face lighting up with surprise and then concern. "Piper? What’s wrong?" "Adam," I manage to choke out as she pulls me inside. Clara joins us in the living room, her dark curls tied back in a messy bun, and I recount everything—the parking lot, the proposal, the blackmail. By the time I finish, I’m shaking with anger all over again. Anna lets out a low whistle. "You shoved the ring in his mouth? Damn, girl. That’s iconic." Clara, however, shakes her head, a sly grin on her face. "You made a mistake, though." I frown. "What do you mean?" "You should have accepted the ring," Clara says, leaning back on the couch. "Think about it. You say yes, plan the whole thing with his hard-earned money, and then stand him up at the altar. That’s the kind of revenge that’ll stick with him forever." Anna laughs, but there’s a glint of agreement in her eyes. "She’s not wrong. Imagine the humiliation." I sigh, slumping against the cushions. "Maybe. But I don’t think I could’ve played along without losing my mind." "Fair," Anna concedes. "But still, what a missed opportunity." We talk for hours, their laughter and banter slowly easing the weight on my chest. By the time night falls, I’ve decided to spend the night at their place. Going back to my apartment, where every corner reminds me of Adam, is out of the question. As I lie on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, my phone buzzes. I almost ignore it, but something makes me glance at the screen. It’s a text from my mother: "Piper, your father and I need you back home. We need to talk. Make sure to call us tomorrow. We want you to leave that disgusting low-paying job and come home for dinner. Also, pack some bags and clothes for the night. We have an announcement to make. See you tomorrow." I stare at the message, my stomach twisting into knots. What could the announcement be? I know it’s not going to be something good, something that favors me. I reply, "Okay, Mum. Sweet dreams." Of course, she doesn’t respond. I set the phone down and turn my face into the pillow. Whatever they have to say can wait. For now, I need to sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll figure out how to handle them—and everything else.Piper Redding The drive to my parents' house feels endless, the engine's steady hum failing to drown out the unease twisting in my stomach. When I finally pull up, the sprawling estate looms ahead, picture-perfect as always—a constant reminder of everything I’m not.I step onto the stone path, and before I even reach the heavy oak door, it swings open. Mom stands there, arms crossed, her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line.“You’re late,” she snaps, her voice as sharp as the chill in the evening air. “We’ve been waiting for twenty minutes.”“Sorry, traffic,” I mutter, brushing past her into the warmth of the house.Inside, my sister, Paige, is already at the dining table with Greg, her fiancé. She glances up, her perfectly styled blonde hair catching the light just right, as always.“Traffic?” she repeats with a smirk. “Or did that clunker of yours break down again? Poor thing couldn’t handle the speed limit. You really should upgrade, Piper.”I force a tight smile and head s
Piper Redding The wheels of my luggage squeak loudly against the polished airport floor as I drag them behind me. My arms are already sore, and I haven’t even boarded the plane yet. Around me, couples linger in clusters, holding hands, leaning into each other, and laughing like life is some endless rom-com.One guy wraps his arms around his partner, whispering something that makes her giggle. The sound grates against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. I tighten my grip on the handle of my suitcase and keep walking, head held high, refusing to let their sickening happiness get to me.When I finally reach the ticket counter, the attendant gives me a polite smile, but I can feel the stares before I even present my ticket.“Um, excuse me?” A woman’s voice cuts through the noise of the terminal.I glance to my left and see her: tall, blonde, perfectly manicured nails tapping against her designer tote. Her smile is all teeth—the kind of fake politeness that reminds me too much of Paige.
PiperThe breakfast room buzzes with quiet conversations, silverware clinking against porcelain plates. I hesitate at the entrance, clutching my bag against my side like it’s a shield. Couples fill every table, laughing, whispering, and sharing intimate smiles. It’s a stark reminder of why I shouldn’t have come for this couple-centric getaway alone. I feel like an out-of-place puzzle piece, awkwardly standing in the doorway.Steeling myself, I head to the buffet and fill my plate. Eggs, toast, fruit—safe options. My appetite isn’t really there, but the food is included, so I might as well eat. Plate in hand, I scan the room for an empty table. That’s when I spot Amber.She sits with her picture-perfect blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, her lips quirking into that smirk that makes me think of Paige—my sister, my tormentor, my constant reminder of what I’ll never be. Amber’s eyes meet mine, and her smirk deepens, a mocking laugh in disguise. Who are you going to eat with, lonely
Elijah LykonShe’s beautiful and small, like a fairy. My fairy. I was whipped before our story even began.The moment I saw her on that bus, it felt like time stopped. Maybe it did. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my idea of building this hotel—a desperate, last-ditch attempt to find her—would actually work. I knew my mate wasn’t in our world. I had searched every corner, leaving no stone unturned. The human world had been my last hope, and here she was.I should be overjoyed. My plan worked. She’s here, but then my joy soured into confusion and anger. Why was she here? And alone? The thought of her coming to a retreat meant for couples, possibly hurt and abandoned, sent a fresh wave of rage through me. No one should dare hurt her.My wolf growls in my mind, the sound low and guttural. “Shouldn’t you be happy she’s alone? This way, we don’t have to kill anyone.”“Maybe,” I mutter, flexing my hands into fists. “But I hate that she might have been hurt. No one gets to hur
Piper I step into my room, shutting the door behind me with a soft click. Leaning against it, I exhale, still replaying the moment those piercing blue eyes locked onto mine during breakfast. It wasn’t just the way he looked at me—there was something in his gaze, something possessive and oddly intimate that sent shivers down my spine. I shake my head, trying to push the memory aside.Focus, Piper.After a quick shower, I pull on a pair of ripped black jeans, a loose, white cropped sweater, and my trusty canvas boots. I tie my black hair into a messy bun and grab my leather jacket just in case it gets chilly later. Comfortable and casual. Nothing to catch anyone’s attention. That’s the goal, right?As I step into the hallway, closing the door behind me, I see her—Zoe. She’s down the hall, locking her door. Surprisingly, she’s alone. No sign of her insufferable boyfriend hovering over her like a possessive shadow. She must feel my gaze because she looks up suddenly and smiles, lifting a
Piper I sit at the corner of the bar, the room spinning slightly from the wine. Another empty glass sits before me, and I motion for a waiter, trying to shake off the weight of all the judgemental stares."One more," I slur, waving my hand with an air of indifference.The waiter hesitates but nods, just as Zoe suddenly appears out of nowhere, placing her hand over my glass. "Isn’t that enough?" she asks, her voice light but tinged with concern. "You’ve been drinking all afternoon, and it's obvious why."I blink at her, feigning ignorance. "What are you talking about?"She rolls her eyes and sits down beside me. "Come on, Piper. You’re missing him."I straighten in my seat, crossing my arms defensively. "Missing who? You’re being ridiculous."Zoe leans in closer, her brows raised knowingly. "Oh, please. You’ve been sneaking glances at the door ever since he handed you that glass of wine earlier. And I told you he’d show up again, didn’t I? Granted, he’s not the millionaire boss we tho
PiperThe garden is breathtaking. I step through the wrought-iron gate, and it feels like I've walked into another world. Twinkling fairy lights drape from trees, their golden glow illuminating a cobblestone pathway lined with vibrant flowers. The air smells like roses and jasmine, and a soft breeze carries the chirping of crickets. I stop in my tracks, my mouth slightly open.“How does a waiter have access to… this?” I can’t hide the disbelief in my voice. My eyes dart to him, but he simply smirks, gesturing toward a small table in the center of the garden.“Have a seat,” he says, his voice smooth, yet carrying an edge that leaves me unsettled. He pulls out the chair for me, and I sit down, feeling the weight of his gaze on me.He takes the seat across from me, leaning back casually, like he owns the place. “You brought me here for a reason, didn’t you?”I take a deep breath, my palms sweating despite the coolness of the evening. “I’m not going to waste your time.” My voice is more c
Piper’sAs I walk down the quiet hotel hallway, an uneasy feeling continues to gnaw at me. I’d spent time searching for Zoe throughout the hotel, but she was nowhere to be found. Worse, I realized I didn’t have her number to text or forward her the evidence. Anxiety prickled at me as I debated whether to ask the hotel staff for her details. For some reason, my worry for her was growing by the minute.Just as I’m about to turn back, a muffled sound stops me in my tracks.Rounding the corner, I freeze. Zoe is on the floor, curled into herself, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Her shoulders tremble, and the soft sound of her crying breaks the silence.“Zoe?” I rush to her, my heart lurching. She looks up at me, and her tear-streaked face punches me right in the gut.I don’t ask any questions—I don’t need to. The raw pain in her eyes is too familiar. A part of me feels relief that I hadn’t been so foolish as to send her that stupid video, which would have only added to her pain.
PiperThe guards lift Leona's limp body like she weighs nothing, hauling her out of the training ground as the rest of the class stands in stunned silence. My knuckles still tingle, and I keep staring at my hands like they belong to someone else.How? How did I do that?For the rest of the class, I’m left standing alone. Nobody wants to partner with me now. Every time I glance around, I catch people whispering or quickly averting their gazes. It's ridiculous. Me? Scary?Coach Morgan claps her hands, snapping everyone’s attention back to her. “Listen up. Starting next class, you’ll need to earn points. These points will go toward your overall score in the competition.”The collective groan is immediate. I can’t blame them. As much as I respect Morgan, she’s already made it clear that ‘fun’ is code for hell. “Dismissed!” Morgan announces, and the crowd starts dispersing. My legs feel like lead as I follow them, the day's events playing over and over in my mind.Before I can make it far
Piper The moment Serene says, "That's enough meditation for today," I practically bolt upright. My heart pounds against my ribcage like a caged animal desperate to escape. Without looking at anyone, I rush out of the hall, ignoring the confused and judgemental stares trailing after me. My feet pound against the floor, my breath shallow as if I’m actually being pursued by that voice—the wolf’s voice.When I finally reach my room, I slam the door shut and lean against it, gasping for air. My chest heaves as I try to calm the storm inside me, but it’s no use. My mind is spinning, the voice still echoing: Hello there, Piper. I have been waiting for you.I squeeze my eyes shut, pressing my palms to my temples as if I could block it out, but it’s no use. The voice feels like it’s burrowed into my skull, haunting and familiar in a way that makes my stomach churn.My gaze falls on the book Zoe gave me, sitting neatly on my bed. Its worn cover seems to mock me, daring me to pick it up. The im
PiperThe hall feels stifling, the sheer size of it doing nothing to calm my nerves. Everywhere I turn, there’s a woman stronger, taller, or more confident than me.I can’t stop shifting from one foot to the other, the name tag pinned to my chest feeling more like a mark of humiliation than identification. Piper, it reads in bold, cursive letters.Around me, twenty-nine other women chatter, stretch, and eye the weight racks like predators circling their prey.I glance at the weights and suppress a nervous laugh. Those monstrous hunks of iron look like they could crush a car. What am I doing here? Competing for Elijah’s heart feels ridiculous—like some twisted reality show gone horribly wrong. I bet he feels like a damn celebrity right now. Maybe I should start calling him "Alpha Superstar."Still, there’s no sign of Serena, and that makes me uneasy. Somehow, her presence brought me a strange sense of calm. Trying to shake the discomfort, I twitch my fingers and start stretching, hoping
The moment I stepped into my world, there has been no peace, no reprieve, just one disaster after another—an endless parade of problems I didn't ask for. It's fucking suffocating.I can’t help but wonder if I made a mistake. Maybe I should’ve stayed in the human world a little longer, kept Piper close until she was ready to be marked and mated. At least then, I wouldn’t be drowning in this endless nonsense.Damn the curse.My hands clench into fists as I think of my mate. Piper has been unconscious for two weeks. Her human body wasn’t built for the strain of our world. She’s been drained, vulnerable. And then Serena—my manipulative stepmother—had her moved to the Luna Court without my permission. It’s not far, but it’s not close enough either. I know her motives. Revenge.Serena has been waiting for this opportunity ever since I imprisoned her son, Nicholas, for treason. She hated me long before, but that act sealed her animosity. Now, she’s exploiting the one thing she knows I’d burn
Piper Facing everyone back in the dining room had drained every ounce of my energy. The stares, the whispers, the outright mockery—it clung to me like a second skin. I barely register Luna Serena’s voice as she stops in front of a door.“This will be your room for the duration of your stay. I hope it suits your taste.”I don’t respond, too mentally and physically exhausted to muster even a polite nod. Instead, I push the door open and walk inside, unintentionally letting it slam shut in her face.The moment I see the neatly made bed, I sigh and collapse onto it, my body sinking into the soft mattress. I don’t even bother to admire the room or take in the details. My eyes catch on the wardrobe, though, and I spot normal human clothes neatly folded inside. A faint smile tugs at my lips. At least something here makes sense.I can’t remember when I closed my eyes, but I must’ve fallen asleep instantly because the next thing I hear is the shrill ring of a bell.“Time for your morning run,
I gape at her, my eyes widening. “Ryder marked you?”Zoe laughs, a light, airy sound that feels like a balm to my frayed nerves. “Yes. The moment I stepped into this world, Ryder made it very clear he wasn’t letting anyone take me away from him.”My lips press together; frustration bubbles in my chest, pressing against my ribs. “Then why didn’t Elijah mark me? Why did he let them take me?” The words tumble out, raw and unfiltered.Zoe’s amused expression fades, replaced by something more serious. “Would you have forgiven him if he had sunk his canines into your neck without your consent? And then, on the next full moon, you found yourself turning into something you’re not ready to be?”Her question strikes a nerve, leaving me speechless. My mouth opens, but no words come out.“Exactly,” she says softly, her eyes searching mine. “Your silence is why he didn’t do it, even when we all told him he should. It’s different for you, Piper. You’re still figuring out what you want, opening up t
Piper“What do you mean?” My voice comes out in a whisper, so soft I barely hear it myself, but I know she hears the tremor in it. Her words have pierced me, leaving a cold emptiness in their wake.Her eyes gleam with cruel satisfaction, and her lips curl into a cold smile. “As long as you stand by Elijah’s side without earning our respect, you’ll be seen as his weakness. The pack will turn on him. And you, dear girl, will destroy him.”The air in the room feels like it’s been sucked out. My knees threaten to give way beneath me, but I lock them in place, forcing myself to stay upright. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Not here. Not in front of her.“So, I have to compete?” My voice is laced with disbelief and bitterness. “Like I’m just another one of them?”She tilts her head, a mockery of sympathy on her face, or was it amusement?. “You are free to walk away like I said. Use your mate bond as an easy out and leave. But if you stay,” her gaze shar
Piper:Darkness surrounds me, but I can hear them. Their voices cut through the haze, grounding me even though my body feels like it’s weighed down."Why is it taking so long for her to gain consciousness?" Elijah’s voice is a mixture of frustration and worry, sending a flutter through my chest. His voice always has this effect on me—like it’s a lifeline pulling me back to him. I want to wake up, to open my eyes and tell him I’m fine, but no matter how hard I try, my body won’t respond.“She is human, Alpha,” a calm, measured voice replies. It’s unfamiliar, and I assume it belongs to the doctor. “It’s taken a significant amount of energy for her to cross into this world. If you mark her—”“Shut the fuck up,” Elijah snaps, his tone sharp enough to make me flinch internally. “That’s out of the question.”I wish I could move, could reach out and take his hand. Maybe if I touched him, it would ease the storm brewing inside him, but unfortunately, I’m trapped in this endless void, unable t
Elijah clears his throat, cutting through the lingering tension in the room. He steps forward, his commanding presence drawing everyone’s attention.“Zoe,” he says warmly. “Thank you for saving Piper. I owe you a lot. Whatever you want for your birthday, it’s yours. Just name it.”Zoe blinks at him, clearly surprised. Then, slowly, a mischievous smirk creeps onto her face. “Anything?” she asks, her voice teasing yet calculated.Elijah nods without hesitation. “Anything.”Her smirk widens as she leans back against her pillows. “Give me this hotel,” she says, her tone light, but her eyes challenging. “It’s the least I deserve, seeing as my blood has been shed on this soil not once, but twice.”I gasp so loudly that everyone turns to me. “Zoe!” I sputter, my jaw practically hitting the floor. “You can’t be serious! This hotel is—this place is like something out of a fairytale! It has to be worth billions!”Even Ryder looks a bit stunned, his brow arching as he glances at her. “Baby, that