Piper’sThe door clicks shut behind me, and I lean against it, exhaling the frustration I’ve been nursing all night. I’m ready to hurl my heels across the room when my gaze catches on something huge leaning against the far wall."What the hell?" I murmur, straightening up. Wrapped in shimmering decorative paper and tied with an oversized crimson bow, the package looks ridiculously out of place in my room.Curiosity replaces my anger. I walk toward it, fingers itching to tear off the wrapping. "Who even…?" I trail off as I grab the edge of the bow, yanking it loose.The paper crinkles under my hands as I tear it away, my heart already racing with anticipation.And then there it is—the wolf painting.I freeze, staring at it in awe. Its piercing, haunting eyes seem to lock onto mine, just as they had back at the exhibition. I’d fallen in love with this painting then, aching to own it but knowing I could never afford it.Now, here it is, in my room."Did I say screw the painting?" I whisp
PiperThe breakfast room buzzes with soft chatter and the clinking of silverware against fine china. I stab a piece of melon with my fork and glance across the table at Zoe, who looks like she’s trying to blend in with the seats. Her eyes dart nervously around the room, as if she’s expecting Zack to burst in at any moment.I lean forward, lowering my voice."I don't think he would dare come to you here, especially with eyes watching, so relax and eat."Zoe freezes mid-bite, her croissant hovering just inches from her lips. She places it back on her plate with and exhales sharply. "Honestly, it was like... like an eye-opener, you know? Like the slap was exactly what I needed to finally see him for who he really is.”“Zoe…” I start softly, but she barrels on.“He started apologising right after, of course. Begging me to stay, crying like some pathetic little boy. But I kicked him in the dick and ran out of there.” She gives me a wry smile, but there’s no humour in her eyes. “Pretty sure
Piper"Your eyes… they’re gold," I stammer, taking a step back. The cold wind bites at my skin, but it’s the fear prickling along my arms that truly chills me. "Just like the painting."Elijah’s lips curl into a smirk, but it’s strained, his jaw tightening slightly. "Do you like the painting? Told you Santa would grant your wish." His voice is smooth, but I can tell he’s deflecting, steering me away from whatever just happened to his eyes.But how can I let it go? One moment, his eyes were a calm, vivid blue; the next, they were molten gold, alive and burning like fire. My chest tightens as questions pile up. What the hell is he hiding?"I… I do like it," I manage, folding my arms against the sudden cold, though it does little to steady my shaking hands. "The painting is beautiful. I just wanted to thank the CEO. He’s been so generous—the dress, the painting—it’s worth more than I’ll ever have in my life."A low growl rumbles from Elijah’s chest, vibrating through the air between us.
Zoe hums softly to herself, her back to me as she meticulously arranges my clothes in the spacious wardrobe as though every piece needs to be in just the right place. The faint scent of lavender and fresh linen fills the room, mingling with the subtle tension in the air.Her hands pause for a moment as she looks over the space she’s created, leaving enough room for when she plans to shop for her own things. She’s been like this since morning—fidgety and paranoid, constantly glancing at the door as if Zack might burst in at any second. After last night, I can’t blame her.She woke me up in the middle of the night, her face pale and drenched in sweat. She’d had a nightmare—one so vivid and terrifying that she’d begged me, on her knees, to stay in her new room with her. I didn’t even hesitate. I agreed, and by morning, she was already busy helping me pack my things and move them from my old room to hers.Now, we’re in her new suite on the fifth floor, and I can admit it’s a huge upgrade.
PiperI haven’t eaten. I haven’t slept. My body is running on nothing but nerves and guilt. Ever since the director carried Zoe out of that blood-soaked room, I foolishly stayed out of his way, assuming they needed privacy. But now… now, I have no idea where she is.What was I thinking, trusting her safety to a man again? Even if he is the director of the hotel, there’s something off about him. The way his eyes burned red, the way his anger felt almost… feral. He reminds me of someone.Elijah.The thought of him claws its way into my mind, and suddenly I want to see him. His infuriating smirk, his cryptic remarks that always kept me guessing, even the way he always seemed to show up when I least expected him. Oddly enough, I miss him. And maybe… maybe he could help me. If anyone could figure out where the director is keeping Zoe, it would be Elijah since he works here.But a chilling thought strikes me: I don’t know where he stays. I don’t know where he sleeps. I know nothing about th
Elijah I lean back in my chair, glaring at the piles of paperwork on my desk. My fingers tap impatiently against the polished wood, my frustration simmering just below the surface. Ryder’s reckless behaviour has left me cleaning up his mess—a mess that wouldn’t even exist.That fool remains should’ve been disposed of immediately, not left where they could be found. I understand Ryder’s rage—his mate was nearly killed—but abandoning the evidence like that? Unacceptable. Now some random group has stumbled across the body, and worse, someone took pictures. It’s only a matter of time before the police come sniffing around.Zack deserved everything Ryder gave him. The bastard dared to lay a hand on Ryder’s mate. Hell, if Ryder hadn’t killed him, I would’ve done worse for even thinking about hurting mine. But Zack, even in death, has managed to screw things up.Now, here I am, dealing with the aftermath like I have nothing better to do instead of being with my mate, showing her how much sh
I keep my gaze fixed on Elijah, searching his face for any crack in his composure, signs of discomfort or unease. His expression is unreadable—calm, almost too calm—and it’s starting to grate on my nerves. I repeat my question softly but firmly."Do you believe in werewolves?"For a moment, his face remains perfectly still, like he’s weighing his next move. Then there’s the smallest twitch at the corner of his mouth followed by a long, loaded pause.His silence is telling.A normal person like me would have laughed, scoffed, or brushed it off and said, Of course not. But Elijah? His stillness betrays him. He doesn’t laugh. He doesn’t dismiss the absurdity. If anything, his blood seems to run cold, and for a brief second, I see a flicker of something in his eyes—fear, or maybe recognition, which tells me that he does, in fact, believe.Finally, he breaks the silence with a smirk, though it feels more like a mask than a genuine expression as it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Oh, I belie
The words blur on the page as my hands tremble, and I slam the book shut with a loud thud. The sound echoes in the quiet room, startling me. My heart races, my palms are clammy, and my chest feels tight.No. No, no, no. This isn’t real. It can’t be real.Werewolves? Elijah? No. This is insane. It’s ridiculous. I shake my head vehemently, as if trying to physically dispel the thought.“He’s a man,” I whisper, pacing the length of the room. “Just a man. Not… not some creature that turns into a wolf under the full moon.”I let out a dry laugh, sharp and humorless. “Get a grip, Piper.” My voice wavers as I try to steady myself. “You’re reading too much into this. There’s a logical explanation for everything.There has to be.”But even as I say it, my mind rebels. Logical explanation? For what? His eyes? The growl? The way he disappears into the forest, moving like it’s his home—like he’s part of it?I stop pacing, my gaze falling back to the book, dread curling in my stomach. Slowly, I reo
I clutch the edge of the table, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The dining hall feels too big, too cold, as the consequences of the absence of my doll loom over me like a storm cloud.“Have you seen it?” Zoe’s voice snaps me out of my frantic thoughts. She’s standing beside me now, her expression equal parts irritation and worry.I shake my head, biting my lip to keep my voice steady. “It was just here. It couldn’t have grown legs and walked away, right?”Zoe’s eyes narrow as she scans the place. “Where’s Anna?” she demands. “She was here when we left. Now she’s gone too.”I glance around but see no sign of her. “I don’t know,” I mutter, dread pooling in my stomach.“I bet that bitch took it,” Zoe sneers, her tone sharp with accusation.“Not now, Zoe!” I snap, my voice harsher than I intended. I’m too busy searching every corner of the room like a crazed animal to deal with her suspicions.Zoe scoffs but doesn’t argue. “Fine. Let’s find your stupid doll first. But don’t think I’m l
PiperMy doll is perched on the desk in front of me, her painted eyes staring blankly ahead. To my left, Zoe sits stiffly, her arms crossed and her expression guarded. On my right, Anna fidgets nervously, her hands twisting in her lap. The tension between them has been simmering all morning, and I feel awkward, trapped in the middle of whatever unspoken conflict is brewing.The sound of purposeful footsteps draws my attention. A tall man strides into the room, his movements brisk and commanding. He’s the first male coach we’ve had, and his name tag reads Coach Vance. He’s impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his sharp eyes scanning the room with an intensity that makes me sit up straighter.He drops a stack of papers onto his desk and clasps his hands together, his gaze sharp and assessing.“Ladies,” he begins, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge of authority, “today’s lesson is about strategy. And survival.”The room falls silent as he picks up a marker and writes two words on the
One week later.The room is already heavy with tension when Luna Serena walks in, her usual composed demeanour intact. Her piercing gaze sweeps over the thirty-one of us seated at the long wooden tables. Even Zoe sits quietly for once, though I can sense her restlessness.A faint smile tugs at Serena's lips. I know that look. Whatever she has planned for today, it’s going to test us.“Today’s class is going to be something different,” Serena announces calmly.A collective groan ripples through the room, followed by a few muttered complaints. Zoe, sitting beside me, leans over and whispers, “What the hell does different mean this time? Last time it meant climbing a rock wall blindfolded.”I shrug, stifling a laugh. “Whatever it is, it can’t be worse than that.”The door opens, and three guards walk in, each carrying a stack of… plastic dolls? My brows knit in confusion as they start handing them out, one to each of us. I frown as the guard places one in front of me. Its blank, lifeless
Serena steps forward, her commanding voice drawing everyone's attention. “We have a new candidate in our midst,” she announces, gesturing to Zoe, who stands by her side with an effortless confidence, a smirk playing on her lips.My heart swells seeing her here, but the murmurs that erupt from the girls quickly sour the moment.“But she’s marked,” one of them points out, jabbing a finger toward the mark on Zoe’s neck.Zoe shrugs nonchalantly, brushing a hand over the mark as if it’s nothing, her smirk never faltering.The room buzzes with whispers, snide comments floating through the air. “How shameless,” someone mutters. “Is she really that power-hungry to leave her mate and come here?”Serena doesn’t miss a beat. Her voice cuts through the noise, sharp and unyielding. “Yes, she’s marked. But she rejected her mate because she wants to be with Alpha Elijah. She’s willing to fight for him. Here, we don’t discriminate against women who choose their own path.”I can’t help it—a chuckle es
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,