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 walk up to Elijah, feeling my long sleeves brushing against my wrists as I grip the hidden silver fork tightly underneath. My black dress flows lightly around my ankles, its sheer overlay catching the faint light from the hotel entrance. The deep, earthy green embroidery along the bodice makes me feel a little too dressed up, but the sleeves? They’re non-negotiable. My hair is loosely pinned up, a few tendrils framing my face. I might look confident, but inside, my nerves are a jumbled mess.Elijah, standing by the entrance, is an entirely different picture. He’s wearing a leather jacket, perfectly fitted over a white T-shirt that highlights the strength of his broad shoulders. His dark jeans sit snugly, casual but maddeningly attractive. His blue eyes glow faintly under the dim hotel lights, and for a moment, I’m struck speechless. He looks like he walked straight out of a dream—or a nightmare, depending on whether or not he’s what I fear he is.“Wow… you look like a witch,” Elijah
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
“Answer me, Piper." Anna’s voice is sharp as she steps forward, and for some reason, I find myself instinctively stepping back, swallowing the thick lump forming in my throat.Her eyes narrow into slits, and I blink, struggling to comprehend why the usually quiet, almost shy girl is now radiating such an unsettling intensity. The fire burning in her glowing yellow eyes brings back Zoe’s warning.I lift my chin. “What’s your business?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent, but my voice comes out a little shaky.Anna’s glare intensifies, and she takes another step closer, a predatory look on her face. “Why aren’t you answering my fucking question? Where the hell have you been?” She snaps, her voice dripping with accusation.My wolf snarls in my head, a low, frustrated growl vibrating through me."Who the fuck does she think she is? Punch her face already?"I take a deep breath, pushing my wolf down before she does something reckless. “I don’t have to answer to you, Anna.” I force a calm to
I lie on my side, watching Elijah sleep, the soft rise and fall of his chest in sync with his steady breathing. The room is quiet except for the sound of our breaths mingling in the cool night air. My fingers gently trace the mark on my neck, the place where his teeth had sunk into me, claiming me, binding me to him in a way that still feels unreal. I can't believe it. I'm marked.I'm his.I swallow, my mind racing. Does this mean I'll turn soon? When does it happen? I'm so nervous.I remember reading from that book Zoe had given me: Turning into your wolf naturally is more painful than being marked by your mate.A small smile tugs at my lips. Maybe I got lucky after all. If the book is right, the pain won’t be as bad since Elijah marked me first. I exhale in relief, but just as I start to relax, my wolf’s voice hisses through my mind, slicing through my thoughts coldly."I hate to be the one to break it to you, human."I freeze, my stomach dropping. Oh no."But that only happens if t
PiperMy hand juts out and grabs Elijah's jacket with the force of my wolf's takeover, sending him slamming back against the wall of the hallway. His golden eyes are wide as he stares back at me with the same hunger.“Hello, mate,” my wolf purrs in my voice, and I watch behind her eyes as his eyes darken significantly, gritting his jaw so tight, almost like he was holding himself back.“You're not Piper,” Elijah forces out through gritted teeth, his molten gaze glued on my face as my lips involuntarily tugged up in a slow smirk.“Damn right I'm not,” she hissed, offended that Elijah could think it was me and not her. I feel my fingers roam the broad expanse of his chest, and he lets me, his gaze never straying from mine as my wolf dares to brush my fingertips against his hardness.He inhales a sharp breath, his arms winding around my waist and slamming my body against his. I could feel the hard contours of his chest pressed against mine, the heat of his body dulling the persistent ach