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. “Are you… going alone?” she asks, tilting her head slightly. Her husband—or whatever he is—stands beside her, looking awkwardly amused. I stare at her for a moment, then plaster on my own sugary smile. “Nope. I’m going with my luggage. They’re great company.” Her mouth drops open slightly, and her husband coughs to cover a laugh. Before she can respond, another woman standing nearby chuckles. She’s petite, with curly brown hair and an easy, genuine smile. “Oh, leave her alone, Amber,” she says, waving a hand dismissively. “Not everyone needs a chaperone to go on a trip.” Amber glares at her but says nothing, retreating with a huff. The curly-haired woman turns to me, still smiling. “Need help with those bags?” I hesitate for a moment, surprised, then nod. “Uh, yeah, sure. Thanks.” Together, we maneuver my suitcases to the counter. As the attendant processes my ticket, I glance at my unexpected savior. “Thanks for that,” I say quietly. “Don’t mention it. Amber’s… well, she’s Amber. I’m Zoe, by the way.” “Piper,” I reply, offering her a small smile. For the first time since stepping into this airport, I feel like I’m not completely alone. --- Once we’re on the plane, my temporary relief vanishes. Everyone—and I mean everyone—has a partner. Couples settle into their seats, leaning into each other and chatting softly. A guy two rows ahead wraps a blanket around his girlfriend. Another couple across the aisle shares a set of headphones. I sink into my window seat, gripping the armrest and staring out at the tarmac. The emptiness in my chest spreads, heavy and suffocating. What would it feel like to have that? Someone who loves you unconditionally, who chooses you every single day? I try to imagine it, but the memory of Adam’s betrayal sneaks in, twisting the fantasy into something bitter. I sigh, leaning back into my seat and closing my eyes. “Get it together, Piper,” I mutter under my breath. --- Twelve hours pass in a blur of restless sleep. A soft voice pulls me back to reality. “Ma’am, we’ve landed.” I blink up at the flight attendant, disoriented. My neck aches from the awkward position I’ve been in, and my heart sinks when I realize I’m the last one still seated. “Thanks,” I mumble, grabbing my bag and heading out. The terminal is bustling, and the tropical air that filters in from the exit feels sticky and warm. I collect my luggage and start dragging it again, the squeaky wheels echoing against the tiled floor. “Here we go,” I mutter to myself. My plan may be crazy, but it’s all I’ve got. **** I settle into a bus seat near the middle, pressing my forehead against the window and inhaling the faint scent of salt and pine. The bus rattles as it turns onto a narrow road leading toward Cedarwood Retreat—Where Nature Meets Tranquility, as declared by the crooked signboard with its faded, peeling paint. I glance around the bus. Most of the other passengers are couples, chatting softly or pointing out things they find interesting. Zoe sits a few rows ahead with someone who must be her partner, but she flashes me a quick, reassuring smile before turning back to her conversation. I sit alone, hugging my bag to my chest. Outside, the scenery changes quickly. The quaint beachfront houses near the docks become sparse, replaced by stretches of dense forest. The towering trees seem to close in on either side of the road, their canopies filtering the sunlight into golden streaks. The farther we go, the more unease creeps into my chest. I can’t help but mutter under my breath, “How am I supposed to find him in a place like this?” It’s almost laughable. What kind of man is going to appear in the middle of nowhere? This whole island seems like a glorified wilderness retreat, not a hotspot for potential fake husbands. I sigh, slumping against the seat. Maybe I should’ve stayed home and just— A collective gasp from the women on the bus pulls me out of my thoughts. “Would you look at that?” one of them whispers loudly. I glance out the window—and my breath hitches. There, near a clearing by the side of the road, is a group of men—no, gods disguised as men. Shirtless, glistening with sweat, their muscles ripple as they chop wood and move heavy logs like it’s nothing. Their hair ranges from sun-bleached blonde to jet black, tousled in ways that could make a magazine cover. They’re ridiculously attractive. The bus erupts into a mix of whistles and giggles. Even some of the women sitting next to their partners can’t resist leaning closer to the window. “God bless this island,” one lady murmurs dreamily. “Rebecca,” her partner snaps, glaring at her. “Oh, relax. I’m just appreciating the scenery,” she says with a smirk. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing, but my own reaction isn’t much better. My eyes are glued to the window, heart fluttering unbidden. The men don’t even seem to notice us, too focused on their work—or maybe they’re just used to being ogled. I can’t blame them. Those men are that kind of handsome—the kind that makes you forget yourself for a moment. Then I see him. Looking at me. One man standing slightly apart from the rest catches my gaze like a magnet. His broad shoulders and chiseled features would have been enough to make anyone do a double-take, but it’s his eyes that stop me in my tracks. Piercing blue, so intense they seem to glow, like they’re seeing right through me. He freezes mid-motion, his focus locking on me like he’s seen a ghost. My chest tightens, an unfamiliar heat spreading through me, and for a moment, it feels like the entire bus has disappeared. It’s just him and me, connected by something I don’t understand. Why is he looking at me like that? A shiver runs down my spine, and I can’t tear my gaze away. It’s not just that he’s handsome—he is, impossibly so—it’s that he feels…familiar. Like a half-remembered dream. My pulse quickens, and my fingers tighten on the edge of my seat as the bus begins to pull away. Stop staring, Piper. Stop staring. I twist my neck to keep him in view until the last possible second, but when the bus finally rounds a bend and he’s gone. “Wow,” I mutter under my breath, leaning back in my seat. My mind is spinning in a thousand directions, but one thought rises above the rest: Thank you, Adam, for being an ass. If you hadn’t dumped me, I wouldn’t be here. And I wouldn’t have seen…him. Suddenly, Adam’s betrayal doesn’t feel like the worst thing to ever happen to me. Because not seeing that man again will be. When we finally pull up to The Wildwood Lodge, it feels like stepping into another world. The hotel is massive, looking like something out of a storybook: a grand, rustic hotel made of dark wood and stone, with ivy crawling up its sides. It sits in the heart of the woods, surrounded by nothing but trees. As we climb off the bus, someone—probably a staff member—ushers us inside. “Welcome to Wildwood,” he says with a professional smile. “I’ll show you to your rooms. Dinner will be brought to you tonight, but breakfast is in the lobby with everyone else. Please note, until breakfast, no one should leave their rooms.”He pauses, his gaze sweeping over the group. “I repeat, no one should leave their rooms tonight. For your own safety.” “For our safety?” someone repeats, their voice laced with curiosity. The staff member’s smile doesn’t waver. “This island is a sanctuary for both humans and nature. We simply want to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.” I glance at the others, catching a mix of reactions. Some seem curious, others uneasy. As for me? My mind still stuck on him. That man, with the piercing blue eyes, the one who looked at me like I wasn’t a stranger. What was that? ____ My room is cozy but luxurious, with a four-poster bed, a fireplace, and a balcony that overlooks the dense forest. After dropping my bags on the floor, I wander to the window and stare out at the darkening woods. If those men we passed earlier are any indication, this island isn’t as barren as I thought. And if luck is on my side, I might just find the perfect candidate to help me win back my independence. My thoughts drift back to him—the strange, magnetic pull I felt and the unsettling question that lingers in my mind. Why did he look at me like that? One thing is certain—I’ll never forget those eyes.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.
"Through the door,” he replies sarcastically, standing there shirtless, his infuriatingly smug smirk making my blood boil.Did he hear my thoughts?“What the hell are you doing here?” I stammer, embarrassment washing over me as my face flushes a deep crimson.He crosses his arms and leans casually against the wall, like he owns the place. “What does it look like? I’m doing my job.”“This is not your job!” I hiss, clutching the robe tighter to my chest. “You’re supposed to be—this is supposed to be—oh my God!”His grin widens, and he takes a slow step closer, his eyes dark with amusement. “What? You seemed like you were enjoying it.”“I didn’t know it was you!” I shout.“Well,” he says with a shrug, “now you do. Who else would dare touch your body if not me, your mate?”Again with his crazy word?My hands tremble as I grab my clothes, trying to ignore the heat coursing through my body. “This is wildly unprofessional! You—ugh, you’re impossible!”“I’m impossible?” He repeats, his tone d
Piper."You know nothing, Piper," Zoe spat, her face a mess of streaked mascara and tear-stained cheeks, but her eyes burn with a stubbornness that catches me off guard."Zoe, no," I plead desperately. "You’re not going back to him. Not after everything he’s done to you. He doesn’t deserve your pity—he doesn’t deserve you."She jerks her arms free, her eyes narrowing at me as if I’ve said something offensive and unforgivable. “You don’t get to decide that,” she snaps, her voice shaking with anger and something else—maybe fear. “Zack needs me now more than ever. He’s hurt, and I’m not going to abandon him.”“Zoe, he dragged you by your hair and—”“It wasn’t a big deal!” she yells, cutting me off. My mouth falls open in shock. “What happened… It’s not some big, unforgivable thing, okay? So he cheated—so what? That’s between me and Zack, not you. Stay out of it.”“Not a big deal?” I repeat, my voice rising despite myself. “He dragged you, Zoe! Like you were some—some piece of furniture h
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