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
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
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
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
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 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,
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