I stood in the hallway, phone pressed to my ear, as Amelia's panicked voice pierced through the line."Oh, Amelia, I'm so sorry," I said, trying to keep my own voice steady."They are going to kill him. Oh goddess, they are going to kill him." She wailed."Don't even think about that," I interrupted, firmness creeping into my tone. "The Troy Pack will handle this. They won't let anything happen to him or the others. We have to trust them." I said with the complete faith I had in Leigh's words.Amelia's sobs intensified."I feel so helpless," she whispered."You're not alone," I said, pacing down the hallway. "We're all in this together. We'll get through this as a team. We just have to be patient and wait. He will definitely be rescued."I paced back and forth as I spoke until I came to a halt."Amelia, listen to me," I said, my voice calm and reassuring. "The Troy has the best trackers and fighters working on this. We'll find him and bring him home."Amelia's breathing slowed, and I
With tears streaming down my face. Chad's words echoed in my mind, but I refused to believe them."Gina can't be gone," I whispered, shaking my head.Chad knelt beside me, his hands on my shoulders."Iris, I'm so sorry," he said softly. "It's true. Gina didn't make it."I pushed his hands away, standing up."No, no, no," I repeated, pacing around the room. "This can't be happening."Chad followed me, his voice calm and soothing."Iris, please sit down. You're shaking."I collapsed onto the couch, burying my face in my hands."How?" I asked, my voice muffled.Chad sat beside me, his expression gentle."Gina's head injury caused internal bleeding," he explained. "A blood clot formed in her brain, putting pressure on vital tissues."I lifted my head, confusion etched on my face."A blood clot?" I repeated.Chad nodded."It's like a bubble of blood that forms when vessels are damaged," he said. "In Gina's case, it compressed her brain stem, cutting off vital functions."I felt a wave of g
I woke up with a throbbing headache. It was earlier than I wanted to wake up, but the pain wouldn't let me sleep. I got out of bed and took a painkiller from my dresser. As I swallowed it, I noticed Anne sobbing softly in her sleep.My heart went out to her. I knew she was still hurting from Gina's passing. I walked over to her bed and gently shook her shoulder."Anne, wake up. It's okay," I whispered.Anne's eyes fluttered open, filled with tears. I sat beside her and wrapped my arms around her."It's going to be okay," I repeated.Anne buried her face in my shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. I held her, letting her cry. We stayed like that for a while, the only sound Anne's quiet sobs.Eventually, I lay down beside her, closing my eyes. The painkiller started to work, and my headache faded slowly. Before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.The next sound I heard was the ringing of the alarm, signaling the start of our day. Only this time, there was no yelling as everyone was mourning.
In our embrace, my stomach grumbled and I pulled away as I blushed in embarrassment."Are you hungry?" He smirked."I was on my way to the cafeteria anyway." I muttered."Do you want to eat with me? I can ask someone send something over." He asked awkwardly. He was inviting me over to his room and I was nervous as I didn't even know what to reply."Umm, maybe..." His phone rang, interrupting my words. He sighed as he saw the caller ID. It was Nicolas."You can go ahead if you have work to do." I said and he smiled."I'll see you later then." He kissed my forehead before turning away to leave. I blushed harder as I never expected that our relationship would blossom into something like this. If only I wasn't a low born, then maybe we could be free to love out in the open like a normal couple.A couple? I can't believe I just mentally referred to ourselves as one. I giggled uncontrollably at the thought that Leigh and I were actually a couple now. My tummy was doing back flips at this po
"What is going on again?" Anne asked, her brow furrowed."I don't know," I replied. "Let's check it out."The commotion was coming from the main house, and deep inside me, I was hoping it wasn't another attack. I know Anne was hoping for the same too. On our way, we encountered other curious servants who were attracted by all the noise."Maybe the Masters are up to something because I saw Miss Felice hurrying out." One said as we quickened our pace, curiosity getting the better of us.As we entered the main house, I spotted Eleanor, her face was extremely pale as she struggled with the guards. They didn't look like Troy soldiers. Maybe they were from the Rider pack because Travis seemed to be in charge as he stood beside her, with his expression stern."I won't leave, I'm staying here. I don't want to go back home." Eleanor insisted. "I demand to speak to Leigh."Travis's face darkened. "You will leave now, while they're still being nice," he warned. "Or I'll order them to drag you ba
"What kind of symptoms?" Travis asked as his brow furrowed."Dizziness, vomiting...and her appetite has been strange," I listed.Travis's expression darkened."Why didn't you say something earlier?" he demanded."I didn't think it was serious," I admitted. "And she made me promise not to tell anyone." I said and he looked back at her motionless body confused."Why would she do that? It makes no sense. If she was sick then she should have gotten treatment." He said confused. "When was the last time you noticed this?" He looked at me again."The day of the ball. She suddenly felt dizzy and threw up." I admitted."And she still attended in that state? She's so stubborn." He said angrily. "You should have said something to me." He hissed."She told me not to and you weren't exactly...." He looked back at me as the words got caught in my throat."Likable? seemed to care? approachable?" He listed. "Just say it. I already know what you are thinking." He sighed. "She's so stubborn. That's why
~ Leigh's POV ~I was happy. Happy that Iris and I had a talk. Happy that we could finally understand each other and happy that she had agreed to be with me. Now all I needed to do was get Eleanor out of the house to reassure Iris.Thankfully, her dumb brother Travis also wanted her back home and he already asked his guards over to drag her home.If I'm lucky, she would be out of my life before I return. I don't want to see her or her dramatic self for a second longer.Nicolas also called this morning that they have found some clues on the terrorist. That Archie guy was actually quite capable. His guys found traces of where the terrorist might have transferred the hostages to. Nicolas was already downstairs waiting for me.I stepped into his car, and was greeted by his nod."Ready to catch some leads?" he asked with a wide grin."More than ready," I replied.Our hunt for the kidnappers had been ongoing. But today, we had a breakthrough.Archie's tip led us to an abandoned warehouse in
Iris followed after me. She must have been worried for her to go over to Eleanor's room.In the hallway, I turned to her to inquire."How's Eleanor?" I asked and she frowned."I'm worried," she said with worry obvious in her tone. "She's been sick for days nows and I'm really hoping is not anything serious."But I chuckled. I have to admit that it was cute to see Iris being all worried about Eleanor even though Eleanor did horrible things to her. "She's just faking it, she's always such a drama queen and she probably doesn't want to leave just yet." I whispered into her ears.But she shook her head in disagreement. "No, I think it's serious," she insisted.My smile faded. "Don't worry, Iris," I said softly. I didn't want her to worry about this. She should only focus on the both of us. I was going to make sure that Eleanor is on her way out as soon as she regains consciousness from her fake faint. I also wanted to catch the culprits quickly so I could finally announce to everyone tha
~ Iris POV ~Three years had passed since the blood and chaos of that night in Luka’s mansion, three years since I had looked into the cold, dead eyes of Luka Lane. In those three years, Leigh and I had built a life together, a sanctuary away from the shadows of the past. Our own mansion was where we lived now, far away from the main Troy mansion. Two years ago, under the glow of the full moon, we had finally become one, our souls bound together in a love forged in fire and tempered by time. He had made me his mate and we were blessed by the moon goddess. Leigh had sworn not to return to the old Troy mansion until the old Alpha breathed his last and he had kept to his words, it was a heart breaking but necessary severing of ties. We had found our own happiness, clinging to each other as we navigated our own future together.Today also, was a day for celebration. Nicolas and Clarisse were finally tying the knot. The air in our bedroom was thick with the pleasant chaos of getting rea
~ Leigh’s POV ~My lungs burned, each ragged breath shot pain through my entire body. But I knew I had to forget this pain I was feeling, I knew the ceremony was fast approaching, and Travis was unreachable this whole time too so we did not know whether he had arrived Lane’s pack or not. There was no time. No time to rest, no time to fully heal. Iris was in danger and I must save her.Every fibre of my being screamed at me to move faster, to bridge the impossible distance that separated us. Every mile felt like a lifetime, every rustle of leaves a potential delay. Clarisse was so worried. “I can’t reach Travis… we don’t know if he made it.” She said on the way. Nicolas’s updated us not too long after. “Travis just called… they encountered heavy resistance. It is clear that Luka anticipated them.” I clenched my jaw. That bastard. He is indeed an old weasel. “No matter what,” I snarled, “we break through and defeat him. We have to.”And we did. The fight was brutal. When we arrive
What I felt inside wasn’t just a power. It was an understanding. An understanding that made me feel ancient, yet utterly present, as if the moon goddess and I were two halves of a perfect whole. My vision were sharpened, and I could see everything. Every sin, every judgement. Every weakness and strength. I could see it all. With a roar that echoed through the hall, I launched myself at Luka, and flinged him far, sending him crashing against the wall. He hadn’t even fully regained his footing before I slammed into him again, sending his hulking form sprawling again once more. My eyes, I could feel, burned with an otherworldly light, fixed on Luka with an intensity that made him flinch.“Your opponent is me, Luka Lane!” I stated, my voice resonating with a newfound authority, a power that was both mine and something far more greater.Luka snarled, pushing himself up, his grey fur bristling. “So, the little moonflower has finally found her thorns, huh! Too bad for little one, you shoul
Travis’s strength was visibly slipping away but I could only watch. Each blow, each snarl, seemed to cost him more. Then, the unthinkable happened. Luka, with a brutal swiftness, plunged his massive claws deep into Travis’s chest. An agonizing shout ripped through the air, a sound that tore at my soul.Luka ripped his claws out, and Travis’s powerful wolf form faltered. He crashed to the ground, as a dark stain of blood spread rapidly under him. His gaze was filled with pain and exhaustion, flickered towards me. In his eyes, I saw a heart breaking message. “I’m tired. I tried.” That’s all I could see in his eyes. He was tired and I was powerless. Tears streamed down my face, blurring the horrific scene before me.Luka with his eyes gleaming with a cruel triumph, loomed over Travis. “Insect!” he sneered as he opened his massive jaws, ready to deliver the killing blow, aiming for Travis’s throat.“NO!” The shriek tore from my own throat, it was a desperate shout, hoping it could somehow
“What was that sound?” Archie demanded of the guards turned towards the door.They all looked confused as their eyes darted nervously around “We… do not know Alpha,” one stammered, “but it sounds… it sounds like someone is blowing the place up.”My heart leaped into my throat. Could it be? Could it possibly be him? A flicker of desperate hope ignited in me, chasing away the fear in my heart. Leigh was here. It had to be Leigh. He wouldn’t let them keep me here.Archie’s jaw tightened, his gaze locking onto mine, then a cruel smirk twisted on his lips. “Keep her contained,” he snarled at the servants who stood. “Do not let her escape. I will go and see what this… disturbance… is.” He shot me one last venomous look before turning and striding out of the room, the guards hurrying after him.My mind was a whirlwind of possibilities. Explosions? Fighting? It had to be Leigh. My eyes felt hot with unshed tears of relief and anticipation. He was here. He was really here to save me.“Come my
Sleep. That word felt foreign. After what I had heard from Ethel, how could I possibly fall asleep. The locked door was a solid testament to my captivity, and the high, narrow window offered no solace at all or a route of escape. I was trapped, and those guards were outside watching. I paced back and forth in the confines of the room. My mind was running like a hamster on a wheel with no way to stop. As I turned sharply, my foot caught on the edge of the bed, sending me sprawling on the ground hard. The back of my head slammed against the marble floor, as a sharp blinding pain shot through me. A loud groan escaped my lips, and for a dizzying moment, darkness threatened to take me again. But then, as the pain subsided, a torrent of memories, sharp and vivid, began to flood my consciousness wildly. The fragmented dreams, the unsettling whispers, the faces I couldn’t quite grasp, they all snapped into place with startling clarity. I could remember everything all of a sudden. I wasn’t
This was supposed to be my escape, but it wasn’t anymore as there were about two dozens of imposing figures, their faces grim and unyielding, lined in the corridor, their presence suffocating the last grasp of hope Ethel had built in me. And Luka Lane just stood there watching us, his very stillness radiating an icy authority. His grey eyes were as sharp as shards of glass.Ethel, who had moments ago been very courageous was now visibly trembling beside me. Her breath hitched in her throat and her hand clutched my own tightly, her fingers digging into my skin. Luka’s lips peeled back into a slow, cruel sneer. “Well, well, well,” he drawled, his voice a violent threat that sent shivers and sweat running down my temples. “I guess you are playing hide and seek in the dead of night, my little runaway? And you, Ethel? Playing accomplice are you?” he sneered.Ethel’s voice, when she finally managed to speak, was full of tremor. “Father… we were just… she wasn’t feeling well. I was only ta
~ Iris POV ~From the moment I woke up, I felt uneasy. It was like there was something pressing against my chest. It was because I knew tomorrow was fast approaching. Tomorrow was the day I was supposed to become Luka Lane’s mate. The thought felt like air was being sucked out of my lungs. This morning, my gown had also arrived and I was made to come test it out. It was truly beautiful and a perfect fit. Perfect for my discomfort actually, because there is no way I would be happy wearing that knowing who my groom is.I got confined to my room afterwards, under the guise of pre wedding pampering, felt more like imprisonment, like they have been doing since I got here. On the brief walk back from the gown testing room, I saw how everyone was busy with activity. Servants scurried with floral arrangements, and trying to get things arranged. I sighed heavily as I jumped on my bed with a thud. My gaze drifted to the window, and I yearned to feel the cool night air on my face, to run until
“Nicolas,” I repeated, my voice rough, “What happened to Iris?” The silence that followed stretched longer than I thought necessary. It was so thick and suffocating, and this silence just seemed to amplify the frantic thumping of my heart.Nicolas shifted his weight uncomfortably, his gaze fixed on the hard cold floor. He finally sighed, a sound heavy with reluctance. “Leigh please. You need to focus on getting better. This isn’t something you should be worrying about right now.” He tried to reason. It was not a reasonable thing for him to say though. At least to me.I hissed harshly. The dismissive tone ignited a spark of fury within me, overriding the weakness that still clung to my limbs. I pushed myself up against the pillows, the sudden movement causing a sharp tug on the IV drip in my wrist, sending a jolt of pain through my arm and to my brain. “I cannot relax Nicolas! Iris is out there, in Luka Lane’s clutches. What do you think he wants with her? It’s not a good thing obvious