NATHAN’S POVThe office was tense, humming with quiet urgency as my team trickled into the conference room. I had called in a meeting to address the situation as soon as Lola left. It had to be taken care of. There was no room for errors.Camille was the first to arrive, her sharp gaze focused on the papers she held tightly in her hands. Priya followed next, already juggling her tablet and phone. Jacob and Davis brought up the rear, their casual banter halting the moment they stepped inside and saw my expression.I didn’t bother to sit. Instead, I stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, my gaze fixed on the map of the city projected on the wall. The building was circled in bold red. I wasn't going to let it slip from my sight.“This isn’t just any building,” I began, my voice sharp, cutting through the room like a blade, my jaw ticking as I spoke. “This is our building. It’s in the perfect location – access to everything we need, enough space to grow, and its positioning keeps u
NATHAN’S POVThe clock in my office ticked loudly, or maybe it just felt that way with how quiet the room had gotten. If Elder Jesper were here, he would've sworn that, “If a man dropped a pin, it would ring in his ears.” I remember when he said such, and the memory brought a faint smile to my mouth, but before it could bloom further, the shears of the current situation nipped it in the bud.I ran a hand through my face. “What do we have?”Camille stood by the board we’d set up, her pen frozen mid-air, while Davis scrolled through his tablet like his life depended on it. As he should.Jacob paced, and Priya leaned against the desk, arms folded, her expression skeptical.“This shouldn’t be that hard,” I said, leaning forward in my chair, my chin resting on my linked fingers. My voice was calm, but they could hear the edge that was present, sharp and unyielding. “It’s a building. A sale. There’s paperwork. Someone’s name is on it.”“And yet here we are,” Priya muttered, and my gaze cut
NATHAN’S POVThe private dining room at Le Monde was just as pretentious as I expected – polished mahogany, soft candlelight, and a waiter hovering by the door like a guard dog. It suited Richard McAllister perfectly. He sat at the head of the table, dressed in a tailored suit that screamed wealth and arrogance.His smile didn’t reach his eyes as he rose to greet me.“Nathaniel Bennett.” His voice was smooth, like the whiskey in his hand. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you. Getting Victor Moreau to partner up with you. Just how did you do it?”I ignored his question. “Hm, you have? Then you know I don’t go by Nathaniel.” I shook his hand firmly, holding his gaze. He was tall, but I didn’t care. He wasn’t my equal, and I was going to make sure he knew it.Richard chuckled, gesturing to the chair across from him. “Fair enough. Please, sit.”I obliged, but I didn’t bother taking off my coat. This wasn’t a dinner meeting. This was business, and I wasn’t about to make myself comfortable.It
NATHAN’S POVBack in my office, the tension in the room could’ve been cut with a knife. The hum of the city outside was muffled by the thick glass, leaving just me, the faint buzz of my team’s chatter, and the weight of Richard’s smug refusal. I hated leaving a meeting like that without a definitive move in play.Lola leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching me silently. Her casual posture was deceiving – her mind was always sharp, always working. When I didn’t acknowledge her, she raised an eyebrow.“Well?” she asked finally.“Well, what?” I snapped, tossing my coat over the back of my chair and sitting down heavily.She shrugged. “You look like you want to punch a hole in the wall. Thought I’d ask how the Richard meeting went.”I rubbed my temples. “It went about as well as expected. He’s not selling.”“Not surprised.” She walked over, planting herself in the chair across from me. “McAllister plays the long game. So, what’s next?”“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t
LUCAS’S POVThe morning sun cut through the expansive windows of my office, painting the polished floor with streaks of sunlight. I sat at my desk, scrolling through news updates on my tablet when the latest headline caught my eye like a slap to the face.“McAllister Snags Prime Real Estate on Forty-Ninth Street Despite Sinclair Industries’ Withdrawal.”I read the words twice, then once more for good measure, disbelief becoming a simmering anger. I had made it clear – Sinclair Industries wanted nothing to do with Richard’s latest schemes. I didn't want to have anything to do with it. His reckless habits, his increasingly volatile behavior, and his knack for gambling had put me off. Yet somehow, he still managed to pull it off.A knock sounded at the door, but before I could respond, Richard McAllister strode in like he owned the place. He always did that – crossed boundaries without hesitation.“Lucas!” Richard greeted with his signature grin, spreading his arms as if we were old pal
LUCAS’S POVThe door slammed shut, leaving a deafening silence in its wake. I stood there for a moment, breathing deeply, my hands resting on the edge of my desk. It wasn’t just about the deal. It wasn’t even about Richard’s recklessness anymore. I couldn't care less about it at this point.It was about how far he was willing to go, the lines he was willing to cross. And Grace… She had been at the center of one of those lines he’d crossed before.My eyes drifted to the framed photograph on the shelf, a picture of Grace, Sophia, and me from years ago. Sophia looked radiant, as always. I would do anything for that woman.And Grace? Her laughter had been captured in that moment, but it didn't take long before the smile had been overshadowed by fear once upon a time – fear caused by Richard McAllister.It wasn’t something I liked to think about, but after what Richard said moments ago, the memory came to mind.It had been a rainy evening, the kind where the city’s usual hum was muffled by
NATHAN’S POVThe next few days were a relentless grind. Every angle, every connection, every weakness – my team and I tore through them all, looking for the perfect way to force Richard’s hand.Camille locked down the city council’s transit proposal details, pinpointing exactly how the expansion could be used against him. Jacob identified key lobbyists who had the power to shift the discussion. Priya and I focused on Richard’s financial backing, and Davis kept an eye on Sinclair Industries, making sure our assumption about their withdrawal held steady.I didn't fully understand half the things being run by me, but by Wednesday, the pressure was mounting.Richard wasn’t stupid – he could see the game we were playing. The difference was, we weren’t leaving him an out.And it was going to remain that way.On Thursday afternoon, I got the call.Richard’s voice was tight, and controlled, but I could hear the frustration seeping through. I allowed myself a second to soak in it. “You’ve been
NATHAN’S POV I wasn’t sure how I got talked into this. One minute, we were wrapping up in the office, victorious after forcing Richard to back off. The next, I was standing outside Priya’s apartment, a six-pack of beer in one hand, wondering how the hell I ended up agreeing to a team movie night. It was just one night. I could survive that much. I knocked, and within seconds, Priya swung the door open, grinning like she’d just won the lottery. “Nathan. I mean, Mr Bennet. I mean– Boss. You came.” She was clearly surprised to see me here. “Unfortunately,” I muttered, stepping inside. The place was not what I expected. I figured it’d be a half-hearted gathering, maybe some drinks and casual conversation before everyone left early. But no – Priya had gone all in. The living room was set up like an actual movie theater. It was all dimmed lights, a projector screen, and a ridiculous amount of snacks spread across the coffee table. Camille was on the couch, scrolling through her
SOPHIA'S POVI was still smirking when I set my phone down. Leave it to Maria and Grace to turn a casual morning chat into a remake of a freshly produced detective show about my love life.I shook my head, stretching my arms over my head as I stood from the couch. It had been a good call – lighthearted, full of laughter. The kind that made you forget, just for a little while, about everything else.Maybe that was why I had let my guard down.I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling as I headed toward the kitchen to rinse out my coffee cup. I had been up for a while now, yet the house remained silent. The twins usually slept in on weekends, but even then, I should have heard some noise by now – kids moving under blankets, quiet giggles, footsteps running down the hall.Instead, there was only stillness.I frowned but shook off the unease creeping in. Maybe they were just extra tired. Last night had been a long one, and after all the excitement, I wouldn’t blame them for sleeping in.Just
SOPHIA'S POVThe morning sun streamed through my bedroom window, warm and golden. I stretched under the covers, letting the quiet sink in.For once, there was no rush. No stress pressing down on my chest. Just peace.It had been a long time since I’d felt this way.Nathan.The thought came uninvited, making my stomach twist. Last night had been a mistake. A moment of weakness.But deep down, I knew that wasn’t true.I sighed, rubbing my temples. I can’t do this. I can’t let myself go back.“Then why are you thinking about him?” my wolf asked, her voice calm but firm.I hesitated. Because I don’t know what to do.“Yes, you do.”I shook my head, pushing the covers off. It doesn’t matter. “Last night doesn’t change anything.”“You keep telling yourself that.”Ignoring her, I got out of bed and grabbed my robe. I had things to do – breakfast to make, the kids to check on.The house was unusually quiet – a rare moment of peace. The kids were still asleep, and for once, there were no urgent
VICTORIA’S POVBanishment was supposed to be a punishment. A lesson. A fate worse than death.But for me, it had been a gift.I thrived in the shadows.The pack had cast me out, turned their backs on me, left me to rot in exile – but I was not broken. If anything, I was stronger. Smarter. More patient. I had learned the art of waiting, of watching, of planting whispers in the right ears.And now, the time was near.I stood at the edge of the clearing, concealed by the thick canopy of the trees. The cold wind carried the scent of home – the home that had been stolen from me. The pack had changed since my exile. There were cracks in their unity, doubts growing beneath the surface. Nathan’s leadership had wavered. His own people questioned him, and all because of her.Sophia.The name alone made my wolf bristle inside me."He still went back to her." My wolf’s voice slithered into my mind, her tone low and sharp.I clenched my fists. “Yes. Like a fool.”Nathan should have moved on by now
NATHAN'S POVThe night air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and New York, mingling with the lingering aromas of the celebration. Laughter and warmth had filled Sophia’s home for hours, wrapping around everyone like a familiar embrace of friendship. But now, as I led her away from the house, away from the others, the world seemed quieter. More intimate.She didn’t resist.That in itself said everything.Sophia walked beside me, her steps measured but unhurried, her hand still warm from where I had taken it in mine. I had expected her to pull away, to hesitate, to remind me that things weren’t the way they used to be. But she hadn’t. And so I held on, just enough to let her know I was here, that I wasn’t letting go. Not tonight.Not ever.I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. She was beautiful like this – lit only by the moon, the glow of distant lanterns softening her features. There was something in her expression I couldn’t quite place, something between nostalgia a
LUCAS' POVI exhaled sharply as the jet touched down, the soft hum of the landing doing little to soothe the irritation clawing at my nerves and seeping up my bones. Seventy-two hours. That’s how long I’d spent in Canada, buried in negotiations that refused to go my way. Every time I thought the deal was closing, something else got in the way – legal hurdles, financial concerns, last-minute hesitations from the other side. Just a bunch of jargon.The delay was supposed to be minor – just a few signatures, a handshake, and I’d be on the next flight home. Instead, I found myself trapped in a boardroom in Vancouver, staring down a table full of indecisive executives who suddenly couldn’t agree on anything.“This isn’t what we discussed.” I said, barely keeping my frustration in check. “We agreed on the terms weeks ago.”One of the older men, Dawson, adjusted his glasses and gave me a condescending smile. “Yes, but given the recent market shifts, we need to reevaluate the risk factors.”M
SOPHIA'S POVLaughter filled the air, warm and bright, wrapping around me like an old but comfortable blanket.The restaurant had been transformed in record time – streamers hung from the ceiling, fairy lights twinkled like stars, and the long communal table was packed with friends, drinks, and enough food to feed a small army. Someone had even put on music, something upbeat and festive, and the energy in the room crackled with celebration.Maria, of course, had gone overboard.“To our very own Master Chef!” She shouted, raising her glass dramatically, her voice carrying over the noise. “I mean, technically that’s not the title, but we all know who the real winner is!”A chorus of cheers went up, followed by a loud whoop from Grace, who sat at the head of the table, looking entirely too pleased. “Damn right! She owned that competition! I nearly punched the screen when that Emelia chick started whining about a rematch. And that's saying something because I'm all about controlling your
SOPHIA'S POVThe venue was nothing short of stunning.Polished marble floors, chandeliers casting a warm glow, and sleek stainless steel workstations lined up neatly. The air buzzed with quiet anticipation as chefs prepped their stations, checking their ingredients and supplies. I could tell the air in the room was charged with energy the minute I stepped in.Goddamn. Even my wolf was impressed, from where she watched.I adjusted the strap of my apron, taking in the space. This competition wasn’t televised, but that didn’t make it any less intense. Winning meant prestige, respect, and proving that I belonged among the best.And across the room, Emelia stood with that same smirk I’d seen a dozen times before.Maria, standing beside me, let out a low whistle. “Damn. They really went all out. Makes our kitchen look like a food truck.”I shot her a look. “‘Our’ kitchen is just fine.”“Yeah, yeah.” She said, waving a hand. “You ready?”I nodded, rolling my shoulders. “As I’ll ever be.”The
SOPHIA'S POVAs the speeches ended and the twins basked in the love everyone was showering them with, I took a moment to breathe. The party had gone smoother than I expected, despite the clear and obvious tension between Nathan and Lucas. But I knew that was only because they’d been kept busy with the kids and giving them gifts.Now, with the formalities over, I had work to do.I glanced over at Maria and Frank, who stood near the drink table, deep in conversation. Well, that was a good start. Frank was laughing at something Maria said, and she had that intrigued glint in her eyes. Still, I wasn’t about to leave things to chance.Grabbing a fresh plate of food, I made my way toward them, wearing my best innocent smile. “Hey, you two. Enjoying yourselves?”Frank wiped his hands on a napkin. “Your food is top notch, as always, Sophia.”Maria smirked. “Yeah, yeah, don’t think flattery will get you more free meals.”I laughed and casually glanced around. “You know, since you two are alre
SOPHIA'S POVThe kitchen was chaos personified.Cake batter smudged my cheek, frosting covered my fingers, and the sweet scent of vanilla and chocolate filled the air. The twins’ birthday was supposed to be a joyful, carefree day, but with the competition looming over me like a highly upset storm cloud, it was hard to not focus on the stress completely.I had spent the past week obsessing over menu plans, supplier issues, and last minute adjustments. I did not want to be caught lacking. But today, none of that mattered. Today was about Alex and Alexia. I owed them this.Kate nudged me with her elbow as she carefully arranged cupcakes on a tray. “You look like you’re planning world domination, not a birthday party.”I huffed out a laugh. “Same thing. I should write a book titled, ‘How to successfully plan world domination’ don't you think?”She smirked. “Slow your roll soldier. You sure inviting both of them is a good idea?”I stiffened. “They’ll deal with it.”Kate gave me a knowing l