Derek paced the hallway of the Northern Pack hospital, his patience wearing thin. He had been waiting for Ella for what seemed like hours as she finished her rounds. The sterile smell of antiseptic hung in the air, and the sound of soft footsteps echoed through the nearly deserted hallway. He hated hospitals—the coldness, the desperation that lingered in the air. But for her, he would wait a lifetime.Finally, the door to one of the patient wards opened, and Ella walked out, looking completely exhausted. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and the dark circles under her eyes only made her look more worn out. She rubbed her neck absentmindedly, clearly lost in thought."It doesn’t help that you check on me every day, Alpha Derek," Ella said, her tone unconcerned as she spotted him waiting.Derek’s lips curved slightly. "You look exhausted," he replied, ignoring her clear annoyance. "Can we discuss things over dinner? I already booked a place, and I’m sure you’ll love it."Ella scoffed, b
Ella walked into Alpha Moore’s office, the familiar scent of leather and aged wood welcoming her. As usual, he sat behind his large mahogany desk, composed and focused on a document in his hands. His face, though calm, had a glimmer of intensity in his eyes as he read. Without thinking, Ella moved toward him, her exhaustion weighing her down. She leaned slightly against the edge of his desk, seeking comfort in his steady presence.“A patient lost his wolf today,” Ella said softly, her voice laced with frustration. “I don't know how I could have helped him. I…”Alpha Moore’s eyes softened as he looked up at her, gently placing his palm over her hand. His touch was warm, grounding her. “We’ll sort that out later, my dear,” he said in a soothing tone cutting her off. “Right now, we have a more urgent matter to deal with.”Ella raised an eyebrow in question her attention shifting as Moore slid a letter across the desk toward her, its edges slightly crumpled from his earlier handling.. She
Alpha Moore had decided to throw a lavish welcome party for Alpha Derek, filling the hall with a sense of grandeur and celebration. The main ballroom of the Northern Pack’s grand hall was meticulously decorated. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. Velvet drapes in deep burgundy and royal blue adorned the walls, giving the place a regal yet warm atmosphere. Round tables covered with white linen and gold-trimmed napkins were spread around, each adorned with tall floral centerpieces of roses and lilies. The sweet scent of the flowers mixed with the enticing aroma of gourmet food being served by the staff.Pack members dressed in their finest, mingled with guests from neighboring packs. The men were in sharp suits and tuxedos, while the women glittered in gowns of silk and lace. Soft music played in the background, adding to the elegance of the evening.Alpha Derek, standing tall and commanding, was dressed in a finely tailored black
The hall was filled with wolves, pack members, and guests, but none of it mattered. None of it. My focus had been razor-sharp all night. From the moment I entered the party Alpha Moore had thrown in my honor, I knew this was going to be more than just a welcome. This was a test—a game of dominance.I was here for one reason only: her. Ella.From the corner of my eye, I spotted her as soon as she walked in, and it was as though the air had been knocked out of my lungs. My heart slammed against my chest, and for a second, I couldn’t breathe. The world around me blurred, the voices, the music, the clinking of glasses—all of it faded into the background.She entered the hall like a vision, stealing the attention of every male wolf in the room. My chest tightened. I hated the way they looked at her, the way their gazes followed her every step. I had to fight back the possessive growl threatening to spill out.She wore a stunning midnight blue dress that hugged every curve of her body, and
Derek stormed out of Moore's presence because he didn't know what he would do if he stayed another minute. The tension between them had reached a boiling point, and his wolf Leo was dangerously close to taking over. His mind replayed the words that Moore had smugly thrown at him, “*Marked or unmarked, I have tasted every part of her body*.” His chest tightened with rage, the possessiveness clawing at his insides. He needed to find Ella. Now.His eyes scanned the banquet hall, flickering past the guests and decorations, until they finally landed on her. She was standing gracefully, smiling at one of the guests, her aura of elegance and beauty undeniable. "There she is," Leo growled, his voice filled with hunger and impatience. Without hesitating, Derek started toward her, his strong strides cutting through the crowd. His gaze never left her, the sound of his heartbeat hammering in his ears. The anger he felt toward Moore still burned in his chest, mixing with his overwhelming desire
"Ella…" Moore’s voice echoed through the hall, growing louder with each step.Ella tensed, her instincts urging her to create distance between herself and Derek. She could feel the tension building, and the last thing she wanted was for Moore to find them like this. She shifted, trying to slip out of Derek’s grip, but Derek, sensing her intention, held her tighter, pulling her even closer to his chest.Her eyes flared with frustration. "Alpha Derek, what are you doing?" she hissed, trying to keep her voice low and controlled.Derek smirked, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something darker. "What do you think I’m doing?"Ella struggled more forcefully, her movements frantic as Moore’s voice grew nearer. In the scuffle, the strap of her dress slipped down her shoulder, leaving her skin bare and her breast partially exposed. Any further, and the situation would be beyond embarrassing. But Ella, too focused on escaping Derek’s grip, didn’t immediately realize what had happen
Ella woke up feeling more refreshed than she had in days. She had finally put her thoughts together the night before, deciding that clarity was what she needed most. Wrapping a towel around her chest, she flipped her hair into a bun, exposing the smooth skin of her neck. Her fingers grazed the unmarked area, and she sighed softly."An unmarked Luna," she whispered to herself, tracing the spot where a mark should be."Well, Derek was right about one thing," she muttered to herself. "If Moore and I were truly mates... he wouldn't have resisted marking me.”She shook her head, dismissing the thought as she moved toward the bathroom. The hot water poured over her, soothing her tense muscles, but it couldn’t wash away the lingering thoughts of her complicated bond with Moore—and Derek.But that wasn't their relationship. It had never been about intimacy or passion, just a mutual understanding. Moore had offered her protection within his pack, a place where she could heal from the wounds of
Derek slammed his fist against the wall, feeling the sharp sting of pain shoot through his knuckles, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the frustration boiling inside him. He had called Ella for the umpteenth time, only for each call to go to voicemail.“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” he roared, throwing his phone across the room with so much force that it shattered on impact. Not satisfied, he stormed toward it, trampling on the already broken pieces with his boot as though it could vent the storm raging inside him.Pacing back and forth, Derek ran his hands through his hair, trying to control the rising tide of fury. His chest heaved with each breath, the air around him thick with the energy of his wolf pushing to the surface. He was losing control, and he hated it.“Alpha…” a voice called tentatively from the doorway. It was Alex, his beta, standing at a distance, clearly cautious about approaching his enraged alpha.Alex had returned from the pack with important news, and Derek’s a