*Yolanda's POV* “Yes,my birthday is in a week.”I said with a smile as I busied myself running my fingers on the new silverwares I got for the occasion. “I don't think now is the right time to return to IronClaw.”the voice at the end of the line replied. “I heard your step daughter has returned.” “Oh please.”I scoffed. “Do you really think I'm going to stop my own birthday party just because she exists?.” “Yolanda…I still don't think coming there is a good idea.” My fingers found a tiny rust on one of the tea spoons and picked it up to examine it further.I had asked for the best of the best in everything. And here I was seeing rustic cutlery sitting on the table. If it were Silvia who asked,the servants would have made everything glistening for her. What importance does she even have? We are both mothers of the leaders of the pack and she gets treated far better than I ever did. I inhaled a sharp breath and returned my attention to my phone call. Important matters first. “Do
*Selene's POV* Something wasn't right. I could tell Something had gone horribly wrong by the way he looked at me tonight,by the way everyone looked at me tonight. My eyes grazed over the attendants of tonight's claiming ceremony,brushing over the entitled faces of the packs elite,trying to discern their gazes. It didn't help. I steadied my breath and try not to fidget,I only did that when I was nervous,and I refuse to allow this little inconvenience to make me nervous. I was here to by Luna,that's all that mattered. “Selene Fortlyn."Alpha Ares said,his tone commanding the attention of everyone in the room. I glanced up at him as he made his way down the stairs. “Alpha Ares.”I replied confidently as I bowed gracefully before him.Confidence wasn't something I had always had always displayed so boldly,but there was something about watching my mate before me that gave me the audacity. The lingering noise of gentle whispers was sucked dry out of the room,gently replaced by the m
[Four Years later] *Ares POV* “Did you watch her last night?”I heard my sister ask as she sits beside me. I had. I watch Selene's interviews religiously,I don't know what would have kept me sane if she hadn't become a movie star. “No.”I lie without remorse,chewing hard on my food as if it was the cause of my problems.I dread these types of questions. “Why not?”she asked knowingly. Part of Me knows she knows I watch Selene,but I rather choke on my meal right this instant than to actually admit it out loud. “Any way,”Athena continued,cutting herself some lemon cake. “She said she has no intention of being Luna,and her visit is strictly professional.” “I'm not looking for yet another wife.”I say immediately. “I know.”she chuckles,picking strategically through the bowl of fruits for the most perfect pieces of strawberries. “I just want you to keep it in the back of your mind that if you choose to chase her,you will be crawling on Your hands and knees…and she would still
*Selene's POV* Greta walked in noisily and opened the curtains as wide as it could go,letting the eager sunlight inside the room. I groan and rub my eyes open. Sometimes, I wonder if she actually does it to try to blind me with so much light. “Wake up.”Greta says as if the light won't have been enough to wake up the dead. She marches to the foot of the bed and throws a bright red magazine at my feet. I could recognise The Timeless magazine cover anywhere,any time. “What's the news today?”I yawn,sitting up. “I rather you read it.Its interesting.”Greta replies monotonously. “Page twenty-six.” I hesitantly reached for the livret and flipped to it. My eyes almost widened at the picture of me plastered beside him. Almost. I was used to this by now.They did it when he was getting married,they did it when we were in Italy at the same time, and they did it when Noelle was rumoured to be pregnant…. The only shocker was that even Timeless,a magazine I once adored for speaking
*Selene's POV* The atmosphere of the Blossom Ball just as it had been advertised on the invitation—elite and extravagant. This was one of those events that tend to redefine the meaning of wealth.It had a very strict standard for eligibility to buy the ticket,new money couldn't get you in,you couldn't have a scandal to your name and you had to have good ties with the Royal family. I was everything they didn't want,and yet I got four VIP tickets,how hypocritical. I tucked my head out the car’s window and took a big sniff of the flower scented air. This palace has been reported to have a century old garden with the rarest and most precious of flowers. Of course, I thought it was all another assumption by the press since journalists were not allowed near the property, but the air itself was a testimony to this claim. “Miss Fortlyn.”an usher greets me as the limo comes to a smooth halt.”Welcome to the Blossom Ball.” “Foxx.”I corrected as he opened the car door. “It's Miss Foxx
*Ares's POV* Elais gets up from his seat the moment I enter the room. “We have done the research on him.”he begins with an unusual coolness. “He is into real estates and hotels.He has already bought land in the territory for construction.He is from Ravenclaw pack but his family relocated to England years ago.I doubt he is the spy.” I stare at my beta blankly,he wasn't giving me anything I can use to pin on this man and drive him out of my territory. “Did you find anything incriminating?”I oblige despite my countless requests that he did it earlier. He hands me the file and shakes his head. “No.” I frowned,Elais could find out if you cheated on your fifth grade test if he wanted to. No one is perfect,if he had searched,he would have found something. “Did you look for anything incriminating?”I asked calmly. Elais rubbed his hand on his jaw. “No.” Be calm,I tell myself.You already snapped once tonight.“Why not?” His eyes searched around the room for listeners and found n
*Yolanda's (Selene's stepmother) POV* “That's it Selene has returned!”the reporter exclaimed. I switched the channel. “And in other news.”the blonde began with a bright smile. “The Selene Foxx has just marked this town as her playground with tonight's latest activities–” I switched the channel again.This time it was my favourite show;‘The Analysts’,sitting in a circle discussing the exact same thing the other channels were discussing. I swallow hard and try to give it a chance.Maybe they were seeing it as the catastrophy that it was that she returned.Or perhaps they cared that she had completely stolen the entire point of the Blossom Ball and made it about her. Oh but I was wrong. I was so wrong. “I think Ironclaw should feel particularly blessed that they got to witness this phenomenal women right at their ball.”On of the TV hosts said as he admired the picture of her on the screen.“And they say she is staying for six whole months?” “She is indeed. She
*Selene POV* I reached for a bath bomb and threw it in the tub.I dissolved into bubbles and filled the water with a red tint. I took a sip from the champagne glass and placed cucumber slices on my eyelids. I could barely sleep last night,let's reiterate that : I couldn't sleep last night.My eyes were stuck on my ceiling,face frowned and mind in disarray watching the fan slowly turn the controls in my head. Blue. It was such a beautiful shade too,I had forgotten–or at least tried to forget what his eyes felt like. It slid into my blood,defrosting me from the inside. I had grown into the habit of calculating everything precisely before I went to bed.It helped me concentrate and gain clarity.It used to be just a hobby,but last night,it suddenly felt like a need. I then began to replay his actions from the night before,the arrest,his smirks,his distracting gaze,the disappointment etched in his features…it was like I was watching a movie,scene by scene…each piece more puzzling
*Yolanda's POV* “Yes,my birthday is in a week.”I said with a smile as I busied myself running my fingers on the new silverwares I got for the occasion. “I don't think now is the right time to return to IronClaw.”the voice at the end of the line replied. “I heard your step daughter has returned.” “Oh please.”I scoffed. “Do you really think I'm going to stop my own birthday party just because she exists?.” “Yolanda…I still don't think coming there is a good idea.” My fingers found a tiny rust on one of the tea spoons and picked it up to examine it further.I had asked for the best of the best in everything. And here I was seeing rustic cutlery sitting on the table. If it were Silvia who asked,the servants would have made everything glistening for her. What importance does she even have? We are both mothers of the leaders of the pack and she gets treated far better than I ever did. I inhaled a sharp breath and returned my attention to my phone call. Important matters first. “Do
Dominic's POV The hospital air was thick with the smell of disinfectant. I hated it—the sterile, cold atmosphere, the constant beeping of machines. It reminded me of–unpleasant times. I was gradually getting sick of pretending to be more injured than I was, tired of being here, stuck, slacking when I had work to do. It felt like a prison more than a place of healing. Tonight will be my last night. I had decided to announce That I could magically walk tomorrow and that would be it…I have already accomplished what I wanted here. I stared long and hard at myself,wondering if all I was doing was worth it,I had revealed my background,implied that my adopted family was to blame for the attack–which angered my brother greatly and got myself shot in the leg. All in a gamble of winning Selene and getting rid of Ares at the same time. This might be the first mission I'm invested in and the bitch didn't even care to come see me…I chuckled at myself. I had every woman at my beck and call
Ares' POV I spotted her immediately—Selene. She stood by the curb, arms crossed, her face set in that familiar look of irritation that I had grown almost fond of. Almost. I smirked as I killed the engine and stepped out of the car, my shoes crunching against the gravel. She didn't even bother with pleasantries. "Finally,I was beginning to think you intentionally wanted me to go to work lat." she snapped, her voice sharp as a knife. No hello. No patience. Classic Selene. I offered my hand for a mere unshakeable but was denied that too. I reached into my jacket and pulled out the file, holding it up just long enough for her to see before lowering it again. “It took a few extra minutes to make sure that the house and the very land it stands on is not only state property but yours too. It was a difficult document to process.” A small smile tugged at her lips. “Look at that,you are actually useful.” "You're in a hurry, aren't you?" I said casually, watching her eyes narrow i
"Why is your face scrunched?" Yolanda asked mockingly. "This could be your chance to right your wrongs."I scoffed and threw my hair behind my shoulder. "What are you two blabbing about this time?"“To be honest, I didn’t want to go this far. I know how much you adore this place,” Noelle began, circling me slowly like a predator. I'm almost impressed by this new found confidence she was exhibiting.Maybe it came from dressing up as me. “But you’re just so cocky and disrespectful, I had to teach you a lesson. See how funny life can be?” Noelle smiled, coming to a full stop in front of me. “Maybe if you had treated me nicer, we wouldn’t be here right now,would we?”“Aw,” I smirked. “Is this what this is about? Does my baby sister want an apology?”Noelle's smile vanished, and her gaze darkened.“Don’t call me that, you and I don’t share a drop of blood.”“Oh please, what do you know about your roots?” I asked, raising a brow. “Have you asked Yolanda who your real mother is yet? Or are yo
*Dominic's POV* “Good morning. "I exclaimed in excitement as the nurse pushed my chair forward. “Dominic?”Caleb asks,coming to a full stop,as if he doesn't really believe it's me he is seeing. “Caleb?”I return in the same tone. Caleb shakes his head and asks the nurse for privacy. The nurse looks down at me for approval, and I nod slowly,still keeping my eye on Caleb. “You don't know how glad I am to see you here.”I began when the nurse was out of ear shot. “I was beginning to think no one cares about my well-being.” “Were you really shot?”Caleb asks instantly. I stare down at my legs to make sure,he seemed so in disbelief that I had to make sure the last nine hours were reality and sure enough I could still see the bandage wrapped around my leg. “Do you not see this?”I asked,pointing at my injured leg. “What more proof do you need?” “Tell me the truth,were you shot last night?”Caleb pressed. “Just be honest for once.” As if that noble virtue has ever gotten me anyw
*Selene's POV* *Next Day* “Where did you get that?”I asked, snatching the paper from her hand. The flyer showed an announcement of the complete demolition and renovation of Olive Grown District. My father's house was at the heart of the district, and what was worse was that it was going to be turned into a landfill. “I found it plastered on a street sign on my way here,”Greta stated. “They are all over the city.” I folded the paper and threw it out the window in a fit of anger.What on earth was it going on? Who was doing this? Not only did the price of the house go up by twice its worth but now it was not going to be demolished. Now, not only do I have to pay a ridiculous amount for what was originally mine.. I also have to fight to keep the place from being broken and run down. I fell to the chair and pressed on my temples,trying to evoke calm,serenity or anything remotely different from the panic I was feeling. Was it Ares–no? Why would he? “I know how much you wanted
Selene’s POVWho does he think he is, bossing and carrying me around like I’m some fragile doll? I didn't need his protection before, and I certainly don't need it now. My heart drummed in my chest,I'm not sure if it was the sound of the guns or his touch. I stood by the door for a second longer, my pride demanding I delay entering the room. I wasn't following his orders—no, I was just making sure that I was safe. Still, the memory of his fingers pressing into my shoulders lingered, warm and possessive. I forced a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and pushed the door open, stepping into the cold, mechanical room.The door clicked shut behind me, the darkness swallowing me whole. A gust of icy air swept across my skin, a stark contrast to the heat I'd just escaped. My instincts were screaming—someone else was here.Suddenly, a voice pierced the silence."You must be the infamous Selene Foxx."The sound nearly jolted me out of my skin. I whirled around, only to see a single, dim ligh
*Ares’ POV* Dominic must have figured out where the journalists were,that was the only explanation. And it's at the right timing too,just after the journalists agreed to confess in court,,he rents out the event hall right in front of the warehouse where I'm keeping them and invited me. I don't know what his plan is with that move but moving so hastily means he is nervous, and that's exactly what I want. “Do you think the security we put is enough?”Elais asked,adjusting his cufflinks. “Yes.”I replied curtly. “What If we walk into his trap?” I sighed thoughtfully. “He doesn't have the guts to pull anything in front of hundreds of people.” “If you are so sure he is Saint Locke,I don't think any amount of people will stop him.” I turn to look at Elais in the face. “Stop being so pessimistic. Let's just follow the plan, and everything will turn out fine.” I glanced at my watch and pushed my hand in my pocket. “It's time.” I step into the event hall, the atmosphere buzzing wi
*Dominic's POV* I repositioned the location of the small wooden fountain on the demo scale and analysed it carefully. I couldn't quite decide if I wanted the fountain at the front of the hotel or at the back along with the pond. Perhaps a fountain at the front would be too much if I decide to go along with the statue of Selene. I am more than proud to say I am actually going somewhere in the construction. This might just be a charade to keep suspicious eyes off my back, but I genuinely enjoy it–building,creating a whole new world from the ground up. It does a strange thing to your ego when it's completed,experts will say the pride inflates it, but I like to use better terms. “You are absolutely ridiculous. What if she finds out that you lied,”Caleb complained, pacing around the office. I almost forgot he was still here. At this point, I just used him as background noise to focus better. “I already did a favour for you once.I refuse to partake in this lie, too.” Caleb has gott