The car ride home is filled with a heavy silence, the weight of the day's events hanging over them like a dark cloud. Maya glances in the rearview mirror, her heart breaking at the sight of her children's somber expressions."I'm so sorry, my darlings," she murmurs, her voice thick with emotion. "I never wanted you to have to deal with something like this."Aiden reaches out, his small hand grasping hers. "It's not your fault, Mama. That boy was being really mean, and we couldn't just let him-"Maya squeezes his hand, offering him a weak smile. "I know, sweetheart. And I'm proud of you for standing up for your sister. But you know violence isn't the answer, no matter how justified it may feel."Eli nods solemnly, his brow furrowed. "We know, Mama. We just... we couldn't let him say those things about you. It made us so angry."Rose sniffles, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I didn't mean to cry, Mama. I tried to be strong, but it hurt so much."Maya reaches back, gently caressi
Maya watches the scene with a fond smile, remembering how Lily had quite literally burst into her life a few years ago. The triplets had just turned one, and Maya had been feeling overwhelmed, struggling to adjust to the demands of motherhood. She had been sitting alone in the park, her head in her hands, when Lily had practically stumbled upon her."Goodness, you look like you could use a friend!" Lily had exclaimed, her voice carrying across the otherwise quiet space. Without so much as a by-your-leave, she had plopped down beside Maya, introducing herself with a warm smile and offering an ear to listen.In the years since, Lily has become a constant presence in Maya's life, a whirlwind of support and companionship. The triplets adore her, and Maya finds herself grateful for the eccentric woman's unwavering presence.“My darlings!” Lily exclaims, bringing maya back to the present, her voice booming with infectious energy. She's standing straight again, her hand on her hip as she s
“Maya!” one of them calls, his voice cutting through the chatter of the market. “We need to talk!”“Run,” Maya whispers, her voice barely more than a breath. She grabs the triplets’ hands, her mind racing. “We have to go. Now!”“Mama, why?” Eli protests, not sensing the urgency in her tone.“Just trust me, Now move!” she urges, her heart pounding as she scans for an escape route. The pack is closing in, and she can feel the weight of their gaze on her back.They bolt through the market, weaving between startled shoppers. Maya’s instincts kick in, guiding her toward a narrow alleyway. “Quick!” she urges, pushing the triplets ahead of her.As they duck into the alley, Maya presses her back against the wall, trying to catch her breath. The sounds of the market fade, replaced by the echo of her own heartbeat. “Mama, what’s happening?” Aiden asks, his voice trembling.Maya crouches in front of them, her eyes softening despite the fear clawing at her throat. “My darlings, I need you to li
The car is silent for a few minutes, an oppressive weight hanging in the air. Maya bites her lip, the taste of salt mingling with the remnants of her sweat.Images of her three children flood her mind: Eli, Aiden, and Rose, their small faces twisted with fear, their little bodies trembling as they clutch one another. She swallows shakily, the lump in her throat refusing to budge. Finally, she turns to Jackson, her heart racing.“What about the kids?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. The words feel like needles piercing her throat as she stumbles over them, fear clawing at her insides. Jackson’s expression remains unreadable, a mask of indifference that chills her to the bone.Jackson glances at her, his eyes sharp and cold. “What about them?” he replies, his tone devoid of empathy. The question hangs in the air, heavy and suffocating. Maya’s heart sinks deeper into despair, the terror for her children growing like a shadow in the back of her mind.“Are they—are they okay?
Jackson smirks, a cold, humorless expression that sends a shiver down her spine. “I’ll be back,” he replies, his tone dripping with cool certainty. “You can count on that.”It's a promise.Lily tilts her head slightly, a challenge in her eyes. “You should know,” she interjects, her voice steady and confident, “I’m one of the best in the city. Maybe even the best in the world. You won’t get far.”Jackson’s expression shifts, irritation flaring in his eyes. “You think you can protect her?” he scoffs, turning on his heel. “Good luck with that.” He strides away, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the tense silence.Maya watches as he gets back into his car, the engine roaring to life. The dark van behind him shifts gears, following him down the street. As the car disappears from view, Maya feels her knees weaken, the adrenaline of the confrontation leaving her shaky and vulnerable.“Whoa, easy there,” Lily says, reaching out to grab Maya’s shoulder, steadying her. “Let’s get somewhere
They arrive at a high-end jewelry store, and the man steps inside, the bell jingling as the door swings open. The sales staff immediately perks up, recognizing him. The man frowns a little. Maybe he should have worn a baseball hat too with his sunglasses. Maybe then he wouldn't be so easy to spot."Hello." He greets politely all the same.“Oh My God! Welcome, sir! How can I assist you today?” one eager attendant asks, a giddy smile on her face.“I’m looking for something special for my girlfriend,” he replies, his tone casual but his eyes focused. “Something that says I’m back.”“Of course! Right this way.” She leads him through the store, showcasing various exquisite pieces. After browsing for a few moments, he spots a delicate necklace adorned with a sparkling pendant that catches his eye.“This one,” he says decisively. “Wrap it up nicely.”As the attendant prepares the necklace, he turns to another section filled with toys. He selects several colorful items that he knows will d
Later that evening, the house settles into a comfortable hush. The triplets are finally asleep, their small bodies nestled under colourful blankets, the remnants of their earlier excitement still visible in the way they clutch their new toys. Yuri stands at the door, peeking in to see the peaceful scene. “They really wore themselves out today,” he remarks, closing the door softly behind him.Maya nods, a smile lingering on her lips. “They always do that when you're here. It’s nice to see them so happy.”Yuri walks over to the couch, where he sinks into the plush cushions. “You did a great job with them,” he says, his voice sincere. “They’re amazing kids.”“Thanks,” Maya replies, her heart fluttering at the compliment. She heads into the kitchen, preparing two mugs of hot cocoa, the rich aroma filling the air. “Do you want marshmallows?” she calls over her shoulder.“Absolutely!” he replies, a playful tone in his voice.Maya chuckles softly as she adds a generous handful of marshmal
The Manor is alive with a sense of unease as the nine o clock news broadcast blares through the grand living room. The large flat-screen television blazes with the flickering light of a breaking news report. “Popular actor Yuri Thorne – seen with a woman late at night as they were making their way away from a building with three children. Our sources say this could be the secret family he’s talked about during interviews…” The words hang in the air, heavy with implication.Fear hangs thicker than the scent of expensive incense. Jackson, the Alpha, sits rigidly on a chaise lounge, his face a mask of barely controlled fury. His hands, usually meticulously groomed, are clenched into fists, the knuckles bone-white. The veins in his neck throb, a visible testament to the rage simmering beneath his controlled exterior. He hasn’t spoken a word since the news report began, his silence more terrifying than any outburst. His body radiates an aura of simmering violence, a palpable tensi
Later, after tucking the exhausted children into bed, Maya retreats to her room, her hands shaking as she pulls out the hidden phone. She dials Yuri's number, pressing the device so hard against her ear that it hurts. Each unanswered ring sends a fresh wave of panic through her body. One call. Two calls. Five calls. Ten calls."The number you're trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please leave a message after the tone...""Yuri," she whispers into the phone, her voice cracking. "Please, please pick up. Something's wrong. The children... they're so scared, and Jackson... I need you. Please call me back." She ends the call and immediately dials again, her heart racing faster with each failed attempt.After what feels like hours of trying, Maya drops the phone onto her lap, running her hands through her hair in frustration. This isn't like Yuri at all. He's always been there, always answered her calls, even in the middle of the night. The silence from his end feels wrong, omin
She presses the phone into Maya's hands, her eyes constantly moving, watching for any sign of discovery. "Please be careful. If Master Jackson finds out...""He won't," Maya assures her, quickly tucking the phone into the pocket of her dress. "Thank you."The maid gives a short nod before slipping away, vanishing among the towering bookshelves as silently as she appeared. Maya waits a few moments, ensuring no one else is around, before hurrying from the library. Her feet carry her swiftly through the mansion's corridors.When she finally reaches her room, she closes the door behind her with trembling hands, turning the lock with an audible click. The phone feels like it's burning a hole in her pocket. She pulls it out, her fingers shaking as she powers it on and finds the single number stored in its memory.The phone rings three times before a familiar voice answers. "Maya?""Yuri," she breathes, tears suddenly springing to her eyes at the sound of her lover's voice. "Oh god, Yuri
Maya freezes in the act of smoothing Eli's blanket. "Had?""I killed him."The words fall into the room like stones into a still pond, creating ripples of silence. Before Maya can process this revelation, let alone respond, Jackson is gone, the door clicking shut behind him with quiet finality.***For several long moments, Maya stands rooted to the spot, her mind spinning with this new information. Then, without quite deciding to do so, she finds herself moving toward the door. She needs answers and needs to understand what could have led to such a terrible confession.The hallway is empty when she steps out, but she can hear movement from somewhere below. Following the sounds, she nearly collides with Mrs. Henderson coming around a corner."Maam! You should be resting," the older woman says, though her usual stern demeanor seems somewhat forced."I need to speak with Jackson, Carmen," Maya says, trying to step around her.Carmens face closes off immediately. "I'm afraid Mr. Cart
The room falls into a charged silence as Maya and Jackson stare at each other, the air between them thick with unspoken words.Maya can feel the bond humming beneath her skin, more insistent than usual, making her acutely aware of his presence.Jackson's eyes, those impossibly bright eyes that seem to hold centuries of secrets, don't waver from her face."Story time! Story time!" Aiden's voice breaks through the tension, followed quickly by his siblings' eager chants."We want the dragon story!""No, the fairy one!" Rose protests, her small face scrunching up in annoyance."Pirates!" Eli contributes, bouncing on his bed with enough force to make the expensive wooden frame creak.Maya clears her throat and looks away from Jackson, grateful for the interruption. "All right, all right," she says, trying to hide how flustere
The sight before Maya is nothing short of extraordinary.The normally immaculate Jackson Carter, the terror of the supernatural world and embodiment of cold authority, is on his hands and knees in what appears to be a desperate pursuit of three very naked, very gleeful seven-year-olds.His expensive suit jacket lies discarded on a chair, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his usually perfect hair falls across his forehead in disarray."Aiden," he calls out, his voice carrying an unmistakable note of exhaustion as he reaches for the closest child, who giggles and darts away with supernatural speed. "Please, just put on your pajamas.""Can't catch me!" Aiden sing-songs, zooming past the alpha with a flash of bare skin and a mischievous grin.Jackson's head drops forward in defeat for a moment before he turns his attention to his daughter. "Rose
Maya wakes the next day with cautious hope.Her body feels less like it's being consumed by fire today, though weakness still clings to her limbs like a persistent fog.The massive bedroom, with its dark wood panels and antique furniture, feels more like a gilded cage than ever before.She pushes herself up against the ornate headboard, wincing at the residual ache in her muscles.The clock on the mantelpiece reads just past eight in the morning, and already she can hear the distant sounds of children's laughter echoing through the mansion's halls.Her babies.Her heart aches with the need to see them.A soft knock at the door precedes the entrance of a maid - the first she has seen since arriving here.The woman, probably in her fifties with steel-gray hair pulled into a severe bun
They're all of him - Jackson as a child, his eyes already holding that otherworldly awareness that sets him apart. Jackson, as a teenager, was tall and awkward in a way she never imagined he could be. Jackson as a young man, his features settling into the cold mask she knows so well. But in every single picture, he's alone. No parents, no siblings, no friends. Just him, his expression growing progressively more closed off with each passing year.The images paint a picture of isolation that makes something in Maya's chest ache, despite everything. She remembers the way he'd looked at their children that day during breakfast - with a mixture of mild confusion and barely any bewilderment in his eyes as if he couldn't quite believe they were real, as if he was stunned by their existence.A cry pierces the air.High pitched and reedy.“Let me go! I want mama!"Maya's heart skips a beat.Its one of the triplets - and they sound scared.Unacceptable. Maya's maternal instincts override e
Jackson stares at Maya's crumpled form, his restored strength coursing through his veins even as he watches her life force ebb till it's barely. The rage building inside him is unlike anything he's ever experienced. These people didn't just try to kill him - they forced Maya to sacrifice herself to save him. He’ll make them pay. They will all pay.One of the attackers takes a step toward Maya's unconscious form. Jackson's growl reverberates through the room, causing even the most hardened among them to take a step back. His transformation is already beginning, bones cracking and reshaping themselves."You dare," he snarls, his voice distorting as his jaw elongates. "You dare to enter my home, threaten what's mine?" His eyes lock onto the traitorous maid. "And you. You betrayed my trust. Worse, you betrayed my kindness."The maid's smug expression falters as she realizes the gravity of her mistake. Jackson's transformation completes his massive werewolf form filling the study. But
Maya's heart races as she formulates her plan. She retrieves a small camera from her belongings - one she'd brought to document her happy time with her children for years to come. How hopeless that seems now. Her hands shake slightly as she checks the battery and memory card."I just need to catch him being cruel to the children, or showing his true colors," she murmurs. "Something that will hold up in court."Moving with careful steps, Maya makes her way through the mansion's corridors. The afternoon silence feels oppressive, broken only by the distant sounds of maids going about their duties. She knows Jackson often conducts business in his study, and that's where she's most likely to catch him in an unguarded moment.As she approaches the study, Maya's breath catches in her throat. The door is slightly ajar, offering the perfect opportunity. With trembling fingers, she begins to position the camera in a discrete corner, angling it to capture most of the room.Suddenly, foot