Lila
The burn in my throat was sharp yet oddly soothing, chasing away the storm of emotions threatening to pull me under. I set the glass down with a shaky sigh, trying to gather the scattered pieces of my resolve. No. I wasn’t going to let my heartbreak win tonight.
“You need to get drunk, forget everything, and actually live for once,” Sophia declared, pouring me another drink, her tone as unapologetic as her glossy red lipstick.
Elena smirked, leaning in closer, her voice dripping with mischief. “Or better yet, the fastest way to forget a man? Get under another one. Preferably one with abs carved by the gods and a tongue that knows its way around,” she added, sliding the vodka bottle toward me with a wink.
I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that bubbled up, though tears threatened to follow. My father’s harsh words echoed in my mind—words that had crushed me more than I’d ever admit.
“You’re just an omega, a low ranked she-wolf, Lila. And I was cursed with having a weakling so just be grateful that I’m not throwing you out of the pack and letting you live with dignity.” He had said it to his five-year-old daughter who had just lost her mother.
The memory hit like a punch to the gut, but I shoved it down, swallowing my pain.
I should have been at the party, celebrating my union with Alpha Sheldon right now, smiling for pictures, and accepting congratulations. Instead, I’d run away to a club, drowning in alcohol and the company of my two best friends. All thanks to my fiancé and the fated mate he claimed to have rejected before getting involved with me. A liar through and through.
If no one else cared about my worth, then I’d carve my own path. I wasn’t a weakling, I hadn’t just shifted into my wolf form yet. They were unaware of my combatting skills.
“Stop overthinking and go for it, honey,” Sophia urged, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“Fuck it,” I muttered under my breath, grabbing the vodka bottle and taking a long, defiant swig.
“Now that’s my girl!” Elena whooped. “And while you’re at it, find someone who actually knows what to do with his mouth,” she teased, her grin downright wicked.
Fueled by the alcohol and their encouragement, I rose from my seat, claws flashing as I tore a slit into the front of my gown. My long hair cascaded down as I released it from its tight bun, earning cheers from my friends.
“I’m going to dance and get under someone who at least knows how to kiss,” I declared, making a gagging face.
“Better knows how to eat you up and please a woman,” Elena whispered in my ear, making me giggle. “You go girl, we will prepare a surprise for you.” Her voice told me that it was something naughty, but I didn’t resist this time.
Every pair of eyes in the bar seemed to land on me, their curiosity palpable. Good. Let them stare. Tonight, I wasn’t the obedient daughter or the dutiful fiancée. Tonight, I was free.
The bass from the speakers pulsed through me as I moved to the center of the dance floor. I let the rhythm take over, swaying my hips and losing myself in the beat. For the first time in years, I felt alive.
But the sensation of being watched prickled at the back of my neck, sending a thrill down my spine. I turned, catching the piercing gaze of a man across the room. He was stunning, his teal-blue eyes smoldering as they locked onto me over the rim of his glass.
Before I could gather my thoughts, a stranger’s hands gripped my waist, pulling me against him.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he murmured, his breath hot against my ear as he moved with me. He was raking of alcohol, making me feel nauseous.
“Take your hands off me,” I said, my voice low and warning. But instead of retreating, he tightened his grip, his hand sliding lower.
“You’ve got a lot of attitude for someone this sexy,” he said with a smirk, his fingers trailing places they had no right to be.
Fury ignited in my chest. I was about to spin around and claw him to shreds when a scent hit me—a dark, woodsy aroma mixed with dark chocolate. My wolf stirred, alert and yearning. Maybe she would come forth tonight to protect me, and I would finally shift...
“Let her go.”
The voice was low, commanding, and enough to make the air in the room shift. The man behind me stilled, his bravado evaporating as he took a step back.
I turned to face my rescuer, and my breath hitched. It was the same stranger, his presence powerful and magnetic. He stood close, his towering frame shielding me from the crowd. I looked at his chiseled jaw in awe, my fingers yearning to trace his jawline. His square face turned toward me, and I met the most gorgeous teal-blue eyes. My heart skipped a beat when he smirked down at me, and his cheeks flexed his dimples.
“Are you okay?” His voice was softer now, laced with concern.
I nodded, unable to find my voice.
“Good,” he said, smirking as he leaned in just enough for only me to hear. “Such a gorgeous woman shouldn’t be alone on the dance floor.”
I flushed, my heart racing as his scent surrounded me.
“Who are you?” I asked in a breathless voice, failing to get hold of me.
“You have a bad habit of staring at strangers, then,” he smirked.
Without waiting for a response, he scooped me into his arms effortlessly.
“Wait—what are you doing?” I gasped, glancing around to see Sophia and Elena grinning and blowing kisses from across the room.
‘You’re welcome, babe,’ Sophia mind-linked with a giggle.
‘Enjoy your night with Mr. Sexy,’ Elena added.
I didn’t protest. Instead, I let my fingers trace the hard line of his jaw, marveling at how warm his skin felt. He carried me into a private room, the door clicking shut behind us.
“Strip,” I demanded boldly, surprising even myself as he threw me on the bed. I was determined to do the exact opposite of what I was told to do. My father told me to be submissive, but I won’t for tonight. He told me to be a good girl and not to go to the night clubs, but here I was with a call boy.
“That should have been my word.” His lips quirked into a cocky grin.
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. “Do I look like I repeat myself?”
He chuckled, his amusement evident, before ripping off his shirt in one fluid motion. My breath caught at the sight of his sculpted torso, every muscle defined and gleaming under the dim light.
“Happy?” he asked, his voice rich with amusement. “You have driven me crazy, darling. I want those hips,” he paused and grabbed my thigh from the slit, pulling me closer and adding, “grinding against mine.”
His touch tingled the sparks in my body, awakening those non-existent butterflies in my stomach I never had in my six months of relationship.
I didn’t reply, my gaze fixed on him as he leaned closer, his hand cupping my face. Sparks ignited where his skin met mine, sending shivers down my spine.
“Tell me I’m your first, baby,” he said, pinning me under him possessively in a swift move. Sheldon had never gone beyond making out with me but I was glad now that he didn’t.
My heart was galloping in my chest. I nodded, my heart pounding as his lips claimed mine in a searing kiss, leaving no room for hesitation. His lips moved swiftly, savoring my lips before tugging at the corner of my mouth, seeking an entrance inside.
His hands tore away the remnants of my gown, discarding it with a careless flick. His half-lidded eyes locked on mine as he whispered, “It will hurt a little, so hold me tight, baby. I promise to be gentle.”
Why was my wolf going crazy? It was the first time she had reacted to someone because she was mostly nonchalant about the surroundings and others.
Hi, lovely readers. Thank you so much for choosing my book. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoy writing every chapter of this book. Kindly, support my book with as much as gems, comments, gifts, and reviews as you can. The gems and reviews will help my book to get more exposure and promotions in the app. It's the best way you can support this book and me. I have started this journey with so much love, excitement, and dedication. I'll try my best to make it a fun and joyful ride for you, I promise. I'm writing every chapter of this book just the way a mother raises her baby with so much love and care, sacrificing her sleep, social life, etc. so that's the reason I call my book my baby. Thanks, again. Lots of love, J Belladonna
LilaThis morning felt… different. There was a smile tugging at my lips, one I couldn’t suppress. My body ached in the best way, a soreness that reminded me of last night—a night unlike any I’d ever known.Something had shifted in me. There was power coursing through my veins, raw and untamed, as if I were no longer bound to the labels they’d placed on me. Submissive omega? My father’s obedient little girl? Not anymore. Last night, I’d taken charge. I wasn’t the one bowing down; I was the one worshipped.The way he touched me, revered me... Oh, Goddess. Heat pooled in my core just at the memory. If only I’d had more cash on me—he deserved far more than the hundred dollars I’d left him."Lila, come here!"My father’s furious voice ripped through my pleasant reverie, snapping me back to reality. The smile on my face faltered, fading as I realized I was already in the hall, my feet carrying me toward the stairs.I froze, my breath catching as his gaze locked onto mine, brimming with anger
Lila“What are you doing here?” I hissed, my voice sharp with fury, though I could feel the tremble beneath it.Sheldon pushed himself up from my bed with a lazy, predatory smirk. “Came to see my little omega humbled, finally realizing she can’t escape me or this engagement.”“I already have,” I shot back, my tone biting as I folded my arms across my chest. “You forfeited any claim the moment you cheated on me.”My words were steel, but inside, my heart thudded unevenly. I couldn’t afford to let him see the cracks—the pain he’d caused me would only fuel his sick power play.Sheldon chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. His eyes raked over me with a disgusting sense of ownership.“You’re so naive,” he sneered, stepping closer. His Alpha aura pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating. “You think you can break the engagement? You think you have that kind of power?”I stayed silent, my fists clenching at my sides as he loomed over me.“Didn’t your father teach you anything?” His voice dri
ElliotSunlight streamed through the windows, piercing my eyelids and dragging me out of sleep. Groaning, I rubbed my face and turned toward the other side of the bed. My lips curved into a lazy smirk, expecting to find her there, tangled in the sheets, as breathtaking in the morning light as she had been last night.But the bed was empty.My heart kicked up its pace. I sat up, scanning the room. The faint scent of her still lingered in the air—a mix of jasmine and plum that had driven my wolf wild. But she was gone.“Damn it,” I muttered, raking a hand through my hair. I hadn’t even learned her name.It wasn’t like me to stay after a night like that. I was the one who disappeared before dawn, leaving no room for attachments or awkward conversations. But last night had been...different. I’d stayed, letting my guard down for the first time in years. And she’d vanished.My wolf paced restlessly in the back of my mind, his frustration mirroring mine. Where is she?Then I saw it. A crisp h
LilaA sharp sting in the back of my hand pulled me from the haze of unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered, heavy and sluggish, as I blinked against the sterile light of the hospital room. An IV drip was attached to the back of my hand, and the faint beeping of machines filled the silence.“She’s awake—call the doctor,” a nurse’s voice cut through the fog.I turned my head slightly, finding a kind-eyed nurse rushing to my side. She was middle-aged, with a warm smile that somehow managed to put me at ease, even amidst the confusion clawing at my chest.“Are you feeling okay, sweetie?” She asked, gently taking my blood pressure.I nodded weakly, my throat too dry to form words. She handed me a glass of water, her gaze softening with pity.“You need to be extra careful now,” She said, her tone firm but caring. “I know life can get hectic, especially for someone your age, but you have to prioritize your health first. In your condition, it’s critical.”Her words didn’t make sense, but befor
LilaThe doctor discharged me shortly after, and Julian insisted on driving me back to my dorm. Considering my baby’s safety, I hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The air in the car was thick with silence, awkward and heavy, neither of us quite sure how to fill it.When we reached my dorm, the car screeched to a halt, and Julian got out quickly, moving to help me. I hated the weakness I felt as I leaned on him, my body still protesting from the strain I’d put it through over the past month.“This way,” I muttered, leading him toward the stairs.As soon as we stepped inside, a loud moan echoed from the room next door, followed by a round of laughter. I winced, heat rising to my cheeks.Julian raised a brow, his face clouding with concern. “I don’t think you should be staying in a place like this,” he said firmly, his voice laced with disapproval.“I can’t afford anything better,” I replied with a shrug, pressing my lips together to suppress my embarrassment.Once inside my sma
ElliotI slammed the shot glass onto the bar, the tequila burning my throat but doing little to douse the fire inside me. My wolf prowled beneath my skin, restless, snarling, demanding her presence. The absence of her scent—soft, floral, unforgettable—gnawed at him like an open wound.Lila Emerson.Her name was a curse and a prayer all at once, clawing at the edges of my sanity. She’d become a phantom haunting my every thought, her image seared into my mind no matter how hard I tried to erase it. My wolf howled for her, yet I was determined to resist the pull, to prove he was wrong. She wasn’t worthy of my obsession—of our obsession. She was the daughter of a traitor, a cheater. That was all she would ever be.But my patience was wearing thin. Days of searching, tracking, interrogating, and still, nothing. My Beta’s incompetence was grating, and my wolf’s fury grew with each passing moment she remained hidden.“Alpha,” a honeyed, overly sultry voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts.I
LilaFate must have had a cruel sense of humor. The man I had given my virginity to wasn’t just any stranger—he was the son of our enemy. And as if that wasn’t enough of a cosmic joke, I was carrying his pup.The Moon Goddess had to have been in a foul mood when she wrote my destiny because this? This was beyond twisted.Yet, deep within me, a small, treacherous part yearned for him. His presence had stirred something dormant, something primal. The warmth of his gaze, even laced with arrogance, felt like a tether pulling me back to the night we shared.“You,” he said, his tone dripping with confidence. “I want you, he added, the smirk curling on his lips, making my pulse quicken for all the wrong reasons.“How dare you?” I snapped, my voice sharp as I restrained the growl threatening to spill from my chest.Elliot’s smirk deepened, but before he could reply, his phone buzzed. His brows furrowed in irritation as he pulled it out, answering the call without a second thought.“How could h
ElliotA satisfied smile curled her lips as she finished her dessert, the lightest glimmer of contentment gracing her face. My wolf howled inside me, begging to be closer to her—to stop being cold and intimidating. The pull of the mate bond was suffocating, making it nearly impossible to resist the urge to soften toward her.Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder, why wasn’t she feeling the same? She wasn’t powerful enough to mask the effects of the bond since her aura wasn’t that strong.“You’ll do the dishes,” I said, my voice cool and commanding as I turned toward Kai.Kai’s eyes widened in mock horror. “You’re joking, right?”Smirking, I leaned back in my chair. “Cleaning doesn’t require skill. No excuses.”Kai grumbled under his breath but gathered the plates with a sigh, heading toward the kitchen.“I’ll help,” Lila offered, pushing back her chair and standing.The thought of her doing anything with my Beta sent a spike of possessiveness coursing through me. I reached out, grasping her
LilaThe meeting at the office had gone better than I expected. With the new plans and policies in place, my company was finally heading in the direction I had always envisioned—a place where equality thrived, where the employees felt valued, and where archaic, discriminatory practices were eradicated. The new investment plans were strategically crafted to revitalize my company, ensuring its steady recovery from the losses my father’s mismanagement had inflicted. Each decision was calculated to not only stabilize the business but also position it for long-term growth, restoring the reputation and strength it once held. As I stepped out of my office, Sheila, my ever-efficient secretary, called out to me. “Lila, wait.” She hurried over, holding a thick file in her hands.“These are old records,” she explained, her voice tinged with unease. “I couldn’t make sense of some of them, but I thought you should take a look. They might be important.”I frowned, sensing her discomfort. “Thank y
Lila“I’ll miss you,” Uncle Liam murmured, pulling me into a warm, comforting embrace.“We’ll be back soon,” Elliot replied smoothly, his hand resting protectively on the small of my back before I could respond.Aunt Julia's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she clasped my hands in hers. “Call me, sweetheart. Promise me you will.”“Of course,” I reassured her, my voice soft but steady. She was the last connection I had to my mother’s family, and I knew her presence might be key in uncovering the secrets hidden in my mother’s journal.“I’ll visit his pack during the blood moon,” Elliot’s uncle said, glancing at Aunt Julia with a small smile. “If you’d like, you can join me.”My aunt's expression shifted from surprise to unrestrained joy. “I’d love to,” she said, her voice tinged with delight.“Don’t forget to invite us to the wedding,” Aunt Julia teased, her words laced with playful mischief as her gaze shifted between me and Elliot.My cheeks flushed, heat creeping up my neck, but E
ElliotHer lips on mine set my entire body ablaze. I could feel her surrender, her trust, and her desire—everything I craved to earn from her. The waves lapped around us, cool and steady, but nothing could temper the fire she ignited within me.I gripped her waist, holding her steady as she kissed me deeply, her hands threading through my hair and tugging just enough to drive me mad. She tasted like sweetness and temptation, the perfect mix of innocence and wildness that was uniquely her."Lila," I murmured against her lips, my voice thick with need. "If we keep this up, I won't be able to stop."Her emerald eyes met mine, a glimmer of determination in their depths. "Then don't."My wolf growled in approval, but I hesitated. She was carrying our children. Her safety, her comfort—it came before my desires. Always."Lila," I said, my tone softer now, my forehead pressed against hers. "You're everything to me, and I don't want to hurt you. Not physically, not emotionally."Her hands cupp
LilaHis face glowed beneath the sun's setting light, the hues of amber and crimson casting an almost ethereal glow on his features. As we walked hand in hand along the beach, the sand warm beneath our bare feet, I couldn’t help but trace the sharp line of his jaw with my fingertip.Elliot turned toward me, his expression softening as a dimple appeared on his cheek, and I caught my breath. That single dimple was a betrayal of his otherwise unyielding demeanor—a glimpse of vulnerability that made my heart stumble.“Why don’t you smile more often?” I asked, my voice lighter than I felt. “The dimple really suits you.” My finger lingered over the hollow, as though committing it to memory, before I pressed it gently like a button.His chuckle was low and unrestrained, the sound vibrating through me. “I smile when there’s something worth smiling about,” he said, the warmth in his voice making my pulse quicken.“And what’s the reason now?” I prodded, raising a brow.He leaned in slightly, hi
ElliotUncle Liam had asked me why I had come without her but I had shut ignored him and came back to my room. I was seething in rage, I was hurt by the way she had responded, I knew what I did was wrong but the way she had shut me out and didn't even give me a chance to hear me out was what hurt me more. I laced around my room restlessly, not able to stay away from her and the distance was gnawing at my insides. The room was heavy with her plum and jasmine scent which perturbed me more, I needed to calm distract myself so I got out of cabin and drove to the woods where I might get some peace but when I reached my car, I saw Mark opening the door of his car for my mate and I clenched my jaw, hating the fact that he was with her while I was away from her.Julia ushered Lila towards me, smiling down at me genuinely. “I see you're going out,” Julia said warmly as Lila looked at me silently with a confused face. I looked away from her and nodded my head. “Take your mate with you,” Juli
LilaThe surge of emotions through the mate bond as I woke was overwhelming—powerful, magnetic, and utterly suffocating. My hand instinctively went to my neck, fingers grazing the tender mark that now connected us irrevocably.Elliot had marked me.While I’d been unconscious, he had taken away my choice, sealing our bond without my consent. Fury ignited in my chest, eclipsing every other emotion, every other thought.My wolf stirred within me, her presence stronger, more vivid than ever before. Elliot’s mark had strengthened her, tethering us to him in a way that I couldn’t deny. But I couldn’t let the sparks, the intoxicating pull of the mate bond, blind me. Not after learning the truth about my mother’s life—how she had allowed love to trap her, to chain her.“I’m sorry, Lila,” Elliot’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts, laced with a raw sincerity that might have softened me at another time. “I didn’t have a choice. Your aunt told me it was the only way to wake you up.”Hurt
Elliot “She’ll be fine,” Uncle Liam said, breaking the tense silence. His tone was firm, but his eyes betrayed him—darkened with concern.“She better be,” I growled, my voice raw. “Because if she isn’t…I'm going to kill that Beta of yours.” My hands clenched the wheel even tighter, my words trailing off into a dangerous promise.Mark’s house came into view, a sprawling estate tucked behind wrought-iron gates. I didn’t wait for them to fully open, driving through the narrow gap the moment it was wide enough. The tires screeched as I brought the car to an abrupt stop.The front door flew open before I even reached it, Mark standing there with a grim expression.“She’s upstairs,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with worry. “She fainted suddenly in my Mom's room. Serena’s with her now.”I pushed past him without a word, taking the stairs two at a time. My heart thundered in my chest, each step bringing me closer to the room where Lila was.When I finally entered, I saw her lying pal
Elliot“Tell me what you need from me,” I asked, leaning against the wall of his office, my arms crossed.Uncle Liam looked up from his laptop, removed his glasses, and sighed heavily. The weight of his exhale told me whatever he was about to say wouldn’t sit well.“Take a look,” he said, turning the screen toward me.I moved to the empty chair in front of his desk and began reading. My jaw tightened as my eyes scanned the document. The history of his pack stared back at me—a history deeply rooted in my mother’s bloodline. Her ancestors had fought tooth and nail to preserve it through countless wars.“Why are you giving it to Mark, then?” I asked, my voice cold, carefully masking the unease bubbling inside me.“I don’t have children,” he replied with a dismissive shrug. “And you clearly don’t want it. I won’t force this pack onto you. You already have your pack, your mate’s pack soon, and let’s not forget—you're going to be the Alpha King. Your responsibilities are only going to multip
LilaThe afternoon sun filtered through the windows of Aunt Julia’s room, casting soft patterns on the walls as we sat in a tense silence. My thoughts were a chaotic swirl, her revelations still echoing in my mind as we had tea. I had come here to connect with my mother’s roots, but instead, I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about my family.“Lila,” Julia began gently, her hand resting on mine, “I know this is a lot to take in. Your mother loved you more than anything in this world. Her decisions—everything she endured—it was all for you. But that doesn’t mean the truth should be hidden from you.”I nodded slowly, trying to steady my breathing. “I need to know everything, Aunt Julia. I can’t live with half-truths anymore. If my father lied about this, what else did he lie about?”Julia’s gaze softened with empathy, and she leaned back, her expression thoughtful. “Your father… Andrew was a complex man, Lila. He was ambitious, driven, and deeply insecure. He loved no